cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrating reengineered databases to support data fusion

Large information systems often require the fusion of multiple databases to achieve desired functionality. In this article, we focus on how automated query formulation capabilities may be realized over a set of fused databases. Reengineering issues related to database design and fusion are discussed, and a query formulation and design system known as QUICK is described. A case study is presented in which the logical schemas for two independent U.S. Army databases are reverse engineered into conceptual schemas that are subsequently used for data fusion and automatic query generation. In addition, enhanced methods that employ meta-level conceptual constructs to support reverse engineering, data fusion, and query formulation are described.
Effect of Asperity-Scale Tensile Stresses on the Wear Behavior of Normally Oriented Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites©

Wear of unidirectional continuous fiber-reinforced polymer composites with fiber orientation normal to the contact plane, sliding over scribed stainless steel disks having a controlled surface topography, is investigated in relation to the tensile stresses developed near the contact region. The composite is modeled as a transversely isotropic half-space whose effective elastic moduli are estimated from composite micro-mechanical considerations. The scribed disk is treated as a rough surface whose controlled topographical features serve as model hemispherical indenters against the composite. With friction coefficients obtained from, the wear experiments, the tensile stress field at and below the composite surface is estimated. From this, an estimate of the theoretical depth of fiber-matrix separation (fiber debonding) is calculated based on the composite transverse tensile strength. A correlation between the wear rate and theoretical depth of debonding was shown for several composites. Presented at the 48t...
Mathematical modeling and testing of the sit and reach test

Abstract A study was conducted to determine if segment lengths influenced the performance on the sit and reach (SR) test and if the SR test was a valid measure of hamstring and low back flexibility. Thirty-one males and forty-eight females were administered two trials of the SR test using a box as suggested by the AAHPERD's Health Related Fitness Test (1980). Each subject had the height of the acromial, trochanterion, tibial, dactylion, and olecranon measured. A mathematical model was developed to calculate the angle between the legs and the torso (θ). When only the SR test was used to predict θ, there was a coefficient of multiple determination (R 2 = 0.539). However, when torso, total arm (TARM) and total leg (TLEG) lengths were included, the coefficient increased (R 2 = 0.953). This suggest that the SR test is not a good measure of hamstring and low back flexibility for a normal population unless torso, TARM and TLEG lengths are considered. Furthermore, results indicate that segment lengths do have an influence on SR test scores.
The bacterial phosphotransferase system as a potential vehicle for the entry of novel antibiotics

During the past twenty-nine years, not a single class of antimicrobial agents has been discovered that has led to new approved human drugs. Despite a dramatic increase in the potency of existing classes, the need for new effective antimicrobial agents continues. The bacterial phosphotransferase system (PTS) offers the possibility of providing new opportunities for the discovery of important agents. This system offers a vehicle for entry into infecting bacteria and pathways for the initiation of metabolism of such agents. Antimicrobial agents which would use the PTS may be found which are active on both growing and sessile bacterial forms, and due to the lack of a eukaryotic PTS counterpart, such analogues may be expected to be non-toxic to the animal host.
Biologically inspired robotic inspectors: the engineering reality and future outlook (Keynote address)

Human errors have long been recognized as a major factor in the reliability of nondestructive evaluation results. To minimize such errors, there is an increasing reliance on automatic inspection tools that allow faster and consistent tests. Crawlers and various manipulation devices are commonly used to perform variety of inspection procedures that include C-scan with contour following capability to rapidly inspect complex structures. The emergence of robots has been the result of the need to deal with parts that are too complex to handle by a simple automatic system. Economical factors are continuing to hamper the wide use of robotics for inspection applications however technology advances are increasingly changing this paradigm. Autonomous robots, which may look like human, can potentially address the need to inspect structures with configuration that are not predetermined. The operation of such robots that mimic biology may take place at harsh or hazardous environments that are too dangerous for human presence. Biomimetic technologies such as artificial intelligence, artificial muscles, artificial vision and numerous others are increasingly becoming common engineering tools. Inspired by science fiction, making biomimetic robots is increasingly becoming an engineering reality and in this paper the state-of-the-art will be reviewed and the outlook for the future will be discussed.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
HmuP Is a Coactivator of Irr-Dependent Expression of Heme Utilization Genes in Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Utilization of heme as an iron source by Bradyrhizobium japonicum involves induction of the outer membrane heme receptor gene hmuR and other genes within the heme utilization locus. Here, we discovered the hmuP gene located upstream of hmuR and transcribed divergently from it along with hmuTUV. hmuP encodes a small protein that accumulated under iron limitation and is transcriptionally controlled by the global iron-responsive regulator Irr, as were all genes within the heme utilization locus. Cross-linking and immunoprecipitation experiments showed that Irr occupies the hmuR-hmuP promoter in vivo. An hmuP mutant did not grow on heme as an iron source, but retained the ability to use ferric chloride. Correspondingly, induction of hmuR mRNA under iron limitation was severely diminished in an hmuP strain, but other genes within the Irr regulon were unaffected. HmuP occupied the hmuR-hmuP promoter, and thus it plays a direct regulatory role in gene expression. HmuP was not required for Irr occupancy, nor was ectopic expression of hmuP from an Irr-independent promoter sufficient to induce the hmuR gene. Thus, both HmuP and Irr occupancy are necessary for hmuR induction. We suggest that HmuP is a coactivator of Irr-dependent expression of hmuR.
Jointly optimal reference frame & quality of service selection for H.261 video coding over lossy networks

