cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methods for mapping mechanisms to developable surfaces

Planar and spherical mechanisms can be mapped to regular cylindrical and circular conical developable surfaces using cyclic quadrilaterals. The link lengths and link angles can be used in equations to calculate the circumcircle of a cyclic quadrilateral to find the radius or cone angle of a developable surface. Two other numerical and graphical methods to map mechanisms to these surfaces are discussed and expanded. Useful properties of developable mechanisms are also identified using cyclic quadrilaterals. While Grashof mechanisms can be mapped to developable surfaces in either their open or crossed configurations, the only way to map a non-Grashof mechanism to a cylindrical or conical surface is in its open configuration. Extramobile and intramobile behaviour can be predicted based the cyclic quadrilateral's position within the circumcircle and the mechanism's grounded link. The possible configurations are tabulated and analysed.
Factors associated with weight gain during endocrine therapy for breast cancer.

12076Background: Weight gain is common after a breast cancer diagnosis. The incidence of and risk factors for weight gain during adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET) are poorly described. Limited data s...
Why I Review Unimpressive Books

Unimpressive books fail to make effective, distinctive, or otherwise substantive contributions. Yet their reviews can be useful to potential readers (as caveats), to publishers (as quality-control ...
Forensic Discrimination of Dyed Hair Color: II. Multivariate Statistical Analysis*,†

This research is intended to assess the ability of UV-visible microspectrophotometry to successfully discriminate the color of dyed hair. Fifty-five red hair dyes were analyzed and evaluated using multivariate statistical techniques including agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC), principal component analysis (PCA), and discriminant analysis (DA). The spectra were grouped into three classes, which were visually consistent with different shades of red. A two-dimensional PCA observations plot was constructed, describing 78.6% of the overall variance. The wavelength regions associated with the absorbance of hair and dye were highly correlated. Principal components were selected to represent 95% of the overall variance for analysis with DA. A classification accuracy of 89% was observed for the comprehensive dye set, while external validation using 20 of the dyes resulted in a prediction accuracy of 75%. Significant color loss from successive washing of hair samples was estimated to occur within 3 weeks of dye application.
Battlefield Orthopaedic Injuries Cause the Majority of Long-Term Disabilities

Extremity injuries make up 54% of combat wounds sustained in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. In a cohort of war-wounded service members, we identified the conditions secondary to battle injury that result in disqualification from continued service. The Army Physical Evaluation Board records of 464 wounded service members who were injured between October 2001 and January 2005 were reviewed to determine the codes indicating unfitting conditions. Sixty-nine percent of these conditions were orthopaedic. Fifty-seven percent of the injured had unfitting conditions that were orthopaedic only. Of those evacuated from theater with a primary diagnosis of injury to the head, thorax, or abdomen and who suffered an orthopaedic injury as well, 76% had an orthopaedic diagnosis as the primary unfitting condition. Orthopaedic-related disability has a significant impact on the affected patient, the health care system, and, in the case of wounded service members, on military strength and readiness.
Global Conflict Intensity and Great Power Summitry Behavior

Despite the significance of Great Power summitry to the maintenance and evolution of world politics and order, little attention has been allocated to this central phenomenon. One earlier exception (Galtung, 1964) did find that the volume or restrictedness of summitry (1941–1961) was associated with two key properties of the global system: polarization and predictability. However, a close examination of this study reveals serious problems vis-a-vis a shifting contextual focus and conceptual ambiguity in the handling of the independent variables. A reexamination with an explicitly geocentric perspective, a dependent variable limited to chief executive summitry (1948–1971), and a focus on the conflict intensity aspect of polarization (primarily measured by the annual rate of change in world military expenditures and secondarily by event interaction data) produced results which differ greatly with those found in the earlier study. Most of the original hypotheses receive little if any support. Additional analy...
Regional solar radiation contour mapping—A partial validation

Comparaison des valeurs du rayonnement solaire global journalier moyen dans l'Arkansas estimees a partir des cartes de contours etablies par le Solar Energy Research Institute et les valeurs mesurees pendant 2 ans dans une station a Blytheville
Pseudo-rigid ball impact on an oscillating rigid foundation

Abstract The problem of dissipative normal impact of a linearly elastic pseudo-rigid ball on a sinusoidally oscillating rigid foundation is considered. This problem yields a four-dimensional smooth impact map that produces sticking, regular and chaotic responses. Parameter values that furnish such responses are identified with the aid of a perturbation analysis.
System Design Features and Repeated Use of Electronic Data Exchanges

