cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enterprise 2.0 Management Challenges

The nature of the enterprise and the way people work is changing rapidly. The enabling power and competitive advantage of new social and participative technologies will benefit those that recognize the way work is changing. Web 2.0, the â€˜second phaseâ€™ of the Web, is the foundation of a new and improved Enterprise 2.0. Enterprise 2.0 provides, through a web of interconnected applications, services, and devices, the capabilities for enterprise employees and vendors to be more competitive and productive and for enterprise customers to be more engaged and loyal by accessing the right information from the right people at the right time. This paper describes Enterprise 2.0 management challenges and issues identified by Chief Information Officers, which include the unauthorized use of services and technologies, the integration of a myriad of technologies and capabilities, and the potential compliance and security implications. The authors have proposed a conceptual framework that explores the relationships of three Enterprise 2.0 dimensions â€“ technology, its use, and how resulting user-generated content may lead to business value â€“ with management implications affecting IT culture and policies within the enterprise. This paper provides observations and suggestions for future research.
Histocompatibility antigens controlled by the I region of the murine H-2 complex. I. Mapping of H-2A and H-2C loci.

Skin grafts were reciprocally exchanged in pairs of congenic lines identical in all genes except those located in the central portion of the H-2 complex. Seven such lines were tested: 6R, B10.AQR, A.TL, A.TH, 7R, 9R, and B10.HTT. In all donor-recipient combinations at least some grafts were rejected. In combinations differing at the IA subregion (and other central H-2 regions or subregions), all first-set grafts were rejected within 3 wk after transplantation, and all second-set grafts were rejected within 10 days. In combinations differing at the IC subregion (and other central regions, but not at the IA subregion) between 60 and 100% of first-set grafts were rejected, but some grafts survived for over 100 days. Most of the second-set grafts were rejected within 1 mo after grafting. This behavior of skin grafts indicated the presence of two histocompatibility loci in the I region, a strong one and a weak one. This conclusion was confirmed by genetic mapping which placed the strong locus in the IA subregion and the weak locus in the IC subregion. We designate the former locus H-2A and the latter H-2C. The same strain combinations used for the skin grafting were also used for determination of the capacity of I-region antigens to function as targets in the in vitro cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity (CML) assay. Spleen cells from mice presensitized in vivo by skin grafting were restimulated in vitro and tested against 51Cr-labeled concanavalin A or lipopolysaccharide blasts. The testing revealed the presence in the I region of two loci coding for CML-target antigens. The two loci comapped with the H-2A and H-2C loci and were most likely identical to them. As in the skin grafting test, in the CML test, the H-2A antigens evoked stronger response than the H-2C antigens. Rejection of skin grafts across the H-2A and H-2C loci was accompanied by the production of Ia antibodies. Direct cytotoxic and absorption tests with Ia antibodies directed against antigens coded for by the IC subregion revealed the presence of IaC antigens on epidermal cells. We suggest that the products of Ia loci might function as transplantation antigens.
The Dialectic of Recognition and the Rediscovery of China: After Orientalism

The cultural relationship between China and the West, including the hypothesis of a rediscovery, does not fit neatly into the binary pattern implied by the model of Orientalism associated with post-colonial theory. Even in the era of high imperialism, the Sino-Western relationship involved complexities for which the paradigm of colonizer and colonized is too simplistic and therefore requires a theorization of a post-Orientalism. As evidence, the narrative fragment ‘The Boxer Rebellion’, by the Austrian author Arthur Schnitzler, published posthumously in 1957, explores the psychological dynamic between a European soldier and a Chinese prisoner in order to demonstrate the immanent ambivalence of imperialism and its Orientalist categories.
Interaction of polymerases with 2′-deoxyuridine-5′-triphosphate spin-labeled at the 5-position

2′-Deoxyuridine-5′-triphosphate spin-labeled at the 5-position with N-[1-oxyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl]-O- was found to be an inhibitor of some DNA and RNA polymerases including avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase. Furthermore, the spin-labeled nucleotide was found to be incorporated internally into polydeoxythymidylic acid via reverse transcriptase to an extent of 1.0 spin-labeled base per 103 bases. The incorporation, monitored by electron spin resonance, is analogous to some other nucleotide inhibitors of polymerases, and the results indicate that it may be feasible to obtain sequence specific, spin-labeled DNA, enzymatically.
Avian Influenza Viruses and Paramyxoviruses in Wintering and Resident Ducks in Texas

Cloacal swabs were collected from teal (Anas crecca, Anas cyanoptera, Anasdiscors), mottled duck (Anas fulvigula) and northern pintail (Anas acuta) in Brazoria County, Texas, USA, during February 2001, mottled ducks during August 2001, and blue-winged teal (A. discors) during February 2002. Prevalence of avian influenza virus (AIV) infections during each sampling period were 11, 0, and 15%, respectively. The hemagglutinin (H) subtypes H2 and H7 were detected in both years, while the H8 subtype was detected in 2001 and the H1 subtype was detected in 2002. Avian paramyxovirus type 1 (APMV-1) was isolated from 13% of mottled ducks sampled in August 2001 and 30.7% of teal in February 2002. The season of isolation of both viruses and the majority of the AIV subtypes detected in this study are not typical based on previous reports of these viruses from North American ducks.
Bioinformatics analysis reveals transcriptome and microRNA signatures and drug repositioning targets for IBD and other autoimmune diseases.

Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex disorder involving pathogen infection, host immune response, and altered enterocyte physiology. Incidences of IBD are increasing at an alarming rate in developed countries, warranting a detailed molecular portrait of IBD. Methods: We used large-scale data, bioinformatics tools, and high-throughput computations to obtain gene and microRNA signatures for Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). These signatures were then integrated with systemic literature review to draw a comprehensive portrait of IBD in relation to autoimmune diseases. Results: The top upregulated genes in IBD are associated with diabetogenesis (REG1A, REG1B), bacterial signals (TLRs, NLRs), innate immunity (DEFA6, IDO1, EXOSC1), inflammation (CXCLs), and matrix degradation (MMPs). The downregulated genes coded tight junction proteins (CLDN8), solute transporters (SLCs), and adhesion proteins. Genes highly expressed in UC compared to CD included antiinflammatory ANXA1, transporter ABCA12, T-cell activator HSH2D, and immunoglobulin IGHV4-34. Compromised metabolisms for processing of drugs, nitrogen, androgen and estrogen, and lipids in IBD correlated with an increase in specific microRNA. Highly expressed IBD genes constituted targets of drugs used in gastrointestinal cancers, viral infections, and autoimmunity disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and asthma. Conclusions: This study presents a clinically relevant gene-level portrait of IBD subtypes and their connectivity to autoimmune diseases. The study identified candidates for repositioning of existing drugs to manage IBD. Integration of mice and human data point to an altered B-cell response as a cause for upregulation of genes in IBD involved in other aspects of immune defense such as interferon-inducible responses. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2012;)
Evolution of Mexico and Other Single-Party States

Editor's Note : Mexico is one of the most—if not “the most”—important country in terms of its daily impact on the lives of US citizens. Trade, investment, energy, narcotics, security, pollution, tourism, academic exchanges, crime, legal and illegal migration, family ties, cuisine, media attention, and political campaigns (in both countries) are among the factors that enhance the salience of our “southern neighbor” to the well-being of America and Americans. Not only does the 2,000-mile long US-Mexican border constitute the world's longest frontier between a developed and a developing nation, but Mexico's highly porous, violence-ridden, corruption-infested 755-mile interface with Guatemala and Belize constitutes a virtual “Third US Border” through which hundreds of thousands of people pass annually en route to the United States ( Grayson 2006 ). Twenty years ago it was said that “democracy exists 364days a year in Mexico—it's only absent on Election Day.” Giving credence to Mexico's status as “the perfect dictatorship” 1 was the government's blatant manipulation of the 1988 presidential contest on behalf of Carlos Salinas de Gortari, candidate of the Tammany-Hall-like Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) over Cuauhtemoc Cardenas, PRI apostate and nominee of the center-leftist front that evolved into the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD). The standard-bearer of the center-right National Action Party (PAN) finished third. Mexico's significance to the US accounts, in part at least, for the jubilation expressed by pundits, politicians, and political scientists to the mid-2000 victory of the PAN's Vicente Fox Quesada over PRI and PRD competitors, an apparent affirmation that the ancient Aztec nation was surfing on the “third wave of democracy” ( Huntington 1991 ). Known as the “Marlboro Man” because of his 6-foot-5-inch height and craggy good looks, the PAN competitor trumpeted the imperative of change during his campaign, castigating the hapless PRI candidate for the nation's real and imagined ills. …
A Lanchester‐type aggregated‐force model of conventional ground combat

This article develops a Lanchester-type model of large-scale conventional ground combat between two opposing forces in a “sector”. It is shown that nonlinear Helmbold-type equations of warfare with operational losses may be used to represent the loss-rate curves that have been used in many aggregated-force models. These nonlinear differential equations are used to model the attrition of combat capability (as quantified by a so-called firepower index) in conjunction with a rate-of-advance equation that relates motion of the contact zone (or FEBA) between the opposing forces to the force ratio and tactical decisions of the combatants. This simplified auxiliary model is then used to develop some important insights into the dynamics of FEBA movement used in large-scale aggregated-force models. Different types of behavior for FEBA movement over time are shown to correspond to different ranges of values for the initial force ratio, for example, an attack will “stall out” for a range of initial force ratios above a specific threshold value, but it will “break out” for force ratios above a second specific threshold value. Such FEBA-movement predictions are essentially based on being able to forecast changes over time in the force ratio.
Histamine H-2 Receptor Antagonists

Excerpt The actions of histamine are mediated by two types of receptors that are present on a number of morphologically distinct cell types (1). Those mediating mepyramine-sensitive histamine respo...
The Interdisciplinary Career of a Popular Construct Used in Management Empowerment in the Late 20th Century

