cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Purification and properties of a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from bovine heart

Abstract Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase was purified from beef heart to apparent homogeneity as judged by acrylamide disc-gel electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. Two distinct forms of diesterase (diesterase I and diesterase II) were resolved electrophoretically. The molecular weight of the major form (diesterase II) was estimated to be 125,000 by analytical ultracentrifugation, sucrose density-gradient centrifugation and acrylamide disc-gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight estimated by Sephadex gel filtration, however, was twice that obtained by other methods (250,000). The absence of diesterase I in the freshly prepared beef heart homogenate and its subsequent appearance after precipitation of the enzyme in the homogenate with ammonium sulfate suggested an artifactual origin for this form. Beef heart diesterase acted specifically on cyclic 3′,5′-purine nucleotide substrates and exhibited a Km for cyclic GMP and cyclic AMP of 5 × 10−5 m and 2 × 10−4 m , respectively. A second Km for cyclic AMP (2 × 10−5 m ) was present in the partially purified enzyme but was not evident in the fully purified preparation. Diesterase activity was optimal at pH 8.0 and pH 8.5 with cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP, respectively. Enzymic activity was stimulated by the addition of either Mg2+, Mn2+, Co2+, or Ni2+ and was inhibited by the addition of either Zn2+, Cu2+, or Fe2+. The hydrolysis of cyclic AMP was competitively inhibited by alkylated xanthines and papaverine as well as by other cyclic purine nucleotides including the 5′ methylene phosphonate analog of cyclic AMP. The key structural features necessary for substrate recognition by the purified beef heart diesterase and the interactions of this enzyme with a variety of effectors are reviewed.
Glucosyltransferase activity of commercial juice-processing enzyme preparations

Of various commercial enzyme preparations examined, Cytolase M102 was found to contain the highest glucosyltransferase activity (55 U ml-1). It rapidly converted maltose to panose (Glc alpha-->6 Glc alpha l-->4 Glc) with a Vmax value of 5.8 mmol l-1 min-1 at 50 degrees C in 0.05 mol l-1 sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.4). The Km value of the enzyme for maltose was 750 mmol l-1. Yields of panose and glucose after 45 min of reaction, for example, were 47.2% and 52.8%, respectively, on the basis of the amount of maltose consumed.
Fluorometric determination of α-ketosuccinamic acid in rat tissues

Abstract A method for the fluorometric determination of α-ketosuccinamic acid, the α-keto acid analog of asparagine, is described. The procedure involves the hydrolysis of α-ketosuccinamate to oxaloacetate by ω-amidase followed by NADH-dependent reduction of oxaloacetate to malate by malate dehydrogenase. A correction for endogenous oxaloacetate is made by using control samples lacking ω-amidase. Of the rat tissues investigated, liver contained the highest concentration, followed by kidney (53 ± 6 ( n = 11) and 18 ± 3 ( n = 3) μmol/kg wet wt, respectively). α-Ketosuccinamate was not detected in brain (
There and back again: the corticobulbar loop.

Feedback is a ubiquitous anatomical feature of sensory processing in vertebrates. In this issue of Neuron, two papers (Boyd et al., 2012, and Markopoulos et al., 2012) analyze the features of feedback from olfactory cortex to olfactory bulb.
Acceptability of contraceptive-induced amenorrhea in a racially diverse group of US women.

Abstract Objective The study was conducted to determine women's preferences about menstrual bleeding patterns and their willingness to manipulate bleeding with contraception. Study Design Women presenting for routine obstetric and gynecologic care at two US locations (Portland, OR, and Atlanta, GA) were offered a self-administered, anonymous survey. A validated survey tool was used. Results Valid surveys from 292 women were obtained. Mean age was 27 years (SD 8.0). We were unable to separate geographic vs. racial differences in responses because race significantly differed between sites (p Conclusions Although the majority of US women surveyed dislike menstruation and prefer less frequent or no menstrual periods, black women were less accepting than white women of contraception that induces amenorrhea.
Destruction of photoreactivating enzyme by 365 nm radiation.

— Following the observation that in vivo photoreactivation of 365-nm-induced pyrimidine dimers could not be observed chemically, a study was made of the inactivation of photoreactivating enzyme activity by this near-ultraviolet wavelength. It was observed that: (1) Dimers induced in extracted bacterial DNA by 365 nm radiation are completely photoreactivable and are monomerized as an exponential function of the photoreactivation time. (2) Photoreactivability of 254-nm-induced damage in Escherichia coli B/r Hcr is progressively destroyed in vivo as a function of the dose of 365 nm radiation. (3) The ability of the yeast photoreactivating enzyme to monomerize dimers induced at 365 nm in bacterial DNA is destroyed in vitro as a function of the dose of 365 nm radiation, and at a rate comparable to killing of E. coli. These results are consistent with biological measurements which indicate that photoreactivability of ultraviolet (near and far) lethal damage is reduced by exposure of the bacteria to 365 nm radiation.
New infrared and radio results on cygnus X-3