Oftentimes researchers may not only generalize across a population, but may also extrapolate research findings across time. While either assumption can introduce difficulties, generalizing results in one time frame to another time frame may be especially perilous. We study a data exchange, and find that interventions designed to improve exchange features at two points in time have markedly varying effects, from an initial transaction use (time one) to a second transaction occurring two weeks later (time two). Our research objective is to test whether two system design features have the same effects on the intent to continue using an exchange in time two as they had in time one. The two features are control transparency (the availability of information cues) and interim shipping outcome feedback. These effects are mediated, in varying degrees, by perceived information quality. We use social exchange theory and social cognition theory to develop hypotheses regarding changes between time one (the first user transaction) and time two (the second transaction). These are tested using a combined experiment and survey. Supporting the theory, outcome feedback matters at time two even though it did not matter at time one. While control transparency has direct effects on a user's intent to continue use of the exchange in time one, its effects are reduced in time two if negative outcome feedback is communicated to the user. Outcome feedback's effects grow stronger from time one to time two vis-ii¾?-vis control transparency's effects. This underscores how critical it is to examine such phenomena at more than one period of time. The study also suggests different strategies for managing data exchanges based on the time frame of use. At the initial transaction use, the exchange should make transparent high-quality information cues to its user. At the next transaction, it should provide feedback showing properly fulfilled orders. These findings have implications for both future research examining effective data exchange design and for professionals who wish to enrich electronic data exchange interactions.
A multicenter, placebo-controlled study of modafinil augmentation in partial responders to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors with persistent fatigue and sleepiness.

BACKGROUND Up to one half of depressed patients have partial or no response to antidepressant monotherapy. This multicenter, placebo-controlled study evaluated the efficacy of modafinil augmentation in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients with fatigue and excessive sleepiness despite selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) monotherapy. METHOD Patients (18-65 years) with a DSM-IV diagnosis of MDD and partial response to SSRI monotherapy (> or = 8 weeks) at a stable dose for > or = 4 weeks were eligible. Patients had screening/baseline 31-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D) scores of 14 to 26, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores > or = 10, and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) scores > or = 4. Patients were randomly assigned to augmentation therapy with modafinil 200 mg/day or placebo for 8 weeks. Assessments included the ESS, Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale (CGI-I), 31- and 17-item HAM-D, FSS, Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). RESULTS Of 311 enrolled patients who received > or = 1 dose of study drug, 158 were randomly assigned to modafinil (70% women) and 153 to placebo (72% women); 85% of each treatment group completed the study. At final visit, modafinil significantly improved patients' overall clinical condition compared with placebo on the basis of CGI-I scores (p = .02), and there were trends toward greater mean reductions in ESS, 31- and 17-item HAM-D, and MADRS scores versus placebo. Modafinil significantly reduced BFI scores for worst fatigue at final visit (p < .05 vs. placebo). There were no significant differences between modafinil and placebo at final visit in FSS or BFI total scores. Adverse events significantly more common during modafinil compared with placebo treatment were nausea (9% vs. 2%; p = .01) and feeling jittery (4% vs. 1%; p = .03). CONCLUSION These findings suggest that modafinil is a well-tolerated and potentially effective augmenting agent for SSRI partial responders with fatigue and sleepiness.
Gender differences in treatment adherence among youth with cystic fibrosis: Development of a new questionnaire

Abstract Background Some prior studies have reported that girls with cystic fibrosis (CF) experience higher morbidity and mortality compared to boys. In this study, the authors compared boys' and girls' perceptions of disease-related strains and resources associated with living with CF, and the relationship of these factors to CF treatment feelings and behaviors. Methods All 10–21 year olds with CF at the Minnesota Cystic Fibrosis Center were invited by mail to complete a new self-report survey (Living with CF Questionnaire — LCFQ). Of these 177 youth, 58% (49 boys and 54 girls) returned surveys. Results Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed nine factors in the LCFQ. Partial support was found for hypothesized gender differences in these factors. Compared to boys, girls reported significantly more illness-related strains and worries, including emotional strains, greater treatment discouragement, lower self-esteem, and lower adherence to some aspects of the CF treatment regimen (coughing, eating high-fat foods, taking meds/pills). Conclusions Living with CF appears to have a greater emotional impact on adolescent girls compared to boys. These gender differences may contribute to the poorer pulmonary function observed among girls with cystic fibrosis during the adolescent years.
Placental transmission of mercury to the fetal rat

203HgCl2 was administered to the Sprague-Dawley pregnant rat (day 16) by intracardiac injection, and after 30 min measurement was made of uptake of the isotope at placental and fetal sites. Both the chorioallantois and the visceral yolk sac concentrated mercury, but there was little transmission of the metal to the fetus. Fetal and placental accumulations were also monitored after depriving the visceral yolk sac of 1 possible source of mercury, secretions in the uterine lumen. This was accomplished by cutting the uterine mucosa and allowing it to retract to the base of the chorioallantois. Retraction produced no significant effect on mercury uptake by fetal and placental tissues. From in vitro experiments the absorptive capacity of the visceral yolk sac for mercury on a unit weight basis was shown to be about 10 times greater than that of the chorioallantois. Sodium selenite (1 mM) stimulated about 100% increase in mercury accumulation in both tissues. Intracellular partitioning studies after in vivo administration of 203Hg showed that the metal was taken up prominently in the fraction containing the stroma, indicating a strong placental cell surface binding affinity for mercury.
A study of catalyst selectivity with polymer bound palladium phosphine complexes on various solid phase synthesis supports

