cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The “new” internationalization of agriculture: A reformulation

Abstract Our research on the “new” internationalization of agriculture builds on analyses of the internationalization of capital and the New International Division of Labor, but reformulates “internationalization” as a contingent, political and economic process. We argue that shifts in the institutional structure of capitalism in the 1980s profoundly altered national policy options and agro-food markets. States, such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, have been compelled to promote agricultural exports, typically at the expense of national food security. While southern states pursue a common goal of international competitiveness, this involves a varied process of domestic restructuring and differentiates states within the world economy.
Transcription by RNA polymerase II during Acanthamoeba differentiation

The rates of transcription of several protein coding genes during Acanthamoeba differentiation have been examined by nuclear run-on and RNase protection assays. During early encystment, transcription by RNA polymerase II increases approximately 4-fold, whereas transcription by RNA polymerases I and III is decreased, as previously described. The rates of transcription from a wide variety of individual genes are only slightly affected during the first 16 h of encystment, although profilin gene expression is markedly increased. The levels of mRNAs encoding TPBF, TATA binding protein, cyclin-dependent kinase, protein disulfide isomerase, profilin, myosin II heavy chain, ubiquitin and extendin are stable during mature cyst formation, whereas mRNAs encoding actin, S-adenosyl methionine synthase and tubulin are substantially decreased in abundance within 16 h of starvation-induced encystment. We conclude that in contrast to the negative regulation of large rRNA and 5S rRNA synthesis during differentiation, the RNA polymerase II transcription apparatus is not negatively regulated. Control of Acanthamoeba differentiation is likely to be mediated by positive regulation of genes necessary for cyst maturation.
Hemodynamics of Seasonal Adaptation

To investigate the possibility that seasonal adaptation requires significant hemodynamic changes, 5 normotensive and 21 mildly hypertensive subjects were followed through 4 seasons for changes in systemic hemodynamics and sympathetic nervous activity. In the upright position wintertime blood pressures increased by 3% (P = NS) over summer values whereas cardiac output and stroke volume decreased by 18% and 21%, respectively (P less than .0017 for each). Similarly, wintertime upright heart rate increased by 7% (P less than .017) with larger parallel increases in systemic vascular resistance (+24%, P less than .0017) and plasma norepinephrine (+26%, P less than .017). The supine values followed similar trends but the magnitude of changes was about 50% less than the corresponding upright values. Thus, in the northern US, wintertime vasoconstriction is related to increased sympathetic nervous activity and decreased cardiac output. When these reciprocal changes are proportional, blood pressure remains constant.
Biplane Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography in Congenital Heart Disease

Objective To evaluate the accuracy, value, and safety of biplane intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) in patients with congenital cardiac malformations. Design We reviewed the results of the first 104 consecutive biplane intraoperative TEE examinations performed during the repair of congenital heart defects at the Mayo Clinic. Material and Methods TEE results were analyzed for accuracy of diagnosis, effect on the surgical procedure, and associated complications. In a subjective analysis, the relative contributions and advantages of each imaging plane (transverse and longitudinal) were also assessed. Results Biplane TEE had "significant impact" on intraoperative management in 17 of 104 examinations (16.3%). Preoperative TEE altered the planned procedure in 11 patients (10.6%). Postbypass biplane TEE led to immediate revision of the initial repair in nine patients (8.7%). Patients who underwent modified Fontan operations or subaortic resections had the greatest frequency of significant impact (40% [ P = 0.006] and 33% [ P = 0.03], respectively). No major complications were associated with TEE. For a complete examination, use of both imaging planes was necessary in all the patients studied. Conclusion Biplane TEE is an accurate, valuable, and safe addition to the perioperative care of patients with congenital heart disease. Although intraoperative TEE is not needed in all operations for congenital heart disease, we recommend that biplane intraoperative TEE be performed routinely during modified Fontan procedures, subaortic resections, and other intracardiac operations for complex congenital cardiac malformations.
Prediction of Partial Discharge Pulse Height Distribution Parameters using Linear Prediction Method

Partial Discharges (PD) studies have been traditionally used to monitor tree growth in electrical insulation. In this work polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) samples with a needle plane gap have been aged with AC voltage. The tree growth is monitored simultaneously with collection of PD at regular intervals of time and taking microphotographs in real time without interrupting the aging voltage. The partial discharge pulse amplitude records are clustered together into groups of class intervals. The sequence of PD pulse height records are quantified as time series of eta (shape) and sigma (scale) of Weibull distribution. An auto regressive (AR) model has been devised in MATLAB for analyses and prediction of eta and sigma. Linear prediction method has been used to verify the results.
Simulation Based Framework for Accurately Estimating Dynamic Power-Supply Noise and Path Delay

