cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) in breast cancer risk.

Obesity has been shown to increase breast cancer risk. FTO is a novel gene which has been identified through genome wide association studies (GWAS) to be related to obesity. Our objective was to evaluate tissue expression of FTO in breast and the role of FTO SNPs in predicting breast cancer risk. We performed a case-control study of 354 breast cancer cases and 364 controls. This study was conducted at Northwestern University. We examined the role of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of intron 1 of FTO in breast cancer risk. We genotyped cases and controls for four SNPs: rs7206790, rs8047395, rs9939609 and rs1477196. We also evaluated tissue expression of FTO in normal and malignant breast tissue. We found that all SNPs were significantly associated with breast cancer risk with rs1477196 showing the strongest association. We showed that FTO is expressed both in normal and malignant breast tissue. We found that FTO genotypes provided powerful classifiers to predict breast cancer risk and a model with epistatic interactions further improved the prediction accuracy with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of 0.68. In conclusion we have shown a significant expression of FTO in malignant and normal breast tissue and that FTO SNPs in intron 1 are significantly associated with breast cancer risk. Furthermore, these FTO SNPs are powerful classifiers in predicting breast cancer risk.
Robust identification and vibration suppression of a flexible structure

A robust vibration suppression design involving the use of HOC optimal control theory is studied for a complex flexible structure. The digital control architecture involves noncollocated feedback utilizing active piezoceramic actuators and position sensor data. The modal properties of the multi-input, multi-output structure are first determined from experimental data in order to obtain an identified state-space model. This model forms the basis for the //oc vibration suppression design. Performance specifications are developed that obtain adequate damping in the structure while maintaining controller integrity without the destabilization of higher modes. A controller optimized for these //oo performance specifications is implemented on the actual test structure. Experimental structural perturbations are also examined in order to determine the robustness of the vibration suppression design. The experimental study indicates that the f/oo design substantially increases damping in the targeted frequency region and conforms to predicted analytical simulations.
Root Zone Temperature and Calcium Effects on Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Micronutrients in Winter Wheat Forage

An understanding of how environmental factors can alter accumulation of nutrients by plants is needed to anticipate and prevent mineral deficiencies in both plants and grazing animals. To determine the effects of root zone temperature (RZT) and Ca level on mineral concentrations of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), 'Centurk' seedlings were grown under three RZT regimes (constant 8°C, constant 16°C, and transferral from 8°C after 23 d to 16°C) and four Ca levels (0.2, 0.6, 2.0, and 5.0 mM) in nutrient solution. Plants grown at 8°C RZT had significantly lower shoot and root concentrations and unit absorption rates of P, S, Cu, Zn, and Mn than did those grown at 16°C. Within 2 wk after transfer from 8°C to 16°C RZT, concentrations of P. S, Cu, Zn, and Mn in shoots and roots increased significantly. Increasing Ca levels in solution significantly increased shoot and root concentrations and unit absorption rates of P and Cu. In contrast, increasing Ca levels significantly decreased concentrations and unit absorption rates of Mn and Zn. Thus, a suhoptimal RZT could depress accumulation of P, S, Cu, Zn, and Mn by winter wheat forage, and possihly induce mineral deficiencies in both plants and grazing animals. A high solution Ca level could partially ameliorate this adverse effect on P and Cu accumulation by wheat, but it also could exacerbate the problem of low Mn and Zn concentrations at a cool RZT.
Nuclear Hartree-Fock calculations with splines

We present the numerical details for performing static Hartree-Fock and time-dependent Hartree-Fock calculations using a spline collocation method. Calculations are performed on a three-dimensional Cartesian lattice without any symmetry assumptions and quantal degeneracies. The three-dimensional Hartree-Fock calculations are compared with the solutions of the corresponding radial equations. The results demonstrate an unprecedented accuracy for relatively coarse meshes. We also present a zero impact parameter, time-dependent Hartree-Fock calculation for the $^{16}\mathrm{O}$${+}^{16}$O system.
Overreachers: Hyperbole, the “circle in the water,” and Force in 1 Henry 6

AbstractOverreachers: hyperbole, the “circle in the water,” and the imposition of force in Henry VI, Part OneThis essay considers Joan of Arc's “Glory is like a circle in the water,” speech from Henry VI, Part One. My argument is that the circle in the water—a model for the former English victories which now Joan claims will disperse to nothing—is both a figure for and a model of what the period called “overreaching.” An examination of Joan's verbal tactics in this brief speech leads me first to a historical claim that Shakespeare, through Joan, deliberately sophisticates (by weakening) the model of Tamburlainian speech which constituted his chief competition in the amphitheaters. The circle in the water simile gets its power by thematizing the pathos of its own eventual exhaustion; and unlike Tamburlaine the power of the early English histories is derived from a series of ego surges that lead ultimately to failed and exhausted verbal performers. This historical claim leads to an examination of contempora...
Leadership and the choice of order: Complexity and hierarchical perspectives near the edge of chaos

