cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Individual Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen-DNA Contacts on Clamp Loading and Function on DNA

Ring-shaped clamp proteins encircle DNA and affect the work of many proteins, notably processive replication by DNA polymerases. Crystal structures of clamps show several cationic residues inside the ring, and in a co-crystal of Escherichia coli β clamp-DNA, they directly contact the tilted duplex passing through (Georgescu, R. E., Kim, S. S., Yurieva, O., Kuriyan, J., Kong, X. P., and O'Donnell, M. (2008) Structure of a sliding clamp on DNA. Cell 132, 43–54). To investigate the role of these contacts in reactions involving circular clamps, we examined single arginine/lysine mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in replication factor C (RFC)-catalyzed loading of the clamp onto primer template DNA (ptDNA). Previous kinetic analysis has shown that ptDNA entry inside an ATP-activated RFC-PCNA complex accelerates clamp opening and ATP hydrolysis, which is followed by slow PCNA closure around DNA and product dissociation. Here we directly measured multiple steps in the reaction (PCNA opening, ptDNA binding, PCNA closure, phosphate release, and complex dissociation) to determine whether mutation of PCNA residues Arg-14, Lys-20, Arg-80, Lys-146, Arg-149, or Lys-217 to alanine affects the reaction mechanism. Contrary to earlier steady state analysis of these mutants (McNally, R., Bowman, G. D., Goedken, E. R., O'Donnell, M., and Kuriyan, J. (2010) Analysis of the role of PCNA-DNA contacts during clamp loading. BMC Struct. Biol. 10, 3), our pre-steady state data show that loss of single cationic residues can alter the rates of all DNA-linked steps in the reaction, as well as movement of PCNA on DNA. These results explain an earlier finding that individual arginines and lysines inside human PCNA are essential for polymerase δ processivity (Fukuda, K., Morioka, H., Imajou, S., Ikeda, S., Ohtsuka, E., and Tsurimoto, T. (1995) Structure-function relationship of the eukaryotic DNA replication factor, proliferating cell nuclear antigen. J. Biol. Chem. 270, 22527–22534). Mutations in the N-terminal domain have greater impact than in the C-terminal domain, indicating a positional bias in PCNA-DNA contacts that can influence its functions on DNA.
Cycle length alternans during ventricular pacing.

a ( t d a ase summary 70-year-old man with a dual-chamber implantable carioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was evaluated in the intensive are unit 10 days after aortic valve replacement. ECG howed cycle length alternans with pacing artifacts (arrows) rior to every other ventricular beat (Figure 1). The RR ntervals after the pacing artifacts were shorter (640 ms) han the RR intervals before the pacing spikes (690 ms), esulting in cycle length alternans. The sensing and pacing hresholds as well as the lead impedances were normal. The acemaker settings were as follows: mode DDD, base rate 0 bpm, maximum tracking rate 90 bpm, maximum sensor
What is greener than a VMT tax? The case for an indexed energy user fee to finance us surface transportation

Charging highway users per mile has been proposed as a replacement for the US motor fuel tax. A miles traveled user fee, however, does not encourage energy efficiency in vehicle design, purchase and operation, as would a user fee levied on all forms of commercial energy used for transportation and indexed to the average efficiency of vehicles on the road. An indexed roadway user toll on energy would induce two to four times as much reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and petroleum use as a pure mileage fee. However, it is not a substitute for pricing greenhouse gas emissions and would make only a small but useful contribution to reducing petroleum dependence. An indexed energy user fee cannot adequately address the problems of traffic congestion and heavy vehicle cost responsibility but it could be a component of a system of financing surface transportation that would eventually also include time and place specific monitoring of miles traveled for congestion pricing, externality charges and heavy vehicle user fees.
Invariant imbedding and the numerical determination of Green's functions

A Cauchy system for a Green's function is derived. This is investigated numerically, and applications to the determination of eigenvalues and stochastic differential operators are sketched.
Thrust Losses in Hypersonic Engines Part 1: Methodology

Expressions for the thrust losses of a scramjet engine are developed in terms of irreversible entropy increases and the degree of incomplete combustion. A method is developed that allows the calculation of the lost engine thrust or thrust potential caused by different loss mechanisms within a given e owe eld. This method allows the performance-based assessment of the trade between mixing enhancement and resultant increased e ow losses in scramjet combustors. An engine effectiveness parameter for use in optimization of engine components is dee ned in terms of thrust losses.
Quick tour of fluorescence correlation spectroscopy from its inception

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) was originally developed in the early 1970s as a way to measure the kinetics of chemical reactions under zero perturbation conditions. At its inception, the measurement was difficult due to experimental limitations and was primarily used during the 1970s and 1980s to characterize diffusion. More recently, as a result of technological advances, FCS measurements have become easier and more versatile. In addition to measurements of diffusion both in solution and in cells, FCS is now also used to measure not only chemical reaction kinetics but also extents of molecular aggregation, the dynamics of photophysical processes, conformational fluctuations, molecular interactions in solution and in cells, and has even found application as a pharmaceutical screening method. From its inception to the present, the contributions of Webb and his coworkers have had a central and defining role in the development and applications of FCS.
Decreased mitochondrial creatine kinase activity in dystrophic chicken breast muscle alters creatine-linked respiratory coupling☆

