cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of paraquat UV-ozonation products

Abstract The chromatographic and mass spectral properties of 13 compounds isolated from the reaction of UV and ozone on paraquat are described. The products were extracted from the acidified reaction mixture and converted to TMS derivatives. The identified products were the diTMS ester of oxalic acid (m/z 234), the TMS ester of 4-picolinic acid (m/z 195), the diTMS ester of succinic acid (m/z 262), the diTMS derivative of N-formylglycine, 4,4'-bipyridyl (m/z 156), the triTMS derivative of malic acid (m/z 350), and the diTMS derivative of a hydroxy-4-picolinic acid. Structural features and tentative identification of some of the remaining compounds are discussed. The most prominent peak on the chromatogram has a probable molecular ion at m/z 219, isomeric to the diTMS derivative of glycine. The structures presented suggest that demethylation, ring oxidation and fragmentation of one or both rings of the bipyridinium di-cation occur during UV-ozonation of paraquat.
On the evidence for the generation of a ferrocenylsilicenium ion

Abstract A previous claim for the generation of a metallocenyl-substituted silicenium ion is shown to be based on insufficient evidence.
Magnetic properties investigation: The viking mars lander

Abstract In conjunction with the lander imaging system, a permanent magnet array will be used to detect the presence, color, relative abundance, and possibly the composition of magnetic particles in Martian surface material. The data obtained will be used as clues to the composition and degree of differentiation of the solid planet, and the extent of surface-atmosphere interaction.
Effects of reserpine and p-chlorophenylalanine on the circadian rhythm of granulated vesicles in the pinealocytes of mice.

The number of granulated vesicles in mouse pinealocytes exhibit a distinct circadian rhythm which is abolished by superior cervical ganglionectomy. Since melatonin treatment markedly affects the number of pinealocytic granulated vesicles, it was suggested that a relationship may exist between norepinephrine, melatonin, and the synthesis and/or secretion of pinealocyte granulated vesicles. The present study was undertaken in an attempt to clarify this relationship. Mice were housed in an environmental chamber under controlled lighting (12L/12D), and were treated with either reserpine, a drug which depletes serotonin and norepinephrine, or p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA), an inhibitor of serotonin synthesis. They were sacrificed at various times over a twenty-four hour period, and granulated vesicles present in the pinealocytes were quantitated in thin cross sections through pericapillary areas. Reserpine treatment resulted in a marked increase in the number of granulated vesicles during the dark, but led to a slight decrease during the photoperiod. Treatment with p-CPA produced no significant effect. The results of this study do not support our previous theory that melatonin plays an important role in the regulation of the pinealocyte secretory process, but instead points more directly to the significant role that norepinephrine has in controlling pinealocyte secretion.
DIGESTIVE CAPACITY OF PURIFIED LYSOSOMES.

Abstract The capacity of purified lysosomes to digest liver-tissue and subcellular organelles was investigated by measuring the total digestion and the end products of enzyme reactions. Liver-tissue, mitochondria and microsomes were extensively digested by lysosomal enzymes whereas nuclei were resistant. Detailed studies showed that degradation of mitochondria was influenced by the concentration of lysosomes, pH and temperature of the reaction system and by the inhibitors and activators of the lysosomal enzymes. Relatively large amounts of proteins and cytochromes were released during degradation of the mitochondrial membrane.
Classification of functional magnetic resonance imaging data using informative pattern features

The canonical technique for analyzing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, statistical parametric mapping, produces maps of brain locations that are more active during performance of a task than during a control condition. In recent years, there has been increasing awareness of the fact that there is information in the entire pattern of brain activation and not just in saliently active locations. Classifiers have been the tool of choice for capturing this information and used to make predictions ranging from what kind of object a subject is thinking about to what decision they will make. Such classifiers are usually trained on a selection of voxels from the 3D grid that makes up the activation pattern; often this means the best accuracy is obtained using few voxels, from all across the brain, and that different voxels will be chosen in different cross-validation folds, making the classifiers hard to interpret. The increasing commonality of datasets with tens to hundreds of classes makes this problem even more acute. In this paper we introduce a method for identifying informative subsets of adjacent voxels, corresponding to brain patches that distinguish subsets of classes. These patches can then be used to train classifiers for the distinctions they support and used as "pattern features" for a meta-classifier. We show that this method permits classification at a higher accuracy than that obtained with traditional voxel selection, and that the sets of voxels used are more reproducible across cross-validation folds than those identified with voxel selection, and lie in plausible brain locations.
Physiologic basis for the age-related decline in aerobic work capacity☆

