cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deformation and failure of composite sandwich structures

An investigation was conducted of failure modes and criteria for their occurrence in composite sandwich columns and beams. The initiation of the various failure modes depends on the material properties of the constituents (facings and core), geometric dimensions and type of loading. The loading type or condition determines the state of stress throughout the sandwich structure, which controls the location and mode of failure. The appropriate failure criteria at any point of the structure account for the biaxiality or triaxiality of the state of stress. The specimens were made of unidirectional carbon-epoxy facings and aluminum honeycomb and PVC closed-cell foam cores. The constituent materials were fully characterized and, in the case of the foam core, failure envelopes were developed for general two-dimensional states of stress. Sandwich specimens were loaded under bending moment, shear and axial loading and failure modes were observed and compared with analytical predictions. The failure modes investigat...
Changes in nesting behavior and lipid content of a marine amphipod (Amphithoe valida) to the toxicity of a no. 2 fuel oil

Laboratory cultured amphipods, Amphithoe valida, were exposed to the water soluble fractions (WSF) of a No. 2 fuel oil for 6 days, and then transferred to clean sea water for one week. Survival and nesting behavior were observed daily, and the lipid contents were checked at the end of exposure and at the end of depuration. Survival of amphipods during exposure was high at all concentrations of WSF tested (0 to 25%). A delayed toxicity was observed; mortality was high in concentrations ⩾ 15% WSF during depuration. The number of nests decreased with increasing concentration of WSF and length of exposure. Recovery of nest building activity in clean sea water was either lacking or small, indicating some damage to their nesting capability. The lipid contents of amphipods were close to the expected range (except at 25% WSF) following the exposure, but dropped to about 1 % following recovery compared with an expected value of 3.3%. Impairments of the chemosensory and locomotory systems may occur during exposure, which prevent amphipods from constructing nests for protection and food reserves, and eventually lead animals to use their stored energy of lipid for survival. Of the three biological parameters studied, nesting behavior and lipid content as a percentage of dry weight were better indicators of the sublethal stress of WSF than the response of survival; significant alterations of the former two parameters were found at the concentrations ⩾ 5% WSF.
Congenital agminated Spitz nevi: immunoreactivity with a melanoma-associated monoclonal antibody

Agminated, or grouped Spitz nevi are a curious expression of nevomelanocytic growth; and represent an uncommon manifestation of these nevi. We encountered an example of agminated Spitz nevi present at birth, which showed progression and rapid growth over months. All showed histologic Spitz nevus features. Avidin-biotin immunohistochemical techniques using anti S-100 protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and melanoma-specific monoclonal antibody, HMB-45 labelled the nevi as follows: diffuse S-100 and NSE staining in most and HMB-45 positivity in sporadic cells deep in the dermis. HMB-45 reactivity occurred in both spindle cells and epithelioid forms.
Compensation of industrial manipulator dynamics in the presence of variable payloads

The objective of this study was to experimentally investigate the payload sensitivity of model-based control algorithms for the class of vertically articulated industrial manipulators with high torque amplification drive systems. Once the pay load sensitivity was established, the minimum subset of payload parameters required to permit payload invariant tracking performance was determined. Analysis of open-loop feedforward compensation torques correctly predicted the experimental PUMA results. High amplification drive sys tems reduce, but do not eliminate, the payload sensitivity of industrial manipulator dynamics. Model-based controllers must adapt to payload variation in order to maintain high speed tracking accuracy. For a wide range of end-effector payload, the payload estimation/adaptation algorithm for the large positioning links need only compensate for variation in payload mass. To accurately adapt to changes in small link dynamics, the algorithm must estimate both the payload mass and centroid. Kn...
Structure of thermolysin refined at 1.6 Å resolution

Abstract The structure of the thermostable protease thermolysin has been refined by a restrained least-squares procedure at a nominal resolution of 1.6 A to a conventional R-value of 21.3% for 34,671 observed reflections (or R = 19.5% for reflections with F0 > 3σ(F0)). The refined structure was constrained to adhere to known stereochemistry, with root-mean-square deviations of 0.021 A from ideal bond lengths and 2.9 ° from ideal bond angles. The final model included 173 solvent molecules, which were given unit occupancies. Seven of these are “buried” within the protein. Atoms with the least apparent thermal motion tend to be those that are most deeply buried within the two domains of the structure. The active-site zinc is shown to have approximately tetrahedral co-ordination. Unusual features of the structure, confirmed by the refinement, include a cis-proline, a γ-turn, and a single turn of left-handed α-helix. The refinement shows that thermolysin does not contain unusual structures and supports our previous assertion that the thermostability of thermolysin and of thermostable proteins in general is due to a combination of factors which, in different instances, can include hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, disulfide linkages, metal binding and other forms of stabilization.
Oviposition Behavior and Offspring Emergence Patterns in Succinea thaanumi, an Endemic Hawaiian Land Snail

