cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
First report of Fusarium rot of garlic bulbs caused by Fusarium proliferatum in North Carolina.

In August of 2013, garlic bulbs (Allium sativum) of the variety Chesnok Red grown and stored under dry conditions by a commercial producer in Buncombe County showed water-soaked, tan to salmon-pink lesions. Lesions on cloves became soft over time, slightly sunken, and had mycelium near the center of the bulb, which is characteristic of Fusarium rots on garlic (1,2). Approximately 10 to 20% of the bulbs inspected in the drying storage room were affected. Surface-sterilized tissue was excised from the margin of lesions on eight bulbs, plated onto acid potato dextrose agar (APDA), and incubated in the dark at room temperature (21°C). White to light pink colonies with abundant aerial mycelium and a purple pigment were obtained from all samples after 2 to 3 days of incubation. Inspection of colony morphology and reproductive structures under a microscope revealed that isolate characteristics were consistent with Fusarium proliferatum (Matsushima) Nirenberg. Microscopic morphological characteristics of the isolate included hyaline, septate hyphae; slender, slightly curved macroconidia with three to five septae produced in sporodochia; curved apical cell; and club-shaped, aseptate microconidia (measuring 3.3 to 8.3 × 1.1 to 1.3 μm) produced in chains by mono and polyphyalides. To further define the identity of the isolate, the beta-tubulin (Btub), elongation factor 1a (EF1a), and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions were amplified and sequenced (3). The resulting sequences were compared against the GenBank nucleotide database by using a BLAST alignment, which revealed that the isolate had 100% identity with F. proliferatum for the Btub, EF1a, and ITS regions (GenBank Accession Nos. AF291055.1, JX118976.1, and HF930594.1, respectively). Sequences for the isolate were deposited in GenBank under accessions KJ128963, KJ128964, and KJ128965. While there have been other reports of F. proliferatum causing bulb rot of garlic in the United States (1), to our knowledge, this is the first report in North Carolina. The finding is significant since F. proliferatum can produce a broad range of mycotoxins, including fumonisins, when infecting its host, which is a concern for food safety in Allium crops. References: (1) F. M. Dugan et al. Plant Pathol. 52:426, 2003. (2) L. J. du Toit and F. M. Dugan. Page 15 in: Compendium of Onion and Garlic Diseases and Pests. H. F. Schwartz and S. K. Mohan, eds. The American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, MN, 2008. (3) T. J. White et al. Page 315 in: PCR Protocols: A Guide to Methods and Applications. M. A. Innis et al., eds. Academic Press, San Diego, CA, 1990.
Finite element analysis of closely-coiled helical springs

Abstract I consider the deflection and state of stress in a closely-coiled helical spring. The cross-section of a coil may have arbitrary shape. A simple finite element procedure is described, in which there is a single displacement degree of freedom for each node and also a “global” freedom, for a total of N + 1 d.o.f. in a finite element model of N nodes.
Epidemiology of gestational trophoblastic disease

The epidemiology of gestational trophoblastic disease is not well understood. Methodologic problems with published reports limit the interpretation of incidence data, although the frequency of hydatidiform mole appears to be about one per 1000 pregnancies. No consistent temporal trends in rates of either hydatidiform mole or choriocarcinoma are evident. Hydatidiform mole appears to be caused by abnormal gametogenesis and fertilization. Age, ethnicity, and a history of hydatidiform mole appear to be important risk factors for hydatidiform mole. Age, ethnicity, a history of hydatidiform mole or fetal wastage, and ABO blood group interactions appear to be important risk factors for choriocarcinoma. Future studies should focus on the mechanisms by which these risk factors influence gametogenesis, fertilization, and malignant transformation of trophoblastic tissue.
The cytoplasmic carboxy terminus of M13 procoat is required for the membrane insertion of its central domain

The Ml3 coat protein spans the Escherichia coli plasma membrane with its amino-terminus facing the periplasm. It is made as a precursor—the procoat—with a typical leader peptide. Mutations which destroy the basic character of the carboxy-terminal domain of procoat, a domain which is oriented towards the cytoplasm, block membrane assembly, while insertion of three lysyl residues near the carboxy terminus partially restores assembly. Thus the information specifying membrane insertion of M13 procoat protein is found in its mature region as well as the leader and is not simply decoded in an amino to carboxy direction.
Persistent infections with Sendai virus and Newcastle disease viruses

Persistent infections (Pi) were established in two host-cell systems [Madin-Darby bovine kidney (MDBK) and Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)] with Sendai virus and three strains of NDV, to test the influence of different viruses and host-cell systems. Virus was recovered from the persistently infected cells. An RNA- ts mutant was recovered from a Pi of MDBK cells, but no Pi could be established in MDCK cells with the three strains of NDV. Additionally, the Pi was established exclusively by a virulent strain, NDV-Milano. On the other hand, Sendai virus could establish Pi in MDBK and MDCK cell-systems. Several ts mutants were recovered from "late" passages of Pi, and from an accidental infection, a ts mutant with an altered P polypeptide. Ten other ts mutants were tested, however, the specific ts lesion could not be identified. From three Pi in MDCK cells, host range mutants (ts-f1, ts-f2, and ts-f3) were recovered. One of the mutants (ts-f1) has an altered M (matrix) protein. The host range mutants undergo a productive infection in MDBK and MDCK cells, which are nonpermissive for wild type Sendai virus. The possible significance of the results are discussed.
Power-aware topology control for wireless multi-hop sensor networks

