cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potato chip color ratings of advanced selections from the Maine potato breeding program

Seven named varieties and three numbered selections from the University of Maine potato breeding program were compared for chip color at various conditions and lengths of storage. Although all selections tested were equal to or better than Kennebec in chip color, only Allagash Russet equaled Monona. Storage at 45° F (7.2° C) produced acceptable chip color at all time periods tested. After long term storage at 45° F, reconditioning at 55° F(12.8° C) was ineffective in improving chip color. Following storage at 38° F (3.3° C) acceptable chip color could be produced only by reconditioning at 70° F (21.1° C) for at least two weeks.
Mutant chaperonin proteins: new tools for nanotechnology

Much effort has gone into finding peptides that bind potentially useful nanoparticles, but relatively little effort has focused on the scaffolds that organize these peptides into useful nanostructures. Chaperonins are protein complexes with 14?18 protein subunits that self-assemble into double-ring complexes and function as scaffolds for peptides or amino acids that bind metallic and semiconductor quantum dots. The utility of chaperonins as scaffolds depends on their structure and their ability to self-assemble into double-rings and higher-order structures, such as filaments and two-dimensional arrays. To better understand the structure of chaperonins, we constructed a model of a group II chaperonin and, based on this model, genetically constructed five mutant subunits with significant deletions. We expressed these mutants as recombinant proteins and observed by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that they all self-assembled into double rings. Our model predicted and TEM confirmed that these deletions did not significantly change the 17?nm diameter of the wild-type double rings, but decreased their height and opened their central cavities. Four of the five mutants formed higher-order structures: chains of rings, bundles of chains or filaments, and two-dimensional arrays, which we suggest can be useful nanostructures.
Transmission of a Gaussian pulse in single-mode fiber systems

A formula for the calculation of the transmitted pulse shape through single-mode fiber systems has been derived by using the linear superposition method. It is then applied to the transmission of a Gaussian pulse in the systems with monochromatic, single-mode, and multilongitudinal-mode laser sources. Numerical results are obtained for the various envelopes of multilongitudinal laser spectra. Applicability of the theory to the power spectra of any shape, effects of side modes of a single-mode laser on pulse transmission, and the possibility of developing a technique for obtaining the chromatic dispersion of a fiber are pointed out.
Adiabatic Flow Boiling in Fractal-Like Microchannels

Fractal-like branching channels are proposed for a number of microscale applications, including heat sinks, heat exchangers, absorbers, desorbers, and micro-mixers. Based on model predictions, the benefit of fractal-like channel designs is a lower pressure drop than parallel straight channels for a given flow rate, when compared to an equal channel surface area basis with the terminal channel cross-section of the fractal-like network used to define the parallel channel geometry. The fractal-like flow networks are a unique geometry that follows fractal bifurcation patterns, in this case mimicking the flow patterns found in nature. Two-phase flow applications require an understanding of how the geometric constraints impact the flow characteristics during multiphase flow. One-dimensional modeling predictions are used in this study to asses the relative impact of flow network designs on pressure drop and void fraction distributions for adiabatic flow boiling. The characterization of the flow networks includes...
The influence of plastic deformation on the hydrogen embrittlement of nickel

Abstract The effects of cold deformation and surface treatment by shot peening on the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement of high purity polycrystalline nickel have been examined. Tensile, high cycle fatigue, low cycle fatigue and crack growth experiments have been performed on precharged samples as well as on specimens exposed to hydrogen gas. High vacuum and argon were utilized as reference environments. Shot peening suppressed hydrogen embrittlement in high cycle fatigue tests but did not improve low cycle fatigue properties. Fracture paths tended to be intergranular in all tests on nickel exposed to hydrogen, except in cold-worked samples. Orientation effects (relative to rolling direction) on hydrogen-induced crack growth were found to be significant. The results are discussed in terms of hydrogen distribution, dislocation densities and residual stress states resulting from shot peening or general cold deformation.
Health promotion from the perspective of social cognitive theory

Abstract This article examines health promotion and disease prevention from the perspective of social cognitive theory. The areas of overlap with some of the most widely applied psychosocial models of health are identified. The models of health promotion and disease prevention have undergone several generational changes. We have shifted from trying to scare people into health, to rewarding them into health, to equipping them with self-regulatory skills to manage their health habits, to shoring up their habit changes with dependable social supports. These transformations have evolved a multifaceted approach that addresses the reciprocal interplay between self-regulatory and environmental determinants of health behavior. Social cognitive theory addresses the socio structural determinants of health as well as the personal determinants. A comprehensive approach to health promotion requires changing the practices of social systems that have widespread detrimental effects on health rather than solely changing t...
Book review:The nonequilibrium statistical mechanics of open and closed systems

