cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Missionary Impulse in the Atlantic World, 1500-1800: Or How Protestants Learned to be Missionaries

Advocates of European expansion often justified their acquisition of territories in terms of the imperative to spread Christianity to non-believers. While Iberian Catholics converted large numbers of native Americans and later Africans imported as slaves within their New World colonies, Protestant colonizers were relatively slow to embrace the missionary imperative. This essay seeks to explain why that was the case, and to do so by considering doctrinal, institutional and political impediments. It shows how Protestants did finally put missions not only to their fellow Europeans but also to Native Americans and to slaves at the center of their imperial project. Resume Les partisans de l’expansion europeenne ont souvent eu recours a la notion du devoir de repandre la foi chretienne aupres de non-croyants pour justifier l’acquisition de nouveaux territoires. Alors que l’Eglise catholique iberique convertit dans les colonies du Nouveau Monde de tres nombreux Amerindiens puis des esclaves importes d’Afrique, les colonisateurs protestants furent plus lents a adopter l’imperatif missionnaire. Cet essai tente d’expliquer ce decalage en se penchant sur les entraves doctrinaires, institutionnelles et politiques. Il montre que les protestants mirent finalement bien au cœur de leur projet imperial la mission non seulement aupres de leurs congeneres europeens, mais egalement aupres des Amerindiens et des esclaves.
Effects of Radiation on Bone

Ionizing radiation produces its deleterious biologic effects by both direct (DNA strand breaks) and indirect processes (formation of free oxygen radicals). Mitotically active cells are more susceptible to the detrimental effects of ionizing radiation. These effects are most severe locally within the treatment field but can also occur systemically, possibly reflecting hormonal influences and inflammatory cytokine mediators. Specific bone complications of radiation include osteopenia, growth arrest, fracture and malignancy. Some of these complications, such as osteopenia, are reversible and severity is dose dependent. Insufficiency fractures are a common complication after radiation therapy and generally affect those bones under most physiologic stress and with the highest ratio of trabecular to cortical bone. Familiarity with the radiographic appearance of irradiated bone, including computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), will improve image interpretation and facilitate accurate diagnosis.
Innate immune exploitation by a model herpesvirus

Host innate immunity represents the first line of defense against invading pathogens and shapes the course and outcome of pathogen infection. Mammals have evolved an array of highly conserved pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that monitor the presence of “non-self” components or danger signals (Akira et al., 2006; Medzhitov, 2007). The innate immune signal transduction and viral regulation have been extensively reviewed elsewhere (Zhang et al., 2010), we therefore briefly summarize the signaling cascades that upregulate the transcription of antiviral inflammatory cytokines in response to viral infection. In higher eukaryotes, PRRs are classified into three categories according to their structural and functional conservation, including membrane-anchored C-type lectin, toll-like receptors (TLRs), and cytosolic NOD-like or RIGI-like receptors (NLRs and RLRs). Upon infection, PRRs sense pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are usually pathogen structural components or replication intermediates (Akira et al., 2006; Medzhitov, 2007). While TLRs patrol extracellular and endosomal compartments, NLRs and RLRs monitor the cytosolic environment for foreign or self danger entities. Upon association with PAMPs, PRRs dimerize with their cognate adaptors (such as MyD88, TRIF, MAVS [also known as VISA, IPS-1, and CARDIF], or RIP2) that trigger the activation of two closely-related innate immune kinase complexes, IKKαβγ and TBK1-IKKe (also known as IKKi) (Sun et al., 2010). Through phosphorylation, these kinase complexes induce the activation of NFκB and interferon regulatory factors (IRFs), transcription factors that, in turn, upregulate the expression of antiviral proinflammatory cytokines and interferons (Chen et al., 1996; Mercurio et al., 1997; Fitzgerald et al., 2003; Sharma et al., 2003), thereby constituting potent antiviral innate immunity. The critical roles of these innate immune pathways have been elucidated by studies using gene knockout mice and conversely, investigations of pathogen evasion strategies that antagonize host innate immune responses. Within this short article, we will summarize our recent findings and introduce a new concept, innate immune exploitation whereby host innate immune activation is usurped by viruses to benefit their infection, for example, to promote viral replication.
A Rhetorical Critique of the Drug War, Slavery, and the “Nauseous Pendulum” of Reason and Violence

This article offers detailed rhetorical analyses of the recent National Drug Control Strategy (NDCS) reports, which outline President Clinton's strategies for winning the so-called war on drugs. Unpacking their arguments tells us much about our government's understanding of the relationships among drugs, violence, race, crime, and democracy. To situate this critique of the drug war in a historically based analysis of the relationships among law, power, and force, this article turns to Thucydides' Peloponnesian Wars and Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics, which emphasize the “nauseous pendulum” that swings between reason and violence. Considering the drug war in relationship to Thucydides and Aristotle bolsters the thesis that our contemporary means of producing power via reasonable political discourse that in practice serves as but the veneer on state-sanctioned violence is not a necessarily abhorrent form of hypocrisy but, rather, one of the fundamental traditions of law itself.
Lexical diffusion and the high German consonant shift

Abstract The most widely accepted theory on the localization of the High German Consonant Shift maintains that it began in the south of Germany and spread to the north. Recently several generativists have attacked this position on strictly a priori grounds maintaining that the change must have begun in the north and spread south. By utilizing the theory of lexical diffusion this paper will argue in favor of the traditional theory.
Neonatal Jaundice: A Disorder of Transition or an Adaptive Process?

