cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influences of Deception and Computer‐Mediation on Dyadic Negotiations

This article reports on an experiment investigating the differences between computermediated and face-to-face negotiations and between negotiators being deceptive about hidden agendas and negotiators without hidden agendas. Our results supported the hypotheses that individuals negotiating via instant messaging are more likely to use forcing negotiating, experience more tension, and have lower deception detection accuracy than individuals negotiating face-to-face. Unexpectedly, it was found that individuals negotiating via instant messaging were more satisfied with the negotiation process than were face-to-face negotiators. Finally, results supported the hypothesis that those being deceptive about hidden agendas experienced higher tension than those without hidden agendas. These findings have several implications for organizations: higher levels of tension from computer-mediated negotiations and from deception can affect the long-term effectiveness of employees, undetected deception in computer-mediated negotiations can have a negative impact on negotiations, and computer-mediation can lead to the use of a forcing negotiation style, which may improve the effectiveness of negotiators with individualistic goals.
On Hydrogen-Induced Void Nucleation and Grain Boundary Decohesion in Nickel-Base Alloys

Experimental evidence indicates that nickel-base alloys fail in the presence of hydrogen by ductile intergranular fracture. The degradation mechanism involves void nucleation at grain boundary carbides and grain boundary decohesion. In this study, a micromechanical model is suggested to understand the interaction of void nucleation and growth with the failure of the grain boundaries. The analysis is carried out at a unit cell comprising an elastic particle imbedded in a ductile matrix, a grain boundary along a plane of symmetry of the cell, and loaded in plane strain perpendicularly to the grain boundary. A phenomenological model for hydrogen-induced decohesion calibrated at the fast-separation limit of the decohesion theory of Rice [1], Hirth and Rice [2], and Rice and Wang [3] was used to describe the hydrogen effect on the cohesive properties of the particle/matrix interface and grain boundary. The finite element results indicate that hydrogen embrittlement of the alloy 690 is controlled by hydrogen assisted void nucleation at the carbides. The effect of hydrogen on grain boundary cohesion is almost negligible. The grain boundary decohesion, which proceeds almost instantaneously upon initiation, is caused by normal stress elevation due to the interaction of the void with the applied load. Lastly evaluative statements are made on the quantitative effect of hydrogen on the fracture toughness of the alloy 690.
Are Concepts Mental Representations or Abstracta

I argue that thoughts and concepts are mental representations rather than abstracta. I propose that the most important difference between the two views is that the mentalist believes that there are concept and thought tokens as well as types; this reveals that the dispute is not terminological but ontological. I proceed to offer an argument for mental-ism. The key step is to establish that concepts and thoughts have lexical as well as semantic properties. I then show that this entails that concepts and thoughts are susceptible to the type/token distinction. I finish by considering some objections to the argument.
Instructions for three levels of reward and creativity test scores of college students.

118 junior college students were administered the Unusual Uses sub-test of the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking. Students from three intact classes received instructions indicating three levels of reward while a fourth group served as a control and was not given such instructions. The instructions included the offer of extra credit points toward their final grade in an introductory psychology course. The Unusual Uses test yielded scores of Fluency, Flexibility, and Originality for each subject. No significant differences were found between groups on any of the three creativity scores. An additional analysis yielded no significant sex or sex by treatment interactions. Conclusions concerning the possibility of these instructions eliciting stress or anxiety in the subjects were discussed along with supporting literature, due to an apparent trend toward depression of scores by the experimental groups. Implications of using reward instructions in school settings were also examined.
The Index Fund Rationality Paradox

Mutual funds that track the S&P 500 are popular because they have significantly lower costs than the average, actively-managed equity fund. However, a measurable number of investors select index funds with excessive fees and uncompetitive returns. We call this observation the Index Fund Rationality Paradox because it conflicts with the belief that index fund investors are making a rational, low-cost choice in their ‘type of fund’ decision. In our analysis of this paradox, we find that both retail and institutional index investors tended to make better choices in recent years, but the cost of poor choices among both groups continues to be significant. In fact, we are able to identify an arguably naive group of retail investors that seem to be unduly influenced by brokers and financial advisors. These investors are largely responsible for the remaining paradox.
Effects of Freeze‐Drying on Permeability and Respiration of Germinating Lily Pollen

The germination of lily pollen (Lilium longiflorum cv. Ace) was impaired by freeze-drying. This loss of viability was associated with a modified pattern of respiration and an increased leakage of soluble carbohydrates, phosphate, and ninhydrin-positive material into the culture medium. 2,4-Dinitro-phenol, (DNP), an uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation showed a decreased ability to stimulate O2 uptake in freeze-dried pollen. The altered viability, respiration, and permeability resulted from drying under vacuum and not the initial freezing of the pollen. Mature lily pollen contained approximately 0.3 “Ai phosphate, of which 15 % was inorganic phosphate and about 50 %> was acid soluble organic phosphate of unknown identity.
Single-Molecule Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy of the Lateral Transport of the T3 Promoter Primer at a Chemical Interface

