cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Educating Engineers for Social Problem Solving

There are many signs that engineers can and will make contributions to the understanding of social systems and to social problem solving. The peculiarities associated with social systems research, especially as it takes place in an educational setting, are examined in detail. There has been a traditional strong bond between engineering education and research, and it is essential to examine this new area to determine those factors which will affect the evolution of meaningful projects and curricula. Social systems research has many characteristics which differentiate it from other well known engineering research areas. The role of the academic participants in this research will be different from the past. The employment opportunities for engineers educated to do social problem solving will open new avenues of professional activity. A variety of observations and proposals are made to help the evolution of this new engineering direction proceed quickly and smoothly.
Improving Mu Rhythm Brain-Computer Interface Performance by Providing Specific Instructions for Control

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are used to aid persons who have limited or no natural motor control. The mu rhythm is often used a neural control signal because it can be voluntarily modulated using motor imagery or relaxation. Practically using mu-rhythm BCIs presents issues involving long training times, variable accuracy, and even the exclusion of some participants due to lack of control. This study used a bilateral mu-based BCI to investigate whether giving participants specific instructions on how to modulate their mu rhythm would increase mu rhythm control as compared to the usual vague instructions given.
Vibration control of tall buildings

Abstract Objectionable vibrations have been experienced in modern tall buildings. To alleviate the vibrations one may increase the structural stiffness and damping or use a passive control device such as a ‘tuned mass damper’. The drawback of the above mentioned methods is the greatly increased cost. An alternative approach is to use active control devices providing control forces based on the feed back control theory. This paper presents a systematic approach of first reducing a multistorey structure to a simpler equivalent system. Then a pole placement method is developed to obtain the conrol forces. A successive approximation method is used to reduce the responses to permissible magnitudes. An example is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the method.
Catalase has only a minor role in protection against near-ultraviolet radiation damage in bacteria

In bacterial cells near-ultraviolet radiation (NUV) generates H2O2 which can be decomposed by endogenous catalase to H2O and O2. To assess the roles of H2O2 and catalase in NUV lethality, we manipulated the amount of intracellular catalase (a) by the use of mutant and plasmid strains with altered endogenous catalase, (b) physiologically, by the addition of glucose, and (c) by induction of catalase synthesis with oxidizing agents. Not only was there no direct correlation between NUV-resistance and catalase activity, but in some cases the correlation was inverse. Also, while there was correlation between NUV and H2O2 sensitivity for most strains tested, there were a number of exceptions which indicates that the modes of killing were different for the two agents.
The use of high-pressure liquid chromatography in the preparation of tritium-labeled chloramphenicol and its analogs.

Abstract The 1-hydroxy epimers of chloramphenicol and thiamphenicol formed from the reduction of the respective 1-oxo derivatives with [ 3 H]NaBH 4 have been separated preparatively by high-pressure liquid chromatography on a μBondapak C 18 column. This separation procedure permits the facile and rapid preparation of the 1- 3 H-labeled derivatives of chloramphenicol and its analogs.
Stability of DNA Origami Nanostructure under Diverse Chemical Environments

We report the effect of chemical and physical treatments on the structural stability of DNA origami nanostructures. Our result shows that DNA nanostructure maintains its shape under harsh processing conditions, including thermal annealing up to 200 °C for 10 min, immersing in a wide range of organic solvents for up to 24 h, brief exposure to alkaline aqueous solutions, and 5 min exposure to UV/O3. Our result suggests that the application window of DNA nanostructure is significantly wider than previously believed.
Predictors of postpartum depression: an update.

Background Approximately 13% of women experience postpartum depression. Early recognition is one of the most difficult challenges with this mood disorder because of how covertly it is suffered. Objectives The purpose of this meta-analysis was to update the findings of an earlier meta-analysis of postpartum depression predictors that had synthesized the results of studies conducted mostly in the 1980s. Method A meta-analysis of 84 studies published in the decade of the 1990s was conducted to determine the magnitude of the relationships between postpartum depression and various risk factors. Using the software system Advanced Basic Meta-Analysis, effect sizes were calculated three ways: unweighted, weighted by sample size, and weighted by quality index score. Results Thirteen significant predictors of postpartum depression were revealed. Ten of the 13 risk factors had moderate effect sizes while three predictors had small effect sizes. The mean effect size indicator ranges for each risk factor were as follows: prenatal depression (.44 to .46), self esteem (.45 to. 47), childcare stress (.45 to .46), prenatal anxiety (.41 to .45), life stress (.38 to .40), social support (.36 to .41), marital relationship (.38 to .39), history of previous depression (.38 to .39), infant temperament (.33 to .34), maternity blues (.25 to .31), marital status (.21 to .35), socioeconomic status (.19 to .22), and unplanned/unwanted pregnancy (.14 to .17). Conclusions Results confirmed findings of an earlier meta-analysis and in addition revealed four new predictors of postpartum depression: self-esteem, marital status, socioeconomic status, and unplanned/unwanted pregnancy.
Individual and group spreadsheet design: patterns of errors

