cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Collusion and heterogeneity of firms

We examine the impact of heterogeneous discounting on collusion in dynamic Bertrand competition. We show exactly when collusion can be sustained and how collusion would be organized efficiently with heterogeneous discounting. First, we show that collusion is possible if and only if the average discount factor exceeds a certain threshold, with or without capacity constraints. Next, we identify a dynamic pattern of market share that characterizes efficient collusion and obtain the unique long-run prediction despite the presence of multiple equilibria. In the long run, the most patient firm and the most impatient firm tend to dominate the market.
Renal and systemic effects of urodilatin in rats with high-output heart failure.

Urodilatin is a recently discovered natriuretic peptide [ANP-(95-126)] of renal origin, with a primary structure similar to ANP-(99-126). However, urodilatin is not biologically inactivated by renal endopeptidase, and it is a more potent natriuretic agent than ANP-(99-126). The present study was carried out to investigate the renal and systemic effects of urodilatin in rats before and after the induction of congestive heart failure (CHF) by creation of an aortocaval fistula (ACF). Administration of urodilatin in incremental doses (0.75-12 micrograms.kg-1.h-1) to Inactin-anesthetized sham-operated control rats resulted in dose-dependent increases in urine flow, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), excretion of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), sodium, and potassium, and a significant decrease in mean arterial blood pressure. In rats with ACF the baseline values for GFR and sodium excretion were significantly lower than in control rats. Urodilatin infusion in rats with ACF led to significant increases in urine flow and sodium excretion, but the absolute levels of diuresis and natriuresis were significantly lower in rats with CHF than in normal rats. When urodilatin was infused into rats with ACF pretreated with neutral endopeptidase inhibitor (NEP-I; SQ-28,063 at a dose of 40 mg/kg iv), the absolute urine flow and sodium excretion were not different from that obtained in control rats. Thus the attenuated natriuretic and diuretic response to ANP-(99-126) in heart failure was not observed with urodilatin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Motor System II: Basal Ganglia

The caudate and putamen have the same structure (Table 12.1) and are continuous anteriorly. The globus pallidus has two sectors: a medial or inner and a lateral or outer. The substantia nigra has two components: a ventral pars reticularis which is identical in structure and function to the medial sector of the globus pallidus and a dorsal darkly staining component the pars compacta which contains large dopamine and melanin containing neurons. The nuclei of the basal ganglia may be categorized as (1) input nuclei (caudate, putamen, and accumbens), (2) intrinsic nuclei (lateral segment of the globus pallidus, subthalamic nucleus, pars compacta of the substantia nigra, and the ventral tegmental area) and (3) output nuclei (medial segment of the globus pallidus, pars reticularis of the substantia nigra, and the ventral pallium). The consideration of the chemical and pharmacological anatomy of transmitters and circuits within the system will provide an understanding of function and dysfunction within this system.
A new circuit design framework for IoT devices: Charge-recycling with wireless power harvesting

Limited energy is a significant challenge for IoT devices since frequent battery replacement is not feasible. Various energy harvesting techniques have been previously proposed to alleviate this challenge. A new circuit design technique is developed in this paper to significantly enhance the power efficiency of existing wireless energy harvesting methods. Contrary to the traditional approach, the rectification and regulation blocks are eliminated and the harvested signal is directly used to power the IoT device by leveraging charge-recycling circuit theory. In addition to higher energy-efficiency, the proposed approach also reduces the form factor and therefore lowers the cost of an IoT device. The methodology is evaluated using a 45 nm CMOS technology, demonstrating approximately five times reduction in power consumption compared to the traditional approach.
Corpus linguistics: Introduction: goals and methods of the corpus-based approach

Studying language: structure and use Studies of language can be divided into two main areas: studies of structure and studies of use. Traditionally, linguistic analyses have emphasized structure – identifying the structural units and classes of a language (e.g., morphemes, words, phrases, grammatical classes) and describing how smaller units can be combined to form larger grammatical units (e.g., how words can be combined to form phrases, phrases can be combined to form clauses, etc.). A different perspective – which is the focus of this book – is to emphasize language use. From this perspective, we can investigate how speakers and writers exploit the resources of their language. Rather than looking at what is theoretically possible in a language, we study the actual language used in naturally occurring texts. Many studies of language use focus on a particular linguistic structure, investigating the ways in which seemingly similar structures occur in different contexts and serve different functions. For example, in English that -verb-complement clauses and to -verb-complement clauses are similar in their structural characteristics and can be similar in meaning, as in sentences such as: (1) I hope that I can go. (2) I hope to go. In addition, that -clauses can occur with the that omitted: (3) I hope I can go. A structural analysis would describe the grammatical similarities and differences among these three sentences. All three options are equally grammatical ways to complete the meaning of the verb. However, an analysis of language use goes beyond traditional grammatical description to ask why the language should have multiple structures that are so similar in their meaning and grammatical function.
Sustained Improvement in Administration of the Hepatitis B Vaccine Birth Dose: A Quality Improvement Initiative

The New York State Department of Health recommends the administration of the hepatitis B vaccine birth dose within 12 hours of life (HOL) for all full-term babies irrespective of maternal hepatitis B status. The primary and secondary aims of the project were to improve the timeliness of vaccine administration and increase the total number of infants vaccinated prior to discharge. Multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were performed. Statistical process charts of percentages of vaccination within 12 HOL and prior to discharge were constructed with 3-σ (data within 3 standard deviations from a mean) control limits. These control limits were adjusted after achieving significant improvements in performance over time. Administration within 12 HOL improved from 13% to ≥65% within 6 months, and has been sustained for >1 year. Vaccine administration prior to discharge increased from 94% to 98%. Quality improvement methods can rapidly improve adherence to newborn vaccine recommendations and these effects are sustainable.
Similarity Computation Exploiting the Semantic and Syntactic Inherent Structure Among Job Titles.

