cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Role of nitric oxide-mediated glutathionylation in neuronal function: potential regulation of energy utilization.

Excessive generation of nitric oxide radical (NO•) in neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity and during age-related neurodegenerative disorders entails the localized and concerted increase in nitric oxide synthase(s) expression in glial cells and neurons. The aim of the present study was to assess the biological significance of the impact of NO• on the cell's thiol status with emphasis on S-glutathionylation of targeted proteins. Exposure of primary cortical neurons or astrocytes to increasing flow rates of NO• (0.061–0.25 μM/s) resulted in the following. (i) A decrease in GSH (glutathione) in neurons accompanied by formation of GSNO (S-nitrosoglutathione) and GSSG (glutathione disulfide); neurons were far more sensitive to NO• exposure than astrocytes. (ii) A dose-dependent oxidation of the cellular redox status: the neuron's redox potential increased ~42 mV and that of astrocytes ~23 mV. A good correlation was observed between cell viability and the cellular redox potential. The higher susceptibility of neurons to NO• can be partly explained by a reduced capacity to recover GSH through lower activities of GSNO and GSSG reductases. (iii) S-glutathionylation of a small subset of proteins, among them GAPDH (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), the S-glutathionylation of which resulted in inhibition of enzyme activity. The quantitative analyses of changes in the cell's thiol potential upon NO• exposure and their consequences for S-glutathionylation are discussed in terms of the distinct redox environment of astrocytes and neurons. Abbreviations: BCNU, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea; DETA, diethylenetriamine; DTT, dithiothreitol; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; GSNO, S-nitrosoglutathione; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide; NBM, neurobasal medium; NEM, N-ethylmalemide; nNOS, neuronal nitric oxide synthase; NP-40, Nonidet P40
Single-band model of substitutional disordered ternary alloys in the coherent-potential approximation

The single-band model Hamiltonian used by Velick\'y, Kirkpatrick, and Ehrenreich (VKE) in their classic paper on the electronic theory of nondilute binary alloys is extended to the ternary-alloy case, and a number of results are derived. It is shown by direct calculation that the coherent-potential approximation (CPA) preserves the first seven moments of the density of states and the spectral density. Diagrammatic considerations put the highest moments at eight and seven, respectively. Exact information concerning the effective Hamiltonian leads via the Kramers-Kronig dispersion relation to a series of sum rules involving the self-energy. The localization theorem predicts the existence of two or three well-separated subbands for which the self-energy may have a pole between adjacent subbands. These singularities are also found in the CPA. Within the appropriate limits, all calculated quantities and various limiting behaviors (virtual crystal, dilute alloy, and the atomic limit), reduce to the binary-alloy results of VKE. A semielliptic reference density of states is used for a numerical presentation of the CPA description of the model ternary alloy. New numerical examples of the $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$-independent properties of the CPA are exhibited for the self-energy, the total density of states, and the partial densities of states, over a wide range of concentrations and scattering-potential strengths. Results are also displayed for the Bloch-wave spectral density. This $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$-dependent quantity provides information concerning the validity of describing the states of the disordered alloy in terms of quasiparticles with wave vector $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{k}}$.
Critique of teleology in Kant and Dworkin The law without organs (LwO)

In the Critique of Judgment Kant proposes a unique and necessary presupposition of our faculty of judgment. Empirical nature, together with its diverse laws, must be judged as if it were a coherent...
What small business executives have learned about managing information technology

Abstract In this study, 308 small business executives were interviewed and asked to identify the single most important thing they had learned about managing the use of information technology (IT) in their firms. The most common response was staying current/keeping up with changing IT. The training/education of end users, the ability to get information quickly, and accurate data were also given as things the executives had learned. The small business executives interviewed were from a variety of industries including the computer industry, the health care industry, engineering, consulting, manufacturing, insurance, accounting, and law. Ninety-two percent of the executives had acquired new hardware and 89.9% had acquired new software for their firms since their firms had first started using computers. In approximately 90% of the firms, the number of users of computers had increased and the majority of the new users were classified as both managerial and clerical. Again, approximately 90% of the firms had increased the number of functions for which computers were used within their firms with applications in accounting having the greatest increase.
Computer simulation of a mirror STEM

Summary The results of a computer simulation indicate that it is possible to design and build an STEM that is free from spherical aberration and should therefore have a very high resolution. The computer program was written in APL. The calculations include the effects of apertures and, consequently, mimic a realistic situation.
HRD--An Organizing Approach to Faculty Development.

