cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diversity and the Virtual Workplace: Performance Identity and Shifting Boundaries of Workplace Engagement

This Article explores the meaning of workplace discrimination where reality meets the imaginary world in virtual work settings. Using a more recent development in the realm of virtual work — workplace avatars — the Article considers the impact on law of virtual performance identity by workers where appearances can be altered in virtual reality. Current protected-class approaches to antidiscrimination law have not served as the antidote to workplace bias and exclusion. Thus, the Article investigates whether avatar technology holds promise for facilitating greater inclusion of marginalized workers in the contemporary workplace. Does this mode of virtual work serve as a platform for diversity or simply create more confusion regarding our fundamental understandings of discrimination? The author’s premise is that the mechanics of online identity and the social and behavioral dynamics of virtual engagement produce a new locus for bias to flourish. While the virtual workplace holds some appeal for promoting broader acceptance within organizations, the Article claims that avatar-based virtual work environments do not constitute unconditional and neutral spaces. Overall, the Article takes an optimistic stance toward immersive environments in the employment context. However, it cautions that avatars create interpersonal dynamics that are just as dangerous to notions of belonging in the contemporary workplace as their physical counterparts. The author posits that the multidimensionality of identity in this context illuminates the limitations of the categorical approach to antidiscrimination law and concludes that the avatar makes the case for intersectionality theory in workplace law.
Learning From Diversity.

Article, see p 154 Nallamothu and colleagues1 take a leap forward in their study, “How Do Resuscitation Teams at Top-Performing Hospitals for In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Succeed?:A Qualitative Study.” The article asks a life-or-death question, applies qualitative methods with sophistication, and cleverly takes advantage of naturally occurring diversity across institutions. In so doing, the authors uncover practical strategies for addressing a pressing clinical problem in affordable ways. At the end of the article, I am left with an inspiring question: What other nuggets of wisdom might we find if we were open to learning from diversity the way Nallamothu and colleagues have done? The question Nallamothu and colleagues tackle is important. Data from hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines–Resuscitation registry indicate a 3-fold difference in risk-standardized survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest,2 even as average rates improved from 13.7% in 2000 to 22.3% in 2009.3 Elevating hospitals from median to top performance in risk-standardized survival rates (median, 23.7%; top, 37.5% in the work by …
Multivalency in Biological Systems

Multivalent interactions are important in a variety of biological processes [1, 2, 3]. In these cases, a multivalent ligand can bind to one or a number of receptors with enhanced functional affinity (the apparent affinity)[2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. In addition, a multivalent ligand can promote receptor clustering, which can lead to signal transduction. A multivalent ligand is composed of a scaffold or backbone to which a particular number (valency) of identical or non-identical epitopes are attached. Many protein-carbohydrate interactions, including those involved in processes such as viral entry, cell surface adhesion, and host-pathogen interactions utilize a multivalent display of epitopes for binding. Other important multivalent interactions involve protein-protein interactions, for example, those that mediate the formation of the immune synapse at the T cell-B cell junction [10].
Studies toward the total synthesis of angelmicin B (hibarimicin B): synthesis of a model CD-D' arylnaphthoquinone.

A synthesis of arylnaphthoquinone 22 corresponding to the CD−D‘ unit of angelmicin B via the Suzuki coupling of the D‘ arylboronic acid 15 with the CD bromonaphthoquinone 21 is described. The mild conditions for the Suzuki cross-coupling leading to 22 may prove to be useful for the eventual late-stage coupling of the two highly functionalized halves of angelmicin B.
Differentiating Preschool Children with Conduct Problems and Callous-Unemotional Behaviors through Emotion Regulation and Executive Functioning.

Callous-unemotional (CU) traits are important characteristics for identifying severe patterns of conduct problems (CP). The current study focused on (a) identifying subgroups of young children disp...
Motile Cilia: Innovation and Insight From Ciliate Model Organisms

Ciliates are a powerful model organism for the study of basal bodies and motile cilia. These single-celled protists contain hundreds of cilia organized in an array making them an ideal system for both light and electron microscopy studies. Isolation and subsequent proteomic analysis of both cilia and basal bodies have been carried out to great success in ciliates. These studies reveal that ciliates share remarkable protein conservation with metazoans and have identified a number of essential basal body/ciliary proteins. Ciliates also boast a genetic and molecular toolbox that allows for facile manipulation of ciliary genes. Reverse genetics studies in ciliates have expanded our understanding of how cilia are positioned within an array, assembled, stabilized, and function at a molecular level. The advantages of cilia number coupled with a robust genetic and molecular toolbox have established ciliates as an ideal system for motile cilia and basal body research and prove a promising system for future research.
The influence of frequency and duration of seismic ground motion on the size of triggered landslides—A regional view

