cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatty acid and sterol metabolism of cultured Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus

Trichomonas vaginalis and Tritrichomonas foetus grown in a fetal calf serum-based culture medium, contained as major lipids (i.e., greater than 10% of total) cholesterol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine. T. vaginalis also contained sphingomyelin and T. foetus glycophosphosphingolipids. The culture medium contained (greater than 10%) cholesterol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingomyelin and lysophosphatidylcholine. The fatty acyl groups of these major lipids of the trichomonads and the culture medium were similar. Those present in amounts greater than 5% of the total fatty acyl groups for a given lipid were myristic, palmitic, hexadecaenoic, stearic, oleic, linoleic, arachidonic and docosahexaenoic. When the trichomonads were exposed to radiolabeled lipids and lipid precursors, [14C]-labeled acetate and potential acetate precursors (glucose, threonine) were poorly incorporated and failed to label the fatty acyl groups of the trichomonad lipids. [14C]-labeled, C12-C22 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were incorporated, unaltered, into phosphoglycerides and sphingolipids (sphingomyelin and glycophosphosphingolipids), but not into cholesteryl esters or triacylglycerols. Phosphoglycerides were preferentially labeled with unsaturated fatty acids and sphingolipids with saturated ones. This information inferred that the trichomonads: 1) were unable to biosynthesize fatty acids de novo, 2) took up unesterified fatty acids from the culture medium and used them in phosphoglyceride and sphingolipid biosynthesis and/or turnover, 4) did not use unesterified fatty acids in the biosynthesis or turnover of cholesteryl esters or triacylglycerols. Phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, with [14C]labeled fatty acyl groups, and sphingomyelin, with 14C-labeled choline, were incorporated by the trichomonads. The phospholipids strongly labeled phosphoglycerides and sphingolipids, but not triacylglycerols, while the radioactivity of sphingomyelin [14C]choline remained associated solely with trichomonad sphingomyelin. Triacylglycerol, with 14C-labeled fatty acyl groups, was also incorporated, and labeled phosphoglycerides and sphingolipids. The results of those experiments suggested that trichomonads: (1) could take up culture medium phospholipids and triacylglycerols; (2) actively deacylated and reacylated phospholipids, but not triacylglycerols; (3) hydrolyzed exogenous triacylglycerols and used their fatty acyl groups for phospholipid acylations. Radiolabeled acetate, mevalonate and squalene were not incorporated into trichomonad cholesterol or cholesteryl esters. [14C]Cholesterol was incorporated unaltered, but was not esterified.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Differential interaction of platelet-activating factor and NMDA receptor function in hippocampal and dorsal striatal memory processes

The interaction between platelet activating factor (PAF) and NMDA receptor function in hippocampal and dorsal striatal memory processes was examined. In both a hidden and a visible platform water maze task, peripheral post-training injection of MK-801 (0.05 mg/kg) impaired memory. Post-training intrahippocampal infusions of PAF (1.0 μg/0.5 μl) enhanced memory in the hidden platform task, while intradorsal striatal infusion of PAF (1.0 μg/0.5 μl) enhanced memory in the visible platform task. The memory impairing effects of post-training injection of MK-801 was blocked by concurrent intrahippocampal infusion of PAF. In contrast, post-training injection of MK-801 blocked the memory enhancing effects of concurrent intradorsal striatal infusion of PAF. The results suggest that (1) the memory enhancing effects of intracerebral PAF infusion involve an interaction with NMDA receptor function, and (2) the nature of this interaction may represent a differential mechanism mediating the distinct roles of the hippocampus and dorsal striatum in cognitive memory and stimulus-response habit formation, respectively.
Electromyographic assessment of the neuromuscular blockade produced in vivo by anatoxin-A in the rat

Abstract The indirectly evoked compound action potentials (ECAP) of the plantar muscles of the rat were used to investigate the pharmacodynamics in vivo of the neuromuscular blockade produced by anatoxin-a. Onset time to maximum depression and the magnitude of maximum depression in amplitude of the ECAP were dose-dependent. The mean maximum percent depression (±S.D.) of the ECAP induced by single, supramaximal stimulations of the posterior tibial nerve after i.v. doses of (+)anatoxin-a hydrochloride at 0, 50, 100, 200 and 800 μg/kg were 3 (4), 53 (15), 82 (7), 95 (2), and 100 (1), respectively. The ED 50 (95% confidence limits) for depression of the ECAP was 47 mg/kg (39–57 μg/kg). Rats administered 200 μg/kg or less of (+)anatoxin-a hydrochloride had 75% return of the pretoxin amplitude of the ECAP within 93 min. Animals dosed at 800 μg/kg did not have return of neuromuscular function and died despite mechanical ventilation, suggesting a lethal mechanism(s) of action in addition to respiratory paralysis. Percent decrements (±S.D.) in the amplitude of the fourth ECAP following repetitive stimulation at 10 Hz were 6 (5), 13 (22), 46 (18) and 59 (8) from (+)anatoxin-a hydrochloride given i.v. at 0, 50, 100 and 200 μg/kg, respectively. The decrement observed following repetitive stimulation was attributed to a presynaptic site of action. No change in maximal motor nerve conduction velocity or latency of the ECAP was observed after i.v. administration of (+)anatoxin-a hydrochloride at 100 μg/kg. LD 50 values (95% confidence limits) for anatoxin-a administered i.v. to mice were 386 μg/kg (365–408 μg/kg, for (+)anatoxin-a hydrochloride and 913 μg/kg (846–985 μg/kg) for racemic anatoxin-a hydrochloride. No deaths were observed in mice after i.p. administration of(−)anatoxin-a hydrochloride at doses up to 73 mg/kg.
TBI and Nonverbal Executive Functioning: Examination of a Modified Design Fluency Test's Psychometric Properties and Sensitivity to Focal Frontal Injury.

