cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of overfeeding and moderate dietary restriction on Sprague-Dawley rat survival, pathology, carcinogenicity, and the toxicity of pharmaceutical agents

Ad libitum (AL) overfeeding is the most significant uncontrolled variable effecting the rodent bioassay. There is a highly significant correlation between food consumption, the resultant body weight, and two-year survival in laboratory rats. We have studied the effects of AL overfeeding, moderate dietary restriction (DR) and several modified diets on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat longevity, spontaneous disease, carcinogenesis and the toxicity of pharmaceuticals. AL feeding of diets varying in protein, fiber and metabolizable energy content did not significantly alter two-year rat survival. Moderate DR (within the range of reported AL food intake) of all diets tested significantly improved survival and delayed the onset of spontaneous degenerative disease and diet-related tumors compared to AL-fed rats. Moderate DR resulted in a similar incidence of spontaneous tumors by 2 years, however, the tumors were more likely to be incidental and not result in early mortality. There was a decreased, age-adjusted incidence of pituitary and mammary gland tumors, but tumor volume and growth time was similar between AL and DR groups indicating similar tumor progression with a delay in tumor onset. Moderate DR did not change Phase I and Phase II drug metabolizing enzyme levels and did not significantly alter the toxicological response to 5 pharmaceuticals tested at maximum tolerated doses (MTDs). Additional studies with 4 pharmaceutical candidates did demonstrate that moderate DR allowed higher doses of compounds to be given before classical MTDs were observed. However, toxicokinetic studies of two of these compounds demonstrated steady state systemic exposures that were either equal of higher in the moderate DR fed rats. These and other data indicate that the moderate DR fed SD rat is a more appropriately controlled rodent model for toxicity and carcinogenicity studies to assess human safety of candidate pharmaceuticals.
Predictive perceptual compression for real time video communication

Approximately 2 degrees in our 140 degree vision span has sharp vision. Many researchers have been fascinated by the idea of eye-tracking integrated perceptual compression of an image or video, yet any practical system has yet to emerge. The unique challenge presented by real time perceptual video streaming is how to handle the fast nature of the human eye and provide its integration with computationally intensive video transcoding scheme. The delay introduced by video transmission in the network presents a difficulty. This delay creates a problem when we try to use information about eye movements for perceptual encoding. In this paper we discuss a new approach to the eye-tracker based video compression. Rather than relying on the point of gaze, this novel scheme tracks a vicinity of interest and offers a prediction mechanism for eye movements. The described system compensates the interim eye movements between the sampling and actual coding. The proposed scheme can be applied to a large variety of today's video compression standards. We have developed an eye gaze-aware MPEG-2 transcoder that can perceptually re-encode a live video stream in real time. The experiments we have conducted illustrate the substantial impact this integrated prediction method has on perceptual video compression and bit-rate reduction.
Thiol and disulfide metabolites of the radiation protector and potential chemopreventive agent WR-2721 are linked to both its anti-cytotoxic and anti-mutagenic mechanisms of action

The ability of the potential chemopreventive agent S-2-(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR-2721) to protect against radiation-induced mutagenesis at the hprt locus and cell killing was studied using CHO-AA8 cells incubated for 30 min at 37 degrees C in growth medium containing its active thiol 2-[(aminopropyl)amino]ethane-thiol (WR-1065). In parallel experiments, the thiol and disulfide forms of the drug present in cells and incubation medium were determined in order to identify which, if either, of the components were associated with the observed protective effects. Treatment with 4 mM WR-1065 produced significant intracellular levels of the thiol (WRSH) and disulfide (WRSS) forms of the drug, but also caused dramatic elevation of cellular glutathione (GSH) and cysteine levels, accompanied by marked protection against 60Co gamma-photon- and neutron-induced cell killing and mutagenesis. When drug-treated cells were transferred to drug-free medium and incubated for 4 h at 37 degrees C, levels of WRSH and WRSS and protection against cell killing decreased markedly, whereas levels of GSH and cysteine and protection against mutagenesis showed little change. GSH and cysteine levels were not associated with protection against radiation-induced mutagenesis, as established by experiments performed with buthionine sulfoximine to block GSH synthesis. These data do not support the hypothesis that modulation of GSH or cysteine levels by WR-1065 is a major mechanism accounting for protection. Protection against mutagenesis was seen for cells incubated in medium with concentrations of added WR-1065 as low as 10 microM, where cellular levels of WRSH and WRSS became difficult to measure (< or = 5 microM) and no protection against cell killing was found. An unexpected observation was that cells incubated in 40 microM WR-1065 incorporated the drug much more rapidly than expected for uptake by passive diffusion and concentrated the drug to a marked degree; this indicates that a cell-mediated transport system is involved in the uptake of WR-1065 at low drug concentrations.
Intranuclear inclusions in rat piriform cortex: Increase with age and preferential location within superficial layer II