Abstract Observation, theory, and intuition all suggest that larger earthquakes should trigger larger landslides. Many factors could contribute to this, including depth-dependent shear strength or non-linearity of ground motion in soils and rock, but we hypothesize that the key characteristics of large earthquakes causing this phenomenon are (in addition to magnitude) the frequency and duration of the strong ground motion. Because of the paucity of site-specific data for detailed analysis, we take a regional approach to this question by analyzing strong-motion records and earthquake-induced landslide (EQIL) inventories from six well-documented earthquakes. Ground motion is characterized using earthquake magnitude and the median durations and frequencies (mean periods) of subsets of strong-motion records relevant to landslide triggering. EQIL inventories are characterized using the median landslide area of the entire inventory as well as the median areas of the largest 1% of the landslides and the largest 10 landslides. We then compare ground-motion characteristics with landslide size statistics to determine possible correlations. Comparisons of all earthquake- and landslide-size statistics show strong positive correlations between landslide size and (1) magnitude, (2) ground-motion duration, and (3) mean period. Although all the ground-motion measures yield highly correlated regressions, mean period appears to be the best overall predictor of landslide size. Landslide modeling using Newmark's sliding-block method also shows that longer mean periods and durations and larger magnitudes correlate strongly with increases in modeled displacements. These results support our hypothesis that increasing period and duration of seismic ground motion are the physical factors driving increased landslide sizes for larger earthquakes. Additional studies including data from a much larger set of earthquakes is needed to confirm the results of this initial study.
Pet Medications: A Tail of Caution.

Purpose:A case report of pet medications appearing along with the patient’s medications (pet owner) in the external medication history list of the electronic medical record (EMR).Case Presentation:...
Insurgent Imaginations: World Literature and the Periphery

This book argues that contemporary world literature is defined by peripheral internationalism. Over the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, a range of aesthetic forms beyond the metropolitan West - fiction, memoir, cinema, theater - came to resist cultural nationalism and promote the struggles of subaltern groups. Peripheral internationalism pitted intellectuals and writers not only against the ex-imperial West, but also against their burgeoning national elites. In a sense, these writers marginalized the West and placed the non-Western peripheries in a new center. Through a grounded yet sweeping survey of Bengali, English, and other texts, the book connects India to the Soviet Union, China, Vietnam, Latin America, and the United States. Chapters focus on Rabindranath Tagore, M. N. Roy, Mrinal Sen, Mahasweta Devi, Arundhati Roy, and Aravind Adiga. Unlike the Anglo-American emphasis on a post-national globalization, Insurgent Imaginations argues for humanism and revolutionary internationalism as the determinate bases of world literature.
Deletion or inhibition of SphK1 mitigates fulminant hepatic failure by suppressing TNFα-dependent inflammation and apoptosis

Acute liver failure (ALF) causes severe liver dysfunction that can lead to multi-organ failure and death. Previous studies suggest that sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1) protects against hepatocyte injury, yet not much is still known about its involvement in ALF. This study examines the role of SphK1 in D-galactosamine (GalN)/lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALF, which is a well-established experimental mouse model that mimics the fulminant hepatitis. Here we report that deletion of SphK1, but not SphK2, dramatically decreased GalN/LPS-induced liver damage, hepatic apoptosis, serum alanine aminotransferase levels, and mortality rate compared to wild-type mice. Whereas GalN/LPS treatment-induced hepatic activation of NF-κB and JNK in wild-type and SphK2-/- mice, these signaling pathways were reduced in SphK1-/- mice. Moreover, repression of ALF in SphK1-/- mice correlated with decreased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFα. Adoptive transfer experiments indicated that SphK1 in bone marrow-derived infiltrating immune cells but not in host liver-resident cells, contribute to the development of ALF. Interestingly, LPS-induced TNFα production was drastically suppressed in SphK1-deleted macrophages, whereas IL-10 expression was markedly enhanced, suggesting a switch to the anti-inflammatory phenotype. Finally, treatment with a specific SphK1 inhibitor ameliorated inflammation and protected mice from ALF. Our findings suggest that SphK1 regulates TNFα secretion from macrophages and inhibition or deletion of SphK1 mitigated ALF. Thus, a potent inhibitor of SphK1 could potentially be a therapeutic agent for fulminant hepatitis.
The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Food Supply in the Emergency Food System: A Case Study at 2 Food Pantries.

Background: The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic increased demand for emergency food assistance and has caused operational shifts in the emergency food system. Objective: This research explored how the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the food supply of 2 food pantries. Methods: A case study approach was applied to collect data during the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food supply data were collected weekly at 2 food pantries in southwest Montana for 17 wk in 2020. Surveys and interviews were conducted with food pantry clients and staff, respectively. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were applied to analyze quantitative data. Food supply data were analyzed using the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015, NOVA system, and Unprocessed Pantry Project (UP3) Framework. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Results: The food boxes collected between the 2 food pantries (n = 43) had a mean (± SD) total HEI-2015 score of 76.41 ± 7.37 out of a possible score of 100. According to both the NOVA and the UP3 Framework, 23.4% of the total food distributed was ultra-processed food. Of the food distributed, 50.0% and 48.3% was fresh, unprocessed food according to NOVA and UP3 Frameworks, respectively. From staff interviews, 3 themes arose that describe the food pantry operations that experienced change during the COVID-19 pandemic, including food procurement, distribution preparation, and food distribution. Nine supporting subthemes describing the causes and consequences of the operational themes were identified. Staff perceived that the nutrient quality of the food boxes increased from food distributed previously to the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas over one-third (39.4%) of food pantry clients who responded to surveys preferred the food box model. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused enormous operational challenges within food pantries. Food pantries overcame these challenges by swiftly and effectively altering operations so as to continue to distribute nutritious food boxes to pantry clients.
Cooling-Off and Secondary Markets: Consumer Choice in the Digital Domain