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy reveals that an oligonucleotide, the T3 promoter primer, undergoes only lateral diffusion when adsorbed to the interface of water and silica chemically modified with a hydrocarbon. The autocorrelation decay fits well to the model of simple diffusion, reporting a diffusion coefficient of 1.8 × 10-6 cm2/s. Single-molecule resolution of bursts for the T3 promoter primer reveals that rare, strong adsorption punctuates the lateral diffusion. Removal of the strong adsorption events from the data set, followed by autocorrelation, shows the actual diffusion coefficient to be 2.8 × 10-6cm2/s, which is comparable to other oligonucleotides of the same size at the same interface. The single-molecule measurements show that average duration of strong adsorption is 0.2 s, and the average fraction of strongly adsorbed molecules is 10% of the molecules at the interface. While single-molecule spectroscopy reveals a process not evident in fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, the precision of the parameters describing strong adsorption is limited by the statistics of small numbers. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy is suited to observing a much larger number of events, which is needed for high precision. The two methods are complementary: single-molecule spectroscopy gives estimates of the chemical parameters needed for design of the fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, achieving precise measurements with an accurate interpretation.
Variant detection at the δ opioid receptor (OPRD1) locus and population genetics of a novel variant affecting protein sequence

The three opioid receptor genes, and in particular the µ and δ loci (OPRM1 and OPRD1, respectively), are compelling candidates to influence risk for substance dependence. Previous study of a variant at the OPRD1 locus, T921C, has shown association with opioid dependence. This variant does not alter protein sequence, and could not be directly responsible for a physiologic effect. We sequenced the OPRD1 coding region in six individuals with differing T921C alleles, to identify new common variants more likely to explain the association with phenotype. We identified one novel variant in exon 1, 80T→G, which predicts a change in amino acid sequence from phenylalanine (80T) to cysteine (80G) (F27C). We present here basic population genetics of this variant, and population genetic data for the T921C variant. We found significant differences in allele frequency between populations, and a maximum frequency of the 80G allele of 9%, in each of two European populations. This variant could contribute to the previously reported association results
Tienen futuro las humanidades

Hace mas de una decada tuve una conversacion con mi medico de cabecera sobre el libro de Bill Readings The University in Ruins. Reproduje el argumento del libro y recibi una respuesta sorprendente. “La universidad esta en buena forma”, me dijo mi doctor. Se explayo diciendo que su puesto como miembro de la Facultad de Medicina de la Universidad Estatal de Ohio le proporcionaba flexibilidad horaria y un buen sueldo, su practica privada lo complementaba y, mas importante aun, sus estudios sobre la hipertension, patrocinados por el gigante farmaceutico Pfizer, eran muy lucrativos.
The isolation of two types of collagen from embryonic bovine epiphyseal cartilage.

The nature of the collagen in embryonic and postnatal bovine epiphyseal cartilage was studied by amino acid analysis, extraction in denaturants, and extraction in denaturants after prior digestion of the cartilage with pepsin. Components of both Type I collagen and Type II collagen were isolated by molecular sieve filtration from the gelatin extracted from 4–5 month old embryonic bovine epiphyseal cartilage, and characterized by their behavior during ion exchange chromatography, amino acid composition and their content of hydroxylysine and glycosydically substituted hydroxylysine residues. Type I collagen accounted for about one-third of the total collagen content of epiphyseal cartilage. It was preferentially extracted in denaturant salts, whilst Type II collagen, essentially insoluble in denaturants, could be extracted from the cartilage only after prior digestion of the cartilage with pepsin. The marked preponderance of α components compared with higher molecular weight polymers in the extracted Type I gelatin suggested a paucity of intramolecular crosslinkages, and the lability of the intermolecular crosslinks to denaturants at neutral pH, suggests that the intermolecular, aldehyde-derived crosslinks of Type, I collagen in cartilage are similar to those in the Type I collagen of bone rather than those present in the Type I collagen of skin and other non-mineralized connective tissues. The marked differences in the solubility properties of Type I and Type II collagens of cartilage suggests that the stability and possibly the chemical nature of the intermolecular crosslinkages in Type II collagen, as well as the number of intramolecular crosslinkages, differs in the two types of collagen present in cartilage.
peripheral and transitional markets: the Aztec case1

Only recently has ethnohistorical data been interpreted in terms of sociocultural theory. This methodology has promise because some ethnohistorical data, such as the writings which depict preconquest Aztec society, reveal the cultures of societies in a more “pristine” state, uncontaminated by contact with Western societies. The urban market economy of the preconquest Aztecs is analyzed with reference to a model derived from market economies in contemporary West Africa. It is demonstrated that Aztec urban markets are transitional between “peripheral” and modern market economies. The transitional process is examined, an explanation for it is offered, and the working model is reinterpreted.
Technical Communique: Analytical stability bound for delayed second-order systems with repeating poles using Lambert function W

