cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nuclear GAPDH: changing the fate of Müller cells in diabetes

Muller cells, the primary glial cells are a crucial component of the retinal tissue performing a wide range of functions including maintaining the blood-retinal barrier. Several studies suggest that diabetes leads to Muller cell dysfunction and loss. The pathophysiology of hyperglycemia-induced cellular injury of Muller cells remains only poorly understood. Recently, the concept that translocation of the predominantly cytosolic glycolytic enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) to the nucleus and its accumulation in this cellular compartment alters transcriptional events associated with cell death induction has gained major interest. High glucose conditions induce nuclear translocation and accumulation of GAPDH in the nucleus of Muller cells in vivo and in vitro. With regards to Muller cell dysfunction, the effects of nuclear accumulation of GAPDH are multifaceted. Considering the functional versatility of GAPDH including gene regulation, DNA repair, telomere protection, etc., it is of immense importance to explore possible GAPDH actions to unravel the mysteries around the role of GAPDH in hyperglycemia-induced cellular changes in order to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Therefore, this review focuses on the molecular events associated with the nuclear translocation of GAPDH and how it affects the fate of Muller cells in diabetes.
A linear integral form for the Rice-Allnatt transport equation

Abstract It is shown that the Rice-Allnatt transport equation may be cast into the form of a linear integral equation of the second kind, thus allowing the utilization of Fredholm's solubility theorems.
Implications of role-playing methodology for clinical procedure

The technology of Moreno's psychodrama and the theatrical training “method” of Stanislavski are viewed in combination as offering suggestions for psychodiagnosis and behavior therapy. In psychodiagnosis, ( a ) the clinician should treat the testing protocol as a script which, when enacted, would provide an experience of the subject's cue-reinforcement context; and ( b ) the report should then focus on an evaluation of the adequacy of the subject's responding and the appropriateness of the rewards for which he behaves. In behavior therapy, ( a ) focus should be on the subject's cognition of the context of the newly learned response as much as on the response itself; and ( b ) the use of a group is indicated to facilitate learning and potently to represent cues and reinforcements typically provided by the social consensus.
Distinct muscarinic receptors enhance spontaneous GABA release and inhibit electrically evoked GABAergic synaptic transmission in the chick lateral spiriform nucleus

The effects of muscarinic agonists on GABAergic synaptic transmission were examined using whole-cell patch-clamp recording in chick brain slices containing the lateral spiriform nucleus. Bath application of muscarine (10 microM) both increased the frequency of spontaneous GABAergic postsynaptic currents and reduced the amplitude of evoked GABAergic polysynaptic postsynaptic currents elicited by focal afferent fiber electrical stimulation. Both of these muscarinic actions were reversible and dose-dependent. Two M(1) antagonists, telenzepine and pirenzipine, and to a lesser extent the M(2) antagonist methoctramine, protected against muscarine's inhibition of the evoked polysynaptic currents. Other M(2) antagonists (tripitramine and gallamine) as well as the M(3) antagonist 4-DAMP mustard (4-diphenylacetoxy-N-(2-chloroethyl)-piperidine hydrochloride) and an M(4) antagonist (tropicamide) provided little or no protection against muscarine in this assay. In contrast, 4-diphenylacetoxy-N-(2-chloroethyl)-piperidine hydrochloride, tropicamide and telenzepine, but not pirenzepine, methoctramine, tripitramine and gallamine, blocked muscarine's enhancement of spontaneous GABAergic currents. McN-A-343 [(4-hydroxy-2-butynyl)-1-trimethylammonium-m-chlorocarbanilate chloride] and CDD-0097 (5-propargyloxycarbonyl-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidine hydrochloride), two M(1) agonists, mimicked muscarine's inhibition of the evoked polysynaptic GABAergic currents but did not mimic muscarine's enhancement of spontaneous GABAergic currents. Both actions of muscarine persisted when slices were pretreated with pertussis toxin or N-ethylmaleimide, which inactivate G-proteins coupled to M(2) and M(4) receptors while leaving G-proteins coupled to M(1), M(3) and M(5) receptors intact. Muscarine had no significant effect on the amplitude of the direct postsynaptic current elicited by exogenous GABA in the presence of tetrodotoxin. The results demonstrate that distinct muscarinic receptors oppositely modulate GABAergic transmission in the lateral spiriform nucleus. The receptor mediating the inhibition of evoked GABAergic polysynaptic currents is pharmacologically similar to an M(1) receptor, while the enhancement of spontaneous GABAergic currents appears to be mediated by an M(3) receptor.
Role of predators in the early post-settlement demography of coral-reef fishes

