cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two Cytoplasmic Loops of the Glucagon Receptor Are Required to Elevate cAMP or Intracellular Calcium

The glucagon receptor is a member of a distinct class of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) sharing little amino acid sequence homology with the larger rhodopsin-like GPCR family. To identify the components of the glucagon receptor necessary for G-protein coupling, we replaced sequentially all or part of each intracellular loop (i1, i2, and i3) and the C-terminal tail of the glucagon receptor with the 11 amino acids comprising the first intracellular loop of the D4 dopamine receptor. When expressed in transiently transfected COS-1 cells, the mutant receptors fell into two different groups with respect to hormone-mediated signaling. The first group included the loop i1 mutants, which bound glucagon and signaled normally. The second group comprised the loop i2 and i3 chimeras, which caused no detectable adenylyl cyclase activation in COS-1 cells. However, when expressed in HEK 293T cells, the loop i2 or i3 chimeras caused very small glucagon-mediated increases in cAMP levels and intracellular calcium concentrations, with EC50values nearly 100-fold higher than those measured for wild-type receptor. Replacement of both loops i2 and i3 simultaneously was required to completely abolish G protein signaling as measured by both cAMP accumulation and calcium flux assays. These results show that the i2 and i3 loops play a role in glucagon receptor signaling, consistent with recent models for the mechanism of activation of G proteins by rhodopsin-like GPCRs.
Evaluation of transient turbulent flow fields using digital cinematographic particle image velocimetry

This paper describes an experimental development for temporal and spatial reconstruction of continuously varying flow fields by means of digital cinematographic particle image velocimetry (PIV). The system uses a copper-vapor laser illumination synchronized with a high-speed camera, and continuously samples at 250 fps to measure transient and non-periodic turbulent flows with relatively low frequencies, i.e., the surf zone turbulence produced by depth-limited wave break in a long laboratory flume. The use of the developed PIV system comprehensively records the temporal development of both phase-averaged and instantaneous turbulent vortex flows descended from the breaking waves to the bottom. Also, the measured power spectra show harmonic frequencies, ranging from the orbital frequency of 0.5 Hz up to the order of 5 Hz, and the well-known −5/3 dependence upon the turbulence fluctuation frequencies thereafter.
Religion and suicide

Suicide rates, but not homicide rates, for nations of the world in 1980 were associated with the percentages of Muslims and Roman Catholics, but use of statistical controls for economic development...
Aureococcus anophagefferens growth potential affected by coastal water toxicants

Brown tide blooms, caused by excessive growth of the pelagophyte Aureococcus anophagefferens Hargraves et Sieburth (Ochrophyta, Pelagophyceae), have been observed to be spreading in new water bodies with substantial human influences. This study quantified A. anophagefferens growth potential as affected by common pollutants—heavy metals, herbicide metolachlor, and secondary-treated sewage effluent. Culture studies show that A. anophagefferens growth potential was not affected by environmentally relevant levels of metolachlor but was reduced at low salinity or addition of 10–15 % sewage effluent. When exposed to Cd, Cu, and Zn at high but environmentally relevant concentrations, A. anophagefferens growth potential was reduced, but Zn antagonized inhibitive effect from Cu and CdCu. Preliminary field incubation showed that adding Ni, Cu, Zn, or EDTA did not significantly alter A. anophagefferens survival in filtered Newark Bay seawaters (NJ, USA), suggesting tolerance of A. anophagefferens to anthropogenic toxicants. These results may aid on the understanding and modeling of A. anophagefferens expansion in polluted estuaries.
Daylighting Strategies: Life-Cycle Cost Modeling and Policy Implications for Emerging Technology

Abstract:In the United States, facility lighting loads account for $15-23 billion annually in energy consumption. To help reduce these loads, passive solar energy strategies such as daylighting are often used. To evaluate daylighting strategies, we modeled the performance of a prototypical office facility using building energy simulation software and conducted life-cycle cost analysis using Monte Carlo simulation. Our findings show that electrochromic windows result in the lowest energy consumption; however, the most economically viable strategy was the advanced daylighting control system. Our simulations demonstrate the importance of considering economic incentive policies to make emerging daylighting technology more viable.
Concurrent approach for evolving compact decision rule sets

The induction of decision rules from data is important to many disciplines, including artificial intelligence and pattern recognition. To improve the state of the art in this area, we introduced the genetic rule and classifier construction environment (GRaCCE). It was previously shown that GRaCCE consistently evolved decision rule sets from data, which were significantly more compact than those produced by other methods (such as decision tree algorithms). The primary disadvantage of GRaCCe, however, is its relatively poor run-time execution performance. In this paper, a concurrent version of the GRaCCE architecture is introduced, which improves the efficiency of the original algorithm. A prototype of the algorithm is tested on an in- house parallel processor configuration and the results are discussed.
Transient response of GaAs integrated circuit to pulsed optical carrier injection

