cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The question of mathematical social theory revisited: Some methodological considerations

Methodologically, the most advanced social science discipline is considered economics, especially its neoclassical version. A number of practitioners in the other social sciences, especially sociology and political science, perceive economics as a scientific exemplar in methodological (and theoretical) terms. This methodological exemplar has been, particularly in the last decades, attempted to emulate by some of these social scientists. The outcome of this emulation, by adopting and extending its methods, of neoclassical economics in parts (but not all) of sociology, political science, and elsewhere has been rational choice theory as a general social paradigm. This paper tries to show that many misapplications of the methodology of neoclassical economics in rational choice theory have ensued from such methodological emulation. That neoclassical economics does not necessarily contain or lead to a mathematical rational choice model is the core argument of this paper. The paper fills in a gap created by the current literature’s focus on the methodological bases of mathematical rational choice theory in neoclassical economics.
Tectonic block motion and glacial isostatic adjustment in southeast Alaska and adjacent Canada constrained by GPS measurements

[1] We use data from campaign and continuous GPS sites in southeast Alaska and the neighboring region of Canada to constrain a regional tectonic block model that estimates block angular velocities and derives a self-consistent set of fault slip rates from the block motions. Present-day tectonics in southeast Alaska is strongly influenced by the collision of the Yakutat block. Our model predicts a velocity of 50.3 ± 0.8 mm/a toward N22.9 ± 0.6° W for that block. Our results suggest that the eastern edge of the Yakutat block is deforming. Along this edge, the Fairweather fault accommodates a large portion of the Pacific-North America relative plate motion through 42.9 ± 0.9 mm/a of dextral slip. Further south along the Queen Charlotte fault, our model predicts an average of 43.9 ± 0.6 mm/a of dextral slip and a southward increasing amount of transpression. Strain from the Yakutat collision is transferred far to the east of the strike-slip system. This strain transfer causes the region north of Glacier Bay to undergo a clockwise rotation. South of Glacier Bay and inboard of the Queen Charlotte fault, a smaller but clearly defined clockwise rotation is observed. The heterogeneous block motion north and south of Glacier Bay may indicate the area is undergoing internal deformation and could explain regional patterns of diffuse seismicity. The Northern Cordillera of Canada displays a small northeasterly motion. Our block model suggests that the entire southeastern Alaska-northwestern Canada margin is mobile.
Elucidation of the proton transport mechanism in human carbonic anhydrase II.

Human carbonic anhydrase II (HCA II) is one of the fastest known enzymes, which utilizes a rate-limiting proton transport (PT) step in its enzymatic reaction. To evaluate the PT event at an atomistic level, the multistate empirical valence bond (MS-EVB) method has been utilized in this work. It is observed that the PT event in HCA II exploits a transient active site water cluster to transport the excess proton between the catalytic zinc-bound water/hydroxide and the proton shuttling residue, His64. This PT event is found to be dependent on the enzyme’s ability to form and stabilize the active site water cluster in addition to its ability to orient His64 in a favorable conformation. Evaluation of the PT free energy barrier for different orientations of His64 reveals this residue’s vital role as a proton transporter and elucidates its direct effect on the barrier to PT through the active site water. It is suggested that the rate-limiting step oscillates between the active site water PT event to His64 and th...
A Clinical Review of Statin-Associated Myopathy

Objective: To review the epidemiology, clinical features, proposed mechanisms, risk factors, and management of statin-associated myopathy. Data Sources: Literature searches were conducted in PubMed...
Microgrids — A review of modeling, control, protection, simulation and future potential

Results of a literature survey done on microgrids from conception to installation is presented. The purpose is to evaluate the current status, major obstacles and existing research efforts directed toward establishing functional microgrids within utility systems. This review paper covers technical issues associated with frequency control and re-synchronization associated with typical distributed energy sources. Also evaluated are regulatory and policy issues associated with ownership, maintenance, availability, coordinated equipment control, obligation to provide adequate power quality, etc. associated with operating an islanded microgrid within a utility company's service territory. Actual microgrids in operation today are described. Benchmark test systems for steady state and dynamic simulations are also discussed.
Amount of nickel applied with a standard patch test

The concentration of nickel sulphate was determined in 9-16 mg test samples from commercially available patch test antigens. With two different manufacturers of 2.5% nickel sulphate in pet, the concentration range of 25 samples was 0.7 and 1.1% (+/- 2 SD) respectively, and with one manufacturer of 5.0% nickel sulphate in pet, the range was +/- 0.5%. In a normal patch test, the volume of patch test material applied with the Finn chamber technique should be 12-18 microliter (9-16 mg), but has been found to range between 9 and 50 microliter. Thus the amount of nickel applied in standard patch tests varies within at least 6-fold limits.
Studies of pH of sweat produced by different forms of stimulation.

