cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arginase deficiency manifesting delayed clinical sequelae and induction of a kidney arginase isozyme

Deficiency of liver arginase (AI) is characterized clinically by hyperargininemia, progressive mental impairment, growth retardation, spasticity, and periodic episodes of hyperammonemia. The rarest of the inborn errors of urea cycle enzymes, it has been considered the least life-threatening, by virtue of the typical absence of catastrophic neonatal hyperammonemia and its compatibility with a longer life span. This has been attributed to the persistence of some ureagenesis in these patients through the activity of a second isozyme of arginase (AII) located predominantly in the kidney. We have treated a number of arginase-deficient patients into young adulthood. While they are severely retarded and wheelchair-bound, their general medical care has been quite tractable. Recently, however, two of the oldest (M.U., age 20, and M.O., age 22) underwent rapid deterioration, ending in hyperammonemic coma and death, precipitated by relatively minor viral respiratory illnesses inducing a catabolic state with increased endogenous nitrogen load. In both cases, postmortem examination revealed severe global cerebral edema and aspiration pneumonia. Enzyme assays confirmed the absence of AI activity in the livers of both patients. In contrast, AII activity (identified by its different cation cofactor requirements and lack of precipitation with anti-AI antibody) was markedly elevated in kidney tissues, 20-fold in M.O. and 34-fold in M.U. Terminal plasma arginine (1500 mumols/l) and ammonia (1693 mmol/l) levels of M.U. were substantially higher than those of M.O. (348 mumols/l and 259 mumols/l, respectively). By Northern blot analysis, AI mRNA was detected in M.O.'s liver but not in M.U.'s; similarly, anti-AI crossreacting material was observed by Western blot in M.O. only. These findings indicate that, despite their more long-lived course, patients with arginase deficiency remain vulnerable to the same catastrophic events of hyperammonemia that patients with other urea cycle disorders typically suffer in infancy. Further, unlike those other disorders, an attempt is made to compensate for the primary enzyme deficiency by induction of another isozyme in a different tissue. Such substrate-stimulated induction of an enzyme may be unique in a medical genetics setting and raises novel options for eventual gene therapy of this disorder.
A rapid method for production of sharp tips on preinsulated microwires.

Abstract A rapid method is described which makes it possible to obtain sharp, pencil-like tips on factory-insulated tungsten wires. These features cannot be achieved on preinsulated wire using electrolytic etching techniques. In essence, the cut end of an insulated 25 μm wire is ground on a flat metal surface containing a thin layer of powdered diamond. When both the wire and the diamond-covered disc are rotated simultaneously, a sharp pointed tip is produced within 2–5 min with a smoothly tapering sleeve of insulation. The resulting tips yielded high-quality single-unit spike trains when tested in rat cochlear nucleus. This method lends itself well to those single unit or multineuronal studies requiring rapid, low-cost electrode production, and minimum tissue damage.
Studies on the loci of action of cortical hormones in inhibiting the release of adrenocorticotrophin.

Compensatory adrenal hypertrophy is reduced in rats with diabetes insipidus as a result of hypothalamic lesions. Adrenal atrophy can be produced by injection of exogenous hydrocortisone into rats with diabetes insipidus. Rats with mild diabetes insipidus require less steroid to produce this effect than do normal rats, whereas rats with severe diabetes insipidus require more steroid than do normal rats. It is concluded that variations in cortical hormone concentration in the blood can still alter the release of ACTH in rats with diabetes insipidus though these rats may be. less sensitive to such alterations than normal rats. Administration of a large dose of hydrocortisone acetate to rats diminished the antidiuretic response to a standard mild electric shock stimulus and decreased the antidiuretic hormone titer in jugular venous plasma from stressed rats.
Structural Impact of Infinite Water Chains on the Self-Assembly of an Inorganic−Metal−Organic Architecture

The structure of {p-C6H4[CH2OCH2C(pz)3]2[Ru(p-cymene)]2}Cl4·14H2O (pz = pyrazolyl ring) contains a one-dimensional water chain associated into an inorganic (carbon-free) layer with chloride anions by hydrogen bonds. This layer acts as a “host” supporting the non-self-assembled metal−organic “guests”.
Measurement of the interledge spacing on ō′ precipitates in AlCu alloys

Mesure stereologique par microscopie electronique en transmission. Evolution de l'espacement au cours de la precipitation dans l'alliage Al-4% Cu
Language, education and politics in the maghreb

Abstract The constitutions of all of the countries of the Maghreb declare Arabic to be the national language. Political and intellectual elites overwhelmingly endorse Arabisation of the educational system. A generation after independence, the goal is as elusive as it was during colonial days. Many have argued that this goal has not been reached because of the technical (linguistic) deficiencies of Arabic as compared with the advantages French offers as a modern language of science and technology. In this article, the author argues that the real obstacles to successful Arabisation are political in nature. The political and economic interests of the ruling elites and those of the former colonial power merge to constitute a formidable alliance favouring half‐baked solutions that perpetuate bilingualism and in the process the power and privileges of these elites. Arabisation is used by the Maghrebian national elites to legitimise their control and domination without any intention of implementing it to any deg...
Mucolipins: Intracellular TRPML1-3 channels