Power-supply noise is one of the major contributing factor for yield loss in sub-micron designs. Excessive switching in test mode causes supply voltage to droop more than in functional mode leading to failures in delay tests that would not occur otherwise under normal operation. Thus, there exists a need to accurately estimate on-chip supply noise early in the design phase to meet power requirements in normal mode and during test to prevent overstimulation during the test cycle and avoid false failures. Simultaneous switching activity (SSA) of several logic components is one of the main sources of power-supply noise (PSN) which results in reduction of supply voltages at the power-supplies of the logic gates. Most existing techniques and tools predict static IR-drop, which accounts for only part of the total voltage drop on the power grid. To our knowledge, inductive drop is not included in current noise analysis for simplification. The power delivery networks in today's very deep-submicron chips are susceptible to slight variations and cause sudden large current spikes leading to higher Ldi � dt than resistive drop essentiating the need to account for this drop. Power-supply noise also impacts circuit operation incurring a significant increase in path delays. However, it is infeasible to carry out full-chip SPICE-level simulations on a design to validate the ATPG generated test patterns. Accurate and efficient techniques are required to quantify supply noise and its impact on path delays to ensure reliable operation in both mission mode and during test. We present a scalable current-based dynamic method to estimate both IR and Ldi / dt drop caused by simultaneous switching activity and use the technique to predict the increase in path delay. Our technique uses simulations of individual extracted paths in comparison to time-consuming full-chip simulations and thus it can be integrated with existing ATPG tools. The method uses these path simulations and a convolution-based technique to estimate power-supply noise and path delays. Simulation results for combinational and sequential benchmark circuits are presented demonstrating the effectiveness of our techniques.
U.S. Army's Center of Excellence for Spectral Sensing Technology

Recent advances in the field of spectral sensing technology have elucidated the benefits of multi-spectral and hyperspectral sensing to the Army's user community. These advancements, when properly exploited can provide the Army with additional and improved automated terrain analysis, image understanding, object detection, and material characterization capabilities. The U.S. Army, led by the Topographic Engineering Center, has established a Center of Excellence for Spectral Sensing Technology. This Center conducts Army wide collaborative research on, and development and demonstration of spectral sensing, processing and exploitation technologies. The Center's collaborative efforts integrate Army programs across multiple disciplines and form a baseline program consisting of coordinated technology thrusts. The program's applied research and demonstration components will in turn support an Army spectral Strategic Technology Objective (STO) that will ultimately support and leverage joint service efforts starting in FY00. Existing efforts span the domains of sensor hardware, data processing architectures, algorithms, and, signal processing and exploitation technologies across wide spectral regions. These thrusts in turn enable progress and performance improvement in the automated analysis, understanding, classification, discrimination, and identification of terrestrial objects, and materials. The participants draw upon common scientific processes and disciplines to attack similar problems related to different categories and domains of phenomenology. This paper describes the Center's program and objectives along with an explanation of the Army's strategy and approach in support of its program objectives.
Potential mechanism-based inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes

Abstract The design, synthesis, and inhibitory activity toward human neutropil elastase, of a series of potential mechanims-based inhibitors is described. The design, synthesis, and inhibitory activity toward human neutrophile elastase, of a series of potential mechanism-based inhibitor's (I-III) is described.
Stereoselective synthesis of β-hydroxy-α-methylketones via z- and e-vinyloxyboranes generated directly from cyclohexyl ethyl ketone

Abstract E - and Z -dialkylvinyloxyboranes, prepared directly from cyclohexyl ethyl ketone, undergo stereo-selective aldol condensations to provide threo - erythro -β-hydroxy-α-methylketones, respectively.
Pedictors of patients' expreience of pain in EMG

The important features that predict the amount of pain experienced by patients with low back pain who undergo needle electromyography were the patients' assessment of their own pain, their trait-anxiety levels, and female sex. Although it does not influence EMG pain, information about the test will decrease the anxiety of patients coming for testing.
Creating a test corpus of clinical notes manually tagged for part-of-speech information

This paper presents a project whose main goal is to construct a corpus of clinical text manually annotated for part-of-speech information. We describe and discuss the process of training three domain experts to perform linguistic annotation. We list some of the challenges as well as encouraging results pertaining to inter-rater agreement and consistency of annotation. We also present preliminary experimental results indicating the necessity for adapting state-of-the-art POS taggers to the sublanguage domain of medical text.
Understanding childhood lead poisoning preventive behaviors: the roles of self-efficacy, subjective norms, and perceived benefits.

