cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proton translocation mechanism and energetics in the light-driven pump bacteriorhodopsin

In spite of many still unsolved problems, the mechanism and energetics of the light-driven proton transport are now basically understood. Energy captured during photoexcitation, and retained in the form of bond rotations and strains of the retinal, is transformed into directed changes in the pKa values of vectorially arranged proton transfer groups. The framework for the spatial and temporal organization of these changes is provided by the protein near the retinal Schiff base. The transport is completed by proton transfer among three essential groups in three domains lying roughly parallel with the membrane plane (Fig. 1): (a) the anionic D85 that is included in a complex of residues on the extracellular side containing also R82, D212, Y57 and bound water; (b) the protonated Schiff base; and (c) the protonated D96 that is included in a complex of residues on the cytoplasmic side containing also R227, T46, S226, and bound water. Other neighboring polar groups and water bound elsewhere which play a role in the transport do so either by further influencing the pKa values of the three protonable groups, or by providing passive pathways for proton transfer. The Schiff base proton, destabilized after photoexcitation, is transferred to the low pKa group D85 located on the extracellular side. The access of the deprotonated Schiff base then changes to the cytoplasmic side (the 'reprotonation switch') and its proton affinity increases. Finally, the proton of the high pKa group D96, with access to the cytoplasmic side, is destabilized by a protein conformational change through rearrangement of R227, T46, S226 and bound water, and becomes transferred to the Schiff base. As shown schematically in Fig. 3, these internal events are coupled to proton release and uptake at the two aqueous surfaces. The charge of the extracellular hydrogen-bonded complex is redistributed upon protonation of D85, and if the pH is above the pKa of the complex a proton is released to the bulk. After reprotonation of the Schiff base the pKa of the cytoplasmic hydrogen-bonded complex is raised well above the pH, and D96 regains a proton from the bulk. If the pH is lower than the pKa of the extracellular complex the proton release is delayed until the end of the photocycle. In either sequence there is net transfer of a proton from the cytoplasmic to the extracellular phase. The transfer of excess free energy from the chromophore to the protein, and finally to the transported proton, is described by a characteristic thermodynamic cycle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Suppression of human B lymphocyte activation by ß-endorphin

The effects of beta-endorphin (beta-E) and contained peptides were investigated for their ability to regulate Staphylococcus aureus (SAC)-induced immunoglobulin secretion by human B lymphocytes. Co-culture of beta-E with SAC-stimulated peripheral blood-derived mononuclear cells, under serum-containing or serum-free conditions, resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of immunoglobulin-secreting cell (ISC) formation. When the same cultures were assessed for class-specific Ig formation it was found that IgG-ISC were suppressed to a greater extent that IgA-ISC or IgM-ISC. In contrast to these results, beta-E was found to be unable to suppress SAC-induced lymphocyte proliferation. To map the suppressive activity associated with beta-E, truncated peptides based on the beta-E sequence were assessed for biological activity. The results indicated that peptides containing the N-terminal region of beta-E suppressed ISC formation. Moreover, methionine-enkephalin (beta-E 61-65) was found to be effective in suppressing ISC formation. beta-E-mediated suppression of IgG-specific ISC formation appears to involve classical receptor-ligand interaction as evidenced by the ability of naloxone to block suppression of ISC formation.
A Collective Effort to Understand Formalized Program Review

In response to the growing field of Leadership Studies, the International Leadership Association appointed a task force to explore questions concerning formalized program review systems, such as a peer review process, accreditation, and/or certification. The inquiry involved questions regarding the value of a formalized program review process to advance the field of leadership studies and discover important patterns emerging in areas such as content, teaching, outcomes, and assessment. This article provides a summary of the work completed by the International Leadership Association's Formalized Program Review task force from 2011–2012 to explore and recommend options related to formalized program review for curricular based leadership studies programs.
Longitudinal relationship between elapsed time in the action stages of change and weight loss

LOGUE, EVERETT E., DAVID G. JARJOURA, KAREN S. SUTTON, WILLIAM D. SMUCKER, KRISTIN R. BAUGHMAN, AND CYNTHIA F. CAPERS. Longitudinal relationship between elapsed time in the action stages of change and weight loss. Obes Res. 2004;12:1499-1508. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the longitudinal relationship between the elapsed time in the action and maintenance stages of change for multiple target behaviors and weight loss or gain. Research Methods and Procedures: The research design was a prospective cohort study of overweight and obese primary care patients randomized to an obesity management intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model and a chronic disease paradigm. The target behaviors included increased planned exercise and usual physical activity, decreased dietary fat, increased fruit and vegetable consumption, and increased dietary portion control. The participants were 329 middle-aged men and women with elevated body mass indices recruited from 15 primary care practices in Northeastern Ohio; 28% of the participants were African Americans. The main outcomes were weight loss (5% or more) or weight gain (5% or more) after 18 or 24 months of follow-up. Results: There were significant (p 0.05) longitudinal relationships between the number of periods (0 to 4) in action or maintenance for each of the five target behaviors, or a composite score taken across the five target behaviors, and weight loss. In all cases, there was a significant ( p 0.05) stepped (graded) relationship between the time in action or maintenance and weight loss (or gain). Discussion: The data support the concept of applying the Transtheoretical Model to the problem of managing obesity in primary care settings. The remaining challenge is to identify those factors that reliably move patients into the action and maintenance stages for long periods.
The impact of preclass reading assignments on class performance

