cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Always Eyes Watching You: United States v. Jones and Congress's Attempts to Stop Warrantless Government Surveillance

In recent years, technology has advanced to new levels. Technology that was exclusively used by government officials is now available to the general public. Unfortunately, law enforcement officials have taken advantage of technology's availability to prey on unsuspecting citizens and invade privacy protected by the Fourth Amendment. Governmental use of Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking devices has invaded the privacy of unsuspecting citizens, and in the absence of precedent, officials have continued to invade privacy. In United States v. Jones, the United States Supreme Court got its opportunity to halt governmental abuse of technology; however, the Court only addressed the physical element of Fourth Amendment searches instead of its presence through the use of GPS tracking devices without a physical trespass. As Associate Justice Samuel Alito suggests, Congress is an appropriate body to address the issue. Currently, the Senate Judiciary Committee is considering the Geolocational Privacy and Surveillance Act (GPS) Act. In 2011, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Representative Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) introduced the bill to require officials to show probable cause before obtaining a GPS tracking device. This article will explore the jurisprudence leading up to the Court's decision in Jones while emphasizing the Court's failure to fully address an expectation of privacy concerning abuse of GPS tracking devices. This article will also discuss the GPS Act and government officials' response to the Act. The article will analyze the strength and weaknesses of the Act and how Congress can address the Act's weaknesses before enactment. The author concludes by suggesting that Congress must act now to enact a law that not only strikes a balance between effective law enforcement investigations and privacy expectations, but also provides guidance for future cases involving governmental abuse of advancing technology.
Validity of retrospectively-reported depressive episodes.

Abstract Background Depression and other psychopathology are often assessed retrospectively. Few studies have evaluated the validity of these reports by comparing prospectively-assessed symptoms to retrospective reports during the same time period. Methods This study utilized a subset of participants (n = 68) from the Oregon Adolescent Depression Project who completed at least one mailer assessment of depressive symptoms during a retrospectively-reported depressive episode. Participants completed up to seven mailer assessments of depression and suicidal ideation and diagnostic assessments that included retrospectively-reported depressive episodes that coincided with the mailer assessments. Results Multilevel linear models examined differences in depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation during and between retrospectively-reported depressive episodes. Results showed that individuals reported significantly higher levels of depression and suicidal ideation for retrospectively-reported depressive episodes compared to when they were not in depressive episodes. In addition, the average level of depressive symptoms endorsed during retrospectively-reported depressive episodes reached established clinical cut-offs. Limitations Although we were able to determine whether symptoms during retrospectively-reported depressive episodes approached clinical cut-offs, we were unable to examine whether symptoms met criteria for depressive episodes. Additionally, we could not examine whether episode severity related to recall ability, and other forms of psychopathology were not assessed. Conclusion These findings provide critical evidence for the validity of retrospectively-reported depressive episodes. Future research should examine whether these findings generalize across varying recall periods and retrospective assessments for other psychopathology.
Buddhism and Beyond: The Question of Pluralism

This article discusses Buddhist responses to religious diversity. I use the logical form of the tetralemma made famous by Nagarjuna to clarify the ways that Buddhists can be seen to relate to other religions. With four alternatives, I discuss Buddhist claims to truth in terms of their being singularly absolute, one among many, both, and neither. As is evident in the presence of the third and fourth alternatives of the tetralemma, rigid dichotomies (like one and many, exclusivism and pluralism) are often false, for both (and neither) are live options. A key difference rests on the interpretation of ultimate truth, and in particular, whether the ultimate truth of emptiness is interpreted as a claim to the indeterminate nature of reality or its undetermined nature. The undetermined involves a participatory attitude of openness, and a healthy suspicion of preconceptions that determine and delimit the ultimate truth. Thus, the undetermined refers not so much to a descriptive truth, but rather to how one comports oneself in the world – with humility and openness. In parallel with this distinction between openness and certainty, I also spell out differences between claims and attitudes in an example from Tibetan traditions, with reference to the so-called “nonsectarian” (ris med) movement in particular. I argue that the difference between claims and attitudes can help clarify what it means to be “nonsectarian,” and thereby bridge the difference between maintaining an exclusively Buddhist claim and having an attitude that reaches beyond Buddhism.
HIV mRNA Vaccines-Progress and Future Paths