The purpose of this study was to investigate a modified version of the Design Fluency Test (DFT; Jones-Gotman & Milner, 1977) to establish its psychometric properties and clinical sensitivity to frontal traumatic brain injury (TBI). Twenty-five participants with moderate-to-severe TBI and focal frontal injury confirmed on magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography, and 25 participants with TBI and nonfrontal focal injury were administered a modified fixed version of the DFT (Russell & Starkey, 1993). Analyses revealed that this modified DFT demonstrated excellent interrater agreement and consistency. This measure also demonstrated modest convergent validity with established measures of executive function abilities and discriminant validity with measures of other cognitive domains. Lastly, participants with frontal TBI generated significantly fewer novel designs compared with participants with nonfrontal focal injury. However, no significant differences were detected with regard to the total number ...
An assessment of memory awareness in tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella)

Humans, apes, and rhesus monkeys demonstrate memory awareness by collecting information when ignorant and acting immediately when informed. In this study, five capuchin monkeys searched for food after either watching the experimenter bait one of four opaque tubes (seen trials), or not watching (unseen trials). Monkeys with memory awareness should look into the tubes before making a selection only on unseen trials because on seen trials they already know the location of the food. In Experiment 1, one of the five capuchins looked significantly more often on unseen trials. In Experiment 2, we ensured that the monkeys attended to the baiting by interleaving training and test sessions. Three of the five monkeys looked more often on unseen trials. Because monkeys looked more often than not on both trial types, potentially creating a ceiling effect, we increased the effort required to look in Experiment 3, and predicted a larger difference in the probability of looking between seen and unseen trials. None of the five monkeys looked more often on unseen trials. These findings provide equivocal evidence for memory awareness in capuchin monkeys using tests that have yielded clear evidence in humans, apes, and rhesus monkeys.
Doubly differential cross section for binary encounter with massive projectile and isotropic target velocities

The nonrelativistic doubly differential cross section for electrons ejected from atoms by a massive beam of bare ions is derived in the binary encounter approximation. For cases already published the results sometimes differ by as much as a factor of 80 from those of Bonsen and Vriens, although the agreement should be exact. The case when the struck electron was initially very slow or stationary is also considered. Methods are presented for visualizing the kinematics including questions of minimum and maximum initial electron velocity for a given energy transfer. Also presented is a graphical means of visualizing the origin of the binary peak and of other effects for various atomic numbersZ of the target and various projectile velocities.
Attendance and alcohol use at parties and bars in college: A National Survey of Current Drinkers

Objective: This study examines attendance and alcohol use at parties and bars among college students by gender, residence, year in school and legal drinking age. Method: The study participants were respondents in the 1997 and 1999 Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study (CAS). The combined sample consisted of 12,830 students (61% women) who reported use of alcohol in the past 30 days prior to interview. Their responses provided information on attendance and alcohol use at parties (dormitory, fraternity, off campus) and off-campus bars. Logistic regression analyses examined the influence of gender, residence, year in school and legal drinking age related to attendance, drinking/non-drinking and heavy drinking (5 or more drinks) at each select setting. Results: Consistent with the literature, fraternity/ sorority parties were occasions of heavy drinking (49%) among drinkers in those settings, yet they drew upon smaller proportions of students (36%) when compared to off-campus parties (75%) and...
SCF FBXL3 ubiquitin ligase targets cryptochromes at their cofactor pocket

