cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A framework for controlling false discovery rates and minimizing the amount of genotyping in the search for disease mutations.

Objectives: To develop a method for designing studies to find disease mutations that can achieve a set of goals with respect to proportions of false and true discoveries with the minimum amount of genotyping. Methods: Derivation of an analytical framework supplemented with simulation techniques. The approach is illustrated for a fine mapping study and a whole-genome linkage disequilibrium scan. Results: The use of multiple stages where earlier stages are characterized by very high false discovery rates (FDR) followed by an abrupt change to the required FDR in the final stage results in a 50–75% reduction in genotyping. The proportion of true discoveries is a much more important determinant of the genotyping burden than the FDR. Neither sample size nor controlling the false discoveries will present major problems in whole-genome LD scans but the amount of genotyping will be extremely large even if the study is completely designed to minimize genotyping. Conclusions: The proposed statistical framework presents a simple and flexible approach to determine the design parameters (e.g. sample size, p values at which tests need to be performed at each stage) that minimize the genotyping burden given a set of goals for the percentage of true and false discoveries.
The production of viral vectors designed to express large and difficult to express transgenes within neurons

Viral vectors are frequently used to deliver and direct expression of transgenes in a spatially and temporally restricted manner within the nervous system of numerous model organisms. Despite the common use of viral vectors to direct ectopic expression of transgenes within the nervous system, creating high titer viral vectors that are capable of expressing very large transgenes or difficult to express transgenes imposes unique challenges. Here we describe the development of adeno-associated viruses (AAV) and lentiviruses designed to express the large and difficult to express GluN2A or GluN2B subunits of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA) receptor, specifically within neurons. We created a number of custom designed AAV and lentiviral vectors that were optimized for large transgenes, by minimizing DNA sequences that were not essential, utilizing short promoter sequences of 8 widely used promoters (RSV, EFS, TRE3G, 0.4αCaMKII, 1.3αCaMKII, 0.5Synapsin, 1.1Synapsin and CMV) and utilizing a very short (~75 bps) 3′ untranslated sequence. Not surprisingly these promoters differed in their ability to express the GluN2 subunits, however surprisingly we found that the neuron specific synapsin and αCaMKII, promoters were incapable of conferring detectable expression of full length GluN2 subunits and detectable expression could only be achieved from these promoters if the transgene included an intron or if the GluN2 subunit transgenes were truncated to only include the coding regions of the GluN2 transmembrane domains. We determined that viral packaging limit, transgene promoter and the presence of an intron within the transgene were all important factors that contributed to being able to successfully develop viral vectors designed to deliver and express GluN2 transgenes in a neuron specific manner. Because these vectors have been optimized to accommodate large open reading frames and in some cases contain an intron to facilitate expression of difficult to express transgenes, these viral vectors likely could be useful for delivering and expressing many large or difficult to express transgenes in a neuron specific manner.
Relationship of Troponin T and Age- and Sex-Adjusted BNP Elevation Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage with 30-Day Mortality

Troponin and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are predictors of mortality following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Prior studies used strict cutoffs for BNP elevation; however, normal levels of BNP are increased in older persons and women. We explored the association of troponin elevation and BNP elevation adjusted for sex and age with 30-day mortality. In this retrospective cohort study of patients with SAH, collected data included peak troponin T and BNP levels. Mortality data were obtained from inpatient mortality data and available records. Troponin T elevation was defined as more than 0.10 ng/mL; BNP elevation was defined as greater than the 95th percentile reference limit by age and sex for patients without cardiovascular disease. Associations of elevated troponin T and BNP were estimated from a log-binomial regression model reporting relative risks (RRs), 95 % CIs, and P values; missing data were imputed with the sample median or most frequent category. This study included 175 SAH patients. In single-variable analysis, peak troponin T level greater than 0.10 ng/mL was associated with increased risk in 30-day mortality (RR 4.38; 95 % CI 2.43–7.89; P < .001); there was no association with elevated peak BNP adjusted for age and sex (RR 1.13; 95 % CI 0.55–2.35; P = .74). There was no evidence suggesting that the combination of elevated peak BNP and elevated peak troponin increased the risk of 30-day mortality. Elevated troponin was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality following SAH; however, when adjusted for age and sex, elevations in BNP did not have this association.
Self-Tuning Fuzzy Sliding Controller for the Ship Heading Problem

A self-tuning fuzzy-sliding mode controller is presented in the current work. It aims at combining the advantages of the variable structure systems (VSS) theory with the self-tuning fuzzy logic controller. Neither the development of an accurate dynamic model of the plant nor the construction of a rule-based expert system is required for designing the controller. The only requirement is that the upper bound of the modeling uncertainties has to be known. The stability of the controlled system is ensured by forcing the tuning parameter to satisfy the sliding condition. The controller is implemented to control the heading of an under-actuated ship. The simulation results demonstrate the robust performance of the controller in accurately tracking the desired yaw angle specified by the guidance system in the presence of considerable modeling imprecision and environmental disturbances.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Polarization-based fluorescent method for enhanced analytical determination of mixed fluorophores in fluid