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic introduced the world to a new type of vaccine based on mRNA encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). Instead of delivering antigenic proteins directly, an mRNA-based vaccine relies on the host’s cells to manufacture protein immunogens which, in turn, are targets for antibody and cytotoxic T cell responses. mRNA-based vaccines have been the subject of research for over three decades as a platform to protect against or treat a variety of cancers, amyloidosis and infectious diseases. In this review, we discuss mRNA-based approaches for the generation of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines to HIV. We examine the special immunological hurdles for a vaccine to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies and effective T cell responses to HIV. Lastly, we outline an mRNA-based HIV vaccination strategy based on the immunobiology of broadly neutralizing antibody development.
Crisis Pedagogy: Student Perceptions of Pedagogical Transition amidst the COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected every sphere of human life including education. Educational institutes all over the world are faced with the unique challenge to keep running the education amidst the lockdowns and social distancing. This has resulted in an unprecedented shift to the alternate mode of instructional delivery. This is a temporary shift in the mode of delivery as a result of the crisis or emergency situation. The present paper discussed the implications of one of such crisis pedagogies of remote learning during the COVID-19 propelled closure of the tertiary institutions in Australia. The effectiveness of emergency remote learning (ERL) was assessed through the online survey. The participants were international students, the majority, at the time of the survey were in Australia and doing postgraduate course in project management. To assess the overall effectiveness, the solicited opinions were analyzed under five headings: students’ perception, curriculum, feedback, quality, and technology & resource. The ERL model adopted in this study has two components: self-paced asynchronous learning and faculty-guided synchronous learning. The aim of the self-paced asynchronous learning was to provide the student access to learning and teaching materials which they could use safely, reliably and remotely, and later used those in their learning at their own pace. Similarly, the aim of the synchronous learning was to provide an interactive learning experience as in face-to-face teaching through faculty-guided live session. The result of the present study reveals that students perceived the ERL quite positively and are satisfied with the overall online learning and reported that transition to online learning from face-to-face was smooth and without much of the issue.
GCgx: transcriptome-wide exploration of the response to glucocorticoids.

Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory therapy in humans, yet the mechanisms of glucocorticoid immunoregulation and toxicity remain unclear. The response to glucocorticoids is highly cell type-dependent, so translating results from different experimental systems into a better understanding of glucocorticoid effects in humans would benefit from rapid access to high-quality data on the response to glucocorticoids by different cell types. We introduce GCgx, a web application that allows investigators to quickly visualize changes in transcript abundance in response to glucocorticoids in a variety of cells and species. The tool is designed to grow by addition of datasets based on input from the user community. GCgx is implemented in R and HTML and packaged as a Docker image. The tool and its source code are publicly available.
Protein interaction maps for model organisms

Until recently, classical genetics and biochemistry were the main techniques used to investigate how organisms develop, reproduce, behave and age. But with the availability of complete genome sequences new approaches are emerging. Complete sets of proteins — 'proteomes' — can be predicted from genome sequences and used to characterize protein functions globally. For example, through the large-scale identification of physical protein–protein interactions, comprehensive protein interaction maps are being generated. And these maps might help us to understand the processes that control the biology of living organisms.
Are insurance companies liable under the Americans with Disabilities Act

Federal courts have split on the question of the applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act to insurance coverage decisions that insurance companies make on the basis of disability; they have similarly split on other issues pertaining to the scope of that Act's application. In deciding whether to read the Act as prohibiting discrimination in insurance decisions that are often crucial in the lives of people with disabilities, courts have faced two problems. First, where it prohibits discrimination in the equal enjoyment of the goods and services of places of public accommodation, the Act's area of concern may be limited to the ability of people with disabilities to gain physical access to facilities; or that area may extend to all forms of disability-based discrimination in the provision of goods and services. This Comment argues that the language and legislative history of the Act are consistent only with the latter view. Second, the provision limiting the Act's applicability to insurance may create an exemption for all insurance decisions; or it may protect only the ability of an insurance company to make an insurance decision to the disadvantage of an insured with a disability where actuarial data support the decision. This comment argues that the ambiguous language of the limiting provision should be resolved in favor of the latter view. Legislative history and the broader background of the history of insurance discrimination law support this resolution. Consequently, the Act should be interpreted as prohibiting disability-based discrimination by insurance companies in selling insurance policies and as defining discrimination as making disability-based insurance decisions without the support of actuarial data. By accepting this interpretation, courts can help stop the pattern of judicial narrowing of the Act's application through inappropriately restrictive statutory construction.
Confidential Informants in National Security Investigations

Although a body of law has developed around the use of confidential informants in criminal investigations, the role of informants in national security matters is less clearly defined. This Note first examines the limitations on the use of informants in the criminal context that are imposed by the Fourth Amendment, a detailed set of guidelines issued by the Attorney General, and other sources of law. It then turns to the treatment of informants by the major sources of national security law, including the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Ultimately, this Note concludes that in the national security context, government agents are free from many of the restrictions placed on the use of informants in criminal investigations. Although this relative freedom may be necessary given the immediate challenge of combating international terrorism, care should be taken that the executive branch does not use informants in a way that violates individual privacy or oversteps other proper investigative boundaries.
Chromatin Insulators: A Role in Nuclear Organization and Gene Expression

