cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
L-moments and TL-moments of the generalized lambda distribution

The 4-parameter generalized lambda distribution (GLD) is a flexible distribution capable of mimicking the shapes of many distributions and data samples including those with heavy tails. The method of L-moments and the recently developed method of trimmed L-moments (TL-moments) are attractive techniques for parameter estimation for heavy-tailed distributions for which the L- and TL-moments have been defined. Analytical solutions for the first five L- and TL-moments in terms of GLD parameters are derived. Unfortunately, numerical methods are needed to compute the parameters from the L- or TL-moments. Algorithms are suggested for parameter estimation. Application of the GLD using both L- and TL-moment parameter estimates from example data is demonstrated, and comparison of the L-moment fit of the 4-parameter kappa distribution is made. A small simulation study of the 98th percentile (far-right tail) is conducted for a heavy-tail GLD with high-outlier contamination. The simulations show, with respect to estimation of the 98th-percent quantile, that TL-moments are less biased (more robost) in the presence of high-outlier contamination. However, the robustness comes at the expense of considerably more sampling variability.
Late postnatal maturation of excitatory synaptic transmission permits adult-like expression of hippocampal-dependent behaviors.

Sensorimotor systems in altricial animals mature incrementally during early postnatal development, with complex cognitive abilities developing late. Of prominence are cognitive processes that depend on an intact hippocampus, such as contextual–configural learning, allocentric and idiocentric navigation, and certain forms of trace conditioning. The mechanisms that regulate the delayed maturation of the hippocampus are not well understood. However, there is support for the idea that these behaviors come “on line” with the final maturation of excitatory synaptic transmission. First, by providing a timeline for the first behavioral expression of various forms of learning and memory, this study illustrates the late maturation of hippocampal-dependent cognitive abilities. Then, functional development of the hippocampus is reviewed to establish the temporal relationship between maturation of excitatory synaptic transmission and the behavioral evidence of adult-like hippocampal processing. These data suggest that, in rats, mechanisms necessary for the expression of adult-like synaptic plasticity become available at around 2 postnatal weeks of age. However, presynaptic plasticity mechanisms, likely necessary for refinement of the hippocampal network, predominate and impede information processing until the third postnatal week. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
How Postmodern Historians Have Helped Cripple the American Left

The changes that have occurred in the humanities in our colleges and universities over the last thirty years or so—essentially, the era of baby boomer supremacy—are generally viewed as coming from the left side of the political spectrum. That is natural enough. The vast majority of humanities professors vote for Democratic candidates and support causes such as feminism, homosexual rights, affirmative action, and environmental activism, which we associate with the Left. In response, it is fair to say, the National Association of Scholars, which began with a membership that included both distinguished conservatives and distinguished Marxists, has evidently become more conservative in its orientation—though not so much as to persuade a lifelong New Deal Democrat like myself to leave it. It is precisely because I am a lifelong NewDeal Democrat, however, that I see the political impact of what has happened in academia from a very different perspective. This applies particularly to changes in my own field, history. The modern discipline of history, as initially defined in the nineteenth century by men like Leopold von Ranke and Henry Adams, was a child of the Enlightenment, dedicated to the idea that exhaustive research into primary sources could yield the truth about the past, perhaps to the benefit of the present and the future. And thanks in large part to Ranke, it was very largely focused on the development of the modern state, including the state’s efforts to provide for Acad. Quest. (2015) 28:66–72 DOI 10.1007/s12129-015-9476-1
A simple and sensitive method for monitoring running-wheel movement

A running-wheel movement-detection method is described for use with a modified 1350 Commodore mouse and a Commodore 64, is described. The movement-detection method allows for the detection of partial revolutions and direction of movement, but requires no interface equipment. The modified running wheel is discussed as a new technique that may be useful for bridging empirical and theoretical differences between free-operant and discrete-trial runway procedures.
Clinicopathologic features associated with relapse in cryptogenic organizing pneumonia

Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a histopathologic pattern of response to lung injury. Fibrin is a marker of acute microvascular injury, and variable amounts of intraalveolar fibrin are seen in OP; however, its relevance to clinical outcomes is unclear. We examined lung wedge biopsies of 26 patients with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP), assessed the amount of fibrin associated with airspace organization, and correlated fibrin levels with other histologic, clinical, and radiographic findings. Seven patients with COP had disease relapse. Patients with multifocal fibrin deposits or acute fibrinous and organizing pneumonia (collectively, "high fibrin") showed a higher rate of OP relapse compared to those with no or focal fibrin (60% versus 6%, P < .05). Patients with radiographic evidence of disease involving all three lung zones (upper, middle, and lower) also showed higher rates of relapse compared to those in whom disease was limited to one or two zones (41% versus 0%, P = .055). In patients with both pathologic evidence of high fibrin and radiographic evidence of three-zone disease, OP relapse could be predicted with a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 84% (positive predictive value of 67% and negative predictive value of 94%). The presence of high levels of intraalveolar fibrin in lung biopsies and radiographic evidence of disease involving all three lung zones is associated with increased risk of relapse in patients with COP, and these features may help identify patients who may benefit from more intensive steroid therapy.
Two Women with History of Bipolar Disorder.