A series of observations made with the Multiple Mirror Telescope show that the J-H and H-K colors of the quiescent infrared emission are independent of X-ray phase. These data and additional photometric data obtained with the Infrared Telescope Facility covering 1.25 to 4.80 μm show the quiescent spectrum to be consistent with thermal bremsstrahlung emission reddened by interstellar absorption (AV between 21 and 28 magnitudes). We discuss how these measurements, along with X-ray measurements, can be used to overdetermine the parameters of the accretion disk corona. Earlier data suggested that the times of the onset of radio flares is periodic with a period of 4.95 h, several percent longer than the X-ray period. We suggested two possible models to account for this period: a precessing eccentric orbit model, and a three body model. A distinctive prediction of the three body model was that more observations should show jumps or glitches in the phase of the radio period. We present here extensive new observations that show the first clear evidence for a phase glitch. We discuss the implications of these observations for the previously proposed models, and suggest one new model: a precessing, eccentric disk.
The Role of Convective Moistening in the Madden–Julian Oscillation

Abstract This study compares two models that differ primarily in their cloud parameterizations and produce extremely different simulations of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). The Community Atmosphere Model (CAM) version 3.0 from NCAR uses the Zhang–McFarlane scheme for deep convection and does not produce an MJO. The “superparameterized” version of the CAM (SP-CAM) replaces the cloud parameterizations with a two-dimensional cloud-resolving model (CRM) in each grid column and produces an extremely vigorous MJO. This analysis shows that the CAM is unable to produce high-humidity regions in the mid- to lower troposphere because of a lack of coupling between parameterized convection and environmental relative humidity. The SP-CAM produces an overly moist column due in part to excessive near-surface winds and evaporation during strong convective events. In the real tropics and the SP-CAM, convection within a high-humidity environment produces intense latent heating, which excites the large-scale circulatio...
Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of Clusters Containing the [Mo2O2(μ-E)2]2+ (E = O, S) Core and Coordinated [Fe2S2(CO)6]2- Units

Three compounds containing the [Mo2O2(μ-E)2]2+ (E = O, S) cores ligated by [Fe2S2(CO)6]2- have been prepared and structurally characterized: (Ph4As)2{Mo2O2(μ-S)2[Fe2S2(CO)6]2} ((Ph4As)2I, triclinic, space group P1 (No. 2), a = 14.266(12) A, b = 14.746(12) A, c =16.643(15) A, α = 101.9(2)°, β = 98.2(2)°, γ = 99.1(2)°, Z = 2, R = Rw = 0.058, 6196 reflections with I > 2.5σ(I)), (Ph4P)2{Mo2O2(μ-O)(μ-S)[Fe2S2(CO)6]2} ((Ph4P)2II, monoclinic, space group P21/c (No. 14), a = 15.33(1) A, b = 15.10(1) A, c =18.00(2) A, α = γ = 90°, β = 100.6(5)°, Z = 2, R = 0.067, Rw = 0.047, 3183 reflections with I > 3σ(I)), and (Ph4P)2{Mo4O8(μ-OCH3)2[Fe2S2(CO)6]2}·THF ((Ph4P)2III·THF, triclinic, space group P1 (No. 2), a = 16.599(4) A, b = 16.963(4) A, c = 15.465(3) A, α = 113.90(2)°, β = 102.06(2)°, γ = 109.29(2)°, Z = 2, R = 0.044, Rw = 0.066, 5043 reflections with I > 3σ(I)). Clusters I and II contain the cis-bis(oxomolybdenum) core bridged by either two sulfido ligands or one sulfido and one oxo ligand, respectively. Clust...
Effect of thyrotropin administration on the in vitro uptake and conversion of I131 and release of organic-bound I131 by the isolated thyroid gland.

The thyroid gland concentration of I131 found after administration of a tracer dose of I131 has been correlated with the physiologic activityof the gland. The thyroidal I131 content at any instant reflects the balancebetween uptake and output. Decreased content may signify a decreaseduptake or a normal (or even increased) uptake, over-balanced by an increasedoutput. Botkin, Eskelson, Firschein and Jensen (1954) found thatsimultaneous administration of thyrotropin and I131 to rats 18 hours before sacrifice, followed by incubation of the gland in buffer for 4 hours, resultedin a lowering of total and organic I131 in the gland, compared with theglands from animals not having received TSH. There also was a lowertotal and organic I131 content in the bath in which the glands from TSH-treatedanimals were incubated, compared with the corresponding valuesfor the untreated animals. In order to determine whether or not the lowertotal and organic I131 content of the gland
Novel, water-based high-performance primers that can replace metal pretreatments and chromate-containing primers

