cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel adenoviral vectors coding for GFP-tagged wtCFTR and ΔF508-CFTR: characterization of expression and electrophysiological properties in A549 cells

E1/E3-deleted adenoviral vectors expressing an N-terminal green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter gene fused to either wtCFTR (H5.040CMVEGFP-wtCFTR) or deltaF508-CFTR (H5.040CMVEGFP-deltaF508CFTR) were generated. To characterize the expression and activity, A549 cells were infected with vectors expressing GFP-tagged and non-tagged forms of CFTR and deltaF508CFTR. CFTR activity was assayed in cell-attached and excised patches. For H5.040CMVEGFP-wtCFTR, forskolin-dependent outward current was observed in cell-attached patches from 56 of 67 GFP-positive cells. Single-channel conductances, open probability, mean open and mean closed time values for GFP-CFTR and CFTR were not significantly different. After excision, GFP-CFTR activity required ATP and exhibited a linear I-V relationship. For H5.040CMVEGFP-deltaF508CFTR, media were supplemented with 5 mM butyrate 16 h after infection. Forskolin-dependent outward current was observed in cell-attached patches from 21 of 30 butyrate-treated GFP-positive cells and 0 of 8 GFP-positive cells without butyrate. Single-channel conductances, open probability, mean open and mean closed time values for GFP-deltaF508CFTR and deltaF508CFTR were not significantly different. However, the increase in open probability with genistein was significantly smaller for GFP-deltaF508CFTR than for deltaF508CFTR. In excised patches, GFP-deltaF508CFTR activity required ATP and exhibited a linear I-V relationship. Despite the consistent detection of GFP-CFTR and GFP-deltaF508CFTR channels in the plasma membrane by patch clamping, GFP fluorescence was observed only in intracellular regions and was not altered by butyrate. The data show that high levels of functional GFP-tagged CFTR channels can be expressed with these adenoviral vector constructs.
Comparison of endoscopic third ventriculostomy alone and combined with choroid plexus cauterization in infants younger than 1 year of age: a prospective study in 550 African children

Object. The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether, and in which patients, the outcome for bilateral choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) in combination with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) was superior to ETV alone. Methods. A total of 710 children underwent ventriculoscopy as candidates for ETV as the primary treatment for hydrocephalus. The ETV was accomplished in 550 children: 266 underwent a combined ETV‐CPC procedure and 284 underwent ETV alone. The mean and median ages were 14 and 5 months, respectively, and 443 patients (81%) were younger than 1 year of age. The hydrocephalus was postinfectious (PIH) in 320 patients (58%), nonpostinfectious (NPIH) in 152 (28%), posthemorrhagic in five (1%), and associated with myelomeningocele in 73 (13%). The mean follow up was 19 months for ETV and 9.2 months for ETV‐CPC. Overall, the success rate of ETV‐CPC (66%) was superior to that of ETV alone (47%) among infants younger than 1 year of age (p , 0.0001). The ETV‐CPC combined procedure was superior in patients with a myelomeningocele (76% compared with 35% success, p = 0.0045) and those with NPIH (70% compared with 38% success, p = 0.0025). Although the difference was not significant for PIH (62% compared with 52% success, p = 0.1607), a benefit was not ruled out (power = 0.3). For patients at least 1 year of age, there was no difference between the two procedures (80% success for each, p = 1.0000). The overall surgical mortality rate was 1.3%, and the infection rate was less than 1%. Conclusions. The ETV‐CPC was more successful than ETV alone in infants younger than 1 year of age. In developing countries in which a dependence on shunts is dangerous, ETV‐CPC may be the best option for treating hydrocephalus in infants, particularly for those with NPIH and myelomeningocele.
Efficacy beliefs, job satisfaction, stress and their influence on the occupational commitment of English-medium content teachers in the Dominican Republic

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of efficacy, job satisfaction, job stress and their influence on the occupational commitment of English-medium content teachers. A total of 109 practicing English-medium and Spanish-medium content teachers from the Dominican Republic volunteered to participate in the study. Findings suggest both teacher self-efficacy and collective efficacy measures were inversely but significantly correlated with occupational commitment and positively correlated with job satisfaction. The results also showed significant differences between English-medium and Spanish-medium content teachers’ self-efficacy, job satisfaction, job stress and occupational commitment. These findings have significant implications for advancing theory and practice. Recommendations for further research are discussed.
Examination of the function of two kelch proteins generated by stop codon suppression

The Drosophila kelch gene produces a single transcript with a UGA stop codon separating two open reading frames (ORF1 and ORF2). From the transcript, 76 kDa ORF1 and 160 kDa full-length (ORF1 + ORF2) proteins are made. The expression of these two proteins is regulated in a tissue-specific manner causing the ratio of full-length to ORF1 protein to vary in different tissues. The only detected defect for kelch mutants is female sterility, and kelch protein is localized to the ovarian ring canals. kelch mutant ring canals are disorganized and have partly occluded lumens, causing a failure to transport cytoplasm. ORF1 and full-length kelch proteins co-sediment with ring canals suggesting that both proteins are found in the ring canals. Transgenetic analysis reveals that ORF1 kelch protein is sufficient to rescue ring canal morphology and fertility. In addition, we have mutated the UGA stop codon to a UAA stop codon and to three sense codons that allow constitutive readthrough. Analysis of these mutants reveals that a full-length kelch protein can partially compensate for the loss of endogenous kelch, but the residue included at the stop codon is critical for function. Finally, these studies suggest that the mechanism of stop codon suppression of kelch is by tRNA suppression.
Magnetic characterization using elements of a PRML channel

