cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Information technology and ethics: an exploratory factor analysis

Ethical dilemmas are situations in which a decision results in unpleasant consequences. The unpleasant consequences are treated as a zero-sum game in which someone always loses. Introducing information technology (IT) to a situation makes the recognition of a potential loser more abstract and difficult to identify, thus an ethical dilemma may go unrecognized. The computer mediates the human relationship which causes a lost sense of contact with a person at the other end of the computer connection. In 1986, Richard O. Mason published an essay identifying privacy, accuracy, property, and Access (PAPA) as the four main ethical issues of the information age. Anecdotes for each issue describe the injured party`s perspective to identify consequences resulting from unethical use of information and information technology. This research sought to validate Mason`s social issues empirically, but with distinct differences. Mason defined issues to raise awareness and initiate debate on the need for a social agenda; our focus is on individual computer users and the attitudes they hold about ethical behavior in computer use. This study examined the attitudes of the computer user who experiences the ethical dilemma to determine the extent to which ethical components are recognized, and whether Mason`s issues form recognizablemore » constructs.« less
Nature of Corrosive and Abrasive Wear of Chromium-Bearing Cast Iron Grinding Media

Abstract Electrochemical aspects of grinding media wear in quartzite grinding under nitrogen and oxygen atmospheres were examined with respect to the abrasive/corrosive wear and passivation behavior of chromium-bearing cast irons. Potentiostatic and potentiodynamic polarization measurements, as well as marked ball wear tests, were used to study the electrochemical and wear behaviors of various cast iron grinding media. Corrosion currents estimated from polarization curves for cast iron ball materials under abrasion were correlated with corrosive wear obtained from marked ball wear tests by applying Faraday's laws. The anodic currents were observed to increase with increasing rotation speed and decreasing chromium content. The passivation rates were estimated for high chromium cast iron and austenitic stainless steel balls. The passivation rates increased as a more positive potential was applied.
A Critical Appraisal of the Electrocardiographic Criteria for the Diagnosis of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy

Thirty-three different electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy have been evaluated in 360 autopsied hearts utilizing a chamber dissection technic. One hundred and sixty hearts had left ventricular hypertrophy, and 200 hearts did not (146 of these were normal, and 54 had right ventricular hypertrophy). The following five electrocardiographic criteria had a sensitivity of 56% but 10.5% to 14.5% false positives: Sv1 or Sv2+Rv5≥35 mm, Sv1+Rv5 or Rv6>30 mm, Sv1, or Sv2 + Rv5 or Rv6>35 mm, Sv2+Rv4 or Rv5>35 mm, R+S>40 mm. A point-score system employing a combination of criteria had a sensitivity of 54%, but lowered the false positives to 3%. The best limb-lead criterion was R aVL>7.5 which had a sensitivity of 22.5% with only 3.5% false positives. The following criteria had no false positives, but the highest sensitivity was 19%: Sv1≥24 mm, R aVL>11 mm, RI+SIII>25 mm, RI>13 mm, R aVL>12 mm, RI>15 mm, R aVL>13 mm, and S aVR>14 mm. Overall the precordial lead criteria were considerably more...
Release of acetylcholinesterase from guinea-pig substantia nigra: effects of tryptaminergic drugs and dorsal raphé nucleus stimulation.

Abstract The guinea-pig substantia nigra receives a 5-hydroxytryptaminergic (5-HTergic) projection from the dorsal raphe nucleus. In this study we have attempted to identify the 5-HT receptor subtype mediating release of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from nigral neurones, measured by assay of perfusate obtained via chronically implanted push-pull cannulae. The effects of direct nigral application of 5-HT and the following receptor agonists were tested: 5-carboxamidotryptamine, sumatriptan, α-methyl-5-HT, 2-methyl-5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine. Application of submicromolar concentrations of 5-HT, 2,5,-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine and α-methyl-5-HT significantly enhanced release of AChE, whereas 5-carboxamidotryptamine, sumatriptan, 2-methyl-5-HT and 5-methoxytryptamine were innefective at a similar concentration range. Electrical stimulation (50 Hz, 20–300 μA) of the dorsal raphe nucleus evoked release of AChE from the substantia nigra, and induced a rotational behavioural effect for the duration of stimulation. Pretreatment with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine inhibited both DRN-evoked release of AChE and animal rotation. The 5-HT receptor antagonists ketanserin and ritanserin (10 −7 − 10 −6 M), when applied to the substantia nigra, inhibited raphe-stimulated AChE release. Drugs which inhibited raphe-stimulated release of AChE had no effect on concomitant animal rotation, indicating that the behavioural events are mediated via distinct processes, unrelated to those mediating nigral AChE release. The data suggest that evoked release of AChE from the substantia nigra by stimulation of the dorsal raphe nucleus may be mediated in part via a 5-HT 2 receptor type. The 5-HT 1D agonists 5-carboxamidotryptamine (10 −6 M) and sumatriptan (10 −5 M) also inhibited raphe-evoked AChE release, suggesting a possible presynaptic autoinhibitory role for 5-HT 1D receptors on raphe-nigral nerve terminals.
Thermoplastic Problem of a Thick Orthotropic Beam on Two-Directional Elastic Foundation

