cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A threatening opportunity: The prospect of conversations about race-related experiences between Black and White friends.

Similarities are foundational to building and maintaining friendships, but for cross-race friends, differences in experiences related to race are also inevitable. Little is known about how friends approach talking about race-related experiences. We suggest that these conversations are a threatening opportunity. Across five studies, we show that they can enhance closeness and intergroup learning among Black and White friends but that these benefits can be accompanied, and sometimes prevented by identity threat. In Study 1, Black (N = 57) and White (N = 59) adults anticipated both benefits and risks of such conversations, though more benefits than risks. In Study 2A (N = 143) and Study 2B (N = 149), Black participants reported less willingness to disclose race-related experiences to extant White friends than Black friends and anticipated feeling less comfortable doing so, controlling for closeness. However, they also desired to be understood by Black and White friends equally. In Study 3 (N = 147) and Study 4 (N = 172), White participants also felt less comfortable when an imagined Black friend disclosed race-related versus nonrace-related experiences to them. However, they felt closer to their friend after the race-related disclosure. Additionally, they felt more comfortable hearing about race-related experiences from a friend than through a third party and they reported learning more when the race-related experience was a friend's than a stranger's. Taken together, the studies highlight the benefits as well as the risks of conversations about race for cross-race friends and the need for future studies that track real-time conversations and test strategies to help friends engage in these conversations productively. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Foreign Policy, National Interests, and Environmental Positioning: Russia’s Post Paris Climate Change Actions, Discourse, and Engagement

This article demonstrates that Russia’s climate positioning has been based on nuanced and powerful conceptions of national interests, international engagement, and Russia’s role in the world. Domes...
Output-Feedback System Level Synthesis via Dynamic Programming

System Level Synthesis (SLS) allows us to construct internally stabilizing controllers for large-scale systems. However, solving large-scale SLS problems is computationally expensive and the state-of-the-art methods consider only state feedback; output feedback poses additional challenges because the constraints have a more complex form. We exploit the structure of the output-feedback SLS problem by vectorizing the multi-sided matrix multiplications in the SLS optimization constraints, which allows us to reformulate it as a discrete-time control problem and solve using two stages of dynamic programming (DP). Additionally, we derive an approximation algorithm that offers a faster runtime by partially enforcing the constraints, and show that this algorithm offers the same results. DP solves SLS up to 9 times faster, with an additional 23% to 51% improvement using the approximation algorithm, than a convex program solver, and scales with large state, input, output, and finite impulse response horizon.
Technologies and Concepts for Reducing the Fuel Burn of Subsonic Transport Aircraft

There are many technologies under development that have the potential to enable large fuel burn reductions in the 2025 timeframe for subsonic transport aircraft relative to the current fleet. This paper identifies a potential technology suite and analyzes the fuel burn reduction potential of these technologies when integrated into advanced subsonic transport concepts. Advanced tube-and-wing concepts are developed in the single aisle and large twin aisle class, and a hybrid-wing-body concept is developed for the large twin aisle class. The resulting fuel burn reductions for the advanced tube-and-wing concepts range from a 42% reduction relative to the 777-200 to a 44% reduction relative to the 737-800. In addition, the hybrid-wingbody design resulted in a 47% fuel burn reduction relative to the 777-200. Of course, to achieve these fuel burn reduction levels, a significant amount of technology and concept maturation is required between now and 2025. A methodology for capturing and tracking concept maturity is also developed and presented in this paper.
Modulation of cadmium uptake in phytoplankton by seawater CO2 concentration

The vertical distribution of cadmium in the ocean is characteristic of an algal nutrient1,2, although an underlying physiological basis remains undiscovered. The strong correlation between dissolved cadmium and phosphorus concentrations in sea water has nevertheless been exploited for reconstructing past nutrient distributions in the ocean3,4,5. In culture experiments, the addition of cadmium accelerates the growth of some marine phytoplankton6,7,8,9 and increases the activity of carbonic anhydrase, normally a zinc-based metalloenzyme that is involved in inorganic carbon acquisition7,9. Here we show that the concentration of a Cd-carbonic-anhydrase—distinct from Zn-carbonic-anhydrases—in a marine diatom is regulated by the CO2 partial pressure as well as by the zinc concentration. Field studies in intensely productive coastal waters off central California demonstrate that cadmium content in natural phytoplankton populations similarly increases as surface-water decreases. Incubation experiments confirm that cadmium uptake by natural phytoplankton is inversely related to seawater and zinc concentration. We thus propose that biological removal of cadmium from ocean surface waters is related to its utilization in carbonic anhydrase, and is regulated by dissolved CO2 and zinc concentrations. The dissolved seawater Cd/P ratio would therefore vary with atmospheric , complicating the use of cadmium as a tracer of past nutrient concentrations in the upper ocean.
CD39 Modulates Endothelial Cell Activation and Apoptosis