The mucolipin family of Transient Receptor Potential (TRPML) proteins is predicted to encode ion channels expressed in intracellular endosomes and lysosomes. Loss-of-function mutations of human TRPML1 cause type IV mucolipidosis (ML4), a childhood neurodegenerative disease. Meanwhile, gain-of-function mutations in the mouse TRPML3 result in the varitint-waddler (Va) phenotype with hearing and pigmentation defects. The broad spectrum phenotypes of ML4 and Va appear to result from certain aspects of endosomal/lysosomal dysfunction. Lysosomes, traditionally believed to be the terminal “recycling center” for biological “garbage”, are now known to play indispensable roles in intracellular signal transduction and membrane trafficking. Studies employing animal models and cell lines in which TRPML genes have been genetically disrupted or depleted have uncovered roles of TRPMLs in multiple cellular functions including membrane trafficking, signal transduction, and organellar ion homeostasis. Physiological assays of mammalian cell lines in which TRPMLs are heterologously overexpressed have revealed the channel properties of TRPMLs in mediating cation (Ca2+/Fe2+) efflux from endosomes and lysosomes in response to unidentified cellular cues. This review aims to summarize these recent advances in the TRPML field and to correlate the channel properties of endolysosomal TRPMLs with their biological functions. We will also discuss the potential cellular mechanisms by which TRPML deficiency leads to neurodegeneration.
Effect of Soy Protein Containing Isoflavones on Blood Lipids in Moderately Hypercholesterolemic Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND: Dietary intake of soy protein with isoflavones may be associated with reductions in serum cholesterol. OBJECTIVES: To compare the effects of a water-washed soy protein concentrate with a milk-protein based control on blood lipid levels in hyperlipidemic men and women. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial including 159 subjects. After a 3-week run-in period during which all subjects consumed a milk protein-based supplement, participants were randomized into one of two groups: a control group (continued milk protein) and an intervention group (soy protein) for a five-week period. Fasting venous blood draws for lipid measurement were obtained at baseline, towards the end of the run-in period and at the end of the intervention. Blood isoflavone concentrations were measured at the end of the study. RESULTS: Blood lipid levels were not significantly different between groups at any point in time; and there were no significant associations between blood isoflavones and lipid levels. Significant decreases in total cholesterol (19 mg/dL), and LDL-cholesterol (11 mg/dL), were observed during the run-in period, with no further decreases in lipids during the intervention period in either group. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support the hypothesis that water-washed soy protein has an effect on blood lipids. Several hypotheses are discussed, highlighting the selective nature of the effect of soy consumption in the population. The cholesterol-lowering effect during the run-in period may be explained by the "regression to the mean effect" and by other factors related to study participation, mainly nutrient displacement induced by the protein supplement.
Smoking on School Property as a Risk Factor for Substance Use Among Adolescent Smokers

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the current study was to determine if smoking on high-school property was associated with increased risk for other substance use among U.S. adolescents. Secondary analyses were carried out with data from the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS, N = 15,503). Only adolescents who reported smoking at least one cigarette in the last 30 days were selected for analyses (n = 2531, 44% female). Alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine use was assessed among participants. Binary logistic regression analysis was carried out to examine the relationship between smoking on school property (yes versus no) with each of the substance use variables. Adolescent smokers who reported smoking on school property were significantly more likely to report substance use across all substances examined compared to smokers who did not smoke on campus. For example, campus smokers were 3.91 times more likely to use marijuana in their lifetime and 3.85 times more likely to have used crack or cocaine in their lifetime com...
A comparison of ANSI and IEC standards for power station polyphase induction (asynchronous) motors

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) is encouraging the comparison of American and offshore standards and documentation of the comparison findings. At the 1994 IEEE Winter Power Meeting, the Electric Machinery Committee Working Group on Standards Comparison met on February 2, 1994, to assign specific documents for comparison. Task forces were established for nine categories of electric machinery. The subject of this paper is the comparison of ANSI C50.41-1982, "Polyphase induction motors for power stations", with the IEC 34 series standards covering "Rotating electrical machines", which was performed under the auspices of the large asynchronous machines task force. The paper is based on the comparison issued on August 4, 1994.
Transport of silver in virgin and lactating rats and relation to copper.