The thermoelastic problem of an orthotropic beam supported by an elastic foundation which resists lateral deformations as well as displacements parallel to the beam axis is considered. The solution for a relatively thick beam is obtained based on the first-order shear deformation theory. The problem is reduced to the solution of an ordinary seventh-order differential equation which can be obtained in the closed form. The case of a slender beam is treated as a particular case of a more general solution for a shear deformable beam.
New isotopic data and a preliminary age for volcanics near the base of the Windermere Supergroup, northeastern Washington, U.S.A

New Sm–Nd and Rb–Sr data are presented from the volcanic member of the Huckleberry Formation, a unit near the base of the upper Proterozoic Windermere Supergroup in northeastern Washington. The isotopic data are compatible with a rift setting during deposition of Windermere strata. A best-fit line through all the data yields an age of 795 Ma with a large error of ±115 Ma (2σ). However, a preliminary Sm–Nd mineral–whole-rock age of 762 ± 44 Ma (2σ) obtained from a least-altered basalt is within error of other age information from the Canadian Cordillera that broadly constrains the initiation of Windermere deposition to ~750 (±30) Ma. A synthesis of isotopic data, of the results of tectonic subsidence analyses, and of geologic relations within the Windermere Supergroup and the immediately overlying uppermost Proterozoic – Lower Cambrian strata leads to the conclusion that the Windermere Supergroup does not represent the rift deposits that led directly to the initiation of the early Paleozoic miogeocline. In...
Decompressive hemicraniectomy for ischemic stroke in the pediatric population

Adult patients with space-occupying hemispheric infarctions have a poor prognosis, with an associated fatality rate of 80%. Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DH) has been studied as a treatment option for patients with malignant cerebral infarction refractory to maximal medical therapy, with reasonable outcomes demonstrated in the adult population if the patient is decompressed within 48 h. However, there are no randomized controlled trials in the pediatric literature to make the same claims. In this study, we evaluated the current literature in regards to DH following malignant stroke in the pediatric population. We found that excellent recovery, with an acceptable quality of life, is possible, particularly in the pediatric patient. Our cohort suggests that pediatric intervention beyond the 48-h time interval may still lead to positive outcomes, unlike adult patients. Regardless, randomized controlled trials are needed to determine optimal timing of intervention following symptom onset, as well as to identify predictors for positive outcome in the pediatric population.
Using financial analysis to assess brand equity

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to describe a method of assessing brand equity quantitatively.Design/methodology/approach – The article describes an example of analysis using publicly available financial data to assess brand equity.Findings – Brand equity measurement has been an elusive goal for product managers. While qualitative definitions are available, few studies have attempted to quantify a product or company's brand equity. Using financial analysis techniques focusing on return on equity and return on assets, the case examines the results of two distinct brand equity growth strategies. The first is growth by acquisition; the second, organic brand development. Using historical financial data for the Safeway corporation, the case calculates the brand equity effects of two distinct marketing strategies. In the example, organic brand development, the traditional task of the brand manager, results in higher brand equity.Research limitations/implications – As in all case studies, the specific c...
Approximation algorithms for a geometric set cover problem

Given a finite set of straight line segments S in R^2 and some k@?N, is there a subset V of points on segments in S with |V|@?k such that each segment of S contains at least one point in V? This is a special case of the set covering problem where the family of subsets given can be taken as a set of intersections of the straight line segments in S. Requiring that the given subsets can be interpreted geometrically this way is a major restriction on the input, yet we have shown that the problem is still strongly NP-complete [5]. In light of this result, we studied the accuracy of two polynomial-time approximation algorithms along with a third heuristic based algorithm which return segment coverings. We obtain certain theoretical results, and in particular we show that the performance ratio for each of these algorithms is unbounded, in general. Despite this, our experimental results suggest that the cases where this ratio exceeds 2 are rare for ''reasonable'' methods of placing segments. This is evidence that these polynomial-time algorithms solve the problem accurately in practice.
Retention of folate, carotenoids, and other quality characteristics in commercially packaged fresh spinach

ABSTRACT: The effect of storage temperature (4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C) on retention of folate, carotenoids, and other quality characteristics in commercially packaged fresh spinach were determined. Based on visual color and appearance, spinach was unacceptable after 8 d, 6 d, and 4 d at 4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C, respectively. Color differences (AE), chlorophyll degradation, fresh weight loss, and microbial populations increased at all storage temperatures and occurred more rapidly at higher temperatures. Peroxidase activity increased but was not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by storage temperature. Lipoxygenase activity was unaffected by storage time or temperature. Substantial losses of nutrients occurred at each storage temperature. Only 53% of folate in packaged spinach was retained after 8 d, 6 d, and 4 d at 4 °C, 10 °C, and 20 °C, respectively. Carotenoid losses increased with temperature with only 54%, 61%, and 44%, respectively, of initial detected levels remaining. Vitamin and quality changes were unaffected by presence or absence of packaging.
Buddhists of the Diamond Way Buddhism of Karma Kagjü and their specifities in selected areas of nursing care