Intranuclear inclusions have been observed in layer II neurons of rat piriform cortex. These inclusions have the form of a filamentous lattice and resemble those described by others previously. The frequency of lattice-containing nuclei shows a significant fourfold increase over a period of 3-33 months of age, with the largest increase occurring after 18 months. The incidence of these inclusions is highest in the superficial third of layer II and is significantly greater than what would be expected from the distribution of all neuronal nuclei in layer II. The presence of intranuclear lattices may be related to the high level of electrical activity in piriform cortex, and their increase with age may reflect a long-term cumulative effect of this activity.
Juvenile hormone and its assay in virgin adult Blattella germanica females

Abstract The physiological bases for the gonadotrophic assay as presented by Kunkel were confirmed, and the assay method was found to be reproducible. However, the assay method was not found to be as useful as presented, due to the departure from linearity of the ovarian growth response above a hormone level of 5 μg/μl. Juvenile hormone (JH) titre higher than this level results in a depression of terminal oocyte growth. Therefore, a valid assay of activity cannot be based on a single concentration. By injection, JH and FMC 23509 (10,11-epoxy-N-ethyl-3,7,11-trimethyl-2,6-dodecadienamide) were approximately equal in gonadotrophic activity. Topical application of FMC 23509 resulted in terminal oocyte length of 2.45 mm in comparison to a length of 1.28 mm after injection of the same amount. This agrees with previous observations that such compounds are more active topically than by injection.
Direct access to the carotid circulation by cut down for endovascular neuro-interventions.

Background: Not all vascular lesions of the brain that are amenable to endovascular treatment are safely accessible via the transfemoral route. We describe our technique of carotid cut down for endovascular access and present a couple of illustrative cases. The increasing number of neurosurgeons performing endovascular procedures, or collaborating with interventional neuroradiologists, suggests that this technique should be revived. Methods: Through a small transverse neck incision at the level of the thyroid cartilage, the CCA, ICA, and external carotid artery are exposed. After obtaining vascular control with vessel loupes, a purse-string suture is placed in the CCA. Puncture of the artery in the center of the purse string is followed by navigation of a wire, and then a sheath, into the ICA. The neurointervention is then carried out. At the conclusion of the procedure, the sheath is removed from the CCA and the purse string tied to secure the artery. Results: This technique has allowed us to successfully access the intracranial circulation in 6 patients with challenging anatomy. We present here 2 of the original cases leading to our increasing use of this technique. Conclusion: Carotid cut down for direct puncture of the CCA is a viable option to gain access to the intracranial circulation when the transfemoral route seems difficult or dangerous.
The Cambridge Companion to Frederick Douglass

Maurice S. Lee (Ed.), 2009, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, xix+192 pp., ISBN 0521889235 (hardback), $88.00 The Cambridge Companion to Frederick Douglass, edited by Maurice S. Lee, accounts ...
Beyond Gaming: The Utility of Video Games for Sports Performance

The interest around the utilization of video games as a component of rehabilitative therapy has dramatically increased over the past decade. Research efforts have confirmed the positive effects of repetitive gaming in improving visual outcomes; however, there is limited knowledge on the mechanism of action delivered by repetitive gaming. Utilizing knowledge of the visual system, including targeting specific cells in the retina with visual stimuli, the authors captured the training effects of gaming to augment pre-selected skills. Specifically, the authors embedded a homerun derby style baseball game with a contrast threshold test, to stimulate parvocellular retinal ganglion cells. Parvocellular cells are the first line of the ventral, or "what" pathway of visual processing. Repetitive stimulation of the parvocellular system shows promising preliminary results in improving batting performance.
Von Willebrand Factor Inhibits Mature Smooth Muscle Gene Expression through Impairment of Notch Signaling

Von Willebrand factor (vWF), a hemostatic protein normally synthesized and stored by endothelial cells and platelets, has been localized beyond the endothelium in vascular disease states. Previous studies have implicated potential non-hemostatic functions of vWF, but signaling mechanisms underlying its effects are currently undefined. We present evidence that vWF breaches the endothelium and is expressed in a transmural distribution pattern in cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). To determine the potential molecular consequences of vWF permeation into the vessel wall, we also tested whether vWF impairs Notch regulation of key smooth muscle marker genes. In a co-culture system using Notch ligand expressing cells to stimulate Notch in A7R5 cells, vWF strongly inhibited both the Notch pathway and the activation of mature smooth muscle gene promoters. Similar repressive effects were observed in primary human cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells. Expression of the intracellular domain of NOTCH3 allowed cells to bypass the inhibitory effects of vWF. Moreover, vWF forms molecular complexes with all four mammalian Notch ectodomains, suggesting a novel function of vWF as an extracellular inhibitor of Notch signaling. In sum, these studies demonstrate vWF in the vessel wall as a common feature of cerebral SVD; furthermore, we provide a plausible mechanism by which non-hemostatic vWF may play a novel role in the promotion of vascular disease.
Urea turnover during prolonged fasting in the northern elephant seal

Abstract 1. 1. Urea turnover was studied in six weaned elephant seal pups fasting under natural conditions. 2. 2. The body urea pool was determined by dilution of [14C]urea and found to have a biological half-time of approx 39 hr. 3. 3. Calculations from these data estimate that protein oxidation contributes no more than 2.2 ± 0.5% to the total metabolism of these fasting animals. 4. 4. The presence of 14CO2 in expired air during the experiments suggests that urea nitrogen may be recycled during starvation.
Revisiting catalytic model reaction p-nitrophenol/NaBH4 using metallic nanoparticles coated on polymeric spheres.

