cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The battle for the essence of entrepreneurship

Nicolai Foss and Peter Klein have penned a most remarkable book on the theory of the firm. They offer a rich analysis of the economic organization through the lenses of various approaches including Austrian economics and neo-institutional economics. Their work is a welcome addition to the field of entrepreneurship studies, as it focuses on the role of entrepreneurship within established organizations. While I embrace most of the authors’ conclusions, I disagree with a central piece of their analysis: The rejection of the Kirznerian framework. In establishing judgment as the fundamental explanans of the theory of entrepreneurship, Foss and Klein introduce the bias of seeing entrepreneurship as allocating resources in firms. Moreover, introducing the process of judgment does not offer new insights that cannot be obtained through Kirznerian discovery analysis. Fundamentally, the essence of entrepreneurship is at stake. And it is not a debate about semantics. It is my contention that Israel Kirzner offers a more fundamental theory of entrepreneurship — one that can be applied within and beyond the realm of the firm, and that helps us explain social change, market processes, development, and growth.
Teasing as a means of social influence

In this paper we examine teasing as a social influence strategy, illuminating ways in which teases manage the oftentimes contradictory primary and secondary goals involved in social influence. To tease is, in part, to challenge another's sentiments and/or acts and at the same time challenge the target's identity. Challenging someone to change, whether in thoughts, attitudes, or actions, poses problems, such as attacking the other's face, that teasing is uniquely situated to address. Essentially, we argue that teases synthesize the tensions and ambiguities surrounding both the influence agent's primary influence goal and the target's face wants.
Flavored Cigars Appeal to Younger, Female, and Racial/Ethnic Minority College Students.

Introduction This study examined the association of sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco and substance use behaviors, and reasons to use cigars in young adults' flavored and non-flavored cigar use. Methods Participants were 523, 18- to 29- year-old young adult college students (60.4% male; 40.9% non-Hispanic white) who reported current (past 30-day) cigar use. Results Almost 75% of the sample regularly chose flavored cigar products. Multilevel logistic regression analyses indicated that younger, female, and racial/ethnic minority cigar users had significantly greater odds of using flavored cigars than their counterparts. Current marijuana smokers, ever-blunt smokers, and students who reported using cigars because they were affordable and/or available in flavors they liked had a greater odds of flavored cigar use compared to their counterparts. Moreover, among dual users of cigars and cigarettes, those who cited using cigars because they were cheaper than cigarettes and because cigars felt like smoking regular cigarettes had greater odds of using flavored cigars compared to their peers. Number of days cigars were smoked and current use of other tobacco products were not associated with flavored cigar use. Conclusions Appealing attributes of flavored cigars have the potential to contribute to the tobacco use and subsequent nicotine addiction of younger, female, and racial/ethnic minority young adults. The wide variety of cigar flavors, their attractive price, and similarity to cigarette smoking underscore the need for additional research that links these unique traits to sustained tobacco use, and underscore the need for regulation of flavored products. Implications This study extends the current literature by finding that younger, female, and racial/ethnic minorities have greater odds of flavored cigar use than their peers. Flavored cigars have characteristics that appeal to members of these populations, which can contribute to their long-term use and potential for addiction.
Santalum album L. (Sandalwood): In Vitro Culture and the Bioreactor Production of Secondary Metabolites

Sandalwood (Santalum album L.) is a semiparasitic, perennial tree belonging to the family Santalaceae. There are approximately 26 species of sandalwood whose natural distribution extends from India, reaching eastwards through the Malayan archipelago into drier areas of Australia and New Zealand, fanning out across various islands in the Pacific, and stopping just west of the coast of South America at the Juan Fernandez Islands (Morris 1982). Among the various species, S. austro-caledonicum Vieill, S. freycinetianum Gaud, S. marchionense skottsb, S. yassi seem, and S. spicatum are of economic importance. The most valuable sandalwood oil is distilled from the heartwood and roots of Santalum album L., confined to forests in Mysore (southern India). In India, sandalwood is found mainly in the Deccan Plateau and spreads over 300 miles from Dharwar in the north to Nilgiris in the south, and from Coorg in the west approximately 250 miles to Kuppam in the east (Venkatesan 1981).
Immune Tolerance, Xenografts, and Large-Animal Studies in Transplantation

This article summarizes studies in which the author has been involved over several decades, directed toward providing solutions for the three major limitations to the field of transplantation: (1) drug treatment-related complications; (2) chronic rejection; and (3) the availability of transplantable organs. The first two of these limitations may be overcome by induction of transplantation tolerance, while the third will also require a new source of organs, for which great strides are now being made in xenotransplantation through genetic engineering.
A graph matching algorithm for user authentication in data networks using image-based physical unclonable functions