In this article, the authors trace how meanings of the construct empowerment evolved between 1966 and 2000 across six disciplines: religion, psychology, sociology, education, social work, and management. Meanings of empowerment expanded considerably during this time period, as the construct waxed, waned, and then waxed again in popularity. Empowerment was introduced in religion in the 1960s and expanded by sociology in the early 1970s, and in these disciplines it focused primarily on sharing real power. As empowerment was introduced into education, psychology and social work in the next several years, it added a focus on fostering human welfare. Its introduction in management led to a new emphasis on fostering productivity, something very different from the original use of the term. The authors’ findings have important implications for the understanding of the evolution of constructs and issues associated with their meanings in management scholarship.
Preliminary crystallographic data and quaternary structural implications of the central subunit of the multi-subunit complex transcarboxylase

The hexameric central subunit (Mr = 360,000) of the multi-subunit complex transcarboxylase has been crystallized by bulk dialysis against 250 mm-sodium acetate (pH 5.5). The crystals are cubic, a = 193.1 A, space group P4132 or enantiomorph. The number of molecules per unit cell is four and was deduced from the density of the crystals (1.10 g cm−3) and the mother liquor (1.01 g cm−3 and the specific volume of the protein calculated from molecular dimensions obtained from electron microscopy studies. Four molecules per cell requires the central subunits to lie on 3-fold axes, which are perpendicular to 2-fold rotation axes, so that the molecules satisfy 32 symmetry giving one subunit as the asymmetric unit. Of the four possible models that have been considered for the quaternary structure of transcarboxylase, only that with antiparallel subunits, two sets of isologous binding sites and D3 symmetry is in agreement with the symmetry requirements of the cubic crystals.
Adsorption of chromium(VI) on chitosan-coated perlite

Chitosan‐coated perlite beads were prepared by drop‐wise addition of a liquid slurry containing chitosan and perlite to an alkaline bath. The beads were characterized by SEM and EDS x‐ray microanalysis. The chitosan content of the beads was 23%, as determined by a pyrolysis method. Adsorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions on chitosan‐coated perlite beads was studied under both equilibrium and dynamic conditions. The effect of pH on adsorption was also investigated. The data were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The adsorption capacity of chitosan‐coated perlite was found to be 104 mg/g of adsorbent from a solution containing 5000 ppm of Cr(VI). On the basis of chitosan, the capacity was 452 mg/g of chitosan. The capacity was considerably higher than that of chitosan in its natural and modified forms, which was in the range of 11.3 to 78 mg/g of chitosan. The beads loaded with chromium were regenerated with sodium hydroxide solution of different concentrations. A limited number o...
A Spatial Model to Estimate Habitat Fragmentation and Its Consequences on Long-Term Persistence of Animal Populations

The increasing use of the landscape by humans has led to important diminutions of natural surfaces. The remaining patches of wild habitat are small and isolated from each other among a matrix of inhospitable land-uses. This habitat fragmentation, by disabling population movements and stopping their spread to new habitats, is a major threat to the survival of numerous plant and animal species. We developed a general model, adaptable for specific species, capable of identifying suitable habitat patches within fragmented landscapes and investigating the capacity of populations to move between these patches. This approach combines GIS analysis of a landscape, with spatial dynamic modeling. Suitable habitat is identified using a threshold area to perimeter ratio. Potential movement pathways of species between habitat patches are modeled using a cellular automaton. Habitat connectivity is estimated by overlaying habitat patches with movement pathways. The maximum potential population is calculated within and between connected habitat patches and potential risk of inbreeding within meta-populations is considered. The model was tested on a sample map and applied to scenario maps of predicted land-use change in the Peoria Tri-county region (IL). It (1) showed area of natural area alone was insufficient to estimate the consequences on animal populations; (2) underscored the necessity to use approaches investigating the effect of land-use change spatially through the landscape and the importance of considering species-specific life history characteristics; and (3) highlighted the model's potential utility as an indicator of species likelihood to be affected negatively by land-use scenarios and therefore requiring detailed investigation.
In vitro evaluation of combination therapies against hepatitis B virus replication

The HBV-producing human hepatoblastoma cell line, 2.2.15, has been shown to be an accurate model of chronic cellular viral infection and a predictive model of antiviral response for in vivo hepadnaviral infection. Our laboratory has utilized the 2.2.15 cell line in a standardized assay to examine treatment schemes which use combinations of clinically relevant nucleoside analogues, novel methods to deliver potentially useful nucleoside combinations, and treatments which simultaneously target different parts of the HBV replication pathway. For example, the combination of 3TC (lamivudine) with either alpha interferon or penciclovir significantly enhances the antiviral effectiveness of these agents against HBV replication in 2.2.15 cell culture.
Litter and sex effects on maternal behavior and DNA methylation of the Nr3c1 exon 17 promoter gene in hippocampus and cerebellum