In previous research it was demonstrated that simple rinses with organofunctional silanes can be used to protect metals against various forms of corrosion. Such treatments also improve paint adhesion. However, when unpainted, the silane filsm are too thin to provide long-term corrosion protection. In this paper it will be shown that much thicker, primer-like coatings can be obtained from silanes if the silanes are mixed with organic resins and small particles, preferably nanosize. Self-priming coatings of up to 20 µm in thickness have been obtained with outstanding adhesion and corrosion protection properties. The components of such “superprimer” systems are all water-based, and they do not contain chromates or other toxic ingredients. Thus, they are environmentally friendly. This paper describes several successful superprimers and presents their performance data.
Gonad growth in the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson) (echinodermata: Echinoidea) and the assumptions of gonad index methods

Abstract In central Oregon intertidal populations, the echinoid Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Stimpson) first begins to produce mature gametes at a diameter of 25 mm during the second year of its life. All individuals above 40 mm in diameter have mature gametes during the mid-winter spawning season. Gonad size increases rapidly relative to body size until the animals are ≈45 mm in diameter and have a total dry weight of ≈ 15 g. The ratio of gonad to body size reaches its maximum in animals between 40 mm and 50 mm in diameter; thereafter the ratio drops slightly with increasing size. The curvilinear relation between gonad size and body size is not related to a relative difference in body proportions with size. Internal volume, height, and diameter increase linearly with size. Body proportions did not differ between the two populations studied. Differences between populations in the ratio of gonad to body size extend to all sizes in the populations and the direction but not the amount of the difference is consistent from year to year. These differences between habitats are probably related to food supply. The use of gonad ratio methods to normalize gonad size assumes that, within a given population, animals of different body size have the same ratio of gonad size to body size. This assumption is not correct for four species of sea urchins. Gonad index or ratio methods are useful for comparing animals of the same size through time within a population or from different habitats. Restriction of the size range of animals used and use of samples of sufficient size permit gonad ratios to be used to assess the capacity of different habitats to support gonad production in sea urchins and other animals.
Flow Field Analysis of a Single Piezoelectric Fan

Piezoelectrically actuated fans are relatively simple structures consisting of a piezoelectric material affixed to a thin cantilever beam. It is then subjected to a current that causes the beam to oscillate by the constriction and expansion of the piezoelectric material. A common application is that of electronics cooling where the induced flows can greatly augment natural or forced convection. Previous studies have sought to explore the flow field of piezoelectric fans in relation to its heat transfer application. This research seeks to expand upon that knowledge with a focus on measuring the flow parallel to the fan blade. A fan with length and width of 36.5 mm and 12.7 mm, respectively, is excited with an oscillating voltage input of 62.5 Hz and varying amplitudes. A Particle Image Velocimetry system, able to chart particle movement in the x and y directions, is employed to aid in understanding the flow field created by the fan with an emphasis on studying the vortex shed by a single half period of oscillation. This information has the potential to be a starting point for further exploration into a dual fan application and how their interactions alter vortex shedding in both two and three dimensions.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
A multi-dimensional classification model for scientific workflow characteristics

Workflows have been used to model repeatable tasks or operations in manufacturing, business process, and software. In recent years, workflows are increasingly used for orchestration of science discovery tasks that use distributed resources and web services environments through resource models such as grid and cloud computing. Workflows have disparate requirements and constraints that affects how they might be managed in distributed environments. In this paper, we present a multi-dimensional classification model illustrated by workflow examples obtained through a survey of scientists from different domains including bioinformatics and biomedical, weather and ocean modeling, astronomy detailing their data and computational requirements. The survey results and classification model contribute to the high level understanding of scientific workflows.
Mast Cells and Neutrophils Release IL-17 through Extracellular Trap Formation in Psoriasis

IL-17 and IL-23 are known to be absolutely central to psoriasis pathogenesis because drugs targeting either cytokine are highly effective treatments for this disease. The efficacy of these drugs has been attributed to blocking the function of IL-17-producing T cells and their IL-23-induced expansion. However, we demonstrate that mast cells and neutrophils, not T cells, are the predominant cell types that contain IL-17 in human skin. IL-17(+) mast cells and neutrophils are found at higher densities than IL-17(+) T cells in psoriasis lesions and frequently release IL-17 in the process of forming specialized structures called extracellular traps. Furthermore, we find that IL-23 and IL-1β can induce mast cell extracellular trap formation and degranulation of human mast cells. Release of IL-17 from innate immune cells may be central to the pathogenesis of psoriasis, representing a fundamental mechanism by which the IL-23-IL-17 axis mediates host defense and autoimmunity.
Distributed Quantization of Order Statistics with Applications to CSI Feedback

Feedback of channel state information (CSI) in wireless systems is essential in order to exploit multi-user diversity and achieve the highest possible performance. When each spatially distributed user in the wireless system is assumed to have i.i.d. scalar CSI values, the optimal fixed-rate and entropy-constrained point density functions are established in the high-resolution regime for the quantization of the CSI feedback to a centralized scheduler under the mean square error (MSE) criterion. The spatially distributed nature of the users leads to a distributed functional scalar quantization approach for the optimal high resolution point densities of the CSI feedback. Under a mild absolute moment criterion, it is shown that with a greedy scheduling algorithm at the centralized scheduler, the optimal fixed-rate point density for each user corresponds to a point density associated with the maximal order statistic distribution. This result is generalized to monotonic functions of arbitrary order statistics. Optimal point densities under entropy-constrained quantization for the CSI are established under mild conditions on the distribution function of the CSI metric.
Optical parametric amplification in a high-nonlinearity fiber