CD39 is the dominant vascular nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (NTPDase) that exerts major effects on platelet reactivity by the regulated hydrolysis of extracellular adenine nucleotides. The effects of NTPDases on endothelial cell (EC) activation and apoptosis remain unexplored. Recombinant replication-deficient adenoviruses were constructed with human CD39 cDNA (rAdCD39) or the bacterial β-galactosidase (rAdβgal). Intact human umbilical vein EC cultures infected with rAdCD39 had substantial and stable increases in NTPDase biochemical activity (14.50 ± 3.50 Pi nmole/well/min), when contrasted with noninfected cells (0.95 ± 0.002) and rAdβgal infected cells (1.01 ± 0.02; p <0.005). Increased NTPDase activity efficiently inhibited immediate type 2Y purinergic receptor (P2Y)-mediated EC activation responses viz. von Willebrand factor secretion in response to extracellular ATP. In addition, CD39 up-regulation blocked ATP-induced translocation of the transcription nuclear factor (NF)-κB to the cell nucleus, and abrogated transcription of mRNA encoding E-selectin, and consequent protein synthesis. CD39 also decreased the extent of apoptosis triggered by putative type-2X purinergic (P2X7) receptors in response to high concentrations of extracellular ATP in vitro. These properties of CD39 indicate primary vascular protective effects with potential therapeutic applications.
Intracranial Hemorrhage: Mechanisms of Secondary Brain Injury

ICH is a disease with high rates of mortality and morbidity, with a substantial public health impact. Spontaneous ICH (sICH) has been extensively studied, and a large body of data has been accumulated on its pathophysiology. However, the literature on traumatic ICH (tICH) is limited, and further investigations of this important topic are needed. This review will highlight some of the cellular pathways in ICH with an emphasis on the mechanisms of secondary injury due to heme toxicity and to events in the coagulation process that are common to both sICH and tICH.
X-irradiation effects on protein synthesis and synthesis of messenger ribonucleic acid from peanut cotyledons.

Abstract Exposure of peanut seed to 500 kr of x-rays followed by 6 weeks of storage before planting resulted in a severe reduction of 14C-amino acid incorporation by the ribosomal material. Ribosomes from irradiated tissue were just as effective as those from control tissue in amino acid incorporation directed by exogenous messenger ribonucleic acid and polyuridylic acid. Polyribosomes were nearly absent from the ribosomal material obtained from irradiated tissue, and the synthesis of RNA and protein in vivo was much less than that for control cotyledons. The 105,000 x g supernatant from irradiated tissue was superior to the control supernatant when control ribosomes were used, but gave the same activity with ribosomes from irradiated tissue. Assay of leucyl and phenylalanyl transfer RNA synthetases showed that x-irradiation does not affect their activities. The supernatant fraction from irradiated tissue contains, however, only one-third as much ribonuclease activity as that of the control. The high level of RNase activity in the control 105,000 x g supernatant possibly leads to degradation of the template and ribosomal RNAs, thereby reducing amino acid incorporation. Other experiments showed that mRNA, purified by methylated albumin Kieselguhr column chromatography from irradiated tissue, hybridized with control DNA about 20% as well as that from control tissue. It is concluded from our results that x-irradiation reduces the capacity of cells to produce biologically functional mRNA.
Improving the Retail Performance by Contrasting Management- and Customer-Perceived Store Images

Abstract The image of a retail establishment is its appearance to target markets. Managerial action can be taken when image components are measured as unfavorable and can be used as advantageous when found to be favorable. We compare 63 households and 93 manager ratings of a national store on 29 image variables. Members of both groups were from the same geographic area. The ratings were done using 8-point bipolar anchored scale items ranging from “Very Bad” to “Excellent” on topics concerning sales staff, service policies, assortment, ease of layout, interior decor, price, convenience, quality, store improvement, and community involvement. The 29 image variables were then classified into one of six types of congruence or incongruence according to: (1) whether the item average for the combined group of householders and managers was greater or less than the average ratings for all items; (2) whether the customers and manager average ratings were found to be statistically different (incongruent); and (3) in the case of difference, whether it was the managers or householders who had the higher average ratings. The study findings indicated that in most image variables, management and customers were in congruence. However, in some of the image variables, there was incongruence. The managerial implications of an image variable being classified into one of the six types are then discussed.
Language and culture: reflective narratives and the emergence of identity

Narratives are powerful forces. They are ‘a way of fashioning a sense of continuity of self’ (Ochs 2006, 285). They allow us to reflect on and make sense of our experiences, to ‘try to piece them t...
Does deficiency of von Willebrand factor protect against cardiovascular disease? Analysis of a national discharge register