In new video coding standards such as H.26L, predicted frame has the flexibility to select its reference frame from a number of previous frames for motion prediction. In this paper, we propose an optimization algorithm using dynamic programming that jointly exploits this flexibility with available network QoS for optimal streaming performance. A rounding technique is employed to scale the complexity of the algorithm down at the expense of gracefully degrading solution quality. Results show significant streaming quality improvement over an ad-hoc scheme.
Building a practice research network: Obstacles faced and lessons learned at the Center for Collegiate Mental Health

AbstractObjective: The Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH) was created through a grass-roots initiative among university and college counseling centers to standardize assessment procedures, conduct empirical studies, and advocate clinical services. Method: At present, CCMH has over 240 college counseling center members and oversees a research infrastructure based on these centers' routine services, describing approximately 90,000 individual clients annually. These data are used to provide clinical tools, which can be useful for ongoing clinical services as well as program evaluation, quality assurance, and advocacy on behalf of the counseling centers and clients. Results: There have been substantial obstacles to overcome, and there remain numerous challenges in day-to-day operations. This article provides a brief overview of the challenges and current solutions. Conclusions: Large-scale collaborations between researchers and practitioners are possible, and some recommendations can be made based on ...
Hoxa9 and Flt3 Signaling Synergistically Regulate an Early Checkpoint in Lymphopoiesis

Hoxa9 and Flt3 signaling are individually important for the generation of lymphoid lineage precursors from multipotent hematopoietic progenitors (MPP) in bone marrow. Mice deficient for Hoxa9, Flt3, or Flt3 ligand (FL) have reduced numbers of lymphoid-primed multipotential progenitors (LMPP), common lymphoid progenitors (CLP), and B/T cell precursors. Hoxa9 regulates lymphoid development, in part, through transcriptional regulation of Flt3. However, it was unclear whether Hoxa9 has functions in lymphopoiesis independent of, or alternatively, synergistically with Flt3 signaling. In this study, we show that Hoxa9(-/-)Flt3l(-/-) mice have more severe deficiencies in all B lineage cells, CLP, LMPP, and total Flt3(+) MPP in bone marrow than the single knockouts. Although LMPP and Flt3(+) CLP contain precursors for NK and dendritic cell lineage cells, no deficiencies in these lineages beyond that in Flt3l(-/-) mice was found. Thymocyte cellularity was significantly reduced in the compound knockout, although peripheral T cell numbers mirrored Flt3l(-/-) mice. Analysis of the hematopoietic progenitor compartment revealed elevated numbers of CD150(+hi)CD34(-)CD41(+) myeloid-biased stem cells in Hoxa9(-/-)Flt3l(-/-) mice. In contrast, CD150(-) MPP enriched for lymphoid potential were synergistically reduced, suggesting Hoxa9 and Flt3 signaling function coordinately to regulate lymphopoiesis at a very early stage. Real-time PCR analysis of CD150(-)Flt3(+) cells from wild-type control, Hoxa9(-/-), and Flt3l(-/-) single knockouts revealed decreased lymphoid transcripts, corroborating the importance of these regulators in lymphoid development. Taken together, these studies reveal a very early checkpoint in lymphopoiesis dependent on the combinatorial activities of Hoxa9 function and Flt3 signaling.
α-Adrenergic blockade makes minimal contribution to ketanserin's hypotensive effect

Ketanserin is a selective (S2) serotonin receptor antagonist currently under investigation as an antihypertensive. It has been suggested that the antihypertensive action of ketanserin might be principally due to α-adrenergic receptor antagonism rather than its effect on serotonin receptors. We therefore determined the contribution of α-adrenergic blockade to the hypotensive effects of ketanserin in six patients with hypertension and compared that with the α-adrenergic blockade produced by prazosin, a known α1-adrenergic antagonist. Each patient received placebo, ketanserin (40 mg every 8 hours), and prazosin (5 mg every 8 hours). Each agent was administered for 4 weeks in random order. Both ketanserin and prazosin lowered blood pressure significantly and to a similar extent. The extent of α-adrenergic blockade was determined from the ability to inhibit the hypertensive effect of phenylephrine infusions. The dose of phenylephrine required to raise the blood pressure by 20 mm Hg was significantly higher during both ketanserin (1.41 ± 0.27 μg/kg/min; p < 0.05) and prazosin (4.99 ± 0.77 μg/kg/min; p 0.01) administration compared with placebo (0.85 ± 0.15 μg/kg/min). However, the dose ratio was more than fourfold higher during prazosin treatment (7.38 ± 1.99; p < 0.05) than during ketanserin (1.69 ± 0.21). Thus at equipotent hypotensive doses the extent of α-blockade produced by ketanserin was more than fourfold lower than that of prazosin, implying that mechanisms other than α-blockade must contribute to the antihypertensive actions of ketanserin. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1988) 44, 699–703; doi:10.1038/clpt.1988.214
Implant enhanced dual intracavity polarization switching asymmetric current injected VCSEL