Abstract Introduction Understanding individual and social influences on behaviors commonly recommended to prevent lead poisoning in children can guide more effective educational interventions. Methods In-person interviews were conducted with primary caregivers ( n = 380) of American Indian and White children aged 1 to 6 living in or near the Tar Creek Superfund site in northeastern Oklahoma. Caregivers' perceived health benefits, self-efficacy, and subjective norms were assessed for four lead poisoning prevention behaviors (i.e., annual blood lead testing, playing in safe areas, washing hands before eating, and dusting with a damp cloth). Results Caregivers spoke with their own mothers, spouses, and other female family members most often when they had concerns or worries about taking care of their children. In multivariate models, subjective norms, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy were positively associated with the hand-washing and damp-dusting behaviors, while only self-efficacy was associated with playing in safe areas. None of the variables were found to have significant influence on the blood lead testing behavior. Conclusions Education programs should address individual level factors such as self-efficacy and perceived health benefits but also consider new strategies that incorporate a normative dimension to lead poisoning prevention.
Unstable electrostatic beam modes in free-electron-laser systems

The electrostatic stability of the free-electron laser is studied for a configuration in which a relativistic electron beam propagates through combined helical wiggler and axial guide fields. Instability is found for certain specific parameter regimes which, in the beam frame, is shown to be purely growing and to require the presence of both the wiggler and axial guide fields. The electrostatic stability is also studied for a configuration which consists of a linearly polarized wiggler and an axial guide field, for which analogous results are found.
Imaging multiple biomarkers in captured rare cells by sequential immunostaining and photobleaching.

Abstract Several technologies recently have been developed for separating and counting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the human blood. CTCs play an important role in the metastasis of cancer. Most of the current applications are focused on the enumeration of CTCs; however, analysis of the enumerated CTCs has been proven to be increasingly important. Ensemble-decision aliquot ranking (eDAR) is a high-throughput method that allows the isolation of the CTCs from the whole blood with high recovery and a zero false-positive rate. Coupling a CTC separation and capturing method, such as eDAR, with a downstream immunostaining test provides information about the cell’s expression of certain protein biomarkers. In this article, we introduce a semi-automated system for sequential immunolabeling and photobleaching on the eDAR platform. With our new technique, we were able to evaluate the expression of eight different biomarkers on isolated CTCs.
Stakeholder Ontology and Mining for Improving Complex Services

Complex service-oriented organizations such as IT customer service or the hospital emergency deal with many challenges due to incoming request types that we characterize as non-routine. Each such request reflects significant variations in the environment and consequently requirements, which drives discovery of processing needs. At the same time such organizations are often challenged with sharing high-cost resources and satisfying multiple stakeholders with different expectations. Performance improvement in this context is particularly challenging and requires new methods. To address this, the authors present an ontology designed for highly dynamic service organizations where traceable workflow data is difficult to obtain and there are many stakeholders. The ontology provides the contextual framework by with useful knowledge can be successfully extracted from mined performance data obtained from scattered sources. Specifically the service ontology 1 obtains tacit knowledge as explicit in-the-micro feedback from workers performing Roles, 2 provides the structure for organizing in-the-small execution data from evolving process and instances, and 3 aggregates process instances metrics into a performance and decision-making facility to align to in-the-large goals of stakeholders. Using actual customer service requests they illustrate the benefits of the ontology for relating aggregated goals to feedback from individual roles of workers. The authors also illustrate the benefits in terms of identifying actionable improvement targets.
Valley-fill alluviation during the Little Ice Age (ca. A.D. 1400–1880), Paria River basin and southern Colorado Plateau, United States

Valley-fill alluvium deposited from ca. A.D. 1400 to 1880 is widespread in tributaries of the Paria River and is largely coincident with the Little Ice Age epoch of global climate variability. Previous work showed that alluvium of this age is a mappable stratigraphic unit in many of the larger alluvial valleys of the southern Colorado Plateau. The alluvium is bounded by two disconformities resulting from prehistoric and historic arroyo cutting at ca. A.D. 1200–1400 and 1860–1910, respectively. The fill forms a terrace in the axial valleys of major through-flowing streams. This terrace and underlying deposits are continuous and interfinger with sediment in numerous small tributary valleys that head at the base of hillslopes of sparsely vegetated, weakly consolidated bedrock, suggesting that eroded bedrock was an important source of alluvium along with in-channel and other sources. Paleoclimatic and high-resolution paleoflood studies indicate that valley-fill alluviation occurred during a long-term decrease in the frequency of large, destructive floods. Aggradation of the valleys ended about A.D. 1880, if not two decades earlier, with the beginning of historic arroyo cutting. This shift from deposition to valley entrenchment near the close of the Little Ice Age generally coincided with the beginning of an episode of the largest floods in the preceding 400–500 yr, which was probably caused by an increased recurrence and intensity of flood-producing El Nino events beginning at ca. A.D. 1870.
Sensor experiments to facilitate robot use in assistive environments