Abstract Objectives To assess the value of mandatory preclass readings (PCRs) and preclass quizzes (PCQs) in a therapeutics course by correlating performance on PCQs to examination performance, and to evaluate student satisfaction of these assessments via a class survey. Methods Students were assigned reading material before course lectures and given PCQs to assess for completion of the reading assignments. PCQ grades were averaged for each student and correlated with the student's own examination grade average using the Pearson's correlation coefficient. An 8-item survey instrument was developed to evaluate the students' perception of PCRs and PCQs. Results A positive correlation was found between student PCQs and examination grades (r = 0.696; p Conclusion PCRs and PCQs were beneficial to students in a therapeutics course. A correlation was found between examination and quiz grades, and student satisfaction and comments of these assessments were positive.
Antioxidant Activity of Water-Soluble Fractions of Salmon Spermary Tissue

The antioxidant potential of chum salmon spermary tissue was evaluated using a sardine triacylglycerol emulsion system. Intact and high-molecular weight water-soluble fractions of spermary tissue were found to accelerate both autoxidation and iron/ascorbate-catalyzed oxidation. The low-molecular weight (LMW) fraction inhibited autoxidation and oxidation catalyzed by iron/ascorbate and 2,2‘-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH). Inhibition of iron/ascorbate-catalyzed oxidation by the LMW fraction decreased with decreasing pH until no activity was observed at pH ≤6.4. Activity of the LMW fraction was not strongly influenced by pH (5.0−7.0) in the presence of AAPH. Antioxidants in the LMW fraction, including spermine, putrescine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and glutathione, both alone and in combination, exhibited less antioxidant activity than the LMW fraction, indicating that other unidentified antioxidants were present. Keywords: Antioxidants; lipid oxidation; polyamines; fish oil; seafood
Analysis of second breakdown in transistors using a simple model

The analysis of second breakdown in transistor is very difficult when one takes into account the distributed nature of the transistor and the complex interactions of the charge carriers with the crystal lattice and with the various electric fields within the transistor. A simple model has been developed which can be analyzed in detail in terms of lumped transistor parameters. The model treats the transistor as though it consisted of two separate but interacting parts coupled thermally and electrically. All anomalous portions of the transistor are lumped into one of these. The relative importance of each of the initiating mechanisms which have been hypothesized for second breakdown can now be determined. This paper presents a static analysis of the model. Static current-voltage characteristics are calculated for some of the hypothesized initiating mechanisms. The effect of the current dependence of current gain, the effect of the temperature dependence of the collector saturation current, and the effects of avalanche multiplication and its dependence on free charge carrier density will be discussed. It is concluded that all of these effects are important, but that one or more will tend to dominate, depending on the transistor structure type of defects present, and the mode of operation.
Measurement of the effective Debye temperature for the Ti(0001) surface

We have measured the surface Debye temperature for the clean Ti(0001) surface from the temperature dependence of the intensity of the specular low-energy electron diffraction (LEED) beam. Using a kinematical analysis, we find the inner potential to be approximately 12 eV and that the effective Debye temperature varies from 240 to 380 K between 50 and 320 eV beam energy. The variation with beam energy is quite linear which suggests that the diffraction peaks used in the analysis are due to events with only a single backscattering component.
An experimental evaluation of an entrainment flame-propagation model

Abstract Experimental burning-velocity and propagation-velocity data are presented for laminar and turbulent flames ignited in a constant-volume vessel. Burning velocities were obtained using a double-kernel technique whereby the expansion component of the propagation velocity is canceled by propagating two flames toward one another. Propagation velocities were obtained from freely propagating flames. The turbulent flow field was the same in both experiments. High-speed schlieren photography was used to determine flame velocities. The burnig-velocity data are used as one input parameter to a two-parameter entrainment flame-propagation model published in the literature. The model is then fit to the flame-radius and propagation-velocity data to determine the other parameter, a characteristic reaction time. It is shown than the model underestimates experimentally observed flame acceleration unless burning velocity is reduced at small flame radii with an empirical term which is a function of flame radius and thickness. With the empirical term the entrainment model does a reasonable job of predicting flame-propagation rates for the flames examined.
Evolutionary and neurobiological implications of selective phonotaxis in the spring peeper hyla crucifer