To determine the physiologic mechanisms of the decline in aerobic work performance with age, a cross-sectional study was performed. Twenty-four sedentary male volunteers, aged 20 to 50 years, underwent right-sided cardiac catheterization, arterial cannulation, radionuclide angiography and expired gas analysis for detailed evaluation of central and peripheral cardiovascular function during submaximal and maximal exercise. Habitual physical activity level varied but was well matched across the age range. Over the 3-decade age range studied, there was no detectable change in cardiovascular function at rest. When peak exercise variables were examined, an age-related 25% decrease in O2 consumption was noted (r = -0.43, p = 0.04); this was associated with a 25% decrease in peak cardiac index (r = -0.54, p = 0.01) and a 20% decrease in peak heart rate (r = -0.63, p = 0.002). In addition, there was an age-related increase in calculated systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances and an increase in left ventricular ejection time. No age relation was seen for exercise stroke volume index, end-diastolic volume index, end-systolic volume index, pulmonary artery wedge pressure, ejection fraction or arteriovenous O2 difference. These results indicate that the age-related decline in aerobic work performance among men aged 20 to 50 years results primarily from a reduced exercise heart rate in older subjects rather than from a reduction in stroke volume or peripheral O2 utilization.
Microbiological synthesis of 16α, 18-dihydroxydeoxycorticosterone

Abstract 16α, 18-Dihydroxydeoxycorticosterone (16α, 18-dihydroxy-DOC) (1)and 1, 2- 3 H-16α, 18-dihydroxy-DOC (1,2- 3 H-16α, 18-dihydroxy-DOC) of high specific activity were obtained in good yield by microbiological hydroxylation of 18-OH-DOC and 1,2- 3 H-18-OH-DOC by Streptomyces roseochromogenus (ATCC 13400). The identity of the fermentation product to human adrenal produced 16α, 18-dihy-droxy-DOC was established by Chromatographic studies, derivative formation and gas-liquid chromatography. Yield of the product was about 30% of substrate and allowing for losses in recovery, about 60% of the substrate 18-OH-DOC was converted to this product. A second product of fermentation isolated in lower yield appeared to be a dimer of 16α, 18-dihydroxy-DOC found in the acidic conditions of the fermentation. This method of synthesis of 16α, 18-dihydroxy-DOC is a practical way to make large quantities of the compound for further study of its possible role in human and experimental hypertension.
Stimulation of new bone formation on intact bones by decalcified allogeneic bone matrix.

Abstract The results of the present experiments indicate that grafts of allogeneic bone matrix are not rejected and that they induce formation of new bone at the site of their placement. The fact that decalcified allogeneic bone matrix induces little or no immune response suggests that it has a very weak, if any, antigenic activity, but at present there is no really clear explanation for the fact that this material does not elicit such a response.
Models for automatic classification of video sequences

In this paper, we explore a technique for automatic classification of video sequences, (such as a TV broadcast, movies). This technique analyzes the incoming video sequences and classifies them into categories. It can be viewed as an on-line parser for video signals. We present two techniques for automatic classification. In the first technique, the incoming video sequence is analyzed to extract the motion information. This information is optimally projected onto a single dimension. This projection information is then used to train Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) that efficiently and accurately classify the incoming video sequence. Preliminary results with 50 different test sequences (25 Sports and 25 News sequences) indicae a classification accuracy of 90% by the HMM models. In the second technique, 24 full-length motion picture trailers are classified using HMMs. This classification is compared with the internet movie database and we find that they correlate well. Only two out of 24 trailers were classified incorrectly.
Measurement of Pressures and Heat Transfer by FM Telemetry

A measurement system for obtaining pressure and heat-transfer data from models flying freely in hypersonic tunnel streams is described. Test models are either released from suspension threads or launched by low-velocity pneumatic launchers and have internal miniaturized frequency-modulated telemetry units. This technique permits the historically desired measurement of support-free afterbody pressure and heat-transfer rates. Base heating and pressure measurements for a cone and a sphere in free flight are included to illustrate application.
The paradox of inelastic sports pricing

Rodney Fort's (2004) article in Managerial and Decision Economics attempts to explain the recurrent phenomenon of inelastic ticket pricing in professional sports. In his explanation, Fort mistakenly substitutes the marginal revenue generated by the acquisition of talent for the marginal revenue generated by lowering the gate ticket price. This article corrects the mistake, pointing out that inelastic ticket pricing is still inconsistent with profit maximization. In addition, it is demonstrated that the marginal revenue generated by additional talent cannot be negative. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Second order Raman spectrum of MoS2

Abstract The second order Raman spectra of a layer compound MoS2 have been measured. Features characteristic of a two-dimensional phonon density of states curve have been observed. Most of the critical points in the second order spectrum are identified.
New approaches to identifying rare genetic variants associated with nicotine dependence.