The cryptochrome (CRY) flavoproteins act as blue-light receptors in plants and insects, but perform light-independent functions at the core of the mammalian circadian clock. To drive clock oscillations, mammalian CRYs associate with the Period proteins (PERs) and together inhibit the transcription of their own genes. The SCFFBXL3 ubiquitin ligase complex controls this negative feedback loop by promoting CRY ubiquitination and degradation. However, the molecular mechanisms of their interactions and the functional role of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) binding in CRYs remain poorly understood. Here we report crystal structures of mammalian CRY2 in its apo, FAD-bound and FBXL3–SKP1-complexed forms. Distinct from other cryptochromes of known structures, mammalian CRY2 binds FAD dynamically with an open cofactor pocket. Notably, the F-box protein FBXL3 captures CRY2 by simultaneously occupying its FAD-binding pocket with a conserved carboxy-terminal tail and burying its PER-binding interface. This novel F-box-protein–substrate bipartite interaction is susceptible to disruption by both FAD and PERs, suggesting a new avenue for pharmacological targeting of the complex and a multifaceted regulatory mechanism of CRY ubiquitination. Crystal structures of mammalian CRY2, one of the cryptochrome flavoproteins that have light-independent functions at the core of the circadian clock, show that it binds FAD dynamically and that the F-box protein FBXL3 captures CRY2 by occupying its FAD-binding pocket and burying its PER-binding interface. Cryptochromes are photoreceptors found in both plants and animals and are required for the function of the circadian clock. In this study, Ning Zheng and colleagues present the first crystal structure of a mammalian cryptochrome protein, CRY2, in free and bound states. The structural analysis reveals novel and unexpected features when compared to other light-sensitive cryptochromes and establishes a framework for understanding how cryptochromes function in the clock pathway. Of particular interest is the mechanism by which the mammalian F-box protein FBXL3 captures CRY2, by occupying its FAD-binding pocket with a tryptophan-bearing C-terminal tail.
Blood metabolites in the hyperammonemic pig.

SummaryThe chronological events occurring in blood after intoxicating doses of ammonium carbonate were studied using the suckling pig. Physical manifestations included vomiting, hyperventilation, hypersensitivity to sound, convulsions, and tetany followed by death in some cases. Blood glucose, dihydroxyacetone-P, pyruvate and lactate were raised indicating failure to decarboxylate pyruvate. Elevated blood ketone bodies indicated increased fat catabolism as a result. Consistent rise in blood pentose may either be due to an inhibition of the pentose phosphate pathway or an increased metabolism of glucose via this pathway to make up for reducing power lost through impairment of the TCA cycle.
Adiponectin inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α-induced vascular inflammatory response via caveolin-mediated ceramidase recruitment and activation.

Rationale:Anti-inflammatory and vascular protective actions of adiponectin are well recognized. However, many fundamental questions remain unanswered. Objective:The current study attempted to identify the adiponectin receptor subtype responsible for adiponectin’s vascular protective action and investigate the role of ceramidase activation in adiponectin anti-inflammatory signaling. Methods and Results:Adiponectin significantly reduced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α–induced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression and attenuated TNFα-induced oxidative/nitrative stress in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These anti-inflammatory actions were virtually abolished by adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1-), but not AdipoR2-, knockdown (KD). Treatment with adiponectin significantly increased neutral ceramidase (nCDase) activity (3.7-fold; P<0.01). AdipoR1-KD markedly reduced globular adiponectin–induced nCDase activation, whereas AdipoR2-KD only slightly reduced. More importantly, small interfering RNA-mediat...
Comparison of Thyroid Hormone Binding to Hepatic Nuclei of the Rat and a Teleost (Oncorhynchus kisutch)

A modified T3 binding assay was used with coho salmon liver nuclei. Purified nuclei were incubated with [125I]T3 (or [125I]T4), nonradioactive thyroid hormone, or thyroid hormone analog. Bound hormone was separated from free hormone by use of polyethylene glycol. Salmon liver nuclei specifically bound T3 with a high affinity [Ka = 1.031 ± 0.174 × 109 M-1 (mean ± SE); n = 12] which was 50% of the affinity measured with rat liver nuclei using the same assay. Salmon nuclear T3- binding capacity was 0.127 ± 0.035 pmol T3/mg DNA (n = 7). Rat liver nuclear capacity for T3 binding was 3.4-fold greater than in salmon liver nuclei. T3 binding to salmon liver nuclei was greater than to nuclei from salmon brain; T3 binding to salmon spleen nuclei was low. Binding competition studies with hormone analogs indicated that binding to the salmon nuclei was dependent on molecular structure. These data indicate that the T3 binding to salmon nuclei may be due to T3 receptor activity. Analysis of Scatchard plots showed that t...
Boron in Disguise: The Parent “Fused” BN Indole

"Fused" BN indoles are an emerging class of boron-containing indole mimics, featuring geometric structure and electophilic aromatic substitution reactivity similar to those of indoles but exhibiting distinct electronic structure, leading to unique optoelectronic properties. Herein we report the synthesis of the parent N-H BN indole and provide a head-to-head comparison of the structural features, pK(a) values, and optoelectronic properties of this hybrid organic/inorganic indole with the classic natural indole.
Regulation of interleukin-2 gene enhancer activity by the T cell accessory molecule CD28

The mechanism by which cell surface molecules regulate T cell production of lymphokines is poorly understood. Production of interleukin-2 (IL-2) can be regulated by signal transduction pathways distinct from those induced by the T cell antigen receptor. Stimulation of CD28, a molecule expressed on most human T cells, induced the formation of a protein complex that bound to a site on the IL-2 gene distinct from previously described binding sites and increased IL-2 enhancer activity fivefold. The CD28-responsive complex bound to the IL-2 gene between -164 and -154 base pairs from the transcription start site. The sequence of this element is similar to regions conserved in the 5' flanking regions of several other lymphokine genes.
Enzyme array-amperometric detection in carbohydrate analysis.