Males of the spring peeper (Hyla crucifer) in central Missouri produce frequency-modulated, sinusoidal advertisement calls with a duration of 90–250 ms, and a mid-point frequency of 2800–3360 Hz. The frequency of the call is inversely correlated with body size. In playback experiments with synthetic stimuli, females did not prefer a frequency-modulated call to a call of constant frequency. Females preferred a call with a duration of 150 ms to sounds with durations of 40, 75 and 400 ms; a call of 300 ms was just as attractive as the 150-ms call. Females preferred a call of 2875 Hz to alternatives of 4000 Hz and 2600 Hz. The auditory system of H. crucifer is thus only roughly tuned to the temporal and spectral properties of the advertisement call. The female's specificity with respect to duration alone is adequate for species recognition, but intraspecific mate choice based on call frequency is extremely unlikely.
Effect of epigenetic regulation during swine embryogenesis and on cloning by nuclear transfer

Swine play important roles as models of human disease. A combination of genetic modification with somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) holds the promise of uncovering the pathogenesis of human diseases and then of developing therapeutic protocols. Unfortunately, the mechanism(s) of nuclear remodeling (a change in the structure of the nucleus) and reprogramming (a change in the transcriptional profile) during SCNT remains unclear. Incomplete remodeling is thought to cause lower cloning efficiency and abnormalities in cloned embryos and offspring. Here, we review the epigenetic regulatory and remodeling events that occur during preimplantation development of embryos derived from fertilization or SCNT, with a focus on DNA methylation and histone modifications. The discussion ends with a description of attempts at assisted remodeling of the donor somatic cell nucleus and the SCNT embryo.
Microsomal DPNH cytochrome c reductase.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the microsomal DPNH-cytochrome c reductase. Enzymatic activity at 38° was measured spectrophotometrically by following the rate of reduction of cytochrome c at 550 mμ. Protein concentration is determined by the biuret method, with deoxycholate added to a final concentration of 1%. All procedures are carried out at 0-5°. Beef liver obtained fresh from the slaughterhouse is diced and ground in an electric meat grinder. The stages of purification procedure are described. The preparations slowly lose activity when stored at 0° or frozen at­ –20°, approximately 50% of the activity being lost over a period of 1-2 weeks. Stage II particle suspensions did not show TPNH-cytochrome e reductase, aldehyde oxidase, xanthine oxidase, or succinic dehydrogenase activity. The enzyme actively reduces ferricyanide and cytochrome c with DPNH as substrate. Preparations of the highest purity contain approximately one mole of flavin, 2 moles of cytochrome b 5 and one atom of nonheme iron per mole of enzyme. The enzyme has an approximate molecular weight of 1.5×10 6 including lipid, which constitutes 70% of the dry weight of the enzyme.
Contralateral projections of the rat anterior olfactory nucleus.

The anterior olfactory nucleus (AON) is a central olfactory cortical structure that has heavy reciprocal connections with both the olfactory bulb (OB) and piriform cortex. While it has been firmly established that the AON is a primary source of bilateral projections in the olfactory system through extensive connections with both the ipsilateral and contralateral OB, AON, and piriform cortex, few studies have examined this circuitry in detail. In the present study we used small injections of the anterograde tracer Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) and the retrograde tracer FluoroGold in specific subregions of the AON to explore the topography of the interconnections between the left and right AONs. Labeled fibers were found in the contralateral AON following injections in all areas. However, detailed quantitative analyses revealed that different regions of the AON have distinct patterns of interhemispheric innervation; contralateral fibers were most heavily targeted to dorsal and lateral AON subregions, while the medial and ventral areas received relatively light projections. These results demonstrate important features of the interhemispheric circuitry of the AON and suggest separate functional roles for subregions of the AON in olfactory information processing. J. Comp. Neurol. 512:115–123, 2009. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Organometallic Dendrimers Based on (Tetraphenylcyclobutadiene)cyclopentadienylcobalt Modules

The synthesis and characterization of novel organometallic polyphenylene dendrimers containing 24 or 44 phenyl rings and one cyclobutadiene(cyclopentadienyl)cobalt unit is reported. The dendrimers are made by the convergent CpCo(CO)(2)-mediated dimerization of di- or tetraethynyltolanes followed by a divergent core extension utilizing tetraphenylcyclopentadienone. The obtained dendrimers are air and water stable, soluble materials that show interesting differences in their hydrodynamic properties as evidenced by gel permeation chromatography. Scanning pulse voltammetry in solution shows that the dendrimers are oxidized at potentials ranging from 0.8 to 0.83 V. The more sterically encumbered the dendrimer, the higher its oxidation potential, that is, the more difficult oxidation is.
THERMODYNAMICS OF A HOMOGENEOUS MIXTURE OF GAS, RADIATION, AND TURBULENCE