Awoman presented with cannabis abuse, marital discord, and family history of unipolar and bipolar mood disorders. She developed her fi rst manic epi
Reversal of neuromuscular blockade in humans by neostigmine and edrophonium : a mathematical model

Generalizations of the integrated model describing the interaction of nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drugs with reversible anticholinesterase drugs described in Unadkat et al.(1) are reported. The models can deal with possible incomplete reversal (irreversible block) and/or noninstantaneous anticholinesterase kinetics. Experimental data were obtained from 22 human volunteers. Different levels of steady-state vecuronium block were induced in each volunteer (in the range of 50% to 95%), and reversed by short infusions of edrophonium (10 volunteers) or neostigmine (12 volunteers). Edrophonium or neostigmine concentrations and twitch tension (measured as the force of thumb adduction) were measured. The generalized integrated models fit the data well. In the case of neostigmine we find a nondistributional delay in its action. We relate this delay to the slow decarbamylation rate of the (neostigmine-induced) carbamylated anticholinesterase observed in vitro,and are able to model such noninstantaneous anticholinesterase kinetic processes. For both edrophonium and neostigmine we detect an inverse relationship between the induced) level of initial block and maximal percentage recovery.
CROSS SECTIONS FOR INNER-SHELL VACANCY PRODUCTION IN ION--ATOM COLLISIONS.

Cross sections for $K$-shell vacancy production in carbon atoms are measured for incident ${\mathrm{N}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{O}}^{+}$, ${\mathrm{Ne}}^{+}$, and ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}$ in various energy ranges. The measured cross sections agree with a theoretical model based on the Landau-Zener theory of level crossing.
The formate anion: an ab initio study of its equilibrium structure, general harmonic force field and fundamental vibrational frequencies

Abstract The general harmonic force field (GHFF) of the formate anion has been calculated by ab initio restricted Hartree—Fock theory using the minimal STO-3G and split valence 4–31G basis sets. This work was carried out in conjunction with a previously reported experimental study in which the ion's force field was determined from its vibrational frequencies in polycrystalline sodium formate by an improved refinement procedure. The ab initio results reported here proved valuable in that study as a guide to the true physical values of the harmonic force constants. The 4–31G basis gives better results than the STO-3G basis. The agreement between the 4–31G and the experimental results suggests that interactions in the crystal are of secondary importance in determining the experimental force field. However, there are discrepancies between the 4–31G values and the experimental values for the force constants which exceed the empirical guidelines for such calculations on neutral molecules. These deviations may be real and due to the different environments of the ion in the two studies or they may be due to experimental and theoretical errors. Conjugative delocalization of an oxygen lone pair in the molecular plane into an antibonding CH bond orbital provides a simple and consistent explanation for the weakness of CH bonds in HCOO − and related species. The inductive effect cannot account for this overall weakness, but it can account for the increase in CH bond strength from H 2 CO and HCOO − to HCOOH and HCOOCH 3 and for its decrease from H 2 CO to CH 3 CHO.
Electron Transfer in Biological Systems

The direct approach to a study of the dynamics of the essential intermediates in life processes is afforded by sensitive optical techniques that accurately measure and record the absorbancy of the iron proteins (cytochromes) in living cells, tissues, and particles derived therefrom. This paper outlines the nature of physical phenomena measurable in the biological systems and emphasizes current thinking on the nature of electron transfer between the proteins which involves oxidation and reduction of their iron-containing active centers with the simultaneous conservation of energy required for driving essential biological processes. The methods for these measurements are reviewed and spectrophotometric techniques at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures, and new developments such as microspectrophotometry of the cytochromes in portions of the living cell are emphasized. Data evaluation and representation of electron transfer processes and metabolic control sequences by analog and digital computers are described and particular reference is made to the operation of metabolic controls in ascites tumor cells.
Robust Control of a Surface Vehicle With Disturbances

In this paper, a new approach for robust control of a surface vehicle is presented. This approach uses a sliding mode controller with an additional robust term. A nonlinear dynamic model which is complicated by environmental disturbances is presented for a surface vehicle, dividing the model into the rigid-body portion, and a portion containing disturbance terms that the robust controller will reject. Following that, a robust approach based on sliding mode controller is developed for tracking desired trajectories in finite time while compensating for disturbances such as hydrodynamics, wind, wave, and currents based on Lyapunov-type stability analysis. Finally numerical simulation results are shown to demonstrate the validity of the proposed controllers.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Fractional Frequency Synthesizer