A peptide based ligand system is synthesized on six different supports and then examined for the ability of its palladium complex to catalyze the addition of dimethylmalonate to 3-acetoxycyclopentene in six different solvents. The results on support are correlated to the results observed with the catalyst system dissolved in solution.
A study of the relationship of diadochokinetig rate, speaking rate and reading rate

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to determine the nature of the relationship among three variables: diadocho‐kinetic rate, speaking rate, and reading rate. A group of 40 individuals, 20 males and 20 females, performed three experimental tasks: (1) three repetitions at maximumt speed of each of the following: /p⁁//t⁁//k⁁/, and /p⁁ t⁁ k⁁/; (2) 10 readings of a standard prose passage; and (3) the presentation of a two‐minute impromptu speech based on the content of stimulus pictures. Results of subjects’ performances indicate that: (1) reading rate is highly related to speaking rate; (2) there is no strong relationship between diadochokinetic rate and speaking rate; and (3) diadochokinetic rate is not highly related to reading rate.
Countertheses: Phenomenology and extra‐linguistic meaning

(1968). Countertheses: Phenomenology and extra‐linguistic meaning. The Philosophy Forum: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 35-45.
On the Virtues of Secrecy in Organizations

Many authors have highlighted the detrimental aspects of secrecy, particularly as keeping secrets runs contrary to the values of open, democratic societies and institutions. In this view, secrets h...
Targeting antioxidative signal transduction and stress response system: control of pathogenic Aspergillus with phenolics that inhibit mitochondrial function

Aims: The aim of this study was to show whether antioxidative response systems are potentially useful molecular targets for control of Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus flavus. Selected phenolic agents are used in target-gene-based bioassays to determine their impact on mitochondrial respiration. Methods and Results: Vanillyl acetone, vanillic acid, vanillin, cinnamic acid, veratraldehyde, m-coumaric acid (phenolic agents to which Saccharomyces cerevisiae sod2Δ mutant showed sensitivity), carboxin (inhibits complex II of the mitochondrial respiratory chain), strobilurins/antimycin A (inhibits complex III of the mitochondrial respiratory chain) and fludioxonil/fenpiclonil [antifungals potentiated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)] were examined in A. fumigatus, A. flavus and S. cerevisiae. Individual or combined application of phenolics with inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration showed some of the phenolics effectively inhibited fungal growth. Target-gene bioassays were performed using a sakAΔ (MAPK deletion) strain of A. fumigatus and a complementation analysis using the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) gene (sodA) of A. flavus in the ortholog mutant, sod2Δ, of S. cerevisiae. The results demonstrated that mitochondrial antioxidative stress system plays important roles in fungal response to antifungal agents tested. Conclusions: Antioxidative response systems of fungi can be an efficient molecular target of phenolics for pathogen control. Combined application of phenolics with inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration can effectively suppress the growth of fungi. Significance and Impact of the Study: Natural compounds that do not pose any significant medical or environmental risks could serve as useful alternatives or additives to conventional antifungals. Identifying the antioxidative response systems in other pathogens could improve methods for fungal control.
Analysis of diffusion problems in physiology

Steady-state diffusion equations, along with different sets of boundary conditions, are considered. These problems include the singular problems that model oxygen diffusion in spherical cells, heat conduction in the human brain, and oxygen diffusion into body tissue. Continuation and continuity arguments are used on related initial value problems to produce existence and uniqueness results. Upper and lower boundary functions for solutions are obtained from the integral equation representation of these problems.
CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN LEARNING CONCEPTUAL RULES

Une serie d'experiences sur le developpement et L'apprentissage des concepts a ete realisee sur des sujets americains et sur des sujets kpelles (Liberia, Afrique de L'Ouest). Elles sont centrees sur les facteurs de developpement, de langue et de culture, qui peuvent affecter la relation entre L'apprentissage d'un concept et la regie logique particuliere qui definit ce concept. Les premiers resultats indiquent qu'il n'y a pas de difference entre concepts “conjonctifs” et “disjonctifs” chez les Kpelles; ce qui donnerait a penser que les differences dans la difficute de la regie conceptuelle seraient fonction de facteurs linguistiques ou culturels. Une recherche plus recente montre cependant que la difficulte de la regie n'est pas independante du type de materiel auquel la regie est appliquee; au Liberia, aussi bien qu'aux Etats-Unis, il a ete possible d'obtenir des differences dans la difficulte de la regie en fonction de la structure du probleme. Dans une etude realisee selon les normes experimentales classiques, la “conjonction” s'est averee plus facile que la “disjonction”, aussi bien au Liberia qu'aux Etats-Unis. Mais les relations entre la solution du probleme, les strategies de resolution, et la description du probleme varient nettement d'une population a L'autre.
A knock-out model of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria: Pig-a(-) hematopoiesis is reconstituted following intercellular transfer of GPI-anchored proteins

