cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inactivation of Clostridium difficile Cytotoxin by the Neutrophil Myeloperoxidase System

The cytotoxin of Clostridium difficile was examined for sensitivity to oxidant secretory products of neutrophils. Exposure to myeloperoxidase, H2O2, and a halide resulted in loss of toxin activity measured by tissue-culture cytotoxicity. The peroxide requirement was provided by reagent H2O2, a peroxide-generating enzyme (glucose oxidase), or a peroxide-producing intestinal microorganism, Lactobacillus acidophilus. Human neutrophils stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate caused similar toxin inactivation. In both the cell-free and the neutrophil systems, inactivation of toxin required halides and was abrogated by azide, cyanide, or catalase. Neutrophils from patients with lack of myeloperoxidase or failure to produce H2O2 were impaired in toxin inactivation unless myeloperoxidase or H2O2, respectively, was added. The reducing agent 2-mercaptoethanol enhanced toxin activity. These data suggest a similarity between C difficile cytotoxin and the classic thiol-activated cytolysins. Moreover, they raise the possibility that neutrophils are involved in oxidative detoxification of microbial products.
Price specification and the demand for public goods

Abstract Nearly all public expenditure demand studies define the marginal price for publicly provided goods as the household's share of the local property tax burden, or what is often called the tax- price. Such a definition is at odds with two familiar facts: taxes are ordinarily distortionary, and property values are often influenced by the value of local services. This paper constructs a theoretically consistent marginal tax-price measure incorporating these considerations. The new measure demonstrates that previous estimates of the price and income elasticities of demand for public services are biased, except under very restrictive circumstances. Moreover, the direction of this bias will depend upon the actual incidence of public spending and the tenure status of residents.
Numa and the Nature of the Fantastic in the Fiction of Juan Benet

Perhaps the most rewarding critical approach to the novels of Juan Benet is one that encompasses the irrational and seeks to reveal the mysterious— one that can be closely identified with the notion of the fantastic. The view of the fantastic developed in the present study is based on a synthetic modification of the precepts of Todorov and Rabkin, and places emphasis on the hesitation of the reader when confronted with a diametric reversal of the laws of the text. Both the literary theory and prose fiction of Benet can be closely linked to the fantastic: the former through Benet's focus on narrative uncertainty and ambiguity; the latter in a variety of important ways, but most pervasively through the character Numa. Numa recurs throughout Benet's fiction as an enigmatic and superhuman figure. He at once conforms to and transgresses the norms of the text, and inspires reader hesitation in the face of the marvelous. Through him Benet reifies many of his theoretical tenets, and also shapes the specific nature of his fantastic world. This article is available in Studies in 20th Century Literature: http://newprairiepress.org/sttcl/vol8/iss2/3 NUMA AND THE NATURE OF THE FANTASTIC IN THE FICTION OF JUAN BENET DAVID K. HERZBERGER University of Connecticut Literary critics have drawn upon a broad range of critical methodologies in their attempts to elucidate the narrative of Juan Benet. It is widely acknowledged that Benet is a difficult writer, that his works are complex and enigmatic, and that much of his narrative seems to defy traditional modes of explanation through which inconsistencies are resolved and loose ends tied neatly together. Perhaps the most rewarding approach to Benet's novels, therefore, will be one that encompasses the irrational and seeks to reveal the mysterious, one that can be closely identified with the notion of the fantastic. Both Tzvetan Todorov and Eric Rabkin have formulated a thoughtful and useful hermeneutics of the fantastic, and have shown from different critical perspectives how it impels certain types of literature.' However, I am not wholly comfortable with either Todorov's definition (that the fantastic stems from the hesitancy produced in the reader by what seem to be supernatural elements in the text), or with that of Rabkin (the fantastic in general as a mode of knowing the world, and defined in literature by the diametric reversal of the "ground rules" of the narrative). Thus, before discussing Benet's fiction and the manner in which the fantastic inheres within it, I would like to outline a brief working definition of the fantastic as I propose to use it here. My proposal turns primarily upon a synthetic modification of the precepts of Todorov and Rabkin, which is hinted at in Rabkin's only reference in his book to Todorov's study. In a lengthy footnote Rabkin affirms the disparity between his and Todorov's definition of the fantastic and suggests, in part, that "[Todorov's] hesitation should be seen not in relation to external norms, but rather in relation to micro-
Invertible Filter Banks on the 2-Sphere

Multiscale filtering methods, such as wavelets and steerable pyramids, are widely used in processing and analysis of planar images and promise similar benefits in application to spherical images. While recent advances have extended some filtering methods to the sphere, many key challenges remain. In this paper, we develop conditions for the invertibility of spherical filter banks for both continuous and discrete convolution and illustrate how such conditions can be incorporated into the design of self-invertible axis-symmetric wavelets. Self-invertibility is particularly desirable when modifying images in the wavelet domain.
"Gasket-seal" watertight closure in minimal-access endoscopic cranial base surgery.