Physiologic hyperbilirubinemia occurs commonly in term newborn infants in the absence of any underlying pathologic cause. Yet, the jaundice itself is commonly regarded as a problem in the transition to extrauterine life. Contrary to the usual assumption of pathology, there are several lines of evidence supporting an adaptive role for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. First, experimental and clinical evidence indicate that neonatal enzyme systems are not yet mature at birth; bilirubin has been demonstrated to scavenge potentially toxic oxygen free radicals that in later life are removed by the mature antioxidant enzyme system. Second, presence of bilirubin in mammals, similar patterns of expression of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia in nonhuman primates, and significant interpopulation variation in newborn serum bilirubin levels among humans all suggest that bilirubin production, metabolism, and excretion are under genetic control. Thus, subject to selective pressure, this condition would not be maintained if deleterious.
Neural network analysis of employment history as a risk factor for prostate cancer

Background: Prostate cancer is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy in men. Its etiology likely involves environmental exposures and demographic factors. Objective: Investigate the potential relationship between occupation history and prostate cancer risk in a population-based, case-control study (n=1365). Methods: The variables: race, age group, smoking status, income, marital status, education and the first 15 years of employment history were examined by sequential odds ratio analysis then compared to a neural network consensus model. Results: Both the sequential odds ratio method and the neural network consensus model identified a similar hypothetical case of greatest risk: a Black, married man, older than 60 years, with at best a high school diploma who made between $25,000-$65,000. The work history determined by odds ratio analysis consisted of 10 years in the chemical industry with 3yrs in the processing plant. Neural network analysis showed a similar work history with 8 years in the chemical industry and 2 years in the processing plant. Discussion: Neural network outcomes are similar to sequential odds ratio calculations. This work supported previous studies by finding well known demographic risk factors for prostate cancer including certain processing jobs and chemical related jobs.
An Attributional Analysis of Jurors' Judgments in Civil Cases

Abstract Jurors' assessment of disputants in civil cases can be conceptualized as an attributional task. An experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that jurors, in the process of performing their attributional analyses of disputants, would exhibit judgmental biases that favor the defendant and disfavor the plaintiff. A total of 166 college students witnessed slide-tape presentations of trials for two civil cases. Each trial represented one condition in a 2 × 2 (Roles × Order) factorial design: Jurors (a) either heard Actors X and Y assume the roles of plaintiff and defendant or heard the same actors assume the opposite roles and (b) expressed their verdicts either before or after engaging in an attributional analysis of each litigant's behavior. The results supported the hypothesis. Juror's attributional analyses in both trials reflected a bias against the plaintiff. Each actor's behavior was attributed more often to hostile intentions and negative stereotypes when he assumed the role of plaintiff ...
The Bootstrap and Modern Statistics

(2000). The Bootstrap and Modern Statistics. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 95, No. 452, pp. 1293-1296.
Algebraic constraints on hidden variables.

In the contemporary discussion of hidden variable interpretations of quantum mechanics, much attention has been paid to the “no hidden variable” proof contained in an important paper of Kochen and Specker. It is a little noticed fact that Bell published a proof of the same result the preceding year, in his well-known 1966 article, where it is modestly described as a corollary to Gleason's theorem. We want to bring out the great simplicity of Bell's formulation of this result and to show how it can be extended in certain respects.
Mapping quantitative trait loci controlling early growth in a (longleaf pine × slash pine) × slash pine BC 1 family

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers were employed to map the genome and quantitative trait loci controlling the early growth of a pine hybrid F1 tree (Pinus palustris Mill. × P. elliottii Engl.) and a recurrent slash pine tree (P. elliottii Engl.) in a (longleaf pine × slash pine) × slash pine BC1 family consisting of 258 progeny. Of the 150 hybrid F1 parent-specific RAPD markers, 133 were mapped into 17 linkage groups covering a genetic distance of 1,338.2 cM. Of the 116 slash pine parent-specific RAPD markers, 83 were mapped into 19 linkage groups covering a genetic distance of 994.6 cM. A total of 11 different marker intervals were found to be significantly associated with 13 of the 20 traits on height and diameter growth using MAPMAKER/QTL. Nine of the eleven marker intervals were unique to the hybrid parent 488 genome, and two were unique to the recurrent parent 18–27 genome. The amount of phenotypic variance explained by the putative QTLs ranged from 3.6% to 11.0%. Different QTLs were detected at different ages. Two marker intervals from the hybrid parent 488 were found to have QTL by environment interactions.
The National Cancer Informatics Program (NCIP) Annotation and Image Markup (AIM) Foundation Model