In this field study, newly laid egg clutches of Succinea thaanumi, an endemic Hawaiian land snail, were labeled and observed weekly over a 12-mo period. Snails usually laid their clutches under leaf tips and, moreover, this placement affected snail emergence by mitigating the effects of dehydration through the leaf-drip phenomenon. During droughts, the gel surrounding egg clutches dehydrated, pasting the embryos to the backs of leaves. The hygroscopic gel rehydrated once rains resumed. The majority of newly laid clutches contained shell-less embryos which required more time for emergence than embryos laid with visible shells. More shelled embryos were laid subsequent to a 3-wk drought, indicating that snails retained their eggs during adverse environmental conditions and laid them when conditions improved. The snails' abilities to retain eggs in adverse conditions, but to lay more unshelled embryos over their lifetimes, contributed to their overall reproductive success.
Molecular mapping of a nuclear male-sterility gene in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) using TRAP and SSR markers.

A nuclear male-sterile mutant, NMS 360, induced by streptomycin from an inbred maintainer line HA 89, possesses a single recessive gene, ms9, controlling male sterility. The present study identified DNA markers linked to the ms9 gene in an F2 population derived from the cross of NMS 360 × RHA 271 and maps the ms9 gene to an existing sunflower SSR linkage map. Bulked segregant analysis was performed using the target region amplification polymorphism (TRAP) marker technique and the simple sequence repeats (SSR) technique. From 444 primer combinations, six TRAP markers linked with the ms9 gene were amplified. Two markers, Ts4p03-202 and Tt3p09-529, cosegregated with the ms9 gene. The other four markers, To3d14-310, Tt3p17-390, Ts4p23-300, and Tt3p09-531, linked with ms9 at a distance of 1.2, 3.7, 10.3, and 22.3 cM, respectively. Thirty SSR primers from 17 linkage groups of a PHA × PHB cultivated sunflower linkage map were screened among the two parents and the F2 population. SSR primer ORS 705 of linkage group 10 was tightly linked to ms9 at a distance of 1.2 cM. The ms9 gene was subsequently mapped to linkage group 10 of the public sunflower SSR linkage map. The markers that were tightly linked with the ms9 gene will be useful in marker-assisted selection of male-sterile plants among segregating populations, and will facilitate the isolation of the ms9 gene by map-based cloning.
Amnion in the treatment of pediatric partial-thickness facial burns.

Background: Wound coverage for second-degree burns remains a clinical challenge. Human amniotic membranes have been used for many years in the treatment of burns; however, no large prospective clinical trials have been published. In this article, we present a novel and standardized procurement and processing method for amnion and investigate, whether the use of this biological dressing is safe and may represent a new therapeutic option for children with partial-thickness facial burns compared to standard topical treatment. Methods: Patients with partial-thickness burns of the face, neck and head admitted between 2003 and 2005 were included in this study. They were divided into two groups to receive either amnion (n = 53) or topical antimicrobials (n = 49). Demographics (age, gender, ethnicity, TBSA, burn areas), length of hospital stay (LOS), rate of infections (RI), time to total healing, and frequency of dressing changes were compared between the two groups. The long-term outcome was assessed in nine patients in the amnion group and eight patients in the topical group, who returned for up to 12-month follow-up visits. Results: Patients in the amnion group had significantly less dressing changes then in the control group (p < 0.05). Time to healing, length of stay and the development of hypertrophic scarring was not different between the groups. Use of amnion was not associated with an increased risk of local infection. Conclusion: This study indicates that amnion is safe and has advantages as wound coverage for second-degree facial burns compared to the standard topical ointments. Further studies with the use of amniotic membranes on the trunk and the extremities, as well as for
Environmental Endotoxin Measurement: Interference and Sources of Variation in the Limulus Assay of House Dust

Studies suggest that endotoxin levels in offices and homes may be associated with sick building syndrome or increased asthma severity. However, reported endotoxin levels in these studies were highly inconsistent, suggesting incompatible measurements from various laboratories. Therefore, an investigation of Limulus assay for endotoxin in house dust was undertaken. Interference with the assay was common and could produce endotoxin estimates varying by a factor of > 100, depending on the dilution used. Analysis of dose-response curves allowed detection of two types of interference: dilution-dependent and dilution-independent. Dilution-dependent interference persisted when samples were reassayed, but valid estimates could be obtained by appropriate dilution and data analysis. Valid estimates could not be obtained from assays showing dilution-independent interference. However, dilution-independent interference was frequently overcome by repeating the assay. Estimates based on a single sample dilution produced ...
Causes of Deforestation: The Maine Case