Objective Transnasal endoscopic cranial base surgery is a novel minimal-access method for reaching the midline cranial base. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leak remains a persistent challenge. A new method for watertight closure of the anterior cranial base is presented. Methods To achieve watertight closure of the anterior cranial base, autologous fascia lata was used to create a "gasket seal" around a bone buttress, followed by application of a tissue sealant such as DuraSeal (Confluent Surgical, Inc., Waltham, MA). The gasket-seal closure was used to seal the anterior cranial base in a series of 10 patients with intradural surgery for suprasellar craniopharyngiomas (n = 5), planum meningiomas (n = 3), clival chordoma (n = 1), and recurrent iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak (n = 1). Lumbar drains were placed intraoperatively in five patients and remained in place for 3 days postoperatively. Results After a mean follow-up period of 12 months, there were no cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Conclusion The gasket-seal closure is an effective method for achieving watertight closure of the anterior cranial base after endoscopic intradural surgery.
Human monocyte modulation of endothelial cells and fibroblast growth: possible mechanism for fibrosis.

Abstract Several human diseases are characterized by vascular pathology, fibroblast activation, and excessive fibrosis (e.g., scleroderma, chronic graft versus host disease, pulmonary fibrosis). An intense inflammatory exudate of mononuclear cells which are derived from the peripheral blood precedes the vascular and fibrotic changes. We examined, in vitro, the effects of human peripheral blood mononuclear cell culture supernatants (PBM-SN) on the growth and survival of human endothelial cells (EC) and of human dermal fibroblasts (FB). The same PBM-SN consistently induced inhibition of EC and stimulation of FB proliferation. PBM-SN derived from 42 patients with scleroderma induced 32 ± 5% (mean ± SE) more inhibition of EC and 42 ± 18% more stimulation of FB compared with PBM-SN derived from 30 healthy subjects. Depletion of phagocytic cells or adherent cells from PBM resulted in SN with no demonstrable activity on either EC or FB. Partial purification of PBM-SN on ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography revealed the presence of two fractions that stimulated and one fraction that inhibited FB proliferation, and two fractions that inhibited and one that stimulated EC proliferation. These data suggest that monocytes are capable of releasing mediators that stimulate or suppress EC or FB. However, when activated by surface adherence, resulting SN inhibit EC and stimulate FB proliferation. Serum is required for the expression of FB proliferation.
A fault identification and classification scheme for an automobile door assembly process

A process fault identification and classification scheme for an automobile door assembly process is presented based on multivariate in-line dimensional measurements and principal component factor analysis. First, the door assembly process and the dimensional measurement system are briefly introduced. Second, the technique of principal component factor analysis is presented for process fault identification. Process faults are summarized based on off-line identified case studies. Finally a machine classification scheme based on principal components and principal factors is presented and evaluated, using the pattern knowledge obtained off-line. This scheme is shown to be effective in classifying process faults using production data.
Fos RNA accumulation in multiple sclerosis white matter tissue

Abstract In order to better characterize the molecular events that accompany lesion development in multiple sclerosis (MS), we studied the accumulation of RNA specific to the nuclear proto-oncogenes c- fos and c- myb in post mortem white matter brain tissue. RNA was prepared from plaque and periplaque regions of 6 different MS brains, from “normal” white matter regions of 3 MS brains and from 6 normal control samples. Quatitation of specific RNA corresponding to each proto-oncogene was performed by Northern blot hybridization and by scanning densitometry. Results indicate a 2-fold increase in c- fos RNA in MS white matter, compared to control tissue. No c- myb signal was identified in any sample. In situ hybridization studies confirmed the selective upregulation of c- fos RNA levels in MS tissue, and suggested that glial cells and not inflammatory cells were responsible for the enhanced c- fos signal. These results suggest that persistent glial cell activation is present within chronic MS lesions irrespective of whether the lesions are active (e.g., inflammatory) or inactive.
Multiple Coulomb interference effects on the quadrupole moment of 114Cd

Abstract The sign of the multiple Coulomb interference term in 114 Cd was determined to be positive by comparing low and high excitation probability experiments. With this sign the quadrupole moment of the first 2 + state was found to be Q (2 + ) = −0.35 ± 0.07 b.
Theory of compaction bands in porous rock

Abstract Compaction bands are narrow planar zones of localized purely compressive (without shear) deformation that form perpendicular to the most compressive principal stress. Such bands have been observed in high porosity rocks in the laboratory and in the field. Because compaction presumably decreases permeability, these bands can act as barriers to flow within reservoirs. Reexamination of the results of Rudnicki and Rice (J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 1975) for shear localization, with corrections by Perrin and Leblond (J. Appl. Mech., 1993) , reveals that they admit solutions for compaction bands in a range of parameters that is representative of porous rock. Solutions for compaction bands are possible when the inelastic volume deformation is compactive and is associated with a “cap” on the yield surface. The expression for the critical hardening modulus (related to the slope of the shear stress vs. shear strain curve at constant mean stress) at which compaction bands are predicted to form differs from that for shear localization. For parameters representative of porous rock, axisymmetric compression is the most favorable deviatoric stress state for formation of compaction bands. Comparison of conditions for shear localization and compaction band formation suggests that either may occur depending on the stress path and magnitude of the confining stress.
Outer root sheath acanthoma.