The theory of stochastic processes is widely used in nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and nonlinear dynamics. Many books and review articles have been devoted to this subject with a broad range of different physical applications. This book is not intended to provide a comprehensive survey of the field, but to cover some selected topics. This limited goal is achieved very successfully. Linear and nonlinear Langevin equations and the corresponding Fokker-Planck equations are discussed and applied to problems ranging from laser physics, hydrodynamics, and spectral line shapes, to phase transitions. The discussion and comparison of additive and multiplicative processes and their detailed analysis are very well made. The presentation is clear, the number of equations is kept to a minimum, and the notation is helpful. The book can be used as a supplement to a graduate-level course, but it is too specialized to serve as a main text. For example, precise definitions of elementary concepts such as "dissipative forces" are not given. Applications in the book are divided into two broad categories of "closed systems" and "open systems." The authors refer to models involving only random forces as "open" and models with random forces and dissipation as "closed." This terminology is unfortunate, since it refers to the derivation of the equations. Once derived, they both represent an open system, since both cases result in stochastic equations for reduced dynamics. A better approach would have been to separate the presentation into two basic problems: (i) the derivation of the stochastic equations and (ii) the methods of solution. At the derivation stage one can make the distinction, but the actual methodology of solution is very similar. An example of this ambiguity is Chapter V, entitled "Non-Hamiltonian Systems," which covers fluctuating hydrodynamics. Hydrodynamic systems are, of course, Hamiltonian systems. It is the starting point for the derivation which is macroscopic and not fully micoscopic. Throughout the book the term
Nominative Subjects and Pro‐Drop INFL

In this article I discuss pro and its licensing strategies. I argue that the D-feature postulated by Chomsky (1995) for Tense and v can be realized in a separate head, namely, on a D, which then licenses pro (along the lines of Torrego (1998)). Focusing on nominative subjects in certain infinitival clauses of Catalan, Italian, and Spanish, I propose that their nominative subjects are licensed by a D with “weak” agreement features in association with Tense. Expletive pro and argumental pro are discussed and it is proposed that the D that licenses the former has no agreement features, whereas the D that licenses the latter has “rich” agreement. A parallel is established between the licensing strategy of “clitic-doubling” and the licensing of argumental pro in infinitival clauses.
The implications and limitations of the findings of the Viking organic analysis experiment.

The gas chromatograph mass spectrometer instrument of the Viking mission has demonstrated the absence of organic compounds in the immediate surface layer of the two landing sites. The demonstration of the successful operation of the instrument (comparison of ground-based test data with those obtained during interplanetary flight and the data from the surface of the planet) and its limitations (e.g., the detection of highly cross-linked polymers or polymeric carbon suboxide) are reviewed. The measurements for bound water are based on indirect data, the detectability of evolved carbon dioxide and ammonia is poor, and oxygen, liberated from the soil samples, can not be detected.
Ad libitum preferences for salt in chicken broth

Abstract Two ad libitum preferences methods were used by twenty younger (17–32 yr) and twenty older (36–66 yr) subjects for salting chicken broth with sodium chloride (NaCI), monosodium glutamate (MSG), potassium chloride (KCI), glycinamide hydrochloride (GLY), and selected combinations of these compounds. Ad libitum addition via salt shakers, while simulating normal table usage, was inaccurate for certain salt mixtures which were emitted from the shakers in different ratios. Additions via solutions of highly-salted broth were more accurate and reproducible. Only NaCI, MSG, and the mixture of the two were acceptable due to the bitterness of KCI and the metallic-sour taste of GLY. Higher amounts of all salts were added by older than by younger subjects: 15–60% more Na+ and 104–135% more K+. By hedonic scaling, however, degree of liking across salt concentration was similar for the two groups.
PROTON MOTIONS IN AMMONIUM HALIDES BY SLOW NEUTRON CROSS-SECTION MEASUREMENTS

Total neutron cross sections were measured at room temperature for NH/ sub 3/ gas at l15 psia, NH/sub 4/F, NH/sub 4/Cl, NH/sub 4/Br, and NH/sub 4/I, and the scattering cross sections per hydrogen atom plotted vs. neutron wavelength ( lambda n). At short lambda n. the cross sections approach the values for the free atoms, while at long lambda /sub n/n they may be represented bv sigma s = a + b lambda /sub n/. The slopes b of the ammonium halides were determined from the graph and correlated with other properties of the halides, e.g., torsional frequency and potential barrier to rotation. The order-disorder transitions between phases I, II, and III of the halides are discussed. It is concluded that neutron cross section measurements can give evidence of the dynamics and chemical binding of hydrogen in molecules and crystals. (D.L.C.)
Potential role of endothelin-1 in the pathogenesis of acute hypertensive vascular disease in the rat