By using Lambert function, the analytical stability bound is obtained in this paper for delayed second-order systems with repeatable poles. An example is presented to illustrate the obtained analytical result.
Rheological properties of internal viscosity models with stress symmetry

Internal viscosity models (IVM) for dilute-solution polymer dynamics differ in how they define the deformational force Fd which includes φ, the IV coefficient, and in how they treat polymer rotational velocity Ω. Here, the handling of angular momentum is shown to be crucial. A torque balance in simple shear flow at shear rate G leads to stress symmetry and specification of Ω(G) which differs greatly from the conventional Ω = G/2. This determines the G dependence of viscosity η and normal stress coefficient ζ. There are also implications of a transition in rotational behavior as φ approaches a critical value. Predictions of η(G), ζ(G), and η*(ω) are presented for two versions of Fd: one derived recently by the authors and one being most commonly used at present. Limiting cases for high and low φ, and for high and low G and ω, are discussed. Some differences exist between predictions of the two Fd models, but these are surprisingly minor.
Reflections on Public Funding for Professional Sports Facilities

(2009). Reflections on Public Funding for Professional Sports Facilities. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport: Vol. 36, No. 1, pp. 22-39.
Web caching for database applications with Oracle Web Cache

We discuss several important issues specific to Web caching for content dynamically generated from database applications. We present the techniques employed by Oracle Web Cache to address these issues. They include: content disambiguation based on information in addition to the URL, transparent session management, partial-page caching for personalization, and broad-scope invalidation with performance assurance heuristics.
A dynamically tunable memory hierarchy

The widespread use of repeaters in long wires creates the possibility of dynamically sizing regular on-chip structures. We present a tunable cache and translation lookaside buffer (TLB) hierarchy that leverages repeater insertion to dynamically trade off size for speed and power consumption on a per-application phase basis using a novel configuration management algorithm. In comparison to a conventional design that is fixed at a single design point targeted to the average application, the dynamically tunable cache and TLB hierarchy can be tailored to the needs of each application phase. The configuration algorithm dynamically detects phase changes and selects a configuration based on the application's ability to tolerate different hit and miss latencies in order to improve the memory energy-delay product. We evaluate the performance and energy consumption of our approach and project the effects of technology scaling trends on our design.
Revision of the humeral component for aseptic loosening in arthroplasty of the shoulder

Between 1976 and 2004, 38 revision arthroplasties (35 patients) were performed for aseptic loosening of the humeral component. The mean interval from primary arthroplasty to revision was 7.1 years (0.4 to 16.6). A total of 35 shoulders (32 patients) were available for review at a mean follow-up of seven years (2 to 19.3). Pre-operatively, 34 patients (97%) had moderate or severe pain; at final follow-up, 29 (83%) had no or only mild pain (p < 0.0001). The mean active abduction improved from 88 degrees to 107 degrees (p < 0.01); and the mean external rotation from 37 degrees to 46 degrees (p = 0.27). Excellent or satisfactory results were achieved in 25 patients (71%) according to the modified Neer rating system. Humeral components were cemented in 29, with ingrowth implants used in nine cases. There were 19 of standard length and 17 were longer (two were custom replacements and are not included). Bone grafting was required for defects in 11 humeri. Only two glenoid components were left unrevised. Intra-operative complications included cement extrusion in eight cases, fracture of the shaft of the humerus is two and of the tuberosity in four. There were four re-operations, one for recurrent humeral loosening, with 89% survival free of re-operations at ten years. Revision surgery for aseptic loosening of the humeral component provides reliable pain relief and modest improvement of movement, although there is a substantial risk of intra-operative complications. Revision to a total shoulder replacement gives better results than to a hemiarthroplasty.
Sexual and physical abuse history and adult sexual risk behaviors: relationships among women and potential mediators.

Objective While research has supported associations between experiencing abuse and engaging in risky sexual behaviors during adolescence, research regarding these associations among adult women is much more equivocal. In addition, few studies have attempted to identify potential pathways from abuse experiences to sexual risk behaviors. The current study examined the associations between a history of physical or sexual abuse and recent sexual risk behaviors among adult women. Additionally, this study evaluated binge drinking and depressive symptomatology as potential mediators of any relationships between abuse history and sexual risk behaviors.
High-Throughput TR-FRET Assays for Identifying Inhibitors of LSD1 and JMJD2C Histone Lysine Demethylases