Summary Introduction von Willebrand factor (VWF) plays a critical role in platelet adhesion and aggregation after vascular injury and at sites of high shear rate. Elevated VWF levels are associated with an increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events; however, it is unclear whether VWF deficiency is protective against atherosclerosis. We aimed to compare the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among patients with and without von Willebrand disease (VWD). Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed on discharge data for adults from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) between the years 2009 and 2011. CVD was defined as ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, ischemic cerebrovascular disease, or peripheral vascular disease. For prevalence calculations and statistical analyses, we used discharge-level weights provided by the NIS to reflect national estimates. CVD was compared across groups by use of the Rao–Scott chi-square test. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the likelihood of CVD in VWD patients after adjustment for age, gender, and CVD-related risk factors. Results The prevalence of CVD in VWD patients was less than the prevalence of CVD in non-VWD patients (15.0% versus 26.0%). VWD was associated with a decreased likelihood of CVD after adjustment for age, gender, and CVD-related risk factors (odds ratio 0.85; 95% confidence interval 0.79–0.92). Discussion These findings indicate that the risk of CVD is decreased among VWD patients, and that VWF deficiency may be protective against CVD.
Does the Association Between Depressive Symptoms and Cardiovascular Mortality Risk Vary By Race? Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study

OBJECTIVE: To test whether the association between depressive symptoms and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality is stronger among Blacks than Whites. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 2,638 Black and 15,132 White participants from a prospective, observational study of community-dwelling Health and Retirement Study participants (a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged > or = 50). Average follow-up was 9.2 years. OUTCOME MEASURE: Cause of death (per ICD codes) and month of death were identified from National Death Index linkages. METHODS: The associations between elevated depressive symptoms and mortality from stroke, ischemic heart disease (IHD), or total CVD were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models to estimate adjusted hazard ratios (HRs). We used interaction terms for race by depressive symptoms to assess effect modification (multiplicative scale). RESULTS: For both Whites and Blacks, depressive symptoms were associated with a significantly elevated hazard of total CVD mortality (Whites: HR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.33, 1.61; Blacks: HR=1.42, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.83). Adjusting for health and socioeconomic covariates, Whites with elevated depressive symptoms had a 13% excess hazard of CVD mortality (HR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.25) compared to Whites without elevated depressive symptoms. The HR in Blacks was similar, although the confidence interval included the null (HR=1.12, 95% CI: .86, 1.46). The hazard associated with elevated depressive symptoms did not differ significantly by race (P>.15 for all comparisons). Patterns were similar in analyses restricted to respondents age > or =65. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider the depressive state of either Black or White patients as a potential CVD mortality risk factor. ( Ethn Dis. 2013;23[2]:155–160)
Mechanistic Studies to Evaluate the Enhanced Antiproliferation of Human Keratinocytes by 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3–3-bromoacetate, a Covalent Modifier of Vitamin D Receptor, Compared to 1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3

1α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3–3-bromoacetate (1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE), an affinity labeling analog of 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3), displayed stronger antiproliferative activities than 1,25(OH)2D3 at 10−10–10−6 M dose levels in cultured human keratinocytes (CHK). Additionally, preincubation of the cells with 10−6 M 1,25(OH)2D3, followed by treatment with various doses of 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE, resulted in a significantly stronger antiproliferative activity by the mixture than individual reagents at every dose level. To search for a mechanism of this observation, we determined that [14C]1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE covalently labeled human recombinant 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor (reVDR) swiftly (<1 min) with a 1:1 stoichiometry and induced conformational changes (in VDR) that are different from 1,25(OH)2D3, by limited tryptic digestion. Furthermore, a protein band, corresponding to reVDR, was specifically labeled by [14C]1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE in CHK extract, indicating that VDR is the main target of [14C]1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE. The above-mentioned observations suggest that a rapid covalent labeling of VDR in CHK might alter the interaction between the holo-VDR and 1,25(OH)2D3-controlled genes. Furthermore, we observed that 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE significantly decreased the binding of VDR to human osteocalcin vitamin D responsive element (hOCVDRE), as well as the dissociation rate of VDR from hOCVDRE, compared with 1,25(OH)2D3 in COS-1 cells, transiently transfected with a VDR construct. Additionally, 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE was found to be more potent in inducing 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3–24-hydroxylase (24-OHase) promoter activity and mRNA expression in keratinocytes. The accumulation of 24-OHase message was also prolonged by the analog. Collectively these results indicated that rapid covalent labeling of VDR in keratinocytes (by 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE) might result in the conversion of apo-VDR to a holo-form, with a conformation that is different from that of the 1,25(OH)2D3–VDR complex. This resulted in an enhanced stability of the 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE/VDR–VDRE complex and contributed to the amplified antiproliferative effect of 1,25(OH)2D3-3-BE in keratinocytes.
Calreticulin is transported to the surface of NG108-15 cells where it forms surface patches and is partially degraded in an acidic compartment.