Populations with dispersive larvae are often demographically open such that local reproduction and subsequent larval settlement are not linked. Thus, understanding whether and how settlement patterns are established and subsequently modified is central to understanding local demography. Settlement is typically not measured directly, but rather it is estimated by recruitment, which is the observation of new individuals sometime after settlement. At Lizard Island on the Great Barrier Reef, I examined how patterns of recruitment of coral-reef fishes were modified across a range of natural recruit densities in the presence and absence of resident predators. Resident predators decreased recruitment and increased mortality for all species, but these effects varied considerably among species. The effects of predators on recruitment were at least partly due to mortality within 2 days after settlement. At their most extreme, predators caused recruitment failure of several species of butterflyfish. For one species of damselfish (Pomacentrus amboinensis), predators both induced weakly density-dependent mortality and obscured any relationship between recruitment and subsequent abundance, while for another damselfish (Neopomacentrus cyanomos), mortality was density-independent and subsequent abundance was a function of recruitment. These contrasting results may reflect differences in prey behavior. P. amboinensis tended to feed near or within the branches of coral inhabited by resident predators, while N. cyanomos tended to feed higher in the water column above the reefs, and thus farther away from resident predators. These results highlight the speed and extent to which patterns of settlement are modified, indicating that caution should be exercised when attributing patterns of recruitment to patterns of settlement. Tremendous between-species variation in how patterns of recruitment, and presumably settlement, were modified by predation indicates that generalizations or between-species extrapolations about the magnitude of these effects may be unwarranted.
Ti12.5Zr21V10Cr8.5MnxCo1.5Ni46.5−x AB2-type metal hydride alloys for electrochemical storage application: Part 1. Structural characteristics

Abstract The microstructures of a series of AB 2 -based metal hydride alloys (Ti 12.5 Zr 21 V 10 Cr 8.5 Mn x Co 1.5 Ni 46.5− x ) designed to have different fractions of non-Laves secondary phases were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, and electron backscatter diffraction. The results indicate that the alloys contain a majority of hydrogen storage Laves phases and a minority of fine-structured non-Laves phases. Formation of the phases is accomplished by dendritic growth of a hexagonal C14 Laves phase. The C14 phase is followed by either a peritectic solidification of a cubic C15 Laves phase (low Mn containing alloys) or a C14 phase of different composition (high Mn containing alloys), and finally a B2 phase formed in the interdendritic regions (IDR). The interdendritic regions may then undergo further solid-state transformation into Zr 7 Ni 10 -type, Zr 9 Ni 11 -type and TiNi-type phases. As the Mn content in the alloy increases, the fraction of the C14 phase increases, whereas the fraction of C15 decreases. In the IDRs when the alloy's Mn content increases the Zr 9 Ni 11 phases and Zr 7 Ni 10 phase fraction first increases and then decreases, while the TiNi-based phase fraction first increases and then stabilized at 0.02. IDR compositions can be generally expressed as (Ti,Zr,V,Cr,Mn,Co) 50 Ni 50 , which accounted for 7–10% of the overall alloy volume fraction.
Hypersonic Shock Wave-Boundary Layer Interaction and Leading Edge Slip

WADC T. B. 56-344, Office of Technical Service, U. S. Dept. of Comm., Washington, D. C , 1957. 5 El-Wakil, M. M., Uyehara, O. A. and Meyers, P. S., "A Theoretical Investigation of the Heating-Up Period of Injector Fuel Droplets Vaporizing in Air," NACA TN 3179, 1954. 6 El-Wakil, M. M., Priem, R. J., Brikowski, H. J., Myers, P. S. and Uyehara, 0 . A., "Experimental and Calculated Temperature and Mass Histories of Vaporizing Fuel Drops," NACA TN 3490, 1956. 7 Priem, R. J., Borman, G. L., El-Wakil, M. M., Uyehara, O. A. and Myers, P. S., "Experimental and Calculated Histories of Vaporizing Fuel Drops," NACA TN 3988, 1957. 8 Borman, G. L., El-Wakil, M. M., Uyehara, O. A. and Myers, P. S.,
Psychological sexual identity and hemispheric orientation.

Summary The study examines gender and psychological sexual identity as alternative bases for the development of hemispheric orientation. Hypotheses anticipated that females place greater reliance upon right hemisphere functions, such as imagery and emotion, whereas males place more emphasis upon left hemisphere functions, such as logical reasoning. This was extended to an examination of the roles of masculinity and femininity within genders upon hemispheric orientation. With a sample of 219 male and 221 female adults, it was found that the male-left hemisphere orientation/female-right hemisphere orientation dichotomy was supported in part. However, this relationship appears to be moderated by a second dimension: females appear more internally oriented, males more externally oriented.
Discriminant Analysis Using Least Absolute Deviations

Several linear programming methods have been suggested as discrimination procedures. A least absolute deviations regression procedure is developed here which is simpler to use and does not suffer from any lack of invariance. A simulation study shows it to be at least as effective as any of the methods previously discussed for normal and heavy-tailed distributions.
Negotiating the global Internet rating and filtering system: opposing views of the Bertelsmann foundation's self-regulation of Internet content proposal

