cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and molecular weight determination of two immunoglobulin heavy chains in the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus

Abstract 1. 1. Channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ), a teleost fish, were immunized over a 4 month period with 4 intraperitoneal injections of bovine serum albumin (BSA) in Freund's adjuvant. 2. 2. The catfish anti-BSA antibody was purified by affinity chromatography and subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). 3. 3. By elution of catfish anti-BSA antibody from BSA-afiinity columns with 3.0MKSCN and subsequent SDS-PAGE, two immunoglobulin heavy chains were demonstrated in the channel catfish. The molecular weights and the relative percentages found of the two immtmoglobulin heavy chains were 72,000 (94%) and 56,000 (6%). The molecular weight of the single light chain found was 23,000. 4. 4. Using the 72,000 mol. wt heavy chain and 23,000 mol. wt light chain and including a molecular weight of 15,000 for the J-chain, the molecular weight of the predominant channel catfish tetrameric IgM immunoglobulin molecule was calculated to be 775,000. 5. 5. Using the 56,000 low mol. wt heavy chain, the molecular weight of a second subclass of the channel catfish tetrameric IgM molecule was calculated to be 647,000. 6. 6. After Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, anti-BSA antibody activity was found only in the 14S globulin fraction by indirect hemagglutination testing.
War, economic development, and political development in the contemporary international system

The European state-building experience has led many scholars to argue that war forces states to increase their fiscal-administrative capacity, or what we might refer to as political development, in order to compete in the international system. War also requires states to generate wealth to support such competition, which should lead to progressively increased levels of economic development. Yet, in contemporary empirical studies, war is often studied as a dependent variable, with economic and political development modeled as affecting its origination. This reading of theory and empirical work suggests that war, economic development, and political development constitute an endogenous system. In this paper, we develop expectations about how these three processes interact and test them using a three-stage least squares regression model. The results show significant simultaneous relationships between the three processes. We conclude that war, economic development, and political development are mutually constitutive processes in the contemporary international system.
Embracing the Tension Between Ethnic Identity and Academic Identity: An Analysis of Challenges to Chinese American Political Scientists’ Presentation of Knowledge

An increasing number of foreign-born Chinese political scientists teach and engage in research at colleges and universities in North America. Like other foreign-born scholars, these Chinese American political scientists must manage the tension between their ethnic identities and academic identities. What is the ethnic identity of Chinese American political scientists? What do their ethnic identities have to do with the objects of their critical inquiries? What challenges will they face on their way to reaching an epistemological middle ground between professional judgment and subjective perception? By using survey, discourse analysis, and ethnography, this essay analyzes the influence of ethnic identity on the work of Chinese American political scientists. Rather than comment on their individual scholarship, this essay examines the impact of ethnic identity on the effectiveness and quality of their presentation of scholarship to the public.
Examination of cervical spine kinematics in complex, multiplanar motions after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion and total disc replacement

Background: The biomechanical behavior of total disc replacement (TDR) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in complex multiplanar motion is incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to determine whether ACDF or TDR significantly affects in vitro kinematics through a range of complex, multiplanar motions. Methods: Seven human cervical spines from C4-7 were used for this study. Intact cervical motion segments with and without implanted TDR and ACDF were tested by use of unconstrained pure bending moment testing fixtures in 7 mechanical modes: axial rotation (AR); flexion/extension (FE); lateral bending (LB); combined FE and LB; combined FE and AR; combined LB and AR; and combined FE, LB, and AR. Statistical testing was performed to determine whether differences existed in range of motion (ROM) and stiffness among spinal segments and treatment groups for each mechanical test mode. Results: ACDF specimens showed increased stiffness compared with the intact and TDR specimens (P .001); stiffness was not found to be different between TDR and intact specimens. ACDF specimens showed decreased ROM in all directions compared with TDR and intact specimens at the treated level. For the coupled motion test, including AR, LB, and FE, the cranial adjacent level (C4/C5) for the intact specimens (2.7°) showed significantly less motion compared with both the TDR (6.1°, P .009) and ACDF (6.8°, P .002) treatment groups about the LB axis. Testing of the C4/C5 and C6/C7 levels in all other test modes yielded no significant differences in ROM comparisons, although a trend toward increasing ROM in adjacent levels in ACDF specimens compared with intact and TDR specimens was observed. Conclusions: This study compared multiplanar motion under load-displacement testing of subaxial cervical motion segments with and without implanted TDR and ACDF. We found a trend toward increased motion in adjacent levels in ACDF specimens compared with TDR specimens. Biomechanical multiplanar motion testing will be useful in the ongoing development and evaluation of spinal motion‐preserving implants.
The termination of the avian photorefractory period and the subsequent gonadal response

