cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alkaloidal compounds of mucoids, nucleoproteins and other proteins

In continuation of our studies of protein compounds we have observed that nucleoprotein, mucoid, caseinogen and alkali albuminate form water-soluble products with alkaloids. By intimately mixing samples of the purified moist protein and the pure alkaloid, especially with the latter in considerable excess, soluble products are formed, which may be precipitated by alcohol or alcohol-ether, and which, after purification and drying, readily dissolve in water. Such aqueous solutions are neutral to litmus, and the proteins may be readily precipitated from the solutions by slightly acidifying them.Many such protein-alkaloid products have been made. The purest thus far obtained was prepared from mucoid and strychnin by the following general process: After thoroughly mixing moist mucoid with an excess of strychnin, the viscid mass was extracted several times with water and the centrifuged extracts were filtered and combined. The filtrates were faintly opalescent and neutral to litmus. They were evaporated nearly t...
Preliminary Results from Fermilab Experiment E-706 — A Study of Direct Photon Production in Hadronic Collisions

Fermilab experiment E706 is designed to study interactions of protons, pions and kaons in a variety of targets, triggering on high transverse momentum (pT > 3.5 GeV/c) electromagnetic showers. This is a second generation fixed target experiment, using a high energy beam (800 GeV) of primary protons from the Fermilab Tevatron to produce a 530 GeV secondary beam. The spectrometer has a wide acceptance and is intended to reach 10-11 GeV/c in direct photon transverse momenta.
CHAPTER 16 – Organization of Data on Life-Span Development of Human Abilities

Data pertaining to the development of intellectual abilities in childhood and adulthood are reviewed within the framework of a general theory in which the cohesion-producing influences associated with acculturation and neurophysiology are emphasized and contrasted. First, it is noted that a striking amount of interrelationship has been found among abilities which, on the face of it, could be quite different–and when abilities are measured at quite different points in development (excluding only the first two years of life wherein the measured abilities bear little resemblance to, and are not predictive of, intellectual abilities measured in later childhood and thereafter). This broad cohesiveness is seen to represent a fact of interdependence of acculturational and neurophysiological influences–the fact that, to some extent, one determines and is determined by the other. It is noted, next, that interwoven within this broad pattern of interdependence are subpatterns of varying degrees of generality. Some of these are seen to result from relatively focused kinds of training, as this derives from selective exposures, fairly specific kinds of motivations and similar factors. Quite broad patterns are found, however, and the evidence suggests that these represent more pervasive influences in development, such as those of acculturation, as such, and those associated with neurophysiological structure, maturation and damage. Indeed, accumulations of these pervasive influences throughout development appear to produce two broad patterns of the abilities which are identified as indicating intelligence. These patterns are said to indicate two intelligences, symbolized as Gf and Gc. In later childhood and adulthood the predictive and construct validities for these two become quite distinct. The abilities of Gc tend to increase–or at least not noticably decrease–with age in adulthood, but the abilities of Gf tend to decrease consistently and to a noteworthy extent throughout most of adulthood. Evidence indicating the neurophysiological and experiential factors associated with these changes is outlined.
Intelligent Energy Field Manufacturing : Interdisciplinary Process Innovations

Edited by prominent researchers and with contributions from experts in their individual areas, Intelligent Energy Field Manufacturing: Interdisciplinary Process Innovations explores a new philosophy of engineering. An in-depth introduction to Intelligent Energy Field Manufacturing (EFM), this book explores a fresh engineering methodology that not only integrates but goes beyond methodologies such as Design for Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, Concurrent Engineering, TRIZ, green and sustainable manufacturing, and more. This book gives a systematic introduction to classic non-mechanical manufacturing processes as well as offering big pictures of some technical frontiers in modern engineering.The book suggests that any manufacturing process is actually a process of injecting human intelligence into the interaction between material and the various energy fields in order to transfer the material into desired configurations. It discusses technological innovation, dynamic M-PIE flows, the generalities of energy fields, logic functional materials and intelligence, the open scheme of intelligent EFM implementation, and the principles of intelligent EFM. The book takes a highly interdisciplinary approach that includes research frontiers such as micro/nano fabrication, high strain rate processes, laser shock forming, materials science and engineering, bioengineering, etc., in addition to a detailed treatment of the so called "non-traditional" manufacturing processes, which covers waterjet machining, laser material processing, ultrasonic material processing, EDM/ECM, etc. Filled with illustrative pictures, figures, and tables that make technical materials more absorbable, the book cuts across multiple engineering disciplines. The majority of books in this area report the facts of proven knowledge, while the behind-the-scenes thinking is usually neglected. This book examines the big picture of manufacturing in depth before diving into the deta
The Development of Cambridge Monetary Thought 1870–1935