Abstract Virgin and lactating Sprague Dawley rats were used to determine whether the pathways of silver transport to tissues and milk resemble those for copper. Rats were injected i.p. with small amounts of 110AgNO3. Blood and tissues were examined at various times thereafter for total radioactivity and for incorporation into copper binding proteins in plasma and milk. As with 67Cu, much of the 110Ag was rapidly incorporated into the liver. Skeletal muscle, spleen, mammary gland, ovaries, uterus and adrenals also were significant initial accumulation sites, with or without lactation. Lactation enhanced uptake by the mammary gland, and radioactivity rapidly entered the milk and milk ceruloplasmin. In the plasma, most of the 110Ag bound to a single component of apparent molecular weight 800 k throughout the 52 h period examined. A small proportion was also incorporated into plasma ceruloplasmin, as determined by immunoprecipitation and native gel electrophoresis. There was little or no association of 110Ag with albumin or transcuprein. The binding of 110Ag to the 800 kDa protein was tight. Off rates during pH 7 dialysis were
A novel method for characterization of liquid transport through micro-wicking arrays

The existing methods for predicting/modeling the permeability of a wick structure involve the use of a capillary pressure model. Thus, the validity of the existing permeability models has not been verified independent of the capillary pressure. Here, for the first time, the permeability and capillary pressure of monoporous wick structures have been independently determined using a new experimental approach. In the new approach, the liquid mass flow rate against gravity is measured by testing the wick at its dryout threshold at different wicking lengths. The permeability and capillary pressure of the wick are then uniquely determined by curve fitting the wicking length-dependent mass flow data. The advantage of the developed method over Washburn’s rate of rise technique is that the current method yields both capillary pressure and permeability values while the former only returns the product of the two parameters. The permeability values obtained from the experiments were used to examine the accuracy of the existing permeability models.
Continued fraction solution to a nonlinear integral equation

Abstract An algorithm is described which yields the continued fraction solution to a nonlinear integral equation and a numerical example is presented.
Horizontally curved steel bridge seismic vulnerability assessment

Abstract Most computational research related to steel bridge seismic vulnerability has focused on statistical extrapolation of analysis results for individual straight bridges. However, there has been a steady growth in the use of horizontally curved steel bridges in highways and interchanges in large urban regions. Given the large number of curved steel bridge structures in use in the US and abroad, with some of those structures being located in seismic zones, the feasibility of examining the effects of curvature on bridge vulnerability should be investigated. In this study, the seismic performance characteristics of an existing inventory of horizontally curved, steel, I-girder bridges located in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland were used to generate fragility curves. Representative fragility curves for horizontally curved, steel, I-girder bridges were estimated using Response Surface Metamodels (RSMs) in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation. The methodology was used to construct fragility curves for select bridge components (bearings, columns and abutments). The curves were generated for four different, preexisting, performance states that represented slight, moderate, extensive, and complete damage under varying levels of earthquake intensity. The generated fragility curves provided information related to seismic response of the bridge inventory that was investigated, such as radial deformations at the bearings being the most susceptible component to seismic loads.
A hardcopy backup and reconstruction system for digital images

Large amounts of images are captured every day and digital storage solutions are the most prevalent approach to preserve them. This paper proposes to augment the existing solutions with a modernized hardcopy backup, which can serve as a fall-back solution if everything else fails and can be enjoyed at the same time. In particular, the collection of images is printed in form of an inexpensive photo-album, which is augmented with printed human readable meta-information designed to enable an easy reconstruction of the the digital version of the original images. The methodology is illustrated using a set of digital sRGB images and printed simulations of faded versions of those images, which are scanned and reconstructed in an automatic and manual way and are compared to the results of a scanner reconstruction software and to the original images.
Racial Threat or Racial Contact? How Race Affected Third-Party Presidential Voting in the Antebellum North*

Objective. In this study, the “racial threat” and “racial contact” hypotheses are evaluated in relation to voting for the Liberty and Free Soil Parties in the North during the 1840s. Methods. Regression models are used to predict the effect of county-level black populations on Liberty and Free Soil vote percentages in relation to types of employment. Results. Racial threat occurred in high manufacturing counties, but racial contact/threat emerged in more agricultural counties. The effects vary by party and region of the North. Conclusion. The effects of racial context on political behavior during this era are mixed, much like modern political studies have uncovered.
RegPredict: an integrated system for regulon inference in prokaryotes by comparative genomics approach

RegPredict web server is designed to provide comparative genomics tools for reconstruction and analysis of microbial regulons using comparative genomics approach. The server allows the user to rapidly generate reference sets of regulons and regulatory motif profiles in a group of prokaryotic genomes. The new concept of a cluster of co-regulated orthologous operons allows the user to distribute the analysis of large regulons and to perform the comparative analysis of multiple clusters independently. Two major workflows currently implemented in RegPredict are: (i) regulon reconstruction for a known regulatory motif and (ii) ab initio inference of a novel regulon using several scenarios for the generation of starting gene sets. RegPredict provides a comprehensive collection of manually curated positional weight matrices of regulatory motifs. It is based on genomic sequences, ortholog and operon predictions from the MicrobesOnline. An interactive web interface of RegPredict integrates and presents diverse genomic and functional information about the candidate regulon members from several web resources. RegPredict is freely accessible at http://regpredict.lbl.gov.
Dystroglycan glycosylation and its role in matrix binding in skeletal muscle

