cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncovering RNA and DNA Modifications from Native Sequences

Ribonucleotides modifications to mRNA play important roles biological regulations. Over 170 types of RNA modifications have been experimentally validated. Their detection traditionally relies on specific antibody-based enrichment and analytical chemistry tools; these approaches are labor intensive and can detect only one or a few modifications at a time. This is insufficient to truly assess complete transcriptomes for sequence-specific identification and quantitation of epigenetic signals. Recently, we were the first to use third-generation Oxford Nanopore Technology (ONT) sequencing to directly sequence cellular RNA in native from, at a transcriptomic level. We determined that the method can uncover RNA modifications of any type. Based on the principle that such modifications are absent on cDNA or synthetical unmodified RNA, we conducted a study that compared sequence features of native modified RNA with unmodified RNA of the same sequence. We developed a bioinformatics tool, ELIGOS (Epitranscriptional Landscape Inferring from Glitches of ONT Signals), that successfully identified modified RNA bases from the native RNA sequences. ELIGOS accurately predicts known classes of RNA methylation sites (AUC > 0.93) in rRNAs from E. coli, yeast, and human cells, by using either unmodified in vitro transcribed RNA or our developed background-error model, which mimics the systematic error in native RNA sequences. The validity of the approach was illustrated in transcriptomes of yeast, mouse, and human cells. We further apply ELIGOS in detection of DNA adducts and for distinguishing individual alkylated DNA adducts. We analyzed a library of 16 plasmids containing site-specifically inserted O6- or N2-alkyl-deoxyguanosine lesions differing in sizes, functional group, regiochemistries, and abasic site. Based on the native DNA sequences, ELIGOS can accurately identified the location of individual DNA adducts. Moreover, individual DNA adducts were clearly distinguished from each other at the signal level. ELIGOS software is publicly available and can be used to detect possible RNA and DNA modification sites at genome-scale from native RNA/DNA sequences.
Phase transition characterization of poly(oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate) brushes using the quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation

Heterogeneous non-linear poly(ethylene glycol) analogs, like poly(oligo(ethylene glycol)methyl ether methacrylate) (POEGMA), are of particular interest in the fabrication of smart biocompatible coatings as they undergo a reversible macromolecular rearrangement in response to external heat stimuli. The phase transition dynamics of POEGMA coatings in response to external temperature stimuli have been poorly investigated. The quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) can be used to investigate the phase transition of these functional coatings as polymer brushes in a dynamic and noninvasive in situ measurement. POEGMA brushes with different thickness are synthesized from the surface of a QCM-D sensor following a living radical polymerization technique by varying the monomer molecular weight. Investigations on the thermoresponsive collapse and swelling of POEGMA brushes grafted from the surface of a QCM-D sensor reveal the reversible phase transition nature of these coatings. Furthermore, the potential of these smart coatings in the field of biotechnology was explored by investigating the absorption and desorption of a model drug. A pulsatile drug release profile triggered by an increase in temperature is observed from POEGMA brushes. POEGMA brushes have the potential to be utilized as polymer coatings for controlled and programable drug release.
Transition-Age Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong, heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorder causing functional impairment in a number of areas. The prevalence of ASD has soared in recent decades, with a resulting surge in the number of adolescents transitioning into adulthood. Youth with ASD and their families face numerous challenges and require intensive planning during the transition period, but clinicians are generally undertrained in this area. This chapter reviews the biopsychosocial factors to consider during transition planning for individuals with ASD including co-occurring conditions, planning for socialization, educational and vocational options, living arrangements, decision-making options, and developmental considerations. With anticipatory planning, clinicians can ensure that individuals with ASD have optimal outcomes in adulthood. Case vignettes throughout the chapter serve as examples of common clinical presentations facing clinicians who serve transition-age youth with ASD.
Nonlinear Permeability Measurements for Nickel Zinc Ferrite and Nickel Zinc Ferrite/Barium Strontium Titanate Composites From 1 to 4 GHz

Nonlinear transmission lines (NLTLs), which exhibit permittivity as a function of electric field and/or permeability as a function of magnetic field strength, are of increasing importance for sharpening pulses to less than 100 ps and serving as radio frequency (RF) sources; however, NLTLs often are not easily modified to achieve different output parameters. One method under investigation involves combining nonlinear dielectric [barium strontium titanate (BST)] and/or magnetic [nickel zinc ferrite (NZF)] inclusions to tune the NLTL properties by adjusting the inclusion loading fractions. This article focuses on measuring the nonlinear permeability and magnetic loss tangent of composites comprising various volume loadings of NZF or NZF and BST inclusions encapsulated in a silicon matrix. We measured the relative permeability from 1 to 4 GHz using a coaxial airline while biasing the samples in an external dc magnetic field from 0 to 171 kA/m. The permeability decreased from 1 to 4 GHz for each volume fraction but increased with increasing magnetic field strength at low-magnetic field strengths with sufficient NZF volume loading. The magnetic loss tangent of the composites increased with increasing frequency and/or NZF volume fraction but was suppressed by increasing the external magnetic field strength. Adding BST to NZF composites did not cause a significant change in permeability compared to NZF alone, based on an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison test. These results elucidate the frequency dependence of NZF volume loading at microwave frequency and provide initial information for simulating NLTLs and examining more comprehensive RF system behavior.
Facial nerve palsy in children: A case series and literature review

