cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Refracted Filmmaking in Muhammad Malas’s The Dream and Kamal Aljafari’s The Roof

This article analyzes two films, The Dream (Muhammad Malas, 1987) and The Roof (Kamal Aljafari, 2006) to define a particular mode of filmmaking. By avoiding direct representations of violence and employing what I call refraction, filmmakers create experiences for viewers that make agential understandings of particular Palestinian times, places and experiences possible. Through refraction, filmmakers refrain from providing new information or explanations, but rather create for spectators a new experience that leads to an affective understanding of a circumstance or event. Refraction can encompass different forms of counter-hegemonic practices. It can deconstruct or queer dominant discursive practices. Through refraction filmmakers can circumvent the discourse of claims-making that viewers have widely come to expect in the Palestinian context, instead creating a point of encounter through which characters and viewers can meet on the basis of equality.
Regulation of somatostatin-14 and gastrin I binding sites in bat gastrointestinal mucosa by ulcerogenic dose of cysteamine

A single duodenal ulcerogenic dose of cysteamine administered into rats induced time-dependent depletion of immunoreactive somatostatin in the gastric corporeal, antral, and duodenal mucosa with a parallel increase (up-regulation) of somatostatin binding sites. The concentration of somatostatin binding sites returned to the control level in the corporeal mucosa when measured at 24 hrs; however, in the duodenal mucosa there was only a partial return to the control level. Somatostatin binding sites in the antral mucosa did not return to control level even after 24 hrs. Except for the duodenum mucosal immunoreactive gastrin level was unaffected by cysteamine administration, but corporeal mucosal gastrin I binding sites were diminished (down-regulation) after 24 hrs.
Frequency-domain analysis of nonlinear electronic circuits in a general purpose c.a.d. program in APL

The small-signal frequency-domain analysis of linear and nonlinear electronic circuits has been implemented in a general purpose c.a.d. program in APL. The techniques used include a parallel pivoting and ordering scheme, and APL-oriented parallel algorithms to enhance speed and save storage. An algorithm for solving simultaneous complex algebraic equations is implemented which has the advantages of leaving the circuit-matrix structure invariant in the d.c, a.c. and transient cases. A highly nonlinear circuit of 450 branches, analysed at 40 frequency points, took approximately 3 min of c.p.u. time on the IBM 370/168 machine and the program and data fitted in less than 112K bytes of storage. The turn-around time was approximately 8 min
Model systems for the study of the role of PADPRP in essential biological processes

Abstract The nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PADPRP) is implicated in a number of cellular processes, including DNA repair, replication, and differentiation. We have been using several model systems to examine these potential roles of PADPRP. A human keratinocyte model system has been developed in which stable lines of epidermal cells contain an inducible construct harboring the antisense cDNA to PADPRP. When PADPRP antisense RNA is induced in culture, endogenous PADPRP mRNA, protein, and enzymatic activity is lowered, and the pattern of poly(ADP) ribosylation in response to alkylating agents is altered. When keratinocyte clones containing the antisense construct or empty vector alone were grafted onto nude mice, they formed histologically normal human skin. The PADPRP antisense construct was also inducible in vivo by the topical application of dexamethasone to the reconstituted epidermis, as determined by in situ hybridization. In addition, poly(ADP-ribose) polymer could be induced and detected in vivo following the topical application of a DNA alkylating agent to the grafted transfected skin layers. Thus, a model system has been developed in which the levels of PADPRP can be selectively manipulated in human keratinocytes in cell culture, and potentially in reconstituted epidermis as these keratinocyte lines can be grafted to nude mice, whereupon they form a histologically and immunocytochemically normal human epidermis. Another system that we have been utilizing to examine the role of PADPRP in proliferation and differentiation is stable lines of mouse preadipocytes that contain an inducible antisense PADPRP RNA. Similar to the keratinocyte system, these cells can inducibly express antisense PADPRP RNA, and subsequently lower levels of endogenous PADPRP. In this system, the normal differentiation to adipocytes is blocked by the lowering of endogenous PADPRP, apparently resulting from inhibition of replication immediately preceding terminal differentiation. This inhibition in turn may stem from the requirement for the physical association between PADPRP and polymerase alpha during the S phase of the cell cycle. These systems will be useful tools to study the role of PADPRP in essential biological processes.
Modelling the potential impacts of groundwater hydrology on long‐term drainage basin evolution