Abstract This conceptual article critically examines the view that, in complex adaptive systems (CAS), organizations are moved toward the edge of chaos and will exhibit “order for free” behaviors. Will organizations naturally self-organize to seek greater fitness? We suggest that, as hierarchies, organizations may be collectively led to establish a dynamic system where bottom-up structuration emerges to increase the long-term viability of the organization. Thus, it is our contention that while there is order for free, a desired order is not. To examine if a desired order for free emerges calls for analyses emphasizing the interplay among leadership, organization hierarchy, and CAS perspectives where these are systematically compared and contrasted. Based on such compare and contrast interplay, we argue that leadership researchers can help foster the evolution of a new type of dynamic emergent hierarchy that yields a sustained desired order across time.
Design justification of manufacturing systems—a review

The development of design systems which ensure economic feasibility has been the focus of recent research in the manufacturing area. Traditional design and justification approaches have been cited as having shortcomings; thus, there have been a variety of modifications and enhancements developed. An approach that is conceptually different from the traditional approaches seeks the integration of the economic analysis within the design process. We denote this approach as thedesign justification method. This paper reviews literature related to the explicit and implicit integration of economic factors in the manufacturing system design process, followed by supporting issues for the implementation of the design justification concept.
Rapid reduction of nitric oxide to dinitrogen by zirconium(II): Kinetic studies on a reaction controlled by gas-liquid transport

Nitric oxide reacts with Cp{sub 2}Zr(PMe{sub 3}){sub 2} (1; Cp = {eta}{sup 5}-C{sub 5}H{sub 5} in THF or toluene to yield dinitrogen and an oligomeric oxozirconocene species, [Cp{sub x}ZrO{sub y}]{sub n}. The reduction of NO occurs in two distinct steps: 1 reduces 2 equiv of NO to 1 equiv of N{sub 2}), and then 1 reduces N{sub 2}O to N{sub 2}. In each step, 1 is converted to a monomeric oxozirconocene species [Cp{sub 2}ZrO], which may be trapped by the addition of Me{sub 3}SiCl or Cp{sub 2}ZrMe{sub 2}, to form Cp{sub 2}Zr(OSiMe{sub 3})(Cl) and [Cp{sub 2}ZrMe]{sub 2}O, respectively. Kinetics for the reduction of NO by 1 were followed at low temperature (160 < T < 195 K) by monitoring the change in pressure of the system. Complete reaction was observed in less than 15 s, even at the lowest temperatures. The typical kinetic trace displayed two decay regimes, zero- and first-order, which were interpreted as the result of competing mass-transfer and chemical reaction processes. The kinetic results support a rate-limiting bimolecular reaction between NO and 1. The subsequent intermediates and mechanistic possibilities are discussed.
Vertical Ionization Energies of Naphthalene

Electron propagator calculations provide an accurate assignment of the six lowest vertical ionization energies (IEs) of naphthalene. The first four states have π holes and the next two have σ holes...
Nuclear Waste Management in the United States—Starting Over

The recent action to shelve Yucca Mountain as the potential geologic repository for U.S. “spent” (i.e., no longer usable) nuclear fuel (SNF) and high-level nuclear waste (HLW) ( 1 ) brings to a close a 30-year effort to develop and implement a policy for nuclear wastes in the United States. Selection by Congress in 1987 of Yucca Mountain in Nevada as the only site to be investigated condemned the United States to pursue a policy that had no backup if Yucca Mountain failed politically or technically.
Life-Threatening Anaphylaxis to Kiwi Fruit and Prevalence of Kiwi Fruit Hypersensitivity in the United States

Life-threatening anaphylactic reaction to the ingestion of kiwi fruit has not been previously reported. We present two patients who sustained such reactions, a 65-year-old female and a 3½-year-old ...
Skorohod embedding of multivariate RV's, and the sample DF

The main purpose of this paper is to study certain representations of sums of iid k-vector rv's as embeddings in k-dimensional Brownian motion by vectors of stopping times, in extension of Skorohod's scheme [20], and consequent error estimates for weak and strong invariance principles. In particular, letting k→∞ we embed the sample df in the Gaussian process with 2-dimensional time to which it has long been known to converge weakly. We discuss previous sample df embeddings, which have yielded related results; while some of our estimates are slight improvements, the emphasis here will be on the naturality of the embedding per se (although it will be indicated why it is probably far from the final word on the subject.
Caution advised in interpreting nonsignificant results from ADVANCE post hoc analysis

To the Editor: Perkovic et al.1 suggest in their post hoc analysis that the number needed to treat (NNT) to prevent one end-stage renal disease (ESRD) over 5 years goes down as more markers of renal injury appear in a diabetic patient.
The In-Session Self-Awareness of Therapist-Trainees: Hindering or Helpful?.