Dystroglycan is an essential component of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Three glycan sequencing studies have identified O-linked mannose chains, including NeuAcalpha 2,3Galbeta 1,4GlcNAcbeta 1,2Manalpha-O, on alpha dystroglycan. Chemical deglycosylation of alpha dystroglycan, antibody blocking studies, and glycan blocking studies all suggest that the O-linked glycans on alpha dystroglycan mediate the binding of extracellular matrix proteins in skeletal muscle. Structural data on laminin G domains and agrin-binding studies also suggest this is the case. Dystroglycan, however, is able to bind proteins via mechanisms that do not involve O-linked glycans. Moreover, laminin and other matrix proteins can bind cell adhesion molecules via their glycan chains. Thus although complex and sometimes not overly convincing, these data suggest that glycosylation plays an important role in dystroglycan binding and function in skeletal muscle.
Mammalian Scratch: A neural-specific Snail family transcriptional repressor

Members of the Snail family of zinc finger transcription factors are known to play critical roles in neurogenesis in invertebrates, but none of these factors has been linked to vertebrate neuronal differentiation. We report the isolation of a gene encoding a mammalian Snail family member that is restricted to the nervous system. Human and murine Scratch (Scrt) share 81% and 69% identity to Drosophila Scrt and the Caenorhabditis elegans neuronal antiapoptotic protein, CES-1, respectively, across the five zinc finger domain. Expression of mammalian Scrt is predominantly confined to the brain and spinal cord, appearing in newly differentiating, postmitotic neurons and persisting into postnatal life. Additional expression is seen in the retina and, significantly, in neuroendocrine (NE) cells of the lung. In a parallel fashion, we detect hScrt expression in lung cancers with NE features, especially small cell lung cancer. hScrt shares the capacity of other Snail family members to bind to E-box enhancer motifs, which are targets of basic helix--loop--helix (bHLH) transcription factors. We show that hScrt directly antagonizes the function of heterodimers of the proneural bHLH protein achaete-scute homolog-1 and E12, leading to active transcriptional repression at E-box motifs. Thus, Scrt has the potential to function in newly differentiating, postmitotic neurons and in cancers with NE features by modulating the action of bHLH transcription factors critical for neuronal differentiation.
In situ thermal parameter estimation for HIFU therapy planning and treatment monitoring

The paper presents a noninvasive method of estimating the bioheat transfer equation (BHTE) parameters (namely, thermal diffusivity, K, and the normalized local heat source, Q) in situ during HIFU therapy. The method analyses the raw acoustic backscatter data using novel signal processing techniques. First, a heat exposure at sub-ablative intensities is performed to determine K, followed by another at therapeutic intensities to obtain Q. In vitro experiments, performed in a tissue-mimicking alginate phantom, demonstrate that the noninvasive estimates of K and Q are in good agreement with those obtained independently using established methods. The results show potential for the applicability of these techniques in therapy planning and monitoring for therapeutic dose optimization using real-time temperature feedback.
Social Facilitation, Modeling, and Motivational Orientation

When asked about the influence his mentors had on his professional development, a Nobel laureate in physics recalled their importance, not so much as teachers, but as models of thinking and working: I knew the techniques of research. I knew a lot of physics. I had the words, the libretto, but not quite the music. In other words, I had not been in contact with men who were deeply imbedded in the tradition of physics: men of high quality. This was my first real contact with first-rate creative minds at the high point of their power. (Zuckerman, 1977, p. 123)
Free Kronecker decision diagrams and their application to Atmel 6000 series FPGA mapping

This paper introduces the concepts of PseudoKronecker Decision Diagrams (PKDDs) with Negated Edges, as well as F+ee Kronecker Decision Diagrams (FKDDs), that generalize both the well-known Binary Decision Diagmms and Functional Decision Diagmms, as well as Ihe recently introduced Ordered Kronecker Decision Diagrams (OKDDs . We give efficient algorithm for Ihe generation / o FKDDs for multi-output functions and show their application 20 FPGA mapping. On MCNC benchmarks we demon&ale Ihe advantage of FKDDs in terms of reduced number.9 of nodes (cells) and levels in Ihe circuit over Ihe OKDDs and Permuted RM ties. The mapping algorithm can be easily adopied lo other cellular FPGAS, especially those from Motorola.
An “Afterthought”: Counseling Trainees’ Multicultural Competence Within the Spiritual/Religious Domain