Output polarization is controlled by injecting current along crystalline directions. VCSELs with record-low threshold current of 0.19 mA and extinction ratio >21dB from fit is achieved. Polarization switching is shown to be enhanced by implantation.
Pressor Substances in Arterial Hypertension IV. Quantitative and Qualitative Studies of Pherentasin

Pherentasin is the only pressor substance found in blood of hypertensive patients which is not found in normal blood. This study defines its unit and compares its concentration with diastolic blood pressure level, type of hypertension, and age of patients. Lack of correlation between blood pressure level and pherentasin content suggests considerable variation in the amount of depressor substances in these patients. Chemical studies of pherentasin and its partial, tentative formula are discussed. Demonstration of the existence of an additional pressor fraction from blood which is volatile in alkaline solution is described.
CGBayesNets: Conditional Gaussian Bayesian Network Learning and Inference with Mixed Discrete and Continuous Data

Bayesian Networks (BN) have been a popular predictive modeling formalism in bioinformatics, but their application in modern genomics has been slowed by an inability to cleanly handle domains with mixed discrete and continuous variables. Existing free BN software packages either discretize continuous variables, which can lead to information loss, or do not include inference routines, which makes prediction with the BN impossible. We present CGBayesNets, a BN package focused around prediction of a clinical phenotype from mixed discrete and continuous variables, which fills these gaps. CGBayesNets implements Bayesian likelihood and inference algorithms for the conditional Gaussian Bayesian network (CGBNs) formalism, one appropriate for predicting an outcome of interest from, e.g., multimodal genomic data. We provide four different network learning algorithms, each making a different tradeoff between computational cost and network likelihood. CGBayesNets provides a full suite of functions for model exploration and verification, including cross validation, bootstrapping, and AUC manipulation. We highlight several results obtained previously with CGBayesNets, including predictive models of wood properties from tree genomics, leukemia subtype classification from mixed genomic data, and robust prediction of intensive care unit mortality outcomes from metabolomic profiles. We also provide detailed example analysis on public metabolomic and gene expression datasets. CGBayesNets is implemented in MATLAB and available as MATLAB source code, under an Open Source license and anonymous download at http://www.cgbayesnets.com.
Reifenstein's syndrome: Investigation of linkage to X‐chromosomal loci

Xga linkage data on a large family with Reifenstein's syndrome is reported. The pedigree was analyzed directly and the data were combined with that from the other linkage study in the literature to allow a numerical estimate of the likelihood of the recombination fraction, based on all the linkage data available. It was concluded that there is not close linkage between Xga and Reifenstein's syndrome. A suggestion was, however, found of tight linkage between the genes for color blindness and Reifenstein's syndrome, but this result was not definite because of the small amount of data available.
Formation of methylamines from ingested choline and lecithin.

Humans ingest substantial amounts of choline and lecithin as part of common foods. Physicians have recently begun administering large doses of these compounds to individuals with neurological diseases. A significant fraction of ingested choline is destroyed by enzymes within gut bacteria, forming trimethylamine (TMA), dimethylamine (DMA) and monomethylamine (MMA). Some of these methylamines are eventually excreted into the urine, presumably after being absorbed and carried to the kidneys via the bloodstream. The methylamines formed after choline is eaten could be substrates for the formation of nitrosamines, which have marked carcinogenic activity. Twenty-seven millimoles of choline chloride, choline stearate or lecithin were administered to healthy human subjects. It was found that these treatments markedly increased the urinary excretion of TMA, DMA and MMA, with choline chloride having the greatest effect. Rats were treated with 2 mmol/kg b.wt. of choline chloride or lecithin, and it was found that these treatments significantly increased urinary TMA excretion and did not alter DMA or MMA excretion. Our choline chloride preparation contained no MMA, DMA or TMA; however, it was found that our choline stearate and all the commercially available lecithins tested were contaminated with methylamines. Prior removal of methylamines from our lecithin preparation minimized the effect of oral administration of this compound on methylamine excretion in urine of rats and humans.
Ferredoxin Reductase: Pharmacogenomic Assessment in Colorectal Cancer