Real-time mixture analysis is widely needed in environmental monitoring, kinetics analysis, and industrial process monitoring etc. Conventional methods for mixture analysis such as HPLC, HPLC/MS, or GC/MS, are not good for real-time purposes. Recently, we have demonstrated fluorescence polarization could be used as an additional dimension with which to distinguish fluorescent molecules by the introduction of some specific micelles. In this report, a novel method, the polarized fluorescence spectrometry including polarization information, has been proposed and used for simultaneous determination of fluorescein (FLR) and rhodamine 123 hydrate (R123H) without spectral dispersion. This could also be used for enhanced analytical determination of mixed fluorophores with 2-D fluorescence (excitation-emission matrix). At this time, conventional 2-D fluorescence spectra already provide enough information for principal component regression (PCR) or parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) to distinguish four fluorophores: FLR, R123H, rhodamine 6G (R6G), and rhodamine B (RB), even FLR and R123H have a very similar 2-D fluorescence spectra.
A queueing model with applications to bridges and the DQDB (IEEE 802.6) MAN

Abstract We introduce a single-server queueing system with two classes of customers and state-dependent priorities. The priority queueing system serves as a model with several applications in communication networks. It may apply to network nodes that generate traffic with different access priorities to the network, e.g., bridge nodes that have to carry both internetwork and locally generated traffic. In addition, the queue represents a model for a station in a single priority IEEE 802.6 Distributed Queue Dual Bus (DQDB) network. From the analysis of the queueing system, upper and lower bounds of the mean delay of the customers in each of the two classes are obtained. The tightness of the bounds is investigated through a simulation analysis.
Effects of two-particle-two-hole ground-state correlations on spin-dipole transitions in 12N

Abstract We have studied the effect of two-particle-two-hole ground-state correlations on the spin-dipole transitions. in 12 N. We found that the transitions strengths in the energy range E x = 2−12 MeV are quenched 25% by the ground state correlations. The tensor correlation is important for 1 − and 2 − states, while the spin-orbit force has an appreciable effect on 1 − states only.
Further observations of the angiotensin vasopressive effect in rabbits.

On n'a pas pu observer un effet duβ-TM 10 sur l'action de l'angiotensine chez le lapin. Cela indique probablement que l'angiotensine a directement son effet sur les cellules du recepteur. Apres l'elevation de pression produite par les doses plus grandes de l'angiotensine, on a pu remarquer une reduction significative de la pression.
VECTORIAL ELECTRON TRANSPORT ACROSS LIPID VESICLE MEMBRANES DRIVE BY TWO PHOTOREACTIONS. II. PHOTOCHEMICAL REGENERATION OF REDUCED CYTOCHROME c BY FLAVIN TRIPLET STATE AND ETHYLENEDIAMINETETRAACETIC ACID IN THE INNER COMPARTMENT AND REDUCTION OF FERREDOXIN BY CHLOROPHYLL TRIPLET STATE IN THE OUTER COMPARTMENT

We have attempted to mimic natural photosynthesis with regard to the photogeneration of a powerful reductant, using a negatively charged lipid bilayer vesicle system incorporating two photoreactions sensitized by a flavin analog (flavin mononucleotide [FMN]) and chlorophyll (chl) in their respective triplet states. Ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) in the inner aqueous compartment was used as a sacrificial electron donor to the FMN triplet, and ferredoxin in the outer aqueous compartment served as the final electron acceptor (mediated via triplet electron transfer chain in this multicomponent system to be elucidated. By itself, EDTA does not function as an effective donor to membran-bound oxidized chl (chl+.), which is formed by electron transfer from triplet chl to the viologen follwed by transbilayer electron migration. This is a consequence of electrostatic repulsive interactions with the negatively charged membrane. This limitation is avoided when FMN is used as a photomediator between EDTA and chl+.. The overall reaction is dramatically increased in rate by enclosing cytochrom c together with EDTA and FMN in the inner compartment. The rate constant of the key step in the reaction, i.e. elctron transfer from reduced cytochrome c, generated via photoreduction by the FMN/EDTA system, to chl+. is increased 20-fold over that obtained with cytochrome c alone as the elctron donor. One of the important constraints that limited the net electron transfer across the bilayer to 50% of the added cytochrome, i.e. inhibition by oxidized cytochrome c formed in the inner compartment, is avoided by the inclusion of the second photoreaction in this system, thus allowing photoreduction of all of the added ferredoxin to be achieved. This system provides a model for a photochemical energy storage process that utilizes two photorections operating in series resulting in electron flow across a lipid bilayer membrane.
Relation of one-way parallel/sequential automata to 2-D finite-state automata

Abstract The class of languages accepted by one-way parallel/sequential acceptors (OPSA) is investigated for the two cases in which each OPSA cell is given memory size that is finite or proportional to the logarithm of the input size. It is shown that the class of languages accepted by the first type of OPSA is incomparable with the 2-D finite-state languages, whereas the class of languages accepted by the second type contains the 2-D finite-state languages.
Assessing the performance of the CFSR by an ensemble of analyses

