cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sexual health policies in other industrialized countries: Are there lessons for the United States?

Health professionals have been concerned about the high rates of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, teenage pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted diseases in the U.S. A major concern has been why these rates in the U.S. are so much higher than in most other western industrialized countries. In this article I summarize major national and comparative studies that have attempted to understand how the U.S. can do better in providing for the sexual health of its citizens. I also discuss approaches to sexual health in countries that do substantially better on the aforementioned indicators of sexual health. This review indicates that the recommendations of health and social science experts in the U.S. are consistent with approaches in countries where programs have done a better job in meeting the sexual health needs of their populations.
The Influence of Rotor Arrester on Low Voltage Ride through Behavior of Doubly-Fed Induction Generator

Low voltage ride through (LVRT) behavior is one of the key indices of wind turbine grid-integration evaluation. The key electric components of wind turbine, such as converter, control system had been researched. While other components of wind turbine, such as the rotor arrester, are also non-ignorable. Firstly, overvoltage of rotor during the LVRT is analyzed and one failure test has been presented because of rotor arrester performance. Finally, the rotor arrester has impact not only on the LVRT ability of wind turbine, but also damage to other hardware by on-site testing.
An Image Transform Coding Scheme Based on Spatial Domain Considerations

Image transform coding is first briefly reviewed using conventional viewpoints. Then a new spatial domain interpretation is given to image transform coding. An improvement based on this viewpoint for the Fourier transform coding, which possesses simple spatial domain relations, is presented.
Variation in retail costs for fresh vegetables and salty snacks across communities in the United States

Abstract Households living in different communities pay different amounts of money for food. Food costs depend on whether a household lives in an urban community or in a locality with a high incidence of poverty, among other factors. This study focuses on spatial variation across the United States in the retail costs for fresh vegetables and salty snacks. Findings reveal that the major economic and demographic characteristics of a household’s community affect its costs for these two types of foods differently. However, households are likely to pay more money for salty snacks in communities where fresh vegetables also cost more.
Landscape of identity: Transacting the labels 'Indian', 'Assamese' and 'Tai-Ahom' in contemporary Assam

By examining the connections between identity and memory, I explore the emergence of a new community known as Tai-Ahom in the heterogeneously fluid northeastern Indian state of Assam. My focus is on the community's struggle to unravel the past; particularly their attempts to memorialize a new history that is represented as authentically and uniquely Tai-Ahom. The paper also examines the Tai-Ahoms' often competing and contradictory claims of seeking legitimation from the national government of India while looking beyond to Thailand as the foundation of their historical ancestry. Finally, the paper demonstrates how the Luit river provides the gluing metaphor for the Tai-Ahoms to imagine a mythical history and homeland in Ujjani Aaham. Tai-Ahom identity, like the river, is fluid, defying strict categorization, being neither an end product of 'imagination' nor a fixed 'national reality.'
Ultra-compact high order ring resonator filters using submicron silicon photonic wires for on-chip optical interconnects

Ultra-compact 5(th) order ring resonator optical filters based on submicron silicon photonic wires are demonstrated. Out-of-band rejection ratio of 40dB, 1dB flat-top pass band of 310GHz with ripples smaller than 0.4dB, and insertion loss of only (1.8+/-0.5)dB at the center of the pass band are realized simultaneously, all within a footprint of 0.0007mm(2) on a silicon chip.
Heats of Reaction of the System Rubber-Sulfur

Abstract PREVIOUS investigators have employed two methods for determining the heat effects when rubber is vulcanized. In one method the heats of vulcanization are found by subtracting the heats of combustion of vulcanized rubber—sulfur compounds from the heats of combustion of the corresponding mixtures of rubber and sulfur before vulcanization (1, 10, 11). This method is limited in precision by reason of the fact that the differences thus obtained are at most only a few per cent of the measured heath of combustion. The other method, which has been used previously, involves the determination of the temperature rise which occurs when mixtures of rubber and sulfur are vulcanized. This method has, for the most part, been used for relative measurements, but Blake (2) has recently employed it for quantitative determinations of the heats of reaction of rubber with proportions of sulfur up to about 8 per cent by weight. Recently Daynes (7) has employed a similar method for measurements over a wider range of comp...
AN EXACT ANALYTIC APPROACH TO 3D PET IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION

We investigate the development of a new analytic approach for 3D PET reconstruction by extension of the chord-based approach for X-ray cone-beam tomography (XCBT). The extension is made possible by recognizing a connection that allows one to reformat 3D PET data into effective cone-beam data so that the chord-based approach can be applied. An important advantage of the new approach is that it can work with general PET system geometries, not limited to the conventional circular geometry. In this paper, we consider a rectangular PET system consisting of four flat-panel detectors. We derive exact analytic reconstruction algorithms for this system and evaluate their performances in numerical studies. Our preliminary results indicate that the derived algorithms can yield accurate reconstructions when applied to noiseless PET data that are generated by assuming the ideal projection model. The algorithms are also observed to respond reasonably well to data noise. Currently, our algorithms do not utilize the entire 3D PET data. Potential modifications to the algorithms for enabling the inclusion of the entire 3D PET data for reconstruction, as well as the theoretical significances and potential practical advantages of this new analytic reconstruction approach, are discussed.
Development of a novel chemokine-mediated in vivo T cell recruitment assay