f p t f a l T he publication of candidate gene studies related to nicotine dependence (ND) increased rapidly in the late 1990s and 2000s with a number of studies supporting a role for variation n nicotinic acetycholine receptor (nAchR) genes. For example, sevral studies reported that variation in the CHRNA4 gene was related o the stimulatory effects of nicotine and nicotine dependence as ell as to treatment outcomes (1,2). The CHRNA4 gene codes for the 4 subunit of the 4/ 2 receptor. The 4/ 2 is the most common AchR in the brain and arguably the most studied nAchR with espect to ND. Other notable candidate gene findings include studes that reported an association between smoking and variations in ther nAchR subunit genes, such as CHRNA5 and CHRNA3 (3). Thus, andidate gene studies have suggested that variation in the genes oding for subunits of nAchRs may play an important role in ND tiology and treatment response. Within the last 5 years, there was a shift from an emphasis on andidate gene studies to an emphasis on genome-wide associaion studies (GWAS). One of the largest genome-wide analyses nvolved an analysis of 41,150 smokers (4). These analyses identified hree loci that were significantly associated with smoking. Two of he three loci were previously identified in candidate gene studies, s noted above (3). Although confirmatory evidence regarding the ole of nAchR genes is valuable and although genome-wide aproaches have led to the identification of new genetic associations, thers have noted some important limitations of the genome-wide pproach. For example, it has been questioned why genome-wide tudies with large sample sizes have identified genes that at best xplain only 1-2% of the genetic variance in a phenotype. Although here has been some debate about the reasons, explanations inlude the ideas that GWAS do not adequately capture the effect of are mutations, that they do not include neurobiological phenoypes, and that they rely heavily on statistical approaches that demphasize biological plausibility (5). In response to these limitations, the field is now turning to the se of next-generation sequencing, made possible by recent techological developments that have greatly reduced the costs of equencing, to identify and evaluate the role of rare mutations. In ddition, scientists are including neurobiological phenotypes that ore directly capture the putative underlying molecular effects of a iven genetic variant and phenotypes that are mechanistically reated to the disorder of interest. In this issue of Biological Psychiatry, ie et al. (6) report findings from a study of rare variants in the CHRNA4 gene and ND that utilizes both sequencing and neurobiological phenotypes, which allows for the identification of rare variants and addresses the biological function of these variants. The authors sequenced exon 5 of the CHRNA4 gene in 1000 nicotine-dependent cases and 1000 controls and identified 169 rare
Maize growth and mineral acquisition on acid soil amended with flue gas desulfurization by-products and magnesium

Abstract The large amounts of coal combustion by‐products (CCBs) generated by coal burning power plants must be utilized or discarded, and beneficial use of these materials are desired. One beneficial use of CCBs could be application to agricultural land. Information about the use of one kind of CCB (flue gas desulfurization by‐product, FGD‐BP) on soil is limited. Maize (Zea mays L.) was grown (greenhouse) on an acid soil [Umbric Dystrochrept, pHCa (1:1, soil: 10 mM CaCl2) 4.2] amended with two high CaSO4 FGD‐BPs (5 and 15 g#lbkg‐1 soil) and CaCQ3 (2.5 and 5.0 g#lbkg‐1 soil) at varied calcium/magnesium (Ca/Mg) equivalency ratios (0/0, 1/0, 1/0.01, 1/0.05, 1/0.1, and 1/0.5) to determine treatment effects on growth traits [shoot and root dry matter (DM) and total and specific root length (RL)], mineral concentrations in leaves, and soil pH and electrical conductivity [(EC) 1:1, soil:water]. Magnesium deficiency symptoms were induced on leaves of plants grown with and without low Mg, and the Mg to Ca ratio i...
The application of dermatotraction for primary skin closure

Management of an open wound is a problem frequently encountered in the treatment of fractures. Skin grafting, rotational flaps, free flaps, and healing by secondary intention add a considerable amount of morbidity and cost to the patient. Therefore, it is ideal to obtain primary closure when possible. This communication describes a technique that uses spinal needles, using towel clips and the natural stretching ability of the skin to enable primary closure of wounds. The technique described uses dermatotraction to stretch the skin is a cost-effective way to achieve primary closure of large wounds with supplies that are readily available in every operating room.
Controlling formaldehyde emissions with boiler ash.

Fluidized wood ash reduces formaldehyde in air from about 20 to <1 ppmv. Methanol is removed to a much lower extent. The efficiency of formaldehyde reduction increases with increasing moisture content of the ash. Sorption of formaldehyde to ash can be substantially accounted for by partitioning to the water contained in the ash followed by rate-controlling binding to the ash solids. Adsorption occurs at temperatures of up to 165 °C; oxidation predominates thereafter. It is proposed that formaldehyde could be stripped from an air stream in a fluidized bed containing ash, which could then be returned to a boiler to incinerate the formaldehyde.
Letter recognition and visual form discrimination in aphasic alexia.