Knowledge contained within in vivo imaging annotated by human experts or computer programs is typically stored as unstructured text and separated from other associated information. The National Cancer Informatics Program (NCIP) Annotation and Image Markup (AIM) Foundation information model is an evolution of the National Institute of Health’s (NIH) National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Cancer Bioinformatics Grid (caBIG®) AIM model. The model applies to various image types created by various techniques and disciplines. It has evolved in response to the feedback and changing demands from the imaging community at NCI. The foundation model serves as a base for other imaging disciplines that want to extend the type of information the model collects. The model captures physical entities and their characteristics, imaging observation entities and their characteristics, markups (two- and three-dimensional), AIM statements, calculations, image source, inferences, annotation role, task context or workflow, audit trail, AIM creator details, equipment used to create AIM instances, subject demographics, and adjudication observations. An AIM instance can be stored as a Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) structured reporting (SR) object or Extensible Markup Language (XML) document for further processing and analysis. An AIM instance consists of one or more annotations and associated markups of a single finding along with other ancillary information in the AIM model. An annotation describes information about the meaning of pixel data in an image. A markup is a graphical drawing placed on the image that depicts a region of interest. This paper describes fundamental AIM concepts and how to use and extend AIM for various imaging disciplines.
CUTTING YIELDS AND PALATABILITY TRAITS OF HAND-CUT OR PRESSED-CLEAVED, AND FRESH, CRUST-FROZEN OR FROZEN-TEMPERED BEEF SUBPRIMALS

Beef carcasses of similar grade characteristics provided 15 pairs each of strip loins, top sirloin butts and tenderloins. Subprimals were prepared according to Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (IMPS) for boneless cuts, vacuum packaged, stored for 13 days at -1°C and then trimmed to steak-ready form. Trimmed subprimal cuts were assigned to one of three treatment groups: (I) fresh (not frozen), hand-cut; (II) crust-frozen (2.33 hr at -34°C, 0.75 hr at -1°C), pressed-cleaved; and (III) frozen (8hr at -34°C), tempered (24 hr at -l°C), pressed-cleaved. Percentage yield of salable cuts from pressed-cleaved subprimals (Treatments II and III) was significantly higher than that for hand-cut subprimals (Treatment I). Few differences in thawing-cooking characteristics were observed among steaks from the three treatments. Treatment had no (P > 0.05) effect on sensory panel ratings for longissimus, biceps femoris or psoas major muscles but gluteus medius muscles from Treatment III were less tender (P 0.05) in shear force values in 20 of 21 comparisons. Beef loin subprimals can be hand-cut or pressed-cleaved in fresh, crust-frozen, or frozen-tempered form with little or no differences in cooking or palatability traits among steaks.
The D2 variation for isolated LOX drops and polydisperse clusters in hydrogen at high temperature and pressures

A study of the d^2 variation for isolated fluid drops and for fluid drops belonging to polydisperse clusters has been conducted at a high temperature and elevated pressures. The mathematical formulation is based on a previously validated model of subcritical/supercritical isolated fluid drop behavior. Coupled with the isolated drop equations, a set of conservation equations has been developed to describe the global cluster behavior. All these equations are based on the general transport matrix including Soret and Dufour terms and they are consistent with nonequilibrium thermodynamics and at low pressure with kinetic theory. Moreover, the model also accounts for real gas effects through accurate equations of state and for correct values of the transport properties in the high pressure, high temperature regime. The model has been first exercised for isolated LOX drops in H_2 at pressures ranging from 1.5 MPa (subcritical pressure for O_2) to 20 MPa (supercritical pressure for O_2). The results show that while at subcritical pressures the d^2 variation is nearly linear, with increasing pressure it departs considerably from the linear behavior; the largest departure occurs in the vicinity of the oxygen critical point. The slope of d^2(t) was fitted using both a constant and a linear fit, and it was shown that the linear fit provides a better alternative for correlation purposes. Simulations were also conducted for clusters of LOX drops in H_2 in the range 6 to 40 MPa (reduced pressures of 1.2–8 with respect to pure O_2). Parametric studies of the effect of the thermal diffusion factor value reveal that it is minor at 10 MPa and moderate at 40 MPa, and that although the Soret term is dominated by the Fick, Dufour, and Fourier terms, it is not negligible. The influence of a cluster Nusselt number is also shown to be relatively small in the range 10^3 to 10^4, consistent with the supercritical behavior being essentially a diffusive one. All of the results show a nonlinear d^2 variation with curves having a positive curvature independent of the values of the thermal diffusion factor, the Nusselt number or the LOX/H_2 mass ratio. The approximation of a binary size cluster containing relatively a much larger number of small drops by a monodisperse cluster with a drop size based upon the surface average of the drops in the polydisperse cluster yields a good evaluation of the thermodynamic quantities in the interstitial drop region but an underestimate of the lifetime of the drops in the cluster.
ELECTRONIC INFLUENCE OF TRANSITION METALS ON THE PERPENDICULAR MAGNETISM OF MBE-GROWN Co/Pd