During the past two years we examined the pH of the sweat, as well as the .. pH on the skin surface after stimulation of sweating by drugs, such as pilo-carpine, acetylcholine, or adrenaline and compared the results with those ob-> tained after stimulation by heat or muscular exercise.
A welfare analysis of monopolistic R & D

Abstract Welfare analysis of monopolistic R&D is considered in this paper. The concept of reservation technology level as introduced in the economic literature is used. A reservation technology level is defined as that technology level, such that an R&D decision maker is just indifferent between doing R&D or not. It is demonstrated that a monopolist is less persistent in R&D search than a social welfare maximizer in the sense that a monopolist has a lower reservation technology level than a social welfare maximizer.
Crew Module Water Landing Simulation Methods Development for NASA

The NASA Orion Crew Module water landing is a very complex dynamic event and accurately creating a computer simulation model of this event is both computationally taxing and input sensitive. Outside of the many physical variables associated w ith the event there are many simulation input variables such as mesh density, bo undary conditions, and contact interfaces which have an enormous effect on the accuracy of the simulation results. Consequently, identifying the desired outputs from the simulation results is a critical aspect to the complexity of the model and determining input variable sensitivities to drive the desired solution. Although there are closed form solutions available to predict quasi-dynamic water landing events, it is imperative to have accurate p hysical test data in order to correlate and anchor the finite element (FE) simulation models su ch that the models can potentially be used as a predictive tool with a high level of conf idence for certain conditions encountered during water landings and can be effectively be use d for structural design iterations. The NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC) aims to establish a clear understanding of the specific modeling methods needed to perform dynamic simulations of the Orion Crew Module water landings. Specifically, the work seeks to determine the critical simulation variables, methods and physical testing needed to create an accurate computer simulation FEA model. With an accurate FEA model, accelerations, loads and trajectories can be used to evaluate and develop as tronaut safety systems during water landing as well as predict the structural stability of the Crew Module structure itself.
Fiber Optic Thermal Detection of Composite Delaminations

A recently developed technique is presented for thermographic detection of delaminations in composites by performing temperature measurements with fiber optic Bragg gratings. A single optical fiber with multiple Bragg gratings employed as surface temperature sensors was bonded to the surface of a composite with subsurface defects. The investigated structure was a 10-ply composite specimen with prefabricated delaminations of various sizes and depths. Both during and following the application of a thermal heat flux to the surface, the individual Bragg grating sensors measured the temporal and spatial temperature variations. The data obtained from grating sensors were analyzed with thermal modeling techniques of conventional thermography to reveal particular characteristics of the interested areas. Results were compared and found to be consistent with the calculations using numerical simulation techniques. Also discussed are methods including various heating sources and patterns, and their limitations for performing in-situ structural health monitoring.
Building a network coded storage testbed for data center energy reduction

The energy consumption of data centers (DCs) worldwide is approaching that of countries such as Argentina. This paper builds upon the analytical work presented in [1], which showed that reductions in blocking probability, using algorithms such as network coded storage (NCS), can significantly reduce DC energy consumption. We demonstrate that NCS can be deployed in a DC management software with a commercial grade feature set, without interference. We develop a simple method to estimate blocking probability DC networks, and present preliminary blocking results for a single-server single-drive node. The next step of this project is to use the insights gained herein to develop more accurate queueing models for delay and blocking characteristics of DC servers and drives.
Carrier and field dependences of the magnetoconductance of two-dimensional electron systems

Abstract The magnetoconductivity of a two-dimensional electron system is evaluated for weak/intermediate magnetic fields as a function of carrier density. The magnetoconductance shows a maximum which is reduced and shifted towards a higher carrier concentration when the magnetic field is increased The oscillating pattern changes also with the concentration. These variations agree with the data of Fang, Fowler and Hartstein.
Superconductor strip geometrical barrier in the presence of a weak applied field

The geometrical barrier of a high aspect-ratio non-thin superconductor strip in the presence of a weak, normally-incident applied magnetic field is calculated employing exact expressions for the response of and vortex-structure in a strip. The calculated barrier has two symmetrically located minima near the strip edges and a local maximum at the strip's mid-point, all running along the strip. The commonly invoked geometrical barrier, characterized by an inverted-parabola-like shape and minimum at the strip's mid-point, is qualitatively reproduced for an applied-field sufficiently strong to saturate the geometrical barrier's edge-minima with pinned vortices. Trends of the calculated barrier as function of the strip dimensions and the applied-field magnitude are presented and discussed.
Wake-promoting actions of noradrenergic α1- and β-receptors within the lateral hypothalamic area