Recently, Physically Unclonable Functions (PUFs) received considerable attention in order to developing security mechanisms for applications such as Internet of Things (IoT) by exploiting the natural randomness in device-specific characteristics. This approach complements and improves the conventional security algorithms that are vulnerable to security attacks due to recent advances in computational technology and fully automated hacking systems. In this project, we propose a new authentication mechanism based on a specific implementation of PUF using metallic dendrites. Dendrites are nanomaterial devices that contain unique, complex and unclonable patterns (similar to human DNAs). We propose a method to process dendrite images. The proposed framework comprises several steps including denoising, skeletonizing, pruning and feature points extraction. The feature points are represented in terms of a tree-based weighted algorithm that converts the authentication problem to a graph matching problem. The test object is compared against a database of valid patterns using a novel algorithm to perform user identification and authentication. The proposed method demonstrates a high level of accuracy and a low computational complexity that grows linearly with the number of extracted points and database size. It also significantly reduces the required in-network storage capacity and communication rates to maintain database of users in large-scale networks.
Language ideologies of Arizona preschool teachers implementing dual language teaching for the first time: pro-multilingual beliefs, practical concerns

This mixed-methods study examines the language ideologies of 28 preschool educators in their first month transitioning from English-only to dual language education (DLE). Using the language ideolog...
Ethical Consideration of Construction Union Strategies in Jurisdictional Disputes Based on an Agent-Based Modeling (ABM) and a Game Theory

Union-related conflicts, building trade unions jurisdictional disputes in particular, have a long history in the US construction industry since the establishment of the unions. Jurisdictional boundaries constantly change and craft jurisdictional privileges are occasionally encroached. The outcomes of these conflicts and confrontations are pricy because they affect local and regional construction markets negatively. Yet explanation of this phenomenon is not a trivial matter since trade unions, their members, and employers constantly interact and affect each other. Based on a recent jurisdictional dispute case, an agent-based model (ABM) is used in this paper to examine various strategic decisions by the unions to show jurisdictional fluctuation. The model focuses on emergent patterns of union interactions based on their chosen strategies, which shows how policies and strategies affect the jurisdictional boundary and why their decisions should be based on professional ethics.
Comparisons of a Novel Air Sampling Filter Material, Wash Buffers and Extraction Methods in the Detection and Quantification of Influenza Virus

Quantification of aerosolized influenza virus is used for determining inhalation exposure. Several bioaerosol samplers and analytical methods have been used; however, the detection and quantification of influenza virus among aerosol samples remains challenging. Therefore, improved viral aerosol measurement methods are needed. This study evaluated influenza virus recovery among three filter types polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride and polystyrene. Polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylchloride are fabricated filter materials and commonly used in the scientific literature to sample for viral aerosols. A novel, electrospun polystyrene filter material may improve viral aerosol recovery during filter-based air sampling. The filter materials were compared across the following conditions: treated with or without air, filter wash buffer (HBSS or PBS), and viral RNA extraction method (QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit or Trizol). Twenty trials were completed in a chamber and samples were analyzed using RT-qPCR. Viral recovery was significantly different (p-value 0.05). Viral RNA concentrations were significantly different across extraction methods for all comparisons (p-values < 0.05). Our results demonstrated that the novel polystyrene filter material resulted in the highest concentration of extracted RNA compared to the commonly used polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylchloride, which we speculate may be related to the chemical composition of the filter material (e.g., polystyrene is an aromatic hydrocarbon whereas polytetrafluoroethylene and polyvinylchloride contain more polar, and thus potentially reactive, carbon-halogen bonds). Air sampling did not have an effect on viral RNA recovery. Using Hanks Balanced Salt Solution with QIAamp Viral RNA Mini Kit, and Phosphate-buffered saline with the Trizol extraction, resulted in the most viral RNA recovery.
Veterans' compensation claims beliefs predict timing of PTSD treatment use relative to compensation and pension exam

Introduction In this study we developed the Disability Beliefs Scale to assess Veterans’ beliefs that engaging in treatment, as well as other behaviors, would affect the likelihood of a Veteran’s being awarded disability-related benefits. We posited that Veterans with stronger beliefs that attending mental health treatment would facilitate a service-connection award would be more likely to attend PTSD treatment before their compensation and pension examinations for PTSD. Methods Electronic health records for 307 post-9/11-era Veterans applying for compensation and pension for service-connected PTSD and engaging in a clinical trial of a treatment-referral intervention were analyzed for PTSD-specific and more general mental health treatment use around the time of their compensation examinations. All participants completed the Disability Beliefs Scale and other baseline assessments. Multilevel models assessed change in treatment use as a function of time relative to the C&P exam, compensation examination status (before or after), and the interaction between examination status and beliefs about treatment benefits. Results No main effects of time or examination status were observed. As hypothesized, beliefs about treatment benefits moderated the effect of examination status on PTSD treatment use. Veterans believing more strongly that mental health treatment would help a claim differentially attended PTSD treatment before the examination than after. The effect was not observed for general mental health treatment use. Conclusion The association between Veterans’ use of PTSD treatment and their service-connection examination status was moderated by beliefs that receiving treatment affects the service-connection decision. This suggests that factors reported to motivate seeking service-connection—finances, validation of Veterans’ experiences, and the involvement of significant others—might also help motivate Veterans’ use of effective PTSD treatments. However, the results reflect correlations that could be explained in other ways, and service-connection was one of many factors impacting PTSD treatment engagement.
Past Frequent Emergency Department Use Predicts Mortality