The Climate Forecast System Reanalysis (CFSR, Saha et al. in Bull Am Meteor Soc 91:1015–1057, 2010) is the latest global reanalysis from the National Centers of Environmental Prediction (NCEP). In this study, we compare the CFSR tropospheric analyses to two ensembles of analyses. The first ensemble consists of 12 h analyses from various operational analyses for the year 2007. This ensemble shows how well the CFSR analyses can capture the daily variability. The second ensemble consists of monthly means from the available reanalyses from the years 1979 to 2009 which is used to examine the trends. With the 2007 ensemble, we find that the CFSR captures the daily variability in 2007 better than the older reanalyses and is comparable to the operational analyses. With the ensemble of monthly means, the CFSR is often the outlier. The CFSR shows a strong warming trend in the tropics which is not seen in the observations or other reanalyses.
Role of glutamine synthetase in ammonia assimilation by symbiotic marine dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae)

The dinoflagellate symbionts (zooxanthellae) present in many reef corals aid in the survival of the symbiotic unit in nitrogen deficient tropical waters by providing additional routes of nitrogen uptake and metabolism. The enzymatic pathway of ammonia assimilation from seawater and the re-assimilation of coral ammonium waste by zooxanthellae was studied by examining the affinity of glutamine synthetase for one of its substrates, ammonia. Glutamine synthetase activity was measured in dinoflagellates of the species Symbiodinium microadriaticum found in symbiotic association with various marine coelenterates. Michaelis-Menten kinetics for the substrate ammonia were determined for freshly isolated dinoflagellates from Condylactis gigantea (apparent NH3 Km=33 μM) and for cultured dinoflagellates from Zoanthus sociatus (apparent NH3 Km=60 μM). On the basis of the low apparent Kms for NH3, it appears that ammonia assimilation by these symbiotic dinoflagellates occurs via the glutamine synthetase/glutamate synthase pathway. Additionally, the uptake of exogenous ammonium by an intact coelenterate-dinoflagellate symbiosis was strongly inhibited by 0.5 mM methionine sulfoximine, and inhibitor of glutamine synthetase.
The Inspirational Processes of Leadership

An inspiring leader is perceived by followers to be knowledgeable, enlightened and sensitive to the problems at hand. From this, follower confidence is built. Followers share with the leader common beliefs about what is wrong, beliefs that the leader articulates publicly for them. Unlike the charismatic leader who substitutes for the follower's ego ideal, the inspirational leader can represent and symbolise it.
Dissecting the metal ion dependence of DNA binding by PvuII endonuclease.

Divalent cations can provide an effective means of modulating the behavior of nucleic acid binding proteins. As a result, there is strong interest in understanding the role of metal ions in the function of both nucleic acid binding proteins and their enzymes. We have applied complementary fluorescence spectroscopic and nitrocellulose filter binding assays to quantitate the role of metal ions in mediating DNA binding and sequence specificity by the representative PvuII endonuclease. At pH 7.5 in the presence of the catalytically nonsupportive Ca(II), this enzyme binds the PvuII target sequence with a Kd of 50 pM. Under strict metal-free conditions, the enzyme exhibits a Kd of only 300 nM for the cognate sequence, an affinity which is weak relative to those measured for other systems in the absence of metal ions. This represents a 6000-fold increase in PvuII affinity for cognate DNA upon the addition of Ca(II). The pH dependences of both metal ion-dependent and metal ion-independent DNA binding are remarkab...
EFFECTS OF ARACHIDONYLTRIFLUOROMETHYL KETONE ON CYTOSOLIC CA2+ IN HIT INSULINOMA CELLS

Arachidonyltrifluoromethyl ketone (ATFMK), an analogue of arachidonic acid (AA), inhibits an 85 kDa cytosolic phospholipase A2 enzyme. Exposure of HIT insulinoma cells to ATFMK induced a delayed, sustained, and irreversible increase in cytosolic [Ca2+] that required extracellular Ca2+ and a concentration-dependent inhibition of depolarization-induced increases in cytosolic [Ca2+] prior to onset of the delayed response to AFTMK. These results suggest a disruptive effect of ATFMK on calcium mobilization which may contribute to its effects on insulin secretion from beta-cells.
Azide Reactions for Controlling Clean Silicon Surface Chemistry: Benzylazide on Si(100)-2 × 1

A combination of experimental and computational studies presents direct proof of a novel reaction pathway that delivers aromatic compounds onto a Si(100)-2 × 1 substrate. Benzylazide chemisorbs on a Si(100)-2 × 1 surface, and this chemisorption is followed by nitrogen elimination, leading to a stable surface adduct based on a Si−Si−N cyclic entity. This reaction occurs via a stable surface intermediate with the surface-bound nitrogen molecule stabilized by the presence of a neighboring aromatic group, which eventually releases nitrogen into the gas phase and forms the final product.
A substance P projection from the superior colliculus to the parabigeminal nucleus in the rat and hamster.