Working alone or in groups of two (dyads) or four (tetrads), undergraduate business students developed a spreadsheet model. This paper discusses the errors that the students made and presents a typology of spreadsheet errors. The paper also discusses the extent to which group spreadsheet development reduced errors. >
Uptake of Gibberellic Acid in Intact and Scarified Seeds of Barbarea vulgaris

Uptake of gibberellic acid as a function of duration of exposure, external concentration, and seed lot was measured in seeds of yellow rocket (Barbarea vulgaris R. Br.) by means of lettuce hypocotyl bioassays of the acidic, basic, or neutral fractions of seed extracts and by uptake of 14C-GA3. In intact seeds, where mM levels of GA3 promoted only 25% germination, uptake was completed within 24 h of exposure. The maximum uptake was about 0.2% of external amount. Although germination promotion by GA3 differed among seedlots of yellow rocket, relative uptake (percentage of the external GA3) was nearly the same. The relative rate of uptake of GA3 was similar for scarified and intact seeds, but germination was promoted in scarified seeds by much lower levels of GA3 than in intact seeds. Total uptake in scarified seeds was much higher, however (about 10% of the external amount). In seeds imbibed in H2O, practically no endogenous GA-like activity was detected in either the acidic, basic, or neutral fractions. It was also apparent that intact seeds could take up quantities of GA3 that failed to promote germination, but were comparable to quantities that promoted germination in scarified seeds.
Compounds related to cyanoacetic acid as repellents for cockroaches. II.

Thirty-one Compounds related to cyanoacetic acid were evaluated as repellents as against the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.). The most promising chemicals were tested also against the American cockroach, Periplauela americana (L.); the brown-banded cockroach, Supella, supellectilium (Serville); and the oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis L. Eleven compounds had outstanding to excellent repellency against all 4 species.
AML as a plant floor language

Abstract End users would benefit from a standard plant floor language able to control robots, NC tools, and a broad variety of other manufacturing and test equipment. AML, A Manufacturing Language, is now portable, with implementations running on a variety of IBM and non-IBM computers. We have experimented with AML enhancements, including multi-tasking, linkages to other computer languages, and data type and operator extensibility. In addition, we have studied issues of AML compilation and its use as a unified language for CAD/CAM. AML has been used experimentally to run non-IBM robots. It is suitable for controlling NC machine tools. Based on the requirements for a general purpose plant floor language, AML is emerging as a strong candidate for a potential standard in industrial automation.
The ontogeny of amphetamine-induced dopamine release in the caudate-putamen of the rat

Abstract Amphetamine-induced dopamine (DA) release in the caudate-putamen of adult rats was compared with that in the 35–36-day-old and 21–22-day-old rat pup, using in vivo voltammetry. In the adult and 35–36-day groups, 1.0 mg/kg amphetamine (AMP) produced a significant increase in DA release, while 0.1 mg/kg produced no significant change in DA release. In the 21–22-day group, 1.0 mg/kg AMP produced a slight increase, followed immediately by a significant decrease in DA release. Similarly, at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg, AMP produced a significant decrease in DA release. This decrease was greater than that seen after the 1.0 mg/kg dose of AMP. Tyramine produced no significant change in DA release, however, it served as a control for peripheral cardiovascular effects. These data suggest that AMP-induced DA release in the caudate-putamen is mature by postnatal day 35. The AMP-induced decrease in DA release found in the 21–22-day group is not due to either the cardiovascular effects of AMP or to a depletion of DA content. This decrease in neostriatal DA release may be due to a decrease in the neuronal firing of nigrostriatal DA neurons that is caused by an AMP-induced increase in dendritic DA release in the substantia nigra, exerting an inhibitory effect through DA autoreceptors.
Isolation and Serine Protease Inhibitory Activity of the 44-Residue, C-Terminal Fragment of αl -Antitrypsin from Human Placenta

Abstract αl-Antitrypsin (AAT) is a potent fluid-phase inhibitor of serine proteases. It forms a tightly bound, stoichiometric complex with these enzymes and is inactivated by cleavage within its reactive center. Evidence is here presented, that the 44-residue C-terminal fragment of AAT, termed SPAAT (short peptide from AAT), is found in human tissue, where it is apparently bound to the extracellular matrix (ECM). The identity of SPAAT was established by amino acid sequence analysis through its 40 N-terminal residues. Placental SPAAT inhibits chymotrypsin, human neutrophil elastase (HNE) and pancreatic elastase, but has no effect on trypsin. Unlike AAT, both placental and chemically-synthesized SPAAT are reversible, competitive inhibitors of chymotrypsin with K1's of 0.92 and 7.5 µM, respectively. Both AAT and placental SPAAT also bind to diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP)-treated HNE as well as cathepsin G. SPAAT may therefore play an important role in the protection of ECM proteins, such as elastin, proteoglycans (PG) and/or collagen, from inappropriate attack by serine proteases.
Gertrudis, Tula, La Peregrina y otras ficciones del yo