The early reported pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics of the polymer-supported metallic nanocatalysts for the model reaction of p-nitrophenol (p-NP)/NaBH4 were probably oversimplified. Here a detailed study of p-NP reduction by NaBH4 in the presence of the raspberry-like poly(allylamine hydrochloride)-modified polymer poly(glycidyl methacrylate) composite sub-microspheres with tunable gold nanoparticles (PGMA@PAH@AuNPs) was presented. Effects of polyelectrolyte concentration, the ratio of polymer spheres to gold nanoparticles, and the solution pH value for composite synthesis on the induction period, reaction time, average reaction rate and average turnover frequency were systematically investigated. Experimental results in all cases of our study revealed an nth order (n > 1) of the p-NP/NaBH4 catalytic reaction by the prepared polymer composite particles. The apparent order of reaction, n, is dependent on the total surface area of the coated gold nanoparticles on the polymer spheres, which can be closely correlated with the tunable gold nanoparticle surface coverage. The mechanism of the observed catalytic activity enhancement was proposed based on active epoxy groups of the polymer spheres and a large adsorption of p-nitrophenolate anions onto the positively-charged spheres.
Decision Making Correlates of Depressive Symptoms among African-American Adolescents: Implications for Prevention Approaches.

Abstract Depression is the most common disorder of all mental illnesses. According to Healthy People 2010, one in five children and adolescents between the ages of 9 and 17 years has a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year. Adolescent depression is associated with impairment of functioning particularly in the domains of decision making and self-efficacy. The present investigation examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and decision making among a nonreferred, nonclinical community sample of 276 low-income African-American adolescents. The students ranged in age from 12 to 17 years. The Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) was used to assess depressive symptomatology among participants. The Flinders Adolescent Decision Making Questionnaire was used for assessing participants' decision making and decision coping patterns. The instrument was group-administered in classroom settings by a health educator and a clinical psychology graduate student. Findings indicated a significant correlati...
When and When Not To Use Testosterone for Palliation in Cancer Care

Hypogonadism is common throughout the illness trajectory of patients with cancer. About two thirds of male patients with advanced cancer have hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal dysfunction and low testosterone levels. Chronic inflammation, comorbidities, cachexia, chemotherapy, and medications such as opioids, megestrol acetate, and corticosteroids contribute to primary and secondary hypogonadism. Studies have reported increased symptom burden, diminished quality of life, and poor prognosis associated with low testosterone levels in males with cancer. The Endocrine Society has published clinical practice guidelines for replacing testosterone in symptomatic patients with chronic illness and in patients receiving opioids; however, the role of testosterone therapy specifically in patients with cancer is not addressed. This review explores the potential benefits and limitations of testosterone replacement on the basis of current evidence.
Avoidance responses of schooling fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) to a blend of metals during a 9‐month exposure

Avoidance of a blend of four metals (relative proportions: 1.00 copper, 0.54 chromium, 1.85 arsenic, 0.38 selenium) was determined in fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) in a steepgradient, laminar-flow chamber. Avoidance responses were determined seasonally during 12 months of laboratory observation for unexposed (control) and metals-exposed fish. Unexposed fish avoided very low concentrations of the blend (29 μg/L total metals). Fish exposed to 98 μg/L total metals preferred elevated concentrations equal to three times the holding exposure concentration (294 μg/L total metals) after 3 months of exposure, mildly avoided concentrations five times the holding exposure concentration (490 μg/L total metals) after 6 months of exposure and were not responsive to concentrations approaching ten times the holding exposure level (980 μg/L total metals) after 9 months of exposure. Activity, as measured by movements per unit time in the avoidance tests, was not affected by long-term exposure or during testing.
Molecular orbital theory of the hydrogen bond. The effect of intramolecular hydrogen bonding on n orbital energies and n → π* transition energies in β-hydroxyacrolein

Abstract Ab initio SCF and SCF CI calculations with the STO-3G basis set have been performed in this study of the effect of intermolecular hydrogen bonding on n orbital enrgies and n → π * transition energies in β-hydroxyaclorein. In the hydrogen bonded C s form, the n orbital is stabilized and the n → π * transition energy increases, relative to a nonhydrogen bonded C s form. In the symmetrically hydrogen bonded C 2v form, the n orbital is destabilized, but the n → π * transition energy increases significantly. It is concluded that the C s structure is no longer stabilized by hydrogen bonding in the excited n → π * state, and that the C 2v structure is destabilized in that state.
A Rose by Any Other Name: Identity and Impression Management in Résumés