The perceived problem of objectionable material on the Internet, particularly pornography, child pornography, and hate speech has perplexed governments, the Internet content industry, civil liberties groups, and parents since the Internet came to the fore of public attention around 1994. Each of these groups have ventured different “solutions” geared at protecting children from what Presidential candidate Al Gore calls the “free-fire zones and red light districts of cyberspace (1999).” Many governments, most notably the U.S. and Australia have attempted to pass legislation criminalizing and limiting access to such material. These government actions have led to vocal opposition from the Internet industry and civil libertarians alike. Both fear the prospect of government enforced censorship; civil libertarians for its effects on democratic free speech, and industry for it effects on the free market. As such, both groups call for self-regulation of Internet content, although they differ as to who “self” might be, and how “regulation” should be operationalized.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Nursing Home Administrators

There has been little previous research on the determinants of the effec(tiveness of health care administrators. This research gap pertains to *'irtuallv all health care areas but is especiallv germane to the long-term care field, which has only recently witnessed professional growth in nursing home associations and administrator licensing, education, and ethical behavior. The present studvi evxamines the effectivenes of nursing home administrators according to economic' criteria (costs and profits per patient per dav). Multiple regression analhsis was used to determine structure and process variables related to those effectiveness measures. Results indicate that process variables which are controllable bi, administrators themselves account for the bulk of the variabilitY in nursing home administrator efftctiveness.
Comparison of porcelain surface and flexural strength obtained by microwave and conventional oven glazing.

Statement of problem Although the superior qualities of microwave technology are common knowledge in the industry, effects of microwave glazing of dental ceramics have not been investigated. Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the surface roughness and flexural strength achieved by glazing porcelain specimens in a conventional and microwave oven. Material and methods Thirty specimens of each type of porcelain (Omega 900 and IPS d.Sign) were fabricated and sintered in a conventional oven. The specimens were further divided into 3 groups (n=10): hand polished (using diamond rotary ceramic polishers), microwave glazed, and conventional oven glazed. Each specimen was evaluated for surface roughness using a profilometer. The flexural strength of each specimen was measured using a universal testing machine. A 2-way ANOVA and Tukey HSD post hoc analysis were used to determine significant intergroup differences in surface roughness (α=.05). Flexural strength results were also analyzed using 2-way ANOVA, and the Weibull modulus was determined for each of the 6 groups. The surfaces of the specimens were subjectively evaluated for cracks and porosities using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results A significant difference in surface roughness was found among the surface treatments ( P =.02). Follow-up tests showed a significant difference in surface roughness between oven-glazed and microwave-glazed treatments ( P =.02). There was a significant difference in flexural strength between the 2 porcelains ( P P =.48). The Weibull modulus value for the Omega 900 microwave-glazed group was the highest (1.9) as compared to the other groups. Conclusions The surface character of microwave-glazed porcelain was superior to oven-glazed porcelain. Omega 900 had an overall higher flexural strength than IPS d.Sign. Weibull distributions of flexural strengths for Omega 900 oven-glazed and microwave-glazed specimens were similar. SEM analysis demonstrated a greater number of surface voids and imperfections in IPS d. Sign as compared to Omega 900. (J Prosthet Dent 2009;101:20-28)
Threading Polyintercalators with Extremely Slow Dissociation Rates and Extended DNA Binding Sites

The development of small molecules that bind DNA sequence specifically has the potential to modulate gene expression in a general way. One mode of DNA binding is intercalation, or the insertion of molecules between DNA base pairs. We have developed a modular polyintercalation system in which intercalating naphthalene diimide (NDI) units are connected by flexible linkers that alternate between the minor and major grooves of DNA when bound. We recently reported a threading tetraintercalator with a dissociation half-life of 16 days, the longest reported to date, from its preferred 14 bp binding site. Herein, three new tetraintercalator derivatives were synthesized with one, two, and three additional methylene units in the central major groove-binding linker. These molecules displayed dissociation half-lives of 57, 27, and 18 days, respectively, from the 14 bp site. The optimal major groove-binding linker was used in the design of an NDI hexaintercalator that was analyzed by gel-shift assays, DNase I footprin...
Recent advances in experimental models of osteomyelitis.

Osteomyelitis is an invasive infection of bone, occurring through direct inoculation of pathogens after trauma, by contiguous spread of microorganisms from soft tissue infections, or via hematogeno...
Improved microwave plasma cavity reactor for diamond synthesis at high-pressure and high power density

Abstract Microwave plasma assisted synthesis of diamond is experimentally investigated using high purity, 2–5% CH4/H2 input gas chemistries and operating at high pressures of 180–240 Torr. A microwave cavity plasma reactor (MCPR) was specifically modified to be experimentally adjustable and to enable operation with high input microwave plasma absorbed power densities within the high-pressure regime. The modified reactor produced intense microwave discharges with variable absorbed power densities of 150–475 W/cm3 and allowed the control of the discharge position, size, and shape thereby enabling process optimization. Uniform polycrystalline diamond films were synthesized on 2.54 cm diameter silicon substrates at substrate temperatures of 950–1150 °C. Thick, freestanding diamond films were synthesized and optical measurements indicated that high, optical-quality diamond films were produced. The deposition rates varied between 3 and 21 μm/h and increased as the operating pressure and the methane concentrations increased and were two to three times higher than deposition rates achieved with the MCPR operating with equivalent input methane concentrations and at lower pressures (≤ 140 Torr) and power densities.
Metachromatic staining with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 of the proline-rich calf thymus histone, H1