Abstract Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent and long-acting vasoactive peptide often implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension. However, little is known about its role in the pathogenesis of hypertensive vascular disease. This study compares the vascular changes produced in vivo by pressor or subpressor doses of ET-1 and angiotensin II (ANG II) in rat intestinal arterioles. In one experiment, equivalent pressor doses of either ET-1 (0.2 μg/kg/min) or ANG II (2 μg/kg/min) were given. In a second experiment, subpressor doses of ET-1 (10 ng/kg/min) were either infused alone or given in combination with pressor doses of ANG II (2 μg/kg/min). Normal saline infusions (0.02 mL/min) served as controls. All infusions were continued for 60 minutes, interrupted for 30 minutes, and reinstituted for 30 minutes. Changes in vascular permeability were assessed using ferritin as a tracer; vascular lesions were assessed by computerized morphometry and electron microscopy. Results from the first experiment showed that ET-1 and ANG II produced approximately equivalent increases in blood pressure but that ET-1 had more prolonged pressor effects when infusions were interrupted. Pressor doses of either ET-1 or ANG II caused a segmental pattern of vasoconstriction and dilatation, an increase in ferritin permeability, and severe vascular smooth muscle damage. However, vessels from ET-1-treated animals had fewer damaged smooth muscle cells (p
A microcapillary trap cartridge-microcapillary high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization emitter device capable of peptide tandem mass spectrometry at the attomole level on an ion trap mass spectrometer with automated routine operation.

Reversed-phase microcapillary chromatography (RP-μLC) combined with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) is one of two prevailing techniques in proteomic analysis, the other being matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI). Despite the arguably better dynamic range obtainable with ESI, MALDI is increasingly popular due to ease of use, ruggedness and the ability to decouple separation from ionization. By contrast, in order to take advantage of the sensitivity and dynamic range afforded by the concentration-dependent nature of ESI, it is directly coupled to separations that take place in small i.d. RP-μLC columns. This gain in sensitivity often comes at a loss of ruggedness due to clogging of the small i.d. RP-μLC columns, one result of which is limited sample throughput. Here we describe a combined μpre-column-μLC-ESI device that is sensitive, rugged and modular in design allowing facile construction and troubleshooting. Due to low signal-to-noise as little as 1 attomole of a peptide can be selected by data-dependent methods for collision-induced dissociation. Importantly, the resulting tandem mass spectrum is of high enough quality to identify the peptide sequence by a database search against a complex database using SEQUEST. Finally, the device is demonstrated to be rugged as judged by >60 consecutive reversed-phase μLC separations on complex peptide mixtures before chromatographic resolution is degraded. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tyrosine sulfation of varicella-zoster virus envelope glycoprotein gpl.

Abstract Sulfation is a common post-translational modification of secreted and membrane proteins, with the sulfate attached to tyrosine residues or to glycan side-chains. I have shown that varicella-zoster virus (VZV) envelope glycoproteins gpI, gpII, and gpIII can be labeled with [35S]sulfate. The predominant VZV glycoprotein, gpI, was shown to be sulfated on asparagine-linked glycans and on tyrosine. This is the first report of tyrosine sulfation of a viral envelope glycoprotein. Examination of the predicted amino acid sequences of gpI from the Dumas and CP-5262 VZV strains revealed the presence of a single consensus sequence for tyrosine sulfation of tyr88: IWPRNDYDGFLEN. Consensus sequences are also present in the homologues of gpl in herpes simplex type 1, herpes simplex type 2, and pseudorabies virus, suggesting that tyrosine sulfation may be a general post-translational modification of the neurotropic alphaherpesviruses.
Low Cycle Fatigue of Nuclear Pipe Components

This paper presents the results of low-cycle fatigue testing and analysis of 26 piping components and butt-welded sections. The test specimens were fabricated from Type-304 stainless steel and carbon steel, materials which are typically used in the primary piping of light water nuclear reactors. Components included 6-in. elbows, tees, and girth butt-welded straight sections. Fatigue testing consisted of subjecting the specimens to deflection-controlled cyclic bending with the objective of simulating system thermal expansion type loading. Tests were conducted at room temperature and 550 deg F, with specimens at room temperature subjected to 1050 psi constant internal hydraulic pressure in addition to cyclic bending. In two tests at room temperature, however, stainless steel elbows were subjected to combined simultaneous cyclic internal pressure and cyclic bending. Predictions of the fatigue life of each of the specimens tested have been made according to the procedures specified in NB-3650 of Section III[1] in order to assess the code design margin. For the purpose of the assessment, predicted fatigue life is compared to actual fatigue life which is defined as the number of fatigue cycles producing complete through-wall crack growth (leakage). Results of this assessment show that the present code fatigue rules are adequately conservative.
Risk aversion, wealth, and the DARA hypothesis: A new test

The Pratt-Arrow hypothesis of decreasing absolute risk aversion (DARA) is widely invoked in economic models of uncertainty but empirical tests, especially those using nonexperimental data, have yielded mixed results. This paper reexamines the DARA hypothesis using an expected utility model of life insurance demand and a 23-year sample of aggregate time series data from the U.S. After controlling for household size, age, income, loss probabilities, premium expenses, and inflation, the effect of wealth on insurance demand is found to be positive and statistically significant in linear and loglinear regressions, explaining more than 93 percent of the variation in coverage. Thus, in contrast to the prevailing theory, this empirical test presents evidence of increasing absolute risk aversion.
Phase composition control of calcium phosphate nanoparticles for tunable drug delivery kinetics and treatment of osteomyelitis. II. Antibacterial and osteoblastic response.