Abstract Photorefractory golden-crowned sparrows were held on short days (LD 8:16) for from 3 to 8.5 wk before transfer to photostimulatory long days (LD 16:8). Data on the testicular diameter of the sparrows which terminated the refractory condition and responded to photostimulation were divided into two categories. Gonadal regression occurred sooner in sparrows that were exposed to 3–6.5 wk of short days prior to photostimulation than in sparrows previously held under short days for 7–8.5 wk. The results demonstrate that the duration of the avian gonadal response is dependent on the length of time the birds are held on short days prior to photostimulation.
Excerpts from: Medical Aspects of the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806)

T HE Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804–1806), sent by President Thomas Jefferson to the Columbia River, has had so important an effect on the subsequent history of the Pacific Northwest that all aspects of this epochal journey are of great interest. As leader of the Expedition, President Jefferson selected Captain Meriwether Lewis (1774–1809), of the United States Infantry. Lewis was an educated man with unusual qualities of leadership, and had been Jefferson’s private secretary. He asked that William Clark (1770– 1838), a 2nd lieutenant in the United States Artillery and a brother of George Rogers Clark, the well known Indian fighter, be appointed co-leader. Both men were born near Charlottesville, Virginia. Clark served as equal to Lewis in command of the Expedition and the leaders are referred to as Captains Lewis and Clark in historical records. Clark was a frontiersman and soldier of much experience and contributed greatly to the success of the venture. No regular physician was provided, but Lewis had sufficient medical knowledge to treat many of the ills of his company and Clark knew the simple medical practices of frontier life. After collecting the necessary supplies and selecting a personnel of 27 men, the captains placed the Expedition into winter quarters at River du Bois, near St. Louis, late in 1803. Rigorous training during the winter fitted the men for the anticipated hardships of the journey. The party, with 15 or 16 additional men1 who were to go only part of the way, started up the Missouri River in three boats on May 14, 1804. Its instructions were to make a geographical exploration of the country they
Extended Microgrid Using (DER) Distributed Energy Resources

The electric power industry is in the midst of a critical period in its evolution. The re-regulation of the industry has resulted in the creation of self-locating merchant generation and wholesale electric power markets that are using the transmission system in ways for which it was not designed. This had resulted in a system operation closer to its edge. The retail customers have increasingly sophisticated energy service requirements that require much higher power quality than in the past. On way to approach these issues is to focus on robustness at the networked transmission and generation system while providing reliability locally. The distribution system should focus on providing the customer with the required level of power quality. Distributed energy resource (DER) is a way to enhance the distribution system's level of power quality.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of Human Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug-activated Gene Promoter BASAL TRANSCRIPTION IS MEDIATED BY Sp1 AND Sp3

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-activated gene (NAG-1) is known to be associated with anti-tumorigenic activity and belongs to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. In the present study, we cloned the promoter region (−3500 to +41) and investigated the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of the basal expression of the human NAG-1 gene. Several potential transcription factor-binding sites in this region were identified. Based on the results from clones of nested deletions, the construct between −133 and +41 base pairs contains three Sp1-binding sites (Sp1-A, Sp1-B, and Sp1-C), which confer basal transcription specific activity of NAG-1 expression. When the Sp1-C site was mutated (GG to TT), a 60–80% decrease in promoter activity was observed in HCT-116 cells. Gel shift, co-transfection, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that the Sp transcription factors bind to the Sp1-binding sites and transactivate NAG-1 expression. In addition, chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor 1 can interact with the C-terminal region of Sp1 and Sp3 proteins and induce NAG-1 promoter activity through Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors. These results identify the critical regulatory regions for the human NAG-1 basal promoter. Furthermore, the results suggest that the level of expression of the NAG-1 gene will depend on the availability of Sp proteins and on co-factors such as chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor 1.
Selected engineering and fabrication aspects of nuclear metal hydrides (Li, Ti, Zr, and Y)☆

Abstract Metal hydrides are useful hydrogen reservoirs. Lithium, titanium, zirconium and yttrium hydride systems are discussed, with attention to factors which affect both methods of fabrication and selection for nuclear and non-nuclear applications. The use of recently declassified boride and carbide additives and selective thermal arrest hydriding cycles are referenced. Collectively, these processes have simplified the manufacture of crack-free massive hydrides of a variety of hydridable metals and have improved the mechanical properties of the as-fabricated and the thermally aged hydrides.
The effect of growth hormone administration and dietary protein on the incorporation of sodium acetate-2-C14 and mevalonic acid-2-C14 into liver cholesterol.