We have demonstrated a fiber optical parametric amplifier (OPA) utilizing a highly nonlinear fiber, which allowed us to obtain substantial gain with only a 20-m length, over a 24-nm bandwidth, even though the pump was 49 nm from /spl lambda//sub 0/. The availability of such fibers should greatly facilitate the development of fiber OPAs for applications such as wavelength conversion, phase conjugation, and broadband amplification.
A randomized, controlled animal trial demonstrating the feasibility and safety of the Magellan™ endovascular robotic system.

Background The success of remotely steerable catheters designed for cardiac ablation procedures in the peripheral vasculature (in the laboratory and in highly select live cases) has led to the development of a vascular robotic system designed specifically for use in the arterial and venous systems. Limited bench-top and animal testing has been successful, but no randomized, controlled study of the system’s safety has been performed. Methods In a 3-phase study, we performed a randomized, controlled trial comparing standard manual catheterization and balloon angioplasty of visceral, renal, and contralateral lower extremity vessels in a porcine model. We also demonstrated feasibility of standard device deployment through the system. Results There was 100% technical success in test (robotic) and control (manual) arm cannulation and balloon angioplasty of all target vessels, without complications. Pathologic analysis at 7 days revealed significantly fewer traumatic lesions in the test animal arm as compared with the control arm (P Conclusions Remotely steerable robotic catheters are at least as safe as manual catheter techniques, and may prove less traumatic to peripheral vessels. Standard devices can be deployed through the system, and the stability of the platform may aid in ease of device delivery in difficult vascular segments.
In Vitro Killing of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus with Drug Combinations

This study employs time-kill techniques to examine the most common drug combinations used in the therapy of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, vancomycin plus either gentamicin or rifampin. Community-associated MRSA were more likely to be synergistically inhibited by combinations of vancomycin and gentamicin versus vancomycin alone compared to inhibition associated with hospital-acquired strains.
Managing Interdependencies through Program Structures: A Revised Paradigm

Many studies deal with the implementation of public programs through networks. In this paper I view networks as formal, organized efforts, rather than as informal relations and/or linkages among organizations. I refer to these organized efforts as program structures. Although we know networks exist, the questions we ask about them are asked as if they do not exist as a separate structural arrangement. The purpose of introducing the concept of program structure is not to describe what we know exists, but rather to present a paradigm that will enable us to ask the right questions about what exists. Asking the right questions makes a difference in how we organize for action and subsequently how we make choices in managing public programs. To indicate that interorganizational programs are implemented through a distinctly different structural arrangement therefore implies not only a distinct way of organizing activities but also that management of these programs will be distinctly different. Several examples o...
Cultural values in the home and school experiences of low-income African-American students

The present study examined the presence of specific cultural values within the preferred classroom and home activities of African-American upper elementary students. Written scenarios were constructed and used to determine whether students preferred their home and classroom activities carried out under specific cultural terms. Students also reported their perceptions of teachers and parents' cultural value-based preferences for classroom and home activities. With analysis of variance techniques, it was shown that students and their parents have significantly stronger preferences for communal and ver- vistic activities at home and at school than for individualistic and competitive activities. Perceived teacher classroom preferences, however, were significantly higher for individu- alistic and competitive activities. Such findings underscore the presence of cultural mis- match in the classroom experiences of African-Americans and illustrate a need to enhance school-based efforts to appreciate and utilize cultural value variation.
Collateral Consequences of Sex Offender Registration

Sex offender registrationwas widely implemented in the 1990s as a means of enhancingcommunity awareness of sex offenders to promote community safety. This study is one of the first examinations of the collateral consequences of sex offender registration from the perspective of the offender. Drawing on data from 121 registered sex offenders in Kentucky, this research shows that social stigmatization, loss of relationships, employment, and housing, and both verbal and physical assaults are experienced by a significant minority of registered sex offenders.
Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ Depletion Unmasks a Caffeine-Induced Ca2+ Influx in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells

Abstract Intracellular Ca2+ pools contribute to changes in cytosolic [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]i), which play an important role in endothelial cell signaling. Recently, endothelial ryanodine-sensitive Ca2+ stores were shown to regulate agonist-sensitive intracellular Ca2+ pools. Since caffeine binds the ryanodine Ca2+ release channel on the endoplasmic reticulum in a variety of cell types, we examined the effect of caffeine on [Ca2+]i in human aortic endothelial cell monolayers loaded with the fluorescent probe indo 1. Under baseline conditions, 10 mmol/L caffeine induced a small increase in [Ca2+]i from 86±10 to 115±17 nmol/L (mean±SEM); this effect was similar to that of 5 μmol/L ryanodine and was unaffected by buffer Ca2+ removal. After depletion of an intracellular Ca2+ store by the irreversible endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (1 μmol/L), ryanodine did not affect [Ca2+]i. In contrast, caffeine induced a large rapid increase in [Ca2+]i (176±19 to 338±35 nmol/L, P<.001) after thapsigargin e...
Microwave observations of sea state from aircraft