It would be extremely misleading to suggest that no economists before Keynes had considered the issues surrounding the demand for money; its relation to speculation; the interest rate and employment; and the savings and investment nexus that are now considered part and parcel of his, and all, macroeconomics. In fact not only was economics in general rife with such discussions in the first three decades of the twentieth century (Haberler, 1937; Saulnier, 1938; Laidler, 1991, 1999), but contributions from Cambridge economists were an important part of this debate, (Robertson, 1940; Eshag, 1963; Shackle, 1967, Patinkin, 1976, 1982; Presley, 1979; Leijonhufvud, 1981; Bridel, 1987). Moreover both of these literatures have been well documented.1
Graph query algebra and visual proximity rules for biological pathway exploration

We present the design and validation of an example-based pathway graph query algebra and visual proximity rules to address challenging large biological pathway exploration tasks. Our pathway graph query algebra interprets relationship queries given by selected examples to find a match for, extract identical parts between, or trace a path from any pathway components. To support the relationship query, users can composite pathway visualizations through visual proximity rules that use proximity to infer users’ intentions in the exploration process. By allowing selection of one or more objects from multiple on-screen grouped graphs as query inputs and using the query outputs as next-query inputs, pathway graph query algebra and visual proximity rules achieve intuitiveness, concurrence, and dynamics for pathway exploration.
Tamoxifen, endoxifen, and CYP2D6: the rules for evaluating a predictive factor.

In the post–Human Genome Project era, “personalized medicine” has become a buzzword. Health-care professionals increasingly have access to gene sequence data, with the promise that this information will improve the health of the individual. In the area of breast oncology, the study of genetic markers associated with clinical outcome has been a relative success story.
Risks and Epidemiology of Infections After Intestinal Transplantation

Intestinal transplantation has become a well-accepted and successful procedure to save the lives of patients suffering from intestinal failure and who have developed life-threatening complications of parenteral nutrition. Advances in all aspects of care, from the role of multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation services prior to transplant to the development strategies for early recognition of infectious sequelae and even the increasing availability of preventive strategies, have led to improved outcomes and a dramatic decline in infection-associated morbidity and mortality in children undergoing intestinal transplantation. Improvements in surgical techniques and immunosuppressive regimens have been essential components in these improvements, reducing risk of infection through reduction of technical complications and more optimal immunosuppression regimens. In addition, the development of molecular tools for early recognition of viral pathogens and an understanding of the timing and risks for infection have allowed for earlier and more successful treatments. Despite these improvements, infectious sequelae remain an important problem in this population, and additional efforts are needed to further minimize the risk of infectious sequelae in those children requiring this procedure.
Game theory and strategy in medical training.

Objective This paper analyses how game theory can provide a framework for understanding the strategic decision-making that occurs in everyday scenarios in medical training and practice, and ultimately serves as a tool for improving the work environment and patient care. Game theory has been applied to a variety of fields outside of its native economics, but has not been thoroughly studied in the context of health care provision. Methods The paper discusses four of the most common ‘games’ and applies each to a scenario in medicine to provide new insight on the incentives and drivers for certain types of behaviour and a deeper understanding of why certain results are valued more strongly than others. Conclusions Using game theory as an integrative tool, in conjunction with good judgement and a sound knowledge base, trainees and physicians can work to better recognise where competing priorities exist, understand the motivations and interactions of the various players, and learn to adjust their approaches in order to ‘change the game’ when their preferred outcome is not the most likely one.
KOH-assisted microwave post-treatment of activated carbon for efficient symmetrical double-layer capacitors

Summary It is important to tune the surface and pore structures of carbon materials for their application in capacitors. Herein, a novel microwave-based approach is demonstrated to significantly increase the capacity of a supercapacitor. After activated carbon (AC) with KOH was treated by microwave heating only for 8 min, its symmetrical double-layer capacitor increased from 68.6 to 107.9 F/g at current density of 0.2 A/g with 2 M KOH aqueous solution. The excellent capacity retention of 96% was obtained even after 4000 galvanostatic charge/discharge cycles at current density of 5 A/g. This microwave approach is much more efficient than the conventional heating process to tune the electrochemical properties of AC. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Locust System

In 1976 the Harpy system successfully demonstrated the feasibility of a 1000 word vocabulary connected speech recognition system. Since Harpy was designed to demonstrate the feasibility rather than to optimize cost effectiveness, it was implemented on a big general purpose system. The Locust system was designed to demonstrate the possibility of implementing the Harpy algorithms with a good cost effectiveness on a low cost, widely available minicomputer. The paper describes the Locust system, the technical problems met during its design, and its performance.
The Immediate Production Process of Capital in General