The authors examine several magnetic characterization techniques which are easily implemented using elements of a partial-response maximum-likelihood (PRML) channel. These techniques are applicable over a broad range of topics. The use of the PRML digital samples with specialized data patterns to detect defective media sites is discussed. A sensitive and calibrated method for measuring fly height variations is outlined. A statistical measurement scheme that provides a figure of merit for magnetic performance is discussed. >
Assessment of Cardiac Structure and Function by Computed Tomography Angiography

Knowledge of cardiac ejection fractions [1], absolute ventricular volumes [2, 3], and location and extent of regional wall motion abnormalities provides valuable diagnostic and prognostic information, and noninvasive cardiac imaging has become the reference standard in routine clinical practice. EBT (electron beam CT) was introduced in the early 1980s as the first viable CT scanner capable of measuring cardiac structure and function, but manufacturing was stopped in 2003, although scanners still function in a handful of centers. High-resolution multi-detector CT (MDCT) scanners capable of quantitative imaging of the heart were introduced around 2002. Initially 16-slice scanners were validated but the current state of the art is 64+-slice scanners. This chapter discusses the use of 64+-slice MDCT for assessment of cardiac structure and function.
A sex conversion operation for males with transsexualism.

Abstract A sex conversion operative technique is described for use in male transsexual patients who are living as females.
Promoting Global Citizenship in a Large Enrollment Political Science Course: The Role of Project-Based Learning

A large and growing body of research has recently turned its attention to the promotion of global citizenship as an essential component of undergraduate education. Although there is considerable consensus on the value of this goal, there is less agreement as to how it is best achieved or assessed. Are some pedagogical interventions or approaches more effective than others? Recent studies have made advances in more concretely defining and operationalizing the concept of global citizenship, but few have rigorously assessed substantive learning gains in this area, and fewer still have assessed changes in global values or political efficacy as the consequence of specific pedagogical interventions. This study contributes to efforts to address this gap by examining the impact of project-based learning in a large (227 student) upper-division political science course. Using a global citizenship survey developed by Levintova, Johnson, Scheberle and Vonck (2011), we compare pre- and post-project survey scores to assess three dimensions of global citizenship: (1) global knowledge, (2) global empathy, and (3) global political efficacy. We find that project-based learning contributes to the development of global citizenship skills at statistically significant levels in all three areas. Qualitative analysis of student responses to an open-ended end-of-term survey question also provides compelling evidence for the use of project-based learning as an effective means for promoting increased understanding of global citizenship and the skills supportive of it.
Pulsatile Prosthetic Valve Flows: Laser-Doppler Studies

Many of the factors related to cardiovascular disease seem to be significantly dependent upon the corresponding fluid dynamics of blood flow through the cardiovascular system. A knowledge of such fluid mechanical parameters as shear rate, turbulence intensities and recirculation areas in the entry region of the aorta, for example, would provide a better understanding of associated diseases (e.g., thrombus formation and endothelial damage). In addition, this knowledge would serve as a foundation for the design and testing of prosthetic heart valves.
Ranking indirect connections in literature-based discovery: The role of medical subject headings: Research Articles

Arrowsmith, a computer-assisted process for literature-based discovery, takes as input two disjoint sets of records (A, C) from the Medline database. It produces a list of title words and phrases, B, that are common to A and C, and displays the title context in which each B-term occurs within A and within C. Subject experts then can try to find A–B and B–C title-pairs that together may suggest novel and plausible indirect A–C relationships (via B-terms) that are of particular interest in the absence of any known direct A–C relationship. The list of B-terms typically is so large that it is difficult to find the relatively few that contribute to scientifically interesting connections. The purpose of the present article is to propose and test several techniques for improving the quality of the B-list. These techniques exploit the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) that are assigned to each input record. A MesH-based concept of literature cohesiveness is defined and plays a key role. The proposed techniques are tested on a published example of indirect connections between migraine and magnesium deficiency. The tests demonstrate how the earlier results can be replicated with a more efficient and more systematic computer-aided process. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Automatic medical image classification for content-based image retrieval systems

This paper discusses results and methods used to automatically classify medical images for Content Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) systems. Using a supervised learning approach, we automatically classified over 3,000 medical images according to the four facets of IRMA classification code (that's image modality, body orientation, biological system, and anatomical part). Our best results were obtained in the image modality facet classification with an overall error-rate of 1%.
Protective Effect of AF-2 on LPS-induced Acute Lung Injury of Mouse