Solutions providing hiring analytics involve mapping company provided job descriptions to a standard job framework, thereby requiring computation of a similarity score between two jobs. Most systems doing so apply document similarity computation methods to all pairs of provided job descriptions. This approach can be computationally expensive and adversely impacted by the quality of the job descriptions which often include information not relevant to the job or candidate qualifications. We propose a method to narrow down pairs of job descriptions to be compared by comparing job titles first. The observation that each job title can be decomposed into three components, domain, function and attribute, forms the basis of our method. Our proposal focuses on training the machine learning models to identify these three components of any given job title. Next we do a semantic match between the three identified components, and use those match scores to create a composite similarity score between any two pair of job titles. The elegance of this solution lies in the fact that job titles are the most concise definition of the job and the resulting matches can easily be verified by human experts. Our results show that the approach provides extremely reliable results.
The Monsanto Papers: Poisoning the scientific well

Objective Examination of de-classified Monsanto documents from litigation in order to expose the impact of the company's efforts to influence the reporting of scientific studies related to the safety of the herbicide, glyphosate. Methods A set of 141 recently de-classified documents, made public during the course of pending toxic tort litigation, In Re Roundup Products Liability Litigation were examined. Results The documents reveal Monsanto-sponsored ghostwriting of articles published in toxicology journals and the lay media, interference in the peer review process, behind-the-scenes influence on retraction and the creation of a so-called academic website as a front for the defense of Monsanto products. Conclusion The use of third-party academics in the corporate defense of glyhphosate reveals that this practice extends beyond the corruption of medicine and persists in spite of efforts to enforce transparency in industry manipulation.
Saviors of God

In the final chapter in Part III of showing Kazantzakis’s understanding of the nature of God as revealed in his major novels and writings, Gill shows how it is in the unique work Saviors of God that his radical interpretation of the “Shape of Divinity” comes into clearer focus. Gill highlights the key themes being: God’s need of human commitment and sacrifice to perfect the reality of the cosmos, together with the open-ended, on-going character of the human struggle. Gill makes special use of Darren Middleton’s book God’s Struggler to further illustrate Kazantzakis’s radical understanding of divine nature.
Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone: GnRH-1 System

The article discusses three gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) cell groups. GnRH-1 cells originate outside the CNS and migrate into the brain during prenatal development. Once within brain, GnRH-1 cells become components of the CNS–pituitary–gonadal axis, essential for reproduction. To date, the migration of GnRH-1 cells is the best-characterized example of neurophilic migration, with the cells using olfactory-derived axons as their pathway. GnRH-2 is the most conserved of the three peptides. However, its function remains unclear. GnRH-2 cells, when present, are consistently found in midbrain. GnRH-3 cells are primarily found in rostral areas in fish. Fish express GnRH-2 and can either express (1) GnRH-1 and GnRH-3 or (2) only GnRH-3. If GnRH-1 is not expressed, GnRH-3 regulates reproduction.
NATURAL KILLER (NK) CELL ACTIVITY AGAINST EXTRACELLULAR FORMS OF TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI

Publisher Summary This chapter explores natural killer (NK) cell activity against extracellular forms of Trypanosoma Cruzi (T. cruzi). The experiments described in the chapter were done using either C57B1/6 or C3H(He) Dub (highly susceptible) female mice (8–12 weeks of age). Spleen or peritoneal exudate cells) were collected from normal mice or mice infected for 2 days with T. cruzi (i.p.; Brazil strain) or stimulated 18–24 hours previously with poly I:C (100 μg in PBS, i.p.) to augment NK cell activity. Blood-form trypomastigotes (BFT) were obtained from the blood of infected mice; culture-form epimastigotes were obtained from axenic LIT culture medium inoculated 2–3 weeks previously with BFT. Fibroblast-derived trypomastigotes (FDT) were obtained from C3H embryo fibroblast cultures infected in vitro with BFT 5–7 days after infection was initiated. The results indicate that augmented NK cell activity develops against extracellular forms of T. cruzi in vitro. The addition of specific antibodies to the assay medium further increases the anti-T. cruzi activity of augmented NK cell populations.
Seismic Retrofit and Historic Preservation of a San Francisco Banking Temple