Although therapist self-awareness has been hailed as a critical component of psychotherapy, recent evidence suggests that therapists' in-session self-awareness may hinder rather than help the therapeutic process. The authors examined the in-session self-awareness of therapists in training (trainees) in relation to their interpersonal involvement and the reactions of volunteer student clients (volunteer clients). Trainee in-session self-awareness variables predicted over 50% of the variance in their interpersonal involvement and the volunteer clients' perceptions of the therapeutic alliance. Contrary to previous research, trainees' level of in-session self-awareness was generally helpful rather than hindering from both the trainee and student-client perspectives. Potentially hindering aspects of in-session self-awareness did emerge, however, in that trainees' increasing efforts to manage their self-awareness were related to decreased trainee involvement and lower volunteer client ratings of the therapeutic alliance.
Production, Hedging, and Speculative Decisions with Options and Futures Markets: Comment

In a recent paper in this Journal, Lapan, Moschini, and Hanson (LMH) analyzed the production and hedging decisions of the competitive firm, operating in both futures and options markets. They showed that when the futures price and options premium are unbiased, options become a redundant hedging instrument (Result 1, page 68). LMH also showed that Danthine's separation result-that optimal production depends only on the futures prices and is independent of hedging decisions-still holds in the presence of options, if (a) there is no basis risk, or (b) there is a constant absolute risk aversion (CARA) utility function (Result 2, page 69). When output is held fixed, LMH further showed that under CARA, a rise in the futures price increases the quantities of futures and options supplied (Result 3, page 70). In this note we investigate the effects of a change in the futures price on the supplies of options and futures by a competitive firm when output responds to futures signals. Because the firm's output will necessarily change in response to an increase in the futures price, the full impact of a change in the futures price includes the indirect effects through a change in output and the direct effects considered by LMH. Because the direction of output change is generally indeterminate, so are the total effects of a change in the futures price. When evaluated at unbiased prices, however, output increases following a rise in the futures price. This increase in output has no effect on the supply of options, but increases proportionately the supply of futures, thereby reinforcing LMH's direct effect on futures. It should be noted that we do not model market-level responses such as the effect of increased output or increased supply of futures on the futures price.
College student employment and drinking: a daily study of work stressors, alcohol expectancies, and alcohol consumption.

We examined the within-person relationships between daily work stressors and alcohol consumption over 14 consecutive days in a sample of 106 employed college students. Using a tension reduction theoretical framework, we predicted that exposure to work stressors would increase alcohol consumption by employed college students, particularly for men and those with stronger daily expectancies about the tension reducing properties of alcohol. After controlling for day of the week, we found that hours worked were positively related to number of drinks consumed. Workload was unrelated to alcohol consumption, and work-school conflict was negatively related to consumption, particularly when students expressed strong beliefs in the tension reducing properties of alcohol. There was no evidence that the effects of work stressors were moderated by gender. The results illustrate that employment during the academic year plays a significant role in college student drinking and suggest that the employment context may be an appropriate intervention site to address the problem of student drinking.
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 protease activity in the urine of children with chronic renal failure

The insulin-like growth factors, IGF-1 and IGF-II, are polypeptides that potentiate cellular growth. In addition to binding to specific cell surface receptors, the IGFs bind with high affinity to a family of proteins, the insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs). Serum and urine IGFBP patterns are altered in individuals with chronic renal failure (CRF). We recently reported that the urinary IGFBP pattern of CRF patients is unique for increased insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (U-IGFBP-1) levels. In this study, we used western ligand blotting (WLB), western immunoblotting (WIB), and radioimmunoassay (RIA) to further evaluate serum and urine IGFBP profiles of children with CRF (n=14). Five patients with CRF displayed decreased serum IGFBP-3 profiles by WLB. Serum IGFBP-3 WIB profiles were remarkable for 30- and 20-kDa fragments of IGFBP-3 not seen in control serum. Serum IGFBP-3 levels, as determined by RIA, were slightly elevated. Serum levels of IGFBP-2 also were increased, although not at a level reaching statistical significance. WLB of CRF urine revealed a large increase in U-IGFBP-1 and a complete absence of urinary IGFBP-3. Recent studies of serum from pregnant women and seminal plasma have demonstrated a similar absence of intact IGFBP-3, due to the presence of a specific IGFBP-3 protease. To evaluate whether an IGFBP-3 protease accounts for the absence of intact U-IGFBP-3 in children with CRF, urine and serum samples from individuals with CRF and controls were tested. An IGFBP-3 protease assay using concentrated urine revealed the presence of two distinct proteases found only in the CRF urines. Serum IGFBP-3 protease activity was no greater in patients with CRF than in controls. We conclude that the decrease in intact urinary IGFBP-3 is due to proteolysis by an IGFBP-3 protease.
Polymer-drug interactions in tyrosine-derived triblock copolymer nanospheres: a computational modeling approach.

A combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and docking calculations was employed to model and predict polymer−drug interactions in self-assembled nanoparticles consisting of ABA-type trib...
Layered versus multiphase magneto-electro-elastic composites

Abstract Several researchers have focused on developing material properties for homogeneous magneto-electro-elastic multiphase composite materials. The candidate materials for this study are piezoelectric BaTiO 3 barium titanate as the embedded material with magnetostrictive CoFe 2 O 4 cobalt iron oxide as the matrix material. The materials are evaluated in terms of modeling the physical problem of the free vibration an infinite plate. Multiphase material properties vary depending upon the ratio of fiber material to matrix material. Actual electromagnetic materials are modeled as layered materials with the ratio of constituent materials being controlled by varying the number and thickness of layers of each material. Frequencies of vibration are compared for the layered materials versus the multiphase materials as a measure of the accurateness of the derived material constants. Multiphase material predictions for frequency agree quite well with layered materials for the problem that is studied.
Concepts related to salt resistant estradiol receptors in rat uterine nuclei: nuclear matrix.

When 3H-estradiol (0.1 μg) is injected into immature female rats, virtually all of the label that is recovered with uterine nuclei can be solubilized by 0.6 M KCl. Salt resistant uterine nuclear estrogen binding sites do not become labeled within one hour after the injection of 3H-estradiol, but these sites do exist and can be revealed when isolated nuclei are subjected to an in vitro estradiol exchange assay. These saturable, high affinity salt resistant sites appear to be associated with the uterine nuclear matrix, a residual structure of the nucleus.
Morphology of the turkey vagina with and without an egg mass in the uterus

In this study we examined the gross anatomy of the uterus and vagina in turkeys in egg production. With no uterine egg mass, removal of the tunica serosa that enclosed the uterus revealed deep periodic in-folding of the muscularis transversely circumscribing the sac-like segment. When the connective tissue embracing the neutral buffered formalin fixed vagina was completely teased free, the exposed tubular segment was shaped as a counter-clockwise spiral or as a series of angular, random bends. The uterovaginal junction was flush with the uterine mucosa or projected slightly into the uterine lumen. With a uterine egg mass, the deep in-foldings of the uterus were abolished. The only alteration to the morphology of the vagina was that the uterovaginal junction appeared dilated and pressed into its juncture with the uterus. Whether an egg mass was present or not, uterovaginal junction folds that projected into the uterus possessed sperm storage tubules. An egg mass in the uterus compressed the uterovaginal junction folds, and its mucosa became contiguous with the uterine mucosa. Finally, from an evolutionary perspective, in the turkey and possibly other species possessing a nonintromittent phallus, vaginal pleomorphism may have been driven primarily by the need to accommodate the overall length of the vagina in a limited abdominal space and to a lesser extent on sexual selection.
Inventing the Indigenous: Local Knowledge and Natural History in Early Modern Europe

Alix Cooper, Inventing the Indigenous: Local Knowledge and Natural History in Early Modern Europe. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. xi + 218 pp. $80.00/£45.00. ISBN 0-52-187087-9. In the...
The United States of America and the International Criminal Court

The United States of America has not ratified the treaty establishing a permanent international criminal court, and it is highly unlikely to do so. This is not simply a question of delay caused by cumbersome ratification procedures; rather, it reflects deep-seated opposition by the U.S. executive branch and by many members of Congress. The United States voted against the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court1 when it was adopted on July 17, 1998, at the U.N. Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries. President William J. Clinton approved signature of the statute on the last day that a state, by signing, could continue to take part in discussions on ICC matters.2 But he stressed that he did so largely to remain "in a position to influence the evolution of the court," adding that "I will not, and do not recommend that my successor submit the treaty to the Senate for advice and consent until our fundamental concerns are
Insights into the dissolution and the three-dimensional structure of insensitive munitions formulations.

Abstract Two compounds, 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) are the main ingredients in a suite of explosive formulations that are being, or soon will be, fielded at military training ranges. We aim to understand the dissolution characteristics of DNAN and NTO and three insensitive muntions (IM) formulations that contain them. This information is needed to accurately predict the environmental fate of IM constituents, some of which may be toxic to people and the environment. We used Raman spectroscopy to identify the different constituents in the IM formulations and micro computed tomography to image their three-dimensional structure. These are the first three-dimensional images of detonated explosive particles. For multi-component explosives the solubility of the individual constituents and the fraction of each constituent wetted by water controls the dissolution. We found that the order of magnitude differences in solubility amongst the constituents of these IM formulations quickly produced hole-riddled particles when these were exposed to water. Micro-computed tomography showed that particles resulting from field detonations were fractured, producing conduits by which water could access the interior of the particle. We think that micro-computed tomography can also be used to determine the initial composition of IM particles and to track how their compositions change as the particles dissolve. This information is critical to quantifying dissolution and developing physically based dissolution models.
Electronic Structure of Alpha Brass