Trafficking of leukocytes to sites of inflammation is an important step in the establishment of an immune response. Chemokines are critical regulators of leukocyte trafficking and are widely studied molecules for their important role in disease and for their potential as new therapeutic targets. The ability of chemokines to induce leukocyte recruitment has been mainly measured by in vitro chemotaxis assays, which lack many components of the complex biological process of leukocyte migration and therefore provide incomplete information about chemokine function in vivo. In vivo assays to study the activity of chemokines to induce leukocyte recruitment have been difficult to establish. We describe here the development of a robust in vivo recruitment assay for CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes induced by the CXCR3 ligands IP-10 (CXCL10) and I-TAC (CXCL11). For this assay, in vitro activated T lymphocytes were adoptively transferred into the peritoneum of naive mice. Homing of these transferred T lymphocytes into the airways was measured following intratracheal instillation of chemokines. High recruitment indices were achieved that were dependent on chemokine concentration and CXCR3 expression on the transferred lymphocytes. Recruitment was also inhibited by antibodies to the chemokine. The assay models the natural condition of chemokine-mediated lymphocyte migration into the airways as chemokines are expressed in the airways during inflammation. The nature of this model allows flexibility to study wildtype and mutant chemokines and chemokine receptors and the ability to evaluate chemokine antagonists and antibodies in vivo. This assay will therefore help elucidate a deeper understanding of the chemokine system in vivo.
Effects of misoprostol and prostaglandin E2 on proteoglycan biosynthesis and loss in unloaded and loaded articular cartilage explants.

The effects of misoprostol, a prostaglandin E1 analog, and prostaglandin E2 on proteoglycan biosynthesis and loss were studied in unloaded and mechanically loaded mature bovine articular cartilage explants. The prostaglandins were administered daily at dosages of 0, 10, 100 and 1000 ηg/ml for up to seven days, and proteoglycan biosynthesis determined by measurement of radiolabelled sulfate incorporation. The presence of misoprostol lead to a significant (p<0.001) dose-dependent inhibition (30%–50%) in proteoglycan biosynthesis which was also dependent on exposure time (p<0.05). A significant decrease in biosynthesis (34%) was also found for prostaglandin E2, but only at the highest dose (1000 ηg/ml). Proteoglycan catabolism rates were not affected by either substance as assessed by loss of newly synthesized proteoglycan. The application of a continuous cyclic mechanical compressive load (stress of 1.0 MPa at 1 hertz for 24 hours) resulted in a significant inhibition of proteoglycan biosynthesis (up to 50%) as compared to unloaded explants. However, there was no additive effect when mechanical load and misoprostol or prostaglandin E2 were combined. These results suggest that prostaglandins may have a role in the degenerative and repair process in various forms of arthritis where elevated intra-articular levels of prostaglandin E2 are present.
1064 Measurement of Antiviral Drugs Active Against Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) Using ELISA Directly on Infected Cells: Superiority Over Plaque-Reduction Assay (PRA)

The standard method for measuring antiviral activity against VZV is PRA. This has several disadvantages: 1) Subjective endpoint; 2) time and labor intensity; and 3) inability to measure the drug-induced changes in plaque size. We improved upon this method as follows: human embryonic lung fibroblasts in microtiter plates were infected with VZV, antivirals were added, and 3 days later the monolayers were glutaraldehyde-fixed. VZV antigen w as quantitated in-situ using hyperimmune human globulin (VZIG) and peroxidase-conjugated goat anti-human IgG in a standard ELISA. Antigen representing 5 to 10 plaques could be detected. Dose-response curves for ELISA, PRA and infectious center assay were similar. When the activity of 4 antivirals (acycloyir, trifluorothymidine, adenine arabinoside and bromovinyldeoxyuridine) were compared by ELISA and PRA the ID 50's and the means of the coefficients of variation were lower by ELISA. An inoculum effect was also demonstrated for 3 of the 4 drugs tested. The in-situ ELISA was found to be superior to conventional PRA because the endpoint measurement was objective, multiple replicates were easily performed with little extra time or effort, and there was less variability. It is quicker when 3 or more samples must be tested, and is particularly suitable for viruses that produce plaques slowly.
Health Aid and Infant Mortality

This paper examines the relationship between health aid and infant mortality, using data from 118 countries between 1973 and 2004. Health aid has a statistically significant effect on infant mortality: doubling per capita health aid is associated with a 2 percent reduction in the infant mortality rate. For the average country, this implies that increasing per capita health aid by US$1.60 per year is associated with 1.5 fewer infant deaths per thousand births. The estimated effect is small, relative to the targets envisioned by the Millennium Development Goals.
Satisfaction in nursing in the context of shortage