Central norepinephrine exerts potent wake-promoting effects, in part through the actions of noradrenergic α1 - and β-receptors located in the medial septal and medial preoptic areas. The lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), including the lateral hypothalamus, perifornical area and adjacent dorsomedial hypothalamus, is implicated in the regulation of arousal and receives a substantial noradrenergic innervation. To date the functional significance of this innervation is unknown. The current studies examined the degree to which noradrenergic α1 - and β-receptor stimulation within the rat LHA modulates arousal. Specifically, these studies examined the wake-promoting effects of intra-tissue infusions (250 nL) of the α1 -receptor agonist phenylephrine (10, 20 and 40 nmol) and the β-receptor agonist isoproterenol (3, 10 and 30 nmol) in rats. Results show that stimulation of LHA α1 -receptors elicits robust and dose-dependent increases in waking. In contrast, β-receptor stimulation within the LHA had relatively modest arousal-promoting actions. Nonetheless, combined α1 - and β-receptor stimulation elicited additive wake-promoting effects. Arousal-promoting hypocretin/orexin (HCRT)-synthesising neurons are located within the LHA. Therefore, additional immunohistochemical studies examined whether α1 -receptor-dependent waking is associated with an activation of HCRT neurons as measured by Fos, the protein product of the immediate-early gene c-fos. Analyses indicate that although intra-LHA α1 -receptor agonist infusion elicited a robust increase in Fos immunoreactivity (ir) in this region, this treatment did not activate HCRT neurons as measured by Fos-ir. Collectively, these observations indicate that noradrenergic α1 -receptors within the LHA promote arousal via actions that are independent of HCRT neuronal activation.
Excimer laser coronary angioplasty: Results in restenosis versus de novo coronary lesions

There is limited information regarding the use of excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) in patients with restenotic lesions. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the results of ELCA in patients with restenosis following prior PTCA with results obtained in de novo (no restenosis) patients. A retrospective review was obtained of all patients undergoing attempted ELCA at each of the 12 participating clinical investigative centers. There were 620 patients in the prior restenosis group and 949 in the de novo group. Both laser success (88% vs 78%) and procedural success (92% vs 88%) were higher in restenosis lesions compared with de novo lesions (P less than 0.001). Six-month follow-up was available in 40% of patients. Restenosis occurred in 49% of the prior restenosis group vs 44% of the de novo group (P nonsignificant) but death was more common in the de novo group (2.2 vs 0.4%, P = 0.01). ELCA can be performed with a high success rate in patients with restenosis following prior balloon angioplasty but recurrent restenosis following laser procedure remains a significant problem.
The impact of gambling on personal bankruptcy rates

Both access to casino gambling and the personal bankruptcy rate have risen substantially in recent years. A reported correlation between greater access to gambling facilities and state and county bankruptcy rates suggests the increased availability of gambling might be an important factor explaining the increased national bankruptcy rate. A correlation between convenient access to gambling and high bankruptcy rates might also occur if distressed communities are more receptive to the introduction of casinos than prosperous communities. This paper utilizes panel data to investigate the impact of the
Respiratory management after cardiac surgery.

M anagement ofthe respiratory system after cardiac surgery depends on multiple factors including preoperative cardiac and pulmonary function, intraoperative events, and the patient’s postoperative hemodynamic status. In recent years, an increasing number of cardiac procedures have been done for patients who are older and have more severe heart disease and more severe chronic obstructive lung disease.”2 In addition, a significant fraction of these patients have chronic medical problems including systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or chronic renal failure, all ofwhich may complicate postoperative management. This article will first review the effects of anesthesia, thoracic surgery, and cardiopulmonary bypass on pulmonary function. Then, respiratory management following uncomplicated cardiac surgery will be discussed. The diagnosis and respiratory management of cardiogenic and noncardiogenic pulmonary edema following cardiac surgery will be reviewed. Also, the preoperative and postoperative management of patients with chronic obstructive lung disease will be considered in some detail, as well as the diagnosis and management of unilateral or bilateral diaphragm dysfunction following cardiac surgery.
Treatment of sleep and nighttime disturbances in Alzheimer's disease: a behavior management approach

Abstract Background and purposes Sleep and nighttime behavioral disturbances are widespread in community-dwelling dementia patients, but little is known about the usefulness of behavioral interventions for treating them. This article presents data from three cases enrolled in an ongoing study of sleep problems in community-dwelling Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients: nighttime insomnia treatment and education for Alzheimer's disease. Patients and methods All subjects received written materials describing age- and dementia-related changes in sleep, and standard principles of good sleep hygiene. Caregivers also received education about dementia, listings of relevant community resources, and general support. Subjects' sleep–wake activity was measured at baseline, post-test (2 months), and 6-month follow-up using an Actillume wrist-movement recorder, which was worn continuously for 1 week. Results Post-test actigraphic improvements in sleep quantity and sleep efficiency, number of nighttime awakenings, and amount of daytime sleep, as well as subjective sleep ratings were observed. One subject maintained improvements at 6-month follow-up. Subjects varied widely in the type of sleep problems reported and behavioral strategies implemented by family caregivers, illustrating the complexity that characterizes nighttime behavioral disturbances in AD. Conclusions This paper provides clinical and empirical evidences that behavioral strategies including standard sleep hygiene recommendations can be helpful in treating sleep and nighttime behavioral disturbances in dementia patients.
The robotic surgery era and the role of laparoscopy training

