cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
chapter 24 – Implementation

Publisher Summary This chapter is meant as a roadmap to the FileBuy code, and not a comprehensive explanation of every single action that takes place in the implementation. This chapter is meant to be read with the FileBuy code. The reason for this is that most of the code should be easy to read. The main appeal of this code is that it involves several services interacting with each other. Even so, there are a few bits and pieces of code that are completely new, especially those that deal with the GT4 Index Service, and this chapter provides an explanation for those. Before starting to walk through each of the three scenarios, some basic setup has to be performed, mostly related to the GT4 Index Service. Three usage scenarios have been shown and described in this chapter. They are: advertising a file, finding a file, and purchasing a file.
Passive Investing and Corporate Governance: A Law and Economics Analysis

An important debate in corporate governance is whether passive funds — a term that includes ETFs and index funds — have incentives to provide adequate oversight of their portfolio companies. One set of scholars contends that agency cost problems likely thwart passive fund stewardship for several reasons. First, passive funds suffer from an acute collective action problem because any investment in improving the performance of a company will benefit all funds that track the index equally, while only the activist fund will incur the costs. Indeed, these scholars point out that investments in stewardship are particularly costly for the passive fund portfolio manager, which lacks the firm-specific information necessary to participate in governance in a beneficial way. Second, passive fund portfolio managers may have inadequate incentives to invest in beneficial stewardship because they capture only a small fraction of the gains. And third and finally, passive fund portfolio managers have ample incentive to be excessively deferential to management, who are often their clients. These scholars conclude that because of these flawed incentives, the rise of passive investing portends economic harm and justifies wide-ranging regulatory intervention — from incentivizing passive fund stewardship, to restricting passive fund voting rights. Another set of scholars contend that passive fund stewardship is likely to be as good as, if not better than, stewardship by other investors. They contend that passive funds compete for investor dollars not just against other passive funds, but also against actively managed mutual funds. This competition provides an incentive for passive funds to invest in stewardship that will attract asset inflows. In addition, the large size of the institutional investors that offer passive funds affords them economies of scale and scope in stewardship. And because these large institutional investors have massive stakes in portfolio companies, capturing even a small fraction of any gain will substantially increase their take home pay, providing an incentive to be engaged for a small number of material votes that occur each year. These scholars contend — in the words of Adam Smith, and later, Jack Bogle — that the invisible hand is all that is needed. This is a chapter from the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Law and Economics (Adam Badawi, ed., 2nd edition 2020).
Expert system technology for natural gas resource development

Materials data are used in all aspects of the development of natural gas resources. Unconventional gas resources require special attention in their development and may benefit from heuristic assessments of the materials data, geological site conditions, and the knowledge base accumulated from previous unconventional site developments. Opportunities for using expert systems in the development of unconventional natural gas resources are discussed. A brief introduction to expert systems is provided in a context that emphasizes the practical nature of their service. The discussion then focuses on the development of unconventional gas reserves. Whenever possible, the likelihood of success in constructing useful expert systems for gas resource development is indicated by comparisons to existing expert systems that perform comparable functions in other industries. Significant opportunities are found for applications to site assessment, the interpretation of well log data, and the monitoring and optimization of gas processing in small-scale recovery operations.
How can we call Evaluation a Profession if there are no Qualifications for Practice

Anyone making a living as an evaluator has probably found it difficult on occasion to explain to others just what the occupation of evaluation entails. Indeed, some people I meet seem a bit bewildered how persons other than Ralph Nader could earn their income merely by “evaluating things” and reporting their findings. Yet questions about how one can earn a living simply by evaluating things are not nearly as taxing as the more insightful and penetrating questions of those who can easily imagine one doing evaluations for a living (doubtlessly conjuring up referent images of tax auditors, quality control experts, meat inspectors, theater critics and the like), but probe deeper by asking, “Are you required to have to have a state license to practice evaluation?,” “Are there university programs to train evaluators?,” “Are evaluators accredited?,” “What qualifications do members of your professional association have to meet?” And when all these are answered in the negative, the obvious question becomes: “Then is evaluation really a profession?” It is these and related questions that I explore here, along with a few comments about challenges we confront and options we might pursue if we desire evaluation ever to become a mature, widely recognized, and understood profession.2
WAL-assisted Tiering: Painlessly Improving Your Favorite Log-Structured KV Store Instead of Building a New One