We have used in situ polar Kerr effect measurements to study the perpendicular magnetic behavior of MBE-grown transition metal (TM = Au, Ag, Cu, Ir and Pd) overlayers deposited on single-crystal Co films. The Co films were grown on Pd buffer layers in both the (111) and (001) orientations. Cobalt thicknesses ranged from 2 A ≤ tCo ≤ 10 A for the (111) orientation and were 2 A and 4 A for the (001) orientation. The uncovered Co displayed a perpendicular easy-axis for all thicknesses in the range 2 A ≤ tCo ≤ 6 A in the (111) orientation, but only for tCo = 2 A in the (001) orientation. After growth of the Co, subsequent deposition of just ∼2 A of any TM overlayer increased the perpendicular coercive field and ellipticity dramatically for Co(111), while for the Co(001) the sample became nonmagnetic or the magnetic moment was driven in-plane. We attribute the sharp peak in the coercive field of the Co(111) films we observe at ∼1 monolayer (ML) coverage for all TM studied to date to a change in the electronic structure of the TM overlayer at ML thicknesses.
REMARKS ON RELATIONS BETWEEN X-RAY EMISSION AND AUGER TRANSITION RATES AND MOLECULAR PROPERTIES: CHEMICAL EFFECT

Relations are pointed out that there exist between (1) the X-ray emission rate and the π bond order and (2) the Auger transition rate and the valence electron density (chemical effects) resulting from C ls vacancy in carbon-containing molecules. Recognition of these relations is very important for analysis of experimental data and for prediction of these quantities, for which no data are available.
From Head to Heart: A Report on Clinicians’ Perceptions of the Impact of Learning Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy on Their Personal and Professional Lives

The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe the impact learning emotionally focused couples therapy (EFT) has on the personal and professional lives of clinicians. One hundred twenty-four clinicians answered open-ended questions regarding changes brought about by EFT training including the integration of EFT into previous models of therapy, shifts in the actual practice of therapy, and growth in personal relationships outside of therapy. Participants described specific, welcome changes in their approach to therapy (slowing down, focusing on emotion, demonstrating more empathy and caring), as well as the difficulty of learning a structured, emotionally focused approach to couple work that required major changes for experienced therapists. In addition, participants highlighted unexpected yet positive growth in their most significant family and friend relationships. Results from the study suggest that the process of learning and practicing a model of therapy, EFT in this case, can play an important...
A functional interaction between methionyl-transfer RNA hydrolase and a transfer RNA binding factor.

Abstract Met-tRNA f bound at low Mg ion concentrations to rabbit reticulocyte 40 S ribosomal subunits in the presence of ApUpG and a eukaryotic tRNA binding factor serves readily as a substrate for a Met-tRNA hydrolase from rabbit reticulocytes. This hydrolysis occurs rapidly at 0 °C, appears to be specific for Met-tRNA f , and is not inhibited by 60 S ribosomal subunits. These reactions may be responsible for the accumulation of deacylated tRNA f Met observed in ribosomes isolated from sodium fluoride-treated cells.
Healthcare Information For All By 2015 Preliminary findings and future direction

This paper reports on the Mobile Healthcare Information For All By 2015 (mHIFA) initiative led by the Health Information For All 2015 (HIFA2015) 2012-2015 Challenge Working Group. It discusses the preliminary findings of a scoping exercise to identify global current, completed and planned projects that use mobile phones to provide healthcare information, particularly maternal, child and first-aid, in low- and middle-income countries, that appear to be aligned to the mHIFA Goal. Despite a plethora of mHealth projects on a wide range of mHealth topics, only nine projects were closely related to the mHealthcare Goal. Findings of the scoping exercise were made available on the HIFA2015 Discussion Forums to instigate feedback from key healthcare and telecom stakeholders. An assessment tool was created to help telecom providers and potential providers to assess relevance to the mHIFA Goal.
Development Theory and the Constitution of Market Society: A Polanyian View

AbstractThis paper argues that development studies could benefit from a closer engagement with the arguments of Karl Polanyi. Firstly, a Polanyian perspective gives greater weight to non-economic and non-material factors in making, maintaining and modifying markets. Secondly, it focuses research on the problematic, state- sponsored and contested process of bringing the market actor into being. Finally, a Polanyian approach might better link a, broadly speaking, leftist analysis to “real world” policy debates about the relative balance between market freedoms and regulation. The conclusion elaborates this final point.
Stationary phase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Like other microorganisms, the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae responds to starvation by arresting growth and entering stationary phase. Because most microorganisms exist under conditions of nutrient limitation, the ability to tolerate starvation is critical for survival. Molecular analyses have identified changes in transcription, translation, and protein modification in stationary-phase cells. At the level of translation, the pattern of newly synthesized proteins in stationary-phase cells is surprisingly similar to the pattern of proteins synthesized during exponential growth. When limited for different nutrients, yeast strains may not enter stationary phase but opt for pathways such as pseudohyphal growth. If nutrient limitation continues, the end-point is likely to be a stationary-phase cell. Based on the results of recent studies, we propose a model for entry into stationary phase in which G(o) arrest is separable from acquisition of the ability to survive long periods of time without added nutrients.
An Assessment of the Small-Firm Debate in the United States