Osteomyelitis has been traditionally treated by the combination of long-term antibiotic therapies and surgical removal of diseased tissue. The multifunctional material was developed in this study with the aim to improve this therapeutic approach by: (a) enabling locally delivered and sustained release of antibiotics at a tunable rate, so as to eliminate the need for repetitive administration of systemically distributed antibiotics; and (b) controllably dissolving itself, so as to promote natural remineralization of the portion of bone lost to disease. We report hereby on the effect of previously synthesized calcium phosphates (CAPs) with tunable solubilities and drug release timescales on bacterial and osteoblastic cell cultures. All CAP powders exhibited satisfying antibacterial performance against Staphylococcus aureus, the main causative agent of osteomyelitis. Still, owing to its highest drug adsorption efficiency, the most bacteriostatically effective phase was amorphous CAP with the minimal inhibitory concentration of less than 1 mg/mL. At the same time, the positive cell response and osteogenic effect of the antibiotic-loaded CAP particles was confirmed in vitro for all the sparsely soluble CAP phases. Adsorption of the antibiotic onto CAP particles reversed the deleterious effect that the pure antibiotic exerted on the osteogenic activity of the osteoblastic cells. The simultaneous osteogenic and antimicrobial performance of the material developed in this study, altogether with its ability to exhibit sustained drug release, may favor its consideration as a material base for alternative therapeutic approaches to prolonged antibiotic administration and surgical debridement typically prescribed in the treatment of osteomyelitis. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Taphonomy of Lacustrine Interbeds in the Kirkpatrick Basalt (Jurassic), Antarctica

The Kirkpatrick Basalt (Jurassic) of South Victoria Land and the Central Transantarctic Mountains, Antarctica, includes sedimentary interbeds representing shallow lakes and ephemeral ponds (some with microbial mat accumulations), deep permanent lakes, and lake-margin areas, especially vegetated wetlands. Fossil assemblages in these sedimentary interbeds are dominated by spinicaudatans (conchostracans), but ostracodes, insect nymphs, actinopterygian fish, and plants are locally abundant. Similar biotas in contrasting contemporaneous deposits allow the taphonomy of these organisms to be compared across lacustrine depositional settings. Spinicaudatan carapaces and fish remains are preserved primarily in calcium phosphate, whereas ostracode carapaces are preserved in calcium carbonate, reflecting the original skeletal composition of the animals. Where microbial mats are present, silica replacement of spinicaudatan carapaces occurs more extensively than in other deposits; microbial processes may have enhanced silicification. This study is the first well-documented example of microbial mat influence on preservation in high-latitude lacustrine systems.
Nitroxide side-chain dynamics in a spin-labeled helix-forming peptide revealed by high-frequency (139.5-GHz) EPR spectroscopy.

Abstract High-frequency electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy has been performed on a nitroxide spin-labeled peptide in fluid aqueous solution. The peptide, which follows the single letter sequence , was reacted with the methanethiosulfonate spin label at the cysteine sulfur. The spin sensitivity of high-frequency EPR is excellent with less than 20 pmol of sample required to obtain spectra with good signal-to-noise ratios. Simulation of the temperature-dependent spectral lineshapes reveals the existence of local anisotropic motion about the nitroxide N–O bond with a motional anisotropy τ ⊥ /τ ∥ (≡ N) approaching 2.6 at 306 K. Comparison with previous work on rigidly labeled peptides suggests that the spin label is reorienting about its side-chain tether. This study demonstrates the feasibility of performing 140-GHz EPR on biological samples in fluid aqueous solution.
Endothelium-derived microparticles impair endothelial function in vitro

Endothelial cell dysfunction (ECD) is emerging as the common denominator for diverse and highly prevalent cardiovascular diseases. Recently, an increased number of procoagulant circulating endothelial microparticles (EMPs) has been identified in patients with acute myocardial ischemia, preeclampsia, and diabetes, which suggests that these particles represent a surrogate marker of ECD. Our previous studies showed procoagulant potential of endothelial microparticles and mobilization of microparticles by PAI-1. The aim of this study was to test the effects of isolated EMPs on the vascular endothelium. EMPs impaired ACh-induced vasorelaxation and nitric oxide production by aortic rings obtained from Sprague-Dawley rats in a concentration-dependent manner. This effect was accompanied by increased superoxide production by aortic rings and cultured endothelial cells that were coincubated with EMPs and was inhibited by a SOD mimetic and blunted by an endothelial nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. Superoxide was also produced by isolated EMP. In addition, p22(phox) subunit of NADPH-oxidase was detected in EMP. Our data strongly suggest that circulating EMPs directly affect the endothelium and thus not only act as a marker for ECD but also aggravate preexisting ECD.
Predictive accuracy of the extended Predementia Alzheimer disease Scale (PAS) for Alzheimer-type dementia in subjects with MCI