Objective To investigate the protective effect of antiflammin-2(AF-2) on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced acute lung injury(ALI) of mouse.Methods Balb/c mice weighed 15 to 16 g were grouped into control group,ALI model group and AF-2 treated group randomly.Mice in the control group were injected with physiological saline solution(PSS),while mice in the other two groups were incubated with LPS by intraperitoneal injection to induce ALI.Then animals in the AF-2 treated group were dosed with 2 mg AF-2/kg weight(dissolved in PSS) also through intraperitoneal injection,while those of the control group and the model group were both given equivalent PSS as a placebo.The respiratory rate of all the animals as well as the development of the illness were observed and recorded at the time point of 6 hour and 12 hour after injection.And at the 12 hour time point,animals were sacrificed for preparation of blood followed with studies of cytokines,and the whole lung tissues for pathological investigations subsequently.Results An obvious attenuation of the respiratory rate of the ALI mice treated with anti-inflammatory AF-2 was observed comparing with that of the mice in the ALI model group.Remarkable extenuation of the extent of intra-alveolar,intersticial hemorrhage and infiltration of inflammatory cells was observed in the lung tissue within the groups which were treated by AF-2 soon after the challenge with LPS rather than those of ALI model groups.Reductions of IL-6 levels in the peripheral serum showed up in the AF-2 treated groups comparing to the ALI model groups.Conclusion An obvious anti-inflammatory effect of AF-2 on ALI mice induced by LPS were conformed especially on that evident pathological changes observed within the lungs of mice treated with AF-2.
Attenuation and Scattering of Short-Period Seismic Waves in the Lithosphere

The irregularities in seismic wave fronts observed at arrays such as LASA can be ascribed to heterogeneities in the lithosphere beneath the array. These heterogeneities are important in detection seismology because of their effect on seismic waveforms to be used for source identification.
A high sensitivity wear debris sensor using ferrite cores for online oil condition monitoring

Detecting wear debris and measuring the increasing number of wear debris in lubrication oil can indicate abnormal machine wear well ahead of machine failure, and thus are indispensable for online machine health monitoring. A portable wear debris sensor with ferrite cores for online monitoring is presented. The sensor detects wear debris by measuring the inductance change of two planar coils wound around a pair of ferrite cores that make the magnetic flux denser and more uniform in the sensing channel, thereby improving the sensitivity of the sensor. Static testing results showed this wear debris sensor is capable of detecting 11 µm and 50 µm ferrous debris in 1 mm and 7 mm diameter fluidic pipes, respectively; such a high sensitivity has not been achieved before. Furthermore, a synchronized sampling method was also applied to reduce the data size and realize real-time data processing. Dynamic testing results demonstrated that the sensor is capable of detecting wear debris in real time with a high throughput of 750 ml min−1; the measured debris concentration is in good agreement with the actual concentration.
Calorimetric Studies of Hydrophobic Interactions in Aqueous Solution

Biological macromolecules such as proteins are stabilized in a narrow distribution of conformations in aqueous solution by various solute-solute (intramolecular) and solute-solvent interactions. These interactions are usually distinguished by names such as electrostatic, dipolar, hydrogen bonding or hydrophobic. Most of what we know of the magnitudes of these interactions and their molecular interpretation has been derived from defined model systems wherein each type of interaction is studied independently. We focus our attention in this report on hydrophobic interactions which have in many ways a unique mechanism for association. For example, whereas the strength of most interactions between solute molecules are decreased by the properties of liquid water, as compared to other liquids, hydrophobic interactions are a result of these properties. Association of nonpolar molecules (as in membranes) or folding of proteins which has significant contributions from this mechanism and the resultant properties of the aggregate are of pivotal importance to living systems 1.
Introduction: Perspectives on Communication

In the 1950s–60s, an information-exchange conception of animal communication arose out of ethological interests in the causation and evolution of signalling behavior (Marler, 1961; Smith, 1963). This traditional approach was challenged in the 1970s by evolutionary approaches founded more explicitly on the logic of natural selection (Maynard Smith & Price, 1973; Dawkins & Krebs, 1978; Caryl, 1979). This set of adaptive approaches is now 20+ years old, and so has been around long enough to have achieved its own status as a traditional perspective on the study of animal communication.
Parallel pseudorandom sequences for built-in test

Parallel pseudorandom sequences for use in built-in test are discussed. Some of the desired properties of such sequences are unique to the two-dimensional nature of these sequences. A conventional LFSR with parallel output is shown to be a poor choice for such a generator. A compact generator that provides sequences with the desired properties is described.
Shortest Paths and Transitive Closure

Let G = (V, E) be an undirected graph and let l be a function assigning a nonnegative length to each edge. Extend l to domain V x V by defining l(υ, υ) = 0 and l(u, υ) = ∞ if (u, υ) ∉ E. Define the length2 of a path \( p = {e_{1}}{e_{2}}...{e_{n}}{\text{ to be }}l(p) = \Sigma _{{i = 1}}^{n}l({e_{i}}). \). For u, υ ∈ V, define the distance d(u, υ) from u to υ to be the length of a shortest path from u to υ, or ∞ if no such path exists. The single-source shortest path problem is to find, given s ∈ V, the value of d(s, u) for every other vertex u in the graph.
SpyTag/SpyCatcher Functionalization of E2 Nanocages with Stimuli-Responsive Z-ELP Affinity Domains for Tunable Monoclonal Antibody Binding and Precipitation Properties.