Upsets of nanosecond duration were induced in a 3 GHz GaAs divide-by-2 integrated circuit, by illuminating circuit components with focused 100 ps, 830 nm optical pulses. The nature and severity of the upsets depended upon the region of the circuit which was illuminated. An upset recovery time varying logarithmically with the incident optical energy indicated that the circuit recovers as the excess carriers recombine.
Is there a role for fasciotomy in Crotalinae envenomations in North America

Context. The local effects of Crotalinae envenomation can cause significant tissue destruction, pain, paresthesias, and deformity of the limb, which mimic findings of compartment syndrome, despite rare subfascial penetration of the fangs. Complicating this are the various techniques and ideas about what determines compartment syndrome combined with the fact that elevated intracompartmental pressures have been documented after Crotalinae envenomation, without clear evidence of compartment syndrome or tissue hypoperfusion. Objective. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the North American literature to provide an evidenced-based conclusion about the indications for fasciotomy in Crotalinae envenomations. Methods. The search was conducted with studies published only in the English language. The search included all human and animal publications, regardless of the format of study. The Cochrane Central Register, MEDLINE/ Pub Med, Scopus, and Biological Science databases were searched. Citations from all th...
Gum rosin (colophony): A suitable material for thermomechanical modelling of the lithosphere

We investigate the use of a ductile material with temperature-sensitive viscosity for thermomechanical modelling of the lithosphere. First, we consider the scaling of mechanical and thermal properties. For a normal field of gravity, the balance of stresses and body forces sets the stress scale, in proportion to the linear dimensions and the densities. The equation of thermal conduction sets the time scale. The activation enthalpy for creep sets the temperature scale; but the thermal expansivity provides an additional constraint on this temperature scale. Gum rosin appears to be a suitable material for lithospheric modelling. We have measured its flow properties, at various temperatures, in a specially designed rotary viscometer with unusually low machine friction. The rosin is almost Newtonian. Strain rate depends upon stress to the power n, where 1.0 <n < 1.14. The viscosity varies over 5 orders of magnitude, from about 102 Pa s at 80°C, to about 107 Pa s at 40°C. The activation enthalphy is thus about 250 kJ/mol. Measured with a needle probe, the thermal conductivity is 0.113 ± 0.001 W m−1K−1; the thermal diffusivity, (6±3) ×10−7 m2 s−1. Calculated from X-ray profiles, the thermal expansivity is about 3 × 10−4 K−1. These thermal and mechanical properties make gum rosin suitable for thermomechanical models, where linear dimensions scale down by a factor of 106; time, by 1011; viscosity, by 1017; and temperature change, by 101.
Teaching Technical Writing in Canada

The results of a 1987 survey of seventy Canadian four-year colleges and universities indicate that approximately half of the thirty-five responding institutions offer some form of technical writing. While courses are well-received by students and have stable or growing enrollments, faculty attitudes toward professional writing courses are mixed, varying from enthusiastic to disapproving. The other half of the responding institutions do not offer professional writing courses and have no plans to do so. Faculties at these institutions are generally against establishing such courses because they do not see technical writing as a legitimate subject.
Targeted repression of AXIN2 and MYC gene expression using designer TALEs.

Designer TALEs (dTALEs) are chimeric transcription factors that can be engineered to regulate gene expression in mammalian cells. Whether dTALEs can block gene transcription downstream of signal transduction cascades, however, has yet to be fully explored. Here we tested whether dTALEs can be used to target genes whose expression is controlled by Wnt/β-catenin signaling. TALE DNA binding domains were engineered to recognize sequences adjacent to Wnt responsive enhancer elements (WREs) that control expression of axis inhibition protein 2 (AXIN2) and c-MYC (MYC). These custom DNA binding domains were linked to the mSin3A interaction domain (SID) to generate TALE-SID chimeric repressors. The TALE-SIDs repressed luciferase reporter activity, bound their genomic target sites, and repressed AXIN2 and MYC expression in HEK293 cells. We generated a novel HEK293 cell line to determine whether the TALE-SIDs could function downstream of oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Treating these cells with doxycycline and tamoxifen stimulates nuclear accumulation of a stabilized form of β-catenin found in a subset of colorectal cancers. The TALE-SIDs repressed AXIN2 and MYC expression in these cells, which suggests that dTALEs could offer an effective therapeutic strategy for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
Redox-Regulated Heterogeneous Thresholds for Ligand Recruitment among InsP3R Ca2+-Release Channels

To clarify the molecular mechanisms behind quantal Ca2+ release, the graded Ca2+ release from intracellular stores through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) channels responding to incremental ligand stimulation, single-channel patch-clamp electrophysiology was used to continuously monitor the number and open probability of InsP3R channels in the same excised cytoplasmic-side-out nuclear membrane patches exposed alternately to optimal and suboptimal cytoplasmic ligand conditions. Progressively more channels were activated by more favorable conditions in patches from insect cells with only one InsP3R gene or from cells solely expressing one recombinant InsP3R isoform, demonstrating that channels with identical primary sequence have different ligand recruitment thresholds. Such heterogeneity was largely abrogated, in a fully reversible manner, by treatment of the channels with sulfhydryl reducing agents, suggesting that it was mostly regulated by different levels of posttranslational redox modifications of the channels. In contrast, sulfhydryl reduction had limited effects on channel open probability. Thus, sulfhydryl redox modification can regulate various aspects of intracellular Ca2+ signaling, including quantal Ca2+ release, by tuning ligand sensitivities of InsP3R channels. No intrinsic termination of channel activity with a timescale comparable to that for quantal Ca2+ release was observed under any steady ligand conditions, indicating that this process is unlikely to contribute.
Research on Assessment of Coordinated Evaluation in Electricity Ecosystem Based on Entropy Weight and AHP