Little is known about mortality risk among frequent emergency department (ED) users. Using California hospital data for 2005–13 linked to vital statistics data, we found that frequent ED use in the...
Conceptual Understandings of Seasonal Change by Middle School Students with Visual Impairments.

The purpose of this study was to understand and describe the misconceptions of students with visual impairments about seasonal change. Students who participated in traditional instruction exhibited...
Variations of the CNS Venous System Mimicking Pathology: Spectrum of Imaging Findings

Variations in the venous drainage of the central nervous system can have imaging and clinical findings that mimic pathology, presenting a challenge for neuroimagers and clinicians. Patients with these variants may undergo unnecessary testing, and patients with pathology may receive delayed diagnoses because of overlap with benign findings. Consequently, the accurate identification of venous variations on cross-sectional imaging and angiography and their potential causes are critical for differentiating benign imaging variants from potential pathologic processes requiring further evaluation. For example, in the epidural space, benign dilation of the epidural venous plexus may be mistaken for evidence of a fistula, abscess, or metastasis. Hypoplasia of a dural venous sinus or an arachnoid granulation may mimic venous sinus thrombosis. The superior ophthalmic vein may demonstrate benign dilation in intubated patients, mimicking thrombosis, increased intracranial pressure, orbital varix, inflammatory pseudotumor, or other conditions. Furthermore, certain venous variations, such as the occipital sinus or emissary veins, may complicate surgery or herald pathology and should be reported. In addition, some supposedly benign variations, such as the developmental venous anomaly, can be complicated by pathology. The objective of this review article is to provide a descriptive and pictorial review of common anatomic and physiologic variations in the venous drainage system of the brain, spine, and orbits that can mimic pathology. Neuroimaging findings of related pathologies and differences in clinical presentations will also be discussed to assist in the approach to differential diagnosis.
Statistical analysis of energy consumption, tool wear and surface roughness in machining of Titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) under dry, wet and cryogenic conditions

Abstract. Productivity and economy are key elements of any sustainable manufacturing system. While productivity is associated to quantity and quality, economy focuses on energy efficient processes achieving an overall high output to input ratio. Machining of hard-to-cut materials has always posed a challenge due to increased tool wear and energy loss. Cryogenics have emerged as an effective means to improve sustainability in the recent past. In the present research the use of cooling conditions has been investigated as an input variable to analyze its effect on tool wear, specific cutting energy and surface roughness in combination with other input machining parameters of feed rate, cutting speed and depth of cut. Experimental design was based on Taguchi design of experiment. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was carried out to ascertain the contribution ratio of each input. Results showed the positive effect of coolant usage, particularly cryogenic, on process responses. Tool wear was improved by 33 % whereas specific cutting energy and surface roughness were improved by 10 % and 9 % respectively by adapting the optimum machining conditions.
Schwinger effect in compact space: a real time calculation

We compute the discharging rate of a uniform electric field due to Schwinger pair production in ($1+1$)-dimensional scalar electrodynamics with a compact dimension of radius $R$. Our calculation is performed in real time, using the in-in formalism. For large compactification radii, $R\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\infty}$, we recover the standard noncompact space result. However, other ranges of values of $R$ and of the mass $m$ of the charged scalar give rise to a richer set of behaviors. For $R\ensuremath{\gtrsim}\mathcal{O}(1/m)$ with $m$ large enough, the electric field oscillates in time, whereas for $R\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0$ it decreases in steps. We discuss the origin of these results.
Bilateral pulmonary artery thrombectomy with saddle embolism and COVID-19 infection

Thrombotic complications such as venous thromboembolism, ischemic stroke, and myocardial infarction have emerged as causes of significant morbidity and mortality in patients infected with COVID-19. We present a 32-year-old man who developed a large saddle pulmonary embolus secondary to COVID-19 infection and underwent successful bilateral percutaneous pulmonary artery mechanical thrombectomy.
The intoxicating effects of conciliatory omniscience