Abstract The facial nerve is the most common cranial nerve to have a disorder. In adults, the incidence has been reported to be as high as 40 cases per 100,000 patients annually. In the pediatric population, the frequency of facial nerve palsy is much less. It is estimated that children over the age of 10 have an incidence of 10 per 100,000 annually and those under the age of 10 to be less than 3 per 100,000 annually. Nonetheless, when children are affected, it has a tremendous impact on the child and can cause great distress to the family. As with adults, the most common etiology of facial palsy in children is idiopathic (Bell's Palsy). However, the most frequent identifiable causes of facial palsy in children are different from that in adults. In children, when not idiopathic, infection followed by trauma and congenital conditions are the most commonly etiologies of facial nerve palsy. The diagnosis, evaluation, treatment and outcomes of facial palsy in children will be reviewed. In addition, a series of representative cases of pediatric facial palsy at our children's hospital will be presented.
On Religion's Specialness

In this brief symposium piece, Mark Storslee reviews Cecile Laborde's book, Liberalism's Religion, and reflects on the special status of religion in American law.
Race and social class as intersecting social categories: An analysis of implicit and explicit attitudes.

Abstract. Race and social class are inherently confounded; however, much of the literature focuses on only one of these categories at a time during attitude assessment. Across three studies, we exa...
A Possible Physiological Role of the Major Intrinsic Protein of the Ocular Lens

Although there has been a long standing interest in determining the physiological role of the Major Intrinsic Protein of lens (MIP), this goal has remained elusive. Because of the double membrane structures in which it was found, its molecular weight, and its biochemical properties, MIP was first thought to be a gap junction protein, but after it was cloned1 this view has become more and more untenable. Several studies showed that MIP could form ion channels in planar lipid bilayers2, 4, but channels with comparable properties could not be found in lens fiber cells. As a result of the availability of the DNA sequence coding for MIP, similar proteins were cloned at an increasing pace, and there are now at least 24 members of the MIP family. A crucial finding was made by Agre et al5–7 who demonstrated that a related protein, CHIP (now called Aquaporin 15) greatly increased the water permeability of Xenopus oocytes. MIP expressed in oocytes is so much less effective as a water channel than CHIP that experimenters at first had some difficulty in demonstrating its water permeability. But, as we will show in this paper, at least some of the reasons for this difficulty have been resolved.
Private Keyword-Based Push and Pull with Applications to Anonymous Communication

We propose a new keyword-based Private Information Retrieval (PIR) model that allows private modification of the database from which information is requested. In our model, the database is distributed over n servers, any one of which can act as a transparent interface for clients. We present protocols that support operations for accessing data, focusing on privately appending labelled records to the database (push) and privately retrieving the next unseen record appended under a given label (pull). The communication complexity between the client and servers is independent of the number of records in the database (or more generally, the number of previous push and pull operations) and of the number of servers. Our scheme also supports access control oblivious to the database servers by implicitly including a public key in each push, so that only the party holding the private key can retrieve the record via pull. To our knowledge, this is the first system that achieves the following properties: private database modification, private retrieval of multiple records with the same keyword, and oblivious access control. We also provide a number of extensions to our protocols and, as a demonstrative application, an unlinkable anonymous communication service using them.
TFTR-MG operations and upgrades

A brief description of the TFTR (Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor) motor generator (MG) system and its operational history since 1981 is presented. Included are various problems encountered during this period such as initial balancing problems with the rotor, drive motor welding cracks, thrust bearing surface problems, generator pole insulation migration, and lube oil problems. Also described is the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory effort to identify and explore operating parameters beyond the specified ratings. >
Formation of Organic Molecules by Formaldehyde Reactions in Astrophysical Ices at Very Low Temperatures

Warm-up of astrophysical ice analogues containing formaldehyde produced organic residues in large abundances. It is argued that formaldehyde reactions at very low temperatures could be an important source of interstellar and cometary organic molecules.
Reduced field of view imaging using a static second-order gradient for functional MRI applications.