This chapter systematically develops how the emergence of capital from out of commodity circulation leads capital to undertake commodity production for the sake of accumulating wealth. The chapter conceives the basic form that the labor process takes in capital’s production of commodities with commodities, doing so without falling into the confusions that plague Marx’s account. The basic labor-capital relation is conceived in its full universality, without restriction to the particular historical form with which Marx limits it.
Molecular epidemiology of measles virus

Abstract Genetic analysis of viruses associated with recent outbreaks of measles in the United States indicated that at least four genotypes were present during 1994 and 1995. None of these more recent genotypes were related to the genotype responsible for the resurgence of measles cases in the United States between 1989 and 1992. The sequence data confirmed that the majority of measles cases that occurred in the United States between 1994 and 1995 were the result of international importation of virus. The data also suggested that transmission of the genotype associated with the resurgence had been interrupted by aggressive control measures. Therefore, molecular epidemiologic studies will provide a powerful means to measure the success of measles control strategies.
Elemental approximate analytic procedure for the annular fin of hyperbolic profile amenable to a heat transfer course

Straight or longitudinal fins of variable profile are explained in most textbooks on heat transfer, but unfortunately annular or circular fins of variable profile are not. Owing to this limitation, the present article addresses an elemental approximate analytic solution for treating the governing quasi 1-D heat equation descriptive of an annular fin of hyperbolic profile. To solve this equation approximately, usage of the mean radius of the annular fin is made. The transformed ordinary differential equation with constant coefficients is equivalent to the quasi 1-D heat equation for the straight fin of uniform profile that appears in all heat transfer textbooks. Within the framework of engineering analysis and design, the estimates of approximate temperatures and companion heat transfer rates for the annular fin of hyperbolic profile owing realistic values of the parameters give evidence of good quality and minimal errors. The transformation procedure is carried out in a step-by-step manner and can be read...
Structure-activity relationship studies in medicinal chemistry and drug design

Structure activity relationship studies is a very important part of drug design in medicinal chemistry. A number of problems related to drug design were studied using the Computer Automated Structure Evaluation (CASE), Multiple-CASE (MULTICASE) methodologies and molecular modeling techniques. These involved the study of antisecretory and cytoprotective (antiulcer) compounds, where chemical functionalities relevant to antiulcer action were identified. In another congeneric database, dopamine-{dollar}{bsol}beta{dollar}-hydroxylase inhibitors, a geometric relationship between the two hypothesized binding sites were established in addition to determining the structural backbone of the inhibitor required for efficient binding. A successful attempt was also made at designing new multidrug resistant reversal drugs in another project, where the designed compounds were actually experimentally tested for verification of their predicted activity. The study led to the identification of four new active compounds. A problem relating to the study of dose-response was also addressed and a method was established for scaling activity data using a modified logit curve equation. In another project, the mispairing of guanine as a result of its C-8 substitution was studied. A new hypothesis was proposed which shows that C-8 substitution of guanine leads to an oxidized structure which could favorably pair both with cytosine and thymine with equal ease giving rise to possible mutation.
Human CST Prefers G-Rich but Not Necessarily Telomeric Sequences.

The human CST (CTC1–STN1–TEN1) heterotrimeric complex plays roles in both telomere maintenance and DNA replication through its ability to interact with single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) of a variety of sequences. The precise sequence specificity required to execute these functions is unknown. Telomere-binding proteins have been shown to specifically recognize key telomeric sequence motifs within ssDNA while accommodating nonspecifically recognized sequences through conformationally plastic interfaces. To better understand the role CST plays in these processes, we have produced a highly purified heterotrimer and elucidated the sequence requirements for CST recognition of ssDNA in vitro. CST discriminates against random sequence and binds a minimal ssDNA comprised of three repeats of telomeric sequence. Replacement of individual nucleotides with their complement reveals that guanines are specifically recognized in a largely additive fashion and that specificity is distributed uniformly throughout the ligand. Unex...
Reinforcing Place Value.

students the opportunity to make decisions, use alternative strategies, and communicate and reason during practice sessions as well as during the developmental portion of instruction. Whereas traditional paper-pencil drill sessions might allow students the necessary opportunity to "fix" computational and place-value skills (Heddens and Speers 1988), many types of reinforcement activities do not require students to employ the problem solving, number-sense, and reasoning strategies learned when the content was introduced (NCTM 1989). Practice experiences can be made more meaningful if they offer elements of risk taking when choosing and using numbers so that the activities are indeed unique and challenging each time they are used. The following game-oriented activities involving whole numbers and rational numbers are designed for firstthrough eighth-grade students. The difficulty level of each game can be modified by using more or fewer boxes or operations. The games are intended to supplement traditional practice, not to replace it entirely. Students need to be introduced to certain skills, such as finding a common denominator, prior to engaging in these activities. Students could eventually be encouraged to design their own configurations for the games. The directions for administering the activities are all similar. Players are presented with an array of shapes, and the leader selects and calls out numerals at
SV-P: A potential viable alternative to mode-converted P-SV seismic data for reservoir characterization