Ferredoxin reductase (FDXR) is a putative contributor to TP53-mediated apoptosis from 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy through the generation of oxidative stress. With TaqMan real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, this study established a significant difference in FDXR relative RNA expression level between tumor (median, 212.9 units) and normal tissues (median, 113.8 units) from 51 colorectal cancer patients (P 0.05), and the common haplotypes for FDXR were not different between colon tumor and normal samples. No correlation was observed between FDXR genotype and RNA expression implying that the polymorphisms described in this study are not regulating FDXR expression in colon cancer. This genomic characterization provides the foundation for pharmacogenetic analysis of the impact of FDXR on chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.
Application of stochastic hybrid systems in power management of streaming data

In this paper, we study the optimal power management problem for a pipeline of streaming data consisting of several components and buffers in between. The production rate of the source component is assumed to be random. We aim to find the optimal switching strategy and the optimal size of the buffers so that the expected average power consumption of the pipeline system is minimized. For the case of two components with one buffer in between, we model the system by a stochastic hybrid system, and derive analytically the solution to the optimal power management problem.
Robust Endoplasmic Reticulum-Associated Degradation of Rhodopsin Precedes Retinal Degeneration

Rhodopsin is a G protein-coupled receptor essential for vision and rod photoreceptor viability. Disease-associated rhodopsin mutations, such as P23H rhodopsin, cause rhodopsin protein misfolding and trigger endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, activating the unfolded protein response (UPR). The pathophysiologic effects of ER stress and UPR activation on photoreceptors are unclear. Here, by examining P23H rhodopsin knock-in mice, we found that the UPR inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) signaling pathway is strongly activated in misfolded rhodopsin-expressing photoreceptors. IRE1 significantly upregulated ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD), triggering pronounced P23H rhodopsin degradation. Rhodopsin protein loss occurred as soon as photoreceptors developed, preceding photoreceptor cell death. By contrast, IRE1 activation did not affect JNK signaling or rhodopsin mRNA levels. Interestingly, pro-apoptotic signaling from the PERK UPR pathway was also not induced. Our findings reveal that an early and significant pathophysiologic effect of ER stress in photoreceptors is the highly efficient elimination of misfolded rhodopsin protein. We propose that early disruption of rhodopsin protein homeostasis in photoreceptors could contribute to retinal degeneration.
Impulse motor for electric propulsion

When a conventional dc or ac motor is compared with a conventional gasoline engine, the former is a continuous machine and the latter is an impulse machine. In acutal performance for vehicle propulsion, in spite of the well known, poor efficiency of gasoline-piston engines [1], the gasoline engine outperforms generally, the electric motor, which is usually considered to be highly efficient [2] over the gasoline engine. Therefore, there is a logical possibility that if an electric motor is operated in a pulse mode with a proper dynamic energy storage and shut-off as the gasoline engines have today, the pulse mode operated electric motor may outperform present continuous dc or ac motors. The objectives of this paper are to present conditions under which the impulse motor outperforms the continuous electric motor and to point out the limitations and advantages of the impulse machines.
Calibration and uncertainty assessment for certified reference gas mixtures

The weighted least squares method to build an analysis function described in ISO 6143, Gas analysis—Comparison methods for determining and checking the composition of calibration gas mixtures, is modified to take into account the typically small number of instrumental readings that are obtained for each primary standard gas mixture used in calibration. The theoretical basis for this modification is explained, and its superior performance is illustrated in a simulation study built around a concrete example, using real data. The corresponding uncertainty assessment is obtained by application of a Monte Carlo method consistent with the guidance in the Supplement 1 to the Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement, which avoids the need for two successive applications of the linearizing approximation of the conventional method for uncertainty propagation. The three main steps that NIST currently uses to certify a reference gas mixture (homogeneity study, calibration, and assignment of value and uncertainty assessment), are described and illustrated using data pertaining to an actual standard reference material.
Youth Empowerment and High School Gay-Straight Alliances

In the field of positive youth development programs, “empowerment” is used interchangeably with youth activism, leadership, civic participation and self-efficacy. However, few studies have captured what empowerment means to young people in diverse contexts. This article explores how youth define and experience empowerment in youth-led organizations characterized by social justice goals: high school Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs). Through focus group interviews, fifteen youth leaders of GSAs from different regions of California explain what they think empowerment means and how they became empowered through their involvement with the GSA. Youth describe three inter-related dimensions of empowerment: personal empowerment, relational empowerment, and strategic empowerment through having and using knowledge. When these three dimensions are experienced in combination, GSA leaders have the potential for individual and collective empowerment as agents of social change at school. By understanding these youth’s perspectives on the meanings of empowerment, this article clarifies the conceptual arena for future studies of socially marginalized youth and of positive youth development.
Parallel BP Neural Network on Single-chip Cloud Computer

Neural network has been a clear focus in machine learning area. Back propagation (BP) method is frequently used in neural network training. In this work we paralleled BP neural network on Single-Chip Cloud Computer (SCC), an experimental processor created by Intel Labs, and analyzed multiple metrics under different configurations. We also varied the number of neurons (nodes) in the hidden layer of the BP neural networks and studied the impact. The experiment results show that a better performance can be obtained with SCC, especially when there are more nodes in the hidden layer of BP neural network. A low voltage and frequency configuration contributes to a low power per speedup. What is more, a medium voltage and frequency configuration contributes to both a low energy consumption and energy-delay product.
An Improved Method for the Artificial Insemination of the Mouse (Mus musculus)