This article studies the law and economics of cooling-off periods and secondary markets for online media. The discussion is fueled by a current debate: In July 2009, the online retail juggernaut, Amazon.com, remotely deleted literary classics from consumers’ portable “Kindle” reading devices. The public outcry and classaction lawsuit that followed have reinvigorated an ongoing debate about how much control digital media distributors should wield. Pundits and plaintiffs argue that too often, digital distributors like Amazon impair consumer freedom by misusing Digital Rights Management (DRM) software systems. However, these same systems could also provide significant benefits that have largely gone ignored. This article argues that, with the help of DRM, lawmakers could provide for cooling-off periods and nurture secondary markets for downloaded media that would benefit consumers, copyright holders, and digital distributors. © 2010 Virginia Journal of Law & Technology Association, at http://www.vjolt.net. † Mr. Mattioli received his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and practices law in the Intellectual Property group of Ropes & Gray LLP. The author expresses his deep thanks to Gideon Parchomovsky and Dr. Hal Ersner-Hershfield for their helpful comments and guidance. The author also thanks his parents, Elaine and Eli, for their support. The opinions expressed in this working paper are the author’s own, and do not reflect those of his employer. Please direct all comments to michaelmattioli@alumni.upenn.edu. More information is available at www.michaelmattioli.org.
Trainee and Faculty Perceptions of Remote PACS Workstations and Next Steps in a Large US Academic Medical Institution

ABSTRACT Remote workstations were rapidly deployed in our academic radiology practice in late March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although well received by faculty, there were concerns for the impact on resident education. Surveys of the radiology trainees and faculty were conducted seven- and thirteen-months following workstation deployment as a part of a quality improvement project to assess the impact on radiology education and faculty wellness, as well as assess the desired trajectory of remote work in an academic setting. The majority of trainees (52%) reported the implementation had negatively impacted resident education, greatest among lower level residents (p Greater than 75% of radiologists with remote workstations reported improved wellness and lower stress levels compared to the onsite radiologists. The majority of all respondents voted to continue or expand remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic in both surveys. Onsite teaching is important for the education of residents, particularly for lower level residents. However, the adoption of a hybrid model in an academic setting may prove beneficial for faculty wellness and recruitment of the next generation.
Slip and wear at a corner with Coulomb friction and an interfacial strength

Abstract Traditional analyses of slip at corners of contacts, based on linear elasticity and a Coulomb friction law, are very sensitive to the details of local geometries, owing to the effects of elastic singularities. Following the use of cohesive-zone models to address such issues in mode-II fracture, we present analyses of slip and wear at corners of contacts when a finite interfacial shear strength is incorporated with a Coulomb friction law. We show that the concept of an instantaneous cohesive-length scale, borrowed from the field of fracture mechanics, can be used to describe the nature of stress fields around corners, and defines when linear-elasticity and Coulomb friction can provide an accurate description of the interfacial behavior. We also show that the sensitivity of slip analyses to geometrical details decreases when the cohesive-length scale increases. We also show that the cohesive strength of an interface plays a crucial role in the propagation of a wear scar across an interface. If only Coulomb slip is assumed to occur, a wear scar may not progress beyond the original stick-slip boundary. If a finite interfacial shear strength is introduced into the analysis, the wear scar can propagate along the interface.
Distance Education in Computer Science

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools defines distance education (DE) as a “formal educational process in which most of course instruction (51% or more of instruction and interaction among students and faculty, as measured by contact hours) occurs when students and instructors are not in the same location. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous, including mixed delivery formats”. Distance education extends access to students who trade off the ability to participate in a traditional classroom setting against time saved by not commuting to class. DE is especially appealing to students who need a long time to travel to class, whether that is because of long distances in sparsely settled areas or because of traffic congestion in densely urban areas. Because of their high familiarity with computers and the fact that most information in the disciplines already exists in automated form, students in computer science and computer engineering find themselves among the “early adopters” of DE. The technologies and methods involved are broadly applicable, so they form an interesting application study in these disciplines as well as an important emerging mode of technical education. Keywords: synchronous distance education; asynchronous distance education; blended; delivery; learning management system
Experimental study of cusp injected electron beam