The coherence of omniscience is sometimes challenged using self-referential sentences like, “No omniscient entity knows that which this very sentence expresses,” which suggest that there are truths which no omniscient entity knows. In this paper, I consider two strategies for addressing these challenges: The Common Strategy, which dismisses such self-referential sentences as meaningless, and The Conciliatory Strategy, which discounts them as quirky outliers with no impact on one’s status as being omniscient. I argue that neither strategy succeeds. The Common Strategy fails because it is both unmotivated and impotent. The Conciliatory Strategy fails because it leads to embarrassing situations in which omniscient entities are epistemically inferior to non-omniscient entities: we can, for example, devise trivia-based drinking games that force omniscient entities into an intoxicated state; and, given plausible closure principles for belief, such entities are unable to have the sorts of beliefs that give them reason to refuse to play (e.g., they are unable to believe that they can lose the game).
Secure Communication over 1-2-1 Networks

This paper starts by assuming a 1-2-1 network, the abstracted noiseless model of mmWave networks that was shown to closely approximate the Gaussian capacity in [1], and studies secure communication. First, the secure capacity is derived for 1-2-1 networks where a source is connected to a destination through a network of unit capacity links. Then, lower and upper bounds on the secure capacity are derived for the case when source and destination have more than one beam, which allow them to transmit and receive in multiple directions at a time. Finally, secure capacity results are presented for diamond 1-2-1 networks when edges have different capacities.
Confirmed Hypoglycemia Without Whipple Triad: A Rare Case of Hyper-Warburgism.

Spontaneous hypoglycemia in nondiabetic patients poses a diagnostic challenge. Hypoglycemia in malignancy has several etiologies; an extremely rare mechanism is the Warburg effect causing excess lactate production and avid glucose consumption. We describe the clinical course of a 52-year-old man admitted for chest wall mass and severe but asymptomatic hypoglycemia. Laboratory workup was obtained for insulin vs noninsulin-mediated hypoglycemia, and biopsy of the chest wall mass and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG-PET/CT) scan were performed. D10 infusion and intravenous/oral steroids started for severe hypoglycemia. Chemotherapy was initiated after biopsy, and blood glucose (BG) and lactate levels followed with clinical response in tumor size and changes in PET/CT. Investigations were significant for venous BG in the 40s (Ademolus Classification of Hypoglycemia grade 2 hypoglycemia), plasma insulin of less than 2 µU/mL (2-20 µU/mL), C-peptide of 0.2 ng/mL (0.8-6.0 ng/mL), insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) of 113 ng/mL (333-967 ng/mL), serum lactate of 16 mmol/L (0.5-2 mmol/L), and albumin of 2.3 g/dL (3.4-5.4 g/dL). Biopsy showed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, and PET revealed highly FDG-avid disease in the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, but no FDG uptake was seen in the brain. Hypoglycemia and lactic acidosis improved remarkably after chemotherapy. PET/CT at 4 weeks showed complete metabolic response with reappearance of physiological FDG uptake in the brain. Noninsulin-mediated hypoglycemia was likely due to the combination of profound malnutrition and rapid glucose use by cancer cells. The patient presented with exaggerated Warburg effect (hyper-Warburgism), evident by extreme glucose consumption, severe lactic acidosis, and large tumor burden on PET/CT. Absence of cognitive symptoms was probably due to use of lactate by the brain. Chemotherapy corrected these abnormalities rapidly, and must be instituted in a timely manner.
Differential Toxicological Outcome of Corn Oil Exposure in Rats and Mice as Assessed by Microbial Composition, Epithelial Permeability, and Ileal Mucosa-Associated Immune Status.

Studies to evaluate the toxicity of xenobiotics on the human gut microbiome and related health effects require a diligent selection of (a) an appropriate animal model to facilitate toxicity assessment in predicting human exposure, and (b) an appropriate non-interfering vehicle for the administration of water-insoluble compounds. In biomedical studies with water-insoluble xenobiotics, corn oil is one of the most commonly used non-aqueous vehicles. This study evaluated the suitability of corn oil as a vehicle in adult female Harlan Sprague Dawley rats and adult CD-1 mice; the rodent models that are often utilized in toxicological studies. We studied the host response in terms of shift in the intestinal microbiome and mRNA expression of intestinal permeability and immune response related genes when water (control) and corn oil (2 ml/kg) were administered as a vehicle through oral gavage. The results showed that the use of corn oil as a vehicle has no adverse impact in rats for either the immune response or the intestinal microbial population. On the other hand, mice treated with corn oil showed changes in bacterial community adhered to the ileum, as well as changes in the mRNA expression of intestinal permeability-related and ileal mucosa-associated immune response genes. Overall, results of this study suggest that the type of rodent species and vehicle used in toxicological risk assessments of xenobiotics studies should be taken into consideration in the experimental setup and study design.
Functional lower airways genomic profiling of the microbiome to capture active microbial metabolism