Chromatin insulators are DNA–protein complexes with broad functions in nuclear biology. Based on the ability of insulator proteins to interact with each other, it was originally found that insulators form loops that bring together distant regions of the genome. Data from genome-wide localization studies indicate that insulator proteins can be present in intergenic regions as well as at the 5′, introns or 3′ of genes, suggesting a variety of roles for insulator loops in chromosome biology. Recent results suggest that insulators mediate intra- and interchromosomal interactions to affect transcription, imprinting, and recombination. Cells have developed mechanisms to control insulator activity by recruiting specialized proteins or by covalent modification of core components. It is then possible that insulator-mediated interactions set up cell-specific blueprints of nuclear organization that may contribute to the establishment of different patterns of gene expression during cell differentiation and development. As a consequence, disruption of insulator activity could result in the development of cancer or other disease states.
MITRAL STENOSIS. HEMODYNAMIC, ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC, AND VECTORCARDIOGRAPHIC STUDIES.

Abstract The data of transseptal left heart and right heart catheterization were correlated with the phonocardiographic, electrocardiographic, and vectorcardiographic findings in 75 patients with significant mitral stenosis. Measurement of the rate of the “y” descent in the first tenth of a second after the opening of the mitral valve was helpful in detecting the presence of significant mitral stenosis. In the absence of tachycardia, the value of the formula P 1 -P 2 MLAP was 0.3 or less among patients who had predominant mitral stenosis. No significant difference was seen between patients with normal sinus rhythm and those with atrial fibrillation. In the 54 available phonocardiograms, Q-1 minus 2-O.S. was equal to or greater than 0 in all but 7 patients. The electrocardiograms revealed evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy in 26 instances, whereas the vectorcardiograms revealed evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy in 31 instances. Forty-one patients had neither electrocardiographic nor vectorcardiographic evidence of isolated right ventricular hypertrophy. Both the electrocardiogram and vectorcardiogram failed to show patterns typical of right ventricular hypertrophy in 15 patients despite the significantly elevated resting right ventricular pressure. There were 9 patients who had posterior displacement of the QRSsE loop.
The Organization of Production and Economic Development

A formalization of the Coase-Williamson-Cheung theory of the firm is used to examine the trade-off between the firm and the market as institutions for organizing production in a dynamic, general equilibrium model with increasing returns to labor specialization. The model considers the interaction of internal and external transaction costs and the gains to labor specialization in determining important aspects of the organization of production including the degree of labor specialization, the size and specialization of firms and the pattern of interfirm trade. Endogenous growth is driven by capital accumulation and the division of labor. The evolution of economic organization is characterized by increases in labor specialization, interfirm trade, firm specialization (vertical disintegration) and firm employment.
On quality of event localization from social network feeds

Social networks, such as Twitter, carry important information on ongoing events and as such can be viewed as networks of sensors that monitor and report events in the physical world. In this paper, we concern ourselves with the challenge of event localization from Twitter feeds. We explore the quality of information that can be derived either directly or indirectly from microblog entries regarding locations of ongoing events. Contrary to prior work that used Twitter to map regions of large-footprint events, or derived coarse-grained location information, in this paper, we are interested in point-events, such as building fires or car accidents, and aim to pin-point them down to a street address. An algorithm is presented that identifies distinct event signatures in the blogosphere, clusters microblogs based on events they describe, and analyzes the resulting clusters for fine-grained location indicators. An exact event location is then derived by fusing these indicators. To evaluate the quality of derived location information, we use road-traffic-related Twitter feeds from 3 major cities in California and compare automatic event localization within our service to manually obtained ground truth data. Results show a great correspondence between our automatically determined locations and ground-truth.
Magneto-photoluminescence study of a dilute two-dimensional electron gas in GaAsAlGaAs quantum wells

Abstract We have studied the photoluminescence from GaAs AlGaAs quantum wells doped with silicon donors inside the GaAs layers. The experiments were performed at a temperature T=70K and in magnetic fields up to 8 Tesla. The photoluminescence spectra contain both excitonic lines as well as interband Landau transitions. The simultaneous observation of these features allowed us to determine the binding energy of the heavy hole exciton for four samples with well widths between 80 and 375A.
Avian riboflavinuria IX. Qualitative action of a mutant gene in chicken on riboflavin-binding protein synthesis.

ABSTRACT Laying chickens normally produce a riboflavin-binding protein (RBP) essential for the transfer of vitamin B 2 to the egg. A mutant line of chickens ( rdrd ) is incapable of synthesizing functional RBP. The rdrd laying hens contain a component in the liver and the magnum of the oviduct which crossreacts with rabbit antiserum specific for RBP. No crossreacting material (CRM) was observed in eggs or blood of rdrd hens. CRM is absent in extracts of livers of rdrd males, but it can be induced in roosters of this genotype by estradiol. CRM appears to be less immunogenic on a weight basis than RBP, and it carries less net negative charge. No measurable riboflavin-binding capacity was found for newly isolated or degraded CRM.
Disequilibrium effects in metal speciation by capillary electrophoresis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS); theory, simulations and experiments.