In this paper, we describe the mobile robot and sensor research and development toward assistive devices ongoing at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Through mobility research projects, NIST has been studying advanced sensor navigation technology for indoor mobile robots and a novel Home Lift, Position, and Rehabilitation (HLPR) Chair. This assistive device can provide independent patient mobility for indoor tasks, such as moving to and placing a person on a toilet or bed, and lift assistance for tasks, such as accessing kitchen or other tall shelves. These functionalities are currently out of reach of most wheelchair users. One of the design motivations of the HLPR Chair is to reduce back injury, typically, an important issue in the care of this group. The HLPR Chair is currently being extended to be an autonomous mobility device to assist cognition by route and trajectory planning. Localization sensor technologies are being studied for use in combination with the HLPR Chair. This paper briefly describes a mobile robot (HLPR Chair) and its onboard sensors. We then describe performance measurements of absolute positioning and obstacle detection sensor technologies towards combining them with the mobile robot into a cost effective home or assistive care facility, patient transfer and rehabilitation system.
Rubella immunity in older children, teenagers, and young adults: A comparison of immunity in those previously immunized with those unimmunized

Because rubella continues to be a common illness in adolescents and young adults and because it has been suggested that booster rubella immunizations should be performed, we studied antibody prevalence in 459 predominantly adolescent patients in a pediatric group practice. Rubella antibody (PHA titer ≥1:13.5) in previously immunized patients (89.6% of 385) was significantly more common than antibody in unimmunized patients and patients with a questionable history of immunization (70.3% of 74) ( P
The effects of apomorphine and isoproterenol on the 'transport response' in the white rat.

Abstract In a series of four experiments, the ability of specific catecholaminergic agonists to intensify the ‘transport response’ was investigated in 19-, 32-, 36- and 40-day-old rats. The dopaminergic agonist, apomorphine, was able to intensify the response in a dose-dependent fashion. The beta-noradrenergic agonist, isoproterenol, was unable to alter the intensity of the response. These results indicate a central dopaminergic involvement in the transport response.
Group cohesion in juvenile weakly electric fish Mormyrus rume proboscirostris

The current study demonstrated that juvenile Mormyrus rume proboscirostris, an African freshwater weakly electric fish, used their active electrosense in group cohesion. Data also indicated that sight and mechano-reception could play a synergistic role in controlling this behaviour. The developmental change from a larval monophasic electric organ discharge to the adult biphasic waveform was accompanied by a reversal of the fish's social spacing. Light was aversive to social spacing in the younger fish (aged 49 and 65 days), but facilitated aggregation in the older fish (245 days).
Mechanism of Heparin Activation of Antithrombin. Evidence for Reactive Center Loop Preinsertion with Expulsion upon Heparin Binding

A heparin-induced conformational change is required to convert antithrombin from a slow to a fast inhibitor of factor Xa. It has been proposed [van Boeckel et al. (1994) Nat. Struct. Biol. 1, 423−4...
The Spirit of Entrepreneurship and the Qualities of Moral Decision Making: Toward A Unifying Framework

At the heart of entrepreneurship are imagination, creativity, novelty, and sensitivity. It takes these qualities to develop a new product or service and bring it to market, to envision the possible impacts a new product may make and come up with novel and creative solutions to problems that may arise. These qualities go to make up what could be called the spirit of entrepreneurship, a spirit that involves the ability to handle the experimental nature of entrepreunerial activity. These same qualities are crucial for moral decision making, and an ethical approach which emphasizes imagination, creativity, and has an experimental thrust is much better adapted to the entrepreneurial activity and much more relevant to the unique situations that entrepreneurs face. In this sense, the process approach to ethics developed in this article is a unifying framework that brings together the activity of entrepreneurship and moral decision making.
Developing Community Partner Training: Regulations and Relationships:

While funders increasingly support research that partners with communities, community partners still must submit to a regulatory oversight structure that does not reflect their unique research ethics challenges and needs. In recognition of the importance of collaborative research endeavors, the authors engaged in a process of reconnaissance and negotiations with local community partners and research ethics boards (REBs) at the University of Michigan to begin to address the mismatch between regulatory demands and community-based research realities. This preliminary process yielded both changes in the REB oversight structure and training required of community partnered research. While the ultimate impact of these changes remains to be seen, the process itself yielded insights and materials of use to both our local REBs, and hopefully those at other institutions as well. This article will present those insights and provide links to those materials.
A micromechanical characterization of residual thermal stresses in carbon fiber/epoxy composites containing a non-uniform interphase region

Abstract There is growing speculation that the interphase in polymer composites is often a region of nonuniform material properties. This is significant given the critical role of the interphase in determining overall composite behavior. The present investigation utilizes a micromechanical model based on the three-phase method of cells to examine how spatial variations in the interphase elastic properties are predicted to influence the residual thermal stresses in carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy. This is the first such study of its kind based on a true three-phase version of the method of cells. A total of sixteen different composite configurations are considered in which the interphase Young's modulus and/or the interphase thermal expansion coefficient may vary as a function of the radial coordinate. The interphases are specified such that their Young's modulus and thermal expansion coefficient may be above or below that of the epoxy matrix. The residual thermal stresses, as well as the effective composite properties, are evaluated as a function of the fiber volume fraction, the interphase thickness and the spatial nonuniformity of the interphase properties. The results indicate that the introduction of interphase property gradients is predicted to primarily influence the state of stress within the interphase. Depending upon how the interphase properties are specified to vary, the residual stresses within the interphase may either be compressive or tensile.
Uncovering the Role of Role in Writing and Learning to Write: One Day in an Inner-City Classroom.