Microwave thermal emission by water measured from aircraft, studying radiation dependence on surface roughness
Secularization and the Influence of Religion on Beliefs about Premarital Sex

Over the past two or three decades there has been a substantial decline in support for traditional beliefs about premarital sex. From theories about religious privatization and religious plausibility structures it was predicted the decline was slower among conservative Protestants who attended church often than among any other group of Christians. The prediction was tested using data from the 1972-93 Cumulative Social Surveys. The findings indicate that among conservative Protestants who attended church often there was no decline in support for traditional beliefs about premarital sex between 1972 and 1993. On the other hand, support for such beliefs declined significantly among mainline Protestants and Catholics at all levels of church attendance and among conservatives who were infrequent attenders. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed
Association of kyphosis and spinal skeletal abnormalities with intrathoracic stomach: a link toward understanding its pathogenesis.

Background Modern-day concepts about the pathogenesis of an intrathoracic stomach include crural diaphragm muscular deterioration, loss of phrenoesophageal ligament integrity, and presence of abdominothoracic pressure gradients. The role of spinal abnormalities has received little attention. Based on clinical observation, we hypothesized that kyphosis and other spinal diseases are components of the pathophysiology of an intrathoracic stomach. Study Design The study population consisted of 98 patients (men, n=22; women, n=76; mean age 69.4 years) undergoing operations for type III or IV hiatal hernia with an intrathoracic stomach. Twenty-four age- and gender-matched control patients without hiatal hernia undergoing pulmonary or pleural procedures were used for comparison. Chest radiographs were assessed for spinal abnormalities, including degree of kyphosis, measured from superior T4 to inferior T12 (modified Cobb method), spinal fractures, osteoporosis, and scoliosis. Statistical analyses included two-sample t -test and Fisher's exact test. Results Patients with intrathoracic stomach had a greater degree of kyphosis than control patients (Cobb angle, 50.2 degrees versus 39.7 degrees; p Conclusion Patients with an intrathoracic stomach have a higher degree of kyphosis and more vertebral fractures than age- and gender-matched controls. These data suggest that change in spinal curvature can be important in the pathogenesis of the intrathoracic stomach, a growing problem of our aging population.
Liver function tests in sickle cell disease.

We investigated the prevalence of positive viral hepatitis titres in sickle cell disease (SCD) and the relationship of abnormal liver function tests (LFTs) to transfusions and ferritin levels. Charts from 141 patients with SCD were reviewed and recent laboratory data on serum ferritin, hepatitis serology, units of packed red blood cells transfused and LFTs were collected. Hepatitis B core antibodies were positive in 14% of patients (12/86) and Hepatitis C viral antibody titres were positive in 16.5% (15/91). There was a relationship of positive serologies to transfusion for hepatitis C virus (HCV), but not for hepatitis B virus (HBV). Hepatitis C antibody negative (HCVAb-) patients had fewer packed red blood cells (pRBC) transfused than Hepatitis C antibody positive (HCVAb+) (6.4 vs. 20.3, P=0.08). Patients with ferritins 1000 ng/ml also showed a difference in units transfused (P < 0.003). Steady state LFTs, with the exception of alkaline phosphatase, had no relationship to serum ferritin or hepatitis serologies. Males were twice as likely to have positive serology as females but more females had elevated ferritin levels. Paired analysis of LFTs in steady state and crisis failed to demonstrate deterioration during crisis. We conclude that: (1) there is a relationship of positive Hepatitis C serology, but not Hepatitis B serology, to transfusion; (2) ferritin levels correlate with transfusion number but not with LFTs; (3) in our population, LFTs in SCD are usually normal and do not increase in vaso-occlusive crises.
The High-Frequency, High-Amplitude Pitch Problem: Airfoils, Plates and Wings

Using qualitative and quantitative flow visualization, we revisit the classical unsteady aerodynamics problem of the linear pitch-ramp, in the context of several generalizations: low Reynolds number (~10,000), high reduced frequency (0.1-2.8), and large amplitude (up to 40o). The motivation is problems of maneuvering, perching and gust response for micro UAVs. We compare a SD7003 airfoil, a t/c = 0.025 flat plate, and an aspect-ratio = 2 flat plate. Leading edge vortex formation for all of the models is qualitatively similar, but the strength of trailing edge vortices is larger for the airfoil, with its sharp trailing edge. The AR=2 generally has a smaller, more concentrated leading edge vortex system than does the wall-to-wall plate. Reynolds number effects, over the range studied here, appear to be unimportant. Pitch pivot point location is crucial to the leading edge vortex size and formation history, and to its subsequent behavior in convecting over the airfoil suction-side. Increasing pitch rate tends to tighten the leading edge vortex and to produce a trailing-edge vortex system dominated by a counter-rotating pair. Finally, we compare pitch vs. plunge, and find that quasi-steady prediction is reasonably successful in predicting a combined pitch-plunge that effectively cancels the leading edge vortex, but not in canceling the trailing vortex system.
Changing Family Structure and Social Security Reform