Abstract We created a "knockout" embryonic stem cell via targeted disruption of the phosphatidylinositol glycan class A (Pig-a) gene, resulting in loss of expression of cell surface glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins and reproducing the mutant phenotype of the human disease paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria. Morphogenesis of Pig-a- embryoid bodies (EB) in vitro was grossly aberrant and, unlike EB derived from normal embryonic stem cells, Pig-A EB produced no secondary hematopoietic colonies. Chimeric EB composed of control plus Pig-A- cells, however, appeared normal, and hematopoiesis from knock-out cells was reconstituted. Transfer in situ of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored proteins from normal to knock-out cells was demonstrated by two-color fluorescent analysis, suggesting a possible mechanism for these functional effects. Hematopoietic cells with mutated PIG-A genes in humans with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria may be subject to comparable pathophysiologic processes and amenable to similar therapeutic protein transfer.
On The Possibility Of Measuring The Diffraction Pattern Of Single Micro Objects

As two-dimensional x-ray microscopy develops, it is of interest to consider also possible three-dimensional imaging methods, in view of the thick-specimen capability of soft x-rays. The highest-quality 3-dimensional images of atomic assemblies today are produced by Fourier inversion of lA x-ray or neutron diffraction patterns of crystalline specimens. We consider whether a similar form of imaging may be obtained with very small non-crystalline specimens using soft x-rays. Success would allow microscopic objects, such as biological cells, to be imaged in three dimensions and at resolutions of the order of 15A. As x-ray wavelengths increase from lA, elastic scattering persists, Compton scattering decreases, and photoelectric absorption increases. The first and third of these give rise to coherent scattering and are effective in diffraction, while the second contributes an incoherent background and does not contribute to diffraction. Thus we should expect that diffraction will exist in the soft x-ray region and with lower intrinsic background than in the shorter wavelength region. Small-angle diffraction patterns from multiple small objects (latex spheres) have indeed been observed in the soft x-ray region1 . Here, however, we are concerned with the possibility of measuring large-angle patterns, and from single small objects.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Structural alignment of protein--DNA interfaces: insights into the determinants of binding specificity.

A new method is introduced to structurally align interfaces observed in protein–DNA complexes. The method is based on a procedure that describes the interfacial geometry in terms of the spatial relationships between individual amino acid-nucleotide pairs. An amino acid-amino acid similarity matrix, S , is defined that provides a quantitative measure of the geometric relationships of amino acids in different interfaces and the entire stretch of “local” DNA within some distance of each amino acid. S is used as a substitution matrix in a dynamic programming algorithm that aligns the interfacial amino acids of the two complexes. The quality of the alignment is determined by an interface alignment score, IAS, that provides a quantitative measure of the similarity in the docking geometry between two protein–DNA complexes. We have clustered a large set of protein–DNA complexes based on their IAS values. In general, proteins within a single family form identifiable clusters. Subgroup clustering is often observed within families offering a fine-grained description of docking geometries. Although proteins with similar folds tend to dock in similar ways, important differences are observed even for structural motifs that almost perfectly align. Relationships are observed between the interfaces formed in cognate and non-cognate complexes involving the same proteins indicating a strong driving force to maintain certain contacts, even if this requires a distortion of the DNA. There are cases where inter-family similarities are greater than intra-family similarities. Our method offers the possibility of comparing different protein–DNA interfaces in a detailed, objective and quantitative fashion. This offers the possibility of new approaches to the description of the determinants of molecular recognition and to the prediction of protein and DNA sequence combinations that are optimal for binding.
A rapid and sensitive radioimmunohistochemical assay for quantitation of vasopressin in discrete brain regions with an anatomical resolution