Although calreticulin (Crt) is primarily localized to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), our results using biotinylation and immunocytochemical methods indicate that a small but significant amount of Crt is present and forms large patches on the surface of NG108-15 cells (a mouse neuroblastoma-rat glioma hybrid cell line). 35S-labelled Crt molecules begin to reach the cell surface after only 10 min of labelling and disappear slowly from the cell surface. After 4 hr of labelling, approximately half of the newly synthesized Crt molecules are on the cell surface. We believe that some Crt molecules may escape from the KDEL receptor-mediated salvage pathway as they are synthesized and proceed through the secretory pathway to the cell surface. Immunoprecipitation from the culture medium shows that Crt is not released from the cell surface to the medium, suggesting tight binding to surface molecules. NH4Cl can block the degradation of Crt; therefore, Crt is presumably degraded in the lysosome pathway. However, blockage of the disappearance of surface Crt is less efficient than that of internal Crt. This suggests that the disappearance of Crt from the cell surface may not be due solely to its degradation, but may reflect transport into another cell compartment such as the ER. J. Neurosci. Res. 58:652–662, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Development of the Treatment Adherence Survey-patient version (TAS-P) for OCD

This paper reports on the development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Treatment Adherence Survey-patient version (TAS-P), a brief instrument designed to assess patient adherence to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and pharmacotherapy recommendations for OCD. Eighty individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) were administered the TAS-P as part of the intake interview of a prospective, observational study of the course of OCD. Results demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability. Responses on the TAS-P were also significantly correlated with scores on a self-report measure of general treatment adherence and with data collected from a chart-review, demonstrating concurrent validity. Treatment adherence was not explained by demographic variables. However, participants who reported nonadherence to CBT recommendations had more severe OCD symptoms at the time of intake than those who did not endorse CBT nonadherence (mean Y-BOCS = 23.27 +/- 7.5 versus 18.20 +/- 8.0, respectively). Results suggest that the TAS-P is a promising instrument for assessing reasons for nonadherence to recommendations for CBT and pharmacotherapy interventions.
Migration, rank-size distribution, and economic development: the case of Mexico.

This is an examination of whether city size is truly an independent variable when the relationships between city size and certain economic and social phenomena are considered. A new hypothesis is presented that postulates that relative or systemic city size is an independent variable that affects urban growth patterns through varying non-optimum migration flows. The hypothesis is tested using official Mexican data for the period 1960 to 1970. (ANNOTATION)
Influence of Subunit Interactions on Lutropin Specificity IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDIES OF GLYCOPROTEIN HORMONE FUNCTION

Bovine lutropin (bLH) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) are heterodimeric glycoprotein hormones required for reproduction. Both bind rat LH receptors (rLHRs), but hCG binds human LH receptors (hLHRs) 1000-10,000 fold better than bLH. We tested the premise that this difference in affinity could be used to identify lutropin receptor contacts. Heterodimers containing hCG/bLH α- or β-subunit chimeras that bound hLHR like hCG (or bLH) were expected to have hCG (or bLH) residues at the receptor contact sites. Analogs containing one subunit derived from hCG bound hLHR much more like hCG than bLH, indicating that each bLH subunit contains all the residues sufficient for high affinity hLHR binding. Indeed, the presence of bovine α-subunit residues increased the activities of some hCG analogs. The low hLHR activity of bLH was due primarily to an interaction between its α-subunit and β-subunit residue Leu95. Leu95 does not appear to contact the hLHR since it did not influence the hLHR activity of heterodimers containing human α-subunit. These observations show that interactions within and between the subunits can significantly influence the activities of lutropins, thereby confounding efforts to identify ligand residues that contact these receptors.
Transepithelial transport and accumulation of flavone in human intestinal CACO-2 cells

Flavonoids are found in many food items of plant origin. Intake of flavonoids has been linked to the prevention of human diseases including cancer. However, little is known about the intestinal absorption of flavonoids in the cellular level. This study was designed to study the absorption of dietary flavonoids using cultured human intestinal epithelial cell monolayer as a model system and 14C-flavone as a model compound. 14C-flavone at 10 microM was found to move across the cell monolayer rapidly both from the luminal to basolateral direction and from the basolateral to luminal direction. The rate of transport from the luminal to basolateral direction was 5 times of the rate for phenylalanine, an aromatic amino acid. Flavone also accumulated substantially in the cells. Replacing sodium in the transport buffer with potassium did not affect the transport but reducing the incubation temperature significantly decreased the initial rate of transport. The presence of protein in the transport buffer reduced the initial rate of transport to half. Other flavonoids and hydrophobic chemicals at 100 microM had no effects on the transport. Together with the evidence from microscopic observation (Cancer Letts. 110: 41-48, 1996), this study supports that rapid diffusional transport may be the main route for flavonoid absorption. The ability of intestinal cells to accumulate flavone is consistent with the role of flavonoids in colon cancer prevention.
Mechanism of resistance to 2,6-diaminopurine in Salmonella typhimurium.