In this report, we show that calf thymus histone 1 stains metachromatically with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250. Histone 1 gel bands appear red instead of the more familiar blue color characteristic of the vast majority of proteins. The red color and the spectral properties of histone 1 bands are qualitatively similar to those of collagen and procollagen bands which, as previously shown by others, also stain metachromatically (Micko, S. and Schlaepfer, W.W. (1978) Anal. Biochem. 88, 566-572 and McCormick, P.J., Chandrasekhar, S. and Millis, A.J.T. (1979) Anal. Biochem. 97, 359-366). In contrast to histone 1, histones 2A, 3 and 4 stain blue; histone 2B also stains predominantly blue, but with a faint red tint. Both red and blue bands display an absorption maximum in the vicinity of 560 nm, but red bands display an additional maximum in the vicinity of 530 nm. There are quantitative differences between the red bands; the 530 nm peak is more prominent in the spectrum of the collagen band than in the spectrum of the histone 1 band. The spectra of the blue bands are all very similar except that the spectrum of the histone 2B band is shifted slightly toward lower wavelengths. To account for the spectral differences between protein bands, we propose a model in which closely-spaced proline residues are responsible for the chromotropic effect. Localized concentrations of proline residues are present in both collagens and histone 1 and a small cluster is also present in histone 2B.
Versatile Kinetic Approach to Analysis of Dissolution Data

A new kinetically based dissolution equation is presented that considers dissolution of polydisperse systems and disintegrating solid dosage forms. The equation is applicable under sink as well as nonsink conditions and enables the specific dissolution rate parameter, the dispersion parameter, the disintegration lag time, and a newly introduced parameter, the dissolution availability, to be evaluated simultaneously and directly from percent of label claim dissolved versus time data. The equation showed excellent fit to dissolution data for aminophylline tablets. The kinetic significance of the estimated parameters of the equation is discussed. The method of analysis is compared to an approach employing an empirical equation based on a modified Weibull distribution function.
Coterie join algorithm

Given a set of nodes in a distributed system, a coterie is a collection of subsets of the set of nodes such that any two subsets have a nonempty intersection and are not properly contained in one another. A subset of nodes in a coterie is called a quorum. An algorithm, called the join algorithm, which takes nonempty coteries as input, and returns a new, larger coterie called a composite coterie is introduced. It is proved that a composite coterie is nondominated if and only if the input coteries are nondominated. Using the algorithm, dominated or nondominated coteries may be easily constructed for a large number of nodes. An efficient method for determining whether a given set of nodes contains a quorum of a composite coterie is presented. As an example, tree coteries are generalized using the join algorithm, and it is proved that tree coteries are nondominated. It is shown that the join algorithm may be used to generate read and write quorums which may be used by a replica control protocol. >
Maternal, Paternal, and Marital Functioning in Families of Preadolescents with Spina Bifida

Based on a family systems/social-ecological perspective, mothers and fathers of 8- and 9-year-old children with spina bifida (n = 55; 28 male, 27 female) were examined in comparison to a matched group of parents with 8- and 9-year-old able-bodied children (n = 55; 29 male, 26 female) across several areas of functioning (individual, parental, and marital). Findings suggested that mothers and fathers in the spina bifida sample tended to report more psychosocial stress than their counterparts in the able-bodied sample. Specifically, mothers and fathers in the spina bifida group reported less parental satisfaction than parents in the able-bodied group. Mothers in the spina bifida group reported less perceived parental competence, more social isolation, and less adaptability to change; fathers in the spina bifida group reported more psychological symptoms. No differences between the spina bifida and able-bodied groups were found with respect to marital satisfaction. Coping predictors of adjustment tended to vary as a function of parent gender rather than group status.
CONSUMER DEMAND FOR MANDATORY LABELING OF BEEF FROM CATTLE ADMINISTERED GROWTH HORMONES OR FED GENETICALLY MODIFIED CORN

This study estimates the value of policies that would mandate labeling of beef from cattle produced with growth hormones or fed genetically modified corn. At no cost, 85 percent of respondents desired mandatory labeling of beef produced with growth hormones and 64 percent of respondents preferred mandatory labeling of beef fed genetically modified corn. Estimates suggest that consumers would be willing to pay 17.0 percent and 10.6 percent higher prices for beef on average to obtain information provided via mandatory labeling about whether the beef is from cattle produced with growth hormones or fed genetically modified corn, respectively.
Complementary HFET technology for low-power mixed-mode applications