In coordinated evaluation of electricity ecosystem, it’s should not simply on the basis of the value of information transmitted by index, but also make a comprehensive analysis of knowledge and experience of experts and policymakers. In this paper, the actual situation of Guangxi power grid as an example, the electricity ecosystem coordinated development optimization based on the constraints of resources and environment is carried out. And explore the relationship among the electric power industry, regional environment and economy. The comprehensive evaluation method based on entropy weight and AHP is suggested, which solves the casualness and subjectivity problem about weight decision in traditional comprehensive evaluation method, in order to improve the accuracy and credibility of evaluation results, and put forward new ideas for the coordination of protection of Guangxi regional power industry and environment development, in order to achieve the harmonious development among economy, environment, power.
Immobilization antigens from Tetrahymena thermophila are glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-linked proteins.

We have studied four strains of Tetrahymena thermophila, each of which expresses a different allele of the SerH gene and produces a distinctive surface protein of the immobilization antigen (i-antigen) class. Following exposure of the strains to [3H]ethanolamine or [3H]myristic acid, a protein corresponding in molecular mass to the characteristic i-antigen for that strain became highly labeled, as determined by mobility in sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide eiectrophoresis gels. Furthermore, antibodies raised to the i-antigens of the T. thermophila strains selectively immunoprecipitated radioactive proteins having molecular mass identical to that of the i-antigen characteristic for that particular strain. The lipid moieties labeled by [3H]myristate were not susceptible to hydrolysis by exogenous phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C from bacteria. However, when protein extraction was carried out in the absence of phospholipase C inhibitors, radioactive fatty acids derived from [3H]myristate were rapidly cleaved from the putative i-antigens. On the basis of available data, it was concluded that T. thermophila i-antigens contain covalently-Iinked glycosyl-phospha-tidylinositol anchors.
A seismic gap past and future

A new analysis of data from a seismically quiet section of the Alaska-Aleutian arc called the Shumagin gap suggests that a large earthquake may be likely to occur there in the next 20 years. The Aleutian archipelago trails off the end of the Alaska Peninsula like the dots of an ellipsis and lies above one of the most seismically active subduction zones in the world. Some of the largest earthquakes ever recorded have occurred along the arc, which extends from near Kamchatka in the Soviet Union to mainland Alaska and coastal British Columbia (Canada). Earthquakes with magnitudes as large as 9.2 and their aftershocks have caused ruptures along most of the length of t h e Aleutians in the last half-century. However, some segments of the arc, including areas around Komandorski Island in the Soviet Union, Unalaska Island, and the Shumagin Islands south of the Alaska Peninsula (see figure) show historical evidence of great (Ms⩾7.75) quakes in the past but have not ruptured completely during the 20th century. These zones are called seismic gaps and have been proposed as likely sites of future great earthquakes.
A model of aesthetic judgment in design

Abstract Aesthetics plays a major role in real design. To date, aesthetics is mostly ignored in studies dealing with computational design support systems. Probably the main reason for this omission is that aesthetics is tightly associated with art, which is perceived to be beyond the capabilities of computational techniques. The paper outlines a model for the incorporation of aesthetic judgment in design. It shows how important aesthetic criteria that follow the rationalistic and the romanticist movements of aesthetics, can be represented, refined, and used in design. BRIDGER, a system that assists in the preliminary design of cable-stayed bridges, implements a preliminary version of this model. Several examples of designs generated by BRIDGER are discussed for demonstrating the scope and potential of the model. The most significant investigations in bridge aesthetics deal primarily with fundamental philosophical and psychological problems or direct aesthetic analysis of existing bridges, providing relatively few basic concepts for use in design (see Ref).
Nitrogen and phosphorus requirements for raising mycorrhizal seedlings of Leucaena leucocephala in containers

A greenhouse study was undertaken to determine the nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization requirements for raising mycorrhizal seedlings in soil in containers. Seedlings of Leucaena leucocephala were grown for 40 days in dibble tubes containing fumigated or nonfumigated soil uninoculated or inoculated with Glomus aggregatum. The soil was fertilized with NH4NO3 solution to obtain 25–200 mg N kg-1 soil, and with a KH2PO4 solution to establish target soil solution P concentrations of 0.015–0.08 mg P l-1. At the end of 40 days, seedlings were transplanted into pots containing 5-kg portions of fumigated soil. Posttransplant vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (VAMF) effectiveness, measured as pinnule P content, plant height, shoot dry weight and tissue N and P concentrations, was significantly increased by pretransplant VAMF colonization in both soils. The best posttransplant mycorrhizal colonization and mycorrhizal growth responses were observed if the nonfumigated pretransplant soil was amended with 50 mg N kg-1 soil and 0.04 mg P l-1 or if the fumigated pretransplant soil was amended with 100 mg N kg-1 soil and 0.04 mg P 1-1. There was no relationship between N∶P ratios of nutrients added to the pretransplant soil medium and shoot N∶P ratios observed after transplanting. Shoot N∶P ratio was also not correlated with root colonization level.
Malting and brewing with a high β-glucan barley