AbstractP-SV seismic acquisition requires 3C geophones and thus has greater cost compared with conventional P-P data. However, some companies justify this added cost because P-SV data provide an independent set of S-wave measurements, which can increase the reliability of subsurface property estimation. This study investigates SV-P data generated by a vertical vibrator and recorded by vertical geophones as a cost-effective alternative to traditional P-SV data. To evaluate the efficacy of the SV-P mode relative to the P-P and P-SV modes, multicomponent seismic data from Wellington Field, Kansas, were interpreted. P-P amplitude variation with offset (AVO) gathers and stacked SV-P seismic data were jointly inverted to estimate elastic properties, which were compared with the estimates obtained from joint inversion of P-P AVO gathers, stacked P-SV seismic data, and inversion of P-P AVO gathers data. All inversions provide identical P-impedance characteristics. However, a significant improvement in S-impedance...
Pharmacological inhibition of CaMKK2 with the selective antagonist STO-609 regresses NAFLD

Binding of calcium to its intracellular receptor calmodulin (CaM) activates a family of Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinases. CaMKK2 (Ca2+/CaM-dependent protein kinase kinase 2) is a central member of this kinase family as it controls the actions of a CaMK cascade involving CaMKI, CaMKIV or AMPK. CaMKK2 controls insulin signaling, metabolic homeostasis, inflammation and cancer cell growth highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for a variety of diseases. STO-609 is a selective, small molecule inhibitor of CaMKK2. Although STO-609 has been used extensively in vitro and in cells to characterize and define new mechanistic functions of CaMKK2, only a few studies have reported the in vivo use of STO-609. We synthesized functional STO-609 and assessed its pharmacological properties through in vitro (kinase assay), ex vivo (human liver microsomes) and in vivo (mouse) model systems. We describe the metabolic processing of STO-609, its toxicity, pharmacokinetics and bioavailability in a variety of mouse tissues. Utilizing these data, we show STO-609 treatment to inhibit CaMKK2 function confers protection against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. These data provide a valuable resource by establishing criteria for use of STO-609 to inhibit the in vivo functions of CaMKK2 and demonstrate its utility for treating metabolically-related hepatic disease.
Single-Phase Formation Damage by Fines Migration and Clay Swelling

A review of the primary considerations and formulations of the various single-phase fluid models for formation damage by fines migration and clay swelling effects is presented. The applicability and parameters of these models are discussed.
Pathology of Urothelial Malignancies of the Upper Urinary Tract

Summary: The upper urinary tract includes renal pelvis and ureter which are muscular conduits lined by urothelium. The upper urinary tract may be involved by distinct entities which have different prognosis and diverse treatment options. Here, we focus on noninvasive urothelial carcinoma: low- and high-grade papillary UC, urothelial carcinoma in situ and noninvasive urothelial carcinoma with glandular differentiation; upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma with intratubular spread; invasive urothelial carcinoma: different differentiation components and different variants; other non-urothelial malignancy: inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, lymphoma, and rhabdoid tumor; Non-neoplastic tumor-like conditions: ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction and immunoglobulin G4-related kidney disease
Status and Applications of Echinoid ( Phylum Echinodermata ) Toxicity Test Methods

The use of echinoderms for toxicity testing has focused primarily on sea urchins and sand dollars (Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, Arbacia punctulata, Lytechinus pictus, and Dendraster excentricus, for example). The status and relative sensitivity of various test methods are described. The most frequently used test methods consist of short-term exposures of sea urchin sperm or embryos; these tests can be easily conducted at all times of the year by using species with complementary spawning cycles or laboratory conditioned populations of a single species. Data from reference toxicant and effluent toxicity tests are summarized. Information on the precision and sensitivity of echinoid test methods are limited and preclude rigorous comparisons with other test methods. The available data indicate that the sensitivity and precision of these methods are comparable to short-term chronic methods for other marine invertebrates and fish. Recent application of the sperm test in toxicity identification evaluations (TIEs) and studies of effluent toxicity decay and sediment toxicity illustrate the versatility of this rapid (10 to 60 min exposure) test method. Embryo tests typically use a 48 to 96 h exposure period and measure the occurrence of embryo malformations. Most recent applications of the embryo test have been for the assessment of sedimentmore » elutriate toxicity. Adult echinoderms are not frequently used to assess effluent or receiving water toxicity. Recent studies have had success in using the adult life stage of urchins and sand dollars to assess the effects of contaminated sediment on growth, behavior, and bioaccumulation.« less
The Relational Spreadsheet