Radioimmunoassay has become a widely used method to study different neuroactive substances from brain tissue extracts, but cannot provide anatomical resolution. Here we describe a simple and sensitive radioimmunohistochemical assay (RIHA) to quantify a peptide, vasopressin (VP), in discrete brain regions of rats with 3-day water deprivation. After decapitation, brains were removed, frozen with dry ice and cut into 14-microns cryostat sections which were then fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde in phosphate-buffered saline. After rinses, tissue sections were stored in a freezer until use. For RIHA, brain tissue sections were pre-incubated, and then incubated with rabbit vasopressin antibody (1:2000 dilution) for 24 h at room temperature. After rinses, sections were incubated with 125I-labeled goat antirabbit IgG (1:200 dilution) for 1 h. Specimens were processed for quantitative autoradiography after rinses and drying. RIHA with aid of a computer-assisted image analysis system revealed that the VP content was significantly reduced in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) of rats with 3-day water deprivation, whereas a parallel in situ hybridization study further demonstrated that VP mRNAs in the PVN and SON were greatly increased. In summary, this experiment demonstrates that RIHA is a simple and powerful tool which is able to detect changes of VP in the hypothalamus of dehydrated rats. Combining this method with in situ hybridization to assess mRNA expression allows assessment of the functional significance of the peptide changes. In this case, dehydration depletes vasopressin and upregulates its synthesis. Therefore, the combined use of RIHA and in situ hybridization should have general applicability to evaluate the functional role of a peptide or neurotransmitter system in response to stimuli in a quantitative way with anatomical resolution.
Effects of extra year programs prior to first grade

This study addressed the issue of whether providing an extra year of schooling prior to first grade is related to higher achievement at the end of first grade. Thirty‐one children who had been placed in either developmental Kindergarten or Transition First Grade were matched on entry‐level characteristics (chronological age, Battelle Developmental Inventory score, sex, socio‐economic status, and recommendation for extra year) with 31 children who had experienced only one year of regular kindergarten before being promoted to first grade. At the end of first grade, the achievement of the two groups was compared. Results showed that the one‐to two‐month advantage of those receiving the extra year was statistically significant only on the language subtest but not on reading or math. These findings are consistent with the bulk of the literature on this topic that shows extra year programs to be minimally cost‐effective in preventing later school failure or enhancing the educational opportunities of young children.
A Second-Order Growth Mixture Model for Developmental Research

Growth mixture modeling, a combination of growth modeling and finite mixture modeling, is a flexible, exploratory method for identifying and describing between-person heterogeneity in change. In this article we introduce a second-order growth mixture model that combines a longitudinal common factor model, measurement invariance constraints, latent growth model, and mixture model. This approach capitalizes on the benefits of multivariate measurement and the flexibility of mixtures for representing heterogeneity. We describe the model and illustrate its use with multi-reporter longitudinal data from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development tracking the development of children's externalizing behaviors through elementary school.
Vergence eye movements in patients with schizophrenia

Previous studies have shown that smooth pursuit eye movements are impaired in patients with schizophrenia. However, under normal viewing conditions, targets move not only in the frontoparallel plane but also in depth, and tracking them requires both smooth pursuit and vergence eye movements. Although previous studies in humans and non-human primates suggest that these two eye movement subsystems are relatively independent of one another, to our knowledge, there have been no prior studies of vergence tracking behavior in patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, we have investigated these eye movements in patients with schizophrenia and in healthy controls. We found that patients with schizophrenia exhibited substantially lower gains compared to healthy controls during vergence tracking at all tested speeds (e.g. 0.25 Hz vergence tracking mean gain of 0.59 vs. 0.86). Further, consistent with previous reports, patients with schizophrenia exhibited significantly lower gains than healthy controls during smooth pursuit at higher target speeds (e.g. 0.5 Hz smooth pursuit mean gain of 0.64 vs. 0.73). In addition, there was a modest (r≈0.5), but significant, correlation between smooth pursuit and vergence tracking performance in patients with schizophrenia. Our observations clearly demonstrate substantial vergence tracking deficits in patients with schizophrenia. In these patients, deficits for smooth pursuit and vergence tracking are partially correlated suggesting overlap in the central control of smooth pursuit and vergence eye movements.
Analysis of biosolids equilibrium moisture and drying

Provided that moisture is well managed, biosolids, or digested wastewater sludge, can be converted from an expense to a resource of renewable energy. Toward this goal, the equilibrium moisture content (EMC) for biosolids was determined experimentally in the ranges of 10–84% relative humidity and 30–60°C. Several well-known models were used to fit the EMC data, including a new one that considers mixing and swelling effects on water activity. The rate of drying was measured as a function of temperature and gas velocity in a 3-inch fluidized bed. The drying rate increased with temperature and was independent of gas velocity. In all cases, the drying rate continuously decreased; no period of constant rate was observed. This indicates that the dominant resistance to drying was internal diffusion. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2009
Reflections on a study in a mental hospital

SUMMARY A Chaplain conducted semi-structured interviews using religious questions with 77 patients at the East Louisiana State Hospital. Findings included 78 percent who agreed with the teachings of their church, 64 percent were church members, 63 percent had experienced a religious conversion, 58 percent reported having guilt feelings, 51 percent regularly practiced prayer, 33 percent thought it was God's will for them to be in the hospital, 29 percent reported regular church attendance, 26 percent concluded that their faith helped them to cope with their illness and hospitalization, and 22 percent said that they had either seen God or heard Him speak.
Detection and quantitation of Aspergillus fumigatus in pure culture using polymerase chain reaction.