Subject to certain constraints, the equilibrium thermodynamics of a mixture of ionizing gas, blackbody radiation, and homogeneous turbulence is worked out in some detail. Specific heats and adiabatic exponents (Chandrasekhar's gammas) are calculated. The adiabatic exponents show only a weak dependence on the turbulent pressure and the turbulent energy. This dependence is weakest under conditions of strong partial ionization of the gas, or when the relative pressure due to radiation is very high. Analytic expressions and numerical examples are both given, and possible astrophysical applications are briefly discussed.
Job Training in America: Making Sense of the System

Training has long been of considerable interest to both policy makers and to researchers. This collection addresses future skill and competency demands and then takes up specific topics regarding program strategies and target groups. Each chapter is well done but the book invites larger questions about the nature of the American employment and training system. In answering this question, we need to go beyond the topics emphasized in the book because important issues, such as immigration or the role of community colleges, are given inadequate attention. In addition, although a major theme running throughout the book is the need for a more coherent and comprehensive system, the fact is that this complaint is very long-standing yet very little has happened in response. Why the U.S. system has its particular characteristics is a key question requiring deeper analysis.
Improved MODIS Aerosol Retrieval Using Modified VIS/SWIR Surface Albedo Ratio Over Urban Scenes

In this paper, we demonstrate a regional approach to Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrieval over urban scenes. By using simultaneous MODIS and AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) sky radiometer data, we show that for urban scenes, the surface reflectance ratios between the visible (VIS) (0.47- and 0.66-?m) and shortwave-infrared (2.12-?m) channels used in the MODIS Collection 5 (C005) retrieval are significantly underestimated. This leads to an underestimate in the VIS ground albedos resulting in a significant overestimate of the AOD in the VIS channels. Since the dependence on scattering geometry is weak, revised surface reflectance ratio maps at spatial resolutions down to 1.5 km can be developed, permitting aerosol retrievals at these resolutions. Applying this procedure results in significant reductions in MODIS-retrieved AOD bias in comparison to AERONET. As an example, for New York City, at the operational 10-km resolution, the MODIS-AERONET regression using C005 is ?MODIS = 1.24 ?AERONET + 0.11, R 2 = 0.85 , while for the regional method, we apply results in ?MODIS = 1.02 ?AERONET + 0.04, R 2 = 0.92 . This improved performance is maintained even for high-resolution retrieval down to 1.5 km with a regression of ?MODIS = 0.96 ?AERONET + 0.02, R 2 = 0.88. In addition, we show that this method can be extended to other urban scenes such as Mexico City with similar results and discuss the implications of C005 AOD overestimates on PM2.5 monitoring. Furthermore, comparisons with distributed PM2.5 sensors in the region confirm that the high estimates of AOD from C005 cannot be explained by excess urban emissions.
Hybrid simulation of a reacting distillation column

The recent availability of hybrid computers to the simulation engineer has made possible the solution of many complex reactor models that hitherto had to be either crudely approximated, or else required extremely long solution times on all-digital machines. Using the high speed of the parallel analog equipment and the logic and storage capabilities of a digital computer has meant that single blocks of analog equipment can be time-shared where physical similarity exists between process modules resulting in large savings in both analog equipment and running time.
Stereoselectivity in the collision-activated reactions of gas phase salt complexes

The collision-activated dissociations (CAD) of gas phase salt complexes composed of chiral ions were studied in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. Because both partners in the salt are chiral, diastereomeric complexes can be formed (e.g., RR, RS). Two general types of complexes were investigated. In the first, the complex was composed of deprotonated binaphthol and a chiral bis-tetraalkylammonium dication. CAD of these complexes leads to the transfer of a proton or an alkyl cation to the binaphtholate leading to a singly-charged tetraalkylammonium cation. During CAD, diastereomeric complexes give significantly different product distributions indicating reasonable stereoselectivity in the process. In the second system, the complexes involved a peptide dianion and a chiral tetraalkylammonium cation. These systems may be viewed as very simple models for the interactions of peptides/proteins with small chiral molecules. Again, stereoselectivity was evident during CAD, but the extent was dependent on the nature of the peptide and not observable in some cases. To better understand the structural features needed to achieve stereoselectivity in gas phase salt complexes, representative transition states were modeled computationally. The results suggest that it is critical for the asymmetry of the nucleophile (i.e., anion) to be well represented in the vicinity of its reactive center.
Ondansetron/promethazine combination or promethazine alone reduces nausea and vomiting after middle ear surgery