The importance of faculty development is clearly rec gnized in many colleges and universiti s. Even with widespread support for the notion, there is little consensus as to the locus of responsibility for such pro grams, appropriate size of the investment, or whether such activities should be related to the institutional mis sion. Given the demographic characteristics of most faculties and the labor intensive nature of higher educa tion, faculty development opportunities appear to be a critical institutional responsibility. Ways need to be found to organize such programs to increase responsiveness to both individual faculty and institutional needs. One fears that, especially in times of limited resources, ill-defined programs may become easy targets for fiscal reversions and low priority. The purpose of this paper is to describe and critique a col legewide faculty development program organized around human resource development (HRD) concepts.
Model reference adaptive control of a link flexible arm

Based on a model reference adaptive control approach, a robust controller for a one link flexible arm moving along a pre-defined trajectory is proposed. In order to satisfy the perfect model following conditions, the model is chosen from the linearized model of the system as optimally controlled. The nominal trajectory is commanded to the system by means of a dynamic filter. Simulation results for the prototype in the laboratory show the improvements obtained with the outer adaptive feed-back loop with respect to a pure optimal control regulator. Robustness is finally tested by varying the nominal payload mass.
What neutronos will tell about gauge theories

Abstract Neutrino and antineutrino scattering experiments will help determine which, if any, unified gauge theory of weak interactions and electromagnetism is correct. We derive two sum rules for scattering from targets with roughly equal numbers of protons and neutrons, and show how they may be tested most easily by experiment.
Characterization of Outer Membrane Proteins in Chlamydia trachomatis LGV Serovar L2

We used a photoactivatable, lipophilic reagent, 3'-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine, to label proteins in the outer membrane of elementary bodies of Chlamydia trachomatis LGV serovar L2 and mass spectrometry to identify the labeled proteins. The identified proteins were polymorphic outer membrane proteins E, G, and H, which were made late in the developmental cycle, the major outer membrane protein, and a mixture of 46-kDa proteins consisting of the open reading frame 623 protein and possibly a modified form of the major outer membrane protein.
Primary Hormonogenic Sites as Conserved Autoepitopes on Thyroglobulin in Murine Autoimmune Thyroiditis: Role of MHC Class II

A few synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid sequences on human thyroglobulin (Tg) have been reported to induce moderate thyroiditis or activate mouse Tg (MTg)-primed T cells to transfer thyroiditis in mice susceptible to experimental autoimmune thyroiditis. Using three pairs of 12-mer peptides (1-12, 2549-2560, 2559-2570), with thyroxine (T4) or noniodinated thyronine (T0) at the conserved, hormonogenic site 5, 2553, or 2567 respectively, we reported that iodination was not required for a Tg hormonogenic site to be a thyroiditogenic autoepitope. To determine the relative importance of MHC class II and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire, we compared two EAT-susceptible k and s (CBA and A.SW) haplotypes and their respective MHC-identical strain (C57BR and SJL) with approximately 50% genomic deletion of TCR Vbeta genes. Whereas k and s strains develop MTg-induced EAT, vigorous immunization with peptides containing T4 or T0 at either 5 or 2553, but not at 2567, led to mild (10-20%) thyroiditis only in some mice of either k strain. TCR Vbeta gene differences played a minor role. T cell responses to all peptide pairs were quite similar in CBA and C57BR mice, and both hT0(2553) and hT4(2553) reciprocally primed and stimulated their T cells. In adoptive transfer, SJL mice were somewhat more responsive to peptide activation than A.SW but much weaker than k strains. By comparing T4- and T0-containing peptides in different haplotypes, we show further that antigenicity of conserved hormonogenic sites is intrinsic, dependent more on amino acid sequence and binding to appropriate class II molecules and less on TCR repertoire or iodination of T0.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy for selected periampullary neuroendocrine tumors: Fifty patients

Abstract Background. Most resectable pancreatic or peripancreatic neuroendocrine tumors are treated by enucleation or distal pancreatectomy. A minority of tumors may require pancreaticoduodenectomy for complete tumor excision because of their large size, location, or lymph node involvement. Methods. This study reviews the management of 50 patients treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary neuroendocrine tumors between 1962 and 1996 at a single institution. Results. There were 30 men and 20 women with a mean age of 52 ± 2 years. Functional tumors were resected in 17 patients: insulinoma, seven tumors; gastrinoma, eight tumors; vipoma, one tumor; and glucagonoma, one tumor. Tumors were classified as malignant in 29 patients and benign in 21. The median intraoperative blood loss was 800 ml, and the median number of units of blood transfused was zero. The postoperative length of stay was 20 ± 2 days. Postoperative morbidity included 11 patients (24%) with a pancreatic fistula and four patients (8%) with a biliary fistula. There was one in-hospital death (2%), in 1967. The actuarial survival rates at 2, 5, and 7 years are 81%, 73%, and 65%, respectively. Patients with benign tumors had a significantly improved 5-year survival rate (94%) compared with those with malignant tumors (61%; p = 0.03). Conclusions. Selected patients with periampullary neuroendocrine tumors can be managed successfully by pancreaticoduodenectomy, with low mortality and acceptable morbidity rates.
Emergence of Postural Patterns as a Function of Vision and Translation Frequency