E2 nanocages functionalized with Z-domain-elastin-like polypeptide affinity ligands (Z-ELP40) using Sortase A (SrtA) ligation have been shown to be a promising scaffold for purifying monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) based on affinity precipitation. However, the reversible nature of SrtA reaction has been attributed to the low ligation efficiency ( 90% recovery of Z-ELP80-Spy-E2 nanocages at room temperature using 0.1 M ammonium sulfate after mAb elution. The flexibility of customizing different affinity domains onto the SpyTag-E2 scaffold should expand our ability to purify other non-mAb target proteins based on affinity precipitation.
A Multidisciplinary Approach to Management of Bouveret Syndrome

Bouveret Syndrome is a rare complication of gallstone disease that occurs when a gallstone enters the stomach or bowel through a biliary enteric fistula and becomes impacted, resulting in gastric outlet obstruction. It is frequently seen in elderly chronically ill patients with neglected biliary disease. We describe a multidisciplinary approach to management of Bouveret Syndrome that could be adopted by healthcare systems with resources commonly found in facilities with a general urologist and gastroenterologist or general surgeon. Successful application of laser lithotripsy under endoscopic guidance sufficiently fractured the stone to allow for disimpaction and relief of the gastric outlet obstruction.
Developing an agent-based simulation model of the use of different communication technologies in inter-organizational disaster response coordination

Our research focuses on communications among a variety of organizations that coordinate their rapid responses to catastrophic disasters. Within the context of FEMA’s National Response Coordination Center, we constructed an agent-based simulation model of the inter-organizational communications happening via their Web-based Emergency Operations Center, email, phone calls, and face-to-face conversations as the support requests were addressed and fulfilled. We developed our model based on FEMA documentation, observations, interviews, and exercise data. In this paper we outline our model development process and provide details about our simulation model to highlight and address some of the particular challenges one faces when developing simulation models of disaster response activities. We describe what specific aspects of communication media and situational factors our model was developed to test, and also present the design and select results of our first research experiment using this model.
Phosphorylation of TSC2 by PKC-δ reveals a novel signaling pathway that couples protein synthesis to mTORC1 activity

Downstream of insulin-like growth factor receptor, the TSC1/2/ TCB1D7 (tuberous sclerosis complex) and mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) pathways are implicated in many human diseases, including cancer and diabetes. Targeting this pathway is currently an important approach for palliating or eradicating cancer. Downstream of mTOR, translational machinery targeting holds great promise for anticancer drug development. Therefore, we investigated whether the protein synthesis machinery that is regulated by mTORC1 (mTOR complex 1) signaling can in turn regulate mTORC1 activity. We found that inhibition of protein synthesis results in rapid activation of mTORC1 signaling, thereby uncovering a feedback loop between mTOR and the translation machinery. This mTORC1 activation requires tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) but is independent of AKT. In addition, by using a PKC-δ (protein kinase c delta)-specific inhibitor and PKC-δ siRNA knockdown, we found that PKC-δ kinase activity is required for mTORC1 activation in response to translation inhibitors. Furthermore, translation inhibition activates PKC-δ. Subsequently, we investigated whether PKC-δ can phosphorylate and inactivate TSC1/2, leading to mTORC1 activation. In vitro kinase assays showed direct phosphorylation of TSC2 (S932 and S939) by PKC-δ, which was confirmed by mass spectrometry. In vivo kinase analysis further indicated that both S932 and S939 are phosphorylated in response to translation inhibitors. Finally, phosphorylation defective TSC2 mutants (S932A and S939A single mutants and a S932A/S939A double mutant) failed to upregulate mTORC1 activity in the presence of translation inhibitors, suggesting that activation of mTORC1 by translation inhibitors is mediated by PKC-δ phosphorylation of TSC2 at S932/S939, which inactivates TSC.
Obesity: The Post Mortem: Reviving History and Dehumanizing Fatness via Televised Dissection

“We recognise the importance of images in education, and while the making and displaying of images (including photographs, films and electronic images) fall outside of the scope of the HT Act, and ...
Recurrent Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection Presenting with STEMI, Once is Never Enough!