Many of the world’s forests are being destroyed at a rapid rate. This article analyzes the decisions of landowners in Maine, where forests have been heavily harvested and much land has been converted to non-forest use. Data on these landowners and their land were obtained from primary and secondary sources, satellite change detection analysis, and structured interviews. We found that there are several different landowner groups making different harvesting decisions in response to different incentives. In northern Maine, deforestation occurred at a rapid rate in the 1970s–1990s due to the activities of paper companies, which were harvesting heavily in the aftermath of a spruce budworm epidemic and which were doing liquidation harvesting preparatory to leaving Maine. In the southern area of the state, deforestation is due primarily to small landowners converting land for development and contractors doing “cut and run” forestry. The Maine case shows that even in a small area, there can be multiple causes for deforestation.
Synthesis of an oxa-lipoic acid

The synthesis of an oxa-lipoic acid is reported here for the first time. We have achieved the synthesis of the title compound starting from commercially available acrolein using a Michael addition and Knoevenagel condensation as key reactions.
Identification of neurotransmitters and co-localization of transmitters in brainstem respiratory neurons

Identifying the major ionotropic neurotransmitter in a respiratory neuron is of critical importance in determining how the neuron fits into the respiratory system, whether in producing or modifying respiratory drive and rhythm. There are now several groups of respiratory neurons whose major neurotransmitters have been identified and in some of these cases, more than one transmitter has been identified in particular neurons. This review will describe the physiologically identified neurons in major respiratory areas that have been phenotyped for major ionotropic transmitters as well as those where more than one transmitter has been identified. Although the purpose of the additional transmitter has not been elucidated for any of the respiratory neurons, some examples from other systems will be discussed.
Speculations about noise and the evolution of vertebrate hearing.

Abstract Two of the most conspicuous and celebrated properties of human hearing — the abilities to discriminate pitch and to localize sound sources, may have been secondary derivations to which the ear was preadapted by having evolved in the inevitable presence of noise.
An overview of J/ψ production in heavy ion collisions at PHENIX

This is an overview of the PHENIX J/ψ results in hot nuclear matter from heavy ion collisions. Current results for RAA and v2 in Au+Au collisions, as well as RAA from Cu+Cu collisions are included and discussed. A comparison is also done to cold nuclear matter effects using RdAu results.
Learning networks among administrators of human service institutions

An exploratory study o f learning networks was conducted among three groups o f administrators o f human service institutions: superintendents o f juvenile correctional facilities, elementary school principals, and directors of institutions for the mentally retarded. The results indicated (a) that these administrators utilized different learning networks and {b) that publication of information was not a universally viable method o f communication to them. The implications o f these results were discussed in relation to the concerns of community psychology.
Presynaptic dendrite cells and two other classes of neurons in the superficial layers of the superior colliculus of the chimpanzee.

In the superior colliculus of chimpanzee, three classes of neurons can be identified by ultrastructural criteria. They are 1) marginal cells located in the stratum zonale, 2) collicular relay cells in the stratum griseum superficiale and 3) presynaptic dendrite (PSD) cells, i.e., neurons with presynaptic specializations in soma and/or dendrites. PSD cells are the smallest neurons in the stratum griseum superficiale; they have a relatively large, deeply infolded nucleus and a small rim of cytoplasm rich in free ribosomes. PSD cells are sufficiently different from the two other classes of neurons to be reliably identified at the ultrastructural level. They closely resemble presynaptic neurons as described in the lateral geniculate nucleus of other mammalian species. Presynaptic dendrites in continuity with PSD cells are rich in organelles, especially ribosomal clusters, and establish en passage contact with other dendrites. Another type of presynaptic dendrite, poor in organelles, except for bundles of microtubules, could not be traced back to its parent neuron. Homoor heterogeneity of PSD cells is discussed. No axon was traced from a PSD cell.
PHACE Syndrome: A Retrospective Review of 23 Patients

We present 23 patients with PHACE syndrome showing similarities in our population with data that already exist while highlighting neurodevelopmental occurrences arising in a subset of these patients.
Laboratory-acquired serogroup A meningococcal meningitis.

Neisseria meningitidis causes fulminant meningitis and sepsis. Worldwide, N. meningitidis serogroup A is responsible for large epidemic outbreaks (e.g., subSaharan Africa) and serogroups B, C, Y and W-135 cause epidemic and endemic disease. Meningococci are usually transmitted from person to person through close contact with contaminated aerosols and secretions from the human nasopharynx. Laboratory-acquired infection has been reported infrequently but laboratory technicians are at increased risk. Most of the reported cases of laboratory-acquired infections occur in clinical microbiology laboratories and have been due to serogroups B and C. For reasons that are unclear, the reported mortality of laboratory-acquired N. meningitidis sepsis or meningitis is ~50% , which is higher than mortality from endemic infections. We present the first reported case of laboratoryacquired serogroup A N. meningitidis meningitis in a 21 yr-old research laboratory assistant.
Inhibition of rat liver threonine dehydratase by tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane (tris) and reversal by orthophosphate.

SummaryA 55-fold purified rat liver threonine dehydratase in phosphate buffer was found to retain only 4% of the original activity after dialysis against Tris buffer at pH 8.3. Addition of pyridoxal phosphate (PLP) to the Tris-inactivated dehydratase restored 96% of the original activity; addition of orthophosphate restored 83% of the activity. The concentration of pyridoxal phosphate or orthophosphate required for reactivation approximated the free amine concentration of Tris at pH 8.3.
Television News, Public Opinion, and the Iraq War Do Wartime Rationales Matter?