Aim This paper describes the central themes nurses identify as important to their overall evaluation of their work. In particular, this paper highlights how the context of the nursing shortage interacts with what nurses understand to be satisfying about their work. Background On the brink of a current and enduring nursing shortage in the US, this study provides Nurse Managers with an understanding of the dimensions of work satisfaction which they can then utilize to improve retention of incumbent nurses. Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 currently employed nurses to explore the concepts that shape their work satisfaction. The nurses, 25 to 55 years old, were predominantly female and Associate Degree or Baccalaureate prepared. Results Nurses have both intrinsic and extrinsic satisfiers in their work. The traditional satisfiers (pay and benefits) are not the principle satisfiers of today’s nurses. In the context of shortage, the aspects of nursing that are the most rewarding are the aspects that are most often sacrificed in the interest of ‘getting the job done’. Nurses are finding it difficult to continue to do ‘more with less’ and are frustrated they are not able to provide the care they were educated to be able to deliver. Conclusions The description of the dimensions of work satisfaction can provide insight for Nurse Managers and administrators who are interested in improving both recruitment and retention of nurses. Areas identified worthy of focus in retention efforts include: increasing autonomy; reallocating work in a more patient-centred way; creating systems to recognize achievement in the areas of mentoring nurses, educating patients and personal growth in practice; creating meaningful internal labour markets; and enhancing supervisor and administrative support. Implications for nursing management Managers and administrators should focus on the satisfiers nurses identify if they wish to retain nurses. The traditional focus on extrinsic rewards will not likely be sufficient to retain today’s nurses. Retention activities aimed at improving satisfaction with the organization of nursing care, support for professional development and recognition of nurses’ intrinsic satisfiers are recommended to nurse managers.
Study of CdSSe:V and CdMnTe:V photorefractive effect

A large photorefractive effect was measured in CdS0.8Se0.2:V and Cd0.55Mn0.45Te:V ternary crystals which shows promise for many device applications such as optical signal processing and optical limiting. In this study, we compared the results obtained from two-wave mixing experiments with Cd0.55Mn0.45Te:V and CdS0.8Se0.2:V crystals at the 633 nm wavelength. As the signal to pump beam ratio was varied from 10−1 to 10−4, Cd0.55MN0.45Te:V and CdS0.8Se0.2:V showed a maximum photorefractive gain of 0.17 and 0.20 cm−1, respectively. The grating formation time of both the crystals were measured to be in the milli-second range at an incident intensity of 200 mW/cm2.
Voltaire and the Ministers of Geneva

"There is no city where cultured people and philosophers1 are to be found in greater number than in Geneva," Voltaire wrote in March 17562. His praise had been constant since he had settled there a year before. After leaving Louis XV for the service of Frederick II, he had broken away from the latter in the most humiliating circumstances of his existence; forbidden now by the French King to return to Paris, he was in a frame of mind particularly susceptible to enjoy republican hospitality and to appreciate the very original character of his city of refuge. Geneva was as democratic as ancient Athens and ruled, in principle at least, by the universal suffrage of its citizens; its stabilility and conservatism, on the other hand, had allowed the development of a distinguished patrician society; his new residence was provided with a back-drop both picturesque and elegant. The intellectual life of the city could have been matched by very few capitals: Theodore Tronchin, the first doctor of Europe (and Voltaire's excuse for having settled there), Charles Bonnet, the naturalist and paleontologist, the philologist Abauzit, among scores of others, were in the vanguard of scientific progress. Above all, Geneva symbolized a major victory over Catholicism; true, it had stopped half way, in his judgment, but matters had progressed since the sixteenth century and the present prospects were very hopeful: "Geneva is not any more the Geneva of Calvin," he wrote to Cideville, "not by a long shot; it is a country filled with philosophers... "33 And to Pierre Rousseau, a year later: "Geneva is at present perhaps the city in Europe where there are most philosophers. .."4 Yet, at the end of 1757, he could not find terms violent
Using a Simulation Model to Compare Methods of Tree-Ring Detrending and to Investigate the Detectability of Low-Frequency Signals

We use a simulation model to generate tree-ring like data with systematic growth forcings and subject it to two methods of standardization: Regional Curve Standardization (RCS) and Negative Exponential Curve Standardization (NECS). The coherency between very low frequency forcings (hundreds of years) and the chronologies was higher when RCS was used to detrend the component series. There was no difference between standardization methods at decadal or annual time scales. We found that the detectability of systematic forcings was heavily dependent on amplitude and wavelength of the input signal as well as the number of trees simulated. These results imply that for very long tree-ring chronologies where the analyst is interested in low-frequency variability, RCS is a better method for detrending series if the requirements for that method can be met. However, in the majority of situations NECS is an acceptable detrending method. Most critically, we found that multi-centennial signals can be recovered using both methods.
PHOTOEMISSION AND VALENCE BAND STRUCTURE OF ALKALI IODIDES