Abstract β-Glucans in barley can present process problems in brewing. Therefore, brewer's malts have been selected for low β-glucan content. This study examined high β-glucan Shonkin barley and, along with a low to moderate β-glucan control, conducted micro- and pilot-scale maltings of both hull-less and covered versions of Shonkin. These malts were mashed and beers were brewed. Enzymatic methods were used to quantify β-glucan content in barley, malt, wort and beer. Germination time during malting did not significantly affect β-glucan content in the malt produced, and a 40 °C rest in the mash did not significantly affect β-glucan content in the wort but did increase wort viscosity. High β-glucan barley produced high β-glucan wort and beer regardless of treatment. Rice hulls were used to form a filter bed in the lauter tun when brewing with hull-less Shonkin malt and no problems were encountered with stuck runoff. Potential process problems in the brewhouse associated with malt made from hull-less high β-glucan barley cultivars can be overcome and a high soluble dietary fiber beer can be brewed.
The formation of N-bromo-N-chloro-amines in chlorinated saline waters

Abstract The existence of a new group of compounds, N-bromo-N-chloro-amines, is demonstrated and their possible formation in the chlorination of saline waters discussed. N-bromo-N-chloromethylamine was prepared in carbon tetrachloride solution which exhibited UV and NMR absorbances halfway between those of N,N-dibromomethylamine and N,N-dichloromethylamine. Concentrated CH3NBrCl solutions rapidly establish an equilibrium CH 3 NBr 2 + CH 3 NCl 2 ⇌2CH 3 NBrCl under the influence of UV light, the reaction in either direction being exceedingly slow in the dark. The equilibrium constant of 4.01±0.045 indicates a purely statistical distribution of halogen atoms with no energetic difference between reactants and products.
Atomic Excitation and Ionization Accompanying Orbital Electron Capture by Nuclei

The process of atomic excitation and ionization accompanying orbital electron capture by nuclei is treated on the basis of the general theory of $\ensuremath{\beta}$-decay using a configuration space representation for both nucleons and leptons. Quantitative expressions are obtained (a) for the total number of double holes produced in the $K$-shell due to $K$-capture accompanied by excitation or ejection of the other $K$-electron [Eq. (15)], and (b) for the total probability of electron ejection in orbital electron capture together with the ejected electron momentum spectrum [Eqs. (17)-(18)]. A discussion is given of the possibilities of experimental verification of the theory developed.
Improving safety and efficiency during emergent central venous catheter placement with a needleless securing clamp

Objective To compare the needleless securing clamp to the traditional suture-secured clamp for central venous catheters. Methods Compare the holding strength of each type of clamps by measuring the amount of kinetic energy absorbed, ask 20 physicians to evaluate the clamp placement using sutures or staples, and summarise the clamps effectiveness and complications in 10 patients. Results Compared to sutured clamp, the needleless clamp was more secure. The needleless clamp was also significantly better with regard to ease of use, safety, perceived strength (p value Conclusions Without incurring complications or increasing risk to patients, the needleless clamp is secure and improves safety and efficiency for physicians.
Embodied AI, Creation, and Cog

This is a reply to comments on my paper Cog, a Humanoid Robot, and the Questions of the Image of God; one was written by Mary Gerhart and Allan Melvin Russell, and another one by Helmut Reich. I will start with the suggested analogy of the relationship between God and us and the one between us and the humanoid robot Cog and will show why this analogy is not helpful for the dialogue between theology and artificial intelligence (AI). Such a dialogue can succeed only if both our fascination for humanoids and our fear of them are equally accepted. Any avoidance of these emotions, as well as any rejection of the possibility that Cog might one day be humanlike, destroy the dialogue. The interpretation of both scientific theories and religious metaphors as stories replaces seemingly “rational” arguments with the confession of the respective commitments to a body of stories and opens up a space for exchange and friendship between AI-researchers and theologians—an option that usually remains closed.
Sensorimotor behavioral effects of endothelin-1 induced small cortical infarcts in C57BL/6 mice