The idea that the public is swayed by the rationales for war that circulate throughout the media environment is well established in popular discourse. Research on the determinants of support for war, however, has largely ignored the role that such rationales might play. This study is the first to directly test the possibility that rationales for war present in news coverage influence public support for war. Pairing a detailed computer-assisted content analysis with measures of public support for the Iraq War, this study shows that, contrary to popular wisdom, rationales for war present in television news have only a limited impact on public attitudes about U.S. military action.
Proinflammatory cytokines induce NF-κB-Dependent/NO-independent chemokine gene expression in MIN6 β cells

Background. Interactions between chemokines IP-10, MCP-1, and RANTES and their receptors may mediate graft rejection following islet transplantation. The mechanisms regulating chemokine gene expression in pancreatic islet cells have not been well characterized. We examined the cytokine-induced gene expression profiles for several chemokines in a transformed pancreatic β-cell line (MIN6) cotreated with an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and in a mutated clone of MIN6 made to overexpress a dominant negative inhibitor of NF-κB (IκBαM). Methods. MIN6 and MIN6-IκBαM (Bm) cells were cultured in mixtures of IL-1β and TNF-α or IL-1β, TNF-α, and IFN-γ plus/minus the iNOS inhibitor l-NMMA. RT-PCR and RNase Protection Assay were used to measure mRNA expression for the following chemokines: IP-10, MIP-1α, MIP-1β, MCP-1, and RANTES. Enzyme linked immunosorbant assay was used to measure IP-10 and MCP-1 protein release. Results. Cytokine-treated MIN6 and Bm demonstrated increased expression of genes for IP-10 and MCP-1. Expression in MIN6 was first detected at 2 h of incubation and peaked at 6 h. MIN6 demonstrated a more marked increase in chemokine gene expression for both IP-10 and MCP-1 and a more marked increase in IP-10 protein release than did Bm. There was no detectable gene expression for MIP-1α, MIP-1β, or RANTES from MIN6 or Bm. l-NMMA completely blocked NO production from MIN6 and Bm but had no effect on chemokine gene expression in either MIN6 or Bm. Conclusions. These results suggest that β cells produce a complement of rejection-relevant chemokines in response to a proinflammatory stimulus and that pathways governing cytokine-induced chemokine gene expression in MIN6 are dependent on NF-κB but independent of NO.
The Serotonin Transporter: A Vehicle to Elucidate Pulmonary Hypertension?

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a life-threatening disease that mostly affects young adults, more commonly women than men. It is characterized by vasoconstriction of the small pulmonary arteries, proliferation in all layers of the vessel wall, thrombosis-in situ, and inflammation. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of PPH, in part, because it is a pulmonary vasoconstrictor1 and smooth muscle mitogen.2,3 It is synthesized from l-tryptophan, primarily in the enterochromaffin cells of the small intestine. In the blood, 5-HT is mainly transported in the platelets, some are bound to plasma proteins, and only nanomolar concentrations are free in the plasma. The importance of the lungs in the removal of 5-HT from the blood has been known for more than 50 years.4 As much as 95% may be taken up or inactivated.5 5-HT is taken up by the 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) in several cells including platelets, neurons, and pulmonary artery smooth muscle and endothelial cells. 5-HTT belongs to a large 12 transmembrane–domain gene family including the norepinephine transporter, glucose transporters, and transporters of other neurotransmitters. The amino acid sequence of cloned human 5-HTT reveals 6 putative phosphorylation sites, targets for PKA and PKC, which may activate 5-HTT. The Figure shows some of the cellular signaling pathways involving 5-HTT and 5-HT receptors. Schematic representation of serotonin (5-HT) signaling pathways in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Activation of serotonin receptors 5-HT1B, 5-HT2A, and 5-HT2B cause vasoconstriction, although 5-HT2B is also implicated in the mitogenic action of 5-HT. 5-HT1B activates the Gi G-protein, which suppresses the activity of adenylate cyclase (AC). AC normally increases the level of cytosolic cAMP, which activates the protein …
Substance Abuse, Acculturation, and HIV Risk among Caribbean-Born Immigrants in the United States

US immigrants of Caribbean origin are overrepresented in the HIV/AIDS prevalence statistics. Bidirectional travel between the United States and the Caribbean region by providing opportunities for sexual mixing may contribute to these high HIV rates. Caribbean immigrants face further risk because of limited health care access, social isolation, and stigma. Additionally, although substance abuse may not represent a major health issue in their countries of origin, Caribbean immigrants are composed disproportionately of adolescents who are at greatest risk of substance abuse. There is little information on the health care characteristics of these migrants, especially regarding HIV care. This article describes how the social and economic circumstances that surround the lives of people from the Caribbean and the challenges of the acculturation process have placed these individuals at risk of substance abuse and HIV infection. The article draws on findings from the literature and analysis of data from several so...
GRAPHITE: A Visual Query System for Large Graphs