A simple technique is presented for using standard IC logic elements to synthesize frequencies. In particular, certain fractional multiples of a primary frequency may be synthesized for which no convenient techniques are available at digital logic levels. By utilizing the harmonic content of repetitive digital waveforns, sum and difference frequencies may be extracted from the output of the digital logic network. In effect, the new technique provides a type of digital mixing to accomplish frequency synthesis (or conversion) which is compatible with modern digital circuits. The circuit complements available techniques for division by an integer.
Reaction between Bis(2,4-pentanedionato)lead(II) and Water Vapor: A Thermodynamic Study

Evolved gas analysis Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate the high-temperature reaction between bis(2,4-pentanedionato)lead(II) and water vapor. 2,4-Pentanedione, acetone, and carbon dioxide were the principle gaseous products produced, and powder X-ray diffraction indicated that lead oxide and lead metal were the principle solid products formed. The equilibrium concentrations of all gaseous products and reactants were determined as a function of temperature and equilibrium constants were estimated from these data. The enthalpy of formation for bis(2,4-pentanedionato)lead(II) was determined to be −865 ± 10 kJ/mol.
Peripheral and central muscarinic cholinergic blockade: Effects on Pavlovian conditioning

Separate groups of rabbits were administered saline, atropine methyl nitrate, or atropine sulfate and differential Pavlovian conditioning was studied as a function of interstimulus intervals of 1, 2, 4, and 6 sec. Corneoretinal potential (CRP) and heart rate (HR) were assessed. Both methylatropine and atropine severely attenuated the HR conditioned response (CR) compared to saline control injections, although consistent, but small, bradycardiac CRs were obtained under both drug conditions. CRP CRs were almost completely abolished by the centrally acting atropine sulfate, and were moderately impaired by the peripherally acting methylatropine compared to animals treated with saline. The results suggest that, although central muscarinic cholinergic blockade severely interferes with Pavlovian conditioning, peripheral blockade also produces pronounced impairments in both autonomic and somatomotor response systems.
A conversation with Edgard Cornacchione: understanding the HRD field in Brazil through his lens and perspectives

This article contains a conversation with Edgard B. Cornacchione Jr, Full Professor and Chairman of the Department of Accounting and Actuarial Sciences, College of Economics, Business and Accountancy (FEA) at University of Sao Paulo (USP), Brazil. He is a pioneer scholar in HRD in Brazil, holding a PhD in the field from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) and another PhD in Accounting from USP. This interview explores Edgard's career in HRD practice, research, teaching and outreach and service, in addition to experiences in other related fields, such as Accounting and Business Education. It also considers current insights and perspectives of how HRD has been practised and studied in Brazil. He has been teaching at USP since 1992. To an international audience, who still might not be so familiar with his work and path, this interview has the potential to enhance both the understanding of his experiences and the status of the field in Brazil.
Sixth Order Compact Approximation with Completed Richardson Extrapolation

The sixth order compact approximation described in this article is a kind of Richardson extrapolation-based method, which uses two different scale grids to improve the order of accuracy of numerical solutions. Since the extrapolated solution with higher order accuracy is on the coarse grid, we consider to use completed Richardson extrapolation to get a higher order solution on the entire fine grid. Both truncation error analysis and numerical investigation are conducted to compare the proposed method and an existed Richardson extrapolation-based sixth order method with operator based interpolation.
Enhancement of Solution Wetting and Heat Transfer on Horizontal-Tube, Falling-Film Evaporator Using Porous-Layer Coating

An experimental study using a porous-layer (wick) coating on a horizontal-tube, falling-film evaporator was conducted to investigate the solution wetting of evaporator tubes and its effects on the evaporator performance. The partial solution wetting and the local dry-out on the evaporator tubes are the commonly encountered problems for the horizontal-tube, falling-film evaporator. In this study, the porous-layer coating was used in an attempt to enhance the solution wetting on the tubes and thus the evaporator performance. An experimental setup was built to measure the solution wetting and the performance of the evaporators using micro-scale hatched tubes (baseline design) and porous-layer coated tubes. Distilled water was used as the solution and the heating fluids. The solution wetting and the falling-film flow modes were visually observed in the range of the solution Reynolds number from 6 to 61. The evaporator using the micro-scale hatched tubes had the partial solution wetting on the tubes in the range of the solution Reynolds number considered for the study. In contrast, the evaporator using the porous-layer coated tubes showed the complete solution wetting which was confirmed by a visual inspection. The evaporator performance was evaluated by a thermal resistance analysis for the ranges of the solution and the heating fluid Reynolds numbers from 18 to 154 and from 3070 to 7270 respectively. The evaporation thermal resistances for the micro-scale hatched and the porous-layer coated tubes were increased as the solution flow rates were increased. The evaporation heat transfer coefficients for the micro-scale hatched tubes were higher than those for the porous-layer coated tubes. However, the evaporation thermal resistances with the porous-layer coated tubes were lower than those with the micro-scale hatched tubes because the complete solution wetting was achieved using the porous-layer coating.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Preclinical cost analysis of orthopaedic implants: a custom versus standard cementless femoral component for revision total hip arthroplasty