Abstract Study Objectives: To determine the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting when a combination of ondansetron and promethazine is given prophylactically, and to ascertain the effect of postoperative nausea and vomiting on recovery room duration and patient satisfaction. Design: Prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Setting: University-affiliated tertiary-care hospital. Patients: 87 ASA physical status I and II adult patients scheduled for middle ear surgery. Interventions: Patients were randomly assigned to receive one of the following interventions intravenously: ondansetron 4 mg (Group 1), promethazine 25 mg (Group 2), ondansetron 2 mg plus promethazine 12.5 mg (Group 3, combination), or placebo (Group 4). Measurements and Main Results: Independent, study blinded observers recorded complaints of nausea and number of episodes of vomiting for 24 hours following the patient's first response to commands. All patients were contacted the day after discharge to inquire about nausea and vomiting. The awakening time, postanesthesia care unit and day surgery unit durations, opioid use, and side effects were recorded. At the end of the 24-hour period, the study blinded observers asked patients for an overall assessment of their global anesthesia experience using an 11-point scale. During the 24-hour period, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was reduced from 74% (placebo) to 39% (promethazine; p = 0.03) and 29% (combination; p = 0.003). Compared with placebo, the severity of vomiting was significantly less in the combination group ( p = 0.04). The number of very satisfied patients correlated negatively with the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting ( p p = 0.003). Conclusion: The prophylactic use of an antiemetic with middle ear surgery may reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting over 24 hours, and the ondansetron/promethazine combination or promethazine alone are cost-effective choices. Finally, the combination reduced significantly the severity of vomiting.
Evaluating Economic Change

Daedalus Summer 2004 In recent years there have been enormous changes in our technology, our economy, and our society. But has there been progress? From most economists the 1⁄2rst reaction to this question is: Of course there must have been progress! After all, the growth of new technologies expands opportunity sets, what we can do, the amount of output per unit input. We can choose either to have more output, more goods and services, or to work less. However we make the choice, surely we are better off. But what, then, about the sweeping changes we associate with the phenomenon of globalization? For several years I have been actively involved in debates around the world about the costs and bene1⁄2ts of this phenomenon. As a result of globalization, the countries of the world are more closely integrated. Goods and services move more freely from one country to another. This is the result of the lowering of transportation and communication costs through changes in technology, and of the elimination or reduction of many man-made barriers such as tariffs. The countries that have been most successful at both increasing incomes and reducing poverty–the countries of East Asia–have grown largely because of globalization. They took advantage of global markets for their goods; they recognized that what separates developed from less developed countries is a disparity not only in resources but also in knowledge; they tapped into the pool of global knowledge to close that gap; and most even opened themselves up to the flow of international capital. But in the countries that have been less successful, globalization is often viewed with suspicion. As I have argued elsewhere, there is a great deal of validity to the complaints of those who are discontent. In much of the world, there has been in recent years a slowing of growth, an increase in poverty, a degradation of the environment, and a deterioration of national cultures and of a sense of cultural identity. Globalization proves that Joseph E. Stiglitz
Flexor pollicis longus rupture in rheumatoid arthritis secondary to attrition on a sesamoid

Spontaneous rupture of flexor tendons occurs infrequently. It has been reported in association with infection, fractures and dislocations of the cat-pus and radius, Kienbock’s disease, osteoarthrosis, local steroid injection, anomalous muscles, tendon arthrodesis and foreign bodies. Ruptures of flexor tendons in the hands of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are reported most often. Common causes of these ruptures include attrition on bony spurs within the carpal canal and infiltration by rheumatoid tenosynovitis. ‘J A case of flexor pollicis longus rupture in rheumatoid arthritis secondary to attrition on the ulnar sesamoid is described. No reports of a similar case were found in the literature.
Two applications of calculus to triangular billiards

(1997). Two Applications of Calculus to Triangular Billiards. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 104, No. 7, pp. 618-622.
Central nervous system action of calcitonin gene-related peptide to inhibit gastric emptying in the conscious rat.

Abstract The central nervous system action of rat α-calcitonin gene-related peptide (α-CGRP) on gastric emptying of a liquid, noncaloric, methylcellulose solution was assessed in 24-hr fasted, conscious rats using phenol red method as a marker. Intracisternal injection of α-CGRP (0.75–250 pmol) dose-dependently inhibited gastric emptying by 27–94% as measured 20 min after oral administration of the solution. The ED 50 was 6.2 pmol. α-CGRP injected intravenously at 250 pmol delayed gastric emptying by 71% whereas a lower dose (75 pmol) was inactive. Intracisternal α-CGRP-induced inhibition of gastric emptying was completely abolished by bilateral adrenalectomy and partially suppressed by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy or coeliac/superior mesenteric ganglionectomy. Adrenalectomy or vagotomy in saline-treated animals did not significantly modify the rate of gastric emptying whereas coeliac/superior mesenteric ganglionectomy caused a significant 29% inhibition as compared to the nonoperated group. These results demonstrate that α-CGRP is a potent centrally acting inhibitor of gastric emptying of a nonnutrient liquid. The inhibitory effect of intracisternal injection of CGRP appears to be mediated by the adrenal gland and in part by the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.
Abstract one-parameter families of commutative learning operators