We present Graphite, a system that allows the user to visually construct a query pattern, finds both its exact and approximate matching subgraphs in large attributed graphs, and visualizes the matches. For example, in a social network where a person's occupation is an attribute, the user can draw a 'star' query for "finding a CEO who has interacted with a Secretary, a Manager, and an Accountant, or a structure very similar to this". Graphite uses the G-Ray algorithm to run the query against a user-chosen data graph, gaining all of its benefits, namely its high speed, scalability, and its ability to find both exact and near matches. Therefore, for the example above, Graphite tolerates indirect paths between, say, the CEO and the Accountant, when no direct path exists. Graphite uses fast algorithms to estimate node proximities when finding matches, enabling it to scale well with the graph database size.We demonstrate Graphitepsilas usage and benefits using the DBLP author-publication graph, which consists of 356 K nodes and 1.9 M edges. A demo video of Graphite can be downloaded at http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~dchau/graphite/graphite.mov.
(α-Benzyl-N-Methylphenethylamine (BNMPA), an Impurity of Illicit Methamphetamine Synthesis: II. Metabolism and Urinary Excretion (Human)

Methamphetamine is a popular drug of abuse, which is readily synthesized in clandestine laboratories. Illicit synthesis results in the formation of various contaminants. Few impurities have been studied in vivo, and their metabolic fate is unknown. One such impurity is alpha-benzyl-N-methylphenethylamine (BNMPA). The detection of BNMPA or its metabolites in urine samples may provide a marker of use of illicitly synthesized methamphetamine. Benzphetamine is structurally similar to BNMPA. Based on metabolic studies of benzphetamine, we predicted the four major metabolites of BNMPA to be the N-demethyl compound, diphenyl-2-propanone (DP2P), p-hydroxy-N-demethyl BNMPA, and p-hydroxy-BNMPA. One male volunteer ingested 5 mg BNMPA. Seventeen urine specimens were collected over 50 h post ingestion. These specimens were analyzed for BNMPA and its four predicted major metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following beta-glucuronidase hydrolysis or acid hydrolysis, liquid-liquid extraction, and derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride. Specimens were also analyzed without hydrolysis to determine the abundance of nonconjugated ("free") metabolites. Only trace amounts of BNMPA and its N-demethyl metabolites were detected, and maximum excretion was from 2 to 4 h post ingestion. In the nonhydrolyzed samples, the phenyl-OH metabolites were also present in only trace amounts. Maximum excretion of DP2P was at 2 h. Following either hydrolysis procedure, phenyl-OH-BNMPA and phenyl-OH-N-demethyl BNMPA were the major metabolites detected. Maximum excretion of these two metabolites occurred at 4 h. With the exception of the parent compound and the N-demethyl metabolite, excretion of metabolites was greater than the limit of detection of this procedure (2.5 ng/mL) up to 21 h post ingestion. Metabolites were detectable in sufficient quantities to serve as an adequate marker of illicit methamphetamine consumption within the preceding 24 h.
The efficacy of radionuclide liver and bone scans in the evaluation of gynecologic cancers

Between 1978 and 1980, 33 patients with cervical cancer, 40 patients with ovarian cancer, and 28 patients with uterine cancer underwent clinical diagnostic staging. Fifty-four patients had bone scans, and 101 patients received liver scans as a part of their staging work-up. No positive bone scan results were found. Eight of 33 patients with Stage IV disease had positive liver scan results consistent with hepatic metastases. Only 1 of 69 patients with Stage I-III disease had a positive test for metastases. While these numbers are small, the authors conclude that bone and liver scanning in asymptomatic patients with early stage gynecologic cancers may not be warranted as staging procedures.
The role of fish, wildlife and plant research in ecosystem management

This paper examines the concepts of ecology, ecosystems, and ecosystem management and then further examines the role of fish, wildlife, and plant ecology research in ecosystem management, past, present, and future. It is often assumed that research in support of ecosystem management will entail comprehensive studies of entire ecosystems whereas research programs that focus on one species do not constitute ecosystem management level research. The supposed dichotomy between single species and ecosystem level approaches has been the focus of considerable debate. However, this is a false dichotomy and ecosystem studies and single-species studies simply represent two ends of a spectrum of approaches for understanding ecological processes. Given that the level of scientific investigation (e.g., individual species, community, or ecosystem) does not differentiate ecosystem management research from more traditional approaches, what are the distinguishing features? Ecosystem management research is broader in scope than more traditional ecological studies. A greater emphasis is also placed on integrating results of various studies and programs to understand larger scale interactions and the structure and function of ecosystems. Model building also plays a greater role in ecosystem management research efforts as a means of not only understanding ecosystem processes but also as a means of generating hypotheses. Although the primary responsibilities of research and management are different, there is much room for interaction and integration of functions. Consequently, adaptive management has become an important part of ecosystem management and will likely become a larger part of basic research programs. However, adaptive management experiments should not be the endpoint. Instead, results from adaptive management studies should be used to generate hypotheses that can be tested with more traditional and rigorous scientific methods. As managers begin to deal at larger spatial and longer temporal scales changes in the end-products of research will be necessary. The task of assessing present as well as future conditions will greatly increase the need for user-friendly analytical tools (e.g., simulation models) that allow managers to visualize conditions on a large scale. A balance of adaptive management and traditional experimental designs will ultimately lead to better models of management.
Thermal considerations of space solar power concepts with 3.5 GW RF output