The term outer root sheath acanthoma is proposed to specify a distinctive keratosis exhibiting outer root sheath differentiation. This lesion features anastamosing columns of keratinocytes emanating from the undersurface of the epidermis that respectively demonstrate, with progressive descent into the upper dermis, outer root sheath differentiation characteristic of the infundibulum, isthmus, stem and anagen bulb. In our patient, the lesion was solitary, and no associated systemic disease was evident. Outer root sheath acanthoma is a unique keratosis displaying all four types of tricholemmal differentiation, thus representing a true neoplasm of the entire outer root sheath.
Sexual Discordance and Sexual Partnering Among Heterosexual Women

This study examined characteristics of self-identified heterosexual women who were concordant or discordant in their sexual behavior and the association of discordance and sexual partnering among those aged 15–44 years from the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth (n = 7,353). Sexual concordance was defined as reporting a heterosexual identity and no female partners in the past year; discordance was reporting a heterosexual identity and having at least one female partner in the past year. Sexual partnering was defined as being concurrent, serially monogamous or monogamous with a male partner in the previous year. Polytomous logistic regression models evaluated the association between sexual discordance and sexual partnering. Among self-identified heterosexual, sexually active women, 11.2 % reported ever having had a same sex partner. Heterosexually discordant women who had both male and female partners in the previous year were 5.5 times as likely to report having a concurrent relationship (95 % CI 2.77–11.09) and 2.4 times as likely to report engaging in serially monogamous relationships (95 % CI 1.19–4.97) with male partners. Discordance between heterosexual identity and same sex behavior is a factor in risky behaviors. Women who have sex with women and men may act as bridges for the transmission of STDs, particularly to their female partners. Sexual education should include information inclusive of non-heteronormative behaviors and identities to provide sexual minorities with the tools and information they need. Clinical guidelines should ensure that all women are offered counseling and screening for reproductive and sexual health.
Al-Mg Micro-Features Using Micro-EDM Milling

Aluminum alloys offer many machining advantages, such as excellent machinability and finish degree, outstanding tool life, and good corrosion resistance. They also display an elevated thermal exchange and weight reduction, which lead to easier handling compared to steels and make them good candidates for applications in the automotive and aerospace industry and in the field of mould production. Despite these recognized features, the machining accuracy, in particular in the micro-electro discharge machining (micro-EDM) process, needs further improvement. Revealing the nature of the Al alloys in EDM machining, some papers report of resolidifying layers in Al alloys appearing after the EDM process and grain compositions hugely affecting surface roughness. In particular, it has been observed that a thin and strong insulating layer due to the oxidation of the aluminum workpiece after machining leads to frequent tool breakage. In practice, this makes the micro-EDM process harder when micro-tools are meant to be used. However, to the best of our knowledge, the investigation of micro-EDM process performances of Al-Mg has not yet been fully explored. In this work, micro-EDM Al-Mg machining is presented: different energy levels were tested to find the proper parameter combination feasible to process micro-features. The machining geometrical limits are also investigated, putting in relation the energy levels to different electrode tool diameters. The experimental results are discussed on the basis of the evaluation of material removal rate (MRR), tool wear ratio (TWR), surface roughness and sparking gap. The machining of a micro-shaft housing component featuring high aspect ratio (HAR) is also shown as demonstrator to prove the effectiveness of the micro-EDM parameters selected from the previous trials.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A new VSG expression site-associated gene (ESAG) in the promoter region of Trypanosoma brucei encodes a protein with 10 potential transmembrane domains

In Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream variants 118 cl 1, 118a and 118b, the actively transcribed VSG gene expression site (ES) is located on a 1.5 Mb chromosome. The promoter region for this polycistronic transcription unit is unusual in that there are two, tandemly located, promoter repeats, each 2.1 kb in size, separated by 13 kb of intervening DNA. As previously shown, at inactivation of this ES, the promoter region was rearranged with the deletion of 15 kb of DNA. This result prompted us to search through the deleted DNA sequences to identify additional genes that might play a role in the inactivation of ESs. In this report, we identify a gene, encoding a putative transmembrane protein, that was deleted at this locus by the rearrangement event. This gene, which we tentatively call expression-site-associated-gene 10 (ESAG10), contains 10 potential transmembrane domains and had been located to T. brucei stock 427-60, ES-containing chromosomes.
Overcoming Ethnic and Social Barriers in Colonial British America: The ‘Meritorious’ Career of Frederick Haldimand