Abstract Immunocytochemical staining with antisera directed against substance P (SP) demonstrated the existence of numerous immunoreactive neurons throughout the mediolateral and rostrocaudal extents of the stratum griseum superficiale (SGS) of the superior colliculus (SC) of both rat and hamster. In both of these species, very dense SP-like immunoreactivity (SPLI) was also visible in the parabigeminal nucleus. Combination of retrograde tracing with True blue or Fluorogold and immunocytochemistry demonstrated that SP-positive SC neurons projected to the parabigeminal nucleus in both hamster and rat. Retrogradely labelled and double-labelled cells were most numerous in the rostromedial portion of the SC and rare in the caudal portion of the colliculus. Destruction of the superficial layers of the SC resulted in a virtually complete loss of SPLI in the ipsilateral parabigeminal nucleus in both species. SPLI was also visible in two other targets of the superficial SC laminae: the intergeniculate leaflet and the ventral lateral geniculate nucleus. Ablation of the dorsal SC laminae did not reduce SPLI in either of those nuclei. Our results thus indicate that at least some tectoparabigeminal neurons in hamster and rat contain SPLI and further that the SC appears to the sole source of SP-positive input to this nucleus.
Parametric reduced-order models for predicting the vibration response of complex structures with component damage and uncertainties

Modeling and fast reanalysis techniques are proposed for predicting the dynamic response of complex structures with uncertainty represented by parameter variability (in geometric and material properties) at component-level. The novel models allow for accurate reanalyses and are useful in many applications where the model of the pristine structure may not capture the changes in the system-level response due to component-level parameter variations. Herein, such models are obtained by using a novel approach based on a modified concept of component mode synthesis. The novel models, referred to as parametric reduced-order models, are developed for the general case of multiple substructures with parameter variabilities. Three types of parameteric variabilities are considered: (a) geometric (thickness) variability, (b) structural deformations (dents), and (c) cracks. For the first case, a novel parametrization of component-level mass and stiffness matrices is employed to predict the system-level response. For the second case, a novel approximate method based on static mode compensation is implemented. For the third case (cracks), a generalized formulation for the bi-linear frequency approximation is used. The predicted vibration responses of complex structures are shown to agree very well with results obtained using a much more computationally expensive commercial tool.
Synthesis and characterization of random and block copolypeptides derived from γ-methylglutamate and leucine N-carboxyanhydrides

The synthesis of random and block copolypolyeptides derived from γ-methylglutamate and leucine N-carboxyanhydrides using Al-Schiff's base complexes and allylamine as initiators is here reported. The copolymer structures were confirmed by 1H and 13C NMR. The calculation of the statistical average block lengths reveals the presence of longer methylglutamate units in the copolymer. The determination of the reactivity ratios indicated a slightly higher reactivity of γ-methylglutamateNCA as compared to leucineNCA. Block copolypeptides containing glutamate and leucine units were obtained by sequential polymerization of the two NCAs using Al-Schiff's base complexes or allylamine in dioxane as solvent. Based on 13C NMR spectra of copolymers exhibiting two signals corresponding to peptide linkages, we confirmed the block structure and concluded that the copolymerization proceeds by attack of an amino group present on a glutamate chain end onto a LeuNCA. The copolymerization with allylamine was also shown, from cal...
Further support for the importance of the suppressive signal (pull) during the push-pull perceptual training

Abstract We previously designed a push–pull perceptual training protocol that effectively reduces sensory eye dominance (SED) and enhances binocular depth detection in human adults ( Xu, He, & Ooi, 2010a ). During the training, an attention cue precedes a pair of binocular competitive stimulus to induce dominance of the weak eye and suppression of the strong eye. To verify that the success of the protocol is due to the suppression of the signals evoked by the stimulus in the strong eye, rather than to the attention cueing per se, we employed two new push–pull training protocols that did not involve attention cueing. Instead, we used the specific configurations of the boundary contours of the binocular competitive stimulus to render the strong eye suppressed. The first, MBC push–pull protocol has a half-image with grating feature but no boundary contour in the strong eye. The second, BBC push–pull protocol has a half-image with both grating feature and boundary contour in the strong eye. For both protocols, the weak eye receives a half-image with strong grating feature and boundary contour. These boundary contour configurations ensure that the weak eye remains dominant while the strong eye is suppressed during training. Each observer was trained with both protocols at two parafoveal (2°) retinal locations. We found that both protocols significantly reduce SED and binocular depth threshold. This confirms the basis of the push–pull protocol is the suppression of the strong eye, rather than the attention cueing per se. We further found that the learning effect (SED reduction) is more effective in the BBC push–pull protocol where the suppressed half-image in the strong eye carries both grating feature and boundary contour information, than in the MBC push–pull protocol where the boundary contour information is absent from the strong eye’s half-image. This suggests that the learning effect depends in part on the availability of the image attributes for processing (suppression) during the push–pull perceptual training.
Fibroblast growth factor 23 is not associated with and does not induce arterial calcification