In this chapter we recall basic concepts of relational algebra as used in relational databases and import them into the spreadsheet model, obtaining what we call the relational spreadsheet. This relational extension already highlights some of the differences between databases and spreadsheets, differences that acquire importance in more complex languages. It also allows us to settle the issue of seamlessly integrating our extension in the traditional paradigm.
The organizational choice of public good provision

This dissertation maintains that organizational efficiency and interest competition are the two primary forces of institutional formation for the public good provision. On the one hand, efficient institutions are in principle desirable, since they bring about potential gains for the involved interests as a whole. On the other, interest conflict in distributing the potential gains may lead to the emergence of some alternatives that appear relatively inefficient. The perceived institutional inefficiency, however, comes from neglecting the fact that settling distribution disputes is frequently costly in the human society. In this dissertation, a comprehensive organizational classification is proposed in terms of ownership arrangement. This classification is comprehensive in the sense that all institutions can be categorized in a theoretically thorough framework. It facilitates the comparison of organizational efficiencies and identification of the beneficiary and harmed under main institutional alternatives. Analysis in the relative advantages/disadvantages of institutions under different situations leads to the conclusion of several general principles for the institutional patterns of the public good provision. When use exclusion is relatively easy, difficulties in market transacting or ownership exercising affect the determination of organizational arrangements, which aim at mitigating the associated difficulties. That is, total costs associated with transacting and ownership decide whether the public good provision would be done through producer-owned firms, customer cooperatives, member-controlled organizations (including governments), or nonprofits. On the other hand, non-excludability problem may be solved by tie-in transactions or by indirect transaction via a third party. Such contractual arrangements do not require direct governmental involvement. Non-excludability may also be resolved by establishing formal/informal rules for use exclusion and/or income right to the provided service. Establishment of such property right institutions always involves customer ownership of some forms. Therefore, difficulties/costs associated with collective decision-making by diverse interests serve as the key determinant to the final outcome of public good provision. Finally, the empirical study focus on three types of dams: navigation, wildlife conservation, and flood control. Based on the theory proposed in this dissertation, some hypotheses for the ownership patterns of dams are derived and tested for the evaluation of my theoretical underpinnings.
Parent Experiences of Raising a Young Child with Multiple Disabilities: The Transition to Preschool.

Families raising young children diagnosed with multiple disabilities encounter experiences that are often unique and extend well beyond the early childhood years due to the intensity and severity o...
The Environment and Performance of Industrial Real Estate

This study examined over seventy industrial real estate research papers and categorized them according to: 1) property characteristics, 2) demand determinants, 3) rent and income determinants, 4) r...
Experimentally validated model and analytical investigations on power optimization for piezoelectric-based wireless power transfer systems:

This article presents a near-field low-frequency wireless power transfer system utilizing a piezoelectric transducer with magnet tip mass as a receiver. The interaction moment between the uniform B...
ALT Model Development and Implementation for High Pressure Rotary Valves

Liquid Chromatography (LC) systems generally include at least one rotary type valve. The designs of these valves vary from one another in terms of materials of construction, fluidic geometry, and assembly based on the application. Evaluation of new valve designs or new applications for an existing valve is often required to support development engineering activities. Valve testing consumes time and resources, which may detract from the Reliability team’s ability to support competing efforts and increases time spent optimizing a valve design. The time, effort and costs associated with valve testing may be reduced by applying an accurate acceleration model. The intent of this paper is to summarize the results of an Accelerated Life Test (ALT) performed on LC rotary valves using temperature as the accelerating stress. The goal of which is to develop and verify a model of valve life as a function of ambient temperature. Such a model would increase the efficiency of valve evaluations by estimating use condition life from data collected at elevated stresses over a shorter test time. Along with the rigors of developing and verifying this model, the direct application of such a tool while maintaining production provides challenges to Reliability Engineers. This paper will also discuss issues faced when attempting to implement this model to verify design changes and what hidden information ALT may reveal about supplier, process, and part variability as it relates to predicted life. Accurate identification of these parameters not only ensures success in reducing evaluation time to demonstrate confidence in an adequate design life but also creates a more stable product and enables related functions, such as quality, to perform at a higher level.
Abstract 405: Functional Maturation of Human iPSC-Derived Cardiomyocytes by Prolonged 3D Culture in Engineered Cardiac Tissue Constructs