Critical parameters were measured for the axis-encircling electron beam of a cusptron, a high-power microwave tube for several different magnetic field profiles. The tube utilizes the negative mass instability (NMI) of the beam either in a circular or multivane circuit. Thus, microwave radiation can be produced at the fundamental or high harmonics of the electron cyclotron frequency. If the beam orbit does not coincide with the peak wave amplitude, the NMI is damped. The off-centering stems mainly from a nonideal magnetic field. A series of experiments was set up to measure the beam envelope radius and velocity ratio as a function of axial distance for several unique magnetic field profiles. Each field profile maximized one of the off-centering sources from which measurements were taken. Thus, insight to the magnitude of off-centering and spread in axial velocity for each source led to a final field profile set up to reduce the undesirable effects of off-centering. >
A Psychometric Evaluation of the Facial Action Coding System for Assessing Spontaneous Expression

The Facial Action Coding System (FACS) (Ekman & Friesen, 1978) is a comprehensive and widely used method of objectively describing facial activity. Little is known, however, about inter-observer reliability in coding the occurrence, intensity, and timing of individual FACS action units. The present study evaluated the reliability of these measures. Observational data came from three independent laboratory studies designed to elicit a wide range of spontaneous expressions of emotion. Emotion challenges included olfactory stimulation, social stress, and cues related to nicotine craving. Facial behavior was video-recorded and independently scored by two FACS-certified coders. Overall, we found good to excellent reliability for the occurrence, intensity, and timing of individual action units and for corre- sponding measures of more global emotion-specified combinations.
The Salmonella effector AvrA mediates bacterial intracellular survival during infection in vivo.

Summary The enteric pathogen Salmonella typhimurium secretes the preformed AvrA effector protein into host cells. This acetyltransferase has been shown to modulate mammalian intestinal immune and survival responses by inhibition of JNK MAPK. To study the role of this effector in natural enteric infection, we used a mouse model to compare wild-type S. typhimurium to an isogenic AvrA null Salmonella mutant. Salmonella lacking AvrA induced increased intestinal inflammation, more intense systemic cytokine responses, and increased apoptosis in epithelial cells. Increased apoptosis was also observed in extra epithelial macrophages. AvrA null-infected mice consistently showed higher bacterial burden within mucosal lymphoid tissues, spleen and liver by 5 days post infection, which indicated a more severe clinical course. To study the molecular mechanisms involved, recombinant adenoviruses expressing AvrA or mutant AvrA proteins were constructed, which showed appropriate expression and mediated the expected inhibition of JNK signalling. Cultured epithelial cells and macrophages transduced with AvrA expressing adenovirus were protected from apoptosis induced by exogenous stimuli. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that Salmonella AvrA modulates survival of infected macrophages likely via JNK suppression, and prevents macrophage death and rapid bacterial dissemination. AvrA suppression of apoptosis in infected macrophages may allow for establishment of a stable intracellular niche typical of intracellular pathogens.
A Secure Subliminal Channel (

At Crypto’83, the present author showed that a transmitter and chosen receiver(s) -- by secretly exchanging some side information -- could pervert an authentication without secrecy channel to allow them to convert a portion of the authentication information to a hidden (covert) communications channel [1]. It was also shown that under quite reasonable conditions even the detecticn of the existence of this Covert channel could be made as difficult as the underlying authentication algorithm was “cryptosecure”. In view of this open -- but indetectable -- existence, such a covert channel was called a “sublininal” channel. The examples constructed in [1] were more in the nature of existence proofs than of practical subliminal communications channels. At Eurocrypt’84 [2], however, it was shown how to use digital signature schemes as a way of realizing practical subliminal channels and, in particular, subliminal channels were devised using Ong and Schnorr’s quadratic approximation scheme [3], Ong, Schnorr and Shamir’s quadratic representation schemes [4] and Ong. Schnorr and Shamir’s cubic signature scheme [5] as Well as Carnal’s discrete logarithm-based digital signature scheme [6]. Unfortunately, from the standpoint of providing a secure (and feasible) subliminal channel, all Of these digital signature schemes were cryptanalyzed [7],[8] shortly after being proposed. At Crypto’84, a fourth variant to the earlier digital signature schemes of Ong, Schnorr and Shamir was presented by Schnorr [9] which was also quickly cryptanalyzed [10]. At the 1985 IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy, Okamoto and Shiraishi proposed yet another digital signature scheme based on quadratic inequalities [11] which had been designed to avoid the cryptanalytic weaknesses that hed flawed the schemes of Schnorr, et al. The cryptanalysis of this scheme by Erickell and DeLaurentis is reported elsewhere in these Proceedings [12]. In view of the short-lived nature Of all of these schemes, it has become a high risk venture to propose subliminal channels based on digital signatures. The motivation for going so is that digital Signatures can be much easier to calculate and verify tnan full-fledged two-key ciphers. As a result, the benefits (of a successful implementation) far outweigh the risks of perhaps having an insecure digital sianature (or subliminal) channel slip by undetected. Based on the cumulative experience gained in cryptanalyzing the six digital signature schemes mentioned above, Brickell and DeLaurentis propose a new scheme in their paper that appears to avoid the weaknesses exploited in the earlier cryptanalyses.
Touched with fire : manic-depressive illness and the artistic temperament