It has been suggested that the robotic surgery platform is an enabling technology that allows surgeons that are not trained in standard laparoscopy to perform minimally-invasive surgery. This raises the question of whether or not training in laparoscopy is necessary for current and future surgeons. The current status of laparoscopy in urology in the United States is reviewed along with a perspective regarding the potential future role of laparoscopic training as robotic surgery becomes increasingly applied to most major urologic procedures.
Erythropoiesis-Stimulating Agent Use in Cancer: Preclinical and Clinical Perspectives

Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESA) used for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anemia in cancer patients have been associated with adverse outcomes of enhanced tumor progression and impaired survival in a series of recent clinical trials. As clinical practice guidelines for ESA administration in cancer patients have evolved to improve safety, the mechanisms underlying the adverse outcomes and whether ESAs exert direct and/or indirect effects in primary tumors to modulate tumor cell growth, survival, and chemoradiotherapy responses remain uncertain. Erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) expression in tumor cells has raised the simplistic possibility that Epo signaling mediated via a functional cellular receptor may contribute to tumor progression in a direct manner. However, Epo biology in cancer is likely to be complex and an interplay of multiple factors is potentially involved in the overall tumor response to exogenous Epo. Optimization of ESA use as an important supportive therapy modality in cancer patients, and further investigation of the role of Epo-EpoR in cancer biology will require a combination of carefully designed preclinical and clinical studies designed to ascertain not only the effect of ESA therapy on clinical outcomes such as tumor response, progression-free, and overall survival but also to investigate the potential effects of Epo on biomarkers of EpoR activation and factors related to tumor biology and chemoradiation responsiveness.
INDUCTION OF CYTOCHROME P4501A1

Cytochrome P4501A1 is a substrate-inducible microsomal enzyme that oxygenates polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, such as the carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene, as the initial step in their metabolic processing to water-soluble derivatives. Enzyme induction reflects increased transcription of the cognate CYP1A1 gene. The environmental toxicant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin is the most potent known cytochrome P4501A1 inducer. Two regulatory proteins, the aromatic (aryl) hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and the AhR nuclear translocator (Arnt), mediate induction. AhR and Arnt are prototypical members of the basic helix-loop-helix/Per-Arnt-Sim class of transcription factors. Mechanistic analyses of cytochrome P4501A1 induction provide insights into ligand-dependent mammalian gene expression, basic helix-loop-helix/Per-Arnt-Sim protein function, and dioxin action; such studies also impact public health issues concerned with molecular epidemiology, carcinogenesis, and risk assessment.
Focusing Firm Evolution: The Impact of Information Infrastructure on Market Entry by U.S. Telecommunications Companies, 1984-1998

Organization structure acts as a lens on the environment, gathering information and shaping its flow through a firm to inform managers' choices. This shaping of information flow happens through an organization's operating units, which selectively process information from the environment, and through the links between them, which pass information between units. We explore the relationship between this "information infrastructure" and firm strategy using structure and service information from the eight largest telephone service providers in the United States from 1984 to 1998. We find that firms with more units that scan areas of opportunity are more likely to enter a market, while firms with more units that scan nonfocal areas are less likely to enter the market. We also find that personnel links between units and the corporate level of the firm often constrain entry to new markets by dampening a unit's appetite for risk. Personnel links between operating units, on the other hand, can make a firm more likely to enter new markets, particularly when the cooperating units combine different sets of information. Thus, a firm's information infrastructure plays a dual role in shaping firm evolution, leading toward some paths and away from others.
PREVENTION OF TYPE 2 DIABETES

Diabetes mellitus is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in society. It is the leading cause of blindness in adults, the most frequent cause of end-stage renal disease, the most important reason for amputation after trauma, and an important risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease. 33 The cost of diabetes to the US economy has quadrupled over the past decade and reached $105 billion in 1995, exceeding that of cancer and heart disease. Greater than 90% of all diabetic subjects have type 2 diabetes (about 16 million individuals), half of whom are thought to be undiagnosed. 34 It has been estimated that newly diagnosed patients have been hyperglycemic for 5 to 10 years before they are diagnosed, so that 10% to 20% of such individuals have evidence of tissue complications at diagnosis. 35 Furthermore, the incidence of type 2 diabetes has increased steadily in the United States over the past four decades, particularly in minority ethnic groups. 46 Although the benefits of intensified glycemic control in preventing microangiopathic complications have been established, 16 there is little evidence that there have been substantial improvements in the health of the average patient with diabetes. In addition, there is considerable uncertainty that improved glycemic control significantly reduces the problem of diabetic macroangiopathy. Prospective studies suggest that other cardiovascular risk factors associated with diabetes, such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and a procoagulant state, may predate the emergence of hyperglycemia for many years. 31 It is for these reasons that new approaches to the problem need to be considered. Improvements in understanding of the natural history and the etiopathogenesis of type 2 diabetes indicate that this disease usually has a prolonged prediabetic phase. This raises the possibility that individuals destined to develop type 2 diabetes might be identified before its inception, for preventive management and treatment.
Jake Harwood and Howard Giles (eds.), Intergroup communication: Multiple perspectives