(1996). Overcoming Ethnic and Social Barriers in Colonial British America: The ‘Meritorious’ Career of Frederick Haldimand. The Historian: Vol. 58, No. 3, pp. 589-604.
Overcoming Fragmentary Analysis: An Integrative Approach to Policy Studies

PEEK T. R. (1987) Overcoming fragmentary analysis: an integrative approach to policy studies, Reg. Studies 21, 363–372. Contemporary planning and political processes are often characterized by fragmentary analysis reflecting the substantive and methodological paradigms of planners, politicians, bureaucrats and others involved in public affairs. An integrative approach to policy studies designed to overcome fragmentary analysis is described in this paper, based on experience at the University of Minnesota, USA. Methodologies and techniques are specified along with illustrative examples from the Minnesota experience. The article provides a practical guide for planners, public officials and others involved in policy analysis, and should be of interest both to decision-makers and those hoping to influence the decision-making process. PEEK T. R. (1987) Surmonter les analyses desagregees: une facon integree aux etudes de politique, Reg. Studies 21, 363–372. La planification contemporaine et les demarches politi...
STEREOCHEMISTRY OF THE REACTION OF α,α-DIBROMOKETONES WITH ETHYL DIPHENYLPHOSPHINITE. MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF O-(1-PHENYL-2-BROMOVINYL)DIPHENYLPHOSPHINATE

Abstract The reaction of α,α-dibromoacetophenone (1) with ethyl diphenylphosphinite (2) gives solid O-(Iphenyl-2-bromovinyl)diphenylphosphin ate (3) as one stereoisomeric product. The stereochemistry of 3 is shown to be the Z configuration by single crystal X-ray analysis. A Z configuration for 3 had been predicted based on the postulated mechanism for its formation featuring nucleophilic attack on bromine by the phosphinite to give an enolate phosphonium ion-pair which then interacts further. Several lines of evidence link this demonstrated stereochemistry for 3 with a Z configuration for the major stereo-isomeric enol phosphate formed in the Perkow reaction of several α-haloketones with trialkyl phosphites. Z Configurations for two different crystalline enol phosphates have been demonstrated via X-ray analysis by Zwierzak and by Rohrbaugh and Jacobson, respectively.
Physiologic Concentrations of TNFα and IL-1β Released from Reperfused Human Intestine Upregulate E-Selectin and ICAM-1

Abstract Intestinal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) causes local and distant tissue injury via neutrophil (PMN) activation and adhesion. Endothelial cell adhesion molecules (E-selectin, ICAM-1) mediate the adhesion and transmigration of PMN in the microcirculation. Expression of these receptors is influenced by cytokines. To determine the physiologic concentrations of two specific cytokines involved in I/R, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin-1 (IL-1), human intestinal segments were exposed to 30 min of ischemia followed by reperfusion. Venous effluent samples were obtained; enzyme immunoassays measured maximum concentrations of TNF (30.5 ± 1.0 pg/ml) and IL-1 (59.0 ± 6.0 pg/ml). Cultured human endothelial cells were then exposed to physiologic concentrations of human recombinant TNF (10 pg/ml) and IL-1 (10 pg/ml), individually and in combination. Flow cytometric analysis of receptor expression demonstrated upregulation of E-selectin as early as 2 hr (P
Thioredoxin is required for S-nitrosation of procaspase-3 and the inhibition of apoptosis in Jurkat cells

S-nitrosation is a posttranslational, oxidative addition of NO to cysteine residues of proteins that has been proposed as a cGMP-independent signaling pathway [Hess DT, Matsumoto A, Kim SO, Marshall HE, Stamler JS (2005) Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 6:150–166]. A paradox of S-nitrosation is that only a small set of reactive cysteines are modified in vivo despite the promiscuous reactivity NO exhibits with thiols, precluding the reaction of free NO as the primary mechanism of S-nitrosation. Here we show that a specific transnitrosation reaction between procaspase-3 and thioredoxin-1 (Trx) occurs in cultured human T cells and prevents apoptosis. Trx participation in catalyzing transnitrosation reactions in cells may be general because this protein has numerous protein–protein interactions and plays a key role in cellular redox homeostasis [Powis G, Montfort WR (2001) Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol 41:261–295], nitrosothiol content in cells [Haendeler J, Hoffmann J, Tischler V, Berk BC, Zeiher AM, Dimmeler S (2002) Nat Cell Biol 4:743–749], and antiapoptotic signaling.
Modulation of metastasis phenotypes of non-small cell lung cancer cells by 17-allylamino 17-demethoxy geldanamycin.