The anguished and volatile intensity associated with the artistic temperament was once thought to be a symptom of genius or eccentricity peculiar to artists, writers and musicians. Kay Jamison's work, based on her study as a clinical psychologist and researcher in mood disorders, reveals that many artists subject to exalted highs and despairing lows were in fact engaged in a struggle with clinically identifiable manic-depressive illness. Jamison presents proof of the biological foundations of this disease and applies what is known about the illness to the lives and works of some of the world's greatest artists including Byron, Van Gogh, Schumann and Woolf.
Effect of Cobalt Particle Size on Acetone Steam Reforming

Carbon-supported cobalt nanoparticles with different particle sizes were synthesized and characterized by complementary characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, N-2 sorption, acetone temperature-programmed desorption, transmission electron microscopy, and CO chemisorption. Using acetone steam reforming reaction as a probe reaction, we revealed a volcano-shape curve of the intrinsic activity (turnover frequency of acetone) and the CO2 selectivity as a function of the cobalt particle size with the highest activity and selectivity observed at a particle size of approximately 12.8nm. Our results indicate that the overall performance of acetone steam reforming is related to a combination of particle-size-dependent acetone decomposition, water dissociation, and the oxidation state of the cobalt nanoparticles.
The discrete Frenkel-Kontorova model and its extensions: I. Exact results for the ground-states

Abstract We present a rigorous study of the classical ground-states under boundary conditions of a class of one-dimensional models generalizing the discrete Frenkel-Kontorova model. The extremalization equations of the energy of these models turn out to define area preserving twist maps which exhibits periodic, quasi-periodic and chaotic orbits. For all boundary conditions, we select among all the extremum solutions of the energy of the model, those which correspond to the ground-states of the infinite system. We prove that these ground-states are either periodic (commensurate) or quasi-periodic (incommensurate) but are never chaotic. We also prove the existence of elementary discommensurations which are minimum energy configuration of the model for certain special boundary conditions. The topological structure of the whole set of ground-states is described in details. In addition to physical applications, consequences for twist map homeomorphisms are mentioned. Part II (S. Aubry, P.Y. LeDaeron and G. Andre) will be mostly devoted to exact results on the transition by breaking of analyticity which occurs on the incommensurate ground states when the model parameters vary and on its connection with the stochasticity threshold in the corresponding twist map.
Introduction Tutorial on Resolution

Automated theorem proving involves the programming of computers to perform logical (mathematical) deduction. This should not be confused with numerical calculation, in which operations that need to be performed can be exactly specified ahead of time as, for example, in Gaussian elimination. Rather, theorem provers search for proofs of statements given axioms describing the basic assumptions such as would occur in a modern algebra text on group theory. There are many theorem-proving programs that are based on ad hoc data representations and manipulations;many such techniques are derived by the programmer analyzing how he himself proves theorems. However, the most widely studied and best understood general method is based on the resolution principle for first-order logic of Robinson [9]. Indeed, all the papers in this issue have resolution as a starting point.
Molecular cloning and expression of biotin sulfoxide reductase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides forma sp. denitrificans.

Abstract Biotin sulfoxide reductase catalyzes the conversion of d -biotin d -sulfoxide (BSO) to d -biotin. Oligonucleotides directed against common sequences in Escherichia coli biotin sulfoxide reductase and in Rhodobacter sphaereides f.sp. denitrificans dimethyl sulfoxide reductase have been utilized to amplify by PCR a 651-bp fragment from R. sphaeroides total genomic DNA that showed a high degree of sequence similarity with both E. coli biotin sulfoxide reductase and R. sphaeroides dimethyl sulfoxide reductase. Screening of a genomic cosmid library, prepared from R. sphaeroides genomic DNA, with this probe resulted in the isolation of a 7-kb Eco RI- Eco RI fragment that contained the complete coding region for R. sphaereides BSO reductase which has been sequenced, The sequence data indicated a single open reading frame of 2231 nucleotides encoding a protein of 744 amino acid residues corresponding to a subunit molecular weight of 80,234 Da. The translated protein sequence contained the prokaryotic Mo-pterin signatures 2 and 3 (Mo-cofactor binding motifs) and a ATP/GTP-binding P-loop, The R. sphaeroides BSO reductase sequence showed 51% sequence similarity with the corresponding E. coli enzyme. In addition, there were only two conserved cysteines between the two BSO reductase sequences. The R. sphaeroides gene was demonstrated, by complementation, to rescue a mutant E. coli strain that was deficient in BSO reductase when grown on BSO as the sole source of biotin, When expressed from the FLAG*Shift 12c expression vector, in the presence of IPTG, the BSO reductase gene encoded a protein of approximately 80 kDa, which cross-reacted with the anti-FLAG: monoclonal antibody and exhibited BSO reductase activity by the disk microbiological assay.
Analysis of Antibiotics in Milk using Open Tubular Capillary Electrochromatography