Background: The Predementia Alzheimer disease Scale (PAS) has been developed to predict Alzheimer disease (AD) in subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The PAS combines a number of markers for AD: age, the MMSE score, functional impairment, cognitive test impairment, medial temporal lobe atrophy, and the apolipoprotein E genotype. Previous studies showed a high predictive accuracy of the PAS. Objective: To investigate whether the predictive accuracy of the PAS can be increased by addition of a item for the levels of beta amyloid 1-42 and tau protein phosphorylated at threonine 181 in cerebrospinal fluid. This extended version is called the ePAS. Methods: 52 subjects with subjective complaints (n 13) or amnestic MCI (n 39) were selected from the Alzheimer centre Vumc. Outcome measures were AD-type dementia at follow-up and cognitive decline. Cognitive decline was defined as AD at follow-up, or decline of at least 1 standard deviation on neuropsychological tests, or persisting memory impairment. Predictive accuracy was assessed with the Area Under the Curve (AUC) of a ROC curve. Results: Subjects were 69 years old and had an MMSE score of 27 at baseline. After a follow-up of on average 1.7 years 18 subjects had converted to AD-type dementia. Of those without dementia at follow-up, 15 showed cognitive decline, 10 had no decline, and no data on decline were available for 9 subjects. If AD-type dementia was the outcome measure, the AUC of the PAS was 0.78 and of the ePAS 0.82 (difference ns). If cognitive decline was the outcome measure, the AUC of the PAS was 0.85 and of the ePAS 0.86 (difference ns). At the best cut-off, the positive predictive value of the PAS for cognitive decline was 92% with a sensitivity of 70%, and the positive predictive value of the ePAS was 96% with a sensitivity of 67%. Conclusions: Addition of an item for beta-amyloid and tau did not increase the predictive accuracy of the PAS. The good predictive accuracy of the PAS is consistent with previous studies and provides further evidence that the PAS is a useful tool for detecting subjects with predementia AD among subjects with MCI.
Point-source position estimation in under-sampled optical systems*

This paper presents a new technique for measuring the location of point images in an image-sampling system. Primary attention is given to the situation in which the image is under sampled. Such under sampling could be the result of data-storage or bandwidth limitations, and would introduce errors into standard methods of image location. The new technique is valid for under-sampled as well as adequately sampled images, and consists of a linear-filtering procedure of the same complexity required by standard location-measurement techniques. The problem is formulated as one of statistical-estimation theory, the optimum-location procedures being derived for an additive-gaussian-noise environment, and for conditions of known and unknown image irradiance.
Central and regional hemodynamics determine optimal management of major venous injuries

Controversy continues in the selection of optimal management of major venous injuries. We analyzed our experience with 191 major venous injuries in 163 patients (1986 to 1991). The mechanism of injury was gunshot (112), stab (44), blunt (six), and iatrogenic (one). Eighteen cervicothoracic, 51 caval, 30 iliac, 36 visceral, and 56 extremity veins were involved. Of the 191 injuries, 105 (54.9%) were repaired (lateral repair 76, end-to-end anastomosis 15, vein patch four, vein graft five, Gore-Tex graft four, and compilation one). Of the remaining venous injuries, 64 were ligated as a result of hemodynamic instability. Twenty-two injuries in 18 patients did not receive treatment because 16 of 18 patients died before vascular control or repair. The overall amputation rate was 1.2%, and the mortality rate was 28.2% (46/163). The highest mortality rate occurred in those patients who required resuscitative thoracotomy (100%, p < 0.00001), retrohepatic caval injuries (90%, p < 0.0004), and multiple venous injuries (81.8%, p < 0.00001). Seventeen patients underwent fasciotomies (15 prophylactic and two therapeutic). Clinical or measured venous hypertension by stump pressure assisted in deciding for venous repair in 20 patients. A significant decrease in venous stump pressure (p < 0.000001) was noted after venous reconstruction. Thus the decision to ligate or repair venous injuries correlated primarily with (1) hemodynamic stability, and in stable patients, with (2) extent and location of injury and (3) clinical and measured venous hypertension. Venous ligation in clinically stable patients did not increase the need for fasciotomy or amputation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Metabolic syndrome and risk factors for cardiovascular disease: are nonagenarians protected?

This study assessed cardiovascular disease risk factors in three groups of human subjects aged 20–34 [young, 20 male (M)/33 female (F)], 60–74 (aged, 29M/29F), and > 90 years (nonagenarian, 47M/50F). Components of the metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were assessed. Nonagenarians weighed less than the two other groups (P < 0.001); however, there was no difference in percent fat among the three groups. Aged individuals had the highest prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (P < 0.001) according to the Adult Treatment Panel III classification. Both fibrinogen and homocysteine concentrations were significantly higher in the nonagenarians compared to younger groups. However, there were no significant differences between groups in fasting insulin, high sensitive C-reactive protein, and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 concentrations. There were also no relationships between inflammation/ oxidative stress and the metabolic syndrome or cardiovascular disease although nonagenarians appear to be protected from oxidative damage to DNA.
The Dangerous Study of Peace and the Risk to Academic Freedom