The introduction of an enzyme array-electrochemical detection method for carbohydrate analysis is demonstrated by using two complex and one high mannose N-linked oligosaccharides. Instead of measuring the remaining uncleaved oligosaccharides in enzymatic digestion, released monosaccharides are directly quantified by pulsed amperometric detection at a gold electrode. The measured monosaccharide concentrations in combination with the enzyme array analysis provide structural characterization of oligosaccharides. The enzyme array-electrochemical detection method does not require any separation procedure or any prior labeling of oligosaccharides. However, this method is limited by the use of purified oligosaccharide samples and the nature of the enzyme array. The development of more sophisticated enzyme arrays relies upon the introduction of a bank of highly specific (bond, arm, aglycon) exoglycosidases.
Field applied molecular dynamics (FMD) simulation of optical frequency doubling in a chiral molecular ensemble

Abstract Field applied molecular dynamics (FMD) simulation is used for the first time to investigate frequency doubling of laser light passing through a chiral ensemble of (S)-CHBrClF molecules. The characteristic molecular dynamics of the phenomenon are studied through second order rise transients and time correlation functions of the ensemble in the presence of intense, circularly polarised laser radiation at visible frequencies. This is achieved through the torque on each molecule generated between the real and imaginary parts of the electric hyperpolarisability and the electric field strength of the laser at order three. In principle, the method is extendable to nonlinear materials of interest in all-optical devices.
An Analysis of the Impact of Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement and Its Implications for Free Trade in South Asia

The Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement (ILFTA) which was signed in December 1998 between India and Sri Lanka has shown a promising start to trade liberalisation among SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries. This paper provides a quantitative assessment of the likely impact of the ILFTA. We perform simulations using the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) model to quantify the impact of liberlised trade between Sri Lanka and India. GTAP is a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of the world economy. Using the model simulations, the paper also examines the implications of extending the free trade agreement to other SAARC nations. Results indicate that both Sri Lanka and India will experience some welfare gains from ILFTA. The extension of such trade agreement to all SAARC nations may create significant welfare improvements in Sri Lanka.
Effects of parasitic capacitances on gallium nitride heterostructure power transistors

The parasitic capacitances of GaN have been evaluated in order to assess the impact that each capacitance has on the switching losses of GaN devices. This required developing and validating equivalent GaN HFET device models in SaberRD and implementing the models in a switching test circuit under variable parasitic capacitance conditions. The data presented here can facilitate optimizing the area and hence capacitance of GaN devices for future generation power electronics.
Integrating Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods: A Research Model†

A historical antagonism between proponents of qualitative methods and quantitative methods has prevented recognition of the benefits to be gained by employing both methods (that is, a multi-method approach) during the same study or program of studies. Increasingly, family therapy researchers have begun to recognize the value of a multi-method approach in bridging the current gaps among theory, research, and practice. However, current writings have yet to move beyond the discussion stage. This article proposes a bidirectional continuum that includes both qualitative and quantitative methods. An ethnographic content analysis approach is presented to illustrate the procedural stages of this continuum. The article ends with a discussion of the challenges in carrying out a bidirectional, multi-method approach and the potential contributions that an integrative research methodology will give both researchers and clinicians.
Serological Properties of γG and γM Antibodies to the Somatic Antigen of Vibrio cholerae During the Course of Immunization of Rabbits

Direct- and passive-agglutinating, complement-fixing, and bactericidal properties of gammaG and gammaM antibodies produced in rabbits inoculated with live Vibrio cholerae were determined at intervals over a period of 345 days. Although gammaM antibody titers increased more rapidly than gammaG during the initial stages of antibody production, the titers of gammaG and gammaM declined proportionally during a 3-month rest period and increased proportionally after a booster injection. The relative titers of gammaM as determined in the four serological procedures remained fairly constant throughout the period of observation. In contrast, early gammaG was less effective than late gammaG in vibriocidal, complement-fixing, and passive-hemagglutinating activity. At no stage of immunization was the agglutinating ability of gammaG affected by 2-mercaptoethanol, but its complement-dependent activity was markedly reduced, more so in early serum than in late. The heat lability of early gammaG approached that of gammaM, but gammaG became more resistant to heat in later stages of immunization.
Measurements of vector bosons plus jets production with the ATLAS detector at the LHC