Abstract Male rats 3–4 months old were fed isocaloric diets containing either 6.7 or 22% casein and were treated with 1 mg./day of growth hormone (STH) for 20–28 days. When the dietary protein level was low the incorporation in vitro of sodium acetate-2-C 14 into liver cholesterol was increased. Long-term administration of STH led to a depression in the in vivo and in vitro incorporation of acetate, but this was significant only when the dietary protein was low. The in vivo incorporation of mevalonic acid-2-C 14 into liver cholesterol was increased when the diet used was low in protein, but the administration of STH had no significant depressant effect on this elevation. Observations were made on the effects of dietary protein level and STH on body weight, liver weight, liver composition, serum cholesterol level, and incorporation of sodium acetate-2-C 14 into liver protein, fatty acids, and respiratory carbon dioxide. Results were interpreted to indicate that STH mediates its effects on acetate utilization for cholesterol synthesis via the retention of dietary protein.
Oral fibroma with HPV-associated epithelial dysplasia: Even in fibromas you should look for the unexpected

Fibromas are the most common soft tissue lesions of the oral cavity and are generally attributed to trauma. Koilocytic dysplasia refers to human papillomavirus (HPV)-related epithelial cytopathic effect. Koilocytic dysplasia is considered neoplastic. Herein, we report a case of oral fibroma with HPV-induced dysplastic changes of the surface epithelium confirmed by immunohistochemical stains for p16 and p53 as well as HPV in situ hybridization.
Electrical modeling and characterization of 3-D vias

Electrical characterization of the resistance, capacitance, and inductance of inter-plane 3-D vias is presented in this paper. Both capacitive and inductive coupling between multiple 3-D vias is described as a function of the separation distance and plane location. The effects of placing a third shield via between two signal vias is investigated as a means to limit the capacitive coupling. The location of the return path is examined to determine the best placement of a 3-D via to reduce the overall loop inductance. Based on the extracted resistance, capacitance, and inductance, the L/R time constant is shown to be much larger than the RC time constant, demonstrating that the 3-D via structure investigated in this paper is inductively limited rather than capacitively limited.
Left atrial wall thickness variability measured by CT scans in patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation

Left Atrial Wall Thickness Variability Measured by CT Scans. Introduction: Successful catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) requires the creation of transmural lesions in the left atrium (LA). In addition, cardiac perforation is more likely to occur in areas of thin walls. The LA wall thickness is thus relevant both for procedural efficacy and safety. This study sought to evaluate the regional LA wall thickness in patients with AF. Methods: The LA muscular wall thickness (excluding fat) was measured by 64 slice cardiac computed tomography (CT) in 60 patients with persistent AF prior to catheter ablation procedures. Measurements were performed in all patients at 12 distinct LA locations, including 3 at the roof (right, middle left), 3 at the floor (right, middle, left), 4 at the posterior wall (right, middle, middle-superior, left), 1 at the left lateral ridge (LLR), and 1 at the mitral isthmus. Results: There was a large range of LA wall thickness (average thickness 1.89 ± 0.48 mm, range 0.5–3.5 mm). In addition, there were significant regional differences in LA wall thickness. In particular, the LA roof was significantly thicker than the posterior wall and floor (P < 0.001), the LLR was significantly thicker than most regions (P < 0.04), and the mitral isthmus was also significantly thicker than the posterior wall (P < 0.001) and floor (P < 0.001). Conclusions: In patients with persistent AF, there is inter- and intra-patient variability in the thickness of the LA muscular wall. In most patients, however, the roof, mitral isthmus, and the ridge between the pulmonary veins and appendage are thicker compared to the posterior wall and floor. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. pp. 1-5)
Resistance to Apoptosis in Cancer Therapy

An enormous body of work has established that conventional cancer therapies induce apoptosis in tumor cell lines and preclinical models of human disease. Parallel efforts have defined the evolutionarily conserved components of the apoptotic pathway, inspiring efforts to characterize the functional status of these components in human tumor cells. Although core pathway defects have been documented, the apoptotic pathway appears to be intact in most tumors, perhaps because disruption of the core machinery inhibits cell proliferation or interferes with other processes that are essential for tumor progression. On the other hand, it is clear that the selective pressures encountered by tumor cells do increase apoptosis resistance, most often via disruption of upstream mechanisms that produce parallel decreases in apoptosis sensitivity and increases in cell proliferation. Two of the most common examples of this type of disruption are inactivation of the p53 pathway and activation of PI-3 kinase/AKT/NF-κB, and aggressive efforts to specifically target these defects are underway. A major challenge for the immediate future is to validate the concept that apoptosis plays a crucial role in tumor response to therapy in patients receiving conventional and “designer” drugs, and more specifically, to confirm that the latter effectively hit their targets and produce the desired biological responses.
Transcriptional Regulator Id2 Is Required for the CD4 T Cell Immune Response in the Development of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

An effective immune response to Ag challenge is critically dependent on the size of the effector cell population generated from clonal activation of Ag-specific T cells. The transcription network involved in regulating the size of the effector population, particularly for CD4 Th cells, is poorly understood. In this study, we investigate the role of Id2, an inhibitor of E protein transcription factors, in the generation of CD4 effectors. Using a T cell-specific conditional Id2 knockout mouse model, we show that inhibitor of DNA binding (Id)2 is essential for the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Although Ag-specific and IL-17-producing CD4 T cells are produced in these mice, the activated CD4 T cells form a smaller pool of effector cells in the peripheral lymphoid organs, exhibit reduced proliferation and increased cell death, and are largely absent in the CNS. In the absence of Id2, E protein targets, including the proapoptotic protein Bim and SOCS3, are expressed at higher levels among activated CD4 T cells. This study reveals a critical role of Id2 in the control of effector CD4 T cell population size and the development of a Th17-mediated autoimmune disease.
MORPHOLOGICAL TEXTURAL FEATURES