Constructed in 1892 with a seamless addition completed in 1904, the Hibernia Bank Building is an unreinforced brick and granite masonry San Francisco banking temple. After being abandoned for over a decade, in 2010 a new owner sought to renovate the building to once again allow occupancy, but this time for assembly use. Seismic improvements supplemented the inherent strengths of the historic masonry, especially the structural mechanism of rocking that allowed the unreinforced masonry building to survive the 1906 earthquake relatively unscathed. Limited concrete shear walls were added as part of the retrofit, but placed discretely and surgically in the structure, located away from historic finishes which have survived remarkably intact despite decades of neglect. This paper will discuss the three-dimensional computer model that was used to validate the seismic retrofit scheme, including the use of nonlinear rocking piers, as well as the design of the concrete diaphragm strengthening using externally bonded and near-surface mounted Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs).
Wannacry, Ransomware, and the Emerging Threat to Corporations

The WannaCry ransomware attack began on May 12, 2017, and is unprecedented in scale—quickly impacting nearly a quarter-million computers in over 150 countries. The WannaCry virus exploits a vulnerability to Microsoft Windows that was originally developed by the U.S. National Security Agency and operates by encrypting a victim’s data and demanding payment of a ransom in exchange for data recovery. Security experts have indicated that a North Korea-linked group of hackers—who have also been implicated in cyberattacks against Sony Pictures in 2014, the Bangladeshi Central Bank in 2016, and Polish banks in February 2017—is behind the attack. Ransomware threatens institutions worldwide, but the risks for businesses are all the starker—potentially catastrophic. This article provides corporate executives with much of what they need to know about the evolving threats of malware and ransomware like Cryptolocker, Kelihos Botnet, Locky, Nymain, Petya, NotPetya, and WannaCry. First, we provide a brief definition and history of ransomware. Second, we look at the history of hospitals as ransomware targets. Third, we offer a description of the WannaCry virus, what is known about its development, method of action, and those who are believed to have deployed it; in this section, we also discuss methods to defend against this particular virus. Fourth, we discuss the Petya and NotPetya attacks. Fifth, is a discussion of municipal ransomware attacks. Sixth, we review the myriad and unique risks that ransomware poses for corporations—including expected refinements of the technique, such as to effect corporate sabotage. Seventh, we discuss the duties and responsibilities of corporate directors and the Ormerod-Trautman data security economic model. Eighth and finally, we review the current cybersecurity legal landscape with a particular focus on corporate best practices and how business executives protect themselves against cybersecurity-related liability. We believe this Article contributes to the sparse existing literature about ransomware and related cyber threats posed to corporate boards and management.
Case 68: A Case of Severe Laryngospasm

A 4-year-old girl (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I [ASA 1], 20 kg) is scheduled for elective tonsillectomy. She is otherwise healthy. There is no family history of anesthetic mishaps or concerns. Four weeks before, she had an upper respiratory tract infection.
Mars On-Site Shared Analytics Information and Computing

We study the use of distributed computation in a representative multi-robot planetary exploration mission. We model a network of small rovers with access to computing resources from a static base station based on current design efforts and extrapolation from the Mars 2020 rover autonomy. The key algorithmic problem is simultaneous scheduling of computation, communication, and caching of data, as informed by an autonomous mission planner. We consider scheduling of a dependency chain of required and optional (but rewarding) tasks and present a consensus-backed scheduler for sharedworld, distributed scheduling based on an Integer Linear Program. We validate the pipeline with simulation and field results. Our results are intended to provide a baseline comparison and motivating application domain for future research into network-aware decentralized scheduling and resource allocation.
Human Activity and Posture Classification Using Wearable Accelerometer Data

This paper presents an analysis of several machine learning classification models and their effectiveness in classifying human activity and posture using data gathered from wearable accelerometers. This analysis was done with a publicly available dataset comprising 1656,633 samples organized into five activity classes, provided by researchers at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio De Janeiro. In particular, this study focuses on the efficacy of Logistic Regression Classification, Stochastic Gradient Descent Classification, Random Forest Classification, Support Vector Machines and Artificial Neural Networks.
Reductive Arylation of Arylidene Malonates Using Photoredox Catalysis

A strategy with arylidene malonates provides access to β-umpolung single-electron species. Reported here is the utilization of these operators in intermolecular radical–radical arylations, while av...
Feasibility of Breast-Conservation Therapy and Hypofractionated Radiation in the Setting of Prior Breast Augmentation

Abstract Purpose Cosmetic outcomes and rate of implant loss are poorly characterized among patients with breast cancer with previous breast augmentation (BA) who undergo breast-conservation therapy (BCT). Here we determine capsular contracture and implant loss frequency after BCT among patients receiving contemporary whole-breast radiation therapy (RT). Methods and Materials Patients with breast cancer with a history of BA presenting to our institution from January 2006 to January 2017 who elected for BCT were included. Seventy-one breast cancers in 70 patients with a history of BA electing for BCT were retrospectively identified. Clinicopathologic, treatment, and outcome variables were examined. Whole-breast RT included conventional and hypofractionated schedules with and without a boost. Rates of implant loss and cosmetic outcomes among patients who did and did not develop a new/worse contracture based on physician assessment were compared. Results In the study, 54.9% of patients received radiation using hypofractionated whole-breast tangents; 81.7% received a boost. In addition, 18 out of 71 cases (25.4%) developed a new/worse contracture after BCT with a mean follow-up of 1.9 years. Furthermore, 9 out of 71 cases (12.7%) were referred to a plastic surgeon for revisional surgery. There were no implant-loss cases. On univariate analysis, implant location, time from implant placement to diagnosis, RT type, RT boost, body mass index, and tumor size were not associated with new/worse contracture. Of 12 patients with existing contracture, only 2 developed worsening contracture. Physician assessment of cosmetic outcome after BCT was noted to be excellent or good for 87.4% of patients. Conclusions BCT for breast cancer patients with prior history of BA has a low risk of implant loss. Hypofractionated RT does not adversely affect implant outcomes. Patients should be counseled regarding risk for capsular contracture, but the majority have good/excellent outcome; BA does not represent a contraindication to BCT.
STATIC AND TIME-RESOLVED STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF THE Ca2+-ATPase OF ISOLATED SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM

Publisher Summary The X-ray and neutron diffraction studies of oriented multi-layers of isolated light sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) have provided the separate profile structures of the lipid bilayer and the Ca2+-ATPase molecule within the membrane profile to ∼ 10A resolution. These studies utilized biosynthetically deuterated SR phospholipids incorporated isomorphously into the isolated SR membranes via exchange proteins. The nature of the time-resolved X-ray diffraction studies of the SR membrane can be summarized briefly as follows: the Ca2+- transport process is initiated essentially synchronously throughout the ensemble of Ca2+-ATPase molecules within an oriented multilayer of isolated SR membranes via the flash-photolysis of caged-adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The time-scale of the effective synchronization of the ensemble depends initially upon the duration of the UV light flash required to produce a sufficient quantity of ATP in the multilayer to sustain several turnovers of the Ca2+-ATPase molecules and is ultimately limited to the millisecond time-scale due to the kinetics of the dark-reactions of the photolysis process.
Algebra Students Build Stock/Flow Models to Study Non-linear, Dynamic Feedback System Problems

Analysing personal, local, national, and global non-linear, dynamic feedback systems is central to addressing many current complex problems. The author worked with a relatively broad ability cross-section of secondary mathematics students in both algebra classes and in year-long modelling classes for 20 years in which students built system dynamics (stock/flow) models to study these complex problems, albeit at an introductory level. This chapter provides an example of one such algebra lesson, the Malthus Problem partial modelling sequence, identification of the software used by the students, and questions posed to students.
Shape Synthesis of Multi-mode Dielectric Resonator Antennas Using Characteristic Modes

This paper demonstrates a shape synthesis technique for multi-mode dielectric resonator antennas using binary genetic algorithm and characteristic mode analysis. The cost function for the synthesis process is defined from characteristic modal parameters, such as modal quality factors and self-resonance frequencies. Since only modal parameters are involved in the cost function, the shape synthesis process is made independent of feeds. In the paper, we demonstrate the shape synthesis of a DRA with three self-resonant modes at 3 GHz.
Cytokine profiles and Lactobacillus species presence in pre-menopausal subjects with genital Mycoplasma genitalium or Ureaplasma urealyticum colonization.

Background and Purpose:Lactobacilli play a vital role in protecting the vagina against pathogens. Cytokines are vital components of defense against infections in women. The genital mycoplasmas, Myc...
A biomechanical paradox in fish: swimming and suction feeding produce orthogonal strain gradients in the axial musculature

The axial musculature of fishes has historically been characterized as the powerhouse for explosive swimming behaviors. However, recent studies show that some fish also use their ‘swimming’ muscles to generate over 90% of the power for suction feeding. Can the axial musculature achieve high power output for these two mechanically distinct behaviors? Muscle power output is enhanced when all of the fibers within a muscle shorten at optimal velocity. Yet, axial locomotion produces a mediolateral gradient of muscle strain that should force some fibers to shorten too slowly and others too fast. This mechanical problem prompted research into the gearing of fish axial muscle and led to the discovery of helical fiber orientations that homogenize fiber velocities during swimming, but does such a strain gradient also exist and pose a problem for suction feeding? We measured muscle strain in bluegill sunfish, Lepomis macrochirus, and found that suction feeding produces a gradient of longitudinal strain that, unlike the mediolateral gradient for locomotion, occurs along the dorsoventral axis. A dorsoventral strain gradient within a muscle with fiber architecture shown to counteract a mediolateral gradient suggests that bluegill sunfish should not be able to generate high power outputs from the axial muscle during suction feeding—yet prior work shows that they do, up to 438 W kg−1. Solving this biomechanical paradox may be critical to understanding how many fishes have co-opted ‘swimming’ muscles into a suction feeding powerhouse.
Bis(2,4-dioxo­pentan-3-ido-κ2O,O′)dioxidomolyb­denum(VI): a redetermination

The title compound, [Mo(C5H7O2)2O2] or cis-[MoO2(acac)2] (acac is acetyl­acetonate), contains a molybdenum(VI) atom coordinated by two acetyl­acetonate ligands and two doubly bonded oxido ligands in a distorted octa­hedral shape. The mol­ecule is chiral and the asymmetric unit contains two independent mol­ecules (one Δ, one Λ). Extensive C—H⋯O contacts are present throughout the structure. Data were collected at 100 K, providing higher precision of unit-cell parameters and atomic positions than previous determinations [Kamenar et al. (1973). Cryst. Struct. Commun. 2, 41–44.; Krasochka et al. (1975). Zh. Strukt. Khim. 16, 696–698].
Radiation resistance of spores of some Clostridium perfringens strains.