Purpose Imaging using reduced FOV excitation allows higher resolution or signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) per scan time but often requires long radiofrequency pulses. The goal of this study was to improve a recent reduced field of view (FOV) method that uses a second-order shim gradient to decrease pulse length and evaluate its use in functional MRI (fMRI) applications. Theory and Methods The method, which was initially limited to excite thin disc-shaped regions at the isocenter, was extended to excite thicker regions off the isocenter and produced accurate excitation profiles on a grid phantom. Visual stimulation fMRI scans were performed with full and reduced FOV. The resolution of the time series images and functional activation maps were assessed using the full-width half-maxima of the autocorrelation functions (FACFs) of the noise images and the activation map values, respectively. Results The resolution was higher in the reduced FOV time series images (4.1% ± 3.7% FACF reduction, P < 0.02) and functional activation maps (3.1% ± 3.4% FACF reduction, P < 0.01), but the SNR was lower (by 26.5% ± 16.9%). However, for a few subjects, the targeted region could not be localized to the reduced FOV due to the low Z2 gradient strength. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that the proposed method is feasible, though it would benefit from a stronger gradient coil. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Orientation maps: Techniques for visualizing rotations

The set of possible orientations of a rigid three-dimensional object is a topological space with three degrees of freedom. This paper investigates the suitability of various techniques of visualizing this space. With a good technique the natural distance between orientations will be represented fairly accurately, and distortion to the "shape" of a collection of orientations induced by the change of reference orientation will be minor. The traditional Euler-angle parameterization fails on both counts. Less well-known techniques exploit the fact that there is a rotation that takes the reference orientation to a given one. The given orientation is represented as a point along the axis of this rotation. The distance of this point from the origin is determined by some scaling function of the magnitude of that rotation. Free natural scaling functions are studied. None is perfect, but several are satisfactory. >
The Forecast and Policy Analysis

In this paper we consider policy analysis from the perspective of applied decision theory. Applications will require a model to generate probabilistic paths on the future of the system under study. The model may be subjective (embedded in a person's mind), objective (estimated from data), or a combination of the two. Whether or not the model provides a satisfying explanation for the problem under consideration is of no particular concern. This view is our particular interpretation of instrumentalism. We interpret instrumentalism as requiring one to actually put models to the test of out-of-sample forecasting. The characteristic we should look for in policy models is that which is required in decision analysis, i.e., reliable probability forecasts, which can distinguish one future path from another. Our arguments are presented in three sections. First, we provide our statement of policy analysis as applied decision theory. This motivates the role of probability forecasting and probability calibration. As many readers will recognize, this view of policy analysis is similar to that stated earlier by Friedman. Here we provide our definition of what is meant by a "good forecast." Next, an example is presented using a small agricultural time-series model, and, finally, we offer a suggestion for further research.
Primary Socialization Theory: Culture, Ethnicity, and Cultural Identification. The Links between Culture and Substance Use. IV

Ethnicity, perceived membership in a cultural group, and cultural identification, the strength of one's affiliation with a group, develop primarily through interactions with the primary socialization sources, the family, the school, and peer clusters. Cultural norms for substance use are also transmitted as part of these interactions. Substance use differs across cultures; in different cultures some forms of substance use are culturally required, others are tolerated, and others are sanctioned. Ethnicity and cultural identification, therefore, should relate to substance use. However, primary socialization theory indicates that simple relationships are not likely to be found for a number of reasons: 1) All members of an ethnic group do not have the same level of cultural identification and may not, therefore, have the same conformance to substance use norms. 2) Primary socialization,sources are embedded in subcultures, and subcultures have norms that may differ from those of the larger ethnic group. 3) The individual may experience and report differing levels of cultural identification and different substance use norms in different social contexts. 4) For an individual, ethnicity and cultural identification may derive from different primary socialization sources than drug use norms.
The time man has cometh to brain: tick...death....tick...death.

See related article, pages 263–266. The stroke community has been chanting the qualitative battlecry of “time is brain” for 12 years1 and has been able to act directly on it for a decade.2 Now, Saver3 has thoughtfully and critically synthesized a quantitative face on one of the most important aspects of acute stroke care: getting an eligible patient treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator as soon as possible because each minute that ticks away without treatment equates to about an additional 2 million neurons lost. Developing a quantitative approach to time-specific ischemic brain damage in humans is an elegant concept with tremendous implications for treatment and future clinical trial design. Saver systematically …
THERMOLUMINESCENCE AUTHENTICITY MEASUREMENTS ON CORE MATERIAL FROM THE BRONZE HORSE OF THE NEW YORK METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

The Bronze Horse of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, suspected in recent years of being a modern forgery, is shown by thermoluminescence to have been made in antiquity. Besides the standard thermoluminescence measurements, a new technique was used, utilizing single, highly radioactive grains of zircon separated from the core material of the horse. The zircon grains, because of their high radioactivities (100–200 ppm) and subsequent large internal alpha doses (60–170 krad), are negligibly affected by γ irradiations given to the horse during previous examination. The results show the horse was made 2000 to 4000 years ago, consistent with a work of classical antiquity.
A New Rationale for Scatter in Fracture Toughness Measurements