A theoretical–experimental approach to evaluate disequilibrium effects in capillary electrophoresis inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-ICP-MS) is presented. Electrophoresis requires metal ligand (ML) complexes to be stable on the time scale of separation and detection. By expressing ML complex stability in terms of half-life during a CE separation, an evaluation of separation artifacts can be made. Kinetically slow metals like Cr, Al or Fe form complexes that are stable on the time scale of electrophoretic separations. Kinetically fast metals, like Pb, Hg, Cu, Cd and REE, however tend to form labile complexes which unless complexed by strong chelators will dissociate during CE separations. A reactive transport simulation model of CE separations involving ML complexes allows a more detailed prediction of disequilibrium bias and identifies kinetically limited from mobility-limited types of dissociation. Complementary experimental results are given for kinetic and equilibrium binding experiments of Sm with humic acid. The equilibrium logK for Sm–Leonardite humic acid (HA) binding at pH 7 and 0.01 mol L−1 ionic strength was determined to be 13.04. Kinetic rates of formation and dissociation for SmHA were 5.9 108 and 5.3 10−5 mol s−1.
UAV-UGV collaboration with a PackBot UGV and Raven SUAV for pursuit and tracking of a dynamic target

Fielded military unmanned systems are currently extending the reach of the U.S. forces in surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Providing long-range eyes on enemy operations, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as the AeroVironment Raven, have proven themselves indispensable without risking soldiers' lives. Meanwhile, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), such as the iRobot PackBot, are quickly joining ranks in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) missions to identify and dispose of ordnance or to clear roads and buildings. UAV-UGV collaboration and the benefit of force multiplication is increasingly more tangible. iRobot Corporation and CMU Robotics Institute are developing the capability to simultaneously control the Raven small UAV (SUAV) and PackBot UGV from a single operator control unit (OCU) via waypoint navigation. Techniques to support autonomous collaboration for pursuing and tracking a dismounted soldier will be developed and integrated on a Raven-PackBot team. The Raven will survey an area and geolocate an operator-selected target. The Raven will share this target location with the PackBot and together they will collaboratively pursue the target intelligently to maintain track on the target. We will accomplish this goal by implementing a decentralized control and data fusion software architecture. The PackBot will be equipped with on-board waypoint navigation algorithms, a Navigator Payload containing a stereo-vision system, GPS, and a high-accuracy IMU. The Raven will have two on-board cameras, a side-looking and a forward-looking optical camera. The Supervisor OCU will act as the central mission planner, allowing the operator to monitor mission events and override vehicle tasks.
Kinetics and mechanism of exochitinase and β-N-acetylhexosaminidase from the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta L. (Lepidoptera : Sphingidae)

Abstract Exochitinase (EI) from moulting fluid, integument and pupal haemolymph of Manduca sexta was greater than two orders of magnitude more active in hydrolyzing a series of N- acetylglucosamine oligosaccharides than the β-N- acetylhexosaminidase (EII) from larval and pupal haemolymphs. Product analyses showed that both enzymes hydrolyzed oligosaccharide substrates following an exocleavage pattern beginning at the nonreducing end. No transglycosylation occurred. Analyses of kinetic parameters obtained with EI in hydrolyzing βGlcNAc2 or βGlcNAc6 suggested that two ionizable groups take part in the catalysis, one of pK 3.7–3.8 affecting the K m and the other of pK 8.1 involved with the kcat. EI exhibited either linear or parabolic competitive inhibition patterns depending on the type of inhibitor used and was also inhibited by high concentrations of substrate. EII displayed only linear competitive inhibition patterns and was not inhibited by substrate. The most potent inhibitors were δ-lactone derivatives of N- acetylglocosamine and N- acetylgalactosamine with K i ⋍ 10 and 1 μM for EI and EII, respectively. These results suggested that the active site of EI consists of subsites which bind larger substrates than the active site of EII, which enables EI to hydrolyze chitin oligosaccharides more rapidly.
MEMORY AND PERFORMANCE EFFECTS OF SINGLE AND 3-WEEK ADMINISTRATION OF DIAZEPAM

The effects of diazepam on several cognitive and performance tasks were investigated in 30 healthy volunteers randomly assigned to three groups: A chronic group received diazepam for 21 days; an acute group received placebo during the same period, except at session 4 when they received diazepam; and a third group received placebo only at the sessions. Diazepam was given orally in a dose of about 0.2 mg/kg. Behavioral sessions were conducted before treatment (practice), after one administration (session 2), after 19 days (session 3), after 20 days (session 4), and 7 days following withdrawal (session 5). A single administration of diazepam produced significant memory impairment in both immediate and delayed free recall. Reduced memory performance was the result of impaired acquisition rather than reduced retention. Comparison of the chronic and acute groups in sessions 3 and 4 and analysis of the performance of the chronic group over sessions indicated the development of some tolerance to the memory impairment with continued administration. No residual memory effects were apparent following withdrawal. No other cognitive or psychomotor functions differed among the three treatment groups.
POWERSET OPERATOR FOUNDATIONS FOR POINT-SET LATTICE-THEORETIC (POSLAT) FUZZY SET THEORIES AND TOPOLOGIES