Energy distributions are described for external photoelectrons ejected from CsI by photons of energy 11.3 ev. All but about 5% of the photoelectrons emerge with kinetic energies between 1.5 ev and 5.3 ev. The conspicuous lack of electrons at lower energies is interpreted in terms of a valence band of width about 3 or 4 ev with an upper edge lying about 6 ev below the vacuum level. Related results are mentioned for RbI, KI, NaI, CsBr, and CsCl.
Why Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Work

Bariatric surgery to alter the digestive tract is currently the only effective treatment option with sustained beneficial effects on body weight and comorbidities such as type-2 diabetes ( 1 , 2 ). Identifying the mechanisms that underlie these remarkable outcomes could help guide the development of “knifeless” approaches that may one day replace quite invasive surgeries (which often result in serious complications). Changes in circulating gut hormones induced by bariatric interventions could affect signaling to the brain and other organs, changing energy intake and expenditure, as well as glucose production and disposal ( 3 , 4 ). On page 406 of this issue, Saeidi et al. ( 5 ) propose another possibility—that the rearranged gut itself improves glucose homeostasis. This may explain why gastric bypass surgery patients can stop taking diabetes medications before substantial weight loss has occurred. This radically new view of bariatric surgery is therefore not based on how the changed gut “talks” to the rest of the body by humoral and neural signaling, but rather on metabolic consequences of the surgery within the gut itself.
Eiffel Linda: an object-oriented Linda dialect

Eiffel is a statically-typed object-oriented language which supports good software engineering techniques but provides no support for concurrency; Linda is a parallel programming model which provides a uniform semantics for coordination and communication among multiple processes. This paper describes an Eiffel Linda which injects the Linda operations into the Eiffel language. The resulting synthesis extends both Eiffel and Linda; the implications of the synergy between the two systems are examined, and suggestions for future work are proposed.We begin with an examination of the Eiffel execution model, with particular reference to its emphasis on the correct construction of software systems. We briefly describe the Linda language, and compare it to other parallelism models. The unified Eiffel Linda language is then presented, with discussion of the semantic issues which were considered in the course of its evolution, and details of the interesting features of our particular implementation. Comparisons to past work in Linda and in object-oriented concurrency are offered. In conclusion, we reflect on the significance of Eiffel Linda, and consider its relevance to future work in object-based concurrency.
Heritable influence of DBH on adrenergic and renal function: twin and disease studies.

BACKGROUND Elevated sympathetic activity is associated with kidney dysfunction. Here we used twin pairs to probe heritability of GFR and its genetic covariance with other traits. METHODS We evaluated renal and adrenergic phenotypes in twins. GFR was estimated by CKD-EPI algorithm. Heritability and genetic covariance of eGFR and associated risk traits were estimated by variance-components. Meta-analysis probed reproducibility of DBH genetic effects. Effect of DBH genetic variation on renal disease was tested in the NIDDK-AASK cohort. RESULTS Norepinephrine secretion rose across eGFR tertiles while eGFR fell (p<0.0001). eGFR was heritable, at h(2) = 67.3±4.7% (p = 3.0E-18), as were secretion of norepinephrine (h(2) = 66.5±5.0%, p = 3.2E-16) and dopamine (h(2) = 56.5±5.6%, p = 1.8E-13), and eGFR displayed genetic co-determination (covariance) with norepinephrine (ρG = -0.557±0.088, p = 1.11E-08) as well as dopamine (ρG = -0.223±0.101, p = 2.3E-02). Since dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH) catalyzes conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine, we studied functional variation at DBH; DBH promoter haplotypes predicted transcriptional activity (p<0.001), plasma DBH (p<0.0001) and norepinephrine (p = 0.0297) secretion; transcriptional activity was inversely (p<0.0001) associated with basal eGFR. Meta-analysis validated DBH haplotype effects on eGFR across 3 samples. In NIDDK-AASK, we established a role for DBH promoter variation in long-term renal decline rate (GFR slope, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS The heritable GFR trait shares genetic determination with catecholamines, suggesting new pathophysiologic, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches towards disorders of GFR as well as CKD. Adrenergic activity may play a role in progressive renal decline, and genetic variation at DBH may assist in profiling subjects for rational preventive treatment.
Anne Burford to NACOA

Anne Burford, who resigned as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March 1983, has been appointed chairman of the National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere (NACOA). Seven others have been appointed to the 18-member committee, which advises the president on ocean and atmosphere policy. Burford succeeds John A. Knauss as NACOA chairman. Knauss, whose term of office on NACOA officially expired on July 1, had been on the committee for 6 years. Burford resigned from EPA following controversy over hazardous wastes.
Cerebral blood flow and carbon dioxide reactivity in children with bacterial meningitis