Abstract The performance of aphasics in matching upper and lower case letters of the alphabet was studied in relation to reading comprehension, aural comprehension and form discrimination. Patients failing letter matching were severely alexic, significantly better in aural comprehension than reading comprehension, and grossly impaired in form discrimination. However, some severely alexic aphasics performed normally in letter matching. Letter matching performance was highly variable among Wernicke and global aphasics. Implications of the findings with regard to “pure letter blindness”, “letter-form blindness” and aphasic alexia are discussed.
Russia’s Struggle for Military Reform: A Breakdown in Conversion Capabilities

This article assesses the recent attempts to reform the Russian military and the future prospects of successful reform. Despite serious social and economic ailments, Russia should still be able to modernize its military; however the key obstacles to reform lie in its leadership’s inability to shape existing resources into military capabilities. First, the article examines the decay in Russia’s manpower, defense budgeting, and defense industrial base. Second, the article surveys the security environment in which Russia must tailor these strategic resources. However, the state of these resources and Russia’s security needs do not justify the capabilities that the Russian military has developed. Therefore, the article identifies Russia’s inability to transform resources into capabilities as the missing link in military reform. Specifically, these poor ‘conversion capabilities’ include dysfunctional civil-military relations, misguided threat assessment and strategy formulation, and opaque doctrine. Finally, t...
An experimental and anaiytical investigation of the large strain compressive and tensile response of glassy polymers

In this investigation, the plastic flow of polycarbonate (PC) was examined by obtaining true stress-strain data over a range of strain rates at room temperature through homogeneous, uniaxial, constant strain rate compression testing to strains as high as 125 percent. Uniaxial compressive loading conditions give rise to a planar molecular orientation process which results in the observed strain hardening in compression. Uniaxial tensile tests on PC were also conducted. The necked region of the tensile specimen is being cold drawn resulting in a uniaxial state of orientation. Therefore, the observed macroscopic strain hardening in uniaxial tension distinctly differs from that obtained In uniaxial compression, giving different stress-strain curves. The major differences experimentally obtained between the large strain response in compression and tension indicate a need for an orientation-based model of the strain hardening process. The experimental program also acts to uncouple the effects of strain softening and strain rate providing more accurate data for future modeling of the true strain softening process. A constitutive law which directly relates the strain hardening response to the state of molecular network stretch in the polymer is used to model and analyze the experiments. The model is found to simulate the observed rate dependent yield and post yield strain softening and hardening of the compressive data over the entire range of strain rates very well. The model is then utilized in a finite element analysis of the tensile tests on PC. Numerical results compared favorably with the experimental data including: load vs, contraction curves, natural draw ratio, and the axial stress-strain response of the cold drawing region.
Microvascular thrombosis, fibrinolysis, ischemic injury, and death after cerebral thromboembolism are affected by levels of circulating α2-antiplasmin.

Objective— Ischemic stroke is primarily attributable to thrombotic vascular occlusion. Elevated α2-antiplasmin (a2AP) levels correlate with increased stroke risk, but whether a2AP contributes to the pathogenesis of stroke is unknown. We examined how a2AP affects thrombosis, ischemic brain injury, and survival after experimental cerebral thromboembolism. Approach and Results— We evaluated the effects of a2AP on stroke outcomes in mice with increased, normal, or no circulating a2AP, as well as in mice given an a2AP-inactivating antibody. Higher a2AP levels were correlated with greater ischemic brain injury ( r s=0.88, P <0.001), brain swelling ( r s=0.82, P <0.001), and reduced middle cerebral artery thrombus dissolution ( r s=−0.93, P <0.001). In contrast, a2AP deficiency enhanced thrombus dissolution, increased cerebral blood flow, reduced brain infarction, and decreased brain swelling. By comparison to tissue plasminogen activator (TPA), a2AP inactivation hours after thromboembolism still reduced brain infarction ( P <0.001) and hemorrhage ( P <0.05). Microvascular thrombosis, a process that enhances brain ischemia, was markedly reduced in a2AP-deficient or a2AP-inactivated mice compared with TPA-treated mice or mice with increased a2AP levels (all P <0.001). Matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, which contributes to acute brain injury, was profoundly decreased in a2AP-deficient or a2AP-inactivated mice versus TPA-treated mice or mice with increased a2AP levels (all P <0.001). a2AP inactivation markedly reduced stroke mortality versus TPA ( P <0.0001). Conclusions— a2AP has profound, dose-related effects on ischemic brain injury, swelling, hemorrhage, and survival after cerebral thromboembolism. By comparison to TPA, the protective effects of a2AP deficiency or inactivation seem to be mediated through reductions in microvascular thrombosis and matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression. # Significance {#article-title-57}
Error concealment via 3-mode tensor approximation

This paper presents a novel video error concealment method, which is essentially a combination of non-local grouping of image patches and low-rank tensor approximation. The proposed method, though does not require the knowledge of Motion Vectors (MVs) as in traditional video concealment techniques such as Boundary Matching Algorithm (BMA) and its derivations, gives striking results in restoration of sequences, especially in the challenging cases when the error rate is high and/or key frames are not available. Our proposed framework can also be customized to deal with single images as well (for example, in image inpainting tasks).
Spatially resolved small-angle x-ray scattering studies of soot inception and growth