Abstract The analysis of five antibiotics (ampicillin, tetracycline, oxytetracycline, chlorotetracyline, and erythromycin) in milk by open tubular capillary electrochromatography is evaluated. The separation medium is an etched capillary chemically modified with the liquid crystal 4‐cyano‐4′‐n‐pentoxy‐1‐1′‐biphenyl. A simple sample preparation method is used to produce a milk serum with a relatively small number of components and then the antibiotics are analyzed electrophoretically in this matrix. The effects of pH and addition of organic modifier to the mobile phase are also evaluated.
The chemisorption of oxygen on Cu(110) studied by EELS and LEED

Abstract The chemisorption of oxygen on Cu(110) has been studied with electron energy loss vibrational spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction. Depending on crystal temperatures during oxygen exposure and subsequent heat treatments, (1 × 1), c(6 × 2), and (2 × 1) LEED patterns are obtained. However, in all cases and independent of exposure, a single vibrational energy was observed at 49 meV for 16 O and at 46 meV for 18 O. This invariance of energy suggests a shielded site location in or beneath the surface in support of the result of a recent ion scattering study. The (2 × 1) structure is shown to form in islands at less than saturation coverage on the basis of observed vibrational intensities.
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF A PROTOZOAN PARASITE TARGET ANTIGEN RECOGNIZED BY NONSPECIFIC CYTOTOXIC CELLS

The target cell antigen(s) on tumor cells and on protozoan parasites recognized by NK and nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) has not yet been specifically identified. NCC may be the teleost equivalent of NK cells and IL-2-activated NK cells. A ligand recognized by NCC has been identified. It is expressed on both protozoan parasites and mammalian tumor target cells. In the present study, a protozoan parasite antigen (NK target antigen/NKTag/p46) was purified fromTetrahymena pyriformisand the entire amino acid sequence was deduced from cDNA. Soluble and purified NKTag inhibited NCC lysis of human and mouse transformed target cells. Homology comparisons using Swissprot database revealed that NKTag is a novel protein. Molecular weight computation of the deduced sequence demonstrated that NKTag is a 48.17-kDa protein containing 422 amino acids with relatively high percentages of tyrosine and serine residues. Expression of NKTag on various mammalian tumor target cells, normal tissue, andT. pyriformiswas determined using anti-multiple antigenic peptide (MAP) monoclonal antibody (mab) 22A12 [generated against an N-terminal 20-mer (aa 61–80) of p46]. This mab bound to tissue-cultured and tumor cells (YAC-1, IM-9, NC-37, MOLT-4, and U937) with low levels of binding to fish, mouse, and equine cells. Studies were also done to determine if purified and iodinated NKTag bound specifically to NCC. Binding was saturable and specific. These data provide evidence that NCC recognize a target cell ligand which is found on both protozoan and tumor cells. This may provide an explanation as to how NCC (including activated NK cells) recognize a vast array of targets in the absence of haplotype recognition and in spite of a diverse species of origin.
Late Triassic depositional environments and molluscan associations from west-central Nevada

Abstract The sequence of lithofacies and faunal associations described from the Upper Norian Gabbs Formation in Nevada formed in response to the general Late Triassic regression. This fauna, because of its position at the Triassic—Jurassic boundary, should reflect the Late Triassic mass extinction event. However, the within-habitat species diversity of these five bivalve—ammonite associations is comparable to that of ecologically similar Mesozoic deposit- and suspension-feeding associations. The peculiar absence of gastropods is correlated with an abundance of small heteromorph ammonites suggesting a possible causal relationship.
Spectroscopic and ultrasonic studies on the hydrogen bonded complexes of aromatic aldehydes with phenol in hexane medium

Abstract The molecular interactions have been studied in the ternary systems of phenol with three structurally different aromatic aldehydes, viz., benzaldehyde, cinnamaldehyde and salicylaldehyde in n-hexane medium, through the behavior of measured ultrasonic velocity ‘u’, density ‘ρ’, dynamic viscosity ‘η’ and the calculated acoustic parameters at 303.15 K and at atmospheric pressure. Excess thermo acoustic parameters reveal the existence of hydrogen bonded complexes between aldehydes and phenol. The variation of the excess parameters both in sign and magnitude within the range of concentration investigated is also discussed in terms of structural aspect and functional groups of the components involved. The existence of solute interactions is also confirmed through electronic absorption spectra with Benesi–Hildebrand theory at 303.15 K. The formation constants of the donor and acceptor complexes determined both by spectroscopic and ultrasonic methods are comparable and follow similar trend. The trend in the formation constants is discussed based on structures of the component molecules in terms of field effects.
Plasmonics-based SERS nanobiosensor for homogeneous nucleic acid detection.