This paper presents a simple design approach that can be easily integrated into existing mature log-structured key-value (KV) stores (e.g., RocksDB) to mitigate the impact of background compaction. Reducing compaction-induced performance degradation has been widely studied, and most prior work focused on developing innovative data structures and algorithms to directly reduce the compaction-induced write amplification. Nevertheless, it is non-trivial or even practically infeasible for existing mature KV stores to adopt these new data structures and algorithms. Meanwhile, in the presence of well-established ecosystem and community around existing ones, it is a challenge to build and grow a new log-structured KV store with meaningful real-world adoption. Therefore, this work focuses on mitigating the impact of compaction while keeping the data structures and algorithms in existing KV stores completely intact. Instead of directly reducing the write amplification, this work applies the simple memory/storage tiering concept to mitigate the impact of compaction at the cost of larger write-ahead log (WAL) and host memory capacity usage. This paper presents design approaches to effectively reduce the WAL size and memory cost. We integrated this solution into RocksDB by only adding about 1,200 lines of code, without touching its core data structure and algorithm. Using 100GB and 1TB datasets as test vehicles, we carried out experiments with db_bench and YCSB workloads, and the results show that the modified RocksDB can improve the ops/s by up to 100.7% and meanwhile reduce the 99-percentile tail latency by up to 82%.
Setting the Stage for Co-Production

Participatory scenario visioning aims to expose, integrate, and reconcile perspectives and expectations about a sustainable, resilient future from a variety of actors and stakeholders. This chapter considers the settings in which transdisciplinary participatory visioning takes place, highlighting lessons learned from the Urban Resilience to Extremes Sustainability Research Network (UREx SRN). It reflects on the benefits of engaging in the co-production process and the challenges that must be considered amid this process.
Teaching Race and Racism in Social Work Education

Race and racism have proven to be a core concept of U.S. society that impacts People of Color through a set of challenges that have created and maintained enduring racial disparities and inequities. The social work profession has a time-honored commitment to working with and advocating for historically marginalized populations. I will outline how social workers are poised to respond to virtually every social problem that impacts People of Color through the development of cultural competence. To this end, this chapter outlines three areas social work educators must explicitly teach: (1) the historical context of race and racism and how it impacts current social work practice in the United States; (2) the development of skills to engage in productive dialogue around race, and (3) the cultivation of knowledge and skills to challenge disparities to contribute to greater racial harmony and justice. The chapter concludes with specific curriculum recommendations that integrate learning goals with pedagogical strategies that encourage both reflection and action.
Thermal boundary conductance of monolayer beyond-graphene two-dimensional materials on SiO2 and GaN

Two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as a platform for a broad array of future nanoelectronic devices. Here we use first-principles calculations and phonon interface transport modeling to calculate the temperature-dependent thermal boundary conductance (TBC) in single layers of beyond-graphene 2D materials silicene, hBN, boron arsenide (BAs), and blue and black phosphorene (BP) on amorphous SiO2and crystalline GaN substrates. Our results show that for 2D/3D systems, the room temperature TBC can span a wide range from 7 to 70 MW m-2K-1 with the lowest being for BP and highest for hBN. We also show that 2D/3D TBC has a strong temperature dependence that can be alleviated by encapsulating the 2D/3D stack. Upon encapsulation with AlOx, the TBC of several beyond-graphene 2D materials can match or exceed reported values for graphene and numerous transition-metal dichalcogendies which are in the range of 15-40 MW m-2K-1. We also compute the room temperature TBC as a function of van der Waals spring coupling (Ka) where the TBC falls in the range of 50-150 MW m-2K-1 at coupling strengths ofKa = 2-4 N m-1 for silicene, BAs, and blue phosphorene. We further identify group III-V materials with ultra-soft flexural branches as being promising 2D materials for thermal isolation and energy scavenging applications when matched with crystalline substrates.
Gastric ulcerations in COVID-19: an ominous sign?

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) is often reported in patients with COVID-19, with a reported incidence of 3% in a recent prospective cohort study of hospitalised patients with COVID-19. This study also reported that GIB is associated with an increase in mortality in patients with COVID-19.[1][1] The
Graphene nanoplatelet reinforcement for thermal and mechanical properties enhancement of bio-based polyamide 6, 10 nanocomposites for automotive applications

Abstract In this study, graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) (2%, 4%, 6% and 8% by wt.) were incorporated into PA610 matrix via melt compounding using a twin-screw extruder to compensate for the relatively lower mechanical and thermal properties of bio-based PA610 compared to petroleum-based polyamide. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a slight improvement in thermal stability which peaked for the formulation of 6% GNP. Shear-thinning behavior was more severe with the increase in GNP content. Significant improvement in tensile modulus was observed with increment up to 95% for composites with 8% GNP loading. Flexural modulus increased by16% and strength by 9.5% for 8% GNP composites. These results suggest GNP fillers can be used to enhance the mechanical and thermal properties of PA610 for automotive applications.
Die Unternehmung ist eine Organisation

Die dritte Entwicklung, die erst in Ansatzen erkennbar ist, ist durch die Aussage gekennzeichnet: die Unternehmung ist eine Organisation. Diese weite Begriffsbestimmung (Extension) umfast alle zielgerichteten sozialen Gebilde oder sozio-technischen Systeme und findet sich vor allem in soziologisch orientierten Forschungsrichtungen1). Die Unternehmung verkorpert nur einen spezifischen Organisationstyp unter den moglichen Erscheinungsformen zielgerichteter Sozialsysteme. Hierbei kann wiederum zwischen einem funktionalen und institutionalen Organisationsbegriff differenziert werden.
Human resource risk and succession planning