The high spectral brilliance of x-rays produced at the Basic Energy Sciences Synchrotron Radiation Center of Argonne's Advanced Photon Source allows us to perform small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) measurements of the distributions of soot particles in flames. SAXS provides an in situ probe of the size and distribution of particles in the region between 1 and 100 nm. Detailed measurements on a propylene/air diffusion flame allow us to extract a spatially dependent background, which occurs in gas-phase combustion systems, and to perform Abel inversions, which provide the radial dependence of the scattering intensity. A bimodal distribution of soot particles is needed to describe our results. The radial behavior of the two modes of this distribution implies that the chemistry and fluid dynamics are strongly coupled in this simple diffusion flame. The larger particles of this distribution correspond to the previously observed primary particles, which have a relatively complex radial dependence. Midway between the fuel source and the widest part of the flame, the primary particles have a mean radius of 6 nm or less and their concentration is symmetrically distributed about the flame front. At the widest part of the flame, two distinct distributions of primary particles are observed. Near the center of the flame, the particles have a mean radius of 10 nm and a polydispersity of 0.3 and beyond a transition region they have a mean radius of 21 nm and a polydispersity of 0.2. The smaller particles, which require additional experiments before they can be identified, correspond to soot nuclei, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon species such as naphthalene, and/or disordered carbons with graphitic basal planes.
PRAGMATIC PROBLEMS WITH CLINICAL EQUIPOISE

It is widely accepted that if one is to follow the ethical tenets of clin- ical equipoise, phase III controlled clinical trials must be designed pragmatically, to measure effectiveness rather than efficacy.This choice of a pragmatic rather than an explanatory approach to phase III clinical trial design has a number of consequences, some of which may be considered problematic.These include changes in what the trial is expected to accomplish,the way treatments are defined,the selection of subjects,the ways in which treatments are compared,and the assessment of the results.One also may end up challenging the real-world expectation that scientific results will be replicated before they are considered valid.This article discusses the connection between clinical equipoise and pragmatic trials,contrasts explanatory with pragmatic trials,points to the differences in the ways in which trial data are analyzed and interpreted, and discusses the power of replication, one of the defining hallmarks of the scientific method. Viewing clinical equipoise through a consequentialist lens reveals a number of prob- lems, many of which are attributable to equipoise's insistence on a pragmatic approach to trial architecture.
Complications of Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (e‐PTFE) Facial Implant

Implantation of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) implant to achieve correction of nasolabial folds or thinning lip has been fraught with complications in spite of patient acceptance since its introduction in 1997. The four most frequent postoperative complications are extrusion, movement, infection, and swelling. In examination of 86 insertions of the 3.2 mm tubular implants, these sequelae are generally manageable for the physician and patient. If the patient understands possible courses of healing, both physician and patient satisfaction may be achieved.
Origin of the Pass Peak Formation and Equivalent Early Eocene Strata, Central Western Wyoming

The Pass Peak Formation is a Tertiary basin-flank deposit exposed throughout much of the Hoback Basin; a depression physiographically distinct from, but structurally continuous with, the northern Green River Basin. Two lithofacies of the Pass Peak Formation are identified. A northern quartzite conglomerate-sandstone facies, possibly as thick as 3200 ft, intertongues southward with a sandstone-siltstone facies 1500 ft thick. This in turn extends southward and intertongues with the Wasatch Formation. Arkosic sandstone and conglomerate intertongues with the Pass Peak on the east. Trends in grain size and sandstone composition, and directional structures indicate that: (1) a sedimentary source to the north supplied quartzite cobbles and associated garnet-bearing sand and (2) an igneous or metamorphic source, or both, to the northeast supplied abundant arkosic debris. Regional geology suggests that the Pinyon Conglomerate to the north was the source for Pass Peak sediments and the Precambrian core of the Wind River Range to the northeast was the source for the arkosic sediments to the east. Uplift in the Mt. Leidy Highlands, the Gros Ventre Mountains, and the Wind River Range during the early Eocene resulted in the deposition of fanglomerate in the northern part of the basin and coarse arkosic alluvial plain sediments in the eastern part. The finer debris from the north was carried southward onto a flood-plain where it mixed with the finer sediments from the east.
IS and MIS: a compromise?

The information manager today is usually educated in a college of business with curriculum requirements guided by the DPMA guidelines for the management information systems, MIS, degree or in a computer science department with curriculum requirements guided by the ACM curriculum for information systems. There is considerable feedback to educators that such people although talented and well trained have enough flat sides in their background to make it necessary to expend considerable resources to make them useful to the organization as a well rounded and well grounded information analyst or manager. The complaint is heard that the MIS types are not technically oriented enough and the IS types are not management oriented enough. The authors undertook a study of the complaints, the suggestions, the current curriculum guidelines and the existing programs. Out of this study emerged a proposal for a degree which blends the current ACM and DPMA guidelines, adds new requirements and suggests different teaching methodologies. The proposal has the potential to address many of the current deficiencies perceived by employers of MIS and IS graduates but it has other problems including acceptance within a traditionally organized and funded university. This paper addresses our solution, its merits, and shortcomings.
Evidence for Highly Cooperative Binding between Molecular Umbrella−Spermine Conjugates and DNA