Abstract 2,6-Diaminopurine-resistant mutants derived from Salmonella typhimurium strain LT -2 showed a decreased capacity to incorporate 2,6-diaminopurine. However, they differed in their ability to take up adenine from the medium. The mutant, dap - r -6, which showed increased sensiivity to adenine inhibition, incorporated adenine at the same rate as LT -2. On the other hand, dap - r -3, which was resistant to adenine inhibition, showed a reduced incorporation of this purine. Incorporation of hypoxanthine, guanine, and xanthine were unaffected in this mutant. The 5-amino-4-imidazole carboxamide, an intermediate in purine biosynthesis, was incorporated poorly by both LT -2 and dap - r -3. Examination of cell-free extracts revealed that the resistant mutants were unable to catalyze a reaction between 2,6-diaminopurine and 5-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate to form the corresponding nucleotide. Adenylic pyrophosphorylase activity in the extracts of dap - r -6 was the same as in LT -2, but was greatly reduced in dap - r -3. The inosinic, guanylic, and xanthylic pyrophosphorylase activities were unaffected in both mutants. Possible mechanisms of resistance to 2,6-diaminopurine in the resistant mutants are discussed in light of the above observations.
Predation by predators of the house fly in poultry manure: effects of predator density, feeding history, interspecific interference, and field conditions

In laboratory assays over a range of predator densities, the range in number of house fly ( musca domestica L.) immatures destroyed per predator per day was as follows: the histerid beetle Carcinops pumilio (Erichson) adults, 21–49; C. pumilio larvae, 13–26; the histerid Dendrophilus xavieri Marseul adults, 5–13; the macrochelid mite Macrocheles muscaedomesticae (Scopoli) females, 10–21; the macrochelid Glyptholapsis confusa (Foa) females, 4–10; the parasitid mite Poecilochirus sp. deutonymphs, 2–5; Poecilochirus sp. females, 2–10; and the muscid fly Ophyra aenescens Weidemann third instars, 7–18. Adult C. pumilio destroyed significantly more house fly immatures per day after 5 d of starvation ($\bar x$ = 104) than after 5 d of feeding ($\bar x$ = 25); starvation and feeding treatments had no significant effect on predation by M. muscaedomesticae and Poecilochirus sp. When C. pumilio adults, M. muscaedomesticae females, and Poecilochirus sp. deutonymphs were tested in various combinations, significant interspecific interference was observed in five of the nine combinations tested and was most pronounced in mixtures of Poecilochirus sp. with C. pumilia . In an experiment in a poultry house with naturally occurring predator populations in manure, estimated mean daily destruction of fly immatures per predator was as follows: C. pumilia adults, 37; C. pumilio larvae, 17; M. muscaedomesticae females, 8; and Ophyra larvae, 25.
Factors influencing a person's reaction to informed consent

The present study examined how social and physical demand characteristics influenced the willingness of 128 volunteer undergraduates to participate in a drug experiment. Subjects read an informed consent form about an experiment and then received different amounts of supplemental information about the study presented orally by a physician-confederate in a medical school setting. After making an initial decision about participation in the study, participants were tested for their comprehension about the experiment. All subjects who indicated an interest in the project were asked to attend a second meeting in the Psychology Department when they were asked if they wished to change their original decisions. Because high trust was placed in the physician-confederate, there were no differences, no effect for the differing oral presentations was found. However, a significant number of subjects changed their decisions to participate at the second session. The relationship of these and other findings to clinical r...
Cell-mediated immunity to cytomegalovirus (CMV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome: interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 modify in vitro responses.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were obtained from five patients with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), six homosexual males with lymphadenopathy, and five normal heterosexual controls. Modulation of virus-specific immunity was assayedin vitro by measuring the lymphocyte blastogenic response and the production of lymphokine (leukocyte inhibition factor; LIF) by PBL stimulated with herpes simplex virus (HSV) or cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigens in the presence or absence of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2). PBL from the control and lymphadenopathy subjects responded to both antigens in the lymphocyte transformation assay (LT) measured on day 7, and the responses were significantly enhanced in cultures grown in the presence of antigen and IL-2 (1 U/ml). PBL from the AIDS patients were unresponsive, but responsiveness was restored by the addition of IL-2. The addition of IL-1 (0.02 µg/ml) to antigen-stimulated PBL cultures failed to enhance the proliferative responses in all three study groups. LIF production was assayed in the supernatants from day 1 PBL cultures. LIF was not produced by PBL from AIDS patients grown in the presence of viral antigens, whereas three of five patients from the lymphadenopathy group, and three of five control subjects gave rise to positive responses. The addition of IL-1 to the antigenstimulated cultures enhanced LIF production in the control and lymphadenopathy groups but not in the AIDS patients. The addition of IL-2 did not modulate LIF production by antigen-stimulated PBL from the control oR AIDS patients while suppressing the LIF response of the similarly stimulated PBL from the lymphadenopathy patients.
Design parameters and operating characteristics of animal waste anaerobic digestion systems—swine and poultry