Research was conducted with laboratory cultures to establish a protocol for the rapid detection and quantitation of the thermophilic fungus, Aspergillus fumigatus, using genetic amplification. Oligonucleotide primers and a fluorescently labelled probe were designed for use with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR). Primers and probe were tested for selectivity, specificity and sensitivity of detection of the target organism using a fluorogenic nuclease assay and a sequence detector. The DNA extraction protocol consisted of enzymatic treatment and boiling of fungal spore suspensions followed by DNA concentration and purification. The primer set developed was specific for A. fumigatus and had a sensitivity of <20 template copies. These primers amplified all A. fumigatus isolates tested and did not amplify DNA extracted from other Aspergillus species or 15 other fungal genera. However, one A. fumigatus sample was initially negative after PCR amplification. Incorporation of an internal positive control in the PCR reaction demonstrated the presence of inhibitors in this and other samples. PCR inhibitors were removed by dilution or further purification of the DNA samples. This research resulted in a QPCR method for detection and quantitation of A. fumigatus and demonstrated the presence of PCR inhibitors in several A. fumigatus isolates.
A comparison of treated and untreated male cross-dressers

In an interview study of 70 male members of cross-dressing clubs, multiple comparisons between treated and untreated subjects showed that the two groups are more similar than dissimilar. The only areas of comparison in which the treated group significantly differed from the untreated group were in fantasizing themselves as females while masturbating, having ever engaged in heterosexual intercourse while cross-dressed, currently preferring both heterosexual intercourse and homosexual behavior while cross-dressed, and having experienced more adverse consequences from cross-dressing. Further, where comparisons are possible, our results are similar to those found in prior studies. All of the subjects were male and the average age of onset is prior to 10 years, with virtually all subjects first cross-dressing if not in childhood then by middle adolescence. The course is chronic with only occasional and usually brief remissions, although there are instances in a minority of subjects of periods of remission lasting several months to a few years within the context of more than two decades of otherwise continuous cross-dressing behavior. The interval between onset and first treatment, if any, is several years. Early in its development, cross-dressing is virtually always associated with sexual arousal and sexual behavior, usually masturbation. Later, in adult life, it is more frequently associated with heterosexual intercourse and only rarely with masturbation as subjects approach middle age. There is a trend toward a more asexual nature to the cross-dressing during late adult life. Cross-dressing is infrequently associated with sadomasochism and not at all with exhibitionism. Rates of unipolar depression and alcoholism were increased in this sample. The results do not support a significant positive association between cross-dressing and obsessive-compulsive neurosis. The present study confirms previous findings that cross-dressing lacks a familial component either with respect to cross-dressing itself or in association with another disorder.
Muon spin relaxation measurements of the fluctuation modes in spin-glass AgMn

Recently reported zero-field ..mu..SR measurements below the spin-glass transition temperature in AgMn (1.6 at. %) show a temperature dependent inhomogenous width. We discuss these data in terms of a model in which the local field undergoes limited-amplitude fluctuations. We find that both very slow (approx. 0.3 ..mu..s/sup -1/) and rapid (approx. 3000 ..mu..s/sup -1/) fluctuations are required.
The Why of Learning

Alexander, Schallert, and Reynolds's (2009/this issue) what, where, who, and when framework situates different perspectives on learning in different places in this multidimensional space and by doing so helps us to better understand seemingly disparate approaches to learning. The framework is in need of a fifth, why dimension. The why dimension helps to place learning within an evolutionary and cultural perspective and to better understand students' motivation to learn and their preferences for what, where, and how to learn.
Structurally analogous proteins do exist

Abstract The structure of a random protein sequence selected in vitro for ATP binding (Lo Surdo et al., 2004) resembles the treble clef zinc binding motif. Since this artificial protein does not share a common ancestor with any natural treble clefs, it exemplifies the existence of structural analogs.
The surface chemistry of silicon nitride powder in the presence of dissolved ions

Colloidal processing of silicon nitride (Si3N4) powders depends largely on the control of reactions at the solid-solution interface. The role of dissolved ions in the surface chemistry of Si3N4 powders has been investigated, and the implications of these results for the effects of impurities, contaminants and additives in processing are discussed. The interaction of ions at the solid-solution interface was characterized by particle electrokinetic behaviour determined from electroacoustic measurements in moderately concentrated suspensions. Ions were classified according to chemical similarity and surface specificity. Specific adsorption was inferred from the movement of the isoelectric point relative to the endemic “native” value. Most simple univalent electrolytes behaved indifferently towards the Si3N4 surface, with the exception of fluoride which specifically adsorbed and may have formed a strong complex with surface silicon sites. The alkaline-earth cations exhibited a similar weak specificity. In the presence of hydrolysable transition metal cations, powder surface chemistry was controlled by the adsorption of hydroxy metal complexes and by the solubility of a surface-precipitated metal hydroxide phase. Oxo anions, such as sulphate and carbonate, adsorbed specifically on the Si3N4 surface, but the interactions were weaker than previously observed on metal oxide surfaces.
Comparison of manual or electronic control of drop distances from bulk produce conveyors

