cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Somatosensory: Imaging Tactile Perception

Optical imaging of intrinsic signals has extended our understanding of the functional organization of primary somatosensory cortex (SI) in primates. This chapter describes the findings which show that somatotopy, long a staple of somatosensory cortical functional organization, may not be as precise as the maps drawn from single and multiunit recordings. Optical maps of the tactile funneling illusion, which demonstrates a map of how tactile stimuli are perceived in SI rather than a map of skin topography, support the topographic representation in SI which is not a physical body map, but a perceptual map. Optical images of vibrotactile pressure, flutter, and vibration submodality domains overlaying the somatotopy reveal striking similarities and differences between other modality maps in somatosensory as revealed through electrophysiological methods and visual cortices as revealed through optical imaging methods. In an effort to extend these findings to functional MRI studies and somatic perception in humans, we compared in the same animal the maps acquired with high spatial resolution optical imaging in monkey SI with positive BOLD maps acquired at high filed (9.4T). We demonstrated that the positive BOLD fMRI maps were comparable to the fine scale OI maps in revealing both somatotopy and funneling. With the addition of high field human fMRI studies at 7 Tesla, this combination of approaches can investigate the relationship between somatotopic representation and sensory perception from the human to the modular domain and single unit level in primates.
Conscience as clinical judgment: medical education and the virtue of prudence.

Conscience and clinical judgment have much more in common that is apparent at first glance.
Introduction to basic concepts on methods and techniques for databases

Every scientific discipline deals with information, which is derived from raw data obtained from experiments, patients, surveys, or other sources. Today’s world has grown so complex, the amounts of information so vast that computers are increasingly necessary to allow us to manage the sheer volume of data relating to our research, clinical practice, and daily lives.
Does Voluntary Corporate Citizenship Pay? An Examination of the United Nation’s Global Compact

Purpose - The UN Global Compact (GC) is the world’s largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative. Signatory companies voluntarily agree to abide by the GC ten principles and explicitly declare compliance with social and human rights, environmental protection, and anti-corruption business practices. Participants are required to publish a yearly corporate responsibility report called Communication on Progress (COP) and are labeled “non-communicating” (“delisted”) if they fail to provide the COP for one year (two years). The purpose of this paper is to study whether firms that choose to comply with the COP requirement differ systematically from those that choose not to and whether voluntary corporate citizenship pays. Design/methodology/approach - Studying the period from the launch of the GC to the date that the first list of non-reporting firms was made public, we investigate the extent by which being a signatory company (i.e., a COP reporting firm) reduces information risk, and thus is associated with higher market valuation, better profitability, lower cost of debt and lower cost of equity by contrasting financial and performance characteristics of the COP-reporting and non-reporting firms. Findings - Our results suggest that communicating (reporting) firms that voluntarily embrace CSR have statistically significant higher market valuation relative to book value (captured by lower book-to-market ratio) than companies that agree to participate in the GC initially yet fail to comply with the reporting requirement subsequently. Communicating firms also have statistically significant higher return on assets, return on equity and lower CAPM Beta indicating greater profitability and less systematic risk. We also find some evidence that the non-reporting firms may have joined the GC to enjoy “free riding” benefits to improve their market valuation and profitability that have been declining in the two years prior to their joining action.Originality/value – This paper adds to the limited GC literature by documenting significant differences between the COP-communicating firms and non-reporting firms.
Fusogens: Chemical Agents That Can Rapidly Restore Function After Nerve Injury.

Abstract Background Restoring function after nerve injury remains one of medicine's greatest challenges. The current approach of epineurial coaptation does not address the fundamental insult at the molecular level: a discontinuity in the axonal membranes. Membrane fusion is possible through agents collectively called chemical fusogens, which are heterogeneous in structure and mechanism of action. We sought a unifying system for classifying fusogens to better understand their role in cell fusion. Materials and methods We conducted a comprehensive literature review to identify the most commonly cited chemical fusogens, their structures, mechanisms of actions, and clinical applications to date. We identified seven chemical fusogens (polyethylene glycol, chitosan, dextran sulfate, n-nonyl bromide, calcium, sodium nitrate, and H-α-7), which have each been studied to different extents in protoplasts, animals, and humans. Results Chemical fusogens achieve cell fusion by one of two ways: bringing cells in close enough proximity to each other so the inherent fluidity of the phospholipid membrane allows for their rearrangement or modifying the surface charges of the membranes to diminish repellent charges. Sowers initially put forth a classification system that identified these agents as cell aggregators and membrane modifiers, respectively. We adapted this classification system in the setting of axonal membrane fusion and hypothesized that the most effective approach to axonal membrane repair is likely combination of both. Conclusions Chemical fusogens could be grouped into two mechanistic categories—cell aggregators and membrane modifiers. For axonal membrane fusion, a combination of both mechanisms can significantly contribute to advancing outcomes in peripheral nerve repair via a chemical-surgical intervention.
MaRSChain: Framework for a Fair Manuscript Review System Based on Permissioned Blockchain