Lysine demethylase 1 (LSD1) and Jumonji C domain-containing oxygenase D2C (JMJD2C) participate in regulating the methylation status of histone H3 lysine residues. In some contexts, LSD1 and JMJD2C activity causes enhanced cellular proliferation, which may lead to tumorigenesis. The authors explored the utility of time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) immunoassays, which employed peptides consisting of the first 21 amino acids of histone H3 in which lysine 4 (H3K4) or lysine 9 (H3K9) was methylated (me) to quantify LSD1 and JMJD2C activity. The LSD1 assay monitored demethylation of the H3K4me1 peptide using an antibody that recognizes H3K4me1 but not the unmethylated peptide product. The JMJD2C assay measured demethylation of H3K9me3 with an antibody that selectively recognizes H3K9me2. The optimized conditions resulted in robust assays (Z' > 0.7) that required only 3 to 6 nM of enzyme in a reaction volume of 6 to 10 µL. These assays were used to compare the activity of different LSD1 constructs and to determine the apparent K(m) of each JMJD2C substrate. Finally, both assays were used in a high-throughput setting for identifying demethylase inhibitors. Compounds discovered by these TR-FRET methods may lead to powerful tools for ascertaining the roles of demethylases in a cellular context and ultimately for potential cancer treatments.
Ultrasonic scattering in deformed media and the effects on strain imaging

Acoustic properties of tissue-like media with stiff and soft scatterers were measured as a function of compressive strain up to 40%. Uniaxial strain measurements were analyzed to test the assumption that local properties of wave propagation and scattering are invariant under deformation. We found that echo spectra of gel media with soft scatterers varied significantly and predictably during compression. Specifically, centroids of Gaussian echo spectra were shifted to higher frequencies in proportion to the compressive strain applied up to 10%, and increased monotonically up to 49% at a rate depending on the scatterer size. The results explain why there is often more echo decorrelation produced in tissues than in commonly used graphite-gelatin test phantoms.
Prolonged focal application of polyethylene glycol induces conduction block in guinea pig spinal cord white matter.

Abstract A 2-min focal application of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) to injured mammalian spinal cords can offer significant yet limited restoration of functional and structural integrity. However, longer application of PEG has not been tested in similar injuries. In this study, isolated spinal cord white matter strips from adult guinea pigs were subjected to a 25 min exposure of PEG (MW: 2000; 50% w/w), with or without prior compression. When applied in a continuous steam, PEG, with a delay of about 6 min, suppressed the compound action potential (CAP) amplitude to 64 ± 4% of the pre-PEG level in uninjured cords and to 64 ± 7% in compressed cord strips. Both recovered to 70 ± 5% (uninjured) and 88 ± 11% (compressed) of the pre-PEG level following wash. When PEG was applied in a pulsatile manner, no significant decrease of CAP amplitude was observed. In summary, our results show that focal continuous application of PEG has minimal toxicity if applied for less than 5 min. Pulsatile application could extend this duration to at least 25 min with no toxicity. This study could be useful in determining the optimal protocol for the use of PEG in both animal research and human spinal cord victims.
Controlling low-dimensional chaos by proportional feedback

Low-dimensional chaos can be controlled by proportional feedback to one or more of the system constraints in a simple scheme based on 1D maps. The stabilized system exhibits periodic behavior even though the corresponding autonomous system remains within the parameter range of chaotic behavior. We examine the effects of random noise and delay between sampling and subsequent control perturbation. Providing these factors are small, the simple control scheme is stable.
Who invented the dichotomous key? Richard Waller’s watercolors of the herbs of Britain

On 27 March 1689, Richard Waller, Fellow and Secretary of the Royal Society presented his "Tables of the English Herbs reduced to such an order, as to find the name of them by their external figures and shapes" to his assembled colleagues at a meeting of the Royal Society. These tables were developed for the novice by being color images, composed in pencil and watercolor, of selected plants and their distinguishing characteristics. The botanical watercolors for the tables are now a Turning-the-Pages document online on the website of the Royal Society. However, for the past 320 years, the scientific context for the creation of these outstanding botanical watercolors has remained obscure. These tables were developed by Waller as an image-based dichotomous key, pre-dating by almost 100 years the text-based dichotomous keys in the first edition of Flora Francaise (1778) by Jean Baptiste Lamarck, who is generally given priority for the development of the dichotomous key. How these large folio images were arranged to illustrate a dichotomous key is unknown, but an arrangement based on Waller's description is illustrated here as leaf-ordering for the separate hierarchical clusters (tables). Although only 24 species of watercolored dicot herbs out of a total of 65 in the set of watercolors (the others being monocots) are used in these tables, they are a "proof of concept", serving as models upon which a method is based, that of using a key composed of dichotomous choices for aiding identification.
A NOTE ON THE USE OF SELECTED NONFINANCIAL RATIO VARIABLES TO PREDICT SMALL‐BUSINESS LOAN PERFORMANCE*

Small business loan applications have not been evaluated successfully by traditional methods. This paper explores the possibility of using three types of nonfinancial ratio variables (owner, firm, and loan characteristics) to predict whether a small business will pay off or default its loan. The owner and loan variables were better predictors of loan success than the firm variables.
Flyability and flying height modulation measurement of sliders with sub-10 nm flying heights

A Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) was used to measure flying height modulation (FHM) of sliders with sub-10 nm flying-heights (FH). It was found that a precise trigger, averaging, and suitable filtering are the key to successfully measuring FHM by LDV. Also, more accurate results can be obtained from the LDV velocity output as opposed to the displacement output. The FHM's of a 7-nm FH slider flying over three different disks were measured. One of the disks had higher roughness and waviness values (disk A) than the other two (disks E and C). Disks B and C had the same super-smooth substrate but different lubricants and carbon overcoats. It was observed that this slider flew steadily over disk A and disk C, but it could not fly over disk B. The repeatable part of the FHM of the slider flying over disk A and disk C was about 0.45 nm and 0.37 nm (RMS), respectively, in the frequency range between 20 kHz and 300 kHz. Also, for disk C, the dependence of FHM on RPM was investigated, and it was found that at the design condition (7200 RPM) the FHM (peak-to-peak) was minimized for this particular slider/disk system. However, we do need to consider the ratio of FHM to FH. Increasing RPM increases FHM due to the disk surface topography and decreasing air-bearing modal frequencies, but the ratio of FHM to FH stays relatively constant. Decreasing RPM increases FHM due to intermittent contacts and excitation of the air-bearing.
Political Familism in Lebanon

Patrimonialism has been used to explain the “backwardness” of Middle Eastern states, their “lacks.” Patrimonialism, however, may undermine its own insights by creating false binaries and false histories. The author suggests family/families as a point of departure and political familism as a conceptual step toward reframing analysis of state/citizen relationships in Lebanon. Political familism refers to the deployment of family institutions, ideologies, idioms (idiomatic kinship), practices, and relationships by citizens to activate their demands in relation to the state and by state actors to mobilize practical and moral grounds for governance based on a civic myth of kinship and public discourse that privileges family. Political familism addresses the processes by which states and citizens mutually constitute a set of public practices that reproduce the privileged position of “family,” even as specific family relations and practices diverge from discursive presumptions.
Recent advances in technology for composite materials in the USA

Abstract In the four years since the previous review [Vinson (1) ] composite materials and their use in structures have grown and matured considerably. In addition to the continuous & short fibre and particulate composites, there has been much progress in the areas of sheet moulding compounds, woven fabric & three dimensional composites and braided composites employing many of the same fibre materials. New thermoplastic polymers show real promise and progress in metal matrix composites has been made. The analysis of composite material structures subjected to static, vibratory, impact, environmental and long time loading continues to progress. Important effects such as creep, viscoelasticity, damping, postbuckling behaviour and delamination are better understood. However, strength and failure criteria remain areas that need much further investigation and agreement. There has been a rapid increase in simpler-to-use computer codes that are available from the government and universities that ease structural-material analysis and provide more comprehensive descriptions of structural behaviour. In education concerning composite materials, new textbooks have appeared, more universities and organisations are offering courses, and there is a trend of migration of professors to those institutions where composite material research is emphasised. Technology transfer and export controls have had an increasing affect upon the composite materials community, particularly with regard to metal matrix composites. These manifest themselves in sponsored research, both at universities and international meetings. In the aerospace industry, all composite aircraft such as the Sikorsky ACAP helicopter have been developed. The Grumman X-29 Forward swept wing aircraft will fly soon. New turbine engines using more composite materials are under study, as well as increased use of composites in many aircraft and spacecraft vehicles. Composites in the automotive and leisure industries continue on the increase. With increased volume of use and better methods of computer assisted design, analysis and manufacturing, application of composites will extend to other areas such as mass transport.
An activity phosphorylating tyrosine in polyoma T antigen immunoprecipitates

Abstract Polyoma T antigen immunoprecipitates contain a protein kinase-like activity which preferentially phosphorylates material of 50–60,000 daltons molecular weight. Phosphorylation is not diminished in extracts of polyoma tsA mutant-infected cells shifted to the nonpermissive temperature late in infection, conditions which inactivate the large T antigen. Phosphorylation is reduced or absent in cells infected with polyoma host range nontransforming (hr-t) mutants, which have defective small and medium T antigens. The major acceptor of phosphate is not the heavy chain of immunoglobulin, but appears to be the polyoma medium T antigen. The large T antigen is also phosphorylated, but usually to a lower specific activity. In terms of acid and alkali sensitivity and electrophoretic and chromatographic mobility in one and two dimensions, the phosphorylated residue behaves identically to phosphotyrosine and differently than phosphorylated serine, threonine, lysine and histidine.
COSMOS-A representation scheme for 3D free-form objects

