cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A reanalysis of miller and friesen's life cycle data

This paper reanalyzes Miller and Friesen's (1984a) life cycle dana by statistically assessing their conclusions regarding the life cycle imperative. Three separate models were tested: a three-phase model, a four-phase model and a five-phase model. Using the del procedure for the prediction analysis of cross-classification tables, a sensitivity analysis showed that there is support for the life cycle progression hypothesis, but only when firms that stay in the same phase are not treated as errors. When firms that stay the same are increasingly weighted as errors, del values drop significantly. In general, the three- and four-phase models show better support for the life cycle hypothesis than the five-phase model originally used by Miller and Friesen.
The major histocompatibility complex and reproductive functions.

THIS review summarizes a scattered literature on genotypic influences on reproductive functions that have been associated with the major histocompatibility complex, the Mhc. While much attention has been given to the roles of the Mhc in immunological functions and disease resistance (1, 2), abundant evidence shows that Mhc-associated genes also influence numerous hormonally related functions. In particular, Mhc polymorphisms are associated with quantitative variations in diverse reproductive traits. These findings are discussed in relation to other genetic studies on reproductive functions. The forthcoming knowledge of nucleotide sequences of Mhc genes and non-class I and class II genes within the Mhc, e.g. in mice (3) and in cows (4), should open important opportunities to study reproductive mechanisms at the molecular level and to create genetically engineered animals for testing of experimental hypotheses and for meeting human needs. We also discuss genotypic influences on reproduction in relation to n...
Bicyclic bases Ambident anions as intramolecular nucleophiles in the formation of 2‐oxa‐5‐azabicyclo[2.2.1] heptane derivatives

The intramolecular cyclization of the ambident anion 5 derived from condensation of N, O-ditosylhydroxy-L-proline acid chloride with dimethyl malonate anion was studied under a variety of reaction conditions. Cyclization occurred solely by O-alkylation to give 2-oxa-5-azabicyclo[2.2.1 ]heptanes. The NMR speetra of the hicyclo compounds are diseussed.
Possible role for calmodulin and the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in postsynaptic neurotransmission.

Abstract The theory presented here is based on results from in vitro experiments and deals with three proteins in the postsynaptic density/membrane-namely, calmodulin, the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, and the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. It is visualized that, in vivo in the polarized state of the membrane, calmodulin is bound to the kinase; upon depolarization of the membrane and the intrusion of Ca2+, Ca2(+)-bound calmodulin activates the autophosphorylation of the kinase. Calmodulin is visualized as having less affinity for the phosphorylated form of the kinase and is translocated to the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel. There, with its bound Ca2+, it acts as a Ca2+ sensor, to close off the Ca2+ channel of the depolarized membrane. At the same time, it is thought that the configuration of the kinase is altered by its phosphorylated states; by interacting with Na+ and K+ channels, it alters the electrical properties of the membrane to regain the polarized state. Calmodulin is moved to the unphosphorylated kinase to complete the cycle, allowing the voltage-dependent Ca2+ channel to be receptive to Ca2+ flux upon the next cycle of depolarization. Thus, the theory tries to explain (i) why calmodulin and the kinase reside at the postsynaptic density/membrane site, and (ii) what function autophosphorylation of the kinase may play.
Some effects of raindrops and surface-flow on soil erosion and infiltration

This presentation summarizes the findings from a number of experiments in which the effects of raindrop-impacts and the flow of surface-water on soil-erosion and infiltration were studied. Some implications drawn from this work are discussed. Many of the experiments were exploratory in nature, and many of the data have only qualitative significance. The effects of impact of raindrops and of surface-flow on the surface-soil will, among other things, depend on the kinetic energy of the water in motion. Energy factors in rainfall and runoff were controlled for these experiments, and some of the effects of variations in energy were observed.
Location configuration design for Dynamic Message Signs under stochastic incident and ATIS scenarios

This paper proposes a methodology for deploying permanent Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) in a vehicular traffic network. Of particular interest is the planning problem to optimize the number of DMS to deploy in conjunction with Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS), operating and maintenance cost of DMS, and incident-related user cost under random traffic incident situations. The optimal DMS location design problem discussed herein is formulated as a two-stage stochastic program with recourse (SPR). A Tabu search algorithm combined with dynamic traffic simulation and assignment approaches are employed to solve this problem. A case study performed on the Fort-Worth, Texas network highlights the effectiveness of the proposed framework and illustrates the affect factors such as demand, network structure, DMS response rate, and incident characteristics have on the solution. The numerical results suggest that designing and deploying DMS and ATIS jointly is more cost-effective and efficient than the sequential build-out of the two from the system management perspective.
Effect of chlorate, molybdate, and shikimic acid on Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium in aerobic and anaerobic cultures.

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine factors that affect sensitivity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium to sodium chlorate (5 mM). In our first experiment, cultures grown without chlorate grew more rapidly than those with chlorate. An extended lag before logarithmic growth was observed in anaerobic but not aerobic cultures containing chlorate. Chlorate inhibition of growth during aerobic culture began later than that observed in anaerobic cultures but persisted once inhibition was apparent. Conversely, anaerobic cultures appeared to adapt to chlorate after approximately 10 h of incubation, exhibiting rapid compensatory growth. In anaerobic chlorate-containing cultures, 20% of total viable counts were resistant to chlorate by 6 h and had propagated to 100% resistance (>10 9 CFU mL −1 ) by 24 h. In the aerobic chlorate-containing cultures, 12.9% of colonies had detectable resistance to chlorate by 6 h, but only 1% retained detectable resistance at 24 h, likely because these cultures had opportunity to respire on oxygen and were thus not enriched via the selective pressure of chlorate. In another study, treatment with shikimic acid (0.34 mM), molybdate (1 mM) or their combination had little effect on aerobic or anaerobic growth of Salmonella in the absence of added chlorate. As observed in our earlier study, chlorate resistance was not detected in any cultures without added chlorate. Chlorate resistant Salmonella were recovered at equivalent numbers regardless of treatment after 8 h of aerobic or anaerobic culture with added chlorate; however, by 24 h incubation chlorate sensitivity was completely restored to aerobic but not anaerobic cultures treated with shikimic acid or molybdate but not their combination. Results indicate that anaerobic adaptation of S. Typhimurium to sodium chlorate during pure culture is likely due to the selective propagation of low numbers of cells exhibiting spontaneous resistance to chlorate and this resistance is not reversible by molybdenum supplementation.
Polymer-Impregnated mortars I. Effect of polymer state on mechanical behavior

Mortar specimens were impregnated with methyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, styrene, and crosslinking agents in various combinations. After polymerization of the monomers in situ, studies of mechanical properties such as Young's modulus and compressive strength were made. In one experiment, various ccpolymers of methyl methacrylate and n-butyl acrylate were prepared and tested as a function of temperature. Excellent reinforcement was obtained with any combination of monomers as long as the resulting polymer was at a temperature below its glass transition temperature. This suggests that the modulus of the reinforcing polymer is crucial, glassy behavior being required. The addition of crosslinking agents such as TMPTMA increased the high temperature strength, however.
Cultural adaptation among Hispanic women as related to awareness and acquisition of emergency contraception

Abstract Background The study was conducted to examine the relationship between cultural adaptation (acculturation), contraceptive use, personal history of induced abortion, and emergency contraceptive (EC) awareness and acquisition among a sample of young sexually active Hispanic women. Study Design A total of 959 Hispanic women between 16 and 24 years of age (mean±SD 20.71±2.42 years) completed a survey containing questions on EC acquisition and awareness, acculturation, contraceptive used at last intercourse and history of induced abortion. Data were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. Results Acculturation (p=.017), income (p=.024) and education (p Conclusions Educational programs should make an effort to include Hispanic women with lower acculturation levels as increasing their knowledge about EC use and its mechanism of action may greatly reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies in this population.
Autonomous activity of the alternate aldolase A muscle promoter is maintained by a sequestering mechanism

The mouse aldolase A gene contains two closely-spaced alternate promoter/first exons. The more distal of the two, the M promoter, is muscle-specific while the 3' promoter, the H promoter, is expressed constitutively. Various segments from these promoter regions were linked to a reporter gene and used to transfect the myogenic cell line C2C12 and the hepatoma cell line BWTG3. A muscle-specific enhancer, MEN1, responsible for 80% of promoter M activity and containing 4 consensus MyoD binding sites was localized between -2578 to -2723 of the M promoter. Another muscle-specific enhancer and a restrictive element, MEN2/MSE, were found in the interval -1100 to -350. The MSE restrictive element was found to prohibit inappropriate up-regulation of the M promoter by selectively sequestering it from H promoter elements in both myoblasts and myotubes. Among the H promoter elements was found an enhancer, HEN, situated between -533 and -200 which did not function in myotubes. These studies also show that H promoter elements can act synergistically with a non-specific element, MAE, located between -350 and -130 of the M cap site greatly stimulating M promoter transcription in all cell types when the MSE restrictive element was absent. Through the analysis of interactions between these elements and the aldolase A and HSV-TK promoters we showed that neither the enhancers nor the promoter proximal sequences by themselves contain adequate information to reproduce the native pattern of aldolase A promoter modulation. Rather, the sequestering of the M promoter by the MSE restrictive element and the relative positioning and context of promoters M and H appear critical to the regulated expression of aldolase A.
Brain Indices Predict Blood Pressure Control: Aging Brains and New Predictions

Hypertension is a predictor of dementia and is associated with subtle deficits in cognitive performance in stroke- and dementia-free individuals.1 Younger hypertensive individuals may be as vulnerable to subtle progressive decline in cognitive ability as older individuals, although the pathophysiological mechanisms involved may be different.1,2 Hypertension-associated structural and functional changes in the brain begin at a surprisingly early age, and this has led to an increasing emphasis on the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.2 The study by Jennings et al3 in this issue of Hypertension provides further support for diagnosis and treatment as early as possible in the course of hypertension. Moreover, it offers a reasonable approach to examining the efficacy of various antihypertensive classes or agents in normalizing blood pressure. The Jennings group related indices of “brain aging” to the success of lowering blood pressure (BP) in 45 relatively healthy individuals with idiopathic hypertension and no previous history of antihypertensive medication. After structural MRI and functional position emission tomography, participants were randomly assigned in a double-blind procedure to treatment with either lisinopril (n=21), an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I), or atenolol (n=24), a β-blocking agent (β-blocker). Systolic and diastolic BPs after 1 year of treatment were related to pretreatment indices of brain aging consisting of combined ratings of ventricle and sulcal size and white matter hyperintensities and pretreatment change in regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in the thalamus in response to a working memory task. Together, the structural brain index and blood flow response predicted 20% of the variance in systolic BP response to treatment with adjustment …
Pain and coping.

Two concepts—pain and coping—are explored. The first part of this paper argues for a circumscribed definition that distinguishes pain from coping or any other element of reaction to it. The second part evaluates a pain-coping typology in light of this argument and other issues raised.
Towards a True Corporate Republic: A Traditionalist Response to Bebchuk's Solution for Improving Corporate America

In this essay, Vice Chancellor Strine responds to Professor Bebchuk's proposal to empower stockholders to amend corporate charters. Critiquing that proposal from the perspective of a corporate law traditionalist, Strine notes that traditionalists will fear that the proposal will undermine managerial flexibility and will give clout to unaccountable institutional intermediaries. In a more constructive vein, the essay posits a reform of the corporate election system designed to address the legitimate concerns raised in Professor Bebchuk's thought-provoking article but in a traditionalist manner more consistent with the republican model of corporate democracy characteristic of American corporate law.
Mediastinal lipomatosis as a cause of low voltage complexes on electrocardiogram and widened mediastinum: A case report

Mediastinal widening is a common finding on chest radiograph, and can be caused by numerous conditions. Most of these diseases have grave prognosis if accompanied by chest pain, and require immediate attention. However, mediastinal lipomatosis is a very benign condition caused by deposition of adipose tissue in the mediastinum. We present a case of a morbidly obese female patient who presented to emergency department with a fall. She had mediastinal widening on chest radiograph, and borderline low voltage on electrocardiogram. On computed tomography, mediastinal lipomatosis was evident. Obesity is a major epidemic in United States, and can lead to deposition of fat in the chest. Mediastinal lipomatosis is very benign condition, which rarely causes grave consequences.
NO dissociation through ns, np, and nf Rydberg states: Angular distributions

Velocity-mapped imaging and theoretical calculations have been used to study the angular distribution of the products of NO predissociation following its excitation to the 11s, 10p, 11p, and 9f Rydberg levels based on the NO+ (X 2Σ+) core. The Rydberg states were reached from the NO (A 2Σ+, v = 0, N = 2, J = 1.5) level prepared with strong alignment by excitation with linear polarization from NO (X 2Π, v = 0, N = 1, J = 0.5). Ion dip spectra of the Rydberg states were recorded along with velocity-mapped images at the major peaks. The results are compared to calculations based on a previous theoretical approach modified to include transitions to states of Hund's case (d) coupling. The reasonable agreement shows the predictive value of the theory. The theory has also been used to reassess and explain previous results and to understand variations in the rate of photodissociation with components of the 10p and 11p Rydberg states.
And Justice for All Consideration of ABO Compatibility in Allocation of Hearts for Infant Transplantation

Pediatricians have long argued that children are not little adults, and it seems intuitive that clinical practices and regulations should follow appropriately from this paradigm. One can find no better evidence to support this contention than the report by Almond et al1 published in this issue of Circulation . ABO incompatibility has been considered a relative or, by United Network for Organ Sharing standards, an absolute contraindication to transplantation of hearts2 and, until recently and only under certain circumstances, kidneys.3 This practice is based on abundant evidence that ABO-incompatible cardiac and renal grafts in unmodified recipients are often rejected very quickly. Early rejection of ABO-incompatible transplants is thought to be caused by antibodies direct against A or B antigens expressed on graft endothelium. These antibodies can initiate a cascade of events culminating in widespread graft thrombosis. Thus, the clinical protocols that evolved and gained eventual widespread acceptance initially for successful kidney transplantation stipulated that donors must be ABO compatible with any proposed recipient. Over time, further evidence suggested that ABO-identical transplantation resulted in superior results compared with ABO-compatible transplantation,4 presumably because of antibodies to minor blood group antigens. In the United States, blood group O recipients were found to be significantly disadvantaged in terms of obtaining organs by the practice of allowing unrestricted allocation to ABO-compatible nonidentical recipients (such as a group O donor to a group A recipient). Thus, on the recommendation of the Thoracic Organ Transplantation Committee, United Network for Organ Sharing rules for allocation of donor hearts in the United States were changed in 1999 to mandate allocation preferentially to ABO-identical over ABO-compatible recipients, regardless of age.5 It is ironic that this broad application of a change in regulations prompted by the well-intentioned need to remove an allocation rule that disadvantaged one …
Association between age and use of intensive care among surgical Medicare beneficiaries.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to determine the role age plays in use of intensive care for patients who have major surgery. Materials and Methods Retrospective cohort study examining the association between age and admission to an intensive care unit (ICU) for all Medicare beneficiaries 65 years or older who had a hospitalization for 1 of 5 surgical procedures: esophagectomy, cystectomy, pancreaticoduodenectomy, elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (open AAA), and elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (endo AAA) from 2004 to 2008. The primary outcome was admission to an ICU. Secondary outcomes were complications and hospital mortality. We used multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression to adjust for other patient and hospital-level factors associated with each outcome. Results The percentage of hospitalized patients admitted to ICU ranged from 41.3% for endo AAA to 81.5% for open AAA. In-hospital mortality also varied, from 1.1% for endo AAA to 6.8% for esophagectomy. After adjusting for other factors, age was associated with admission to ICU for cystectomy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.56 [95% confidence interval, 1.36-1.78] for age 80-84 + years; 2.25 [1.85-2.75] for age 85 + years compared with age 65-69 years), pancreaticoduodenectomy (AOR, 1.26 [1.06-1.50] for age 80-84 years; 1.49 [1.11-1.99] for age 85 + years), and esophagectomy (AOR, 1.26 [1.02-1.55] for age 80-84 years; 1.28 [0.91-1.80] age 85 + years). Age was not associated with use of intensive care for open AAA or endo AAA. Older age was associated with increases in complication rates and in-hospital mortality for all 5 surgical procedures. Conclusions The association between age and use of intensive care was procedure specific. Complication rates and in-hospital mortality increased with age for all 5 surgical procedures.
Sulfuric acid and hot water treatments enhance ex vitro and in vitro germination of Hibiscus seed.

Seeds of Hibiscus dasycalyx S. F. Blake and Shiller, a federally listed candidate endangered species and native to North America and two variants of Hibiscus acetosella Welw. ex. Hiern were scarified using sulfuric acid and hot water. The effects of the scarification methods on in vitro and ex vitro germination in both species were evaluated. Sulfuric acid scarification was very effective for in vitro and ex vitro germination of both forms of H. acetosella and H. dasycalyx seeds by dramatically increasing germination rate and decreasing germination time. Acid scarification of H. acetosella seeds for 10, 15, or 20 min resulted in close to 90% germination within a week. Germination rates of about 70% (ex vitro) and 80% (in vitro) were obtained in H. dasycalyx seeds treated with sulfuric acid. Germination rates of 54% (ex vitro) and 95% (in vitro) were achieved when H. dasycalyx seeds were treated with hot water for 5 min, but exposing the seeds for 10, 15, or 20 min produced poor results in H. acetosella and H. dasycalyx as hot water scarification appeared to result in severe injury or death of the embryos. The protocols described here constitute rapid, reliable and simple methods to germinate H. acetosella and H. dasycalyx seeds in vitro and ex vitro. These results can be valuable in commercial productions or research projects. In addition, the in vitro germination of H. dasycalyx can offer a valuable tool in conservation efforts for this threatened species.
Pancreatic heterotopia in the gastric antrum.

17-year-old adolescent boy presented with a history of epigastric pain for the past 10 to 12 weeks. He had no significant family or personal medical history. The results of a physical examination were nonrevealing, therefore an esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed. When the endoscope was introduced into the stomach, a 1-cm polypoidal lesion was seen in the gastric antrum. The lesion appeared to be submucosal with an intact submucosa and muscularis propria interface. No lymphadenopathy was seen. This lesion in the gastric antrum was excised and sent for histopathologic examination. On microscopic examination, a well-circumscribed submucosal nodular lesion with overlying benign gastric mucosa was evident (Figure 1). The lesion displayed unremarkable pancreatic lobules with acini, ducts (Figure 2), and islets of Langerhans cells (Figure 3, arrow). No evidence of cellular pleomorphism, necrosis, mitosis, or stromal reaction was present. Heterotopic pancreas is defined as pancreatic tissue outside the boundaries of the pancreas that lacks anatomic and vascular continuity to this organ. Heterotopic pancreas is a relatively infrequent lesion, with an incidence ranging from 0.5% to 13% in autopsy studies. Heterotopic pancreas is usually found in the upper gastrointestinal tract, with more than 90% of the cases involving the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and Meckel diverticulum. 1 Unusual locations are the colon, spleen, liver, biliary tract, mesentry, skin, lymph nodes, and fallopian tube. The pathogenesis of this lesion is unknown; it is believed to arise during embryonic development of the gastrointestinal tract. The normal pancreas is derived from several evaginations originating from the wall of the primitive duodenum. During embryogenesis, if one or more evaginations remain in the wall of the bowel, then it may be carried away from the remainder of the gland by the developing gastrointestinal tract and may give rise to heterotopic pancreas. 2 The other theory proposes pancreatic metaplasia of endodermal tissues that end up in the submucosa during embryonic life. Pancreatic heterotopia grossly resembles normal pancreatic parenchyma as a submucosal nodule, as an intramural mass, or as a nodular lesion involving the serosa. On gross examination, the color is yellow to yellow-white, and cut section reveals a lobulated appearance. The size
Repeated transsphenoidal surgery to treat recurrent or residual pituitary adenoma.

Object. In this paper the authors describe the indications for and the results and complications of repeated transsphenoidal surgery (RTSS) to treat recurrent or residual pituitary adenoma. Methods. A retrospective review was conducted of 96 consecutive patients who underwent RTSS to treat recurrent or residual pituitary adenoma. Ninety-six patients underwent RTSS: 42 to treat a recurrent or residual pituitary mass and 54 to treat a recurrent or persistent hormone hypersecretion. There was no case of perioperative death and there was a 1% incidence of major complications. Postoperative endocrinological deficiencies were uncommon unless planned total hypophysectomy was performed to treat Cushing disease. Clinical remission occurred in 93% of patients undergoing RTSS to treat a tumor mass, and 15% of patients initially experienced remission only to face a relapse after a mean of 32 months. Endocrinological remission occurred in 57% of patients undergoing RTSS to treat hormone hypersecretion; most of these p...
Safety and Efficacy of the Avirulent Mycoplasma gallisepticum Strain K5054 as a Live Vaccine in Poultry

A Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) isolate from an atypically mild outbreak in turkey breeders was found to be similar to house finch isolates by DNA analyses. A preliminary study in turkeys showed that this isolate (K5054) caused very mild lesions and protected turkeys against subsequent challenge with a virulent MG strain. In this study, K5054 was further evaluated as a potential vaccine strain in commercial layer-type chickens and turkeys. The safety of K5054 was evaluated by aerosol challenge followed by evaluation of gross and histopathologic lesions as well as serologic reactions and isolation of MG from the trachea and air sacs. Infection of chickens (trial 1) and turkeys (trial 2) with K5054 resulted in little evidence of MG lesions. There was weak seroconversion, and K5054 was consistently reisolated from the tracheas of chickens and turkeys. The efficacy of K5054 as a vaccine was evaluated by aerosol challenge of vaccinated chickens (trial 3) and turkeys (trial 4) with virulent R strain. There was evidence of protection from lesions associated with MG.
Rethinking (e)learning: a manifesto for connected generations

In the broad context of adult and higher education, this article argues that to allow the e of e‐learning to disappear would be to lose the opportunity to grasp the enabling and emergent properties of digital networked technology. Through examining cycles of educational technology, current trends in e‐learning research, the practices and competencies of educational designers, and the roles of key stakeholders, a framework is established to reinforce the emergence of the nomadic, mobile learner who is dependent not on the teacher or formal educational systems, but on the network of knowledge and skills that can be accessed on an anytime, anywhere, e‐learning basis. Through this framework a manifesto for connected generations is proposed, grounded in c3‐learning – collaborative, contextual, and connected learning.
Neural correlates of social and nonsocial emotions: An fMRI study

Common theories of emotion emphasize valence and arousal dimensions or alternatively, specific emotions, and the search for the underlying neurocircuitry is underway. However, it is likely that other important dimensions for emotional neurocircuitry exist, and one of them is sociality. A social dimension may code whether emotions are addressing an individual's biological/visceral need versus more remote social goals involving semantic meaning or intentionality. Thus, for practical purposes, social emotions may be distinguished from nonsocial emotions based in part on the presence of human forms. In the current fMRI study, we aimed to compare regional coding of the sociality dimension of emotion (nonsocial versus social) versus the valence dimension of emotion (positive versus negative). Using a novel fMRI paradigm, film and picture stimuli were combined to induce and maintain four emotions varying along social and valence dimensions. Nonsocial emotions of positively valenced appetite and negatively valenced disgust and social emotions of positively valenced joy/amusement and negatively valenced sadness were studied. All conditions activated the thalamus. Appetite and disgust activated posterior insula and visual cortex, whereas joy/amusement and sadness activated extended amygdala, superior temporal gyrus, hippocampus, and posterior cingulate. Activations within the anterior cingulate, nucleus accumbens, orbitofrontal cortex, and amygdala were modulated by both social and valence dimensions. Overall, these findings highlight that sociality has a key role in processing emotional valence, which may have implications for patient populations with social and emotional deficits.
Plague As Seen in South Vietnamese Children A Chronicle of Observations and Treatment Under Adverse Conditions

Eighty-eight South Vietnamese children with bubonic, bubonic-septicemic and septicemic forms of plague are reviewed. This disease is fulminating in children. Of the various forms of treatment available, tetracycline and chloramphenicol appear to produce a more rapid lysis of toxic symptoms than does streptomycin, and may well avert death by endotoxin shock which streptomycin seems to induce.
Bivariate box splines and smooth pp functions on a three direction mesh

Abstract Let S denote the space of bivariate piecewise polynomial functions of degree ⩽ k and smoothness ρ on the regular mesh generated by the three directions (1, 0), (0, 1), (1, 1). We construct a basis for S in terms of box splines and truncated powers. This allows us to determine the polynomials which are locally contained in S and to give upper and lower bounds for the degree of approximation. For ρ = ⌊ (2k − 2) 3 ⌋ , k ≢ 2 (3), the case of minimal degree k for given smoothness ρ, we identify the elements of minimal support in S and give a basis for S loc = {f ∈ S: supp f ⊆ Ω} , with Ω a convex subset of R 2 .
STIM1 translocation to the plasma membrane enhances intestinal epithelial restitution by inducing TRPC1-mediated Ca2+ signaling after wounding

Early epithelial restitution is an important repair modality in the gut mucosa and occurs as a consequence of epithelial cell migration. Canonical transient receptor potential-1 (TRPC1) functions as a store-operated Ca2+ channel (SOCs) in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and regulates intestinal restitution, but the exact upstream signals initiating TRPC1 activation after mucosal injury remain elusive. Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is a single membrane-spanning protein and is recently identified as essential components of SOC activation. The current study was performed to determine whether STIM1 plays a role in the regulation of intestinal epithelial restitution by activating TRPC1 channels. STIM1 translocation to the plasma membrane increased after wounding, which was followed by an increase in IEC migration to reseal wounds. Increased STIM1 levels at the plasma membrane by overexpressing EF-hand mutant STIM1 enhanced Ca2+ influx through SOCs and stimulated IEC migration after wounding. STIM1 interacted with TRPC1 and formed STIM1/TRPC1 complex, whereas inactivation of STIM1 by STIM1 silencing decreased SOC-mediated Ca2+ influx and inhibited epithelial restitution. In cells overexpressing EF-hand mutant STIM1, TRPC1 silencing also decreased STIM1/TRPC1 complex, reduced SOC-mediated Ca2+ influx, and repressed cell migration after wounding. Our findings demonstrate that induced STIM1 translocation to the plasma membrane promotes IEC migration after wounding by enhancing TRPC1-mediated Ca2+ signaling and provide new insight into the mechanism of intestinal epithelial restitution.
Opportunity recognition processes of black entrepreneurs

The reasons for the long-term lagging rate of black American entrepreneurship are not well understood. Rather than look at financial factors, as most of the limited literature that has explored the disparity has done, we examine the opportunity recognition processes of black entrepreneurs. Using data collected from 147 black entrepreneurs, we found the entrepreneurs in our study – all of whom had achieved moderate success – were much more likely to have pursued internally stimulated opportunities than externally stimulated opportunities. The important practical and academic implications are discussed and future research directions are offered.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes

Abstract The design of automated systems for monitoring the performance of large numbers of MPC controllers is presented. The linear-quadratic-Gaussian (LQG) system is treated first, and analytical closed-form probability densities are derived for all variables of interest. The MPC controller’s stage cost is chosen as the key performance index (KPI) to use for monitoring purposes. The stage cost is shown to have a generalized chi-squared distribution in the LQG case. The effects of nonzero, deterministic disturbances and plant/model mismatch on monitoring systems are briefly presented. The problem of determining the disturbance variances required for monitoring is briefly reviewed. Next the case of constrained, linear MPC and nonlinear MPC is discussed. In place of closed-form probability densities, online simulation is proposed as a general method for generating the statistics required for monitoring purposes. An overall conclusion of the paper is that the timing may be ideal for vendors to start offering monitoring products tailored to enhance their advanced MPC control product offerings.
Khon Performance through Khon Scripts in the Rattanakosin Period

The three objectives of the research on Khon performance through Khon scripts in the Rattanakosin Period were to 1) study the development of Khon scripts, 2) search for the formats of Khon performance -and 3) explain the functions of stage direction and each unit of dramatic works constructed in Khon scripts. The study results could be concluded as follows: In the aspect of Khon construction in Rattanakosin period, it was found that Khon scripts could be divided into four eras, according to the novelties of construction. In the aspect of Khon performance and performance characteristics of Khon, it was found that the formats could be generally divided into two dramatic scenes, “Lanka City” and “The Pavilion”. In the aspect of functions of dramatic scenes, it was found that there were two groups: 1) functioning through narrators and 2) functioning through Khon characters.
Men's health: a benefit for men or a marketing opportunity?

assessment has not been as closely associated with reproductive function as one might expect. Perhaps the captain is more important than the ship, or perhaps it is that we do not yet have a really good way of describing the shape of the vessel. These investigators provide the most exhaustive statistical analysis to date of morphological abnormalities in fertile and infertile men, and in doing so, provide a means of better assessing the usefulness of closely examining sperm shape and its relationship to reproductive function.
Sensor Fusion Based Model for Collision Free Mobile Robot Navigation.

Autonomous mobile robots have become a very popular and interesting topic in the last decade. Each of them are equipped with various types of sensors such as GPS, camera, infrared and ultrasonic sensors. These sensors are used to observe the surrounding environment. However, these sensors sometimes fail and have inaccurate readings. Therefore, the integration of sensor fusion will help to solve this dilemma and enhance the overall performance. This paper presents a collision free mobile robot navigation based on the fuzzy logic fusion model. Eight distance sensors and a range finder camera are used for the collision avoidance approach where three ground sensors are used for the line or path following approach. The fuzzy system is composed of nine inputs which are the eight distance sensors and the camera, two outputs which are the left and right velocities of the mobile robot’s wheels, and 24 fuzzy rules for the robot’s movement. Webots Pro simulator is used for modeling the environment and the robot. The proposed methodology, which includes the collision avoidance based on fuzzy logic fusion model and line following robot, has been implemented and tested through simulation and real time experiments. Various scenarios have been presented with static and dynamic obstacles using one robot and two robots while avoiding obstacles in different shapes and sizes.
Oblique vein of the left atrium – The Marshall vein

\A 36-year-old woman with a medical history of partial anomalous pulmonary venous return (PAPVR) presented to our Emergency Department with chest pain and left arm numbness. The patient's vital signs, physical exam, ECG, chest radiograph, and laboratory work-up (including serum troponin levels) were all normal. Further evaluation with gated cardiac CT angiography (Fig. 1) demonstrated the patient's known PAPVR (not shown) as well as an incidentally noted small vessel originating from the left atrium (LA) and communicating with the coronary sinus (CS, curved blue arrow) at its junction with the great cardiac vein (GCV, yellow arrow), consistent with an oblique vein of the left atrium (a.k.a., Marshall vein; MV, white arrow). The Marshallvein is a rare fetal remnant of the left superior vena cava, persisting as a left atrial tributary that empties into the great cardiac vein at its junction with the coronary sinus. 1,2 This vessel lies within Marshall's ligament, a fold of pericardium containing fibromuscular bands and neurovascular tissue. 1,2 Marshall's liga
The Coleman Dog Attitude Scale (C-DAS): Development, refinement, validation, and reliability

Abstract Human–animal interactions have been studied for many years. As the human–animal interaction field continues to grow, the need for measures that adequately assess fundamental human–animal domains (e.g., relationships, interactions, attachments, bonds) also increases. Specifically, attitudes toward dogs is an important construct given that dogs are commonly owned pets and there is a preponderance of human–animal interaction research focusing on dogs. The current study involved the development, refinement, reliability, and validation of a scale measuring attitudes toward dogs (the Coleman Dog Attitude Scale; C-DAS). Items for the scale were developed through a previous unpublished study that assessed individuals’ attitudes toward dogs using the tripartite model (i.e., thoughts, feelings, and behaviors) of attitude structure. Experts winnowed down items to develop a 63-item scale for Study 1. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted on data from undergraduate students ( N = 502). A one-factor solution was produced and the measure was refined to a 24-item scale. The C-DAS had an alpha of 0.98. In Study 2 ( N = 219 undergraduates), a 2-week test-retest reliability analysis was conducted ( r = 0.75) and evidence of construct validity was assessed. The C-DAS had an alpha of 0.98 at Time 1 and 0.99 at Time 2. In Study 3 ( N = 125), a community sample was utilized to conduct a confirmatory factor analysis and adduce additional evidence for construct validity. In this sample, the C-DAS had an alpha of 0.98. The C-DAS was deemed to have adequate psychometric support to be used in further research. Scores on the C-DAS predicted behavioral intentions of interacting with dogs, but did not consistently predict donating to a charity related to dogs or volunteering to help children who have a fear of dogs. The C-DAS showed significant, though weak, associations with measures of connections to animals and nature, and a strong association to measures of attitudes toward pets, providing some additional evidence of construct validity. The C-DAS has the potential to allow researchers to control for attitudes toward dogs in future studies examining human-animal interactions.
Preeclampsia/Eclampsia candidate genes show altered methylation in maternal leukocytes of preeclamptic women at the time of delivery

ABSTRACTObjective: To analyze methylation profiles of known preeclampsia/eclampsia (PE) candidate genes in normal (NL) and preeclamptic (PE) women at delivery. Methods: A matched case–control study comparing methylation in 79 CpG sites/33 genes from an independent gene set in maternal leukocyte DNA in PE and NL (n = 14 each) on an Illumina BeadChip platform. Replication performed on second cohort (PE = 12; NL = 32). Results: PE demonstrates differential methylation in POMC, AGT, CALCA, and DDAH1 compared with NL. Conclusion: Differential methylation in four genes associated with PE may represent a potential biomarker or an epigenetic pathophysiologic mechanism altering gene transcription.
“Phenomenal displacement” in delayed auditory feedback: I. Disparate inter-aural intensities

College undergraduates were required to read standardized passages twice under a condition of delayed auditory feedback (DAF) in which the intensity of the fed-back input to each ear was equal, and once under DAF with highly disparate inter-aural intensities. Reading under the latter condition showed a highly significant reduction in the speech disruptive effect of DAF.
Prenatal and neonatal seizure disorders.

For an infant to convulse before birth is extremely rare, but about 0.2 percent of newborns in maternity hospitals experience seizures in the first few days of life. As a rule, the earlier the seizure, the worse is the prognosis. In certain situations, such as when metabolic disorders, narcotic withdrawal or infections induce seizures, prompt therapy can ward off the complications—mental retardation, spastic paralysis, and other physical handicaps.
Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic characteristics of male and female squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.)

Cardiomyopathy is a leading cause of mortality in aging squirrel monkeys (Saimiri spp.). However, data regarding echocardiographic measures obtained from clinically healthy nonsedated squirrel monkeys have not been published, and few electrocardiographic data are available. Here we obtained echocardiographs without sedation and electrocardiographs with minimal sedation from 63 clinically healthy squirrel monkeys that ranged from 3 to 20 y in age. 2D and M-mode echocardiography were performed on nonsedated monkeys to determine the left ventricular internal diameters at systole and diastole and the ejection fraction. Electrocardiography was performed under sedation with ketamine (15 mg/kg). Parameters evaluated included heart rate; P-wave duration; lengths of the PR, QRS, and QT intervals; R-wave amplitude, and P-wave amplitude. Initial physical examination, electrocardiography, and echocardiography indicated normal cardiac function for all monkeys. The objectives of this study were to provide reference values for nonsedated echocardiography and ketamine-sedated electrocardiography of clinically normal squirrel monkeys and to determine correlates of age and sex in these values.
A Relevant Past: Re-Membering Rhetoric and Performance

Throughout history rhetoricians have referenced and relied upon theatrical practices and philosophies to enhance the understanding of rhetorical principles. Considering the affinities between rhetoric and performance can also be useful today, as writers and speakers must understand how to effectively navigate multiple performances in multiple arenas and genres.
Improving Security Level via Velocity of Moving Target Defense

For protecting Information Technology (IT) resources, security control is mainly based on perimeter defense and reactive strategies using Intrusion Detection, Intrusion Prevention with firewalls and anti-virus products. Factual events, with security breaches and stolen data, have shown us that this approach is inadequate. New proactive approach based on the concept of Moving Target Defense (MTD) should be considered as a complement to current cybersecurity protection. In this paper, we describe the SCIT-based MTD approach, which consists of continuous periodic cleansing of the computing nodes. By modeling the behavior of the system protected with MTD, we argue that security level can be improved in a predictive manner based on the velocity of the MTD.
A new 5.5GHz LNA with gain control and turn-off control for dual-band WLAN systems

A new 5-6GHz LNA (low-noise amplifier) for dual-band WLAN system is presented. For the special operation requirement of dual-band RF systems, this LNA features high/low gain control and turn-off control functions. The LNA is designed in TSMC 3-metal 0.35/spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS process with an f/sub T/ of 49GHz. In high gain mode, the LNA features a forward gain S21 of 14.5dB, a reverse gain S12 of -39.5dB and a noise figure of 2.2dB at 5.5GHz. In low gain mode, the S21 is -11dB, S12 is -52dB and the NF is 13.6dB. The whole circuit consumes 5.2mA dc current under 3V power supply.
Progress Towards a Membrane-Bound Structure of the ITK/NEF Complex

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) Nef is a membrane-associated accessory protein essential for viral replication, immune evasion, and AIDs progression. Nef functions via interactions with numerous host cell proteins involved in signal transduction and trafficking. Nef interaction with Src family kinases in HIV-1 target cells leads to constitutive kinase activity that enhances infectivity and viral replication while down-regulating immune receptors. Recently, Nef was also shown to interact selectively with Tec kinases in HIV-1 target cells.
Media Depictions and the Priming of Mental Illness Stigma

Research has consistently noted that news reports on mental illness are biased toward describing violent incidents, and there is evidence that the media is a significant source contributing to the public’s knowledge about mental illness (Jorm, 2000). However, it is unclear whether and how the media’s bias toward reporting violent incidents impacts one’s assumptions about the association between mental illness and violence. Based on pragmatic inference, we hypothesized that people remember information that is not explicitly stated but plausibly implied from articles (Brewer, 1977). Thus, the mention of mental illness in articles describing violent incidents would lead people to infer a causal link between the two. In an online study (n = 172), participants were randomly assigned to identical descriptions of a violent incident, manipulating whether mental illness was mentioned, and memory of presented information was measured. We also examined the potential moderating impact of cognitive styles and preexisting attitudes and beliefs. Results strongly supported that priming people about mental illness leads them to believe that mental illness was related to a violent incident, and that pragmatic inference underlies laypeople’s processing of news reports. There was no evidence for moderating effects of individual difference variables in this process.
Discovery of redox system enabling C-N-C bonds formation: Unprecedented Aza-Cannizzaro reaction

Abstract A novel reaction involving in situ redox conversion of glyoxylate esters to glycine is described. Simple starting materials and mild conditions for the synthesis of glycine derivatives probably indicate a pathway towards prebiotic chemistry. This proceeds analogous to Cannizzaro reaction involving ammonia therefore it can be termed as intramolecular Aza-Cannizzaro type reaction. This reaction is examined in detail with an aid of computational analysis to corroborate the proposed mechanism.