Abstract Background . Cancer cells that overexpress c-erbB oncogenes exhibit resistance to chemotherapy, enhanced tumorigenicity, as well as increased propensity for metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate if depletion of erbB-1/EGFR and erbB-2/HER2neu oncogene products by 17-allylamino 17-demethoxy Geldanamycin (17AAGA) could diminish the metastatic potential of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells that express varying levels of the erbB1/erbB2 oncogenes. Methods . NSCLC cell lines (H460, H358, H322, or H661) were assayed for expression of erbB1 and erbB2, the cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin, secretion of the matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and vascular endothelial cell growth factor (VEGF), as well as their ability to invade Matrigel after 48-hour exposure to 17AAGA. Results . 17AAGA significantly depleted erbB1 or erbB2 levels in NSCLC cells expressing high levels of these proteins, and effectively inhibited their growth with IC 50 values ranging from 50 to 90 nmol/L. Moreover, drug treatment enhanced E-cadherin expression in H322 and H358 cells, and inhibited secretion of MMP-9 and VEGF secretion by tumor cells. 17AAGA diminished hypoxia-induced upregulation of VEGF expression as well as growth factor-mediated augmentation of MMP-9 secretion, and profoundly inhibited the ability of H322 and H358 cells to migrate through Matrigel in response to chemoattractants. Conclusions . In addition to its known antiproliferative and chemosensitization effects, 17AAGA inhibits the metastatic phenotype of lung cancer cells. 17AAGA may be a novel pharmacologic agent for specific molecular intervention in lung cancer patients.
Complete absence of isotope effect in YBa2Cu3O7: Consequences for phonon-mediated superconductivity.

Y${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ has been prepared with enriched $^{135}\mathrm{Ba}$, $^{138}\mathrm{Ba}$, $^{63}\mathrm{Cu}$, and $^{65}\mathrm{Cu}$ isotopes. The superconducting transition temperature ${T}_{c}$ is found to be insensitive to the mass of the Ba and Cu atoms. This result, when combined with earlier findings of no ${T}_{c}$ shift for oxygen-isotope substitution or rare-earth substitution, demonstrates the complete absence of an isotope effect in Y${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$. The consequences of these results for the applicability of phonon-mediated electron pairing mechanisms are discussed.
Just Following Orders: A Meta-Analysis of the Correlates of American Police Officer Use of Force Decisions

A substantial amount of research has been conducted to identify the most influential predictors of police use of force decisions. Attempts to summarize this research, however, have so far been primarily limited to narrative literature reviews. While these works are important contributions, they are unable to ensure objectivity during their assessment of the status of the use of force empirical literature. This study improves upon prior research by using the meta-analytic method to identify the key correlates of police decisions to use force. This analysis identifies encounter characteristics as the category of variables that is most strongly correlated with use of force decisions, but also point to a strong localization effect. These findings therefore suggest that the primary focus for future theories of use of force decisions should be on what happens during the encounter, and adequate research syntheses will only be made possible when the number of datasets used to examine use of force decision-making is increased.
The Education of the Twentieth Century Law Librarian

The author interweaves the story of his professional career and the development of the modern universe of digital information. Early days, beginning as a library assistant are carried through the first professional job at the University of Illinois, Champain–Urbana.
Direct Observation of the Conversion of a Palladium 5-Hexenyl Chelate Complex to a Palladium Cyclopentylmethyl Complex

Warming a solution of {(phen)Pd[η1:η2-CH(CH2SiEt3)CH2C(CO2Me)2CH2CHCH2]}+[BAr4]- (4) at −41 °C led to first-order decay (k = (4.7 ± 0.3) × 10-4 M s-1, ΔG⧧ = 17.1 ± 0.1 kcal mol-1) with formation of the palladium cyclopentylmethyl complex (5) in 96 ± 10% yield (1H NMR).
Structure of a self-splicing group II intron catalytic effector domain 5: Parallels with spliceosomal U6 RNA

Domain 5 (D5) is absolutely required for all catalytic functions of group II introns. Here we describe the solution NMR structure, electrostatic calculations, and detailed magnesium ion-binding surface of D5 RNA from the Pylaiella littoralis large ribosomal RNA intron (D5-PL). The overall structure consists of a hairpin capped by a GNRA tetraloop. The stem is divided into lower and upper helices of 8 and 5 bp, respectively, separated by an internal bulge. The D5-PL internal bulge nucleotides stack into the helical junction, resulting in a coupling between the bulge A25 and the closing base pair (G8-C27) of the lower helix. Comparison of the D5-PL structure to previously reported related structures indicates that our structure is most similar, in the helical regions, to the crystal structure of D5 from yeast Ai5gamma (D5-Ai5gamma) and the NMR structure of the U6 snRNA stem-loop region. Our structure differs in many respects from both the NMR and X-ray structures of D5-Ai5gamma in the bulge region. Electrostatic calculations and NMR chemical shift perturbation analyses reveal magnesium ion-binding sites in the tetraloop, internal bulge, and the AGC triad in the lower stem. Our results suggest that the structure, electrostatic environment, and the magnesium ion-binding sites within the tetraloop, bulge, and triad regions are conserved features of the splicing machinery of both the group II introns and the spliceosome that are likely key for catalytic function.
Economic and Environmental Evaluation of Residential Fixed Solar Photovoltaic Systems in the United States