Early life events can alter gene expression through DNA methylation. The methylation status of the exon 17 promoter of the glucocorticoid receptor (Nr3c1 gene) in hippocampus associates with frequency of pup licking. Much of this work was conducted with male rats. Because dams more frequently lick male pups, this may contribute to sex differences in phenotypes through DNA methylation. Modifying litter gender composition (LGC), in which offspring of single-sex litters are compared to mixed-sex litters, alters maternal behavior. Previously, we demonstrated that LGC and sex affected pup licking times as well as anxiety and hippocampal DNA methylation of the Nr3c1 exon 17 promoter gene in adolescence. Now, we expand upon this work by examining effects in cerebellum and measuring mRNA levels. We also re-assessed DNA methylation in hippocampus using pyrosequencing and re-analyzed pup licking with the more commonly used frequency measure. Litters, culled to 8 pups on postnatal day 1 (PN1), were assigned to one of three conditions: all male (n = 10), all female (n = 12), or half of each sex (n = 20). Licking was rated on PN4, 7, and 10. On PN35, hippocampal and cerebellar samples were obtained. Single-sex males were licked the least and mixed-sex males, the most. Hippocampal Nr3c1 mRNA levels were lowest in mixed females with no LGC or Sex effects in DNA methylation. Cerebellar DNA methylation levels were lowest in mixed males with no effect on mRNA levels. Maternal pup licking associated with DNA methylation of the Nr3c1 exon 17 promoter gene in cerebellum and with hippocampal mRNA.
Assessment of Sandwich Beam in Three-Point Bending for Measuring Adhesive Shear Modulus

A finite element analysis (FEA) was conducted to examine the feasibility of determining the shear modulus of an adhesive in a bonded geometry using a three-point bending test on a sandwich beam specimen. The FEA results were compared with the predictions from two analytical solutions for the geometry used to determine the impact of the assumptions that were made in these analyses. The analytical results showed significantly different to the values obtained from other experiments on bulk samples of the adhesive in the glassy region Although there were some agreements in rubbery region, the negligible sensitivity of the beam stiffness to the presence of adhesive layer makes the agreements very questionable. To examine the possible explanations for these differences in glassy adhesives, sensitivity analysis was conducted to explore the effects of experimental variables. Some possible reasons for the differences are discussed, but none of these reasons taken alone satisfactorily account for the discrepancies. Until an explanation is found, the three-point bending test using a sandwich beam specimen to determined the adhesive shear modulus might not be a desirable test method, at least for the range of geometry examined in this study.
On the general theory of meaningful representation

The numerical representations of measurement, geometry and kinematics are here subsumed under a general theory of representation. The standard theories of meaningfulness of representational propositions in these three areas are shown to be special cases of two theories of meaningfulness for arbitrary representational propositions: the theories based on unstructured and on structured representation respectively. The foundations of the standard theories of meaningfulness are critically analyzed and two basic assumptions are isolated which do not seem to have received adequate justification: the assumption that a proposition invariant under the appropriate group is therefore meaningful, and the assumption that representations should be unique up to a transformation of the appropriate group. A general theory of representational meaningfulness is offered, based on a semantic and syntactic analysis of representational propositions. Two neglected features of representational propositions are formalized and made use of: (a) that such propositions are induced by more general propositions defined for other structures than the one being represented, and (b) that the true purpose of representation is the application of the theory of the representing system to the represented system. On the basis of these developments, justifications are offered for the two problematic assumptions made by the existing theories.
Effects of milrinone on complex ventricular arrhythmias in congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

To determine whether oral milrinone therapy has an effect on complex ventricular arrhythmias in patients with severe congestive heart failure and, if so, whether a change in the severity of complex ventricular arrhythmias after 1 week of milrinone therapy is associated with a change in the mode or frequency of cardiac mortality, a retrospective analysis was performed to determine the frequency of ventricular tachycardia and the density of ventricular couplets on 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiographic recordings performed before and 1 week after initiation of oral milrinone therapy in 74 consecutive patients with New York Heart Association functional class III or IV congestive heart failure. The endpoints of mortality and mode of death were assessed during a mean follow-up of 6 months. In 91% of the patients, 1 week of oral milrinone therapy was associated with no significant change (85%) or a significant decrease (6%) in the density of ventricular couplets and frequency of ventricular tachycardia. However, in 9% of patients the frequency of complex ventricular arrhythmias increased significantly at the end of 1 week of oral milrinone therapy. In this subgroup, neither total cardiac mortality nor the incidence of sudden cardiac death was significantly higher than that in patients with no change or a decrease in complex ventricular ectopic activity.
Estimation of largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides Lacépède, growth using the liver somatic index and physiological variables*

Stepwise regression models utilizing five easily-measured condition indices, two physiological variables and two environmental variables were developed for estimating the monthly growth of age-I and II largemouth bass sampled during 1980 and 1982. The liver-somatic index (LSI) and standard metabolism at surface and thermocline temperatures were the most significant variables for estimating growth. Determination of monthly growth using the LSI requires 50% fewer samples than the usual method of following changes in monthly mean weight. Because the LSI responds relatively rapidly to levels of energy intake and temperature, this index can be used to signal possible adverse effects on fish before changes in growth can be observed. This approach could be a useful management tool because, once validated for a particular aquatic system, frequent cost-effective growth estimates could be used to identify the presence of ecological perturbations and to quantify their effect.
DNA Stabilizes Fluorescent Few-Atom Silver Clusters with Unique Photophysical Properties