Emergence of postural patterns as a function of vision and translation frequency. We examined the frequency characteristics of human postural coordination and the role of visual information in this coordination. Eight healthy adults maintained balance in stance during sinusoidal support surface translations (12 cm peak to peak) in the anterior-posterior direction at six different frequencies. Changes in kinematic and dynamic measures revealed that both sensory and biomechanical constraints limit postural coordination patterns as a function of translation frequency. At slow frequencies (0.1 and 0.25 Hz), subjects ride the platform (with the eyes open or closed). For fast frequencies (1.0 and 1.25 Hz) with the eyes open, subjects fix their head and upper trunk in space. With the eyes closed, large-amplitude, slow-sway motion of the head and trunk occurred for fast frequencies above 0.5 Hz. Visual information stabilized posture by reducing the variability of the head's position in space and the position of the center of mass (CoM) within the support surface defined by the feet for all but the slowest translation frequencies. When subjects rode the platform, there was little oscillatory joint motion, with muscle activity limited mostly to the ankles. To support the head fixed in space and slow-sway postural patterns, subjects produced stable interjoint hip and ankle joint coordination patterns. This increase in joint motion of the lower body dissipated the energy input by fast translation frequencies and facilitated the control of upper body motion. CoM amplitude decreased with increasing translation frequency, whereas the center of pressure amplitude increased with increasing translation frequency. Our results suggest that visual information was important to maintaining a fixed position of the head and trunk in space, whereas proprioceptive information was sufficient to produce stable coordinative patterns between the support surface and legs. The CNS organizes postural patterns in this balance task as a function of available sensory information, biomechanical constraints, and translation frequency.
Pitting Corrosion Control of Aluminum 2024 Using Protective Biofilms That Secrete Corrosion Inhibitors

Abstract The corrosion behavior of Al 2024-T3 (UNS A92024) exposed to artificial seawater (AS) and Luria Bertani (LB) medium has been studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Tests were performed in sterile media and in the presence of three different biofilm-forming bacteria: a Bacillus subtilis biofilm that was genetically engineered to produce either polyaspartate or polyglutamate, a Bacillus licheniformis bacterial biofilm that naturally produces γ-polyglutamate, and an Escherichia coli biofilm that was genetically engineered to produce polyphosphate. A significant reduction in active pit growth rates and an ennoblement of the corrosion potential (Ecorr) were observed in both media in the presence of these biofilms, which produce corrosion inhibitors. The lowest corrosion rates of Al 2024 exposed to the LB medium were observed in the presence of the B. subtilis bacterial biofilm-producing polyaspartate and the E. coli bacterial biofilm that produced polyphosphate. In the presence of...
Simvastatin inhibits IFN‐γ‐induced CD40 gene expression by suppressing STAT‐1α

CD40, a member of the TNF receptor superfamily, is critical for productive immune responses. Macrophages constitutively express CD40 at low levels, which are enhanced by IFN-gamma. IFN-gamma-induced CD40 expression involves activation of STAT-1alpha as well as NF-kappaB activation through an autocrine response to IFN-gamma-induced TNF-alpha production. Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase inhibitors, which exert anti-inflammatory effects independent of their cholesterol-lowering actions. Herein, we describe that simvastatin (SS) inhibits IFN-gamma-induced CD40 expression via the suppression of STAT-1alpha expression. This results in diminished STAT-1alpha recruitment to the CD40 promoter upon IFN-gamma treatment, in addition to reduced RNA Polymerase II recruitment and diminished levels of H3 and H4 histone acetylation. SS-mediated inhibition of STAT-1alpha occurs through suppression of constitutive STAT-1alpha mRNA and protein expression. The inhibitory effect of SS on CD40 and STAT-1alpha is dependent on HMG-CoA reductase activity, as the addition of mevalonate reverses the inhibitory effect. In addition, CD40 and/or STAT-1alpha expression is inhibited by GGTI-298 or Clostridium difficile Toxin A, a specific inhibitor of Rho family protein prenylation, indicating the involvement of small GTP-binding proteins in this process. Collectively, these data indicate that SS inhibits IFN-gamma-induced CD40 expression by suppression of STAT-1alpha, and altering transcriptional events at the CD40 promoter.
Comparison of Cumulus Parameterizations and Entrainment Using Domain-Mean Wind Divergence in a Regional Model