BACKGROUND Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an under-recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome in women. CASE PRESENTATION We present a 40-year-old female who presented with recurrent STEMI due to recurrent SCAD 10 days after the index presentation in a different coronary territory. She was successfully treated both times with drug eluting stents. MRI showed an evidence of transmural infarction but her ejection fraction was only mildly reduced. She had good short term outcome. CONCLUSION High index of suspicion is crucial for early diagnosis and prompt medical and interventional management in patients with SCAD.
Exile and Return of the First Temple Vessels: Competing Postexilic Perspectives and Claims of Continuity

Biblical texts exhibit varying accounts of the temple vessels’ “fate” during the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem, whether dismantled or taken away. Altogether, biblical historiography features ...
Edward Thring’s theory, practice and legacy: physical education in Britain since 1800: by Malcolm Tozer, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019, 376 pp., £65 (hb), ISBN 978-1-5275-2818-5

Those familiar with Malcolm Tozer’s previous works on Thring will not be surprised to know that this very readable, elegantly produced and delightfully illustrated monograph fully meets its author’...
Sustaining Social Distancing Policies to Prevent a Dangerous Second Peak of COVID-19 Outbreak

Governments around the world have enacted strict social distancing policies in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. The next step is figuring out when to relax these restrictions and to what degree. Our results predict potentially disastrous implications of ending these policies too soon, based on projections made from a Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Removed (SEIR) epidemic model. Even when infection rates appear to be slowing down or decreasing, prematurely returning to “business as usual” produces a severe second peak far worse than the first. Furthermore, such a second peak is made more likely when very severe restrictions are initially enacted. Only an appropriately measured and committed set of restrictions can appropriately control COVID-19 outbreak levels.
Diagnosis of the process of agrarian and rural digitalization in Bulgaria

Abstract. Despite its big theoretical and practical importance in Bulgaria there are no comprehensive analysis of the state and evolution of digitalization in agriculture and rural areas. The goal of this study is to analyze the state, development and efficiency of digitalization in the agrarian sphere in Bulgaria, specify major trends in that area, compare the situation with other EU countries, identify main problems, and make recommendation for improving policies in the next programing period. Analysis has found out that in recent years there is considerable improvement of the access of Bulgarian households to internet as well as a significant increase in the persons using internet for relations with public institutions and trading goods and services. Nevertheless, Bulgaria is quite behind from other EU members in regards to introduction of digital technologies in the economy and society taking one of the last places in EU in terms of Integral Index for Introduction of Digital Technologies in the Economy and Society – DESI. There is a great variation on the extent of digitalization in different subsectors of agriculture, farms of different juridical type and size, and different regions of the country. Most agricultural holdings are not aware with the content of digital agriculture as 14% apply modern digital technologies. Major obstacles for introduction of digital technologies are qualification of employees, amount of required investment, unclear economic benefits, and data security. Main areas where state administration actions are required are: support of measures for supplementary training of labor, tax preferences in planning of actions and digitalization of activity, stimulation of young specialists, introduction of internationally recognized processes of standardization and certification, adaptation of legislation in the area of data protection, and securing reliable and high speed networks. Keywords. Digitalization, Agriculture, Rural, Bulgaria, EU CAP. JEL. Q10, O31, O33, Q01, Q16, Q18.
Evaluation of the relationships between dietary restraint, emotional eating, and intuitive eating moderated by sex

Abstract Intuitive eating involves attention to feelings putatively related to hunger and satiety to guide eating choices. This adaptive eating style has been linked to a number of positive physical and psychological outcomes. Interestingly, women tend to report lower levels of intuitive eating compared to men. It has been hypothesized that sociocultural pressures or dieting could be contributing factors to this sex discrepancy. The current study aimed to explore whether sex moderates the relationship between either dietary restraint and intuitive eating, or between emotional eating and intuitive eating. Assessments were administered to a sample of college males and females (N = 478) as part of a larger study of eating behaviors. Moderation analyses indicated that higher dietary restraint was more strongly associated with lower levels of intuitive eating in women than in men. Emotional eating also had a stronger negative association with intuitive eating in women compared to men. Additionally, relationships between dietary restraint/emotional eating and a component of intuitive eating, “eating for physical rather than emotional reasons”, was stronger for women compared to men. These findings suggest that dietary restraint and emotional eating may serve as barriers in the implementation of an intuitive eating style, especially for women. Prevention and intervention efforts should target those high in dietary restraint and emotional eating.
The Cluster-Merger Shock in 1E 0657-56: Faster than the Speeding Bullet?

Shock waves driven in the intergalactic medium during the merging of galaxy clusters have been observed in X-ray imaging and spectroscopy. Fluid motions inferred from the shock strength and morphology can be compared to the cold dark matter (CDM) distribution inferred from gravitational lensing. A detailed reconstruction of the CDM kinematics, however, must take into account the nontrivial response of the fluid intracluster medium to the collisionless CDM motions. We have carried out two-dimensional simulations of gas dynamics in cluster collisions. We analyze the relative motion of the clusters, the bow shock wave, and the contact discontinuity and relate these to X-ray data. We focus on the "bullet cluster," 1E 0657-56, a near head-on collision of unequal-mass clusters, for which the gas density and temperature jumps across the prominent bow shock imply a high shock velocity 4,700 km/s. The velocity of the fluid shock has been widely interpreted as the relative velocity of the CDM components. This need not be the case, however. An illustrative simulation finds that the present relative velocity of the CDM halos is 16% lower than that of the shock. While this conclusion is sensitive to the detailed initial mass and gas density profile of the colliding clusters, such a decrease of the inferred halo relative velocity would increase the likelihood of finding 1E 0657-56 in a LambdaCDM universe.
AN INVESTIGATION ON THE IMPACT OF GOVERNMENT EXPENDITURE IN HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