A power-aware approach that allows the power consumption to be evenly distributed among network nodes and, thereby, prolongs the network lifetime is proposed in this research. To begin with, each node has the same residual power level, and the algorithm employs the MST (minimum spanning tree)-based power-efficient topology control algorithm to obtain the first topology. Afterwards, when a node is making a decision on whether a wireless link between itself and a reachable neighboring node should be preserved or not in the topology being constructed, the decision is made based on not only the distance from its neighboring nodes but also the residual power levels of itself and its neighboring nodes. In principle, the constructed topology will be the one in which the node of a larger connectivity degree is the one of a higher residual power level. Also, from time to time, based on the residual power level of each node, the topology may be restructured. A node of degree one is a leaf node, and those non-leaf nodes and their attached links form the backbone of the virtual infrastructure.
Interferon-beta sub 1b treatment decreases tumor necrosis factor-alpha and increases interleukin-6 production in multiple sclerosis

MS is presumed to be a T-cell-mediated chronic inflammatory disease of the CNS. We examined proliferation and cytokine secretion of mononuclear cells after stimulation with OKT3 [anti-CD3] monoclonal antibody (MAb) or concanavalin A (Con A) in subjects with stable relapsing-remitting MS (RR MS) before and after initiating interferon (IFN)-beta 1b treatment. There was no significant difference in pretreatment to on-treatment anti-CD3 mAb or Con A-induced proliferation in RR MS patients. There was significantly increased Con A-induced secretion of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, IFN-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and IL-10 and decreased IL-4 secretion in on-treatment compared with pretreatment peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples. However, on-treatment CD3-mediated secretion of TNF-alpha was significantly decreased, and IL-6 secretion was significantly increased compared with pretreatment values. IFN-gamma was also decreased in on-treatment cultures stimulated with anti-CD3 MAb, but these values did not reach statistical significance. Systemic side effects from IFN-beta 1b were associated with increased IL-6 secretion. There were no significant changes in CD3-mediated IL-4, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, or IL-2 secretion or Con A-induced TGF-beta secretion. IFN-beta 1b (Betaseron) decreases CD3-mediated TNF-alpha secretion but increases another inflammatory cytokine, IL-6, that could potentially counteract its beneficial immunomodulatory effects. NEUROLOGY 1996;46: 1633-1638
Underpotential metal deposition on gold, monitored in situ with a quartz microbalance

Abstract The underpotential deposition (UPD) of Pb, Bi, Cu, and Cd has been examined on polycrystalline Au in 0.1 M HClO4. The Au film electrode was attached to an oscillating quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) mounted in an electrochemical cell. The coverage of the UPD layer on the Au surface is calculated from the frequency change of the QCM as a function of potential. Coverages are in good agreement with previous estimates obtained using other techniques. The electrosorption valencies (γ) have been calculated from the charge to coverage ratios obtained from the QCM. Values for the four metals, Pb (γ = 2.0), Bi (γ = 2.7), Cu (γ =1.4). and Cd (γ = 1.6 to 2.0), are similar to those previously reported. These experiments indicate that the QCM is a quantitative tool for examining monolayer and sub-monolayer metal deposits.
A continuum framework for finite viscoplasticity

Abstract A continuum framework for finite viscoplasticity is developed based on Lee's multiplicative decomposition with internal variables. Noteworthy features include a thermodynamically consistent treatment of the storage of cold work and plastic volume change and a careful examination of the restrictions imposed by the entropy inequality and the property of instantaneous thermoelastic response.
LEEM study of island decay on Si(1 1 0)

Abstract Laser texturing enables the observation of island decays on the ‘1 × 1’ high temperature surface of Si(1 1 0) by low energy electron microscopy. At temperatures above the phase transition ( T = 790–980 °C), the decay of the island areas exhibits a nonlinear dependence on time indicative of surface diffusion limited mass transport. The aspect ratios of the islands during the decay show a weak temperature dependence despite the fact that surface is anisotropic. We have obtained the activation energy of mass transport, the kink energy, step energy, and step stiffness for Si(1 1 0).
The Surface of Titan from NICMOS Observations with the Hubble Space Telescope

Abstract From diffraction-limited images produced by the near-IR camera NICMOS aboard the Hubble Space Telescope we derived maps of Titan's surface in the methane windows near 1.1, 1.6, and 2.0 μm. Each part of Titan's atmosphere and surface was imaged at least twice over a time period of 24 h to look for moving clouds. Despite careful analysis we found no evidence for cloud activity. On the contrary, we were able to reproduce most of the features identified by previous mapping efforts, indicating that the albedo landscape remained stable over several years and is most likely indigenous to the surface. At the 3σ level we confirmed two brightness peaks in the prominent, continent-sized bright feature on the leading side of Titan. Many smaller landmarks could be mapped, including distinct surface structures on the dark, trailing side of Titan. These rule out the presence of a single large ethane ocean on the “back-side” of Titan. No obvious differences could be seen between the maps at different wavelengths, other than a gradual loss of spatial resolution due to the diffraction limit of the 2.4-m primary mirror.
Development of MATLAB Graphical User Interface for Teaching Statics