Clostridium perfringens spores (eight strains) were irradiated in a model system with 60Co gamma rays at -30 C. The quantal response data were analyzed with extreme value statistics. It was found (at the 95% confidence level) that all eight strains followed the same rate of death and that this rate was probably (at the 95% level) not exponential. The statistics did not exclude, however, a normal, lognormal, Weibull, or related rate of spore kill. A more definitive study would be required to distinguish between the latter distributions.
Nix the BRICs—At Least for the Higher Education Debate

Comparing the BRIC countries—Brazil, Russia, India, and China—in terms of higher education does not make good sense. The only thing in common is that they are large academic systems. However, they quite different in terms of history, economic realities, patterns of coordination and governance, and other factors. This article argues that it is not useful to place the BRIC countries in any kind of common framework for comparison.
Formation of VNH and MgVNH in p-type GaN(Mg,H)

Abstract The reactions V N + 1 + H + → ( V N H ) + 2 and ( MgV N ) 0 + H + → ( MgV N H ) + 1 in GaN were investigated using density-functional theory. Estimates of the reaction rates indicate that ( V N H ) + 2 and ( MgV N H ) + 1 will form rapidly above 400 ∘ C , and modeling predicts that their populations will be substantial at elevated temperatures. These results indicate that compensation by V N is important in p-type GaN and that H suppression of V N formation is less effective than previously suggested.
Bird Song Learning as an Adaptive Strategy

Parallels are often drawn between bird song learning and human language learning. The analogies include an early sensitive period for learning, separation of sensory and motor phases of learning, 'innate knowledge' of language or song, and specialized neural systems. Nevertheless, in distinction to human language learning, song learning is usually viewed as a purely auditory process. This view is implied in the typical experimental paradigm for studying song learning, in which the bird is isolated in a sound-proof chamber and exposed only to tape-recorded song. This paradigm remains the major method of studying song learning despite recent demonstrations of the importance of social variables, and it contains the implicit assumption that non-auditory variables, especially social and ecological variables, play only a minor role in this process. I will argue here that understanding the functions of song learning requires that we investigate it in the field, where social and ecological variables have full play. We have done just this for the song sparrow, and when viewed in this perspective song learning in the song sparrow takes on the clear outlines of an adaptive strategy.
(1S,7S)‐2‐(Phenylsulfonyl)‐8‐oxabicyclo[5.1.0]oct‐2‐ene

[195604-55-8] C13H14O3S (MW 250.31) InChI = 1S/C13H14O3S/c14-17(15,10-6-2-1-3-7-10)12-9-5-4-8-11-13(12)16-11/h1-3,6-7,9,11,13H,4-5,8H2 InChIKey = XCSYOXSQTQNAQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (−)(enantiomer) [474094-59-2] InChI = 1S/C13H14O3S/c14-17(15,10-6-2-1-3-7-10)12-9-5-4-8-11-13(12)16-11/h1-3,6-7,9,11,13H,4-5,8H2 InChIKey = XCSYOXSQTQNAQZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N ( + )-(S,S)(enantiomer) [0] InChI = 1/C13H14O3S/c14-17(15,10-6-2-1-3-7-10)12-9-5-4-8-11-13(12)16-11/h1-3,6-7,9,11,13H,4-5,8H2/t11-,13-/m0/s1 InChIKey = XCSYOXSQTQNAQZ-AAEUAGOBBM ( + )-(R,R)(enantiomer) [150130-51-1] InChI = 1S/C13H14O3S/c14-17(15,10-6-2-1-3-7-10)12-9-5-4-8-11-13(12)16-11/h1-3,6-7,9,11,13H,4-5,8H2/t11-,13-/m1/s1 InChIKey = XCSYOXSQTQNAQZ-DGCLKSJQSA-N (racemic) (used as a scaffold for asymmetric synthesis of complex molecules) Alternate Name: 8-oxabicyclo[5.1.0]oct-2-ene, (2-phenyl sulfonyl)-, (1S,7S)-. Physical Data: mp 84.0–85.0 °C. Solubility: soluble in most common organic solvents (THF, Et2O, benzene, CH2Cl2, etc.); insoluble in water. Form Supplied in: white or off-white crystalline solid; commercially available through Aldrich Chemical Co.; typical impurity in <3% is diene precursor. Analysis of Reagent Purity: characterized by 1H, 13C NMR; ee and purity determined by Chiral HPLC using ChiralPaq AD 4.6 × 50 mm2 column eluting with 10% 2-propanol/hexane, flow rate 1.0 mL/min, (S,S) product retention time 8.1 min, and (R,R) enantiomer retention time 5.3 min. [α]25D = + 68, c = 18.5 mg/mL. Preparative Methods: prepared in 80–90% yield from 2-Benzenesulfonylcyclohepta-1,3-diene via a modified asymmetric Jacobsen epoxidation using the (R,R)-Mn-Salen complex [(R,R)-( + )-N,N′- bis(3,5-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediaminomanganese(III) chloride].1 Purification: readily recrystallized from MeOH; can also be purified via silica gel column chromatography. Handling, Storage, and Precautions: air and water stable and can be stored indefinitely under nitrogen at 0 °C. No special handling is required. May be harmful in case of inhalation, ingestion, or skin absorption, and can cause eye and skin irritation. Should be used in a well-ventilated hood and contact with eyes or skin should be avoided.
Pentachlorophenol-induced change of ζ-potential and gel-to-fluid transition temperature in model lecithin membranes