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to illustrate the benefits of utilizing teams of personal and financial consultants to work with farm families in New York State on issues affecting farm business performance. Design/methodology/approach – Program experience in implementing an integrated consulting model provides a framework for illustrating how such a model may be utilized on farms and other family businesses for succession planning. Findings – An integrated personal and financial consulting model is effective in producing lasting business results such as business growth, improved profitability, and reduced interpersonal conflict on farms in New York State. Originality/value – Farmers employ a multitude of risk management tools, such as crop insurance, to reduce various types of risk affecting their farm businesses in New York State, but an area often overlooked by farmers is managing human resource risk, namely succession risk. As the average age of farmers in the USA continues to increase, employi...
Graffiti Lives: Beyond the Tag in New York's Urban Underground

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Gregory J. Snyder Year: 2009 Pages: 256 Publisher: New York University Press ISBN: 9780814740453 (soft cover). Prices: $24.95 USD(soft cover).
Protein kinases D2 and D3 are novel growth regulators in HCC1806 triple-negative breast cancer cells.

AIM The role of protein kinase D (PKD) in the context of breast cancer cell biology is not clear. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression of PKD isoforms was assessed in various breast cancer cell lines and PKD isoform-specific siRNAs and selective inhibitors were used to study the role of PKD in breast cancer cell growth. RESULTS PKD2 and PKD3 were two major isoforms expressed at the highest levels in tumorgenic HCC1806 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Silencing PKD2 or PKD3 significantly inhibited HCC1806 cell proliferation, and PKD3 silencing had a higher inhibitory effect than PKD2 silencing on cell growth and PKD-mediated signaling. HCC1806 breast cancer cells were highly responsive to PKD inhibitors but not to a general protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor. CONCLUSION We have identified PKD2 and PKD3, especially PKD3, as novel cell growth regulators in HCC1806 triple-negative breast cancer cells. Targeting PKD instead of all PKCs effectively inhibited cell proliferation in a number of breast cancer cell lines.
Multivitamin and multimineral dietary supplements: definitions, characterization, bioavailability, and drug interactions

Although multivitamins, multiminerals, and similar terms (eg, multis or multiples) are commonly used, they have no standard scientific, regulatory, or marketplace definitions. Thus, multivitamins-multiminerals refers to products with widely varied compositions and characteristics. Multivitamin-multimineral composition databases use label values as surrogates for analyzed values. However, actual vitamin and mineral amounts often deviate from label values. Vitamin and mineral bioavailability for dietary supplements also lacks a standard scientific and regulatory definition and validated in vitro and animal models that accurately reflect human bioavailabilities. Systematic information on the bioavailability and bioequivalence of vitamins and minerals in marketed products and on potential drug interactions is scarce. Because of limited information on product characteristics, our ability to directly compare results across studies, estimate changes in usage patterns or intakes over time, and generalize from published results to marketed products is problematic.
Spectropolarimetric Evidence for a Bipolar Flow in β Lyrae

We present ultraviolet and visual spectropolarimetry of the interacting binary star β Lyrae, obtained with the Wisconsin Ultraviolet Photo-Polarimeter Experiment and the HPOL spectropolarimeter at Pine Bluff Observatory. Our observations span 3 years and cover the wavelength range from 1400 to 10500 A, with a resolution of 7.5–16 A. Detailed broad- and narrowband spectropolarimetric analysis allows us to begin to decompose the complex spectrum of β Lyr: by examining the polarization behavior of a line or continuum, we can determine which component scatters the light and, ultimately, from which component that light originates. After removing interstellar polarization from our data and rotating the results to the apparent intrinsic position angle of the system, we find that the polarization of the hydrogen Balmer and vacuum ultraviolet "UV bump" emission lines, as well as that of the near-UV continuum, remains mostly constant with phase and is oriented at 90° to the visible polarization, indicating that the scattering plane of the light in these three spectral components is perpendicular to the scattering plane of the visible light. We propose that the UV bump, Balmer emission, and near-UV continuum polarization is produced by electron scattering within a bipolar outflow in the β Lyr system. The intrinsic visible polarization of β Lyr shows eclipses that associate it with material near the accretion disk. We find conflicting evidence regarding both the origin of this visible light and the scattering surface that polarizes it: continuum evidence points toward the secondary object as the illuminator and the accretion disk edge as the scatterer, while line analysis suggests that light from the loser scatters off material between it and the disk. The presence of material away from the orbital plane may help resolve this contradiction.
Surface biophysics of the surface monolayer theory is incompatible with regional lung function.