This study explores the impact of human capital development on economic growth in Nigeria from 1981 to 2017 using time series data of thirty four (36) years. The empirical analysis begins with an investigation of the stationarity of the variables specified under the model specification. Upon which the study used the ARDL bound estimation techniques to examine the existence of long run and short run dynamic relationship between human capital formation and economic growth in Nigeria. Our results show that a long run dynamic relationship exists between human capital development and economic growth in Nigeria. It is therefore recommended that in order to achieve economic growth, policymakers should inter-alia increase not just the amount of expenditure made on the education sector, but also the percentage of its total expenditure accorded to the sector. Moreover, improve personnel development in the health care and ensuring adequate distribution of health facilities within the federation is essentially imperative.
Multimedia security: Watermarking, steganography, and forensics

Part I: Multimedia Mining and Classification Multimedia Duplicate Mining toward Knowledge Discovery, X. Wu, S. Poullot, and S. Satoh Discriminative Learning-Assisted Video Semantic Concept Classification, Q. Zhu, M.-L. Shyu, and S. Chen An Improved Feature Vocabulary-Based Method for Image Categorization, F.Y. Shih and A. Sheppard Part II: Watermarking Automatic Detection and Removal of Visible Image Watermarks, H. Su, Y. Cheng, and S. Lai Digital Watermarking Based on Chaotic Map and Reference Register, Y.-T. Wu and F.Y. Shih A Pseudo-Random Pixel Rearrangement Algorithm Based on Gaussian Integers for Image Watermarking, A. Koval, F.Y. Shih, and B.S. Verkhovsky Reversible Data-Hiding Techniques for Digital Images, Z.-H. Wang, M.-T. Sun, and C.-C. Chang Watermarking Based on Local Binary Pattern Operators, W. Zhang and F.Y. Shih Authentication of JPEG Images Based on Genetic Algorithms, V. Gopal Edupuganti and F.Y. Shih An Efficient Block-Based Fragile Watermarking System for Tamper Localization and Recovery, V. Gopal Edupuganti, F.Y. Shih, and I-C. Chang Part III: Steganography Survey of Image Steganography and Steganalysis, M. Bachrach and F.Y. Shih Digital Steganographic Schemes Based on Image Vector Quantization, S.D. Lin and S.-C. Shie A Differential Evolution-Based Algorithm for Breaking the Visual Steganalytic System, F.Y. Shih and V. Gopal Edupuganti Genetic Algorithm-Based Methodology for Breaking the Steganalytic Systems, Y.-T. Wu and F.Y. Shih Part IV: Forensics Image Inpainting Using an Enhanced Exemplar-Based Algorithm,I-C. Chang and C.-W. Hsu A Comparison Study on Copy-Cover Image Forgery Detection, F.Y. Shih and Y. Yuan A Chaos-Based Hash Function with Both Modification Detection and Localization Capabilities, D. Xiao, F.Y. Shih, and X. Liao Video Forensics, H.-R. Tyan and H.-Y. Mark Liao Using the Self-Synchronizing Method to Improve Security of the Multi-Chaotic Systems-Based Image Encryption, D. Xiao and F.Y. Shih Behavior Modeling of Human Objects in Multimedia Content, Y. Yin and H. Man
Monolithic, two-terminal InP/Ga/sub 0.47/In/sub 0.53/As tandem solar cells

Recent research has been directed towards the development of two-terminal, i.e., series-connected, monolithic InP/Ga/sub 0.47/In/sub 0. /tandem cells. Two fundamental problems must be addressed to realize high-performance, two-terminal cells. First, an ohmic electrical interconnect between the top and bottom subcells must be integrated into the monolithic structure to connect the subcells in series. The optical and joule losses in the interconnect should be negligible compared to the tandem cell output. Second, because the subcells are connected in series, techniques for matching the subcell photocurrents, and maximizing the tandem cell photocurrent, under relevant solar spectra, are necessary to achieve the highest tandem cell efficiency. The authors describe preliminary progress towards solving these problems, and outline directions for future work. >
Derrida on the death penalty

Responding to Derrida’s Death Penalty Seminar of 1999/2000 and its interpretation by Michael Naas, the paper argues that Derrida’s deconstruction of the theological-political concept of the sovereign right over life and death in view of abolishing capital punishment should be understood in terms of the unconditional renunciation of sovereignty as called for in Derrida’s later political writings, Rogues in particular. This reading takes seriously what is here called the functional need for a ‘theological’ moment in sovereignty beyond a merely historicist or genealogical interpretation of the European monotheistic heritage. Further, this reading asks how Derrida may follow through on his goal of developing the allegedly first principled philosophical stance against capital punishment. To this end, the paper assembles some ingredients of this complex but ‘unconditional’ abolitionism, one that doubts our comprehension of and active relation to death to the point of questioning the common sense distinctions among murder, suicide, and legal putting to death. The paper concludes that for Derrida, letting another die of hunger or AIDS may be understood as a form of death sentence, so that a deconstructive abolitionism puts into question the good conscience of sovereign agency.
Distortion behavior in wireless and RF MOS-based switches

RF MOS devices are finding increased use in a variety of wireless systems that require a high degree of functionality, low dc power consumption and easy integration with digital technology. This paper shows the effects of device size and technology (bulk versus SOI) on MOSFET nonlinearities in RF control applications such as series and shunt-connected devices in switch and attenuator applications. A theory is advanced that is verified with distortion measurements on fabricated control devices.
Arrangement of the substrates at the active site of brain pyridoxal kinase.