Abstract Diamond Way Buddhism is the youngest Buddhist lay organization, which is focused above all on meditation and direct transmission of experience of mind entity from a teacher to a pupil. In the Western world Diamond Way Buddhism seems to be a very popular direction because of its independence, pragmatism and stress on critical thinking. In recent years, interest in the Diamond Way Buddhism of Karma Kagju has begun to develop very intensively also in the Czech Republic. The reason can be seen in the fact that in the centres, the so-called lay Buddhism has been practised instead of the monastic life. That makes it possible to combine Buddhism with everyday life. Fifty-four meditation centres have already been established in the Czech Republic. The paper relates to Buddhists of the Diamond Way of Karma Kagju and their specific approach to selected areas of nursing care. The results relate to an extensive research project which focused on the approach of members of selected minorities to their health, to determine the specifics of their lifestyle and ascertain the views of the members of the selected minorities about the quality of medical services in the Czech Republic and their experience with hospitalization. As part of a qualitative examination, an in-depth interview was conducted with seven Buddhists of the Diamond Way of Karma Kagju. The aim was to find out their specific positions in the areas of nursing care. After semi-standardized interviews and following data analysis the main significant categories and subcategories were identified. In this paper the categories on food, approach to health, illness, dying specifities, hospitalization and refusal to medical and diagnostic methods are explored. The results helped to disclose a series of useful specificities for nursing care. Most new findings were in the area of food, dying specifities, the care of the dead body and in the area of refusal to medical procedures.
Mechanism of coinitiation of photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate by hexaarylbiimidazole—hydrogen-atom donor combinations. The role of electron transfer vs. direct hydrogen-atom abstraction

Abstract The photoinitiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate by combinations of 2-( o -chlorophenyl)-4,5-diphenylimidazolyl dimer ( o -Cl-HABI) and various hydrogen-atom donor coinitiators (cumene, the ethylene ketal of benzaldehyde, dimethylaniline, p -toluenesulfinic acid potassium salt (studied as the complex with 18-crown-6), triethylamine, the mercaptans 2-mercaptobenzthiazole, 2-mercaptobenzoxazole and 2-mercaptobenzimidazole, and the disulfide of 2-mercaptobenzthiazole) was studied. The coinitiators were chosen such that some ( e.g. cumene) can only initiate polymerization by direct hydrogen-atom abstraction from the coinitiator by the photoproduced imidazolyl radical, whereas others ( e.g. dimethylaniline) prefer electron transfer and proton loss pathways to form the initiating radicals. Kinetic studies (measurement of the rates of polymerization, molecular weight determination, calculation of kinetic chain length and rates of initiation) were conducted for all the coinitiators. The mercaptans were examined in detail. Analysis of the results and comparison with the parameters for the unambiguous mechanistic cases demonstrated that the mercaptans react with imidazolyl radicals via electron transfer pathways, not via direct hydrogen-atom abstraction.
Varieties of contrast: a review of incentive relativity by charles f. Flaherty.

The phenomenon of contrast has been studied from two quite separate perspectives, one derived from the classic studies of incentive contrast such as Crespi (1942) and the other from the study of behavioral contrast within behavior analysis. This book reviews both of these types of contrast effects and finds both differences and similarities between them. Still at issue is the validity of the interpretation of contrast that assumes that the value of some target level of reward is modified in inverse relation to the level of reward from other sources in the same context. This concept works well for the classic studies of incentive contrast, but is challenged by the emerging importance of anticipatory contrast and the finding in both of the separate research traditions that anticipatory contrast is inversely related to other measures of reinforcement value.
Effect of halogenated flame inhibitors on C1−C2 organic flames

The influence of CF 3 Br, CF 3 I, CF 4 , CHF 3 , C 2 F 6 , and C 2 HF 5 on laminar flame propagation in mixtures of CH 4 , CH 3 OH, C 2 H 6 , and C 2 H 4 with air has been determined by numerical simulations. Comparisons are made with experimental results and earlier calculations. Flame velocities as a function of inhibitor concentration and equivalence ratio have been determined. For all the organic fuels, the ranking of inhibitive efficiency is CF 3 Br, CF 3 I>C 2 F 6 >C 2 HF 5 >CHF 3 >CF 4 . The bromine and iodine compounds are clearly the most efficient flame suppressants. They are of equal effectiveness except in methanol, where CF 3 I is superior. The retardants are more effective for rich mixtures than for lean. With 1% inhibitor concentration, the decrease in burning velocity is most pronounced for unsaturated fuels. The general ordering is consistent with calculational results on flame thickness and radical concentrations. Reaction pathway analysis demonstrates the importance of the regeneration of reactive scavengers. Relative contributions from physical and chemical effects are estimated.
Melatonin and Melatonin Agonist for Delirium in the Elderly Patients