Several different cumulus parameterizations are compared in a 10-day regional model simulation over the tropical Americas in northern summer. A simple bulk diagnostic test is devised, comparing the model’s preferred domain-mean wind divergence profile with ‘‘observed’’ drivergence. The latter is obtained by a line integral of the normal wind component at the model’s outer boundary, from the ECMWF reanalysis data used as lateral boundary conditions. The former is obtained from a line integral one grid point in from the boundary, a perimeter that encloses almost exactly the same region. Even though the model fields near the boundary are strongly nudged toward the ECMWF values, the difference is distinct, and indicative of systematic errors in the model’s heating field throughout the interior of the domain. Heating reflects the effects of the convection scheme, both direct and indirect (e.g., through its impact on resolved condensation). A useful axis along which to characterize schemes appears to be overactive versus underactive. Underactive convective schemes tend to produce too little low-level convergence and upper-level divergence, while overactive schemes produce too much. This categorization is also reflected in rainfall fields, as overactive schemes produce widespread light convective rain while underactive schemes produce sparse occasional storms. For example, the Kain‐Fritsch scheme is overactive with its default entraining-plume radius of 1500 m, a value optimized for midlatitudes over land. A value of 750 m makes the regional divergence magnitude about right, but makes the upper-tropospheric outflow altitude too low, illustrating a classic dilemma of entraining-plume models of convection. Schemes with other conceptual structures give widely varying divergence errors. The largest errors are found with the Anthes‐Kuo scheme, while the smallest errors are found with the Betts‐Miller‐Janjic scheme, which has no consistent divergence bias over time. Diagnosis of other North American monsoon simulations supports the general underactive/ overactive characterization, but shows that the best scheme and parameters may depend on weather regime.
How does practice reduce dual-task interference: Integration, automatization, or just stage-shortening?

The present study assessed three hypotheses of how practice reduces dual-task interference: Practice teaches participants to efficiently integrate performance of a task pair; practice promotes automatization of individual tasks, allowing the central bottleneck to be bypassed; practice leaves the bottleneck intact but shorter in duration. These hypotheses were tested in two transfer-of-training experiments. Participants received one of three training types (Task 1 only, or Task 2 only, or dual-task), followed by dual-task test sessions. Practice effects in Experiment 1 (Task 1: auditory–vocal; Task 2: visual–manual) were fully explained by the intact bottleneck hypothesis, without task integration or automatization. This hypothesis also accounted well for the majority of participants when the task order was reversed (Experiment 2). In this case, however, there were multiple indicators that several participants had succeeded in eliminating the bottleneck by automatizing one or both tasks. Neither experiment provided any evidence that practice promotes efficient task integration.
Understanding head/disk stiction by bearing area analysis of the head

Current air-bearing surface (ABS) geometries have very complex shapes. Bearing area analysis of the head via optical interferometry allows a realistic correlation of the ABS topography to the increase in head/disk contact area induced either by head wear or by lubricant thickness. The change in bearing area with Z-height from the top of the crown gives a comprehensive understanding of stiction increase for heads with complex ABS geometries. Experiments showed that the stiction performance of heads with different crowns after 20 K CSS cycles could be reasonably predicted via bearing area analysis assuming a maximum lube thickness of 5 nm at the head/disk interface.
Testing Equality of Nonparametric Quantile Regression Functions

This article proposes a new approach for testing the equality of nonparametric quantile regression functions based on marked empirical processes. We develop test statistics that posses better Type I and power properties in comparison to all available procedures in the literature. Simulation results also indicate that our tests have superior local power properties over existing tests. A data analysis is given which highlights the usefulness of the proposed methodology.
THE AFFECTIVE, THE INTELLECTUAL, AND GENDER HISTORY

The integration of gender as a vibrant stream within African historical writing suggests a remarkable success story with many prominent historians and fresh thematics involved. Alongside an interest in subjectivities has emerged vigorous attention to the affective, emotions, and the senses. Why affect has emerged now matters. At the same time, new kinds of intellectual histories are burgeoning in the African field, frequently forwarding an unacknowledged masculinity. With the affective and the intellectual seemingly at odds with each other, it is crucial to seek ways to cross and combine them, while remaining alert to methodological perils and innovative forms.
Accelerated testing and failure of thin‐film PV modules

Packaging-related PV module failure is distinguished from cell failure, and those failures specific to thin-film modules are reviewed. These are categorized according to the type of stress that produced them, e.g., temperature, voltage, moisture, current, and thermal cycling. An example is given that shows how to relate time under accelerated stress to time in use. Diagnostic tools for locating the affected area within a large-area module are pointed out along with the importance of interpretation of the visual appearance of the different damage mechanisms. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Obesity and the Food Environment: Income and Ethnicity Differences Among People With Diabetes: The Diabetes Study of Northern California (DISTANCE)

OBJECTIVE It is unknown whether any association between neighborhood food environment and obesity varies according to individual income and/or race/ethnicity. The objectives of this study were to test whether there was an association between food environments and obesity among adults with diabetes and whether this relationship differed according to individual income or race/ethnicity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Subjects ( n = 16,057) were participants in the Diabetes Study of Northern California survey. Kernel density estimation was used to create a food environment score for each individual’s residence address that reflected the mix of healthful and unhealthful food vendors nearby. Logistic regression models estimated the association between the modeled food environment and obesity, controlling for confounders, and testing for interactions between food environment and race/ethnicity and income. RESULTS The authors found that more healthful food environments were associated with lower obesity in the highest income groups (incomes 301–600% and >600% of U.S. poverty line) among whites, Latinos, and Asians. The association was negative, but smaller and not statistically significant, among high-income blacks. On the contrary, a more healthful food environment was associated with higher obesity among participants in the lowest-income group ( CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that the availability of healthful food environments may have different health implications when financial resources are severely constrained.
General Music as a Cure for the High-Stakes Concert