The surface monolayer theory of Clements was tested on open surface films of calf lung surfactant extract in a leak-free vertical film surface balance in which alveolar area (A) changes in each lung zone were simulated in accordance with the theory. We found that: 1) physiologically necessary low surface tension (gamma),
Static thrust recovery of PAR craft on solid surfaces

Power-Augmented-Ram Vehicles belong to a new class of ground-effect machines with hybrid support. Recovered static thrust and static lift on solid surfaces are important amphibious characteristics of this craft. Experimental data for the static thrust recovery and the transition to a hovering mode are obtained in the tests with a vehicle model on two types of ground surface and with variable engine thrust and flap trailing-edge gap. The uphill surface and increased mass of the model demonstrate reductions in thrust recovery. A comparison with a two-dimensional potential-flow theory is presented. The static thrust accumulation, identified in the pre-hovering regime of a model on solid surface, does not significantly benefit the low-speed forward motion.
The BULT Melanoma: A Spontaneous Transplantable Tumor in Mice

The BULT melanoma originated at Brown University as a spontaneous, small black nodule on the tail of an adult female mouse of the LT/Ch strain. Histological examination of a portion of the tumor indicated that it was intradermal and consisted predominantly of heavily melanized, ovoid to fusiform cells with melanin-laden macrophages scattered among them. The BULT melanoma has been maintained in LT/Ch mice for approximately 5 years by periodic transplantation, at first subcutaneously on the flanks and, more recently, intramuscularly in the hind legs. The shift in transplantation site was made following a marked decline in the growth of subcutaneous grafts. The transplants have retained the uniform deep-black melanization and general histology of the primary melanoma. Numerous melanosomes at all stages of development are found within the melanoma cells. DOPA-positive cytoplasmic vesicles are abundant. Occasional autophagic vacuoles containing clusters of melanosomes are also present. A few metastases from the transplanted melanoma have been observed in lymph nodes and on one occasion in the lungs. When grown in vitro, BULT melanoma cells do not require special growth promoting agents (e.g., TPA; cAMP) in order to proliferate. The BULT melanoma differs in one or more respects from each of the other three transplantable spontaneous mouse melanomas widely used in cancer research. In addition, it arose in a strain of mice characterized by the spontaneous death of melanocytes while the latter are engaged in synthesizing eumelanin within hair follicles. Karyotypic analysis of cultured cells showed a modal chromosome number of 68 with a range of 58–72 chromosomes.
Determining the parameters of the technological space in bilateral end grinding

A method is proposed for determining the parameters of the technological space in bilateral end grinding. The influence of the wheel configuration on the process is shown.
1-Nitropyrene reduction by Salmonella typhimurium, V79 Chinese hamster and primary rat liver cells.

1-Nitropyrene is an unusually potent direct-acting (in the sense that tissue homogenate is not required for activation) mutagen in the Ames assay (Mermelstein et al., 1981). Recently, there has been considerable interest in 1-nitropyrene as an environmental mutagen because the compound has been found at low concentrations (1-100 ppm) in particles collected from ambient urban air (Gibson, 1982); from fireplace emissions (Gibson, 1982); and from diesel engine exhaust (Pederson and Siak, 1981; Salmeen et al., 1982). In some cases 1-nitropyrene accounted for a few to 10°70 of the direct-acting mutagenicities observed for organic solvent extracts of the particles (Gibson, 1982; Salmeen et al., 1982). Despite its potency in the Ames assay, 1-nitropyrene is not a direct-acting mutagen in mammalian cell culture assays so far tested (I(arpinski et al., 1982; Li and Dutcher, 1983; our data, unpublished). (It may be a weak mutagen for some cells with $9 activation (Li and Dutcher, 1983).) One conjecture to explain the difference between the mutagenicity of 1-nitropyrene in bacteria and in mammalian cells is that the bacteria have a unique nitroreductase activity (Karpinski et al., 1982; Mermelstein et ah, 1981). This conjecture was based on reasonably strong evidence that 1-nitropyrene reduction is necessary for the bacterial mutagenicity of the compound. Herein we describe experiments in which we tested this conjecture with measurements of nitropyrene reduction by intact Salmonella bacteria which are sensitive to mutation by 1-nitropyrene; by Salmonella bacteria which are resistant to mutation by 1-nitropyrene; and by two types of mammalian cells V79 Chinese hamster cells (not sensitive to mutation by 1-nitropyrene), and primary rat liver cells (non-dividing cells). We found that all of the bacterial strains and both types of mammalian cells reduced 1-nitropyrene to 1-aminopyrene. We conclude that reduction of nitropyrene is not unique to bacteria which are sensitive to mutation by 1-nitropyrene and that, although 1-nitropyrene reduction may be necessary, it is not sufficient, for the mutagenicity of 1-nitropyrene.
Mutational analysis of the IgE-binding epitopes of P34/Gly m Bd 30K