Current Manuscript Review Systems (Conference/Journal) rely on a centralized services (like EasyChair, iChair, HotCRP or EDAS), which manage the whole process that starts with manuscript submissions to notification of the results. As these review systems are centralized, the trust is based on a single entity. The fairness of the system hinges on the honesty of the central controlling authority. This dependency can be avoided by decentralizing the source of the trust. Bitcoin has shown the power of decentralization and shared database through blockchain technology, and currently is being studied for its immense impact on FinTech. We leverage blockchain to address the above concern and present a decentralized manuscript review system that provides trust and fairness. We call this system MaRSChain. As a proof of concept, we develop a prototype of MaRSChain system on top of Hyperledger Fabric platform. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first ever decentralized manuscript review system based on Blockchain.
Hurricane evacuations in the face of uncertainty: Use of integrated models to support robust, adaptive, and repeated decision-making

Abstract The evolution of a hurricane—how the track, intensity, forward speed, and resulting hazard effects on land (strong winds, flooding) develop over its lifetime—is often highly uncertain. Further, the uncertainty is dynamic because it is resolved as events unfold until ultimately the storm's evolution is known completely, and because the ensemble of forecasts changes over time. Emergency managers recognize these challenges and may engage in some combination of robust, adaptive, or repeated planning to address them. However, science- and engineering-based evacuation decision support models typically do not formally incorporate uncertainty. This article discusses the use of formal modeling to support robust, adaptive, and repeated decision-making during an impending hurricane. It also details a case study of Hurricane Isabel (2003) in North Carolina using the recently introduced Integrated Scenario-based Evacuation (ISE) computational framework to compare the effects of including each of the three features in the modeling. Findings suggest that making the evacuation planning robust, adaptive, and repeated should improve results by reducing both the numbers of people at risk and unnecessary evacuation orders and travel. The magnitude of those benefits, however, depends on uncertainty in, and evolution of, the attributes of the particular hurricane.
Characterization of a Novel Human MUTYH Variant Causing Colonic Polyposis through Disruption of the Fe-S Cluster.

e12514 Background: MUTYH is a human DNA repair enzyme functioning to abscise adenine residues mispaired with 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG) in oxidatively damaged DNA. This repair activity preve...
The Ordered World of Psalm 92

Similar to other psalms in Book IV of the Psalter (Pss 90-106), Psalm 92 responds to the events of the exile. In a psalm that contains elements of a hymn and a thanksgiving psalm as well as elements associated with the wisdom tradition, the psalmist confesses that the world remains well-ordered under Yahweh’s rule despite recent events that might suggest otherwise. The very structure of the psalm itself implies a certain sense of orderliness and this sense of orderliness is addressed more explicitly by invoking particular themes (i.e., creation) and employing certain conceptual metaphors. https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2019/v32n2a6
Medication Reconciliation and Patient Safety in Trauma: Applicability of Existing Strategies

The Joint Commission has established medication reconciliation as a National Patient Safety Goal, but it has not been studied much in trauma even though it is integral to safe patient care. This article reviews the existing medication reconciliation strategies and their applicability to the trauma setting. To perform medication reconciliation, hospitals use a variety of strategies including pharmacists or pharmacy technicians, electronic medical record tools, and patient-centered strategies. All of these strategies are limited in trauma. Subpopulations such as injured children, the elderly, and those with brain trauma are particularly challenging and are at risk for suboptimal care from inaccurate medication reconciliation. Further research is necessary to create a safe and efficient system for trauma patients.
External Approach to Buccal Fat Excision in Facelift: Anatomy and Technique.

BACKGROUND Masculinization of the face is a common finding in facelift patients. It is attributed to deflation and decent of the midface-jowls coupled with skin laxity. Fullness is evident lateral to the jowl in a small percentage due to prominent buccal fat pad (BFP). OBJECTIVES The authors sought to examine the anatomy of the BFP, triangulate the prominent BFP with surgical landmarks, and describe an external approach to excise the BFP during facelift surgery. METHODS Eighteen cadaveric dissections were performed. Facelift flap was elevated and the prominent buccal extension of the BFP protruding through the superficial-musculo-aponeurotic-system was identified. Measurements were taken from the BFP to surgical landmarks: zygomatic arch, tragus, and gonial angle. The locations of the facial nerve, parotid duct, and vascular pedicle relative to the BFP were calculated. RESULTS BFP was 4.1 cm inferior to the zygomatic arch, 7.5 cm anterior the tragus, and 4.5 cm medial the gonial angle. The middle facial artery supplied the BFP on the inferior-lateral quadrant in 61% and inferior-medial quadrant in 39% of specimens . In all specimens, the parotid duct traversed the BFP superiorly, and the buccal branches of the facial nerve traversed the capsule superficially. CONCLUSIONS The buccal extension of the BFP can pseudoherniate in the aging face. Excision may improve lower facial contour. Measurements from facial landmarks may help surgeons identify the buccal extension of the BFP intraoperatively. The surgeon must be careful of the vascular pedicle, parotid duct, and the facial nerve. The external approach safely excises buccal fat during facelift dissection while avoiding intraoral incisions and unnecessary contamination. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4
Kleefstra syndrome 1 and ring chromosome 9 in a case