Dramatic changes have occurred in family patterns and in the role of women in the workplace during the last 30 years or so. More and more women have entered the paid labor force. Fewer people marry, they marry later, they divorce more often and sooner, and they remarry less often. Increasingly, many more are not marrying at all. Unmarried opposite-sex couple households have grown greatly; and cohabiting adults of the same sex have increased their ranks. Some of the changes in family patterns have been more pronounced among blacks and Hispanics than among whites. Since Social Security provides income not only to retired and disabled workers but also to their eligible dependents and survivors, changing familial relationships will affect the scope and value of Social Security protection. But the effect on the role of Social Security of changing family structure has not been generally recognized. If Social Security reform does not include altering its benefit provisions in light of changing family structure, then Social Security will become a less effective income protection mechanism than originally planned. The purpose of this paper is to identify the changes in the structure and composition of families and to discuss the implications of those changes for Social Security protection. The central question is, "Who will receive less protection or no protection if Social Security's benefit provisions are not changed, while family patterns have changed?" The policy challenge is how best to modify the relevant provisions. Because older women constitute one of the most financially vulnerable groups of people, how widows and divorcees fare under Social Security has become a major issue, with older women in poverty as the predominant concern. A related concern is two-earner couples versus one-earner couples when their Social Security benefits are calculated. The paper will review a number of policy proposals for addressing these issues, offer several caveats that need to be taken in policy development, and suggest a two-tier system for Social Security. Section II summarizes important changes in family patterns in the last three decades or so. Section III points out the implications of family pattern changes for the availability of Social Security benefits. Section IV is concerned with changing family structure among racial and ethnic minorities. Section V deals with the issue of poverty among older women. Section VI briefly analyzes several policy proposals; Section VII highlights cohabitation. Section VIII discusses the role of minimum benefits. Section IX offers some caveats for policy development. Section X proposes a two-tier Social Security system. Section XI offers some concluding remarks.
Ambrosia Beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) Captures Using Colored Traps in Southeast Tennessee and South Mississippi

Abstract Ambrosia beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae) have become a major impediment to profitable nursery production, with proper controls centered around an accurate monitoring program. Whereas the use of semiochemicals by ambrosia beetles is well understood, the potential use of visual cues including colors remains relatively understudied. Field tests were performed in Tennessee and Mississippi to determine response of the ambrosia beetle community to 13 trap colors (black, blue, brown, clear, gray, green, lavender, opaque, orange, purple, red, white, and yellow). Traps consisted of corrugated plastic in the shape of a prism and covered in insect glue (Pestick™ or Tangle-Trap®). All trap colors were analyzed with a spectro-photometer to quantify spectral reflectance, ranging from 6 - 80% reflectance. Mean ambrosia beetle capture from opaque and red traps (60 and 54, respectively) was significantly higher than from yellow or white traps (30 and 28, respectively). However, captures from each ...
THE AMINO TERMINUS OF THE TYPE IV PILIN BUNDLIN IS MODIFIED BY N-METHYLATION

Type IV pilin proteins are modified from precursor forms by prepilin peptidase enzymes. In several cases the mature pilin has been shown to contain an N-methylated amino terminal residue. Here the isolation of bundleforming pili from enteropathogenic Escherichia coli is described and the amino-terminal residue is found to be consistent with N-methylleucine, resolving a previous discrepancy in the literature.
Analysis of Error-Detection Schemes in Diffusion-Based Molecular Communication

Despite recent advances in molecular communication among bio agents, the design of reliable communication schemes remains an open problem. One of the requirements is to develop suitable coding schemes, which meet the molecular communication specific constraints in terms of reliability and complexity, and take into account the communication channel properties. In this paper, we consider diffusion-based molecular communication in which the information is encoded into the concentration (e.g., on/off keying). Such a communication system is modeled as operating over a completely asymmetric channel where one of the bits can be transmitted without any error while the other can undergo a random error by the channel. Because of the limitations of bio-agents, we focus on error-detection schemes, which require far less complexity at the receiver relative to error-correction codes. To obtain an optimal detection scheme, we model the detection problem via an erasure channel and propose algorithms to obtain the optimal codewords efficiently for two different optimality measures. Then, we consider an error-free subfamily of such codes, namely constant weight codes, and propose an implementation specific to the molecular communication. We analyze the rate of the constant-weight coding scheme, compare it to the theoretical limits and specify the optimal weights and lengths of such codes.
Abstract 3956: Differential miR-141 expression in primary cultured human breast cancer epithelium (PCHBCEs) and normal adjacent part epithelium (PCHBNEs) correlates with tumor suppressor protein tyrosine phosphataseγ (PTPγ)