Resumes provide critical information for organizations to make selection decisions and applicants with their first opportunity to influence decision makers. While resumes are intended to convey job relevant information, they also potentially provide information about applicants that could hinder their employment prospects. For example, many names give clues about an applicant’s sex or race, and previous research has shown this can have negative implications for historically disadvantaged groups. This creates an incentive for some people to engage in impression management regarding how they identify themselves in their resume. The paper develops a typology for assessing the ethics of these attempts at impression management. Sample vignettes are provided to help explicate the proposed typology.
A proportional likelihood ratio model

We propose a semiparametric proportional likelihood ratio model which is particularly suitable for modelling a nonlinear monotonic relationship between the outcome variable and a covariate. This model extends the generalized linear model by leaving the distribution unspecified, and has a strong connection with semiparametric models such as the selection bias model (Gilbert et al., 1999), the density ratio model (Qin, 1998; Fokianos & Kaimi, 2006), the single-index model (Ichimura, 1993) and the exponential tilt regression model (Rathouz & Gao, 2009). A maximum likelihood estimator is obtained for the new model and its asymptotic properties are derived. An example and simulation study illustrate the use of the model. Copyright 2012, Oxford University Press.
Copper(II) complexes of p-nitrophenaceturic acid: Magnetic and thermal behavior of copper(II) p-nitrophenaceturate dihydrate, anhydrous copper(II) p-nitrophenaceturate and the corresponding methanol adduct

Abstract A hydrated copper(II) p-nitrophenaceturate complex, an anhydrous analogue and a methanol adduct were prepared and examined by various physical methods in order to test proposed structure-rearrangement criteria. The desolvation process were investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis. Magnetic measurements were made by the absolute Guoy method over the temperature range of 112–342 K. The UV, visible and IR spectra of solid samples of the complexes were recorded. X-ray diffraction was used to obtained powder patterns of the complexes. The hydrated complex and the methanol adduct exhibit normal paramegnetic behavior. Two separate preparations of the anhydrous complex indicate that its paramagnetic is slightly field dependent and that the magnitude of its susceptibility varies from sample to sample. The temperature dependence of the susceptibility of the anhydrate indicates antiferromagnetism. The IR spectra suggest that coordination occurs through the carboxylate group only. Comparison of the X-ray powder patterns of the hydrated and anhydrous complexes indicates that rearrangement accompanies dehydration. From consideration of the results it appears that the structure-rearrangement criteria that were previously suggested are valid for the preparation of the anhydrous compound.
Ecological correlates of seed mass variation in Phoradendron juniperinum, a xylem-tapping mistletoe.

We investigated several ecological correlates of seed mass variation in the hemiparasitic, xylemtapping mistletoe, Phoradendron juniperinum. Mean seed mass varied two-fold among plants between the ages of 4 and 14 years old and was positively correlated with parental plant age. Both the standard deviation and the coefficient of variation in mean seed mass decreased with increasing plant age demonstrating that, on average, younger plants produced seed with more variable mass. Nitrogen concentrations (mg nitrogen per gram of seed) of both the seed and “fruit” (pericarp) were not correlated with mass or the age of the parent plant from which the seed was taken. However, the nitrogen content per seed (mg nitrogen per seed) was positively correlated with the mean seed dry mass and the age of the seed parent, suggesting that the carbon to nitrogen ratio of individual seeds remained relatively constant as seed mass increased and plants grew older. Seed germination ranged between 20% and 86% and was positively correlated with mass and parental plant age. Heavier seeds (seeds from older plants) also had the highest root radicle growth rates. Furthermore, the final root radicle length after 76 d of growth was positively correlated with seed dry mass. When grown on a medium containing an extract prepared from the host plant foliage, all seeds showed lower germination, grew more slowly and had shorter overall root radicles, but had significantly greater development of the haustorial “disks” (the holdfast which forms the host-parasite junction in Phoradendron) than seeds grown on a control medium. Our results suggest that, on average, seeds of greater mass produced by older plants have a greater total resource pool per propagule (fruit + seed). This resource pool may be important in conferring a greater potential for dispersal (fruit), survival, colonization, and establishment.
Perceiving geometric patterns: from spirals to inside-outside relations

Since first proposed by Minsky and Papert (1969), the spiral problem is well known in neural networks. It receives much attention as a benchmark for various learning algorithms. Unlike previous work that emphasizes learning, we approach the problem from a different perspective. We point out that the spiral problem is intrinsically connected to the inside-outside problem proposed by Ullman (1984, 1996). We propose a solution to both problems based on oscillatory correlation using a time-delay network. Our simulation results are qualitatively consistent with human performance, and we interpret human limitations in terms of synchrony and time delays. As a special case, our network without time delays can always distinguish these figures regardless of shape, position, size, and orientation.
Bilaterally Symmetric Populations of Chicken dI1 (Commissural) Axons Cross the Floor Plate Independently of Each Other