Gertrudis Gomez de Avellaneda’s Autobiografia , her letters, and her poems include a number of personal literary portraits in which she shapes several versions of her own self. This essay examines the various poses she adopts and their possible significance
The Multimodal Model as a Framework for Decision-Making in Psychotherapy

Summary.-Concepts of General Systems Theory were invoked ro highlight the decision-making chacncter of psychotherapy and to propose a framework for increased systematization of therapeutic procedures. The formal characteristics of Iazarus' multimodal system were examined in terms of criteria specifying the conditions necessary for accountability in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy, from beginning to end, entails a series of explicit and implicit decisions on the part of the therapist. These decisions essentially govern the planning, implementation, and evaluation of various therapeutic strategies. In order to be of value to clinicians, any conceptual basis for therapy must enrich one's repertoire of effective problem-solving decisions. All systems attempt to do this to a greater or lesser degree, but among present systems virtually all fall into one of two categories: (1 ) those with great decision-making power across a narrowly restricted range of clinical areas, e.g., operant approaches, (2) those with little decision-making power across a wide range of clinical areas, e.g., psychodynamic psychotherapy. General Systems Theory (Churchman, 1968; Stufflebeam, et al., 197 1 ) provides us with criteria against which any decision-making system can be measured or compared. Although there are many obvious differences between therapeutic cases and most contexts in which management science has been developed, basic concepts of systems theory can nevertheless have direct relevance to the therapeutic situation. If decisions in therapy are to be specifiable, repeatable, and arguable on some basis other than intuition, they must flow from, and have as their basis, an objective procedure of evaluation. Here a process of evaluation refers simply to an "information system" for gathering and analyzing data with respect to clearly stated goals and objectives. Thus, a conceptual framework for therapy which permits systematic decision-making must include provisions for the setting of objectives and the evaluation of activities designed to accomplish those objectives. More specifically, four basic conditions which would facilitate the systematic processing of information irn therapy are: (1 ) assessment should yield direct implications for treatment, (2 ) therapeutic objectives should be specified in measurable terms, (3) therapeutic techniques should be specified for each objective (these techniques must be recognizable and replicable), and (4) the process and outcome of therapy should be evaluated.
Thermal history of a Bishop Tuff section as determined from the width of cryptoperthite lamellae

The lamellar spacings in the sanidine cryptoperthites (bulk composition Or 66.4 Ab 32.3 An 1.3 ) from the Bishop Tuff near Long Valley, California, have been determined using transmission electron microscopy. The lamellar spacings show a sharp maximum at about 43 m below the topographically highest sample and a weak minimum about 4 m above this. This pattern indicates that two flows compose the section. The gradational boundary between the flows is about 37 m below the highest sample. Heat-flow calculations applied to the pattern of lamellar spacings indicate that these flows were emplaced within 1–5 yr of each other. The result illustrates the power of this technique in deciphering the geologic history of igneous rocks.
Discovery of novel peptide/receptor interactions: identification of PHM-27 as a potent agonist of the human calcitonin receptor.

Abstract Many naturally occurring peptides exhibit a high degree of promiscuity across G-protein coupled receptor subtypes. The degree to which this phenomenon occurs, and its physiological significance is not well characterized. In addition, many ‘orphan’ peptides exist for which there are no known receptors. Therefore, to identify novel interactions between biologically active peptides and G-protein coupled receptors, a library of nearly 200 peptides was screened against the human calcitonin (hCTr), human Parathyroid Hormone (PTH1R), human Corticotropin Releasing Factor (CRF1), and the human Glucagon-like peptide (GLP1) receptors using a cell-based functional assay (Receptor Selection and Amplification Technology). Functional profiling revealed that the ‘orphan peptide’ PHM-27 selectively activated the hCTr; no activity was observed at the PTH1, CRF1, or GLP1 receptors. PHM-27 was a potent agonist at the hCTr, with similar efficacy as human calcitonin, and a potency of 11 nM. These results were confirmed in cyclic AMP assays. Responses to calcitonin and PHM-27 could be suppressed by the antagonist salmon calcitonin (8–32). In competition binding studies, salmon calcitonin (8–32), calcitonin, and PHM-27 were each able to inhibit 125 I -calcitonin from cell membranes containing transiently expressed hCTr. These results indicate that the orphan peptide PHM-27 is a potent agonist at the hCTr.
Keeping ARMS relevant: increasing its usability

Purpose – The Agricultural Resource Management Survey (ARMS) conducted annually by the USDA's Economic Research Service collects data on US agriculture, ranging from production practices to the financial condition of farm and ranch enterprises and the farm household. The purpose of this article is to consider what could make ARMS useful from a farmer's point of view.Design/methodology/approach – A Delphi method is used to gather input from a panel of experts.Findings – Results show that increasing the usability of the ARMS to agricultural producers involves expanding the content and relevance of the data collected. Specific types of data needed are identified. Also, recommendations are made concerning how the usefulness and relevance of the data could be increased by refining the sample frame. Finally, it is argued here that after making some adjustments to the ARMS sample frame to create nationally representative data, the ARMS project could serve as a hugely important basis for reporting economic perfor...
Does Sexual Self-Concept Ambiguity Moderate Relations Among Perceived Peer Norms for Alcohol Use, Alcohol-Dependence Symptomatology, and HIV Risk-Taking Behavior?