Development of a complementary heterostructure field effect transistor (CHFET) technology for low-power, mixed-mode digital-microwave applications is presented. An earlier digital CHFET technology with independently optimizable transistors which operated with 319 ps loaded gate delays at 8.9 fJ is reviewed. Then work demonstrating the applicability of the digital nJFET device as a low-power microwave transistor in a hybrid microwave amplifier without any modification to the digital process is presented. A narrow band amplifier with a 0.7 {times} 100 {micro}m nJFET as the active element was designed, constructed, and tested. At 1 mW operating power, the amplifier showed 9.7 dB of gain at 2.15 GHz and a minimum noise figure of 2.5 dB. In addition, next generation CHFET transistors with sub 0.5 {micro}m gate lengths were developed. Cutoff frequencies, f{sub t} of 49 GHz and 11.5 GHz were achieved for n- and p-channel FETs with 0.3 and 0.4 {micro}m gates, respectively. These FETs will enable both digital and microwave circuits with enhanced performance.
OCCUPATIONAL STRESS AND BURNOUT AMONG SPECIAL EDUCATORS: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

In this article, we review and critique existing research on occupational stress and burnout among special educators. We also present a framework for organizing the literature base and introducing proactive innovations that will address professional needs and current shortcomings that will mediate the effects of stress.
Impact of workspace decompositions on discrete search leading continuous exploration (DSLX) motion planning

We have recently proposed DSLX, a motion planner that significantly reduces the computational time for solving challenging kinodynamic problems by interleaving continuous state-space exploration with discrete search on a workspace decomposition. An important but inadequately understood aspect of DSLX is the role of the workspace decomposition on the computational efficiency of the planner. Understanding this role is important for successful applications of DSLX to increasingly complex robotic systems. This work shows that the granularity of the workspace decomposition directly impacts computational efficiency: DSLX is faster when the decomposition is neither too fine-nor too coarse-grained. Finding the right level of granularity can require extensive fine-tuning. This work demonstrates that significant computational efficiency can instead be obtained with no fine-tuning by using conforming Delaunay triangulations, which in the context of DSLX provide a natural workspace decomposition that allows an efficient interplay between continuous state-space exploration and discrete search. The results of this work are based on extensive experiments on DSLX using grid, trapezoidal, and triangular decompositions of various granularities to solve challenging first and second-order kinodynamic motion-planning problems.
Differential language characteristics in adult aphasic and schizophrenic subjects

Sixty-one adult aphasic and 61 noncerebrally involved chronic undifferentiated schizophrenic subjects were tested for impairment in 10 language categories. Results indicated that the language categories of strongest differentiating value were writing of words to dictation, naming, syntax, where aphasic subjects were more impaired in all three, and relevance, where schizophrenic subjects were more impaired. To a lesser extent, other differentiating language features were auditory retention span, and overall language ability, where aphasic subjects were more impaired in both, and fluency, where aphasic subjects were less fluent. Both groups also were tested for apraxia of speech, oral apraxia, limb apraxia, time and place orientation, and ability to respond to questions containing general information.
Inverted T helper/T suppressor lymphocyte ratio is not a reliable indicator of coexistent HIV infection in the presence of carcinoma: Report of a patient with ovarian carcinoma and inverted TH TS ratio

Abstract Patients with non-HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) related cancers may also have HIV infection. Inverted peripheral blood lymphocyte T helper/T suppressor ratios with selective loss of T helper cells may be used as a clinical screening test for HIV infection in these patients since they may be seronegative for retrovirus infection early in the course of infection. We describe a case in which carcinoma alone appeared to induce systemic changes that resembled coexistent HIV infection. Many of these abnormalities, including inverted THTS ratio with selective loss of T helper cells, improved in the immediate postoperative period, indicating that HIV infection was not present. We conclude then, that diagnosis of HIV infection should not be made without more definitive evidence of its presence than an inverted THTS ratio in a patient with carcinoma.
The Luminal Domain of ATF6 Senses Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress and Causes Translocation of ATF6 from the ER to the Golgi

ATF6 is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) transmembrane transcription factor that is activated by the ER stress/unfolded protein response by cleavage of its N-terminal half from the membrane. We find that ER stress induces ATF6 to move from the ER to the Golgi, where it is cut in its luminal domain by site 1 protease. ATF6 contains a single transmembrane domain with 272 amino acids oriented in the lumen of the ER. We found that this luminal domain is required for the translocation of ATF6 to the Golgi and its subsequent cleavage, and we have mapped regions required for these properties. These results suggest that the conserved CD1 region is required for translocation, whereas the CD2 region is required for site 1 protease cleavage. We also find that ATF6's luminal domain is sufficient to sense ER stress and cause translocation to the Golgi when fused to LZIP, another ER transmembrane protein. These results show that ATF6 has a mechanism to sense ER stress and respond by translocation to the Golgi.
Development of a low cost fuel cell inverter system with DSP control

In this paper, the development of a low cost fuel cell inverter system is detailed. The approach consists of a three-terminal push-pull DC-DC converter to boost the fuel cell voltage (48 V) to /spl plusmn/200 VDC. A four switch (IGBT) inverter is employed to produce 120 V/240 V, 60 Hz AC outputs. High performance, easy manufacturability, lower component count, safety and cost are addressed. Protection and diagnostic features form an important part of the design. Another highlight of the proposed design is the control strategy, which allows the inverter to adapt to the requirements of the load as well as the power source (fuel cell). A unique aspect of the design is the use of the TMS320LF2407 DSP to control the inverter. Two sets of lead-acid batteries are provided on the high voltage DC bus to supply sudden load demands. Efficient and smooth control of the power drawn from the fuel cell and the high voltage battery is achieved by controlling the front end DC-DC converter in current mode. The paper details extensive experimental results of the proposed design on DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Fuel Cell.
The Principle of Invariance with Special Reference to Perception