Jake Harwood and Howard Giles (eds.), Intergroup communication: Multiple perspectives. New York: Peter Lang, 2005. Pp. viii, 277. Pb $29.95.Social psychologists have long been concerned with the ways in which group categories operate in the organization of social life, but communication scholars have been slower to examine such intergroup processes. Editors Jake Harwood and Howard Giles present a pioneering collection on intergroup communication, which, they argue, deserves to stand on its own as a distinct research area. It is notable that while this volume examines intergroup issues, this endeavor is – in and of itself – intergroup in nature, bringing together the fields of social psychology and communication. Covering an impressive breadth of social groups and contexts, the chapters in this collection draw heavily on social identity theory (SIT) in the study of intergroup communication. Linguistic anthropologists and qualitative sociolinguists investigate many of the same issues covered in this volume – most notably culture, gender, sexuality, and multilingualism – with vastly different theoretical models and methodological tools. Still, this book should appeal to all types of scholars who may be at the very least curious about how theoretical trends in social psychology and communication might inform shared areas of concern, despite what may be irreconcilable ontological differences.
Finding faces in cluttered scenes using random labeled graph matching

An algorithm for locating quasi-frontal views of human faces in cluttered scenes is presented. The algorithm works by coupling a set of local feature detectors with a statistical model of the mutual distances between facial features it is invariant with respect to translation, rotation (in the plane), and scale and can handle partial occlusions of the face. On a challenging database with complicated and varied backgrounds, the algorithm achieved a correct localization rate of 95% in images where the face appeared quasi-frontally. >
Regulation of NHE3 by nitric oxide in Caco-2 cells.

The effect of nitric oxide (NO) on Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) activity was investigated utilizing Caco-2 cells as an experimental model. Incubation of Caco-2 cells with 10−3 MS-nitroso-N-acetylpenicilla...
Adaptive robust control: A piecewise Lyapunov function approach

The problem of output tracking control for a class of multi-input multi-output uncertain systems is considered. A novel adaptive robust controller is proposed, which incorporates a variable-structure radial basis function (RBF) network to approximate unknown system dynamics. The RBF network can determine its structure on-line dynamically, where radial basis functions are added or removed to ensure the desired tracking accuracy and to prevent the network redundancy simultaneously. The structure variation of the RBF network is taken into account in the stability analysis of the closed-loop system. This is accomplished by using the piecewise continuous quadratic Lyapunov function typically for the analysis of switched and hybrid systems.
All-optical photonic switches using integrated inverted asymmetric Fabry-Perot modulators and heterojunction phototransistors

InGaAs/GaAs(100) multiple-quantum-well-based inverted cavity asymmetric Fabry-Perot modulators are vertically integrated with GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction phototransistors to yield all-optical photonic switches. The photonic switches using "normally on" modulator pixels exhibit an output on-off ratio of 12:1 with an internal optical gain of 4 dB. The photonic switches using "normally off" modulator pixels yield similar contrast and gain, but exhibit intrinsic bistable behavior. The inverted cavity modulators employed permit utilizing the transparency of the GaAs substrate at the operating wavelength and offer advantages for fabricating large arrays for optical signal processing.
Theoretical Issues in Building a Grounded Theory: Application of an Example of a Program of Research on Infertility

Grounded theory research is often described as the foundation for subsequent deductive studies that test out the resulting theory or interventions based on it. Another view, however, is that an initial grounded theory study can serve as the basis for a series of such studies in a program of research that seeks to modify, to verify, and to elaborate on the evolving theory. This article aims to (a) present an example of a program of research on infertility whereby a grounded theory of identity of self as an infertile person was developed and elaborated on, and (b) raise theoretical questions about grounded theory methodology in an effort to advance our thinking about this methodology and how it can contribute to theory generation through linked studies in a program of research.
Changing the Family Business through Action Research

The qualitative research reported here is part of an ongoing, value-adding relationship between family-owned businesses and two universities: the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University and the Family Business Program at the University of St. Thomas. The family business programs at both universities have gone beyond the family business forum model so prevalent today and engaged with participating family firms in facilitating actions that represent meaningful changes for the family business. This article documents some of the changes and value derived by the participating firms. It also proposes the notion that the family business field can learn from action research processes. Because action research can keep both practitioners and researchers in contact with the fundamental problems faced by family-controlled corporations, it can help create knowledge that is immensely practical and fundamental.
A handful of intron-containing genes produces the lion's share of yeast mRNA.