We have investigated the band structure of alpha brass ($\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{Z}\mathrm{n}$) as a function of its composition, over a range of 5 to 30% Zn, by steps of 5%. The Kohn-Rostoker method was used in combination with a spherical-average model potential. The conduction bands were determined at high symmetry points of the Brillouin zone. It was assumed that the $\mathrm{Cu}d$ bands are unchanged by alloying. It was found that the conduction bands are displaced to lower energies, the ${L}_{{2}^{\ensuremath{'}}}\ensuremath{-}{L}_{1}$ gap across the {111} faces of the zone is reduced by 1.3 eV at 30% Zn, and the Fermi surface approaches the {200} faces of the zone. Our results are used to interpret the measured optical properties (Rayne and Biondi, Green), and to give a semiquantitative discussion of the theory of alloying and alpha-phase stability.
Phosphine Resistance in Insects Infesting Stored Peanuts in the Southeastern United States

Field strains of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker), and Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner), were collected from peanut storage facilities in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama, and tested for resistance to phosphine. Treatment with a discriminating dose of phosphine indicated resistance in 8 of 23 strains of the red flour beetle, 3 of 18 strains of the almond moth, and 4 of 7 strains of the Indianmeal moth. Frequencies of phosphine resistance in these insects were low and probably did not contribute to control failures.
Grafting of skin ulcers with cultured autologous epidermal cells

We treated five adult individuals with six full-thickness chronic ulcerations in the skin caused by venous insufficiency, sickle cell anemia, or surgical wounds. Each patient received applications to the ulcerations of sheets of autologous epidermal cells grown in culture. All patients experienced relief of pain after grafting. Four of the six ulcers healed completely in 21 to 35 days, and three of the four remained healed for up to 2 years. One ulceration recurred within 2 months. Our experience suggests that cultured autologous epidermal grafts can provide continuous covering, relief from pain, and rapid healing of chronic debilitating ulcerations of the skin.
Numerical simulation of supercritical Hadley circulation, within a porous layer induced by inclined temperature gradients

Abstract Simulations of supercritical Hadley circulation, induced by horizontal and vertical temperature gradients imposed on a fluid saturated porous medium layer, are performed numerically. The mathematical model confines the simulation to longitudinal flow in which secondary cell axes are transverse to the direction of the Hadley circulation. Numerical results agree well with critical (bifurcation) states predicted theoretically via linear stability analysis. For horizontal Rayleigh number, Ra h ; smaller than 40 and vertical Rayleigh number, Ra v , beyond a critical value, results indicate that the flow evolves from subcritical Hadley circulation to supercritical Horton-Rodgers-Lapwood-like flow. A switch in the preferential heat transport direction, from horizontal to vertical, parallels this evolution. For Ra h beyond 40, numerical simulations at supercritical regime reveal the appearance of a traveling wave characterized by continuous drifting of flow cells in the direction opposite to the applied horizontal temperature gradient, that is towards the cooler temperature.
Sequential Decay Theory and Sequential Transitions

A theory of sequential decay of an unstable system is presented using the projection-operator algebra suggested by the recent projection-operator approach to reaction theory. The formulation is an attempt to provide an alternative to perturbation theory. While exact, the theory is cast in a phenomenological form that is suggestive in its interpretation and may be extended so as to apply to sequential transitions in general. Examples treated include the transition between unstable states of an atom induced by an intense electromagnetic field as well as a problem in resonance fluorescence. Higher-order corrections to the more familiar theory are a natural consequence of the description of sequential decay and sequential transitions presented here.
Toward New Approaches for Exercise Behavior Change and Health Promotion

Differences notwithstanding, the majority of health promotion and exercise behavior-change strategies appear to share identifiable assumptions and characteristics. Most can be aligned with what is called a human capital model, manifesting the model's language and root metaphors, implicit rules, power relationships, and bureaucratic organizational forms. This human capital model is analyzed and connected with evidence regarding health promotion and exercise behavior-change strategies. Evidence is also presented suggesting its limitations, and constructive criticism is offered. An alternative, one called a human development-potential perspective, is provided. Contrasting its features with the conventional assumptions of a human capital model, needs for, and values of, health promotion and exercise behaviorchange strategies are indicated that are framed within this human development-potential perspective. Here, health is broadly framed in socioecological terns, and its benefits are not merely economic (e.g.,...
Mathematical controllability theory of the growth of wealth of nations