Abstract The parameter space of a learning model is usually assumed to be functionally related to the outcome space associated with that model, although the particular functional relation is not made explicit. A formalization is given that involves explicit consideration of the outcome space in the definition of a learning model, and it is shown that it is possible to obtain from the learning process a scale over uncertain outcomes that is formally similar to a von Neumann-Morgenstern utility scale.
Baier's refutation of ethical egoism

ETHICAL egoism is the view that each person ought, all things considered, to do that action which is most in his over-all self-interest. Kurt Baier argues against this moral theory on the grounds that "those who adopt consistent egoism cannot make moral judgments. Moral talk is impossible for consistent egoists. But this amounts to a reductio ad absurdum of consistent egoism." 1 Other philosophers have agreed with this claim2 and Baier's argument in its support has been widely reproduced in anthologies and introductions to moral philosophy. This is unfortunate, since the argument as advanced is insufficient to establish its conclusion. Why is it impossible for the consistent egoist to make moral judgments? Baier imagines the following case: B and K both seek the presidency of a certain country. It is in B's over-all self-interest to become president and afterwards to eliminate K; similarly, it is in K's over-all self-interest to become president and afterwards to eliminate B. Of course, there can be only one president, thus their self-interests are irreconcilable. In light of this, it would be in B's interest to assassinate K, and it would be in K's interest to prevent B from assassinating him; and vice versa. Given ethical egoism, this is exactly what B and K ought to do. Such a case is characteristic of the situations with which this moral theory is to deal. Baier suggests that the full analysis of this example is as follows: 1. B ought, all things considered, to assassinate K. 2. K ought, all things considered, to prevent B from assassinating K. 3. K's preventing B from assassinating K = K's preventing B from doing what B ought to do, all things considered. 4. One ought never to prevent someone from doing what they ought, all things considered, to do. 5. Therefore, K ought not, all things considered, to prevent B from assassinating K.3
A static analysis tool using a three-step approach for data races in HPC programs

Multicore processors are becoming dominant in the high performance computing (HPC) area, so multithread programming with OpenMP is becoming a key to good performance on such processors, though debugging problems remain. In particular, it is difficult to detect data races among threads with nondeterministic results, thus calling for tools to detect data races. Because HPC programs tend to run for long periods, detection tools that do not need to run the target programs are strongly preferred. We developed a static program analysis tool to detect data races in OpenMP loops in FORTRAN programs. Programmers can quickly use the tool at compile time without executing the target program. Because static analysis tools tend to report many false positives, we counted the false positives in some large applications to assess the utility and limits of static analysis tools. We have devised a new approach to detect data races. Our approach combines existing program analysis methods with a new analysis. We experimented with NAS parallel benchmarks and two real applications, GTC for plasma physics and GFMC for nuclear physics. Our new analysis method also reduces number of reported candidates from totally 97 to 33 in these applications. We found 13 previously unknown bugs out of 33 candidates reported by our prototype. Our analysis is fast enough for practical use, since the analysis time for the NAS parallel benchmark was shorter than the compilation time (18.5 seconds compared to 33.0 seconds).
Inspection uncertainty: The key element in nondestructive inspection☆

Abstract This paper identifies the inspection uncertainty, which is a measure of the difference between the size of imperfection that has a high probability of being passed and the size of imperfection that has a high probability of being rejected by an inspection, as the primary measure of an inspection method, rather than the inspection sensitivity as is often suggested. Reduction of the inspection uncertainty is the only means by which one can simultaneously reduce both type one inspection errors, acceptance of defective material units, and type two inspection errors, rejection of sound material units. The discussion is presented within a framework that allows a quantitative evaluation of the quality of the material units that pass an inspection and a determination of the rejection rate. Analysis of the causes of inspection uncertainty is essential to efficient strategies for improving nondestructive inspection capabilities.
Save us from “Save Our State”: anti-Sharia legislative efforts across the United States and their impact

This article examines the impact of anti-Sharia legislation in the United States. It discusses what sharia law is generally, noting that particular applications and interpretations will vary depending upon jurisdiction and location, and looks specifically at the contexts in which sharia is observed in the US and considered by US courts. It examines two different types of anti-sharia legislation – sharia-specific and facially neutral – concluding that some of such laws and bills are unconstitutional, many are unwise because they can negatively impact businesses and the enforcement of US laws and judgments overseas, and all are unnecessary because the US legal system already possesses the necessary tools to block any use of sharia that would violate a party's constitutional right or violate public policy. The article concludes by noting that although anti-sharia legislation and the supporters of such legislation tend to equate sharia observance with dangerous and anti-American tendencies, the debate over su...
Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

The three forms of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa include the autosomal recessive form and two autosomal dominant variants, the Cockayne-Touraine and Pasini forms. Whereas all three forms are clinically characterized by milia, nail dystrophy, and scarring, the autosomal recessive form tends to be the most mutilating with frequent mucosal lesions. The Pasini variant often has generalized blistering commonly associated with mucosal involvement but to a lesser degree. The Cockayne-Touraine variant is usually localized to the extremities and tends to be the mildest form of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Ultrastructurally, the blister is located below the basal lamina in all three variants. The anchoring fibrils are either absent or hypoplastic in each condition. The autosomal recessive form alone also demonstrates dermal collagenolytic activity. The ultrastructural differentiation between the two forms of the dominant dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa depends on a quantitative rather than qualitative assessment of the anchoring fibrils.
Social Foundations of Health Care Inequality and Treatment Bias