We examined total and regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) by stable xenon computed tomography in 20 seriously ill children with acute bacterial meningitis to determine whether CBF was reduced and to examine the changes in CBF during hyperventilation. In 13 children, total CBF was normal (62±20 ml/min/100 gm) but marked local variability of flow was seen. In five other children, total CBF was significantly reduced (26±10 ml/min/100 gm; p 2 ) levels: 40 (±3) mm Hg and 29 (±3) mm Hg. In six children, total CBF decreased 33%, from 52 (±25) to 35 (±15) ml/min/100 gm; the mean percentage of change in CBF per millimeter of mercury of Pco 2 was 3.0%. Regional variability of perfusion to changes in Pco 2 was marked in all six children. The percentage of change in CBF per millimeter of mercury of Pco 2 was similar in frontal gray matter (3.1%) but higher in white matler (4.5%). In the seventh patient a paradoxical response was observed; total and regional CBF increased 25% after hyperventilation. Our findings demonstrate that (1) CBF in children with bacterial meningitis may be substantially decreased globally, with even more variability noted regionally, (2) autoregulation of CBF is preserved. (3) CBF/CO 2 responsitivity varies among patients and in different regions of the brain in the same patient, and (4) hyperventilation can reduce CBF below ischemic thresholds.
Design and evaluation of an on-sun prototype falling-particle cavity receiver.

Cavity receivers have been an integral part of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) plants for many years. However, falling solid particle receivers (SPR) which employ a cavity design are only in the beginning stages of on-sun testing and evaluation. A prototype SPR has been developed which will be fully integrated into a complete system to demonstrate the effectiveness of this technology in the CSP sector. The receiver is a rectangular cavity with an aperture on the north side, open bottom (for particle collection), and a slot in the top (particle curtain injection). The solid particles fall from the top of the cavity through the solar flux and are collected after leaving the receiver. There are inherent design challenges with this type of receiver including particle curtain opacity, high wall fluxes, high wall temperatures, and high heat losses. CFD calculations using ANSYS FLUENT were performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the current receiver design. The particle curtain mass flow rate needed to be carefully regulated such that the curtain opacity is high (to intercept as much solar radiation as possible), but also low enough to increase the average particle temperature by 200°C. Wall temperatures were shown to be less than 1200°C when the particle curtain mass flow rate is 2.7 kg/s/m which is critical for the receiver insulation. The size of the cavity was shown to decrease the incident flux on the cavity walls and also reduced the wall temperatures. A thermal efficiency of 92% was achieved, but was obtained with a higher particle mass flow rate resulting in a lower average particle temperature rise. A final prototype receiver design has been completed utilizing the computational evaluation and past CSP project experiences.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Sustainability and environmental issues associated with willow bioenergy development in New York (U.S.A.).

Abstract Biomass-for-bioenergy cropping and production systems based on willow (and poplar) planted and managed at high densities and short (3–4 year) coppice harvest cycles, providing fuel for co-firing with coal (or other types of energy conversion) must be ecologically and environmentally sustainable to be commercially successful. Current knowledge and ongoing research and development indicate that the production and utilization systems involved are environmentally and ecologically sustainable. Therefore two primary constraints to commercialization are being met. The remaining constraint is economic viability based on cost of production and use, the value of environmental externalities (such as atmospheric emissions), and potential government/public policy actions to promote this system of providing a locally produced and renewable farm crop and fuel. The environmental and ecological benefits of the system should act as a catalyst for developments needed to overcome the economic constraints of the system.
Blocking and the detection of odor components in blends.

Recent studies of olfactory blocking have revealed that binary odorant mixtures are not always processed as though they give rise to mixture-unique configural properties. When animals are conditioned to one odorant (A) and then conditioned to a mixture of that odorant with a second (X), the ability to learn or express the association of X with reinforcement appears to be reduced relative to animals that were not preconditioned to A. A recent model of odor-based response patterns in the insect antennal lobe predicts that the strength of the blocking effect will be related to the perceptual similarity between the two odorants, i.e. greater similarity should increase the blocking effect. Here, we test that model in the honeybee Apis mellifera by first establishing a generalization matrix for three odorants and then testing for blocking between all possible combinations of them. We confirm earlier findings demonstrating the occurrence of the blocking effect in olfactory learning of compound stimuli. We show that the occurrence and the strength of the blocking effect depend on the odorants used in the experiment. In addition, we find very good agreement between our results and the model, and less agreement between our results and an alternative model recently proposed to explain the effect.
Chloroquine susceptibility and reversibility in a Plasmodium falciparum genetic cross