A technique has been devised for the artificial insemination of mice (C3HeB/FeJ) which does not require the participation of a vasectomized male. The use of an artificial penis and a vaginal tampon have been shown to be satisfactory substitutes for the vasectomized males. When both the artificial penis and the vaginal tampon were used 69-87% of the inseminated animals successfully implanted embryos. The implantation percentages when the artificial penis and the vaginal tampon were used separately were 31 and 50. respectively. Although procedures for the artificial insemination of mice have been reported (Snell, Hummel and Abelmann, 1944; Wolfe, 1967) they have not been used as widely as have similar methods in other species. This may in part result from the fact that one of the primary objectives of artificial insemination, namely, the freeing of the reproductive process from the uncertainties associated with the mating properties of the male, has not been achieved in the existent mouse methods. They still depend on the use of a vasectomized male for the provision of the vaginal plug. Recently the course of research in this laboratory made it necessary to develop a procedure for the insemination of mice which did not depend on the active participation of a male. The methods which were devised to meet this need are the subject of this article. They are the product of the adaptation and bringing together of principles and techniques which had been reported previously by other workers. The
Detection and localization of multiple unresolved extended objects via monopulse radar signal processing

With high resolution radars, realistic objects should be considered as extended rather than point targets. If several closely-spaced targets fall within the same radar beam and between adjacent matched filter samples in range, the full monopulse information from all of these samples can and should be used for estimation, both of angle and of range (with the range to sub-bin accuracy). To detect and localize multiple unresolved extended targets, we establish a model for monopulse radar returns from extended objects, and use a maximum likelihood estimator to localize the targets. Rissanen's minimum description length (MDL) will be used to decide the number of existing extended objects. We compare the new extended target monopulse processing scheme with previously developed point target monopulse techniques to show the improvement in terms of the estimation of target locations, the detection of the number of existing targets, and the tracking performance with a multiple hypothesis tracker (MHT) using the output from the proposed extended target monopulse processor.
Readout Electronics of the ATLAS Muon Cathode Strip Chambers

The ATLAS muon spectrometer employs cathode strip chambers (CSC) to measure high momentum muons in the forward regions (2.0 < |η| < 2.7). Due to the severe radiation levels expected in this environment, the on-detector electronics are limited to amplifying and digitizing the signal while sparsification, event building and other tasks are performed off-detector.
Closed Municipal Landfills in Texas: Using GIS to Study Their Health, Safety, and Environmental Risks and Impacts

Closed municipal solid-waste landfill-disposal sites represent a potential threat to health, safety, and welfare, and to the environment (U.S. Congress 1991b). Significant problems associated with old landfills include: accumulations of hazardous wastes; generation of potentially explosive methane gas that threatens enclosed structures; leachate resulting from the percolation of water through waste that can contaminate groundwater for several miles; and adverse effects of differential settling to overlying land development (U.S. Congress 1976).
Devices and New Diagnostic Principles

Physical scientists and engineers have long made significant contributions to medical and biological sciences through the development of devices and new diagnostic principles. Many of the screening, diagnostic, and therapeutic technologies used today have their origins in fundamental discoveries of physical scientists and laboratory instruments developed by engineers. Examples from the past 150 years include the discovery of X-rays and creation of X-ray machines, discovery of radioactivity and its use in radiotherapy, discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance and development of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and development of flow cytometry and its use in high-throughput screening.
Spatio‐temporal characteristics of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 traffic at or near the plasma membrane in astrocytes

Astrocytes can sense extracellular glutamate and respond to it by elevating their intracellular Ca(2+) levels via the activation of G-protein coupled receptors, such as metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), which, during early postnatal development, is the primary receptor responsible for glutamatergic signaling in astrocytes. However, the detailed spatio-temporal characteristics of mGluR5 traffic at or near the plasma membrane of astrocytes are not well understood. To address this issue, we expressed recombinant fluorescent protein chimera of mGluR5 and used total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy on rat visual cortical astrocytes in culture. We used astrocytes lacking major processes, otherwise posing as a diffusion barrier, to infer into the general dynamics of this receptor. We found that plasmalemmal mGluR5 clusters in distinct areas, the size, and initial spatio-temporal level of occupancy of which dictated mGluR5 trafficking characteristics upon glutamate stimulation. These findings will be valuable in the interpretation of point-to-point information transfer and volume transmission between astrocytes and neurons, as well as that of paracrine signaling within astrocytic networks.
Stearidonic acid soybean oil enriched with palmitic acid at the sn-2 position by enzymatic interesterification for use as human milk fat analogues.