The observed scatter in fracture toughness is investigated based on a dislocation simulation model that has been proposed to predict the brittle ductile transition in ferritic steels. We carried out a series of Monte-Carlo simulations using uniform distribution of microcracks on the crack plane of macrocrack. Detailed statistical analysis of the simulation results showed that the fracture is always initiated at one of the largest microcracks, whose size correspond to the tail of the size distribution function, and the inherent scatter arises from the distribution in the size of the critical microcrack that initiates the fracture and not from the variation of the location of the critical microcrack. Utilizing the weakest-link theory, Weibull analysis shows good agreement with the Weibull modulus values obtained from fracture toughness measurements.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Scaling properties of a gauge theory with Han-Nambu quarks and charged vector gluons

Abstract A renormalizable gauge theory of strong and electromagnetic interactions with integrally charged quarks is constructed, and its scaling behavior is analyzed.
Control of reach extent with the paretic and nonparetic arms after unilateral sensorimotor stroke II: planning and adjustments to control movement distance

Nondisabled adults utilize both planning and feedback-based compensatory adjustments to control actual distance moved for skilled reach actions. The purpose of this study was to determine whether individuals post-stroke utilize planning and compensatory adjustments to control movement distance for reaches to targets that vary in distance. Individuals with mild to moderate motor impairment after stroke and nondisabled adults reached with both arms to targets presented at three distances (8, 16, 24 cm). The control of movement distance was compared between arms (control, nonparetic, and paretic) as to the use of planning (correlation of peak acceleration with movement distance), compensatory adjustments prior to peak velocity (correlation of time to peak velocity with movement distance), and compensatory adjustments after peak velocity (variance in movement distance accounted for by deterministic statistical model). The correlation of peak acceleration with movement distance for reaches with the paretic arm was significantly less than controls suggesting a decreased reliance on planning. Feedback-based compensatory adjustments, however, were present prior to and after peak velocity that assisted in achievement of movement distance in a similar manner as controls. Overall reach performance with the paretic arm was impaired, however, as evidenced by greater endpoint error and longer movement times than controls. The decreased use of planning to control movement distance after stroke suggests that the selected motor command was suboptimal in producing the desired movement outcome and may be related to an inability to generate muscle force quickly, lack of knowledge of arm dynamics due to decreased arm use, or lesion characteristics.
NMR hybrid relaxation methods of studying chemical, physical and spin exchange. II. Suppression methods

Abstract NMR relaxation of two-phase systems, with or without exchange, generally consists of two exponentials, hence in principle three independent parameters can be extracted from the data. A number of experimental procedures for separating the two exponentials are presented, based on suppression of one or the other component. Application to hybrid relaxation, T 12 , as well as pure T 2 and T 1 , experiments is discussed, and illustrated with the system of water-methanol-Ni(II). For T 2 and T 12 , either exponential can be completely suppressed, leaving a single exponential for curve fitting; hence a hybrid approach to T 1 determination is efficient in both analysis and measurement. For complex cases, an actual T 1 measurement is needed, and partial suppression is useful. Various T 1 schemes with selective excitation and detection are discussed.
Modeling of preparative reversed-phase HPLC of insulin

The adsorption isotherms of three recombinant proteins, human insulin, porcine insulin, and Lispro, were measured by frontal analysis on a YMC-ODS C18 column with an aqueous solution at 31% acetonitrile (0.1% TFA) as the mobile phase. The retention behavior of insulin, its related molecular structure, its conformation, and its aggregation in this phase system are discussed. The experimental isotherm data were fitted to the Langmuir, the Langmuir-Freundlich, and the Toth models. The results allow for a quantitative comparison of the saturation capacities, the equilibrium constants, and the exponents that represent the heterogeneity of the stationary phase obtained for the different insulin variants studied. The Toth model provided the best fit of the experimental data. The overloaded band profiles were calculated using the lumped pore diffusion and the equilibrium-dispersive model of chromatography. An excellent agreement between calculated and experimental profiles was demonstrated.
Akt inhibitors as an HIV-1 infected macrophage-specific anti-viral therapy.

Unlike CD4+ T cells, HIV-1 infected macrophages exhibit extended life span even upon stress, consistent with their in vivo role as long-lived HIV-1 reservoirs. Here, we demonstrate that PI3K/Akt inhibitors, including clinically available Miltefosine, dramatically reduced HIV-1 production from long-living virus-infected macrophages. These PI3K/Akt inhibitors hyper-sensitize infected macrophages to extracellular stresses that they are normally exposed to, and eventually lead to cell death of infected macrophages without harming uninfected cells. Based on the data from these Akt inhibitors, we were able to further investigate how HIV-1 infection utilizes the PI3K/Akt pathway to establish the cytoprotective effect of HIV-1 infection, which extends the lifespan of infected macrophages, a key viral reservoir. First, we found that HIV-1 infection activates the well characterized pro-survival PI3K/Akt pathway in primary human macrophages, as reflected by decreased PTEN protein expression and increased Akt kinase activity. Interestingly, the expression of HIV-1 or SIV Tat is sufficient to mediate this cytoprotective effect, which is dependent on the basic domain of Tat – a region that has previously been shown to bind p53. Next, we observed that this interaction appears to contribute to the downregulation of PTEN expression, since HIV-1 Tat was found to compete with PTEN for p53 binding; this is known to result in p53 destabilization, with a consequent reduction in PTEN protein production. Since HIV-1 infected macrophages display highly elevated Akt activity, our results collectively show that PI3K/Akt inhibitors may be a novel therapy for interfering with the establishment of long-living HIV-1 infected reservoirs.
TeraScanXR: a high sensitivity and throughput photomask inspection system