The production of jets in association with a W or Z boson in proton-proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV is measured with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. The cross sections, differential in several kinematic variables, have been measured up to high jet multiplicities and are compared to new higher-order QCD calculations. Measurements of vector bosons in association with heavy flavor, such as W+c and W+b production, have unique sensitivity to the heavy quark density of the proton. Differential cross sections are presented and compared to QCD predictions at NLO.
35 KW ultracapacitor unit for power management of hybrid electric vehicles: bidirectional DC-DC converter design

The work presented in this paper focuses on the design of a half-bridge DC-DC converter for the power electronics interface of energy-storage units for a fuel-cell sport utility vehicle. Several design options are explored; namely: single stage vs. multiple interleaved stages, and continuous vs. discontinuous conduction mode. These design options are weighed against the design goals of minimum cost, high efficiency at low output power levels, and minimum volume and weight to allow for high integration. Special emphasis is given to the impact that the wide input voltage requirements (i.e., from 150 V to 270 V) has on the component stresses.
Comparison of nuclear, plastid, and mitochondrial phylogenies and the origin of wild octoploid strawberry species

Premise of the study Molecular phylogenies derived from all three plant genomes can provide insight into the evolutionary history of plant groups influenced by reticulation. We sought to reconstruct mitochondrial exome, chloroplast, and nuclear genome phylogenies for octoploid Fragaria and their diploid ancestors and to document patterns of incongruence between and within the cytoplasmic genomes and interpret these in the context of evolutionary origin of the octoploid strawberries. Methods Using a genome-skimming approach, we assembled chloroplast genomes and mitochondrial exomes, and we used the POLiMAPS method to assemble nuclear sequence for octoploid species and constructed phylogenies from all three genomes. We assessed incongruence between and within cytoplasmic genomes using topology-based phylogenetic incongruence tests. Key results The incongruent cytoplasmic genome phylogeny with respect to the placement of octoploids suggests potential breakage in linkage disequilibrium of cytoplasmic genomes during allopolyploid origin of the octoploids. Furthermore, a single mitochondrial chimeric gene with a putative role in cytoplasmic male sterility yields a phylogeny that is inconsistent with the rest of the mitochondrial genome but consistent with the chloroplast phylogeny, suggesting intracellular gene transfer between heteroplasmic mitochondria, possibly driven by selection to overcome the effects of mito-nuclear incompatibility in octoploid origins. Conclusions This work expands on the current understanding of evolutionary history of the octoploid ancestors of cultivated strawberry. It demonstrates phylogenetic incongruence between cytoplasmic genomes in octoploids with respect to diploid ancestors, indicating breakage in linkage disequilibrium of cytoplasmic genomes. We discuss potential organism-level processes that may have contributed to the observed incongruence in Fragaria.
Analysis of simple randomized buffer management for parallel I/O

Buffer management for a D-disk parallel I/O system is considered in the context of randomized placement of data on the disks. A simple prefetching and caching algorithm PHASE-LRU using bounded lookahead is described and analyzed. It is shown that PHASE-LRU performs an expected number of I/Os that is within a factor Θ(log D /log log D) of the number performed by an optimal off-line algorithm. In contrast, any deterministic buffer management algorithm with the same amount of lookahead must do at least Ω (√D) times the number of I/Os of the optimal.
Team-optimal closed-loop Stackelberg strategies for systems with slow and fast modest†

This paper discusses team-optimal closed-loop Stackelberg strategies for systems with slow and fast modes. It is established that the cost functions of the players in the pure slow and the full-order games have the same value in the limit as the small singular perturbation parameters tends to zero. It is shown that if the leader bases the design of his approximate strategy on the slow subsystem, while the follower bases his design on the full-order system, then the resulting solution is ill-posed. Moreover, if the fast information is incorporated in the approximate strategy of the leader, then it is shown that the singular perturbation technique of constructing approximate strategies by composing the slow and fast strategies is ill-posed and cannot be used in this problem. A new design methodology to construct approximate Stackelberg strategies by solving reduced-order problems, which have the same information structure as the full-order one, is presented. It is shown that the conditions for existenco and...
Novel flux linkage control of switched reluctance motor drives using observer and neural network-based correction methods

From the perspective of control of switched reluctance motor (SRM) drives, current control is typically used as an inner loop control method. In this paper, observer and artificial neural network (ANN)-based novel flux linkage control of SRM drives is presented and examined as an alternate approach to current control. The main advantage of flux linkage control is computational simplicity due to the insensitivity of controller gains to machine operation conditions, while current control depends on controller gains which are very sensitive to self-inductance of SRMs. Flux linkage control needs a reliable flux linkage estimator for desirable control of SRMs. Integration method to estimate flux linkage from measured phase voltages, currents and resistances is commonly used, but it is sensitive to measurement error and white noise. Another way to measure the flux linkage is to use a look-up table which is very sensitive to input currents because it is current- and position-based data. In this paper, a simple observer-based voltage and ANN-based current correction method is proposed to overcome the measurement error. Furthermore, ANNs with two layers and five neurons are applied to produce an acceptable flux linkage estimate at each corrected current and measured position, instead of a look-up table. Finally, simulation results are presented to validate its performance.
Interplay of Security and Reliability using Non-uniform Checkpoints