Abstract A preclinical cost analysis method was introduced to assess the cost effectiveness of using a custom implant instead of standard “off-the-shelf” implants for revision total hip arthroplasty. Finite element models of proximal femur–implant systems were constructed and an array of environmental factors, including loads and bone properties, was incorporated into a computer experiment to evaluate relative motion between implant and bone. Implant performance related cost was then determined from relative motion measures using a quality loss function. Unit manufacturing cost was added to implant performance cost to determine the cost difference between the two implants. The reduction in relative motion achieved by the custom implant with respect to an equivalent-lengthed standard implant justified its additional unit manufacturing costs. In response to these results and suggestions by surgeons, we increased the length of the standard implant by 50 mm and performed an identical series of analyses. We found that increasing the stem length to 120 mm substantially decreased the relative motion of the standard implant to values less than for the custom implant. This case study provides preliminary evidence that a surgical inventory consisting of longer-stemmed standard implants or modular distal stems is more cost effective than designing custom devices on a case-by-case basis. Additional design studies are warranted before generalizing such a claim.
Cycles of deviance: Structural change, moral boundaries, and drug use, 1880–1990

This article offers a general explanation for changes in rates of deviant behavior. The rate of drug use in the United States between 1880 and 1990 is used as support for the general argument. Rates of use and social attitudes toward users are understood as functions of social mobility. Evidence is offered that supports the explanation that changing moral definitions and rates of behavior depend on demographic and economic changes in American society. The two American drug epidemics witnessed since 1880 occurred when structural change expanded pluralism. Contrary to common knowledge, moral panics were waged not during these epidemics but after they began to subside. Indeed, the rates of deviance as a socially constructed definition vary inversely with the objective number of persons engaging in the particular behavior.
An ATP-sensitive K(+) current that regulates progression through early G1 phase of the cell cycle in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Whole-cell recordings were used to identify in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells the ion current(s) required for progression through G1 phase of the cell cycle. Macroscopic current-voltage curves were fitted by the sum of three currents, including linear hyperpolarized, linear depolarized and outwardly rectifying currents. Both linear currents, but not the outwardly rectifying current, were increased by 1 μm intracellular Ca2+ and blocked by 2 mm intracellular ATP. When tested at concentrations previously shown to inhibit proliferation by 50%, linogliride, glibenclamide and quinidine inhibited the linear hyperpolarized current, and quinidine and linogliride inhibited the linear depolarized current; none of these agents affected the outwardly rectifying current. In contrast, tetraethylammonium completely inhibited the outwardly rectifying current, but did not inhibit either linear current. Changing the bath solution to symmetric K+ shifted the reversal potential of the linear hyperpolarized current from near the K+ equilibrium potential (−84 mV) to −4 mV. Arrest of the cell cycle in early G1 by quinidine was associated with significantly smaller linear hyperpolarized currents, without a change in the linear depolarized or outwardly rectifying currents, but this reduction was not observed with arrest by lovastatin at a site ≈6 hr later in G1. The linear hyperpolarized current was significantly larger in ras-transformed than in untransformed cells. We conclude that the linear hyperpolarized current is an ATP-sensitive K+ current required for progression of MCF-7 cells through G1 phase.
Comparative review of image processing and computer vision textbooks

This paper gives a comparative overview of ten of the currently available computer vision and image processing textbooks. These texts differ significantly in their coverage, scope, approach, and target audience. Because of the multi-disciplinary nature of this field, it is important to select a textbook that takes advantage of students' backgrounds and gives them the foundation necessary to integrate diverse concepts. This comparative review provides computer vision and image processing educators with a starting point from which they can select a textbook appropriate for their students' needs.
Robust Optimization Exploration Using NURBs-Based Metamodeling Techniques

Non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBs) demonstrate properties that are highly conductive to performing metamodeling for engineering design purposes. Previous research has resulted in the development of algorithms capable of fitting NURBs metamodels to design spaces of many input variables and performance indicies, and performing various discreet optimizations upon these metamodels. In the present research we expand upon this basis by illustrating the development of robust optimization algorithms that leverages the unique properties of NURBs metamodels. This optimization is conducted in a general fashion by considering both optimality and various robustness metrics as global or local model properties, and illustrates the tradeoffs between them using a novel graphical approach. The appeal of this approach is demonstrated by a series of test functions of one performance index and one or two performance indicies. A case study in designing composite structures of specific stiffness, of four and five design variables, follows. We proceed to discuss the future of NURBs metamodeling techniques and the potential for considering model properties besides optimality and robustness during optimization.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
A prospective study of risk and protective factors for substance use among impoverished women living in temporary shelter settings in Los Angeles County