Elevated fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is associated with cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic kidney disease. As a potential mediating mechanism, FGF23 induces left ventricular hypertrophy; however, its role in arterial calcification is less clear. In order to study this, we quantified coronary artery and thoracic aorta calcium by computed tomography in 1501 patients from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study within a median of 376 days (interquartile range 331–420 days) of baseline. Baseline plasma FGF23 was not associated with the prevalence or severity of coronary artery calcium after multivariable adjustment. In contrast, higher serum phosphate levels were associated with prevalence and severity of coronary artery calcium, even after adjustment for FGF23. Neither FGF23 nor serum phosphate were consistently associated with thoracic aorta calcium. We could not detect mRNA expression of FGF23 or its coreceptor, klotho, in human or mouse vascular smooth muscle cells, or normal or calcified mouse aorta. Whereas elevated phosphate concentrations induced calcification in vitro , FGF23 had no effect on phosphate uptake or phosphate-induced calcification regardless of phosphate concentration or even in the presence of soluble klotho. Thus, in contrast to serum phosphate, FGF23 is not associated with arterial calcification and does not promote calcification experimentally. Hence, phosphate and FGF23 promote cardiovascular disease through distinct mechanisms.
Building a World-Wide Virtual Machine Based on Web and HPCC Technologies

In this paper we report on a parallel/distributed virtual machine prototype called World-Wide Virtual Machine (WWVM) that is designed to attack grand challenge problems beyond the capabilities of a single supercomputer. The prototype is based on emerging Web and existing HPCC technologies and utilizes the pool of Web servers on the internet as a flexible, convenient, and inexpensive metacomputing resource. World-Wide web supplies a standard open interface to the world regardless of the machine type. Through this interface Web servers can be used either as computation nodes or coordinators managing other connected nodes of the virtual machine. We have constructed a Web-based parallel/distributed programming environment for solving metaproblems consisting of MPI and PVM message-passing programs and High Performance Fortran programs.
A 2.75–6.25GHz low-phase-noise quadrature VCO based on a dual-mode ring resonator in 65nm CMOS

This paper presents a low-phase-noise wide-tuning-range quadrature voltage-controlled oscillator (QVCO) using a dual-mode ring resonator. In contrary to the conventional approaches that use transistor-coupled LC oscillators, the proposed resonator inherently provides quadrature signals by employing both magnetic and capacitive couplings in a ring structure, resulting in low phase noise performance and high quadrature accuracy. Additionally, it offers two oscillation modes which are exploited to realize a wide-tuning-range QVCO. The implemented prototype in a 65-nm CMOS process shows 2.75-6.25 GHz continuous tuning range, phase noise figure-of-merit (FoM) of 188.2 dB at 3 GHz and better than 184 dB across the entire operating frequency range, 1.5° maximum phase error while consuming 9.7-15.6 mA from 0.6-V supply. The QVCO occupies an active chip area of 0.35 mm 2 .
Improvement of thermal stability of nickel silicide using N 2 ion implantation prior to nickel film deposition

Nitrogen ion implantation (N 2 I.I.) prior to Ni film deposition successfully suppresses the agglomeration of nickel silicide (NiSi) formed on arsenic doped silicon substrate in NMOS region, and drastically improves the thermal stability of its resistivity at narrow lines. Using this technique, lower sheet resistance of NiSi narrow line can be kept at high annealing temperature of 650°C for 30sec. Comparing with argon ion implantation (Ar I.I.), only the N 2 I.I. can suppress the agglomeration of NiSi. These results suggest that the implanted N 2 ions form Ni-N or Si-N bonds in NiSi, and as a result, these bonds suppress the excess diffusion of Ni and Si atoms during thermal process.
Toward the brave new zoo: Species program planning for reproductive technology development

This article outlines some of the advantages inherent in domestic animal reproductive technology development and compares them to the disadvantages in such development in wildlife species. Species program planning (as proposed by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan) is offered as an important first step in organizing appropriate research toward reproductive technology development in wildlife species.
Deposition of multiphase molybdate thin films by reactive sputtering

Abstract Deposition parameters for reactive sputtering of thin films of MoO 3 and NiMoO 4 were examined with an emphasis of the effect of temperature, O 2 /Ar flow rate, pressure, and sputtering power (RF source) or voltage (DC source). Films of α - and β -MoO 3 could be produced having oriented structures. α -NiMoO 4 could only be formed as a multicrystalline film at higher temperatures. Multilayer films of NiMoO 4 on α -MoO 3 were found to include an interfacial material identified as β -NiMoO 4 . This metastable material was detected at relatively low temperatures in the bilayer structures.
Rethinking God, justice, and treatment of offenders

SUMMARY The connection between religious belief, in particular how people in the West have viewed God, and retributive criminal justice practices runs deep. God has been understood to be the basis for the practices of human beings inflicting severe punitive pain upon other human beings judged guilty of violating community standards. God is understood, most of all, to be “holy” (that is, unable to countenance sin of any kind). God's holiness “forces” God to act punitively-and justifies God's agents (either in the church or in society) also acting punitively. This retributive theology dominated Western worldviews in the Middle Ages and formed the bases for criminal justice practices which began to be institutionalized during that time. However, a closer look at the founding document of the Christian tradition, the Bible, challenges such retributive theology. Biblical understandings of justice point more in the direction of restorative than retributive justice. Biblically, “justice” has to do not so much wit...
Genomic structure and characterization of the Drosophila S3 ribosomal/DNA repair gene and mutant alleles.