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL MicroRNAs (miR) have been shown to be extensively involved in tumorigenesis by post-transcriptional inhibition of oncogenes and/or tumor-suppressor genes. The purpose of our study is to investigate the difference in miRNA expression between cancer epithelium and epithelium from normal breast adjacent tissues. The clinical samples were procured from the Tissue Procurement Program at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Hospital from breast cancer patients who underwent partial or complete mastectomy. The miRNA profiling for one pair of PCHBCEC and PCHBNEC from the same patient was carried out, and the difference of miRNA expression and potential target genes were further verified by realtime qPCR in 7 pairs of clinical samples. The miRNA profiling showed that 24 miRNAs (let-7a, let-7c, let-7f, let-7g, miR-24, miR-28, miR-29a, miR-29c, miR-30a-5p, miR-30d, miR-92, miR-125a, miR-126*, miR-132, miR-135a, miR-135b, miR-137, miR-141, miR-182, miR-200c, miR-339, miR-365, miR-425-5p, miR-391, p<0.05) are statistically up-regulated in cancer while only 1 miRNA (miR-221) is down-regulated. Based on the magnitude of change and predicted target, we selected miR-141 for further validation. Compared with its normal adjacent counterpart, 4 PCHBCECs had lower miR-141 while 2 were up-regulated and 1 unaltered. Further validation on gene expression of the samples confirmed the negative correlation of miR-141 with its putative target PTPγ. Our comparison of PCHBCECs and PCHBNECs under the same genetic background demonstrated a distinct expression of miRNAs. The dysregulation of miR-141 was shown to result in modulation of the potential tumor-suppressor gene PTPγ which might have an impact on the etiological process of tumor lesion and discriminate cancer epithelial cells from their surrounding normal breast epithelial compartments. Our results implicate that miR-141 might serve as molecular biomarker for therapy of human breast cancer patients. (Supported by NIH R01 Grant ES 015212). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3956. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3956
Abstract 3478: Latent KSHV infection increases the vascular permeability of endothelial cells

Infection with Kaposi9s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is closely linked to the development of Kaposi9s sarcoma (KS). The KS lesion is driven by KSHV-infected endothelial cells and is highly dependent on autocrine and paracrine factors for survival and growth. We report that latent KSHV infection increases the vascular permeability of endothelial cells. Latent KSHV-infected endothelial cells display increased Src kinase activity, increased Rac1 activation and activation of its downstream modulator, p21 activated kinase (PAK1). The KSHV-infected endothelial cells exhibited increases in tyrosine phosphorylation of VE-cadherin and β-catenin, while total levels of these proteins remained unchanged, suggesting that latent infection disrupted endothelial cell junctions. Consistent with these findings, we found that latent KSHV-infected endothelial cells were more permeable than uninfected endothelial cells. Knockdown of Rac1, as well as inhibition of ROS, resulted in decreased permeability of the KSHV-infected endothelial cells. In sum, KSHV latent infection increases the vascular permeability of infected endothelial cells thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of Kaposi9s sarcoma. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3478. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3478
Toward a General Solution of the Three‐Wave Partial Differential Equations

The three-wave, resonant interaction equations appear in many physical applications. These partial differential equations (PDEs) are known to be completely integrable, and have been solved with initial data that decay rapidly in space, using inverse scattering theory. We present a new way to solve these equations, which makes no use of inverse scattering theory, and which can be used with a wide variety of boundary conditions. A “general solution” of these PDEs would involve six free, real-valued functions of space. At this time, our “nearly general solution” accepts five free, real-valued functions of space, and embeds them in convergent series in a deleted neighborhood of a pole.
L2 Languaging in a Massively Multiplayer Online Game: An Exploration of Learner Variations

This paper examines L2 learner variations in the context of massively multiplayer online games MMOGs. MMOGs have gained much attention among CALL researchers because this particular game genre is perceived to promote informal, contextualized interaction in a learner's target language, including interaction with native speakers. However, there is little research on differences between L2 learners in terms of how they engage in language learning and use in the context of gameplay. Drawing on data from questionnaires, interviews, gaming sessions, and gaming journals, this paper argues that affordances of MMOGs must be understood in relation to the learner's history, ability, and preference within the social context of game play; L2 learners engage with various game discourses that align with their preferences of game play and goals of language learning. In closing, the paper discusses procedural challenges in conducting research on MMOGs and similar gaming contexts.
Cancer cluster detection with incidence registry data