Although spiritual/religious identity development is included within multicultural training on the theoretical level, significant gaps exist in counseling trainees’ practical preparation for spiritual/religious competence. This grounded theory study explores counseling trainees’ multicultural counseling competence within the spiritual/religious domain. Findings reveal that although trainees participated in multicultural counseling preparation, they experienced spiritual/religious training as an “afterthought,” and they identified the need for training opportunities that encouraged skill development and exploration and increased self-awareness. A pesar de que se incluye el desarrollo de la identidad espiritual o religiosa a nivel teorico en la formacion multicultural, existen vacios significativos en la preparacion practica de los estudiantes de consejeria para su competencia espiritual o religiosa. Este estudio de teoria fundamentada explora la competencia multicultural de estudiantes de consejeria dentro del ambito espiritual o religioso. Los hallazgos revelan que, aunque los estudiantes tomaron parte en preparacion para consejeria multicultural, solo experimentaron capacitacion espiritual o religiosa como una idea secundaria, e identificaron la necesidad de oportunidades de formacion que impulsen la exploracion y el desarrollo de habilidades asi como un aumento de la autoconciencia.
Peroxynitrite induces covalent dimerization of epidermal growth factor receptors in A431 epidermoid carcinoma cells

Irreversible tyrosine modifications by inflammatory oxidants such as peroxynitrite (ONOO-) can affect signal transduction pathways involving tyrosine phosphorylation. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), a member of the c-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase family, is involved in regulation of epithelial cell growth and differentiation, and possible modulation of EGFR-dependent signaling by ONOO- was studied. Exposure of epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells to 0.1-1.0 mM ONOO- resulted in tyrosine nitration on EGFR and other proteins but did not significantly affect EGFR tyrosine autophosphorylation. A high molecular mass tyrosine-phosphorylated protein (approximately 340 kDa) was detected in A431 cell lysates after exposure to ONOO-, most likely representing a covalently dimerized form of EGFR, based on immunoprecipitation and/or immunoblotting with alpha-EGFR antibodies and co-migration with ligand-induced EGFR dimers cross-linked with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide. Covalent EGFR dimerization by ONOO- probably involved intermolecular dityrosine cross-linking and was enhanced after receptor activation with epidermal growth factor. Furthermore, irreversibly cross-linked EGFR was more extensively tyrosine-phosphorylated compared with the monomeric form, indicating that ONOO- preferentially cross-links activated EGFR. Exposure of A431 cells to ONOO- markedly reduced the kinetics of tyrosine phosphorylation of a downstream EGFR substrate, phospholipase C-gamma1, which may be related to covalent alterations in EGFR. Alteration of EGFR signaling by covalent EGFR dimerization by inflammatory oxidants such as ONOO- may affect conditions of increased EGFR activation such as epithelial repair or tumorigenesis.
An advanced dataflow processor architecture based on a multiple input node concept

A novel dataflow concept, multiple input node, is introduced to overcome the performance and efficiency degradation problems that exist in the current dataflow computation models. Multiple input node is a new computation code which has 4 inputs; hence it can accept up to 4 token packets at a time. The unique architecture of the multiple input node reduces the number of token packets in the system and therefore increases performance. Also introduced is a newly designed dataflow processor architecture, multiple input node dataflow processor, which utilizes the multiple input node concept. The processor also has RISC (reduced instruction set computer) based design, a 4-stage pipeline architecture, a peak performance of 60 MIPS, and a direct matching scheme. >
Effects of Adenosine 3′,5′-Monophosphate and Adenosine 5′-Monophosphate on Glycogen Degradation and Synthesis in Dictyostelium discoideum

Data are presented demonstrating that the presence in vivo of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (3',5'-AMP) causes a rapid depletion of glycogen storage material in the cellular slime mold. The effect of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (5'-AMP) is twofold, stimulating both glycogen degradation and synthesis. In pseudoplasmodia, cell-free extracts appear to contain at least two species of glycogen phosphorylase, one of which is severely inhibited by glucose-1-phosphate and another which is only partially inhibited by this hexose-phosphate. In some cases, 5'-AMP partially overcomes the inhibition by glucose-1-phosphate. Data presented here also indicate the existence of two forms of glycogen synthetase, the total activity of which does not change during 10 hr of differentiation from aggregation to culmination. During this period there is a quantitative conversion of glucose-6-phosphate-independent enzyme activity to glucose-6-phosphate-dependent activity. It is suggested that one effect of 3',5'-AMP is closely related to enzymatic processes involved in the rapid conversion of glycogen to cell wall material and other end products accumulating during sorocarp construction.
The importance of proper model assumption in Bayesian phylogenetics

We studied the importance of proper model assumption in the context of Bayesian phylogenetics by examining >5,000 Bayesian analyses and six nested models of nucleotide substitution. Model misspecification can strongly bias bipar- tition posterior probability estimates. These biases were most pronounced when rate heterogeneity was ignored. The type of bias seen at a particular bipartition appeared to be strongly influenced by the lengths of the branches surrounding that bipartition. In the Felsenstein zone, posterior probability estimates of bipartitions were biased when the assumed model was underparameterized but were unbiased when the assumed model was overparameterized. For the inverse Felsenstein zone, however, both underparameterization and overparameterization led to biased bipartition posterior probabilities, although the bias caused by overparameterization was less pronounced and disappeared with increased sequence length. Model parameter estimates were also affected by model misspecification. Underparameterization caused a bias in some parameter estimates, such as branch lengths and the gamma shape parameter, whereas overparameterization caused a decrease in the precision of some parameter estimates. We caution researchers to assure that the most appropriate model is assumed by employing both a priori model choice methods and a posteriori model adequacy tests. (Bayesian phylogenetic inference; convergence; Markov chain Monte Carlo; maximum likelihood; model choice; posterior probability.)
Synthesis of celsian (BaAl2Si2O8) from solid Ba-Al-Al2O3-SiO2 precursors : I, XRD and SEM/EDX analyses of phase evolution