Abstract An ultrasonic distance sensing system was used in conjunction with a proportional hydraulic valve for automatic control of harvester conveyor height above a bulk pile of potatoes during three harvesting seasons. Tuber bruise tests showed no detectable difference between automatic or manual control of the conveyor. Electronic recording of the drop distance, for both modes of control, showed a more uniform distance and fewer large excursions when in automatic control. The control system was also used for two seasons on telescoping pilers for unloading potato storages. Drop distance recordings indicated considerably better performance for automatic control versus manual control. When automatic control of the piler was used, transport trailers were more accurately loaded to the desired amount to stay within legal licensed limits. Detection of the side of the trailer, with an infrared proximity sensor, enabled switching of the ultrasonic sensor signal between elevating and telescoping functions. This feature permitted height control of the bulk produce pile relative to the top of the trailer side.
In Situ Monitoring of Backbone Thioester Exchange by 19F NMR

backbone thioester exchange; coiled coil; fluorine; NMR spectroscopy; protein foldingBackbone thioester exchange (BTE) is a new technique for assessing the stability of foldingpatterns adopted by polypeptides.[1–5] Implementation of this method requires thereplacement of a single backbone amide group in the polypeptide of interest with a thioester;this replacement is an approximately isostructural substitution.[ 6,7] Combining the backbone-modified polypeptide analogue (a thiodepsipeptide) with a small thiol in pH 7 aqueous bufferinitiates a thiol–thioester exchange reaction.[8] The equilibrium constant for this exchange isstrongly influenced by the stability of the folded conformation adopted by the full-lengththiodepsipeptide. We have shown that BTE enables examination of sequence–stabilityrelationships for a variety of small folding motifs under native conditions including β-hairpins,coiled coils and a small protein, the chicken villin headpiece subdomain.[1–5] BTE analysisis complementary to traditional methods of assessing protein conformational stability, in whichthe folding pattern is disrupted with heat or chemical additives.[ 9] The traditional approachesrequire extrapolation to obtain folding parameters that apply under native conditions, whileBTE enables direct measurement under native conditions. BTE has provided new insights oncommon protein folding motifs[ 1,3–5] and on contributions of unnatural side chains to tertiarystructural stability,[2] but continued development is necessary to maximize the utility of thisnew tool.Here we report that quantitative BTE analysis can be conducted in situ by using
Mothers of Children with Autism or Communication Disorders: Successful Adaptation and the Double ABCX Model.

This study demonstrates the effectiveness of a modified Double ABCX or FAAR model in predicting successful adaptation—good marital adjustment, few maternal depressive symptoms, and an in-home rating of family functioning—in 45 families of autistic and communication-impaired children. The model consisted of severity of the handicap and other family stresses, family resources of cohesion and social support, family definition of the handicap, and adequacy of coping patterns. Canonical correlation and subsequent multiple regression procedures demonstrated that family adaptation was positively predicted by adequacy of social support and active coping patterns. Poorer adaptation was predicted by other family stresses, unwarranted maternal self-blame for the handicap, and maternal definition of the handicap as a family catastrophe. Findings for cohesion were mixed. Resources and beliefs were more predictive of adaptation than severity of the child's handicap.
Electron excitation of electronic states of the CO molecule

The electron-impact excitation cross sections of the $A^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}$, $E^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}$, $B^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$, $C^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$, $D^{1}\ensuremath{\Delta}$, $a^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}$, $c^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}$, $b^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$, $j^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$, ${a}^{\ensuremath{'}}^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$, and $d^{3}\ensuremath{\Delta}$ states of the CO molecule have been calculated for the incident electron energies over the range of threshold to 1000 eV for the singlet states and up to 100 eV for the triplet states by means of the Born approximation with Ochkur's and Rudge's modification for treating electron-exchange scattering. The wave functions of the various electronic states used in this calculation were determined by the self-consistent-field procedure with the Gaussian-type orbitals as basis functions. The calculated generalized oscillator strengths of the $A^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}$, $E^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}$, and $C^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$ state are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values of Lassettre et al., but a larger discrepancy is found for the $B^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$ state. The total cross sections calculated by this scheme show satisfactory agreement with experiment (30% at 300 eV) for the $A^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}$ state and are generally within the range of uncertainty of the experimental data for $a^{3}\ensuremath{\Pi}$. For the $B^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$ and $b^{3}\ensuremath{\Sigma}^{+}$ states the theoretical cross sections differ very significantly from the experimental data of Skubenich which, however, are in serious disagreement with measurements reported from two other laboratories.
Colorado: Mineral collecting localities