Recent studies of DNA-stabilized few-atom Ag clusters (Ag:DNA) indicate that these fluorophores may be well suited for high-resolution imaging techniques requiring optically modulated fluorescence, as well as fluorescence applications using two photon excitation. Ag:DNA exhibit sequence-dependent fluorescence from the blue to the near-infrared, thus DNA sequence presents an enormous parameter space for creating new emitters with optimized properties for fluorescence imaging. Even a very small search through sequence space reveals that single-base mutations in oligonucleotides can change the fluorescence intensity of Ag:DNA solutions by 3000%. We address some basic features of Ag:DNA that will help guide future large-scale searches through sequences space. By correlating fluorescence and mass spectroscopy, we identify emitters comprised of around 10 Ag atoms. We also observe absorbance by the DNA bases as an excitation pathway common to all Ag:DNA emitters. Finally, we discuss our efforts towards producing pure solutions of Ag:DNA at high enough concentrations for structural characterization by NMR.
Anomalous Canine Tooth Development in an Arizona Peccary

An adult female peccary ( Pecari tajacu sonoriensis ) was killed by archer John E. Simon in the Tucson Mountains, Pima County, Arizona, on February 19, 1956, during the regular hunting season. Anomalous development was present in the lower left canine tooth. When a small portion of the lower jaw …
AN APPRAISAL OF THE WATSON-GLASER CRITICAL THINKING APPRAISAL

(1958). An Appraisal of the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal. The Journal of Educational Research: Vol. 52, No. 4, pp. 155-158.
Visible And Infrared Spin Scanning Radiometer (VISSR) Atmospheric Sounder (VAS) Ground Data System

The interactive system developed at NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center to receive data from the infrared radiometer on GOES-4 in near real time and to perform interactive display and analysis of the 12-channel infrared imagery is described. The system is minicomputer based and uses a menu approach in guiding the analyst through spacecraft instrument programming, area and band selection, image acquisition, enhancement, analysis, and presentation of results. The system is linked by dual port disks to Goddard's Atmospheric and Oceanographic Information Processing System for comparing the sounding results with parameters derived from conventional data and from time lapse analysis of visible and IR imagery from other geostationary satellites. It is pointed out that the system hardware and software are being expanded to add capabilities for the integration and assimilation of VAS data with data from other sources, the comparison of severe storm observations from space with special ground network data, and the development of diagnostic models.
Minimum mean-squared error GPR processor for resolving shallow objects

A particularly difficult problem in using GPR for land mine detection is the shallow depth at which many mines are buried. The scattered energy from a mine may be very small, whereas the specular scattering form the surface, as well as the direct coupling between transmitter and receiver, are often quite large. If the mine is shallow, the difference in propagation delay between these responses is very small, and resolving the mine form the specular surface reflection is difficult. Even if the radar bandwidth is sufficient to resolve closely spaced targets, detecting the smaller target is problematic.
Stoichiometric effects on the properties of copper based chalcopyrite I–III–VI2 semiconductor thin films☆

Abstract The electrical and optoelectronic properties of CuInSe2, CuInS2, CuGaSe2 and their alloys can be readily controlled by adjusting the stoichiometry of the materials, sometimes by small amounts as in the case of the chalcogenide constituent, sometimes by large amounts as in the case of the copper content. The main movitation for research on these materials is their promise as the active semiconductor of thin film photovoltaic solar cells. The paper reviews investigations of the effects of stoichiometry on the properties of these materials and on their performance is solar cells.
Selective Vulnerability of Dopaminergic Neurons to Microtubule Depolymerization

Parkinson disease (PD) is characterized by the specific degeneration of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in substantia nigra and has been linked to a variety of environmental and genetic factors. Rotenone, an environmental PD toxin, exhibited much greater toxicity to DA neurons in midbrain neuronal cultures than to non-DA neurons. The effect was significantly decreased by the microtubule-stabilizing drug taxol and mimicked by microtubule-depolymerizing agents such as colchicine or nocodazole. Microtubule depolymerization disrupted vesicular transport along microtubules and caused the accumulation of dopamine vesicles in the soma. This led to increased oxidative stress due to oxidation of cytosolic dopamine leaked from vesicles. Inhibition of dopamine metabolism significantly reduced rotenone toxicity. Thus, our results suggest that microtubule depolymerization induced by PD toxins such as rotenone plays a key role in the selective death of dopaminergic neurons.
WHY BUSINESSES FAIL

The number of business failures in this country is growing at an alarming rate. While many experts have looked at the specific reasons why particular companies fail, few have examined the general trends and macroeconomic conditions that affect business failures. The author has, and has come to some surprising conclusions.
Embryo donation: a programmed approach