Abstract Developing a simple and efficient nucleic acid detection technology is essential for clinical diagnostics. Here, we describe a new conceptually simple and selective “turn on” plasmonics-based nanobiosensor, which integrates non-enzymatic DNA strand-displacement hybridization for specific nucleic acid target identification with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) detection. This SERS nanobiosensor is a target label-free, and rapid nanoparticle-based biosensing system using a homogeneous assay format that offers a simple and efficient tool for nucleic acid diagnostics. Our results showed that the nanobiosensor provided a limit of detection of ~ 0.1 nM (200 amol) in the current bioassay system, and exhibited high specificity for single nucleotide mismatch discrimination. From the Clinical Editor Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is a sensitive technique that enhances Raman scattering by molecules adsorbed on rough metal surfaces. The enhancement means that the technique may even detect single molecules. In this article, the authors describe a simple and efficient nucleic acid detection technology using SERS, with "OFF-to-ON" signal switch upon nucleic acid target identification and capture, which provides high sensitivity and specificity for single nucleotide mismatch discrimination. This new technology will be most welcomed in clinical diagnostics.
Perceived Aspects of Home Environment and Home Modifications by Older People Living in Rural Areas

This study investigated the relationships between the “perceived aspects” of current home environment of elderly people living in rural areas and their home modification behavior. To investigate this perception, home satisfaction, perception of home capability, and home safety were used as perceived aspects of the home. Data were collected by a questionnaire. The response rate was 43.1%, with 317 eligible questionnaires. The results from this study indicate that there was no significant difference in perceived aspects of home environment between those who modified their homes and those who did not. Regardless of their current home conditions, most elderly respondents (75%) showed high home satisfaction. Results from this study suggest that a modified home environment does not necessarily contribute to an older person's perception of perceived aspects of their home environment.
Topaz II Nuclear Powered SAR Satellite

Abstract : The AA4871 Spacecraft Design course is the capstone class for the M.S. in Astronautics at the Naval Postgraduate School. The design team integrated a Topaz II nuclear power system with an EOS Synthetic Aperture Radar to design a low Earth orbit, three axis stabilized satellite flying in a gravity gradient stable orientation. The SAR is a high resolution, electronically steerable, Earth science data collector for glaciology, hydrology, vegetation oceanography and geology which penetrates clouds, foliage and shallow soil layers. The antenna modules provide global, regional, and local high resolution mapping. Tradeoffs were analyzed to optimize coverage, satisfy nuclear safety issues, and to satisfy defined revisit and resolution requirements. The design emphasized use of qualified and readily available components and subsystems. The satellite features a cylindrical monocoque aluminium structure, and a sun synchronous orbit simplifying thermal control design. It has a momentum bias attitude control system with momentum wheels and thrusters. The antenna has microstrip radiating elements on a honeycomb metal and composite structure and is articulated with respect to the spacecraft via an electric gimbal motor. Existing satellite control and data processing and distribution facilities and an existing launch vehicle and launch site limit cost and technical risk.
The Cebpa +37‐kb enhancer directs transgene expression to myeloid progenitors and to long‐term hematopoietic stem cells

C/EBPα is expressed preferentially in myeloid compared with lymphoid or erythroid cells and directs myeloid lineage specification. C/EBPα is also expressed at lower levels in HSCs and in several nonhematopoietic tissues. The Cebpa gene has a conserved, 450-bp segment at +37 kb that harbors enhancer-specific epigenetic marks and is activate in a myeloid cell line. Herein, we characterize transgenic C57BL/6 mice, in which the Cebpa enhancer and 845-bp promoter regulate a hCD4 reporter. FACS analysis, in vitro colony assays, and in vivo competitive and secondary transplantation revealed that myeloid but not MEPs or lymphoid progenitors and also functional LT-HSCs are found almost exclusively in the Cebpa-hCD4+ compared with hCD4− marrow population. hCD4+ CMP yielded predominantly myeloid, whereas hCD4− CMP generated mainly Meg/E colonies. Providing insight into control of CMP maturation, Cebpa and Pu.1 RNAs were preferentially expressed in hCD4+ CMP, Scl, Gata2, Gata1, Klf1, Ets1, and Fli1 predominated in hCD4− CMP, and Runx1, Myb, HoxA9, and Erg levels were similar in both. Cebpa-hCD4 transgene expression was lacking in multiple nonhematopoietic tissues. In summary, the +37-kb Cebpa enhancer and promoter are sufficient for marrow myeloid progenitor and LT-HSC-specific expression.
The condition of Vandermonde-like matrices involving orthogonal polynomials☆

The condition number (relative to the Frobenius norm) of the n X n matrix p” = [Pi-ltxj)lY,j-l is investigated, where p,( .) = p,( .; dX) are orthogonal polynomials with respect to some weight distribution dX, and xi are pairwise distinct real numbers. If the nodes x j are the zeros of p,, , the condition number is either expressed, or estimated from below and above, in terms of the Christoffel numbers for dh, depending on whether the p, are normalized or not. For arbitrary real xi and normalized p, a lower bound of the condition number is obtained in terms of the Christoffel function evaluated at the nodes. Numerical results are given for minimizing the condition number as a function of the nodes for selected classical distributions dX.
Strain-compensated AlAs-InGaAs quantum-cascade lasers with emission wavelength 3-5 μm