The objective of this review is to summarize the available data on the use of melatonin and melatonin agonist for the prevention and management of delirium in the elderly patients from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A systematic search of 5 major databases PubMed, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Embase, and Cochrane Library was conducted. This search yielded a total of 2 RCTs for melatonin. One study compared melatonin to midazolam, clonidine, and control groups for the prevention and management of delirium in individuals who were pre- and posthip post-hip arthroplasty. The other study compared melatonin to placebo for the prevention of delirium in older adults admitted to an inpatient internal medicine service. Data from these 2 studies indicate that melatonin may have some benefit in the prevention and management of delirium in older adults. However, there is no evidence that melatonin reduces the severity of delirium or has any effect on behaviors or functions in these individuals. Melatonin was well tolerated in these 2 studies. The search for a melatonin agonist for delirium in the elderly patients yielded 1 study of ramelteon. In this study, ramelteon was found to be beneficial in preventing delirium in medically ill individuals when compared to placebo. Ramelteon was well tolerated in this study.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF UNCOMPLICATED URINARY TRACT INFECTION

Acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection is one of the most common problems for which young women seek medical attention and accounts for considerable morbidity and health care costs. Acute cystitis or pyelonephritis in the adult patient should be considered uncomplicated if the patient is not pregnant or elderly, if there has been no recent instrumentation or antimicrobial treatment, and if there are no known functional or anatomic abnormalities of the genitourinary tract. Most of these infections are caused by E. coli, which are susceptible to many oral antimicrobials, although resistance is increasing to some of the commonly used agents. Review of the published data suggests that a 3-day regimen is more effective than a single-dose regimen for all antimicrobials tested. Regimens with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole seem to be more effective than those with beta lactams, regardless of the duration. Because of increasing resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, an alternative regimen such as nitrofurantoin (in a 7-day regimen), a fluoroquinolone, or an oral third-generation cephalosporin may be a better empiric choice in some areas. Acute pyelonephritis caused by highly virulent uropathogens in an otherwise healthy woman may be considered an uncomplicated infection. The optimal treatment duration for acute uncomplicated pyelonephritis has not been established, but 10- to 14-day regimens are recommended. We prefer to use antimicrobials that attain high renal tissue levels, such as a fluoroquinolone, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or an aminoglycoside, for pyelonephritis. Acute uncomplicated cystitis or pyelonephritis in healthy adult men is uncommon but is generally caused by the same spectrum of uropathogens with the same antimicrobial susceptibility profile as that seen in women.
Operant responding for alcohol following alcohol cue exposure in social drinkers

Introduction Cue reactivity paradigms have found that alcohol-related cues increase alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers and alcoholics. However, evidence of this relationship among non-alcohol dependent “social” drinkers is mixed, suggesting that individual differences must be considered when examining cue-induced drinking behavior. One important individual difference factor that might contribute to cue-induced drinking in the laboratory is the amount of alcohol that participants typically drink during occasions outside the laboratory. That is, those who typically consume more alcohol per occasion could display greater cue-induced drinking than those who typically drink less. The present study examined this hypothesis in healthy, non-dependent beer drinkers.
The Evolution of Distal Radius Fracture Management: A Historical Treatise

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) have been a common affliction for millennia, but their treatment is a more recent development resulting from human erudition. Although immobilization has served as the only available treatment for most of our history, many advances have been made in the management of DRFs over the last century as orthopedics has grown. Yet the topic remains hotly contested in the literature and, given the frequency of the injury, research continues to focus on it. This article traces the evolution of DRF treatment to provide a context for the future.
Microstructure and Hydrogen Absorption/Desorption Behavior of Nanoporous Pd Thin Films

Nanoporous Pd (np-Pd) prepared from Pd-Ni alloy films on Si substrates was studied to understand hydriding/dehydriding processes in nanoscale Pd. Porous structures of the np-Pd thin films can be changed under different dealloying conditions. Stress measurement of the np-Pd showed that the np-Pd thin films can survive hydrogen pressures from 0 to 1 atm with no blistering, although this problem often occurs in dense Pd films in actual, high-pressure hydrogen environments. These tests indicated that hydrogen atoms can be stored in the np-Pd for much longer times than in fully dense Pd films subjected to ambient conditions. It is proposed that the stress distribution in np-Pd and the small pore size (<10 nm) inhibit hydrogen diffusion to free surfaces and thus prevent hydrogen degassing from the nanoporous structure. Moreover, phase transformation of Pd hydrides and effect of hydrogen trapping are also considered as possible reasons for the slow release of hydrogen.
QIE: performance studies of the next generation charge integrator

The Phase 1 upgrade of the Hadron Calorimeter (HCAL) in the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) will include two new generations (named QIE10 and QIE11) of the radiation-tolerant flash ADC chip known as the Charge Integrator and Encoder or QIE. The QIE integrates charge from a photo sensor over a 25 ns time period and encodes the result in a non-linear digital output while having a good sensitivity in both the higher and the lower energy values. The charge integrator has the advantage of analyzing fast signals coming from the calorimeters as long as the timing and pulse information is available. The calorimeters send fast, negative polarity signals, which the QIE integrates in its non-inverting input amplifier. The input analog signal enters the QIE chip through two points: signal and reference. The chip integrates the difference between these two values. This helps in getting rid of the incoming noise, which is effectively cancelled out in the difference. Over a period of about six months between September, 2013 and April, 2014 about 320 QIE10 and about 20 QIE11 chips were tested in Fermilab using a single-chip test stand where every individual chip was tested for its characteristic features using a clam-shell. The results of those tests performed on the QIE10 and QIE11 are summarized in this document.
Assessment of a passive microwave sensor for detecting land mines