Objective:The current study examines the relation between peer descriptive norms for alcohol involvement and alcohol-dependence symptomatology and whether this relation differs as a function of sexual self-concept ambiguity (SSA). This study also examines the associations among peer descriptive norms for alcohol involvement, alcohol-dependence symptomatology, and lifetime HIV risk-taking behavior and how these relations are influenced by SSA.Method:Women between ages 18 and 30 years (N = 351; M = 20.96, SD = 2.92) completed an online survey assessing sexual self-concept, peer descriptive norms, alcohol-dependence symptomatology, and HIV risk-taking behaviors. Structural equation modeling was used to test hypotheses of interest.Results:There was a significant latent variable interaction between SSA and descriptive norms for peer alcohol use. There was a stronger positive relationship between peer descriptive norms for alcohol and alcohol-dependence symptomatology when SSA was higher compared with when SSA ...
Fast Folding of an RNA Tetraloop on a Rugged Energy Landscape Detected by a Stacking-Sensitive Probe

We investigate the microsecond-timescale kinetics of the RNA hairpin ga∗cUUCGguc. The fluorescent nucleotide 2-aminopurine (a∗) reports mainly on base stacking. Ten kinetic traces and the temperature denaturation curve are globally fitted to four-state models of the free-energy surface. In the best-fitting sequential model, the hairpin unfolds over successively larger barriers in at least three stages: stem fraying and increased base-stacking fluctuations; concerted loss of hydrogen bonding and partial unstacking; and additional unstacking of single strands at the highest temperatures. Parallel and trap models also provide adequate fits: such pathways probably also play a role in the complete free-energy surface of the hairpin. To interpret the model states structurally, 200 ns of molecular dynamics, including six temperature-jump simulations, were run. Although the sampling is by no means comprehensive, five different states were identified using hydrogen bonding and base stacking as reaction coordinates. The four to five states required to explain the experiments or simulations set a lower limit on the complexity of this small RNA hairpin's energy landscape.
Europe's Troubles: Power Politics and the State of the European Project

The 1990s were years of great optimism in Europe. As the Europeans were putting the finishing touches on their economic community, observers predicted that political and military integration would soon follow. Optimism has turned to pessimism since the turn of the century, however. Most analysts believe that the economic community is in crisis, and hardly anyone predicts the creation of a political or military counterpart to it. Why has the European project run into trouble and what does the future hold? The answers to these questions are largely to be found in the distribution of power. It was the overwhelming power of the Soviet Union that drove the Western Europeans to consider a variety of integration initiatives and to build and maintain the European Community (EC) during the Cold War. In 1991 the collapse of the Soviet Union deprived them of a compelling geostrategic reason to pursue further integration or even to preserve their economic community. As a result, the Europeans have made no real effort...
How are police doing in combating crime? An exploratory study of efficiency analysis of the Policía Nacional Civil in Guatemala

Purpose – In almost all modern societies, police forces are at the forefront of ongoing activities to reduce and prevent crime. Both in practice and in popular belief, police forces are the visible presence for maintaining security and safety to citizens in municipalities, towns and cities, and from cities to local neighborhoods. This paper aims to investigate how efficiently the police in Guatemala are in combating crime using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Design/methodology/approach – The study used DEA to measure the efficiency of police stations in fighting crime in Guatemala based on their inputs and outputs. Findings – The analyses showed that only four out of 22 police departments were considered efficient. The average efficiency score for the 22 police departments was 62 percent. Research limitations/implications – Data on crime and police are limited in Guatemala. Further research using DEA would be particularly relevant if the methodology included: a wider range of inputs/outputs, longer pane...
pi-Stacking interactions. Alive and well in proteins.

A representative set of high resolution x-ray crystal structures of nonhomologous proteins have been examined to determine the preferred positions and orientations of noncovalent interactions between the aromatic side chains of the amino acids phenylalanine, tyrosine, histidine, and tryptophan. To study the primary interactions between aromatic amino acids, care has been taken to examine only isolated pairs (dimers) of amino acids because trimers and higher order clusters of aromatic amino acids behave differently than their dimer counterparts. We find that pairs (dimers) of aromatic side chain amino acids preferentially align their respective aromatic rings in an off-centered parallel orientation. Further, we find that this parallel-displaced structure is 0.5–0.75 kcal/mol more stable than a T-shaped structure for phenylalanine interactions and 1 kcal/mol more stable than a T-shaped structure for the full set of aromatic side chain amino acids. This experimentally determined structure and energy difference is consistent with ab initio and molecular mechanics calculations of benzene dimer, however, the results are not in agreement with previously published analyses of aromatic amino acids in proteins. The preferred orientation is referred to as parallel displaced π-stacking.
Cytochromes P450 in cynomolgus monkeys mutagenically activate 2-amino-3-methylimidazo(4, 5-f)quinoline (IQ) but not 2-amino-3, 8-dimethylimidazo(4, 5-f)quinoxaline(MeIQx)