Abstract The development and validation of a comprehensive dynamic simulation model of the anaerobic fermentation of animal waste have been described by Hill (1982 b ). This model has proved to be highly accurate, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in predicting the steady-state methane productivity of conventional fermentation plants and in simulating the transient-state response of semi-batch fed digesters (Hill et al. , 1983). Simulation studies using this model have been performed and results have been used to develop design recommendations for steady-state operations. These simulation studies have also produced a start-up procedure that will ensure successful initial operation of the digestion system and, more importantly, have allowed determination of the operational techniques that will provide recovery from failure due to organic overloading or excessively short detention time. This paper describes the results of these studies for swine and poultry (caged layer) waste and presents the design recommendations and operating techniques developed from the simulations.
Regulated non-viral gene delivery from coaxial electrospun fiber mesh scaffolds

In an effort to add to the versatility of three-dimensional scaffolds for tissue engineering applications, recent experimental designs are incorporating biological molecules such as plasmids and proteins within the scaffold structure. Such scaffolds act as reservoirs for the biological molecules of interest while regulating their release over various durations of time. Here, we describe the use of coaxial electrospinning as a means for the fabrication of fiber mesh scaffolds and the encapsulation and subsequent release of a non-viral gene delivery vector over a period of up to 60 days. Various fiber mesh scaffolds containing plasmid DNA (pDNA) within the core and the non-viral gene delivery vector poly(ethylenimine)-hyaluronic acid (PEI-HA) within the sheath of coaxial fibers were fabricated based on a fractional factorial design that investigated the effects of four processing parameters at two levels. Poly(e-caprolactone) sheath polymer concentration, poly(ethylene glycol) core polymer molecular weight and concentration, and the concentration of pDNA were investigated for their effects on average fiber diameter, release kinetics of PEI-HA, and transfection efficiency. It was determined that increasing the values of each of the investigated parameters caused an increase in the average diameter of the fibers. The release kinetics of PEI-HA from the fibers were affected by the loading concentration of pDNA (with PEI-HA concentration adjusted accordingly to maintain a constant nitrogen to phosphorous (N:P) ratio within the complexes). Two-dimensional cell culture experiments with model fibroblast-like cells demonstrated that complexes of pDNA with PEI-HA released from fiber mesh scaffolds could successfully transfect cells and induce expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP). Peak EGFP expression varied with the investigated processing parameters, and the average transfection observed was a function of poly(ethylene glycol) (core) molecular weight and concentration. Furthermore, fibroblast-like cells seeded directly onto coaxial fiber mesh scaffolds containing PEI-HA and pDNA showed EGFP expression over 60 days, which was significantly greater than the EGFP expression observed with scaffolds containing pDNA alone. Hence, variable transfection activity can be achieved over extended periods of time upon release of pDNA and non-viral gene delivery vectors from electrospun coaxial fiber mesh scaffolds, with release and subsequent transfection controlled by tunable coaxial fiber mesh fabrication parameters.
Knowledge, skills and abilities of information systems professionals: past, present, and future

Abstract This study provides information and direction regarding the skills needed by current and future information systems (IS) professionals. Based on information gathered in 1978, 1987, and 1988 through structured interviews with a total of one-hundred-eighty senior information systems managers responsible for planning, training, and hiring IS personnel, the trends in the current and future usefulness to project managers, systems analysts/designers, and programmers of twenty dimensions of knowledge, skill, and ability are evaluated. The results indicate that senior IS managers believe that human factors and managerial knowledge, skills, and abilities have and will continue to increase in importance for all IS professionals, particularly for project managers. The findings also confirm the increasing need to personnel with knowledge of advanced technologies and an increased awareness of the value of information as a corporate resource. Collectively, the results suggests a clearer division of labor among IS professionals, precipitated by advances in technology and their application to ever increasingly complex and ill-structured problems.
Visualization of the bent helix in kinetoplast DNA by electron microscopy

Abstract Kinetoplast DNA minicircles from the trypanosomatid Crithidia fasciculata contain a segment of ∼200 bp which is probably more highly bent than any other DNA previously studied. Electron microscopy (EM) of relaxed minicircles (2.5 kb) revealed 200–300 bp loops within the larger circles, and the loops could also be detected on full-length linear molecules. Examination by EM of a 219 bp cloned fragment which contains the bent helix revealed that up to 70% of the molecules appeared circular whether or not the ends were cohesive. In contrast, a 207 bp fragment from pBR322 showed no circles and the fragments in general appeared much straighter than the kinetoplast fragments. Treatment of the 219 bp bent kinetoplast fragment with the drug distamycin caused a striking reduction in curvature.
Effects of Perceptual Augmentation Of Visual Displays: Dissociation of Performance and Situational Awareness

