cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Scaffold functions of 14-3-3 adaptors in B cell immunoglobulin class switch DNA recombination (IRC3P.472)

Immunoglobulin (Ig) class switch DNA recombination (CSR) crucially diversifies antibody biological effector functions. CSR involves the induction of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) expression and targeting to switch (S) regions by 14-3-3 adaptors. We hypothesized that 14-3-3 adaptors function as scaffolds to stabilize CSR elements on S regions. Here, we demonstrate that all seven 14-3-3 adaptors (β, ϵ, γ, η, σ, τ and ζ), directly interacted with AID, PKA-Cα (catalytic subunit) and PKA-RIα (regulatory inhibitory subunit) and uracil DNA glycosylase (Ung). 14-3-3 adaptors, however, did not interact with AIDΔ(180-198) C-terminal truncation-mutant or AIDF193A and AIDL196A point-mutants (which have been shown not to bind to S region DNA and fail to mediate CSR). 14-3-3 adaptors colocalized with AID and replication protein A (RPA) in B cells undergoing CSR. 14-3-3 and AID binding to S region DNA was disrupted by HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr), which inhibited CSR without altering AID expression. Accordingly, we demonstrate that 14-3-3 directly interacted with Vpr, which in turn, also interact with AID, PKA-Cα and Ung. Thus, we describe that 14-3-3 adaptors play important scaffold functions and nucleate the assembly of CSR factors on S regions. Such assembly can be disrupted by a viral protein, thereby allowing us to hypothesize that small molecule compounds that specifically block 14-3-3 interactions with AID, PKA and/or Ung can be used to inhibit unwanted CSR.
Input/Output for a CS1 Course in Java

This paper discusses considerations for input/output for a first course in Java. It includes the opinions of several computer science educators regarding the pros and cons of using a non-standard package for input/output and the requirements of such a package. It also describes the evolution of a simple package for input that it is easy to implement using the Swing class and gives guidelines for using standard Java for simple input/output.
Challenges and Clinical Decision-Making in HIV-to-HIV Transplantation: Insights From the HIV Literature

Life expectancy among HIV-infected (HIV+) individuals has improved dramatically with effective antiretroviral therapy. Consequently, chronic diseases such as end-stage liver and kidney disease are growing causes of morbidity and mortality. HIV+ individuals can have excellent outcomes after solid organ transplantation, and the need for transplantation in this population is increasing. However, there is a significant organ shortage, and HIV+ individuals experience higher mortality rates on transplant waitlists. In South Africa, the use of organs from HIV+ deceased donors (HIVDD) has been successful, but until recently federal law prohibited this practice in the United States. With the recognition that organs from HIVDD could fill a critical need, the HIV Organ Policy Equity (HOPE) Act was passed in November 2013, reversing the federal ban on the use of HIV+ donors for HIV+ recipients. In translating this policy into practice, the biologic risks of using HIV+ donors need to be carefully considered. In this mini-review, we explore relevant aspects of HIV virology, antiretroviral treatment, drug resistance, opportunistic infections and HIV-related organ dysfunction that are critical to a transplant team considering HIV-to-HIV transplantation.
Increased translatable mRNA and decreased lipogenesis are responsible for the augmented secretion of lipid-deficient apolipoprotein E by hepatocytes from fasted rats.

Abstract We examined the mechanism through which fasting selectively increases the secretion of apoE while it decreases the secretion of all lipoprotein lipids (Davis, R. A., Boogaerts, J. R., Borchardt, R. A., Malone-McNeal, M., and Archambault-Schexnayder, J. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 14137-14144). Livers were obtained from rats that were fed chow plus drinking water (control) and drinking water only (fasted) for three days. Livers were extracted for both total and poly(A) RNA. Using full length, nick-translated 32P-labeled cDNA probes for both apoE and beta-actin, the relative abundance was determined by slot blot hybridization assays. There was 2-fold more apoE mRNA in the livers of fasted rats. Furthermore, translation of poly(A) RNA using a reticulocyte lysate showed a similar 2.3-fold increase in the synthesis of immunoprecipitable [35S]methionine-labeled apoE. The 2-fold increase in translatable apoE mRNA correlates with a similar increase in apoE secretion. We also characterized the form of apoE secreted by hepatocytes from fasted cells. Cells were labeled with [35S]methionine, and the medium was separated by agarose 0.5m column chromatography. The majority of the apoE secreted cells from both control and fasted rats eluted in fractions that contained no detectable lipid. Furthermore, almost all of the increased apoE secreted by fasted cells was in these lipid-deficient fractions. The isoform distribution of apoE secreted by cells from both groups consisted of six major apoE isoforms. Consistent with previous results, treatment with neuraminidase transformed the acidic forms into the three most basic, suggesting that the three most acidic isoforms contain varying amounts of sialic acid. The isoform pattern of apoE secreted by cells from fasted rats was significantly enriched in two acidic isoforms, while it was significantly decreased in the major basic isoform. Moreover, when oleic acid (1 mM) was added to the culture medium to stimulate lipogenesis, the amount of apoE secreted with lipid increased as did the more basic isoforms. These data suggest that the secretion of lipid-deficient apoE by cells from fasted rats is the result of increased mRNA and a concomitant reduction in lipogenesis. Furthermore, the parallel shift of both the amount of apoE secreted associated with lipid as well as its isoform pattern to a more basic one by oleic acid suggests that the lipid availability plays a role in determining the lipid complement and sialic acid content of apoE secreted by the hepatocyte.
Reconstitution of Escherichia coli 30 S ribosomal subunits from purified molecular components.

Abstract Reconstitution of 30 S ribosomal subunits from 16 S RNA and a mixture of purified individual 30 S ribosomal proteins has been studied. Proteins from the 30 S ribosomal subunit of Escherichia coli were purified by a combination of phosphocellulose and DEAE-chromatography, and Sephadex gel filtration. The proteins purified correspond to the 21 proteins generally accepted as 30 S proteins, with the exception of two proteins, P3b and P3c, which correspond to the protein S6 studied by other workers. P3b and P3c are closely related, and one is probably a derivative of the other. Using a mixture of these purified proteins, reconstitution of functionally active 30 S subunits has been demonstrated. Reconstituted particles had higher activities in poly(U)-directed polyphenylalanine synthesis than reference 30 S particles in several experiments. The functional activity of reconstituted particles was also examined in several other assays; these included natural messenger RNA-directed polypeptide synthesis, poly(U)-directed Phe-tRNA binding, AUG-directed fMet-puromycin formation, AUG-directed fMet-tRNA binding, and the binding of termination codon UAA in the presence of chain termination factors. In all cases, activities comparable to reference 30 S subunits were observed. The sedimentation properties and the protein composition of reconstituted particles were also similar to 30 S ribosomal subunits. The kinetics of reconstitution using purified protein mixtures was essentially identical with those of reconstitution using unfractionated 30 S proteins. These results strongly suggest that 21 purified 30 S proteins together with 16 S RNA are sufficient to reconstitute 30 S subunits, and that no essential 30 S components were lost during the fractionation and purification of the 30 S proteins. Single component omission experiments indicated that all purified proteins, except P1(S1) and P3b,c(S6), are required for full functional activity. A requirement for P9a(S16) has been shown in some, but not all, experiments. P3b,c(S6) and P9a(S16) have been shown to be involved in the reconstitution reaction in other experiments (Mizushima, S., and Nomura, M. (1970) Nature 226, 1214; Nomura, M. (1973) Science 179, 864) and therefore are 30 S components. It is still not clear whether P1(S1) should be considered a "true" 30 S protein or a ribosomal-associated "factor."
Women and Poor Relief in Seventeenth-Century France: The Early History of the Daughters of Charity

Contents: Introduction The foundation of the Daughters of Charity Varieties of work: living the active vocation in parishes Varieties of work: living the active vocation in institutions Bureaucraticization and the growth of the Company of the Daughters of Charity Epilogue Appendices Bibliography Index.
Connectionism and Language Processing

A survey of the field of connectionist work on language reveals a somewhat daunting variety of architectures, formalisms and models. Partly this diversity just reflects the breadth of the domain: language processing embraces everything from phoneme recognition to such areas as parsing, sentence disambiguation, story understanding, and speech generation. Human language processing is a vast complex of distinguishable capacities, and connectionism has been busily chipping away at any aspect that seems to lend itself to neural processing. However, the diversity of connectionist efforts also reflects some real theoretical differences over what kinds of mechanisms one needs, in principle, to be able to generate plausible models and hence adequate explanations. It is an increasingly common observation that, at one end of the connectionist spectrum, there are those who feel that no serious account of language processing can hope to avoid relying on explicit rules, some measure of serial processing, complexly structured representations, variable binding and so forth, and regard neural networks as a useful new way to implement such mechanisms; while at the other end there are those who regard connectionist methods as an excellent excuse to avoid all such baroque entanglements, and hope that self-generated, dynamic, distributed, gestalt-style representations will be the only necessary intermediaries between the ear and the vocal chords. People often think of this as a division between the conservatives — those still wedded to old-fashioned devices handed down from previous digital, serial, symbolic paradigms — and the radicals, those prepared to embrace fundamentally new approaches. (As in politics, of course, the conservatives see things slightly differently: they tend to regard themselves as the responsible realists, while the radicals are crazed utopian idealists.)
The German Reformation and Medieval Thought and Culture

This essay asks the question, is it useful to approach the Reformation as a phase in a linear chronology, a movement away from the Middle Ages? On the example of Matthias Flacius Illyricus and the formation of Lutheran identity in the third quarter of the sixteenth century, I argue that Protestants had a vested interest in the continuity of their beliefs with medieval thought and culture. The familiar idea of a medieval-Reformation rupture is largely an invention of the nineteenth century. The research of recent decades, which I survey, has shown the limitations of this idea. I conclude with a proposal for seeing cultural change within multiple, overlapping chronologies.
Reliability assessment from degradation data

The importance of degradation analysis as a method of assessing the reliability of highly reliable components and systems constantly increases due to the continuous efforts of the manufacturers to produce more and more reliable products. The presented methodology is an effective way to estimate the system's reliability by monitoring performance degradation. Its advantage is that the times to failure are not directly observed but the degradation that can be accurately measured. Consequently, the test time can be significantly shorter than if the times to failure are recorded.
ANEMIC: automatic interface enabler for model integrated computing

A domain-specific language provides domain experts with a familiar abstraction for creating computer programs. As more and more domains embrace computers, programmers are tapping into this power by creating their own languages fitting the particular needs of the domain. Graphical domain-specific modeling languages are even more appealing for non-programmers, since the modeling language constructs are automatically transformed into applications through a special compiler called a translator. The Generic Modeling Environment (GME) at Vanderbilt University is a meta-programmable modeling environment. Translators written to interface with GME models typically use a domain-independent API. This paper presents a tool called ANEMIC that generates a domain-specific API for GME translators using the same metamodel that generates the language.
Ethics and Emerging Technologies

We live in a world in which the speed of technological advancement seems exponential. Nowadays, we hear talk of nanotechnology, gene technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence, to name but a few. While these technologies may potentially have a positive impact on the world, they also have the potential to negatively affect individuals, society, and the environment. Ronald Sandler’s book Ethics and Emerging Technologies offers an overview of the topic and gathers contributions from philosophers, ethicists, and policy scholars in an attempt to help students develop linguistic, conceptual, critical, and perspectival resources which will enable them to think carefully about the ethics of new technologies. Set out as a textbook, the book offers one approach to teaching and studying ethics and technology. First, it starts with an overview aimed at identifying crosscutting themes and perspectives in general; second, it is organized by technology type and application, thus focusing in detail on issues raised by particular technologies and applications; third, it includes a related readings section which connects chapters to the relevant parts of the introduction and other chapters with the aim of expanding on critical perspectives; finally, each chapter ends with a series of discussion questions. The first chapter, BIntroduction: Technology and Ethics,^ provides an overview of ethics and emerging technologies as well as of some of the common ethical theory and value concepts employed in the field.Written by the book’s editor R. Sandler, this chapter highlights several prominent themes in the field, on the basis of which a framework is proposed for ethical analysis and evaluation. Here, Sandler argues that the ethics of emerging technologies is Babout which technologies to promote, which to discourage, and how to develop and disseminate them to promote human flourishing in just and ecologically sensitive ways^ (p.5). One very important aspect he emphasizes is that a comprehensive assessment of the social and ethical dimensions of an emerging technology requires one to conduct a power analysis of the technology, asking questions such as the following: who is likely to control and/or have access to the technology? Who is likely to be empowered or disempowered by the technology? Sandler also points out the distinction between extrinsic concerns (about possible problematic outcomes or consequences of a technology such as safety, justice, rights, and autonomy) and intrinsic concerns (objections to the technology itself, independent of what its impacts might be, such as playing God, hubris, and respect for nature) (p.12). The rest of the book is divided into nine parts, each compiling key readings in the particular area of focus and each introduced briefly by the editor. The readings in part I, BGeneral Reflection on Ethics and Technology,^ offer crucial perspectives for ethical analysis and evaluation of emerging technologies. A. Pacey’s paper illustrates the importance of attending to social context when Nanoethics (2015) 9:251–254 DOI 10.1007/s11569-015-0243-0
The textbook problem: Investigating one possible solution

This article explores the inherent problems for academic libraries in providing access to textbooks to students, the growing demand for such access by students, and presents the findings of a reserve pilot project conducted at a major Midwest university. Findings indicate the pros and cons of the pilot attempted as well as demonstrating the need for continued research and collaborative work with appropriate organizations on the campus and beyond.
Radiolytic oxidation of propane: Computer modeling of the reaction scheme

Abstract The oxidation of gaseous propane under gamma radiolysis was studied at 100 torr pressure and 25°C, at oxygen pressures from 1 to 15 torr. Major oxygen-containing products and their G -values with 10% added oxygen are as follows: acetone, 0.98; i -propyl alcohol, 0.86; propionaldehyde, 0.43; n -propyl alcohol, 0.11; acrolein, 0.14; and allyl alcohol, 0.038. Minor products include i -butyl alcohol, t -amyl alcohol, n -butyl alcohol, n -amyl alcohol, and i -amyl alcohol. Small yields of i -hexyl alcohol and n -hexyl alcohol were also observed. There was no apparent difference in the G -values at pressures of 50, 100 and 150 torr. When the oxygen concentration was decreased below 5%, the yields of acetone, i -propyl alcohol, and n -propyl alcohol increased, the propionaldehyde yield decreased, and the yields of other products remained constant. The formation of major oxygen-containing products was explained on the basis that the alkyl radicals combine with molecular oxygen to give peroxyl radicals; the peroxyl radicals react with one another to give alkoxyl radicals, which in turn react with one another to form carbonyl compounds and alcohols. The reaction scheme for the formation of major products was examined using computer modeling based on a mechanism involving 28 reactions. Yields could be brought into agreement with the data within experimental error in nearly all cases.
Effect of Rapid Biphasic Shock Subpulse Switching on Ventricular Defibrillation Thresholds

Introduction: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that significant reductions in defibrillation threshold (DFT) can be achieved by rapidly switching defibrillation pulses within an overall biphasic envelope between multiple endovascular electrode sets. Methods and Results: Defibrillation electrodes were implanted in four locations in nine anesthetized swine (41.7 ± 8.7 kg). Electrodes were implanted into the right ventricular apex (RV), the superior vena cava (SVC), over the left pectoral region as a “hot can” (Can), and within the middle cardiac vein on the posterior left ventricular (LV) surface. The 50% DFT (level for which 50% of delivered shocks successfully defibrillated) for control shocks (7-ms first phase, 0.5-ms interpulse period, 4-ms second phase, RV− SVC++ Can+) were determined to have energy of 20.5 ± 5.5 J (mean ± SD). Mean 50% DFTs were also determined for waveforms that split each phase of the same overall biphasic waveform between various electrode sets. Each phase was divided into 2, 3, 4, or 6 subpulses, the defibrillation shock was sequentially delivered to multiple electrode sets, and DFTs were determined (11.9 ± 4.8 J, 11.7 ± 2.9 J, 17.9 ± 8.7 J, 16.7 ± 6.1 J, respectively). DFT energy was statistically lower than the control (Wilcoxon sign rank test; P < 0.05) when each phase was divided into 2 or 3 subpulses. Conclusion: Rapid shock switching within an overall biphasic waveform between electrode sets including an electrode in the middle cardiac vein potentially can lower DFT energy by 40% or more. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 15, pp. 802-808, July 2004)
The new accounting standards in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland vis-à-vis international accounting standards and European Union directives

Abstract The objective of this study is to describe the new accounting regulations promulgated in three countries in Eastern and Central Europe: the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland. The description and examination focuses on selected accounting standards related to asset valuation and financial reporting. The article also compares specific valuation and financial reporting issues in these countries with the standards recommended by the International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) and the directives of the European Union (EU). This comparison will help to assess the degree of harmonisation between the accounting standards of the selected countries and those of the International Accounting Standards Committee and the directives of the EU.
Introducing biophotonics to first year undergraduates in science and non-science majors: approaches and lessons learned

Engaging students in photonics can be challenging as the field appears lesser known compared to standard majors offered at US Colleges and Universities. At the University of California Davis we teach a well-received introductory biophotonics course that attracts 20-25 honors freshman students yearly. The 40-hour course attracts science, engineering, and humanities majors alike. The course is a basic interdisciplinary exploration of the intersection of biology, physics, medicine, optics and technology with light. In addition to an overview of biophotonics, class participants do hands-on experiments, practice peer-review, interact with biophotonics scientists, and carry out projects to communicate biophotonics to others.© (2010) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Simulating Equipment Interaction With Predictive Dynamics

Recent advances in predictive dynamics allow the user to not only predict physics based human motion simulations but also determine the actuation torques required to achieve those motions. The predictive dynamics approach uses optimization to predict motion while using many task based, physics based, and environment based constraints including the equations of motion. Many tasks have been simulated using this new method of predicting and simulating digital human motion, e.g. walking, running, stair climbing, and box lifting. In this research, we develop a method to predict the motion as well as effect of external equipment hanging on the digital human. The proposed method is tested on a simple case of a two degree of freedom serial chain mechanism with a simple passive system to behave as external equipment. In particular, the passive mass is assumed to be attached to the two links system with a spring and damper. The results of the proposed method are compared with the results obtained by integrating the equations of motion of the full three degree of freedom system.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
LDL Apheresis: An Effective and Safe Treatment for Refractory Hypercholesterolemia

Through the efforts of Edward H. Ahrens, LDL apheresis became available for the treatment of patients, often with familial hypercholesterolemia, who have no alternative therapy for severely elevated LDL cholesterol levels. In the U.S., the FDA has approved this treatment for individuals on maximum diet and drugs with an LDL cholesterol greater than 300 mg/dL or greater than 200 mg/dL with coronary artery disease. Unlike plasmapheresis, apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins (LDL, Lp(a), and VLDL) are selectively removed by heparin precipitation or columns containing dextran sulfate cellulose or antibodies to apolipoprotein B. The acute lowering of LDL-cholesterol by a typical 2 - 3 h treatment is up to 80%, and the time-averaged lowering in the 1 to 2 week interval between treatments is up to 50%, with very few side effects. The lowering of LDL-cholesterol and other cardioprotective effects of LDL apheresis have reduced chest pain, prevented new disability and prolonged life. Whole blood compatible columns in development offer the possibility of simpler and less expensive treatments.
Antibiotic treatment of acute bronchitis in smokers: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: Community physicians in the United States prescribe antibiotics to 80% to 90% of smokers with acute bronchitis. We performed a systematic review of the literature to determine the efficacy of antibiotics for smokers with acute bronchitis. DESIGN: A medline search was done using the keywords bronchitis, cough, and antibiotics to identify English language articles published from January 1966 to September 2001. Randomized, placebo-controlled trials of antibiotics in previously healthy smokers and nonsmokers with acute bronchitis were included. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: For each study, we abstracted information on design, size, inclusion criteria, patient characteristics, and outcomes. Of 2,029 articles in the original search, 109 relevant articles were retrieved and reviewed. There have been no studies specifically addressing antibiotic use in smokers with acute bronchitis. Nine randomized, placebo-controlled trials of antibiotics have included 774 patients and over 276 smokers. Lack of subgroup reporting for smokers precluded meta-analysis. In 7 trials, smoking status did not predict or alter patients’ response to antibiotics. In one trial, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole resulted in less-frequent cough overall, but not among smokers. In another trial, erythromycin reduced symptom scores only among nonsmokers while antibiotic-treated smokers had a trend toward higher symptom scores. CONCLUSION: Although no trials have specifically addressed antibiotic use in smokers with acute bronchitis, existing data suggest that any benefit of antibiotics is the same or less for smokers than for nonsmokers.
Pathobiology of mucositis.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To describe the pathogenesis of mucositis, summarize the techniques used to study the condition, and describe the current five-phase model that defines mucositis pathogenesis. DATA SOURCE: Published research articles, ongoing laboratory and clinical studies, and clinical experience. CONCLUSION: Defining the biological mechanisms associated with mucosal injury is critical for effective intervention. Research performed over the past few years has shown that the pathobiology of mucositis is complex, and involves all of the cells and tissues of the mucosa. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: An understanding of this evolving pathobiologic model of mucositis will enable nurses to more effectively assess and manage mucositis.
Mutual events in the Cold Classical transneptunian binary system Sila and Nunam

Abstract Hubble Space Telescope observations between 2001 and 2010 resolved the binary components of the Cold Classical transneptunian object (79360) Sila–Nunam (provisionally designated 1997 CS29). From these observations we have determined the circular, retrograde mutual orbit of Nunam relative to Sila with a period of 12.50995 ± 0.00036 days and a semimajor axis of 2777 ± 19 km. A multi-year season of mutual events, in which the two near-equal brightness bodies alternate in passing in front of one another as seen from Earth, is in progress right now, and on 2011 February 1 UT, one such event was observed from two different telescopes. The mutual event season offers a rich opportunity to learn much more about this barely-resolvable binary system, potentially including component sizes, colors, shapes, and albedo patterns. The low eccentricity of the orbit and a photometric lightcurve that appears to coincide with the orbital period are consistent with a system that is tidally locked and synchronized, like the Pluto–Charon system. The orbital period and semimajor axis imply a system mass of (10.84 ± 0.22) × 1018 kg, which can be combined with a size estimate based on Spitzer and Herschel thermal infrared observations to infer an average bulk density of 0.72 - 0.23 + 0.37 g cm - 3 , comparable to the very low bulk densities estimated for small transneptunian binaries of other dynamical classes.
Oscillatory Zoning in Plagioclase Feldspar

A kinetic mathematical model of crystal growth from the melt is used to describe quantitatively the phenomenon of oscillatory zoning in plagioclase feldspar. In this model, the functional dependence of crystal growth rate on both melt and crystal surface composition and the transport of material within the melt are explicitly considered. Oscillatory zoning is found to develop for a wide variety of such functional dependence and to be sensitive to the initial composition of the melt.
Normalized Lift: An Energy Interpretation of the Lift Coefficient Simplifies Comparisons of the Lifting Ability of Rotating and Flapping Surfaces

For a century, researchers have used the standard lift coefficient CL to evaluate the lift, L, generated by fixed wings over an area S against dynamic pressure, ½ρv2, where v is the effective velocity of the wing. Because the lift coefficient was developed initially for fixed wings in steady flow, its application to other lifting systems requires either simplifying assumptions or complex adjustments as is the case for flapping wings and rotating cylinders. This paper interprets the standard lift coefficient of a fixed wing slightly differently, as the work exerted by the wing on the surrounding flow field (L/ρ·S), compared against the total kinetic energy required for generating said lift, ½v2. This reinterpreted coefficient, the normalized lift, is derived from the work-energy theorem and compares the lifting capabilities of dissimilar lift systems on a similar energy footing. The normalized lift is the same as the standard lift coefficient for fixed wings, but differs for wings with more complex motions; it also accounts for such complex motions explicitly and without complex modifications or adjustments. We compare the normalized lift with the previously-reported values of lift coefficient for a rotating cylinder in Magnus effect, a bat during hovering and forward flight, and a hovering dipteran. The maximum standard lift coefficient for a fixed wing without flaps in steady flow is around 1.5, yet for a rotating cylinder it may exceed 9.0, a value that implies that a rotating cylinder generates nearly 6 times the maximum lift of a wing. The maximum normalized lift for a rotating cylinder is 1.5. We suggest that the normalized lift can be used to evaluate propellers, rotors, flapping wings of animals and micro air vehicles, and underwater thrust-generating fins in the same way the lift coefficient is currently used to evaluate fixed wings.
Techniques for assessing protein and glucose kinetics

Isotopic labelling techniques can lead to a better understanding of the changes in substrate flow resulting from trauma and other pathological conditions. This article describes the basic approaches used to measure rates of substrate flow, especially those using stable isotopes, and their application to the study of glucose and protein kinetics. Methods for measuring glucose turnover and gluconeogenesis in the whole body by constant infusion of different labelled forms of glucose are explained. The advantages of measuring regional rates of glucose metabolism, using arteriovenous balance of tracer and tracee, are illustrated with results demonstrating the role of gluconeogenesis by the kidney. Similar approaches are used to measure protein turnover rates in the whole body and in specific regions, with labelled amino acids such as [1- 13 C]leucine. In addition, rates of protein synthesis in individual tissues can be assessed by measuring the incorporation of tracer into protein of a biopsy sample. The relative merits of two methods of giving the tracer, by constant infusion or by flooding injection, are explained, with examples of studies of muscle protein synthesis in surgical patients.
Effects of livestock grazing on rangeland grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae) abundance

Livestock may impact habitat quality for grasshoppers by reducing food availability and by altering microclimate and potential oviposition sites. A 5-year study was conducted to create consistent grazing impacts on replicated plots and measure their effects on plant cover, microclimate, and grasshopper abundance. Cattle were used to produce two levels of grazing intensity that were compared to ungrazed controls. Differences in plant cover were greatest immediately after grazing each summer, grasshopper microhabitats tending to be shadier, cooler, less windy, and more humid in the ungrazed plots. The grasshopper assemblage included five of the worst pest grasshopper species in North America: Ageneotettix deorum, Aulocara elliotti, Melanoplus sanguinipes, M. packardii, and Camnula pellucida. Most species had greater abundance on ungrazed pastures, particularly during the 4–6 weeks after grazing each year. However, A. elliotti was often more abundant in heavily grazed areas early in the year when early instars were present and in late summer when adults were predominant. There was no strong evidence that the effect of grazing on grasshopper abundance increased over the 5-year study. At this time, all changes in grasshopper numbers cannot be directly attributed to particular habitat characteristics that changed after grazing, but the results suggest that grazing management could be used to reduce pest grasshopper densities.
Axaf : A Major Spaceborne X-Ray Observatory

Attention is given to the design configuration and performance requirements of the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility, as established by Phase A study results, noting the conceptual apprach to instrument accommodation by means of a focal plane assembly. Conceptually, the various instruments incorporated are modular in design, so that they may be replaced in orbit using standard interfaces. The instruments in question are high and moderate resolution imagers, a high resolution dispersive spectrometer, a moderate resolution spectrometer, and a focal plane polarimeter.
Proton spin diffusion as a tool for characterizing polymer blends

Proton spin diffusion studies for characterizing minimum domain dimensions have been carried out on three blends: a 40/60 blend of nylon 6,6 with the aromatic rigid rod polymer poly(benzo[a,d]dithiazol-2,6-diyl-1,4-phenylene), PBZT, a 47/53 blend of an amorphous nylon with PBZT, and a 50/50 blend of a polyetherimide (PEI) and a polybenzimidazole (PBI). Polarization gradients necessary for these experiments were generated using both chemical shift differences (via multiple pulse techniques) and linewidth differences. Polarization readout techniques included proton lineshape deconvolution, multiple pulse proton lineshapes and 13C CPMAS spectra utilizing short CP times. The two nylon/PBZT blends are expected to phase separate from thermodynamic arguments; however, kinetic considerations, more than thermodynamics, determine domain size. In the 40/60 blend, the minimum domain dimensions of each of the nylon and the PBZT phases were about 4 nm with some scattered larger crystals of nylon. In the 47/53 blend, mixing in some regions indicated domain dimensions similar to the 40/60 blend. In contrast to the 40/60 blend, however, the 47/53 blend was still far from internal spin polarization equilibrium after spin diffusion times of 140 ms. The implication is that the sample-average composition is not found over dimensions like 40 nm; the problem is that the possible morphological explanations are manifold. By investigating the proton rotating frame relaxation, T1p, the possibility that some of the PBZT domains are isolated from the nylon, in a spin diffusion sense, was eliminated. It is more likely that about half of the nylon protons are isolated by spin diffusion from the PBZT protons on a 140 ms timescale. The PEI/PBI blend is a compatible blend of two aromatic polymers where mixing on a molecular scale is expected. We were interested in a measurement of the lower limit of domain size using proton spin diffusion. This lower limit turned out to be about 2.5 nm based on low temperature T1p measurements as opposed to room temperature multiple pulse methods. The latter measurements monitored the disappearance of a polarization gradient between the PEI methyl protons and all the remaining protons. The superiority of the T1p measurements over the multiple pulse method for establishing the smaller minimum domain dimension is not a general result and reasons are discussed. Finally, some general remarks about characterizing polymer blends by solid state NMR, particularly blends which have undergone spinodal phase separation, are included.
Circulating reverse triiodothyronine (rT3) in the dog.

Abstract Plasma reverse triiodothyronine (rT 3 ) concentration was measured by radio immunoassay (RIA) in a group of 15 dogs. The mean rT 3 concentration was 187 ng/100 ml which was 3 times higher than radioimmunoassayable triiodothyronine (T 3 ) concentration. rT 3 measurement in thyroid and peripheral venous plasma in 3 dogs showed that the unusually high circulating rT 3 levels in this species could not be explained on the basis of augmented thyroidal rT 3 secretion. Study of rT 3 -protein binding by equilibrium dialysis also failed to show any evidence of unusual rT 3 -protein interaction (rT 3 free fraction was 2 — 3 times greater than in normal human serum). Among all the species examined so far (man, monkey, sheep, dog and rat), only in the dog are the circulating rT 3 levels significantly higher than T 3 suggesting that in this species the 5-deiodination, in marked contrast to the 5'-deiodination noted in several other species, is a major pathway normally involved in the initial monodeiodination of T 4 .
Inflammatory bowel disease: lymphocytic responses to nonspecific stimulation in vitro.

The in vitro lymphocytic response, measured by deoxyuridine-125I uptake, in unstimulated cultures and in phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated cultures in 7 patients with active chronic ulcerative colitis was normal, in contrast to the decreased response to Concanavidin A (Con A) stimulation. Lymphocytes from 13 patients with active Crohn's disease had increased uptake in unstimulated cultures but normal uptake in PHA- and Con A-stimulated cultures. Lymphocytes from patients with chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease showed decreased responses to PHA and Con A stimulation in the immediate postoperarative period, similar to that found in patients who had surgery for conditions other than inflammatory bowel disease.
Accelerating Big Data Processing on Modern Clusters

Modern clusters are having multi-/many-core architectures, high-performance rdma-enabled interconnects and SSD-based storage devices. Hadoop framework is extensively being used these days for Big Data processing. Spark framework is emerging for real-time analytics. Similarly, Memcached is being used in data centers with Web 2.0 environment. This talk will provide an overview of challenges in accelerating Hadoop, Spark and Memcached on modern clusters. An overview of RDMA-based designs for multiple components of Hadoop (HDFS, MapReduce, RPC and HBase), Spark and Memcached will be presented. Performance benefits of these designs on various cluster configurations will be shown. The talk will also address the need for designing benchmarks using a multi-layered and systematic approach, which can be used to evaluate the performance of these middleware.
Specific detection of Clostridium difficile toxin A gene sequences in clinical isolates

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to specifically detect toxin A gene sequences of Clostridium difficile in DNA isolated from human faeces. A set of oligonucleotide primers derived from the non-repetitive region of the toxin A gene was developed to amplify a 634-bp DNA fragment. All 28 cytotoxic strains of C. difficile, previously characterized by a toxin B-PCR assay, were positive for the presence of toxin A gene sequences. No amplification products were obtained from DNAs extracted from non-toxigenic strains, strains of C. sordellii, or C. bifermentans. In addition, amplification of DNA extracted from C. difficile 8864, a strain which does not produce toxin A, resulted in multiple bands which probed negative for toxin A gene sequences. DNAs extracted from nine stool specimens which were positive for toxin B by the cytotoxicity assay and by the toxin B-PCR assay were also positive in this assay. Toxin A gene sequences were detected in DNAs obtained from 4/11 stool specimens which were negative by the toxin B cytotoxicity assay. These four specimens were from patients who had a history of relapses due to C. difficile-associated colitis, and whose stools had previously been found to be positive by the toxin B-PCR test despite no detectable toxin B in the specimens. These data indicate a comparable degree of clinical sensitivity between these two toxin-gene PCR-based assays. This rapid, sensitive and specific assay may be useful not only in the diagnosis of C. difficile infections, but also in molecular studies of the toxin A gene in C. difficile strains.
Inhibition of human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase by 15-HPETE and related eicosanoids.

The inhibition of human leukocyte 5-lipoxygenase by 15-hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acid and its chemical or enzymatic rearrangement products was investigated. 15-Hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid was the most potent inhibitor tested. The inhibition was found to be time dependent and is not due to chemical or enzymatic decomposition products nor metabolism of 15-hydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid to 5,15-dihydroperoxyeicosatetraenoic acid.
Empathy in Sexually Offending and Nonoffending Adolescent Males

Empathy development is believed to be an important element in adolescent sex offender treatment. Adolescence is a time of considerable self-absorption among adolescent boys. This study investigates levels of empathy among adolescent offenders in comparison with their nonoffending counterparts. Participants were 23 male sex offenders and 23 male nonoffenders between the ages of 13 and 18. Participants were administered Davis's Interpersonal Reactivity Index as a measure of empathy. The sex offender group scored significantly lower in empathy on the overall score. There was some variation on the individual subscales. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
On a mechanism for orographic triggering of tropical cyclones in the Eastern North Pacific

It has been observed that the subtropical Eastern Pacific Ocean, just west of the Sierra Madre Mountains in central Mexico, is a favored location for the initiation of tropical cyclones, in spite of the fact that sea surface temperatures are not anomalous in the region. Currently accepted theories of tropical cyclogenesis require the presence of a pre-existing vortex located above a suitably warm sea surface. The distribution of tropical cyclogenesis off Mexico suggests that the initial disturbances may be orographically generated. We employ a two-dimensional, adiabatic, inviscid, Boussinesq, quasi-geostrophic model of flow over topography on a β-plane to examine the generation of regions of cyclonic vorticity in the subtropics by an incident flow which may approach the mountain at a specified angle. For incident wind configurations that correspond to the climatological northeast tradewinds, the orographic disturbance consists of an evanescent mountain anticyclone. For certain southeasterly flows, corresponding to the presence of large scale standing or slowly moving waves in the region, the orographic disturbance consists of a series of cyclonic and anticyclonic vorticity centres located in the southwest quadrant of the model atmosphere. These results are consistent with the observed behaviour of tropical cyclogenesis off of the coast of Mexico. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0870.1991.00003.x
Locus of Control and Activity Level as Moderators in the Quantitative Job Demands—Satisfaction/ Psychological Anxiety Relationship: An Experimental Analysis

The present study examined the impact the quantitative job demands on satisfaction and psychological anxiety. In addition, the moderating effects of locus of control and activity level were examined. Consistent with the literature, perceptions of job demands were found to negatively affect satisfaction and positively affect psychological anxiety. Individuals reporting high activity levels had the strongest positive relationship between perceived job demands and psychological anxiety. Finally, external locus of control strengthened the negative relationship between perceived job demands and satisfaction. Results and social implications are discussed.
The Origins of New Deal Agricultural Policy: Interest Groups' Role in Policy Formation

In its examination of New Deal agricultural programs, this article takes issue with the pluralist, state-centered, and class-centered approaches which ignore the complexity of these policy programs' development and implementation as well as the role of organized interests. This over simplification is rectified through a comparison of the AAA and FSA programs, which demonstrates the primary role played in these programs' existance by organized interests both outside and within, the state.
Ultralow-threshold-current-density quantum dot lasers using the dots-in-a-well (DWELL) structure

Quantum dots laser diodes using the dots-in-a-well (DWELL) structure (InAs dots in an InGaAs quantum wells) have exhibited significant recent progress. With a single InAs dot layer in In 0.15 Ga 0.85 As quantum well, threshold current densities are as low as 26 A cm -2 at 1.25 micrometer. Quantum dot laser threshold current densities are now lower than any other reported semiconductor laser. In this work, the threshold current density is reduced to 16 A cm -2 by HR coatings on the same device. Further investigation of performance reveals that use of multiple DWELL stacks improves the modal gain and internal quantum efficiency. It is suggested that carrier heating out of the quantum dots limits the T O value of these DWELL lasers.
Enhanced ionic conduction in dispersed solid electrolyte systems (DSES) and/or multiphase systems: AglAl2O3, AglSiO2, AglFly ash, and AglAgBr

Abstract Alternating current electrical conductivity (σ) data are presented for AgIAl2O3, AgISiO2, AgI-fly ash, and AgIAgBr as functions of composition, temperature, and frequency. Unlike the predictions of the classical theories of Rayleigh and Maxwell, conductivity enhancements by as much as two to three orders of magnitude have been obtained at 25°C without appreciable change in the electronic conductivities. The σ enhancement strongly depends on the particle size and the concentration of the dispersoids, as well as on the process variables, e.g., the heat treatment of the dispersoids, premelting of the electrolytes, etc., and also on cold and hot pressing. The Al2O3 is found somewhat unique in the sense that it leads to a maximum enhancement (by ∼ 103 times) when used as received and when the electrolyte in the mixture is premelted, while SiO2 and fly ash (without premelting the electrolyte) lead to an enhancement by a factor of ∼50 and show no significant effect of premelting. SEM studies, coupled with the frequency-dependent σ data, suggest that the enhancement is due to bulk rather than grain-boundary or surface conduction. The enhanced σ is usually accompanied by a decrease in activation energy, suggesting that the dispersoids generate excess of lattice defects and thereby increase the conductivity, which is consistent with a recent theoretical model, as well as with the latest thermoelectric power measurements.
A hidden bias in a common calorimeter calibration scheme

Abstract In this paper, a common calorimeter calibration scheme is explored and a hidden bias found. Since this bias mimics a non-linearity in response in the calorimeter, it must be understood and removed from the calibration before true non-linearities are investigated. The effect and its removal are explored and understood through straightforward calculus and algebra.