Abstract Objective: To describe the establishment of an embryo donation program using a large oocyte donor registry to produce embryos. Design: Descriptive study. Setting: A university-based practice. Patient(s): Embryos were obtained either through traditional donation from couples who underwent IVF-ET (n = 8) or through ovum donation (n = 15) with embryos produced by the program. In select cases, ovum donors were inseminated either with donor sperm selected following an advance directive from the patient or couple (n = 13) or with sperm designated by an IVF medical advisory board (n = 11). Intervention(s): Donated embryos or donor oocyte/donor sperm embryos were provided to patients with backgrounds and physical attributes compatible with the embryonic phenotype. In some of the cycles, fresh ET was performed, with embryos shared among two, three, or four couples (n = 18); in other cycles, embryos were cryopreserved and transferred later (n = 21). Main Outcome Measure(s). Clinical and ongoing-delivered pregnancy rates. Result(s): The mean (±SD) numbers of embryos for cycles in which fresh ET and frozen ET was performed were 3.1 ± 0.7 (range, 2–5) and 3.6 ± 0.2 (range, 3–5), respectively. The clinical and ongoing-delivered pregnancy rates were 44.4% (8/18) and 33.3% (6/18), respectively, for cycles in which fresh ET was performed and 57.1% (12/21) and 47.6% (10/21), respectively, for cycles in which frozen ET was performed. Conclusion(s): Embryo donation is an alternative approach to assisted reproduction that meets the needs of single and lesbian women as well as older and less affluent couples. It is a cost-effective and efficacious means of achieving pregnancy.
Comparison of isopropanol and hexane for extraction of vitamin E and oryzanols from stabilized rice bran

The effects of solvent-to-bran ratio (2∶1 and 3∶1, w/w), extraction temperature (40 and 60°C), and time (5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 min) were studied for hexane and isopropanol extraction. Increasing the solvent-to-bran ratios and extraction temperature increased the amounts of crude oil, vitamin E and oryzanol recovered for both solvents. An extraction time of 15 min was sufficient for optimum crude oil, vitamin E, and oryzanol extraction. Preheated isopropanol (3∶1 solvent/bran ratio and 60°C) extracted less crude oil (P .05) relative to preheated hexane. The data suggest that isopropanol is a promising alternative solvent to hexane for extraction of oil from stabilized rice bran.
Molecular Simulations of the Imidization of Adsorbed Polyamic Acid

Computer simulations have been developed to investigate the intramolecular cyclization of polyimides (i.e., imidization, the conversion of the precursor polyamic acid into polyimide). Imidization w...
Spectral analysis of periodically gapped data

We devise novel, interpolation-free, and computationally tractable extensions of the spectral analysis methods Capon and APES (amplitude and phase estimation) to periodically gapped data. Our methods are based on the observation that periodically gapped data usually have a structure that supports estimation of a relatively large number of covariance lags. The large signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) behavior of the new algorithms is discussed, and numerical examples are provided to illustrate their performance.
Utility of base deficit for identifying major injury in elder trauma patients.

Background: Early identification of serious injuries is especially important in elders. Base deficit (BD) is an indicator of serious injury in trauma patients. There are limited data to support the utility of BD in elders who have sustained trauma. Objectives: To assess the diagnostic performance of BD in identifying major injury in elders. Methods: This was a prospective, observational, preliminary study. Elder (age 65 years and older) patients with significant injury mechanisms had BD analyzed during initial emergency department resuscitation. Major injury was defined by an Injury Severity Score ≥15, a decrease in hematocrit of more than ten points, or blood transfusion. Patients were stratified into two groups of minor and major injuries. Data were reported as means (±SD). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves tested the diagnostic ability of BD to identify major injury. Results: Seventy-four patients were enrolled; the mean (±SD) age was 75 (±7) years, and 57% were male. Twenty-four patients (32%) had major injury. The mean (±SD) for BD in the major injury group (−2.9 [±6] mmol/L) was significantly different from that in the minor injury group (0.8 [±3] mmol/L), with a mean difference of 3.7 (95% confidence interval = 1.4 to 5.9). ROC curves revealed that BD was able to identify major injury in elder patients (area under the ROC curve, 0.72; 95% confidence interval = 0.60 to 0.85; p = 0.0003). Conclusions: The preliminary data from this study indicate that in trauma patients aged 65 years and older, increased BD at emergency department arrival can predict life-threatening injury.
An algorithm for the simulation of transient viscoelastic flows with free surfaces

We propose a numerical procedure for solving a class of transient viscoelastic flows with free surfaces. It is based on a Galerkin/Finite Element technique on deforming elements combined with a predictor-corrector scheme. The method is applied to the analysis of jet breakup caused by capillary forces. Non-linear effects known to experimentalists are predicted and a detailed comparison with asymptotic results is carried out.
Cy3-DNA Stacking Interactions Strongly Depend on the Identity of the Terminal Basepair