The distances between enzyme-bound paramagnetic CrATP (a stable, beta, gamma-bidentate complex of Cr3+ and ATP) at the active site of sheep brain pyridoxal kinase and the protons of bound inhibitor 4-dPyr (4-deoxypyridoxine) were determined in the ternary enzyme-CrATP.4-dPyr complex by measuring the paramagnetic effects of Cr3+ on the longitudinal relaxation rates (1/T1p) of the protons of 4-dPyr. The correlation time for the Cr(3+)-4-dPyr dipolar interaction on the enzyme was estimated as 1.59 ns by the frequency dependence of 1/T1p of water protons. Temperature dependence of 1/T1p values indicated the fast exchange of 4-dPyr from the paramagnetic enzyme.CrATP.4-dPyr complex; hence the measured 1/T1p values can be used for metalnucleus distance determinations. The distances from the Cr3+ of the enzyme-bound CrATP to the 2-methyl (7.19 A), 4-methyl (7.18 A), and H6 proton (6.18 A) of the 4-dPyr are too great to permit a direct coordination of any group from 4-dPyr. However, these distances can be built into a model in which phosphorus of the gamma-phosphoryl group of ATP is 4 A away from the oxygen atom of the 5-CH2OH group of the 4-dPyr. This suggests that phosphorylation of pyridoxal can occur via direct transfer of the phosphoryl group between the bound substrates at the active site of pyridoxal kinase.
Patterns of Nestling Feeding in Harris's Sparrows, Zonotrichia querula and White-crowned Sparrows, Z. leucophrys , in the Northwest Territories, Canada

Patterns of nestling feeding by males and females were compared in sympatric populations of Harris’s Sparrows ( Zonotrichia querula ) and Gambel’s White-crowned Sparrows ( Z. leucophrys gambelii ) in the Northwest Territories, Canada. In both species, only the female brooded young. Total feeding rate (both parents), and male and female feeding rates, increased with nestling age in both species; total feeding rates did not differ significantly between species. Nestlings of both species were fed most frequently by females during the early part of the nestling period (day 0-5), and feeding rates did not approach parity until nestlings were 6-8 d old. Patterns of nestling feeding, including initially low male provisioning, in Harris’s Sparrows and White-crowned Sparrows at my low arctic study site were similar to those in other populations of Zonotrichia . Low levels of male nestling care, relative to females, appears to be relatively uncommon among socially monogamous passerines. Reduced male care may be adaptive in temperate environments, as it would allow males to pursue other mating opportunities. However, reasons for persistence of the trait in the low arctic, where breeding is highly synchronous, remain unclear.
A peptide nucleic acid targeting nuclear RAD51 sensitizes multiple myeloma cells to melphalan treatment

RAD51-mediated recombinational repair is elevated in multiple myeloma (MM) and predicts poor prognosis. RAD51 has been targeted to selectively sensitize and/or kill tumor cells. Here, we employed a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) to inhibit RAD51 expression in MM cells. We constructed a PNA complementary to a unique segment of the RAD51 gene promoter, spanning the transcription start site, and conjugated it to a nuclear localization signal (PKKKRKV) to enhance cellular uptake and nuclear delivery without transfection reagents. This synthetic construct, (PNArad51_nls), significantly reduced RAD51 transcripts in MM cells, and markedly reduced the number and intensity of de novo and melphalan-induced nuclear RAD51 foci, while increasing the level of melphalan-induced γH2AX foci. Melphalan alone markedly induced the expression of 5 other genes involved in homologous-recombination repair, yet suppression of RAD51 by PNArad51_nls was sufficient to synergize with melphalan, producing significant synthetic lethality o...
Johannes Phocylides Holwarda and the Interpretation of New Stars in the Dutch Republic

Seen from the perspective of Kepler or Galileo, the new star of 1604 was an important event. It helped them in formulating and defending new views of the cosmos. However, Kepler and Galileo were exceptional individuals. To many other people, the cosmological significance of the nova was not that clear. New stars might be wondrous or even terrifying phenomena, but in themselves they did not raise any questions about the constitution of the universe. The meaning attributed to new stars would depend on people’s general world-views, which in its turn would be greatly influenced by the local circumstances. It makes sense, therefore, to study the debate on new stars in a variety of specific contexts.
Seismic Analysis of Fossil-Fuel Boiler Structures