The Drosophila S3 protein is known to be associated with ribosomes, where it is thought to play a role in the initiation of protein translation. The S3 protein also contains a DNA repair activity, ...
Obesity attenuates the contribution of African admixture to the insulin secretory profile in peripubertal children: a longitudinal analysis.

The pubertal transition has been identified as a time of risk for development of type 2 diabetes, particularly among vulnerable groups, such as African Americans (AAs). Documented ethnic differences in insulin secretory dynamics may predispose overweight AA adolescents to risk for type 2 diabetes. The objectives of this longitudinal study were to quantify insulin secretion and clearance in a cohort of 90 AA and European American (EA) children over the pubertal transition and to explore the association of genetic factors and adiposity with repeated measures of insulin secretion and clearance during this critical period. Insulin sensitivity was determined by intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) and minimal modeling; insulin secretion and clearance by C-peptide modeling; genetic ancestry by admixture analysis. Mixed-model longitudinal analysis indicated that African genetic admixture (AfADM) was independently and positively associated with first-phase insulin secretion within the entire group (P < 0.001), and among lean children (P < 0.01). When examined within pubertal stage, this relationship became significant at Tanner stage 3. Total body fat was a significant determinant of first-phase insulin secretion overall and among obese children (P < 0.001). Total body fat, but not AfADM, was associated with insulin clearance (P < 0.001). In conclusion, genetic factors, as reflected in AfADM, may explain greater first-phase insulin secretion among peripubertal AA vs. EA; however, the influence of genetic factors is superseded by adiposity. The pubertal transition may affect the development of the β-cell response to glucose in a manner that differs with ethnic/genetic background.
Comparison of Longhorn- and Red Poll-Sired Calves from Crossbred Dams Calving at Two or Three Years of Age1

Abstract Calving difficulty, survival from birth to weaning, birth weight, and weaning weight of 167 calves and carcass traits of 88 cattle (63 for adjusted fat thickness) were compared for progeny of Red Poll and Longhorn bulls mated to crossbred cows that calved at 2 or 3 yr of age. Results indicated that Longhornsired calves required 28% less assistance at calving than Red Poll-sired calves when dams calved at 2 yr of age (P≤0.05), but there was no difference between Red Poll- and Longhorn-sired calves for calving difficulty with 3-yr-old cows. Red Poll-sired calves had significantly greater birth and weaning BW than did Longhorn-sired calves for 2-yr-old dams. Significant differences attributable to sire breed were found only for bone percentage of progeny of 3-yr-old dams, but not for carcass weight, fat thickness, longissimus area, USDA quality grades, and percentages retail product, fat trim, or bone. There was a significant interaction between sire breed and age of dam only for calving difficulty. Within sire breed, calving difficulty of 2-yr-old dams was greater than that for 3-yr-old dams, and calves from 2-yr-old dams also were significantly lighter at weaning than were calves from 3-yr-old dams (P
Metabolism of skin and muscle protein is regulated differently in response to nutrition

We have measured skin and muscle protein kinetics and amino acid (AA) transport in anesthetized rabbits during 1) 64-h fast, 2) AA infusion,3) AA plus fat emulsion infusion, and 4) AA plus hyperins...
On Systematists’ Single Objective Tree of Ancestors and Descendants

It is often said that there is just one “objective” tree of life: a single accurate branching hierarchy of species reflecting order of descent. For any two species there is a single correct answer as to whether one is a “daughter” of the other, whether the two are “sister species” by virtue of their descent from a common parental species, whether they belong to a family line that excludes any given third species, and so on. This position is not right. We may whittle a tree of life, paring troublesome branches, in order to portray an ordering that admits of no legitimate dissent. But the history of life can sustain many legitimate arrangements of the same branches of species. The same can be said about other taxonomically relevant groups besides species, such as “Least Inclusive Taxonomic Units” (LITUs), so the basic claim survives even if we abandon traditional species. Similarly, the claim survives even if we distinguish between synchronic and diachronic groups, even if we consider polytomies, even if we distinguish between models and the world modeled, and even if we recognize an objective world. Nor is the claim merely an epistemic one.
Kwakiutl Society: Rank without Class

T HE question of the presence or absence of social classes among the Kwakiutl is the main issue in a recent controversy over the value of the work of Franz Boas (Ray 1955:138-140; 1956:164-170; Kroeber 1956:151159; Lowie 1956:159-164; Herskovits 1956: 734). The question is not only of interest to students of social organization but also of general importance, since the course of future work will depend upon the reputation accorded Boas. If some of Boas' specific conclusions and consequently his general conclusions were erroneously devalued, it would be wasteful of scientific time and talent to fail to use them or to rediscover them. It would also be destructive from a
Design, implementation, and evaluation of a compilation server