Passive IR sensors have been demonstrated to be effective for detecting surface landmines. For shallow buried landmines, detection rates and false-alarms rates are poorer and highly dependent on environmental conditions such as time of day and cloud cover. An advantage touted by advocates of passive microwave sensors is that their performance does not depend on the time of day and the inherent soil-mine temperature differences. To assess the complementary detection potential of passive microwave sensors, data was collected on a Thomson-Thorne microwave sensor at a test site in England. This sensor was mounted on a scanning rack apparatus and operated at a frequency of 10 Ghz. The test included investigations of both antitank and antipersonnel miens at the surface and to depths of 2 inches. Analysis of the raw data shows that surface and buried targets produce signals that are significantly higher than background clutter. In this paper, we present a brief description of the passive-microwave detection apparatus and the data-collection exercises that were completed. Analysis of the raw sensor data is then presented with an emphasis on comparing signal strengths of mines with signals reflected from the soil in the absence of mines. Particular attention is paid to the effects of varied incident sensor angles, sensor polarizations, and system scan speeds on sensor performance. Signal-to-noise as well as signal-to-clutter ratios are calculated as a function of these different variables.
Modulation of covR Expression in Streptococcus mutans UA159

The biofilm-forming Streptococcus mutans is a gram-positive bacterium that resides in the human oral cavity and is considered to be the primary etiological agent in the formation of dental caries. The global response regulator CovR, which lacks a cognate sensor kinase, is essential for the pathogenesis and biofilm formation of this bacterium, but it is not clear how covR expression is regulated in S. mutans . In this communication, we present the results of our studies examining various factors that regulate the expression of covR in S. mutans UA159. The results of Southern hybridization and PCR analysis indicated that CovR is an orphan response regulator in various isolates of S. mutans . The transcriptional start site for covR was found to be 221 base pairs upstream of the ATG start codon, and site-directed mutagenesis of the upstream TATAAT box confirmed our findings. The expression of covR is growth phase dependent, with maximal expression observed during exponential-growth phase. While changes to the growth temperature did not significantly affect the expression of covR , increasing the pH or the concentration of Mg 2+ in the growth medium leads to an increase in covR expression. The results of semiquantitative reverse transcriptase PCR analysis and in vivo transcriptional-fusion reporter assays indicated that CovR autoregulates its own expression; this was verified by the results of electrophoretic mobility shift assays and DNase I protection assays, which demonstrated direct binding of CovR to the promoter region. Apparently, regulation by Mg 2+ and the autoregulation of covR are not linked. A detailed analysis of the regulation of CovR may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of S. mutans , as well as providing further insight into the prevention of dental caries.
Probabilistic strain optimization under constraint uncertainty.

Background: An important step in strain optimization is to identify reactions whose activities should be modified to achieve the desired cellular objective. Preferably, these reactions are identified systematically, as the number of possible combinations of reaction modifications could be very large. Over the last several years, a number of computational methods have been described for identifying combinations of reaction modifications. However, none of these methods explicitly address uncertainties in implementing the reaction activity modifications. In this work, we model the uncertainties as probability distributions in the flux carrying capacities of reactions. Based on this model, we develop an optimization method that identifies reactions for flux capacity modifications to predict outcomes with high statistical likelihood. Results: We compare three optimization methods that select an intervention set comprising up- or downregulation of reaction flux capacity: CCOpt (Chance constrained optimization), DetOpt (Deterministic optimization), and MCOpt (Monte Carlo-based optimization). We evaluate the methods using a Monte Carlo simulation-based method, MCEval (Monte Carlo Evaluations). We present two case studies analyzing a CHO cell and an adipocyte model. The flux capacity distributions required for our methods were estimated from maximal reaction velocities or elementary mode analysis. The intervention set selected by CCOpt consistently outperforms the intervention set selected by DetOpt in terms of tolerance to flux capacity variations. MCEval shows that the optimal flux predicted based on the CCOpt intervention set is more likely to be obtained, in a probabilistic sense, than the flux predicted by DetOpt. The intervention sets identified by CCOpt and MCOpt were similar; however, the exhaustive sampling required by MCOpt incurred significantly greater computational cost. Conclusions: Maximizing tolerance to variable engineering outcomes (in modifying enzyme activities) can identify intervention sets that statistically improve the desired cellular objective.
Les modèles DSGE au FMI : applications et développements récents