Abstract This paper sets forth in detail point-set lattice-theoretic or poslat foundations of all mathematical and fuzzy set disciplines in which the operations of taking the image and pre-image of (fuzzy) subsets play a fundamental role; such disciplines include algebra, measure and probability theory, and topology. In particular, those aspects of fuzzy sets, hinging around (crisp) powersets of fuzzy subsets and around powerset operators between such powersets lifted from ordinary functions between the underlying base sets, are examined and characterized using point-set and lattice-theoretic methods. The basic goal is to uniquely derive the powerset operators and not simply stipulate them, and in doing this we explicitly distinguish between the “fixed-basis” case (where the underlying lattice of membership values is fixed for the sets in question) and the “variable-basis” case (where the underlying lattice of membership values is allowed to change). Applications to fuzzy sets/logic include: development a...
Technique for methyl methacrylate cranioplasty to optimize cosmetic outcome

Cranioplasty aims to reconstruct skull defects from fractures, decompressive craniectomies, tumors, and congenital anomalies in a cosmetically acceptable manner. We present a technique in methyl methacrylate cranioplasty that gives excellent cosmetic results by maintaining patient’s calvarial curvature. Cranioplasty material is placed into a plastic bag and packed inside the defect. Wire mesh cut larger than the defect is held in position to take the exact skull curvature. Once solid, the implant is fixed in position using titanium plates and mini-screws. This is a simple, inexpensive method of achieving the most cosmetically desired cranioplasty results.
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS: Errors rectified in retrospect

During protein synthesis, mistakes in adding amino acids to the growing polypeptide chain are usually prevented. If they are not, a quality-control mechanism ensures premature termination of erroneous sequences.
Detection probabilities for correlated Rayleigh fading signals

Both the method of saddlepoint integration and its associated saddlepoint approximation are applied to calculating the probability of detecting correlated Rayleigh-fading signals in Gaussian noise by means of a detector that integrates M samples of the output of a quadratic rectifier. The quadrature components of the signal samples are modeled as an autoregressive moving-average process, and specific results are exhibited for a first-order Markov process. By these methods the fluctuation loss can be computed for much larger values of M and for larger values of the detection probability than previously. Values calculated by the saddlepoint approximation prove to be close enough to the exact values to be useful over a broad range of signal parameters. >
The generation of utilization of chlorinated oxidants by human neutrophils

Abstract The human neutrophil uses the hydrogen peroxide-myeloperoxidase-chloride system to generate a complex mixture of chlorinated oxidants which includes both hypochlorous acid (HOCI) and a wide spectrum of nitrogen-chlorine (N-C1) derivatives. Although these species differ in their reactivity with susceptible target molecules, they are capable of mediating diverse biologic effects. These effects range from the modulation of cellular function and induction of cell lysis to the regulation of neutrophil proteoIytic enzyme activity and enzyme-inhibitor interactions. When chlorinated oxidants are used by neutrophils to mediate ceil injury, HOCI appears to be the toxic species involved. The endogenous, long-lived, N-CI derivatives generated by triggered neutrophils cause little injury to microbial or mammalian targets by virtue of their hydrophilic characteristics. However, the presence of appropriate endogenous or exogenous nitrogenous compounds in the extracellular medium can result in the generation of lipophilic N-C1 oxidants having a heightened cytotoxic potential. Chlorinated oxidants are also able to participate in the regulation of neutrophil elastase and collagenase activity during release of these enzymes from intracellular lysosomal granules. Elastase activity is indirectly up-regulated by the oxidative destruction of its primary inhibitor, α1-proteinase inhibitor, while collagenase is oxidatively converted from a latent, inactive enzyme to a fully proteolytic product. Thus, neutrophils are able to convert the short-lived, nonspecific reactivity of HOCI into highly specific and long-acting effects by modifying cellular or plasma constituents that are critical to the development of the inflammatory response.
FLAVOR PRECURSORS: THERMAL AND ENZYMATIC CONVERSIONS