Fluvial erosion processes are driven by water discharge on the land surface, which is produced by surface runoff and groundwater discharge. Although groundwater is often neglected in long-term landscape evolution problems, water table levels control patterns of Dunne runoff production, and groundwater discharge can contribute significantly to storm flows. In this analysis, we investigate the role that groundwater movement plays in long-term drainage basin evolution by modifying a widely used landscape evolution model to include a more detailed representation of basin hydrology. Precipitation is generated by a stochastic process, and the precipitation is partitioned between surface runoff and groundwater recharge using a specified infiltration capacity. Groundwater flow is simulated by a dynamic two-dimensional Dupuit equation for an unconfined aquifer with an irregular underlying impervious layer. The model is applied to the WE-38 basin, an experimental catchment in Pennsylvania, because 60–80 per cent of the discharge is derived from groundwater and substantial hydrologic and geomorphic information is available. The hydrologic model is first calibrated to match the observed streamflows, and then the combined hydrologic/geomorphic model is used to simulate scenarios with different infiltration capacities. The results of this modelling exercise indicate that the basin can be divided into three zones with distinct streamflow-generating characteristics, and different parts of the basin can have different geomorphic effective events. Over long periods of time, scenarios in which groundwater discharge is large tend to modify the topography in a way that promotes groundwater discharge and inhibits Dunne runoff. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
COLLAPSE OF POROSITY DURING DRYING OF ALKYLENE-BRIDGED POLYSILSESQUIOXANE GELS. INFLUENCE OF THE BRIDGING GROUP LENGTH

The introduction of organic substituents into sol-gel materials can often result in networks that collapse during drying to afford non-porous xerogels. This can prove useful if non-porous coatings or membranes are the ultimate objectives. Collapse of porosity is also manifested in bridged polysilsesquioxanes with flexible bridging groups. Alkylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes are hybrid xerogels whose organic bridging group is an integral constituent of the network polymer that can be systematically varied to probe the influence of its length on the xerogels' porosity and morphology. Our previous studies have shown that hexylene-bridged polysilsesquioxane xerogels prepared from 1, 6-bis(triethoxysilyl)hexane under acidic conditions are nonporous while the pentylene-bridged polysilsesquioxanes prepared under the same conditions are porous. We also discovered that the more reactive 1, 6-bis(trimethoxysilyl)hexane monomer could polymerize under acidic conditions to afford porous xerogels. Here, we have extended our study of bis(trimethoxysilyl)alkanes to include the heptylene (C7), octylene (C8), nonylene(C9) and decylene (C10) bridges so as to ascertain at what bridging group length the porosity collapses. The morphology of the resulting xerogels was characterized by nitrogen sorption porosimetry and electron microscopy. Solid state NMR was used to structurally characterize the materials.
Computing Stability Criteria of Liquid Layers Spread Over a Segment of a Sphere

T recent paper by Anliker and Beam develops the stability of liquid layers spread over simple curved bodies and leads to an infinite set of linear algebraic equations as the stability criteria for the case of a sphere. The coefficients of the linear equations consist of integrals of the product of two associated Legendre functions of degrees which have to be determined from the boundary condition. It is the task of this paper to show recurrence relations among the coefficients to make it feasible to use a high-speed computer for a further study of the equation. According to Ref. 1, the following equation should be set up, dropping the index m except for L and M:
An investigation of phase-distribution moment-matching algorithms for use in queueing models

Algorithms for matching moments to phase-type distributions are evaluated on the basis of their performance in their intended application, queueing models. The moment-matching algorithms under consideration match two moments to a hyperexponential distribution with balanced means and three moments to a mixture of two Erlang distributions of common order. These algorithms are used to approximate an interarrival-time distribution for a queueing model, and the accuracy of associated performance-measure approximations is then used to evaluate the moment-matching algorithms. Three performance measures are considered, and attention is focussed on the steady-state mean queue length (number in system) of theGI/M/1 queue. Performance-measure approximations are compared to three-moment bounds and performance-measure values arising from hypothetical approximated distributions.
What Works in Teaching Composition: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental Treatment Studies.

As one part of a comprehensive review of research related to the teaching of composition, I have conducted an integrative review or meta-analysis of experimental treatment studies completed from 1963 through 1982. Among many researchers in the field of composition, such studies are currently in disrepute. Cooper and Odell (1978, p. xiii) claim that the authors included in their Research on Composing share "one audacious aim-that of redirecting and revitalizing research in written composition." Their aim was to redirect research away from the kind of experimental studies summarized by Braddock, LloydJones, and Schoer in 1963. They argue that the Braddock et al. review was based on the assumption that "We already had a thorough understanding of written products and processes" (p. xiv), an assumption that Cooper, Odell, and their co-authors see as unwarranted. They believe that "ultimately, comparison-group research may enable us to improve instruction in writing" (p. xiv), but not before such research is "informed by carefully tested theory and by descriptions of written discourse and the processes by which that discourse comes into being" (p. xiv). Emig (1982) sees much less promise for "comparison group" studies. Her attack is launched against the whole "positivist" research "paradigm," by which she apparently means testing hypotheses in experimental designs in or out of laboratories. The most vituperative attack against experimental studies was launched by Graves (1980). He claims that such research in writing is "an exercise for students to apply courses in statistics to their dissertations" (p. 914). Referring to experimental studies conducted between 1955 and 1972, Graves claims that most of this research "wasn't readable and was of limited value. It couldn't help teachers in the classroom"
Genetic structure, diversity, and interisland dispersal in the endangered Mariana Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus guami)