Double- and tetrawalled molecular umbrella-spermine conjugates (I and II) have been synthesized, and their binding to calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA), poly[d(AT)], and poly[d(GC)] compared with that of a single-walled analogue (III). At moderate salt concentrations (8 mM NaCl), I and II show significantly greater affinity toward each DNA, relative to III; at high salt concentrations (150 mM NaCl), strong binding of I and II (but not III) was maintained toward poly[d(GC)]. Examination of the influence of I-III on the melting behavior of poly[d(AT)] has provided strong evidence that the binding of I and II reflects highly cooperative interactions among DNA-bound conjugates and that the DNA duplex serves as a nucleation site for umbrella aggregation. The implications of these findings for the rational design of novel drug conjugates that operate at the nuclear level, and also novel transfection agents, are briefly discussed.
The political gender gap: gender bias in facial inferences that predict voting behavior.

Background Throughout human history, a disproportionate degree of political power around the world has been held by men. Even in democracies where the opportunity to serve in top political positions is available to any individual elected by the majority of their constituents, most of the highest political offices are occupied by male leaders. What psychological factors underlie this political gender gap? Contrary to the notion that people use deliberate, rational strategies when deciding whom to vote for in major political elections, research indicates that people use shallow decision heuristics, such as impressions of competence solely from a candidate's facial appearance, when deciding whom to vote for. Because gender has previously been shown to affect a number of inferences made from the face, here we investigated the hypothesis that gender of both voter and candidate affects the kinds of facial impressions that predict voting behavior. Methodology/Principal Finding Male and female voters judged a series of male and female political candidates on how competent, dominant, attractive and approachable they seemed based on their facial appearance. Then they saw a series of pairs of political candidates and decided which politician they would vote for in a hypothetical election for President of the United States. Results indicate that both gender of voter and candidate affect the kinds of facial impressions that predict voting behavior. All voters are likely to vote for candidates who appear more competent. However, male candidates that appear more approachable and female candidates who appear more attractive are more likely to win votes. In particular, men are more likely to vote for attractive female candidates whereas women are more likely to vote for approachable male candidates. Conclusions/Significance Here we reveal gender biases in the intuitive heuristics that voters use when deciding whom to vote for in major political elections. Our findings underscore the impact of gender and physical appearance on shaping voter decision-making and provide novel insight into the psychological foundations underlying the political gender gap.
Asclepiadaeum: un poema latino del Perú colonial

The role that Latin played as the language of culture and prestige in the Spanish colonies of America has not been studied in depth. Especially, in the case of the viceroyalty of Peru, the lack of documents has prevented detailed research in this area. In this paper I analyze the importance of Latin in urban areas of Peru´s colonial society based on documents written by Peruvian authors and published in the viceroyalty of Peru up to the beginning of the nineteenth century. Among these, and because of its unique nature, the Asclepiadaeum, a poem in honor of the Viceroy de la Pezuela, who arrived in Lima in 1816, stands out
Distal Radius Fractures in the Elderly: Indications for Operative Management

Distal radius fractures are the most common fracture involving the upper extremity. Despite their frequency, there is a lack of consensus within the orthopedic community regarding indications for operative management of these injuries in the elderly population. An increase in the rate of operative fixation has been cited in the past decade, however, there is no definitive evidence in the literature to support such a trend. Although studies have reported successful functional outcomes with both operative and nonoperative management, the current evidence regarding indications for operative management remains inconclusive due to a lack of large-scale, prospective, randomized trials in the elderly population. Until evidence-based algorithms can be established, treatment decisions must be made based on clinical judgment and risk assessment, while taking into account the functional demands of each patient.
Relative sensitivity of Chironomus tentans life stages to copper

The four larval instars of the midge Chironomus tentans Fabricius were exposed to copper to determine their relative sensitivities. The impact of copper on adult emergence and effect of exposure time on LC50 values were also determined. First-instar larvae appeared to be the most sensitive to acute exposure, with a 96-h LC50 of 298 μg/L copper, followed by second-instar (LC50 = 773 μg/L), third-instar (LC50 = 1,446 μg/L) and fourth-instar (LC50 = 1,690 μg/L) larvae, at a water hardness of 71 to 84 mg/L. Adults emerged successfully from fourth-instar larvae and pupae that survived 20-d copper exposures of up to 235 μg/L; the 20-day EC50 was 77.5 μg/L. Methods for continuous culture of C. tentans in a flow-through rearing facility using Cerophyl, a commercially available powdered grass product, as food and substrate are presented.
Regulatory Commitment to Negotiated Agreements: Evidence from the United States, Germany, The Netherlands, and France

Negotiated Agreements (NAs) are arrangements between firms and regulators in which firms voluntarily agree to reduce their pollution. This article analyzes the institutional features that facilitate or hamper the implementation of NAs. We illustrate the analysis with case studies on the implementation of NAs in the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, and France. We find that NAs are implemented when regulators are able to commit credibly to the objectives of NAs. Institutional environments marked by fragmentation of power and open access in policymaking reduce regulatory credibility and thus hamper the implementation of NAs.
The Effects of Chemical and Heat Maceration Techniques on the Recovery of Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA from Bone