We characterized the effect of the first basepair on the conformational dynamics of the fluorescent dye Cy3 attached to the 5′ end of double-stranded DNA using Gaussian-mixture adaptive umbrella sampling simulations. In the simulations, the sampling of all five dihedral angles along the linker was enhanced, so that both stacked and unstacked states were sampled. The affinity of Cy3 for a T·A basepair (with the dye attached to T) was found to be significantly less than for the other basepairs. This was verified experimentally by measuring the activation energies for cis-trans isomerization of the dye. The simulation and experimental results indicate the existence of partially unstacked conformations amenable to photoisomerization. The simulations also showed that stacking of Cy3 straightens the DNA while stabilizing the first basepair. Our findings indicate that fluorescence is modulated by Cy3-DNA interactions in a sequence-dependent manner.
Consecutive iridium catalyzed C-C and C-H bond forming hydrogenations for the diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of syn-3-fluoro-1-alcohols: C-H (2-fluoro)allylation of primary alcohols

Commercially available (2-fluoro)allyl chloride serves as an efficient allyl donor in highly enantioselective iridium catalyzed carbonyl (2-fluoro)allylations from the alcohol or aldehyde oxidation level via transfer hydrogenation. Diastereoselective Crabtree hydrogenation of the resulting homoallylic alcohols provides syn-3-fluoro-1-alcohols.
Hydrated goethite (α-FeOOH) (1 0 0) interface structure: Ordered water and surface functional groups

Goethite({alpha}-FeOOH), an abundant and highly reactive iron oxyhydroxide mineral, has been the subject of numerous studies of environmental interface reactivity. However, such studies have been hampered by the lack of experimental constraints on aqueous interface structure, and especially of the surface water molecular arrangements. Structural information of this type is crucial because reactivity is dictated by the nature of the surface functional groups and the structure or distribution of water and electrolyte at the solid-solution interface. In this study we have investigated the goethite (1 0 0) surface using surface diffraction techniques, and have determined the relaxed surface structure, the surface functional groups, and the three dimensional nature of two distinct sorbed water layers. The crystal truncation rod (CTR) results show that the interface structure consists of a double hydroxyl, double water terminated interface with significant atom relaxations. Further, the double hydroxyl terminated surface dominates with an 89% contribution having a chiral subdomain structure on the (1 0 0) cleavage faces. The proposed interface stoichiometry is ((H{sub 2}O)-(H{sub 2}O)-OH{sub 2}-OH-Fe-O-O-Fe-R) with two types of terminal hydroxyls; a bidentate (B-type) hydroxo group and a monodentate (A-type) aquo group. Using the bond-valence approach the protonation states of the terminal hydroxyls are predictedmore » to be OH type (bidentate hydroxyl with oxygen coupled to two Fe{sup 3+} ions) and OH{sub 2} type (monodentate hydroxyl with oxygen tied to only one Fe{sup 3+}). A double layer three dimensional ordered water structure at the interface was determined from refinement of fits to the experimental data. Application of bond-valence constraints to the terminal hydroxyls with appropriate rotation of the water dipole moments allowed a plausible dipole orientation model as predicted. The structural results are discussed in terms of protonation and H-bonding at the interface, and the results provide an ideal basis for testing theoretical predictions of characteristic surface properties such as pK{sub a}, sorption equilibria, and surface water permittivity.« less
Production of the anti-rhizobial peptide, trifolitoxin, in sterile soils by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii T24

Abstract Trifolitoxin production by Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. trifolii T24 was observed in three sterile soils. The three soils differed in texture and fertility. Two of these soils were silt loams while the third soil was a silty sand. One of the silt loams was amended with manure and composted. The amount of trifolitoxin in these soils was determined by bioassay after inoculation with T24. The largest amount of trifolitoxin in each soil was observed at 48 h after inoculation; after 48 h, trifolitoxin declined. The amended soil contained 5–10 fold more trifolitoxin than did the unamended soils. The production of trifolitoxin in soil by T24 was verified in two ways: (i) T24 inoculated soils contain a substance which inhibits a trifolitoxin-sensitive strain of Rhizobium but not a trifolitoxin-resistant strain; and (ii) sterile soils inoculated with a Tn5 mutant of T24 that lacks trifolitoxin production (T24::Tn5 1 ) did not contain any detectable trifolitoxin activity during the 4 days of the experiment. These data demonstrate that trifolitoxin is produced by T24 in unamended as well as amended soils, although much larger amounts are detected in the amended soil.
RU486 inhibits expression of lysophosphatidic acid induced glycodelin

Objective This study was undertaken to provide evidence for the mode of action of RU486 on glycodelin produced in K562 cells. To show that histiocytes may be a source of glycodelin in leiomyoma. Study design With the use of K562, a leukemia cell line, the effect of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), RU486, antioxidants, and ZK112,993 on glycodelin protein and gene expression was studied. Immunocytochemistry for glycodelin and HAM-56 (macrophage) was performed on leiomyoma and myometrium. Results Incubation of K562 cells with LPA, progesterone, ZK112,933 and RU486 significantly induced the expression of glycodelin protein and messenger RNA. The addition of RU486 to LPA activated cells markedly reduced expression of glycodelin. Addition of ZK112,993, an antiprogestin without antioxidant properties, to LPA activated cells did not reduce glycodelin. Histiocytes in leiomyoma and myometrium co-localize with glycodelin. Conclusion RU486, partly acting as an antioxidant, markedly reduces LPA stimulated glycodelin production. Histiocytes in leiomyoma and myometrium immunostain for glycodelin and suggests a source for glycodelin in leiomyoma.
Control of Förster energy transfer with hyperbolic metamaterials and metallic surfaces