The promutagenic and procarcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) found in cooked meats are N-hydroxylated by microsomal cytochrome P450 enzymes as the first step in their metabolic activation. In cynomolgus monkeys, one of the HAs, 2-amino-3-methylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoline (IQ), has been shown to be a potent hepatocarcinogen. However, the structurally similar HA 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) lacks this potency to induce hepatocellular carcinoma in monkeys. Liver microsomes from cynomolgus monkeys show a striking substrate specificity for the metabolic activation of IQ and MeIQx, the former being a far better substrate for N-hydroxylation. Western blot analysis showed that cynomolgus monkey hepatic microsomes constitutively express P450s immunologically related to the human CYP3A, CYP2C, and low levels of CYP1A1. For comparison, Western blot analysis of rat, human and patas monkey microsomes was also carried out. Treatment of cynomolgus monkeys with rifampicin induced hepatic cytochromes P450 related to human CYP3A4 and CYP2C9/10 without inducing CYP1A1 or CYP1A2. Immunoblot analysis also showed that chronic exposure of cynomolgus monkeys to IQ induced hepatic microsomal cytochrome CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, similarly but lesser in magnitude to that observed with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCCD) induction. Using the Ames Salmonella mutagenicity assay, we examined the effect of the inducers on the mutagenic activation (i.e. N-hydroxylation) of IQ and MeIQx by cynomolgus monkey hepatic microsomes. We also examined the mutagenic activation of these HAs by rat, human and patas monkey liver microsomes. Microsomes from cynomolgus monkeys treated with rifampicin showed a 3-fold increase in the mutagenic activation of IQ but showed no increase in the mutagenic activation of MeIQx. Since cytochromes P4503A and/or P4502C are constitutively expressed in cynomolgus monkey hepatic microsomes, and upon induction with rifampicin are associated with an increased metabolic activation of IQ but not MeIQx, it appears that CYP3A and/or CYP2C are the isoform(s) showing the selective substrate specificity in the metabolic activation of IQ over MeIQx. Treatment of monkeys with TCDD significantly increased the mutagenic activation of both IQ and MeIQx, concomitant with an induction of CYP1A isozymes. Thus, it appears that TCDD-inducible CYP1A enzymes N-hydroxylate both substrates without selectivity. Together, these findings suggest that CYP3A and CYP2C are the principal isoforms in the cynomolgus monkey, associated with the metabolic activation implicated in the induction of hepatocarcinogenicity by IQ. Furthermore, the poor metabolic activation of MeIQx by CYP3A and CYP2C, coupled with low constitutive levels of CYP1A isozymes, provide a metabolic explanation for the low hepatocarcinogenic potency of MeIQx in cynomolgus monkeys.
Taking the next step on advanced HKMG SOI technologies — From 32nm PD SOI volume production to 28nm FD SOI and beyond

Within the semiconductor industry pure leading edge foundries serve a special mission by delivering state-of-the-art competitive logic performance with a strong focus on system-on-chip (SoC). Therefore they have to support a broad portfolio of different technology options on each node and GLOBALFOUNDRIES is an industry leader by representing this particular business model. It was formed out of AMD's manufacturing unit as well as Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing. Both sides have a long time experience in leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing and technology capabilities one particular on silicon on insulator (SOI) based high performance microprocessors. To achieve the “high performance per watt” figure of merit technology elements like PD-SOI, strained-Si, an aggressive junction scaling as well as HKMG is needed together with an efficient multiple core- and power-efficient design. Those technology elements were developed and optimized for multiple generations beginning from an 180nm to a 32/28nm technology (Tab. 1).
The V2G Technique and its Application in Distributed Generation

Traditional distributed power sources are usually natural energy sources, their output power is not stable and difficult to join up to the grid. Battery electric vehicles(BEV) based on V2G technique is a new kind of Distributed Generation(DG). This paper introduces a V2G technique. A V2G-based BEV could be used to realize load shifting and stabilize the disturbance for DG's joining up with the grid. Many countries started researching V2G technique and in China NARI Group Corporation and Xuji Group Corporation have researched and started manufacturing practical V2G device. This paper also shows the main principle of V2G and its application in China, concludes its advantages and analyzes its development in the future.
Paramagnetic resonance of Gd3+ in dilute Pd(Gd) alloys

Abstract We have measured the paramagnetic resonance of Gd 3+ in flat plates of Pd 1− x Gd x with 0.002 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.02 between 4.2 K and 40 K at 35 GHz. The g -value extrapolated to zero Gd concentration is g 1.826. We propose a new mechanism to account for this negative g -shift.
Detection of S-nitrosothiols