ABSTRACT The Mariana Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus guami) is a highly endangered taxon, with fewer than 300 individuals estimated to occur in the wild. The subspecies is believed to have undergone population declines attributable to loss of wetland habitats on its native islands in the Mariana Islands. We analyzed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences (control region and ND2 genes) and nuclear microsatellite loci in Mariana Common Moorhens from Guam and Saipan, the two most distal islands inhabited by the subspecies. Our analyses revealed similar nuclear genetic diversity and effective population size estimates on Saipan and Guam. Birds from Guam and Saipan were genetically differentiated (microsatellites: FST = 0.152; control region: FST = 0.736; ND2: FST = 0.390); however, assignment tests revealed the presence of first-generation dispersers from Guam onto Saipan (1 of 27 sampled birds) and from Saipan onto Guam (2 of 28 sampled birds), suggesting the capability for long-distance interpopulation mov...
Online detection of endwinding contamination in industrial motors

This paper discusses a novel online technique to detect moisture and surface tracking of stator end-winding insulation in medium/high voltage AC motors. A novel high sensitivity differential current transformer is used as a sensor for monitoring insulation capacitance and dissipation factor of motors online. A 100 hp, 4160V, 3-phase form-wound induction motor is tested with different contaminants sprayed on its end winding. Partial discharge couplers are also used to monitor partial discharge activity during insulation contamination tests. A comparison of both techniques to detect pre-cursors of motor failure due to end-winding tracking is presented in this paper.
"It is Different Each Time I Play": Variability in Highly Prepared Musical Performance

PERFORMANCES BY CONCERT PIANISTS in the Western classical tradition are normally highly prepared, yet must sound fresh and spontaneous. We propose that musicians achieve the necessary spontaneity by strategic management of the variability inherent in any action. Musical gestures that make up the artist9s interpretation (e.g., crescendos, ritardandos) are attenuated or exaggerated to different degrees in each performance, while movements critical for technique are less varied.We examined 7 highly polished performances of J.S. Bach9s Italian Concerto (Presto) by a concert pianist. There were small but consistent differences between performances in 4 of 9 identified musical gestures, each of which occurred in several locations. In contrast, at points where the pianist reported attending to technique during performance, slower tempi and lower dynamic variability suggested that she controlled execution of planned movements more closely. Increased control at technical difficulties permitted more spontaneous variation in the musical gestures important to her interpretation.
Einstein, Kant, and the A Priori

Kant’s original version of transcendental philosophy took both Euclidean geometry and the Newtonian laws of motion to be synthetic a priori constitutive principles – which, from Kant’s point of view, function as necessary presuppositions for applying our fundamental concepts of space, time, matter, and motion to our sensible experience of the natural world. Although Kant had very good reasons to view the principles in question as having such a constitutively a priori role, we now know, in the wake of Einstein’s work, that they are not in fact a priori in the stronger sense of being fixed necessary conditions for all human experience in general, eternally valid once and for all. And it is for precisely this reason that Kant’s original version of transcendental philosophy must now be either rejected entirely or (at least) radically reconceived. Most philosophy of science since Einstein has taken the former route: the dominant view in logical empiricism, for example, was that the Kantian synthetic a priori had to be rejected once and for all in the light of the general theory of relativity.
Structural study of Ag-Ge-S solid electrolyte glass system for resistive radiation sensing

Solid electrolytes based on chalcogenide glasses have been one of the most promising candidates for the next generation non-volatile memories. Here we propose a new application of chalcogenide solid electrolytes for low cost, high performance microelectronic radiation sensor that reacts to γ-radiation to produce an easily measurable change in electrical resistance. The active layer material is Ag-doped GeS thin film glasses and several compositions of GeS base glasses were tested for best resistive sensing capability. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was used for elemental analysis and Raman scattering spectroscopy was measured to determine the structural details and radiation induced structural changes. We also present initial electrical measurement results with test devices.
Negative Elongation Factor Is Required for the Maintenance of Proviral Latency but Does Not Induce Promoter-Proximal Pausing of RNA Polymerase II on the HIV Long Terminal Repeat

The role of the negative elongation factor (NELF) in maintaining HIV latency was investigated following small hairpin RNA (shRNA) knockdown of the NELF-E subunit, a condition that induced high levels of proviral transcription in latently infected Jurkat T cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays showed that latent proviruses accumulate RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) on the 5' long terminal repeat (LTR) but not on the 3' LTR. NELF colocalizes with RNAP II, and its level increases following proviral induction. RNAP II pause sites on the HIV provirus were mapped to high resolution by ChIP with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq). Like cellular promoters, RNAP II accumulates at around position +30, but HIV also shows additional pausing at +90, which is immediately downstream of a transactivation response (TAR) element and other distal sites on the HIV LTR. Following NELF-E knockdown or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) stimulation, promoter-proximal RNAP II levels increase up to 3-fold, and there is a dramatic increase in RNAP II levels within the HIV genome. These data support a kinetic model for proviral transcription based on continuous replacement of paused RNAP II during both latency and productive transcription. In contrast to most cellular genes, HIV is highly activated by the combined effects of NELF-E depletion and activation of initiation by TNF-α, suggesting that opportunities exist to selectively activate latent HIV proviruses.
Increased frequency of non-fumigatus Aspergillus species in amphotericin B– or triazole–pre-exposed cancer patients with positive cultures for aspergilli

Invasive aspergillosis (IA) can occur despite prior prophylactic or empiric use of triazoles or amphotericin B (AMB). Although profound immunosuppression may account for breakthrough IA, resistance of Aspergillus to antifungals may also play a role. To examine this question, we measured the minimal inhibitory concentration of 105 Aspergillus isolates recovered from 105 cancer patients (64 with IA, 41 with Aspergillus colonization) to AMB, itraconazole (ITC), and voriconazole (VRC) using the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) M38-A microdilution and E-test methods. We also determined the minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of these agents and the minimal effective concentration (MEC) of caspofungin (CAS) using standardized methods. We then collected information regarding pre-exposure to AMB or triazoles (fluconazole, ITC, VRC) within 3 months before Aspergillus isolation. Pre-exposure of cancer patients to AMB or triazoles was associated with increased frequency of non-fumigatus Aspergillus species. Aspergillus isolates recovered from patients who previously received AMB exhibited higher E-test AMB MICs compared with isolates from patients without prior AMB exposure (P = 0.01). In addition, the AMB MICs by E-test were higher in triazole-pre-exposed patients compared with those not exposed to triazoles (P = 0.001). The ITC and VRC MICs by E-test were not affected by prior AMB or triazole exposure. Finally, neither the AMB, ITC, and VRC MICs and MFCs by NCCLS method nor CAS MECs showed such changes. In conclusion, cancer patients with positive Aspergillus cultures who are pre-exposed to AMB or triazoles have high frequency of non-fumigatus Aspergillus species. These Aspergillus isolates were found to be AMB-resistant by the more sensitive E-test method.
Understanding strategies for the treatment of ischemic steal syndrome after hemodialysis access

The recently published guidelines of the National Kidney Foundation-Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative have focused on improving patient outcomes and survival by providing recommendations for optimal clinical practice. These guidelines firmly endorse the establishment of autogenous hemodialysis access and recommend a 40% to 50% prevalence of autogenous fistulas among all hemodialysis patients. As surgeons strive to meet these guidelines it will be necessary to extend autogenous reconstruction to older individuals, diabetics, and patients with suitable vein only in the upper arm. These individuals are at increased risk for the development of the ischemic steal syndrome. It is paramount that surgeons who perform vascular access procedures have a firm understanding of the symptoms, diagnostic maneuvers, and treatment options for the ischemic steal syndrome after hemodialysis access procedures.
Comparing delay discounting rates when using the fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice methods.

ABSTRACT Several methods have been devised to measure delay discounting. The present study recruited university students to complete a delay-discounting task involving five different outcomes (finding a dating partner, free cigarettes, winning $100,000, being owed $100,000, and obtaining one's ideal body image) that was administered using either the fill-in-the blank (FITB) or multiple-choice (MC) method. Results showed that the different administration methods sometimes produced significantly different rates of discounting, the direction of which differed by outcome. Hyperbolic discounting and the area under the discounting curve were nearly always significantly correlated when the FITB method was used but were never significantly correlated when the MC method was used. Discounting across the five outcomes produced a two-factor solution when the FITB data were factor analyzed. The MC data were described by a one-factor solution. The present results illustrate that procedural variables have a potentially ...
Colorimetric turn-on sensing of fluoride ions in H2O/CHCl3 mixtures by pyridinium boranes.

As part of our interest in chemistry of cationic boron compounds as anion receptors, we have synthesized 2-(4′-dimestylborylphenyl)-N-methyl-pyridinium triflate ([3]OTf) and 2-(5′-dimesitylborylthiophen-2′-yl)-N-methyl-pyridinium triflate ([4]OTf) by reaction of the corresponding pyridyl derivatives with MeOTf. Both [3]OTf and [4]OTf extract fluoride ions biphasically (H2O/CHCl3) to form the zwitterionic fluoroborates 3-F and 4-F, which have been structurally characterized. Remarkably, fluoride binding induces a red-shift of the low energy absorption band of these boranes (from 319 nm to 368 nm for 3/3-F and from 355 nm to 430 nm for 4/4-F) leading to the appearance of a yellow color. The origin of this turn-on colorimetric response is attributed to an intramolecular charge transfer process involving the triorganofluoroborate moiety as the donor and the pyridinium moiety as the acceptor.
A Linguistically Motivated Model for Speed and Pausing in Animations of American Sign Language

Many deaf adults in the United States have difficulty reading written English text; computer animations of American Sign Language (ASL) can improve these individuals’ access to information, communication, and services. Planning and scripting the movements of a virtual character’s arms and body to perform a grammatically correct and understandable ASL sentence is a difficult task, and the timing subtleties of the animation can be particularly challenging. After examining the psycholinguistics literature on the speed and timing of ASL, we have designed software to calculate realistic timing of the movements in ASL animations. We have built algorithms to calculate the time-duration of signs and the location/length of pauses during an ASL animation. To determine whether our software can improve the quality of ASL animations, we conducted a study in which native ASL signers evaluated the ASL animations processed by our algorithms. We have found that: (1) adding linguistically motivated pauses and variations in sign-durations improved signers’ performance on a comprehension task and (2) these animations were rated as more understandable by ASL signers.
Experimental Tests of Captive Breeding for Endangered Species

Abstract: Several captive breeding regimes were compared for their ability to maintain fitness ( larval viability) and genetic variation in small populations of the housefly ( Musca domestica L.). Populations were either maintained at constant sizes of 40, 200, or 2000 individuals or initiated with two pairs of flies and allowed to grow to 40 individuals ( low-founder-number populations). Low-founder-number populations without migration exhibited low larval viability (22%) after 24 generations, compared to larger populations maintained at either 200 (49%) or 2000 (69%) individuals, and suffered high extinction, with only 44% of the lines surviving 24 generations. Low-founder-number populations subjected to two additional founder ( bottleneck) episodes, reducing them to two pairs of flies, suffered little additional loss in fitness or extinction compared to the single-founder treatments. Migration as low as one individual per generation (2.5% migration) significantly offset both reduced fitness and rate of extinction. Conversely, fitness was not significantly increased for low-founder-number populations when founders were selected from the top performing 20% of pairs under full-sib mating. Populations maintained at 40 individuals were not sustainable, exhibiting low larval viability (35%) and a high extinction rate (40%) over 24 generations, similar to the extinction rates for populations initiated with only four founders. Although none of the populations maintained at 200 individuals went extinct, their fitness was reduced by 20% compared to a large control population maintained at 2000 individuals. Electrophoretic variation was significantly correlated with fitness across treatments, but the correlation of fitness to narrow-sense heritability of two morphometric traits was not significant.
CMOS RF Power Amplifier Variability and Reliability Resilient Biasing Design and Analysis

This paper presents a novel biasing design that makes the complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor radio frequency power amplifier (PA) resilient to process variability and device reliability. The biasing scheme provides resilience through the threshold voltage adjustment, and at the mean time, it does not degrade the PA performance. Analytical equations are derived for studying the resilient biasing on PA process sensitivity. A class-AB PA with a resilient design is compared with a PA without such a design using a Predictive Technology Model 65-nm technology. The Advanced Design System simulation results show that the resilient biasing design helps improve the robustness of the PA in P1dB, Psat, and power-added efficiency. Except for postfabrication calibration capability, the adaptive body biasing design reduces the impact of variability and reliability on PA significantly when subjected to threshold voltage shift and electron mobility degradation.
An Efficient Fmoc-SPPS Approach for the Generation of Thioester Peptide Precursors for Use in Native Chemical Ligation

The straightforward C-terminal modification of peptides assembled on a solid support remains a significant challenge in peptide and protein chemistry. In particular, C-terminal thioester peptides are important intermediates for the generation of active esters, amides and hydrazides[1,2] and are an essential component of many synthetic strategies for protein synthesis.[3] Currently, the most effective approach for the synthesis of peptidyl thioesters is the in situ neutralization protocol for Boc solid phase peptide synthesis (Boc-SPPS)[4] using thioester linkers.[2,5] However, many laboratories use Fmoc-SPPS exclusively and such protocols are favored when synthesizing glyco- and phosphopeptides. The thioester linkers used for Boc-SPPS have limited utility for Fmoc-SPPS due to the requirement for repeated Fmoc removal under basic conditions. Considerable effort has been applied to address this challenge[6] including optimized Fmoc deprotection cocktails,[7] thiol labile safety catch linkers,[8] activation of protected peptides in solution,[9] and recently thioesters have been generated using O to S[10] or N to S[11] acyl transfer. Despite these notable advances, the synthesis of thioester peptides by Fmoc-SPPS remains significantly more challenging than the synthesis of the corresponding acid or amide peptide.
Efficient trimmed-sample Monte Carlo methodology and yield-aware design flow for analog circuits

This paper proposes efficient trimmed-sample Monte Carlo (TSMC) methodology and novel yield-aware design flow for analog circuits. This approach focuses on "trimming simulation samples" to speedup MC analysis. The best possible yield and the worst performance are provided "before" MC simulations such that designers can stop MC analysis and start improving circuits earlier. Moreover, this work can combine with variance reduction techniques or low discrepancy sequences to reduce the MC simulation cost further. Using Latin Hypercube Sampling as an example, this approach gives 29x to 54x speedup over traditional MC analysis and the yield estimation errors are all smaller than 1%. For analog system designs, the proposed flow is still efficient for high-level MC analysis, as demonstrated by a PLL system.
Hydrogen sulfide protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury in an in vitro model of cutaneous tissue transplantation.

Background Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a source of morbidity and mortality in many clinical scenarios, and has as one of its many consequences the induction of cellular apoptosis. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) may decrease cellular metabolism in a reversible, nontoxic manner. An in vitro model of cutaneous tissue transplantation was developed to assess whether H2S could ameliorate cellular injury caused by IRI. Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with media containing NaHS (0, 10 μM, 100 μM, or 1 mM) and exposed to normoxia (21% oxygen), hypoxia (1%), or anoxia (0%). Cells were then returned to normoxia, and apoptosis was quantified using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Fibroblasts (3T3s) were treated with H2S and exposed to anoxia in a similar fashion. Results Treatment with H2S resulted in a significant decrease in apoptosis in HUVECs and 3T3s subjected to IRI. Toxicity of H2S was not observed, although the protective effect was less evident at higher doses. Conclusion This is the first study to examine H2S and the cellular components of cutaneous flaps in the setting of IRI. Our results demonstrate that H2S significantly decreases apoptosis in vitro in the setting of IRI. These data suggest H2S may mitigate IRI in vivo, and, therefore, has potential as a therapy for improving tissue survivability in clinical scenarios.
Diatom assemblages and their associations with environmental variables in Oregon Coast Range streams, USA

The Oregon Coast Range, rich in natural resources, is under increasing pressure from rapid development. The purpose of this study was to examine diatom species patterns in relation to environmental variables in streams of this region. Diatoms, water quality, physical habitat and watershed characteristics were assessed for 33 randomly selected stream sites. Watershed size, elevation, geology, vegetation and stream morphology varied substantially among sites. Streams were characterized by dilute water chemistry and a low percent of fine substrate. A total of 80 diatom taxa were identified. Taxa richness was low throughout the region (median 15, range 10–26). Assemblages were dominated by two adnate species, Achnanthidium minutissimum and Achnanthes pyrenaicum. Diatoms sensitive to organic pollution dominated the assemblages at all sites (median 85%). Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and correlational analysis showed quantitative relationships between diatom assemblages and environmental variables. NMDS axes were significantly correlated with watershed area, watershed geology, conductivity, total nitrogen, total solids and stream width. Diatom-based site classification (Two-way Indicators Species Analysis, (TWINSPAN)) yielded 4 discrete groups that displayed weak correlations with environmental variables. When stream sites were classified by dominant watershed geology, overall diatom assemblages between groups were significantly different (Analysis of Similarity (ANOSIM) global R = 0.19, p < 0.05). Our results suggest that streams in the coastal region are in relatively good condition. High natural variability in stream conditions in the Oregon Coast Range ecoregion may obscure quantitative relationships between environmental variables and diatom assemblages. A bioassessment protocol that classifies sites by major landscape variables and selects streams along the major human disturbance gradient might allow for detection of early signs of human disturbance in environmentally heterogeneous regions, such as the Pacific Northwest.
Antibiotic-Sensitive TolC Mutants and Their Suppressors

The TolC protein of Escherichia coli, through its interaction with AcrA and AcrB, is thought to form a continuous protein channel that expels inhibitors from the cell. Consequently, tolC null mutations display a hypersensitive phenotype. Here we report the isolation and characterization of tolC missense mutations that direct the synthesis of mutant TolC proteins partially disabled in their efflux role. All alterations, consisting of single amino acid substitutions, were localized within the periplasmic α-helical domain. In two mutants carrying an I106N or S350F substitution, the hypersensitivity phenotype may be in part due to aberrant TolC assembly. However, two other alterations, R367H and R390C, disrupted efflux function by affecting interactions among the helices surrounding TolC's periplasmic tunnel. Curiously, these two TolC mutants were sensitive to a large antibiotic, vancomycin, and exhibited a Dex+ phenotype. These novel phenotypes of TolCR367H and TolCR390C were likely the result of a general influx of molecules through a constitutively open tunnel aperture, which normally widens only when TolC interacts with other proteins during substrate translocation. An intragenic suppressor alteration (T140A) was isolated from antibiotic-resistant revertants of the hypersensitive TolCR367H mutant. T140A also reversed, either fully (R390C) or partially (I106N and S350F), the hypersensitivity phenotype of other TolC mutants. Our data suggest that this global suppressor phenotype of T140A is the result of impeded antibiotic influx caused by tapering of the tunnel passage rather than by correcting individual mutational defects. Two extragenic suppressors of TolCR367H, mapping in the regulatory region of acrAB, uncoupled the AcrR-mediated repression of the acrAB genes. The resulting overexpression of AcrAB reduced the hypersensitivity phenotype of all the TolC mutants. Similar results were obtained when the chromosomal acrR gene was deleted or the acrAB genes were expressed from a plasmid. Unlike the case for the intragenic suppressor T140A, the overexpression of AcrAB diminished hypersensitivity towards only erythromycin and novobiocin, which are substrates of the TolC-AcrAB efflux pump, but not towards vancomycin, which is not a substrate of this pump. This showed that the two types of suppressors produced their effects by fundamentally different means, as the intragenic suppressor decreased the general influx while extragenic suppressors increased the efflux of TolC-AcrAB pump-specific antibiotics.
Oil granuloma of the peritoneum.

Summary Two cases of oil granuloma of the peritoneum have been presented. In both cases the previous instillation of liquid petrolatum as a therapeutic measure was thought to be responsible for the formation of the granulomas. The clinical picture and differential diagnosis were discussed.
A probabilistic approach for blind source separation of underdetermined convolutive mixtures

There are very few techniques that can separate signals from the convolutive mixture in the underdetermined case. We have developed a method that uses overcomplete expansion of the signal created with a time-frequency transform and that also uses the property of sparseness and a Laplacian source density model to obtain the source signals from the instantaneously mixed signals in the underdetermined case. This technique has been extended here to separate signals (a) in the case of underdetermined convolutive mixtures, and (b) in the general case of more than 2 mixtures. Here, we also propose a geometric constrained based search approach to significantly reduce the computational time of our original "dual update" algorithm. Several examples are provided. The results of signal separation from the convolutive mixtures indicate that an average signal to noise ratio improvement of 5.3 dB can be obtained.
Spontaneous hematoma of the liver in a woman with severe pre-eclampsia

Abstract A case of spontaneous hematoma of the liver occurring in a patient with pre-eclampsia shortly following a precipitous delivery in a taxicab is presented. The possibility of bodily trauma having occurred in the vehicle used for transportation has been considered, but it has been impossible to elicit from the patient any history which might substantiate such a viewpoint. The possibility of rupture of perirenal veins was entertained and this possibility may still remain, but angiograms to prove such a condition were not done because it was thought inadvisable because of the patient's poor condition while in the hospital. The difficulty in establishing a diagnosis has been demonstrated, and many members of the gynecologic, medical, and surgical staffs, who examined this patient, listed several different impressions as to the nature of the disease process. Diagnosis was ultimately made following pathologic study of tissue removed from the enlarged liver at exploratory laparotomy. Such cases may be fatal if the liver capsule ruptures and permits excessive bleeding from the liver into the peritoneal cavity. The fact that the liver did not rupture in this case may be the important factor in her survival.
Investigating search behavior and performance using personal and social context signals

Emerging trends in smart-phones and wearable devices provide us efficient way through we could observe and understand individuals' behavior and allow for the creation of a rich user behavioral profile. Through a user study, personal and contextual signals from participants' everyday lives were collected, while information search behavior was observed in a lab study. Preliminary analysis over data indicates that possibilities of relationship between social/geo-locational interaction between information search performance.
Accelerated Motion of a Spheroid in Viscous Fluid

The exact solution of the equation of motion of a spheroid accelerated along its axis of symmetry to an arbitrarily applied force in a viscous fluid of infinite extent is obtained. The solutions are presented in terms of tabulated functions. The unsteady drag predicted by the Stokes-flow solution is adopted in the analysis. Both prolate and oblate spheroids are considered. The results are reduced to those of accelerated sphere case, in which the spheroid becomes a sphere. The prolate spheroid with the ratio of major axis to minor axis equal to 1.96 is found to have the greatest terminal settling velocity due to gravity and to travel longest distance due to an impulsive force among the spheroids of equal volume. The variations of velocity and displacement with time for some spheroids falling from rest are presented in graphs.
The Discovery Immunity Exception in Indian Country — Promoting American Indian Sovereignty by Fostering the Rule of Law

The purpose of this article is to encourage federal courts (and Indian tribes) to re-think reliance on tribal sovereign immunity as a basis to quash or modify process directed to Indian tribes and their elected and appointed officials and employees as non-parties to any underlying litigation. In such third-party actions, federal courts should not apply tribal immunity to quash or modify otherwise valid federal process served on an Indian tribe pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 45. Instead, the federal court should approach the issue with an eye toward implementing Congressional policies aimed at supporting the development of strong governments for American Indian people. The best expression of Indian tribal sovereignty and self-determination is active, robust legislative activity, not resorting to claims of immunity. Indian tribes and their counsel are encouraged to take primary control of the tribes’ sovereign interests and embrace public policy and the rule of law by abandoning reliance on tribal immunity in the form of a "discovery immunity exception." Such action would place Indian tribes on the same footing with the United States and the states with respect to enforcement of third-party discovery requests targeted to such governments. Accordingly, a federal court’s focus when faced with this issue should be on the public policies and substantive laws enacted by the involved Indian tribe with respect to regulating the public’s access to the Indian government’s officials, employees and records. To the extent that the Indian tribe has not enacted on point substantive law, the federal court should apply the balancing approach articulated in United States v. Bryan, as this test provides an opportunity for the tribe to demonstrate that its substantial interest in sovereignty and self government far outweighs the public’s search for the truth. To the extent the tribe cannot prevail under the Bryan test, the court should apply the standard outlined in FRCP 45(c)(3)(A) to determine whether to quash or modify the federal process. However, with respect to federal process served on a tribal official, the court should determine whether that person is a “high-ranking government official” in accordance with the law of the involved Indian tribe and, if so, the court should apply the standard used with respect to high-ranking federal, state, and municipal government officials. As for federal process served on a tribal board member or corporate executive or tribal attorney, the court should apply a principle of proportionality reflected in FRCP 26(b)(2) by quashing or delaying the deposition of a high-ranking corporate official whose role in the transaction is limited.
Effects of humic acid and sunlight on the generation and aggregation state of aqu/C60 nanoparticles.

Aqueous suspensions of nanoscale C60 aggregates (aqu/C60) were produced by stirring in water with Suwanee River Humic Acid (humic acid) and water from Call’s Creek, a small stream near Athens, GA. ...
Green Petra: archaeological explorations in the city's northern wadis

Petra is known for its monumental rock-cut architecture and seemingly miraculous existence within a forbidding desert environment. It has also long been hailed as a ‘caravan city’. We argue that Petra's emplacement in its immediate landscape should be a source of equal wonder and interest. This study analyses archaeological remains in two wadis at the northern edge of the urban centre of Petra — known as Wadi Ma‘aysra East and Wadi Ma‘aysra West — to illustrate the nature and pervasiveness of local topographic manipulations. We argue that the dynamic landscapes of these wadis were a significant part of Petra's urban fabric: they facilitated movement in and out of the city, sustained intensive cultivation and were charged with ritual significance.
Research and Development of SCS-500L Power Oscillation Islanding Control Device

This paper presents the algorithm and control logic used in SCS-500L power oscillation islanding control device.Based on the line power oscillation trajectory measurements,this method has several distinct characteristics such as clear principle,good controllability and ease of engineering implementation.SCS-500L is a stability control device based on high speed digital signal processor(DSP) technology,having advantages of high-speed calculation,high-precision sampling,high reliability and a friendly man-machine interface and thus being capable of adapting to flexible requirements as a result of power system changes in topology and operation modes.Digital simulation results are given to validate the new method and the new device.
Vaccines for Treating Cocaine Use Disorders

The incidence and prevalence of cocaine use remain a significant public health issue. Annually, while it negatively impacts millions of individuals, contributes to thousands of deaths, and exerts a heavy burden on already stretched healthcare dollars and resources, to date, medications, or small-molecule approaches, to treat drug addictions have met with limited success. In contract, anti-addiction vaccines have demonstrated great potential for treating drug abuse using a distinctly different mechanism of eliciting an antibody response that blocks the pharmacological effects of drugs.
Dead Labor, Homo Sacer, and Letting die in the Labor Market:

Within philosophy, a long-standing debate has addressed the moral distinction between ‘taking life’ and ‘letting die’. In this paper I re-situate this debate within the context of the capitalist la...
Pseudopotential Quantum Monte Carlo for Large-Z Atom Systems

The method of pseudopotential quantum Monte Carlo is described as a tool for electronic structure calculations of systems with heavy atoms. This approach is illustrated for several transition metal atoms using ab initio Ar core nonlocal pseudopotenti als. Usually about 90% of the correlation energy is obtained in the variational Monte Carlo and excellent estimations of the ground state energies are found by subsequent diffusion Monte Carlo simulations. In general, the agreement with experiment for ionization potentials, s → d excitation energies and other energy differences is substantially improved when compared with one-body approaches and compete with the best quantum chemistry calculations.