It is widely assumed that the use of medical care will lead to improvements in health, yet questions remain about the medical system's contributions to health disparities. In this review, we examine these issues with a specific focus on how health care systems may actually generate or exacerbate health disparities. We review current knowledge about inequality and bias in the health care system, including the epidemiology of such patterns and their underlying mechanisms. Over the past three decades, we observe growth in our knowledge about provider cognitive and psychological processing, including the development of precision measuring tools to analyze provider bias, racial and otherwise. In the same timeframe we observe decreased emphasis on social, interactional, organizational, and structural factors that shape variation in medical treatment. We frame our discussion within a modified social ecological model and discuss tools for moving forward and reinvigorating sociological presence in this important r...
Commentary: Cause for alarm? Youth and internet risk research – a commentary on Livingstone and Smith (2014)

This commentary on Livingstone and Smith (Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 55, 2014, XXX) suggests that more attention should be paid to a set of hypotheses about technology that contrasts with those that have animated much of the current research interest: (a) That the digital environment is no more perilous and perhaps less perilous than other offline environments youth inhabit; (b) That the problems the digital technology poses are not unique, but rather extensions of social interaction or media consumption problems that cut across many environments and are best conceptualized holistically rather than as special; and (c) That the appropriate responses should not be specialized Internet safety training but more generic education about life skills, social interaction, emotional intelligence, and media literacy. The commentary also argues for more research that reflects and tries to illuminate the basis for the excitement and enthusiasm that the young have for the technology. Language: en
Characterization of the Transthyretin Acid Denaturation Pathways by Analytical Ultracentrifugation: Implications for Wild-Type, V30M, and L55P Amyloid Fibril Formation†

Analytical ultracentrifugation methods were utilized to further characterize the acid denaturation pathways of wild-type, V30M, and L55P transthyretin (TTR) that generate intermediates leading to amyloid fibril formation and possibly the diseases senile systemic amyloidosis and familial amyloid polyneuropathy. Equilibrium and velocity methods were employed herein to characterize the TTR quaternary structural requirements for amyloid fibril formation. From neutral to slightly acidic conditions (pH 7.5-5.1), wild-type transthyretin (0.2-0.3 mg/mL, 100 mM KCl, 37 degrees C) exists as a tetramer and is incapable of fibril formation. Under more acidic conditions (pH 5 to 3.9), tetrameric wild-type TTR slowly dissociates to a monomer having an alternatively folded tertiary structure(s) that self-assembles at physiological concentration (0.2 mg/mL) into a ladder of quaternary structural intermediates of increasing molecular weight. These intermediates appear to be on the pathway of amyloid fibril formation, since they ultimately disappear when amyloid fibrils are observed. The V30M and L55P TTR variants exhibit similar acid denaturation pathways, with the exception that dissociation of the tetramer to the monomeric amyloidogenic intermediate occurs at a higher pH and to a much greater extent, allowing the quaternary structural intermediates to be readily observed by velocity methods. Partial denaturation and assembly of the monomeric amyloidogenic intermediate(s) occur at pH 5.4 for V30M and L55P TTR over a 72 h period, during which wild-type TTR maintains its normal tetrameric three-dimensional structure. Interestingly, the L55P and V30M familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) associated variants form amyloid protofilaments at pH 7.5 (37 degrees C) after several weeks of incubation, suggesting that the activation barriers for TTR tetramer dissociation to the monomeric amyloidogenic intermediate are much lower for the FAP variants relative to wild-type TTR, which does not form amyloid or amyloid protofilaments under these conditions. This study establishes the key role of the monomeric amyloidogenic intermediate and its self-assembly into a ladder of quaternary structural intermediates for the formation of wild-type, V30M, and L55P transthyretin amyloid fibrils.
Tomographic Reconstruction of Three-Dimensional Volumes Using the Distorted Born Iterative Method