Rationale Microbiome studies of the lower airway based on bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing assess microbial community structure but can only infer functional characteristics. Microbial products, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), in the lower airways have significant impact on the host9s immune tone. Thus, functional approaches to the analyses of the microbiome are necessary. Methods Here we used upper and lower airway samples from a research bronchoscopy smoker cohort. In addition, we validated our results in an experimental mouse model. Measurements We extended our microbiota characterisation beyond 16S rRNA gene sequencing with the use of whole genome (WGS) and RNA metatranscriptome sequencing. Short chain fatty acids (SCFA) were also measured in lower airway samples and correlated with each of the sequencing datasets. In the mouse model, 16S rRNA gene and RNA metatranscriptome sequencing were performed. Main Results Functional evaluations of the lower airway microbiota using inferred metagenome, WGS and metatranscriptome were dissimilar. Comparison with measured levels of SCFAs shows that the inferred metagenome from the 16S rRNA gene sequencing data was poorly correlated, while better correlations were noted when SCFAs levels were compared with WGS and metatranscriptome. Modelling lower airway aspiration with oral commensals in a mouse model showed that the metatranscriptome most efficiently captures transient active microbial metabolism, which was overestimated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Conclusions Functional characterisation of the lower airway microbiota through metatranscriptome identify metabolically active organisms capable of producing metabolites with immunomodulatory capacity such as SCFAs.
Accreditation Standards and the Integration of Part-Time Faculty

Part-time faculty employed by institutions of higher education as a percentage of total institutional faculty increased in the last decades. This trend is attributed to several factors such as costs, competition, and a desire for staffing flexibility. Increased reliance on part-time faculty, however, can present issues for accreditation. AACSB International defines supporting faculty as members who primarily teach, and who do not participate in the intellectual or operational life of the school. In contrast, participating faculty members, in addition to teaching, engage in a broader range of activities in support of the school’s mission, such as advising, research, service commitments, participation in shared governance and policy guidance. Certain percentage thresholds must be maintained for participating faculty in programs and disciplines. Although participating faculty members tend to be long-term members of the faculty, permanent employment is not key. This presentation will discuss ways in which supporting faculty, typically part-time faculty, can be involved in a more significant way with the mission of the college and become contributing members. Such an inclusive approach, which provides part-time faculty with professional development opportunities, research support, and integration into program activities, can prove to be mutually beneficial.
Pharmacogenomics in Pain Management: A Review of Relevant Gene-Drug Associations and Clinical Considerations:

Objective:To provide an overview of clinical recommendations regarding genomic medicine relating to pain management and opioid use disorder.Data Sources:A literature review was conducted using the ...
Angioedema Secondary to tPA Use in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patient with Hypertension: A Case Report.

Author(s): Kim, Chris; Hladik, Andrea | Abstract: Introduction: A well-documented complication of administering tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) in stroke patients is acute intracranial bleeding. A lesser known but still significant complication is angioedema secondary to tPA administration, which can develop in certain individuals with risk factors such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor use and location of the stroke. Knowing the potential for this life-threatening complication and being prepared for its proper management is vital for emergency physicians.Case Report: We report a 53-year-old Black female who presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of slurred speech and a facial droop. She was found to have an acute ischemic stroke and tPA was administered. She subsequently developed angioedema. Retrospectively, the patient was found to have risk factors that are thought to predispose patients to tPA-induced angioedema.Conclusion: Risk factors associated with angioedema secondary to tPA administration have been documented in patients taking ACE inhibitors, as well as patients who develop strokes in the frontal lobe. While many cases may be mild, some patients may develop life-threatening angioedema. Although this complication does not necessarily contraindicate tPA use, it is prudent for the emergency physician to be vigilant for its development, prepared for its treatment, and to be diligent in assessing the need for control of the patient’s airway.
Chapter 3 The Amaryllidaceae Alkaloids

Publisher Summary The Amaryllidaceae alkaloids constitute an important group of naturally occurring bases possessing a diversity of functionality and structure. The chapter explores that over 100 alkaloids have been isolated from members of the Amaryllidaceae, and most compounds may be classified into eight principal, skeletally homogeneous subgroups although there are several other alkaloids having structures derived from these main molecular frameworks. Representative alkaloids from each of these classes include lycorine, lycorenine, narciclasine, galanthamine, crinine, pretazettine, latisodine, and montanine. It discusses that the plants of the family Amaryllidaceae continue to yield alkaloids having interesting biological activities. Lycorine has been found to inhibit growth in higher plants and yeasts by suppressing cell division and cell elongation. The alkaloids of the crinine group have been the objects of intensive synthetic investigations, and a number of general and useful strategies have been developed. The biogenetic approach to crinine and maritidine has been explored, and an attempt to access pretazettine via an oxidative coupling process has led to 6a-epipretazettin.
Posttranslational Modifications of Histones by Methylation