We show that Forster energy transfer is inhibited in the vicinity of hyperbolic metamaterials and metals — the environments, which enhance spontaneous emission rates. The effect is attributed to high local densities of photonic states.
Discussion of "Electric arcing burn hazards"

For original article by A.D. Stokes and D.K. Sweeting see ibid., vol.42, no.1, p.134-41, Jan./Feb. 2006.
Drosophila bristles and the nature of quantitative genetic variation

Numbers of Drosophila sensory bristles present an ideal model system to elucidate the genetic basis of variation for quantitative traits. Here, we review recent evidence that the genetic architecture of variation for bristle numbers is surprisingly complex. A substantial fraction of the Drosophila genome affects bristle number, indicating pervasive pleiotropy of genes that affect quantitative traits. Further, a large number of loci, often with sex- and environment-specific effects that are also conditional on background genotype, affect natural variation in bristle number. Despite this complexity, an understanding of the molecular basis of natural variation in bristle number is emerging from linkage disequilibrium mapping studies of individual candidate genes that affect the development of sensory bristles. We show that there is naturally segregating genetic variance for environmental plasticity of abdominal and sternopleural bristle number. For abdominal bristle number this variance can be attributed in part to an abnormal abdomen-like phenotype that resembles the phenotype of mutants defective in catecholamine biosynthesis. Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) encodes the enzyme that catalyses the final step in the synthesis of dopamine, a major Drosophila catecholamine and neurotransmitter. We found that molecular polymorphisms at Ddc are indeed associated with variation in environmental plasticity of abdominal bristle number.
Posttranscriptional regulation of cellular gene expression by the c-myc oncogene.

The c-myc oncogene has been implicated in the development of many different cancers, yet the mechanism by which the c-myc protein alters cellular growth control has proven elusive. We used a cDNA hybridization difference assay to isolate two genes, mr1 and mr2, that were constitutively expressed (i.e., deregulated) in rodent fibroblast cell lines immortalized by transfection of a viral promoter-linked c-myc gene. Both cDNAs were serum inducible in quiescent G0 fibroblasts, suggesting that they are functionally related to cellular proliferative processes. Although there were significant differences in cytoplasmic mRNA levels between myc-immortalized and control cells, the rates of transcription and mRNA turnover of both genes were similar, suggesting that c-myc regulates mr1 and mr2 expression by some nuclear posttranscriptional mechanism. mr1 was also rapidly (within 2 h) and specifically induced by dexamethasone in BALB/c cell lines expressing a mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat-driven myc gene, under conditions where other growth factor-inducible genes were unaffected. A frameshift mutation in the mouse mammary tumor virus myc gene destroyed the dexamethasone stimulation of mr1, indicating that c-myc protein is required for the effect. As in the myc-immortalized cells, the induction of mr1 by c-myc occurred without detectable changes in mr1 transcription or cytoplasmic mRNA stability, implicating regulation, either direct or indirect, through a nuclear posttranscriptional mechanism. These results provide evidence that c-myc can rapidly modulate cellular gene expression and suggest that c-myc may function in gene regulation at the level of RNA export, splicing, or nuclear RNA turnover.
Electrical properties of 1 MeV helium implanted metal- oxide-semiconductor structures

Helium ions of doses between 1012 and 3 × 1016 cm−2 are implanted into metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structures with an energy of 1 MeV. Deep centers are induced which create a buried intrinsic layer in both, n- and p-type silicon. This layer separates the surface region from the substrate by two n-i and i-n or p-i and i-p junctions. The structure is characterized by the measurements of the MOS admittance, the MOS channel admittance, MOS crosstalk, and spreading resistance. Advantages of this layer for isolation are seen in four facts: the formation of the two junctions is independent of the substrate type, the junctions are stable for temperatures beyond 1000 °C, they form a barrier for leakage currents from the bulk, and the layer acts as an additional gettering region. Heliumionen mit Dosen zwischen 1012 und 3 × 1016 cm−2 werden in Metall-Oxid-Halbleiterstrukturen (MOS) mit einer Energie von 1 MeV implantiert. Tiefe Zentren werden induziert, die eine vergrabene Intrinsicschicht sowohl in n- als auchin p-leitendem Silizium hervorrufen. Die Schicht trennt den oberflachenbereich vom Substrat durch zwei n-i- und i-n- oder p-i- und i-p-Ubergange. Die Struktur wird durch Messugnen der MOS-Admittanz, der MOS-Kanaladmittanz, MOS-Crosstalk und des Ausbrreitungswiderstands charakterisiert. Die Vorteile dieser Schicht zur Isolation werden in vier Tatsachen geschen: Die Bildung der beiden Ubergange ist unabhangig vom Substrattyp, die Ubergange und fur Temperaturen jenseits 1000 °C stabil, bilden eine Barriere fur Leckstrome aus dem Volumen und die Schichten wirken als ein zusatzlicher Getterbereich