In this paper a Graphical User Interface (GUI) platform to supplement teaching and learning in Engineering Mechanics — Statics course is developed. The package encompasses several interrelated modules of the concepts introduced in a typical Statics class. The GUI provides a user-friendly interactive approach to solving problems and displaying the results both numerically and graphically in two- and three-dimensional spaces. In addition to visualization, GUI approach allows users to modify input data and observe the effect on the solution, thus providing students with additional insight to predict the behavior of structures under different loading scenarios.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
First spectroscopic investigation of the 4d transition metal monocarbide MoC

The first optical spectroscopic investigation of MoC has revealed a complicated vibronic spectrum consisting of about 35 bands between 17 700 and 24 000 cm−1. Analysis has shown the ground state to be the Ω=0+ spinorbit component of a 3Σ− state that derives from a 10σ211σ25π42δ2 configuration. The X 3Σ0+− rotational constant for 98Mo12C was determined to be B0=0.553 640±0.000 055 cm−1, giving r0=1.687 719±0.000 084 A. Consideration of spin-uncoupling effects in the X 3Σ− state requires that this value be revised to r0=1.6760 A, which represents our best estimate of the true Mo–C bond length. Spectroscopic constants were also extracted for six other major isotopic modifications of MoC in this mass resolved experiment. All rotationally resolved transitions were found to originate from the ground state and terminate in electronic states with Ω=1. An attempt is made to classify the observed transitions into band systems, to rationalize the complexity of the spectrum, and to understand the bonding from a molecular orbital point of view.
Dextrans for targeted and sustained delivery of therapeutic and imaging agents

Dextrans are glucose polymers which have been used for more than 50 years as plasma volume expanders. Recently, however, dextrans have been investigated for delivery of drugs, proteins/enzymes, and imaging agents. These highly water soluble polymers are available commercially as different molecular weights (M(W)) with a relatively narrow M(W) distribution. Additionally, dextrans contain a large number of hydroxyl groups which can be easily conjugated to drugs and proteins by either direct attachment or through a linker. In terms of pharmacokinetics, the intact polymer is not absorbed to a significant degree after oral administration. Therefore, most of the applications of dextrans as macromolecular carriers are through injectable routes. However, a few studies have reported the potential of dextrans for site (colon)-specific delivery of drugs via the oral route. After the systemic administration, the pharmacokinetics of the conjugates of dextran with therapeutic/imaging agents are significantly affected by the kinetics of the dextran carrier. Animal and human studies have shown that both the distribution and elimination of dextrans are dependent on the M(W) and charge of these polymers. Pharmacodynamically, conjugation with dextrans has resulted in prolongation of the effect, alteration of toxicity profile, and a reduction in the immunogenicity of drugs and/or proteins. A substantial number of studies on dextran conjugates of therapeutic/imaging agents have reported favorable alteration of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of these agents. However, most of these studies have been carried out in animals, with only a few being extended to humans. Future studies should concentrate on barriers for the clinical use of dextrans as macromolecular carriers for delivery of drugs, proteins, and imaging agents.
Bortezomib activity and in vitro interactions with anthracyclines and cytarabine in acute myeloid leukemia cells are independent of multidrug resistance mechanisms and p53 status

Purpose The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib may be effective in combination with cytarabine and anthracyclines in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by virtue of targeting aberrantly activated NF-κB in AML stem cells. We tested whether bortezomib cytotoxicity is affected by multidrug resistance (MDR) proteins expressed in AML cells. We also tested whether bortezomib interactions with cytarabine and anthracyclines are affected by p53, because proteasome inhibition stabilizes p53 and may thus cause cell cycle arrest.
The role of antibodies in respiratory viral immunity

Abstract Antibodies protect against disease caused by viruses that infect the lower respiratory tract, and contribute to the resolution of established infection by these pathogens. The kinetics and specificities of antibodies secreted in response to respiratory virus infections are described, however the mechanisms by which antibodies prevent or resolve infection are less clear. Recent studies of virus neutralization in cell culture, the immunobiology of respiratory virus infections in animal models, and passive immunoprophylaxis of human patients are beginning to better define the role of antibodies in immunity to respiratory viruses.
Effect of Firing Temperature and Water Exposure on Crack Propagation in Unglazed Porcelain