It is intuitive that good performance is associated with, if not caused by, good situational awareness. There are, however, some situations in which these two concepts diverge. There are some trivial examples that have been identified, such as auto-pilots. However, it is also possible that these concepts diverge in a much more subtle manner. This research is focused on investigating those more subtle situations. Specifically, this research addresses the effects of perceptual display enhancement based upon Ecological Task Analysis (ETA) on performance and situational awareness. A perceptually augmented display was designed based upon ETA. Globally, performance advantages were found for the group with the enhanced display. Further, the findings demonstrate a dissociation of sub-task performance and operators' knowledge of the system subtask. The mechanisms involved in this dissociation are related to the characteristics of the display augmentation that led to the increased performance. The level of processing, and presence of feedback seem to play an important mediating role. These findings have important implications for both designers and researchers.
Effects of a Y522S-RyR1 Mutation on Cerebellar Purkinje Cell Function

The devastating consequences of calcium dysregulation are exemplified by the skeletal muscle diseases malignant hyperthermia (MH) and central core disease (CCD). These diseases result from mutations in the ‘skeletal muscle-isoform’ of the ryanodine receptor calcium release channel (RyR1). To investigate the etiology of MH and CCD, mouse models have recently been generated (Chelu et al. 2005). Skeletal muscle harboring the Y522S-RyR1 knock-in mutation exhibit Ca2+ leak from internal stores, basal cellular stress, and ultimately progressive mitochondrial and cellular damage (Durham et al. 2008). Although the effects of this MH-causing mutation have been characterized in skeletal muscle, the effects in the nervous system have not been documented. RyR1 is expressed highly in cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Y522S-RyR1 mice do not exhibit gross neurological defects suggesting that the defects may be subtle or that neuronal function is spared due to compensatory changes.We have initiated studies investigating 3 main aspects of Y522S-RyR1 mouse Purkinje cells: intracellular calcium release, cellular organization/morphology, and cellular stress. In preliminary studies using imaging techniques with the calcium indicator dye Fura2-AM, RyR-mediated calcium release in Y522S-RyR1 Purkinje neurons exhibited a negative shift in the apparent EC50 for the agonist caffeine. In addition, the sensitivity of RyR to other activators (temperature, voltage, ryanodine) and intracellular calcium store content were investigated. Since calcium signaling is important during neuronal development and maturation, the morphology of Y522S-RyR1 Purkinje cells was examined using immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. Moreover, we have initiated studies to determine if altered RyR1 function results in basal cellular stress using Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. Y522S-RyR1 mutant mice provide an excellent tool to address calcium dysregulation, its pathological consequences, and potential approaches for compensation of altered calcium signaling in the central nervous system.
Item identification speed and memory span performance in learning disabled children

Abstract Previous studies have found that slower naming latencies correlate with the memory span difficulties of learning disabled (LD) children. The current study attempted to further clarify the relationship between speed and span by directly examining whether slower identification of item information is the source of span difficulties in LD children. Forty-eight 6th-grade boys participated in the study, 24 LD and 24 non-LD. The method involved pretesting each subject to obtain mean naming latencies for each of eight classes of stimuli. The experimental procedure then presented each subject with two memory span tasks: one using stimuli that had produced comparable group naming latencies, and the other with a stimulus class that had produced significant group differences in naming speed. The results indicated that span performance varied directly with naming speed. Results were discussed within the working memory framework of A. D. Baddeley and G. Hitch (1974) , in The psychology of learning and memory (Vol. 8), New York: Academic Press).
Knowledge discovery from data

The knowledge discovery and data mining (KDD) field draws on findings from statistics, databases, and artificial intelligence to construct tools that let users gain insight from massive data sets. People in business, science, medicine, academia, and government collect such data sets, and several commercial packages now offer general-purpose KDD tools. An important KDD goal is to "turn data into knowledge". For example, knowledge acquired through such methods on a medical database could be published in a medical journal. Knowledge acquired from analyzing a financial or marketing database could revise business practice and influence a management school's curriculum. In addition, some US laws require reasons for rejecting a loan application, which knowledge from the KDD could provide. Occasionally, however, you must explain the learned decision criteria to a court, as in the recent lawsuit Blue Mountain filed against Microsoft for a mail filter that classified electronic greeting cards as spam mail. We expect more from knowledge discovery tools than simply creating accurate models as in machine learning, statistics, and pattern recognition. We can fully realize the benefits of data mining by paying attention to the cognitive factors that make the resulting models coherent, credible, easy to use, and easy to communicate to others.
Educational uses of a dynabook