In the past few years, university programs that focus on the study of peace and conflict have come under attack by certain people who seem to think that peace itself is a bad word. Their efforts pose a threat to academic freedom, to the ability of teachers and scholars to do work that is important for promoting an informed citizenry and providing information and analysis essential for the conduct of a sensible foreign policy in a dangerous world. That is my basic argument, which I hope to substantiate by drawing on some personal examples related to my position as director of the interdisciplinary Peace Studies Program at Cornell University. The Peace Studies directorship is a rotating position (I am serving my second and last 3-year term) involving mainly administration and fund-raising. In compensation, I have received from Cornell a small reduction in my teaching load and from David Horowitz a place on his list of ‘‘dangerous’’ professors. I assume it was this part-time job that made me fit Horowitz’s selection criteria, because his list includes several other directors of peace-studies programs and his website has posted articles with titles such as ‘‘Peace Studies’ War against America’’ that seem to signal a general campaign. Most of my remarks, then, will be focused on the relationship of academic freedom to the study of war and peace. I should acknowledge, however, that in addition to directing a peace-studies program, I also fit the category of what Publishers’ Weekly, in a review of Horowitz’s book, called ‘‘professors who disagree with his personal political opinions,’’ presumably on matters also unrelated to peace studies. Unlike some of Horowitz’s targets, I do not have a high profile as a ‘‘public intellectual.’’ But the few public criticisms I have made of recent U.S. foreign policy are available to anyone with a good internet search engine and a few minutes of spare time—and that seems to sum up the research methods of the people who work for Horowitz. Most of what I say or write is not particularly controversial and these remarks should not be an exception. My overall theme is the importance of academic freedom: on the research side, for creating independent, nongovernmental analyses of foreign and security policy, and, on the teaching side, for fostering critical thinking among our students. By critical thinking, I don’t mean ‘‘ability to criticize,’’ as in ‘‘I criticize my government because my taxes are too high.’’ Anyone can do that, with or without a college education. I mean, among other things, the ability to assess evidence, to relate evidence to arguments, to consider alternative perspectives. A college degree is not a prerequisite to honing that ability either, but most of us think critical thinking should be one of the main goals and results of a liberal education. This is not a controversial position, nor are the related arguments, such as: a free press is necessary for the healthy functioning of a democracy. Yet these days the editors of the New York Times and other newspapers have found themselves obliged to publish open letters to their
Transformation of sporozoites into early exoerythrocytic malaria parasites does not require host cells.

Malaria parasite species that infect mammals, including humans, must first take up residence in hepatic host cells as exoerythrocytic forms (EEF) before initiating infection of red blood cells that leads to malaria disease. Despite the importance of hepatic stages for immunity against malaria, little is known about their biology and antigenic composition. Here, we show that sporozoites, the parasites' transmission stage that resides in the mosquito vector salivary glands, can transform into early EEF without intracellular residence in host hepatocytes. The morphological sequence of transformation and the expression of proteins in the EEF appear indistinguishable from parasites that develop within host cells. Transformation depends on temperature elevation to 37°C and serum. Our findings demonstrate that residence in a host hepatocyte or specific host cell–derived factors are not necessary to bring about the profound morphological and biochemical changes of the parasite that occur after its transmission from vector to mammalian host.
Real-time object tracking using multi-res. critical points filters

In this paper, we propose a new method for object tracking, which is primarily based on the results from prof. Shinagawa's image matching. We provide a method that tracks an object and follows it in real-time through a sequence of images which are given, for example, by a robotic camera. The main feature of the method is that it is not affected by the movements (within a certain reasonable range) of the camera or the object; such as, translation, rotation or scaling. The algorithm is also insensible to regular changes of the object's shape. For real-time applications, the algorithm allows the tracking of an object through a sequence of 64*64 images, at a rate of over 8 frames/second.
PRODUCTION OF STREAM BENTHOS: A CRITIQUE OF THE METHOD OF ASSESSMENT PROPOSED BY HYNES AND COLEMAN (1968)

The method of assessing the production of stream benthos proposed by Hynes and Coleman gives large underestimates. The modification of this method proposed by Hamilton gives estimates that are strongly dependent on the number of samples and the patterns of growth of the species. The method using differences between successive samples suggested in this paper is relatively independent of the details of sample number, specific growth patterns, and proportions of species growing to different sizes.
Integrin Signaling Regulates Blastocyst Adhesion to Fibronectin at Implantation: Intracellular Calcium Transients and Vesicle Trafficking in Primary Trophoblast Cells