The principle of invariance is now a familiar one in psychology, especially because of its prominent role in the theory of measurement. The relation of invariance to the meaningfulness of various statistics for various scales of measurement is a particularly salient example that has received much discussion in the literature for over thirty years. Perhaps the most notorious case is that of whether standard intelligence tests have more than ordinal properties.
Preliminary Evaluation of Microbially Mediated Precipitation of Cadmium, Chromium, and Nickel by Rhizosphere Consortium

Elevated heavy metal soils and water contamination have been shown to impose toxic effects on plants, animals, and human health. The extent of toxicity depends on the nature of the metals, soil and aquatic system characteristics, and the complex interactions between metals and the environment. Recent studies have shown that metalmicrobe interactions may be effective for the remediation of contaminated media. This study investigated the effectiveness of an isolated rhizosphere bacterial consortium for treating an aqueous solution containing 600 mg/L of Cd, Cr, and Ni. The consortium was resistant to the metal toxicity as evidenced by an increase of population density of more than 6x10\U11\N cfu/mL. The microbial activity facilitated a reduction in aqueous metal concentration with a metal precipitation selectivity of Cr≫Cd>Ni.
Bis(benzylsulfanyl)maleonitrile

The title compound, C18H14N2S2, crystallizes as a pseudo-merohedral twin, with four independent mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. The compound shows a combination of π-inter­actions and close-packing, with the planar maleonitrile and phenyl groups extending into pockets of neighbouring mol­ecules.
Virtue and Behavior

Abstract This paper supports Amartya Sen's contention that our moral behavior cannot be represented in economic modeling, given the assumptions accepted by most rational choice theorists. In this paper Sen's argument is supplemented by traditional virtue ethics, which can account for how and why “commitment” is counter-preferential. Yet the changes to economic methodology that Sen recommends are rendered unnecessary by a particular innovation in Stoic ethical theory. If the Stoic distinction between indifferent goods and moral goods is invoked, economics can proceed apace, under the assumption that it is the science that handles our behavior in regard to indifferents only.
Who is being deceived? The experimental demands of wearing a backpack

A growing literature argues that wearing a heavy backpack makes slopes look steeper and distances seem longer (e.g., Proffitt, 2006). To test for effects of experimental demand characteristics in a backpack experiment, we manipulated the experimental demand of the backpack and then used a postexperiment questionnaire to assess participants’ beliefs about the purpose of the backpack. For participants in the low-demand condition, an elaborate deception was used to provide an alternative explanation of the requirement to wear a heavy backpack (i.e., that it held EMG equipment). The highest slope judgments were found for those undeceived participants who guessed that the backpack was intended to affect their slope perception and also reported that they thought they were affected by it. When persuaded that the backpack served another purpose, participants’ slope estimates were no different from those of participants not wearing a backpack. These findings suggest that backpack effects, and other reported effects of effort on perception, are judgmental biases that result from the social, not physical, demands of the experimental context.
NATURAL EXCITATION TECHNIQUE AND EIGENSYSTEM REALIZATION ALGORITHM FOR PHASE I OF THE IASC-ASCE BENCHMARK PROBLEM: SIMULATED DATA

A benchmark study in structural health monitoring based on simulated structural response data was developed by the joint IASC–ASCE Task Group on Structural Health Monitoring. This benchmark study was created to facilitate a comparison of various methods employed for the health monitoring of structures. The focus of the problem is simulated acceleration response data from an analytical model of an existing physical structure. Noise in the sensors is simulated in the benchmark problem by adding a stationary, broadband signal to the responses. A structural health monitoring method for determining the location and severity of damage is developed and implemented herein. The method uses the natural excitation technique in conjunction with the eigensystem realization algorithm for identification of modal parameters, and a least squares optimization to estimate the stiffness parameters. Applying this method to both undamaged and damaged response data, a comparison of results gives indication of the location and extent of damage. This method is then applied using the structural response data generated with two different models, different excitations, and various damage patterns. The proposed method is shown to be effective for damage identification. Additionally the method is found to be relatively insensitive to the simulated sensor noise.
The Role of Religious Coping and Race in Alzheimer’s Disease Caregiving:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias are one of the most critical public health problems in elderly population. Using baseline data from the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (REACH) II study, this study examined the relationship between religious coping, burden appraisal, depression, and race among 211 African American, 220 White, and 211 Hispanic caregivers, using structural equation modeling (SEM). Caregiver burden appraisal mediated the effect of religious coping on depression with higher religious coping resulting in lowering caregiver burden appraisal and thereby reducing depression. The results also showed that religious coping mediation model was best supported by African Americans. Greater understanding of religious coping and its role in the caregiving process helps researchers discover better ways to assist racially diverse caregivers in dealing with burdens of AD caregiving.
Protein structure similarity from principle component correlation analysis