We address the problem of representing and recognizing 3D free-form objects when (1) the object viewpoint is arbitrary, (2) the objects may vary in shape and complexity, and (3) no restrictive assumptions are made about the types of surfaces on the object. We assume that a range image of a scene is available, containing a view of a rigid 3D object without occlusion. We propose a new and general surface representation scheme for recognizing objects with free-form (sculpted) surfaces. In this scheme, an object is described concisely in terms of maximal surface patches of constant shape index. The maximal patches that represent the object are mapped onto the unit sphere via their orientations, and aggregated via shape spectral functions. Properties such as surface area, curvedness, and connectivity, which are required to capture local and global information, are also built into the representation. The scheme yields a meaningful and rich description useful for object recognition. A novel concept, the shape spectrum of an object is also introduced within the framework of COSMOS for object view grouping and matching. We demonstrate the generality and the effectiveness of our scheme using real range images of complex objects.
Molecular dissection of a putative iron reductase from Desulfotomaculum reducens MI-1.

Desulfotomaculum reducens MI-1 is a Firmicute strain capable of reducing a variety of heavy metal ions and has a great potential in heavy metal bioremediation. We recently identified Dred_2421 as a potential iron reductase through proteomic study of D. reducens. The current study examines its iron-reduction mechanism. Dred_2421, like its close homolog from Escherichia coli (2, 4-dienoyl-CoA reductase), has an FMN-binding N-terminal domain (NTD), an FAD-binding C-terminal domain (CTD), and a 4Fe–4S cluster between the two domains. To understand the mechanism of the iron-reduction activity and the role of each domain, we generated a series of variants for each domain and investigated their iron-reduction activity. Our results suggest that CTD is the main contributor of the iron-reduction activity, and that NTD and the 4Fe–4S cluster are not directly involved in such activity. This study provides a mechanistic understanding of the iron–reductase activity of Dred_2421 and may also help to elucidate other physiological activities this enzyme may have.
Carrier-mediated uptake and release of taurine from Bergmann glia in rat cerebellar slices

Taurine uptake is essential for the maintenance of millimolar intracellular concentrations of taurine, which is released during ischaemia and is thought to be neuroprotective. To determine whether Bergmann glia express functional transporters that can mediate both taurine uptake and efflux, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were obtained from these cells in rat cerebellar slices. Taurine-induced inward currents can be pharmacologically separated into GABAA receptor and taurine transporter currents. In the presence of GABA receptor blockers, residual taurine currents averaged −28 pA at −70 mV and were strictly inwardly rectifying between −70 and +50 mV. These residual currents were also abolished by external Na+ removal and diminished by reduction of external Cl−, consistent with transport currents. Taurine transport currents were reduced by a taurine transporter inhibitor, guanidinoethyl sulphonate (GES). Other classical inhibitors reduced taurine transport currents with an order of potency (hypotaurine > β-alanine > GES > GABA) similar to that reported for cloned rat taurine transporters. Following intracellular taurine perfusion during the recording, a progressively developing outward current could be observed at −50 mV but not at −70 mV. Intracellular perfusion of taurine also decreased taurine-induced inward currents at both holding potentials. Outward currents induced by intracellular taurine increased in amplitude with depolarization, activated near −50 mV, and were affected by GES. For the first time, these results demonstrate that taurine activates both GABAA receptors and Na+/Cl−-dependent taurine transporters in Bergmann glia in slices. In addition, our data show that taurine transporters can work in reverse and can probably mediate taurine efflux under ischaemic conditions.
Human Recognition in Economic Development: A Theoretical Model

This paper presents a model of human recognition, a concept defined as the acknowledgement provided to an individual that he is of inherent value with intrinsic qualities in common with the recognizer. The model describes provision and receipt of human recognition, its contribution to utility, its effects on health and labor supply, and the role it plays in development programs. The model provides a theoretical basis for understanding human recognition, lays the foundation for empirical study, and offers an example of how non-material components of development can be formally modeled. Key predictions from the model are that human recognition has a positive, causal relationship with utility, health outcomes, and labor supply; that multiple equilibrium for human recognition can exist, and groups can be stuck in low-level equilibrium; and that only accounting for the instrumental effects recognition has on material outcomes while ignoring its direct effects on utility leads to suboptimal programs.
Extent of tocopherol depletion versus onset of creatinuria in rats fed saturated or unsaturated fat.