Mouse models have not paralleled rat models of stroke in advances in sensitive, species appropriate measures of neurological and behavioral recovery. Most available tests of mouse sensorimotor function are adaptations of those originally developed in rats and may not be as sensitive in detecting behavioral deficits after small cortical lesions in mice. Our purpose was to test the use of a vasoconstricting peptide, endothelin-1 (ET-1), to produce focal infarcts of the mouse sensorimotor cortex and to establish a behavioral test battery sensitive to resulting sensorimotor deficits. Young adult (3-5-month-old) male C57BL/6 mice received intracortical infusions of ET-1 that produced unilateral lesions of the forelimb region of the sensorimotor cortex, intracortical infusions of sterile saline, or sham surgeries. Pre-operatively and at various time points over 3 weeks post-surgery, they were administered a test battery that included measures of sensorimotor asymmetry (Corner and Bilateral Tactile Stimulation Tests), coordinated forepaw use (Cylinder and Ladder Rung Tests), and dexterous forepaw function (Pasta Matrix Reaching Test). ET-1 infusions resulted in consistently placed, focal cortical infarcts and forelimb impairments as measured with the Ladder Rung, Bilateral Tactile Stimulation, and Pasta Matrix Reaching Tests. On the Bilateral Tactile Stimulation and Pasta Matrix Reaching Tests, impairments persisted throughout the time span of observation (26 days). These results support ET-1 as a viable option for creating small, reproducible lesions of anatomical subregions in the mouse neocortex that result in lasting functional impairments in the forelimb, as observed with sufficiently sensitive measures.
Development of an integrated information model for computer integrated manufacturing

Abstract The development of an FDBS is integrate existing CIM components by using a bottom-up development process. The components used in this paper do not support any kind database management. The integration of those components into a federation may be done by using two general approaches [3]: • • Migration of the files to a DBMS • • Extend the file system to support DBMS-like features Both migration and extension of the file system are costly solutions and actually depend on existing capabilities of the components. Problems may occur when the federated schema becomes too large. The schema might be split up into smaller federated schemes (loosely coupled FBDS).
Local asymptotic symmetry of singular solutions to nonlinear elliptic equations

A Assume that u is a solution to (1), and g(t) is a nonnegative locally Lipschitz function satgfying: (i) g(t) is nondecreasing in t for t > O. (ii) t-(n+2)g(tn--2 ) is nonincreasing Jor t > O, (iii) g(t) = > ct p for some p > ~-2 n and t large. Then u(x) = (1 + o(1))tT(Ix[) as x --~ 0. Here and through out this article, we denote ~7(t) = ~7~s)fs u(t~o)dl~ the spherical average of u, o(1) a function that goes to zero in the corresponding limiting process, S the n- 1 dimensional unit sphere S n-1 = {~o]~o E R n, I~ol = 1}, and/~ the standard area measure on n- 1 dimensional surfaces of R n. This article simplifies and further exploits the "measure theoretic" varia- tion, introduced in [2], of the method of moving planes (MMP). We seek better understanding and more applications of the powerful MMP invented by A.D. Alexanderoff and further developed by J. Serrin [7], B. Gidas, W.M. Ni and L. Nirenberg [5] and many others. The following is our result in which we obtained the asymptotic radial symmetry with condition (ii) only. Partially supported by the NSF grant DMS-9401441.
Relativistic chiral quark model for pseudoscalar emission from heavy mesons

The amplitudes for one-pion mediated transitions between heavy meson excited states are obtained in the framework of the relativistic chiral quark model. The effective coupling constants to pions and the decay widths of excited heavy mesons with l {<=} 2 for non-radially excited, and the l=0 radially excited mesons are presented for both charmed and beauty mesons. They also discuss the allowed decays of strange excited heavy mesons by emission of a K-meson.
421: The impact of duration of laser time and operative time on pregnancy outcome and survival in twin-twin transfusion syndrome treated by fetoscopic laser

repair of fetal MMC using a modified surgical technique without the use of a trocar from February through July 2011 are presented. Uterine entry and closure were modified to minimize trauma to the amniotic membrane and chorioamnion separation. Patients were admitted for five days, then discharged home for continued care by their referring maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Weekly ultrasound reports were obtained from primary MFM providers and reviewed for chorioamnion separation, amniotic fluid index (AFI), ventriculomegaly and fetal well-being. Delivery data were obtained from the delivering physicians. RESULTS: Of the 13 patients included in this series, there have been no cases of chorioamnion separation to date. Seven patients delivered between 34 to 37 weeks’ gestation. Of these, three patients were delivered electively at 34 weeks’ gestation: one patient for oligohydramnios, one patient experienced premature rupture of membranes (PROM) at 31 weeks’ gestation and was managed expectantly, and one patient was delivered for increasing ventriculomegaly. Five patients are currently undelivered, between 30 to 34 weeks’ gestation, with normal AFI. The thirteenth patient is at 28 weeks’ gestation with normal AFI at the time of this submission. There were no instances of uterine dehisence or wall thinning in the patients delivered. No patient received a blood transfusion. CONCLUSION: Early results suggest that a modified surgical approach to uterine entry, amniotic membrane handling and uterine closure may result in a decreased risk of chorioamnion separation and PROM. Further assessment of results with this technique in a growing series is ongoing.
AHAFS subsystem for enhancing operating system health in the cloud computing era