Thermal and Enzymatic Conversions of Precursors to Flavor Compounds: An Overview Monoterpene Biosynthesis: The Cyclization of Geranyl Pyrophosphate to (+)-Sabinene Lipases: Useful Biocatalysts for Enantioselective Reactions of Chiral Flavor Compounds Carboxylester-Lipase Mediated Reactions: A Versatile Route to Target the Chiral Molecules Biosynthesis and Studies on the Biotechnological Production of Aliphatic *g- and *d-Lactones Precursor Atmospheric Technology: Efficient Aroma Enrichment in Fruit Cells Glycosidic Precursors of Varietal Grape and Wine Flavor Glucosides of Limonoids Oxytenated C[1[3-Norisoprenoids: Important Flavor Precursors Free and Bound Flavor Constituents of White-Fleshed Nectarine Thermally Degraded Thiamin: A Potent Source of Interesting Flavor Compounds Studies on the Formation of Furaneol in Heat-Processed Foods Flavor Compounds Formed from Lipids by Heat Treatment Formation of Meat-like Flavor Compounds Peptides as Flavor Precursors in Model Maillard Reactions Meat Flavor Generation from Cysteine and Sugars Analysis and Reactivity of Glucosones Formation of Smoke Flavor Compounds by Thermal Lignin Degradation Reaction Kinetics for the Formation of Heterocyclic Compounds in a Temperature and Pressure Controlled Experiment
Detection and quantification of copper-denitrifying bacteria by quantitative competitive PCR.

Abstract We developed a quantitative competitive PCR (QC-PCR) system to detect and quantify copper-denitrifying bacteria in environmental samples. The primers were specific to copper-dependent nitrite reductase gene ( nirK ). We were able to detect about 200 copeis of nirK in the presence of abundant non-specific target DNA and about 1.2×10 3 Pseudomonas sp. G-179 cells from one gram of sterilized soil by PCR amplification. A 312-bp nirK internal standard (IS) was constructed, which showed very similar amplification efficiency with the target nirK fragment (349 bp) over 4 orders of magnitude (10 3 –10 6 ). The accuracy of this system was evaluated by quantifying various known amount of nirK DNA . The linear regressions were obtained with a R 2 of 0.9867 for 10 3 copies of nirK , 0.9917 for 10 4 copies of nirK , 0.9899 for 10 5 copies of nirK and 0.9846 for 10 6 copies of nirK . A high correlation between measured nirK and calculated nirK (slope of 1.0398, R 2 =0.9992) demonstrated that an accurate measurement could be achieved with this system. Using this method, we quantified nirK in several A-horizon and stream sediment samples from eastern Tennessee. In general, the abundance of nirK was in the range of 10 8 –10 9 copies g soil −1 dry weight. The nirK content in the soil samples appeared correlated with NH 4 (N) content in the soil. The activities of copper-denitrifying bacteria were evaluated by quantifying cDNA of nirK . In most of sample examined, the content of nirK cDNA was less than 10 5 copies g soil −1 dry weight. Higher nirK cDNA content (>10 6 copies g soil −1 dry weight) was detected from both sediment samples at Rattlebox Creek and the Walker Branch West Ridge. Although the stream sediment samples at the Walker Branch West Ridge contained less half of the nirK gene content as compared to A-horizon sample, the activities of copper-denitrifying bacteria were almost 600 times higher than in the A-horizon sample.
Mechanoresponsive system based on sub-micron chitosan-functionalized ferromagnetic disks

We report a doxorubicin loaded chitosan biopolymer–ferromagnetic disks hybrid system capable of on-demand magnetomechanically induced release of drug molecules. Gold covered ferromagnetic disks were encapsulated into the polymer scaffold through the assembly of the thiolated chitosan on the disk's gold surface followed by entrapping of the doxorubicin drug within a cross-linked polymer matrix. We demonstrate that the release process can be effectively tuned and controlled by varying the magnetic field characteristics: orientation, amplitude, frequency and duration.
Counterimmunoelectrophoresis in Hemophilus influenzae type b epiglottitis and pericarditis.

REFERENCES 1. Reed CS: Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Postgrad Med 51:120, 1972. 2. Ouchterlony O, and Nilsson CA: Immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoresis, in Weir DM, editor: Handbook of experimental immunology, 2, Oxford, 1973, Blackwell Scientific Publication, pp 1-39. 3. Deodhar SD: Cellular immunology, Chicago, 1974, American Society of Clinical Pathologists. 4. Reiss JS, Weiss NS, Payette KM, and Starcimas J: Childhood pigeon breeders' disease, Ann Allerg 32:208, 1974. 5. Barboriak J J, Sosman AJ, and Reed CE: Serological studies in pigeon breeders' disease, J Lab Clin Med 65:600, 1965. 6. rink JN, Barboriak JJ, Sosman AJ, Bukosky R J, and Arkins JA: Antibodies against pigeon serum proteins in pigeon breeders, J Lab Clin Med 71:20, 1968. 7. Moore VL, rink JN, Barboriak JJ, RuffLL, and Schlueter DP: Immunologic events in pigeon breeders' disease, J Allergy Clin Immunol 53:319, 1974. 8. Pepys J: Hypersensitivity diseases of the lungs due to fungi and organic dusts; Basel, 1969, S. Karger, p 102. 9. Pepys J: Immunologic approaches in pulmonary disease caused by inhaled materials, Ann NY Acad Sci 221:27, 1974.
The Origins of Federal Securities Regulation: A Case Study in the Social Control of Finance