Real time applications such as military aircraft flight control systems and online banking are critical with respect to security and reliability. In this paper we presented a way to integrate both by considering confidentiality and integrity services for security and nonuniform checkpoint strategy for reliability. The slack exploitation interacts in subtle ways for security in regards to the placement of checkpoint. The checkpoints are placed in to the task at low frequency in the beginning because the slack available can accommodate a large amount of work at risk and the frequency is increased there after considering the slack available. The security is applied to the data in two ways. First method introduces the security for the entire data at once whereas in the second method the data is divided into n uneven sections and each section is separately secured . That is at the start of the task basic security services are considered depending on the slack available. The security is increased gradually for the rest of the task but if there exist a fault, then at that point the security is maintained at the steady rate because of the limited slack. Compared to the first method the second method can provide up to a 32.3 percent higher security. While compared to the traditional checkpoint strategy, the non-uniform check pointing makes more efficient use of slack while increasing the overall security levels by 34.4 percent for the second method.
College Executives' Perceptions of and Frequency of Use of Information Sources

information source was positively correlated with the frequency of use of that source. Women had a more positive perception of formal information sources than did men. Men and women had more positive perceptions of external sources than of internal sources. Executives in academic affairs had more positive perceptions of all information sources than did executives in business affairs. The executives' risk-taking propensity and dogmatism were inversely correlated with perceptions of all sources of information. Matheson (1979) reported that attitude toward information, position, psychological isolation, and personal traits affected public school personneI's use of information from various sources. Meile (1985) presented a model which positioned information sources on a two-dimensional continuum, formal-to-informal and internal-to-external. Meile's model, then, differentiated between formal and informal information sources and internal and external information sources. Long and Ziller (1965) reported a negative correlation between a decision-maker's dogmatism and the time required to make a decision. Taylor and Dunnette (1974) reported that decision makers having a high risk-taking propensity gathered less information. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the factors of sex, rank, responsibility, risk-taking propensity, and dogmatism affected college executives' perceptions of information sources (formal, informal, internal, external) and whether perceptions of sources affected the frequency of use of sources. A questionnaire was mailed to 155 administrators having the position of assistant vice chancellor or higher; 103 usable responses were received. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: Matheson's (1979) Attitudes Toward Information Scale (ATIS), Rokeach's (1960) Dogmatism Scale, Form E, and Kogan and Wallach's (1964) Propensity for Risk Scale. Matheson's scale uses a 4-point Likert format with high scores indicating positive attitudes. The Dogmatism Scale uses a 6-point Likert scale with high scores indicating more dogmatic personalities. The Propensity for Risk Scale uses a O to 10 format, with high scores indicating a greater propensity for risk. One-way analysis of variance showed no significant differences in
Several steps/day indicators predict changes in anthropometric outcomes: HUB City Steps

Walking for exercise remains the most frequently reported leisure-time activity, likely because it is simple, inexpensive, and easily incorporated into most people’s lifestyle. Pedometers are simple, convenient, and economical tools that can be used to quantify step-determined physical activity. Few studies have attempted to define the direct relationship between dynamic changes in pedometer-determined steps/day and changes in anthropometric and clinical outcomes. Hence, the objective of this secondary analysis was to evaluate the utility of several descriptive indicators of pedometer-determined steps/day for predicting changes in anthropometric and clinical outcomes using data from a community-based walking intervention, HUB City Steps, conducted in a southern, African American population. A secondary aim was to evaluate whether treating steps/day data for implausible values affected the ability of these data to predict intervention-induced changes in clinical and anthropometric outcomes. The data used in this secondary analysis were collected in 2010 from 269 participants in a six-month walking intervention targeting a reduction in blood pressure. Throughout the intervention, participants submitted weekly steps/day diaries based on pedometer self-monitoring. Changes (six-month minus baseline) in anthropometric (body mass index, waist circumference, percent body fat [%BF], fat mass) and clinical (blood pressure, lipids, glucose) outcomes were evaluated. Associations between steps/day indicators and changes in anthropometric and clinical outcomes were assessed using bivariate tests and multivariable linear regression analysis which controlled for demographic and baseline covariates. Significant negative bivariate associations were observed between steps/day indicators and the majority of anthropometric and clinical outcome changes (r = -0.3 to -0.2: P < 0.05). After controlling for covariates in the regression analysis, only the relationships between steps/day indicators and changes in anthropometric (not clinical) outcomes remained significant. For example, a 1,000 steps/day increase in intervention mean steps/day resulted in a 0.1% decrease in %BF. Results for the three pedometer datasets (full, truncated, and excluded) were similar and yielded few meaningful differences in interpretation of the findings. Several descriptive indicators of steps/day may be useful for predicting anthropometric outcome changes. Further, manipulating steps/day data to address implausible values has little overall effect on the ability to predict these anthropometric changes.
Preserving non-programmers' motivation with error-prevention and debugging support tools