SummaryRats fed a diet containing either a saturated or an unsaturated fat were depleted of α-tocopherol (whole body) at comparable rates. Upon depletion to an average tissue α-tocopherol level of 2.4 μg/g wet weight of tissue, the group fed the unsaturated fat showed a significant creatinuria. Depletion of the saturated fat-fed group to an average tissue α-tocopherol level of 0.4 μg/g did not produce creatinuria.
Linear Transformation Recognition Using Radon Transform

Given two regular functions (images) f and g on R 2 where g is formed from f by a general linear transformation, g(x) = f (Ax + b). We present a procedure to determine the transformation ‘parameters’ A and b using Radon projections of f and only two projections of g. We use these projections together with simple facts on matrix vector multiplication to recover the matrix A. The assumptions we have here are: f is nonnegative and A is nonsingular. Commonly used transformations in image processing such as rotation, scaling and others are special cases of our approach.
Variation in Susceptibility of Noctuid (Lepidoptera) Larvae Attacking Cotton and Soybean to Purified Endotoxin Proteins and Commercial Formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis

Susceptibility of Heliothis virescens (F.), Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), Pseudoplusia includens (Walker), Spodoptera exigua (Hubner), and Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) to purified endotoxins and commercial formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner was measured in a wide range of colonies collected from 8 states in the U.S. Cotton Belt during 1992 and 1993. Results indicated that field-collected colonies of H. virescens, H. zea, P. includens, and S. frugiperda were as susceptible as laboratory-reared colonies and those reported in the literature to the purified endotoxin proteins Cry1Ac and Cry1Ab or the commercial formulations Javelin WG, Dipel ES, and Condor OF in diet-treated assays. Colonies of S. exigua collected from transgenic cotton expressing endotoxin protein had elevated median lethal concentrations (LC50s) compared with a colony collected from nontransgenic cotton or those from laboratory colonies. Ranges of LC50s for field-collected colonies of H. virescens generally were similar to the ranges observed for laboratory colonies and similar to those reported in the literature. Wider ranges of variation in LC50s were observed among populations of H. zea and S. exigua than among populations of the other species. However, the highest LC50 observed for H. zea was no higher than those reported in the literature. Only a few colonies of P. includens and S. exigua were tested. P. includens susceptibility was generally greater than that of H. virescens and less than that of H. zea. S. frugiperda was the least susceptible species studied. Variability in LC50s obtained with Cry1Ac ( r = 0.702) correlated with variability in LC50s for Cry1Ab across 13 colonies of H. virescens exposed to both proteins. Colonies of H. zea and H. virescens were pooled into single colonies and selected with the insecticidal proteins to produce endotoxin-resistant strains. Selection for resistance in H. virescens was not successful, but a strain of H. zea was selected that had elevated LC50s (10 times) after 2 generations and very high LC50s compared with a susceptible laboratory strain (100 times) after 8 generations, suggesting that H. zea has the genetic capacity to develop resistance to endotoxin proteins.
Elevated expression of chemokine C-C ligand 2 in stroma is associated with recurrent basal-like breast cancers

Despite advances in treatment, up to 30% of breast cancer patients experience disease recurrence accompanied by more aggressive disease and poorer prognosis. Treatment of breast cancer is complicated by the presence of multiple breast cancer subtypes, including: luminal, Her2 overexpressing, and aggressive basal-like breast cancers. Identifying new biomarkers specific to breast cancer subtypes could enhance the prediction of patient prognosis and contribute to improved treatment strategies. The microenvironment influences breast cancer progression through expression of growth factors, angiogenic factors and other soluble proteins. In particular, chemokine C-C ligand 2 (CCL2) regulates macrophage recruitment to primary tumors and signals to cancer cells to promote breast tumor progression. Here we employed a software-based approach to evaluate the prognostic significance of CCL2 protein expression in breast cancer subtypes in relation to its expression in the epithelium or stroma or in relation to fibroblast-specific protein 1 (Fsp1), a mesenchymal marker. Immunohistochemistry analysis of tissue microarrays revealed that CCL2 significantly correlated with Fsp1 expression in the stroma and tumor epithelium of invasive ductal carcinoma. In the overall cohort of invasive ductal carcinomas (n=427), CCL2 and Fsp1 expression in whole tissues, stroma and epithelium were inversely associated with cancer stage and tumor size. When factoring in molecular subtype, stromal CCL2 was observed to be most highly expressed in basal-like breast cancers. By Cox regression modeling, stromal CCL2, but not epithelial CCL2, expression was significantly associated with decreased recurrence-free survival. Furthermore, stromal CCL2 (HR=7.51 P=0.007) was associated with a greater hazard than cancer stage (HR=2.45, P=0.048) in multivariate analysis. These studies indicate that stromal CCL2 is associated with decreased recurrence-free survival in patients with basal-like breast cancer, with important implications on the use of stromal markers for predicting patient prognosis.
The Nature of Marxist Philosophy and Philosophy Teaching Reform

Marxist philosophy is the scientific standpoint and methodology that can be used to recreate the world. It is not an eternal truth and a doctrine, but a guide to action. The paper intends to make clear that it is of importance for the students to master the spiritual nature of Marxist philosophy and realize the current spiritual highlights and its developing vigor in the philosophy teaching.
Control of breathing in asthma.