(2005). Colorado: Mineral collecting localities. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 80, No. 5, pp. 317-332.
A review of recent experimental results concerning the strength and time dependent behavior of fibrous poly(paraphenylene terephthalamide)

A review of recent investigations of the strength and stress rupture of single filaments of poly(paraphenylene terephthalamide) (PPTA) is given. The experimental results are presented within an activation energy/power law breakdown framework. The statistics for tensile failure of individual filaments and epoxy impregnated strands and the lifetime of filaments in stress rupture are shown to fit the standard two-parameter Weibull distribution, as predicted from the model.
Turbulent mixing in a rotating, stratified fluid

Abstract An experimental study was carried out to investigate the effect of rotation on turbulent mixing in a stratified fluid when the turbulence in the mixed layer is generated by an oscillating grid. Two types of experiments were carried out: one of them is concerned with the deepening of the upper mixed layer in a stable, two-fluid system, and the other deals with the interaction between a stabilizing buoyancy flux and turbulence. In the first type of experiments, it was found that rotation suppresses entrainment at larger Rossby numbers. As the Rossby number becomes smaller (Ro 0.1), the entrainment rate increases with rotation—the onset of this phenomenon, however, was found to coincide with the appearance of coherent vortices within the mixed layer. The radiation of energy from the mixed layer to the lower non-turbulent layer was found to occur and the magnitude of the energy flux was found to be increased with the rotational frequency. It was also observed that vortices are generated, rather abrup...
Immunomodulatory therapy for chronic tubulointerstitial nephritis–associated uveitis

Abstract PURPOSE: To describe the clinical course and treatment with immunomodulatory agents in patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the charts of six patients with tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome. RESULTS: The mean (±SD) age was 24.3 (±16.5) years, range 13 to 49 years. Four patients were children, and two were adults. Three were men, and three were women. Five of the six patients had anterior uveitis, and one had panuveitis. All patients had several relapses despite treatment with topical, regional, and oral steroids and methotrexate in one case. The introduction or modification of immunosuppressants (methotrexate, azathioprine, or cyclosporin A) achieved control of the uveitis and prevented relapses over a mean (±SD) follow-up period of 19.66 (±10.01) months, range 6 to 34 months. No treatment-related side effects were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Tubulointerstitial nephritis and uveitis syndrome is a distinct disease entity in which the nephritis typically resolves, but the uveitis often becomes chronic and is treatment resistant. Immunomodulatory agents can achieve control of the inflammation and prevent relapses.
Actin Cytoskeleton Is Involved in Targeting of a Viral Hsp70 Homolog to the Cell Periphery

The cell-to-cell movement of plant viruses involves translocation of virus particles or nucleoproteins to and through the plasmodesmata (PDs). As we have shown previously, the movement of the Beet yellows virus requires the concerted action of five viral proteins including a homolog of cellular ∼70-kDa heat shock proteins (Hsp70h). Hsp70h is an integral component of the virus particles and is also found in PDs of the infected cells. Here we investigate subcellular distribution of Hsp70h using transient expression of Hsp70h fused to three spectrally distinct fluorescent proteins. We found that fluorophore-tagged Hsp70h forms motile granules that are associated with actin microfilaments, but not with microtubules. In addition, immobile granules were observed at the cell periphery. A pairwise appearance of these granules at the opposite sides of cell walls and their colocalization with the movement protein of Tobacco mosaic virus indicated an association of Hsp70h with PDs. Treatment with various cytoskeleton-specific drugs revealed that the intact actomyosin motility system is required for trafficking of Hsp70h in cytosol and its targeting to PDs. In contrast, none of the drugs interfered with the PD localization of Tobacco mosaic virus movement protein. Collectively, these findings suggest that Hsp70h is translocated and anchored to PDs in association with the actin cytoskeleton.
Membrane Insertion of the Pleckstrin Homology Domain Variable Loop 1 Is Critical for Dynamin-catalyzed Vesicle Scission

The GTPase dynamin catalyzes the scission of deeply invaginated clathrin-coated pits at the plasma membrane, but the mechanisms governing dynamin-mediated membrane fission remain poorly understood. Through mutagenesis, we have altered the hydrophobic nature of the membrane-inserting variable loop 1 (VL1) of the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of dynamin-1 and demonstrate that its stable insertion into the lipid bilayer is critical for high membrane curvature generation and subsequent membrane fission. Dynamin PH domain mutants defective in curvature generation regain function when assayed on precurved membrane templates in vitro, but they remain defective in the scission of clathrin-coated pits in vivo. These results demonstrate that, in concert with dynamin self-assembly, PH domain membrane insertion is essential for fission and vesicle release in vitro and for clathrin-mediated endocytosis in vivo.