This paper presents the thermal challenge of the space solar power (SSP) design concepts with a 3.5 GW radio-frequency (RF) output. High efficiency klystrons are thermally more favored than solid state (butterstick) to convert direct current (DC) electricity to radio-frequency (RF) energy at the transmitters in these concepts. Using klystrons, the heat dissipation is 0.72 GW. Using solid state, the heat dissipation is 2.33 GW. The heat dissipation of the kystrons is 85% at 500/spl deg/C, 10% at 300/spl deg/C, and 5% at 125/spl deg/C. All the heat dissipation of the solid state is at 100/spl deg/C. Using klystrons, the radiator area is 74470 m/sup 2/. Using solid state, the radiator area is 2362160 m/sup 2/. Space constructable heat pipe radiators are assumed in the thermal analysis. Also, to make the SSP concepts feasible, the mass of the heat transport system must be minimized. Thus, the heat transport distance from the transmitters to the radiators must be minimized. It can be accomplished by dividing the radiator into a cluster of small radiators. The area of each small radiator is of the order of 1 m/sup 2/. Two concepts for accommodating a cluster of small radiators are presented, If the distance between the transmitters and radiators is 1.5 m or less, constant conductance heat pipes (CCHPs) are acceptable for heat transport. If the distance exceeds 1.5 m, loop heat pipes (LHPs) are needed.
Identification and Characterization of Four Missense Mutations in Brown midrib 12 (Bmr12), the Caffeic O-Methyltranferase (COMT) of Sorghum

Modifying lignin content and composition are targets to improve bioenergy crops for cellulosic conversion to biofuels. In sorghum and other C4 grasses, the brown midrib mutants have been shown to reduce lignin content and alter its composition. Bmr12 encodes the sorghum caffeic O-methyltransferase, which catalyzes the penultimate step in monolignol biosynthesis. From an EMS-mutagenized TILLING population, four bmr12 mutants were isolated. DNA sequencing identified the four missense mutations in the Bmr12 coding region, which changed evolutionarily conserved amino acids Ala71Val, Pro150Leu, Gly225Asp, and Gly325Ser. The previously characterized bmr12 mutants all contain premature stop codons. These newly identified mutants, along with the previously characterized bmr12-ref, represent the first allelic series of bmr12 mutants available in the same genetic background. The impacts of these newly identified mutations on protein accumulation, enzyme activity, Klason lignin content, lignin subunit composition, and saccharification yield were determined. Gly225Asp mutant greatly reduced protein accumulation, and Pro150Leu and Gly325Ser greatly impaired enzyme activity compared to wild type (WT). All four mutants significantly reduced Klason lignin content and altered lignin composition resulting in a significantly reduced S/G ratio relative to WT, but the overall impact of these mutations was less severe than bmr12-ref. Except for Gly325Ser, which is a hypomorphic mutant, all mutants increased the saccharification yield relative to WT. These mutants represent new tools to decrease lignin content and S/G ratio, possibly leading toward the ability to tailor lignin content and composition in the bioenergy grass sorghum.
Glaucoma in west Africa: a neglected problem

Glaucoma in sub-Saharan Africa is a devastating disease which has not been fully addressed by the global ophthalmology community. The key issue is the lack of a satisfactory treatment.
NIST's High Frequency Metrology Programs: Current Capabilities and Future Directions

Several core areas are covered by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) microwave metrology services. These include thermal noise, power, scattering-parameters (s-parameters), f...
Agency Beyond Agents: Aid Campaigns in Sub-Saharan Africa and Collective Representations of Agency

Drawing from postcolonial theory and subaltern studies, this essay contributes to research in communication on humanitarian aid to Africa by using methods of rhetorical criticism to analyze how 3 popular viral video campaigns represent African agency. I argue that although representations of agency in the campaigns differ, they all reinforce Western assumptions about Africa to varying degrees, and entrench imperialistic power relations by portraying African agency in Western-centric ways. I examine absences and silences in the aid rhetoric with a focus on alternatives to current representations of agency, and propose that placing an emphasis on representations of collective agency could provoke a shift away from Western-centrism in aid campaigns and reinvigorate theoretical discussions of representation.
El padre transgresor: Crisis familiar y crisis social en el teatro popular bonaerense, 1896–1934