Abstract Dystrophic chicken breast muscle mitochondria contain significantly less mitochondrial creatine kinase than normal breast muscle mitochondria. Breast muscle mitochondria from normal 16- to 40-day-old chickens contain approximately 80 units of mitochondrial creatine kinase per unit of succinate:INT ( p -iodonitrotetrazolium violet) reductase, a mitochondrial marker, while dystrophic chicken breast muscle mitochondria contain 36–44 units. Normal chicken heart muscle mitochondria contain about 10% of the mitochondrial creatine kinase per unit of succinate:INT reductase as normal breast muscle mitochondria. The levels in heart muscle mitochondria from dystrophic chickens are not affected significantly. Evidence is presented which shows that the reduced level of mitochondrial creatine kinase in dystrophic breast muscle mitochondria is responsible for an altered creatine linked respiration. First, both normal and dystrophic breast muscle mitochondria respire with the same state 3 and state 4 respiration. Second, the post-ADP state 4 rate of respiration of normal breast muscle mitochondria in the presence of 20 m m creatine continues at the state 3 rate. However, the state 4 rate of dystrophic breast muscle mitochondria and mitochondria from other muscle types with a low level of mitochondrial creatine kinase, such as heart muscle and 5-day-old chicken breast muscle, is slower than the state 3 rate. Third, dystrophic breast mitochondria synthesize ATP at the same rate as normal breast muscle mitochondria but rates of creatine phosphate synthesis in 20–50 m m P i are reduced significantly. Finally, increasing concentrations of P i displace mitochondrial creatine kinase from mitoplasts of normal and dystrophic breast muscle mitochondria with the same apparent K D , indicating that the outer surface of the inner mitochondrial membrane and the mitochondrial creatine kinase from dystrophic muscle are not altered.
Scandal and military mediatization

Mediated responses to reports of abuse during the Global War on Terror are puzzling. Few of the many revelations of abuse prompted concerted reactions (e.g. scandals), and those that did were often...
On the mechanics of stress-induced phase transformation in zirconia

Abstract Some consequences of a simple theoretical model for the stress-induced, isothermal phase transformation of an isolated tetragonal zirconia crystal are studied. The transformation to a monoclinic state is viewed as mechanical buckling from one homogeneous geometrical configuration to another. The model is used to predict the manner in which an applied shear stress should interact with hydrostatic stress in causing the transformation, and also the reverse monoclinic-to-tetragonal phase change. An isolated tetragonal inclusion in an elastic matrix is also considered, and its response to a far-field combination of shear and hydrostatic stress is analysed.
Using meta-analyses to assess pedo-variability under different land uses and soil management in central Ohio, USA

Abstract The conflicting information on the impacts of management on spatial and temporal soil quality changes necessitates a comprehensive approach that can combine soil property data into a credible soil quality index. Thus, a field study was conducted to demonstrate an application of meta-analytic methods to integrate and quantitatively describe the effects of management practices on key soil physical and chemical properties which influence soil quality. Soil samples were obtained during spring 2012 from 5 sites within Ohio, USA, at a similar landscape position under conventional tillage (CT), no-till (NT), and natural vegetation (NV) land uses. Soil samples from 0–10, 10–20, 20–40, and 40–60 cm depths were analyzed for determination of total soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration, bulk density (ρ b ), available water capacity (AWC), electrical conductivity (EC), and pH. These data were compared using analyses of variance (ANOVA), and the Odds Ratio (OR) from the DerSimonian-Liard (DSL) meta-analysis model. The OR is the ratio of a statistical test being positive relative to being falsely positive. There were significant differences in the soil properties for each site, depth, management, except for AWC and pH which were similar under three land uses and management. The SOC, pH, EC did not vary with site × depth, and management × depth interactions. Soil under CT had a lower OR than that under NT for SOC (0.57), pH (0.81), ρ b (0.84), and AWC (0.69). However, the OR for EC followed an opposite trend, being higher in soil under CT than NT (1.36). Based on the meta-analyses which provide a systematic comparative assessment within the whole profile, the data support the conclusion that soils under CT are of a relatively lower quality than those under NT because they have lower SOC and AWC, but higher EC.
The effects of problem format, number of independent variables, and their interaction on student performance on a control of variables reasoning problem