Summary Mutations in the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine (CQ) resistance transporter (PfCRT) are major determinants of verapamil (VP)-reversible CQ resistance (CQR). In the presence of mutant PfCRT, additional genes contribute to the wide range of CQ susceptibilities observed. It is not known if these genes influence mechanisms of chemosensitization by CQR reversal agents. Using quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping of progeny clones from the HB3 × Dd2 cross, we show that the P. falciparum multidrug resistance gene 1 (pfmdr1) interacts with the South-East Asia-derived mutant pfcrt haplotype to modulate CQR levels. A novel chromosome 7 locus is predicted to contribute with the pfcrt and pfmdr1 loci to influence CQR levels. Chemoreversal via a wide range of chemical structures operates through a direct pfcrt-based mechanism. Direct inhibition of parasite growth by these reversal agents is influenced by pfcrt mutations and additional loci. Direct labelling of purified recombinant PfMDR1 protein with a highly specific photoaffinity CQ analogue, and lack of competition for photolabelling by VP, supports our QTL predictions. We find no evidence that pfmdr1 copy number affects CQ response in the progeny; however, inheritance patterns indicate that an allele-specific interaction between pfmdr1 and pfcrt is part of the complex genetic background of CQR.
Isolation and characterization of draT mutants that have altered regulatory properties of dinitrogenase reductase ADP-ribosyltransferase in Rhodospirillum rubrum.

In Rhodospirillum rubrum, dinitrogenase reductase ADP-ribosyltransferase (DRAT) is responsible for the ADP-ribosylation of dinitrogenase reductase in response to the addition of \(NH_{4}^{+}\) or removal from light, resulting in a decrease in nitrogenase activity. DRAT is itself subject to post-translational regulation; to investigate the mechanism for the regulation of DRAT activity, random PCR mutagenesis of draT (encoding DRAT) was performed and mutants with altered DRAT regulation were screened. Two mutants (with substitutions of K103E and N248D) were obtained in which DRAT showed activity under conditions where wild-type DRAT (DRAT-WT) did not. These mutants showed lower nitrogenase activity and a higher degree of ADP-ribosylation of dinitrogenase reductase under N2-fixing conditions than was seen in a wild-type control strain. DRAT-K103E was overexpressed and purified. DRAT-K103E displayed a much weaker affinity for an Affi-gel Blue matrix than did DRAT-WT, suggestive of a fairly striking biochemical change. However, there was no significant difference in kinetic constants, such as K m for NAD and V max, between DRAT-K103E and DRAT-WT. Like DRAT-WT, DRAT-K103E also modified reduced dinitrogenase reductase poorly. The biochemical properties of these variants are rationalized with respect to their behaviour in vivo.
An overview of the Real-Time CORBA specification

A growing class of real-time systems require end-to-end support for various quality-of-service (QoS) aspects, including bandwidth, latency, jitter and dependability. Applications include command and control, manufacturing process control, videoconferencing, large-scale distributed interactive simulation, and testbeam data acquisition. These systems require support for stringent QoS requirements. To meet this challenge, developers are turning to distributed object computing middleware, such as the Common Object Request Broker Architecture, an Object Management Group (OMG) industry standard. In complex real-time systems, DOC middleware resides between applications and the underlying operating systems, protocol stacks and hardware. CORBA helps decrease the cycle time and effort required to develop high-quality systems by composing applications using reusable software component services rather than building them entirely from scratch. The Real-Time CORBA specification includes features to manage CPU, network and memory resources. The authors describe the key Real-Time CORBA features that they feel are the most relevant to researchers and developers of distributed real-time and embedded systems.
Genetic Localization and Molecular Characterization of Two Key Genes (mitAB) Required for Biosynthesis of the Antitumor Antibiotic Mitomycin C

Mitomycin C (MC) is an antitumor antibiotic derived biosynthetically from 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid (AHBA), d-glucosamine, and carbamoyl phosphate. A gene (mitA) involved in synthesis of AHBA has been identified and found to be linked to the MC resistance locus, mrd, in Streptomyces lavendulae. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that mitA encodes a 388-amino-acid protein that has 71% identity (80% similarity) with the rifamycin AHBA synthase from Amycolatopsis mediterranei, as well as with two additional AHBA synthases from related ansamycin antibiotic-producing microorganisms. Gene disruption and site-directed mutagenesis of the S. lavendulae chromosomal copy of mitA completely blocked the production of MC. The function of mitA was confirmed by complementation of an S. lavendulae strain containing a K191A mutation in MitA with AHBA. A second gene (mitB) encoding a 272-amino-acid protein (related to a group of glycosyltransferases) was identified immediately downstream of mitA that upon disruption resulted in abrogation of MC synthesis. This work has localized a cluster of key genes that mediate assembly of the unique mitosane class of natural products.
Barriers to the implementation of green chemistry in the United States.

