The Language and Genealogy of Early Spy Cinema

THE LANGUAGE AND GENEALOGY OF EARLY SPY CINEMA: 1919-1959 AbstractThe following paper is a genre-specific study of early spy cinema that traces the language and genealogy of the genre from its conception to its modernity, in the films of Hitchcock, Reed, Wilder, Huston, and Fuller. Focusing on American and German film tradition, this paper examines espionage cinema from 1919-1959. The origins of the hero are briefly examined through a historical framework that traces his lineage and literary sources of influence to: epic poetry and Byronism, mythology, folklore, legend, oral tradition and early espionage literature. The impetus of this study is the representational and ideological analysis of several recurring motifs - or signifiers - within the spy genre, namely: (a) the domesticated spy-agent, (b) the active investigator and passive detective as spy, (c) the fugitive spy, or agent in flight, (d) the double agent or domestic informer, and (e)..

The Cottages That Almost Were Not Saved: A Preservation Perspective on Three Newport Mansions

The Gilded Age in America was a time of swift and extreme economic expansion which caused America’s leading industrial families to become extraordinarily wealthy. Because the introduction of personal income tax had not yet been established, people pocketed every dollar they earned, and the people of the Gilded Age lived and spent lavishly. Having multiple homes was a status symbol, and the wealthy elite flocked to Newport, Rhode Island during the summers building elaborate mansions and sparing no expense. A myriad of economic factors around 1913 greatly changed the general view on wealth and spending. The majority of the summer homes would eventually become abandoned and at risk of demolition with their interiors and decorations being stripped and put up at auction. As a result, preservation organizations were formed as stewards of cultural heritage. While many properties have been saved as a result of preservation efforts, in some cases the interiors have become lost over time. By researching the homes and objects that went to auction to better understand the surrounding factors of certain objects selected to be put for sale, it lends insight into what it means when a home’s collections are broken up and no longer displayed as one collection. An examination of three Newport mansions: The Elms, Ochre Court, and Belcourt Castle can help understand the ways in which preservation practices operate across varying institutions and levels of ownership to study how the mansions have evolved from their time spent as homes in the Gilded Age

Imagery use in fencing

The purposes of this study were to: (1) evaluate the motivational and cognitive components of imagery use among fencers, and (2) to determine if these motivational and cognitive components and the use of imagery among fencers is a function of skill level, experience, primary weapon, gender, or handedness. A survey containing the Sport Imagery Questionnaire (SIQ), Imagery Use Questionnaire (IUQ), and a brief demographic questionnaire were distributed to 132 male and 116 female fencers competing in the United States Fencing Association\u27s 2000 Summer Nationals in Austin, TX. Psychometric characteristics of the SIQ were calculated and indicated that most items measured the predicted factors. The data from the SIQ were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. The results indicated that, regardless of the individual difference variable analyzed, fencers did not differ in motivational and cognitive components of imagery use. Additionally, trends in the IUQ scores were noted

Expression And Cell Surface Re-engineering of Thrombomodulin on Macrophages

Thrombomodulin (TM) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that is primarily expressed on the surface of endothelial cells, where it serves as a receptor of thrombin for protein C activation, which regulates coagulation and inflammation. Research has revealed that TM is also expressed in immune cells, including monocytes and macrophages, however, its function is unclear. In this dissertation study, the TM expression in THP-1 monocytes upon their differentiation to macrophages was profiled. Due to the beneficial roles of TM, the protein has caught the attention to be used as a therapeutic. A recombinant form of TM can be expressed that contains EGF-like domains 4-6 (rTM456) and this form, TM acts as pure anticoagulant while retaining the ability to activate protein C. However, this recombinant form has poor stability in vivo when left unmodified. Macrophages can be used as drug and antigen delivery carriers and can be directed to sites of inflammation. Modifying rTM456 to allow it to be incorporated into the membrane of macrophages may help with its stability and allow it to be deliver to sites of inflammation. One way to modify cells is lipid fusion by using lipid anchors that insert into the plasma membrane through hydrophobic interactions. In this dissertation, cell surface re-engineering of macrophages with rTM456 was investigated via a lipid fusion approach. First, the expression levels of TM were measured on THP-1 monocytes and macrophages. Using confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis, it was found that iv THP-1 monocytes express more TM on their cell surface compared to macrophages. It was also determined that THP-1 monocytes express more total TM, as determined by western blot and ELISA analysis. Western blot and ELISA data also revealed that monocytes shed significantly more TM into the culture medium when they are undergoing differentiation into macrophages versus resting monocytes. Despite expressing less TM on their cell surface, THP-1 macrophages were able to convert more protein C to activated protein C. Second, the anchoring efficiency of different lipid anchors for future cell surface re-engineering applications using a lipid fusion approach was investigated. Two different anchors were selected for this study, DSPE-PEG2000-Biotin and Cholesterol-PEG2000- Biotin. To determine anchoring efficiency, RAW 264.7 macrophages were incubated with different concentrations of DSPE-PEG2000-Biotin or Cholesterol-PEG2000-Biotin and tagged using streptavidin-FITC as a probe. Surface anchoring was determined using confocal microscopy. The cholesterol-based anchor showed drastically better incorporation efficiency than DSPE. In addition to incorporation efficiency, the membrane residence time of Cholesterol-PEG2000-Biotin was shown to have a concentration dependent loss of anchor from the cell surface with an overall retention half-life of 1hr. Last, a cell surface re-engineering strategy was developed for conjugating rTM456 to the surface of RAW 264.7 using a lipid fusion approach. Using a sortase A mediated ligation reaction, an azide was incorporated to the C-terminal end of the protein. This azide was used to attach a DBCO-terminated cholesterol anchor using copper free click chemistry. The anchoring efficiency of the afforded rTM-PEG2000-Cholesterol was then tested on RAW 264.7 macrophages. Confocal microscopy analysis showed that the rTM v conjugate could successfully anchor itself into the cell membrane. The insertion also causes little toxicity to the cell