Abstract Background: Peanuts and soybeans are 2 foods that have been shown to be responsible for many atopic disorders. Because of their nutritional benefit, soybean proteins are now being used increasingly in a number of food products. Previous studies have documented multiple allergens in soybean extracts, including glycinin, β-conglycinin, and the P34/Gly m Bd 30K protein. Objective: Our overall goal was to identify soybean-specific allergens to begin to understand molecular and immunochemical characteristics of legume proteins. The specific aim of the current investigation was to identify the essential amino acid residues necessary for IgE binding in the 5 distinct immunodominant epitopes of P34/Gly m Bd 30K. Methods: Serum IgE from 6 clinically sensitive soybean-allergic individuals was used to identify P34/Gly m Bd 30K in the native and single amino acid substituted peptides with use of the SPOTS peptide synthesis technique to determine critical amino acids required for IgE binding. Results: The intensity of IgE binding and epitope recognition by serum IgE from the individuals varied substantially. With use of serum from 6 clinically soybean-sensitive individuals, 2 of the 5 immunodominant epitopes could be mutagenized to non-IgE binding peptides. Conclusions: Single-site amino acid substitution of the 5 immunodominant epitopes of Gly m Bd 30K with alanine revealed that IgE binding could be reduced or eliminated in epitopes 6 and 16 in the serum obtained from 6 soybean-sensitive patients. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;105:378-84.)
Coordinating microscopic robots in viscous fluids

Multiagent control provides strategies for aggregating microscopic robots ("nanorobots") in fluid environments relevant for medical applications. Unlike larger robots, viscous forces and Brownian motion dominate the behavior. Examples range from modified microorganisms (programmable bacteria) to future robots using ongoing developments in molecular computation, sensors and motors. We evaluate controls for locating a cell-sized area emitting a chemical into a moving fluid with parameters corresponding to chemicals released in response to injury or infection in small blood vessels. These control methods are passive Brownian motion, following the chemical concentration gradient, and cooperative behaviors in which some robots use acoustic signals to guide others to the chemical source. Control performance is evaluated using diffusion equations to describe the robot motions and control state transitions. The quantitative results show these control techniques are feasible approaches to the task with trade-offs among fabrication difficulty, response speed, false positive detection rate and energy use. Controlled aggregation at chemically distinctive locations could be useful for sensitive diagnosis, selective changes to biological tissues and forming structures using previous proposals for multiagent control of modular robots.
Application of digital servo control on high-performance VCM in HDD

An application of digital servo control on a high-performance voice coil motor positioning system in hard disk drive is discussed. Modern digital control theory is used in servo algorithm design, and the servo algorithm is implemented by a high-speed microprocessor, OES 22040 model. The experimental results show the excellent properties in time domain and frequency domain.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Geant4 model validation of Compton suppressed system for process monitoring of spent fuel

Nuclear material accountancy is of continuous concern for the regulatory, safeguards, and verification communities. In particular, spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facilities pose one of the most difficult accountancy challenges: monitoring highly radioactive, fluid sample streams in near real-time. The Multi-Isotope Process monitor will allow for near-real-time indication of process alterations using passive gamma-ray detection coupled with multivariate analysis techniques to guard against potential material diversion or to enhance domestic process monitoring. The Compton continuum from the dominant 661.7 keV 137Cs fission product peak obscures lower energy lines which could be used for spectral and multivariate analysis. Compton suppression may be able to mitigate the challenges posed by the high continuum caused by scattering. A Monte Carlo simulation using the Geant4 toolkit is being developed to predict the expected suppressed spectrum from spent fuel samples to estimate the reduction in the Compton continuum. Despite the lack of timing information between decay events in the particle management of Geant4, encouraging results were recorded utilizing only the information within individual decays without accounting for accidental coincidences. The model has been validated with single and cascade decay emitters in two steps: as an unsuppressed system and with suppression activated. Results of the Geant4 model validation will be presented.
Benign Mesenchymal Tumor of the Heart: Spontaneous Regression and Disappearance of Pulmonary Artery Stenosis

We describe a patient who was found to have a large benign mesenchymal tumor of the right ventricular wall and right pulmonary artery stenosis at the age of 20 months. Following biopsy of the tumor, the patient's respiratory distress improved gradually and cardiac catheterization at the age of ten years showed normal intracardiac pressures and disappearance of right pulmonary artery stenosis. He remained asymptomatic at age 20. Possible factors for the spontaneous regression of the tumor are discussed.
CARBOISIYL AND FATTY ACID ANALYSIS OF ANTELOPE AND BEEF FAT

Characterization of kidney fat from twelve antelope and four beef was accomplished by monocarbonyl, ketoglyceride and fatty acid analysis. Antelope lipids are highly saturated, possessing strong odor and flavor characteristics which many people find objectionable. The antelope fat had a stearic acid content of 42% and an oleic acid content of only 20% while beef fat contained 28% stearic and 34% oleic acid. The lipid was further analyzed by reacting on a 2, 4-DNPH Celite impregnated column. The derivatives were separated from unreacted lip-id, and monocarbonyls and ketoglycerides fractionated using column chromatography. The ratio of monocarbonyls to ketoglycerides was about 1:3 in beef and 1:1 in antelope. Amounts of monocarbonyls average 0.70 μM/g of fat for beef and 1.47 μM/g of fat for antelope. Further analysis of the monocarbonyls indicated 7% methyl ketones, 70% saturated aldehydes, 18% enals and 6% 2,4 dienals in beef while antelope had 15%, 70%, 11% and 4%, respectively. Major constituents of the saturated aldehydes were C2 through C8 for both species and C10 for beef while the major methyl ketones were C3 through C7 for both species. Methyl ketone, saturated aldehyde and enal fractions showed similar trends in composition with short-chain components higher in antelope and long-chain components higher in beef. Considerable variation occurred among animals of the same species.
Microbial fuel cell energy harvesting using synchronous flyback converter