In this article I critically assess the ongoing debate regarding the role of small to medium-sized firms (SMEs) in economic development, and take the position that these firms are critical elements of local development and political economy. My discussion encompasses research findings from a variety of national contexts, but the general focus is on the United States. I dispute neither that large firms are important agents of change and wield tremendous power nor that SMEs may be problematic regarding either corporate competitiveness or social welfare. The stance adopted here is that questions are misguided because they focus on firm size as an independent variable to explain job generation or firm performance. Following a critical overview of data-related and analytical issues, I argue that problems as well as tactics conventionally associated with large firms may also characterize SMEs as they develop strategies to cope with new pressures in the global economy. Corporate culture, including the culture of...
Evidence for Inflammatory Signaling in Idiopathic Pulmonary Artery Hypertension TRPC6 and Nuclear Factor-κB

Knowledge of molecular mechanisms underlying pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) continues to increase with the emerging theme that PAH is a heterogeneous disease involving multiple molecular abnormalities. Mutations in several genes have been identified in subsets of patients with PAH, and multiple signaling systems that influence vascular tone, function, and remodeling have been associated with PAH.1,2,3 In addition to mutations in BMPR2 , serotonin ( 5-HT ) and polymorphisms in its transporter ( SERT ) play a critical role in the pulmonary vascular smooth muscle hyperplasia and vascular remodeling found in PAH.4,5 Other genes and signals thought to contribute to the development of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) include somatic mutations of BAX ,5 upregulation of Angiopoietin 1 ,6 transforming growth factor β1 polymorphisms,7 ALK1 mutation,8 SMAD8 mutation,9 and increased hyaluronic acid content associated with increased Hyaluronan Synthase 1 and decreased Hyaluronoglucosaminidase 1 gene expression.10 A recent observation also suggests that the noncanonical Wnt pathway is activated in IPAH.11 Article see p 2313 Several transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) family …
Detecting polygons of variable dimension in overhead images with particle filters

We extend the particle filtering approach to detecting polygonal structures of fixed shape and variable size in overhead images to the more practically useful case of unconstrained side lengths. Our approach deals with multiple candidate sides by validating and clustering particles based on evidence that corners of proper acuteness and orientation (as constrained by the polygon model) might exist. A queue-regulated tracking algorithm that handles multiple candidates across multiple sides is discussed. Compelling detection results in overhead images that involve entire families of polygonal structure are provided.
PTEN Is a Major Tumor Suppressor in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Regulates an NF-κB–Cytokine Network

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) initiation is driven by oncogenic KRAS mutation and disease progression is associated with frequent loss of tumor suppressors. In this study, human PDAC genome analyses revealed frequent deletion of the PTEN gene as well as loss of expression in primary tumor specimens. A potential role for PTEN as a haploinsufficient tumor suppressor is further supported by mouse genetic studies. The mouse PDAC driven by oncogenic Kras mutation and Pten deficiency also sustains spontaneous extinction of Ink4a expression and shows pro-metastatic capacity. Unbiased transcriptomic analyses established that combined oncogenic Kras and Pten loss promotes marked NF-κB activation and its cytokine network with accompanying robust stromal activation and immune cell infiltration with known tumor promoting properties. Thus, PTEN/PI3K pathway alteration is a common event in PDAC development and functions in part to strongly activate the NF-κB network which may serve to shape the PDAC tumor microenvironment.
Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: an emerging threat to pregnant women.

Objective To estimate if Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) is increasing in peripartum women. Study Design Peripartum CDAD was assessed through 1) passive surveillance collecting clinical and pathology data on severe cases and 2) survey among infectious disease consultants (ICDs) in the Emerging Infections Network. Results Ten severe cases were collected; most had associated antibiotic use. Seven women were either admitted to the ICU or underwent colectomy. Three infants were stillborn, and 3 women died. The epidemic Clostridium difficile strain was found in 2 cases. Among 798 ICDs, 419 (52%) participated in the survey. Thirty-seven respondents (9%) recalled 55 cases, mostly in the postpartum period with 21 complications, mainly due to relapse. Conclusion Severe CDAD may be increasing in peripartum women. Clinicians should have a low threshold for testing, be aware of the potential for severe outcomes, and take steps to reduce both the risk of disease and resultant complications.
Exciting fluctuations: monitoring competence induction dynamics at the single-cell level