Objective To analyze the clinical and molecular genetic characteristics of patient with Kleefstra syndrome 1. Methods Clinical data, chromosomal karyotype and whole genome copy number variations (CNVs) of the patient were analyzed. Results The patient was found to have a karyotype of 45, XX, -9[4]/46, XX, r(9)(p24q34)[56]. Whole-genome CNVs detection revealed that she has carried a heterozygous deletion of approximately 670 kb at 9q34.3, which encompassed the entire EHMT1 gene. The region is strongly associated with Kleefstra syndrome (1/9q telomere deletion). In addition, the patient also had heterozygous deletion of 9pter, which may predispose to formation of ring chromosome 9. Conclusion The child was diagnosed with Kleefstra syndrome type 1 in conjunct with ring chromosome 9. Key words: Kleefstra syndrome 1; 9q34.3 microdeletion; EHMT1 gene; Ring chromosome 9
Efficacy of Alveolar Ridge Preservation: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) therapy is indicated to attenuate the physiologic resorptive events that occur as a consequence of tooth extraction with the purpose of facilitating tooth replacement therapy. This randomized controlled trial was primarily aimed at testing the efficacy of ARP as compared with unassisted socket healing. A secondary objective was to evaluate the effect that local phenotypic factors play in the volumetric reduction of the alveolar bone. A total of 53 subjects completed the study. Subjects were randomized into either the control group, which involved only tooth extraction (EXT n = 27), or the experimental group, which received ARP using a combination of socket grafting with a particulate bone allograft and socket sealing with a nonabsorbable membrane (dPTFE) following tooth extraction (ARP n = 26). A set of clinical, linear, volumetric, implant-related, and patient-reported outcomes were assessed during a 14-wk healing period. All linear bone assessments (horizontal, midbuccal, and midlingual reduction) revealed that ARP is superior to EXT. Likewise, volumetric bone resorption was significantly higher in the control group (mean ± SD: EXT = -15.83% ± 4.48%, ARP = -8.36% ± 3.81%, P < 0.0001). Linear regression analyses revealed that baseline buccal bone thickness is a strong predictor of alveolar bone resorption in both groups. Interestingly, no significant differences in terms of soft tissue contour change were observed between groups. Additional bone augmentation to facilitate implant placement in a prosthetically acceptable position was deemed necessary in 48.1% of the EXT sites and only 11.5% of the ARP sites (P < 0.004). Assessment of perceived postoperative discomfort at each follow-up visit revealed a progressive decrease over time, which was comparable between groups. Although some extent of alveolar ridge remodeling occurred in both groups, ARP therapy was superior to EXT as it was more efficacious in the maintenance of alveolar bone and reduced the estimated need for additional bone augmentation at the time of implant placement (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01794806).
VENTRICULAR ARRHYTHMIA BURDEN IN PATIENTS WITH CARDIAC AMYLOIDOSIS

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy with manifestations including heart failure and arrhythmias. Data regarding implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) use and rates of ventricular arrhythmias (VA) for patients with transthyretin (ATTR) versus light-chain (AL) disease are
Self-care Strategies to Combat Burnout Among Pediatric Critical Care Nurses and Physicians.

Background Professional burnout is a widespread phenomenon in health care. The health of patients and organizations begins with the well-being of health care professionals. Identifying and understanding self-care strategies that professionals perceive to be helpful is crucial to combat burnout. Objective To determine perceptions of self-care strategies to combat professional burnout among nurses and physicians in pediatric critical care settings. Methods This was a qualitative descriptive study with a phenomenological overtone. The study was conducted in a 20-bed pediatric intensive care unit and an 8-bed intermediate care unit of a children's hospital in the United States. Information flyers and emails were used to introduce the study. A combination of convenience and purposive sampling methods was used to recruit participants who were full-time nurses and physicians in the 2 units. Information saturation was used to regulate sample sizes, resulting in 20 participants. Data were collected through a onetime face-to-face interview with each participant. A qualitative descriptive approach was used to analyze the data. The first author was the primary coder and discussed the codes with the coauthors throughout the coding process. Results Six major self-care strategies were identified: finding meaning in work, connecting with an energy source, nurturing interpersonal connections, developing an attitude of positivity, performing emotional hygiene, and recognizing one's uniqueness and contributions at work. Conclusions Developing effective self-care strategies helps promote health care professionals' physical and psychological well-being and reduce burnout. It is vital for health care professionals to care for themselves so that they can best care for others.
Chapter 15 – CONCLUDING REMARKS

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a few philosophical and speculative remarks on the current and future course of development in the decision support system (DSS) field. It reviews the trends in the use of computers in management. The chapter highlights a theory of DSS in which the computer is viewed only as a tool for simulating some of the theoretical components in the proposed framework. It discusses the importance of developing a view of decision making that explicitly recognizes the vital activities of acquiring, storing, and processing information. It focuses on a model of problem solving. Individuals are constantly faced with an array of decisions ranging from personal to corporate or organizational. In a few cases, the individual bears the entire responsibility of the final choice, whereas in other cases, an individual may be an agent for others. But even in this latter situation, good decisions of the agent are well rewarded, whereas poor decisions may cause termination of the appointment.
Data-Driven Current Control of the PMSM with Dynamic Mode Decomposition and the Linear Quadratic Integrator