While the majority of electricity generated in the United States comes from fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas, a comparatively small amount comes from renewable sources such as solar and hydropower. As global environmental issues become a greater concern, more generation may need to come from renewable sources. One often-mentioned alternative is residential solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, which could be an especially attractive source of energy in the southwestern United States, where high amounts of solar radiation are available. In this paper, we compare the life-cycle costs of current solar photovoltaic technology in Arizona versus New York to highlight the relevant issues related to the economic and environmental renewable energy decision-making process. We find that solar PV systems alone are currently inferior to grid electricity across a wide range of scenarios, including prospective technology improvements. Net metering with PV systems, where customers sell solar electricity to the grid and buy back their demand, may be competitive given real-time electricity pricing. Using PV systems in remote systems looks to be a viable alternative.
Introducing Heuristics of Cultural Dimensions into the Service-Level Technical Communication Classroom.

A significant problem for practitioners of technical communication is to gain the skills to compete in a global, multicultural work environment. Instructors of technical communication can provide future practitioners with the tools to compete and excel in this global environment by introducing heuristics of cultural dimensions into the service-level classroom. By practicing how to use these heuristics in “real-world” contexts, instructors can prepare students to function as both information architects and symbolic-analytic operators within this global work environment. In this article, I first examine common cultural heuristics as they pertain to business communication. Next, I articulate how technical communicators can benefit from incorporating these heuristics into the classroom. Finally, I offer a pedagogical approach to introducing heuristics of cultural dimensions into the service-level technical communication classroom.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of the Influenza A Virus Nonstructural Proteins NS1 and NS2 during Natural Cell Infection Identifies PACT as an NS1 Target Protein and Antiviral Host Factor

Influenza A virus (IAV) replication depends on the interaction of virus proteins with host factors. The viral nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is essential in this process by targeting diverse cellular functions, including mRNA splicing and translation, cell survival, and immune defense, in particular the type I interferon (IFN-I) response. In order to identify host proteins targeted by NS1, we established a replication-competent recombinant IAV that expresses epitope-tagged forms of NS1 and NS2, which are encoded by the same gene segment, allowing purification of NS proteins during natural cell infection and analysis of interacting proteins by quantitative mass spectrometry. We identified known NS1- and NS2-interacting proteins but also uncharacterized proteins, including PACT, an important cofactor for the IFN-I response triggered by the viral RNA-sensor RIG-I. We show here that NS1 binds PACT during virus replication and blocks PACT/RIG-I-mediated activation of IFN-I, which represents a critical event for the host defense. Protein interaction and interference with IFN-I activation depended on the functional integrity of the highly conserved RNA binding domain of NS1. A mutant virus with deletion of NS1 induced high levels of IFN-I in control cells, as expected; in contrast, shRNA-mediated knockdown of PACT compromised IFN-I activation by the mutant virus, but not wild-type virus, a finding consistent with the interpretation that PACT (i) is essential for IAV recognition and (ii) is functionally compromised by NS1. Together, our data describe a novel approach to identify virus-host protein interactions and demonstrate that NS1 interferes with PACT, whose function is critical for robust IFN-I production. IMPORTANCE Influenza A virus (IAV) is an important human pathogen that is responsible for annual epidemics and occasional devastating pandemics. Viral replication and pathogenicity depends on the interference of viral factors with components of the host defense system, particularly the type I interferon (IFN-I) response. The viral NS1 protein is known to counteract virus recognition and IFN-I production, but the molecular mechanism is only partially defined. We used a novel proteomic approach to identify host proteins that are bound by NS1 during virus replication and identified the protein PACT, which had previously been shown to be involved in virus-mediated IFN-I activation. We find that NS1 prevents PACT from interacting with an essential component of the virus recognition pathway, RIG-I, thereby disabling efficient IFN-I production. These observations provide an important piece of information on how IAV efficiently counteracts the host immune defense.
Condition Monitoring of Brushless Three-Phase Synchronous Generators With Stator Winding or Rotor Circuit Deterioration

This paper presents experimental and theoretical analyses used to establish electrical features that can be utilized as indicators of armature winding, field winding or rectifier diode deterioration in brushless three-phase synchronous generators before the imperfection progresses to become a ground fault. The paper begins with the description of a 5 kVA synchronous generator specifically designed and constructed to allow for simulation of armature winding, field winding or rectifier diode deterioration in a brushless machine. Subsequently, a description of the experimental methodology and the results of experiments are presented. Specific features that can be used as indicators of the deterioration are described and a theoretical basis for them is provided. The proposed features can be obtained continuously during normal generator operation. As such, they can be used as a basis for both winding brushless and brush-fed synchronous generator health monitoring applications.
Electronically tunable multi-line TRL usingan impedance matched multi-BitMEMS phase shifter