Abstract Background S-nitrosothiols have been recognized as biologically-relevant products of nitric oxide that are involved in many of the diverse activities of this free radical. Scope of review This review serves to discuss current methods for the detection and analysis of protein S-nitrosothiols. The major methods of S-nitrosothiol detection include chemiluminescence-based methods and switch-based methods, each of which comes in various flavors with advantages and caveats. Major conclusions The detection of S-nitrosothiols is challenging and prone to many artifacts. Accurate measurements require an understanding of the underlying chemistry of the methods involved and the use of appropriate controls. General significance Nothing is more important to a field of research than robust methodology that is generally trusted. The field of S-nitrosation has developed such methods but, as S-nitrosothiols are easy to introduce as artifacts, it is vital that current users learn from the lessons of the past. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Current methods to study reactive oxygen species - pros and cons and biophysics of membrane proteins. Guest Editor: Christine Winterbourn.
Predicting Evolution by In Vitro Evolution Requires Determining Evolutionary Pathways

In an early example of DNA shuffling, Stemmer (W. P. C. Stemmer, Nature 370:389-390, 1994) demonstrated a dramatic improvement in the activity of the TEM-1 beta-lactamase toward cefotaxime as the consequence of six amino acid substitutions. It has been pointed out (B. G. Hall, FEMS Microbiol. Lett. 178:1-6, 1999; M. C. Orencia, J. S. Yoon, J. E. Ness, W. P. Stemmer, and R. C. Stevens, Nat. Struct. Biol. 8:238-242, 2001) that the power of DNA shuffling might be applied to the problem of predicting evolution in nature from in vitro evolution in the laboratory. As a predictor of natural evolutionary processes, that power may be misleading because in nature mutations almost always arise one at a time, and each advantageous mutation must be fixed into the population by an evolutionary pathway that leads from the wild type to the fully evolved sequence. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to introduce each of Stemmer's six substitutions into TEM-1, the best single mutant was chosen, and each of the remaining five substitutions was introduced. Repeated rounds of site-directed mutagenesis and selection of the best mutant were used in an attempt to construct a pathway between the wild-type TEM-1 and Stemmer's mutant with six mutations. In the present study it is shown (i) that no such pathway exists between the wild-type TEM-1 and the supereffective cefotaxime-hydrolyzing mutant that was generated by six amino acid substitutions via DNA shuffling (Stemmer, Nature 370:389-390, 1994) but that a pathway to a fourfold more efficient enzyme resulting from four of the same substitutions does exist, and (ii) that the more efficient enzyme is likely to arise in nature as the result of a single mutation in the naturally occurring TEM-52 allele.
Zonisamide decreases ethanol intake in rats and mice

Several anticonvulsant agents, including topiramate and valproate, have been found to reduce alcohol consumption in rodent models of drinking. The question of whether the novel anticonvulsant agent, zonisamide, shares similar actions in either mice or rats was investigated in the present experiments. In an initial experiment, the consumption of a 10% ethanol-5% sucrose solution, available for one hour, by Wistar rats treated with lactose, topiramate, or zonisamide was determined. In a second experiment, the intake of a 10% ethanol/water solution, accessible for two hours, by C57BL/B6N mice treated with either zonisamide or vehicle was assessed. In the rat, 50 mg/kg (PO) doses of either topiramate or zonisamide produced significant, but moderate decreases in ethanol/sucrose intake. The administration of a 50 mg/kg (IP) dose of zonisamide to mice resulted in a marked lowering in ethanol consumption. These results provide evidence that zonisamide administration will decrease ethanol consumption by both mice and rats in limited access models of drinking, and might, like topiramate, be useful as a medication for alcoholism.
Leaf-root interaction in the uptake of ammonia by Zostera marina

The effect of ammonia uptake by one organ on the uptake of that nutrient by another organ was determined for the seagrass Zostera marina L. under laboratory conditions. Leafy shoots with roots attached were incubated in two-compartment chambers, with the roots in one compartment and the leaves in the other. Rates of ammonia uptake were compared when roots and leaves were supplied with ammonia separately and simultaneously. Root uptake of ammonia had no influence on the rate of ammonia uptake by leaves. However, leaf uptake of ammonia caused a 77% decrease in the maximum rate of ammonia uptake by roots. The Ks values for ammonia uptake by leaves and roots were 9.2 and 104 μM respectively, showing that leaves had a greater affinity for ammonia than roots.
P-selectin mediates neutrophil rolling on histamine-stimulated endothelial cells