This article analyzes how five exemplary works of Argentine popular theater (1896–1934) construct unconventional readings of a perceived social crisis during Argentina's insertion into the global capitalist market. While dominant discourses focused on women's “errant” sexuality as the source of social demise, these works place the father figure —metaphor for social leadership— at the center of the debate to explore the chain of factors that hinder these fathers from fulfilling their “proper” gender roles, which ultimately causes the so-called social crisis. This focus on the paternal figure allows these plays to posit that social crisis stemmed from a destructive capitalistic logic based on the circulation of money, fraud, competition, and theft rather than from “errant” women. The recovery of these unconventional perspectives contributes to a more complex understanding of discourses on gender in the period, as well as of the relationship between discourses on everyday life and modernization.
Retinoic Acid Selectively Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide Induction of Tissue Factor Gene Expression in Human Monocytes

Expression of tissue factor (TF) by activated monocytes in several diseases leads to disseminated intravascular coagulation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced monocyte TF expression is downregulated by the nuclear hormone all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA). In this study, we examined the mechanism by which ATRA inhibits monocyte TF expression. We show that ATRA selectively inhibited LPS induction of TF expression in human monocytes and monocytic THP-1 cells without affecting LPS induction of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8). Inhibition of TF expression occurred at the level of transcription as determined by nuclear run-on. ATRA did not significantly alter the binding or functional activity of the transcription factors c-Fos/c-Jun and c-Rel/p65, which are required for LPS induction of the TF promoter in monocytic cells. In contrast to the ATRA inhibition of the endogenous TF gene, LPS induction of the cloned TF promoter was not inhibited by ATRA in transiently transfected THP-1 cells. Our results demonstrate that ATRA selectively inhibited LPS-induced TF gene transcription in human monocytic cells by a mechanism that does not involve repression of AP-1- or NF-kappaB-mediated transcription.
Molecular cloning and expression of human astrovirus serotype 1 capsid protein and preparation of the respective polyclonal antibodies

Objective To express the VP26 fragment of human astrovirus serotype 1(HAstV-1) capsid protein in prokaryotic system,generate the respective polyclonal antibodies and establish the antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) for detecting the protein,so as to lay the foundation for larger scale expression of VP26 protein,generation of genetic engineered vaccine and quick detection of the disease in clinic.Methods The recombinant VP26(rVP26) protein was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli(E.coli),and purified by Ni2+-NTA agarose affinity chromatography.Protein expression and purification were evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis(SDS-PAGE),bicinchoninic acid(BCA) assay and Western blot(WB).The serum of rabbits immunized with rVP26 was collected from heart as the polyclonal antibody.The titer and specificity of rabbit antiserum was measured by ELISA.Results The prokaryotic expression vector pET30a(+)-VP26 was successfully constructed and the rVP26 protein was highly expressed in E.coli(Rosetta 2) cells.The titer of antiserum measured by ELISA was 1 ∶ 8 000,which satisfies the experimental requirements.Conclusion It is demonstrated that the establishment of prokaryotic expression system and preparation of the polyclonal antibodies could provide the foundation for the future studies.They would be helpful for further studying the pathogenesis of HAstV-1 infection and development of HAstV-1 vaccines as the immunological tools.
Essay: Sticky Seconds -- The Problems Second Liens Pose to the Resolution of Distressed Mortgages

Almost five years into the foreclosure crisis, policymakers, the mortgage industry, consumers and taxpayers all express disappointment over the slow pace of modifications, refinancings, and other resolutions of borrowers’ distress short of foreclosure auctions. Many analysts point to the prevalence of second liens on the properties as a significant impediment to efficient resolutions of borrowers’ distress and therefore to the stabilization of the housing market. In addition, many observers argue that a significant number of second liens are at serious risk of default, and therefore may imperil the financial solvency of the financial institutions holding the liens. To better understand whether and how second liens might prevent efficient resolutions of borrower distress and to assess how second lien holders could be encouraged to cooperate with efficient resolutions without undermining the financial interests of the banks, we reviewed existing data and research, as well as debates among both academics and industry experts about the role second liens might be playing in slowing the recovery of the housing market. We then convened a small group of experts from across the country on April 10th, 2012, gathering around one table servicers, investors, title insurers, consultants, bank regulators, government officials, mortgage counselors, economists, lawyers, accountants and academics to explore the full range of issues that second liens pose to efforts to stabilize the housing market.This article reports the results of our research and the roundtable discussion. It first explores what we know about the prevalence and delinquency rates of different types of second liens, the extent to which banks are exposed to losses on the liens, and the extent to which the banks already have accounted for those expected losses. It then reviews the various reasons that second liens have interfered with the efficient resolution of distressed mortgages, and documents advances that recently have been made in addressing those problems. Finally, the article examines the most promising proposals for reducing the transaction costs and frictions that are behind many of the current problems second liens are posing, as well as proposals to prevent similar problems from arising in the future. We focus our analysis of solutions on programs to remove barriers to greater coordination between first and second lien holders, rather than on the incentive approaches that have already been attempted.
Dendritic cells elicit allergic immune responses in a CCR7-dependent fashion (103.10)