ABSTRACT This paper describes the statistical and mathematical models for the gray level surface. Morphological Textural Features (MTFs) derived from the models are invariants. They include: • Bessel-Fourier Coefficients • Measurments of Gray Level Distributions • Rotational Symmetry • Translational Symmetry • Coarseness • Contrast • Roughness • Regularity Potential Applications in Particle Technology are also outlined.
Extremum seeking-based indirect adaptive control for nonlinear systems with time-varying uncertainties

We study in this paper the problem of adaptive trajectory tracking control for nonlinear systems affine in the control with time-varying parametric uncertainties. We propose to use a modular approach, in the sense that we first design a robust nonlinear state feedback which renders the closed loop input to state stable (ISS) between an estimation error of the uncertain parameters and an output tracking error. Next, we complement this robust ISS controller with a model-free extremum seeking (ES) algorithm to estimate the time-varying model uncertainties. The combination of the ISS feedback and the ES algorithm gives an indirect adaptive controller. We show the efficiency of this approach on a two-link robot manipulator example.
Dendrochronological reconstruction of the epicentre and early spread of emerald ash borer in North America

Aim Emerald ash borer Agrilus planipennis was identified in 2002 as the cause of extensive ash (Fraxinus spp.) decline and mortality in Detroit, Michigan, and has since killed millions of ash trees in the US and Canada. When discovered, it was not clear how long it had been present or at what location the invading colony started. We used dendrochronological methods to document the onset and progression of ash mortality and the spatio-temporal dynamics of the invasion. Reconstructing the progression of ash mortality serves as a proxy to draw inferences about the colonization and spread of emerald ash borer in North America. Location Southeastern Michigan, USA. Methods We collected increment cores from dead, declining or non-symptomatic ash trees on a systematic 4.8 × 4.8 or 2.4 × 2.4 km grid in 2004–2006. Geo-referenced samples were cross-dated to determine the earliest date emerald ash borer-killed trees in each location. Interpolated dates of ash mortality were analysed to determine rates and patterns of emerald ash borer spread across the 1.5 million ha study area. Results We identified a location in southeastern Michigan where ash trees were killed by emerald ash borer as early as 1997. Rates of ash mortality subsequently progressed at 3.84 km year−1 from 1998 to 2001 and then increased to 12.97 km year−1 from 2001 to 2003 as satellite colonies coalesced with the primary infestation. From 1998 to 2003, new satellites formed at a rate of 7.4 per year, with average jump distances of 24.5 km. Main conclusions Emerald ash borer was likely established in southeastern Michigan by at least the early to mid-1990s. Anthropogenic-aided stratified dispersal and the coalescence of satellite colonies with the primary population resulted in biphasic range expansion, rapidly expanding the footprint of the invasion. Our reconstruction of the emerald ash borer invasion demonstrates this invaders’ remarkable capacity for population growth and spread.
Solubility prediction in octanol: A technical note

The purpose of this work was to derive an equation for the rapid estimation of octanol solubilities of organic compounds. Solubilities ranging over 4 orders of, magnitude were predicted with an average absolute error of 0.39 logarithmic units using melting point alone. The greatest error in prediction occurred for strongly bonded compounds.
Evolution of Behavior and the Comparative Method

Abstract The comparative method, that is, the discrimination of similarities and differences in the physical and social aspects of the environment, requires the concept of levels of integration and organization to be useful in the study of the evolution and development of behavior. Comparative studies based on the quasi-scientific theories of the inheritance of behavior and the predominance of genetic processes as causal in evolution and development of all species, including people, – Lorenzian ethology, Wilsonian sociobiology – overlook significant differences among species and reduce quantitative and qualitative differences in behavior to a unitary causal mechanism, which is not sufficient to explain complex behavior. Further, such theories oversimplify genetic processes and their relation to behavior. The comparative method is applicable and useful when the questions to be answered are based on stated assumptions which are testable and when the levels of the phenomena being compared are equivalent.
Signaling through NK cell-associated CD137 promotes both helper function for CD8+ cytolytic T cells and responsiveness to IL-2 but not cytolytic activity.