A data-driven current controller for the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) has been developed using dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) and the linear quadratic integrator (LQI). The bias due to measurement noise has been canceled out using a technique based on forward backward DMD (FBDMD) which, in this work, has been extended to systems with actuation. The system model is converted to a linear time-invariant system using augmented states. The system identified with DMD is then used to determine the optimal feedback control law by solving the discrete algebraic riccati equation (DARE).
Acute Pancreatitis Due to Hyperchylomicronemia

Chylomicronemia-induced pancreatitis is a potentially life-threatening condition that warrants emergency treatment. Most patients with this problem have an underlying genetic disorder of triglyceride metabolism on which is superimposed one or more forms of secondary hypertriglyceridemia, commonly related to uncontrolled diabetes, alcohol intake, and excess dietary fat intake. Eruptive xanthomas, lipemia retinalis, and lipemic plasma are signs of chylomicronemia that may be identified by the clinician. Treatment of chylomicronemia-induced pancreatitis is focused on correction of the chylomicronemia as well as reversal of the factors that may be aggravating hypertriglyceridemia. Long-term therapy requires extensive lifestyle changes, often with the addition of triglyceride-lowering medications. A very low fat diet, avoidance of alcohol, regular exercise, and sustainable weight loss are important components of the therapeutic intervention. Patients who are compliant with their treatment regimen can often avoid a recurrence of pancreatitis, but recurrent pancreatitis occurs in many patients.
Comparison of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Rates and 30-Day Postoperative Complications Between Patients With and Without Psychiatric Diagnoses

BACKGROUND Psychiatric comorbidity is associated with greater 30-day postoperative complication rates in various surgical specialties, but is not well characterized for reconstructive plastic surgery. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to compare reconstructive plastic surgery rates and 30-day postoperative complications between patients with and without psychiatric diagnoses. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study comparing patients with and without psychiatric diagnoses. Data for January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2015 were collected from the IBM MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplemental Databases. Rates of reconstructive plastic surgery, demographic data, covariant diagnoses, and 30-day postoperative complications were collected. Differences between the 2 groups were assessed by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS Among 1,019,128 patients (505,715 with psychiatric diagnoses and 513,423 without psychiatric diagnoses) assessed, reconstructive plastic surgery rates were between 4.8% and 7.0% in those with psychiatric diagnoses, compared with 1.6% in patients without psychiatric diagnoses. The greatest odds of undergoing reconstructive plastic surgery were in patients with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.76-5.67) and anxiety disorder (aOR, 3.08; 95% CI, 2.97-3.17). When assessing 1,234,206 patients (613,400 with psychiatric diagnoses and 620,806 without psychiatric diagnoses), all of whom underwent reconstructive plastic surgery, 2-fold greater odds of any 30-day postoperative complication was associated with psychiatric diagnoses (aOR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.28-3.11), as well as greater odds of specific complications (surgical site infection, bleeding, and hospital admission). Eating disorder diagnosis was associated with the greatest odds of a complication (aOR, 4.17; 95% CI, 3.59-4.86), followed by nasal surgery (aOR, 3.65; 95% CI, 2.74-4.89), and BDD (aOR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.76-5.67). CONCLUSIONS Diagnosis of a psychiatric condition is associated with greater rates of reconstructive plastic surgery, and 2-fold greater odds of 30-day postoperative complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4
Process validation in pharmaceutical manufacturing

Abstract In Pharmaceutical industry, Product quality is of higher significance. To ensure that product meets its predetermined quality attributes, identification and control over critical parameters during manufacturing operations is of utter importance. Process validation is continuous process which establishes evidence that quality and compliance is maintained at all stages of manufacturing to ensure that product fulfills all pre-set quality criteria. This chapter mainly focuses on approaches of process validation and also briefly explains all aspects involved at each stage.
Multiple giant eruptions and X-ray emission in the recoiling AGN/LBV candidate SDSS1133

We present a comprehensive analysis of 20 years worth of multi-color photometric light curves, multi-epoch optical spectra, and X-ray data of an off-nuclear variable object SDSS1133 in Mrk 177 at $z=0.0079$. The UV-optical light curves reveal that SDSS1133 experienced three outbursts in 2001, 2014, and 2019. The persistent UV-optical luminosity in the non-outbursting state is $\sim 10^{41}$ erg/s with small-scale flux variations, and peak luminosities during the outbursts reach $\sim 10^{42}$ erg/s. The optical spectra exhibit enduring broad hydrogen Balmer P-Cygni profiles with the absorption minimum at $\sim -2,000$ km/s, indicating the presence of fast moving ejecta. Chandra detected weak X-ray emission at a 0.3-10 keV luminosity of $L_{X} = 4 \times 10^{38}$ erg/s after the 2019 outburst. These lines of evidence strongly suggests that SDSS1133 is an extremely luminous blue variable (LBV) star experiencing multiple giant eruptions with interactions of the ejected shell with different shells and/or circumstellar medium (CSM), and strongly disfavors the recoiling Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) scenario suggested in the literature. We suggest that pulsational pair-instability may provide a viable explanation for the multiple energetic eruptions in SDSS1133. If the current activity of SDSS1133 is a precursor of a supernova explosion, we may be able to observe a few additional giant eruptions and then the terminal supernova explosion in future observations.
Introduction and History