Forensic anthropologists use a number of maceration techniques to facilitate skeletal analysis of personal identity and trauma, but they may unwittingly eliminate valuable DNA evidence in the process. This study evaluated the effect of 10 maceration methods on gross bone structure and the preservation of DNA in ribs of 12 pigs (Sus scrofa). A scoring system was applied to evaluate the ease of maceration and resulting bone quality while DNA purity was quantified by optical densitometry analysis, followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of three mitochondrial and three nuclear loci. The results demonstrated that while mitochondrial DNA could be amplified for all experiments, cleaning treatments using bleach, hydrogen peroxide, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid/papain, room temperature water and detergent/sodium carbonate followed by degreasing had low DNA concentrations and failed to generate nuclear PCR products. In general, treatments performed at high temperatures (90 degrees C or above) for short durations performed best. This study shows that traditionally "conservative" maceration techniques are not necessarily the best methods to yield DNA from skeletal tissue.
Magnetic analysis of the precipitation of iron from beta brass

Abstract Single crystals of beta brass containing 0.07 wt. % iron were annealed at 300°C and 400°C to precipitate the iron. At various stages in the anneals, magnetization curves, hysteresis loops and torque curves were measured. These magnetic data were analysed in terms of the concepts of fine particle ferromagnetism to derive size and shape distributions of the iron precipitate particles and the orientations of their erystallographic and shape symmetry axes. In the superparamagnetic size range average diameters were determined up to 140 A. These particles showed no shape anisotropy, and had the same saturation magnetization and magnetocrystalline anisotropy symmetry as bulk iron. The crystal habit of the particles coincided with that of the beta brass matrix. With further annealing single domain properties appeared, and the particles showed increasing elongation in the 〈100〉 directions as determined by analysis of the torque data. Distributions of shapes and sizes of the single domain particles were calculated from remanent torque data. These calculations were consistent with the conclusions from remanence measurements. The shapes of the hysteresis loops and the spread in annealing time between maximum coercive force and maximum remanence could be simply interpreted on the basis of mixtures of superparamagnetic, single and multidomain particles. When the particles were principally in the multidomain (> 300 A diameter) range, little information about size distributions could be derived, although the data indicated that the particles become progressively elongated in the 〈100〉 directions. Electron micrographs of replicas gave qualitative confirmation of the conclusions from the magnetic analysis.
Increased wear resistance of electrodeposited chromium through applications of plasma source ion implantation techniques

Abstract Three plasma source ion implantation (PSII) processes, using either ammonia (NH 3 ), methane (CH 4 ), or oxygen (O 2 ) gases, are shown to increase the surface hardness and wear resistance of electrodeposited hard chromium. Characterization of the implanted surfaces indicates the formation of hard compounds, namely polycrystalline chromium-nitride (CrN), chromium-carbide (Cr 3 C 2 ), and chromium-oxide (Cr 2 O 3 ). For wear resistant applications of hard Cr coatings, PSII processes could extend the wear lifetime of coated components. By extending the lifetime and thus reducing the need for re-coating, PSII processes could also reduce the amounts of carcinogenic Cr +6 released into the environment.
Second Law assessment of binary plants generating power from low-temperature geothermal fluids

Binary-type energy conversion systems are typically used to exploit low-temperature geothermal resources. There are many different technical variations of binary plants, including those known as Organic Rankine Cycles (ORC) and proprietary systems known as Kalina cycles. Recent articles in the technical literature claim dramatic efficiency advantages for Kalina cycles over ORCs, thereby providing the motivation for this study. Claims of remarkable superiority for one type of technology relative to another ought to be verifiable by recourse to actual performance data. Since there is now an actual Kalina cycle in operation, it ought to be possible to make a comparison between it and ORC plants that have been in operation for some time. Comparisons between power plants must use an appropriate and consistent thermodynamic basis. It has been shown that the Second Law of thermodynamics is the best basis for such comparisons. This principle, employing the concept of exergy, is used here to shed light on these claims. Furthermore, we introduce a methodology to render the comparison of plant efficiencies on common input and environmental conditions, even though the plants being compared operate with somewhat different fluid inlet and ambient temperatures.
Developmentally distinct effects on human ε-, γ- and δ-globin levels caused by the absence or altered position of the human β-globin gene in YAC transgenic mice