A significant challenge in teaching programming to disadvantaged populations is preserving learners' motivation and confidence. Because programming requires such a diverse set of skills and knowledge, the first steps in learning to program can be highly error-prone, and can quickly exhaust whatever attention learners are willing to give to a programming task. Our approach to preserving learners' motivation is to design highly integrated support tools to prevent the errors they would otherwise make. In this paper, the results of a recent study on programming errors are summarized, and many novel error-preventing tools are proposed.
Early detection of voltage imbalances in three-phase induction motors

Online monitoring of induction motor health is of increased interest, as the industrial processes that depend on the motors become more complex and as performance to cost ratio of monitoring technology (e.g. sensors, microprocessors) has increased dramatically. Much efforts have been directed towards developing methods that use conventional signal processing and pattern classification techniques. This paper proposes a novel technique for early detection of stator voltage imbalances in three-phase induction motors, which is built upon the theories of wavelet transforms and symbolic time series analysis.
Deviations from mean-field behavior in disordered nanoscale superconductor normal-metal superconductor arrays

We have fabricated quasi-two-dimensional disordered arrays of nanoscale Pb grains coupled by an overlayer of Ag grains. Their temperature-dependent resistive transitions follow predictions for an array of mesoscopic superconductor\char21{}normal-metal\char21{}superconductor junctions. The decrease of their transition temperatures with Ag overlayer thickness systematically deviates from the Cooper limit theory of the proximity effect as the Pb grain size decreases. The deviations occur when the estimated number of Cooper pairs per grain is $l1$ and suggest the approach to a superconductor-to-metal transition.
Repression, Dissent, and the Onset of Civil War

The prevailing scholarly wisdom is that weak states, or resource-poor states, are the most prone to civil war. Yet many weak states never experience civil war. Why then are some weak states prone to civil war while others are not? The author offers a theory that explains how dissidents and states interact to jointly produce civil war. In sum, states that repress their citizens are the most likely to kill citizens and to generate dissident violence. This insight resolves an academic puzzle and when tested provides a model with better predictive ability than previous models.
Design and Deployment of a Satellite Constellation Using Collaborative Optimization

A study of collaborative optimization as a systematic, multivariable, multidisciplinary method for the conceptual design of satellite constellations is presented. Collaborative optimization was selected because it is well suited to a team-oriented environment, such as often found in the constellation design process. The method provides extensive and formal exploration of the multidisciplinary design space and a scalable formulation of the problem without compromising its subsystems’ flexibility or eliminating opportunities for collaboration. The feasibility and benefits of the collaborative optimization architecture are highlighted by the successful convergence of an application notional problem to design and deploy elements of a space-based infrared system that provides early missile warning. Furthermore, this study contributes to the existing knowledge of the collaborative optimization method by verifying the feasibility of nongradient optimization algorithms as both system and subsystem optimizers within the architecture. Finally, the demonstrated convergence of this problem, which involves integer variables, also demonstrates the flexibility of the architecture for handling mixed-discrete nonlinear multidisciplinary problems.
Healthcare Provider Perspectives on Fertility Preservation for Cancer Patients

For many people, cancer is the most feared health diagnosis imaginable and brings about immediate thoughts of death. Even cancer healthcare providers have been shown to exhibit a sense of hopelessness and negative attitudes toward a cancer diagnosis. Yet, overall cancer survival rates have been increasing over the past 30 years, suggesting that a diagnosis of cancer should not necessarily be associated with impending death or giving up hope of survival. Five-year cancer survival rates over the past 30 years have increased from 56 to 64% for adults and 56–75% for pediatric and adolescent cancers. As a result, there are approximately 450,000 cancer survivors in the current population between the ages of 19 and 39, and it has been estimated that by 2010, 1 in every 250 young people in the United States will be cancer survivors. Increased survival rates have caused a shift in thinking toward a more comprehensive model of cancer care. Survival and cancer treatment still take precedence, but recent focus among healthcare providers, researchers, organizations, and policy makers shows increased attention to the long-term psychosocial aspects of cancer survival.
Comparison of Effects of Cyanide and Acetylcholine on Renal Hemodynamics and Sodium Excretion

The present study compared the effects of acetylcholine to cyanide under the same experimental conditions of renal clearance in anesthetized dogs. Since cyanide is one of the few drugs for which the mechanism of action is known (cytotoxic hypoxia), some insight may be gained into the renal effects of acetylcholine since both produce direct natriuresis and diuresis. Infusion of 0.2 μg/kg/min of acetylcholine and 12.0 μg/kg/min of sodium cyanide into the left renal artery resulted in similar effects, i.e., increased fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These effects were immediate and ipsilateral. Both agents increased the renal plasma flow to the same extent. In addition, regression plots of the relation between changes in sodium excretion and changes in renal plasma flow were similar for both agents. The pattern of similar renal functional changes suggested that acetylcholine is not a mere renal vasodilator but that its action is also mediated through alterations on direct tubular transport of ions.
Characterization of nitric oxide synthase in the opossum esophagus

