cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of dust samples from the Middle East using high-density resequencing micro-array RPM-TEI

A previously developed resequencing microarray, "Tropical and Emerging Infections (RPM-TEI v.1.0 chip)", designed to identify and discriminate between tropical diseases and other potential biothreat agents, their near-neighbor species, and/or potential confounders, was used to characterize the microbes present in the silt/clay fraction of surface soils and airborne dust collected from the Middle East. Local populations and U.S. military personnel deployed to the Middle East are regularly subjected to high levels of airborne desert dust containing a significant fraction of inhalable particles and some portion require clinical aid. Not all of the clinical symptoms can be directly attributed to the physical action of material in the human respiratory tract. To better understand the potential health effects of the airborne dust, the composition of the microbial communities associated with surface soil and/or airborne dust (air filter) samples from 19 different sites in Iraq and Kuwait was identified using RPM-TEI v.1.0. Results indicated that several microorganisms including a class of rapidly growing Mycobacterium, Bacillus, Brucella, Clostridium and Coxiella burnetti , were present in the samples. The presence of these organisms in the surface soils and the inhalable fraction of airborne dust analyzed may pose a human health risk and warrants further investigation. Better understanding of the factors influencing the composition of these microbial communities is important to address questions related to human health and is critical to achieving Force Health Protection for the Warfighter operating in the Middle East, Afghanistan, North Africa and other arid regions.
Spatially distinct atrophy is linked to β-amyloid and tau in preclinical Alzheimer disease

Objectives: To determine whether an MRI-based Alzheimer disease (AD) signature biomarker can detect tau-related neurodegeneration in preclinical AD, and to assess whether AD signature cortical thinning is associated with cognitive changes in cognitively normal (CN) older individuals. Methods: In a large cohort of CN individuals (n = 188), we measured the hippocampal volume and cortical thickness within independently defined AD signature regions. We cross-sectionally assessed the associations between AD signature cortical thinning or hippocampal atrophy with CSF biomarkers of tau (increased tau) and β-amyloid (Aβ) (decreased Aβ42). We also examined the impact of AD signature cortical thinning or other biomarker changes (i.e., hippocampal atrophy, reduced CSF Aβ42, or increased CSF tau) on cognitive performance in CN individuals. Results: Elevated CSF tau was associated with AD signature cortical thinning but not hippocampal atrophy. In contrast, decreased CSF Aβ42 was associated with hippocampal loss but not AD signature cortical thinning. In addition, AD signature cortical thinning was associated with lower visuospatial performance. Reduced CSF Aβ42 was related to poorer performance on episodic memory. Conclusions: Spatially distinct neurodegeneration is associated with Aβ and tau pathology in preclinical AD. Aβ deposition and AD signature cortical atrophy independently affect cognition in CN older individuals.
A Behavior-Genetic Study of Parenting Quality, Infant Attachment Security, and Their Covariation in a Nationally Representative Sample

A number of relatively small-sample, genetically sensitive studies of infant attachment security have been published in the past several years that challenge the view that all psychological phenotypes are heritable and that environmental influences on child development--to the extent that they can be detected--serve to make siblings dissimilar. Using the twin subsample (N = 485 same-sex pairs) of the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort, the authors provide evidence that parenting quality and infant attachment security observed at 24 months, as well as their covariation, are a product of shared and nonshared environmental (but not genetic) variation among children. In contrast, genetic differences between infants played a prominent role in explaining observations of temperamental dependency.
The radiative capture of fast protons by medium-mass nuclei

Abstract High-energy photon spectra were obtained with moderate resolution for a number of neighboring nuclei: 56Fe, 59Co, 58Ni, 60Ni, 61Ni, 63Cu and 64Zn in bombardments with protons (8 to 22 MeV). The shapes, magnitudes and energy dependence of the observed spectra are found to be consistent in most of their essential features with the implications of the semidirect model for fast nucleon capture.
Copper resistance in Pseudomonas syringae mediated by periplasmic and outer membrane proteins.

Abstract Copper-resistant strains of Pseudomonas syringae pathovar tomato accumulate copper and develop blue colonies on copper-containing media. Three of the protein products of the copper-resistance operon (cop) were characterized to provide an understanding of the copper-resistance mechanism and its relationship to copper accumulation. The Cop proteins, CopA (72 kDa), CopB (39 kDa), and CopC (12 kDa), were produced only under copper induction. CopA and CopC were periplasmic proteins and CopB was an outer membrane protein. Leader peptide sequences of CopA, CopB, and CopC were confirmed by amino-terminal peptide sequencing. CopA, CopB, and CopC were purified from strain PT23.2, and their copper contents were determined. One molecule of CopA bound 10.9 +/- 1.2 atoms of copper and one molecule of CopC bound 0.6 +/- 0.1 atom of copper. The Cop proteins apparently mediate sequestration of copper outside of the cytoplasm as a copper-resistance mechanism.
Influence of environmental moisture on TRMM-derived tropical cyclone precipitation over land and ocean

[1] The rainfall climatology and persistence model (R-CLIPER) used operationally in the Atlantic Ocean basin mainly utilizes tropical cyclone (TC) intensity to predict TC rainfall. However, the rain production by TCs is also influenced by environmental parameters such as total moisture availability, horizontal moisture convergence, vertical wind shear, and sea surface temperature (SST). Previous TC case studies have used environmental moisture parameters to diagnose TC rainfall. In this study, we composite over 3000 snapshots of 3-hourly TRMM 3B42 rainfall fields for Atlantic landfalling tropical cyclones between 1998–2006 to analyze the rainfall distribution and storm total volumetric rain as a function of total precipitable water (TPW), horizontal moisture convergence (HMC), and ocean surface flux (OSF) over land and over ocean. For over ocean conditions, higher TPW, HMC, or OSF values are associated with higher azimuthally averaged rain rates. Over land, this is still the case but less obvious. Computing the linear correlation coefficients between total volumetric rain and moisture parameters shows this fact much more clearly. These coefficients are generally higher for over ocean conditions than those for over land conditions. To test if moisture parameters can provide additional information other than TC intensity to help TC rainfall forecasts, a multiple linear regression is performed between TC volumetric rain and several variables including TC maximum wind speed, TPW, HMC, and OSF. By adding moisture parameters as additional variables, TC volumetric rain will be better predicted than using TC intensity (maximum wind speed) only. The correlation coefficient between volumetric rain and maximum wind speed can increase from 0.52 (0.51) to 0.67 (0.65) for over ocean (land) conditions by adding TPW, HMC and OSF. By adding TPW only, the correlation coefficient increases to 0.59 and 0.64 for over ocean and land, respectively.
Modeling, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and Mutation Validation for Structure of Cannabinoid Receptor 2 Based on Known Crystal Structures of GPCRs

The cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) plays an important role in the immune system. Although a few of GPCRs crystallographic structures have been reported, it is still challenging to obtain functional transmembrane proteins and high resolution X-ray crystal structures, such as for the CB2 receptor. In the present work, we used 10 reported crystal structures of GPCRs which had high sequence identities with CB2 to construct homology-based comparative CB2 models. We applied these 10 models to perform a prescreen by using a training set consisting of 20 CB2 active compounds and 980 compounds randomly selected from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) database. We then utilized the known 170 cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) or CB2 selective compounds for further validation. Based on the docking results, we selected one CB2 model (constructed by β1AR) that was most consistent with the known experimental data, revealing that the defined binding pocket in our CB2 model was well-correlated with the training and testing data studies. Importantly, we identified a potential allosteric binding pocket adjacent to the orthosteric ligand-binding site, which is similar to the reported allosteric pocket for sodium ion Na(+) in the A2AAR and the δ-opioid receptor. Our studies in correlation of our data with others suggested that sodium may reduce the binding affinities of endogenous agonists or its analogs to CB2. We performed a series of docking studies to compare the important residues in the binding pockets of CB2 with CB1, including antagonist, agonist, and our CB2 neutral compound (neutral antagonist) XIE35-1001. Then, we carried out 50 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for the CB2 docked with SR144528 and CP55940, respectively. We found that the conformational changes of CB2 upon antagonist/agonist binding were congruent with recent reports of those for other GPCRs. Based on these results, we further examined one known residue, Val113(3.32), and predicted two new residues, Phe183 in ECL2 and Phe281(7.35), that were important for SR144528 and CP55940 binding to CB2. We then performed site-directed mutation experimental study for these residues and validated the predictions by radiometric binding affinity assay.
New mutational trends in the HA protein of 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus from May 2010 to February 2011

As we enter the year of 2011, the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza virus is in the news again. At least 20 people have died of this virus in China since the beginning of 2011 and it is now the predominant flu strain in the country. Although this novel virus was quite stable during its run in the flu season of 2009-2010, a genetic variant of this virus was found in Singapore in early 2010, and then in Australia and New Zealand during their 2010 winter influenza season. Several critical mutations in the HA protein of this variant were uncovered in the strains collected from January 2010 to April 2010. Moreover, a structural homology model of HA from the A/Brisbane/10/2010(H1N1) strain was made based on the structure of A/California/04/2009 (H1N1). The purpose of this study was to investigate mutations in the HA protein of 2009 H1N1 from sequence data collected worldwide from May 2010 to February 2011. A fundamental problem in bioinformatics and biology is to find the similar gene sequences for a given gene sequence of interest. Here we proposed the inverse problem, i.e., finding the exemplars from a group of related gene sequences. With a clustering algorithm affinity propagation, six exemplars of the HA sequences were identified to represent six clusters. One of the clusters contained strain A/Brisbane/12/2010(H1N1) that only differed from A/Brisbane/10/2010 in the HA sequence at position 449. Based on the sequence identity of the six exemplars, nine mutations in HA were located that could be used to distinguish these six clusters. Finally, we discovered the change of correlation patterns for the HA and NA of 2009 H1N1 as a result of the HA receptor binding specificity switch, revealing the balanced interplay between these two surface proteins of the virus.
Effects of aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors on the ex vivo sensitivity of murine late spleen colony-forming cells (day-12 CFU-S) and hematopoietic repopulating cells to mafosfamide (ASTA Z 7557)

The effects of inhibitors of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity on the sensitivity of murine pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells to oxazaphosphorine anticancer agents, e.g. mafosfamide, were examined using two different assay procedures. In the first part of the investigation, the ex vivo sensitivity of murine day-12 spleen colony-forming cells (CFU-S) to mafosfamide was determined in the absence and presence of known inhibitors of aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, viz. diethyldithiocarbamate and cyanamide. These results were compared to those generated for day-8 CFU-S. Day-12 CFU-S were less sensitive to mafosfamide, and to phosphoramide mustard, although the difference in sensitivity to the latter was less marked. Diethyldithiocarbamate and cyanamide each potentiated the cytotoxic action of mafosfamide toward both day-12 and day-8 CFU-S; they did not potentiate the cytotoxic action of phosphoramide mustard toward these cells. Since cellular aldehyde dehydrogenases are known to catalyze the oxidation of 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide/aldophosphamide, the major transport form of mafosfamide, to the relatively nontoxic acid, carboxyphosphamide, the results suggest that intracellular aldehyde dehydrogenase activity is a determinant of the sensitivity of day-12 CFU-S, as well as of day-8 CFU-S, to mafosfamide and other oxazaphosphorines, e.g. cyclophosphamide. In the second part of this investigation, a murine syngeneic bone marrow transplantation model was used to determine the ex vivo sensitivity of murine hematopoietic repopulating cells to mafosfamide in the absence and presence of diethyldithiocarbamate. Specifically, the ability of treated marrow grafts to repopulate the hematopoietic system, and thereby save recipients from the otherwise lethal effect of total body irradiation, was determined. Diethyldithiocarbamate potentiated the cytotoxic action of mafosfamide, but not that of phosphoramide mustard, toward hematopoietic repopulating cells. These observations support our previous contention that aldehyde dehydrogenase activity is an operative determinant with regard to the sensitivity of murine pluripotent hematopoietic stem cells to oxazaphosphorines.
The influence of water quality variables on cyanobacterial blooms and phytoplankton community composition in a shallow temperate lake

Cyanobacterial blooms and their detrimental effects on water quality have become a worldwide prob- lem. Vancouver Lake, a tidally influenced shallow tem- perate freshwater lake in Washington state, U.S.A., ex- hibits annual summer cyanobacterial blooms that are of concern to local resource managers. Our objectives were to describe changes in phytoplankton community compo- sition in Vancouver Lake over seasonal, annual, and in- terannual time scales, and to identify strong water quality predictors of phytoplankton community structure, with an emphasis on cyanobacterial blooms, from 2007 through 2010. Cluster analysis, indicator species analysis, and non-metric multidimensional scaling were used to identify significantly different phytoplankton community group- ings and to determine which environmental factors influ- enced community changes. From 2007 through 2009, depletion of NO3-NfollowedbyelevatedPO4-P concen- tration was associated with increased biomass and dura- tion of each cyanobacterial bloom. Time-lag analysis suggested that NO3-N availability contributed to interan- nual changes within the summer phytoplankton commu- nity. Specifically, in summer 2010, a distinct cyanobacteria community was not present, potentially due to increased NO3-N and decreased PO4- Pa nd NH4-N availability. Our study provides a comprehensive assessment of species-level responses to water quality variables in a shallow non-stratifying temperate lake, con- tributes to a better understanding of phytoplankton dy- namics, and may aid in predicting and managing cyanobacterial blooms.
Über Desoxycorticosteronazetat-di-salicoylhydrazon

Uber die Darstellung und Eigenschaften einer neuen Verbindung zwischen Desoxycorticosteronazetat und Salicylsaurehydrazid wird berichtet. Diese stellt ein wirksames Therapeutikum fur die Behandlung von Krankheiten dar, die durch hormonale Storungen verursacht werden.
Automatization and Basic Fact Performance of Normal and Learning Disabled Children

The relationship between automatization ability, as measured by the Rapid Automatic Naming Test (RAN), and proficiency in arithmetic basic fact computation was investigated. Subjects included 120 learning disabled and 120 nondisabled children between 8 and 13 years of age; 60 subjects in each group were designated as either younger or older. Significant correlations were obtained between RAN performance and basic fact proficiency for both the learning disabled and nondisabled groups. In addition, learning disabled subjects were found to be less proficient in basic fact computation and slower on RAN than their nondisabled peers at both younger and older age levels. Correlations were substantial enough to further inquire whether LD youngsters' lack of proficient basic fact skills may be due, in part at least, to weak automatization. The construct of automatization, or automaticity, has applicability to academic skills beyond those previously investigated.
Emergence of metallic properties in alkali-rich alkali-halide clusters

We have used photoelectron spectroscopy to study alkali-rich sodium iodide and cesium chloride clusters in order to determine how their composition affects their electronic properties. Spectral features of (Na I${)}_{\mathrm{n}}$${\mathrm{Na}}_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ (m\ensuremath{\geqslant}2) are remarkably similar to those of isolated metal clusters ${\mathrm{Na}}_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ for all sizes of n that we investigated. This result suggests that the clusters are comprised of phase separated metallic and ionic components. In contrast, photoelectron spectra of (CsCl${)}_{\mathrm{n}}$${\mathrm{Cs}}_{\mathrm{m}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ clusters are unlike those of pure metal clusters, suggesting that the excess metal atoms are mixed into the ionic portion of the cluster. Such mixing may make it possible for these cesium chloride clusters to exhibit the finite system equivalent of a metal-insulator transition.
A Novel Scheme in Thermal Modeling of Printed Circuit Boards

This paper presents a simple yet novel analytical approach to model the heat conduction in a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) by taking advantage of the large thermal conductivity contrast between the copper and glass-epoxy layers. The model provides a compact expression for the effective thermal resistance of a PCB and captures an approximate 2-dimensional temperature distribution within the PCB copper layer using simple one-dimensional fin equations in successive copper-glass epoxy layers. The results for effective thermal resistance and temperature distributions in copper layers agree within ±10% of those predicted using finite element (FEM) simulations. The present approach can significantly improve the system level thermal modeling and design of single and multi-component PCBs.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Detection of explosives as negative ions directly from surfaces using a miniature mass spectrometer.

A miniature mass spectrometer was modified by incorporating a conversion dynode detector system and the appropriate electronics to allow the detection of negatively charged ions. The system was fitted with a discontinuous atmospheric pressure interface to allow external ionization by desorption electrospray ionization (DESI). It was used to identify the explosives 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl-N-methylnitramine (Tetryl), and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX) present in trace amounts on surfaces (500 pg/cm2 to 1 μg/cm2) both individually and as components of mixtures. Detection of explosives was demonstrated in the presence of an interfering matrix. A large surface (5 cm ×15 cm) on which 1 μg/cm2 samples of TNT, Tetryl, and HMX had been spotted randomly was interrogated in 22 s in the full scan mode, and signals characteristic of each of the explosives were observed in the DESI mass spectrum.
Skeletal and automatic inhibition from low-frequency electrical stimulation of the cat's brain.

Abstract Results obtained from low-frequency stimulation at the head of the caudate nucleus and at parts of the frontal cortex of the cat indicate that these two structures are part of a common inhibitory system for both skeletal and autonomic responses. The inhibition of autonomic activity in the cat immobilized by flaxedil suggests that this inhibitory system may have a direct influence on autonomic centers in the brain.
Safety of acute calcium antagonist withdrawal: Studies in patients with unstable angina withdrawn from nifedipine

The acute effects of nifedipine withdrawal were studied in 81 patients with angina at rest who had completed a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial of nifedipine versus placebo. Thirty-nine of the 81 patients (group 1) were withdrawn from nifedipine or placebo at the time of coronary artery bypass surgery for uncontrolled angina or left main coronary artery disease. When the patients withdrawn from nifedipine were compared with those withdrawn from placebo, no significant differences were seen in the incidence of hypotension, myocardial infarction, significant arrhythmias or vasopressor or vasodilator requirements during the perioperative period. Forty-two patients (group 2) completed 2 years on a protocol consisting of nitrates and propranolol, in addition to nifedipine or placebo. These patients were hospitalized for a controlled withdrawal of the study drug (nifedipine or placebo), and no significant difference was noted in either exercise performance on serial treadmill testing or the number or duration of episodes of ischemic ST-segment changes during continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. Eight patients continued to experience occasional episodes of angina at rest. Angina at rest recurred during the withdrawal period in 5 of these 8 patients. Four of these 5 patients were withdrawn from nifedipine. Of the 34 stable patients in group 2 who were not experiencing angina at rest before withdrawal, none had angina at rest during the withdrawal study period. Thus, there were no early untoward effects of acute nifedipine withdrawal either in patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery or in stable patients on long-term medical therapy. However, patients with persistent symptoms of angina at rest may experience early recurrent ischemia upon withdrawal from nifedipine.
Deceleration of an Unbalanced Rotor Through a Critical Speed

The problem of a single-degree-of-freedom rotor decelerating slowly through its critica speed is solved by an energy approach; a closed solution is obtained. A small discontinuous downward jump of rotor speed across the critical speed is shown to be required, either with or without damping in the system. The maximum increment of deflection, hence bending stress, in the rotor shaft is shown to be small, provided the rotor is carefully balanced and/or the system is sufficiently damped.
Acoustic interrogation of soil and possible remote detection of shallow buried inclusions

Here we address the problem of remotely interrogating the shallow subsurface of soil using low power mechanical energy transmission and sensing the subsequent backscattering from the soil bed to find small buried objects at very shallow depths (~ 15 cm or less). The effort is geared towards the development of better technologies for the remote detection and imaging of buried land mines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other undesirable objects. We present our studies against the backdrop of what is known in this field today. Our ongoing work is briefly summarized with an outline of the underlying physics of acoustic backscattering from shallow buried objects and of how such backscattering can be inexpensively and remotely detected and interpreted for possible use in automated mine clearance operations.
Acidosis, oxygen, and interference with mitochondrial permeability transition pore formation in the early minutes of reperfusion are critical to postconditioning's success.

Repetitive cycles of reflow/reocclusion in the initial 2 min following release of a prolonged coronary occlusion, i.e., ischemic postconditioning (IPoC), salvages ischemic myocardium. We have proposed that the intermittent ischemia prevents formation of mitochondrial permeability transition pores (MPTP) by maintaining an acidic myocardial pH for several minutes until survival kinases can be activated. To determine other requisites of IPoC, isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 30 min of regional myocardial ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion. Infarct size was determined by staining with triphenyltetrazolium chloride. During the first 2 min of reperfusion the perfusate was either at pH 7.4 following equilibration with 95% O2/5% CO2, pH 6.9 following equilibration with 80% N2/20% CO2, or pH 7.8 following equilibration with 100% O2. Whereas acidic, oxygenated perfusate for the first 2 min of reperfusion was cardioprotective, protection was lost when acidic perfusate was hypoxic. However, the acidic, hypoxic hearts could be rescued by addition of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, to the perfusate. Therefore, both low pH and restoration of oxygenation are necessary for protection, and the signaling step requiring combined oxygen and H+ must be upstream of PKC. To gain further insight into the mechanism of IPoC, the latter was effected with 6 cycles of 10-s reperfusion/10-s reocclusion. Its protective effect was abrogated by either making the oxygenated perfusate alkaline during the reperfusion phases or making the reperfusion buffer hypoxic. Presumably the repeated coronary occlusions during IPoC keep myocardial pH low while the resupply of oxygen during the intermittent reperfusion provides fuel for the redox signaling that acts to prevent MPTP formation even after restoration of normal myocardial pH. Hearts treated simultaneously with IPoC and alkaline perfusate could not be rescued by addition to the perfusate of either PMA or SB216763 which inhibits GSK-3β, the putative last cytoplasmic signaling step in the signal transduction cascade leading to MPTP inhibition. Yet cyclosporin A which also inhibits MPTP formation does rescue hearts made alkaline during IPoC. In view of prior studies in which the ROS scavenger N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine aborts IPoC’s protection, our data reveal that IPoC’s reperfusion periods are needed to support redox signaling rather than improve metabolism. The low pH, on the other hand, is equally necessary and seems to suppress MPTP directly rather than through upstream signaling.
Accounting Conservatism and Managerial Incentives

There are two sources of agency costs under moral hazard: (1) distortions in incentive contracts and (2) implementation of suboptimal decisions. In the accounting literature, the relation between conservative accounting and agency costs of type (1) has received considerable attention (cf. Watts 2002). However, little appears to be known about the effects of accounting conservatism on agency costs of type (2) or trade-offs between agency costs of types (1) and (2). The purpose of this study is to examine this void. In a principal-agent setting in which the principal motivates the agent to expend effort using accounting earnings, this study shows that accounting earnings become more useful for reducing agency costs of type (2) when measured conservatively than when measured aggressively. Combined with the result in Kwon et al. (2001) that agency costs of type (1) decrease with accounting conservatism, this analysis suggests that conservative accounting enhances the incentive value of accounting signals with...
Depth conversion: A comparison of methods

The seismic time expression of structures in the Gippsland Basin are severely distorted due to Miocene channelling. Studies in the Kingfish?Gurnard area show that the linear velocity function method offers significant advantages over traditional depth conversion processes and allows the separation of regional velocity trends from both the lateral or raypath-induced residual fields.
An Analysis of the Current Status of Special Education Research and Journal Outlets

The present article characterizes the quality of research and journal outlets in the field of special education. Randomly selected data based and nondata based articles (reviews of literature) on exceptional children from special education and nonspecial education related journals were compared on a number of criteria. In addition, these journals were ranked in terms of research sophistication, prestige, and citations of articles of their review board members. A few distinctions in favor of articles published in nonspecial education compared to those in special education related journals were found. The majority of data based and review of literature articles were lacking in research sophistication. Journals for which the articles were sampled varied extensively in terms of quality, prestige, and scientific recognition of review board members. Some general implications related to special education research are provided.
MODERN LIBERALISM AND PRIDE An Augustinian Perspective

In “Toward an Augustinian Liberalism,” Paul Weithman argues that modern liberal institutions should be concerned with the political vice of pride as a threat to the neutral, legitimate use of public power that liberalism demands. By directing our attention to pride, Weithman attempts to provide an incentive to and foundation for an Augustinian liberalism that can counteract this threat. While Weithman is right to point to the centrality of pride in understanding the modern liberal tradition, an investigation of the early modern reflections on pride in politics reveals a deeper tension between Augustine and modern liberalism than Weithman's analysis acknowledges. This essay discusses this tension by focusing on Hobbes's account of pride and equality in the commonwealth, asking whether Hobbes can be understood as a thinker in the Augustinian political tradition. In order to provide a background on pride as a political vice, this essay contrasts Aristotelian magnanimity with Augustinian humility. Finally, Aquinas's attempt to reintroduce magnanimity into the Augustinian political tradition is considered as a more consistent development of Augustine's thought, thereby revealing more pointedly the tension between Augustine and modern liberalism. By way of conclusion, the possibility of deflating this tension is briefly addressed by considering Jean Bethke Elshtain's discussion of an Augustinian liberalism that does not rely upon a “secular” conception of human nature.
Research and Relationships

This chapter provides the structure of a Community of Learners using a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning framework.
Two-loop soft anomalous dimensions for single top quark associated production with a W- or H-

I present results for the two-loop soft anomalous dimensions for associated production of a single top quark with a W boson or a charged Higgs boson. The calculation uses expressions for the massive cusp anomalous dimension, which are presented in different forms, and it allows soft-gluon resummation at next-to-next-to-leading-logarithm (NNLL) accuracy. From the NNLL resummed cross section I derive approximate NNLO cross sections for bg{yields}tW{sup -} and bg{yields}tH{sup -} at LHC energies of 7, 10, and 14 TeV.
Cascaded polarizing beamsplitter cubes in imaging systems

Linear polarization rotation tilt is a form of polarization aberration present in polarizing beamsplitter cubes when they are used in imaging systems. It is caused by the rotation of the polarizing axis (defined by the plane of incidence at the beamsplitting interface) for off-axis angles of incidence. This aberration is inherent to the geometry of the cube and is unavoidable, causing beam-routing errors and undesirable losses. In systems that use two or more polarizing beamsplitter cubes in succession, the cubes can be oriented to either minimize or maximize the loss, where the maximum loss is five times the minimum loss. This polarization aberration is described and a way to minimize beam-routing errors associated with this aberration in a 4-F optical system is demonstrated.
The Role Of The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy In Young Adolescents' Responsiveness To A Substance Use Prevention Program.

This research examined whether naturally-occurring self-fulfilling prophecies influenced adolescents’ responsiveness to a substance use prevention program. The authors addressed this issue with a unique methodological approach that was designed to enhance the internal validity of research on naturally-occurring self-fulfilling prophecies by experimentally controlling for prediction without influence. Participants were 321 families who were assigned to an adolescent substance use prevention program that either did or did not systematically involve parents. Results showed that parents’ perceptions about the value of involving parents in adolescent substance use prevention predicted adolescents’ alcohol use more strongly among families assigned to the prevention program that systematically involved parents than to the one that did not. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
Serum Supplementation Modulates the Effects of Dibutyltin on Human Natural Killer Cell Function

Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes capable of killing tumor cells, virally infected cells and antibody-coated cells. Dibutyltin (DBT) dichloride is an organotin used as a stabilizer in polyvinylchloride (PVC) plastics and as a deworming product in poultry. DBT may leach from PVC water supply pipes and therefore poses a potential risk to human health. We previously reported diminished NK cells lysis of tumor cells following exposure to DBT in serum-free cell culture medium. However, under in vivo conditions, circulating cells will be exposed to DBT in the presence of 100% plasma; thus we investigated whether serum supplementation and incubation time modulates DBT effects on NK cell killing and the accumulation of DBT in freshly isolated NK cells, to determine whether a serum-free model accurately predicts possible effects of DBT on human NK cells under in vivo conditions. Lytic function was decreased by approximately 35% at an intracellular DBT (DBTi) concentration of 200μM and nearly complete loss of lytic function was observed at DBTi above 300μM for one h. However, an intracellular concentration of 50μM DBT, achieved over 24 h of exposure in 50% serum, reduced lytic function by 50%. Thus, conditions that reflect prolonged contact with circulating DBT, in the presence of serum, suggest that NK cell activity is decreased at lower DBTi. These data indicate that the model is useful in predicting potential human effects of relatively low DBTi concentrations.
Building opportunities in the US for PV (PV:bonus) a progress report

Five contract teams are developing photovoltaic (PV) products that will have a significant impact on building-integrated PV systems. The product lines that these teams are pursuing include roofing materials, building facade materials, PV integrated into modular homes, AC-PV modules, and utility-dispatchable PV systems. The objective of these efforts is to develop product and market opportunities that can provide for the introduction of PV into the buildings market sector at higher allowable installed systems costs than conventional ground- or roof-mounted systems. Each of the teams has a unique approach, and synergistic opportunities among teams are beginning to emerge. This paper reviews the product and market development efforts of these teams and describes the links between the product efforts and parallel analytical work to develop PV as a demand-side management option.
Bandwidth Guaranteed Multi-Path Routing as a Service over a Virtual Network

Network virtualization provides the feasibility of running multiple architectures on a shared physical infrastructure. Within a virtual network, customized routing protocol can be implemented and deployed in the programmable router. This paper presents the design and evaluation of a service prototype over a virtual network, which provides bandwidth guaranteed multi-path routing with a bandwidth allocation algorithm. The basic idea of our design is that certain route computation could be provided as a service, and not be integrated as a part of the infrastructure. The service chiefly consists of a bandwidth guaranteed multi-path routing mechanism and a bandwidth allocation algorithm. Our simulation experiments show a massive increase in throughput with low loss tolerance and resource utilization compared with the conventional routing protocol OSPF.
Amperometry and Cyclic Voltammetry of Tyrosine and Tryptophan-Containing Oligopeptides at Carbon Fiber Microelectrodes Applied to Single Cell Analysis

The amperometric and cyclic voltammetric detection of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), β-endorphin, and corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide (CLIP), all proopiocortin (POC) derived peptides secreted from melanocytes of the pituitary intermediate lobe, at carbon fiber microelectrodes was investigated. For amperometry, it was found that all of these peptides could be detected; however, fouling of the electrodes reduced the response of the electrode after successive application of the peptide in flow injection experiments. The fouling was apparently due to oxidation of tyrosine in the peptides as similar results were found for tyrosine but not tryptophan. The effect of fouling could be reversed if the electrode was electrochemically treated by scanning from −1.0 V to +1.0 V at 300 V/s for 2 min between application of the peptides. Using cyclic voltammtery at 800 V/s, it was possible to distinguish MSH, which had a peak shaped voltammogram, from the other POC peptides, which had relatively flat voltammetric waves at this scan rate. The scan rate dependence of the peak current for MSH revealed that the voltammetry was adsorption controlled. As a result, in a monitoring application, where voltammograms are continuously obtained with a fixed interval between them, decreasing the interval increases the temporal resolution but decreases the sensitivity for MSH. It was found that when monitoring the current in the potential range of 0.90 to 1.00 V, the temporal response to MSH was dependent upon the potential window used for scanning. Using high scan rates and a potential window 0 to 1.2 V, it was possible to monitor exocytosis from single melanocytes and use the voltammogram to demonstrate detection of MSH from the cells.
Estimating Determinants of Passenger Air Service to Small Markets

The determinants of passenger air service to smaller US metropolitan areas and cities are examined with a data-set across almost 250 markets without federal Essential Air Service. Using a variety of regression techniques applicable to limited dependent variables, both the existence and the likelihood of air service as well as the intensity of service are investigated. The results indicate that market size, the proximity of a hub airport (of any size), the proximity of any airport offering passenger service and the close proximity of a resort or major military installation are influential in determining the existence and intensity of service. Estimates of marginal effects are derived and anomalous cases are examined.
Microwave sintering of ceramics, composites and metal powders

Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of microwave sintering of ceramics, metals and composites including some of the latest developments in the field. The chapter first introduces microwave heating and how it is different from conventional sintering. The chapter then discusses the results of microwave sintering of some important ceramics, composites and metals such as alumina, zirconia, electroceramics, transparent ceramics, high-temperature ceramic eutectics, metal–ceramic composites, and finally metal powders and carbon nano tubes. The chapter also discusses some proposed mechanisms of explaining the microwave–matter interactions.
What Explains Variation in Title Charges? A Study of Five Large Markets

Title insurance and settlement costs represent a substantial proportion of real estate closing costs paid by consumers and add significantly to the cost of purchasing a home. This study uses data on mortgages in counties covering five major metropolitan real estate markets to estimate the extent of variation in title charges faced by consumers and the factors associated with those charges. The analyses address the following research questions:How much do title charges vary? What factors are associated with variation in total title charges and components of title charges? How much variation in these charges remains unexplained after controlling for a series of factors commonly thought to influence title charges?
Central injection of physostigmine attenuates exercise-induced pressor response in conscious cats

The effects of intracerebroventricular administration of physostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, on the cardiovascular responses evoked by static voluntary exercise were investigated using conscious cats. Four cats were trained to press a bar (200-650 g) with one forelimb for at least 20 s. The changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and developed force during the first five trials in 30 min by each individual cat were averaged, and a mean of the four values was then calculated. After the cats exercised for 30 min, either artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or physostigmine (5 micrograms) was administered intracerebroventricularly. Before physostigmine, exercise trials by the cats increased MAP and HR by 17 +/- 3 mmHg and 42 +/- 4 beats/min, respectively. Administration of physostigmine did not alter the resting MAP and HR but attenuated the MAP and HR responses to exercise (5-30 min postphysostigmine: MAP = 8 +/- 3 mmHg, HR = 25 +/- 7 beats/min; 30-60 min postphysostigmine: MAP = 4 +/- 3 mmHg, HR = 19 +/- 8 beats/min). Intracerebroventricular administration of CSF had no effect on the cardiovascular responses to static exercise. Pretreatment with the muscarinic antagonist, atropine (25 micrograms icv), blocked the attenuating effects of subsequent intracerebroventricular administration of physostigmine. These results demonstrate that stimulation of central muscarinic receptors attenuates the cardiovascular responses to static exercise by conscious cats. In addition, the present study suggests that there is no tonic effect of central muscarinic receptors on the cardiovascular responses to voluntary exercise.
CLINICAL EFFECT OF SYOSEIRYUTO IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN CHILDREN

Twenty-six patients with asthma were treated with Syoseiryuto for three months or longer. In 66.7% of the cases, it was determined to be useful.In order to be useful for the treatment of asthma, using more than 0.15mg/kg of body weight of Syoseiryuto is recommended. Cases appropriate for Syoseiryuto were considered to have an atopic history with high serum IgE levels and a tendency toward nasal trouble. On the other hand, those for Saibokuto were considered to have a tendency toward infection-induced asthma, hyperactivity, sweating and fatigue, and abdominal pain and cold. The importance of selection of cases for the indication of these drugs is suggested. It is suggested also that proper selection of cases for these drugs will render them more effective.
Comparison of Jet Fuels by Measurements of Density and Speed of Sound of a Flightline JP-8†

The density of a flightline jet fuel (JP-8) was measured with two vibrating-tube densimeters. The combined range of the data is from 270 to 470 K with pressures of 40 MPa. The speed of sound in the fuel was measured with a propagation time method at ambient pressure from 278.15 to 343.15 K. The density and speed of sound results at ambient pressure were combined to obtain the adiabatic compressibility. A correlation is reported that represents the temperature and pressure dependence of the experimental data within their estimated uncertainties and can be extrapolated meaningfully beyond the pressure range of the data. The data from this jet fuel are compared to those of four previously measured jet fuels to examine the differences in their densities and speeds of sound.
Taking it to the Streets: Engaged Research in Political Science

You cannot go back to every place you have ever been. But you can return to some. For social science researchers, it is all too common to conduct field research, learn what one can, and then be done with a place. This article argues there can be great value to engaging communities with research and taking results back to the “streets” after academic research has been completed. Not only is it generally morally right and the responsible thing to do, but it can also hold great meaning for people who contributed to research, provide an opportunity for new insights and validation of findings, and even stimulate new research topics as new issues arise. “Engagement” has become a buzzword across many scientific and social science fields, but has taken on a variety of meanings, and it has rarely been considered how to best engage after a project has been completed. While post- research engagement may not be appropriate or feasible for every setting or research project, this article urges researchers to think ahead about future engagement at the moment the research is being conducted, or even prior to setting foot on the ground. I discuss the literature on engagement from anthropology and political science. I then detail my recent engagement process of sharing results from a study of nonviolent mediation during civil conflict with the community of La India in Colombia.
Calculation and Analysis of Equivalent Output Impedance of Three-State Hysteresis-Band Controlled Inverter

Three-state hysteresis-band controlled inverter uses the double close-loop control technology with outer voltage close-loop and inner current close-loop, which has such advantages as simple circuit topology and control circuit, good steady-state and dynamic performance characteristics and so on. For the voltage source inverter, steady-state voltage precision is one of the important parameters, which is determined by the value of inverter’s equivalent output impedance. The expression of equivalent output impedance of three-state hysteresis-band controlled inverter was acquired through the closed-loop transferring function, and then the impact of the control circuit parameters on the impedance precision was analyzed. Simulation and experimental results verify the correctness of the theoretic analysis.
390 THE EFFECT OF CHRONIC HYPERINSULINEMIA ON CORONARY ARTERIES IN NONTRANSPLANT DOG MODEL

Introduction Hyperinsulinemia has been implicated as a possible contributing factor for increased cardiovascular risk, abnormal lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and smooth muscle cell proliferation. However, a direct causal relationship between insulin per se in hyperinsulinemic states and these factors has not been established. Objectives The objectives of this study were 1) to develop a model of endogenous hyperinsulinemia without the use of pharmacological agents and 2) to determine the effect of hyperinsulinemia as an independent risk factor on development of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Research Design and Methods We established hyperinsulinemia in eight dogs (group 1) by using a novel surgical technique in which endocrine secretions were diverted from the portal to systemic circulation by end to side anastomosis of the splenic and superior pancreaticoduodenal veins to the inferior vena cava. Another eight dogs served as sham operated control (group 2). Results Presurgical baseline plasma insulin levels were not different in the two groups (5.6 μU/mL in experimental group versus 8.4 μU/mL in control), but did differ at 3 months (26.1 μU/mL in experimental group versus 6.0 μU/mL in control group, p Conclusions We conclude that hyperinsulinemia per se in dogs is associated with 33% increased risk of fibrosis in muscularis mucosa of coronary arteries, despite the lack of significant differences in lipid profile.