This study was designed to investigate the effects of problem format and the number of independent variables in the problem on the responses of students to a control of variables reasoning task. The Bending Rods problem was used. A four times two factorial research design with four levels (2-, 3-, 4-, 5-variables) of the number of independent variables and two formats (essay and multiple choice) was set up for the investigation. 548 eighth graders in 24 science classes in a suburban public school district northwest of Chicago participated in the study. Students were administered the Bending Rods problem in groups in their science classes. Each classroom was randomly assigned to a cell in the research design. Initial analysis of the data indicated four separate levels (2-, 3-, 4-, 5-variables) of the independent variable number of independent variables in the problem' were unnecessary. The 2- and 3-variable levels were pooled as were the 4- and 5-variable levels to give two distinct levels of this variable. Analysis of variance indicated that: (1) task format had no effect on subject's scores; but (2) the differences between subjects' mean scores on the 2-, 3-variable essay versions and the 4-, 5-variable essay versions are significantly greater than the mean scores of corresponding multiple choice versions of the task, which exhibit rather uniform scores; and (3) the 2-, 3-variable forms together were significantly less difficult for students than were the 4-, 5-variable forms together. Discussion focuses on interpretations that include: (1) task demands on working memory; (2) Pascual-Leone's M-energy; and (3) the use of testwiseness strategies in solving essay and multiple choice tasks, respectively. Implications for science teachers are set forth in view of these discussion points and their relevance to test construction and classroom assessment of learning objectives in science.
Genome-wide haplotypic testing in a Finnish cohort identifies a novel association with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol

We performed genome-wide tests for association between haplotype clusters and each of 9 metabolic traits in a cohort of 5402 Northern Finnish individuals genotyped for 330 000 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The metabolic traits were body mass index, C-reactive protein, diastolic blood pressure, glucose, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), systolic blood pressure, and triglycerides. Haplotype clusters were determined using Beagle. There were LDL-associated clusters in the chromosome 4q13.3-q21.1 region containing the albumin (ALB) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) genes. This region has not been associated with LDL in previous genome-wide association studies. The most significant haplotype cluster in this region was associated with 0.488 mmol/l higher LDL (95% CI: 0.361–0.615 mmol/l, P-value: 6.4 × 10−14). We also observed three previously reported associations: Chromosome 16q13 with HDL, chromosome 1p32.3-p32.2 with LDL and chromosome 19q13.31-q13.32 with LDL. The chromosome 1 and chromosome 4 LDL associations do not reach genome-wide significance in single-marker analyses of these data, illustrating the power of haplotypic association testing.
Calculation of CO 2 activities using scapolite equilibria: constraints on the presence and composition of a fluid phase during high grade metamorphism

Thermodynamic and phase equilibrium data for scapolite have been used to calculate CO2 activities (aCO2) and to evaluate the presence or absence of a fluid phase in high-grade scapolite bearing meta-anorthosite, granulites, calc-silicates, and mafix xenoliths. The assemblage scapolite-plagioclase-garnet±quartz may be used to calculate or limit aCO2 by the reaction Meionite+Quartz = Grossular+Anorthite+CO2. Granulites from four high-grade terranes (Grenville Province, Canada; Sargut Belt, India; Furua Complex, Tanzania; Bergen Arcs, Norway) yield aCO2=0.4-1, with most >0.7. For scapolite-bearing granulites from the Furua Complex, in which aCO2≥0.9, calculated H2O activities (aH2O) based on phlogopite dehydration equilibria are uniformly low (0.1–0.2). The aCO2 calculated for meta-anorthosite from the Grenville Province, Ontario, ranges from 0.2 to 0.8. For Grenville meta-anorthosite also containing epidote, the aH2O calculated from clinozoisite dehydration ranges from 0.2 to 0.6. Calc-silicates from the Grenville, Sargur, and Furua terranes mostly yield aCO2 1). The calculated fluid activities are consistent with metamorphism (1) in the presence of a mixed CO2−H2O fluid phase in which CO2 is the dominant fluid species but other C−O−H−S species are minor, (2) in the absence of a bulk fluid phase (“fluid-absent metamorphism”), or (3) in the presence of a fluid-bearing melt phase. The results for many granulites and Grenville meta-anorthosite are consistent with the presence of a CO2-rich, mixed CO2−H2O fluid phase. In contrast the relatively restricted and low values of aCO2 for calc-silicates require an H2O-rich fluid or absence of a fluid phase during metamorphism. The range of values for xenoliths are most consistent with absence of a fluid phase. The primary implication of these results is that a CO2-rich fluid accounts for the reduced aH2O in scapolite-bearing granulites. However, scapolite may be stable with a wide range of fluid compositions or in the absence of a fluid phase, and the presence of scapolite is not a priori evidence of a CO2-rich fluid phase. In addition, close association of scapolite-free mafic granulites with scapolite-bearing granulites having identical mineral compositions in the Furua Complex, and the absence of scapolite from most granulite terranes implies that a CO2-rich fluid phase is not pervasive on an outcrop scale or common to all granulite terranes.
Living in a Wittgensteinian World: Beyond Theory to a Poetics of Practices