An electronically tunable thru-reflect-line (TRL) calibration set that utilizes a 4-b true time delay microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) phase shifter topology, based on impedance-matched slow-wave coplanar waveguide (CPW) sections, is presented. The accuracy of the tunable TRL is close to a conventional multi-line TRL calibration and shows a maximum error bound of 0.12 at 40GHz. Experimental data for a 4.6mm-long tunable delay standard shows 317/spl deg//dB phase shift at 50GHz (or 91/spl deg//mm) with S/sub 11/ less than -21dB from 1-50GHz. The MEMS beams on the phase shifter are actuated using high resistance SiCr bias lines with typical actuation voltage around 30-45V.
Organisational Correlates to Staff Attitudes about Behavioural Programs

In an attempt to facilitate the dissemination and regular implementation of behaviour treatments in real-world settings, research has examined staff attitudes that may pose barriers to these treatments. The purpose of the study reported in this paper is to examine the construct validity of perceived organisational barriers to behavioural programs. One hundred and eighteen staff working in community-based treatment programs for adults and children with severe mental illness completed the Barriers to the Implementation of Behaviour Therapy Test. An analysis from a previous study (Corrigan, Kwartarini, and Pramana, 1992) identified two reliable and valid factors that suggested perceived organisational barriers: institutional constraints and insufficient collegial support. Results of a confirmatory factor analysis on data from this study supported the earlier factor structure. Research participants also completed team functioning measures of individual staff burnout, collegial network satisfaction, organisational culture, and team leadership. Attitudes about institutional constraints and insufficient collegial support were found to be associated with burnout, collegial network satisfaction, and organisational culture. Strategies for disseminating behavioural programs must target organisational barriers too.
A Note on the Scattering Matrix of an Active Linear Two-Terminal Pair Network

By separating the scattering matrix into matrix factors, a cascade of partial two-terminal pair networks is obtained, which represents the general nonreciprocal two-terminal pair network. Using a matrix factor to represent a source, the active circuit properties are separated from the passive ones and it is demonstrated that this source, which is simply related to the determinant can be moved to the terminal ends of the total network, where it may be combined with an external source. The derived equivalent circuits do not employ gyrators but contain, besides the source mentioned, 2 two-terminal circuit elements, which characterize loss as well as inherent stability, and 2 "ideal transformers" rendering measures of amplitude and phase transfer. An application to the transistor results in a novel equivalent circuit for that device.
Use of Mahogany: Impact on Deforestation and the Interior Designer's Responsibility

Interior designers' specification of mahogany along with other usage has led to depleted supplies of the wood in this century. This article analyzes the historical usage of mahogany and relates it to the impact of the logging on the environment. Sources and the ecology of mahogany are explained so that designers can understand the negative effects of logging. The prospects of conservation and producing sustained yields of mahogany are explored to present various alternatives for designers. The role of the educator in this issue also is discussed.
Organization and staffing practices in US cardiac intensive care units: a survey on behalf of the American Heart Association Writing Group on the Evolution of Critical Care Cardiology.

Background:The cardiac intensive care unit (CICU) has evolved into a complex patient-care environment with escalating acuity and increasing utilization of advanced technologies. These changing demo...
Port fixation during gastric banding: 4-year outcome using a synthetic mesh

Abstract Background Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery is one of the most popular procedures for patients with morbid obesity. Although it is one of the least invasive surgical treatments for obesity, the most common reasons for reoperation are complications arising from the subcutaneous reservoir (port) used to adjust the band. Mesh fixation of the port, in which the port is sutured to a piece of mesh and then placed without anchoring sutures onto the fascia is a method of securing the port. The purpose of the present study was to review the experience of a single surgeon (S.B.) with mesh fixation in >500 patients during a 4-year period and to assess the safety and efficacy of this technique in private practice in United States. Methods A total of 564 patients underwent laparoscopic gastric banding during a 4-year period from January 2007 to January 2011. During these operations, the subcutaneous port was affixed to the fascia by suturing the port to a small piece of polypropylene mesh and then placing the port onto the fascia without any additional anchoring sutures or staples. Results Of 564 patients, only 2 required reoperation to reposition the subcutaneous port, for a .3% port flip rate. We also report the findings during elective reoperation for plastic surgery or revision surgery. Conclusion Mesh fixation of the subcutaneous port is simple, inexpensive, and highly effective and has an extremely low complication rate.
The macro-structure of use of help

To see whether, from the user's standpoint, muddling through with trial-and-error exploration of the interface actually works as well as consulting help, we analyzed video recordings of 14 subjects using Microsoft Publisher. We segmented their attempts at accomplishing four tasks into episodes, lasting from a few seconds to a few minutes, using four problem-solving approaches: help, recall, and trial-and-error. The subjects' overall rates of success with trial-and-error were higher than with help. We present trends of use of the approaches across the four tasks, review the apparent causes of success and failure when using the approaches, and develop an affordance-knowledge model that helps to explain people's preference for muddling through over using help. We conclude by discussing the model's implications for developers of systems and writers of help.
Wavelength-scanning digital interference holography for tomographic three-dimensional imaging by use of the angular spectrum method