Alcohol and drug use are significant public health problems facing homeless women, but few prospective studies have examined risk and protective factors for substance use in this population. This 6-month prospective study identified psychosocial, behavioral, and economic predictors of drinking to intoxication, crack use, and marijuana use in a probability sample of 402 women living in temporary shelter settings in Los Angeles County with a simple majority of homeless residents (92% of these women had a history of homelessness). Engaging in sexual risk behavior and having depressive symptoms were risk factors for more frequent intoxication, marijuana use, and crack use. Drinking to intoxication was additionally predicted by perceived HIV susceptibility, lower social support, more avoidant and less active coping, and lower self-esteem. Additional predictors of marijuana use included partner alcohol misuse and less social support, whereas more frequent crack use was additionally predicted by partner alcohol misuse, lack of economic resources, and more avoidant and less active coping. These findings suggest that effective substance use programs may need an integrative approach that addresses other types of risk behaviors, assists women in strengthening their support networks and learning effective coping skills, and provides access to basic services (e.g., housing, health care). For women in relationships, there may be a further need to address issues of partner substance use.
The degree of regularity of a quadratic polynomial

Abstract Let F be a finite field of odd characteristic q . We calculate the degree of regularity for a quadratic element of the algebra F [ X 1 , … , X n ] / 〈 X 1 q , … , X n q 〉 , the first degree at which non-trivial annihilation occurs. We also give an explicit formula for the dimension of the space of non-trivial annihilators of a given degree. These questions arise in multivariate cryptography, particularly in the study of the Hidden Field Equation cryptosystems.
Side chain oxidation of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the rat: effect of removal of the intestine.

Removal of the jejunum, ileum and colon in the rat reduces the amount of 14CO2 formed after an intravenous injection of 325 pmoles of 1,25-dihydroxy-[26,27-14C]vitamin D3, by 65.2 ± 13.2% at 4 hours and 67.1 ± 9.12% at 8 hours. This suggests that the intestine may be one of the sites where side chain oxidation occurs. It is possible that the liver may also be involved in this process as removal of a large portion of the gut may disturb hepatic metabolism secondary to a reduction in portal blood flow. The process is not bacterial inasmuch as “germ free” animals produce at least as much 14CO2 after the administration of 1,25-dihydroxy-[26,27-14C]vitamin D3 as do non-germ free controls.
Hybrid inductive machine learning: an overview of CLIP algorithms

The chapter describes inductive machine learning methods for generating hypotheses about given training data. It focuses on hybrid algorithms that generate hypotheses in the form of production ifthenrules, which constitute the model of the data.
Umbilical cord vascular cell adhesion molecule concentration following labor.

Objective: This study was designed to determine if VCAM concentrations are increased in serum from neonates delivered vaginally compared to those delivered by cesarean in the absence of labor at term. Methods: Serum was collected from umbilical cords immediately after delivery of term uncomplicated pregnancies either prior to onset of labor by scheduled cesarean or following labor. VCAM concentration was determined by commercial ELISA.Results: Mean VCAM concentration was significantly higher in the laboring (1,106.2 ± 279 ng/ml) than the nonlaboring group (906.9 ± 217 ng/ml, P = 0.01).Conclusions: Increases in neonatal serum VCAM concentrations may represent a response to enhanced lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress during labor as well as a component of the normal fetal immune response.
Structural characteristics of cell and fiber populations in the optic tectum of the frog (Rana catesbeiana).

In the optic tectum Cajal's method II for neurofibrils reveals two major fiber systems in which the fibers are oriented perpendicular to one another. The outer fiber system, composed of seven laminae, lies in the superficial zone with its fibers oriented in the anteroventral to posterodorsal direction; Golgi preparations show that optic tract fibers enter the outer system laminae at the tectal margin, run within single laminae, and end in arborizations that are elongated in the dominant fiber direction. The intermediate fiber system is composed of bundles of fibers in lamina 7 of Ramon and the superficial zone; its fibers are oriented in the anterodorsal to posteroventral direction. A third deep fiber system, forms fibrous laminae in the region between lamina 7 and the ependyma. In Golgi impregnations the deep cells are of two major classes: pyramidal cells with relatively narrow dendritic arbors in the superficial zone and candelabra cells with broad arbors. Many pyamidal cell dendrites have lamellar branching patterns such that terminal bushes occur within one or another of the outer system laminae. The multipolar cells within lamina 6 and lamina 7 of Ramon send large, unbranched axons directly into the deep medullary lamina and appear to be the major efferent neurons. Near the pia the perikarya of superficial granule cells give rise to single processes that branch repeatedly within the superficial zone.
Optimal throughput of two-hop relay networks with different relay cooperation

We study the impact of different levels of relay cooperation on the throughput of a two-hop amplify-and-forward relaying network, where n single-antenna source-destination pairs communicate through a set of single-antenna relays. We focus on two levels of cooperation among the relay nodes, where the relays share either channel state information (CSI) or both CSI and received signals. The high level of cooperation is justified for a case where the relaying role is fulfilled by infrastructure nodes that can communicate through a wired backbone without an overhead on the wireless channel. The generalized and the optimal system throughput for both cases are analyzed. We show that in the first case, at least n2 relays are needed to achieve linear scaling of the system throughput versus n. In the second case, exchanging the received signals at the relays can reduce the needed number of relays to n in order to achieve linear scaling. It is also shown that the second cooperation scheme achieves a strictly positive per node throughput, where the total number of nodes accounted for includes the relays.
Yeast Upf1 CH domain interacts with Rps26 of the 40S ribosomal subunit

The central nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) regulator, Upf1, selectively targets nonsense-containing mRNAs for rapid degradation. In yeast, Upf1 preferentially associates with mRNAs that are NMD substrates, but the mechanism of its selective retention on these mRNAs has yet to be elucidated. Previously, we demonstrated that Upf1 associates with 40S ribosomal subunits. Here, we define more precisely the nature of this association using conventional and affinity-based purification of ribosomal subunits, and a two-hybrid screen to identify Upf1-interacting ribosomal proteins. Upf1 coimmunoprecipitates specifically with epitope-tagged 40S ribosomal subunits, and Upf1 association with high-salt washed or puromycin-released 40S subunits was found to occur without simultaneous eRF1, eRF3, Upf2, or Upf3 association. Two-hybrid analyses and in vitro binding assays identified a specific interaction between Upf1 and Rps26. Using mutations in domains of UPF1 known to be crucial for its function, we found that Upf1:40S association is modulated by ATP, and Upf1:Rps26 interaction is dependent on the N-terminal Upf1 CH domain. The specific association of Upf1 with the 40S subunit is consistent with the notion that this RNA helicase not only triggers rapid decay of nonsense-containing mRNAs, but may also have an important role in dissociation of the premature termination complex.
Herpes Zoster Risk Factors in a National Cohort of Veterans with Rheumatoid Arthritis

BACKGROUND Herpes zoster occurs more commonly in patients taking immunosuppressive medications, although the risk associated with different medications is poorly understood. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study involving 20,357 patients who were followed in the Veterans Affairs healthcare system and treated for rheumatoid arthritis from October 1998 through June 2005. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine risk factors for herpes zoster and herpes zoster-free survival. Chart review was performed to validate the diagnosis of herpes zoster. RESULTS The incidence of herpes zoster was 9.96 episodes per 1000 patient-years. In time-to-event analysis, patients receiving medications used to treat mild rheumatoid arthritis were less likely to have an episode of herpes zoster than patients receiving medications used to treat moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis (P < .001). Independent risk factors for herpes zoster included older age, prednisone use, medications used to treat moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis, malignancy, chronic lung disease, renal failure, and liver disease. Among patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-alpha antagonists, etanercept (hazard ratio, 0.62) and adalimumab (hazard ratio, 0.53) were associated with a lower risk of herpes zoster. There was excellent agreement between the International Classification of Diseases, Version 9, Clinical Modification diagnosis of herpes zoster and diagnosis by chart review (kappa = 0.92). CONCLUSIONS Risk factors for herpes zoster included older age, prednisone use, medications used to treat moderate and severe rheumatoid arthritis, and several comorbid medical conditions. These results demonstrate that the Department of Veterans Affairs' national administrative databases can be used to study rare adverse drug events.
Whole‐fish versus filet polychlorinated‐biphenyl concentrations: An analysis using classification and regression tree models

Fish polychlorinated-biphenyl (PCB) measurements usually represent one of two different sample types: filets or homogenized whole fish. Filet measurements are more appropriate for use if the goal of analysis is estimating human PCB consumption, while whole-fish analysis may be more useful for quantifying and understanding processes of contaminant flow and bioaccumulation. While it is generally assumed that whole-fish PCB concentrations exceed filet concentrations because of the presence of fatty internal organs in whole-fish samples, the literature contains no reported comparisons of filet versus whole-fish PCB concentrations. We measured total PCB concentrations in filets and whole-fish samples from the same individuals in Lake Michigan coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The average whole-fish to filet PCB concentration ratio was 1.70 for coho salmon and 1.47 for rainbow trout, but it varied considerably among individuals, with a few fish exhibiting a higher concentration in the filet than in the whole-fish sample. Classification and regression tree (CART) models indicated that filet PCB concentration and fish length were the best predictors of whole-fish PCB concentration, whereas filet and whole-fish lipid concentrations where less important predictors. Lipid normalization of the PCB data decreased within-individual variability, was equivocal with respect to variability among individuals, and accentuated the between-species difference. Both species exhibit a pronounced 1:1 relationship between the whole-fish to filet PCB concentration ratio and the whole-fish to filet lipid concentration ratio; however, we point out that there is a strong spurious component to this relationship, which indicates that the relationship may be more algebraic rather than an indication of underlying mechanisms.
Seasonal dynamics of ectomycorrhizal fungus assemblages on oak seedlings in the southeastern Appalachian Mountains

The potential for seasonal dynamics in ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungal assemblages has important implications for the ecology of both the host trees and the fungal associates. We compared EM fungus distributions on root systems of out-planted oak seedlings at two sites in mixed southeastern Appalachian Mountain forests at the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory in North Carolina, from samples taken in mid-July and early September. Species level EM fungus type specificity, and identification in some cases, was enabled by direct sequencing of the mycobionts from the seedling roots. Seventy-four EM fungal ITS types were documented, most of which occurred only in the midsummer or early-fall samples, respectively. Cenococcum geophilum (morphotyped) was ubiquitously present and accounted for the majority of root tips sampled. Abundance and relative frequency of types other than C. geophilum were significantly higher in the July samples, while C. geophilum was significantly more frequent and abundant in September. Several generalistic dominants were found fairly equally at both sites and on both sample dates. Other taxa with relatively high frequency were recovered from both sites and tree seedling species, but were reliable indicators occurring primarily in the July sample (e.g., Laccaria cf laccata). Notable shifts in mycobiont dominance were apparent in relation to sample date, including increases in Cortinarius spp. richness, decreases in Thelephoraceae richness, and the disappearance of Amanita spp. types in the early fall compared to midsummer samples. However, diversity and rarity were high and differences in overall community composition (other than C. geophilum) by season were not significant based on multi-response permutation procedures. Although these results based on a single growing season are preliminary, changes in abundance and frequency, detection of significant indicator species, and the apparent systematic affinities of shifting EM types support the potential for seasonal variability in EM associations in this system.
Dynamics of the Salton block: Absolute fault strength and crust-mantle coupling in Southern California

Analysis of force and torque balance on the Salton block, Southern California, yields estimates of time-averaged shear stress acting on the bounding faults and the base of the crust. Averaged over a depth of 30 km, the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults sustain time-averaged shear stress of ;21-35 and 24-43 MPa, respectively. This implies that tectonic shear stress at seismogenic depths is greater than a typical 1-10 MPa earthquake stress drop and, with a corresponding effective friction coefficient of 0.10-0.21, lower than that predicted by laboratory experiments. Basal stress of 3-14 MPa also is required to drive the Salton block into the Transverse Ranges. Thus, the forces driving mountain building, basin formation, and the generation of earthquakes south of the Transverse Ranges in Southern California stem from stresses transmitted laterally across weak faults and from below.
Literature as a projection of the author's personality.

Summary N Achievement, n Affiliation, and Mean Sentence Length were studied in the TAT protocols and the short stories of 10 published authors. Only low correlations and small differences among authors were found. Mean Sentence Length did not discriminate among authors. It did show differences between TAT and short stories, suggesting that the planned control which goes into story writing is an important aspect of how an author writes. Results are discussed in terms of the Zeitgeist, the collective personality of society, as well as the individual personality of the author.
Suggestions for a uniform terminology in allergology and pneumology

As authors tend to use different terms for the same entity or meaning, it may be the time for a uniformly use terminology in allergology and pneumology. The proposals reflect personal suggestions and are not authorized by any consensus conference, task force or specialized society. Presented are proposals for concepts- it was not intended to give definitions, which would open an even broader field of differing opinions. To avoid misunderstandings and to standardize scientific language, it seems sensible to agree on a single term - even if several alternatives are possible.
Three Different Oxygen-induced Radical Species in Endothelial Nitric-oxide Synthase Oxygenase Domain under Regulation by L-Arginine and Tetrahydrobiopterin*

Endothelial nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) plays important roles in vascular physiology and homeostasis. Whether eNOS catalyzes nitric oxide biosynthesis or the synthesis of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and peroxynitrite is dictated by the bioavailability of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH(4)) and L-arginine during eNOS catalysis. The effect of BH(4) and L-arginine on oxygen-induced radical intermediates has been investigated by single turnover rapid-freeze quench and EPR spectroscopy using the isolated eNOS oxygenase domain (eNOS(ox)). Three distinct radical intermediates corresponding to >50% of the heme were observed during the reaction between ferrous eNOS(ox) and oxygen. BH(4)-free eNOS(ox) produced the superoxide radical very efficiently in the absence of L-arginine. L-Arginine decreased the formation rate of superoxide by an order of magnitude but not its final level or EPR line shape. For BH(4)-containing eNOS(ox), only a stoichiometric amount of BH(4) radical was produced in the presence of L-arginine, but in its absence a new radical was obtained. This new radical could be either a peroxyl radical of BH(4) or an amino acid radical was in the vicinity of the heme. Formation of this new radical is very rapid, >150 s(-1), and it was subsequently converted to a BH(4) radical. The trapping of the superoxide radical by cytochrome c in the reaction of BH(4)(-) eNOS(ox) exhibited a limiting rate of approximately 15 s(-1), the time for the superoxide radical to leave the heme pocket and reach the protein surface; this reveals a general problem of the regular spin-trapping method in determining radical formation kinetics. Cytochrome c failed to trap the new radical species. Together with other EPR characteristics, our data strongly support the conclusion that this new radical is not a superoxide radical or a mixture of superoxide and biopterin radicals. Our study points out distinct roles of BH(4) and L-arginine in regulating eNOS radical intermediates. BH(4) prevented superoxide formation by chemical conversions of the Fe(II)O(2) intermediate, and l-arginine delayed superoxide formation by electronic interaction with the heme-bound oxygen.
Temperature / soot volume fraction correlations in the fuel-rich region of buoyant turbulent diffusion flames☆