Abstract The Dynabook personal computing concept, as introduced by the Xerox Learning Research Group (LRG) in the early 1970's, is a new communications tool based on the retrieval of dynamic information. Implementing the Dynabook concept is requiring several stages of computer hardware and software development. At each stage of developing an experimental (or ‘interim Dynabook’) system, we are studying its use for educational purposes by conducting computer programming classes for children ranging in age from 6 to 15 years and by implementing a number of laboratory situations for particular subject areas. Preliminary results of our studies have demonstrated the ease with which we can teach programming when it involves the combination of existing instructions in order to cause some computer-based effect. But more than the ability to combine existing instructions is needed in order to invent and construct a generally useful tool such as a graphical layout system or a text editor. These involve skills we typically associate with expert designers. Many of these skills are teachable, especially with the instructional assistance of a personal computer. Supported by several examples of laboratory situations that we have implemented, we propose a design curriculum based on three conceptual areas: process, symbolic representation, and methods of interpretation, especially with respect to the use of information retrieval as an aid in decision making. In the examples we have chosen to describe, the design skills exercised are: simple and conditional sequencing, rule or constraint specification, hypothesis testing and modelling. The particular situations cited are: programming in Smalltalk, computer-based animation, GameX (a game that involves programming by rule specification). ThingLab (a laboratory for describing physical or geometric objects) and a ‘kit’ for assembling event-driven simulations.
Division algebras with no common subfields

An example is given of division algebrasD 1 andD 2 of odd prime degreep over a fieldK such thatD 1 andD 2 have no common subfield properly containingF, butD 1 ⊗i ⊗ K D 2 is not a division algebra for 1≤i≤p−1.
An appraisal of various methods for caries control.

Abstract In summarizing what may be used for caries control, I think the following procedures can be recommended without hesitancy: 1. 1. Dietary management with the marked restriction in refined carbohydrate consumption, at least during periodic intervals. 2. 2. The discontinuance of in-between meal eating of fermentable carbohydrates. 3. 3. The more diligent use of the toothbrush and the brushing done immediately after eating if possible. 4. 4. The topical application of 2 per cent sodium fluoride solution to the clean enamel surface. 5. 5. The use of a dentifrice containing a nontoxic substance specific for the reduction of lactobacilli in the oral cavity. A note of caution should be added and that is that we should not promise too much from these procedures. Too often the patient and even the dentist expect that when this regime is followed conscientiously no more cavities will result. Disappointment is expressed if a year or two later some caries is discovered. We doubt that any procedure that requires patient effort will ever be 100 per cent effective. Therefore, we must not claim that our preventive measures will irradicate dental caries. But in our opinion we can look forward to a reduced incidence of this disease.
Pulmonary embolism presenting as an acute surgical abdomen

Pulmonary embolism remains a serious cause of morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis based on clinical manifestations remains difficult. Prior reviews have rarely noted the potential for patients to present with abdominal complaints. Presented here is the case of a 28-yr-old woman who had signs and symptoms of an intra-abdominal catastrophe. The patient underwent laparotomy and at surgery had findings suggesting primary intra-abdominal pathology. Autopsy results indicated that pulmonary embolism was responsible for the patient's presentation and death.
An optimum parallel architecture for high-speed real-time digital signal processing

The authors describe a parallel processing architecture for real-time digital signal processing that has demonstrated virtually 100% data processing efficiency in a number of areas. The Teamed-Architecture Signal Processor (T-ASP) is a field-proven, commercially available optimal system solution to the extremely high computational and I/O rates encountered in modern digital-signal-processing environments. The design of T-ASP involves the consideration and implementation of many architectural concepts used to enhance the performance of a computer, including programmability, parallel processing, vector processing and pipelining, memory interleaving, double cache memories, multiple high-speed I/O interfaces, and segmentation of the processors for elimination of both CPU and data-handling overhead. The authors discuss hardware architecture design and implementation; hardware management; and software architecture design and implementation. >
Suppression of polymorphonuclear leukocyte bactericidal activity by suramin.

Abstract Suramin is a polyanionic compound with potent antineoplastic properties. Because polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are a crucial component of host defenses against bacteria and fungi, the effects of suramin on PMN function were studied in vitro. PMNs from healthy donors were incubated with concentrations of suramin of 1 to 1,000 micrograms/ml (within and exceeding the therapeutic range) for 30 min, and PMN functional parameters were subsequently assessed. Suramin had no effect on viability, chemotaxis to N-formylmethionyl leucyl phenylalanine, phagocytosis of Candida albicans, or superoxide anion production in response to phorbol myristate acetate and formylmethionyl leucyl phenylalanine. Fungicidal activity against C. albicans blastoconidia was unaffected at a suramin concentration of or = 100 micrograms/ml (P or = 10 micrograms/ml (P < 0.05). The presence of 10% human serum during pretreatment did not abrogate the suramin-induced suppression of bactericidal activity. Treatment of PMNs with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (4,000 U/ml) for 30 min prior to the addition of suramin (250 micrograms/ml) improved the bactericidal defect (P = 0.02). The PMN functional impairment may be related to increased susceptibility to bacterial infections, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor may improve the defect.