Social theories of language (e.g., Vygotsky and Bakhtin) implicate instruction that promotes spoken interaction during the writing process. Such interaction is said to make explicit for students the dialogic relationship between writers and readers that underlies written text. This case study of a “prewriting” class discussion and student writing in a secondary English class suggests that, more than establishing a relationship with readers, students talk and writing invoke a complex of roles that reflect their relationships with one another, the outside world, and their texts. Speaking and writing contexts shape the different roles that students take. The setting of the study is an inner-city classroom in which students' lives bear critical connections to the outside world; such classrooms may be particularly valuable sites for studying students as complex role players in the process of learning to write. In offering a theory of roles and relationships, the study complicates current thinking about how cla...
A fully implanted drug delivery system for peripheral nerve blocks in behaving animals

Inhibiting peripheral nerve function can be useful for many studies of the nervous system or motor control. Accomplishing this in a temporary fashion in animal models by using peripheral nerve blocks permits studies of the immediate effects of the loss, and/or any resulting short-term changes and adaptations in behavior or motor control, while avoiding the complications commonly associated with permanent lesions, such as sores or self-mutilation. We have developed a method of quickly and repeatedly inducing temporary, controlled motor deficits in rhesus macaque monkeys via a chronically implanted drug delivery system. This assembly consists of a nerve cuff and a subdermal injection dome, and has proved effective for delivering local anesthetics directly to peripheral nerves for many months. Using this assembly for median and ulnar nerve blocks routinely resulted in over 80% losses in hand and wrist strength for rhesus monkeys. The assembly was also effective for inducing ambulatory motor deficits in rabbits through blocks of the sciatic nerve. Interestingly, while standard anesthetics were sufficient for the rabbit nerve blocks, the inclusion of epinephrine was essential for achieving significant motor blockade in the monkeys.
Structural determinants of the abortion rate: a cross-societal analysis.

Abstract Data for a sample of 89 countries are used to examine societal‐level predictors of the legal status of abortion and its incidence as indicated by abortion rates. Measures of socioeconomic development, women's labor force participation, and dominant religion are considered as predictors of abortion. Logistic regression analysis reveals that socioeconomic development has a positive effect on the probability of abortion being legal. Both a greater dominance of Catholicism and Islam in a society reduce the probability that abortion is legal. Results of tobit analyses show that development has curvilinear effects on abortion rates, with lower rates of abortion at both the lower and higher ends of development. Findings also indicate a positive effect of female labor force participation on the abortion rate that initially grows stronger with increases in socioeconomic development, but weakens with further increases. Finally, a greater proportion of Catholics in a population lowers the abortion rate.
Prediction and preparation: Anticipatory role of the cerebellum in diverse neurobehavioral functions

Braitenberg et al.'s view that the cerebellum contributes “mechanical efficiency” to multijoint sequences of movement is too narrow to account adequately for results from new anatomical, neurobehavioral, and neuroimaging studies. A broader view is that the cerebellum modulates attention, sensory, motor, and other neural systems in order to accomplish its prime function, which is to learn to predict and prepare for imminent information acquisition, analysis, or action.
Sliding wear of conventional and nanostructured cemented carbides

Abstract The sliding wear mechanisms of cemented carbide and the effects of the microstructure scale on the wear resistance were investigated by performing a series of unlubricated sliding wear tests in air with pins of WCCo composites sliding against silicon nitride disks. In the first approximation, the wear rate is proportional to the hardness with a wear coefficient k = 6.9 × 10 −6 for all materials. In the conventional cermets, the wear coefficient k also depends on the grain size; materials with smaller WC grains exhibit a smaller wear resistance. This reduction, however, does not extend to the nanostructured materials which exhibit the above value for k : their wear resistance is higher than that of conventional cermets in proportion to their hardness. The data can also be expressed in terms of cobalt content; the lower the cobalt content, the lower the wear; but two different such dependencies exist, one for the conventional and one for the nanostructured materials with lower wear. The sliding wear of WCCo composites occurs on a very small scale: the worn surfaces show no evidence of fracture or plastic deformation. This wear behavior is explained by the hexagonal structure and the anisotropic mechanical behavior of the WC grains that are capable of shear in a limited number of planes but are not capable of triaxial deformation. The higher wear resistance of the nanostructured composites is related to their hardness which decreases the real area of contact.
Stimulus conditions influencing self-enurination, genital grooming and flehmen in male goats