Seismic analysis has been performed for a 600-MW and a 1200-MW steam generators and their supporting structures in this paper using realistic three-dimensional finite element models. The 600-MW power plant is located in Zone III of the earthquake-risk map whereas the 1200-MW plant is located in Zone I. Because of greater possibility of an occurrance of an earthquake in Zone III, the power plant was designed according to the specifications of the Uniform Building Codes. Each suspended boiler is analyzed by an analytic model as well as by a finite element model with four hanger rods. For each plant, twelve natural frequencies and associated mode shapes of the combined boiler and structure finite element model have been obtained. For the 600-MW boiler structure, the spectra of modal responses of the relative displacements of the joints and the axial stresses in the structural members are obtained based on El Centro earthquake. It is found that the axial stresses exceed the yield stress and Euler buckling stresses in a minority of members. Small damping coefficients reduce the response displacements significantly.
Improvement of an l-Leucine-Producing Mutant of Brevibacterium lactofermentum 2256 by Genetically Desensitizing It to α-Acetohydroxy Acid Synthetase

Genetic improvement of l-leucine productivity in strain 218, an ile 2-thiazolealanine-resistant mutant of Brevibacterium lactofermentum 2256, was attempted. In strain 218, which produced 28 mg of l-leucine per ml from 13% glucose, alpha-isopropylmalate synthetase was genetically desensitized and derepressed to the effect of l-leucine, whereas alpha-acetohydroxy acid synthetase remained unaltered, although it could be derepressed phenotypically by limiting the isoleucine concentration in the culture. From strain 218 we isolated 103 mutants resistant to beta-hydroxyleucine (4 mg/ml). Among these, three were found to produce mere l-leucine than the parent. The alpha-acetohydroxy acid synthetase of all three mutant strains was found to be genetically desensitized to all of the branched-chain amino acids l-isoleucine, l-valine, and l-leucine. The repression mechanism in alpha-acetohydroxy acid synthetase formation was the same as in the parent strain. The improved strains typically produced 34 mg of l-leucine per ml, the highest productivity ever reported.
Rick Dillingham. Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery.

Fourteen Families in Pueblo Pottery, RICK DILLINGHAM, with. forward by J. J. BRODY. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1994. xix. 304 pp. 268 color plates, 185 halftones. $75.00 (cloth); $37.50 (paper).
Murine interstitial nephritis. VI. Characterization of the B cell response in anti-tubular basement membrane disease.

In the present study we have examined the murine B cell response in anti-tubular basement membrane (alpha TBM) disease. Whereas only certain strains of mice are susceptible to the development of interstitial lesions after immunization with heterologous renal tubular antigen, all strains make anti-tubular basement membrane antibodies (alpha TBM-Ab), and all express the 3M-1 kidney antigen which is the target of disease. The magnitude of the alpha TBM-Ab response in serum and renal eluates, measured by radioimmunoassay against crude tubular antigen or affinity-purified 3M-1, also mapped independently of susceptibility. The fine specificity of epitope binding was further analyzed using a rat monoclonal alpha 3M-1 antibody to competitively inhibit the binding of renal eluate antibody to 3M-1. Maximum inhibition among nearly all tested strains ranged from 46 to 56% with no discernible difference between susceptible and nonsusceptible mice. Idiotypic representation of renal eluate alpha TBM-Ab was then evaluated by competitive inhibition using a polymorphic anti-idiotypic antisera. All mice examined possessed almost identical competitive inhibition patterns, indicating surprisingly similar idiotypic representation. Thus, in susceptible or nonsusceptible mice, neither the quantitative alpha TBM-Ab response, the epitopic fine specificity of that response, nor the idiotype of eluted alpha TBM-Ab serve as distinguishing markers for susceptibility to interstitial injury. Finally, passive transfer experiments with high-titered (greater than 1:10,000) alpha TBM-Ab from SJL mice were performed to test the hypothesis that alpha TBM-Ab alone may be sufficient for the induction of alpha TBM disease. Whereas this antiserum was capable of causing typical, severe alpha TBM disease in naive susceptible SJL mice, this treatment in allotype-identical, nonsusceptible B10.S(8R) mice was completely without effect. These data demonstrate, in conclusion, that, in the absence of appropriate susceptibility genes, alpha TBM-Ab are incapable of causing alpha TBM disease. The findings support previous observations that the ability of passively transferred alpha TBM-Ab to initiate interstitial injury is dependent on the host also expressing other susceptibility genes which promote the cooperative engagement of the cell-mediated immune response.
Blood flow imaging of a posterior circulation stroke. Use of technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime and single photon emission computed tomography.

• Regional cerebellar perfusion was imaged using technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropylene amine oxime and single photon emission computed tomography (HM-PAO-SPECT) in a patient with chronic left lateral medullary syndrome with contralateral weakness due to traumatically induced thrombosis of the left vertebral artery. Despite continued neurologic deficits, x-ray transmission computed tomography was normal. However, HM-PAOSPECT demonstrated that blood flow to the left cerebellar hemisphere was significantly impaired. This abnormality was still apparent after correction for atrophy as estimated by magnetic resonance imaging. Technetium Tc 99m hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime and single photon emission computed tomography effectively imaged regional blood flow in the vertebrobasilar circulation and appears to more clearly reflect the nature and extent of the neurologic deficit than either x-ray transmission computed tomography or magnetic resonance scanning.