Axons use temporal and directional guidance cues at intermediate targets to set the rate and direction of growth towards their synaptic targets. Our recent studies have shown that disrupting the temporal guidance process, by unilaterally accelerating the rate at which spinal dI1 (commissural) axons grow, resulted in turning errors both in the ventral spinal cord and after crossing the floor plate. Here we investigate a mechanistic explanation for these defects: the accelerated dI1 axons arrive in the ventral spinal cord before necessary fasciculation cues from incoming dI1 axons from the opposite side of the spinal cord. The identification of such an interaction would support a model of selective fasciculation whereby the pioneering dI1 axons serve as guides for the processes of the bilaterally symmetrical population of dI1 neurons. To test this model, we first developed the ability to “double” in ovo electroporate the embryonic chicken spinal cord to independently manipulate the rate of growth of the two bilateral populations of dI1 axons. Second, we examined the requirement for a putative bilateral interaction by unilaterally ablating the dI1 population in cultured explants of chicken embryonic spinal cord. Surprisingly, we find no evidence for a bilateral dI1 axon interaction, rather dI1 axons appear to project independently of each other.
Electron–photon coincidence technique for the absolute calibration of VUV detectors

A method is described whereby VUV photon detectors can be accurately calibrated. This method is illustrated by taking the 58.4-nm transition of He as an example. The technique consists of crossing a monoenergetic electron beam with a beam of He atoms. When inelastically scattered electrons which have excited the 2 1P state are detected in coincidence with the 58.4-nm photons emitted in the decay of the excited state, the interaction volume formed by the crossed beams constitutes a standard source of photons. By comparing the number of detected coincidences with the predicted number the calibration can be made. A total detector efficiency of 0.024 + or - 0.003 is obtained for a Galileo 4830 channeltron.
Structure of endohedral fullerene Eu@C74.

Structure determination of endohedral fullerenes in the absence of X-ray data is difficult and often controversial. Here we show that the structure of endohedral fullerene Eu@C74 may be determined by density functional theory aided interpretation of its electronic, infrared and Raman spectra. The use of recently developed analytical polarizability gradient methods to simulate resonance-enhanced Raman spectra is crucial for this approach and allows for a nearly complete assignment of the experimental spectra. Eu@C74 is assigned a pear-shaped C2v symmetric structure and shows strong ionic interaction between the encapsulated metal and the fullereneπ system.
A GIS-Based Assessment of Liquefaction Potential of the City of Aqaba, Jordan

The city of Aqaba, Jordan, located along the northern shore of the Gulf of Aqaba, is built over the seismically active Dead Sea Transform plate boundary fault system. The subsurface stratigraphic sequence underlying the city is composed of alluvial fan deposits containing varying amounts of clay, silt, sand, and gravel interbedded within the coastal areas with aeolian and beach sand. Groundwater levels along the coastal areas are very shallow. The groundwater levels increase to the north and northeast to depths greater than 17 m about 5 km from the shore. The liquefaction potential of the city of Aqaba soils was analyzed using the Simplified Procedure of Youd and Idriss and the modified Chinese criteria of Wang. Maps of the liquefaction susceptibility of areas in the city of Aqaba were displayed using the Geographic Information System (GIS). Application of the modified Chinese criteria indicates that the cohesive subsurface layers are predominantly nonliquefiable. The types of sediments most susceptible to liquefaction are saturated silt and sand deposits. Two classification schemes were developed in this liquefaction analysis. Our results indicate that the coastal areas of Aqaba have a high potential to liquefy, whereas the eastern parts of the city lie predominantly within a nonliquefaction zone. The critical facilities were overlaid with the liquefaction hazard map of the city and show that only the hotel and the commercial districts lie within a zone of high susceptibility to liquefaction. The areas that have historically experienced liquefaction were found to exist within the high susceptibility zone as well, supporting the findings of this study.
Isolation and characterization of full‐length chromosomes from non‐culturable plant‐pathogenic Mycoplasma‐like organisms

We describe the isolation and characterization of full-length chromosomes from non-culturable plant-pathogenic, mycoplasma-like organisms (MLOs). MLO chromosomes are circular and their sizes (640 to 1185 kbp) are heterogeneous. Divergence in the range of chromosome sizes is apparent between MLOs in the two major MLO disease groups, and chromosome size polymorphism occurs among some related agents. MLO chromosome sizes overlap those of culturable mycoplasmas; consequently, small genome size alone cannot explain MLO non-culturability. Hybridization with cloned MLO-specific chromosomal and 16S rRNA probes detected two separate chromosomes in some MLO 'type' strains. Large DNA molecules that appear to be MLO megaplasmids were also demonstrated. The ability to characterize full-length chromosomes from virtually any non-culturable prokaryote should greatly facilitate the molecular and genetic analysis of these difficult bacteria.
Good-Bye financial crash, hello financial eclecticism: Latin American responses to the 2008–09 global financial crisis ☆