Mol Syst Biol. 2: 2006.0025 Networks of interacting genes are central to a cell's ability to sense and process information. Such networks are seldom comprised of simple linear cascades; feedback loops are ubiquitous and are implicated in processes such as cellular differentiation, circadian rhythm, and cell cycle control. Noise, or stochastic fluctuation in network components and the cellular environment, is an inherent feature of biochemical networks (Kaern et al , 2005). More importantly, fluctuations in a single molecular species can be transmitted via the network to affect multiple components. Given the abundance of feedback loops in such networks, it is not surprising that they can play important roles in noise processing. For instance, negative feedback loops can dampen fluctuations (Becskei and Serrano, 2000; Paulsson, 2004), whereas positive feedback loops can act as noise amplifiers that drive spontaneous state transitions (Figure 1A ). In an exciting paper by Suel et al (2006), two feedback loops coupled with noisy components in the competence induction network of Bacillus subtilis were shown to be responsible for its transient differentiation into the competent state. Figure 1. ( A ) Phase diagram illustrating how noise coupled with positive feedback can lead to spontaneous state transitions. The black dots denote stable fixed points and the blue arrows indicate the direction of flow when X is perturbed away from the fixed points. The red wiggling arrow denotes possible fluctuations away from one of the stable fixed points. Note that any fluctuation that goes past the unstable …
Analyzing Bioterror Response Logistics: The Case of Anthrax

To aid in understanding how best to respond to a bioterror anthrax attack, we analyze a system of differential equations that includes an atmospheric release model, a spatial array of biosensors, a dose-response model, a disease progression model, and a set of spatially distributed tandem queues for distributing antibiotics and providing hospital care. We derive approximate closed-form expressions for the number of deaths as a function of key parameters and management levers, including the size of the attack, the time at which the attack is detected via symptomatic patients, the number of days to distribute antibiotics, the efficacy (both for treatment and prevention) of antibiotics, the prophylactic antibiotic distribution strategy, the prioritization of the antibiotics queue, and the detection limit, deployment density, and delay time of biosensors.
Chaos in the discrete-time algorithm for bone-density remodeling rate equations

We compare the predictions of the differential equation form of a class of bone-density stress adaptation models with their associated discrete-time computational algorithms. Although our considerations apply to the class of adaptation models based on bulk or apparent bone-density remodeling, we focus attention on a particular model in this class, a model employed by Weinans et al. [Trans. Orthop. Res. Soc. 14, 310 (1989); Trans. First World Congress of Biomechanics, Vol. II, p. 75 (1990)]. We show that the discrete-time computational algorithm of that stress adaptation model has a well-known chaos mechanism for stress values of practical interest. Further, we obtain a condition on the discrete-time step that prevents the transition to chaos, and conditions that insure monotonic convergence. This chaos mechanism is only present in the discrete-time computational algorithm; we show that the corresponding differential equation form of the bone-density stress adaptation model is smooth, monotonic and nonchaotic.
Flame Structure Effects at High G-Loading

Previous research has been conducted showing significant benefits on combustion efficiency and stability by creating high gravity-loaded combustion environments. Ultra Compact Combustor systems decrease size and weight of the overall engine by integrating the compressor, combustor, and turbine stages and splitting the flow and burning in a circumferential direction around a hybrid vane row where the high equivalence ratio cavity flow is quick quenched to lean by the core flow. Fuel and air are brought into the cavity and combusted in a high g-loaded environment driven by air injection. Computational research shows the hole diameter of the air injection jets are directly related to g-loading. An experimental rig was built to study the effects of increasing the g-load by strictly changing hole diameter of the injection jets, while all other characteristics were kept constant. High speed video at 8000 Hz was used to capture flame structure and temperature and pressure techniques determined the tangential velocity of the cavity flow, from which g-loading was calculated. This was done for three jet hole diameters from 0.35 to 0.65 cm. At a constant mass flow, reduction of air injection diameter decreased the g-loading in the cavity, which was consistent with CFD results. However, flame stability within the cavity was affected by the air injection jet becoming too large or too small. Additionally, swirl direction was varied with the respect to the hybrid vane for each of the air injection diameters. Results of high speed video showed that when flow impacted the suction side, the cavity had a more uniform, fully developed flow field, opposed to the more unsteady, less-uniform pressure side impact. Finally, liquid fuel testing was done to test atomization and mixing of JP-8 in a g-loaded environment. Results showed increasing cavity g-loaded increased the residence time the fuel stayed in the cavity.
Resolution depths for some transmitter-receiver configurations