Static fatigue of dental ceramics results from the interaction of residual tensile stress and an aqueous environment. This phenomenon is a potential cause of delayed crack formation and propagation in ceramic or metal-ceramic restorations. For dental ceramics, the influence of microstructural defects such as porosity or fissures caused by incomplete sintering is not known. The objectives of this study were to characterize the influence of porosity (produced by underfiring) on the crack propagation resistance of two feldspathic porcelains and to determine whether lower stress corrosion susceptibility or higher fracture toughness accounts for the superior thermal shock resistance of one of these ceramics. We underfired bars of each porcelain, 25 mm x 4 mm x 4 mm, by as much as 84 degrees C below their recommended firing temperatures. After polishing the specimens through 0.05 microns alumina, we induced cracks in their surfaces with a Vickers microhardness indenter. Semicircular cracks, which were produced under an applied indenter load of 19.6 N, grew with time during storage in distilled water at 37 degrees C. Underfiring of both ceramics caused a slight increase in fracture toughness and a relatively small change in pore volume fraction until we underfired the ceramics at 30 degrees C or more. The crack propagation data indicate that the higher thermal shock resistance of one of the ceramics--as measured previously by a water-quench technique-may be due to its greater resistance to stress corrosion at the initial stage of crack propagation.
Information programming for personal user interfaces

With widespread access to e-mail, the world-wide web, and other information sources, people now use computers more for managing information than for managing applications. To support how people naturally and routinely organize information, computers ought to be able to reflect the categories, relationships, and cues that people rely on when thinking about and remembering facts. Toward this end, we created an Information Programming Toolkit (IPtk) that collects application-independent properties, indexes documents along many dimensions to create a personal record of information use, and provides convenient means for information access. The IPtk enables the development of smart user interfaces that automatically tailor information to a user's history and context of information use.
PHOTOOXIDATION OF 3, 4‐DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE BY HEMATOPORPHYRIN IN AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS: AN ELECTRON SPIN RESONANCE STUDY USING 2, 2, 6, 6‐TETRAMETHYL‐4‐PIPERIDONE‐1‐OXYL (TEMPONE)

— The oxidation of 3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) photosensitized by hematoporphyrin has been studied by ESR spectroscopy. The nitroxide free radical 2, 2, 6, 6-tetramethyl-4-piperidone-I-oxyl (TEMPONE) is shown to be a convenient probe for monitoring oxygen consumption during the reaction. Isotope and azide effects on oxygen consumption suggest that photooxidation in D2O proceeds mainly by a singler oxygen mechanism, whereas in H2O both singlet oxygen and free radical mechanisms are important. The relative importance of these mechanisms can change as oxygen is consumed during the photoreaction. TEMPONE also can be used as an indicator of the presence of reducing radicals (in this case hematoporphyrin radical anions) in the system, but only at low oxygen levels: in aerated solutions efficient reaction of these radical ions with oxygen is proposed.
Energetics of binding the mammalian high mobility group protein HMGA2 to poly(dA-dT)2 and poly(dA)-poly(dT).

The mammalian high mobility group protein A2 (HMGA2) is a chromosomal architectural transcription factor involved in oncogenesis and cell transformation. It has three “AT-hook” DNA binding domains, which specifically bind to the minor groove of AT DNAs. The interaction of HMGA2 with poly(dA-dT)2 and poly(dA)poly(dT) has been investigated using the ethidium displacement assay, isothermal titration calorimetry, and UV melting studies. Each AT hook DNA binding domain was found to bind to 5 bp and each HMGA2 molecule binds to 15 bp. Although an individual AT hook DNA binding domain binds to AT DNAs with moderate affinity, HMGA2 binds with very high affinity to both DNAs in solutions containing 20 mM Na+ at 25 °C. The Ka and binding enthalpy for poly(dA-dT)2 were determined to be, respectively, 1.9×1014 M−1 and −29.1(±0.5) kcal/mol. The binding reaction is enthalpy-driven with a favorable free energy of −19.5 kcal/mol and unfavorable entropy of −32.5 cal/mol K (−TΔS=+9.7 kcal/mol) at a 1 M reference state. Interestingly, although HMGA2 binds to poly(dA)poly(dT) with a binding constant of 9.6×1012 M−1, the binding reaction is entropy-driven with an unfavorable enthalpy of +0.6 kcal/mol, a free energy of −17.7 kcal/mol and an entropy of +61.4 cal/mol K (−TΔS=−18.3 kcal/mol) at the 1 M state. The enthalpy–entropy compensation is similar to that of several minor groove-binding drugs such as netropesin, distamycin A and Hoechst33258 and may be a reflection of dehydration difference of different ligand–DNA complexes. The salt-dependence of the binding constant of HMGA2 with both DNAs showed that electrostatic interaction is a dominant force for the binding reactions. The temperature dependence of binding enthalpy for poly(dA-dT)2 indicates a large heat capacity of binding of −705(±113) cal/mol K, consistent with an important role of solvent displacement in the linked folding/binding processes in this system.
Decomposition of formic acid on copper, nickel, and copper-nickel alloys: IV. Temperature-programmed decomposition of bulk nickel formate and of formic acid preadsorbed on nickel powder

Abstract Formic acid (HCOOH, 6 kPa) decomposes to H 2 , and surface and bulk formate upon adsorption on Ni powder at room temperature. Formate species decompose at 300–450 K to CO 2 , CO, H 2 , and H 2 O. The CO 2 to CO ratios (3.5–5.5) are similar to those measured during decomposition of bulk Ni formate (3.5–5.0), and catalytic HCOOH decomposition on Ni powder, Ni SiO 2 , and Ni Al 2 O 3 (4.0–6.0). This suggests that the products of catalytic HCOOH decomposition on Ni arise from adsorbed formate species which decompose with a selectivity similar to that of bulk Ni formate. Structure insensitive paths seem to be preferred on fully covered surfaces.
Effect of 2,3-dihydro-1H-imidazo [1,2-b]pyrazole (IMPY) on the metabolism of human red cells

2,3 dihydro-IH-imidazo (1,2-b) pyrazole (IMPY) is a potential chemotherapeutic agent known to inhibit cellular DNA synthesis by blocking ribonucleotide reductase. During Phase I clinical studies with IMPY, patients developed a dose dependent hemolytic anemia possibly secondary to oxidant damage to the RBC. We therefore studied the effect of IMPY on the metabolism of human RBC's in vitro. IMPY, in clinically achievable concentrations, stimulated the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMPS) pathway of RBC's. This was associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species as demonstrated by the glutathione (GSH) instability and enhanced formate oxidation of RBC's incubated with the drug. In addition, the GSH concentration of the red cells of a patient fell during a continuous infusion of IMPY. These effects of IMPY on red cell metabolism in vitro and in vivo are similar to those of drugs known to cause oxidative damage to this cell. The capacity of IMPY to act as an oxidant could explain the hemolytic anemia seen in patients receiving this drug.
Analysis of jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) envelope protein domains in transformation

Jaagsiekte sheep retrovirus (JSRV) is the causative agent of a transmissible lung cancer in sheep. A unique feature is that JSRV envelope protein is also the oncogene for this virus. Previous studies have identified the cytoplasmic tail (CT) of the envelope transmembrane (TM) protein as critical for transformation although other regions of Env have also been implicated. In this study, the roles of other Env regions in transformation were investigated. Chimeras between JSRV Env and the Env of a related non-oncogenic endogenous retrovirus (enJSRV, 5F16) were used. A chimera containing the membrane-spanning region (MSR) of enJSRV inserted into JSRV Env showed substantially reduced transformation, indicating that the MSR plays a role in transformation. Transformation by this chimera was highly dependent on both Ras/Raf/MEK/MAPK and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling. A chimera containing the two amino acids in the TM ectodomain that distinguish JSRV and enJSRV showed modestly reduced transformation. Chimeras in the SU protein indicated that the amino terminal region of SU contributes to transformation, while the C-terminal part is not important. To test if Env trimerization is important for transformation, we mutated a leucine-rich sequence in the putative trimerization domain in the ectodomain of TM (Tri-M). This mutant could not transform cells and it did not oligomerize. However, Tri-M could complement a non-transforming mutant CT mutant (Y590F) so oligomerization is not necessary for at least some aspects of transformation. These experiments provide new insight into the regions and residues of JSRV Env protein necessary for oncogenic transformation.
An Improved Analytical Model for Deflections of a Circular Multi-Layer Piezoelectric Actuator

Models for simple closed-form analytical solutions for accurately predicting static deflections of circular thin-film piezoelectric microactuators are very useful in design and optimization of a variety of MEMS sensors and actuators utilizing piezoelectric actuators. While closed-form solutions treating actuators with simple geometries such as cantilevers and beams are available, simple analytical models treating circular bending-type actuators commonly used in MEMS applications are generally lacking. This paper presents a closed-form analytical solution for accurately estimating the deflections and the volume displacements of a circular multi-layer piezoelectric actuator under combined voltage and pressure loading. The model for the analytical solution presented in this paper, which is based on classical laminated plate theory, allows for inclusion of multiple layers and non-uniform diameters of various layers in the actuator including bonding and electrode layers, unlike other models previously reported in the literature. The analytical solution presented is validated experimentally as well as through a finite element solution and excellent experiment-model correlation within 1% variation is demonstrated. General guidelines for optimization of circular piezoelectric actuator are also discussed. The utility of the model for design optimization of a multi-layered piezoelectric actuator is demonstrated through a numerical example wherein the dimensions of a test actuator are optimized to improve the displaced volume by three-fold under combined voltage and resisting pressure loads.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Services for Persons With Mental Illness in Jail: Implications for Family Involvement

After committing relatively minor offenses many persons with serious mental illness are arrested and then detained because they lack adequate housing or other support resources. Deinstitutionaliation of these individuals has led to an increase in such arrests and imprisonment, with negative consequences. In jail, the special needs of persons with mental illness are likely to go unserved with the consequent risk of symptom relapse and physical harm. The authors identify critical areas in which family members and professionals can advocate for change in treatment and community linkage of persons with mental illness in jail.
Talent Development as a Multidimensional, Multiplicative, and Dynamic Process

Recent empirical research has challenged the common belief in the existence of talent, suggesting that exceptional performance is entirely the product of nurture rather than nature. However, this research has been based on a simple conception of what talent entails. Rather than involving a unidimensional, additive, and static genetic process, talent may instead emerge from a multidimensional, multiplicative, and dynamic process. This latter possibility is described in a two-part model that combines multidimensional and multiplicative inheritance with dynamic development. The first part of the model handles domain specificity, profile heterogeneity, the distribution of individual differences, familial heritability, and domain complexity. The second part explicates early-versus late-bloomers, early signs of talent, talent loss, and shifts in the domain of talent. The resulting model has crucial implications for how best to gauge the impact of nature in the development of talent.
Influence of local sequence context on damaged base conformation in human DNA polymerase ι: molecular dynamics studies of nucleotide incorporation opposite a benzo[a]pyrene-derived adenine lesion

Human DNA polymerase ι is a lesion bypass polymerase of the Y family, capable of incorporating nucleotides opposite a variety of lesions in both near error-free and error-prone bypass. With undamaged templating purines polymerase ι normally favors Hoogsteen base pairing. Polymerase ι can incorporate nucleotides opposite a benzo[a]pyrene-derived adenine lesion (dA*); while mainly error-free, the identity of misincorporated bases is influenced by local sequence context. We performed molecular modeling and molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the structural basis for lesion bypass. Our results suggest that hydrogen bonds between the benzo[a]pyrenyl moiety and nearby bases limit the movement of the templating base to maintain the anti glycosidic bond conformation in the binary complex in a 5′-CAGA*TT-3′ sequence. This facilitates correct incorporation of dT via a Watson−Crick pair. In a 5′-TTTA*GA-3′ sequence the lesion does not form these hydrogen bonds, permitting dA* to rotate around the glycosidic bond to syn and incorporate dT via a Hoogsteen pair. With syn dA*, there is also an opportunity for increased misincorporation of dGTP. These results expand our understanding of the versatility and flexibility of polymerase ι and its lesion bypass functions in humans.
A multicomponent program for nutrition and physical activity change in primary care: PACE+ for adolescents.

Background Most adolescents do not meet national recommendations for nutrition and physical activity. However, no studies of physical activity and nutrition interventions for adolescents conducted in health care settings have been published. The present study was an initial evaluation of the PACE+ (Patient-centered Assessment and Counseling for Exercise plus Nutrition) program, delivered in primary care settings. Participants Adolescents aged 11 to 18 years (N = 117) were recruited from 4 pediatric and adolescent medicine outpatient clinics. Participants' mean (SD) age was 14.1 (2.0) years, 37% were girls, and 43% were ethnic minorities. Intervention Behavioral targets were moderate physical activity, vigorous physical activity, fat intake, and fruit and vegetable intake. All patients completed a computerized assessment, created tailored action plans to change behavior, and discussed the plans with their health care provider. Patients were then randomly assigned to receive no further contact or 1 of 3 extended interventions: mail only, infrequent telephone and mail, or frequent telephone and mail. Measures Brief, validated, self-report measures of target behaviors were collected at baseline and 4 months later. Results All outcomes except vigorous physical activity improved over time, but adolescents who received the extended interventions did not have better 4-month outcomes than those who received only the computer and provider counseling components. Adolescents who targeted a behavior tended to improve more than those who did not target the behavior, except for those who targeted vigorous physical activity. Conclusions A primary care–based interactive health communication intervention to improve physical activity and dietary behaviors among adolescents is feasible. Controlled experimental research is needed to determine whether this intervention is efficacious in changing behaviors in the short- and long-term.
Immunogenicity of JHM virus proteins: characterization of a CD4+ T cell epitope on nucleocapsid protein which induces different T-helper cell subsets.

Abstract The CD4 + T-cell-restricted recognition of the structural proteins in the JHM strain of MHV (JHMV) was compared between two mouse strains. Following immunization with inactivated JHMV, all proteins elicited an immune response in both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mouse strains, except the nucleocapsid (N) protein, which was not immunogenic in C57BL/6 mice. T-cell lines and clones were derived from BALB/c mice immunized with UV-inactivated JHMV, to determine the epitope(s) for CD4 + T cells. The N protein appears immunodominant, since all T-cell lines and clones derived therefrom recognized this protein. To locate epitope-containing domains within the N protein, truncated N-protein fragments expressed in vaccinia constructs were used to stimulate the T-cell clones. Five independent T-cell clones recognized three separate N-protein domains: 1–133, 134–249, and 250–306. Since three of five clones recognized the last domain, its sequence was studied in more detail by constructing overlapping synthetic peptides covering this region. A single epitope was localized within the peptide comprising the N-protein residues 266–279. Its restriction element was identified as I-E d using mAb to I-E d and I-A d . In addition, peptide N266–279 contains the motif for binding to I-E d . This peptide elicited proliferative responses following immunization with JHMV, confirming its recognition in the complete virus. In addition, peptide N266–279 was recognized by T-cell clones that express differences in cytokine profile as well as in TCR Vβ usage.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Multicomponent Diffusion. 2. Nonequilibrium Method

This work demonstrates a general method for simulating multicomponent diffusion in concentrated solutions using molecular dynamics (MD). Although there have been prior reports of MD simulations of diffusion in multicomponent systems, no fully rigorous expressions have been reported for simulating Stefan−Maxwell diffusivities for an arbitrary number of species. The Green−Kubo approach developed here allows for the computation of a full diffusion-coefficient matrix for any number of species. The development is applicable to any solution that can be simulated using MD; nevertheless, our primary interest is in electrochemical applications. To this end, the method is tested by simulations of aqueous KCl and NaCl salt solutions in the concentration range 1−4 m. Intermolecular potentials were parametrized for these transport-based simulations. This work is the first to simulate all three independent diffusion coefficients for these solutions. The results are in semiquantitative agreement with experiment and show...
A Grammar Based Approach for Mining Bioinformatics Databases

In this paper we introduce a new formal approach for mining biological data sets. The proposed grammar based approach provides a flexible and powerful tool for advanced sequence comparison and data mining. The approach benefits from the power of regular grammars in allowing the use of advanced queries in comparing sequences and searching for motifs or interior-sequence attributes in biological databases. The formal grammar and the corresponding data mining engine is capable of extracting records from biological databases, filtering a subset of those records for mining, and then sorting those records based on similarity scheme designed by the user. This model is based on the objective (ontology) of the user and scoring is dynamic and is provided at runtime.
Fuzzy learning control for antiskid braking systems

Although antiskid braking systems (ABS) are designed to optimize braking effectiveness while maintaining steerability, their performance often degrades under harsh road conditions (e.g. icy/snowy roads). The use of the fuzzy model reference learning control (FMRLC) technique for maintaining adequate performance even under such adverse road conditions is proposed. This controller utilizes a learning mechanism that observes the plant outputs and adjusts the rules in a direct fuzzy controller so that the overall system behaves like a reference model characterizing the desired behavior. The performance of the FMRLC-based ABS is demonstrated by simulation for various road conditions (wet asphalt, icy) and transitions between such conditions (e.g. when emergency braking occurs and the road switches from wet to icy or vice versa). >
From feeding station to patch: scaling up food intake measurements in grazing cattle

Abstract The technique of grazing cut sods was used in combination with sound and video recording to examine the feasibility of using small-scale depletion curves derived from stall trials to estimate forage intake of cattle at the pasture. Setaria lutescens sods were grazed for a variable number of bites to generate patch depletion curves. Depletion curves characterize forage intake as a function of the number of bites taken at a single feeding station. Thus, the method agrees with a hierarchical approach to foraging and it could be used as a basis for scaling up food intake measurements to larger spatial scales. Two sod experiments were carried out, with the second experiment as a validation for predictions of intake. A field experiment was carried out to validate the predictions from the sod experiments with respect to both the amount and the rate of intake. Bite weight was largely determined by initial sward height and depletion level. Cumulative dry matter intake from the sods was well described by a rectangular hyperbola including the variables of number of bites and sward height. Bulk density added little to the explained variation, but was an important factor to account for the dry matter intake on short, dense sods from the second experiment. Feeding time could be explained to a great extent by the number of bites and chews taken, both in the sod and in the field experiments. However, the animals were substantially faster when grazing in the field than on the sods due to a relatively smaller chewing effort. The estimate of bite weight in the field based on the sod depletion curves was validated by an independent estimate derived from the chew to bite ratio. Bite weight estimates that ignored feeding station depletion were significantly greater than the independent estimates. We conclude that the sod grazing technique is an adequate tool to investigate food intake and forage depletion by grazing. It shows promise as a tool to explicitly scale up of foraging behaviour from the level of the feeding station to that of larger patches.
Losing to terrorism: An american work in progress

: The evolution of the U.S. war on terrorism is on a path that poses a substantial probability of losing to it, although not necessarily of a victory by its declared targets. That conclusion follows from the definition presented of terrorism and thus central questions about the merits of responses justified by an objective of reducing it. Likely American responses to 9/11 are suggested by a review of well-known policy-making tendencies from past scholarship and experience, tendencies well-established prior to 9/11 and by no means unique to the Bush II presidency. The expectations those tendencies suggest have been born out by what the United States has done and not done. Well-established criteria and their implied rules of practice for security enhancing great-power statecraft are presented, and the chosen U.S. program of action is found to be counter-productive in their light.
Experimental study on wireless multicast scalability using Merged Hybrid ARQ with staggered adaptive FEC

We report the design, implementation and evaluation of Merged Hybrid ARQ with staggered FEC (MHARQ) system for video multicast over wireless LANs. MHARQ combines the advantages of receiver-driven staggered FEC and hybrid ARQ schemes to compensate the large dynamic range of WLAN channels and to achieve high reliability, scalability and wireless bandwidth efficiency for video multicast. The FEC packets generated by a cross-packet FEC code are divided into multiple streams according to the pre-configured overhead and are transmitted in different multiple IP multicast groups. Certain FEC streams are delayed from the original video stream. The receivers dynamically join/leave the FEC multicast groups based on the channel conditions. For efficient utilization of WLAN bandwidth, FEC data for a multicast group would not be transmitted by the APs in wireless networks if no receiver joins this group. The time shift between the video stream and the FEC streams introduces temporal diversity and compensates for the client join delay and handoff interruption. In addition, when delayed FEC packets are not enough to recover the lost packets, the receivers can send a hybrid ARQ request to the video server. We design a channel estimation algorithm for a receiver to dynamically determine the delayed FEC multicast groups to join and/or send ARQ NACK to request for retransmission. Using the ORBIT radio grid testbed, we have investigated the performance of the proposed MHARQ system with various numbers of users per AP and different number of APs per video server. It is demonstrated via real system implementation on ORBIT that MHARQ improves wireless bandwidth efficiency and scalability for reliable video multicast, compared with existing reliable multicast schemes.
A Protein Transduction Domain with Cell Uptake and Selectivity Profiles that Are Controlled by Multivalency Effects