Cloud computing is becoming an important paradigm for information technology (IT) infrastructures. A key advantage of cloud computing is its ability to decrease the cost of computing for a variety of applications. For the infrastructure layer, which includes servers and operating systems (OSs), cost reduction is achieved through the consolidation of many OS instances onto a single physical server and through significant improvements in system-administrator productivity. However, these productivity improvements require a scalable easy-to-use OS event-management subsystem so that the higher level software can reliably and effectively automate operations. This paper presents the design and implementation of an OS event-monitoring subsystem called Autonomic Health Advisor FileSystem (AHAFS) that is scalable, has little system-performance overhead, and provides instantaneous event notifications with useful information, for improving the robustness, security, and performance of an OS instance. AHAFS is extensible and can monitor various events for a wide variety of event consumers. AHAFS does not require the use of a new application programming interface (API) but uses the ubiquitous filesystem API; hence, AHAFS is usable by monitoring applications written in any of the languages commonly used for monitoring (e.g., C, C++, Perl®, and Java®) without requiring additional runtime modules or packages.
A fiber-optic sensor system for monitoring chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutants

We have developed and field-tested a fiber-optic chemical sensor system for use in environmental monitoring and remediation. The system detects chlorinated hydrocarbon pollutants with colorimetry, and is based on an irreversible chemical reaction between the target compound and a specific reagent. The reaction products are detected by their absorption at 560 nm and can be monitored remotely with optical fibers. Continuous measurements are made possible by renewing the reagent from a reservoir with a miniature pumping system. The sensor has been evaluated against gas chromatography standards and has demonstrated accuracy and sensitivity (5 ppbw) sufficient for the environmental monitoring of trichloroethylene and chloroform. Successful preliminary field tests have been conducted in a variety of contamination monitoring scenarios.
HOW EMPIRICAL IS WIEMAN'S THEOLOGY?

. The essay is a response to the papers written by Nancy Frankenberry and Charley Hardwick in the March 1987 issue of Zygon. Questions are raised about whether Wieman's theology is functionalist in the way described by Frankenberry and whether Hardwick's proposal to establish the logical possibility of naturalism as a framework for an existential interpretation of the Christian message is satisfactory. The most basic question raised by both papers is whether Wieman's theology is fully empirical when viewed from the point of view of the radical empiricist.
Host-Viral Interactions: Role of Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs) in Human Pneumovirus Infections

Acute respiratory tract infection (RTI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and the majority of RTIs are caused by viruses, among which respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the closely related human metapneumovirus (hMPV) figure prominently. Host innate immune response has been implicated in recognition, protection and immune pathological mechanisms. Host-viral interactions are generally initiated via host recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) of the virus. This recognition occurs through host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) which are expressed on innate immune cells such as epithelial cells, dendritic cells, macrophages and neutrophils. Multiple PRR families, including Toll-like receptors (TLRs), RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) and NOD-like receptors (NLRs), contribute significantly to viral detection, leading to induction of cytokines, chemokines and type I interferons (IFNs), which subsequently facilitate the eradication of the virus. This review focuses on the current literature on RSV and hMPV infection and the role of PRRs in establishing/mediating the infection in both in vitro and in vivo models. A better understanding of the complex interplay between these two viruses and host PRRs might lead to efficient prophylactic and therapeutic treatments, as well as the development of adequate vaccines.
Development of prescribed fire as a silvicultural tool for the upland oak forests of the eastern United States

In the past 40 years, the perception of periodic fire in upland oak (Quercus spp.) forests in the eastern United States has changed dramatically. Once thought of as a wholly destructive force, periodic fire is now considered an important disturbance whose absence is a major contributing factor to oak regeneration problems. This change in attitude and the concurrent development of prescribed fire as an accepted oak regeneration tool are due to several researchmanagement partnerships. Starting in the 1970s, cooperative research between the USDA Forest Service and various land management agencies examined fire effects in mature, uncut oak forests. These failed to regenerate oak but identified some key limitations leading to the failures. Subsequent research in the 1990s shifted to oak shelterwoods and ultimately identified hot spring fires as a treatment that would regenerate oak. Since then, other partnerships have expanded fire-oak research to include woodland restoration burning. This paper reviews the history of cooperative fire-oak research over the past 40 years and the key role partnerships have played in the development of current prescribed fire practices in upland oak forests.
Quantitation of daunorubicin, doxorubicin, and their aglycones by ion-pair reversed-phase chromatography.

A fast and sensitive high-pressure liquid chromatographic method was developed for the quantitation of doxorubicin, daunorubicin, and their aglycones in pharmaceutical preparations. Because its higher pH extends column life while permitting determination of impurities, this system represents an improvement over previously published methods. It utilizes a C18 bonded silica gel column and a solvent system consisting of methanol-0.01 M monobasic ammonium phosphate aqueous solution (65:35) at pH 4.0 and 1600 psi of pressure. The accuracy of the doxorubicin and daunorubicin determinations, expressed as the coefficient of variation, is 1.65 and 1.27%, respectively. The aglycones can be determined with a precision of <1.3%.
The effects of a special computer network on caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease.

Caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are confronted with novel decision-making tasks that leave them at risk for social isolation. Computer Link is a computer network providing information, communication, and decision-support functions for caregivers of persons with AD. One hundred two AD caregivers participated in a randomized field experiment to evaluate the effects of ComputerLink on confidence in decision making, decision-making skill, and social isolation. During the 1-year study period, AD caregivers averaged two encounters per week with Computer Link for sessions lasting an average of 13 minutes. Access to Computer Link enhanced caregivers'decision-making confidence. Decision-making skill was unaffected. ComputerLink access did not lead to changes in social isolation as measured by standard instruments. The decision-support function was used least often. Postings to ComputerLink's public bulletin board included both information-seeking and supportive messages. These findings are congruent with reports of other community-based interventions for caregivers and consistent with evaluations of computerized decision-support systems.
Effects of Circumferential Heating Variations and Channel Height on Heat Transfer Coefficient of Wetted Surfaces in a Single Inline Row Impingement Channel

High performance turbine airfoils are typically cooled with a combination of internal cooling channels and impingement channels. In such applications, the jets impinge against a target surface, and then exit along the channel formed by the jet plate, target plate, and side walls. Local convection coefficients are the result of both the jet impact, as well as the channel flow produced from the exiting jets. Numerous studies have explored the effects of jet array and channel configurations on both target and jet plate heat transfer coefficients. However, little work has been done in examining effects of circumferentially non-uniform heating on all channel walls, which is the kind of thermal boundary condition in real world applications. This paper examines the local and averaged effects of channel height and circumferential heating variations on heat transfer coefficients. High resolution local heat transfer coefficient distributions on target and side wall surfaces were measured using temperature sensitive paint and recorded via a scientific grade charge-coupled device (CCD) camera. Streamwise pressure distributions for both the target and side walls was recorded and used to explain heat transfer trends. Results are presented for average jet based Reynolds numbers between 17,000 and 45,000. All experiments were carried out on a large scale single row, 15 hole impingement channel, with X/D of 5, Y/D of 4, and Z/D of 1, 3 and 5.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Si Galileo Galilei hubiera tenido una cámara digital: enseñando ciencias a una generación digital

L'objectiu d'aquest article es mostrar com la camera digital pot ser una eina didactica per transformar la practica d'educacio en ciencies en els nostres salons de classe en el nivell d'educacio basica. Per a aixo, es presenten tres casos de projectes de classe que tenen en comu l'us de la camera digital. Aquests casos responen a una teoria de l'ensenyament de les ciencies basada en la fonamentacio de les practiques d'investigacio, l'eina principal es l'experimentacio. No obstant aixo, es indispensable acompanyar aquesta eina amb noves practiques educatives i noves activitats d'aprenentatge. D'aquesta manera sera possible dissenyar noves formes per educar les generacions que creixen en una societat digital i que demanen una nova cultura d'aprenentatge.
Racial/ethnic disparities in prevalence and care of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

AbstractBackground:As of 2012, nearly 10% of Americans had diabetes mellitus. People with diabetes are at approximately double the risk of premature death compared with those in the same age groups without the condition. While the prevalence of diabetes has risen across all racial/ethnic groups over the past 30 years, rates are higher in minority populations. The objective of this review article is to evaluate the prevalence of diabetes and disease-related comorbidities as well as the primary endpoints of clinical studies assessing glucose-lowering treatments in African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians.Methods:As part of our examination of this topic, we reviewed epidemiologic and outcome publications. Additionally, we performed a comprehensive literature search of clinical trials that evaluated glucose-lowering drugs in racial minority populations. For race/ethnicity, we used the terms African American, African, Hispanic, and Asian. We searched PubMed for clinical trial results from 1996 to 2015 using th...
Evaluation of Increased Norepinephrine Excretion in Hypertension Using L-Dopa-3H