Abstract 1985 saw the publication of Carlos Diaz-Alejandro's classic article, “Good-Bye Financial Repression, Hello Financial Crash” (1985). Writing in the wake of drastic financial blowups in the Southern Cone, Diaz-Alejandro nonetheless argued that “a believable alternative system could be designed, avoiding many of the inefficiencies of financial repression … and blending both public and private financial agents” (18). Nearly three decades after the publication of this prescient work, there are credible signs that such an arrangement is now emerging within some Latin American emerging economies (EEs). Just as Diaz-Alejandro studied how the 1982 debt shocks both exacerbated and shed light on financial sector policies and institutions in the Southern Cone countries, we use the 2008–09 global financial crisis (GFC) as a lens through which to examine the policymaking capabilities of six Latin American countries. We find that several of the countries successfully weathered the 2008–09 financial shocks and argue that this is due to: institutional modernization that facilitated policy learning and a more business-friendly climate; and, to sustainable improvements in income distribution that may have facilitated consensus-building. These factors, we suggest, gave policymakers both the expertise and the political space to employ more nuanced fiscal and financial policies.
The epistemic role of novel metaphors in teachers’ knowledge constructions of school reform

In this article, a parallel is drawn between Steven Hawking’s use of common and novel metaphors in his evolving explanation of the theory of the universe and the similar use of common and novel metaphors by educators in four school contexts attempting to illuminate their experiences of school reform storied and restoried over time. The epistemic role of novel metaphors is unpacked through examining the plotlines of the metaphors, the morals of the metaphors, the freedom of the metaphors and the teacher knowledge implications resident in the live metaphorical utterances. Through the use of self‐selected novel metaphors, both Hawking and the educators merged propositional and non‐propositional knowledge that was bound up in persons—and communicated across people—in deceptively simple, though infinitely complex, ways.
Pancreatic Disease in Children and Adolescents

Many childhood pancreatic disorders are rare, although they can represent significant and potentially severe disease. The spectrum of disease is very broad, ranging from the complex and bizarre congenital anomalies to the more typical acquired causes (eg, drug-induced pancreatitis or trauma injury). Genetics appears to play a major role in many childhood pancreas diseases, unlike adults where alcohol is a major factor. Nevertheless, there are similarities, and most of the disorders discussed here can be found in both the pediatric and adult age groups. Some of these disorders may be evolving and may be seen in both young and older patients. Newer imaging modalities and therapeutic endoscopy continue to be studied, although their ultimate role and utility in children has yet to be fully elucidated.
An executive's guide to SOX audits

Auditors aren't the only ones who need a sharp understanding of internal control audits. Savvy CEOs and other executives also need this knowledge—to save time, money, and even professional careers. Because, as most readers know, CEOs and CFOs must now certify the veracity of their company's financial statements—under threat of heavy criminal penalties. So, how thorough is your knowledge about internal control audits? Let the author of this article lead you step by step through the process, as he offers advice on avoiding pitfalls and points out possible warning signs. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Racial diversity with high nucleated cell counts and CD34 counts achieved in a national network of cord blood banks.

Abstract Banked, unrelated, partially HLA-matched, umbilical cord blood is an alternative stem cell source for patients in need of transplantation therapy who lack traditionally matched donors. A presumed advantage of cord blood is the ability to increase recruitment of donors of minority ethnic backgrounds. The American Red Cross Cord Blood Program was established in 1999 with 6 banks and 10 collection sites throughout the country. Cord blood donors self-report racial designations on questionnaires, and donor race was collected from each site. Postprocessing nucleated cell counts and CD34+ counts were obtained on the cord blood units, and results from each racial group (white, black, Asian, Hispanic, and Native American) were compared in the natural logarithmic scale by using analysis of variance. A total of 18878 donors consented: 64% white, 16% black, 12% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 1% Native American, and 3% other. The Detroit area consented the highest percentage of black donors (87%), San Diego consented the highest percentage of Hispanic donors (59%), and Oakland consented the highest percentage of Asian donors (15%). Seven thousand eight hundred sixty-six cord blood units have been banked for transplantation. The mean preprocessing nucleated cell count was 1220 × 106 (range, 327–7300 × 106). There was no difference among racial groups when controlled for site (P = .395). The mean CD34+ count was 3.28 × 106. Blacks had a significantly lower CD34+ count than the other racial/ethnic groups in the Midwest, Northwest, and North Carolina collection sites. A racially diverse cord blood bank can be achieved. Nucleated cell counts were similar among the different racial/ethnic groups. CD34+ counts were lower for blacks in some collection sites.
Revealing runtime features and constituent behaviors within software