Background Owing to rapid expansion of protein structure databases in recent years, methods of structure comparison are becoming increasingly effective and important in revealing novel information on functional properties of proteins and their roles in the grand scheme of evolutionary biology. Currently, the structural similarity between two proteins is measured by the root-mean-square-deviation (RMSD) in their best-superimposed atomic coordinates. RMSD is the golden rule of measuring structural similarity when the structures are nearly identical; it, however, fails to detect the higher order topological similarities in proteins evolved into different shapes. We propose new algorithms for extracting geometrical invariants of proteins that can be effectively used to identify homologous protein structures or topologies in order to quantify both close and remote structural similarities.
Characterization of neuropathy target esterase using trifluoromethyl ketones

Neuropathy target esterase (NTE) is a membrane-bound carboxylesterase activity which is proposed as the target site in nerve tissue for initiation of organophosphate-induced delayed neuropathy. This activity is identified as phenyl valerate hydrolysis which is resistant to treatment with paraoxon and sensitive to co-incubation with paraoxon and mipafox. NTE preparations were obtained, which did not contain paraoxon-sensitive or mipafox-resistant hydrolases, by selective reconstitution of detergent-solubilized NTE from chick embryo brain into asolectin vesicles during gel filtration. The topography of the catalytic site of NTE was then examined by investigating the inhibition of NTE by a series of 3-alkylthio- and 3-arylthio-l,l,l-trifluoro-propan-2-ones. These trifluoromethyl ketones were found to be rapidly reversible, competitive inhibitors of NTE with I,, values from 1.3 X 1Om4 M to 4.9 x lo-" M. Correlation of Is<, values with octanol/water partition coefficients (Pi. in the range of log P = 1.5 to 5.9, indicated that the optimal lipophilicity for NTE substrates and inhibitors is in the range of log P = 3.0 to 3.4. Electrophilic substitution at the meta position of aromatic rings increased the inhibitory capacity of these inhibitors, whereas substitution at the orrho position reduced inhibitory capacity. These results indicate both that a large hydrophobic pocket is closely associated with the catalytic residue of NTE, and that affinity for the active site is affected by steric and electronic parameters. Neuropathy target esterase (NTE,** also known as neurotoxic &erase) is an integral membrane protein found predominantly in central and peripheral nerve tissue (l-3). NTE is proposed as the target site at which certain organophosphates (OPs) such as diisopropyl phosphoro~uoridate (DFP) and di- isopropylphosphorodiamidic Auoride (mipafox) act to initiate organophosphate-induced delayed neur- opathy (OPIDN) (4-71. The symptoms of this potentially irreversible neuropathy appear 2-3 weeks after a single acute exposure to OPs and are accompanied by a distal degeneration of the long, large diameter peripheral nerves and the distal ends of the ascending and descending tracts of the spinal cord (&lo). Determination of the role of NTE in the proper function of the nerve axon will require both the purification of NTE and the characterization of its physical and catalytic properties. The relationship between the structures and inhibitory potencies of a wide range of NTE
Aralast: A New α1-Protease Inhibitor for Treatment of α-Antitrypsin Deficiency

OBJECTIVETo review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and management of patients with α-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency syndrome and compare Aralast with Prolastin, 2 of the 3 available human plasma–derived AAT agents.DATA SOURCESArticles were identified using a MEDLINE (1966–September 2005) search with MESH headings that included α-antitrypsin and emphysema.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTIONAll papers from peer-reviewed journals on the laboratory or clinical efficacy of plasma-derived AAT (eg, Prolastin, Aralast) for patients with this autosomal recessive disorder were reviewed.DATA SYNTHESISClinical trials found that AAT augmentation prevents progression of AAT-deficient emphysema and thus its associated morbidity and mortality. Treatment with Aralast has been shown to be safe and well tolerated, with a low incidence of mild to moderate adverse events. Pharmacoeconomics studies of AAT augmentation demonstrated that the use of Aralast was cost-effective as lifelong augmentation therapy for AAT-deficient emphy...
AlGaN/GaN-based diodes and gateless HEMTs for gas and chemical sensing

The characteristics of Pt/GaN Schottky diodes and Sc/sub 2/O/sub 3//AlGaN/GaN metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) diodes as hydrogen and ethylene gas sensors and of gateless AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) as polar liquid sensors are reported. At 25/spl deg/C, a change in forward current of /spl sim/6 mA at a bias of 2 V was obtained in the MOS diodes in response to a change in ambient from pure N/sub 2/ to 10% H/sub 2// 90% N/sub 2/. This is approximately double the change in forward current obtained in Pt/GaN Schottky diodes measured under the same conditions. The mechanism appears to be formation of a dipole layer at the oxide/GaN interface that screens some of the piezo-induced channel charge. The MOS-diode response time is limited by the mass transport of gas into the test chamber and not by the diffusion of atomic hydrogen through the metal/oxide stack, even at 25/spl deg/C. Gateless AlGaN/GaN HEMT structures exhibit large changes in source-drain current upon exposing the gate region to various polar liquids, including block co-polymer solutions. The polar nature of some of these polymer chains lead to a change of surface charges in gate region on the HEMT, producing a change in surface potential at the semiconductor/liquid interface. The nitride sensors appear to be promising for a wide range of chemicals, combustion gases and liquids.
Temperature of the Rubber Wheel during Wear Testing on a Lambourn Abrader