Iridium had shown no special advantage in heterogeneous catalysis and this situation seemed to carry over into the early work in homogeneous catalysis. In particular, the failure of IrCl(PPh3)3, the Ir analog of Wilkinson’s catalyst, to give catalytic hydrogenation strongly influenced thinking at the time. The developments that changed the situation were Shrock and Osborn’s work on [(cod)RhL2]+ complexes that showed how lowering the L:M ratio from 3 to 2 gave improved catalysts, followed by our own finding that [(cod)IrL2]+ and especially [(cod)IrLL′]+ complexes are even more highly active, particularly for highly substituted alkenes. This performance is absent in the classical coordinating solvents then standard in the field but only appears in weakly coordinating solvents like dichloromethane. A special property of the Ir complexes is a pronounced directing effect caused by catalyst binding to substrate functionality, leading to very high diastereoselectivity of the reduction. Asymmetric hydrogenations consistently gave lower ee values for iridium over rhodium, however, so academic work still strongly emphasized Rh. The exceedingly rapid rates of hydrogenation with Ir attracted industrial attention, because rate is such an important factor in that case, and Novartis’ catalytic asymmetric route to the pesticide (S)-Metolachlor employs iridium, even though the ee value is only ca 80%. Leading applications of these and other Ir catalysts up to about 1,990 are also discussed. Work by Pfaltz, Burgess, and Andersson showed how efficient asymmetric Ir catalysts could be made by judicious choice of ligand. Alkane dehydrogenation by reverse hydrogenation also proved possible with Ir catalysts.
Outcomes of cesarean delivery in obstetric patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The impact of SARS-CoV-2's infection on cesarean delivery (CD) outcomes is not well described in the current literature. The present study's objective was to explore outcomes in SARS-CoV-2 infected CD patients using a statewide administrative database in Maryland, USA.
9 – Medication and the Model

This chapter examines the topic of psychotropic medication and its relation to strategic solution focused therapy. Clients' positions that may be strongly pro-medicine or anti-medicine are considered. In the context of doing the things that work and changing those that do not, it is suggested that both medicine and psychotherapy can sometimes work, alone and in combination; and that both can also become unsuccessful attempted solutions. The relationship between the client and the therapist is considered important primarily as the context that supports compliance with the medication regime. In addition, people who consult strategic solution focused psychotherapists often know (or have heard) a good deal about psychotropic medication. They come with a wide range of attitudes and belief systems about psychopharmacology. There is empirical research that compares the efficacy of psychopharmacology and some therapies, primarily interpersonal and cognitive behavioral in orientation. The chapter explains the ways through which strategic solution focused therapy and medication can complement each other.
Inhibition of estrogen receptor negative breast cancer cell growth by a new class of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ agonists

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 3856 A series of 1,1-bis(3’-indolyl)-1-(p-substituted phenyl)methanes activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and inhibit growth of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells. The most active methylene-substituted diindolylmethane (DIM) compounds contained p-CF3 (DIM-p-pPhCF3), p-tbutyl (DIM-C-pPhtBu) and p-C6H5 (DIM-C-pPhC6H5) substituents and the effects of these compounds on proliferation of ER-negative MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-453 breast cancer cells were investigated. The PPARγ-active methylene substituted DIMs inhibited growth of both ER-negative cell lines and the concentrations required for 50% growth inhibition (IC50) were 1-5 μM. MDA-MB-453 cells were treated for 96 hours with DMSO, 1 or 5 uM DIM-C-pPhC6H5. FACS analysis showed that the percentage of cells in G0/G1, G2/M and S phase was 73.8, 7.54 and 18.7% respectively in DMSO (solvent) treated cells whereas these percentages were 86.3, 5.46 and 8.23% respectively after treatment with 5 μM DIM-C-pPhC6H5. No significant changes were observed in cells treated with 1 μM DIM-C-pPhC6H5, however the higher concentration significantly blocked G0/G1 to S phase progression. MDA-MB-231 cells treated for 12 hours with 1-10 μM DIM-C-pPhCF3 were also investigated in cell cycle progression studies. The percentage of cells in G0/G1, G2/M and S phase with DMSO treatment were 57.3, 14.8, 27.9% respectively and 71.5, 13.7, 14.7% with 10 μM DIM-C-pPhCF3 treatment. No substantial differences were seen with 1 or 5 μM treatment of DIM-C-pPhCF3 in MDA-MB-231 cells. The PPARγ-active compounds had minimal effects on expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 in MDA-MB-453 cells whereas both p21 and p27 protein were induced in MDA-MB-231 cells. Other cell context-dependent mechanisms of growth inhibition are currently being investigated.
Markov Processes, Regularity of Their Sample Paths, and the Wiener Measure