Software engineers organize source code into a dominant hierarchy of components and modules that may emphasize various characteristics over runtime behavior. In this way, runtime features may involve cross-cutting aspects of code from multiple components, and some of these features may be emergent in nature, rather than designed. Although source-code modularization assists software engineers to organize and find components, identifying such cross-cutting feature sets can be more difficult. This work presents a visualization that includes a static (i.e., compile-time) representation of source code that gives prominence to clusters of cooperating source-code instructions to identify dynamic (i.e., runtime) features and constituent behaviors within executions of the software. In addition, the visualization animates software executions to reveal which feature clusters are executed and in what order. The result has revealed the principal behaviors of software executions, and those behaviors were revealed to be (in some cases) cohesive, modular source-code structures and (in other cases) cross-cutting, emergent behaviors that involve multiple modules. In this paper, we describe our system (CEREBRO), envisage the uses to which it can be put, and evaluate its ability to reveal emergent runtime features and internal constituent behaviors of execution. We found that: (1) the visualization revealed emergent and commonly occuring functionalities that cross-cut the structural decomposition of the system; (2) four independent judges generally agreed in their interpretations of the code clusters, especially when informed only by our visualization; and (3) interacting with the external interface of an application while simultaneously observing the internal execution facilitated localization of code that implements the features and functionality evoked externally.
Teaching deflection of stepped shafts: Castigliano's theorem, dummy loads, heaviside step functions and numerical integration

The need for finding the deflections of shafts, many of which are stepped or varying cross-sectional areas is timeless. Each generation of engineers has used that part of mechanics of materials theory that fit the calculating capability available to them. The method presented here is offered in that vein. The method uses an engineer's ability to construct free body diagrams, derive moment equations, and knowledge of energy methods. The problem solution is kept general until the last step which is a digital numerical integration. The digital numerical integration can be performed on a wide variety of software to include TKSolver™, MatLab®, MathCad®, EES® and spread sheets. This method keeps the section properties independent of the moment equations making it straightforward to include scaling and shape factors on the cross-sectional dimensions. This allows an engineer to run any number of "what if" scenarios during a design process. Additionally, this method provides intermediate opportunities to validate the solution path by a) plotting the moment equation and comparing it against shear and moment diagram developed by hand, or b) plotting the cross section and comparing it against the drawings. Thus far, this approach to solving for the deflection of stepped shafts has been presented to nearly 300 junior Mechanical Engineering students.
Krull dimension in graded rings

(1977). Krull dimension in graded rings. Communications in Algebra: Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 319-329.
VERVE: A framework for variation-aware energy efficient synthesis of NoC-based MPSoCs with voltage islands

With feature sizes far below the wavelength of light, variations in fabrication processes are becoming more common and can lead to unpredictable behavior in modern multiprocessor system-on-chip (MPSoC) designs. The design costs associated with margining required to overcome this unpredictability can be prohibitively high. System-level design approaches that are aware of these variations can be crucial for designing energy-efficient systems. We note that by performing voltage island placement appropriately, the two major unintended consequences of variations on the circuit characteristics (altered delay and power dissipation) can be traded-off, in order to minimize overall system energy. To this end, we propose a novel design-time system-level synthesis framework that is cognizant of process variations while mapping cores operating at specific supply voltages to a die and allocating communication routes on a 2D-mesh network-on-chip (NoC) topology for optimal energy-efficiency. Our experiments with real-world and synthetic application benchmarks show that our framework achieves 3.4% savings in computation energy and 19% savings in communication energy compared to the best known prior work on NoC-based MPSoC synthesis that considers process variations.
Development of a performance-based approach for a rear-end collision warning and avoidance system for automobiles

Many threat assessment algorithms are based on a collection of threshold equations that predict when a collision is to occur. The fact that there are numerous algorithms suggests a need to understand the underlying principles behind the equation design and threshold settings. In this paper, we present a methodology to develop appropriate alerting thresholds based on performance metrics. This also allows us to compare different alerting algorithms. The method is a performance-based approach in state-space. and can thus be utilized in conjunction with any chosen alerting algorithm or sensor system. Using carefully prescribed trajectory models (which may include uncertainties), the performance tradeoff with and without an alert can be predicted for different states along the course of an encounter situation. This information can then be used to set appropriate threshold values for the desired alerting logic. The development of the threshold criteria for a rear-end collision warning system is given as an example. Though the approach given is presented as a threshold design tool, the methodology is self-contained as a threat assessment logic. The possibility exists to compute the performance measures on-the-fly from which alerting decisions can be made directly.
Use of energy in data-track association and state estimation in multitarget-multisensor problems

A coarse test and a fine test have been formulated for use in multiple sensor-multiple target data-track association. Various forms of energies are used in these tests to pick the proper data to be associated with any target. Numerical experiments which involve the use of a decentralized Kalman filter scheme are presented. The experiments show the effectiveness of the two tests. >
Risk of breast cancer following exposure to tetrachloroethylene-contaminated drinking water in Cape Cod, Massachusetts: reanalysis of a case-control study using a modified exposure assessment.