As human beings, we share many historically developed, language-game interwoven, public forms of life. Due to the joint, dialogically responsive nature of all social life within such forms, we cannot as individuals just act as we please; our forms of life exert a normative influence on what we can say and do. They act as a backdrop against which all our claims to knowledge are judged as acceptable or not. As a result, it is not easy to articulate their inadequacies in a clear and forceful manner. However, within most of our forms of life, we have a first-person right to express how our individual circumstances seem to us. And by the use of special forms of poetic, gestural talk—talk that can originate new language-games—we can offer to make our own ‘inner lives’ public. In this paper, I want to claim that this is just what Wittgenstein is attempting to do in his later philosophy: by use of the self-same methods that anyone might use to express aspects of their own world picture, he is offering us his attempts to make the background ‘landscape’ of our lives more visible to us. These methods are explored below.
Behavior change in children at a therapeutic summer camp as a function of feedback and individual versus group contingencies

Two contingency systems, individual and group, were evaluated for their effects on children's behavior during small group meetings. Fortyeight children, ages 8 through 14, attended a 7-week residential camp program operated on a token economy system. Ratings of the campers' behavior were made by the counselors on a 5-point rating scale at the daily meetings. Each camper received both contingency programs, in counterbalanced order. Data were gathered during baseline, two feedback and two treatment phases. An analysis of variance for repeated measures was performed on the mean weekly camper scores. The two systems were equally effective in significantly increasing the amount of desirable behavior, and there was no effect on behavior due to feedback alone. The results are discussed in terms of advantages and disadvantages of each type of contingency system, with some suggestions made regarding areas of further investigation.
The Root of Journalistic Plagiarism Contested Attribution Beliefs

Journalists condemn plagiarism, yet rarely acknowledge disagreements over attribution standards. To document and evaluate those differences, journalists in broadcasting and print operations were surveyed (N = 953). Respondents were far less willing to attribute press releases than they were their colleagues’ work. They were more likely to consider attribution optional if they were under pressure to produce, worked for a broadcast medium, were a content creator, were less experienced, or saw their principles as flexible. The findings reveal that attribution beliefs are far more pliant than ethics policies suggest and illuminate some of the reasons why plagiarism occurs.
Intelligence: Boosting brainpower

We're unlikely to invent effective smart drugs, but you can do more with what you have – by finding effective ways to work smarter, for one thing
Physics of particle exhaust in pump limiters

Abstract Monte Carlo calculations are presented of neutral particle flows in hollow collection probes and large area limiters used in recent experiments. The collected neutral hydrogen flux scales linearly with plasma density for n i 11 cm −3 where the plasma is essentially transparent to the neutrals. For 2 × 10 11 i 12 cm −3 the neutral flux varies mildly nonlinearly as n 1.26 i . The transition between regimes is driven by the mean free path for molecular hydrogen dissociation being of the order of the probe dimensions. Calculations of the neutral energy spectra emerging from the pump ducts of various lengths indicates that within the accuracy of avialable low energy surface data, energy transfer to the duct walls is very inefficient. Furthermore, the results indicate that “energy freezing” occurs at epithermal energies as a consequence of particle and energy reflection coefficients approaching unity at low energies.
Propagation of MHD body and surface waves in magnetically structured regions of the solar atmosphere

The fact that magnetically structured regions exist in the solar atmosphere has been known for a number of years. It has been suggested that different kinds of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves can be efficiently damped in these regions and that the dissipated wave energy may be responsible for the observed enhancement in radiative losses. From a theoretical point of view, an important task would be to investigate the propagation and dissipation of MHD waves in these highly structured regions of the solar atmosphere. In this paper, we study the behavior of MHD body and surface waves in a medium with either a single or double (slab) magnetic interface by use of a nonlinear, two-dimensional, time-dependent, ideal MHD numerical model constructed on the basis of a Lagrangean grid and semi-implicit scheme. The processes of wave confinement and wave energy leakage are discussed in detail. It is shown that the obtained results depend strongly on the type of perturbations imposed on the interface or slab and on the plasma parameter, β. The relevance of the obtained results to the heating problem of the upper parts of the solar atmosphere is also discussed.
The ergo attribute system

The Ergo Attribute System was designed to satisfy the requirements for attributes in a language-generic program derivation environment. It consists of three components: (1) an abstract data type of attributes that guarantees attribute consistency, (2) a Common Lisp implementation which combines demand-driven and incremental attribute evaluation in a novel way while allowing for attribute persistence over many generations of a program, and (3) an attribute-grammar compiler producing code based on this abstract data type from a high-level specification. Our experience with three major applications (one being the attribute-grammar compiler itself) confirms that the overhead in storing and accessing attributes incurred by our implementation scheme is more than offset by the gains from the demand-driven, incremental, and persistent nature of attribution.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Adenomas in Mice Expressing a Dominant Negative N-Cadherin

Cadherins mediate cell adhesion and are essential for normal development. Embryonic stem cells were transfected with a dominant negative N-cadherin mutant (NCADΔ) under the control of promoters active in small intestinal epithelial cells and then introduced into C57BL/6 mouse blastocysts. Analysis of adult chimeric mice revealed that expression of NCADΔ along the entire crypt-villus axis, but not in the villus epithelium alone, produced an inflammatory bowel disease resembling Crohn's disease. NCADΔ perturbed proliferation, migration, and death programs in crypts, which lead to adenomas. This model provides insights about cadherin function in an adult organ and the factors underlying inflammatory bowel disease and intestinal neoplasia.
Comparison of growth, population structure, and food of the creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus in undisturbed and surface-mining-disturbed streams in Tennessee

Abstract Populations of the creek chub Semotilus atromaculatus from an undisturbed stream and from three streams disturbed by surface mining in East Tennessee were studied to determine surface-mining effects on growth, population structure and food. Comparison of chub populations among streams showed that 0+ and I+ age classes dominated the undisturbed stream, while I+ and II+ age classes dominated in the disturbed streams. Invividuals from the undisturbed stream were found to be significantly smaller but of similar condition compared with those of the same age class from the disturbed streams. Population densities in the disturbed streams were approximately one-third those of the undisturbed stream. Body fat in chubs from the undisturbed and the least-disturbed streams was significantly greater than that from fish in the two streams disturbed to the greatest extent by surface mining. With increased duration and extent of mining disturbance, both dependence on terrestrial food and the number of fish with empty stomachs increased.
Assembling single cells to create a stack: The case of a 100 w microtubular anode-supported solid oxide fuel cell stack

Microtubular solid oxide fuel cell systems have many desirable characteristics compared with their planar counterparts; however, there are many obstacles and difficulties that must be met to achieve a successful and economically viable manufacturing process and stack design. Anode-supported tubes provide an excellent platform for individual cells. They allow for a thin electrolyte layer, which helps to minimize polarization losses, to be applied to the outside of the tube, thus avoiding the difficulty of coating the inside of an electrolyte or cathode-supported tubes, or the stack design problem of having a fuel chamber if the anode is on the outside of the tube. This article describes the fabrication of a traditional (Ni-YSZ) anode tube via extrusion of a plastic mass through a die of the required dimensions. The anode tubes were dried before firing, and tests were performed on the tubes to determine the effects of prefiring temperature on porosity. The porous tubes had a vacuum applied to the inside while being submerged in aqueous electrolyte slurry. Various parameters were examined, including vacuum pressure, submergence time, and drying conditions, and were studied using microscopy. Cathode coatings (based on both doped lanthanum manganite and doped lanthanum cobaltite) were applied using a brush-painting technique, and were optimized as a function of paint consistency, drying conditions, and firing temperatures. The finished tubes were then stacked in an array to provide the specific current/voltage requirements, using a brazing technique. This article will describe the output characteristics of a single cell and a small stack (of 100 W designed power output).
Environmental and intracellular regulation of Francisella tularensis ripA

Background: Francisella tularensis is a highly virulent, facultative intracellular pathogen and the etiologic agent of the zoonotic disease Tularemia. RipA is a cytoplasmic membrane protein that is conserved among Francisella species and is required for intracellular growth. F. tularensis ripA deletion mutants escape the phagosome of infected cells, but unlike wild type organisms fail to replicate in the host cell cytoplasm. Results: Further analysis of ripA with respect to environmental effects on the growth of mutant strains and expression levels revealed that RipA is required for optimal growth at pH 7.5 but not pH 6.5. Using a combination of RT-PCR, ripA-lacZ transcriptional and translational fusions, and a RipA-tetracysteine tag fusion protein we found that both ripA transcription and RipA protein levels were elevated in organisms grown at pH 7.5 as compared to organisms grown at pH 5.5. A number of genes, including iglA, that are required for intracellular growth are regulated by the transcriptional regulators MglA and SspA, and are induced upon infection of host cells. We quantified ripA and iglA expression at different stages of intracellular growth and found that the expression of each increased between 1 and 6 hours post infection. Given the similar intracellular expression patterns of ripA and iglA and that MglA and SspA are positive regulators of iglA we tested the impact of mglA and sspA deletions on ripA and iglA expression. In the deletion mutant strains iglA expression was reduced dramatically as expected, however ripA expression was increased over 2fold. Conclusion: Expression of ripA is required for growth at neutral pH, is pH sensitive, and is responsive to the intracellular environment. The intracellular expression pattern of ripA coincided with iglA, which is positively regulated by MglA and SspA. However, in contrast to their positive impact on iglA expression, MglA and SspA negatively impacted ripA expression in vitro.
Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Troponin I in Human Whole Blood Samples by Using Silver Nanoparticle Films and Microwave Heating