The human β-globin locus has been an important model system in the study of developmentally regulated transcription in multigene chromosomal domains. In this study, primer extension and sensitive real-time RT–PCR assays were used to quantify the effects of β-globin sequence modifications on e-, γ -a nd δ-globin levels in transgenic mice. E11.5 primitive erythroid cells showed a surprisingly large increase in e-globin in the absence of the β-globin gene (β – locus), which is weakly expressed at that stage of development. E17.5 fetal liver and adult erythroid cells, in which β-globin expression approaches its maximum, showed an unexpectedly small, statistically insignificant stimulation of γ -a ndδ-globin levels in the absence of β-globin sequence. Analysis of erythroid colonies produced by in vitro differentiation of embryonic stem cells indicated that the absence of the human β-globin gene had no effect on γ-globin expression. These results suggest that competitive influences need not be linked directly to transcription level or distance from the locus control region (LCR), and that the large increases in γ-globin levels seen in some human deletional β-thalassemias and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin conditions are most likely to be due to effects other than loss of β-globin competition. In transgenic mice with β-globin sequences inserted between e and the LCR in a β - locus (β up ), the expression of e-, γ -a ndδ-globins suggested that stage-specific sensitivity to loss of LCR activity may be a more important parameter than position relative to the LCR. The relationship of these measurements of transgenic globin expression to a possible binary model of globin LCR action and to mimicry from red blood cell loss due to transgenic globin imbalances are discussed.
The impact of employee learning on staff motivation in Greek small firms: the employees' perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to try to understand the main motivational forces, from the employees' point of view, that direct staff behavior in small firms within a country that suffers from a severe financial crisis. The study will identify the main factors affecting staff motivation at a period where the financial rewards are kept to the minimum, with the purpose of helping small firm owners create working environments that stimulate employee performance.Design/methodology/approach – In order to explore the impact of various contextual variables on staff motivation, 65 structured personal interviews were conducted with employees working in Greek small firms that showed an interest to participate in the study. The empirical work took place in Greece during September‐December 2011 and the respondents consisted of workers employed in 20 small firms (i.e. firms employing from 5 to 50 workers) of the Greek services sector, as well as the manufacturing industry. The interview questions looked at va...
Pulmonary atresia with intact atrial and ventricular septums, unroofed coronary sinus, and absent aortocoronary arterial connections

A stillborn fetus with pulmonary valvar atresia and intact atrial and ventricular septums also had absence of coronary arterial connections from the aorta and an unroofed coronary sinus. A left superior caval vein drained to the dilated coronary sinus. The left coronary artery was anomalously connected to the proximal branch of the right pulmonary artery, and a fistula from the right ventricle supplied the right coronary artery.
Cooperation between snail and LEF-1 transcription factors is essential for TGF-beta1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) has been shown to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during various stages of embryogenesis and progressive disease. This alteration in cellular morphology is typically characterized by changes in cell polarity and loss of adhesion proteins such as E-cadherin. Here we demonstrate that EMT is associated with loss of claudin-1, claudin-2, occludin, and E-cadherin expression within 72 h of exposure to TGF-β1 in MDCKII cells. It has been suggested that this expression loss occurs through TGF-β1 in a Smad-independent mechanism, involving MEK and PI3K pathways, which have previously been shown to induce expression of the Snail (SNAI-1) gene. Here we show that these pathways are responsible for loss of tight junctions and a partial loss of E-cadherin. However, our results also demonstrate that a complete loss of E-cadherin and transformation to the mesenchymal phenotype are dependent on Smad signaling, which subsequently stimulates formation of β-catenin/LEF-1 complexes that induce EMT.
MO-GART: Multiobjective genetic ART architectures

In this work we present, for the first time, the evolution of ART Neural Network architectures (classifiers) using a multiobjective optimization approach. In particular, we propose the use of a multiobjective evolutionary approach to evolve simultaneously the weights, as well as the topology of three well-known ART architectures; Fuzzy ARTMAP (FAM), Ellipsoidal ARTMAP (EAM) and Gaussian ARTMAP (GAM). We refer to the resulting architectures as MO-GFAM, MOGEAM, or MO-GGAM, and collectively as MO-GART. The major advantage of MO-GART is that it produces a number of solutions for the classification problem at hand that have different levels of merit (accuracy on unseen data (generalization) and size (number of categories created)). MO-GART is shown to be more elegant (does not require user intervention to define the network parameters), more effective (of better accuracy and smaller size), and more efficient (faster to produce the solution networks) than other ART neural network architectures that have appeared in the literature.
Melatonin: An option for managing sleep disorders in children with autism spectrum disorder

Sleep disorders arise from a variety of causes and are thought to affect 20–30% of typically developing (i.e., non-special-needs) children.[1][1] This frequency increases to up to 80% in children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD).[1][1]–[3][2] A broad 2006
A new approach to the dynamic maintenance of maximal points in a plane

A pointpi=(xi, yi) in thex---y plane ismaximal if there is no pointpj=(xj, yj) such thatxj>xi andyj>yi. We present a simple data structure, a dynamic contour search tree, which contains all the points in the plane and maintains an embedded linked list of maximal points so thatm maximal points are accessible inO(m) time. Our data structure dynamically maintains the set of points so that insertions takeO(logn) time, a speedup ofO(logn) over previous results, and deletions takeO((logn)2) time.