This paper investigates the conditions under which firms are able to develop and implement innovations with sustainable development benefits. In particular, we examine “green chemistry” innovations in the United States. Via interviews with green chemistry leaders from industry, academia, nongovernmental institutions (NGOs), and government, we identified six major categories of challenges commonly confronted by innovators: (1) economic and financial, (2) regulatory, (3) technical, (4) organizational, (5) cultural, and (6) definition and metrics. Further analysis of these barriers shows that in the United States, two elements of these that are particular to the implementation of green chemistry innovations are the absence of clear definitions and metrics for use by researchers and decision makers, as well as the interdisciplinary demands of these innovations on researchers and management. Finally, we conclude with some of the strategies that have been successful thus far in overcoming these barriers, and th...
Publication patterns of U.S. academic librarians from 1993 to 1997

This study examined the contribution to the peer-reviewed literature of library and information science by practicing academic librarians in the United States. Data on authors were obtained from articles published from 1993 to 1997 in thirty-two journals. Of 3,624 peer-reviewed articles in these journals, 1,579 (43.6%) were authored by at least one practicing academic librarian. These librarians represented 386 institutions of higher education. This study provides benchmark data for publication productivity of academic librarians and identifies a core list of peer-reviewed journals for them. Approximately six percent of these librarians wrote three or more articles in the five-year period. In nineteen journals one-third or more of the articles were authored by academic librarians. Libraries from Research I universities that were members of the Association for Research Libraries were the most productive. The contribution of practicing academic librarians to the literature of their field is significant.
Aligned Protein–Polymer Composite Fibers Enhance Nerve Regeneration: A Potential Tissue-Engineering Platform†

Sustained release of proteins from aligned polymeric fibers holds great potential in tissue-engineering applications. These protein-polymer composite fibers possess high surface-area-to-volume ratios for cell attachment, and can provide biochemical and topographic cues to enhance tissue regeneration. Aligned biodegradable polymeric fibers that encapsulate human glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF, 0.13 wt%) were fabricated via electrospinning a copolymer of caprolactone and ethyl ethylene phosphate (PCLEEP) with GDNF. The protein was randomly dispersed throughout the polymer matrix in aggregate form, and released in a sustained manner for up to two months. The efficacy of these composite fibers was tested in a rat model for peripheral nerve-injury treatment. Rats were divided into four groups, receiving either empty PCLEEP tubes (control); tubes with plain PCLEEP electrospun fibers aligned longitudinally (EF-L) or circumferentially (EF-C); or tubes with aligned GDNF-PCLEEP fibers (EF-L-GDNF). After three months, bridging of a 15 mm critical defect gap by the regenerated nerve was observed in all the rats that received nerve conduits with electrospun fibers, as opposed to 50% in the control group. Electrophysiological recovery was seen in 20%, 33%, and 44% of the rats in the EF-C, EF-L, and EF-L-GDNF groups respectively, whilst none was observed in the controls. This study has demonstrated that, without further modification, plain electrospun fibers can help in peripheral nerve regeneration; however, the synergistic effect of an encapsulated growth factor facilitated a more significant recovery. This study also demonstrated the novel use of electrospinning to incorporate biochemical and topographical cues into a single implant for in vivo tissue-engineering applications.
The mediating influence of organizational characteristics in the relationship between organizational type and relational power: an extension of psychological empowerment research

Processes of psychological empowerment for members of community-based organizations may be strongly influenced by organizational factors. Using survey data from a random sample of urban residents (n = 974), the present study examines how individual perceptions of empowering features of organizations (group-based belief system, role opportunity, leadership, and social support) and sense of community relate to participants' psychological empowerment. Relational power, a hypothesized component of interactional empowerment, is examined as the dependent variable. Structural equation modeling highlights a mediating relationship in the development of an understanding of relational power. The study extends prior research on the predictors of psychological empowerment and discusses the relationship between the development of individual member and organizational empowerment. By determining specific features of organizations that are associated with member empowerment, community psychology may be able to better aid organizations in building capacity to enact transformational community change. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanical properties of DNA-like polymers

The molecular structure of the DNA double helix has been known for 60 years, but we remain surprisingly ignorant of the balance of forces that determine its mechanical properties. The DNA double helix is among the stiffest of all biopolymers, but neither theory nor experiment has provided a coherent understanding of the relative roles of attractive base stacking forces and repulsive electrostatic forces creating this stiffness. To gain insight, we have created a family of double-helical DNA-like polymers where one of the four normal bases is replaced with various cationic, anionic or neutral analogs. We apply DNA ligase-catalyzed cyclization kinetics experiments to measure the bending and twisting flexibilities of these polymers under low salt conditions. Interestingly, we show that these modifications alter DNA bending stiffness by only 20%, but have much stronger (5-fold) effects on twist flexibility. We suggest that rather than modifying DNA stiffness through a mechanism easily interpretable as electrostatic, the more dominant effect of neutral and charged base modifications is their ability to drive transitions to helical conformations different from canonical B-form DNA.
The biomechanics of the human patella and its implications for chondromalacia.