Stearidonic acid (SDA, C18:4n-3) enriched soybean oil may be added to the diet to increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs). Human milk fat has ≥60% of palmitic acid (PA), by weight, esterified at the sn-2 position to improve absorption of fat and calcium in infants. Enzymatic interesterification of SDA soybean oil and tripalmitin produced structured lipids (SLs) enriched with PA at the sn-2 position of the triacylglycerol. Reactions were catalyzed by Novozym 435 or Lipozyme TL IM under various conditions of time, temperature, and substrate mole ratio. Response surface methodology was used to design the experiments. Model optimization conditions were predicted to be 1:2 substrate mole ratio at 50 °C for 18 h with 10% (by weight) Lipozyme TL IM resulting in 6.82 ± 1.87% total SDA and 67.19 ± 9.59% PA at sn-2; 1:2 substrate mole ratio at 50 °C for 15.6 h resulting in 8.01 ± 2.41% total SDA and 64.43 ± 13.69% PA at sn-2 with 10% (by weight) Novozym 435 as the biocatalyst. The SLs may be useful as human mi...
Confronting modernity: Tönnies and Simmel on Nietzsche's philosophy of the future

Ferdinand Tonnies and Georg Simmel had many things in common, but their divergences included a difference in understanding and appreciating Friedrich Nietzsche. Tonnies began as an early and enthusiastic follower of Nietzsche but soon became disillusioned by the nature as well as the tone of his mature works. Simmel's first philosophical interests centred on Kant, but he quickly came to value Nietzsche's philosophical insights. During the 1890s and 1900s Tonnies and Simmel wrote frequently on Nietzsche; Tonnies cautioned against Nietzsche's immorality and warned of the grave dangers of the growing Nietzsche cult. In contrast, Simmel defended Nietzsche as both a profound moral thinker and an even greater psychologist. Reading their writings on Nietzsche is instructive about that thinker, but also provides a better understanding of Tonnies and Simmel. While the present paper focuses on three important thinkers from the past, it also explores two crucial ways in which people can, and do, address significant ...
Progressive Mastery through Deliberate Practice: A Promising Approach for Improving Writing.

This study is an analysis of the curriculum used to teach writing at one US high school in which outcomes for students were extremely strong. The study surfaces what was different in the approach u...
Role of C5a in the induction of tumoricidal activity in C3H/HeJ (Lpsd) and C3H/OuJ (Lpsn) macrophages.

Thioglycollate-elicited macrophages from C3H/HeJ (Lpsd) and C3H/OuJ (Lpsn) mice were cultured in a two-signal, tumoricidal assay using recombinant interferon-gamma (rIFN-gamma) as the "priming" signal and recombinant human C5a (rC5a) as the "trigger" signal. These experiments were compared directly with a well established, two-signal tumoricidal assay in which rIFN-gamma was used as the "priming" signal and protein-rich, butanol-extracted lipopolysaccharide (But-LPS) as the "trigger" signal. These studies showed that rIFN-gamma-primed macrophages can be triggered in a dose-dependent manner by rC5a to effect high levels of tumoricidal activity. Maximum levels of cytotoxicity achieved using this endogenously produced, biologically active peptide as a "trigger" signal were comparable to those obtained using But-LPS. Moreover, experiments in which anti-C5 antibody was included in macrophage cultures stimulated with rIFN-gamma and But-LPS showed a significant reduction (P less than .05) in tumoricidal activity. Because LPS has been shown to induce macrophage C5 production and enzyme release, these findings suggest that macrophage-derived C5 is locally converted to C5a (or some other biologically active C5 cleavage fragment), which functions as an autocrine trigger signal for the induction of tumoricidal activity. In summary, these data suggest 1) that rC5a can provide a "second signal" to rIFN-gamma-primed murine macrophages for the induction of tumoricidal activity and 2) that macrophage-derived C5 or C5a may represent an autocrine signal induced by exogenous "trigger signals."
Human rights equals human survival

This essay reviews two works that offer both similar and different visions of what the sociology of human rights should entail. Both offer accounts of how sociology, by being inherently interested in studying and uncovering power relations in society, is a particularly useful perspective through which to analyze human rights. While providing a rigorous analysis of a variety of global human rights issues, the authors point to some critical problems and challenges to human rights implementation. They also show how these can be overcome to ensure not only the observance of human rights but also human survival.
Strategies for the Identification and Generation of Informative Compound Sets

Mounting pressures in pharmaceutical research necessitate ever increasing efficiency to lower cost and produce results. This is especially true in the realm of high-throughput screening (HTS) where large pharmaceutical companies historically test many hundreds of thousands of compounds in the search for new drug leads. As a result of this pressure the old mantra of "screen them all" is rapidly becoming a phrase of the past and the search for new, more efficient methods for discovering leads begins. This chapter will describe some of the methods, techniques, and strategies that have been implemented at Pharmacia that attempt to identify compounds that are likely to provide the most useful information so that one might discover solid leads rapidly.
The structure of tubingensin B: A cytotoxic carbazole alkaloid from the sclerotia of Aspergillus tubingensis