Abstract Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) use biodegradable substrates, such as wastewater and marine sediments to generate electrical energy. To harvest more energy from an MFC, power electronic converters have recently been used to replace resistors or charge pumps, because they have superior controllability on MFC's operating point and higher efficiency in energy storage for different applications. Conventional diode-based energy harvesters suffer from low efficiency because of the energy losses through the diode. Replacing the diode with a MOSFET can reduce the conduction loss, but it requires an isolated gate signal to control the floating secondary MOSFET, which makes the control circuitry complex. This study presents a new MFC energy harvesting regime using a synchronous flyback converter, which implements a transformer-based harvester with much simpler configuration and improves harvesting efficiency by 37.6% compared to a diode based boost converter, from 33.5% to 46.1%. The proposed harvester was able to store 2.27 J in the output capacitor out of 4.91 J generated energy from the MFC, while the boost converter can capture 1.67 J from 4.95 J.
J-Orchestra: Enhancing Java programs with distribution capabilities

J-Orchestra is a system that enhances centralized Java programs with distribution capabilities. Operating at the bytecode level, J-Orchestra transforms a centralized Java program (i.e., running on a single Java Virtual Machine (JVM)) into a distributed one (i.e., running across multiple JVMs). This transformation effectively separates distribution concerns from the core functionality of a program. J-Orchestra follows a semiautomatic transformation process. Through a GUI, the user selects program elements (at class granularity) and assigns them to network locations. Based on the user's input, the J-Orchestra backend automatically partitions the program through compiler-level techniques, without changes to the JVM or to the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) classes. By means of bytecode engineering and code generation, J-Orchestra substitutes method calls with remote method calls, direct object references with proxy references, etc. It also translates Java language features (e.g., static methods and fields, inheritance, inner classes, new object construction, etc.) for efficient distributed execution.We detail the main technical issues that J-Orchestra addresses, including its mechanism for program transformation in the presence of unmodifiable code (e.g., in JRE classes) and the translation of concurrency and synchronization constructs to work correctly over the network. We further discuss a case study of transforming a large, commercial, third-party application for efficient execution in a client server environment and outline the architectural characteristics of centralized programs that are amenable to automated distribution with J-Orchestra.
Improved assay for catalase based upon steady-state substrate concentration.

Abstract A modification of the polarographic assay for catalase is described that is based upon automatic titration of a buffered H2O2-catalase reaction mixture with a more concentrated H2O2 solution such that there is no significant change in the volume of the reaction mixture. The recorded rate of addition of the titrant required to maintain a steady-state substrate concentration yields enzyme activity measurements in terms of actual reaction rate instead of the less satisfactory rate constant for H2O2 decomposition, as is the case for most extant assays for catalase. An additional advantage of the new method is that the reaction can be easily carried out at considerably lower temperature and substrate concentrations than can be employed practicably in other types of assays for this enzyme. Both of these features are desirable to minimize the formation of inactive catalase-H2O2 complexes. The improved assay works satisfactorily for measuring catalase activity in rat tissue homogenates.
On a simple rule for the optimal inflation rate in second best taxation

Abstract The optimal inflation rate is analyzed in the framework of dynamic second best with endogenous factor prices. It is shown that when the marginal excess burden of taxation is relatively small, the optimal inflation rate is approximated by a simple rule. The paper also analyzes the robustness of this rule to the specification of the model (money as an input in utility or production).
Peritoneal Fluid Cultures Rarely Alter Management in Patients with Ascites

Abstract Study objective: The objective of this study is to determine if the peritoneal fluid culture results in the ascites patient being evaluated for spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) in the Emergency Department (ED) are used by the inpatient physician to appropriately alter empiric antibiotic treatment. Methods: We performed a retrospective study of all ascitic fluid samples sent from the ED between January 1, 2002 and December 31, 2004. Exclusion criteria included peritoneal fluid samples sent from peritoneal dialysis patients and those undergoing diagnostic peritoneal lavage for trauma. Medical records were examined to determine culture results, initial antibiotic choices, and subsequent changes in antibiotics by the inpatient physician in response to the culture results. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of cases in which ED peritoneal fluid culture results caused inpatient physicians to appropriately change antibiotic coverage. Results: There were 201 ascitic fluid samples, of which 7 (3.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4%–7.0%) had a pathogen identified. Of these, only 1 (0.5%; 95% CI .01%–2.4%) resulted in an appropriate change in empiric antibiotic therapy. Although there were additional opportunities for appropriately using the culture results to change the antibiotic coverage in 2 (1%; 95% CI 0.1%–3.6%) patients, coverage was not changed. In fact, it was changed inappropriately in these 2 patients, and in an additional patient on appropriate empiric therapy. Conclusions: The yield from ascitic fluid cultures was low, and when positive, did not appropriately change management according to microbiologic criteria.
Sensitive on-chip detection of a protein biomarker in human serum and plasma over an extended dynamic range using silicon photonic microring resonators and sub-micron beads