Suppose that for each n≥1 and 0 ≤ t1 < ⋯ < t n we are given a probability distribution \(P_{t_1 ,...,t_n } \) on the Borel subsets of (R d ) n . Assume that the family \(\left\{ {\left. {P_{t_1 ,...,t_n } } \right\}} \right.\) is consistent in the sense that if {s1 ..., sn−1} is obtained from {t1, ..., t n } by deleting the kth element t k , then \(P_{s_1 ,...,s_{n - 1} } \) coincides with the marginal distribution of \(P_{t_1 ,...,t_n } \) obtained by removing the kth coordinate. Then it is obvious that the Kolmogorov extension theorem (cf. Theorem 1.1.10) applies and proves the existence of a unique probability measure P on (R d )[0, ∞) such that the distribution of (ψ(t1, ..., ψ(t n )) under P is \(P_{t_1 ,...,t_n } \). (Here, and throughout this chapter, ψ stands for an element of (R d )[0, ∞) and ψ(t) is the random variable on (R d )[0, ∞) giving the position of ψ at time t.)
Introducing Simulation via the Theory of Records.

While spreadsheet simulation can be a useful method by which to help students to understand some of the more advanced concepts in an introductory statistics course, introducing the simulation methodology at the same time as these concepts can result in student cognitive overload. This article describes a spreadsheet model that has been successfully utilized to introduce simulation as early as the third week of class—within the context of assigning probabilities—using a topic that students find immediately interesting: the theory of records. Use of this simulation in early class sessions not only facilitates student learning of later material but also builds a simulation knowledge base that can be leveraged in other classes.
Native People of Southern New England, 1500–1650.

Native People of Southern New England, 1500-1650. Kathleen J. Bragdon. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1996. 301 pp.
How Much Disagreement is Good for Democratic Deliberation? The CaliforniaSpeaks Health Care Reform Experiment

Are we the kind of creatures who are suited to govern ourselves through deliberation? We seek to answer one important component of this question: how do individuals respond to deliberation in groups with varying levels of disagreement? We use a natural experiment in which approximately 3000 individuals were divided into small groups composed of about 8-10 persons. These groups deliberated for one day about health care reform in California. We demonstrate that there is a non-monotonic effect of disagreement upon deliberative quality. Elements of deliberative quality include mutual respect, understanding, proferring of reasons and arguments, equal opportunity for discursive engagement, and neutrality. Deliberative quality is maximized at moderate levels of disagreement and lower at high levels of ideological agreement or disagreement. Furthermore, individuals exhibit higher levels of persuasion in deliberative contexts of moderate disagreement. These findings support the view that many individuals have elements of a political psychology that is well suited for deliberation. They do not recoil when encountering disagreement nor do they especially value deliberating with those who see the world in very similar ways. Instead, they regard as most successful deliberations with moderate levels of difference -- perhaps those in which they were acquire new information, perspectives, or reasons. Beyond our substantive finding, this paper offers a methodological template for experimental studies of deliberation.
Does Access to Justice Improve Countries’ Compliance with Human Rights Norms? – An Empirical Study

When and why do countries comply with international law? This question has been the focus of much research on international law in the United States. It is a question that is particularly pertinent to the area of human rights, where, at first blush at least, nations appear to have little incentive to live up to international norms. Not until recently, however, have scholars undertaken the task to consider in depth the way in which international human rights law affects actual state practice. The result has been a number of theories to explain the behavior of states in the face of human rights obligations and international norms more generally. However, few of these theories have been tested empirically. In this Article, I set out to test one hypothesis explaining conformance of nations with human rights norms derived from a number of these theories – that the more a country grants individuals access to its courts, the less likely that country is to violate international human rights norms. I do so with a systematic empirical analysis of an original dataset involving 90 countries over a period of ten years. The outcome is sobering: My results do support the hypothesis that access to court improves compliance with human rights norms. But the correlation is weaker and considerably less robust than expected, that is, the results change significantly depending on the statistical model used and the kinds of human rights involved. There is a silver lining, however. One component of access to court – the right to counsel – performs more impressively than the others. It is more robustly associated with better human rights practices, although this association, too, is weaker than expected.
Fatty acid biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin. Purification and characterization of a novel fatty acid synthase, mycocerosic acid synthase, which elongates n-fatty acyl-CoA with methylmalonyl-CoA.