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of mortality in developed countries. It is widely recognized that troponin I (TnI) can be used for the assessment of a myocardial infarction. METHODS: We investigated the use of the microwave-accelerated and metal-enhanced fluorescence (MA-MEF), a technique based on the combined use of low-power microwave heating, silver nanoparticle films (SNFs), and fluorescence spectroscopy for the detection of TnI from human whole blood samples. SNFs were deposited onto amine-modified glass microscope slides by use of Tollen's reaction scheme and characterized by optical absorption spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The detection of TnI from buffer solutions and human whole blood samples on SNFs was carried out by using fluorescence-based immunoassays at room temperature (control immunoassay, 2 h total assay time) or microwave heating (MA-MEF–based immunoassay, 1 min total assay time). RESULTS: We found that the lower limits of detection for TnI from buffer solutions in the control immunoassay and MA-MEF–based immunoassay were 0.1 μg/L and 0.005 μg/L, respectively. However, we were unable to detect TnI in whole blood samples in the control immunoassays owing to the coagulation of whole blood within 5 min of the incubation step. The use of the MA-MEF technique allowed detection of TnI from whole blood samples in 1 min with a lower detection limit of 0.05 μg/L. CONCLUSIONS: The MA-MEF–based immunoassay is one of the fastest reported quantitative detection methodos for detection of TnI in human whole blood and has low detection limits similar to those obtained with commercially available immunoassays.
Laparoscopic esophagomyotomy with posterior partial fundoplication for primary esophageal motility disorders

Background: The 1outcomes of a laparoscopic esophagomyotomy with posterior partial fundoplication were compared between groups of patients with primary motility disorders.
China Eastern Airlines: People's Republic of China Accounting Standards, International Financial Reporting Standards, or U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles?

China Eastern Airlines, headquartered in the People's Republic of China, has been listed and traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 1997. In its 2005 annual report, China Eastern Airlines presents two sets of financial statements: one prepared under People's Republic of China accounting regulations, and a second set prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. In addition, as a listed company on the New York Stock Exchange, China Eastern Airlines files Form 20‐F with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. This filing includes a limited reconciliation of net income and net assets from International Financial Reporting Standards to United States' generally accepted accounting principles. Your job is to examine these financial statements, explore any differences noted between each of the financial statements and U.S. GAAP, and highlight some issues to be included in a financial analysis of China Eastern Airlines for possible inclusion in an investment portfolio.
Description of Bound Reactive Dynamics within the Approximate Quantum Trajectory Framework

The quantum trajectory framework incorporates quantum effects on dynamics through the quantum potential acting on a trajectory ensemble in addition to the classical potential. A global quadratic approximation to the quantum potential makes the method practical in many dimensions and captures dominant quantum effects in semiclassical systems. In this paper the approach is further developed to describe the "double well" dynamics-a prototype of the proton transfer reactions-which exhibits the "hard" quantum effect of tunneling. Accurate description is achieved by combining the approximate quantum trajectory dynamics with the population amplitudes in the reactant and product wells. The quantum trajectory dynamics is defined by the asymptotic classical potentials. The population amplitudes represented in a small basis describe transfer between the wells. The method is exact if the reactant/product potentials are quadratic and the basis size is sufficiently large. In the semiclassical regime the trajectory dynamics is approximate and the basis size can be as small as two functions. The approach is fully compatible with the trajectory description of multidimensional systems capturing quantum tunneling along the reactive coordinate and zero-point energy flow among all degrees of freedom.
Effects of an Instructional Program Designed to Improve Attending Behaviors of Learning Disabled Students

Third-grade learning disabled students (N = 72) were chosen from eight public schools and were assigned randomly to one of two treatment groups or a control group. The first treatment group received training in attending behaviors by a direct instruction method. The second group of students was exposed to modeling of the attending behaviors but received no other formal training. Immediately following the training session, students were administered three tasks that are commonly used as indexes of selective attention. The group receiving the instructional program performed significantly better on two of the three tasks. Results are discussed in terms of applied implications and future investigations.
Detection of soluble type II receptor in the presence of its natural ligand IL-1β Quantification by sandwich ELISA

Abstract The type II interleukin-1 receptor (IL-1R II) is a newly described 60–68 kDa protein expressed on monocytes, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. It is hypothesized that a 45 kDa soluble form of the IL-1R II attenuates the proinflammatory effects of IL-1 by preventing its binding to the type I IL-1 receptor. However, very little information exists regarding the detection of soluble IL-1R II. Specifically, there are no reports to date characterizing IL-1R II detection by enzyme-linked immunoassay in the presence of IL-1β or characterizing IL-1β detection in the presence of IL-1R II. This study addresses the detection and quantitation of IL-1R II and IL-1β by a number of sandwich ELISA formats and characterizes the sensitivity of detection in the presence of competitive cytokines. We generated two distinct IL-1R II sandwich ELISAs that can detect receptor down to a level of 50 pg/ml. One, M22 R2 , detects only unbound IL-1R II and the other, M2 R2 , detects both bound and unbound IL-1R II. In this context, a 4:1 molar ratio of IL-1β to IL-1R II interferes with the IL-1R II detection by the M22 R2 but not the M2 R2 ELISA. Conversely, IL-1R II at physiologically relevant concentrations interferes with the detection of IL-1β by three distinct IL-1β ELISA formats. Taken together, these studies suggest that when measuring samples that may contain both IL-1β and IL-1R II, careful attention must be given to assay specificity.
Reactive endplate marrow changes: a systematic morphologic and epidemiologic evaluation