Tubingensin B (4), a cytotoxic carbazole alkaloid with a novel ring system, was isolated from the sclerotia of the fungus . The structure was assigned primarily on the basis of selective INEPT, homonuclear decoupling, and COSY experiments.
Power Lines and Perceived Home Prices: Isolating Elements of Easement Rights and Noise Pollution

This study is the first to use experimental design to look beyond the overall impact of power lines on property values by examining specific easement rights and noise pollution concerns. I find that in isolation, easement rights are associated with a non-significant reduction in property value, whereas noise pollution statistically significantly reduces property values. Interestingly, when easement rights are combined with noise pollution, the combined effect is more than additive. Results from the sample of eminent domain attorneys, who are valuation impact experts, reveals that females penalize a property more severely for being associated with power lines, and attorneys who typically represent property owners (as opposed to the condemnor) are more sympathetic to greater diminution values.
Targeting High Impact R&D for Automotive Magnesium Alloys

Reducing vehicle weight improves the fuel efficiency, driving dynamics, and performance of vehicles ranging from traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered to battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell vehicles (FCVs), and the full range of hybrids [1]. However, along with tremendous opportunities, introduction of novel lightweight materials and architectures presents numerous engineering and commercial challenges. For the case of magnesium (Mg) the weight reduction potential, which exceeds 50% for some components, is offset by manufacturing, mechanical property, corrosion, and material cost hurdles, among others. While the vision of an all-Mg vehicle is laudable in its ambition, a more practical reality features Mg playing an important role in a multi-material vehicle architecture. In order to pursue the most promising and relevant Mg research and development, we need to assess several important questions: for which parts (or kinds of parts) is Mg best suited? What are the predominant engineering challenges preventing use of Mg for these parts? Where do we, as a materials science and engineering community, start in pursuing solutions to these challenges?
Comparison of strain measurement in the mouse forearm using subject-specific finite element models, strain gaging, and digital image correlation.

Mechanical loading in bone leads to the activation of bone-forming pathways that are most likely associated with a minimum strain threshold being experienced by the osteocyte. To investigate the correlation between cellular response and mechanical stimuli, researchers must develop accurate ways to measure/compute strain both externally on the bone surface and internally at the osteocyte level. This study investigates the use of finite element (FE) models to compute bone surface strains on the mouse forearm. Strains from three FE models were compared to data collected experimentally through strain gaging and digital image correlation (DIC). Each FE model was assigned subject-specific bone properties and consisted of one-dimensional springs representing the interosseous membrane. After three-point bending was performed on the ulnae and radii, moment of inertia was determined from microCT analysis of the bone region between the supports and then used along with standard beam analyses to calculate the Young’s modulus. Non-contact strain measurements from DIC were determined to be more suitable for validating numerical results than experimental data obtained through conventional strain gaging. When comparing strain responses in the three ulnae, we observed a 3–14% difference between numerical and DIC strains while the strain gage values were 37–56% lower than numerical values. This study demonstrates a computational approach for capturing bone surface strains in the mouse forearm. Ultimately, strains from these macroscale models can be used as inputs for microscale and nanoscale FE models designed to analyze strains directly in the osteocyte lacunae.
Caregiver-Reported Health Outcomes: Effects of Providing Reflexology for Symptom Management to Women With Advanced Breast Cancer

Purpose/objectives To determine the effects of delivering a reflexology intervention on health outcomes of informal caregivers, and to explore whether intervention effects are moderated by caregiver characteristics. . Design Two-group, randomized clinical trial. . Setting Eight oncology clinics in urban and rural regions of Michigan and Illinois. . Sample 180 informal caregivers of patients with advanced breast cancer. . Methods Caregivers were randomized to provide reflexology to individuals with cancer during a four-week period or to attention control. Data collection occurred at baseline and at weeks 5 and 11. Linear mixed-effects modeling was used to test intervention effects among all participants and the effects of the number of sessions delivered in the reflexology group. . Main research variables Caregiver characteristics; psychological, physical, and social outcomes. . Findings Caregiver fatigue in the reflexology group was reduced compared to controls at weeks 5 (p = 0.02) and 11 (p = 0.05). No differences were found for anxiety, depression, pain, physical function, sleep disturbance, satisfaction with participation in social roles, and pain interference between caregivers who delivered reflexology and those who did not. . Conclusions Informal caregivers who provided reflexology to individuals with cancer did not have negative psychological, physical, or social outcomes. Fatigue levels were lower among caregivers who provided reflexology. . Implications for nursing Clinicians need to be aware that providing supportive care interventions, such as reflexology, to reduce symptom burden does not increase negative outcomes on informal caregivers who provide this care, and it may even lead to reduced fatigue.
With a Little Help From My Friends: Seeking Consistent and Persuasive Evidence.