Abstract Accumulating evidence indicates that the endometrial extracellular matrix (ECM) modulates trophoblast adhesion during mouse blastocyst implantation. In previous studies of adhesion-competent mouse blastocysts, we have demonstrated that integrin-mediated fibronectin (FN)-binding activity on the apical surface of trophoblast cells is initially low, but becomes strengthened after embryos are exposed to FN. In the present study, we have examined whether the ligand-induced upregulation of trophoblast adhesion to FN is mediated by integrin signaling. The strengthening of adhesion to FN required integrin ligation, which rapidly elevated cytoplasmic-free Ca 2+ . Chelation of intracellular Ca 2+ using BAPTA-AM, or inhibition of the Ca 2+ -dependent proteins, protein kinase C or calmodulin, significantly attenuated the effect of FN on binding activity. Furthermore, direct elevation of cytoplasmic Ca 2+ levels with ionomycin upregulated FN-binding activity, demonstrating that Ca 2+ signaling is required and sufficient for strong adhesion to FN. Ca 2+ signaling may induce protein trafficking, a known requirement for ligand-induced upregulation of FN-binding activity. Indeed, intracellular vesicles accumulated in adhesion-competent blastocysts, but were absent after exposure to either FN or ionomycin. These findings suggest that, during implantation, contact between peri-implantation blastocysts and FN elevates intracellular Ca 2+ , which strengthens trophoblast adhesion to ECM through protein redistribution.
Tolerancing of board-level-free-space optical interconnects

For optical interconnects to become a mature technology they must be amenable to electronic packaging technology. Two main obstacles to including free-space optical interconnects are alignment and heat-dissipation issues. Here we study the issues of alignment tolerancing that are due to assembly and manufacturing variations (passive-element tolerancing) over long board-level distances (>10 cm) for free-space optical interconnects. We also combine these variations with active optoelectronic device variations (active-element tolerancing). We demonstrate a computer-aided analysis procedure that permits one to determine both active- and passive-element tolerances needed to achieve some system-level specification, such as yield or cost. The procedure that we employ relies on developing a detailed design of the system to be studied in a standard optical design program, such as CODE V. Using information from this model, we can determine the integrated power falling on the detector, which we term optical throughput, by performing Gaussian propagation or general Fresnel propagation (if significant vignetting occurs). This optical throughput can be used to determine system-level performance criteria, such as bit-error rate. With this computer-aided analysis technique, a sensitivity analysis of all the variations under study is made on a system with realistic board-level interconnect distances to find each perturbation's relative effects (with other perturbations set to 0) on the power falling on the detector. This information is used to set initial tolerances for subsequent tolerancing analysis and design runs. A tolerancing analysis by Monte Carlo techniques is applied to determine if the yield or cost (yield is defined as the percentage of systems that have acceptable system performance) is acceptable. With a technique called parametric sampling, a subsequent tolerancing design run can be applied to optimize this yield or cost with little increase in computation. We study a design example and show that most of the tolerances can be achieved with current technology.
Best practices for the deployment and management of production HPC clusters

Commodity-based Linux HPC clusters dominate the scientific computing landscape in both academia and industry ranging from small research clusters to petascale supercomputers supporting thousands of users. To support broad user communities and manage a user-friendly environment, end-user sites must combine a range of low-level system software with multiple compiler chains, support libraries, and a suite of 3rd party applications. In addition, large systems require bare metal provisioning and a flexible software management strategy to maintain consistency and upgrade-ability across thousands of compute nodes. This report documents a Linux operating system framework, (LosF), which has evolved over the last seven years to provide an integrated strategy for the deployment of multiple HPC systems at the Texas Advanced Computing Center. Documented within this effort is the high-level cluster configuration options and definitions, bare-metal provisioning, hierarchical HPC software stack design, package-management, user environment management tools, user account synchronization, and local customization configurations.
Integrated stratigraphic, geochemical, and paleontological late Ediacaran to early Cambrian records from southwestern Mongolia

In their comment, Landing and Kruse disagree with some of our discussion and, at times, use blanket statements to incorrectly summarize from the Smith et al. (2016) paper. This is not the venue for a discussion and rehashing of the details discussed at length in the text of the publication. Here, we respond only to what we were able to identify as the key questions and issues raised in the comment.
Reactions of African American Students to the George Zimmerman Trial: Co-Rumination and Thought Intrusions as Mediators

ABSTRACTWe document how prior experiences with racism, sequentially mediated by co-rumination about racial problems with a friend and thought intrusions, are associated with negative reactions to a racially charged event—the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman and the subsequent trial and acquittal of Mr. Zimmerman. African Americans’ prior experiences with racial discrimination predicted more co-rumination about racial problems with a friend. In turn, co-rumination was associated with more thought intrusions about the trial, leading to more negative affect and less forgiveness for Zimmerman. Co-rumination about racism and worrisome thinking about high-profile race-related events may amplify concern about racism for a frequent target of racial discrimination, lowering the threshold for negative psychological reactions to racist acts (including acts of violence) that may happen to other African Americans or to oneself.
INSTITUTIONAL GOVERENANCE AND MARKET SIGNALS: DECEPTIVE MIMICRY IN RUSSIA'S POST-COMMUNIST BANKING INDUSTRY.