DCs are key in mounting allergic immunity by mobilizing from allergen exposed sites to lymphoid tissues for T cell activation. However, whether the CCR7-CCL19/21 axis promotes DC mobilization and Th2 responses in allergy is incompletely understood. We thus sought to determine if CCR7 expression by DCs promotes allergy. Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) was evaluated in wild-type (WT) mice immunized via adoptive transfer with OVA/Alum-primed (WT) T cells. Mice were injected subconjunctivally (SCJ) with exogenous WT or CCR7 KO DCs (or PBS), and immediately instilled with OVA-loaded eye drops to induce AC. Clinical signs were scored biomicroscopically, and sera were sampled for OVA-specific IgE analysis. T cells were isolated for cytokine analyses to in vitro recall stimulation. Lastly, leukocytosis of collagenase-digested conjunctival cells was FACS analyzed. Upregulated CCR7 expression was confirmed of SCJ injected WT DCs found in lymph nodes of immunized mice following instillation of PE-OVA eye drops. Mice with WT DCs showed significant augmentation of clinical signs relative to sham controls. This was corroborated by a 2-fold increase in mast cell and eosinophil infiltration, 4-fold increase in IL-13 and IL-4, and an 8-fold increase in IgE (p
Surviving rectal cancer: examination of racial disparities surrounding access to care

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate whether survival differences are attributable to disproportionate access to stage-specific rectal cancer treatment recommended by the National Comprehensive Care Network. Methods A retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Data Base between 1998 and 2006 was performed. A series of Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were used to compare 5-y survival among race cohorts. Propensity score matching was used to compare Caucasian and African American patients who received the same treatment by accounting for covariates. Results 5-y overall survival in African Americans was 50.7% versus 56.2% in Caucasians ( P versus 63.1% in Caucasians ( P versus 65.8% in Caucasians ( P P Conclusions These data show that access to standard care appears to decrease but not eliminate the survival differences between African Americans and Caucasians with rectal cancer.
Chapter 7 – Health Services Research: Translating Discovery and Research Into Practice and Policy

This chapter addresses the fundamental aspects of translational research that occur after identification of health problems; discovery of fundamental biological, physiological, and pathophysiological information; and subsequent development and rigorous evaluation of potential interventions. This chapter presents a broad overview of some of the central components of health services and policy research. Inherently multidisciplinary, health services research incorporates perspectives, theories, knowledge, and research methods of a broad range of clinical, social, behavioral, and management sciences, including clinical medicine, epidemiology, biostatistics, economics, political science, communication, psychology, public health, operations research, informatics, finance, and management. Thus, this study examines health services research through an overview of broad problem areas. Translation of medical innovation requires methodological expertise, skill, time, and resources. Although difficult, effectively translating advances in scientific knowledge to practice and policy to improve the health of patients and the public requires research of the type discussed in this chapter. The goal of medical care is to improve patient and population health. Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease require integrating knowledge and understanding across the basic, clinical, population, social, and management sciences. Health services research is a multidisciplinary scientific endeavor that studies and generates knowledge to facilitate improved translation of medical discoveries into practice to improve the health of patients and the public.
Effect of drinking water source on associations between gastrointestinal illness and heavy rainfall in New Jersey

Gastrointestinal illness (GI) has been associated with heavy rainfall. Storm events and periods of heavy rainfall and runoff can result in increased microbiological contaminants in raw water. Surface water supplies are open to the environment and runoff can directly influence the presence of contaminants. A time-stratified bi-directional case-crossover study design was used to estimate associations of heavy rainfall and hospitalizations for GI. Cases of GI were identified as in-patient hospitalization with a primary diagnosis of infectious disease associated diarrhea [ICD-9 codes: specified gastrointestinal infections 001-009.9 or diarrhea 787.91] among the residents of New Jersey from 2009 to 2013 resulting in a final sample size of 47,527 cases. Two control days were selected on the same days of the week as the case day, within fixed 21-day strata. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios controlling for temperature and humidity. To determine potential effect modification estimates were stratified by season (warm or cold) and drinking water source (groundwater, surface water, or 'other' category). Stratified analyses by drinking water source and season identified positive associations of rainfall and GI hospitalizations in surface water systems during the warm season with no lag (OR = 1.12, 95% CI 1.05-1.19) and a 2-day lag (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.16). Positive associations in 'Other' water source areas (served by very small community water systems, private wells, or unknown) during the warm season with a 4-day lag were also found. However, there were no statistically significant positive associations in groundwater systems during the warm season. The results suggest that water systems with surface water sources can play an important role in preventing GI hospitalizations during and immediately following heavy rainfall. Regulators should work with water system providers to develop system specific prevention techniques to limit the impact of heavy rainfall on public health.