Abstract The contact areas of the human patella were found for angles of flexion between 0° and 90°. It was shown that the known trabecular patterns closely match the directions of motion of the contact area during flexion. Known structure-function relationships for the cancellous bone of the patella were used to predict the joint reaction forces. Comparison with experimentally found joint forces show that the activity of stair climbing produced a strain overload with a concentration of cartilaginous shear stresses on the central medial facet. These stresses and the organization of the cancellous bone beneath this area can explain the non-progressive nature of the cartilage damage found on the central medial facet.
Efficient, metal-free production of succinic acid by oxidation of biomass-derived levulinic acid with hydrogen peroxide

A practical, scalable, metal-free synthesis of succinic acid from the biomass-derived platform chemical levulinic acid is described. Treatment of levulinic acid with the inexpensive, simple oxidant hydrogen peroxide under the catalytic action of trifluoroacetic acid gives succinic acid in high yield and enables facile product isolation by simple distillation of the volatile catalyst and byproducts.
Learning as we go: the US army adapts to counterinsurgency in Iraq, July 2004–December 2006

The US military went into Iraq with no clear understanding of or preparations for counterinsurgency. This fact, combined with poor postwar planning and failure to recognize the early development of the insurgency, severely hamstrung the American effort to secure and stabilize the country. Nevertheless, the US Army demonstrated the ability to adapt effectively from the bottom-up at the operational and tactical levels during General George Casey's tenure as commander of Multinational Force-Iraq from 2004 to 2006. Yet despite the success of population-security measures and the development of counterinsurgency doctrine, the military's top leaders in Iraq resisted the implementation of a true population-centric counterinsurgency strategy, opting instead to focus on a ‘transition’ exit strategy. It was not until after the transition approach collapsed amid the chaos of 2006 that counterinsurgency, and the utility of force in securing the will of the population, was embraced by America's strategic leadership.
Assessment of methods and analysis of outcomes for comprehensive optimization of nucleofection

Background Nucleofection is an emerging technology for delivery of nucleic acids into both the cytoplasm and nucleus of eukaryotic cells with high efficiency. This makes it an ideal technology for gene delivery and siRNA applications. A 96-well format has recently been made available for high-throughput nucleofection, however conditions must be optimized for delivery into each specific cell type. Screening each 96-well plate can be expensive, and descriptions of methods and outcomes to determine the best conditions are lacking in the literature. Here we employ simple methods, including cell counting, microscopy, viability and cytotoxicity assays to describe the minimal experimental methods required to optimize nucleofection conditions for a given cell line.
FAD-linked mutations in presenilin 1 alter the length of Aβ peptides derived from βAPP transmembrane domain mutants

Abstract γ-Secretase is an enzymatic activity responsible for the final cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein leading to the production of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ). γ-Secretase is likely an aspartyl protease, since its activity can be inhibited by both pepstatin and active-site directed aspartyl protease inhibitors. Recent work has indicated that presenilins 1 and 2 may actually be the γ-secretase enzymes. Presenilin (PS) mutations, which lead to an increase in the production of a longer form of Aβ, are also the most common cause of familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD). Therefore, in an attempt to better characterize the substrate preferences of γ-secretase, we performed experiments to determine how FAD-linked mutations in PS1 would affect the generation of Aβ peptides from full length precursor substrates that we have previously demonstrated to be proteolytically cleaved at alternative sites and/or by enzymatic activities that are pharmacologically distinct. Presenilin mutations increased the production of Aβ peptides from sites distal to the primary cleavage site (‘longer’ peptides) and in several cases also decreased production of ‘shorter’ peptides. These results support a model in which the FAD-linked mutants subtly alter the conformation of the γ-secretase complex to favor the production of long Aβ.
Acidic and Basic Fibroblast Growth Factors Suppress Transcriptional Activation of Tissue Factor and Other Inflammatory Genes in Endothelial Cells

Tissue factor (TF) is a transmembrane receptor that serves as a cofactor for factor VIIa and initiates the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. Under normal physiological conditions, TF is expressed in extravascular and perivascular cells but not in vascular endothelial cells and monocytes. TF can be induced in these cells by inflammatory regulators and other stimulators, such as LPS, thrombin, oxidized lipoproteins, and certain growth factors. An earlier study showed that growing primary cultures of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with endothelial cell growth supplement (ECGS) and heparin had impaired the ability of monolayers to express surface membrane TF activity after perturbation. The mechanism by which ECGS suppressed TF activity was not known. In the present study, we investigated the effect of recombinant acidic and basic fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF) on the induction of TF in a HUVEC cell line and a fibroblast cell line. Both aFGF and bFGF suppressed the phorbol myristate acetate-induced expression of TF in endothelial cells but not the serum-induced expression of TF in fibroblast cells. Diminished expression of the cell surface TF activity observed in endothelial cells grown with aFGF or bFGF was due to the accumulation of a lower number of TF mRNA transcripts. TF mRNA stability was not altered in HUVECs grown with aFGF or bFGF. Nuclear run-on experiments revealed that the transcription of TF and several other genes that play an important role in inflammation and angiogenesis was reduced in the endothelial cells that were cultured with aFGF or bFGF. The diminished expression of TF may be part of a generalized response of endothelial cells to FGF that facilitates migration of endothelial cells during angiogenesis.