SUMMARY The hyperventilation seen in asthma is due to an increase in respiratory drive. This may be reflected by increased neural output to the respiratory muscles and probably by alterations in the respiratory pattern. This increased respiratory drive is most likely in response to irritant receptor stimulation in the lung. Our understanding of the genesis of hyperventilation and an abnormal breathing pattern in asthma has paralleled the growth in our understanding of the mechanism of respiratory control. New methods for studying the control of respiration have been applied to the clinical problem of asthma successfully. Further growth in the applications of knowledge of respiratory control may be expected.
Effects of Sterol Substitution on Influenza Viral Membrane Fusion

Influenza virus membranes are enriched in cholesterol in comparison to the plasma membrane, as cholesterol can comprise as much as 50% of viral envelope lipids. This enrichment in sterol content likely plays an adaptive role for the virus. Prior work has shown that influenza viral fusion rates vary with cholesterol concentration of both viral and target membranes. To understand which cholesterol properties affect influenza fusion, we measured fusion kinetics between viral and liposomal membranes where cholesterol was replaced with different sterols. Influenza fusion rates are surprisingly invariant across different sterols in the target membrane (all tested at the same mol %) and across a fairly broad range of sterols in the viral membrane. Two sterols--lanosterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol—did slow fusion moderately when introduced into the viral membrane, while substitution of cholesterol with polar sterols greatly slowed fusion. No other sterols tested showed a significant perturbation in fusion rates, including ones altering membrane phase behavior. Our findings suggest that the rate-limiting step in influenza viral fusion may be sensitive to membrane bending moduli but does not depend strongly on sterol-mediated changes to liquid-liquid phase coexistence in membranes.
Outcomes of Low-energy Basicervical Proximal Femoral Fractures Treated with Cephalomedullary Fixation

Background Basicervical peritrochanteric fractures are relatively rare, with 1.8% to 7.6% of hip fractures being identified as true basicervical fractures. The compression hip screw traditionally has been considered the "gold standard" for operative fixation of peritrochanteric fractures, with generally good results. The purpose of this study was to report the outcomes of basicervical peritrochanteric fractures of the proximal part of the femur treated with cephalomedullary nailing (CMN). Methods We reviewed medical records and radiographs of all patients at our institution with a peritrochanteric fracture treated with CMN from 2010 to 2012 (246 patients). Fourteen patients with a 2-part basicervical fracture were identified. Two of them died less than 6 weeks after injury and another patient did not return for follow-up. Eleven patients were included in the reported series. Results Five of the 11 patients had fracture-healing without complications. Their average tip-apex distance was 14.9 mm. The fixation failed in the remaining six patients, all of whom had a tip-apex distance of Conclusions CMN may be inadequate for fixation of 2-part basicervical fractures. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
“Down in the Sewers”: Perceptions of Depression and Depression Care Among African American Men:

Depression is one of the most common, costly, and debilitating psychiatric disorders in the United States. One of the most persistent mental health disparities is the underutilization of treatment services among African American men with depression. Little is known about appropriateness or acceptability of depression care among African American men. The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of depression and determine barriers to depression treatment among African American men. A series of four focus groups were conducted with 26 African American men. The average age of the sample was 41 years and most participants reported that they had completed high school. Nearly half of the participants reported that they are currently unemployed and most had never been married. The most common descriptions of depression in this study were defining depression as feeling down, stressed, and isolated. A small group of participants expressed disbelief of depression. The majority of participants recognized the need to identify depression and were supportive of depression treatment. Nonetheless, most men in this sample had never sought treatment for depression and discussed a number of barriers to depression care including norms of masculinity, mistrust of the health care system, and affordability of treatment. Men also voiced their desire to discuss stress in nonjudgmental support groups. Research findings highlight the need to increase the awareness of symptoms some African American men display and the need to provide appropriate depression treatment options to African American men.
A Concise History of the Qing Dynasty

A Concise History of the Qing Dynasty is a formidable effort by a group of seventeen scholars led by Dai Yi at the Institute of Qing History at Renmin University of China. Originally published in C...
Combining Max-min and Max-max Approaches for Robust SoS Architecting

Abstract A System of Systems (SoS) architecting problem requires creating a selection of systems in order to provide a set of capabilities. SoS architecting finds many applications in military/defense projects. In this paper, we study a multi-objective SoS architecting problem, where the cost of the architecture is minimized while its performance is maximized. The cost of the architecture is the summation of the costs of the systems to be included in the SoS. Similarly, the performance of the architecture is defined as the sum of the performance of the capabilities, where the performance of a capability is the sum of the selected systems’ contributions towards its performance. Here, nevertheless, the performance of a system in providing a capability is not known with certainty. To model this uncertainty, we assume that the performance of a system for providing a capability has lower and upper bounds and subject to complete uncertainty, i.e., no information is available about the probability distribution of the performance values. To solve the resulting multi-objective SoS architecting problem with uncertainty, we propose and compare three robust approaches: max-min, max-max, and max-mid. We apply these methods on a military example and numerically compare the results of the different approaches.