A crude extract from Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guerin was previously shown to incorporate methylmalonyl-CoA into mycocerosic acids, exemplified by 2,4,6,8-tetramethyloctacosanoic acid, and malonyl-CoA into n-fatty acids (Rainwater D. L., and Kolattukudy, P. E. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 2979-2985). The presence of several fatty acid synthases with differences in substrate preference and product chain length was detected in the crude extract of M. tuberculosis var. bovis. Among them was a mycocerosic acid synthase which was purified to homogeneity using anion-exchange chromatography, gel filtration, affinity chromatography, and hydroxylapatite chromatography. This fatty acid synthase elongated long-chain fatty acyl-CoA primers using methylmalonyl-CoA and NADPH to produce multimethyl-branched mycocerosic acids. The enzyme was specific for methylmalonyl-CoA and would not incorporate malonyl-CoA into fatty acids. It elongated n-C6 to n-C20 CoA esters to generate primarily the corresponding tetramethyl-branched mycocerosic acids. Exogenous [1-14C]acyl-CoA and trideuteromethylmalonyl-CoA were incorporated into the multimethyl-branched fatty acids. Dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis showed that the enzyme had a molecular weight of 238,000, whereas gel filtration showed a native molecular weight of 490,000, indicating that the enzyme is composed of two monomers of identical molecular weight. The enzyme contained an acyl carrier protein-like segment as indicated by incorporation of [1-14C] pantothenate into the 238-kDa protein and production of 1 mol of taurine/mol of the monomer upon hydrolysis of performic acid-oxidized enzyme. It is concluded that the mycocerosic acid synthase is a multifunctional enzyme similar to the well-characterized multifunctional fatty acid synthases except for the substrate specificity.
Crack growth in lamellar titanium aluminide

In-situ compact tension tests on binary lamellar titanium aluminide (TiAl) possessing the colony ``polycrystalline'' microstructure illustrate a range of damage phenomena and toughening mechanisms including crack nucleation across colony boundaries, plastic deformation of bridging ligaments, and multiple cracking within colonies. Here, the effects of relative lamellae misorientation and offsets between neighboring colonies on crack growth are investigated computationally through an idealized microstructure of multiple colonies. Within each colony, the brittle Ti3Al lamellae are represented as parallel planes of comparatively low toughness embedded in a matrix of ductile TiAl lamellae that are collectively modeled as an elastic-viscoplastic solid with higher fracture toughness. Plane strain calculations of crack growth are carried out on a compact tension geometry. The calculations are in good qualitative agreement with the in-situ observations, capturing many features of crack growth such as multiple microcrack nucleation and plastic deformation of residual ligaments. Experiments and numerical analyses show that changes in lamellar orientation and alignment across a colony boundary can contribute significantly to the fracture resistance. The numerical results demonstrate that the fracture resistance of these alloys is determined by an intricate interplay between matrix ductility, Ti3Al and TiAl fracture toughnesses, and colony boundary toughness. This suggests the possibility of computationally-guided material optimization through microstructural control of these material properties.
An anatomy ontology for oro-pharyngeal muscles and the logical underpinnings of comparative anatomy (338.4)

The FEED ontology is an ontology for oro-pharyngeal muscles and behaviors (http://code.google.com/p/feedontology/). The FEED ontology is an outgrowth of the Feeding Experiments End-User Database (F...
Examining Implementation of the National Voter Registration Act by Nonprofit Organizations: An Institutional Explanation

The 1993 National Voter Registration Act authorizes nonprofit social service organizations to conduct nonpartisan voter registration drives, with the aim of making the process more accessible for low-income citizens and segments of the population historically underrepresented in the political process. Although more than 15 years have elapsed since this important reform was enacted, very little is known about the extent to which nonprofits have embraced this practice, and what factors explain their decision to do so. Drawing upon institutional theory, this article examines the propensity of nonprofit social service organizations to carry out nonpartisan voter registration and voter mobilization campaigns in a national election year. A series of hypotheses are tested using data from a random sample of several hundred nonprofit service organizations in the United States that were surveyed prior to the 2008 election. Findings suggest that institutional factors, especially state laws, are highly influential in shaping the decision of local level nonprofits to register voters. The article concludes with a discussion of policy implications of this study.
Alternative sources of pluripotent stem cells: Altered nuclear transfer

Altered nuclear transfer (ANT) is one of several methods that have been suggested for obtaining pluripotent stem cells without destroying human embryos. ANT proposes to alter the nucleus of a somatic cell and/or the cytoplasm of an enucleated oocyte such that when the two are combined, they do not produce a zygote, but rather they form a cell capable of producing pluripotent stem cells without being an embryo. The ANT proposal raises the serious question of whether it is possible to know with confidence that this procedure generates a non-embryo, rather than merely an embryo with a deficiency. Here I address the question of how embryos can be distinguished from non-embryos using scientific criteria and apply these criteria to the two forms of ANT proposed thus far: ANT combined with oocyte-assisted reprogramming (ANT-OAR) or with gene deletion (ANT-GD). I propose that the first globally coordinated event in human development, the formation of trophoblast and inner cell mass (ICM) lineages via Cdx2-Oct3/4 mutual cross-repression, is the earliest act of the embryo qua embryo; it is an operation intrinsic to an embryo as such, and entities lacking the power (potentia) for such an act cannot be considered embryos. Thus, I will argue that formation of trophoblast-ICM lineages is a both necessary and sufficient criterion for determining whether ANT produces an embryo or a non-embryonic entity.
Enzyme Logic Gate Associated With a Single Responsive Microparticle: Scaling Biocomputing to Microsize Systems