Equivalent dipole polarizability matrices and equivalent dipole location are a convenient way to interpret magnetic field data due to currents induced in isolated conductive objects. The uncertainties in polarizability estimates and in the equivalent dipole location provide a quantitative measure of the performance of different configurations of transmitters and receivers. In another paper, we estimate these uncertainties using a linearized inversion. For many systems, consisting of one or more rectangular loop transmitters and a number of dipole receivers, sited on a horizontal grid, equivalent dipole depth is determined to 10% accuracy to depths approximately 20% deeper than the depths at which polarizability matrix elements can be determined to the same precision. Systems that have a lower product of rms polarizability uncertainty and square root of their number of transmitter-receiver pairs are considered more effective for the number of transmitter-receiver pairs. Among the systems studied, a system with three orthogonal transmitter loops and a three-component receiver is the most effective, for objects shallower than 0.6 times the instrument siting grid spacing, yielding an rms polarizability uncertainty 0.04 times that of a single-transmitter single-receiver system. At intermediate depths, a system with two vertical component receivers on the diagonal of a square horizontal transmitter loop is most effective for its number of transmitter-receiver pairs, yielding an rms polarizability uncertainty 0.07 times that of a single receiver system. At depths greater than 2.5 times, the siting grid spacing a three-orthogonal loop transmitter with a single vertical component receiver is about the most effective for its number of transmitter-receiver pairs, yielding an rms polarizability uncertainty 0.08 times that of a single-transmitter system.
Structure and Assembly of the Bacillus anthracis Exosporium

Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax, is a highly pathogenic Gram-positive soil bacterium that is also considered a serious threat as a potential bioterrorism agent. Like other bacilli, B. anthracis forms protective spores upon starvation. The spores are the main pathogenic agents, easily spread and highly resistant to environmental stress. When the spores enter a mammalian host, they germinate and undergo vegetative growth, followed by production of anthrax toxin, which leads to systemic bacteremia and toxemia that is often fatal.
Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) was first described in 2010 as a crossover between single-incision laparoscopic surgery and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) to allow access to the proximal and mid-rectum for resection of benign and early-stage malignant rectal lesions. The TAMIS technique can also be used for noncurative intent surgery of more advanced lesions in patients who are not candidates for radical surgery. Proper workup and staging should be done before surgical decision-making. In addition to the TAMIS port, instrumentation and set up include readily available equipment found in most operating suites. TAMIS has proven its usefulness in a wide range of applications outside of local excision, including repair of rectourethral fistula, removal of rectal foreign body, control of rectal hemorrhage, and as an adjunct in total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. TAMIS is an easily accessible, technically feasible, and cost-effective alternative to TEM.
Biophysical injury mechanisms associated with lightning injury

The passage of damaging quantities of electrical current through the body can produce tissue injury through multiple distinct biophysical energy transduction mechanisms. These mechanisms include the direct action of direct electrical forces on proteins, membranes and other biomolecular structures, as well as the indirect action mediated by the generation of heat. Adding to this complexity are the multiple modes of frequency-dependent tissue-current interactions, the variation in current density along the path through the body, as well as variations in body size, body position and use of protective gear. The dominant mode of injury for any particular trauma victim and how it manifests depends on several different factors. As a result, in no two cases of accidental electrical injury are the injury manifestations identical. The purpose of this chapter is to review the biophysical pathways and mechanisms of electrical trauma injury and their relationship to clinical injury manifestations. The focus will be on frequency-dependent effects because of the relevance to lightning injury. It was written with the hope to provide insight into some of the unusual neurophysiological manifestations.
Contractile properties of diaphragm muscle segments from old mdx and old transgenic mdx mice

Diaphragm muscles of young (4- to 6-mo-old) mdx mice show severe fiber necrosis and have normalized forces and powers 60 and 46% of the values for control C57BL/10 mice. In contrast, microinjection of mdx mouse embryos with a truncated dystrophin minigene has produced young transgenic mdx (tg-mdx) mice with a level of dystrophin expression and structural and functional properties of diaphragm muscle strips measured in vitro not different from those of control mice. Whether dystrophin expression and functional corrections persist for the life span of these animals is not know. We tested the null hypothesis that, in old (24 mo) tg-mdx mice, dystrophin expression is adequate and diaphragm muscle strips have forces and powers not different from values for diaphragm muscle strips from young tg-mdx mice or control mice. Compared with control values, diaphragm muscle strips from old mdx mice had normalized forces and powers of 48 and 31%, respectively. Expression of dystrophin persisted in diaphragm muscles of old tg-mdx mice, and functional properties were not different from diaphragm muscles of young tg-mdx or young or old control mice. These results suggest that, with a transgenic animal approach, dystrophin expression and functional corrections persist for the life span of the animals.
Heat Units, Release Rate, Prey Density, and Plant Age Effects on Dispersal by Neoseiulus fallacis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) After Inoculation into Strawberry

From April to October, 100 adult female Neoseiulus fallacis (Garman) (plus immatures) were released at point locations in strawberry to thereafter disperse and control twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. Between 166 and 250 degree-days (DD 10 , 3-8 wk), predators dispersed 2.5-13.3 m 5 /100 DD. At release of 10, 50, or 100 adult females per point but with the same total mites, the fewest mites released at the most points gave the most coverage. Multivariate models showed that the more dense the spider mites or older the planting, the slower the spread of mites, initially, but overall these 2 factors were less important than degree-days (or time for spread) or release rate in explaining spread of predators. Releases before 31 May or after 15 July gave less spread per degree-day than in midsummer; later releases gave coverage in the next season. A model of release options predicts that under conditions of prey density and plant age that require large releases, 16,000/ha (100 per site) or 7,000/ha (10 per site) would give coverage in 500 DD. Under small release conditions, only 200-500/ha (10 per site) released by 1 April would give coverage by 1 September (1,000+ DD). Options for intermediate conditions are discussed.
PKA Values of Buried Groups in Proteins are Sensitive to the Global Thermodynamic Stability