Two studies have provided separate pieces of information that bear on the functional and evolutionary significance of introns in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Holstege et al., 1998; Spingola et al., 1999). By the measure of the number of introns within its genes, budding yeast seems a disappointing eukaryote. Fewer than 250 of the more than 6,200 annotated genes are known to have introns, and fewer than 10 are known have more than one intron (Spingola et al., 1999). In contrast, metazoan genes are estimated to average nearly 10 introns, and the intronless gene is the exception rather than the rule. Although many essential yeast genes have introns, it would appear that introns are on the way out of the yeast genome, perhaps by a cDNA-directed homologous recombination mechanism proposed by Fink (1987).
De-Embedding and Unterminating

De-embedding is the process of deducing the impedance of a device under test from measurernents made at a distance, when the electrical properties of the intervening structure are known. Unterminating is the process of deducing the electrical properties of the intervening structure from a series of measurements with known embedded devices. The mathematical steps necessary for de-embedding and unterminating with theoretically redundant measurements in order to minimize the effect of experimental errors.
Novel Roles for Nox Oxidases in Cardiac Arrhythmia and Oxidized Glutathione Export in Endothelial Function

See related articles, pages 629–636 and pages 637–644 This issue of Circulation Research contains two articles in the area of oxidant regulation that have major implications for their novel roles in mechanisms that contribute to cardiovascular disease processes in humans. An article by Kim et al1 reports data showing that human cardiac myocytes isolated from right atrial appendages express Nox-2, and that these myocytes and homogenates of the atria from patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have increased levels of Nox-derived superoxide generation that appear to originate from increased Nox oxidase activation. Homogenates of atria from the AF patients also show evidence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) becoming a source of superoxide generation, which is thought to originate from an uncoupling of the ability of this enzyme to efficiently synthesize NO. The article by Mueller et al2 reports a new important role for multidrug resistance protein-1 (MRP-1) in controlling oxidant regulation in human and animal endothelium by exporting oxidized glutathione (GSSG). In their study, this group demonstrates how the expression of this protein functions to remove increased GSSG in hypertensive rats and endothelial cells exposed to oscillatory shear stress. Interestingly, the inhibition of MRP-1 appears to restore endothelial function in the hypertensive rats and prevent shear-induced apoptosis in these models apparently through preserving endothelial cell glutathione levels. Both of these articles have major new implications for the understanding and therapeutic targeting of human disease processes. There is already much evidence that oxidant processes have a major influence on the expression of AF. As discussed in the article by Kim et al,1 reactive oxygen species (ROS) are known to cause AF, and antioxidant and statin therapies associated with the modulation of ROS, redox and improved nitric oxide regulation modulate the expression of AF. The data in this …
Simulations of proton generation and heating from intense laser irradiated foils

Proton generation, focusing, and heating of solid density material using intense high energy picosecond laser pulses irradiating thin curved foils are simulated using the PIC Hybrid code LSP The efficiency of proton production is studied using a variety of H-rich surface materials, with the highest efficiencies found with heavy hydride surface layers. Using hemispherical targets, improvements in focusing are demonstrated with a larger focal spot due to improved sheath uniformity. Focused proton fluxes are applied to 100 mum size samples, resulting in solid density materials heated to 100- 1000 eV. Preliminary results with focusing hemisphere targets that include a guide cone indicate improved focusing, possibly due to electrostatic guiding along the wall. Comparisons with data and recent results from Omega-EP and Titan will also be discussed.
Distribution of hybrid fungal symbionts and environmental stress.

Most asexual fungal symbionts of grasses in the genus Neotyphodium occurring in nature are of hybrid origin. Most hybrid Neotyphodium species result from interspecific hybridization events between pathogenic Epichloe species or co-occurring non-hybrid Neotyphodium species. Current hypotheses for the prevalence of hybrid Neotyphodium species include reduction of mutation accumulation and increased adaptive response to environmental extremes. We tested the adaptive response hypothesis by characterizing the distribution of uninfected, hybrid, and non-hybrid Neotyphodium endophytes in 24 native Arizona fescue host populations and abiotic parameters at each locality. Infection was high in all host populations (>70%), but the majority of host populations were infected by non-hybrid Neotyphodium (>50% on average). Principal component analysis indicates the frequency of plants infected with hybrid fungi is negatively related to soil nutrients and positively correlated with early spring moisture. Non-hybrid infected hosts are positively associated with soil nutrients and show a complex relationship with soil moisture (negative in early spring moisture, positive with late summer soil moisture). These results suggest the frequency of uninfected, hybrid, and non-hybrid infected plants is related to resource availability and abiotic stress factors. This supports the hypothesis that hybridization in asexual fungal symbionts increases host adaptability to extreme environments.
Measuring Migratory Grief and Loss Associated With the Experience of Immigration