Publisher Summary This chapter demonstrates that an RNA polymerase II elongation factor—the Paf1 complex—is required for the recruitment of histone methyltransferases to the elongating RNA polymerase and suggests that it is possible that modification by methylation may serve as a mark of transcriptional memory for transcribed genes. Histone modifications by methylation are demonstrated to play a pivotal role in the regulation of chromatin dynamics and gene expression. Several proteins to date have been identified as functioning as histone methyltransferases with different substrate specificity. The wealth of other uncharacterized SET domain containing proteins in the database has set the stage for characterization of the role of such enzymes. To date, two types of histone methylation have been observed—methylation of the ɛ-amino group of lysine and methylation of the Nη nitrogen of the arginine side chain guanido group. The first histone methyltransferase to be identified was the product of the drosophila suppressor of position-effect variegation gene. Since its initial discovery, the SET domain has been described as a part of several proteins involved in modulating gene activity in eukaryotes ranging from yeast to humans. The methylation of arginine residues of histone proteins has also received much attention in recent years. However, not much is known about the biological significance of this process as of yet. Recent experiments have identified three distinct types of methylation that occur at arginine residues on histone tails along with two types of PRMTs that accomplish this task.
Monitoring and selection of dynamic models by Monte Carlo sampling

Time-varying signals and systems are usually modeled by state-space models. Many of these models are nonlinear and the noise that enters their description may be non-Gaussian. For such models standard Kalman filtering approaches are not optimal, and more general methods are then of interest. A group of methods that have recently attracted much attention are based on Monte Carlo sampling and propagation of relevant densities by propagating their samples. In this paper, the objective is to study the monitoring and selection of models whose processing is carried out by these methods. As a metric for model comparison, the logarithms of the models' predictive densities of the observed data are used. To demonstrate the validity of the approach, an example is presented and performance results provided.
General Intelligence and the Definition of Phenotypes

From Spearman's famous 1904 paper to Carroll's recent book on factor analytic results from a multitude of studies, there has been one consistent conclusion: 'g', or general intelligence, is the factor that defines the phenotype for intellectual functioning. It is no overstatement to say that g is undoubtedly the most important psychological construct discovered in this century. It predicts more and is implicated in a wider range of behaviour than any other psychological construct. The empirical support for g is extensive and overwhelming. It would seem that g is the perfect phenotypic definition of intelligence. I argue that it is not the perfect phenotype. If we are to understand intelligence, we need to define a new, more elaborate definition of intelligence taking g as the starting place. It must be remembered that g is a statistical abstraction. Current formulations of g are largely silent about the composition of g. I argue that g is actually made of further separable basic cognitive processes and does not represent a single underlying entity. These basic cognitive processes are integrated into a complex system in the brain that makes them difficult to identify. None the less, until these basic processes are identified and related to brain function there are a number of findings that cannot be explained and this will inhibit scientific progress.
“Let the Drag Race Begin”: The Rewards of Becoming a Queen

Drawing upon my ethnographic experiences in a drag venue called The Park in Roanoke, Virginia, this article explores the experiences of female impersonators in terms of their early motivations for doing drag, how they create and maintain drag personas and identities, and the obstacles to becoming a queen. Departing from previous researchers that have framed female impersonation as a deviant, stigmatizing, and pathological activity, this research analyzes the significant benefits some drag queens garner by donning women's attire. An experiential understanding of drag reveals that the significant rewards from the activity--contextual power and status, self-affirmation and empowerment--are powerful motivating factors. Instead of being deviant and/or partaking in pathological behavior, female impersonators can be seen as operating on an incentive system where the benefits of doing drag positively enrich the quality of the performer's life in a context where successful queens are held in the highest regard.
Inhibition of miR-29 has a significant lipid-lowering benefit through suppression of lipogenic programs in liver

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators and potential therapeutic targets of metabolic disease. In this study we show by in vivo administration of locked nucleic acid (LNA) inhibitors that suppression of endogenous miR-29 lowers plasma cholesterol levels by ~40%, commensurate with the effect of statins, and reduces fatty acid content in the liver by ~20%. Whole transcriptome sequencing of the liver reveals 883 genes dysregulated (612 down, 271 up) by inhibition of miR-29. The set of 612 down-regulated genes are most significantly over-represented in lipid synthesis pathways. Among the up-regulated genes are the anti-lipogenic deacetylase sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and the anti-lipogenic transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), the latter of which we demonstrate is a direct target of miR-29. In vitro radiolabeled acetate incorporation assays confirm that pharmacologic inhibition of miR-29 significantly reduces de novo cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis. Our findings indicate that miR-29 controls hepatic lipogenic programs, likely in part through regulation of Ahr and Sirt1, and therefore may represent a candidate therapeutic target for metabolic disorders such as dyslipidemia.
The B12 Anti-Tryptase Monoclonal Antibody Disrupts the Tetrameric Structure of Heparin-Stabilized β-Tryptase to Form Monomers That Are Inactive at Neutral pH and Active at Acidic pH