Abstract The stimulus conditions which influence the frequencies of self-enurination, genital grooming and flehmen by domestic male goats ( Capra hircus L.) were studied in two experiments in which the sexual arousal and performance of the subjects were varied either naturally or artificially. Sexually aroused males exhibit more frequent self-enurination, genital grooming and flehmen than sexually inactive males. In natural mating, self-enurination and genital grooming are exhibited mainly when sexual behaviors are naturally inhibited, as during the post-ejaculatory refractory period. Frequencies of self-enurination and genital grooming can be artificially increased by enhancing sexual arousal in situations that preclude physical contact with females, such as when observing other males copulate or when restrained in close proximity to a female immediately following ejaculation.
Glucan‐Protein Interactions. Gelatin‐Induced Solubilization of Glycogen in Alcohol‐Water Solutions

In organic solvents, gelatin can induce the solubilization of glycogen and other polysaccharides. It was shown that the solubilization reaction was mediated through polysaccharide-protein hydrogen bonds. Glycogen-gelatin binding was influenced by the relative concentration of glycogen to the protein. The induced solubilization of glycogen was partially inhibited by temperatures above 0 °C. Water was shown to inhibit glycogen-gelatin interactions in acidified methanol, ethanol, n-propanol and tertiary butanol. In general, it was found that the most hydrophobic alcohols were the best solvents for the glycogen-gelatin solubilization reaction. The solubility of the glycogen-gelatin complex was determined and found to be 0.22 mg/ml. The presence of strong acids tended to inhibit complex formation while weak acids promoted the solubilization reaction. A method for the fractionation of gelatin into distinct molecular weight classes was developed by use of a methanol-phenol solvent system. High molecular weight gelatins were better glycogen solubilizing agents than low molecular weight gelatins.
The case for human causes of increased atmospheric CH4 over the last 5000 years

Abstract We propose that humans significantly altered atmospheric CH 4 levels after 5000 years BP and that anthropogenic inputs just prior to the industrial revolution accounted for up to 25% of the CH 4 level of 725 ppb (parts per billion). We base this hypothesis on three arguments: (1) the 100 ppb increase in atmospheric CH 4 that occurred after 5000 years BP follows a pattern unprecedented in any prior orbitally driven change in the ice-core record; (2) non-anthropogenic explanations for this increase (expansion of boreal peat lands or tropical wetlands) are inconsistent with existing evidence; and (3) inefficient early rice farming is a quantitatively plausible means of producing anomalously large CH 4 inputs to the atmosphere prior to the industrial revolution. If the areas flooded for farming harbored abundant CH 4 -producing weeds, disproportionately large amounts of CH 4 would have been produced in feeding relatively small pre-industrial populations.
Synthesis, characterization, and ion-exchange properties of colloidal zeolite nanocrystals

Here, we present physical–chemical properties of Linde type A (LTA) zeolite crystals synthesized via conventional hydrothermal and microwave heating methods. Both heating methods produced LTA crystals that were sub-micron in size, highly negatively charged, super-hydrophilic, and stable when dispersed in water. However, microwave heating produced relatively narrow crystal size distributions, required much shorter heating times, and did not significantly change composition, crystallinity, or surface chemistry. Moreover, microwave heating allowed systematic variation of crystal size by varying heating temperature and time during the crystallization reaction, thus producing a continuous gradient of crystal sizes ranging from about 90 to 300 nm. In ion-exchange studies, colloidal zeolites exhibited excellent sorption kinetics and capacity for divalent metal ions, suggesting their potential for use in water softening, scale inhibition, and scavenging of toxic metal ions from water.
Periodic responses in squid axon membrane exposed intracellularly and extracellularly to solutions containing a single species of salt

A periodic membrane potential change was found to occur in squid giant axons which were internally and externally perfused with solutions of an identical composition and were hyperpolarized by passing a sustained inward current. The solution contained Co2+ or Mn2+ as the sole cation species at a concentration of 1–10mm. The amplitude of the response was roughly 100 mV. The current intensity and the ion concentration had large effects on the response. The voltage-clamp technique revealed an N-shapedI-V characteristic of the membrane system. The membrane emf of the resting and excited states was almost the same but the membrane conductance was increased in the excited states. The response was suppressed with 4-aminopyridine reversibly but unchanged with tetrodotoxin or D-600. Those unusual ionic conditions did not deprive axons of their ability to produce ordinary action potentials in physiological solutions. The experimental conditions employed and the results obtained were very close to those for some of the artificial membrane models. Applicability of the physico-chemical theories developed for these models is discussed.
High energy chemistry caused by fast ion-solid interactions