An Algorithm of compromise structural Optimisation of Bar Structures

Authors' own research in applied unicriterial and multicriterial optimisation of bar structures, and also an analysis of accessible bibliography on structural synthesis allows to present herein an attempt to define a general algorithm for proceeding in formulation of a structural optimisation problem. A practical aspect of such an algorithm consists, in author's opinion, in enabling a designer a correct creation of a mathematical model of synthesis problems, independently of known mathematical methods employed to looking for an unconditional extremum of function of several variables. A proposed algorithm is not a ready-for-use tool for solving all the optimisation problems, but it constitutes an easy-to-expand theoretical basis. This basis should allow a designer to create a proper set of compromises on the way to construct a mathematical model of a specific optimisation problem. The algorithm, presented in the paper, is constructed as a sequence of the one-after-another problem questions, on which the designer answers: yes or no, and a set of selections from the knowledge base consisting of the elements of an optimisation problem components. The order of making questions adopted by the authors in the algorithm is subjective, however it is supported by their experience, both in applied optimisation and in designing of structures like trusses or frames

Computer Modeling of the Joints for WGP Construction Systems

Poland is not situated in any seismic region of the earth, however there are still areas were underground mining is being conducted. In these areas, so-called 'paraseismic tremors', are very frequent phenomena. In the situation when a building examination is realized in order to define its safety, it is necessary to make a complete analysis, in which an influence of tremors should be included. To decide if a building is able to carry out any dynamic loads or not, it is necessary to compute its dynamic characteristics, i.e. natural frequencies. It is not possible using any standard techniques. After diagnosis a building in situ by an expert, computer techniques together with specialized software for dynamic, static, and strength analyses become a suitable tool. In this paper a special attention was paid to a typical twelve-store WGP (Wroclaw Great Plate) prefabricated building, concerning special type of joints. During dynamic actions these joints have a decisive influence on building's behavior. Paraseismic tremors are especially dangerous for these buildings and can be the reason of pre-failure states. It can be difficult and very expensive to prepare laboratory investigations of the part of a building or of a separate joint; therefore the computer modeling suitable to investigate behavior of such elements and whole buildings under different kinds of loads was used

Development of Chemical Separation Methods Using Transition Metals for Nuclear Forensic and Medicinal Applications

Insufficient data exists on the effects of prompt fast neutron activation on metals found commonly in nuclear devices and the urban environment. Different metals such as Ti, Au, Fe, and Cu were activated using the Flattop Criticality Benchmark at the Device Assembly Facility on the Nevada Test Site using a known neutron spectrum and flux to determine a baseline cross section value. Cross section information gathered from these neutron activation measurements could provide information that helps government and law enforcement agencies to correctly trace the origin of a nuclear device’s fuel or component features. Based on activation products produced in the Flattop benchmark irradiations, chemical separation methods were developed to isolate higher specific activity samples for doping simulated urban melt glass debris. Extraction chromatography batch contact studies using resins from Eichrom Technologies were performed to determine the retention of stable scandium and titanium. Column studies adapted from these contact studies were optimized using higher mass loading for later use to purify 46Sc, 47Sc, and 48Sc produced from natural titanium through the n-p nuclear reaction. This method shown above could also be applied to the field of nuclear medicine for use in extracting 44Sc (a positron emitter) from 44Ti. Positron emitting radionuclides such as 44Sc, or more commonly 13C, 14N, and 18F can be utilized in Positron Emission Tomography (PET), which is a form of nuclear diagnostic medicine used to model metabolic processes. All of these isotopes have half-lives of a few minutes to a few hours, which requires localized medical cyclotrons and chemistry laboratories for production followed by separation. In recent years, interest has been shown in using longer-lived radioisotopes such as 52Mn for positron emission tomography, which has a significantly longer half-life of 5.591 days and similar positron decay energy. The isotope 52Mn could easily be produced at a cyclotron, chemically separated, and shipped further distances allowing for a wider use of PET while minimizing the need to purchase cyclotrons and chemistry laboratories. In this research, chemical separation methods solvent extraction and extraction chromatography were employed to separate stable Mn from Cr using trioctylamine (TOA) ligand. Once developed, this method will be used to separation medically produced quantities of 52Mn from 52Cr