Les chercheurs dans des institutions ayant pour responsabilite de formuler des politiques economiques ont deploye un effort significatif pour developper une nouvelle generation de modeles macro-economiques reposant sur des bases micro-economiques plus rigoureuses. L’article fournit une presentation resumee des applications de deux de ces modeles. Le Modele Economique Global (Global EconomyModel, GEM) est unmodele trimestriel qui comporte un grand assortiment des rigidites nominales et reelles qui permettent de generer des dynamiques realistes a court terme.Comme cemodele se repose sur le paradigme de l’agent representatif, sa faiblesse principale est que sa structure theorique de base ne fournit pas une caracterisation tres realiste des effets de la politique fiscale. En revanche, le Modele Fiscal Global (Global Fiscal Model, GFM), qui est un modele annuel, adopte un cadre a generations imbriquees et a ete concu explicitement pour etudier les consequences a plus long terme de politiques fiscales alternatives.
Synthesis of ABC 3-Miktoarm Star Terpolymers from a Trifunctional Initiator by Combining Ring-Opening Polymerization, Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization, and Nitroxide-Mediated Radical Polymerization

We report a new method to synthesize ABC 3-miktoarm star terpolymers by combining three different controlled/“living” polymerization techniques: ring-opening polymerization (ROP), atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), and nitroxide-mediated radical polymerization (NMRP). A trifunctional initiator bearing a hydroxy group, an ATRP initiator, and a NMRP initiator was designed and synthesized. The structure was confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopy. ABC star terpolymers were then prepared from the trifunctional initiator by sequential ROP of e-caprolactone, ATRP of methyl methacrylate, and NMRP of styrene. GPC and kinetic analysis indicated that the polymerizations were controlled. The 3-miktoarm star structure was further confirmed by cleavage of a star terpolymer.
Factors affecting the stability of chloroplast membranes in vitro

Abstract Factors which affect the stability of light-induced atebrin fluorescence quenching activity in chloroplast membranes, a measure of the electron transport dependent formation of energy-linked H + gradients, were investigated in vitro. Class II spinach chloroplast membranes were isolated and stored at 0–4°C and aliquots were subsequently tested for their retention of energizing capacity. The main factors which increase the stability of this activity were found to be (a) isolation in a potassium-containing medium but storage in a sucrose medium containing a low concentration of electrolytes; (b) the presence of butylated hydroxytoluene (an antioxidant), and a protein such as bovine serum albumin to remove free fatty acids in the medium during storage. Under these conditions, the energization capacity of chloroplasts is retained for more than 40 days.
Estimation of maize planting area using mixed field decomposition of multi-temporal TM images

Mid-resolution image has been the main data used to estimate the crop plant area in large scale. There are two problems of spectra variation inside and spectral mixed on boundary of the farmland, which greatly reduce the reliability of crops per-pixel classification. Aimed to the percentage of maize planting area in the mixed parcel, the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm is introduced to develop mixed field decomposition model by using different proportion of train sample parcels. The positional accuracy and gross accuracy of maize planting area of mixed field decomposition with SVM algorithm are evaluated and contrasted to that of decision tree classification. The study showed that the positional accuracy and gross accuracy of estimating maize planting area based on SVM model using multi-source information could reach 84.06% and 98.43% respectively, which was far higher than that of single source information. Comparing the per-pixel classification of decision tree, estimation of maize planting area based on mixed field decomposition has higher gross and positional accuracy. It indicates that mixed field decomposition could establish efficient separating hyperplane of SVM among the percentage of maize in the mixed parcels, which makes the accuracy of plant area of maize reach reliable.
Comprehensive Kinetic Analysis of Influenza Hemagglutinin-Mediated Membrane Fusion: Role of Sialate Binding

The data of Danieli et al. (J. Cell Biol. 133:559 -569, 1996) and Blumenthal et al. (J. Cell Biol. 135:63-71, 1996) for fusion between hemagglutinin (HA)-expressing cells and fluorescently labeled erythrocytes has been analyzed using a recently published comprehensive mass action kinetic model for HA-mediated fusion. This model includes the measurable steps in the fusion process, i.e., first pore formation, lipid mixing, and content mixing of aqueous fluorescent markers. It contains two core parameters of the fusion site architecture. The first is the minimum number of aggregated HAs needed to sustain subsequent fusion intermediates. The second is the minimal number of those HAs within the fusogenic aggregate that must undergo a slow "essential" conformational change needed to initiate bilayer destabilization. Because the kinetic model has several parameters, each data set was exhaustively fitted to obtain all best fits. Although each of the data sets required particular parameter ranges for best fits, a consensus subset of these parameter ranges could fit all of the data. Thus, this comprehensive model subsumes the available mass action kinetic data for the fusion of HA-expressing cells with erythro- cytes, despite the differences in assays and experimental design, which necessitated transforming fluorescence dequenching intensities to equivalent cumulative waiting time distributions. We find that HAs bound to sialates on glycophorin can participate in fusion as members of the fusogenic aggregate, but they cannot undergo the essential conformational change that initiates bilayer destabilization, thus solving a long-standing debate. Also, the similarity in rate constants for lipid mixing and content mixing found here for HA-mediated fusion and by Lee and Lentz (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 95:9274 -9279, 1998) for PEG-induced fusion of phosphatidylcholine liposomes supports the idea that subsequent to stable fusion pore formation, the evolution of fusion intermediates is determined more by the lipids than by the proteins.
A new animal model of postsurgical bowel inflammation and fibrosis: the effect of commensal microflora

Objective: Ileocaecal resection (ICR) is common in Crohn’s disease. Inflammation and fibrosis frequently recur at the site of anastomosis or in the small intestine (SI). No animal models of postsurgical inflammation and fibrosis exist. A model of ICR was developed in interleukin 10 (IL10) null and wild-type (WT) mice to test the hypothesis that ICR promotes postsurgical inflammation and fibrosis in the SI or anastomosis of genetically susceptible IL10 null, but not WT or germ-free (GF)-IL10 null mice. Methods: GF-IL10 null mice were conventionalised (CONV) and 3 weeks later randomised to ICR, transection (T) or no treatment (NoTx). Age-matched conventionally raised (CONV) WT and GF-IL10 null mice received ICR, T or NoTx. Animals were killed 28 days later. Histological scoring, real-time PCR for tumour necrosis factor α and collagen, and immunostaining for CD3 + T cells assessed inflammation and fibrosis. Results: After ICR, CONV-IL10 null, but not CONV-WT mice, developed significant inflammation and fibrosis in the SI and inflammation in anastomosis compared with NoTx or T controls. Fibrosis occurred in the anastomosis of both CONV-IL10 null and CONV-WT mice following ICR. GF-IL10 null mice developed little or no inflammation or fibrosis in the SI or anastomosis after ICR. Conclusions: ICR in CONV-IL10 null mice provides a new animal model of postsurgical inflammation and fibrosis in the SI and anastomosis. Absence of inflammation and fibrosis in the SI of CONV-WT and GF-IL10 null mice following ICR indicates that postsurgical small bowel disease occurs only in genetically susceptible IL10 null mice and is bacteria dependent.
A Manager is a Manager is a Manager? Race and Managerial Impact on Organizational Performance

Contemporary scientific analyses of public organizations underscore the salience of management for understanding how governmental bureaucracies perform. Yet little is known of administrators from minority social groups, and whether their organizations perform better or worse than other bureaucracies. Emphasizing the impact of network engagement on organizational performance, this exploratory study addresses this important research deficiency. A critical component of the analysis presented is the differential impact of administrative engagement with internal and external networks on minority and status quo clientele outcomes. The findings have important implications for studies of managerial networking, equity, and representation in public organizations.
Alterations of the posttranslational processing of a lysosomal enzyme in C6 glioma cells

Cathepsin D was assessed in C6 glioma cells grown in medium with an intermediate- or low-percent composition of serum. The amount, form, and subcellular location of cathepsin D differed after treatment with cyanate or monensin in cells grown in a low-serum, growth-factor-supplemented medium. Immunoblotting showed that cathepsin D in the lysosomal fraction of the C6 cell line had a molecular weight (Mr) of 42 kD, whereas that in the microsomal fraction had Mr's of 42, 47, and 78 kD. After treatment for 1 to 16 hr with 4 mmol/L cyanate and subcellular fractionation, the molecular weight of lysosomal cathepsin D was the same in treated and untreated cells, but more enzyme was found in lysosomes of treated cells at 8 and 16 hr. In the microsomal fraction, the amounts of both the 42 and 47 kD forms were increased after 1 to 16 hr of treatment. When exposed to 20 mmol/L cyanate, C6 cells remained viable, but compared with untreated cells, they showed 25% less lysosomal cathepsin D, with increased amounts found in the microsomal fraction. The 78 kD protein detected by immunoblotting was present in both the lysosomal and microsomal fractions but was predominant in the latter. The apparent molecular weight of this protein was the same after cyanate but differed with monensin, where Mr's of 39, 42, and 73 kD were found. Monensin-treated cells had less lysosomal cathepsin D and relatively more microsomal enzyme. The differing molecular weights of cathepsin D from cyanate- and monensin-treated cells suggest that their inhibitions occur at different processing loci in distal elements of the Golgi stacks. The differences in the pI of cathepsin D and the number of its forms from cyanate- and monensin-treated cells are also consistent with interference in the late stages of glycoprotein maturation. In this paper we show that the amount, molecular form, and consequent intracellular location of cathepsin D in cells of the C6 line can be affected by agents that selectively disrupt stages in Golgi-related protein modification and transport.
Safe Harbors or Free Frontiers? Privacy and Transborder Data Flows

This article explores the issues surrounding the harmonization of privacy or data protection during the last 30 years. It begins with a history of the conflict over transborder data flows and then proceeds to analyze current national and regional policy debates about the feasibility of policy solutions to address problems that are integral to global communications and economic networks. Ongoing discussions between the European Union and the United States over Safe Harbor Principles provide data for exploring these issues. The article concludes with an analysis of whether harmonization of privacy and data protection policies is likely to evolve through existing processes and institutions.
Erosion of Coastal Slopes and Landslides

Coastal slopes (also called cliffs or bluffs) often are subject to active erosion processes such that their morphology, and thus their stability, is changing rapidly. There may be several erosion processes including active toe erosion that initiates other processes such as surface erosion and landslides. These concepts are presented based on observations of the bluffs along the shorelines of the Great Lakes (specifically Lakes Michigan and Superior) over a period of nearly 40 years. These lakes are subject to large lake level fluctuations and high waves. Superimposed on these on-going natural processes are the expected changes in the patterns due to climate change. The bluff materials have markedly different engineering properties along each lake. The state of knowledge with respect to shore erosion and associated bluff stability issues is presented including the available methods of predicting rate of erosion and determining bluff stability along with the controlling factors. The approaches to mitigating coastal recession are also described. The cost-effective solutions often are a combination of both stabilization and management approaches to minimize the impact.
Regulation of Murine Ada Gene Expression in the Placenta by Transcription Factor RUNX1

The formation of the trophoblast cell lineage of the placenta is one of the first developmental events to occur in mammalian embryogenesis. To understand the mechanisms of gene regulation in the trophoblast cell lineage we have used the murine adenosine deaminase gene (Ada) as a model. Ada is highly expressed in trophoblast cells of the placenta and is critical for embryo development. A 770bp fragment of the mouse Ada 5' flanking region is capable of directing trophoblast cell-specific expression in a transgenic model system. Earlier studies identified several critical portions of this fragment, including three footprinting regions that are necessary for correct gene expression in the placenta. Using electromobility shift assays (EMSA), we identified a 5bp sequence within footprint 3 that computer databases predicted bound to the transcription factor RUNX1 (also known as acute myeloid leukemia 1). This prediction was confirmed by supershift analysis using antibodies specific for RUNX1. The functional importance of this binding was demonstrated by both transient transfections and transgenic approaches. A significant reduction in expression of the reporter gene in the placenta was seen when the 5bp RUNX1 binding site was mutated. The findings reported here indicate that the RUNX1 transcription factor plays a significant role in regulating Ada gene expression in the trophoblast cell lineage.
Slow dynamics in the nonlinear elastic response of Berea sandstone

A typical resonance curve--measured accel- eration versus drive frequency--made on a thin bar of rock shows peak bending with a softening (nonlinear) modulus as drive levels are increased. The shapes of these nonlinear resonance curves were found in earlier work to depend somewhat on sweep rate; these "slow dynamics" are now examined and quantified. We have measured slow dynamics in a 0.3 m long, 50 mm diam- eter bar of Berea sandstone under ambient conditions. Peak strain levels during the experiments ranged from 10- • • to 10 -• at driving frequencies near 4 kHz, the fun- damental longitudinal resonance frequency of the bar. Slow dynamics begin to manifest themselves at strain amplitudes above 10 -a at ambient conditions and at the onset of nonlinear peak bending. Strains above this value condition the rock, altering its response for min- utes to hours after the drive has been turned off. ter the pressure on the rock was changed. The work presented here is the first to specifically document the slowly varying time response to periodic excitation (i.e., slow dynamics) of a Berea sandstone sample; moreover, we demonstrate that the slow dynamics produce promi- nent effects, even at room conditions. Slow dynamics manifest themselves in a sandstone sample during high intensity longitudinal elastic reso- nance. We first report the effects of high strain on a sample by comparing "conditioned" resonance curves (e.g., after the sample is driven at high intensity) with a set of fully "recovered" curves (e.g., after the sample is left untouched for a long period). We illustrate that the first resonance curve made on a recovered sample differs remarkably from subsequent curves. We present several results that illustrate aspects of the sample's memory and concludiwith a discussion of measurements to de- termine how the rock recovers and to understand what
Sustained saline-induced secretion of atrial natriuretic hormone is not maintained by atrial stretch

To determine the relationship between changes in right and left atrial pressures and changes in plasma levels of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic hormone (ANH), 11 normal men were studied during rapid infusion of 1 L 150 mmol/L NaCl. Right atrial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and peripheral plasma ANH levels were measured serially for 30 min in 6 men and for 90 min in 5 men. There were significant increases in right atrial pressure at 15 and 30 min [4.8 +/- 0.4 (+/- SE) vs. 8.9 +/- 0.3 and 6.5 +/- 0.4 mm Hg; P less than 0.001] and in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure at the same time intervals [8.5 +/- 0.6 vs. 13.6 +/- 0.8 (P less than 0.001) and 10.6 +/- 0.6 mm Hg (P less than 0.01)]. Plasma ANH increased significantly at 30 min (11.5 +/- 2.4 vs. 20.6 +/- 3.0 pmol/L; P less than 0.001). Regression analysis revealed no correlation between the increase in plasma ANH at 30 min and the increase in either right atrial or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure at 15 min (r = 0.46; P = 0.16 for right atrial pressure; r = 0.02; P = 0.96 for pulmonary capillary wedge pressure). In the 5 men studied for 90 min, right atrial and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures returned to basal values by 45 min. In contrast, plasma ANH levels remained significantly elevated at all sampling times from 30-90 min (P less than 0.001); the peak value occurred at 75 min. We conclude that ANH secretion persists after saline infusion and that the cause of this prolonged secretion is not atrial stretch.