Inspired on one hand, by a full Keynesian model and its IS-LM representation in equilibrium [28], [18, p.72], and on the other by the Kalecki [23], Goodwin [13] dynamics of income and capital stock, we derive a nonlinear functional differential equation of neutral type as the dynamics of the growth of wealth of nations. The functions which monitor an individual firm’s initiative or government interventions are carefully identified as control instruments in a differential game of pursuit. This is a reasonable setting [29, pp.79–91]. The nonlinear equations derived are generalizations of ordinary differential systems studied by Takayama [33, pp.685–706], Arrow [2, p.184], Knowles [26, p.3] and Isaacs [20], and the delay systems studied by Kalecki [23], Allen [1, p.254], and Cooke and Yorke [12]. Given an initial (capital/income) fluctuating endowment ϕ we investigate conditions on the systems parameters and on the private and public policy instruments which will guarantee that ϕ can be steered to some fixed (growing trend) target in some finite time. From the controllability theorems proved for hereditary systems, we derive universal laws for the control of growth of wealth of nations. These laws provide broad, starting, but obvious policy prescription for the growth of companies and for national economies. For example, it describes how big government interventions on the firms (in the form of monetary policy, public expenditure and taxation) must be relative to the firms autonomous consumption, export, investment, and real money demand (private initiative) to ensure the growth of capital stock to the given target. It also states when this growth is impossible. Fixed point theorems and argument from the theory of games of pursuit [16] are used.
Synthesis of Zircon

This review paper deals with the synthesis of both zircon powders and single crystals. Zircon powders can be prepared by solid state dry firing and hydrothermal reaction; solution-sol-gel derived powders can be combined with both methods. Of the various combinations, the hydrothermal method is the best for obtaining fine (~75 nm) powders at a temperature as low as 200°C under autogeneous pressure. Single crystals of zircon can be made by flux growth as well as hydrothermal methods, the latter using seeds. Although both methods yield large single crystals, the hydrothermal method is superior for obtaining pure crystals with little or no impurities.
Proof of concept for the use of macroinvertebrates as indicators of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) contamination in Lake Hartwell

The US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) develops methods and tools for evaluating risk management strategies for sediments contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and other legacy pollutants. Monitored natural recovery is a risk management alternative that relies on existing physical, chemical, and biological processes to contain, destroy, and/or reduce the bioavailability or toxicity of in-place contaminants. These naturally occurring processes are monitored to ensure that management and recovery are progressing as expected. One approach frequently used to evaluate the recovery of contaminated sediments and associated biota is the assessment of contaminant tissue levels, or body burden concentrations, in top trophic level fish. In the present study, aquatic invertebrates were examined as an indicator of recent exposure to PCBs. The approach aimed to determine whether invertebrates collected using artificial substrates (i.e., Hester–Dendy samplers) could be used to discriminate among contaminated sites through the analyses of PCBs in whole homogenates of macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates were sorted, preserved, and analyzed for total PCBs (t-PCBs), by summing 107 PCB congeners. Macroinvertebrate body burden concentrations showed similar trends to sediment t-PCB concentrations at the sites sampled. The results indicate that macroinvertebrates can be used to assess sediment contamination among sites that have different PCB contamination levels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2015;34:1277–1282. Published 2015 SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
On the role of feedback in the design of perfectly reconstructing equalizers

In this paper we consider the transmission of discrete data via a communication channel that is subject to (additive) noise with a known upper bound on its magnitude but otherwise completely unrestricted behavior. We are interested in the characterization of general conditions that allow perfect reconstruction of the discrete data (perhaps with some delay) under all possible realizations of channel noise and under a limit on transmission power. In particular, we investigate how linear preprocessing of the data and/or linear feedback from the receiver can be employed to aid perfect reconstruction, and we provide necessary conditions for improvements in perfect reconstruction in terms of lscr1 norms of appropriate maps. Finally, we show that perfect reconstruction can be improved with feedback only if the feedback processing contains unstable poles.
Ultrasonic classification of gallstones

The chemical composition of gallstones varies significantly, and the choice between nonsurgical treatment by dissolution and/or shock-wave lithotripsy depends on those properties. Acoustic imaging and measurements of acoustic attenuation using gated backscatter signals selected from the interior of gallstones between 4 and 6 mm in size have been accomplished with a high-frequency (30-MHz) ultrasonic system. Preliminary results indicate that gallstones can be differentiated by imaging and by selectively choosing regions from the image and performing attenuation measurements. Regions within gallstones that had high cholesterol content had significantly lower acoustic attenuation. In addition, gallstones of mixed composition could be identified from images that delineate inhomogeneous regions. >
Proteolipid and Calculus Matrix Calcification In Vitro

The initiator of calculus matrix calcification, in vitro, was isolated. Crude phospholipid, known to contain the factor, was separated into five fractions by column chromatography. A single protein-containing fraction induced apatite formation during incubation in a metastable calcium phosphate solution. The nucleating fraction was identified as a proteolipid.
Experience with a cosmetic approach to device implantation.