In postcapillary venules, marginating neutrophils (PMNs) are often seen rolling along the vessel wall prior to stopping and emigrating. There is substantial evidence in vitro and in vivo that the adhesion receptors E- and L-selectin participate in this phenomenon on cytokine-stimulated endothelium, and recent evidence has shown that a closely related adhesion receptor, P-selectin, is capable of mediating neutrophil rolling on an artificial membrane. Here we demonstrate and characterize PMN rolling on monolayers of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) stimulated with histamine to induce surface expression of P-selectin. Peak association of PMNs with the HUVECs occurs 10min after histamine stimulation, and at a postcapillary venular wall shear stress of 2.0 dyn/cm2 the rolling velocity is 14 microns/s. Approximately 95% of the PMNs roll on the endothelial cells, 5% adhere firmly, and none migrate beneath the endothelial monolayer. Monoclonal antibody (MAb) G1, which binds P-selectin and blocks its adhesive function, completely prevents association of the PMNs with histamine-stimulated HUVEC, whereas the nonblocking anti-P-selectin MAb S12 does not. Treatment of PMNs with the anti-L-selectin MAb DREG56 reduces PMN adherence by approximately 50%. Anti-CD54 MAb R6.5 and anti-CD18 MAb R15.7 have little effect on the number of PMNs rolling on the HUVECs but completely prevent PMNs from stopping and significantly increase rolling velocity. Nonblocking control MAbs for R6.5 (CL203) and R15.7 (CL18/1D1) lack these effects. Rolling adhesion of PMNs on histamine-stimulated HUVECs therefore appears to be completely dependent on endothelial cell P-selectin, with a minor adhesion-stabilizing contribution from intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and beta 2 integrins.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Investigation of a→w transformation in the Zr‐Hf system to 42 GPa

Structural transformations in pure Zr and Hf and their alloys with 5.2, 21.1, 42.9, and 71.3 at . % Hf have been investigated up to 42 GPa (1 GPa = 10 kbar) at room temperature (∼22 °C) by in situ high‐pressure x‐ray diffraction techniques, using a diamond‐anvil pressure cell. The pressure of transformation a→w increases rapidly with increasing Hf content. On extrapolation, the pressure of transformation a→w for Hf is estimated to be in the order of 60 GPa. Values of the c0/a0 ratio of the pressure‐induced w phase for Zr and its alloys are 0.621±0.002, in good agreement with those of heat‐treated w phases in the Zr‐Nb system.
Power of data mining methods to detect genetic associations and interactions.

Background: Genetic association studies, thus far, have focused on the analysis of individual main effects of SNP markers. Nonetheless, there is a clear need for modeling epistasis or gene-gene interactions to better understand the biologic basis of existing associations. Tree-based methods have been widely studied as tools for building prediction models based on complex variable interactions. An understanding of the power of such methods for the discovery of genetic associations in the presence of complex interactions is of great importance. Here, we systematically evaluate the power of three leading algorithms: random forests (RF), Monte Carlo logic regression (MCLR), and multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR). Methods: We use the algorithm-specific variable importance measures (VIMs) as statistics and employ permutation-based resampling to generate the null distribution and associated p values. The power of the three is assessed via simulation studies. Additionally, in a data analysis, we evaluate the associations between individual SNPs in pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory genes and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Results: The power of RF is highest in all simulation models, that of MCLR is similar to RF
15%-Efficient multicrystalline-silicon photovoltaic modules: cell processing and characterization

Abstract A relatively simple single-photomask process was used to produce high-efficiency large-area solar cells on commercially available heat-exchanger-method (HEM) multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si). Large-area cell efficiencies up to 16.4% were achieved before lamination. These cells were built into two prototype one-sun modules whose performance has set a new standard for mc-Si photovoltaic modules (15% at standard reporting conditions). These results demonstrate that significant performance gains can be achieved in commercial mc-Si modules with currently available substrates through improved processing. Continued evolutionary developments in substrate and cell manufacturing promise to maintain, and likely improve mc-Si's PV market position.
Organizational response to AIDS

Abstract A number of types of organizations are involved with providing health and social services to people with AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). These organizations include hospitals, state and local health departments, governmental income maintenance organizations, and established community-based service organizations. These organizations can be characterized in terms of their involvement with service provision to people with AIDS. This paper outlines indicators of organizational involvement and discusses factors affecting involvement. In addition, the paper describes organizational dilemmas facing AIDS service organizations, which have recently arisen to deal specifically with service needs of people with AIDS. Finally, the paper outlines issues in achieving coordination and integration of services from multiple organizations in a health delivery system.
The Third Place: The Library as Collaborative and Community Space in a Time of Fiscal Restraint

In a period of fiscal constraint, when assumptions about the library as place are being challenged, administrators question the contribution of every expense to student success. Libraries have been successful in migrating resources and services to a digital environment accessible beyond the library. What is the role of the library as place when users do not need to visit the building to utilize library services and resources? We argue that the college library building's core role is as a space for collaborative learning and community interaction that cannot be jettisoned in the new normal.
A Survey of Management Development in Suffolk

To establish the level, range and scope of current Management Education, Training and Development activity in small and medium size enterprises.
Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin stimulation of vascular endothelial growth factor production by macaque granulosa cells from pre- and periovulatory follicles.