A microsize biocomputing system based on enzyme logic processing biochemical signals was developed. Optical transduction of pH signals generated in situ by the enzyme OR logic gate was achieved with the use of a single optode microparticle.
Risk and the miller equilibrium: Capital structure choice with risk-averse investors

Merton Miller's (1977) tax model of equilibrium capital structure choice results in capital structure irrelevance and the existence of tax clienteles, assuming the restrictive case of risk-neutrality. Relaxation of the assumption of risk-neutrality in Miller's tax framework, allowing utility-maximizing risk-averse investors, indicates that capital structure irrelevance continues to hold under reasonable assumptions about utility. Evaluation of resulting tax clienteles shows that marginal tax rates do not restrict investors from investing in equities but do affect the tax status of purchased bonds.
MINIMAL AND MAXIMAL RIGHT IDEALS IN THE NEARRING OF POLYNOMIALS

Minimal and maximal right ideals in the nearring R[x] are identified where R is a commutative ring with identity. Particular attention is given to the case where the maximal right ideals contain maximal two-sided ideals and where R is a finite field.
Targeted radioimmunotherapy: the role of 131I-chTNT-1/B mAb (Cotara®) for treatment of high-grade gliomas

The prognosis for patients with malignant gliomas remains poor, and novel treatment paradigms are needed. Radioimmunotherapeutic drugs have been studied in clinical trials as adjuncts to treatment for these tumors. One such agent is 131I-chTNT-1/B mAb (Cotara®), a compound locally delivered to the tumor site through convection-enhanced delivery. It is a genetically engineered chimeric monoclonal antibody that binds to the DNA–histone H1 complex, and carries 131I, which locally delivers its radioactive payload to kill adjacent tumor cells. Clinical experience with Cotara is emerging; completed Phase I and II trials with a total of 51 patients helped to define dosing regimens for the drug. A recent Phase II dose-confirmation trial with Cotara for patients with glioblastoma multiforme at first relapse has demonstrated promising overall survival results of 41 weeks. This review explores the clinical experience of radioimmunotherapy and describes the role of Cotara for treatment of patients with malignant gliomas.
Dynamic data-driven reduced-order models

Abstract Data-driven model reduction constructs reduced-order models of large-scale systems by learning the system response characteristics from data. Existing methods build the reduced-order models in a computationally expensive offline phase and then use them in an online phase to provide fast predictions of the system. In cases where the underlying system properties are not static but undergo dynamic changes, repeating the offline phase after each system change to rebuild the reduced-order model from scratch forfeits the savings gained in the online phase. This paper proposes dynamic reduced-order models that break with this classical but rigid approach. Dynamic reduced-order models exploit the opportunity presented by dynamic sensor data and adaptively incorporate sensor data during the online phase. This permits online adaptation to system changes while circumventing the expensive rebuilding of the model. A computationally cheap adaptation is achieved by constructing low-rank updates to the reduced operators. With these updates and with sufficient and accurate data, our approach recovers the same model that would be obtained by rebuilding from scratch. We demonstrate dynamic reduced-order models on a structural assessment example in the context of real-time decision making. We consider a plate in bending where the dynamic reduced-order model quickly adapts to changes in structural properties and achieves speedups of four orders of magnitude compared to rebuilding a model from scratch.
An empirical evaluation of multiattribute utility theory in peasant agriculture

(1981). An empirical evaluation of multiattribute utility theory in peasant agriculture. Oxford Agrarian Studies: Vol. 10, No. 1, pp. 240-254.
PSEUDO SECOND-ORDER JAHN-TELLER EFFECTS AND SYMMETRY CONSIDERATIONS IN TRANSITION METAL POLYHYDRIDE COMPLEXES

Abstract Pseudo second-order Jahn-Teller distortions are proposed to explain why the equatorial hydride ligands in a series of cyclopentadienyl metal polyhydrides (Cp ∗ ReH 6 , Cp ∗ OsH 5 , Cp ∗ IrH 4 ) bend away from the Cp ring at such large angles. Restricted Hartree-Fuck (RHF) geometry optimizations on models of these complexes where the Cp* ring has been replaced by a hydride reproduce these large distortions. Walsh diagrams and Mulliken populations have been used to show that the stability provided by distortion results from maximizing the overlap population between the hydride s orbitals and the metal d orbitals. This study also includes a comparison of previous work on the structures of do MH6 complexes with our work on d 2 MH6 complexes. We found that an occupied d orbital has a significant effect on the geometry of this type of molecule due to the change in hybridization on the metal from sd 5 to spd 4 . Symmetry arguments are demonstrated as a means to predict the low energy geometries of these complexes.
Monitoring the comprehensive Test Ban Treaty: Possible ambiguities due to meteorite impacts

For seismic magnitudes in the range of monitoring interest for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, hypervelocity meteorite impacts will be detected about once every decade. Such detections could cause concern if they were difficult to distinguish from explosions and were associated with potential terrorist activity or treaty violations.