The author argues that concerts create pressures on the music curriculum similar to those high-stakes tests generate on the general curriculum. Three similarities are presented and discussed using the example of a concert the author organized: first, teaching to the test and the narrowing of curricular goals; second, evaluation by a single source of evidence; and, finally, absence of student voice and choice. A critical difference between concerts and high-stakes tests, however, is that music teachers design their concerts. The last half of the article presents ideas to take advantage of this difference in order to confront the commonly found pressures. The ideas focus learning around ensemble experiences through general music practices. Many of the examples take advantage of technology and multimedia to afford students opportunities to work with repertoire in new ways.
The Value of Simulation in the Development of Observational Skills for Clinical Microsystems

Abstract Background Clinical microsystems theory recognizes the interplay of roles and duties on the outcome of patients. A carefully constructed simulation can embed characteristics of unsuccessful and successful microsystems. Methods A descriptive observational pilot study explored whether students could see attributes at the microsystem level while monitoring a simulation with pre-licensure students. Eight Clinical Nurse Leader students were recruited to participate. Results CNL students gained insight into the CNL role and their own clinical practices. Conclusion Simulation can be used to assess clinical microsystem functioning.
Maximum solar power transfer in Multi-port Power Electronic Interface

Ambient energy is a good supplement to existing hybrid power systems. Among the available options, solar is one of the most readily obtainable and technologically compatible sources. However, uncertainty of sun radiation intensity and changing atmospheric conditions impose challenges in efficient usage of sun power. Significant progress has been made during the last decades in optimally harvesting solar energy for single input power system. However, little literature focuses on the control and coordination of solar energy conversion with other actively controlled sources and storages. This paper proposes the operation and control of solar power conversion in Multiport Power Electronic Interface (MPEI) for different modes of operation: load sharing mode and battery recovery mode. The control structure for solar maximum power point tracking (MPPT) in load sharing mode is proposed for optimal harvesting from solar panel and to provide immunity to load dynamics. Current-Mode Maximum Power Transfer (CMMPT) method is proposed to transfer maximum power to battery during charge recovery. The control system is implemented in a TMS320F2812 DSP and experimental results are presented to prove the effectiveness of proposed control system.
The Astro-H soft X-ray mirror

The Astro-H is led by the Japanese Space Agency (JAXA) in collaboration with many other institutions including the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Goddard's contributions include two soft X-ray telescopes (SXTs). The telescopes have an effective area of 562 cm2 at 1 keV and 425 cm2 at 6 keV with an image quality requirement of 1.7 arc-minutes half power diameter (HPD). The engineering model has demonstrated 1.1 arc-minutes HPD error. The design of the SXT is based on the successful Suzaku mission mirrors with some enhancements to improve the image quality. Two major enhancements are bonding the X-ray mirror foils to alignment bars instead of allowing the mirrors to float, and fabricating alignment bars with grooves within 5 microns of accuracy. An engineering model SXT was recently built and subjected to several tests including vibration, thermal, and X-ray performance in a beamline. Several lessons were learned during this testing that will be incorporated in the flight design. Test results and optical performance are discussed, along with a description of the design of the SXT.
System v. Expediency: The Reality of Land Revenue Administration in the Bombay Presidency, 1812–1820

trative policy and consequent social and economic results. This preoccupation seems further justified by the attention that was given to the merits of these systems by officials high in the Company's administration in India and London in the early nineteenth century.2 Revenue settlement in the Bombay Presidency has normally been identified with the ryotwari system.3 The foundation for this system
A Scalable Circuit-Architecture Co-Design to Improve Memory Yield for High-Performance Processors

Due to their small sizes, SRAMs are particularly vulnerable to parametric failures, resulting in significantly reduced yield. The underlying problem with SRAM is that there are conflicting requirements for read stability and writeability, such that optimizing the cell for read stability degrades its writeability. In this work, we present a circuit-architecture co-design technique that allows the decoupling of these conflicting requirements, resulting in significant yield enhancement at iso-area, while being scalable. Our technique is based on the observation that the write operation is not as performance critical as the read operation in high-performance microprocessors. Thus, the technique skews the cell design towards improving read stability at the circuit level at the expense of writeability. To handle the increased write failures in some dies, we apply simple architectural modifications that allow the write operation to take an additional cycle (stretched write cycle). By using our technique, we can improve yield from 37% to 69%, while having 3.4% performance impact on average, without increasing the size of the SRAM cell.
A Novel Model of Skin Electrical Injury