Granulosa cells in the ovulatory follicle express messenger ribonucleic acid encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an agent that may mediate the neovascularization of the developing corpus luteum, but it is not known whether luteinizing granulosa cells synthesize and secrete VEGF during the periovulatory interval. Studies were designed to evaluate the effects of an in vivo gonadotropin surge on VEGF production by macaque granulosa cells (study 1) and to test the hypothesis that gonadotropins act directly on granulosa cells to regulate VEGF production (study 2). Monkeys received a regimen of exogenous gonadotropins to promote the development of multiple preovulatory follicles. Nonluteinized granulosa cells (i.e. preovulatory; NLGC) and luteinized granulosa cells (i.e. periovulatory; LGC) were aspirated from follicles before and 27 h after an ovulatory gonadotropin bolus, respectively. Cells were either incubated for 24 h in medium with or without 100 ng/mL hCG (study 1) or cultured for 6 days...
Soluble Proteins in Germinating Cottonseed (G. barbadense) as Related to Chilling Stress

Summary Chilling temperatures (0-5°C) were applied to germinating seedlings of G. barbadense between 32 and 38 hours of germination. This time period was previously shown to retard DNA replication when exposed to chilling temperatures. Both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of soluble protein, as affected by chilling during this time period, were examined. The chill-stressed seedlings showed a decline in soluble protein translocation to the radicles, but the electrophoretic banding patterns of the soluble proteins in the latter exhibited a significant increase in low molecular weight proteins. The possible significance of these results was discussed.
Selective Synthesis of a Nuclear Acidic Protein in Liver Cells stimulated by Cortisol

Differential labelling experiments establish that synthesis of a non-histone protein of molecular weight 41,000 is specifically enhanced in response to the injection of cortisol into rats.
A tandem expert support system as justification for a flexible manufacturing system

Abstract A tandem model for the application of symbolic and numerical techniques in the justification of flexible manufacturing systems is presented in this paper. A methodology for combining knowledge-based systems and traditional analytical tools for performing deterministic and heuristic activities and aiding in decision making tasks is proposed. The paper emphasizes the automation efforts of capturing the knowledge involved in analyzing the intangible strategic benefits and the cost of investments encountered in equipment justification procedures. The issues involved in acquiring and representing equipment evaluation knowledge and the transfer of control to coupled algorithmic procedures is addressed. A prototype software using personal consultant plus (PCPLUS), an expert system shell that offers a sophisticated frame structure for imposing rule-order strategies, is developed to define and implement the system.
The Emergence of Modern Nucleation Theory

A series of important papers by David Turnbull and his collaborators in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s laid the experimental and theoretical foundation of modern nucleation theory. The elegance, versatility, and generality of the phenomenological approach, coupled with brilliant and insightful experimental confirmation, sparked widespread application which continues today. Much of David Turnbull’s subsequent work in other subjects grew directly or indirectly from this work.
Flame-broiled food, NAT2 acetylator phenotype, and breast cancer risk among women with benign breast disease.

Purpose The objective of this study was to examine the association between flame-broiled food consumption, a source of heterocyclic amine exposure, and the development of breast cancer among cohort of women with benign breast disease (BBD). The variation of the association by acetylation phenotype, as determined by the genotypes of selected N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) enzymes, was also examined.
Attainment of the intrinsic FMR linewidth in yttrium iron garnet films grown by liquid phase epitaxy

Single crystal thin films of yttrium iron garnet (YIG) were grown on gadolinium gallium garnet (GGG) substrates by the isothermal dipping method of liquid phase epitaxy. The principal impurities in the films were Pb and Pt. The source of Pb is the PbO-B2O3 flux. The sources of Pt are the crucible and other Pt utensils which are slowly attacked by the fluxed melt. The concentration of Pb in the films was adjustable through selection of the growth temperature. Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) linewidths of the films were measured at a microwave frequency of 9.5 GHz. The linewidths exhibited a correlation with Pb content. The minimum linewidth was found to occur when the Pb and Pt concentrations were approximately equal and, therefore, the aggregate impurity distribution was charge compensated. The narrowest observed linewidth, 0.15 Oe at room temperature, is comparable to that of the best bulk single crystal YIG and appears to correspond to the intrinsic losses of the pure, defect-free material.
Client-side Flash Caching for Cloud Systems

As the size of cloud systems and the number of hosted VMs rapidly grow, the scalability of shared VM storage systems becomes a serious issue. Client-side flash-based caching has the potential to improve the performance of cloud VM storage by employing flash storage available on the client-side of the storage system to exploit the locality inherent in VM IOs. However, because of the limited capacity and durability of flash storage, it is important to determine the proper size and configuration of the flash caches used in cloud systems. This paper provides answers to the key design questions of cloud flash caching based on dm-cache, a block-level caching solution customized for cloud environments, and a large amount of long-term traces collected from real-world public and private clouds. The study first validates that cloud workloads have good cacheability and dm-cache-based flash caching incurs low overhead with respect to commodity flash devices. It further reveals that write-back caching substantially outperforms write-through caching in typical cloud environments due to the reduction of server IO load. It also shows that there is a tradeoff on making a flash cache persistent across client restarts which saves hours of cache warm-up time but incurs considerable overhead from committing every metadata update persistently. Finally, to reduce the data loss risk from using write-back caching, the paper proposes a new cache-optimized RAID technique, which minimizes the RAID overhead by introducing redundancy of cache dirty data only, and shows to be significantly faster than traditional RAID and write-through caching.