GIUDICI, M.C.: Experience with a Cosmetic Approach to Device Implantation. As more young patients are having device implantations, we need to be more concerned with appearance and function. Over a 20- month period pacemakers and defibrillators were implanted in 14 women (mean age 49 years) using a two-incision technique that leaves no visible scars on the chest.
Uncertainty Quantification of Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters from Aeroelastic Vibrations

A stochastic approach is presented to evaluate the uncertainties associated with variations in design parameters of a piezoaeroelastic energy harvester. The sensitivities of the harvested power to variations in the load resistance, the eccentricity (distance between the center of mass and the elastic axis), and the nonlinear coe cients are also determined. Moreover, the non-intrusive formulation of the polynomial chaos expansion in terms of the multivariate Hermite polynomials was employed to quantify the sensitivities in the harvested power and the plunge and pitch motions. The results show that the relationship between the input parameters and the harvested power is highly nonlinear. The results show also that the generated power is most sensitive to variations in the eccentricity and that the nonlinear coe cient of the plunge spring is less influential than the nonlinear coe cient of the torsional spring on the harvester's performance.
Preference of Small Molecules for Local Minimum Conformations when Binding to Proteins

It is well known that small molecules (ligands) do not necessarily adopt their lowest potential energy conformations when binding to proteins. Analyses of protein-bound ligand crystal structures have reportedly shown that many of them do not even adopt the conformations at local minima of their potential energy surfaces (local minimum conformations). The results of these analyses raise a concern regarding the validity of virtual screening methods that use ligands in local minimum conformations. Here we report a normal-mode-analysis (NMA) study of 100 crystal structures of protein-bound ligands. Our data show that the energy minimization of a ligand alone does not automatically stop at a local minimum conformation if the minimum of the potential energy surface is shallow, thus leading to the folding of the ligand. Furthermore, our data show that all 100 ligand conformations in their protein-bound ligand crystal structures are nearly identical to their local minimum conformations obtained from NMA-monitored energy minimization, suggesting that ligands prefer to adopt local minimum conformations when binding to proteins. These results both support virtual screening methods that use ligands in local minimum conformations and caution about possible adverse effect of excessive energy minimization when generating a database of ligand conformations for virtual screening.
Biperiodogram frequency estimates: asymptotic and finite sample size

Estimating the frequencies of sinusoidal signals from noisy observations is discussed. In particular it is assumed that the sinusoids are phase coupled. The biperiodogram is used to estimate the frequencies of the phase coupled sinusoids. The mean-square convergence of (modified) biperiodogram frequency estimates is proven. The asymptotic variances of the biperiodogram estimates are shown to be of the same order as the corresponding Cramer-Rao bounds (CRB); however, the asymptotic CRB is not achieved. For the case of equal amplitude sinusoids the asymptotic efficiency of the estimates is 3/8. The finite sample size properties of the biperiodogram estimates are studied through simulations and compared with corresponding periodogram frequency estimates. For small sample size (e.g. N=64) experimental results indicate that better estimates are obtained with the biperiodogram. >
A Gene for Non-Syndromic Autosomal Dominant Progressive Postlingual Sensorineural Hearing Loss Maps to Chromosome 14q12–13

We report a novel locus responsible for postlingual progressive sensorineural hearing loss (designated DFNA9) that maps to chromosome 14q12-13. A large kindred with autosomal dominant transmission of non-syndromic hearing loss was clinically studied. Hearing in affected individuals deteriorated at approximately 20 years of age and progressed to anacusis in the fifth decade. A random genome-wide search using polymorphic short tandem repeats demonstrated linkage with D14S121 (maximum two point LOD score = 6.19, theta = 0). Haplotype analysis of recombination events defined a 9 cM disease interval, between D14S252 and D14S49.
Micro-RNA Regulation of the Mammalian lin-28 Gene during Neuronal Differentiation of Embryonal Carcinoma Cells

Vertebrate genomes each encode hundreds of micro-RNAs (miRNAs), yet for few of these miRNAs is there empirical evidence as to which mRNA(s) they regulate. Here we report the identification of human lin-28 mRNA as a regulatory target of human miR-125b and its homolog miR-125a. Studies of miR-125b function in mouse P19 embryonal carcinoma cells induced to develop into neurons suggest a role for this regulatory miRNA in mammalian neuronal differentiation, since its increased concentration in these cells contributes to lin-28 downregulation. Within the lin-28 3' untranslated region (UTR) are two conserved miRNA responsive elements (miREs) that mediate repression by miR-125b and miR-125a. Simultaneous deletion of both miREs renders the lin-28 3' UTR almost completely insensitive to these miRNAs, indicating that these two miREs are the principal elements in the lin-28 3' UTR that respond to miR-125. At the 3' end of each element is an adenosine residue that makes a significant contribution to function irrespective of its complementarity to the 5'-terminal nucleotide of miR-125. By contrast to most earlier reports of gene repression by other miRNAs that are imperfectly complementary to their targets, lin-28 downregulation by miR-125 involves reductions in both translational efficiency and mRNA abundance. The decrease in the mRNA concentration is achieved by a posttranscriptional mechanism that is independent of the inhibitory effect on translation.
A Statewide Survey of the Beliefs and Practices of Chapter 1 Reading Teachers