A tomographic imaging system based on wavelength-scanning digital interference holography is developed by applying the angular spectrum method. Compared to the well-known Fresnel diffraction formula, which is subject to a minimum distance requirement in reconstruction, the angular spectrum method can reconstruct the wave field at any distance from the hologram plane. The new system allows three-dimensional tomographic images to be extracted with an improved signal-to-noise ratio, a more flexible scanning range, and an easier specimen size selection. Experiments are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the method.
Automated Measurement Systems for Clinical Motion Analysis

I present a computer-based data acquisition and processing system for human motion analysis. The Motion Analysis Laboratory, Children's Hospital at Stanford, exists to provide excellence in clinical evaluation, research, and teaching. The laboratory provides an objective base for assessment of locomotor dysfunction in four general areas—muscle function, energy expenditure, postural equilibrium, and motion data acquisition. Muscle function studies are used to determine the magnitude and timing of muscle activity patterns. An energy-cost index with heart rate as an estimate of energy expenditure is used to evaluate the energy demands of walking. A postural equilibrium measuring system is used to quantify the amount of body sway during stance. I describe a method for three-dimensional coordinate processing of human motion. Use of modern technology facilitates the rapid transfer of useful knowledge from the laboratory to the clinic team in an easily interpretable visual form.
Characterization of a novel chromatin sorting tool reveals importance of histone variant H3.3 in contextual fear memory and motor learning

The consolidation of short-term labile memories for long-term storage requires transcription and there is growing interest in defining the epigenetic mechanisms regulating these transcriptional events. In particular, it has been hypothesized that combinations of histone post-translational modifications (PTMs) have the potential to store memory by dynamically defining the transcriptional status of any given gene loci. Studying epigenetic phenomena during long-term memory consolidation, however, is complicated by the complex cellular heterogeneity of the brain, in which epigenetic signal from memory-relevant cells can be obscured or diluted by the surrounding milieu. To address this issue, we have developed a transgenic mouse line expressing a tetO-regulated, hemagglutinin (HA)-tagged histone H3.3 exclusively in excitatory neurons of the forebrain. Unlike canonical histones, histone H3.3 is incorporated at promoter regions of transcriptionally active genes in a DNA replication-independent manner, stably "barcoding" active regions of the genome in post-mitotic cells. Immunoprecipitating H3.3-HA containing nucleosomes from the hippocampus will therefore enrich for memory-relevant chromatin by isolating actively transcribed regions of the excitatory neuron genome. To evaluate the validity of using H3.3 "barcoding" to sort chromatin, we performed a molecular and behavioral characterization of the H3.3-HA transgenic mouse line. Expectedly, we find that H3.3-HA is incorporated preferentially at promoter regions of actively-transcribed neuronal genes and that expression can be effectively regulated by doxycycline. Additionally, H3.3-HA overexpression does not adversely affect exploratory or anxiety-related behaviors, nor does it affect spatial memory. Transgenic animals do, however, exhibit deficits in contextual memory and motor learning, revealing the importance of this histone isoform in the brain. Future studies in the H3.3-HA transgenic mouse line will define the combinatorial histone PTM landscape during spatial memory consolidation and will investigate the important contributions of histone H3.3 to the normal functioning of the brain.
Application of MFCs for Enhanced Performance of Flexible Flapping Fins

In flexible fin propulsion, the performance of the system depends on the kinematics and the morphology of the fins. This paper examines the enhanced performance of flexible fins through tailoring of the passive deformation pattern by employing antagonistic pairs of Macro Fiber Composites (MFCs) attached to a fin oscillating at its leading edge. A coupled piezohydroelastic model has been developed to predict the propulsive performance of an actively deforming fin. The developed model is based on the linear piezoelectricity, Euler Bernoulli beam kinematics, and 2-D unsteady discrete vortex panel method. From the simulations, it is observed that the thrust and efficiency improves with active control of the fin. The effect of voltage magnitude and phase difference on propulsive performance for different operating conditions are studied and reported.
Large adenomatous polyp of Brunner's glands.

Pathologic change in the duodenal glands of Brunner is a rarity, as Robertson observed. Large tumors of clinical •significance originating in Brunner's glands are infrequently encountered.'' 5 ' 8 ' 9 i ' "• ' i7, i9,20 Reactive hyperplasia in response to ulceration is seen more often, and at one time it was believed that ulcers of the duodenum began as necrosis of adenomas of Brunner's glands. Most adenomas of Brunner's glands that have been described have been less than 1 cm. in diameter. In addition, cysts of the duodenum whose linings, in part or in whole, have been Brunner's glands have been described, but their pathogenesis has been obscure. Robertson attempted to make a division of the reported adenomas and to indicate that the tiny examples were mere hyperplasia. Since his publication, a few authors have restated the problem, but even those who have described examples of large pedunculated adenomas have not documented their cases in an attempt to resolve the perplexity. A recent case afforded us an opportunity to study the over-all histopathologic relation of a large polypoid tumor to Brunner's glands in the duodenum.