cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Number and Morphology of Muscle Spindles in the Transversus Abdominis Muscle of the Chicken

Abstract INTRODUCTION ALTHOUGH muscle spindles have been. found in most mammalian skeletal muscles (Barker, 1962), Dogiel (1902) could not find these structures in the transversus abdominis muscle of man, rabbit, and monkey, and Shehata (1961) found no spindles in the caudal belly of the biventer cervicus muscle of the chicken. Contradictory reports indicating that these receptors are absent in certain muscles may be explained by the fact that some investigators have not examined serial sections. Since unequal distribution of muscle spindles may be present in a muscle (Cooper, 1953), examination of a random region of a muscle might give misleading negative results. The absence of spindles does not necessarily imply that a muscle has little or no proprioceptive supply. Cooper et al. (1955), using electrophysiological methods, reported that discharges in afferent nerve fibers from stretched extrinsic ocular muscles of the cat, in which no muscle spindles have been found, were similar…
Efficient 3D Nanofocusing Based on Surface Plasmon Polaritons

We present a nanotaper for coupling light from a dielectric waveguide into a nanoscale plasmonic waveguide. Numerical simulation shows that light can be focused into a 21nm-by-24nm spot with efficiency over 60%.
Acoustic Neuroma, Treatment of

Acoustic neuromas are benign tumors of the vestibular division of the eighth cranial nerve. They are rarely a threat to life. About half of these tumors will grow over a 4-year period. The average growth rate is 1–2 mm per year. If left untreated, approximately 40% of people with acoustic neuromas will lose their hearing, regardless of tumor size or growth. Treatment options include radiosurgery, surgery, and observation. Advantages and disadvantages are associated with each approach.
Pre-Operative Autologous Blood Donation Does Not Affect Pre-Incision Hematocrit in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients. A Retrospective Cohort of a Prospective Randomized Trial.

Background Pre-donation of autologous blood prior to spine fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) has been used in deformity surgery. The effect of pre-donation on pre-operative hematocrit (Hct) remains debated. Multiple factors may influence pre-operative Hct including intravascular volume status, patient factors, and timing of pre-operative blood donation. The purpose of this study was to determine if pre-donation significantly lowers pre-incision Hct in AIS patients. Methods A retrospective cohort study of a Level-1 prospective randomized trial was conducted. 125 patients from the homogeneous population were included. AIS patients undergoing a posterior only spinal fusion for AIS were separated into two groups based on their pre-operative blood donation history. Demographic variables, pre-incision Hct, and transfusion rates were compared between the two groups using the Student9s T-test. Results Pre-donation and non pre-donation groups had 28 and 97 patients, respectively. Pre-donation group was 75% female (21F, 7M) and non pre-donation group was 78% female (76F, 21M). There was no difference between pre-donation and non pre-donation groups in mean age (15.6 ± 2.2 vs 14.8 ± 2.2, p = 0.081), BMI (23.1 ± 4.2 vs 21.7 ± 5.3, p = 0.219), and pre-incision Hct (32.8 ± 3.4 vs 33.8 ± 3.1, p = 0.628). The overall transfusion rates were equivalent (32.1± 48.0% vs 25.8 ± 44.0%, p = 0.509), however, the rate of allogenic transfusion for the pre-donation group was significantly lower (3.6 ± 18.9% vs 25.8 ± 44.0%, p = 0.011). Conclusions This study supports the use of pre-donation for AIS, without a significant drop in pre-incision Hct. Patients that donate are also much less likely to be exposed to allogenic blood. There may be a surgeon bias to recommend pre-donation in patients with a larger BMI and older age. Future studies are needed from a larger population of patients including those with non-AIS pathology. Level of evidence: Level III.
SPARTA: runtime task allocation for energy efficient heterogeneous many-cores

To meet the performance and energy efficiency demands of emerging complex and variable workloads, heterogeneous many-core architectures are increasingly being deployed, necessitating operating systems support for adaptive task allocation to efficiently exploit this heterogeneity in the face of unpredictable workloads. We present SPARTA, a throughput-aware runtime task allocation approach for Heterogeneous Many-core Platforms (HMPs) to achieve energy efficiency. SPARTA collects sensor data to characterize tasks at runtime and uses this information to prioritize tasks when performing allocation in order to maximize energy-efficiency (instructions-per-Joule) without sacrificing performance. Our experimental results on heterogeneous many-core architectures executing mixes of MiBench and PARSEC benchmarks demonstrate energy reductions of up to 23% when compared to state-of-the-art alternatives. SPARTA is also scalable with low overhead, enabling energy savings in large-scale architectures with up to hundreds of cores.
Immune-Mediated Mechanisms of Proteinuria

The kidney is a common target of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, and one of the most common manifestations of immunologic injury of the kidney is proteinuria. Many cellular and molecular components of the immune system can injure the glomerular capillary wall. Thus, appropriate immune responses to infections as well as maladaptive immune responses in patients with autoimmune diseases can cause glomerular injury and proteinuria. Consequently, immunosuppressive medications are effective for treating many forms of proteinuric renal disease. A large number of new biologic agents capable of blocking or amplifying particular components of the immune system are currently being developed. As our understanding of the pathogenesis of proteinuric kidney diseases improves, these new therapeutic agents will likely improve our ability to treat many of the kidney diseases associated with proteinuria.
Pubertal timing, racial identity, neighborhood, and school context among Black adolescent females.

Objectives This study bridges the empirical research on pubertal timing effects, racial identity, and school and neighborhood context to understand the pubertal development and depression link among Black adolescent females. We examined whether racial identity content dimensions moderated the relation between pubertal timing and depressive symptoms among Black adolescent females and the moderating capacity of school and neighborhood racial composition. Method We administered measures of pubertal development, racial identity, and depressive symptoms to a sample of 217 Black adolescent females, aged 14 to 18. We assessed racial centrality, private regard, and public regard and used archival data to obtain the racial composition of participants' neighborhoods and schools. Results The results indicated that high racial centrality levels were linked to depressive symptoms for adolescent girls with late pubertal timing relative to their early counterparts, which was stronger for girls attending not majority Black schools. The results also indicated that low public regard levels were linked to depressive symptoms among adolescent girls with early pubertal timing relative to their late counterparts, which was stronger for girls attending not majority Black schools. Conclusions The current study provides evidence that racial identity and school racial context moderate the effects of pubertal timing differentially for early and late maturing Black girls. The results support the notion that the psychological effects of pubertal timing on internalizing symptoms are context dependent. (PsycINFO Database Record
Narrating Global Order and Disorder

This thematic issue addresses how strategic narratives affect international order. Strategic narratives are conceived of as stories with a political purpose or narratives used by political actors to affect the behavior of others. The articles in this issue address two significant areas important to the study of international relations: how strategic narratives support or undermine alliances, and how they affect norm formation and contestation. Within a post-Cold War world and in the midst of a changing media environment, strategic narratives affect how the world and its complex issues are understood. This special issue speaks to the difficulties associated with creating creative and committed international cooperation by noting how strategic narratives are working to shape the Post-Cold War international context.
Energy Levels of As 75

The excited levels of ${\mathrm{As}}^{75}$ were investigated by studying the decay schemes of ${\mathrm{Se}}^{75}$ and ${\mathrm{Ge}}^{75}$. Beta- and gamma-ray energies, internal conversion coefficients and relative transition intensities were measured. In addition, coincidence and gamma-gamma directional correlation experiments were performed. ${\mathrm{Se}}^{75}$ electron-captures to a level at 402 kev in ${\mathrm{As}}^{75}$; eleven transitions of indicated energy and multipolarity follow the electron-capture process: 25, $66(M1+E2)$, 81, $97(E2)$, $121(M1+E2)$, $136(M1+E2)$, $199(M1+E2)$, $265(M1+E2)$, $280(E2)$, 305, and $402(M1)$ kev. ${\mathrm{Ge}}^{75}$ decays by emission of negative beta groups with endpoint energies of 1.19, 0.98, 0.92, 0.72, and 0.55 Mev. Subsequently, six gamma rays with the following energies are emitted: 66, 199, 265, 427, 477, and 628 kev. A level scheme for ${\mathrm{As}}^{75}$ is proposed and plausible spin and parity assignments are discussed. The evidence indicates that most of the levels of ${\mathrm{As}}^{75}$ have spin \textonehalf{} or $\frac{3}{2}$ and are not single-particle shell-model states.
Knockdown of the histone di-methyltransferase G9a in nucleus accumbens shell decreases cocaine self-administration, stress-induced reinstatement, and anxiety.

Comorbid neuropsychiatric disorders such as addiction and anxiety could involve common underlying mechanisms. One potential mechanism involves epigenetic regulation of histone 3 dimethylation at lysine 9 residues (H3K9me2) by the histone dimethyltransferase G9a. Here we provide evidence that local AAV-RNAi-mediated knockdown of G9a expression in nucleus accumbens shell (NAcSh) of male rats reduces both addictive-related and anxiety-related behaviors. Specifically, G9a knockdown reduces sensitivity to low dose cocaine reinforcement when cocaine is freely available (fixed ratio schedule). Similarly, G9a knockdown reduces motivation for cocaine under higher effort demands (progressive ratio schedule). Following several weeks of forced abstinence, G9a knockdown attenuates extinction responding and reinstatement triggered by either cocaine-priming injections or footshock stress. This decrease in addictive behavior is associated with a long-term reduction in anxiety-like behavior as measured by the elevated plus maze (EPM). G9a knockdown also reduces basal anxiety-like behavior in EPM and marble burying tests in drug-naive rats. These results complement our previous work showing that increased G9a expression in NAcSh enhances addictive-related and anxiety-related behaviors, indicating that G9a bi-directionally controls these responses. These results also suggest that regulation of G9a-influenced gene expression could be a common epigenetic mechanism for co-morbid anxiety and psychostimulant addiction.
Transnational Frontiers. The American West in France

Beginning in 1887 with his appearance as the featured attraction at London’s American Exhibition, William Cody, already known as Buffalo Bill, made his Wild West show (Cody, rarely referred to it a...
Relative Reactivity and Bioavailability of Mercury Sorbed to or Coprecipitated with Aged Iron Sulfides.

The potential for inorganic mercury (Hg) to be converted to methylmercury depends, in part, on the chemical form of Hg and its bioavailability to anaerobic microorganisms that can methylate Hg. In ...
An Assessment of Intergroup Dynamics at a Multi-Campus University: One University, Two Cultures.

Research on Intergroup Contact Theory has suggested that more positive environments develop when individuals have greater exposure to diverse groups, though minority students and White students oft...
Crossing to the other side: Language influences children's perception of event components.

Abstract Infants appear to progress from universal to language-specific event perception. In Japanese, two different verbs describe a person crossing a bounded ground (e.g., street) versus an unbounded ground (e.g., field) while in English, the same verb – crossing – describes both events. Interestingly, Japanese and English 14-month-old infants form categories of Japanese ground distinctions in nonlinguistic events while by 20 months, only Japanese-reared infants retain this ability. Five experiments were conducted to investigate the role that language plays in children’s ability to form categories of Japanese ground-path distinctions. Experiments 1a and 1b first replicated and extended prior research (Goksun et al., 2011) by showing that 14-month-old English-reared children formed categories of Japanese ground-path while 23-month-old children did not in the presence of general language. Experiment 2a paired a single novel word with different Japanese ground categories and found that language weakened 14-month-old infants’ categorization abilities. Experiment 2b showed that labeling these event types differentially allowed 23-month-olds to recognize the Japanese ground-path distinctions that they otherwise would not have detected. To assess whether language uniquely encouraged categorization of Japanese ground-path in Experiment 2b, two different tones were paired with ground-path categories in Experiment 3. The results of Experiments 2b and 3 suggested that language but not tones encouraged ground-path categorization. This study is among the first to show that language can be used to heighten and weaken children’s categorization of “non-native” event components.
Perspectives and practices of cancer screening among workers at a tertiary health facility in Nigeria: indications for adaptation and integration of best practices.

Objectives : This study identified correlates of good screening performance for three common cancers, while weighing them against the backdrop of existing knowledge, to enable policy makers and healthcare providers focus appropriately to close the gaps that exist in cancer screening in our locale. Study design : Cross-sectional design Setting : Tertiary health facility Participants : Workers at Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria Results : Females had significantly better knowledge of cervical cancer, p<0.001; their knowledge of the other two cancers studied did not differ significantly from that of males. Staff members with less than 2 years of service, consistently had significantly better knowledge of all 3 cancers than others, p<0.05. Staff with good knowledge of all 3 cancers also decreased significantly with increasing number of years since graduation, p<0.001. Workers in clinical departments generally had better attitude towards screening for all 3 cancers compared to their counterparts in the non-clinical departments, p<0.001. Tertiary education, being in a clinical department, and Christianity were associated with a better attitude and practice of screening. The practice of screening was generally poor, as 54.9% and 89% of females had never screened for breast cancer and cervical cancer respectively; while almost all (93.5%) males 40 years and over had never screened for prostate cancer. Conclusion : Overall, knowledge of cancer screening was fair for all cancers; attitude to screening was good towards all cancers. However, significant gaps in compliance with screening were identified for all cancers. Setting up screening facilities and programmes in the work place could help to close these gaps. Keywords : Cancer; screening; perspectives; practices; health workers Funding : None declared
Palliative care referral patterns of adolescent and young adult patients at a comprehensive cancer center.

63Background: Adolescent and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer have distinct physical, developmental and psychosocial needs that are often unmet during oncology treatment. Such needs are fur...
Mast Cells and Nanomaterials

Mast cells are an essential cell type within the immune system, playing a prominent role in a variety of cell functions—both adaptive and innate immune system as well as others. This central role throughout many systems means that any inappropriate modulation of mast cell activation can, and does, contribute to many pathologies, including lung disease, autoimmune disorders, and cancer as examples. There are many exogenous compounds that can lead to activation of mast cells and potentially cause irregular function, one of which are engineered nanomaterials (ENMs). The human population is ubiquitously exposed to a range of ENM at a high rate through exposure mechanisms associated with high mast cell number, making these nanoparticles suspect when considering mast cell dysfunction. Research looking into ENM-induced mast cell pathologies is underwhelming; however; current research on the topic shows a clear ability for ENM to change mast cell activity and must be further explored.
Club Cell Heme Oxygenase-1 Deletion: Effects in Hyperoxia-Exposed Adult Mice.

Thioredoxin reductase-1 (TXNRD1) inhibition activates nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) responses and prevents acute lung injury (ALI). Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction following TXNRD1 inhibition is Nrf2-dependent in airway epithelial (club) cells in vitro. The influence of club cell HO-1 on lung development and lung injury responses is poorly understood. The present studies characterized the effects of hyperoxia on club cell-specific HO-1 knockout (KO) mice. These mice were generated by crossing Hmox1 flox mice with transgenic mice expressing cre recombinase under control of the club cell-specific Scgb1a1 promoter. Baseline analyses of lung architecture and function performed in age-matched adult wild-type and KO mice indicated an increased alveolar size and airway resistance in HO-1 KO mice. In subsequent experiments, adult wild-type and HO-1 KO mice were either continuously exposed to >95% hyperoxia or room air for 72 h or exposed to >95 hyperoxia for 48 h followed by recovery in room air for 48 h. Injury was quantitatively assessed by calculating right lung/body weight ratios (g/kg). Analyses indicated an independent effect of hyperoxia but not genotype on right lung/body weight ratios in both wild-type and HO-1 KO mice. The magnitude of increases in right lung/body weight ratios was similar in mice of both genotypes. In the recovery model, an independent effect of hyperoxia but not genotype was also detected. In contrast to the continuous exposure model, right lung/body weight ratio mice were significantly elevated in HO-1 KO but not wild-type mice. Though club cell HO-1 does not alter hyperoxic sensitivity in adult mice, it significantly influences lung development and resolution of lung injury following acute hyperoxic exposure.
Insights into Cardiac IKs (KCNQ1/KCNE1) Channels Regulation

The delayed rectifier potassium IKs channel is an important regulator of the duration of the ventricular action potential. Hundreds of mutations in the genes (KCNQ1 and KCNE1) encoding the IKs channel cause long QT syndrome (LQTS). LQTS is a heart disorder that can lead to severe cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. A better understanding of the IKs channel (here called the KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel) properties and activities is of great importance to find the causes of LQTS and thus potentially treat LQTS. The KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel belongs to the superfamily of voltage-gated potassium channels. The KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel consists of both the pore-forming subunit KCNQ1 and the modulatory subunit KCNE1. KCNE1 regulates the function of the KCNQ1 channel in several ways. This review aims to describe the current structural and functional knowledge about the cardiac KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel. In addition, we focus on the modulation of the KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel and its potential as a target therapeutic of LQTS.
Plasma Density Measurements by using a Modulated Submillimeter Laser Interferometer System

We have measured the electron-density, ne e , of the plasma confined by the magnetic field in a tokamak (in particular, the M.I.T. Alcator) by using a submillimeter interferometer. The interferometer, shown in Fig. 1, contains twin optically pumped waveguide lasers. The twin lasers operate at a wavelength of 118.8 micrometers (CH 3 OH) but are detuned with respect to each other by approximately one MHz for modulation purposes. This wavelength is appropriate for measurement of electron densities ≥ 1014 cm−3.
The educational journey of former foster youth: A dream deferred:

SummaryThis qualitative study explored the educational needs and experiences of 27 adults who were between the ages of 30 and 50 but emancipated from foster care as youth. This study employed an in...
Empathy and Low Participation of Women in Engineering: Is There a Hidden Link

Women are severely underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and the related work force. One of the reasons for the low presence of women in engineering is a lack of connection between engineering-related values and women’s personal values and beliefs, in particular the difference in empathy value. This study examined how empathy may have contributed to the low enrollment of women in engineering majors. An online survey was used to collect data from undergraduate students in an urban university in the United States. Statistical procedures were carefully selected to analyze the survey data and answer the four research questions. The results indicate that 1) students with a stronger empathizing trait reported lower likelihood of majoring in engineering; and 2) the perceived empathy level of a given academic discipline was a significant factor in students’ major choice. The lower likelihood of majoring in engineering was associated with its low empathy level perceived by the students. The major findings of the study call for reformulation of the engineering education so that human-centered values can be emphasized as critical components to the existing curricula.
Žižekian Ideology and the ‘Sympathetic’ Slave-Owner: Ostensible Necessity of Slavery in Our Nig and Minnie’s Sacrifice

I will look at and discuss the ideological-subject position of the ‘sympathetic’ slave-owner by employing Žižek ’s specific conception of ideology across two varying slave-narratives. I attempt to uncover how this ideology operates within the social-material reality in the texts Our Nig and Minnie's Sacrifice and the ways that the authors (Harper and Wilson) employed tropes in depicting this particular archetypal figure in slave-narratives. These charachter's exhibit an ideology remarkably aligned with Žižek ’s: that a certain non-knowledge of the proper logic of an ideological reality is what sustains it. This suggests not only that such an archetypal figure exists across slave-narratives, but also that they deploy a communal ideology that attempts to conflate unwillingness with inability. They enable the perpetuation of the institution by their unwillingness to reject the economic benefits of slavery, which they conceive of as an inability.
Villains of the High Seas: Apostasy and Piracy in George Peele’s The Battle of Alcazar, The Anonymously Authored Captain Thomas Stukeley, and William Daborne’s A Christian Turned Turk

In Elizabethan and Jacobean plays featuring the occult, evil was imagined as supernatural, extending from the hand of the Devil himself. At the same time that the devil pact grew in the public’s imagination as a model of villainy, another paradigm of evil began to take hold: the apostate pirate. George Peele’s The Battle of Alcazar (1588–89), the anonymously authored Captain Thomas Stukeley (1595), and William Daborne’s A Christian Turned Turk (1609–12) portray villainy through a new Vice—one that tempts their Christian sailors to renounce their faith, convert to Islam, and live the pirate’s life.
Real-Time 4D Tumor Tracking and Modeling from Internal and External Fiducials in Fluoroscopy

Fluoroscopy is currently used in treatment planning for patients undergoing radiation therapy. Radiation oncologists would like to maximize the amount of dose the tumor receives and minimize the amount delivered to the surrounding tissues. During treatment, patients breathe freely and so the tumor location will not be fixed. This makes calculating the amount of dose delivered to the tumor, and verifying that the tumor actually receives that dose, difficult. We describe a correlation-based method of tracking the two-dimensional (2D) motion of internal markers (surgical clips) placed around the tumor. We established ground truth and evaluated the accuracy of the tracker for 10 data sets of 5 patients. The root mean squared error in estimating 2D marker position was 0.47 mm on average. We also developed a method to model the average and maximum three-dimensional (3D) motion of the clips given two orthogonal fluoroscopy videos of the same patients that were taken sequentially. On average, the error was 3.0 mm for four pairs of trajectories. If imaging is possible during treatment, such motion models may be used for beam guided radiation; otherwise, they may be correlated to a set of external markers for use in respiratory gating.
Full dispersion compensation in real-time optical coherence tomography with a phase/frequency modulator

The dispersion of a real-time optical coherent tomography system including a phase modulator was compensated up to the third order. The axial resolution was fully recovered experimentally, which matches very well with theoretical predictions.
Metabolism of d-Serine in Escherichia coli K-12: Mechanism of Growth Inhibition

Without significant killing, d-serine at concentrations greater than 50 mug/ml inhibits growth in minimal media of mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 unable to form d-serine deaminase. The mutants eventually recover at lower concentrations. There is no evidence of d-serine toxicity in rich media. Toxicity is partially reversed by l-serine. d-Serine does not interfere with l-serine activation, one-carbon metabolism, or (Cronan, personal communication) formation of phosphatidylserine. Pizer (personal communication) finds, however, that it is a powerful feedback inhibitor of the first enzyme of l-serine biosynthesis. In the presence of l-serine, the residual toxicity is largely and noncompetitively over come by pantothenate, indicating that d-serine inhibits growth by affecting two targets: pantothenate biosynthesis and l-serine biosynthesis. l-Serine causes transient growth inhibition in E. coli K-12. Contaminating l-serine in d-serine preparations contributes to the d-serine inhibitory response.
Youth Drug Abuse Treatment: A Controlled Outcome Study

Twenty-six youth received six months of treatment (mean of 15 sessions) after random assignment to either a supportive counseling program or to a newly designed behavioral treatment. The behavioral program included several procedures to restucture family and peer relations and to control urges. Drug use was measured by urinalysis, supplemented by family report and self-report. The results showed that during the last month, 9% of youth receiving supportive counseling were abstinent vs. 73% of youth receiving the new behavioral treatment. A greater reduction of drug use was also apparent when measured in terms of urinalysis data alone, days per month of drug use, or overall number of months of abstinence. Improved functioning of youths in the behavioral program was evidenced by significantly greater school/work attendance, improved youth- and partent-relationship satisfaction ratings, improved conduct ratings, decreased depression, and decreased frequency of alcohol use as compared to youth in the supportiv...
Minimum-loss minimum-distortion space vector sequence generator for high-reliability three-phase power converters for aircraft applications

This paper presents the analysis and design of an all-digital space vector modulator for high-performance voltage-source converters. The modulator features a fast rule-based sector identification algorithm, sheer simple arithmetic for its conduction time determination, continuously adjusted zero state selection based on the AC currents magnitudes, and switching frequency minimization through sequence-reversal in odd and even sectors. The paper includes a detailed description and analysis of three discontinuous space vector sequences featuring DC-bus clamping for switching losses minimization, and active-state splitting for distortion minimization. An evaluation including AC and DC distortion factors, commutation frequency, and losses is presented for verification of the proposed modulator.
Template-directed pausing of DNA synthesis by HIV-1 reverse transcriptase during polymerization of HIV-1 sequences in vitro

Replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) requires reverse transcriptase (RT) to synthesize double-stranded proviral DNA (9.7 kilobases) through a complex mechanism utilizing both RNA and DNA templates. We have examined DNA synthesis by HIV-1 RT on RNA and DNA templates derived from the HIV-1 genome using a primer extension assay in vitro. Analysis of polymerization products on sequencing gels revealed strong pauses in synthesis, on both RNA and DNA templates, in homopolymeric nucleotide runs, and at regions of predicted secondary structure. Polymerization pauses occurred in runs of template rGs (> or = 4 bases) and rCs (> or = 3 bases) during minus-strand synthesis on RNA templates, and in most runs (> or = 4 bases) of template dTs and dAs during plus-strand synthesis on DNA templates. Pausing also occurred on both templates within the first few nucleotides of the predicted hairpin structures of the Rev response element. The locations of pauses were dependent on template sequence and were unaffected by primer positioning, RT concentration, and ionic strength. Recombinant and virion-derived HIV-1 RTs showed similar pausing patterns. DNA products that accumulated at HIV-1 RT pause sites on RNA templates were extended by continued incubation with excess RT from Moloney murine leukemia virus, showing that the RNA templates were not broken or otherwise unable to support polymerization. Polymerizations conducted in the presence of a poly(rA) oligo(dT) trap showed that pausing results from two mechanisms: 1) RT remaining bound to the primer-template and polymerizing at a greatly reduced rate, or 2) RT dissociating from the primer-template. These results demonstrate that specific HIV-1 RNA and DNA template sequences are capable of interrupting processive DNA synthesis by HIV-1 RT in vitro. Pausing may serve specific functions in HIV-1 replication and mutagenesis. Moreover, these data suggest that one or more accessory factors are required to complete proviral DNA synthesis in vivo and that efficient HIV-1 DNA synthesis may require multiple origins.
OVERCOMING A DECADE OF CRISIS: ZIMBABWE'S LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN TRANSITION

SUMMARY The world's attention has focused on Zimbabwe as the country has moved from the turmoil of the 2008 elections to a tentative democratic transition under the current Inclusive Government. The country's newly elected local authorities and an apparent interest in decentralization have been largely ignored in the process, however. This essay thus provides an extensive, survey-based examination of local governance in Zimbabwe as of 2009. Four areas are discussed. First, with the growth of the political opposition to the ruling regime, local governance has also suffered from the deep polarization among all the country's institutions. The inexperience of the new local councilors vis-a-vis local administration officials also holds significant ramifications. Second, although local officials believe that public participation in decision-making is strong, citizen involvement is actually quite weak. Third, reeling from the country's 2008 economic crisis, local authorities were operating as best as they could on minimal income and barely functioning in many areas. Financial transfers ended long ago; revenue generation remains poor. Finally, this essay captures the poor state of public services. Achievement of a national democratic consensus, decentralization that actually promotes democratic local governance and strengthening once-strong local institutional capacity will determine the future progress of local governance. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the correction of coefficient quantization errors in hybrid control systems

Time response deviation correction in hybrid computer control systems with digital feedback elements containing quantized coefficients
Epitaxy of metal atoms on metal surfaces: deposition and diffusion

We have investigated the dynamics of adsorption of a metal atom on a FCC(OOl) metal substrate of the same atom type. Two points were considered in detail: 1) the extent of ballistic or transient mobility (i.e., ability of the adatom to transform kinetic energy gained by adsorption into motion parallel to the substrate); 2) convergence of results with the number of moving atoms retained in the simulation. Using the molecular dynamics technique with four different types of potential energy surfaces (PES), we have discovered there is no transient mobility for the Cu/Cu(001) system at a surface temperature of 80 K and an incident gas atom kinetic energy of 0.25 eV. We have also discovered an important pitfall in such simulations: use of an insufficient number of active substrate layers leads to incorrect results displaying significant ballistic motion of the adsorbate. Using our most accurate many-body density functional based MD/MC-CEM PES and retaining sufficient number of active layers, we have also found an absence of transient mobility for the Ni/Ni(001), RhyRh(OOl), Pd/Pd(001), Pt/Pt(001), and Au/Au(001) systems. Only the Ag/Ag(001) system, with a very small diffusion barrier, was found to display any mobility.
The cloud population and onset of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation over the Indian Ocean during DYNAMO‐AMIE

[1] Variability of the cloud population in the central equatorial Indian Ocean was observed in the context of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) during the Dynamics of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) and Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Madden-Julian Investigation Experiment (AMIE) field campaigns. Radar observations from the polarimetric S-band radar on Addu Atoll in the Maldives characterize the types of convective and stratiform radar echoes and the heights their 20 dBZ contours reach. To gain insight into the relationship between clouds and humidification of the troposphere leading up to and during an active MJO event, the work relates variability of the observed precipitation structure to that of tropospheric humidity and upper level zonal wind. The variability in stratiform precipitation areas dominates variability in the nature of precipitating convection associated with the MJO. Areal coverage of precipitating radar echo, convective echo top height, and tropospheric humidity above 850 hPa rapidly increase over ~3–7 days near MJO onset. This rate of increase is substantially faster than the 10–20 days needed for buildup of moisture prior to MJO onset as hypothesized by the “discharge-recharge” hypothesis. Convective echoes become more common during the days prior to MJO onset, and the increased convection occurs before low-tropospheric moistening. The upper troposphere rapidly moistens as the first widespread stratiform region passes over an area. Thus, clouds likely play a role in tropospheric humidification. Whether increased low-tropospheric humidity causes vertical growth of convection has not yet been determined.
Treatment of Mild Cognitive Impairment.

It is increasingly evident that early identification of cognitive impairment in older adults presents opportunities for interventions that aim to mitigate the impact of cognitive symptoms on daily function and that attempt to delay (or ultimately prevent) progression from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) to dementia. To date, no intervention has proven protective in ultimately preventing conversion to dementia. However, several lifestyle, dietary, and pharmacologic interventions have suggested symptomatic benefit for those having MCI. A number of diet and lifestyle recommendations have been associated with decreased risk of dementia both in cognitively intact older adults and in those having mild cognitive impairment. Thus, these recommendations may be appropriate for both people presenting with subjective cognitive concerns and for those having objective evidence of memory problems. It remains less certain whether adopting these lifestyle habits in later life confers the benefits seen in epidemiological cohorts (where people have likely practiced them for many years). Discussion of starting on a cholinesterase inhibitor is appropriate for those having MCI, particularly those in whom the MCI is thought to have a vascular etiology or to represent the prodromal stage of a neurodegenerative disease. Recent meta-analyses exploring the use of cholinesterase inhibitors in patients having MCI have concluded that there is no evidence to support this practice. Although meta-analytic techniques seemingly strengthen the confidence in a recommendation via the incorporation of a large number of subjects analyzed, the technique is not capable of overcoming any inherent weaknesses of the individual studies included in the analysis. It is arguable whether studies in MCI may have employed endpoints poorly adapted to investigating effect of cholinesterase inhibitors. Most studies have used cognitive screening examinations, all of which stretch their detection ability to identify subjects with MCI, let alone discriminate subtle differences between them. Some have used conversion from MCI to dementia as an endpoint, which may not be the best measure for a symptomatic treatment. Further, once conversion to dementia has occurred, a cholinesterase inhibitor would be started in most (if not all) clinical settings, a reality not well reflected in most study designs. Additionally, several large studies have not permitted subject stratification by APOE carrier status, another important defect in assessing outcome. In clinical practice, our center typically does recommend cholinesterase inhibitors for patients having MCI. Despite the modest effect size, many patients do wish to start on treatment. It appears that this is a generally accepted practice and experience, as most clinical trials for prodromal Alzheimer’s disease specify that participants should be taking a cholinesterase inhibitor.
Neutral beam power system for TPX

The Tokamak Physics Experiment (TPX) will utilize to the maximum extent the existing Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR) equipment and facilities. This is particularly true for the TFTR Neutral Beam (NB) system. Most of the NB hardware, plant facilities, auxiliary sub-systems, power systems, service infrastructure, and control systems can be used as is. The major changes in the NB hardware are driven by the new operating duty cycle. The TFTR Neutral Beam was designed for operation of the sources for 2 seconds every 150 seconds. The TPX requires operation for 1000 seconds every 4500 seconds. During the Conceptual Design Phase of TPX every component of the TFTR NB Electrical Power System was analyzed to verify whether the equipment can meet the new operational requirements with or without modifications. The Power System converts 13.8 kV prime power to controlled pulsed power required at the NB sources. The major equipment involved are circuit breakers, auto and rectifier transformers, surge suppression components, power tetrodes, HV Decks, and HVDC power transmission to sources. Thermal models were developed for the power transformers to simulate the new operational requirements. Heat runs were conducted for the power tetrodes to verify capability. Other components were analyzed to verify their thermal limitations. This paper describes the details of the evaluation and redesign of the electrical power system components to meet the TPX operational requirements.
Causes and Consequences of Variations in Audit Committee Composition

This paper examines and finds systematic economic factors behind variations in audit committee composition. Specifically, audit committee independence is positively related to the informativeness of accounting data in valuation and negatively related to the degree of bargaining power that the CEO commands over the board. In constrast, no systematic relation is found between audit committee composition and the degree of contracting between shareholders and senior claimants. This paper also examines and finds economic benefits of firms having independent audit committees. Specifically, CEO cash compensation and the number of audit committee meetings are negatively (positively) related to audit committee independence, respectively.
The U.S. geological survey rass-statpac system for management and statistical reduction of geochemical data

Abstract RASS is an acronym for Rock Analysis Storage System and STATPAC, for Statistical Package. The RASS and STATPAC computer programs are integrated into the RASS—STATPAC system for the management and statistical reduction of geochemical data. The system, in its present form, has been in use for more than 9 yr by scores of U.S. Geological Survey geologists, geochemists, and other scientists engaged in a broad range of geologic and geochemical investigations. The principal advantage of the system is the flexibility afforded the user both in data searches and retrievals and in the manner of statistical treatment of data. The statistical programs provide for most types of statistical reduction normally used in geochemistry and petrology, but also contain bridges to other program systems for statistical processing and automatic plotting.
Sequence analysis of a cDNA encoding a group 3 LEA mRNA inducible by ABA or dehydration stress in wheat.

A cDNA clone (pMA2005) of a Group 3 LEA (late embryogenesis abundant) protein has been sequenced from wheat. The wheat cDNA clone codes for a protein with ten tandem repeats of an 11 amino acid sequence and has homology to other Group 3 LEAs reported in barley, carrot, cotton and rape (L. Dure et al., Plant Mol Biol 12: 475–486, 1989). The deduced amino acid sequence indicates that the wheat protein has a molecular weight of 23 000 and is a basic, hydrophilic protein. Northern analysis with the cDNA clone shows that dehydration of wheat shoot tissue results in increased transcript levels that correlate with increases in endogenous ABA.
The role of the faculty athletics representative

The faculty athletics representative plays a significant role in the supervision of the campus athletics program. To adequately fulfill this role, specific data and information needs must be met.
Control system diversity: Implications for selling centers

Abstract It is often the case that members of selling centers are governed by different control systems (i.e., some selling center members are governed more by behavior controls while others are governed more by outcome controls). Surprisingly, there is little research which examines the impact of control system diversity (CSD) on selling center processes (e.g., decision comprehensiveness) and outcomes (e.g., performance). The present research integrates the literature on psychological stakes to show that CSD is positively related to decision comprehensiveness when psychological stakes are high but not when they are low. Decision comprehensiveness, in turn, is positively related to performance. This research uses data from multiple sources across 61 selling centers to provide novel insights into a new form of diversity and the under researched context of selling centers.
Comparative effectiveness of fish oil versus fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, and atorvastatin on lowering triglyceride levels among HIV-infected patients in routine clinical care

Objective The goal of this study was to compare the effectiveness of fish oil, fenofibrate, gemfibrozil, and atorvastatin on reducing triglyceride (TG) levels among a large cohort of HIV-infected patients in clinical care.
Language Objectives of the Secondary Schools in the Post‐War Period

Author's summary.— The selection of a language and the particular skill to be emphasized in the case of a given language student in the secondary school should depend upon the student's needs and interests.
Assessing temporal and spatial variability of hypoxia over the inner Louisiana–upper Texas shelf: Application of an unstructured-grid three-dimensional coupled hydrodynamic-water quality model

Abstract Patterns of temporal and spatial variability in hypoxia ( 1) and the initial transition from normoxia (i.e., 6 mg O2 l−1) to hypoxia lasted about three weeks. The model results point to a significant short-term variability in the extent of hypoxic bottom waters, indicating that the size of the mid-summer hypoxic zone cannot be adequately captured by a single shelfwide cruise. The dynamics of bottom-water hypoxia is clearly influenced by the bathymetric features of the LaTex shelf, namely the presence of three shallow shoals (
Site-directed Mutagenesis of Yeast eEF1A VIABLE MUTANTS WITH ALTERED NUCLEOTIDE SPECIFICITY

Site-directed mutants of eEF1A (formerly eEF-1α) were generated using a modification of a highly versatile yeast shuttle vector (Cavallius, J., Popkie, A. P., and Merrick, W. C. (1997) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1350, 345–358). The nucleotide specificity sequence NKMD (residues number 153–156) was targeted for mutagenesis, and the following mutants were obtained: N153D (DKMD), N153T (TKMD), D156N (NKMN), D156W (NKMW), and the double mutant N153T,D156E (TKNE). All of the yeast strains containing the mutant eEF1As as the sole source of eEF1A were viable except for the N153D mutant. Most of the purified mutant eEF1As had specific activities in the poly(U)-directed synthesis of polyphenylalanine similar to wild type, although with a K m for GTP increased by 1–2 orders of magnitude. The mutants showed a reduced rate of GTP hydrolysis, and most displayed misincorporation rates greater than wild type. The mutant NKMW eEF1A showed unusual properties. The yeast strain was temperature sensitive for growth, although the purified protein was not. Second, this form of eEF1A was 10-fold more accurate in protein synthesis, and its rate of GTP hydrolysis was about 20% of wild type. In total, the wild-type protein contains the most optimal nucleotide specificity sequence, NKMD, and even subtle changes in this sequence have drastic consequences on eEF1A function in vitro or yeast viability.
Random bubble lattices

We study random bubble lattices which can be produced by processes such as first order phase transitions, and derive characteristics that are important for understanding the percolation of distinct varieties of bubbles. The results are relevant to the formation of topological defects as they show that infinite domain walls and strings will be produced during appropriate first order transitions, and that the most suitable regular lattice to study defect formation in three dimensions is a face centered cubic lattice. Another application of our work is to the distribution of voids in the large-scale structure of the universe. We argue that the present universe is more akin to a system undergoing a first-order phase transition than to one that is crystallizing, as is implicit in the Voronoi foam description. Based on the picture of a bubbly universe, we predict a mean coordination number for the voids of 13.4. The mean coordination number may also be used as a tool to distinguish between different scenarios for structure formation.