Abstract Contact of a slipping rubber wheel with the grinding wheel during wear testing on a Lambourn abrader cools the rubber wheel in the contact zone because: (a) the relatively high thermal conductivity of the grindstone conducts the heat into the grindstone; and (b) there is little or no sliding, and therefore no heat generated by sliding. The temperature increase, measured on the rubber wheel outside the contact zone, results from compression and adhesional or tangential deformation hysteresis, and is not from sliding friction. Therefore, the temperature in the wear zone is only 5–10°C above the ambient, and does not simulate the temperature developed in a tire during use. These conclusions are based on real time infrared thermometry of a carbon black filled rubber wheel rotating against an alumina grindstone, a steel wheel and a HDPE wheel at slips ranging from 0 to 13.5% and speeds from 65 to 400 rpm.
NMR Studies of Solvent-Free Ceramic Composite Polymer Electrolytes—A Brief Review

Polyether-based polymer electrolytes containing ceramic inorganic oxide fillers often exhibit improved mechanical and ion transport properties compared to their filler-free counterparts. The nature of local scale interactions that give rise to these enhanced properties is explored by nuclear magnetic resonance measurements.
Continuous Structures With Viscoelastic Supports: Tuning of Material Parameters and Support Location

Polymeric smart materials exhibit viscoelastic behavior and their dynamic characteristics are dependent on both frequency and temperature. This allows the tuning of material properties (stiffness and loss factor) to manipulate the vibration behavior for a wide range of engineering applications. In this research, the effects of viscoelastic supports on the vibration of continuous structures such as axially vibrating rods and transversely vibrating beams are investigated. The governing equations of motion for harmonically excited rods with end supports, and the free vibration of beams with intermediate viscoelastic support are developed. The analytical response equation for a harmonically excited rod with viscoelastic ends is obtained. The resulting frequency response equations are then used to design the modification of the stiffness and loss factor of the viscoelastic materials in order to achieve the desired vibration response of the rod. By solving the resulting transcendental eigenvalue problems, the natural frequencies and damping ratios as a function of viscoelastic support parameters are computed for beams. The performance of structures with viscoelastic support is demonstrated with various numerical examples. The formulation and results can be utilized for estimating the optimal material tuning parameters as well as support locations for controlling and manipulating the vibration response of the structures.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Low Frequency of Drug-Resistant Variants Selected by Long-Acting Rilpivirine in Macaques Infected with Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Containing HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase

Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) using antiretroviral drugs is effective in reducing the risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection, but adherence to the PrEP regimen is needed. To improve adherence, a long-acting injectable formulation of the nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitor rilpivirine (RPV LA) has been developed. However, there are concerns that PrEP may select for drug-resistant mutations during preexisting or breakthrough infections, which could promote the spread of drug resistance and limit options for antiretroviral therapy. To address this concern, we administered RPV LA to macaques infected with simian immunodeficiency virus containing HIV-1 RT (RT-SHIV). Peak plasma RPV levels were equivalent to those reported in human trials and waned over time after dosing. RPV LA resulted in a 2-log decrease in plasma viremia, and the therapeutic effect was maintained for 15 weeks, until plasma drug concentrations dropped below 25 ng/ml. RT mutations E138G and E138Q were detected in single clones from plasma virus in separate animals only at one time point, and no resistance mutations were detected in viral RNA isolated from tissues. Wild-type and E138Q RT-SHIV displayed similar RPV susceptibilities in vitro, whereas E138G conferred 2-fold resistance to RPV. Overall, selection of RPV-resistant variants was rare in an RT-SHIV macaque model despite prolonged exposure to slowly decreasing RPV concentrations following injection of RPV LA.
Video Display Operator's Eye Scanning, Comfort/Discomfort and Performance in a Hard Copy - Screen and a Split Screen Data Presentation

Six subjects, all experienced typists, were tested during two full working days in a VDT workstation using two different data presentation modes - from hardcopy to screen and split screen - and a mixture of data entry and file maintenance tasks. The results of this exploratory study indicate that looking for more than 80% of the time at the screen when using a split screen as compared to looking less than 40% at the screen when using a hard copy resulted only in small or no additional increases in both the visual and the musculoskeletal discomfort scores. The subjects maintained a similar overall performance for both data presentations. Based on these results we may conclude that 1) the amount of time looking at the screen appears to have no major influence on both visual and musculoskeletal comfort/discomfort, and that 2) a regimen to adequately reduce the work-stress in continuous VDT work should focus on the duration of uninterrupted constrained sitting while the screen viewing time should not be consi...