We demonstrate a three-step assay on a silicon photonic microring resonator-based detection platform that enables the quantitation of the cardiac biomarker C-reactive protein (CRP) over a dynamic range spanning six orders of magnitude. Using antibody-modified microrings, we sequentially monitor primary CRP binding, secondary recognition of bound CRP by a biotinylated antibody, and tertiary signal amplification using streptavidin-functionalized beads. This detection methodology is applied to CRP quantitation in human serum and plasma samples.
The diels-alder reactivity of some new sulfur (selenium) substituted halobutadienes

Abstract 3-PhS(e)-(1),2-(di)halobutadienes undergo BF3 catalysed cycloadditions with methyl vinyl ketone at 25°C, to give good yields of adducts in which the regiochemistry of addition is mainly controlled by the sulfur (selenium) atom.
Role of cytokines and inflammatory mediators in tissue destruction

Colonization or emergence of microbial pathogens may result in tissue destruction by activation of one or more of five distinct host degradative pathways (matrix metalloproteinase pathway, plasminogen-dependent pathway, phagocytic pathway, PMN-serine proteinase pathway and osteoclastic bone resorption) or by direct cleavage of extracellular matrix constituents by microbial proteinases. Activation of endogenous destructive pathways may be mediated by immune responses resulting in expression of degradative cellular phenotypes among both immigrant and resident cell populations. In addition, expression of degradative phenotypes may be triggered by direct influences on host cells of microbial products (LPS, enzymes, toxins). A body of evidence suggests that each of these mechanisms involves local production of proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors. The matrix metalloproteinase pathway is centrally involved in dissolution of all unmineralized connective tissues and perhaps in resorption of bone as well. The matrix metalloproteinase family consists of nine or more genetically distinct Zn++ endopeptidases which collectively cleave all of the constituents of the extracellular matrix. Recent studies have uncovered many essential elements of a complex, but still incomplete, regulatory network that governs tissue destruction. Proinflammatory cytokines and growth factors induce signalling pathways several of which are dependent on protein kinase C and result in transient expression of the transcription factors c-jun and c-fos. Initiation of transcription of most matrix metalloproteinase genes requires binding of the transcription factor AP-1 (c-jun/c-fos) to a specific promoter sequence but attainment of maximal transcription rates is dependent on interaction with other promoter elements as well. Several matrix metalloproteinases have been detected in crevicular fluids and tissues of inflamed human gingiva as have the proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and TNF-alpha) which regulate their transcription. Although the mere presence of enzymes and cytokines does not necessarily impart function per se, these observations suggest that some level of spatial or temporal linkage exists between metalloproteinase/cytokine expression and gingival inflammation.
A commentary on Satoshi Kanazawa's study of intelligence and health

We provide an exposition of the major conceptual, methodological and statistical shortcomings of the paper by Kanazawa (2006), concerning the relationship between intelligence and life expectancy. It is argued that the validity and robustness of the conclusions of the paper are compromised by fundamental problems, including failure to present competing views with fair balance, use of samples of convenience to draw conclusions about populations, performing tests of significance when there is no theoretical basis to do so and confusing association with causation. Given the far-reaching socio-economic implications of the conclusions, it is suggested that the messages of the paper be critically evaluated in relation to the major limitations of the research.
Cohomological dimension and metrizable spaces

The purpose of this paper is to address several problems posed by V. I. Kuzminov [Ku] regarding cohomological dimension of noncompact spaces. In particular, we prove the following results: Theorem A. Suppose X is metrizable and G is the direct limit of the direct system {G s , h s',s , S} of abelian groups. Then, dim G X ≤ max {dim Gs X|s ∈ S}. Theorem B. Let X be a metrizable space and let G be an abelian group. Let l = {p\p.(G/Tor G) ¬= G/TorG}. (a) If G = Tor G, then dim G X = max {dim H X\H ∈ σ(G)}, (b) dim G X = max {dim TorG X, dim G/Tor G X}, (c) dim G X ≥ dim Q X if G ¬= Tor G, (d) dim G X ≥ dim Zl X, where Z l is the group of l-adic integers, (e) max(dim G X, dim Q X + 1) ≥ max {dim H X\H ∈ σ (G)}, (f) dim G X ≤ dim Zl X ≤ dim G X + 1 if G ¬= 0 is torsion-free
Characters for Determination of Sex of the Boll Weevil