SUMMARY Protein transduction domains (PTDs) are reagents that facilitate the delivery of diverse cargo to the interior of mammalian cells. We identified a PTD called ‘‘Ypep’’ (N-YTFGLKTSFNVQ-C), with cell penetration selectivity and potency profiles that are tightly controlled by multivalency effects. Pentavalent display of Ypep on M13 bacteriophage enables selective uptake of this phage in PC-3 human prostate cancer cells at low picomolar concentration and in the presence of human blood. All Ypep-dependent delivery is nontoxic and proceeds through energy-dependent endocytosis. Collectively, our results establish Ypep-displaying phage as a cell-penetrating platform with selectivity and potency profiles that compare to, or exceed, antibodies and their fragments. Our findings may have broader implications on the design of PTD technologies generated from phage display,as well as the use of Ypep-displaying phage as a prostate cancer cellselective delivery platform.
5HT and 5HIAA dialysate levels within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus: relationship with photoperiod-driven differences in serum prolactin and luteinizing hormone in the Siberian hamster

This study examined the relationship between dialysate levels of serotonin (5HT), and its major metabolite 5HIIAA within the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC) and serum gonadotropin levels under two different in vivo paradigms. Experiment 1 evaluated the relationship between dialysate levels of 5HT and 5HIAA within the ARC and circulating prolactin (PRL) and lutenizing hormone (LH) levels under long- and short-day photoperiod conditions. In experiment 2, the profile of 5HT and 5HIAA dialysate levels within the ARC on the afternoon of proestrous was investigated to determine if changes in serotonergic neurotransmission are correlated with preovulatory surges in LH and PRL. Adult male and female Siberian hamsters were housed either in long-day (16L:8D) or short-day (10L:14D) photoperiods for 8 weeks. Dialysis samples were collected every hour for 5 h (12.00-17.00 h) and blood samples were collected via a jugular cannula every hour for analysis of LH and PRL levels. ARC 5HT and 5HIAA dialysate levels were significantly higher in short-day exposed female hamsters, correlating with suppressed basal LH and PRL secretion when compared to their long-day counterparts. Short-day housed male hamsters displayed significantly higher dialysate levels of 5HIAA than males exposed to a long-day photoperiod-5HT was below the lower limit of detection regardless of photoperiod exposure. Long-day females in proestrus showed no change in dialysate levels of 5HT or 5HIAA within the ARC just prior to the onset of the afternoon surge of LH and PRL. Our results indicate that elevated 5HT and 5HIAA dialysate levels within the ARC may regulate photoperiod effects upon LH and PRL secretion, but not the preovulatory surges of LH and PRL.
A routing methodology for analog integrated circuits

A general methodology for the design of the interconnections of analog circuits to meet high-level constraints on performance is described. In this approach, sensitivities of performance to parasitics are computed, and a set of bounding constraints for parasitics is determined. Sensitivities are then used to generate the weights for a cost function-driven analog area router. After the routing is completed, the actual values of critical parasitics are used to check if the user-defined constraints on circuit performance are met. If the requirements have not been satisfied, the bounding constraints generated on the parasitics are used to increase the weights associated with the parasitics which violated the constraints, and the circuit is rerouted. Results validating the effectiveness of this approach for layout-design automation of analog circuits are reported. >
Effective in-plane stiffness and bending rigidity of armchair and zigzag carbon nanotubes

The research in the paper proposes the effective in-plane stiffness and bending rigidity of armchair and zigzag carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through the analysis of a representative volume element (RVE) of the graphene layer via continuous elastic models. The bonds in the RVE are modeled with corresponding stretching and rotating springs. The in-plane stiffness of CNT in the equivalent elastic plate model is first obtained by equating the energy stored in the RVE and the strain energy induced in the continuous plate model under a uniaxial stretching subjected to CNT. The corresponding bending rigidity of CNT is derived by considering the inversion contributing to the bending resistance of the graphene sheet from a large deflection analysis in the elastic plate model of CNT. The results show that the in-plane stiffness of zigzag nanotube is more sensitive to the size of the tube than that of armchair nanotube. Besides, the in-plane stiffness of armchair nanotube is almost twice as big as that of zigzag nanotube at small size. Furthermore, the results also show that the effect of axial deformation on the derivation of bending rigidity is more obvious in armchair nanotube than that in zigzag nanotube at bigger curvature of bending. In addition, the explanation on the result that the bending rigidity of zigzag nanotubes is bigger than that of armchair tubes is provided from a mechanics analysis. In the end, the effect of radius on the bending rigidity is discussed in the research. It is hoped that the research in this paper may provide a benchmark on the derivation of mechanical properties of CNT from continuum models.