NK cells possess both effector and regulatory activities that may be important during the antitumor immune response. In fact, the generation of antitumor immunity by the administration of an agonistic mAb against CD137 is NK cell-dependent. In this study, we report that NK cells could be induced by IL-2 and IL-15 to express CD137 and ligation of CD137-stimulated NK cell proliferation and IFN-γ secretion, but not their cytolytic activity. Importantly, CD137-stimulated NK cells promoted the expansion of activated T cells in vitro, demonstrating immunoregulatory or “helper” activity for CD8+CTL. Furthermore, tumor-specific CTL activity against P815 tumor Ags was abrogated following anti-CD137 treatment in NK-depleted mice. We further demonstrate that CD137-stimulated helper NK cells expressed the high-affinity IL-2R and were hyperresponsive to IL-2. Taken together with previous findings that CD137 is a critical receptor for costimulation of T cells, our findings suggest that CD137 is a stimulatory receptor for NK cells involved in the crosstalk between innate and adaptive immunity.
Capacity Bounds for a Cognitive MIMO Gaussian Z-Interference Channel

In this paper, we compute an achievable rate of a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) Gaussian Z-interference channel (ZIC), as shown in Fig. 1, when transmit node C has imperfect cognitive knowledge of the signal sent by transmit node A. First, we compute the capacity of this channel, assuming noncausal but noisy knowledge at node C of node A's signal. We then compute the achievable rate for a causal cognitive strategy: This achievable rate is derived using a two-phase transmission scheme, in which node C uses a combination of a linear MMSE (LMMSE) estimator and a dirty-paper code, and node D employs a combination of an LMMSE estimator and a partial interference canceler. The achievable rate is studied in two different cases: 1. Node C operates in full-duplex mode, and 2. node C operates in half-duplex mode. To quantify the performance of the proposed strategy, we compute simple lower and upper bounds on the capacity of this channel. Similar to an interference channel, the achievable rate of the cognitive ZIC nonmonotonically varies with the interference. Specifically, the achievable rate first decreases with the channel gain between nodes A and D and then begins to increase beyond a certain threshold. The difference in the achievable rate between full- and half-duplex transmissions is also numerically evaluated.
Future of Standards and Rules in Shaping Place: Beyond the Urban Genetic Code

American communities are shaped by standards and codes that virtually dictate all aspects of urban form. Simple standards for subdividing land, grading, laying streets and utilities, and configuring rights-of-way and street widths may seem harmless, but, because, they have been copied and adopted from one place to another across the land, they have an enormous impact on the way our neighborhoods look, feel, and work. Today’s regulations represent the sum of decades of rules designed to promote particular practices. Because so much has been built according to these dictates, the accumulated rules now have the force of universal acceptance. Treated as if they have some kind of biological significance, standards have become the definers and promoters of places—the genetic code of urban development. Many institutions and practices converge to give established standards their reach and power. Methodical administration of public works, the centralized supervision over land development, and the rise of the various engineering and urban planning professions have established design standards as absolutes. Local governments have often automatically adopted and legitimized such standards to shield themselves from lawsuits and from responsibility in decision making. Financial institutions and lenders have also been hesitant to support a development proposal outside the mainstream, particularly when it does not conform to established design practices. With the crafting of exact rules and standards, regulatory bodies can predictably shape development, even though the actual results may be less desirable than a variable approach. Obviously, development standards can assure a level of quality in performance, as do many plans and construction standards designed to protect our health and safety. The problem arises when standards intended for health and safety overstep their bounds and lose grounding in the objective measures of their benefit or break the connection with the original rationale for their existence. This disconnect has overtaken many standards and regulations today because they have failed to be responsive to their negative impacts on the environment. The net effect is one of a dynamic planning enterprise frustrated by its inability to carry through innovation in the form of alternative development proposals that violate existing standards yet may be of great service in creating desirable communities.
One-Hour Glucose During an Oral Glucose Challenge Prospectively Predicts β-Cell Deterioration and Prediabetes in Obese Hispanic Youth

OBJECTIVE In adults, 1-h glucose during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) predicts the development of type 2 diabetes independent of fasting and 2-h glucose concentrations. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the utility of elevated 1-h glucose levels to prospectively predict deterioration in β-cell function and the development of prediabetes in high-risk youth. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Obese Latino youth with a family history of type 2 diabetes (133 male and 100 female; age 11.1 ± 1.7 years) completed a baseline OGTT and were divided into two groups based upon a 1-h glucose threshold of 155 mg/dL ( n = 151, or ≥155 mg/dL, n = 82). Youth were followed annually for up to 8 years for assessment of glucose tolerance, body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and the disposition index by the frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. RESULTS Over time, the ≥155 mg/dL group exhibited a significantly greater decline in β-cell function compared with youth with a 1-h glucose P = 0.01). Moreover, this decline was independent of fasting or 2-h glucose and body composition. When the data were restricted to only participants with normal glucose tolerance at baseline, a 1-h glucose ≥155 mg/dL was independently associated with a 2.5 times greater likelihood of developing prediabetes during follow-up (95% CI 1.6–4.1, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that a 1-h glucose ≥155 mg/dL during an OGTT is an independent predictor of β-cell deterioration and progression to prediabetes among obese Latino youth.
Some problems in studying the ages of stars

I list some questions and problems that have motivated this symposium, particularly with regard to single stars and low-mass stars.
Molybdendium Enzymes and Models