The advent of human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) technology has revolutionized the way we study inherited diseases, as it allows us to study the effect of mutations in a human context. Thi...
Short Communication: Cascade of Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in Virologically Suppressed Persons Living with HIV

Variable adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) can maintain HIV viral suppression, but our understanding of the ART adherence continuum remains limited. In a clinical cohort of adult persons living with HIV treated with a tenofovir (TFV) disoproxil fumarate/emtricitabine (TDF/FTC)-based regimen, data on 3-month self-reported adherence and dried blood spots (DBS) for TFV diphosphate (TFV-DP) and FTC triphosphate (FTC-TP) were collected. Among 521 participants in whom DBS were available upon enrollment, 333 were virologically suppressed (<20 copies/mL). Only 145 (44%) of them reported 100% 3-month adherence, and 69 (21%) had drug concentrations in the highest adherence categories (TFV-DP ≥1,850 fmol/punch and quantifiable FTC-TP). These findings demonstrate a wide range of ART adherence and drug exposure associated with viral suppression, indicating that modern regimens are pharmacologically forgiving. Additional research is needed to understand the biologic effects of variable adherence and drug exposure beyond plasma virologic suppression.
48 – Visual Transduction

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of vertebrate visual transduction. It is mentioned that the process of visual transduction involves a G-protein-mediated second messenger system, which ultimately controls membrane potential and neurotransmitter release. Interesting difference between vertebrate and invertebrate photoreceptors is that the former hyperpolarize in response to light, and the latter depolarize. The chapter discusses photoreceptor cells, physiology of visual transduction, and molecular mechanisms. Photopigment activation and shutoff, cyclic nucleotide cascade are discussed under molecular mechanisms. The process of vertebrate vision begins with photon capture and visual transduction in the rods and cones. The first step in the response to light is the absorption of a photon by a visual pigment molecule. The visual pigment or photopigment consists of a particular protein (an opsin) containing a ubiquitous chromophore, retinal. The photopigment absorption spectra determine the probability that a photon of a particular wavelength will be absorbed. The light-induced decrease in membrane conductance is accomplished by the closure of nonselective cation channels in a specialized region of the photoreceptor called the outer segment. These channels conduct the so-called “dark current” that flows into the outer segment in the dark. The channels are kept open in the dark by cGMP, and they close in the light when the intracellular cGMP concentration falls. The light-induced fall in cGMP occurs when a photoexcited visual pigment molecule activates a G protein, which in turn activates a phosphodiesterase to hydrolyze cGMP. There are elaborate mechanisms for returning the molecular machinery of the photoreceptor to its dark state, and for light and dark adaptation. Although many of the fundamental molecular steps in visual transduction have been determined, numerous mysteries still remain.
The battle to increase tobacco taxes: Lessons from Philippines and Ukraine.

Abstract Introduction While increasing taxes on tobacco is one of the most effective tobacco control measures, its adoption has been slow compared to other tobacco control policies. Given this, there is an urgent need to better understand the political and economic dynamics that lead to its adoption despite immense tobacco industry opposition. The primary aim of this study is to explore the process, actors, and determinants that helped lead to the successful passage of the 2012 Sin Tax Reform Law in the Philippines and the 2017 seven-year plan for tobacco tax increases in Ukraine. Method: Under the guidance of the Advocacy Coalition Framework, we used a case study approach gathering data from key informant interviews (n = 37) and documents (n = 56). Subsequently, cross-case analysis was undertaken to identify themes across the two cases. Results: We found that external events in the Philippines and Ukraine triggered policy subsystem instability and tipped the scale in the favor of tobacco tax proponents. In the Philippines, elections brought forth a new leader in 2010 who was keen to achieve universal health care and improve tax collection efficiency. In Ukraine, the European Union Association Agreement came into force in 2017 and included the Tobacco Products Directive requiring Ukraine to synchronize its excise taxes to that of the European Union. Exploiting these key entry points, tobacco tax proponents formed a multi-sectoral coalition and used a multi-pronged approach. In both countries, respected economic groups and experts who could generate timely evidence were present and used local as well as international data to counter opponents who also used an array of strategies to water down the tax policies. Conclusions: Findings are largely consistent with the Advocacy Coalition Framework and suggest the need for tobacco tax proponents to 1) form a multi-sectoral coalition, 2) include respected economic groups and experts who can generate timely evidence, 3) use both local data and international experiences, and 4) undertake a multi-pronged approach.
Healthy Diet Perceptions of Pregnant Women from Sub-Saharan Africa Residing in the U.S.