As optical lithography progresses towards 32nm node and beyond, shrinking feature size on photomasks and growing database size provides new challenges for reticle manufacture and inspection. The new TeraScanXR extends the inspection capability and sensitivity of the TeraScanHR to meet these challenges. TeraScanXR launches a new function that can dynamically adjust defect sensitivities based on the image contrast (MEEF) -- applying higher sensitivity to dense pattern regions, and lower sensitivity to sparse regions which are lithographically less significant. The defect sensitivity of TeraScanXR for Die-to-Die (DD) and Die-to-Database (DDB) inspection mode is improved by 20-30%, compared with TeraScanHR. In addition, a new capability is introduced to increase sensitivity specifically to long CD defects. Without sacrificing the inspection performance, the new TeraScanXR boosts the inspection throughput by 35%- 75% (depending upon the inspection mode) and the dataprep speed by 6X, as well as the capability to process 0.5-1 Terabyte preps for DDB inspection.
Geographic searching for ecological studies: a new frontier

Important ecological knowledge contained in published literature is often overlooked by researchers, resource managers, and policymakers in part because most literature search tools are thematically focused and do not explicitly consider the geographic location of the research. Searching for ecological literature thematically and geographically would improve the ease of accessibility of potentially relevant research findings [1,2] that could promote syntheses and meta-analyses [3,4], provide mechanistic understanding to environmental patterns [5], facilitate evaluations of bias in ecological knowledge [6,7], and limit redundancy in conducting new studies.
Constructing partnerships for protected area tourism planning in an era of change and messiness

Management of sustainable tourism in protected areas requires trade-offs between two goals: (1) protection of the key values that form the basis for preservation and (2) allowing access to visitors to enjoy and appreciate those values. These trade-offs occur within a context of lack of societal agreement on goals and lack of scientific agreement on the relationships between causes and effects; two conditions needed to identify and implement effective tourism management actions. While much tourism protected area planning has been dominated by a rational–comprehensive model, this approach is increasingly unsuccessful. In such “messy” contexts, partnerships are important tools in constructing the public interest, because they can provide the consensus and learning needed to develop and implement informed actions. Such partnerships do not just happen, they must be carefully engineered. Protected area tourism planning partnerships are characterized by certain attributes: representativeness, a sense of ownershi...
Cycle lengths in A k b

Let A be a nonnegative, $n \times n$ matrix, and let b be a nonnegative, $n \times n$ vector. Let S be the sequence $\{ A^k b \},k = 0,1,2, \cdots $. Define $m( A,b )$ to be the length of the cycle of zero-nonzero patterns into which S eventually falls. Define $m( A )$ to be the maximum, over all nonnegative b of $m( A,b )$. Finally, define $m( n )$ to be the maximum, over all nonnegative, $n \times n$ matrices A of $m( A )$. This paper shows given A and b, that $m( A,b )$ is a divisor of a certain number, which is determined by the structure of A and b. It is also shown that $\log m ( n ) \sim ( n\log n )^{1/ 2} $.
Resistance to cadmium and parasite infection are inversely related in two strains of a freshwater gastropod.

Phenotypes that are either resistant or susceptible to infection by the trematode parasite Schistosoma mansont exist in the tropical freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata. We tested the hypothesis that a cost of parasite resistance in B. glabrata is greater sensitivity to cadmium toxicity, using parasite-resistant and parasite-susceptible strains exposed to cadmium in the laboratory. Survival analysis showed that time to death for cadmium was significantly shorter in eggs, juveniles, and adults of the parasite-resistant BS90 strain in comparison with the parasite-susceptible NMRI strain. Cadmium exposure increased time to hatch in both strains, but the effect was greater in BS90. Percentage hatch decreased with increased cadmium; BS90 was again more sensitive than NMRI. Comparison of the median effective concentration (EC50) for hatching and median lethal concentrations (LC50s) for survival of juveniles and adults showed that the order for cadmium resistance was adults > juveniles > eggs in NMRI and adults > eggs > juveniles in BS90. Cadmium resistance of F1 and F2 progeny of BS90/NMRI crosses was intermediate to that of parental strains. Numerical estimates indicated that a single genetic factor was responsible for the difference in cadmium resistance in the two strains. These findings were consistent with the hypothesis that greater sensitivity to cadmium is a cost of resisting parasitic infection.
Linear stability of a viscous-inviscid interface