An intimate Ba-Al-Al2O3-SiO2 powder mixture, produced by high-energy milling, was pressed to 3 mm thick cylinders (10 mm diameter) and hexagonal plates (6 mm edge-to-edge width). Heat treatments conducted from 300° to 1650°C in pure oxygen or air were used to transform these solid-metal/oxide precursors into BaAl2Si2O8. Barium oxidation was completed, and a binary silicate compound, Ba2SiO4, had formed within 24 h at 300°C. After 72 h at 650°C, aluminum oxidation was completed, and an appreciable amount of BaAl2O4 had formed. Diffraction peaks consistent with hexagonal BaAl2Si2O8, BaAl2O4, β-BaSiO3, and possibly β-BaSi2O5 were detected after 24 h at 900°C. Diffraction peaks for BaAl2O4 and BaAl2Si2O8 were observed after 35 h at 1200°C, although SEM analyses also revealed fine silicate particles. Further reaction of this silicate with BaAl2O4 at 1350° to 1650°C yielded a mixture of hexagonal and monoclinic BaAl2Si2O8. The observed reaction path was compared to prior work with other inorganic precursors to BaAl2Si2O8.
The Transcriptional Repressor ZFM1 Interacts with and Modulates the Ability of EWS to Activate Transcription

The ZFM1 protein is both a transcriptional repressor and identical to the splicing factor SF1. ZFM1 was shown to interact with and repress transcription from the glycine, glutamine, serine, and threonine-rich transcription activation domain of the sea urchin transcription factor, stage-specific activator protein (SSAP). EWS, a human protein involved in cellular transformation in Ewing's sarcoma tumors, contains an NH2-terminal transcriptional activation domain (NTD) which resembles that of SSAP in both amino acid composition and the ability to drive transcription to levels higher than VP16 in most cell types. Here we report that ZFM1 also interacts with EWS in both two-hybrid assays and glutathioneS-transferase pull-down experiments. The region on EWS which interacts with ZFM1 maps to 37 amino acids within its NTD. Overexpression of ZFM1 in HepG2 cells represses the transactivation of reporter gene expression driven by Gal4-EWS-NTD fusion protein and this repression correlates with ZFM1 binding to EWS. Furthermore, two proteins, TLS and hTAFII68, which have extensive homology to EWS, also interact with ZFM1. Recently, it was discovered that EWS/TLS/hTAFII68 are each present in distinct TFIID populations and EWS and hTAFII68 were also found to be associated with the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme. The association of ZFM1 with these proteins implies that one normal cellular function for ZFM1 may be to negatively modulate transcription of target genes coordinated by these cofactors.
Repair-unit location models for power failures

Extreme weather conditions such as ice storms often cause significant damage to electric power transmission and distribution systems and result in large-scale power failures. In such cases, electric utilities need to repair the transmission and distribution systems as expeditiously and economically as possible. In this paper, for the electric utilities, the authors present three mathematical goal programming models: (1) a tactical model that provides the optimal repair-unit dispatch plan after a forecast of severe weather conditions; (2) a short-term strategic model that provides the optimal repair-unit location plan under normal weather conditions; and (3) a long-term strategic model that provides the optimal number of repair units. These models will assist electric utilities to locate and dispatch repair units and to restore the transmission and distribution failures efficiently. The authors illustrate some features of these models with a numerical example. Finally, a comparative study shows how these models could be more efficient than a modified conventional model.
Of Crusades and Culture Wars: “Messianic” Militarism and Political Conflict in the United States

In this paper, we explore the manner and extent to which differences in militaristic orientations occupy an important front in the much ballyhooed American “culture war.” In particular, we posit that belief in biblical inerrancy engenders a “messianic” militarism. We further suggest that this relationship occurs not only directly but also indirectly, through a heightened sense of nationalism. We compare the predictive capacity of such traditionalistic Christian “believing” to other elements associated with it: (1) cognitive dogmatism, (2) hierarchical visions of authority, (3) devotionalism, and (3) immersion within the traditionalistic Christian culture. Finally, we demonstrate the relevance of these dynamics to understanding “red/blue” cleavage structures in the United States, by showing that as belief in the authority of the Bible increases, so does the perceived electoral salience of foreign policy issues, relative to domestic issues.
Pollen morphological differences in Amaranthus species and interspecific hybrids

Abstract This study examined pollen morphological variation among Amaranthus species and interspecific hybrids. Ten weedy Amaranthus species, a cultivated grain species, and several putative hybrids resulting from interspecific mating between common waterhemp and Palmer amaranth were grown in a greenhouse. Mature pollen was collected, viewed, and photographed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The pollen grains were spherical shaped with polypantoporate, or golf ball-like, aperture arrangement. Differences were observed between the monoecious and dioecious Amaranthus species. Pollen grains of the dioecious species had a greater number of apertures on the visible surface. One exception to these trends was the dioecious species, Palmer amaranth, whose pollen was similar to that of the monoecious species spiny amaranth. However, pollen grain diameters did not differ between the monoecious and dioecious plants. Significant differences also were noted between the pollen from the putative common waterhe...
EINO the Answer.