Based on the assumption that teachers' instructional practices are guided by beliefs that are consistent with identifiable theoretical orientations, this study describes the predominant beliefs and practices of kentucky's k-6 chapter 1 reading teachers (n = 1,279) and the extent to which their beliefs and practices are related. In light of the hawkins-stafford amendments, which have mandated the teaching of advanced skills, it was hypothesized that the teachers would have difficulty implementing this instruction if it were not supported by their underlying beliefs about reading problems. The results indicate that most of the teachers do not engage in practices that match their beliefs, but that those whose beliefs and practices are consistent with an advanced skills orientation to reading problems are generally more professionally involved. Several recommendations for facilitating teachers' professional development are provided.
Of Human Bonding: An Essay on the Natural History of Agency

We seek to illuminate the prevalence of cooperation among biologically unrelated individuals via an analysis of agency that recognizes the possibility of bonding and challenges the common view that agency is invariably an individual-level affair. Via bonding, a single in - dividual's behavior patterns or programs are altered so as to facilitate the formation, on at least some occasions, of a larger entity to whom is attributable the coordination of the component entities. Some of these larger entities will qualify as agents in their own right, even when the comprising entities also qualify as agents. In light of the many possibilities that humans ac- tually enjoy for entering into numerous bonding schemes, and the extent to which they avail themselves of these possibilities, there is no basis for the assumption that cooperative behavior must ultimately emerge as either altruistic or self-interested; it can instead be the product of collective agency.
Working with large matrices in Maple

Many engineering and scientific problems can be solved by linear methods, but non-trivial examples of these problems may require large amounts of memory to represent and even larger amounts of computing time to solve. As more degrees of freedom, n, are added to a problem, the growth in memory and processing time can be O(n2) and O(n3), respectively.
Cognitive Reactions to Rare Events: Perceptions, Uncertainty, and Learning

Research provides some observations about learning from events that appear to be rare or quite unusual. All learning has uncertain consequences, but learning from rare events is especially problematic. Learners see many idiosyncrasies and exogenous interference, tendencies that suppress learning on an organizational scale. Rare events also rouse uncertainty and bring on reactions to uncertainty such as wishful thinking, reliance on prior beliefs, biased probabilities, a search for more data, cautious action, and playing to audiences. The most important contingencies affecting these reactions are the content and strength of prior beliefs: people are unlikely to learn if they think they have nothing to learn. Although learning from rare events is statistically unusual, and effective learning from rare events is rare, both individuals and organizations can benefit significantly from active efforts to learn from rare events.
Small Business Development Centers: Challanges and Opportunities

The nationwide network of Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) provides training and assistance to small businesses and nascent entrepreneurs. The academic research to date indicates that SBDCs have a positive impact on national and regional economies and are cost efficient in accomplishing their mission. Other evidence, however, suggests that SBDCs are currently facing severe challenges that threaten their continued success. We provide evidence on the scope and severity of these challenges based on the responses of a random sample of SBDC directors. We find that the most pressing issues are funding, attracting and retaining competent counselors, inability to meet demand, obtrusive oversight from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and host institutions, target market problems, and outcome assessment. We offer suggestions for opportunities to resolve some of the issues noted.
Developmental and evolutionary implications of labial, Deformed and engrailed expression in the Drosophila head

Prior developmental genetic analyses have shown that labial (lab) and Deformed (Dfd) are homeotic genes that function in the development of the embryonic (larval) and adult head. Using antibody probes to reveal the spatial distribution of the lab and Dfd proteins in embryonic and imaginal tissues, we have assessed the respective roles of these genes through an analysis of the correspondence of their expression patterns with their mutant phenotypes. With regard to imaginal development, lab and Dfd occupy adjacent non-overlapping expression domains in the peripodial cell layer of the eye-antennal disc, in patterns that are consistent with their adult mutant phenotypes and published fate maps. During embryogenesis, lab and Dfd exhibit limited overlapping expression in areas that are of no obvious significance to the development of larval head structures, but also in areas that may have consequences for imaginal development. The head of Drosophila and other cyclorrhaphous Dipterans is characterized by an extreme morphological difference between the larval and adult stages. Given this unique ontogenetic and phylogenetic history and the observation that homeotic transformations produced by the lab, Dfd, and proboscipedia (pb) loci are manifested only in the adult, we suggest that distinct regulatory paradigms evolved for homeotic gene function in the development of the larval versus adult head. Finally, a detailed examination of the engrailed (en) expression pattern in the embryonic head strengthens the view of insect morphologists that the clypeolabrum evolved from the fusion of paired labral appendages.
Primary pulmonary lymphoma in a patient with advanced AIDS.

Non-Hodgkin9s lymphoma (NHL) is an AIDS defining lesion and risk of NHL most likely correlates with the degree of immunosuppression from HIV. Risk of NHL is highest among patients with CD4 count