The novel tetrameric structure of human β-tryptase faces each active site into the central pore, thereby restricting access of most biologic protease inhibitors. The mechanism by which the anti-tryptase mAb B12 inhibits human β-tryptase peptidase and proteolytic activities at neutral pH, but augments proteolytic activity at acidic pH, was examined. At neutral pH, B12-β-tryptase complexes are inactive. At acidic pH, B12 (intact and Fab) minimally affects peptidase activity when added to β-tryptase tetramers, but does induce susceptibility to inhibition by soybean trypsin inhibitor and antithrombin III. Surprisingly, B12 Fab-β-tryptase complexes formed at both neutral and acidic pH exhibit the apparent molecular mass of a complex with 1 β-tryptase monomer and 1 Fab by gel filtration. B12 does not compete with heparin for binding to tryptase at either neutral or acidic pH. Thus, B12 directly disrupts β-tryptase tetramers to monomers that are inactive at neutral pH, whereas at acidic pH, are active and more accessible to protein inhibitors and substrates.
Acceptance and the Problem of Slippery-Slope Insensitivity in Rule-Utilitarianism

Slippery slopes crop up with startling frequency when controversial moral issues are debated. Generally, those who mount this line of argument appeal to some grim, highly undesirable state of affairs which would—they allege—inevitably ensue were society to sanction certain activities. Their reasoning is often fallacious, offering little more than an easy out for those reluctant to address problematic moral issues with the care and honesty they demand.
Recent tendencies in primary election systems

The writer, a keen practical observer of politics, believes that the direct primary has not yet had a reasonable test. It should be retained and certain other improvements introduced, notably the short ballot, the merit sqstem and the Massachusetts ballot, to insure satisfactory nominations.
Euclidean Distance Matrix Analysis: Confidence Intervals for Form and Growth Differences

Analysis of biological forms using landmark data has re- ceived substantial attention recently. Much of the statistical work in this area has concentrated on the estimation of average form, average form difference, and average growth difference. From the statistical, as well as the scientific point of view, it is important that any estimate of a scientifically relevant quantity be accompanied by a statement regarding its accuracy. Such a state- ment is contained in a confidence interval. The purpose of this paper is to provide a method to obtain confidence intervals for form difference and growth difference estimators. The estimators are based on Euclidean distance matrix analysis. The confidence intervals are calculated using the model independent bootstrap method. We illustrate the method by using three ex- amples: morphological differences between samples of craniofacial patients and normal controls using two dimensional data from head X-rays, sexual
Digital Imaging: Looking Toward the Future of Manuscript Research

ABSTRACT While microﬁlm has been the standard medium for manuscript photog-raphy since the 1950s, digital imaging is beginning to revolutionize manuscript research by providing broader and lower-cost access to higher-quality manuscript images. New digital imaging technologies like ‘multi-spectral imaging’ are also capable of improving the legibil-ity of damaged texts far beyond that achievable with conventional ﬁlm. The potential of these new technologies for manuscript research may be seen with digital imaging projects focusing on such important texts as the Codex Sinaiticus and the Herculaneum papyri. For all its advan-tages, digital imaging poses for us further technological and archival challenges. Keywords: biblical manuscripts, Codex Sinaiticus, digital archiving, digital imaging, Herculaneum, multi-spectral imaging. Introduction Advances in information technology are changing scholarship in ways undreamt of even twenty years ago, and this rate of change continues to accelerate. The Internet and World Wide Web together constitute the most prominent vehicle of this change. It is difﬁcult to believe that, even though the Web and e-mail have been in mass usage for just a decade, they have completely transformed our communication and information culture. However much we love the printed word, the importance of the printing press in democratizing information is eclipsed by the power of the Web to publish information instantaneously, universally, and at a
Reexamination of the Sequence of the Sea Urchin Egg Receptor for Sperm: Implications with Respect to Its Properties

Abstract A reexamination of the cDNA clones of the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus sea urchin egg receptor for sperm resulted in several important changes to the sequence. By using both rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) and Northern blot analysis for confirmation, the corrected deduced amino acid sequence was shown to lack a classical signal peptide. In addition, a frame shift resulted in a stop codon terminating the deduced sequence prior to a putative transmembrane domain, thereby truncating the protein to 889 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequence of the receptor has high sequence similarity to the hsp 110 subfamily of proteins. These findings on the primary structure of the egg receptor for sperm raise important questions concerning the mechanism by which the heavily glycosylated receptor is localized to the extracellular surface of the egg and to the cortical granules.
On the structure of rhodopsin and its changes after light exposure.