To evaluate the morphology and location of vertebral endplate changes, and to analyze their association with age, gender, and body mass index (BMI). At 1.5 T (T1-weighted, T2-weighted/STIR) 100 lumbar spines were evaluated separately by three observers. The readers classified the endplate bone marrow abnormalities on sagittal MR images according to the definitions of Modic et al. Findings were localized by disc segment; whether in the upper and/or lower endplate; and within each endplate divided into 15 segments. Disc space narrowing, as well as disc desiccation, was also noted at each vertebral level. In addition, endplate changes were correlated with age, gender, and BMI (weight(kg)/height(m)2). A total of 15,000 data points were studied and 422 total changes recorded. A total of 99 vertebral levels were affected in 58 patients. Of these, 171 were of type I, 242 were of type II, and 9 were of type III. L4―L5 and L5―S1 vertebral levels were most commonly involved, having (142, 4.73%) and (116, 3.87%) changes respectively (P<0.0001). The upper and lower aspects of the endplate were affected similarly. Changes most frequently occurred at the anterior aspect of the endplate (P<0.0001). Endplate marrow changes were associated with increasing age (P<0.0001) and, surprisingly, male gender (P<0.0001). Endplate changes were not associated with BMI. The fatty pattern was most common, with the sclerotic pattern being rare. Endplate marrow changes most often occurred at the anterior aspect of the endplate, particularly at L4―L5 and L5―S1 levels. Modic changes occur more frequently with aging, evidence of their degenerative etiology. They were, however, not related to body habitus, but to weight and male gender.
Erratum to: Mechanisms and constitutive relevance

Incorrect text in footnote 5: the mistakes are underlined Notice the Craver describes constitutive relevance as “a relationship between a component in the mechanism and the behavior of a mechanism and the behavior of a mechanism as a whole” (2007, p. 146, n 26). Understood this way, it is relationship between a component and themechanism’s behavior. But when it comes to the account he explains how to ascertain if a component is relevant to the mechanism’s behavior (not the relation), which is something different.
Physical, Consumer, and Social Aspects of Measuring the Food Environment Among Diverse Low-Income Populations

Obesity and other diet-related chronic diseases are directly related to the food environment. We describe how to better assess the food environment in specific ethnic minority settings for designing and implementing interventions, based on a review of our previous work on the food environment in American Indian reservations, Canadian First Nations reserves, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and inner-city Baltimore. The types of food stores available within each setting and the range of healthy foods available varied greatly across these geographic regions. In all settings, proximity to food stores/supermarkets, cost, and limited availability of healthful foods were common features, which limited access to health-promoting food options. Features specific to each population should be considered in an assessment of the food environment, including physical (e.g., openness of stores, mix of types of food sources); consumer (e.g., adequacy of the food supply, seasonal factors); and social (e.g., inter-household food sharing, perceptions of food quality, language differences) aspects. The food environments common in low-income ethnic subpopulations require special focus and consideration due to the vulnerability of the populations and to specific and unique aspects of each setting.
X-ray diffraction analysis for identification of kaolin NF and bentonite USP.

Abstract The identities of kaolin NF and bentonite USP were tested by using the identification test stated in the NF XIII monograph on kaolin. The results were inconclusive because both clays gave positive results to the test. Since kaolin NF and bentonite USP are crystalline in nature, X-ray diffraction analysis could be used for their identification. Because of its accuracy, X-ray diffraction analysis is recommended to be included in the NF and USP monographs on kaolin and bentonite, respectively, as an alternative test.
Extrinsic mortality and the evolution of senescence.

In a valuable recent article in TREE about senescence in the wild, P.D. Williams et al. [1] summarized experimental and observational evidence bearing on a prediction, by G.C. Williams [2], of the impact of mortality on the evolution of senescence. Medawar [3] and Williams [2] argued, and Hamilton [4] demonstrated, that the selection gradient on age-specific mortality declines with age, a result (‘slope theorems’ [5] or ‘Hamilton's indicators’ [6]) that provides the basis for evolutionary explanations of senescence via either antagonistic pleiotropy or mutation–selection balance.
Topological Persistence and Dynamical Heterogeneities Near Jamming

We introduce topological methods for quantifying spatially heterogeneous dynamics, and use these tools to analyze particle-tracking data for a quasi-two-dimensional granular system of air-fluidized beads on approach to jamming. In particular, we define two overlap order parameters, which quantify the correlation between particle configurations at different times, based on a Voronoi construction and the persistence in the resulting cells and nearest neighbors. Temporal fluctuations in the decay of the persistent area and bond order parameters define two alternative dynamic four-point susceptibilities ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{A}(\ensuremath{\tau})$ and ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{B}(\ensuremath{\tau})$, well suited for characterizing spatially heterogeneous dynamics. These are analogous to the standard four-point dynamic susceptibility ${\ensuremath{\chi}}_{4}(l,\ensuremath{\tau})$, but where the space dependence is fixed uniquely by topology rather than by discretionary choice of cutoff function. While these three susceptibilities yield characteristic time scales that are somewhat different, they give domain sizes for the dynamical heterogeneities that are in good agreement and that diverge on approach to jamming.
Effects of the Poling Process on Piezoelectric Properties in Lead Zirconate Titanate Ceramics