Four hypertensive patients with features of sympathoadrenal hyperactivity similar to those of patients with pheochromocytoma had rates of excretion of norepinephrine plus epinephrine (µg/day) of 135 ± 13 (mean ± SE) compared with 441 ± 59 in five patients with pheochromocytoma and 53 ± 7 in six patients with primary hypertension. The specific activities of urinary norepinephrine and the half-life of the rate of their decline were determined for each patient for 24 hours after intraneuronal labeling of norepinephrine using L-dopa-3H. The initial specific activities of norepinephrine (dpm/mµmole) and the half-life of the rate of their decline (hours) for the three groups were 2,920 ± 670 and 3.8; 291 ± 89 and 4.2; and 6.782 ± 1,003 and 6.0, respectively. However, the observed differences in the half-life values were not significant. The findings indicated that the rate of release and excretion of newly synthesized norepinephrine was increased in patients with hypertension and sympathoadrenal hyperactivity. Less than 1% of the infused L-dopa-3H was converted to norepinephrine in the chromaffin tumors of patients with pheochromocytoma, resulting in low specific activities of urinary norepinephrine; this may be of diagnostic value in hypertensive patients who have equivocally increased rates of norepinephrine excretion. The autonomic hyperactivity, hypertension, and excessive norepinephrine excretion in the four patients without pheochromocytoma may have been related to unidentified forms of stress.
Effect of Continuous Quality Improvement Methods on Reducing Triage to Thrombolytic Interval for Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objectives: To assess the timeliness of thrombolytic therapy in the ED for selected patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) following continuous quality improvement (CQI) interventions. Methods: A retrospective, historical comparison study was performed of triage-to-thrombolytic time intervals for AMI patients using chart review for data collection. Patients treated after implementation of the CQI process vs a historical control group were compared. The patients with AMI who had received thrombolytics during the one-year period prior to the CQI interventions and who had documentation of time intervals served as the control group. The patients treated during a four-month period, beginning about one and a half years following introduction of the CQI interventions, served as the intervention group. Interventions included: a triage protocol, CQI review, and staff feedback. Results: The mean triage-to-thrombolytic interval was longer for the control group (72 ± 25 vs 40.0 ± 22 min; p < 0.0001). The mean triage-to-ECG interval also was longer for the control group (16.5 ± 8.9 vs 8.5 ± 7.5 min; p < 0.0001). Most (79%) of the study group received thrombolytic therapy within 60 minutes, and 39% within 30 minutes, whereas 39% of the control group received thrombolytic therapy within 60 minutes, and 3% within 30 minutes. Conclusion: The implementation of CQI techniques, including 100% chart review, intensive systems analysis, and staff feedback, had a positive effect on the timeliness of thrombolytic therapy for the ED patients who had AMI. As a result, most (79%) of the patients received therapy within the 60-minute time window recommended currently by the American Heart Association.
Inhomogeneity of Bone Mineral Distribution in 2D Projection Images of Trabecular Bone is Associated With Its Micro-Architecture and Biomechanical Properties

Bone quality is significantly correlated with the inhomogeneous distribution of material and ultrastructural properties (e.g., modulus and mineralization) of the tissue. Current techniques for quantifying inhomogeneity consist of descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation. However, these parameters do not describe the spatial variations of bone properties. The objective of this study was to apply a novel stochastic model [1] to characterize and quantitatively describe the spatial variation of bone properties such as mineralization.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
A life-cycle capacity-based approach to allocating investments in municipal sanitation infrastructure

The lack of access to water and sanitation services is a well-acknowledged problem that affects more than 40% of the world's people, who live in its poorest communities. Providing sustained access to infrastructure services in these communities requires approaches that build local capacity to acquire, build, and manage the systems that provide these services. This paper presents a pedagogical model that spans the lifecycle of sanitation infrastructure acquisition by communities with chronic inaccessibility to water and sanitation services. The pedagogy consists of community capacity assessment, service technology systems evaluation, and sequential allocation of capital investments to expand the capacity for water supply, wastewater and sewage treatment, and solid waste management infrastructure in affected communities. The allocation sequence covers a system lifecycle that allows the deficit in services in a community to be reduced to an acceptable minimum.
Induction of lactation by ovariectomy of pregnant rats.

Ovariectomy of rats approximately midway through pregnancy induced secretion in the mammary gland. Rapid elevation in RNA was initiated in glandular tissue from these animals approximately 8 hr postoperatively. New proteins with electrophoretic and immunologic properties of rat casein appeared 24 hr postovariectomy. During 48 hr after ovariectomy there was a concomitant increase in RNA and in the capacity of slices of the tissue to incorporate 14C-leucine. Levels of DNA remained constant in the tissue both after ovariectomy and at parturition, indicating that no extensive proliferation of cells occurs with lactogenesis. (Endocrinology 80: 1043, 1967)
TDR measurements of hydraulic jump aeration in the South Fork of the American River, California

Abstract Turbulent pressure and velocity fluctuations associated with hydraulic jump air entrainment likely play an important role in local flow dynamics and morphologic changes of steep bedrock and alluvial rivers. Previous engineering research indicates that hydraulic jump air entrainment and energy dissipation locally intensify erosion of both bedrock and alluvial elements, enhance hydraulic quarrying, suppress cavitation, and decrease the friction factor of a flow. Despite studies in artificial settings, air content in natural hydraulic jumps remains largely unquantified. In this study, Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR), a method commonly used to determine the volumetric water content of porous media for the last two decades, was evaluated in the laboratory and then adapted to measure air contents of natural hydraulic jumps. Laboratory tests were conducted to determine the influence of turbulence, temperature, and sampling volume on the TDR signal over an air content range of 0–100%. Based on the results of the laboratory tests, an empirical calibration was developed that converts the TDR signal into air content. Local air contents were then measured in hydraulic jumps occurring along a mixed alluvial- and bedrock-dominated 8.4-km section of the South Fork American River. Two small jumps had a mean air content of 19% and 23%, a coefficient of variation (CV) of 27% and 28%, and a root-mean-square (RMS) of 19% and 24%, respectively. A large jump had a mean air content of 42%, a CV of 26%, and a RMS of 44%. TDR provides fast, accurate, repeatable, and nondestructive in situ measurements at one-tenth the cost of traditional methods and is far more robust for field applications than traditional lab instruments. Future studies can now expand upon the hydrogeomorphic and ecological significance of jump aeration.