Aiming to increase our understanding of hozw the power of financiers is constrained by social controls, this paper examines the capacity of "market failures" and "group interest" theories to explain the origins of federal securities regulation. The problem is to explain (1) what motivated government officials to seek regulation, (2) what determined the content of regulatory proposals, and (3) why the proposals were successfully enacted. While both theories are found to be necessary, neither supplies a comprehensive explanation of all three aspects of the problem. Both are critically flauwed for failing to recognize the role played by political contingency in determining whether regulatory proposals uould be enacted. A central conclusion is that social controls over the securities market were established in response to an appearance of market failure, to the structural pressures of electoral politics, and to a series of politically contingent events beyond anyone's pozer to forsee or control. Financiers are powerful figures in American society. They occupy a dominant position at the center of networks of interlocking corporate directorates and they act, indirectly perhaps, but still effectively to influence corporate decision-making (Gogel and Koenig; Mintz and Schwartz,a,b; Mizruchi; Norich). They help administer local civic associations dealing with charity and social welfare, educational and cultural programs, and projects to foster regional economic development (Ratcliff et al.). They are frequently appointed to high offices in the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve System (Odell; Salzman and Domhoff), and they are intermittently called on to serve informally as counselors and advisers to presidents and legislators seeking to formulate national policies. Nevertheless, financiers are not all-powerful figures (Marsden and *Funds facilitating this research were provided by the National Science Foundation (SES 8008024). 1 am grateful to Michael P. Allen, Fred L. Block, Richard Hamilton, Edward 0. Laumann, Mark Mizruchi, Michael Schwartz, and Theda Skocpol for their extensive and helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper. Address correspondence to the author, Department of Sociology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-4351. C 1985 The Universitv of North Carolina Press
The clinical use and toxic reactions of the sulfonamide compounds

Abstract Local therapy with the sulfonamide compounds is of value in the prevention and treatment of certain infections which are of a more or less superficial nature. The sulfonamide compounds when used locally rarely cause toxic reactions. Their use apparently does not interfere with the healing of wounds. Sulfanilamide and sulfathiazole are the drugs of choice, and they need not be sterilized before use. Systemic use is indicated in the treatment of the more severe infections and as a prophylactic measure before the extraction of infected teeth in patients suffering from rheumatic heart disease (to reduce the possibility of the development of subacute bacterial endocarditis). The occurrence of a previous toxic reaction is the principal contraindication to the use of these drugs. Treatment is begun early and orally, if possible. A large initial dose and a smaller maintenance dose are given. Soda bicarbonate is administered simultaneously, fluid output must be above 1200 c.c. per day, and special diet is unnecessary. In severe infections the level of the drug in the blood is determined. Use of the drug is stopped when convalescence is well established. Toxic reactions of importance include nausea and vomiting, cyanosis, acidosis, drug fever, skin eruptions, anemia, leucopenia, jaundice, cerebral complications, and urinary tract complications.
Using Consumer Attitudes to Value Brands: Evaluation of the Financial Value of Brands

ABSTRACT This article introduces an Advanced Brand Valuation (ABV) model that combines the psychological strength of a brand in the mind of its consumers with accepted accounting practices to determine the true financial value of a brand. ABV is a modular approach that integrates common marketing research metrics into financial calculations and meets standards for tax and financial reporting purposes. (Sattler, H., S. HOgl, and O. Hupp. ‘Evaluation of the Financial Value of Brands.’ In ESOMAR, Excellence in International Research 2003, D. S. Fellows, ed. Amsterdam: ESOMAR, 2002.) This tool can be used for strategic decision-making purposes, such as assessing international expansion opportunities or prioritizing the purchase and/or sale of brands.
Estimation of the cation balance of soil solutions for vegetable cultivation

Recently, in Japan, the amount of sodium and potassium in composts has tended to increase. This study clarified the effects of composts with elevated salt content on the soil and on mini tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and komatsuna (Brassica rapa var. peruviridis) growth by investigating the time course of changes in soil solution composition and cation balance. Because the application of elevated-salt compost drastically increased the concentration of potassium and sodium in the soil solution, the relative ratio of bivalent cations to monovalent cations was a key factor causing poor-growth symptoms in mini tomato and komatsuna. By introducing a new index for the activity ratio for potassium plus sodium, i.e. ARK+Na, the composition of cations in the soil solution could be evaluated quantitatively. Based on ARK+Na index, it was found that blossom-end rot occurred when the ARK+Na value was too low and exceeded a specified level (−1.25 in the present case) while mini tomato fruit still grew on the first bran...
Propagation of sound at continuous structural phase transitions

Structural phase transitions of second order can be divided into two groups: (i) distortive phase transitions, with a soft (ultimately overdamped) optic mode, and (ii) elastic phase transitions, with an acoustic soft mode or no soft phonon for shear or isostructural transitions, respectively. The propagation of sound shows significantly different features in these two cases. We consider the theory of the critical variation of the velocity of ultrasonic modes as well as the damping and dispersion near transitions of second order.
A hierarchy of neurobehavioral tasks discriminates between mild and moderate brain injury in rats.