Enzymes whose catalytic reactions occur at a molybdenum center are described. These molybdoenzymes are found in organisms throughout the entire kingdom of life, from simple bacteria to humans, and are critical to the ecosphere. With only one exception, these approximately 40 enzymes catalyze reactions where an oxygen atom is added to or removed from the biological substrate. This generalization explains the terminology applied to these enzymes, which are variously called molybdenum hydroxylases, oxotransferases, and oxo–molybdenum enzymes. A survey of the four main families of molybdenum enzymes and a list of selected molybdoenzymes is provided. A brief discussion of the special dithiolene ligand called molybdopterin that is bound to molybdenum (and tungsten) in all of these enzymes is given, highlighting its structure and associated nomenclatural difficulties. Representative examples of mechanisms are illustrated. A considerable progress in understanding the special attributes of molybdenum and its associated ligand has been accomplished through studies of smaller molecules, called analogue or model systems. Several key examples of these model systems are described. These provide independent confirmation of the reasonableness of proposed mechanistic steps as well as point to unique aspects of molybdenum in the enzymes not easily mimicked by synthetic systems. Keywords: coupled electron–proton transfer (CEPT); dithiolene; molybdenum hydroxylases; molybdenum oxotransferases; molybdoenzyme; molybdopterin; nitrogenase; oxygen atom transfer (OAT); pyranopterin
Attributions about Date Rape: Impact of Clothing, Sex, Money Spent, Date Type, and Perceived Similarity

This study was designed to investigate the independent and combined effects of clothing, sex of subject, money spent, type of date, and perceived similarity of female subjects to the victim on attributions made about a victim and a perpetrator of a date rape. A convenience sample of 703 college students participated (females = 518; males = 177; information missing = 8). Subjects were asked to read a vignette describing a date rape and to view a photograph of the victim. They were asked to make attributions concerning both the victim and the perpetrator. Males indicated to a greater extent than females that the victim wanted to have sexual intercourse. Males indicated to a greater extent than females that the victim led on the perpetrator. Subjects indicated a rape occurred to a lesser extent when the date was planned as compared to unplanned. Subjects indicated the perpetrator behaved violently to a greater extent when the date was unplanned as compared to planned. Females who indicated they were either like or not like the victim rated the victim higher on being able to do something to prevent the incident than did the females who were neutral. Females who indicated they were not like the victim indicated that the victim led the perpetrator on to a greater extent than those females who indicated they were neutral or like the victim. There were no significant findings related to clothing or money spent.
Systems and Ethical Issues in CL Psychiatry: Hospital as a Social System, Sick Role and Doctor Role, Ethical and Legal Issues

The consultation process occurs in a social system. This chapter discusses the hospital as a social system, the sick role and the doctor role, and ethical and legal issues in CL psychiatry, including medical ethics, autonomy, competency, capacity, and advance directive.
Joint venture success in China: How should we select a good partner?

Abstract The success of international joint ventures investing in emerging economies, most notably China, largely depends on the selection of local partners. This study illuminates various partner selection criteria that are important to the survival and growth of foreign companies active in China. Broadly, this study reiterates three categories of criteria: strategic, organizational, and financial. A partner with superior strategic traits but lacking strong organizational and financial characteristics may result in an unstable joint venture. The possession of desirable organizational attributes without corresponding strategic and financial competence may leave the joint venture unprofitable. A partner with superior financial strengths without strategic and organizational competencies can lead to an unsustainable venture. The managerial implications for world business managers are highlighted.
Measuring the insulating ability of anisotropic thermal conductors via principal Dirichlet eigenvalue