The influence of ferroelectric poling temperature and electric field amplitude on the piezoelectric coefficient d33 is investigated in a commercial lead zirconate titanate ceramic. A strong dependence of the electric field amplitude on the direct d33 coefficient is observed. The converse d33 piezoelectric coefficient of samples poled at specific conditions is measured and interpreted in the context of Rayleigh Law. Samples poled at higher temperatures and electric fields exhibit both a higher direct d33 coefficient and a higher extrinsic contribution to the converse d33 coefficient than samples which are less highly poled. Possible microstructural origins for this behavior are discussed.
The impact of supplementation in winter-run chinook salmon on effective population size

Supplementation of young raised at a protected site, such as a hatchery, may influence the effective population size of an endangered species. A supplementation program for the endangered winter-run chinook salmon from the Sacramento River, California, has been releasing fish since 1991. A breeding protocol, instituted in 1992, seeks to maximize the effective population size from the captive spawners by equaling their contributions to the released progeny. As a result, the releases in 1994 and 1995 appear not to have decreased the overall effective population size and may have increased it somewhat. However, mistaken use of non-winter-run chinook spawners resulted in artificial crosses between runs with a potential reduction in effective population size, and imprinting of the released fish on Battle Creek, the site of the hatchery, resulted in limiting the contribution of the released fish to the target mainstem population. Rapid genetic analysis of captured spawners and a new rearing facility on the Sacramento River should alleviate these problems and their negative effect on the effective population size in future years.
Coil embolization of a left circumflex feeder branch in a patient with a mediastinal paraganglioma.

A 62-year-old man presented with several months of fatigue, palpitations, and dyspnea on exertion. A Holter monitor revealed a high burden of multifocal premature ventricular contractions (>110/h) with a 9-beat run of nonsustained ventricular tachycardia. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed normal
Neuronal networks: Focus amidst the noise

High-resolution imaging of neuronal networks reveals that spontaneous bursts of collective activity are a consequence of an implosive concentration of noise.
Visual debugging of data and operations for concurrent programs

Symmetric multiprocessor systems (SMPs) are the desktop systems of the future. As they become more widely used, application developers will need to make better use of them. Merely providing threading will be insufficient. Companies will need to provide applications that parallelize portions of code and use the processors in SMPs to their full extent. This will have a much more dramatic effect on improving performance. Before this can be achieved however, tools must be developed which aid programmers, who may have little or no experience in programming parallel systems, to debug and performance tune their applications. Our goal is to improve the technology available through interactive computational steering and to develop techniques that will be valuable for all types of concurrent systems not just SMPs. This will be done through integrated operation visualization, data highlighting, interactive computational steering, and by concentrating on the data in a parallel system rather than on the processors or code.
Mental Representation, Social Cognition, and the Neural Underpinnings of Borderline Personality Disorder: A Multilevel Approach

The history between psychoanalysis and the neurosciences has recently been fraught with tension between a complex model of the mind and a biologically reductionistic model of the mind. In the present article, we outline a research model that offers a bridge between the two models by fusing a psychoanalytic approach to mental phenomena with neuroscientific assessment of social cognitive functioning in a sample of patients diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. Specifically, neural activity corresponding to trust appraisal, and rejection sensitivity will be compared with clinically rich ratings of narratives derived from the Object Relations Inventory and Adult Attachment Interview. Our strategy permits an analysis across psychological, behavioral, and neurobiological levels of data in order to better understand the multiple levels of analysis at play that lead to borderline personality disorder. Furthermore, we believe this model could provide a template for neuropsychoanalytic research that prese...
The Relationship of Changes in Assimilative Projection to Accepting and Rejecting Interpersonal Groups and to the Order of the Groups

(1959). The Relationship of Changes in Assimilative Projection to Accepting and Rejecting Interpersonal Groups and to the Order of the Groups. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 50, No. 2, pp. 327-333.
Effect of fiber orientation on thermal radiation in fibrous media

Abstract A radiation model is developed to evaluate the effect of fiber orientation on the radiative heat transfer through fibrous media between parallel planar diffuse boundaries. Fibers in the medium can be oriented in any given polar and azimuthal directions. Pertinent parameters in the model are the absorption ratio and the backscatter factor, which characterize the effect of the absorption coefficient and the amount of backscattered radiation, respectively. The analysis reveals that the polar orientation of the fibers strongly affects both the backscatter factor and radiative heat transfer. Radiative heat transfer is, however, independent of the azimuthal direction of the fibers. For fibers oriented parallel to the boundaries, backscattering of radiation is highest which results in minimum radiative heat transfer. If the fibers are oriented perpendicular to the boundaries, there is no backscattering of radiation and radiative heat transfer is affected only by the absorption coefficient. This then results in the highest radiative heat transfer.