Modern JVM implementations interleave execution with compilation of “hot” methods to achieve reasonable performance. Since compilation overhead impacts the execution time of the application and induces run-time pauses, we explore offloading compilation onto a compilation server. In this article, we present the design, implementation, and evaluation of a compilation server that compiles and optimizes Java bytecodes on behalf of its clients.We show that the compilation server provides the following benefits for our benchmark programs: (i) lower execution time by reducing the compilation overhead and by enabling more aggressive optimizations; (ii) lower memory allocation by eliminating allocations due to optimizing compilation and the footprint of the optimizing compiler; (iii) lower execution time of the application due to sharing of profile information across different runs of the same application and runs of different applications.We implemented the compilation server in Jikes RVM, and our results indicate that it can reduce running time by an average of 20.5p, interruptions due to compilation by an average of 81.0p, and dynamic memory allocation by 8.6p for our benchmark programs. Simulation results indicate that our current implementation of the compilation server can handle more than 50 concurrent clients while still allowing them to outperform the best performing adaptive configuration.
CD28 mediated survival in plasma cells involves redox regulator thioredoxin (TUM7P.954)

Very little is known about the molecules that mediate essential prosurvival interactions between plasma cells (PC) and bone marrow stroma. We have shown that both normal and transformed plasma cells (myeloma, MM) express CD28 (prototypic T cell costimulatory molecule) that correlates with increased survival in MM. We had previously shown that CD28 activation directly with agonistic antibodies or indirectly with CD80/CD86+ (CD28 ligands) dendritic cells protect MM cells against cell death. MM-CD28 also interacts with other CD86+ MM cells to maintain enhanced survival that can be reversed with CD86 blockers like CTLA4Ig. Additionally, we also show that CD28 activation is essential to help plasma cells overcome intrinsic redox stress, a result of increased protein synthesis and metabolic activity (Bertolotti et al., 2010) which if not regulated can lead to cell death. For the first time, we show that CD28 activation not only drives survival via increased NFκB activity, but it also decreases ROS levels via the redox regulator thioredoxin (TRX-1), inhibition of which increased ROS, decreased TRX-1 expression and NFκB activity and reversed CD28 mediated survival in MM. Also, TRX-1 inhibition enhanced CTLA4Ig’s anti-survival effect on MM. Interestingly, gene expression datasets of long lived plasma cells from patients correlate with TRX-1 expression with increased survival, highlighting the vital role this redox regulator plays in PC survival.
Activation of Liver Branched-Chain α-Keto Acid Dehydrogenase in Rats by Excesses of Dietary Amino Acids

As part of an effort to explain the leucine-induced depressions of plasma isoleucine and valine concentrations, and the concomitant stimulation of valine oxidation in vivo, branched-chain a-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKAD) activ ity was measured in livers from rats that were fed for only 6 h/d large quantities of individual amino acids in a low protein diet. Preincubation of homogenates with buffer containing Mg2' and Ca2*allowed estimation of fully active complex. Cytosolic and mitochondrial branched-chain-amino-acid aminotransferase (BCAAT)activities were also measured in livers of rats fed an excessof leucine. The percentage of BCKAD in the active form in livers of rats fed the low protein diet containing an excess of leu- cine, isoleucine, valine or phenylalanine for 2 d was double that of rats fed the low protein control diet (control, leucine, isoleucine, valine and phenylalanine groups having, respectively, 45 Â±2, 85 Â±7, 85 Â± 3, 95 Â±5, and 81 Â±4% of hepatic BCKAD in the active form). Consumption of a low protein diet containing an excess of leucine had no significant effect on either cytosolic or mitochondrial BCAATactivi ties of liver. The response of BCKAD in liver can contribute to the leucine-induced stimulation of valine oxidation in vivo but analysis of the results of this study leads to the conclusion that other mechanisms, probably in nonhepatic tissues, must also be involved. J. Nutr. 115: 1550-1561, 1985. INDEXING KEYWORDS branched-chain amino acid antagonism â€¢ branched- chain a-keto acid dehydrogenase â€¢ branched-chain-amino-acid aminotransferase â€¢ amino acid toxicity
Modeling bivalve diversification: the effect of interaction on a macroevolutionary system.

The global diversification of the class Bivalvia has historically received two conflicting interpretations. One is that a major upturn in diversification was associated with, and a consequence of, the Lake Permian mass extinction. The other is that mass extinctions have had little influence and that bivalves have experienced slow but nearly steady exponential diversification through most of their history, unaffected by interactions with other clades. We find that the most likely explanation lies between these two interpretations. Through most of the Phanerozoic, the diversity of bivalves did indeed exhibit slow growth, which was not substantially altered by mass extinctions. However, the presence of "hyperexponential bursts" in diversification during the initial Ordovician radiation and following the Late Permian and Late Cretaceous mass extinctions suggests a more complex history in which a higher characteristic diversification rate was dampened through most of the Phanerozoic. The observed pattern can be accounted for with a two-phase coupled (i.e., interactive) logistic model, where one phase is treated as the "bivalves" and the other phase is treated as a hypothetical group of clades with which the "bivalves" might have interacted. Results of this analysis suggest that interactions with other taxa have substantially affected bivalve global diversity through the Phanerozoic.
Spatial variations in a condensed interval between estuarine and open-marine settings: Holocene Hudson River estuary and adjacent continental shelf