High voltage electrical burns can cause devastating third and fourth degree burns. The pathophysiology of electrical injury is not well understood. We have developed an Electrical Burn Delivery System (EBDS) capable of reliably delivering pre-set voltages and currents to biological specimens in order to accurately simulate the damage from high-tension electrical contact. In addition to the high voltage delivery the system can also measure skin impedance before and after shock. Two different imaging techniques were used for non-invasive assessment of skin damage pre and post shock. A thermal camera was used to monitor the extent of thermal damage due to the electrical shock, while hyper-spectral imaging was used to monitor wavelength dependent differences in total reflectance. We present results of experiments conducted on freshly excised human skin samples as well as porcine skin samples.
Accident and its correlates in a psychiatric hospital

The literature on accidental and violetn minor injuries in hospitals is reviewed. From it hypotheses about the causes and correlates of such accidents are derived. These theories are tested on a 2-year sample of accidents in a 2,400-patient mental hospital, using standard multivariate statistical procedures. Age, psychiatric disability, and sex prove to be correlates of rates of injury. Social disorganization is shown to be the intervening variable in the common theory that crowding leads to violent injury.
Identification of radiation-induced parasitic leakage paths using light emission microscopy

Eliminating radiation-induced parasitic leakage paths in integrated circuits (ICs) is key to improving their total dose hardness. Semiconductor manufacturers can use a combination of design and/or process techniques to eliminate known radiation-induced parasitic leakage paths. However, unknown or critical radiation-induced parasitic leakage may still exist on fully processed ICs and it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to identify these leakage paths based on radiation induced parametric degradation. We show that light emission microscopy can be used to identify the location of radiation-induced parasitic leakage paths in ICs. This is illustrated by using light emission microscopy to find radiation-induced parasitic leakage paths in partially-depleted silicon on insulator static random-access memories (SRAMs). Once leakage paths were identified, modifications were made to the SRAM design to improve the total dose radiation hardness of the SRAMs. Light emission microscopy should prove to be an important tool for the development of future radiation hardened technologies and devices.
Thermal stability of oxygen storage properties in a mixed CeO2-ZrO2 system

Abstract CeO 2 and CeO 2 /ZrO 2 supports were prepared by two low temperature (500°C) routes: calcination of hydroxide precipitates and firing mixtures of acetates. The supports were loaded with 0.5% Pt and characterized both fresh and aged (at 800 and 1000°C). X-ray diffraction analyses show that a CeO 2 /ZrO 2 solid solution is formed in the samples prepared by precipitation of the hydroxides and calcination at 500°C. To our knowledge this is the lowest temperature chemical route (not including high energy ball milling) to CeO 2 /ZrO 2 solid solutions yet reported. Samples prepared by firing the acetate mixtures had almost exclusively CeO 2 and ZrO 2 in separated phases. Oxygen storage measurements showed that the addition of zirconia increased the oxygen storage capacities (on a per gram of catalyst basis) over ceria alone for both preparation methods. In the phase separated materials the amount of reversibly stored oxygen was 1.7–2.5 times more per gram catalyst than that of ceria only. The beneficial effects of zirconia are most pronounced in the solid solutions which had oxygen storage 3–5 times higher than ceria. When the Zr concentration is optimized, the solid solution materials aged at 1000°C showed higher oxygen storage than fresh CeO 2 . For both preparation methods, the optimal (per gram catalyst) Zr concentration was found to be 25 mol% Zr for samples aged at 1000°C, however, the performance of the solid solution materials was somewhat insensitive to Zr loading between 15 and 50 mol% Zr.
On-shell and conformal N = 4 supergravity in superspace

We discuss the superspace geometries which are necessary to describe on-shell O(4) and SU(4) supergravity. The relation of central charge field strengths to physical spin-zero fields is exhibited and a “new” O(4) theory is shown to exist. The version of SU(4) supergravity which uses an antisymmetric tensor gauge field is found to require modifications of ordinary superspace. Finally the Poincare supergeometry which admits the conformal N = 4 supermultiplet is constructed. It is shown that consistency of the Bianchi identities implies the existence of dimension zero auxiliary fields which are components of a non-linear multiplet.
Effect of early anti-retroviral therapy on the pathogenic changes in mucosal tissues of SIV infected rhesus macaques

Background: The gastrointestinal tissue plays an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV/SIV infection and serves as a viral reservoir in infected individuals under antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, the effect of ART administration in the very early stage of infection on HIV/SIV replication and pathogenesis in gastrointestinal tissue has not been fully studied. In this current study, rhesus monkeys infected with SIV were treated with ART starting at day 7 post-infection. The effect of early ART on SIV replication and infection-related pathogenic changes in mucosal tissues of the infected monkeys was examined. Methods: Nuclear acids were extracted from snap frozen ileum and colon tissues and mesentery lymph nodes from SIV infected monkeys with or without ART. SIV RNA and DNA loads as well as levels of CD3, CD4 and cytokine mRNA were measured by PCR and RT PCR from the isolated nuclear acids. Tissue sections were stained by immuno-fluorescence labeled antibodies for CD3 and CD4. Results: Without ART treatment, these monkeys underwent a mild SIV infection with low viral loads and slightly decreased CD4 + T cell counts in peripheral blood. In ART treated monkeys, SIV RNA loads were undetectable in blood with normal CD4 + T cell counts, however, SIV RNA and DNA were detected in the intestinal tissues and mesentery lymph nodes although the levels were lower than those in untreated monkeys. The levels of CD3 and CD4 positive cells in the tissues were similar between the infected untreated monkeys and infected ART treated monkeys based on RT-PCR and immune-fluorescence staining of the tissue sections. Furthermore, compatible levels of IL-6, TNF-a, IL-1b and MyD88 mRNAs were detected in most of intestinal tissues and mesentery lymph nodes of infected ART treated and infected untreated monkeys. Conclusions: These results suggest that early ART administration could not effectively inhibit SIV replication in intestinal tissues and mesentery lymph nodes and could not reduce the immune activation induced by SIV infection in the intestinal tissues.
A2A adenosine receptor stimulation decreases foam cell formation by enhancing ABCA1-dependent cholesterol efflux