Examination with a binocular microscope of the last 2 posterior segments of the body of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, reveals differences in appearance and size between the sexes, which permit differentiation with complete accuracy. The 8th tergum of the male is about ½ as wide and long as the 7th tergum of the female. The distinguishing characteristic of the 8th tergum of the male is the notch in its ventral portion.
Transesterification of Glycerides Using a Heterogeneous Resin Catalyst Combined with a Homogeneous Catalyst

Biodiesel, produced by the transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats with methanol, is a promising alternative diesel fuel. In this study, a series of strong base anion resins with different basicity, pore structure, degree of cross-linking, and particle size were investigated as heterogeneous catalysts for the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol. A trace amount of CH3ONa, functioning as a homogeneous catalyst, was found to exhibit synergetic effects with the resin catalysts. By using this combined method, the transesterification reaction approached completion after 6 h at 328 K. The reason for this synergetic effect can be attributed to the regeneration of active catalytic sites in a basic environment.
Characteristics of Serratia marcescens Containing a Plasmid Coding for Gentamicin Resistance in Nosocomial Infections

Strains of gentamicin-resistant Serratia marcescens (GRSM) that originated in a crowded neurosurgical close observation unit (COU) became established during a 2.5-year interval at several affiliated hospitals in Charleston, South Carolina. Most patients with GRSM had colonization or infection of the urinary tract associated with indwelling bladder catheters. Infected patients in the COU more often had pyuria and less often received systemic steroids than COU patients not harboring GRSM. However, length of stay, use of urinary catheters, exposure to systemic antibiotics, and exposure to gentamicin were not significantly different between the two groups. Of the strains of GRSM, 92% contained a conjugative 41-megadalton plasmid tht encoded resistance to ampicillin, carbenicillin, tetracycline, kanamycin, gentamicin, and tobramycin and elaborated similar aminoglycoside 3-acetyltransferases. Seven 41-megadalton plasmids from outbreak strains and a 41-megadalton plasmid from a 1973 isolate of GRSM gave identical DNA fragments after restriction endonuclease digestion.
The Last “Darky”: Bert Williams, Black‐on‐Black Minstrelsy, and the African Diaspora – By Louis Chude‐Sokei

Since Eric Lott first exhaustively mined the considerable complexities of blackface minstrelsy in Love & Theft[1993], studies of minstrelsy have, as the author of this study puts it, become a virtu...
The paradox of trust for male couples: When risking is a part of loving

Among gay men, there is evidence to suggest that serious, committed male couples practice especially risky sex. To understand the reasons why male couples might take such risks, 92 participants (46 long-term couples) were asked to complete a survey in which they independently indicated their sexual practices, why they engaged in them, and their attitudes toward relationships. Three sets of findings suggest a paradoxical relationship between emotional intimacy and sexual risk: (1) love, trust, and commitment were used more often to explain riskier than safer sex; (2) those more dependent upon their relationships and who desired a stable and lasting relationship practiced riskier sex; and (3) requesting safer sex had negative connotations (e.g., suspicion of extrarelationship sexual contacts). Of those who practiced safer sex (i.e., protected anal sex), 94% indicated that they did so because of their “fear of AIDS.” Implications of these findings for developing HIV interventions for male couples are discussed.
Electrophysiological evidence for the autoregulation of β-cell secretion by insulin

Abstract Electrophysiological studies of cultured rat pancreatic β-cells using intracellular microelectrodes show that exogenous insulin over the range of 0.1–10.0 μg/ml inhibits the electrical activity due to 27.8 mM glucose in a dose-related manner. This inhibitory effect is manifested by a mean increase of the membrane potential from about −20 to −30 mV and inhibition of the manner of cells impaled showing spike activity from 60 to less than 10%. The inhibitory influence of insulin is rapid occuring within 5 min for the highest level used. The results provide evidence for a negative feedback role of insulin in regulating its own release.
The acoustical behavior of Acheta domesticus L. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) following sublethal doses of parathion, Dieldrin and Sevin.

Studies were conducted on the effects of sublethal doses of an organophosphate, Parathion, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, Dieldrin, and a carbamate, Sevin, on the acoustical and sexual behavior of Acheta domesticus L. The LD10 of orally administered Parathion was 0.100 μg/g, that of Dieldrin was 0.066 μg/g, and that of Sevin was 0.330 μg/g. Parathion treated crickets were unable to emit pure calling, threat, or courtship songs. As a result of these changes in acoustic behavior, treated male crickets were unable to complete copulation. Oral administration of both Dieldrin and Sevin resulted in complete cessation of singing in all specimens for 3 to 6 hours. Once singing resumed there was a significant increase in chirp rate and pulse rate of the calling song. It is suggested that sublethal doses of Parathion act primaily on the peripheral neuromuscular system and the thoracic ganglia, whereas both Dieldrin and Sevin appear to act upon components of the brain, first in an inhibitory capacity and subsequently as excitants.