We consider the thermal insulation property of homogeneous anisotropically heat-conducting bodies, i.e. those whose thermal tensor (matrix) A is constant throughout the body but not generally a constant times the identity. This anisotropy is a common feature of nanocomposite materials. We propose using the principal Dirichlet eigenvalue λ of the associated elliptic differential operator −∇ · A∇ as a simple measurement for the insulating ability of the material, because the time scale of thermal flow is of the order of 1/λ .1 /λ is a generalization of the ‘R-value’ used in engineering practice as a measure of the insulating ability of isotropic conductors. If the thermal tensor A depends on parameters, e.g. inherited from nanostructure, then so does λ. It is important to know how λ depends on the parameters. For the material to be a good insulator, λ should be suppressed. But calculation or estimation of this principal elliptic eigenvalue, particularly over ranges of parameter values, is not a simple task. The focus of this paper is estimation – by fitted formulas and new exact bounds – of the principal elliptic Dirichlet eigenvalue of ellipses (2D) and ellipsoids (3D) using only simple expressions in the eigenvalues of the matrix A. Our simplest approximations and bounds avoid even the calculation of matrix eigenvalues and use in 2D merely the trace and determinant of A, and in 3D the trace and determinant of A and the trace of A 2 .T he new bounds are shown to imply an extremal property in homogenization theory and a new condition for enhancement in Taylor dispersion. Recently, Zheng, Forest, Lipton, Zhou and Wang published formulas for the thermal tensor A in the case of strong extensional fiber-type flow of a polymer with dilute rod-like nano-inclusions, including explicitly the influence of the probability distribution of inclusion orientation. Our results are combined with these formulas to quantify the effect of variations of the probability distribution on the insulating ability of the composite.
Molecular Determinants of Treatment Response in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Treatment response in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is best assessed using assays for minimal residual disease (MRD). The degree of leukemia cytoreduction and MRD clearance is determined by the collective influence of multiple factors. Some of these variables are features of the leukemic cells, such as expression of genes that regulate their susceptibility to cytotoxic drugs and their propensity to undergo apoptosis. Gene profiles depend, in turn, on the cell of origin for leukemic transformation, the type of underlying genetic abnormalities and/or epigenetic regulatory mechanisms. Another set of variables is related to the host, such as age and polymorphisms in genes that metabolize drugs, which together with pharmacologic variables, such as drug pharmacodynamics and drug interactions, influence treatment response. Finally, the bone marrow microenvironment where leukemic cells reside can participate in the generation of drug resistance. Altogether, these variables determine treatment outcome in each patient. Full knowledge of the molecular features associated with treatment response is required for precise leukemia prognostication and monitoring, and can provide clues to useful targets for novel therapies.
A technique for respiratory-gated radiotherapy treatment verification with an EPID in cine mode

Respiratory gating based on external surrogates is performed in many clinics. We have developed a new technique for treatment verification using an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) in cine mode for gated 3D conformal therapy. Implanted radiopaque fiducial markers inside or near the target are required for this technique. The markers are contoured on the planning CT set, enabling us to create digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRRs) for each treatment beam. During the treatment, a sequence of EPID images can be acquired without disrupting the treatment. Implanted markers are visualized in the images and their positions in the beam's eye view are calculated off-line and compared to the reference position by matching the field apertures in corresponding EPID and DRR images. The precision of the patient set-up, the placement of the beam-gating window, as well as the residual tumour motion can be assessed for each treatment fraction. This technique has been demonstrated with a case study patient, who had three markers implanted in his liver. For this patient, the intra-fractional variation of all marker positions in the gating window had a 95% range of 4.8 mm in the SI direction (the primary axis of motion). This was about the same (5 mm) as the residual motion considered in the planning process. The inter-fractional variation of the daily mean positions of the markers, which indicates the uncertainty in the set-up procedure, was within +8.3 mm/−4.5 mm (95% range) in the SI direction for this case.
The extent of proteolysis is independent of sarcomere length in lamb longissimus and psoas major

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of sarcomere length on postmortem proteolysis and meat tenderness. Eighteen Dorset market-weight sheep were slaughtered conventionally. The longissimus thoracis et lumborum and psoas major from each carcass were either left intact on the carcass (control), which was chilled at 0 degrees C, or excised from the carcass and chilled in an ice slurry (0 degrees C). At 24 h, control muscles were excised, and all muscles were cut into sections and assigned to 1 or 10 d of postmortem storage at 2 degrees C. Sarcomere length was shorter (P .05) by aging time. Western blot analysis of troponin-T and desmin indicated no effect (P > .05) of the shortened treatment compared to the control on the extent of proteolysis. Regardless of aging time or treatment, troponin-T was more degraded (P < .01) in longissimus than in psoas major (38.1 vs 23.5%) and desmin tended to be more degraded (P = .08) in longissimus than in psoas major (50.4 vs 35.1%). Regardless of muscle or treatment, aging 10 d compared to 1 d increased degradation of troponin-T (46.3 vs 15.3%) and desmin (69.3 vs 16.1%). Warner-Bratzler shear force was greater (P < .01) in the shortened treatment than in control (6.9 vs 3.8 kg), greater (P < .01) in longissimus than in the psoas major (6.5 vs 4.2 kg), and greater (P < .01) with 1 d than with 10 d of aging time (6.1 vs 4.6 kg). A muscle x aging time interaction (P < .05) indicated shear force declined more in longissimus than in psoas major during aging. We conclude that sarcomere length did not affect the extent of proteolysis. However, sarcomere length may have an indirect effect on tenderization during aging due to its effect on initial tenderness.
De Irlanda a Iberia: notas para a tradución de Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin do inglés ao galego

La cuestion del genero fue trabajada dentro de los estudios de traduccion de diversas formas, incluyendo la asignacion de genero en la lengua meta, la traduccion de lenguaje marcado de genero y la traduccion feminista. En este trabajo se estudia el uso o ausencia de marcas de genero y de la praeterio a la hora de afrontar una traduccion al gallego de la autora irlandesa Eilean Ni Chuillanain, feminista y nacionalista. Ambas situaciones se reflejan conscientemente en sus poemas de manera significativa. A traves de ejemplos practicos seleccionados, se reflexiona sobre la necesidad de tener en cuenta que la traslacion de sus textos a una lengua que obligatoriamente establece elecciones linguisticas entre el femenino y el masculino, debe hacerse respetando el sentido de la autora. Esto supone, para quien traduzca, compartir la perspectiva feminista y nacional de la autora familiarizandose con el marco y condicionantes de su obra poetica.
The effects of ruminally undegradable protein, propionic acid, and monensin on puberty and pregnancy in beef heifers