Abstract Behavioral analysis commonly assesses cognitive deficits in rodents following traumatic brain injury (TBI). We examined rats that received sham, mild or moderate injury in the controlled cortical impact model of TBI. The rats were tested in a novel hierarchy of four behavioral tasks with increasing cognitive demand. All three groups had similar performance on the first two phases of training: open field exploration and passive place avoidance using a stationary shock zone on a non-rotating arena. The similar performance on the first two tasks suggested comparable sensory, motor skills and contextual memory in all three groups. In phase three, rats were tested on active place avoidance, their ability to avoid a stationary shock zone on the rotating arena. Control and mildly-injured rats learned this task within four ten-minute trials while moderately-injured animals were impaired. Moderately-injured animals were also impaired if tested 3 weeks after injury. One day after phase three, sham- and mildly-injured animals were tested on a phase four conflict active avoidance task with the shock zone shifted 180° from its phase three location and mildly-injured animals were impaired. The speed in which the animals complete the four phases of testing as well as the ability to discriminate between differing injury severity suggests that this set of neurobehavioral tasks will be useful to understand cognitive deficits underlying TBI as well as a useful screening method for therapeutic drugs.
The impact of racial and gender diversity in management on financial performance: how participative strategy making features can unleash a diversity advantage

How does racial and gender diversity in the management ranks affect the bottom line? Our findings indicate that participative strategy making (PSM) positively moderates the relationship between both racial and gender diversity in management and firm performance measured as return on assets. Specifically, PSM strengthens the positive relationship that exists between racial diversity in management and firm performance. Although no main effect is observed for gender diversity in management, our results reveal that gender diversity in management is positively related to performance when PSM is high. However, we find that gender diversity in management is negatively related to performance when PSM is low, while gender homogeneous management experience superior performance. We offer implications for diversity research to embrace and consider the role of PSM and ‘inclusiveness’.
PKC‐mediated USP phosphorylation is required for 20E‐induced gene expression in the salivary glands of Drosophila melanogaster

Ecdysone receptor (EcR) and its heterodimer, ultraspiracle protein (USP), are ligand-dependent transcriptional factors that mediate the action of molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone. The activities of transcriptional factors are subjected to regulation not only by transcriptional/translational mechanisms, but also by posttranslational mechanisms such as phosphorylation. Protein kinase consensus recognition sequence analysis of Drosophila EcR and USP reveals multiple phosphorylation sites for protein kinase C (PKC) and casein kinase II (CKII) on EcR and USP sequence. By using specific protein kinase inhibitors, we have shown that PKC, not CKII, is responsible for USP phosphorylation. Inhibition of PKC activity by protein kinase inhibitors blocked USP phosphorylation, resulting in inhibition of 20E-induced gene expression at both transcriptional and translational levels. The composite data suggest that PKC-mediated USP phosphorylation is required for 20E-induced gene expression in the salivary glands of Drosophila melanogaster.
Treating Underachievement in Gifted Students: Identifying and Removing the Obstacles to Higher Achievement

From a behavioral perspective, underachievement can be viewed as the effect of various environmental influences on gifted students. In light of this perspective, changes made in the environment may bring changes in underachievement as well. The purpose of this literature review is twofold. It intends to illustrate what has been found to discourage achievement. Within the school environment, harmful influences include incorrect gender or cultural expectations, homogeneous versus heterogeneous grouping, incompatible learning and teaching styles, and, finally, exposure to inappropriate curriculum and or inappropriate delivery of curriculum. It also intends to illustrate what has been found to encourage achievement. When the school psychologist collaborates with teachers and counsels the gifted students in stress management, achievement levels can become commensurate with ability.
The Transition into the Intermediate State of Hollow Superconducting Cylinders

The transition from the superconducting to the intermediate state has been investigated for hollow tin cylinders with various ratios of inner to outer radii. Thermodynamic arguments show that for values of this ratio greater than ($\frac{{2}^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2}$) the free energy in the normal state becomes less than that in the superconducting state at applied fields less than one half the critical field. The experimental results indeed show that for ratios of inner to outer radii greater than ($\frac{{2}^{\frac{1}{2}}}{2}$) the intermediate state begins to appear at less than one-half the critical field, whereas for smaller ratios the intermediate field appears at one-half the critical field.