Background Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) is an important occupational chemical used in metal degreasing and drycleaning and a prevalent drinking water contaminant. Exposure often occurs with other chemicals but it occurred alone in a pattern that reduced the likelihood of confounding in a unique scenario on Cape Cod, Massachusetts. We previously found a small to moderate increased risk of breast cancer among women with the highest exposures using a simple exposure model. We have taken advantage of technical improvements in publically available software to incorporate a more sophisticated determination of water flow and direction to see if previous results were robust to more accurate exposure assessment.
State Capacity: Utilization, Durability, and the Role of Wealth vs. History

The concept of state capacity has been in development literature for decades. Nevertheless the concept, its operationalization, and its measurement are still highly contested. This paper seeks to briefly review the literature on state capacity and provide an empirical analysis of recent data in order to reassess the state of capacity theory and testing. We argue that very little, if any, attention has been paid to critical variations in national regional and subnational levels in state service provision, both statically and over time. We also argue that existing theoretical research in capacity utilization can provide insights to state building and development scholars regarding who is “doing more with less”. Finally, we offer the concept of durable capacity as a way of understanding how states can provide longstanding development outcomes despite income variations.
Modeling, Simulation and Implementation of Low Cost Calibration Method for Active Devices

Complete characterization of active devices has been done using accurate low cost two-port calibration method, SOLT, with vector network analyzer (VNA) using the 12-term error model. Generic SOLT test fixtures short, open, load and thru have been designed, simulated and built using grounded coplanar waveguide (GCPW) structure. The test fixtures have been first simulated for design verification and accuracy, and then built, measured and then their fixturing effects have been removed using the 12-term error model with VNA, HP8753ES. Several biasing schemes for the active devices have been simulated, implemented and measured. Results have been compared with the published manufacturer data and close agreement has been seen on all of them. It has been shown that the complete characterization of active devices using SOLT calibration method is possible when test fixtures are implemented using GCPW structure and simulated with planar electromagnetic simulators to increase the accuracy of the characterization parameters. Furthermore, this method helps identifying the best operating conditions of the device under test (DUT) for high performance.
Paratesticular papillary mesothelioma: a case with borderline features.

Abstract Most often, mesotheliomas involve the serosal (serous) membranes of the pleura and peritoneum. Sometimes, mesothelial proliferations are identified in other locations. On very rare occasions, a mesothelioma is found within the tunica vaginalis of the paratesticular region. We report a case of papillary mesothelioma of the tunica vaginalis in a 52-year-old man. Although this lesion had papillary structures lined by a single layer of mesothelial cells with predominantly bland nuclear and cytologic features, there was evidence of a minimal presence of mesothelial cells in the underlying stroma. This combination of benign and semimalignant characteristics can make the diagnosis of such a lesion problematic. We think that a diagnosis of “borderline papillary mesothelioma” can be considered for similar mesothelial proliferations to allow for a possible increase in diagnostic accuracy and provide an enhanced informational platform from which patients and clinicians can benefit.
Computation of nonlinear hydrodynamic loads on floating wind turbines using fluid-impulse theory

United States. Department of Energy (National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Contract DE-AC36-08GO28308)
Putting Liberalism in Its Place

Acknowledgments vii Introduction: Putting Liberalism in Its Place 1 PART I: CULTURAL STUDY AND LIBERALISM 29 Chapter 1: The Architecture of the Liberal World 33 Chapter 2: A Brief Genealogy of American Liberalism 66 Chapter 3: The Instabilities of Liberalism 113 PART II: LOVE AND POLITICS 143 Chapter 4: The Faculties of the Soul: Beyond Reason and Interest 145 Chapter 5: The Erotic Body 183 Chapter 6: The Autonomy of the Political in the Modern Nation-State 228 Conclusion: The Future of the Nation-State 291 Index 315
Molecular Pathways: Immunosuppressive Roles of IRE1α-XBP1 Signaling in Dendritic Cells of the Tumor Microenvironment

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a massive cytoplasmic membrane network that functions primarily to ensure proper folding and posttranslational modification of newly synthesized secreted and transmembrane proteins. Abnormal accumulation of unfolded proteins in this organelle causes a state of "ER stress," which is a hallmark feature of various diseases, including cancer, neurodegeneration, and metabolic dysfunction. Cancer cells exploit the IRE1α-XBP1 arm of the ER stress response to efficiently adjust their protein-folding capacity and ensure survival under hostile tumor microenvironmental conditions. However, we recently found that dendritic cells (DC) residing in the ovarian cancer microenvironment also experience sustained ER stress and demonstrate persistent activation of the IRE1α-XBP1 pathway. This previously unrecognized process disrupts metabolic homeostasis and antigen-presenting capacity in DCs, thereby crippling their natural ability to support the protective functions of infiltrating antitumor T cells. In this review, we briefly discuss some of the mechanisms that fuel ER stress in tumor-associated DCs, the biologic processes altered by aberrant IRE1α-XBP1 signaling in these innate immune cells, and the unique immunotherapeutic potential of targeting this pathway in cancer hosts. Clin Cancer Res; 22(9); 2121-6. ©2016 AACR.