Abstract We have determined ζ-potentials for dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) membranes by measuring the electrophoretic mobility of multilayered vesicles and the temperatures of the gel-to-ripple-to-fluid phase transitions of sonicated vesicles by a photometric method. Some conclusions are: (1) The ζ-potentials of DMPC and DPPC vesicles become negative due to adsorption of ionized pentachlorophenol (PCP), (2) their magnitude changes, step-like, on gel-to-fluid transition and (3) the temperature of the step-like change in ζ-potential decreases with an increase in PCP concentration. (4) PCP exhibits a large effect on membrane structure: It induces an isothermal phase change from the ordered to disordered state, which is enhanced by monovalent salt in the aqueous phase. (5) Both ionized and unionized PCP decrease the melting phase transition temperature and abolish the pretransition, (6) the unionized species increases the melting transition width and (7) the ionized species is more potent in abolishing the pretransition. (8) The shorter chain lipid (DMPC) is more sensitive to the presence of PCP; the maximum decrease in ΔTt is 13 K (DMPC) and 7 K (DPPC) in the presence of ionized PCP. We have shown experimentally, by comparing the ΔTt from photometric studies with the density of adsorbed PCP derived from ζ-potential isotherms, that (9) the shift of the melting phase transition temperature increases linearly with the density of adsorbed PCP. (10) In contrast to membranes made of negatively charged lipids, the transition temperature of DMPC and DPPC membranes in the presence of PCP further decreases in the presence of monovalent salt. The salt effect is due to screening of the membrane surface leading to enhanced adsorption of ionized PCP and a depression in transition temperature. (11) It is shown that both the adsorption and the changes of gel-to-fluid phase transition temperature can be described in terms of the Langmuir-Stern-Grahame model and (12) proposed that future studies of membrane toxicity of PCP should be focused on its pH dependence.
Hearing loss with stapedotomy in otitis media.

Abstract Objective Stapes fixation is often found in patients with either active or inactive otitis media (OM). Stapedotomy is generally not performed in ears with OM because of the potential risk of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). Recent studies have demonstrated that the inner ear may be fenestrated in the presence of OM without significantly increased risk of SNHL. The goal of this study was to determine if stapedotomy in the presence of OM significantly increases the incidence of postoperative SNHL. Methods Streptococcus pneumoniae or Pseudomonas aeruginosa was injected bilaterally into the middle ears of guinea pigs (n = 18 and 16, respectively). A control group (n = 14) was injected with saline solution. Two days postinjection, a unilateral stapedotomy was performed. Auditory thresholds were evaluated by electrocochleography before and after stapedotomy. Results Bacterial OM was induced in all ears injected with pneumococci and pseudomonas . Auditory thresholds increased in all ears treated with stapedotomy. Stapedotomy performed in the presence of pseudomonas OM resulted in significantly greater SNHL than in control or pneumococcal ears ( P = 0.0055). Hearing thresholds were not significantly different between pneumococcal OM and control ears treated with stapedotomy. Conclusion Stapedotomy in the presence of pseudomonas OM, but not pneumococcal OM, significantly increases the risk of SNHL in the guinea pig model. Significance Stapedotomy should be avoided in patients with active OM, particularly in the presence of pseudomonas .
Interactions of Pb(II)/Pb(IV) solid phases with chlorine and their effects on lead release.

This study examined changes of colloidal properties and lead release from representative solid phases of lead (IV) (PbO2) and lead (II) (hydrocerussite, cerussite) and during the oxidation of the lead (II) solids by chlorine. Chlorine is determined to cause the ζ-potential of lead (II) solids to undergo significant changes apparently associated with the generation of Pb(III) intermediates that are formed before the PbO2 phase becomes abundant enough to be morphologically distinct. Simultaneously with the changes of the ζ-potential, a pronounced decrease of lead release from hydrocerussite takes place. In contrast with that, lead release from cerussite undergoes a transient increase during the oxidation of that solid by chlorine. The existence of differences in processes governing lead release from these Pb(II) solids is supported by SEM data showing different patterns of morphological changes of the cerussite and hydrocerussite crystal surfaces.
Online and instructor-led technical training: a charge-back model that works!

For the last six years, the Division of Information Technology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison has provided workforce technical training using a 100% charge-back model. During this time, there has been a four-fold increase in customer-initiated and funded contracts despite declining state budgets. It has enabled us to serve our campus community with high quality services on demand. The charge-back model is well accepted on our campus and across UW system. It is under consideration at several other institutions. Our discussion will describe this model.
Structural insights into human KAP1 PHD finger-bromodomain and its role in gene silencing.