An interval of stratigraphic condensation extending for 300 km from the fluvially dom- inated Hudson River estuary to the adjacent continental shelf reveals stratal relationships within an unconformity-related depositional sequence that are commonly difficult to re- solve in seismic reflection profiles and outcrop. High-resolution side-scan sonar and ba- thymetry, more than 100 sediment cores ;2 m long, and radioisotope ( 14 C, 137 Cs) age control show that much of the valley was filled by ca. 3 to 1 ka. The present rate of sediment accumulation averages 1 mm/yr, corresponding with a sea-level rise of ;1.2 mm/ yr relative to local bedrock. Condensation is manifested today by sedimentary bypass in most parts of the estuary and by the trapping of available sediment (1.2-5.6 3 10 5 t/yr (metric tons)) along narrow reaches and primarily in the vicinity of the estuarine turbidity maximum, a part of the estuary located upstream of the salinity intrusion ;25 km from the mouth (3.0 3 10 5 t/yr). Shelf condensation is due to sediment starvation. The con- densed interval merges updip with a nascent sequence boundary as the estuary reaches its final filling phase and downdip with the sequence boundary that developed at the Last Glacial Maximum. Delta progradation may take place as available shelf accommodation is filled, but such sediments are expected to be removed once sea level begins to fall. This sedimentation pattern, in which a condensed interval merges with different sequence boundaries, is consistent with the stratigraphic record of the Atlantic margin back to the Paleogene and may be typical of sediment-starved margins.
LINKING BENEFITS TO MARITAL STATUS: RACE AND DIMINISHING ACCESS TO SOCIAL SECURITY SPOUSE AND WIDOW BENEFITS IN THE U.S.

Social Security retirement benefits have been noted for their capacity to redistribute benefits from higher to lower lifetime earners. However, two-thirds of older women receive spouse and widow benefits and the distributional impact of those benefits has not been well studied. Spouse and widow benefits are distributed on the basis of marital rather than employment status and generally require recipients to be either currently married or to have had a ten-year marriage. The unprecedented retreat from marriage, particularly among black women, means the distributional impact of these benefits changes dramatically for each cohort that enters old age. This paper uses June 1985, 1990 and 1995 CPS supplement data to trace the decline in marital rates for women for five cohorts. The main question is what proportion of women in each cohort will reach age 62 without a ten-year marriage and thus be ineligible for spouse and widow benefits. We find that the proportion who will not be eligible as spouses or widows is increasing modestly for whites and Hispanics but dramatically for African Americans. The growing race gap in marital rates means that older black women will be particularly unlikely to qualify for these benefits.
Focal fat masquerading as malignancy in the liver graft of a post-transplant patient.

Background and Aims Liver failure from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is an increasing indication for liver transplant and recurrence of fatty liver in transplanted grafts has been documented. Herein is described an atypical recurrence of steatosis as a de novo focal fatty lesion that mimicked a more ominous cancerous lesion. This presentation of recurrent NAFLD has not previously been described in the literature.
Transurethral Evaporation of the Prostate for Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Results in 168 Patients With up to 12 Months of Followup

ABSTRACTPurpose: We assessed the safety and efficacy of transurethral evaporation of the prostate for the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Materials and Methods: A total of 168 patients with symptomatic BPH underwent transurethral evaporation of the prostate. Peak flow rate, American Urological Association symptom index and post-void residual were assessed at baseline, and at 3, 6 and 12 months of followup.Results: We found a statistically significant decrease in mean American Urological Association symptom index from 20.6 at baseline to 7.2 at 12 months (mean difference 13.4, 65% reduction, p <0.0001). We also found a statistically significant improvement in mean peak flow rate from 8.2 to 18.2 cc per second, respectively (mean difference 10, 122% increase, p <0.0001). The most frequent complications were irritative voiding symptoms in 22.6% of patients and urinary tract infections in 4.8%. There were no additional major complications.Conclusions: From these results transurethr...
Planes of Continuous-Wave Oscillations From an Electron Nanocontact Spin-Transfer Device

We have found that the frequencies of continuous-wave (CW) microwave oscillations in nanocontact spin-transfer (ST) devices occur in well-defined planes of frequencies, as a function of the dc current bias, the direction of the magnetic field, and the magnitude of the magnetic field. The frequency, f, of these technologically significant peaks for each magnetic field direction is described empirically by the equation of a plane, f=a|Boarr|+bI+c, where |Boarr| is the magnitude of the magnetic field, I is the dc bias current, and a, b, and c are constants of the plane. The primary frequency plane described by this equation is accompanied by a smaller secondary plane. The empirical equation describing the primary plane serves as a guide for efficiently locating CW oscillations within the independent variable space
Mean field, occupation numbers and spectral functions in nuclear matter

Abstract Using the experimental free-scattering phase shifts as input, properties of nuclear matter are calculated by Brueckner many-body techniques. Previously reported calculations are extended to include second-order “rearrangement” contributions to the mean field, occupation numbers and spectral functions. Results are in close agreement with potential model calculations.