Ionizable groups buried in hydrophobic environments in proteins are essential for all forms of biological energy transduction. The molecular determinants of the pKa values of these internal groups are poorly understood. It is increasingly apparent that conformational reorganization coupled to the ionization of the buried group is a major determinant of these pKa values. Specifically, the creation of charge in hydrophobic environments can trigger a shift from the fully folded state to local or partially unfolded states in which the charge can gain access to water or to an environment where the charge can be solvated. These alternative conformational states are not normally populated owing to the large free energy difference between the alternative and fully-folded native states; however, the partially unfolded states can become the new ground state under pH conditions where the internal group is charged. If the ionization of an internal group promotes the transition to a new conformational state then its pKa should be sensitive to the global thermodynamic stability (ΔG°) of the protein because this determines the energy gap between the ground and the alternative states. This was tested by measuring the pKa of two internal Lys residues in variants of staphylococcal nuclease with thermodynamic stabilities ranging from 8.4 to 13.8 kcal/mol. The magnitude of the shift in the pKa of the internal Lys residues was found to be sensitive to the ΔG° of the protein confirming that the pKa values of these Lys residues are determined by the probability of structural reorganization more than by local dielectric properties of their microenvironments. These observations imply that structure-based pKa calculations for buried groups and other electrostatic processes in hydrophobic environments require accurate treatment of conformational reorganization, which remains an extremely challenging proposition.
Dynamic Decoupling Algorithm Based on Model Relevance and Application in Coordinated Control System

Coordinated control system of large-scale thermal power units is a multivariable,non-linear and close coupling object.At present,the problems of coordinated control system are that the combustion lag affects load response speed and object coupling affects dynamic quality of load and pressure.To solve the issues above,a novel dynamic decoupling algorithm is proposed in this paper.Combustion lag can be overcome with predictive control variable.The dynamic decoupling algorithm based on relevance of unit model solves the problem of mutual influence between load and pressure and guarantees dynamic and stable quality of unit.The effectiveness of the algorithm is proved by simulation and application.
Androgenetic alopecia in men and women: an overview of cause and treatment.

Abstract Hair loss is a cause of anxiety and distress in both men and women. New understanding of the causes of androgenetic alopecia is leading to potential new medical therapies. Pathophysiology, clinical presentations, diagnosis, current and future treatments are discussed.
Montgomery Bus Boycott

Many events took place in Alabama during the civil rights movement, especially in the 1950s and 1960s. Its capitol, Montgomery, is the namesake of the bus boycott that brought national and international attention to a movement that had been fought by African Americans and others for generations. The Montgomery Bus Boycott (December 5, 1955–December 20, 1956) gave rise to significant leaders and institutions such as Mrs. Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Montgomery Improvement Association, forever imprinting them as iconic symbols of the movement. Keywords: Israel; nationalism; zionism
Fifty Years of United Order in Mexico

The history of Mormonism in Mexico reached a new landmark early in 1997 when Colonia Industrial, a United Order community founded by Margarito Bautista Valencia, achieved, its fiftieth successful year. Second, third, and fourth generations of Mexican Mormons in Colonia Industrial celebrated through sermons and activities that remind them of their legacy. Colonia Industrial, a small, unimposing, exclusive colony of Mexican Mormons, lies in the municipio of Ozumba at the base of Popocatepetl, an active volcano in the central valley of Mexico. While the growth of the LDS church in Mexico (claimed 720,000 members in 1995) dwarfs the small offshoot in Colonia Industrial, these Mexican Mormons' tenacious adherence to the socioeconomic principles of the United Order and plural marriage is a tribute to the testimony and fervor of their founder, Margarito Bautista Valencia.
Basic Gray Level Image Processing

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the basic tools for digital image processing. The basic tool that is used in designing point operations on digital images is the image histogram. The histogram of the digital image is a plot or graph of the frequency of occurrence of each gray level. Hence, a histogram is a one-dimensional function with domain and possible range extending from 0 to the number of pixels in the image. One of the most important nonlinear point operations is histogram equalization, also called histogram flattening. The idea behind it extends that of FSHS: not only should an image fill the available grayscale range but also it should be uniformly distributed over that range. Hence an idealized goal is a flat histogram. Although care must be taken in applying a powerful nonlinear transformation that actually changes the shape of the image histogram, rather than just stretching it, there are good mathematical reasons for regarding a flat histogram as a desirable goal. In a certain sense, an image with a perfectly flat histogram contains the largest possible amount of information or complexity.