Abstract Two hundred ten spring-born English crossbred beef heifers were used in two experiments in consecutive years using a randomized complete block design. The objectives were to determine the effects of increasing dietary intake of ruminally undegradable protein or propionic acid on the occurrence of puberty and to elucidate the mechanism by which monensin decreases age of puberty in beef heifers. Diets were fed for 120 d beginning in mid-November and consisted of mature grass hay and barley straw with .45 kg.animal-1 x d-1 supplement (CON) formulated to obtain .4 kg.animal-1 x d-1 of BW gain; .5 kg of supplement similar to CON and containing an additional 250 g of ruminally undegradable intake protein supplied from blood and corn gluten meal (UIP); .45 kg of supplement similar to CON composition and containing 400 g.animal-1 x d-1 of a 50% water and 50% propionic acid mixture (PROP); or .45 kg of supplement similar to CON supplying 200 mg.animal-1 x d-1 of monensin (MON). The hay:straw ratio in each diet was adjusted biweekly, to maintain similar BW gains for heifers fed each dietary treatment. As planned, BW gains were similar (P > .1) for all heifers. The heifers fed MON were 21 d younger (P < .05) at first estrus than heifers fed UIP; CON and PROP were intermediate and similar to heifers fed MON and UIP. The heifers fed UIP were 7 to 8 kg heavier (P < .05) at puberty than CON- or PROP-treated heifers. The heifers fed PROP were 6 kg heavier (P < .1) at puberty than heifers fed MON. Heifers that received UIP required less (P < .05) TDN than did heifers that received CON or PROP to achieve similar gain. Pregnancy rate was similar for all treatment groups. Feeding UIP in excess of NRC CP requirements may improve energy utilization of heifers fed mature roughages but may delay the onset of puberty compared with heifers fed monensin. This study demonstrated that nutrient composition of the diet may influence age of puberty independent of growth rate.
UAS Contingency Management: The Effect of Different Procedures on ATC in Civil Airspace Operations

Current study examined the impact of four, currently-employed, unmanned aerial system (UAS) contingency procedures on air traffic controller (ATC) workload and performance. Controllers managed a Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) sector while a single UAS passed through their sector. In four of the five scenarios, the UAS was scripted to experience an emergency (e.g., loss of command and control link, sudden drop in oil pressure) and then execute one of four possible contingency maneuvers. The fifth scenario was a baseline and contained no emergency. Results showed no significant differences in performance or workload among the four the study's design discussed.
P68 Time-course Of Human Rhinovirus Infection And Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms During Copd Exacerbations

Introduction Human rhinoviruses (HRV) are the main aetiological agents of virus-associated COPD exacerbations (Seemungal et al . AJRCCM 2001). The relationship between upper respiratory tract symptoms and HRV load at exacerbation presentation (ExP) and during recovery has not been described in naturally-occurring exacerbations. We quantified changes in airway HRV load at ExP and during the recovery period, in patients reporting symptoms of a cold, sore throat, or both. Methods Patients in the London COPD cohort recorded new or increased respiratory symptoms on daily diary cards. Exacerbations were defined as an increase in respiratory symptoms for two consecutive days, with at least one symptom being major (dyspnoea, sputum purulence or volume) and the other a major or minor (wheeze, cold, sore throat, cough). Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR was used to detect and quantify HRV in 106 sputum samples collected at ExP (n = 38) and days 3 (n = 16), 7 (n = 27), 14 (n = 16), 35 (n = 6) and 56 (n = 3) following. Results HRV load decreased significantly from ExP to Day 3 in samples associated with either cold symptoms (p 4.22(3.94–4.88) vs 10 0.55(0–1.98) pfu/ml; p = 0.002) but not for those with a sore throat only (n = 2) (10 0.89(0–0.89) pfu/ml; p = 0.095). At Day 7, the median (IQR) HRV load in samples with both symptoms (n = 4) (10 4.48(1.85–7.28) pfu/ml) was significantly higher than in those with cold symptoms only (n = 19) (10 0(0–2.74) pfu/ml; p = 0.018) or a sore throat only (n = 4) (10 0(0–0) pfu/ml; p = 0.029). There was no significant difference at subsequent time-points. Conclusion Patients reporting both cold symptoms and a sore throat as part of a COPD exacerbation had higher HRV loads than those with just one symptom until after Day 7 post-exacerbation. In patients with both symptoms, the HRV load remained higher for a longer period of time than in patients with only one symptom, which may suggest longer recovery times for more symptomatic patients. These results may inform the timing of administration of antiviral therapies at COPD exacerbation.