In this paper the stability of the interface separating fluids of widely differing viscosities has been examined. It is shown that a viscous–inviscid (V–I) model offers a consistent zeroth‐order approximation to the stability problem. The zeroth‐order solution is obtained by neglecting the smallest‐order effect, viz., viscosity on the less viscous side of the interface. In this sense, the V–I model significantly differs from the Kelvin–Helmholtz (K–H) approach where both the viscosities are dropped in a single step. A closed form solution for the stability criterion governing the V–I model has been obtained, and a novel instability mechanism is described. It is shown that the V–I model is also a consistent zeroth‐order approximation for the Rayleigh–Taylor problem of a viscous–viscous, nonflowing interface when the viscosity ratio tends to zero. For the interface separating two viscous, nonflowing, incompressible fluids, exact solutions for the velocities, pressures, and interface displacement for a disturbance of a given wavelength have been provided for the stable (lighter fluid on top) wave motion. By discussing the roles played by the dynamic and kinematic viscosities, it is made clear why neither the V–I nor the K–H model should apply to the air–water interface. The results of the V–I model compare well with experimental observations. The V–I model serves as an excellent basis for comparison in detailed numerical studies of the viscous–viscous interface.
Surface morphology of As-deposited and laser-damaged dielectric mirror coatings studied in-situ by atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy was used to determine in situ the nanometer-scale morphological changes that occur on dielectric optical coatings as a result of laser-induced damage. The optical film studied was a highly reflective dielectric multilayer mirror (HR) consisting of many alternating HfO2 and SiO2 layers of quarter-wave thickness at 1.06 micrometers . The top layer was a (lambda) /2 SiO2 overcoat. Laser beam specifications were: 1.06 micrometers wavelength, 8 ns pulselength, and 110 micrometers to 300 micrometers beam diameter. The laser fluence was determined by beam profiling and total energy measurements. The maximum scan-range of the AFM was 80 micrometers . A survey of the as-deposited surface shows mostly hillocks of approximately 200 nm width and 10 nm height. Comparison of this hillock structure to that of a single layer of SiO2 and a surface layer of HfO2 was made. Irregularities (i.e., defects) on the surface of the HR consisted of micrometer-scale domes, and occasional craters, of micrometer planar dimension and depth extending over many layers. Three types of coating defects were identified which could be related to the classic nodule-type coating defect. Nodule defects were found to be easily ejected from the coating surface by laser illumination, leaving craters from which further damage would propagate. After laser damage with fluences above 30 J/cm2 the hillocks coalesced into structures with heights and widths 5 - 10 times that of the as-deposited film. A pattern of concentric surface distortions (ripples or cracks) appeared at higher fluences, in some cases following the full circumference of the beam.
Certainty levels in the nullity method of symbolic logic: application to the pathogenesis of congenital heart malformations.

Abstract Investigating the pathogenesis of complex human congenital heart malformations involves special difficulties not usually encountered in studying human disease. Most malformations develop before clinical investigation is feasible, and reliable animal models are few. Virtually all advances in this field have come from thoughtful correlations of embryologic and patient observations. Symbolic logic is a natural medium for incorporating information of this nature into a mathematical and computer analysis, and has been recently employed in a study of the pathogenesis of the tetralogy of Fallot. The chief drawback of the symbolic logic approach, however, is its inability to handle uncertainty. This paper introduces an extension of the nullity method of symbolic logic which sorts patient observations and pathogenetic hypotheses into levels of certainty ranging from real data to reasonable preferences. A computer algorithm is presented which evaluates these levels of certainty, and the completeness and closure of this algorithm are proved mathematically. This computer algorithm identifies problem cases which are poorly explained by a given pathogenetic theory, and thus provides the initial step for refining the theory.
Bioengineered human tumor within a bone niche

Monolayer cultures of tumor cells and animal studies have tremendously advanced our understanding of cancer biology. However, we often lack animal models for human tumors, and cultured lines of human cells quickly lose their cancer signatures. In recent years, simple 3D models for cancer research have emerged, including cell culture in spheroids and on biomaterial scaffolds. Here we describe a bioengineered model of human Ewing's sarcoma that mimics the native bone tumor niche with high biological fidelity. In this model, cancer cells that have lost their transcriptional profiles after monolayer culture re-express genes related to focal adhesion and cancer pathways. The bioengineered model recovers the original hypoxic and glycolytic tumor phenotype, and enables re-expression of angiogenic and vasculogenic mimicry features that favor tumor adaptation. We propose that differentially expressed genes between the monolayer cell culture and native tumor environment are potential therapeutic targets that can be explored using the bioengineered tumor model.
Tetramethylmesoxalamide and Tetramethyl-1,3-Dithiomesoxalamide

Abstract The chemistry of mesoxalic acid derivatives was investigated many years ago.2 For example, Curtiss demonstrated that dimethyl mesoxalate added ethanol to produce a stable isolatable hemiketal,3 whereas the corresponding diethyl ester presumably gave the ethyl hemiketal at −15°, but it could not be isolated.4 These esters are readily hydrated, and strongly dehydrating conditions are required to regain the ketone.5 Guyot and Esteva6 condensed mesoxalic esters with aromatic compounds in sulfuric acid to produce the corresponding α-hydroxyarylmalonates and diaryl-malonates. Curtiss3,4 showed that aromatic amines condensed with ethyl mesoxalate to produce carbonyl adducts (Schiffs bases, hydroxyamines), while Heinisch7 showed that aliphatic amines produced 2-hydroxy-2-alkylamino-N,N′-dialkylmalonamides. Other derivatives, such as mesoxalonitrile,8 and several different amides7,9 have been reported. Brudnoy10 reported an unusual imidazole on treatment of diethyl mesoxalate with ammonia, although earlie...
The decorative impulse: ethnomathematics and Tlingit basketry

Pattern is a key element in both the esthetics of design and mathematics, one definition of which is “the study of all possible patterns”. Thus, the geometric patterns that adorn cultural artifacts manifest mathematical thinking in the artisans who create them, albeit their lack of “formal” mathematics learning. In describing human constructions, Franz Boas affirmed that people, regardless of their economic conditions, always have been engaged in activities that reveal their deeply held esthetic sense. The Tlingit Indians from Sitka, Alaska, are known for their artistic endeavors. Art aficionados and museum collectors revere their baskets and other artifacts. Taking the approach of ethnomathematics, I report my analysis of the complex geometrical patterns in Tlingit basketry.
Experiments for two MR imaging theories of motion phase sensitivity.

Two theories of motion-sensitive phase shifts in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging result in different mathematical predictions of the observed effects of gradient modulation-induced motion artifacts. The consequences are critical for gradient waveform designed to minimize motion artifact contaminations from time-dependent motion sensitivity. To resolve this discrepancy with a test case (the monopolar waveform of a commonly used, discretely pulsed encoding phase gradient), computer integration of the fundamental Bloch equations for MR imaging with motion was performed. Simulation images for constant and erratic motion showed almost complete agreement with the predictions of the transport integral solutions for motion phase sensitivity; the artifact was solely time-of-flight oblique flow misregistration. Conventional method-of-moments gradient moment nulling compensations produced greater motion artifacts in experiments than did use of no waveform compensation at all. Transport equation solutions implied sec...
Exploring a diffusion of benefit: does a woman with breast cancer derive benefit from an intervention delivered to her partner?

Purpose/objectives To provide preliminary data on a diffusion of psychosocial benefit to women diagnosed with breast cancer when only their partners receive a psychoeducational intervention focused on the breast cancer experience. Design Single-group, pretest/post-test pilot study; participants served as their own controls. Setting Communities in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Sample 9 women with a first diagnosis of breast cancer within the previous six months whose partners received the Helping Her Heal intervention. Methods Data were collected from women pre- and postintervention via standardized questionnaires with established reliability and validity. Confidential exit interviews were conducted after postintervention data were returned. Main research variables State anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y [STAI-Y]), depression (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression scale [CES-D]), and marital quality (Dyadic Adjustment Scale [DAS]; Mutuality and Interpersonal Sensitivity scale). Findings Wilcoxon signed-rank tests showed significant improvements on the CES-D (p = 0.01), STAI-Y (p = 0.01), and DAS affectional expression subscale (p = 0.03) in women from pre- to postintervention. Review of exit interview transcripts indicated that women generally were positive about the impact of the program and viewed their partners' gains in communication skills as the greatest benefit of participating. Conclusions This study offers preliminary support for a diffusion of psychosocial benefit to women with breast cancer when a psychoeducational intervention is delivered to their partners. Implications for nursing Diffusion of benefit should be examined in a large, randomized, clinical trial to provide evidence for focusing some clinical efforts on partners alone, rather than adding to diagnosed women's burden of multiple clinical encounters.
Variations in "same"-"different" judgments in patients with unilateral cortical lesions.

Abstract Five subject groups (normal controls, left anterior lesion patients, left posterior lesion patients, right anterior lesion patients, right posterior lesion patients) were tested on two perceptual matching tasks. All groups performed comparably accurately, although right hemisphere lesion patients demonstrated longer RT scores for “same” than for “different” judgments, whereas left hemisphere lesion patients demonstrated the reverse effect. Increased perceptual complexity of “same” target produced higher RT scores for “different” responses in right (but not left) hemisphere lesion groups. Finally, high-prototypicality “same” targets yielded lower RT scores than low-prototypicality “same” targets for all groups.
A four-fold model for subgrouping the hyperkinetic/MBD syndrome.