Abstract Background/Aims: Nitric oxide mediates the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic neural control of esophageal motor function. The purpose of this study was to characterize the NO synthase found in the muscularis propria of the opossum esophagus and determine its distribution along the esophagus. Methods: Esophageal muscle was homogenized in HEPES buffer and ultracentrifuged. The supernatant was exposed to [ 3 H]l-arginine. The [ 3 H]l-citrulline produced by NO synthase was separated from [ 3 H]l-arginine with a Dowex AG 50 W-X8 column (Biorad, Hercules, CA). Assays were performed in the presence and absence of Ca 2+ or reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). The distribution of NO synthase activity along the esophagus was determined. Results: The apparent Michaelis constant and maximum velocity of NO synthase were 7.5 ± 1.4 μmol/L l-arginine and 76.0 ± 17.3 pmol·mg protein −1 ·min −1 , respectively. The enzyme required both Ca 2+ and NADPH for activity. Smooth muscle tissue from the lower esophageal sphincter and the esophageal body 1–2 cm or 5–6 cm above the lower esophageal sphincter differed little in enzymatic activity, ranging from 0.97 to 1.27 pmol·mg wet wt −1 ·min −1 . Striated muscle had less activity with 0.40 pmol·mg wet wt −1 ·min −1 . Conclusions: These data indicate the presence of a constitutive NO synthase in the esophagus of the opossum.
Human CST Has Independent Functions during Telomere Duplex Replication and C-Strand Fill-In

Human CST (CTC1-STN1-TEN1) is an RPA-like complex that is needed for efficient replication through the telomere duplex and genome-wide replication restart after fork stalling. Here, we show that STN1/CST has a second function in telomere replication during G-overhang maturation. Analysis of overhang structure after STN1 depletion revealed normal kinetics for telomerase-mediated extension in S phase but a delay in subsequent overhang shortening. This delay resulted from a defect in C-strand fill-in. Short telomeres exhibited the fill-in defect but normal telomere duplex replication, indicating that STN1/CST functions independently in these processes. Our work also indicates that the requirement for STN1/CST in telomere duplex replication correlates with increasing telomere length and replication stress. Our results provide direct evidence that STN1/CST participates in C-strand fill-in. They also demonstrate that STN1/CST participates in two mechanistically separate steps during telomere replication and identify CST as a replication factor that solves diverse replication-associated problems.
Unconventional methods and unconventional materials for microfabrication

This talk will outline the rapid progress in soft lithography-microcontact printing, micromolding in capillaries, and transfer molding of organic polymers. These new techniques cover only a part of the range of problems in the fabrication, testing and production of microelectronic systems, but they have an immediate, broad application in a number of other areas requiring small systems from homogeneous self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) to transistors, and from molecular self-assembly to the self-assembly of macro-scale objects.
On the security of random key pre-distribution schemes

Key pre-distribution (KPD) schemes, which are inherently trade-offs between security and complexity, are perhaps well suited for securing large-scale deployments of resource constrained nodes without persistent access to a trusted authority (TA). However, the need to offset their inherent security limitations, calls for some degree of tamper-resistance of nodes. Obviously, if absolute tamper-resistance is guaranteed, KPD schemes are rendered secure. In practice, however, tamper-resistance will have some limitations, which will be exploited by attackers. In this paper, we analyze the security of deployments of random key pre-distribution schemes based on some assumptions on the "extent of tamper-resistance". We argue that a "limited extent of tamper-resistance" when used in conjunction with a mechanism for "periodic key updates", drastically improves the security of (especially random) KPD schemes.
“Too true a [wo]man”: “feminine arguments” and performative “mist” in Maria Aberg's The White Devil

The RSC's 2014 “Roaring Girls” season seemed in part designed to compensate for the RSC's past uneasiness before gender politics in the theatre. The White Devil, directed by Maria Aberg, was designed to compensate for gender imbalance. However, the usual reading of Vittoria as an affirmation of female struggles against patriarchy was downplayed and the play was staged as a feminist indictment of the objectification and brutalization of women. Vittoria became a helpless puppet, while Aberg turned the villainous Flamineo into a woman buying into patriarchy. Unfortunately, too much of the production did not support, and even undermined, Aberg's goal. To work, immaculate attention needed to be paid to the details of script and action; the text too often fought against the concept and at times suffered from inadequate re-scripting. Some powerful speeches by Flamineo were cut, and lines inappropriate for a woman left in; we were temporarily aware rather that we were watching not a woman character but a woman ac...