Although real imaging problems involve objects that have variations in three dimensions, a majority of work examining inverse scattering methods for ultrasonic tomography considers 2-D imaging problems. Therefore, the study of 3-D inverse scattering methods is necessary for future applications of ultrasonic tomography. In this work, 3-D reconstructions using different arrays of rectangular elements focused on elevation were studied when reconstructing spherical imaging targets by producing a series of 2-D image slices using the 2-D distorted Born iterative method (DBIM). The effects of focal number f/#, speed of sound contrast Deltac, and scatterer size were considered. For comparison, the 3-D wave equation was also inverted using point-like transducers to produce fully 3-D DBIM image reconstructions. In 2-D slicing, blurring in the vertical direction was highly correlated with the transmit/receive elevation point-spread function of the transducers for low Deltac. The eventual appearance of overshoot artifacts in the vertical direction were observed with increasing Deltac. These diffraction-related artifacts were less severe for smaller focal number values and larger spherical target sizes. When using 3-D DBIM, the overshoot artifacts were not observed and spatial resolution was improved. However, results indicate that array configuration in 3-D reconstructions is important for good image reconstruction. Practical arrays were designed and assessed for image reconstruction using 3-D DBIM.
Evidence for the hemangioblast

In recent years, numerous cellular and genetic studies have led to a better understanding of the developmental relationship between hematopoietic and endothelial cell lineages. Specifically, tracing cells expressing various genes such as Brachyury, Flk-1, or Scl has delineated the cellular sequence leading to hematopoietic and endothelial cell development from mesoderm. Moreover, in vitro as well as in vivo studies of invertebrate and vertebrate systems have established that hematopoietic and endothelial cells develop from a common progenitor, the hemangioblast. Finally, the presence of the hemangioblast has been confirmed in postnatal mice and humans. Further characterization of the hemangioblast, both embryo and postnatal, will be critical for a better understanding of the molecular events involved in hematopoietic and endothelial cell differentiation as well as for utilizing this cell population for clinical applications.
Writing in the Sociology Curriculum What Types and How Much Writing Do We Assign

We analyzed undergraduate sociology course syllabi to determine how prevalent writing is, the types of writing used, and whether assignment of writing and specific types of writing vary by type of ...
Endoscopic and histological features of mycophenolate mofetil colitis in patients after solid organ transplantation.

Background Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is an immunosuppressive agent commonly used aft er organ transplantation. Gastrointestinal side eff ects occur in approximately 45% of patients. Th e spectrum of histologic features associated with MMF colitis has been well described, but data on the endoscopic features is lacking. Th e aim of the study was to describe the endoscopic features of MMF colitis in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) as well as the frequency of histologic features and identify associated risk factors. Methods A retrospective review of all SOTRs taking MMF and who underwent colonoscopy between 2000 and 2010 was performed. 36 cases of MMF colitis were identifi ed and 361 patients served as controls. Descriptive statistics and data analysis looking for associated risk factors were performed. Results Among SOTRs taking MMF who underwent colonoscopy, MMF colitis was diagnosed in 9%. Endoscopic fi ndings ranged from erythema (33%) to erosions/ulcers (19%). 47% of patients had a normal colonoscopy and everyone had rectal sparing. Histological fi ndings included acute colitis-like fi ndings (50%), infl ammatory bowel disease-like characteristics (36%), ischemia-like fi ndings (5.6%), and graft -versus-host disease-like features (8.3%). Diarrhea occurred in 83%. Kidney transplantation was associated with a higher risk of MMF colitis (OR 5.8 [2.86-11.86], P<0.0001) whereas liver transplantation was associated with a lower risk (OR 0.06 [0.03-0.16], P<0.0001). Conclusion MMF colitis is fairly prevalent in SOTRs taking MMF who undergo colonoscopy. Diarrhea is the most common reason for colonoscopy referral (83%) and up to 47% of patients have normal colonoscopy, suggesting the need for routine biopsies to help confi rm the diagnosis.
The influence of language form and conventional wording on judgments of illness.

Prior research indicates that category labels influence category judgments, but little is known regarding the effects for familiar categories with significant social consequences. The present studies address this issue by examining the effect of linguistic form on judgments of illnesses. Both mental and physical illnesses were presented in each of three linguistic forms: noun, adjective, and possessive phrase. In Study 1, participants were asked to judge the permanence of a set of novel illnesses that differed in wording (e.g., “He is a baxtermic”; “He is baxtermic”; “He has baxtermia”). In Studies 2 and 3, participants were asked to judge which forms of wording were most familiar for actual mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia) and physical illnesses (e.g., diabetes). In Study 4, participants were asked to judge the permanence of a set of familiar illnesses that differed in wording. The results indicated that for novel illnesses, nouns (“is a”) imply greatest permanence and possessive nouns (“has”) imply least permanence. However, for familiar illnesses, permanence judgments are also influenced by how frequently each form appears in ordinary language use. Mental illnesses are more often expressed with relatively permanent forms (“is” and “is a”) , whereas physical illnesses are more often expressed with relatively transient forms (“has”). The results demonstrate the importance of both linguistic form and conventional wording patterns on how categories are interpreted.
ACXESS - Access Control for XML with Enhanced Security Specifications

We present ACXESS (Access Control for XML with Enhanced Security Specifications), a system for specifying and enforcing enhanced security constraints on XML via virtual "security views" and query rewrites. ACXESS is the first system that bears the capability to specify and enforce complicated security policies on both subtrees and structural relationships.