Abstract Plasma desorption induced by the impact of 252 Cf fission fragments was used to study the emission of positive cluster ions from a lanthanum nitrate, La(NO 3 ) 3 · 6H 2 O, substrate. Two large series of peaks were observed. One corresponded to the addition of LaO + to a repeating base unit of La 2 O 3 . A less intense series contained the same base unit, with H + attachment. Neither series contained clusters that reflect the structure or stoichiometry of the original sample. We propose that the cluster ions are produced by high temperature and pressure chemical reactions inside the fast ion track.
Half-life of 208Bi

A value for the half life of Bi/sup 208/ was determined to be 3.68 x 10/ sup 5/ years with a standard error of 1% from measurements of the specific activity of the 2.615 Mev gamma ray and isotopic composition of samples of neutron irradiated bismuth. (auth)
Probabilistic Signal Network Models from Multiple Replicates of Sparse Time-Course Data

has sparse data with the number of time points being less than the number of proteins. Usually, each replicate is modeled separately, however, here all the information in each of the replicates is used to make a composite inference about the signal network. The composite inference comes from combining well structured Bayesian probabilistic modeling with a multi-faceted Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm. Based on simulations which investigate many different types of network interactions and experimental variabilities, the composite examination uncovers many important relationships within the network.
Phase Fluorometric Optical Carbon Dioxide Gas Sensor for Fermentation Off‐Gas Monitoring

We demonstrated an optical carbon dioxide gas sensor suitable for replacement of gas chromatographs and mass spectrometers for the measurement of carbon dioxide in the off-gas of a bioreactor for fermentation and cell culture applications. The sensor is based upon the change in lifetime of a donor fluorophore, sulforhodamine 101 (SR101), induced by fluorescence resonance energy transfer to a pH-sensitive, nonfluorescent acceptor, m-cresol purple (MCP). Carbon dioxide diffusing into the sensor produces carbonic acid, changing the absorbance spectrum of the MCP, and thus its spectral overlap with the SR101, changing its lifetime. This lifetime change was measured in the frequency, rather than the time domain, as a change in the phase angle of the fluorescence relative to the modulated excitation light. The sensor was calibrated by correlating the phase response to carbon dioxide concentrations. The calibration remained valid over the life of the sensor, which has been shown to be greater than 2 weeks. The sensor was most sensitive at low CO2 concentrations and responded to concentration changes in seconds. The sensor film is very inexpensive to produce and the light source is an inexpensive light-emitting diode. Furthermore, lower cost detection electronics can be developed since only one modulation frequency is required. In addition, this sensor can potentially be used in vivo, with a fiber optic both delivering the excitation light and collecting the emission.
Is the biomass burning source of CO decreasing

To investigate secular changes in CO and CH_4, we examined monthly means of tropospheric measurements made from samples collected at 19 fixed sites in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory (CMDL) global cooperative flask sampling network. The CH_4 data are available for the period 1984–1995. A somewhat shorter time series is available for CO (1989–1995). The data were analyzed to extract a consistent pattern of change in time and in latitude. The most important preliminary finding is that the patterns of CO and CH_4 change appear to resemble that of biomass burning. That is, there is maximum change during local spring in both northern and southern hemispheres. If we attribute a significant part of the change in CH_4 trend (3–6 ppb/yr) to biomass burning, the corresponding change in CO is approximately 2–5 ppb/yr. This would explain the bulk of the observed change in CO (4–7 ppb/yr).
The Fall of the Celtic Tiger: Ireland and the Euro Debt Crisis

This book offers the most scholarly account to date of Ireland's economic crash. Donovan and Murphy integrate evidence from secondary journalistic accounts, the Nyberg and Honohan reports, as well ...
A keratin cytoskeletal protein regulates protein synthesis and epithelial cell growth

Cell growth, an increase in mass and size, is a highly regulated cellular event. The Akt/mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signalling pathway has a central role in the control of protein synthesis and thus the growth of cells, tissues and organisms. A striking example of a physiological context requiring rapid cell growth is tissue repair in response to injury. Here we show that keratin 17, an intermediate filament protein rapidly induced in wounded stratified epithelia, regulates cell growth through binding to the adaptor protein 14-3-3sigma. Mouse skin keratinocytes lacking keratin 17 (ref. 4) show depressed protein translation and are of smaller size, correlating with decreased Akt/mTOR signalling activity. Other signalling kinases have normal activity, pointing to the specificity of this defect. Two amino acid residues located in the amino-terminal head domain of keratin 17 are required for the serum-dependent relocalization of 14-3-3sigma from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, and for the concomitant stimulation of mTOR activity and cell growth. These findings reveal a new and unexpected role for the intermediate filament cytoskeleton in influencing cell growth and size by regulating protein synthesis.
INCIDENCE, DISTRIBUTION AND MECHANISMS OF MICROSATELLITE INSTABILITY IN DIFFERENT COLORECTAL CANCER AGE GROUPS

The increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is higher for proximal than for distal tumors. As microsatellite instability (MSI) is a feature of proximal tumors, we hypothesize that an increase in MSI tumors may account for the age-related proximal shift in CRC. Methods: A representative sample of 230 CRCs from 3 age groups was selected from a CRC database. MSI was determined by PCR. MLH1 and MSH2 expression was determined by immunohistochemistry, and the methylation of the MLH1 gene promotor (PM) by methylation-specific PCR. Results: MSI tumors became more frequent (p < 0.01 chi square) and more proximal in distribution (p = 0.01 loglinear) in the oldest age group. MSI was associated with loss of expression of MSH2 in the young age group. PM and inactivation of MLH1 increased with age. Conclusion: MSI tumors became more frequent and proximal in older patients. This trend was associated with differences in the underlying mechanisms responsible for the MSI phenotype.
Do the ends justify the means

Activation of the enzyme telomerase is associated with neuroblastoma and other cancers. Is it an effect or a cause of tumour formation (pages 249–255)?
Corrections to “Terahertz Characterization of Dielectric Substrates for Component Design and Nondestructive Evaluation of Packages” [Nov 11 1685-1694]

In the above titled paper (ibid., vol. 1, no. 11, pp. 1685-1694, Nov. 2011), Figs. 3(a), (b), and 5(b) are incorrect. The correct versions are presented here.
What Should Central Banks Do

I the last twenty years, there has been substantial rethinking about how central banks should do their job. This rethinking has led to major changes in how central banks operate, and we are now in an era in which central banks in many countries throughout the world have had notable success—keeping inflation low, while their economies experience rapid economic growth. In this lecture, I outline what we think we have learned about how central banks should be set up to conduct monetary policy and then apply these lessons to see if there is room for institutional improvement in the way the Federal Reserve operates. The lecture begins by discussing seven guiding principles for central banks and then uses these principles to outline what the role of central banks should be. This framework is then used to see how the institutional features of the Fed measure up. I will take the view that despite the Fed’s extraordinarily successful performance in recent years, we should not be complacent. Changes in the way the Fed is set up to conduct its business may be needed to help ensure that the Fed continues to be as successful in the future.
SURFACE CHARGE DEVELOPMENT ON TRANSITION METAL SULFIDES : AN ELECTROKINETIC STUDY

Abstract The isoelectric points, pH i.e.p. , of ZnS, PbS, CuFeS 2 , FeS, FeS 2 , NiS 2 , CoS 2 , and MnS 2 in NaCl supported electrolyte solutions are estimated to be between pH 3.3 and 0.6, with most of the isoelectric points below pH 2. The first electrokinetic measurements on NiS 2 , CoS 2 , and MnS 2 are reported here. Below pH i.e.p. the metal-sulfide surfaces are positively charged, above pH i.e.p. the surfaces are negatively charged. The addition of Me 2+ ions shifts the pH i.e.p. and changes the pH dependence considerably. The isoelectric points of the measured transition metal sulfides in the absence of metal ions or dissolved sulfide (H 2 S or HS − ) are in agreement with those found in earlier studies. The pH range of observed isoelectric points for metal sulfides (0.6–3.3) is compared to the considerably wider pH i.e.p. range (2–12) found for oxides. The correlation between pH i.e.p. and the electronegativities of the metal sulfides suggests that all metal sulfides will have an isoelectric point between pH 0.6 and 3.3. Compared to metal oxides, sulfides exhibit an isoelectric point that is largely independent of the nature of the metal cation in the solid.
On the performance analysis of data fusion schemes with Byzantines

This paper considers the problem of performance analysis of data fusion schemes in the presence of Byzantine attacks. First, we analyze the security performance of data fusion schemes with Byzantines. We show that when more than a certain fraction of Byzantines are present in the network, the raw data fusion schemes become completely incapable (blind). More specifically, we obtain a closed form expression for the lower bound on the fraction of Byzantines needed to blind the fusion center as a function of attacker's strength. Next, we investigate the global detection performance in the presence of Byzantine attacks, and analytically characterize the effect of Byzantines on detection performance. Numerical results provide insights into our analysis.
Comments on 'A quantitative model of amphetamine action on the serotonin transporter', by Sandtner et al., Br J Pharmacol 171: 1007-1018.

Linked Articles This article is a Commentary on Sandtner W, Schmid D, Schicker K, Gerstbrein K, Koenig X, Mayer FP, Boehm S, Freissmuth M and Sitte HH (2014). A quantitative model of amphetamine action on the 5-HT transporter. Br J Pharmacol 171: 1007–1018. doi: 10.1111/bph.12520. The authors reply in Schmid et al., (2015). Br J Pharmacol 172: this issue. doi: 10.1111/bph.12766