The major finding of this study is that the presence or absence of aggressive symptomatology differentiates a group of 84 six to twelve year-old Hyperkinetic/MBD boys on a number of important measures at initial referral, during treatment with methylphenidate, and at subsequent five-year-follow-up. When the sample is sorted into high and low aggression groups, several findings emerge which would otherwise have been obscured. Furthermore, there are no significant interactions between aggression (control deficits, negative affect, aggressive interpersonal behavior) and hyperactivity (judgment deficits, hyperactivity, inattention). The value of differentiating between exclusive hyperactivity with aggression) is indicated by the present study.
High-field Shubnikov–de Haas oscillations in the topological insulator Bi 2 Te 2 Se

We report measurements of the surface Shubnikov--de Haas oscillations (SdH) on crystals of the topological insulator Bi${}_{2}$Te${}_{2}$Se. In crystals with large bulk resistivity ($\ensuremath{\sim}4$ $\ensuremath{\Omega}\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}$cm at 4 K), we observe $\ensuremath{\sim}15$ surface SdH oscillations (to the $n=1$ Landau level) in magnetic fields $B$ up to 45 T. Extrapolating to the limit $1/B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$, we confirm the $\frac{1}{2}$-shift expected from a Dirac spectrum. The results are consistent with a very small surface Land\'e $g$ factor.
Examining childhood development in contaminated urban settings.

Abstract Normal childhood development and growth is affected by such factors as genetics, nutrition, and multiple familial and social factors. In large urban settings, children are constantly exposed to varying amounts of assorted toxic chemicals both inside and outside the home. Many of these contaminants are suspected to be associated with developmental alterations. The heterogeneity of risk factors in urban populations poses a challenging situation for research. Change must be made in the manner in which developmental toxicological research is undertaken. Plans should be made for immediate data collection after a large-scale exposure to prevent the loss of valuable information. Retrospective studies would benefit from applying rapid assessment techniques to identify high- and low-risk children. In all cases, the development of research design and investigative format needs to reflect the strengths of both social factors and scientific facts. Cross-disciplinary approaches, using physicians and physical and social scientists and incorporating community knowledge, are required for the evaluation of children in urban settings, with each discipline contributing to theory and methodology.
Literacy assessment in a cardiovascular nutrition education setting

We assessed functional literacy of hypercholesterolemic or hypertensive African Americans (n = 339) prior to their participation in a nutrition education program. A word pronunciation and recognition test using 20 common cardiovascular or nutrition terms was first developed based on correlations with standardized reading achievement test scores, then administered to program participants. Nearly half (48%) had word recognition scores equivalent to a < or = 8th grade reading level. Lower scores were associated with less education, lower income, unemployment, heavier work activity if employed, less healthy diets, history of heart disease or diabetes, and higher depression scores (all P < 0.01); several of these associations were independent of education. The educational materials were geared to a 5th to 8th grade reading level. However, when both audiotaped and printed instruction were provided, individuals with reading scores < or = 8th grade preferentially used the tapes. This brief and relatively unobtrusive literacy assessment may help to identify persons who can benefit most from audiovisual approaches to cardiovascular nutrition education.
A victory for PETA.

After 2 years of lobbying by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), CareerBuilder has stopped its chimpanzee advertisement campaign. On 23 January 2007, PETA announced online that CareerBuilder had agreed to stop this series of advertisements; however, CareerBuilder did not sign a pledge to never use great apes in its ads again ([1][1]). Both AAAS ([2][2]) and CareerBuilder have now made the right move. 1. 1.[↵][3]1. M. McGraw , “CareerBuilder retires chimpanzee ads following two-year PETA campaign” (23 January 2007); [www.nomoremonkeybusiness.com/NewsItem1.asp?id=9447][4]. 2. 2.[↵][5]1. S. R. Ross 2. et al. , Science 319, 1487 (2008). [OpenUrl][6][Abstract/FREE Full Text][7] [1]: #ref-1 [2]: #ref-2 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1. in text" [4]: http://www.nomoremonkeybusiness.com/NewsItem1.asp?id=9447 [5]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2. in text" [6]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DScience%26rft.stitle%253DScience%26rft.aulast%253DRoss%26rft.auinit1%253DS.%2BR.%26rft.volume%253D319%26rft.issue%253D5869%26rft.spage%253D1487%26rft.epage%253D1487%26rft.atitle%253DSCIENCE%2BPRIORITIES%253A%2BInappropriate%2BUse%2Band%2BPortrayal%2Bof%2BChimpanzees%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1126%252Fscience.1154490%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F18339923%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [7]: /lookup/ijlink/YTozOntzOjQ6InBhdGgiO3M6MTQ6Ii9sb29rdXAvaWpsaW5rIjtzOjU6InF1ZXJ5IjthOjQ6e3M6ODoibGlua1R5cGUiO3M6NDoiQUJTVCI7czoxMToiam91cm5hbENvZGUiO3M6Mzoic2NpIjtzOjU6InJlc2lkIjtzOjEzOiIzMTkvNTg2OS8xNDg3IjtzOjQ6ImF0b20iO3M6MjU6Ii9zY2kvMzIwLzU4NzkvMTAxMi40LmF0b20iO31zOjg6ImZyYWdtZW50IjtzOjA6IiI7fQ==