Abstract Instantaneous soot volume fractions and temperatures were measured in the fuel-rich (underfire) region of turbulent nonpremixed acetylene, propylene, ethylene, and propane flames burning in still air. Large-scale, highly buoyant, pool-like flames were considered, having characteristic residence times greater than 250 ms and burner exit Richardson numbers greater than 18. Measurements were made using an optical probe than involved laser extinction for soot volume fractions and two-wavelength pyrometry for temperatures. Strong correlations were found between soot volume fractions and temperatures for each fuel-relatively independent burner operating conditions and position in the underfire region. This behavior is supportive of the existence of nearly universal relationships between soot volume and mixture fractions in the underfire region of turbulent nonpremixed flames having large characteristic residence times. Underfire soot is largely confined to a narrow range of mixture fractions (yielding a soot spike) and temperatures. The latter observation supports approximations of constant-temperature soot layers that have been proposed in teh past for estimates of continuum radiation from soot-containing diffusion flames.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Positive-Affect Intervention and Medication Adherence in Hypertensive African Americans

Background Poor adherence explains poor blood pressure (BP) control; however African Americans suffer worse hypertension-related outcomes. Methods This randomized controlled trial evaluated whether a patient education intervention enhanced with positive-affect induction and self-affirmation (PA) was more effective than patient education (PE) alone in improving medication adherence and BP reduction among 256 hypertensive African Americans followed up in 2 primary care practices. Patients in both groups received a culturally tailored hypertension self-management workbook, a behavioral contract, and bimonthly telephone calls designed to help them overcome barriers to medication adherence. Also, patients in the PA group received small gifts and bimonthly telephone calls to help them incorporate positive thoughts into their daily routine and foster self-affirmation. The main outcome measures were medication adherence (assessed with electronic pill monitors) and within-patient change in BP from baseline to 12 months. Results The baseline characteristics were similar in both groups: the mean BP was 137/82 mm Hg; 36% of the patients had diabetes; 11% had stroke; and 3% had chronic kidney disease. Based on the intention-to-treat principle, medication adherence at 12 months was higher in the PA group than in the PE group (42% vs 36%, respectively; P = .049). The within-group reduction in systolic BP (2.14 mm Hg vs 2.18 mm Hg; P = .98) and diastolic BP (−1.59 mm Hg vs −0.78 mm Hg; P = .45) for the PA group and PE group, respectively, was not significant. Conclusions A PE intervention enhanced with PA led to significantly higher medication adherence compared with PE alone in hypertensive African Americans. Future studies should assess the cost-effectiveness of integrating such interventions into primary care. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00227175
Preferential embrittlement of graphitic schists during extensional unroofing in the Alps: the effect of fluid composition on rheology in low-permeability rocks

Interlayered graphitic and non-graphitic schists from the Tauern Window, Eastern Alps, record contrasting mechanical behaviour during extensional exhumation. Graphitic schists contain mesoscale extension fractures, pervasive microcracks in garnet, and abundant secondary fluid inclusion planes; all three types of structures are oriented perpendicular to the stretching lineation. Crack spacings in garnet from graphitic samples are tightly clustered around a mean of 180 μm. Non-graphitic schists have fewer and more randomly oriented microcracks and fluid inclusion planes and maintained strain compatibility via crystal plasticity. The presence or absence of graphite appears to have exerted a fundamental control on rheology during unroofing. Calculations for a model graphitic rock at 500 °C and fO2 = 10−24 MPa show that the equilibrium metamorphic fluid evolves from XCO2 = 0.07 to 0.38 during decompression from 700 to 400 MPa, in agreement with microcrack fluid inclusion data that show a change from XCO2 60% expansion of the pore fluid during decompression. H2O-rich fluid in non-graphitic rocks expands <15% over the same pressure interval. The greater pore fluid expansion in low-permeability graphitic horizons likely promoted tensile failure during unroofing. These results suggest that microcracking should be an inevitable consequence of decompression in many graphitic schists, whereas rocks that lack graphite are less likely to undergo microcracking. Microseismicity is predicted to be more common in graphitic than non-graphitic rocks during unroofing of mountain belts.