The tandem PHD finger–bromodomain, found in many chromatin-associated proteins, has an important role in gene silencing by the human co-repressor KRAB-associated protein 1 (KAP1). Here we report the three-dimensional solution structure of the tandem PHD finger–bromodomain of KAP1. The structure reveals a distinct scaffold unifying the two protein modules, in which the first helix, αZ, of an atypical bromodomain forms the central hydrophobic core that anchors the other three helices of the bromodomain on one side and the zinc binding PHD finger on the other. A comprehensive mutation-based structure-function analysis correlating transcriptional repression, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9 (UBC9) binding and SUMOylation shows that the PHD finger and the bromodomain of KAP1 cooperate as one functional unit to facilitate lysine SUMOylation, which is required for KAP1 co-repressor activity in gene silencing. These results demonstrate a previously unknown unified function for the tandem PHD finger–bromodomain as an intramolecular small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) E3 ligase for transcriptional silencing.
BICARBONATE IS REQUIRED FOR THE PEROXIDASE FUNCTION OF CU, ZN-SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE AT PHYSIOLOGICAL PH

Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) acts as a peroxidase in the presence of H2O2 at high pH (pH > 9). The high pH species of H2O2, HO2-, was previously implicated as the reactive species. However, recent EPR studies of the enzyme performed in the physiological pH range 7.4-7.6 with the spin trap 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrolline-N-oxide attributed the intense EPR signal of 5, 5'-dimethyl-1-pyrolline-N-oxide-OH obtained from SOD1 and H2O2 to the peroxidase activity of the enzyme. The present study establishes that this intense signal is obtained only in the presence of bicarbonate. To explore the critical role of HCO3-, a comprehensive EPR investigation of the radical production and redox state of the active site copper was performed. The results indicate that HCO3- competes with other anions for the anion-binding site of SOD1 (Arg141) but does not bind directly to the copper. Structurally different anions that bind to Arg141 did not stimulate, but rather blocked, peroxidase function, ruling out an effect due to mere anion binding. However, the structurally similar anions HSeO3- and HSO3- mimic HCO3- in stimulating peroxidase function. These data suggest that HCO3- bound to Arg141 anchors the neutral H2O2 molecule at the active site copper, enabling its redox cleavage. Thus, SOD1 acquires peroxidase activity at physiological pH only in the presence of HCO3- or structurally similar anions. Alterations in pH that shift the HCO3-/CO2 equilibrium as occur in disease processes such as ischemia, sepsis, or shock would modulate the peroxidase function of SOD1.
IKKγ Serves as a Docking Subunit of the IκB Kinase (IKK) and Mediates Interaction of IKK with the Human T-cell Leukemia Virus Tax Protein

The tax gene product of human T-cell leukemia virus type I induces activation of transcription factor NF-kappaB, which contributes to deregulated expression of various cellular genes. Tax expression triggers persistent phosphorylation and degradation of the NF-kappaB inhibitory proteins IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta, resulting in constitutive nuclear expression of NF-kappaB. Recent studies demonstrate that Tax activates the IkappaB kinase (IKK), although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this report, we show that Tax physically interacts with a regulatory component of the IKK complex, the NF-kappaB essential modulator or IKKgamma (NEMO/IKKgamma). This molecular interaction appears to be important for recruiting Tax to the IKK catalytic subunits, IKKalpha and IKKbeta. Expression of NEMO/IKKgamma greatly promotes binding of Tax to IKKalpha and IKKbeta and stimulates Tax-mediated IKK activation. Interestingly, a mutant form of Tax defective in IKK activation exhibited a markedly diminished level of NEMO/IKKgamma association. These findings suggest that the physical interaction of Tax with NEMO/IKKgamma may play an important role in Tax-mediated IKK activation.
Structural and Enzymatic Insights into Caspase-2 Protein Substrate Recognition and Catalysis

Caspase-2, the most evolutionarily conserved member in the human caspase family, may play important roles in stress-induced apoptosis, cell cycle regulation, and tumor suppression. In biochemical assays, caspase-2 uniquely prefers a pentapeptide (such as VDVAD) rather than a tetrapeptide, as required for efficient cleavage by other caspases. We investigated the molecular basis for pentapeptide specificity using peptide analog inhibitors and substrates that vary at the P5 position. We determined the crystal structures of apo caspase-2, caspase-2 in complex with peptide inhibitors VDVAD-CHO, ADVAD-CHO, and DVAD-CHO, and a T380A mutant of caspase-2 in complex with VDVAD-CHO. Two residues, Thr-380 and Tyr-420, are identified to be critical for the P5 residue recognition; mutation of the two residues reduces the catalytic efficiency by about 4- and 40-fold, respectively. The structures also provide a series of snapshots of caspase-2 in different catalytic states, shedding light on the mechanism of capase-2 activation, substrate binding, and catalysis. By comparing the apo and inhibited caspase-2 structures, we propose that the disruption of a non-conserved salt bridge between Glu-217 and the invariant Arg-378 is important for the activation of caspase-2. These findings broaden our understanding of caspase-2 substrate specificity and catalysis.
Problems with the ‘language-as-resource’ discourse in the promotion of heritage languages in the U.S.A.