This study investigated the various methods involved in creating an intelligent tutor for the University of Central Florida Web Applets (UCF Web Applets), an online environment where student can perform and/or practice experiments. After conducting research into various methods, two major models emerged. These models include: 1) solving the problem for the student 2) helping the student when they become stymied and unable to solve the problem. A storyboard was created to show the interactions between the student and system along with a list of features that were desired to be included in the tutoring system. From the storyboard and list of features, an architecture was created to handle all of the interactions and features. After the initial architecture was designed, the development of the actual system was started. The architecture underwent a several iterations to conclude with a working system, EINO. EINO is an intelligent tutoring system integrated into the UCF Web Applets. The final architecture of EINO incorporated a case-based reasoning system to perform pattern recognition on the student’s input into the UCF Web Applets. The interface that the student interacts with was created using Flash™. EINO was implemented in three of the experiments from the UCF Web Applets. A series of tests were performed on the EINO tutoring system to determine that the system could actually perform each and every one of the features listed initially. The final test was a simulation of how the EINO would perform in “real life.” Test subjects with the same educational level as the target group were chosen to spend an unlimited time using each of the three experiments. A single experiment is designed to reinforce a topic currently being covered by the book. Each of the test subjects filled out a survey on every lab to determine if the EINO system produced a helpful output.
Aspirin Use for the Primary Prevention of Myocardial Infarction Among Men in North Carolina, 2013

Introduction The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends aspirin use for men aged 45 to 79, when the potential benefit of preventing myocardial infarctions outweighs the potential harm of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. We determined prevalence and predictors of aspirin use for primary prevention of myocardial infarction vis-a-vis risk among men aged 45 to 79 in North Carolina.
Ultrafast, Light-Induced Electron Transfer in a Perylene Diimide Chromophore-Donor Assembly on TiO2

Surface-bound, perylenediimide (PDI)-based molecular assemblies have been synthesized on nanocrystalline TiO2 by reaction of a dianhydride with a surface-bound aniline and succinimide bonding. In a second step, the Fe(II) polypyridyl complex [FeII(tpy-PhNH2)2]2+ was added to the outside of the film, also by succinimide bonding. Ultrafast transient absorption measurements in 0.1 M HClO4 reveal that electron injection into TiO2 by 1PDI* does not occur, but rather leads to the ultrafast formation of the redox-separated pair PDI•+,PDI•–, which decays with complex kinetics (τ1 = 0.8 ps, τ2 = 15 ps, and τ3 = 1500 ps). With the added Fe(II) polypyridyl complex, rapid ( 400 μs in the film environment.
Influence of Desoxycorticosterone on Cesium Excretion in Adrenal-ectomized Rats.

SummaryDesoxycorticosterone did not influence the excretion of administered radio-cesium in adrenalectomized rats. Under specific conditions of the test 5.20% ± 0.75% of the administered radiocesium was excreted in the urine within the first 6 hours.
Language and Interest in the Economy: A White Paper on 'Humanomics'

Economics ignores persuasion in the economy. The economics of asymmetric “information” or common “knowledge” over the past 40 years reduces to costs and benefits but bypasses persuasion, “sweet talk.” Sweet talk accounts for a quarter of national income, and so is not mere “cheap talk.” The research would direct economics and the numerous other social sciences influenced by economics back towards human meaning in speech - meaning which has even in the most rigorously behaviorist experiments been shown to matter greatly to the outcome. Sweet talk is deeply unpredictable, which connects it to the troubled economics of entrepreneurship, discovery, and innovation. The massive innovation leading to the Great Fact of modern economic growth since 1800 is an important case in point. Some economic historians are beginning to find that material causes of the Great Fact do not work, and that changes in rhetoric such as the Enlightenment or the Bourgeois Revaluation do. A new economic history emerges, using all the evidence for the scientific task: books as much as bonds, entrepreneurial courage and hope as much as managerial prudence and temperance.
Co‐culture engineering for microbial biosynthesis of 3‐amino‐benzoic acid in Escherichia coli

3-amino-benzoic acid (3AB) is an important building block molecule for production of a wide range of important compounds such as natural products with various biological activities. In the present study, we established a microbial biosynthetic system for de novo 3AB production from the simple substrate glucose. First, the active 3AB biosynthetic pathway was reconstituted in the bacterium Escherichia coli, which resulted in the production of 1.5 mg/L 3AB. In an effort to improve the production, an E. coli-E. coli co-culture system was engineered to modularize the biosynthetic pathway between an upstream strain and an downstream strain. Specifically, the upstream biosynthetic module was contained in a fixed E. coli strain, whereas a series of E. coli strains were engineered to accommodate the downstream biosynthetic module and screened for optimal production performance. The best co-culture system was found to improve 3AB production by 15 fold, compared to the mono-culture approach. Further engineering of the co-culture system resulted in biosynthesis of 48 mg/L 3AB. Our results demonstrate co-culture engineering can be a powerful new approach in the broad field of metabolic engineering.
Maria tells her story.