A design strategy for short wavelength (3μm ≤ λ ≤ 5μm) quantum-cascade lasers (QCLs) on InP substrates is discussed and the performance of these lasers evaluated. The QCLs are based on strain-compensated AlAs-In 0.73 Ga 0.27 As heterostructures grown using gas-source molecular-beam epitaxy on InP substrates. Both composite barriers based on AlAs-In 0.55 Al 0.45 As and composite wells based on In 0.73 Ga 0.27 As-In 0.55 Al 0.45 As are used to achieve laser emission at wavelengths as short as 3.05 μm by avoiding leakage from the upper laser state into either the higher-lying miniband or into indirect states within the heterostructure.
Ribosomes from spores of Bacillus cereus T.

Data from analytical ultracentrifuge studies suggest that polymers of ribosomes exist in dormant spores of Bacillus cereus T.
Food restriction, gonadotropins, and behavior in the lactating rat

Abstract This study sought to quantify effects of undernutrition on behaviors and to relate these to gonadotropin and prolactin concentrations in the lactating dam. Dams were studied in a 2 × 3 factorial design with litter size and food intake as the two factors. Behavioral data were collected from each dam and her litter on day 9, day 14, and day 19 of lactation, and maternal blood samples collected. Plasma was analyzed for luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and prolactin. On day 15 of lactation, percent time nursing, number of pups actively nursing, total number of pups nursing and dam location acted as mediating factors of the effect of diet group on plasma luteinizing hormone concentration. No such relationships were seen for plasma follicle stimulating hormone, and only nest condition score appeared to be a mediator for plasma prolactin concentration. In conclusion, this analysis suggests that food restriction indirectly influences plasma concentration of luteinizing hormone, but not follicle stimulating hormone, by changing maternal and pup behaviors. The relationship among diet, behavior and circulating prolactin was less clear.
The treatment of minimum wage in undergraduate economics textbooks revisited

The discussion about how economics is taught in undergraduate courses is becoming more topical and professors have recently been accused of preaching free-market fundamentalism. In this paper, I review the coverage of the minimum wage in Principles of Economics textbooks to determine whether the aforementioned criticism of free-market fundamentalism applies. Staying within the contours of neoclassical paradigm I propose some examples to present new implications of the minimum wage that are rarely discussed in current textbooks. I provide a richer framework that highlights the effect of the minimum wage in a more nuanced way and discuss the consequences of the minimum wage laws that reach beyond the basic supply-demand diagram. Hopefully, this more comprehensive treatment of the minimum wage topic also helps students develop critical thinking and put to rest criticism that professors teach economics in undergraduate courses as a settled science. In addition, this paper can serve as a blueprint for economics instructors on how to teach the topic of minimum wage laws in their own classes.
Unruptured Noncoronary Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm: Preoperative Characterization by Transesophageal Echocardiography

We describe a patient with a large unruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm that was discovered incidentally. Transesophageal echocardiography was used to characterize the aneurysm preoperatively, and was helpful intraoperatively in assessment of the degree of native aortic valvular regurgitation after repair. The use of transthoracic echocardiography, contrast echocardiography, Doppler echocardiography, and transesophageal echocardiography are discussed in this condition.
Reexploring the Connection Between Terror Management Theory and Dissonance Theory

Building upon suggestive earlier findings, the present study sought to test more informatively the notion that reminders of mortality can intensify efforts at dissonance reduction. Toward this end, an induced-compliance experiment was conducted in which participants were given high versus low choice to write a counterattitudinal statement regarding a boring topic under conditions of either mortality salience (MS) or uncertainty salience (control). It was predicted that although dissonance reduction (via attitude change) would be provoked in the control group, MS would significantly exacerbate this effect. These predictions were borne out empirically. The findings, obtained using the historically preeminent paradigm for assessing dissonance reduction, provide firm support for the notion that MS amplifies concerns with cognitive consistency.
The verbal label: Mediator or classifier?☆

Abstract Three experiments on the role of verbal labels and perceptual cues in concept attainment are reported. S s were kindergarten and second-grade upper-middle-class children. The results indicated that when S s learned to associate two labels (or two perceptual cues) with each stimulus no positive transfer resulted, despite the fact that one of the labels (or cues) was relevant to solution. When one label only (or one perceptual cue) was associated with each stimulus, substantial positive transfer was observed. The effects of verbal labeling and perceptual cuing were identical. On the basis of these finding the authors reject the hypothesis that labels give rise to representational responses which act as mediators, and instead propose a new hypothesis, that labels and perceptual cues facilitate performance because they facilitate the division of the stimulus set into subsets which are correlated with the response systems the subjects are expected to learn.