B86 Purpose: The role of desktop cluster detecting programs in the development of new surveillance models to identify communities at risk, leading to the implementation of tailored, community-level interventions to lower cancer burden, was investigated. >Methods: A cluster detection focused test, the Lawson & Waller Test Statistic, was used to detect clustering around hazardous waste site point sources, which were on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National Priority List (NPL) for clean-up. Using publicly available data, we identified 38 sites currently on the NPL that are contaminated with potential breast cancer carcinogens. >Results: Seven of 38 NPL sites were identified as having higher rates of invasive breast cancer around the sites; four of which were statistically significant (p = 0.001). Differences in the chemical contaminants, hazard scores, contaminated media, and breadth of contamination and clean-up were identified. The average hazard scores for the sites contaminated with benzene, chromium, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and vinyl chloride were higher for the sites with elevated breast cancer rates. The average hazard score for sites contaminated with pesticides were lower for the sites with elevated breast cancer rates. The sites identified with elevated breast cancer risk were more likely to be contaminated with PAHs and vinyl chloride, and the sites without elevated risk were more likely to be contaminated with pesticides. >Conclusions: Cancer registries allow for the systematic analysis of data to identify burden, trends, to generate hypotheses about cancer risk and etiology, and to target high-risk groups in need of appropriate interventions. The growing ease and capability of desktop geographic information systems (GIS) software permits the combination of disparate data sources for analysis, such as community based risk assessment. However, interpretation of cluster analysis results is problematic. These preliminary results must be interpreted with caution because the results do not include an evaluation of the demographic and behavioral features of the underlying population. >Although breast cancer incidence has an inverse relationship with socioeconomic status, populations living in poverty and near a contaminated site may have higher risk for breast cancer. This study has public health significance because our approach may provide a screening tool for proactively addressing potential public environmental concerns and identifying high risk communities in need of further investigation.
Friendly and Hostile Deals in the Market for Sovereign Control: A Response to Professors Blocher and Gulati

In their wide-ranging and thought-provoking article, A Market for Sovereign Control, Joseph Blocher and Mitu Gulati argue that territorial sovereignty is a commodity that can and should be subject to market forces. In this Response, I first identify the two different types of deals — friendly and hostile — that can occur within a market for sovereign control. I then discuss some of the obstacles that may impede the successful conclusion of each type of deal. In friendly deals, all of the affected parties consent to the transfer of territory from one sovereign to another. The most significant barriers to friendly deals are not legal. They are political. In the modern era, there are few (if any) incentives for national political leaders on the seller side to participate in such a market. Until these incentives change, I argue, it is unlikely that a robust market for sovereign control will develop with respect to friendly deals. In hostile deals, one sovereign refuses to consent to the annexation of one of its regions by another sovereign. In these situations, Blocher and Gulati argue that the rules of international law should be rewritten to permit the annexation over the objections of the objecting country provided certain conditions are met. I argue that the nations of the world are unlikely to consent to the rewriting of these rules. I argue further that there is no obvious means — short of the use of force — by which these new rules could be enforced against nations that refuse to obey them. Until these rule-making and rule-enforcing obstacles are overcome, I argue, it is also unlikely that a robust market for sovereign control will develop with respect to hostile deals.
Lipid-based synthetic gene carriers

Gene therapy and gene silencing techniques are based on the insertion of nucleic acids (DNA or siRNA) into cells, with the goal of inducing therapeutic changes in cell functions. The need for carriers to facilitate this transfection process led to the study of lipid-nucleic acid assemblies, such as lipoplexes. The efficacy of lipoplexes is linked to their structure: the local, nanoscale structure of lipoplexes is an equilibrium feature, determined by lipid properties and complex composition. Larger-scale characteristics are, however, controlled by the assembly route and kinetics. This chapter reviews the equilibrium properties of lipoplexes and the kinetics pathways for their formation. Better understanding of lipoplex formation can not only lead to the design of effective nucleic acid lipoplex-based gene delivery or silencing agents, but is also of interest as a fundamental multicomponent, multilength-scale and multitime scale process.
Short Seller Attention

This study exploits a complex information setting of a network of customer-supplier relationships to test whether short sellers pay attention to corporate news to act upon this news across the supply chain. We measure revealed short seller attention by using the link between a customer's news announcement return and the abnormal short selling of its supplier's stock. Results suggest that short sellers are attentive to news of customers to short their suppliers' stocks and that this short selling behavior strengthens with the intensity of SEC Edgar filing searches for both the customer and the supplier. Short sales of suppliers' stocks upon customer news announcements predict the suppliers' negative future stock returns, suggesting that short sellers' attention in a complicated information setting of customer-supplier links allows exploiting profitable trading opportunities.
University and College Counseling Centers' Commitment to Social Justice

The aim of this study was to examine social justice activities of university and college counseling centers. Seventy center directors provided data on their centers’ commitment to social justice activities, the existence and type of prevention services offered, and other indications of social justice efforts. Findings revealed that a vast majority of centers were committed to and engaged in a variety of social justice-related activities, regardless of their staff composition. Size of university was a significant predictor of only selfrated commitment to social justice.