Objectives: The Migratory Grief and Loss Questionnaire (MGLQ) was designed to measure the grief experience associated with immigration. This article reports the development and psychometric propert...
Research Productivity of Graduates in Management: Effects of Academic Origin and Academic Affiliation

We examined the relationships among status of academic origin, status of academic affiliation, and research productivity for a sample of doctoral graduates in management. Contrary to expectations, ...
A note on the composition of plutoniclastic sand produced in different climatic belts

The grain-size-dependent compositional trends of 25 samples of Holocene plutoniclastic sand produced by the physical and chemical weathering of Cretaceous plutonic rocks in arid, semi-arid, and mediterranean (hot summer) climates were determined during this study. These trends, when compared to similar data from plutoniclastic sands produced in a humid temperate mesothermal climate, suggest that arid, semi-arid, and mediterranean (hot summer) climates produce comparatively little alteration of feldspathic to rock-fragment-rich plutoniclastic material. This conclusion, in conjunction with published data, suggests that a climatic threshold exists, beyond which feldspathic to rock-fragment-rich plutoniclastic debris is readily altered to form a sand enriched in quartz. Current data indicate that the critical climatic threshold lies between the humid temperate mesothermal climate typical of South Carolina and North Carolina, and the arid, humid microthermal, and humid mesothermal climates common to the western United States. Data presented here support the use of the climatic-discrimination diagram of L.J. Suttner and P.K. Dutta, and are generally consistent with the earlier work of A. Basu.
All-optical control of an individual resonance in a silicon microresonator.

We experimentally demonstrate selective control of the $Q$ and transmission of an individual resonance of an optical microcavity by optically controlling its intracavity loss via inverse Raman scattering. A strongly overcoupled resonance is brought into critical coupling with continuous tuning of the on-resonance transmission by $g9\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{dB}$ and reduction of the intrinsic $Q$ factor by more than a factor of five. Adjacent resonances experience minimal disturbance and can be selectively controlled by tuning the control beam to the appropriate control resonance. These dynamics are analogous to Zeno effects observed in decoherence-driven atomic ensembles and two-level systems.
Precautionary Principle: Application to Seismic Hazard Analysis

In the environmental field, the Precautionary Principle has recently been promoted as a guiding principle for decision making. Statements of the Precautionary Principle are varied, so my first task in this discussion is to provide a satisfactory definition. A starting point is the statement from the Wingspread conference in Racine, Wisconsin in 1998. The central statement of this version is: “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof.” I would restate the Precautionary Principle for seismic hazard analysis as: “Where earthquakes threaten harm to human safety and the built environment, precautionary measures should be taken even when the hazard is not fully established scientifically.” I would restate the Precautionary Principle for seismic hazard analysis as: “Where earthquakes threaten harm to human safety and the built environment, precautionary measures should be taken even when the hazard is not fully established scientifically.” The Wingspread statement urges, “Corporations, government entities, organizations, communities, scientists and other individuals must adopt a precautionary approach to all human endeavors.” The statement emphasizes that its application should be an open process: “The process of applying the Precautionary Principle must be open, informed and democratic and must include potentially affected parties.” Organizations such as the Nevada Seismological Laboratory or the U.S. Geological Survey would have a particular responsibility, if this were accepted to guide our philosophical approach toward seismic hazard analysis, to assure openness in the process. Openness is especially important because we, as seismologists, have our own biases, which can at times be seen as self-serving. The informed discussion among affected parties is needed for balance. The Precautionary …
Large Eddy Simulations of the Hydrodynamic and Thermal Fields from a Cylindrical Film Cooling Hole

Large Eddy Simulations are used to explore the unsteady jet-in-crossflow interactions arising from discrete hole film cooling from a cylindrical hole. The numerical grids are created using GridPro and exported into OpenFOAM for solution with specified initial and boundary conditions. A recycling-rescaling technique is used to generate a realistic turbulent incoming boundary layer upstream of injection. The geometry and flow conditions are specified to match conditions of an experiment in open literature for robust validation of the numerical solution and turbulence modeling. While LES has been demonstrated to be very successful in free shear flows, wallbounded flows remain a hot topic of research. The current study tests the ability of LES in predicting film cooling flows using detailed experimental measurements. The LES results compared favorably with the experimental data except in areas close to the injection site and close to the wall. Grid resolution is discussed in terms of the percent turbulent kinetic energy resolved and related to the success of the LES predictions in different regions of the jet. With a dynamic Smagorinsky model used for the subgrid turbulent stresses, the benefit of a dynamic procedure for the subgrid turbulent heat fluxes instead of a supplied constant Prandtl number is minimal at the current grid resolution. The trajectories, spreading rates and large turbulent structures of the jet are discussed in terms of the hydrodynamic parameters such as velocity ratio and momentum ratio.
Practical Access to Metallo Thiophenes: Regioselective Synthesis of 2,4-Disubstituted Thiophenes

This report describes a protocol for functionalization of thiophenes, utilizing a regioselective magnesiation mediated by commercial Grignard reagents and catalytic 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine. This metalation provides practical access to metallo thiophenes, avoiding cryogenic conditions, prolonged reaction times, and prohibitively expensive reagents. Application to a target thiophene-phthalazinone 6 was accomplished by addition of 2-magnesio-4-methylthiophene to phthalic anhydride, providing the product with >40:1 regioselectivity. This also solved a chemoselectivity issue encountered with analogous lithio-thiophene reagents and cyclic anhydrides, or with magnesio-thiophene generated by simultaneous lithium-to-magnesium transmetalation/anhydride acylation. These alternative in situ transmetalation sequences were plagued by an age effect dictated by the kinetic solubility of MgCl2/THF complexes.
Reaction of o -phenylenediamine with 2,3-dichloromaleic anhydride: synthesis of N-substituted maleimide derivatives and 2,3-dichloropyrrolo[1,2-a]benzimidazol-1-one. X-ray structures of 2,3-dichloro- N - o -C 6 H 4 (NH 2 )maleimide and N , N ′- o -C 6 H 4 - bis (2,3-dichloromaleimide)

Refluxing equimolar amounts of 2,3-dichloromaleic anhydride and o-phenylenediamine in toluene affords the three compounds 2,3-dichloro-N-o-C6H4(NH2)maleimide (1), N,N′-o-C6H4-bis(2,3-dichloromaleimide) (2), and 2,3-dichloropyrrolo[1,2-a]benzimidazol-1-one (3). Under these conditions the former compound is observed as the major product. Repeating the same reaction in the presence of added PTSA furnishes the heterocyclic compound 2,3-dichloropyrrolo[1,2-a]benzimidazol-1-one, as the major product. Treatment of compound 1 with PTSA, coupled with water removal, gives compound 3 in near quantitative yield and confirms the intermediacy of 1 en route to 3. The new compounds 1–3 have been isolated by column chromatography and characterized in solution by spectroscopic methods. The molecular structures of the maleimide-substituted compounds 1 and 2 were determined by X-ray crystallography. 2,3-Dichloro-N-o-C6H4(NH2)maleimide crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c, a = 20.693(8) A, b = 5.712(2) A, c = 8.787(4) A, β = 92.819(7)°, V = 1037.3(7) A3, Z = 4, and dcalc = 1.646 Mg/m3; R = 0.0604, Rw = 0.1140 for 1354 reflections with I > 2 σ (I), with N,N′-o-C6H4-bis(2,3-dichloromaleimide) crystallizing in the triclinic space group P−1, a = 7.9509(4) A, b = 10.2532(6) A, c = 12.1126(7) A, α = 82.637(1)°, β = 87.799(1)°, γ = 71.634(1)°, V = 929.42(9) A3, Z = 2, and dcalc = 1.651 Mg/m3; R = 0.0499, Rw = 0.1545 for 1977 reflections with I > 2σ (I).
Selection of reinforcing fabrics for wind turbine blades

The static and fatigue properties of typical wind turbine blade composite materials depend strongly on the architecture of the reinforcing fabric (woven, stitched, etc.) as well as the overall fiber content and fiber orientation. Fabric architecture also has a strong influence on resin flow characteristics during manufacturing and on the sensitivity of the properties to structural detail geomev. The DOJZ/MSU Fatigue Database contains data on many commercially available reinforcing fabrics tested in a variety of laminate configurations under several loading conditions. Two factors of concern are the low compressive strength of woven fabrics, and a transition to poor tensile fatigue resistance which can plague all stranded fabrics under some conditions. Furthermore, the unidirectional stitched fabrics, which have shown the best overall performance, are not available in the long, or warp direction of the fabric roll, and so cannot be used for the main lengthwise reinforcement in the blade. This paper presents a surnrnzuy of the merits of several widely used fabrics as well as results for several new fabric types including bonded fabrics which show potential for improved performance. The results include an assessment of manufacturability and performance in structural details.
Can accountability be legislated into a banking system? Evidence from the recent unpleasantness

The financial crisis created economic havoc. To prevent a reoccurrence, many legislatures are passing laws that will require banks to be more accountable. The result is voluminous, turgid and complex regulation that tries to govern banking activity. The extent to which the new regulations will accomplish their goals is open to question. This study examines bank executive decision-making in the context of mindfulness and organisational routines to evaluate whether the regulations will work. Data is gathered from a group of senior bank executives. The results of the study indicate that legislating accountability is probably not viable and that cultural changes are more likely to be successful.
Percutaneous Transtracheal Ventilation

Summary PTV is an adjunct to airway management that can prove helpful in selected cases. Its speed and ease of performance are offset by the need for specialized equipment to accomplish it. This difficulty, combined with infrequent indications, makes PTV a rarely performed procedure. Nevertheless, it remains a viable airway management alternative whose applications may be broadened in the future.