Several consumers lack a clear understanding of what makes a healthy diet. This uncertainty may be worsened by immigration due to socio-cultural differences. The purpose of this study was to explor...
Mechanism of epitaxial growth of silica nanowires reinforcing agent in porous SiC scaffold

Abstract Processing 3D SiC objects by thermal oxidation is cumbersome due to poor oxygen diffusion in SiC and the limited thickness of the silica layer at the interface between particles. In the present study we treated SiC particles with NaOH to create a silica gel layer. The surface modified particles were pressed manually at 0.47 MPa into discs and subjected to thermal treatment in the temperature range 500-1000 oC. FTIR confirmed the presence of the characteristic peaks for Si-O and Si-O-Si on the surface of the discs confirming the formation of a silica gel layer that bonded the particles at room temperature. SEM-EDX analysis demonstrated the growth of silica nanowires that bridged the walls of the pores during heat treatment. XRD showed the phase transformation of the silica gel into quartz and then cristobalite solid solution at higher temperature. In conjunction with the increased growth of the silica nano wires, the strength, toughness, and percent weight gain increased significantly without any measurable change in the dimensions of the discs. FTIR analysis of the condensed volatile species released from SiC discs during heating revealed the involvement of SiO gas in the mechanism of nanowires growth. Preliminary thermal shock resistance tests showed stability of the mechanical properties after water quenching of samples treated at 900-1000 oC. The new mechanism of SiC densification by silica nanowires growth while maintaining dimensional stability opens the door for new SiC manufacturing technology.
The molecular basis of chromatin dynamics during nucleotide excision repair.

The assembly of DNA into chromatin in eukaryotic cells affects all DNA-related cellular activities, such as replication, transcription, recombination, and repair. Rearrangement of chromatin structu...
Performance impact analysis of solar cell retrofitted electric golf cart

The utilization of golf carts is gaining wide popularity especially in places like universities and large corporations. The conventional gasoline powered golf carts are inefficient and produce very harmful emissions to the environment. Electric golf carts, on the other hand, are quite efficient and environmentally friendly. However, they do not have a long driving range and the batteries need to be frequently recharged. This paper presents a thorough performance analysis of a typical electric golf cart retrofitted with a 100W solar panel. The electrical power requirements, energy savings, and the environmental pollution prevented were also investigated. In this analysis, the performance improvement in the driving range of the golf cart was tested using a series of experiments with and without the solar panel. These experimental results indicated that using a fleet of solar-powered electric golf carts will result in significant energy savings and reduce pollution taking the institution a step forward towards a greener environment.
Amorphousness of response form as a factor in verbal conditioning.

A critical variable in verbal conditioning concerns the specificity or amorphousness of the response class. Data are presented in support of the response amorphousness hypothesis introduced by Barik and Lambert (1960) to explain the differential conditioning effects which they obtained with two grammatical response classes.
Modeling tumor growth: from differential deformable models to growth prediction of tumors detected in PET images

Modeling of a growing tumor over time is extremely difficult, because of the complex biological phenomena underlying cancer proliferation. Existing models can mostly describe in vitro experiments of spherically-shaped avascular tumors, but they cannot match the highly heterogeneous and complex-shaped tumors seen in cancer patients. We propose a new time-dependent geometric deformable model that can characterize tumors of complex shape, such as vascular tumors. Preliminary result show that such a model can provide an adequate framework for analyzing and predicting the growth of tumors seen in PET images of cancer patients.
Subjective experiments on gender and ethnicity recognition from different face representations

The design of image-based soft-biometrics systems highly depends on the human factor analysis. How well can human do in gender/ethnicity recognition by looking at faces in different representations? How does human recognize gender/ethnicity? What factors affect the accuracy of gender/ethnicity recognition? The answers of these questions may inspire our design of computer-based automatic gender/ethnicity recognition algorithms. In this work, several subjective experiments are conducted to test the capability of human in gender/ethnicity recognition on different face representations, including 1D face silhouette, 2D face images and 3D face models. Our experimental results provide baselines and interesting inspirations for designing computer-based face gender/ethnicity recognition algorithms.
Machiavelli, Hobbes, and the Formation of a Liberal Republicanism in England

Acknowledgments Introduction Part I. The Foundations of Liberal Republicanism: 1. Machiavelli's republicanism 2. Hobbes on peace, the passions and politics Part II. The Formation of the Synthesis: 3. Marchamont Nedham and the beginnings of a Liberal republicanism 4. The distinctive modern republicanism of James Harrington 5. Henry Neville's proposal for a republic under the form of monarchy 6. Algernon Sidney as anticipator of Locke and secret admirer of Machiavelli 7. Cato's thought as the reconciliation of Machiavellian republicanism and Lockean liberalism Conclusion Works cited Index.
Introduction: Career Preparation for the Food Industry

There are over 6.6 billion people on the planet, and every one of us has to eat. Although people in some parts of the world (from the poor in Africa to the homeless in New York City) suffer from malnourishment, the majority of people in the world have more than enough to eat. Making sure that all these people eat every day makes the food industry one of the largest in the world.
Effects of large doses of estrogen on prolactin and growth hormone release

The effects of large doses of estrogen on prolactin (PRL) release were assessed. Circulating PRL levels in response to intravenous infusion of 17 beta-estradiol (E2), at a rate of 50 mug per hour for 4 hours, were studied in 10 subjects, and a chronic administration of ethinyl estradiol (EE) at a dose of 400 mug per day, for 1 week, was evaluated in five hypogonadal subjects. There was a significant depression of serum level of PRL during the E2 infusion and a significant increase in PRL release after discontinuation of the infusion. The chronic treatment of large doses of EE induced a more rapid (within 36 hours) and a significantly greater elevation of PRL levels at the end of 1 week treatment than those found during smaller doses of EE administration, as reported previously. These data suggest that acute treatment of estrogen may have a biphasic action on the pituitary PRL section and that the augmentatory effect of estrogen on PRL secretion is dose-dependent in human beings.
Evaluation of the ImmunoCardSTAT! Rotavirus Assay for Detection of Group A Rotavirus in Fecal Specimens

Rapid detection of group A rotavirus was performed by using ImmunoCardStat! Rotavirus (ICS-RV) (which uses immunogold-based, horizontal-flow membrane technology), two commercial enzyme immunoassays (Premier Rotaclone and TestPack Rotavirus), and electron microscopy. A total of 249 stool specimens collected from children with gastroenteritis between February and April 1997 were tested. After resolution of 19 of the 22 discordant results by reverse transcription-PCR for group A rotavirus, ICS-RV detected 125 positives while Rotaclone and TestPack detected 127 and 129 positives, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 94.0, 100, 100, and 93.4% for ICS-RV; 95.5, 100, 100, and 95.0% for Rotaclone; and 97.0, 96.5, 97.0, and 96.5% for TestPack. ICS-RV was sensitive and specific and was relatively simple to perform and interpret.
India: Employment Black Hole?

With a very low wage level, an abundance of college graduates, and an ability to speak English, India has become the most favored nation for the outsourcing of back-office operations. Not only are clerical and customer service jobs being outsourced to India, increasingly the outsourcing has moved up the job food chain to include financial analysis and medical support tasks. The case explores the increasing practice of the outsourcing of jobs to India, the competition India faces as other developing countries seek to attract outsourced work, and the impact the practice has on the economies of developed countries.
Additive Effect of Stress and Drug Cues on Reinstatement of Ethanol Seeking: Exacerbation by History of Dependence and Role of Concurrent Activation of Corticotropin-Releasing Factor and Opioid Mechanisms

Stress and exposure to drug-related environmental stimuli have been implicated as critical factors in relapse to drug use. What has received little attention, however, is the significance of interactions between these factors for motivating drug-seeking behavior. To address this issue, a reinstatement model of relapse was used. Footshock stress and response-contingent presentation of an ethanol-associated light cue, acting as a conditioned stimulus (CS), effectively reinstated extinguished responding at a previously active, drug-paired lever in male Wistar rats. When response-contingent availability of the ethanol CS was preceded by footshock, additive effects of these stimuli on responding were observed. Both the individual and interactive effects of footshock and the CS were significantly greater in previously ethanol-dependent than in nondependent rats. Responding induced by the ethanol CS was selectively reversed by the nonselective opiate antagonist naltrexone, whereas the effects of footshock were selectively reversed by the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) antagonist d-Phe-CRF(12-41). However, both agents only partially reversed the enhanced drug-seeking response produced by the interactive effects of stress and the ethanol CS; full reversal required coadministration of d-Phe-CRF and naltrexone. The results document that stress and drug-related environmental stimuli interact to augment the resumption of drug seeking after extinction and suggest that this effect results from concurrent activation of opioid and CRF transmission.
Course and outcome in panic disorder: A review of recent follow‐up studies

This paper reviews the methodologic considerations that are important in evaluating and interpreting panic disorder outcome studies and the results of the most well-designed of these studies. Sixteen studies that used modern diagnostic criteria and interviewed at least 25 patients on at least two occasions over a minimum follow-up period of one year are reviewed. Results show that, despite the availability of effective anti-panic treatments, panic disorder remains a chronic illness. While most patients improve, few are "cured." The presence of agoraphobia, major depression and personality disorder seems to predict poorer outcome. The importance of measuring multiple clinical dimensions of panic is emphasized, along with the need to reach a consensus about the definition of "outcome" and the particular instruments to use to measure it.