Immune and inflammatory cells play a critical role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaques. We have demonstrated that A2ARs inhibit foam cell formation and stimulate production of ABCA1, the primary transporter of lipoproteins. We asked whether the effects of A2ARs on foam cell formation in vitro are mediated by transporters involved in reverse cholesterol transport, ABCA1 and ABCG1. Foam cells were generated from THP-1 cells by incubation with 100 nM PMA for 2 days and incubated with acLDL (50 g/mL) plus IFN- (500 U/mL) A2AR agonist CGS-21680 (1 M). Radiolabeled cholesterol (0.2 Ci/ml) was added to cells, and efflux was measured using a liquid scintillation counter. Lentiviral siRNA infection markedly reduces ABCA1 or ABCG1 mRNA in THP-1 cells. Despite diminished ABCG1 expression (KD), CGS-21680 inhibits foam cell formation (815% inhibition; P<0.0001 vs. IFN- alone; n3) but has no effect on foam cell formation in ABCA1 KD cells (53% inhibition; P<0.85 vs. IFN- alone; n3). The A2A agonist increases apoA-I-mediated cholesterol efflux nearly twofold in THP-1-derived macrophages (from 9.5% to 17.52.5% [3H]-cholesterol efflux; P<0.0090 vs. control; n3) but not in ABCA1 KD cells. Activation of Epac, a signaling molecule downstream of the A2AR, increased ABCA1 (235%; P<0.0007 vs. control; n3) and phosphoABCA1 (135%; P<0.0003 vs. control; n3) protein. These results demonstrate that A2AR occupancy diminishes foam cell formation by stimulating increased reverse cholesterol transport via ABCA1. J. Leukoc. Biol. 87: 000‐000; 2010.
Foraging Locations of Double-crested Cormorants in the Beaver Archipelago of Northern Lake Michigan: Potential for Impacts on Smallmouth Bass

Abstract The breeding population of Double-crested Cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) increased in the Beaver Archipelago of northern Lake Michigan, while simultaneously, a Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieui) population in the region declined. However, the role that cormorants played in this decline has remained uncertain. During summer 2003, VHF radiotelemetry and rafting locations were used to determine whether birds foraged primarily in bass habitat. The foraging activities of ten breeding cormorants were monitored by radiotelemetry from both land and water on a daily basis, weather permitting, throughout the breeding season. In addition, cormorant foraging raft locations were documented by boat survey throughout the breeding season. Radiotelemetry indicated that cormorants typically foraged 2.5 km away from their colonies, at the northeastern end of Beaver Island. This area overlaps with the area determined from rafting locations; however the latter were centered further south. These data allow fo...
Adaptive Filtering and Prediction of Intraseasonal Oscillations

Abstract A statistical model based on the combination of singular spectrum analysis (SSA) and the maximum entropy method (MEM) is applied to monitor and forecast outgoing longwave radiation anomalies (OLRAs) in the intraseasonal band over the Indian–Pacific sector and in the pan-American region. SSA is related to empirical orthogonal function analysis (EOF) but is applied to time series. The leading SSA modes (T-EOFs) are orthogonal and they are determined from the training period before filtering. The OLRA time series can be projected onto T-EOFs to obtain the principal components (T-PCs). To obtain fluctuations in any frequency band, one can partially sum up a chosen subset of T-EOFs and the related T-PCs in that band. The filter based on the SSA modes is data adaptive and there is no loss of end points. It is well suited for real-time monitoring of intraseasonal oscillations. In the Pacific and the pan-American region, there are three leading modes (T-EOFs) of oscillations with periods near 40, 22, and...
Deregulation of the Cellular Energetics of Cancer Cells

Metabolism is reprogrammed in cancer to promote the anabolic synthesis of cellular building blocks, produce adenosine triphosphate, and maintain rapid cell proliferation. Cancer cells reprogram metabolism to undergo aerobic glycolysis, converting glucose primarily to lactate while increasing glucose flux through the pentose phosphate pathway and the serine/glycine synthesis pathway. Glutamine is also used to fuel the tricarboxylic acid cycle, which provides important intermediates for biosynthetic pathways such as nucleotide metabolism, leaving many cancers cells glutamine-dependent. Reprogrammed cancer metabolism can also favor de novo lipogenesis to provide sufficient lipids for energy storage and membrane synthesis. Recent scientific and technological advances have begun to show the interplay between cancer genetics and cancer metabolism. Hypoxia, overexpression of MYC, loss of p53, mutation of KRAS, and constitutive PI3K/AKT and mTOR activation are known to play central roles in cancer metabolic reprogramming. The renewed appreciation of the importance of cancer metabolism in tumor development has made it a potential target of anticancer drugs.
L. C. Lederman & L. P. Stewart (Eds.). (2005). Changing the Culture of College Drinking: A Socially Situated Health Communication Campaign.

Linda Lederman and Lea Stewart, in their book, Changing the Culture of College Drinking: A Socially Situated Health Communication Campaign, present a case study of a 20-year effort to change the cu...
IAAI-13 Preface.

Welcome to the Twenty-Fifth Annual Conference on the Innovative Applications of Artificial Intelligence (IAAI-13), the premier conference focusing on applied AI research ranging from exciting new potential ap- plications to innovative deployments of AI technology.
Abstract 624: Chronic High Fat Diet Increases Sodium Reabsorption and {alpha}ENaC Expression Prior to the Onset of Hypertension in Dahl Salt-Sensitive Rats

An increase in distal nephron-dependent sodium (Na+) reabsorption plays a primary role in the development of obesity-induced hypertension. However, the specific Na+ transporter involved in this process is unknown. The present studies were undertaken to determine the role of the epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC) in the development of high fat-diet (HFD)-induced hypertension. Given that human obesity-induced hypertension is largely salt-sensitive, we chose to expose Dahl salt-sensitive (DSS) rats to either a chronic HFD (42% kcal from fat, normal salt, 0.25%, N=7)) or standard diet (STD, 10% kcal from fat, normal salt, 0.25%, N=7), measure blood pressures (BP) telemetrically, and collect 24 hr urine for Na+ each week, for 4 weeks. In a separate group of DSS rats, we isolated cortical collecting ducts for determination of αENaC protein expression at baseline, 1 week, and 4 weeks following STD or HFD. Telemetric systolic blood pressure (SBP) values increased significantly (P
Individual and Partner Attributes of Young Women’s Sexual & Protective Behaviors

Purpose: Adolescent women’s sexual behaviors are complex with varying motivations that include specific partners, sexual pleasure and satisfaction, and the fertility desires. These factors may affect protective behaviors (e.g., condom use) thus affecting the potential negative outcomes of unintended pregnancy and STIs. Accordingly, this study prospectively examined how specific partners, sexual satisfaction, and pregnancy intentions affected sexual behaviors and condom use immediately and over time.
The Cure for Racism

Democracy is supposed to be a form of government that treats all humans as equals. But does democracy actually do that? When we say all men are created equal, what do we really mean? Do we truly believe that everyone is equal, or do we secretly believe that a select group of Real Men are superior to all Others? From the outset, US democracy has given lip service to the former, but has unabashedly practiced the latter. How can a democracy confer first class citizenship on a privileged few while withholding Constitutionally-guaranteed rights from the majority of Others? The trick lies in how one defines the word, men.
An OWL Ontology Representation for Machine-Learned Functions Using Linked Data

This paper proposes a method to represent classifiers or learned regression functions using an OWL ontology. Also proposed are methods for finding an appropriate learned function to answer a simple query. The ontology standardizes variable names and dependence properties, so that feature values can be given by users or found on the semantic web.
Timescales of landscape response to divide migration and drainage capture: Implications for the role of divide mobility in landscape evolution

Efforts to extract information about climate and tectonics from topography commonly assume that river networks are static. Drainage divides can migrate through time, however, and recent work has shown that divide mobility can potentially induce changes in river profiles comparable to changes caused by variation in rock uplift, climate, or rock properties. We use 1D river profile and 2D landscape evolution simulations to evaluate how mobile divides influence the interpretation of river profiles in tectonically active settings. We define a non-dimensional divide migration number, NDm, as the ratio of the timescale of channel profile response to a change in drainage area (TdA) to the timescale of divide migration (TDm). In simulations of headward divide migration, NDm is much less than unity with no measurable perturbation of channel profiles. Only in simulations configured to induce rapid lateral divide migration are there occasional large stream capture events and zones where localized drainage area loss is fast enough to support NDm values near unity. The rapid response of channel profiles to changes in drainage area ensures that under most conditions profiles maintain quasi-equilibrium forms and thus generally reflect spatio-temporal variation in rock uplift, climate, or rock properties even during active divide migration. This implies that channel profile form may not reliably record divide mobility, so we evaluate alternate metrics of divide mobility. In our simulations and an example in Taiwan, we find that simple measures of cross-divide contrasts in topography are more robust metrics of divide mobility than measures of drainage network topology.