Abstract A structural model for the rhodopsin molecule is presented in which the retinene-derived portion is shown to span at least two turns of an α-helical portion of the optin protein forming a “retinene-opsin” loop. The photoisomerization of the retinene-derived portion causes a change in the loop and produces a strained system. A reliefof-strain process is described which helps to account for some of the photochemical phenomena associated with bleaching. A proton-binding group, attached to opsin, is shown to migrate down the retinene chain producing various carbonium ions via a “semi-protonation” process. Spectroscopic rules are used to estimate the expected absorption maxima of the carbonium ions and are compared to the observed absorption maxima of the rhodopsin bleaching intermediates. Several new intermediates and their absorption maxima are predicted. A possible scheme for rhodopsin regeneration is presented.
Differential branch pulmonary artery growth after the Norwood procedure with right ventricle-pulmonary artery conduit versus modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Objectives The Norwood procedure with right ventricle–pulmonary artery conduit is thought to improve postoperative hemodynamics in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, but its effects on pulmonary artery growth are unknown. This study evaluated pulmonary artery growth after the Norwood procedure in patients with a right ventricle–pulmonary artery conduit as compared with patients with a modified Blalock–Taussig shunt. Methods A total of 159 patients at our institution underwent the Norwood procedure between January 2000 and September 2005. Patients were divided into group A or B if they had a modified Blalock–Taussig shunt (n = 103) or a right ventricle–pulmonary artery conduit (n = 56). Angiograms from the pre-Glenn catheterizations were used to measure pulmonary artery size and assess shunt stenosis (n = 64). Results Fifty-five (53.4%) patients in group A versus 40 (71.4%) in group B underwent Glenn surgery. Group B patients often required an additional shunt (modified Blalock–Taussig) before the Glenn procedure because of hypoxemia (8/40 vs 1/55; P = .004). Branch pulmonary artery growth was better in group B patients who did not require an additional shunt (Nakata index 212 vs 169 mm 2 /m 2 ; P = .004) and more balanced than in group A (right pulmonary artery/left pulmonary artery ratio=1.02 vs 1.39; P = .001) as a result of greater left pulmonary artery size (29 vs 19 mm 2 ; P = .001). However, group B experienced more shunt stenosis (8/32 vs 2/32; P = .001), underwent the Glenn operation earlier (192 vs 246 days; P = .03), and had central pulmonary artery hypoplasia develop more often than group A patients (25/32 vs 14/32; P = .01). Conclusion The Norwood procedure with a right ventricle–pulmonary artery conduit promotes better distal left pulmonary artery growth resulting in more balanced branch pulmonary artery size, but central pulmonary artery hypoplasia occurs more often. Early right ventricle–pulmonary artery conduit stenosis also increases the need for additional shunting or early Glenn surgery.
Film cooling downstream of a row of discrete holes with compound angle

A special naphthalene sublimation technique is used to study the film cooling performance downstream of one row of holes of 35° inclination angle and 45° compound angle with 3 diameter hole spacing and relatively small hole length to diameter ratio (6.3). Both film cooling effectiveness and mass/heat transfer coefficients are determined for blowing rates from 0.5 to 2.0 with density ratio of unity. The mass transfer coefficient is measured using pure air film injection, while the film cooling effectiveness is derived from comparison of mass transfer coefficients obtained following injection of naphthalene-vapor-saturated air with that of pure air injection. This technique enables one to obtain detailed local information on film cooling performance. General agreement is found in local film cooling effectiveness when compared with previous experiments. The laterally-averaged effectiveness with compound angle injection is higher than that with inclined holes immediately downstream of injection at a blowing rate of 0.5 and is higher at all locations downstream of injection at larger blowing rates. A large variation of mass transfer coefficients in the lateral direction is observed in the present study. At low blowing rates of 0.5 and 1.0, the laterally-averaged mass transfer coefficient is close to that of injection without compound angle. At the highest blowing rate used (2.0), the asymmetrical vortex motion under the jets increases the mass transfer coefficient drastically ten diameters downstream of injection.Copyright © 2000 by ASME
eNOS, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease

Large epidemiologic studies have established that diabetes, hyperlipidemia and obesity all increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. However, the precise mechanisms by which these metabolic disorders increase the propensity to develop atherosclerosis are not known. Recently, the concept of the metabolic syndrome – a constellation of conditions including obesity, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance – has received much attention. Studies on the metabolic syndrome might enable a better understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms that lead to cardiovascular disease. This review focuses on endothelial nitric oxide synthase and summarizes evidence that a reduction in the bioavailability of endothelium-derived nitric oxide serves as a key link between metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk.