cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early Triassic paleomagnetic data from the Dolomites (Italy)

Prefolding high unblocking temperature magnetization components have been resolved from 28 sites of red siltstones from the Lower Triassic Werfen Formation in the Dolomites (Southern Alps). Site mean declinations are more scattered than site mean inclinations, indicating small-scale relative rotation among thrust sheets, particularly in the eastern part of the Dolomites affected by “Dinaric” (Paleogene) thrusting. Two sites from close to the Valsugana Line indicate large-scale (∼80°) anticlockwise rotation in this zone of Alpine sinistral transpression. The overall mean direction (number of sites (N) = 26, Declination = 331°, Inclination = 13°, α95 = 6.6°), excluding sites close to the Valsugana Line, gives a pole position (Latitude = 42°N, Longitude = 233°E, dp/dm = 3.4°/6.8°) which lies close to published Early Permian poles from the Southern Alps and to Permian and Early Triassic poles for Africa, implying very little net rotation of the Dolomites relative to Africa since Permian time.
The effect of barrier strain on the reliability of Inx Al1–xN/AlN/GaN heterostructure field‐effect transistors

We report on the reliability of Inx Al1–xN/AlN/GaN-based heterostructure field-effect transistors (HFETs) fabricated on five different wafers with varying indium compositions (0.12 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) encompassing the tensile/compressive strain fields. All of the tested devices underwent high field on-state stress at 20 V DC drain bias and zero gate bias for five hours. We monitored the drain current and low-frequency noise (LFN) a priori and a posteriori the stress treatment to quantify device degradation. HFETs suffering tensile strain showed remarkably large degradation which manifested itself with up to 25 dB increase in noise power and up to 72% loss of drain current after stress. On the other hand, devices fabricated on compressively strained structures remained intact after stress, but they had about 30 dB higher pre-stress noise-power levels and about 50% lower drain-current densities to begin with. The results show that the nearly lattice-matched In0.17Al0.83N barrier exhibited very low degradation along with current density remaining high compared with the devices having barriers with lower or higher indium content. Our results suggest that the nearly-lattice-matched InAlN can be a good candidate for devices due to its relatively better reliability while maintaining a high current density. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Inhibition of ARNT severely compromises endothelial cell viability and function in response to moderate hypoxia

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is a master heterodimeric transcriptional regulator of oxygen (O2) homeostasis critical to proper angiogenic responses. Due to the distinctive coexpression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α subunits in endothelial cells, our goal was to examine the genetic elimination of HIF transcriptional activity in response to physiological hypoxic conditions by using a genetic model in which the required HIF-β subunit (ARNT, Aryl hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator) to HIF transcriptional responses was depleted. Endothelial cells (ECs) and aortic explants were isolated from ArntloxP/loxP mice and infected with Adenovirus-Cre/GFP or control-GFP. We observed that moderate levels of 2.5 % O2 promoted vessel sprouting, growth, and branching in control aortic ring assays while growth from Adenovirus-Cre infected explants was compromised. Primary Adenovirus-Cre infected EC cultures featured adverse migration and tube formation phenotypes. Primary pulmonary or cardiac ARNT-deleted ECs also failed to proliferate and survive in response to 8 or 2.5 % O2 and hydrogen peroxide treatment. Our data demonstrates that ARNT promotes EC migration and vessel outgrowth and is indispensible for the proliferation and preservation of ECs in response to the physiological environmental cue of hypoxia. Thus, these results demonstrate that ARNT plays a critical intrinsic role in ECs and support an important collaboration between HIF-1 and HIF-2 transcriptional activity in these cells.
Determinants of Suburban Job Change in Retailing, Wholesaling, Service and Manufacturing Industries: 1960–1972

Abstract The push-pull model of migration (Lee, 1966) is applied to suburban job change for a universe of 574 suburbs for which job data were available in both 1958 and 1972. Change in manufacturing, retailing, wholesaling, and service industries were related in multiple regression analyses to suburban age, density, median income, percent black, unemployment, distance to the central city, and census region. It was found that several suburban characteristics were related to job change, and suburban job concentrations were found to be highly persistent.
Color Changes Induced by Pigment Granule Aggregation in Chromatophores: A Quantitative Model Based on Beer's Law

Abstract— A model is presented that quantitatively relates changes in the Beer's Law absorbance of light-absorbing chromatophores (melanophores, erythrophores and xanthophores) of cephalopods to changes in the extent of pigment granule aggregation in these cells. Assuming a circular chromatophore of uniform thickness is initially in its dispersed state, and using a pigment granule aggregation index (PGAI) that specifies the extent of pigment granule aggregation, we find that for a given PGAI, the increase in the photon flux through the chromatophore induced by pigment granule aggregation is directly proportional to the dispersed state absorbance. That is, for a given PGAI, darkly colored chromatophores experience greater clearing responses than weakly colored chromatophores. Color changes are also found to be induced as effectively by a small number of large chromatophores or a large number of small chromatophores provided the total skin surface area covered by pigment in the dispersed states are equivalent in the two cases. These results are related to the morphologies and pigment aggregation behaviors of melanophores, erythrophores and xanthophores, based on the light absorption properties of the melanin, pteridine and carotenoid pigments found in these cells. The relative utility and limitations of this model for studying cephalopod (nonden-dritic) and vertebrate (dendritic) chromatophores are also discussed.
"Cool low power" 1GHz multi-port register file and dynamic latch in 1.8 V, 0.25 μm SOI and bulk technology (poster session)

This paper describes power analysis at sub-zero temperatures for a high performance dynamic multiport register file (6 Read and 2 Write ports, 32 wordlines x 64 bitlines) fabricated in 0.25 μm Silicon on Insulator (SOI) and bulk technologies. Based on the hardware it is shown that the performance of both register file and latch improves by 2-3.5% per 10§ C reduction in temperature. The standby power for SOI reduces by 1.5% to 3 per 10§ C temperature drop down to -30§ C. The SOI chip is shown to have more significant performance improvement at low temperatures compared to bulk chip due to the floating body effect which partially offsets the increase in the threshold voltages (Vt). The low temperature performance gain is attributed to reduction in capacitance (around 7-8%) and rest is due to dynamic threshold voltages. At 30§ C the register file is capable of functioning close to 1.02 GHz for read and write operations in a single cycle.
Use of a dynamic mechanical analyzer to study supported polymers

The real and imaginary parts of the complex modulus of polymers which must be supported can be determined with the Du Pont Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer. Polymer coatings of equal thickness are laminated on both sides of a thin metal sheet. The flexural modulus of the laminate is given by E = E1X3 + E2(1 − x3) where E1 and E2 are the moduli of the metal and the polymer, respectively, and x is the thickness fraction of metal. Under some conditions, the dynamic viscosity of the polymer can also be determined.
Electron-Beam Controlled Semiconductor Switches

A high power closing and opening bulk semiconductor switch is discussed where a high energy electron- beam (e- beam) is used to control the switch conductivity. The electrons are injected through a contact into the cathode region of a direct semiconductor switch. They generate a high concentration of electron-hole pairs over a distance of several micrometers to several hundred micrometers, depending on the electron energy. Ionization of the bulk of the semiconductor is provided by recombination radiation and X-ray Bremsstrahlung. The optical generation of an electron-hole plasma in the bulk region of the semiconductor switch overcomes the space charge limitation on the switch current and therefore allows external control of high current densities. Current and voltage measurements of e-beam irradiated semi-insulating GaAs samples were performed. A change of resistance of more than three orders of magnitude was obtained with e- beam current densities of some tens of mA/cm2, corresponding to current gains (switch current/e-beam current) of up to 600. Closing and opening times of less than 50 ns seem to be achievable with these GaAs switches. An improvement in current gain by more than an order of magnitude can be obtained by proper doping of the cathode region of the semiconductor switch.
An analysis of notification related specifications for Web/grid applications

Notification is especially important in the service oriented architecture (SOA) model engendered by Web services, where Web services interact with each other through the exchange of messages. In this paper we compare and contrast two competing specifications in the area of notifications. The first one, WS-notification, is part of the Web service resource framework (WSRF). The second one is the WS-eventing specification. These specifications are expected to have far reaching implications on the development of asynchronous, complex, dynamic systems.
Emergence dynamics and bet hedging in a desert bee, Perdita portalis

Bees (series Apiformes, superfamily Apoidea) are most diverse in arid regions of the world. Arid regions (deserts and semi-deserts) are characterized by discrete rainy seasons and extreme temporal variability in rainfall. This paper documents several novel mechanisms by which one desert bee species ( Perdita portalis ) copes with harsh and unpredictable conditions in xeric habitats. These same mechanisms are likely to be present in diverse bee families. First, diapausing P. portalis follow a bet-hedging emergence pattern, such that only approximately half of the larvae pupate under optimal conditions. Second, emergence is condition dependent such that larvae with a low average body weight are significantly more likely to emerge than are larvae with a high average body weight under similar conditions. Finally, larval emergence is induced by exposure to high humidity (rainfall). The parallels between bee larvae and angiosperm seeds in arid environments are striking. In both cases there is clear evidence of bet hedging, emergence (or germination) is dependent on larval (or seed) condition and rainfall triggers emergence (or germination). These patterns of emergence are significant for understanding bee species diversity in arid regions.
Heterolytic activation of hydrogen as a trigger for iridium complex promoted activation of carbon-fluorine bonds.

The cationic iridium(III) complex [IrCF3(CO)(dppe)(DIB)][BARF]2 where DIB = o-diiodobenzene, dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, and BARF = B(3,5-(CF3)2C6H3)4- undergoes reaction in the presen...
Homocysteine Metabolism in Scurvy, Growth and Arteriosclerosis

THE connexion between the oxidative and reductive properties of ascorbic acid and the metabolic and pathological abnormalities of the connective tissues in the disease known as scurvy has yet to be explained. Decreased synthesis of chondroitin sulphate has been found in scorbutic cartilage1, and increased sulphation of proteoglycan fibrils results from increased synthesis of homocysteine in cultures of cells deficient in cystathionine synthetase2. These observations, together with that of rapid non-enzymatic reduction of dehydroascorbic acid by homocysteine3, suggested that ascorbic acid catalyses the oxidation of homocysteine in vivo, and that homocysteic acid is a precursor of the esterified sulphate of connective tissue proteoglycans.
Photoconductivity in Mg2Si AND Mg2Ge

Abstract The spectral distribution of photoconductivity has been studied in n -type single crystals of Mg 2 Si and Mg 2 Ge at 90 and 15°K. Surface recombination is rapid and bulk lifetimes are of the order of 10 −4 sec. The photoresponse in the absorption edge region of both compounds generally agrees with the result expected from optical absorption data, but there is some unexplained structure in the photoresponse curves in the tail of the absorption edge. The photoresponse curves peak at 0.69 and 0.67 eV in Mg 2 Si and Mg 2 Ge respectively at 15°K. A large photoresponse peak at 0.58 eV in n -type Mg 2 Ge is interpreted in terms of transitions from the conduction band to conduction band states above the normal conduction band, i.e. transitions in which no new carriers are produced, but the mobilities of carriers are altered.
Solid state ion trap: Lateral confinement of quantum well excitons by oscillating piezoelectric field

Abstract We theoretically investigate a new type of lateral trap that can be used to confine quantum well excitons. By sending an ultrahigh frequency bulk acoustic wave from the substrate of III–V semiconductors such as GaAs or GaN, an oscillating piezoelectric field is generated. The effective potential induced by the oscillating piezoelectric field implements a type I lateral trap. Such a controllable quantum confinement is essential in many semiconductor nano-electronics and nano-photonics applications.
Atypical melanocytic lesions in epidermolysis bullosa

We report a 6-year-old female with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) who presented with a very large acquired melanocytic lesion. The lesion demonstrated many features both clinically and histologically that made the distinction from malignant melanoma difficult. The pathogenesis of this lesion and other unusual melanocytic lesions seen in the setting of acute and chronic blistering disorders seems related to repeated episodes of disruption of the dermal-epidermal junction.
Dependence of computer classification of clustered microcalcifications on the correct detection of microcalcifications.

Our purpose was to study the dependence of computer performance in classifying clustered microcalcifications as malignant or benign on the correct detection of microcalcifications. Specifically, we studied the effects of computer-detected true-positive microcalcifications and computer-detected false-positive microcalcifications in true microcalcification clusters. Using a database of 100 mammograms, we compared computer classification performance obtained from computer-detected microcalcifications to (1) computer classification performance obtained from manually identified microcalcifications, and (2) radiologists’ performance. When an artificial neural network (ANN) was trained with manually identified microcalcifications, computer classification performance was comparable to or better than radiologists’ performance as the number of computer-detected true-positive microcalcifications decreased to 40% and as the number of computer-detected false-positive microcalcifications increased to 50%. Further loss in computer-detected true-positive microcalcifications degraded classification performance substantially. Moreover, training the ANN with computer-detected microcalcifications also degraded computer classification performance. These results show that computer performance in classifying clustered microcalcifications as malignant or benign is insensitive to moderate decreases in computer-detected true-positive microcalcifications and moderate increases in computer-detected false-positive microcalcifications.
The Influence of Ethics Instruction, Religiosity, and Intelligence on Cheating Behavior

This study examines the influence of ethics instruction, religiosity, and intelligence on cheating behavior. A sample of 230 upper level, undergraduate business students had the opportunity to increase their chances of winning money in an experimental situation by falsely reporting their task performance. In general, the results indicate that students who attended worship services more frequently were less likely to cheat than those who attended worship services less frequently, but that students who had taken a course in business ethics were no less likely to cheat than students who had not taken such a course. However, the results do indicate that the extent to which taking a business ethics course influenced cheating behavior was moderated by the religiosity and intelligence of the individual student. In particular, while students who were highly religious were unlikely to cheat whether or not they had taken a business ethics course, students who were not highly religious demonstrated less cheating if they had taken a business ethics course. In addition, the extent of cheating among highly intelligent students was significantly reduced if such students had taken a course in business ethics. Likewise, individuals who were highly intelligent displayed significantly less cheating if they were also highly religious. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Magnesian calcite sorbent for carbon dioxide capture

Magnesian calcite with controlled properties was synthesized for the removal of carbon dioxide. The results from characterization, reactivity and CO2 capture capacity for different synthesis conditions are reported. The magnesian calcite samples (CaCO3:MgCO3) were synthesized by the coprecipitation of specific amounts of commercially available CaO and MgO by carbon dioxide. Characterization was done with BET, SEM/EDS, particle size analysis and XRD. The capacity was measured using TGA cycles at 800 °C and compared for different preparation conditions. The effects of CaO, MgO and surfactant loading on the physical properties and carbonation activity were studied to determine the optimal synthesis condition. A long‐term carbonation–calcination cycling test was conducted on the optimal sample. It was observed that the sample maintained its capacity to 86% of its original uptake even after 50 cycles.
Effects on growth and changes in organ distribution of bullfrog larvae exposed to lead throughout metamorphosis.

Amphibians are common components of freshwater ecosystems and can be exposed to lead (Pb) in contaminated habitats such as highway drainages (Birdsall et al. 1986), mining areas (Gale et al. 1973; Jennett et al. 1977; Niethammer et al. 1985), and shooting ranges (Stansley and Roscoe 1996). Short-term acute laboratory exposures are common, but only a few chronic studies of Pb exposure on amphibians have been conducted (Barrett 1947; Yeung 1978). No previous chronic studies have measured tissue concentrations of Pb in the specimens, and so a comparison of accumulation and tissue distribution throughout metamorphosis has not been possible. Chronic toxicity studies are particularly necessary in the case of amphibians, because not only increased growth but also the morphological and physiological changes associated with metamorphosis might influence effects from a given toxicant. These differences in effects associated with metamorphosis would not be detected in a short-term study.
Heat shock proteins protect cultured fibroblasts from the cytotoxic effects of MPP

1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the cytotoxic metabolite of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), has been shown to be toxic to a variety of cell types in culture. The addition of media containing 1 mM MPP+ to cultures of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) fibroblasts led to the gradual depletion of cellular ATP stores and subsequent cell death. A 12-min heat shock of the cells at 45°C, 3 h prior to the addition of MPP+-containing media, significantly attenuated cell death. Heat shock pretreatment led to an increased synthesis of all the major heat shock proteins (HSPs) in CHO cells. Further, the addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, prevented the protective effect of heat shock pretreatment, indicating that this protection was dependent upon new protein synthesis. In additional experiments, a rat fibroblast cell line which has been stably transfected with, and constitutively expresses a cloned human HSP-70 gene, was found to be more resistant to the cytotoxic effects of MPP+ than the parental fibroblast cell line. These results indicate that HSPs are protective toward the deleterious effects of MPP+ and that their synthesis represents an important parameter in the neurotoxicity of MPTP.
The problem of language and national identity for holocaust poet, paul celan

L'A. examine la relation entre langue et identite nationale a travers l'analyse de l'experience d'un individu, Paul Celan
In vitro effects of lidocaine on anaerobic respiratory pathogens and strains of Hemophilus influenzae.

Lidocaine is commonly employed as a topical anesthetic agent during fiberoptic bronchoscopic procedures or transbronchial brushing. Previous studies have demonstrated an inhibitory effect of lidocaine on the growth in culture media of gram-positive and gram-negative organisms, as well as several species of Mycobacterium and various fungi. The current in vitro investigation demonstrates an inhibitory, as well as a bactericidal, effect of lidocaine hydrochloride (in concentrations identical to those encountered during fiberoptic bronchoscopic procedures) on the common anaerobic respiratory pathogens and on multiple strains of Hemophilus influenzae. The finding helps to explain the difficulty in producing proof via culture of the specific etiologic agent in inflammatory lesions from specimens obtained by fiberoptic bronchoscopic procedures or transbronchial brushing.
Transfer of composed knowledge in a multistep serial task

Several major theories of skill acquisition assume that with continued practice on a serial task component processes are merged together into larger knowledge structures. Two experiments tested alternative hypotheses regarding the transfer of knowledge following extended practice on a serial task by determining whether component knowledge or merged knowledge is transferred between two tasks
Effects of systematically depriving access to computer-based stimuli on choice responding with individuals with intellectual disabilities

Three adults with intellectual disabilities participated to investigate the effects of reinforcer deprivation on choice responding. The experimenter identified the most preferred audio-visual (A-V) stimulus and the least preferred visual-only stimulus for each participant. Participants did not have access to the A-V stimulus for 5 min, 5 and 24h. Following deprivation, responses produced 1-s access to either stimulus on a concurrent continuous reinforcement continuous reinforcement schedule. A combination multi-element/multiple-baseline-across-participants design showed that two participants emitted fewer responses for the preferred A-V stimulus following 5-min deprivation relative to 5- and 24-h deprivation. Higher values of deprivation did not increase the proportion of choice responses allocated to the A-V stimulus for any participant and could be attributed to preference shifts during the study.
Is old blood bad blood

According to the World Health Organization, 4.39 million people worldwide underwent blood transfusion between 2004 and 2005. In the United States, approximately 12 million units of blood are transfused annually—an amount roughly equivalent to every resident of Los Angeles receiving 3 U of blood each year. If blood was a prescription drug, the number of units given would place it among the top 100 drugs prescribed globally. Like other drugs, transfusion is often given to treat a specific condition (eg, anemia; blood loss), is given in discrete doses (units of packed red blood cells [RBCs] or whole blood), and has an expiration date beyond which it is generally not used. The similarities, however, stop there: unlike drugs that undergo review by the US Food and Drug Administration, the proposition that stored blood has a favorable balance of risk and benefit for clinical outcomes in a specific population has not undergone Food and Drug Administration evaluation and approval. So, how much do we really know about its risk-benefit profile? Determining the efficacy and safety of transfusion is an important public health issue in general, but it is particularly relevant in patients with coronary artery disease. Although profound anemia is often tolerated in patients without coronary stenoses, anemia in the presence of fixed coronary obstruction is associated with an increased risk of myocardial ischemia. This can be explained through the Fick equation:
PROCEDURAL CONSIDERATIONS OF THE SPIRAL AFTEREFFECT TEST.

In Exp. I durations of the aftereffects under the conditions of successive observations of an expanding spiral, successive observations of a contracting spiral, and alternate observations of an exp...
Biphasic dopamine regulation in mesoaccumbens pathway in response to non-contingent binge and escalating methamphetamine regimens in the Wistar rat.

Methamphetamine (MA) increases extracellular dopamine (DA) and at chronic high doses induces toxicity as indicated by decreased expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine transporter (DAT). Notably, rats will self-administer MA in escalating quantities producing such toxicity. However, the impact of MA at sub-toxic doses on DA regulation is not well established. The temporal dynamics of DA regulation following cessation of sub-toxic escalating and binge doses of non-contingent MA were investigated as changes therein may be associated with escalation of MA intake. MA was administered 3×/day using an established 14-day escalating-dose regimen (0.1–4.0 mg/kg) or a single-day binge-style administration (3 × 4 mg/kg). DA tissue content, DA turnover, TH protein, TH phosphorylation, DAT, and vesicular monoamine transporter 2 were measured in nigrostriatal and mesoaccumbens pathways 48 h and 2 weeks after MA cessation. Changes in striatal DA regulation were limited to increased DA turnover. However, in the mesoaccumbens pathway, escalating MA had biphasic effects. DA was increased in ventral tegmental area (VTA) and decreased in nucleus accumbens at 48 h post-MA while the reverse was seen at 2 weeks. These changes were matched by similar changes in TH protein and, in the VTA, by changes in DAT. Escalation of MA intake produces both transient and long-lasting effects upon DA, TH, and DAT in the mesoaccumbens pathway. The eventual decrease of DA in the VTA is speculated to contribute to craving for MA and, thus, may be associated with MA escalation and resulting dopaminergic toxicity.
Repriming and reversal of the isometric unexplained enthalpy in frog skeletal muscle.

1. heat production and high-energy phosphate hydrolysis by frog sartorius muscles in 6 s isometric tetani were measured to test the hypothesis that the isometric unexplained enthalpy (u.e.) and labile maintenance heat (l.m.h.) were of similar origin. Muscles were first given a conditioning tetanus to deplete the u.e. and l.m.h. A second (test) 6 s tetanus was given 6-300 s later to ascertain the extent to which l.m.h. and u.e. had recovered (reprimed). 2. The labile maintenance heat repriming was biphasic: 42% of the conditioning l.m.h. reprimed with a time constant of 10 s, the remainder with a time constant of 500 s. 3. The u.e. produced in the test tetanus 6 s after the conditioning tetanus was reduced to 18% of its conditioning value. By 30 s, u.e. had returned to conditioning values even though the amount of high-energy phosphate splitting was 17% less than that in the conditioning tetanus. 4. This observation is supported by measurements revealing that during the 30 s following a 6 s tetanus an amount of enthalpy was absorbed (less heat produced than expected from the measured metabolic changes) whose absolute value (after correction for oxygen consumption) was not different from the amount of unexplained enthalpy liberated during the tetanus. 5. The difference in repriming time course shows that l.m.h. and u.e. are not produced by the same reactions. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that calcium binding to troponin and parvalbumin produce u.e. while calcium binding to troponin and a non-linear time course of ATP hydrolysis produce l.m.h.
Facial appearance, gender, and credibility in television commercials.

The facial appearance of television spokespersons and the trustworthiness and expertise of the appeals delivered by them were independently rated. Babyfaced persons and females delivered communications which were less expert, but more trustworthy, than those communications delivered by maturefaced persons and males. These effects were independent of the spokespersons' perceived age, attractiveness, and amount of smiling. The findings are consistent with past research which has demonstrated that babyfaced people are perceived as less knowledgeable, but more honest, than those who are maturefaced.
Tissue Metabolite Levels in Different Types of Skeletal Muscle During Sepsis

The effect of sepsis on energy and metabolite levels in the white, fast-twitch extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and the red, slow-twitch soleus (SOL) muscles was studied in rats. Sepsis was induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Control rats were sham-operated. Sixteen hours later, metabolite levels in muscle tissue were determined. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels and energy charge were reduced during sepsis in SOL, but were unchanged in EDL muscles. In contrast, phosphocreatine (PCr) concentration was reduced during sepsis in EDL, but not in SOL. Tissue glycogen levels were reduced and lactate concentrations were increased in both muscles during sepsis. Results suggest that sepsis affects energy metabolism differently in different types of skeletal muscle. Tissue lactate accumulation may be consistent with muscle hypoperfusion following CLP, although other mechanisms may also be involved.
Nonprofit Community Conferences: The Role of Alternative Regional Institutions in Interlocal Service Delivery

iTH structural reforms no longer commanding center stage in the debate over solu tions to regional problems, many scholars have turned their attention to the study of infor mal mechanisms for achieving coordination in fragmented regions. One such mechanism, the interlocal service agreement, has become the subject of much recent attention among metropolitan governance scholars (Feiock 2007; Thurmaier and Wood 2002; Savitch and Vogel 2000; Frederickson 1999). The flexibil ity of interlocal agreements makes them one of the most widely used tools for managing spillover effects and capturing economies of scale. With more than half of cities and coun
Navigating Rough Waters: A Theoretical Model of Organizational Action in Corrupted Environments

From an institutional perspective, corruption can be understood as occurring when certain practices, norms, and beliefs become embedded in everyday life and reified as part of the broader institutional context (Misangyi, Weaver, & Elms, 2008). From a psychological perspective, Bandura (1999) argues that individuals can activate a set of mechanisms to disengage from their own moral standards and comit harmful behaviors to others. Taken together, these two perspectives would suggest that it is rather difficult for organizations to escape corruption. However, there are accounts of organizations that remain morally upright and even choose to stay in countries where corruption is rooted in the business and political realms. In this paper, I explore different types of actions that enable organizations to disengage from or resist the institutional pressure to adopt corrupt practices. I argue that dependency on third parties and the level of dynamic capabilities largely influence the response to corruption.
Expanding Coverage of the Metabolome for Global Metabolite Profiling

Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics is the comprehensive study of naturally occurring small molecules collectively known as the metabolome. Given the vast structural diversity and chemical properties of endogenous metabolites, biological extraction and chromatography methods bias the number, property, and concentration of metabolites detected by mass spectrometry and creates a challenge for global untargeted studies. In this work, we used Escherichia coli bacterial cells to explore the influence of solvent polarity, temperature, and pH in extracting polar and nonpolar metabolites simultaneously. In addition, we explored chromatographic conditions involving different stationary and mobile phases that optimize the separation and ionization of endogenous metabolite extracts as well as a mixture of synthetic standards. Our results reveal that hot polar solvents are the most efficient in extracting both hydrophilic and hydrophobic metabolites simultaneously. In addition, ammonium fluoride in the mobile phase substantially improved ionization efficiency in negative electrospray ionization mode by an average increase in signal intensity of 5.7 and over a 2-fold increase in the total number of features detected. The improvement in sensitivity with ammonium fluoride resulted in 3.5 times as many metabolite hits in databases compared to ammonium acetate or formic acid enriched mobile phases and allowed for the identification of unique metabolites involved in fundamental cellular pathways.
Editorial: Can Therapy Ever Be Denied for Helicobacter pylori Infection?

Helicobacter pylori infection is a transmissible bacterial infection of the gastric mucosal surface that causes progressive damage with eventual destruction of the stomach. In the United States, the presence of H. pylori infection in patients carries a lifetime risk of developing peptic ulcer of at least 16% and a 1%-3% risk of developing gastric cancer. An infected individual is also a risk to the community because the infection can be transmitted. A review of the data shows that H. pylori is the only treatable infectious disease with such a high rate of morbidity and mortality that is not the subject of an all-out program to eradicate it from the population. The risk of a serious outcome of untreated asymptomatic H. pylori infection is great, or greater, than with asymptomatic syphilis or tuberculosis. H. pylori infection is a serious public health problem, and thus the presence of H. pylori infection justifies treatment. The question is not whom to treat, but whom to test. The gastroenterology community appears to have been unduly influenced by the fact that H. pylori infection is widespread and often asymptomatic, as well as by the costs and complications of current treatment. H. pylori infection is a serious, worldwide infectious disease with tremendous and unacceptable morbidity and mortality. Although there are no emotional reasons to treat H. pylori infection, there are logical and persuasive scientific reasons to treat. If the tools are available, screening the population for the presence of H. pylori infection with the goal of preventing all H. pylori-related diseases is recommended. Our goal should be to totally eliminate H. pylori from the face of the earth, just as we eliminated smallpox.
Do Auctioneers Pick Optimal Reserve Prices

We investigate how auctioneers set reserve prices in auctions. A well-established theoretical result, assuming risk neutrality of the seller, is that the optimal reserve price should not depend on the number of participating bidders. In a set of controlled laboratory experiments, we find that seller behavior often deviates from the theoretical benchmarks. We extend the existing theory to explore three alternative explanations for our results: risk aversion, anticipated regret, and probability weighting. After fitting our data to each of these models through parameter estimation techniques on both an aggregate and individual level, we find that all three models are consistent with some of the characteristics of our data, but that the regret model provides a slightly more favorable fit overall. This paper was accepted by Teck-Hua Ho, decision analysis.
Application of compressive sensing to refractivity retrieval with a network of radars

The emerging technology of compressive sensing (CS) has been recently applied to many fields to effectively reconstruct high quality images using much fewer number of samples than those in conventional image reconstruction. In this work, the CS framework is applied for the first time to retrieve refractivity field from a network of weather radars. It has been shown that radar-derived refractivity field can be used as a proxy for near-surface moisture and has the potential to improve the prediction of convective initialization and understanding of other weather phenomena. The problem of refractivity retrieval is formulated for networked radars and is solved using CS with the goal of robust reconstruction. Moreover, the feasibility of compressing sensing for refractivity retrieval is demonstrated and verified using simulation. Preliminary results have shown qualitatively and quantitatively that CS technique performs better than the conventional constrained least square (CLS) approach and is less susceptible to noise contamination.
Some Recent Developments in the International Guidelines on the Ethics of Research Involving Human Subjectsa

Abstract: We are in a period of reconsideration and revision of international ethical guidelines for the conduct of biomedical research involving human subjects. The proximate cause of much of this activity is the recent controversy over the ethics of the use of a placebo control in the clinical trials of the short-duration regimen of zidovudine for prevention of perinatal transmission of HIV infection, trials that were carried out in several so-called technologically developing countries. Critics of these trials claimed that they were in violation of Article II.3 of the Declaration of Helsinki, which states: “In any medical study, every patient-including those of a control group, if any-should be assured of the best proven diagnostic and therapeutic method. This does not exclude the use of inert placebo in studies where no proven diagnostic or therapeutic method exists.” The critics claimed that since the “best proven … method” is the 076 regimen, this is what must be provided to members of the control groups. Failure to do so, they asserted, was a serious breach of ethics. In response to this allegation, several major international and national agencies convened multidisciplinary groups to consider the ethics of multinational clinical research. The first thing they realized was that Article II.3 was in error in that it did not reflect contemporary ethical thinking. Moreover, it was routinely violated in research conducted in developed as well as in developing countries. What replaces this standard? The 1993 CIOMS International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects include several criteria for justification of research carried out in developing countries. Most importantly, the research must be responsive to the health needs and priorities of the host country. They also require that any therapeutic products developed in such research must be made “reasonably available” to residents of the host country. A new standard is emerging for selecting therapies to be administered to participants in multinational clinical trials and for use as the control “treatment” in such trials. It is called the “highest attainable and sustainable” therapeutic method. Application of this standard differs from application of the “best proven method” standard in that it permits the evaluation of new therapies that are responsive to the health needs and priorities of resource-poor countries. It has long been recognized that the Declaration of Helsinki is a flawed document in that it relies on the illogical distinction between therapeutic and nontherapeutic research. This distinction has been removed from the most recent draft revisions of the Helsinki and the CIOMS documents.
Detection of Macrophage Inflammatory Protein (MIP)-1α and MIP-β during Experimental Endotoxemia and Human Sepsis

Macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1alpha and MIP-1beta regulate leukocyte activation and trafficking. To assess the role of MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta in human inflammation, healthy subjects were studied during experimental endotoxemia with prior administration of ibuprofen, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, or dimeric p75 tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha receptor, a TNF antagonist; septic patients were also studied. Following endotoxin, blood levels of both MIP-1 molecules rose acutely and fell to baseline by 6 h (P=. 001). While MIP-1 mediates fever in animals independent of cyclooxygenase blockade, in subjects given endotoxin and ibuprofen, MIP-1 levels increased and fever was suppressed. MIP-1 levels were not diminished by inhibiting circulating TNF-alpha in humans. In septic patients, elevated levels of MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta were detected within 24 h of sepsis and fell in parallel with TNF-alpha and interleukin-6 (P<.01). MIP-1alpha and MIP-1beta increase during acute inflammation but are not associated with fever in endotoxemic humans during cyclooxygenase blockade.
Accurate Distance Estimation Using Fuzzy based combined RSSI/LQI Values in an Indoor Scenario: Experimental Verification

The received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and the link quality indicator (LQI) are metrics that are commonlyavailable in commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sensor hardware. The former has been widely regarded as the mainsource for distance estimation and node localization. However, experimentally RSSI has been shown to behave inan inconsistent manner, even in ideal scenarios, and serve at best as bounds for distances. The latter is effectively ameasure of chip error rate, and can be used to identify higher quality transmissions, and the combination RSSI/LQIcan be expected to make more precise estimates with the tradeoff of increased delay and estimation cost. In thispaper, we describe our distance estimation system that uses these two metrics and test our hypothesis purelythrough experimental measurements using sensor nodes. Results indicate that such a combination of metrics canbe used to provide a tighter bound on the range of estimated distances. We then quantify the improvement indistance estimation by relying on these two metrics. Through a unique classification using fuzzy logic and TBM,we developed an algorithm that is capable of precise distance estimation within the range of 100cm to 400cm, onat least 80% of the times while reaching accuracy as high as 100%.
Neural Network Control of Variable-Frequency Microwave Processing of Polymer Dielectric Curing

Variable-frequency microwave (VFM) curing can perform the same processing steps as conventional thermal processing in minutes, without compromising intrinsic material properties. With increasing demand for novel dielectrics, there is a corresponding demand for new processing techniques that lead to comparable or better properties than conventional methods. VFM processing could be a viable alternative to conventional thermal techniques. However, current limitations include uncertain process characterization methods, a lack of reliable temperature measuring techniques, and limited control methodologies. This research focuses on the development of a neural network controller for curing low-k polymer dielectrics on silicon wafers in a VFM furnace. The neural network controller exhibits temperature set point control with percent error of 7% when compared with the target trajectory.
Creativity and Imagery in Men and Women

This study investigated the relationship between creativity, imagery, and sex-role orientation in men and women. Instruments measuring creativity, creative production, imagery, and sex-role orientation were administered to 163 students enrolled in introductory psychology. The results showed that creative ability and vividness of imagery were related in women but not in men, whereas creative ability and creative production were related in men but not in women. Creative ability correlated with femininity whereas creative production correlated with masculinity. The author concluded that: (1) men and women show differing patterns of cognitive functioning in the creative process; and (2) men and women differ in the utilization of their creative capacity possibly due to the influence of sex-role stereotypes.
The Hydrolysis of Phytate Phosphorus by Chicks and Laying Hens

The chromic oxide balance method was used to determine the amount of natural phytate phosphorus hydrolyzed by chicks and laying hens. Broiler chicks 4 and 9 weeks old and Single Comb White Leghorn hens were fed diets containing corn as the only grain source or diets in which wheat replaced one half of the corn. Feces were collected twice daily during the 7-day test period. The phytate phosphorus recovered in the feces of the 4 and 9 week old chicks and the laying hens fed the diet containing corn was 100, 98, and 92%. When wheat replaced one half of the corn the recovery was 92, 87 and 87%. The phytase activity in wheat was minimal in vivo; whereas, in vitro tests indicated enzyme activity.
Sarcasm and Interactional Politics

In this article, I discuss some of the ways in which sarcasm may be used to accomplish interactional politics, and, in light of these observations, suggest a more appropriate conceptualization of both the overlaps between and the polarity of sarcasm and humor. First, I draw upon observations of routine interaction to illustrate some of the forms that sarcastic transactions may take: social control, declaration of allegiance, establishing social solidarity and social distance, venting frustration, and humorous aggression. I then suggest the analytical utility of regrouping these same observations according to their instrumental and expressive functions in interaction. Finally, I argue that sarcasm and humor, though structurally similar, have different implications for interactional politics. I propose a continuum model which better conceptualizes the relationship between these two communicative resources.
Virus particle content of smallpox vaccines.

Abstract Calf lymph smallpox vaccines contain too much extraneous debris for an accurate assessment of their virus particle content. The process of partial purification of the vaccine utilizing enzymatic digestion by chymotrypsin, subtilisin, and collagenase solubilized enough debris to permit electron microscopic virus particle count. Enzyme treatment did not degrade or destroy the virus nor did it reduce the infective titer. Commercial vaccines studied ranged in virus content from 1.89 × 109 to 1.09 × 1011 virus particles/ml. The pocking efficiencies on the chorioallantoic membrane of some of these vaccines varied from 200 to 1,200 virus particles per pock-forming unit.
Brain activation patterns resulting from learning letter forms through active self-production and passive observation in young children.

Although previous literature suggests that writing practice facilitates neural specialization for letters, it is unclear if this facilitation is driven by the perceptual feedback from the act of writing or the actual execution of the motor act. The present study addresses this issue by measuring the change in BOLD signal in response to hand-printed letters, unlearned cursive letters, and cursive letters that 7-year-old children learned actively, by writing, and passively, by observing an experimenter write. Brain activation was assessed using fMRI while perceiving letters—in both cursive and manuscript forms. Results showed that active training led to increased recruitment of the sensori-motor network associated with letter perception as well as the insula and claustrum, but passive observation did not. This suggests that perceptual networks for newly learned cursive letters are driven by motor execution rather than by perceptual feedback.
The Potential for REDD+: Key Economic Modeling Insights and Issues

AbstractThis article takes stock of economic modeling tools and findings related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation as well as other forestry activities ...