> “I get by with a little help from my friends.” > > — The Beatles, 19671 The past 30 years have seen remarkable advances in all areas of medicine, but perhaps none more so than stroke. On the 10th anniversary of the passing of Dr David Sherman, scholar, compassionate clinician, leader, family man, and friend, it is appropriate to consider the progress we have made in large part from his leadership. The care of patients with stroke was much different in 1984 when I joined the faculty of the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia. Stroke was still the third leading cause of death right behind heart disease and cancer. Patients with stroke were generally cared for by primary care physicians, and neurologists and neurosurgeons were largely adnexal. There was no approved acute treatment. For neurologists, our main job was to consult the next day to localize the lesion, provide some help with prognosis, and help decide who should be on heparin infusions. Although computed tomography was widely available by then, MRI was still in development. We had carotid ultrasound, and transcranial Doppler was just being introduced, but the only reliable way to see the cerebral vasculature was with catheter angiography with its attendant risks. Warfarin was widely used for stroke prevention but not for atrial fibrillation. The only proven stroke preventative, aside from risk factor control, was aspirin. Fast forward to now, and what a different world in which we live! Stroke has slipped to fifth from third on the list of causes of death of Americans.2 Stroke teams, stroke units, and stroke centers led by specialists are widely distributed. Intravenous tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA) is approved for treatment of …
Knowledge Justice: An Opportunity for Counter-expertise in Security vs. Science Debates

Knowledge justice provides a conceptual framework to apply principles of social justice in environments of competing interests regarding science. Both knowledge and its making can be seen as a good to be distributed, including all voices for whom the science will matter. In this framework, knowledge production is shared among a broader constituency of knowers representing both local and cosmopolitan voices. The problem of knowledge injustice can be seen in the U.S. government’s recent attempt to secure scientific knowledge about H5N1 or avian bird flu virus. The censorship produced a global debate between scientists and policy-makers over how to balance the nation-state’s desire for security with the life science’s tradition of open and shared research. This conundrum, known as the dual-use dilemma, obscures larger questions that lie outside of expert-centered domains—namely the concerns of many communities in the Global South struggling with the impact of the virus in their daily lives. An example of suc...
Optimized beam selection for efficient long range underwater acoustic communication

Underwater environments are categorized as inhomogeneous habitats which complicates determining long range propagation losses. Basically, transmitted signals tend to refract and change direction in accordance to the encountered sound speed profile (SSP). Therefore, a uniform spreading beam quickly loses its uniformity and complicating the estimation of the signal strength at a beam's wave front. Such complexity degrades a node's ability in determining both the optimum direction and transmitted power to reach neighbors, leading to wasting energy and increases interference. This paper addresses these shortcomings and proposes a propagation loss estimation technique. Our technique introduces a 2D path loss model that leverages both the known SSP and our parabolic ranging method. Then a 3D extension of the model is proposed that utilizes a geographic grid to study the effect of refraction on directional beams. Essentially, the grid is used to identify candidate beams and factor the departure angles and observed SSP to account for medium inhomogeneity. We then utilize the loss models and the wave front shape to determine the best communication angle that minimizes power requirements. We validate our approach through simulation and assess its performance through comparison with contemporary methods.
Bone permittivity and its effect on using ground-penetrating radar

ABSTRACTGround-penetrating radar (GPR) is a powerful tool that is still being developed for archaeological investigations. We investigated the dielectric properties of mammoth bone and bone from mo...
Categoricalness and Area

No one of the distance function d, the angle measure function m, or the distance scale k determines another of the three. For example, knowing m, we can determine whether \(\overline {AB} \) is congruent to \(\overline {CD} \) or not from AAA, but we cannot find the length of \(\overline {AB} \) without knowing k. Likewise, knowing d, we can determine whether ∠ABC is congruent to ∠DEF or not from SSS, but we cannot find the measure of ABC without knowing k. Any two of d, m, k completely determines the third by the formulas in Theorem 32.17. In particular, since k is a constant, the distance scale is determined by any single equation cos m ∠PVQ=tanh (VP/k) where ∠PVQ is a critical angle for \(\overline {VP} \). See Figure 33.1. We shall use this fact to show the Cayley-Klein Model has distance scale 1.
The Chrysoloras Revival of Plato in Italy (1350–1456)

Throughout the Middle Ages the Roman Church had effectively suppressed efforts to translate Plato into any western language. In France, for example, the Church encouraged the translation into Latin of the complete works of the Greek Father Dionysius Areopagite, but when Abaelard showed an interest in Plato, he was ruthlessly silenced (Jayne, 1991, pp. 466–490). As late as 1350 the only dialogues of Plato that had been translated into any western language were the Timaeus, translated in Spain by Calcidius about 385, and the Phaedo and Meno, translated in Sicily by Henricus Aristippus between 1154 and 1156. Thus when Petrarch, impressed by the praise of Plato that he found in the works of Augustine, tried to acquire copies of Plato’s works, he was at first able to find only a Calcidius Timaeus (Petrarch’s copy is now Paris, BN lat. 6280) and an Aristippus Phaedo (Petrarch’s copy is now Paris, BN lat. 6567A) (Nolhac, 1954; Trinkaus, 1979).