We propose that foreign investors from western, developed countries are highly susceptible to strategies of deceptive mimicry in transition economies. We examine our propositions by looking at the characteristics of Russians banks that received foreign loans prior to the August 1998 financial crisis and the subsequent survival of the banks following the crisis.
Ultra-Thin Highly Deformable Composite Mirrors

Optical quality mirrors are heavy, expensive and difficult to manufacture. This paper presents a novel mirror concept based on an active laminate consisting of an ultra-thin carbon-fiber shell bonded to a piezo-ceramic active layer coated with patterned electrodes. Mirrors based on this concept are less than 1 mm thick and hence are very lightweight and flexible. They also have a large dynamic range of actuation that allows them to take up a wide range of deformed configurations. This concept is compatible with relatively high-volume manufacturing processes and can potentially achieve a significant reduction in cost in comparison to currently available active mirrors. It is also suitable for applications ranging from concentrators for solar power generation to primary mirrors for optical telescopes. The paper presents an overview of the mirror components as well as a simple design relationship for sizing the active layer. The expected performance of a preliminary design for a 1 m diameter mirror with a radius of curvature of 15 m is computed numerically, showing that a set of 96 actuators can remove an edge-to-edge manufacturing-induced cylindrical curvature of 5 mm to an RMS accuracy of 50 μm. The prescription of the mirror can also be adjusted to a radius of curvature of 11 m with an accuracy of 160 μm. The development and characterization of a proof-of-concept prototype mirror is also presented.
Genetic Divergence among Populations of the White Pine Weevil, Pissodes strobi (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Genetic differences among 17 transcontinentally distributed populations of the white pine weevil, Pissodes strobi (Peck), were assessed by examining electrophoretic variation at 11 enzyme loci. Genetic identity values for all paired comparisons ranged from 0.899-0.998 (mean = 0.963) and no fixed-allele differences were detected among populations at any locus. F statistics for different interpopulational comparisons were 0.025 (regions compared with total), 0.098 (populations compared with total), and 0.075 (populations compared with regions). Significant heterogeneity in allele frequencies at polymorphic loci was observed among populations. Phenetic cluster analysis based on genetic identity or distance values failed to group populations according to geographic region, and regression analysis revealed that the genetic identity between populations was not closely dependent on the geographic distance between them. Overall genetic variation, measured by the percentage of polymorphic loci and mean heterozygosity, was lower in western populations than in those from the East. This pattern of variation may have resulted from a series of founder events as P. strobi presumably expanded its range from east to west, or it may reflect a positive correlation with environmental heterogeneity, as suggested by the narrowing of host range (generalist to specialist) from east to west.
Analysis of N-RAS exon-1 mutations in myelodysplastic syndromes by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing.

Mutations in codons 12 or 13 of the first exon of the N-RAS gene have been reported in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) in frequencies that vary between 9% and 40% depending on the techniques used in analysis. Gene amplification and direct sequencing provides the only unambiguous method of detecting those mutations that induce amino acid alterations. Using this technique, we analyzed 21 MDS patients for mutations in exon- 1 of N-RAS. Codon 12 mutations substituting aspartic acid (GAT) for glycine (GGT) were found in four cases, and a codon 13 mutation substituting alanine (GCT) for glycine (GGT) was detected in one patient. We conclude that N-RAS exon-1 mutations in one patient. We conclude that N-RAS exon-1 mutations producing amino acid changes occur in about 20% to 25% of MDS cases.
Analysis on Serum Levels of Rubella Antibodies among Healthy People in Shandong Province

Objective To evaluate the immunity of healthy population to rubella virus in Shandong province.Methods All objects aged from2 to≥40 years old were divided into 8 age groups randomly from 12 cities in Shandong province and their serum samples were collected in 2009 and 2010. The immunoglobulin(Ig)G antibodies were detected by single hole quantitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the results were analyzed.Results 4001 samples were tested in this study. Serum positive rate was 83.13%and geometry mean concentration(GMC)was 40.42 international unit(IU)/ml. Serum positivity and GMC were different in different areas( 2=81.254,P0.01;F=8.55, P0.05)and different age groups( 2=44.273,P0.01;F=3.68,P0.05). The results in the year of 2010 were higher than the year in 2009. However, there were no differences according to the gender( 2=0.100,P0.05;F=28.63,P0.05). The serum positive rate was low in group≤10 years old. It was lower than 80%in the group2 years old and 5-7 years old. The serum positivity rose with the age, but the GMC decreased, especially in adults group≥20 years old.Conclusion It is very important to strengthen the routine immunization of the rubella vaccine to control the epidemic of rubella virus. Meanwhile, the immunity of the women who is going to be pregnant should be payed attention to prevent the congenital rubella syndrome.
A Comparison of Supervised Learning Techniques for Clustering

The significance of data mining has experienced dramatic growth over the past few years. This growth has been so drastic that many industries and academic disciplines apply data mining in some form. Data mining is a broad subject that encompasses several topics and problems; however this paper will focus on the supervised learning classification problem and discovering ways to optimize the classification process. Four classification techniques (naive Bayes, support vector machine, decision tree, and random forest) were studied and applied to data sets from the UCI Machine Learning Repository. A Classification Learning Toolbox (CLT) was developed using the R statistical programming language to analyze the date sets and report the relationships and prediction accuracy between the four classifiers.