In the United States, language ‘rights’ have been tethered to ethnic or racial entitlements as a means to redress historical patterns of discrimination and exclusion. The perception that language ‘rights’ are about the redress of past wrongs has had negative effects on efforts to gain broad public support for the teaching and maintenance of languages other than English. The language-as-resource orientation (Ruiz 1984) is considered as an alternative to a language rights approach. However, analysis of texts produced by advocates of the heritage language movement reveals the shortcomings of the language-as-resource metaphor in advancing broad-based support for the teaching, maintenance, and use of minority languages in the U.S. While efforts to promote heritage language education as a national strategic priority may result in short-term governmental support, wider and more sustained popular support for such programs will require significant modifications in the underlying values and ideologies about the status and role of languages other than English in education and public life.
Desire for social contact, not empathy, may explain “rescue” behavior in rats

Ben-Ami Bartal et al. (Science 334:1427–1430, 2011) showed that a rat in an open space (free rat) would touch the front door of a restraining tube to open its rear door, thereby enabling a rat trapped within (trapped rat) to enter a larger space that was farther away from the free rat. Since opening the rear door distanced the trapped rat from the free rat, Ben-Ami Bartal et al. argued free-rat behavior could not be motivated by the pursuit of social contact. Instead, this rat was empathically motivated, its goal being to reduce the presumed distress of the rat trapped in the restraining tube. In two experiments, we show that (a) a free rat will not learn to touch the front door to open the rear door when it is the first condition of the experiment; (b) over time, a trapped rat will often return to a restraining tube despite its presumed aversiveness; and (c) a free rat experienced in touching the front door will continue to touch it even if touching does not free the trapped rat. We explain these results and Ben-Ami Bartal et al.’s in terms of two processes, neophobia and the pursuit of social contact. When first placed in a restraining tube, neophobia causes the trapped rat to escape the tube when the rear door is opened. Across sessions, neophobia diminishes, permitting the rats’ pursuit of social contact to emerge and dominate free- and trapped-rat behavior.
Possible contributing structures of polywater

Abstract Various polymeric forms of water are investigated by the approximate molecular orbital technique INDO developed by Pople and coworkers. It is found that the total bond order of many of the polymeric forms is apparently greater than the expected from normal hydrogen bonding.
Rethinking Refresh: Increasing Availability and Reducing Power in DRAM for Cache Applications

Caches use data very differently than main memory does, so DRAM caches can have dramatically different refresh requirements. Making canonical assumptions about retention times in DRAM can be drastic overkill within the cache context. Using standard refresh rates may be unnecessary, and can be a significant waste of cache utilization and power. In this article, we view "retention time" in a new way by using statistical populations more appropriate for caches, and we suggest uses of a cache's inherent error- control mechanisms to reduce refresh rates by several orders of magnitude.
Endartériectomie carotidienne par éversion pour sténose récidivée après angioplastie carotidienne avec stenting

La restenose imposant un traitement apres angioplastie carotidienne/stenting est rare en pratique clinique. Les options de traitement incluent l'angioplastie iterative (avec ou sans un autre stent) ou l'endarteriectomie carotidienne. Ce rapport decrit un patient presentant une stenose recidivee traitee par endarteriectomie par eversion et ablation du stent carotidien.
Bowling Alone but Working and Worshiping Together

: The following article reviews both the strengths and weaknesses of the ELCA on the anniversary of 20 years of existence. The article emphasizes the increased diversity in the denomination, particularly the increased participation of women both in scholarship and leadership in the church. It also lifts up the importance of the strong ecumenical work that continues to take place, both nationally and internationally, which is evidenced in the ELCA's full communion agreements. Commitments to social justice, global connectedness and economic stewardship are also discussed.
Crack-like rupture processes observed in near-fault strong motion data

Strong motion data observed directly above a rupture zone of the Michoacan, Mexico, earthquake in 1985 provide, for the first time, clear evidence for crack-like rupture process in a major earthquake. The observed simple ramp-function type displacements cannot be explained by dislocation models such as a step-function dislocation, but require a crack-like slip function which grossly satisfies stress conditions on the fault (i.e., stress drops to some finite level after a passage of rupture front). This conclusion is required because the records contain sufficient near-field terms to distinguish between the two models.
A Closed-Loop Transmission Power Control System Using a Nonlinear Approximation of Power-Time Curve

In wireless communication networks, it is desirable to achieve energy efficiency, while maintaining quality of service. Overall, energy efficiency can be achieved by minimizing the power output for each communication device. This paper presents a novel energy-saving adaptive transmit power control (TPC) algorithm based on bit error rate (BER) feedback (BER-TPC) that outperforms conventional approaches based on signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) feedback (SINR-TPC). It is a distributed algorithm deployed in both transmitting and receiving devices that can be applied for various wireless network topologies and protocols. This paper addresses the power efficiency of adaptive TPC, in terms of reduced total transmit power of the network by smoothing transmit power transients during adaptive iterations. It is achieved using a distributed closed-loop power control system that applies heuristically estimated dual-rate power adjustments during adaptive iterations. Because the proposed system uses a mathematical formula for power adjustment, operational bounds for stability can be provided using simple analysis. It is demonstrated that the proposed system provides adequate tradeoff between performance and complexity, in terms of reduction in sensitivities and better tracking performance in following the desired reference power curves used in the simulations. Case scenarios are simulated demonstrating approximately 1.39-dB transmit power savings compared to conventional methods.