As evidenced by the Latino Health Task Force Report, Latinos living in North Carolina face numerous challenges when seeking healthcare services. Those of us who have had the privilege to serve Latinos in clinics and hospitals have been witnesses to the drama that unfolds every day for these families. Navigating through our healthcare system can be a very taxing process for Latino immigrants. In order to fully understand these difficulties, sometimes it's best to let the people tell their story. It is with this thought in mind that we bring you this commentary piece. Maria and Jesus live in North Carolina. Maria tells her story to a nurse who speaks Spanish. Although these characters are entirely fictional, the events described here--and many others like them--have taken place all across the state and the country. Any similarities to actual people living or deceased is purely coincidental.
Particle Ellipsoidal Statistical Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook Approach for Simulation of Hypersonic Shocks

To reduce the computational costs related to direct simulation Monte Carlo computations for low Knudsen number flows, a new particle method, based on the ellipsoidal statistical Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook model of the Boltzmann equation, is investigated. In this method, a fraction of the computational particles in a cell is selected for velocity reassignment from the local Maxwellian distribution based the local collision frequency and an even smaller fraction is selected for internal mode energy reassignment based on the rotational and vibrational relaxation rates. A scaling algorithm is used to decrease the required number of particles per cell and to guarantee that the energy and momentum are conserved in each time step. The accuracy and efficiency of the ellipsoidal statistical Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook method are tested in three different test cases and the results are compared with the direct simulation Monte Carlo solution and experiment as well. The ellipsoidal statistical Bhatnagar–Gross–Krook approach is...
The Concept of Community as Theoretical Ground: Contention and Compatibility Across Levels of Analysis and Standpoints of Social Processes

This chapter provides an overview of the concept of community as a theoretical construct. The major theme of the chapter is that the concept of community provides a theoretical construct that is critical to understanding association among individuals and the linkages between the individual and society. Linking the experiential world of the individual to the abstraction of society and culture has been an enduring analytic and theoretical problem. Society, however influential on daily lives, is not readily perceived as an object or as context by individuals. And if these lines of influence lack experiential reality, then the processes by which individuals are integrated into society and culture are equally indefinite. The concept of community provides a theoretical counter to this ambiguity. Community is a tangible social and cultural milieu that is part of daily individual experience. It also provides an accessible unit for studying social processes. Here the spatial character of community becomes of central importance. For these reasons at least, community is an enduring focus in social theory. However, the nature of that focus reflects the underlying theoretical propositions about individuals’ relationship with society at large. In this, the concept of community is used to support theories of social integration. This chapter summarizes these propositions about the concept of community in classic and contemporary theory and analysis. The chapter then discusses the application of these propositions about social integration to the concept of community in the coming century.
A 450mV timing-margin-free waveform sorter based on body swapping error correction

We propose an error detection and correction technique based on local body swapping for eliminating the worst-case margin in near/sub-V TH non-instruction parallel architectures. We apply the proposed technique on an unsupervised waveform sorter for brain computer interface microsystems, improving energy-efficiency by 49.3% and throughput by 35.6% over the baseline that is margined for the worst-case variation. The area overhead is 4.1%.
Visionary medicine: speculative fiction, racial justice and Octavia Butler's ‘Bloodchild’

Medical students across the USA have increasingly made the medical institution a place for speculating racially just futures. From die-ins in Fall 2014 to silent protests in response to racially motivated police brutality, medical schools have responded to the public health crisis that is racial injustice in the USA. Reading science fiction may benefit healthcare practitioners who are already invested in imagining a more just, healthier futurity. Fiction that rewrites the future in ways that undermine contemporary power regimes has been termed 'visionary fiction'. In this paper, the authors introduce 'visionary medicine' as a tool for teaching medical students to imagine and produce futures that preserve health and racial justice for all. This essay establishes the connections between racial justice, medicine and speculative fiction by examining medicine's racially unjust past practices, and the intersections of racial justice and traditional science and speculative fiction. It then examines speculative fiction author Octavia Butler's short story 'Bloodchild' as a text that can introduce students of the medical humanities to a liberatory imagining of health and embodiment, one that does not reify and reinscribe boundaries of difference, but reimagines the nature of Self and Other, power and collaboration, agency and justice.