Differential Relationship between Physical Activity and Intake of Added Sugar and Nutrient-Dense Foods: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

A curvilinear relationship exists between physical activity (PA) and dietary energy intake (EI), which is reduced in moderately active when compared to inactive and highly active individuals, but the impact of PA on eating patterns remains poorly understood. Our goal was to establish the relationship between PA and intake of foods with varying energy and nutrient density. Data from the 2009–2010 United States National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used to include a Dietary Screener Questionnaire for estimated intakes of added sugar, fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fiber, and dairy. Participants (n = 4766; 49.7% women) were divided into sex-specific quintiles based on their habitual PA. After adjustment for age, body mass index, household income, and education, intakes were compared between PA quartiles, using the lowest activity quintile (Q1) as reference. Women in the second to fourth quintile (Q2-Q4) consumed less added sugar from sugary foods (+2 tsp/day) and from sweetened beverages (+2 tsp/day; all p \u3c 0.05 vs. Q1). In men, added sugar intake was elevated in the highest activity quintile (Q5: +3 ± 1 tsp/day, p = 0.007 vs. Q1). Fruit and vegetable intake increased (women: Q1-Q4 +0.3 ± 0.1 cup eq/day; p \u3c 0.001; men: Q1-Q3 +0.3 ± 0.1 cup eq/day, p = 0.002) and stagnated in higher quintiles. Dairy intake increased with PA only in men (Q5: +0.3 ± 0.1 cup eq/day, p \u3c 0.001 vs. Q1). Results demonstrate a differential relationship between habitual PA and dietary intakes, whereby moderate but not necessarily highest PA levels are associated with reduced added sugar and increased nutrient-dense food consumption. Future research should examine specific mechanisms of food choices at various PA levels to ensure dietary behaviors (i.e., increased sugary food intake) do not negate positive effects of PA

Mycotoxin binders potential on histological of ovary mice exposed by zearalenone

Aim: This study was conducted to examine the potential of mycotoxin binder in ceasing zearalenone (ZEN) effect on mice reproduction. ZEN mycotoxin can induce reactive oxygen species that may cause damage and cell death. ZEN is estrogenic so that it may affect the reproductive organs failure. Materials and Methods: Mycotoxin binder administration to female mice exposed to ZEN was aimed to count the number of primary follicles, secondary follicles, tertiary follicles, de Graaf's follicles, and the corpus luteum (CL). Negative control group (C) was not exposed to ZEN and without the administration of mycotoxin binders, while positive control group (C+) was exposed to 0.1 mg/mouse/day ZEN and without the provision of mycotoxin binders. Treatment groups (T1, T2, T3) were exposed to 0.1 mg/mouse/day ZEN and mycotoxin binders 0.5; 1; 2 mg/BW/day. Results: ZEN and mycotoxin binders administration was conducted for 10 days. The number of primary follicles, secondary, tertiary, de Graaf's follicles and CL in negative control (C-) was 14.2±1.36, 11.2±0.28, 6.5±0.53, 7.5±0.74, and 2.3±0.35. The number in positive control (C+) group was as follows 7.1±0.12, 3.7±1.17, 3.8±1.21, 1.5±0.62, and 2.3±0.34. Results in treatment 1 (T1) were as follows 6.2±0.16, 5.2±0.16, 3.6±0.16, 2.6±0.19, and 2.6±0.10; in treatment 2 (T2) 7.8±0.28, 5.8±0.53, 3.7±0.26, 2.7±0.26, and 2.5±0.10; and in treatment 3 (T3) 8.4±0.34, 8.4±0.34, 4.6±0.34, 4.5±1.01, and 3.4±0.23. Conclusion: The number of follicles and CL more in line with increasing doses of mycotoxin binders. Required more than 2 mg/mouse/day mycotoxin binders to inhibit the effects of ZEN so that its can maintain the number of primary follicle, secondary follicle, tertiary follicle, the de Graaf's follicle, and the number of CL in the ovary of ZEN-exposed female mice (Mus musculus)

abYpap: Improvements to the Prediction of Antibody V H/V L Packing Using Gradient Boosted Regression

The Fv region of the antibody (comprising VH and VL domains) is the area responsible for target binding and thus the antibody’s specificity. The orientation, or packing, of these two domains relative to each other influences the topography of the Fv region, and therefore can influence the antibody’s binding affinity. We present abYpap, an improved method for predicting the packing angle between the VH and VL domains. With the large data set now available, we were able to expand greatly the number of features that could be used compared with our previous work. The machine-learning model was tuned for improved performance using 37 selected residues (previously 13) and also by including the lengths of the most variable ‘complementarity determining regions’ (CDR-L1, CDR-L2, and CDR-H3). Our method shows large improvements from the previous version, and also against other modelling approaches, when predicting the packing angle