cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distribution of proteins migrating with fast axonal transport. Their relationship to smooth endoplasmic reticulum.

The cross-sectional distribution of 3 H-labeled proteins moving with the front and plateau of fast axonal transport was analyzed by quantitative electron microscopic autoradiography in sciatic nerves of rats following injection of a 1:1 mixture of [ 3 H]proline and [ 3 H]lysine into lumbar ventral horns. While in the front the transported proteins were uniformly distributed within the axons excluding the axolemma, which was not labeled, in the plateau 90% of 3 H-labeled proteins were uniformly distributed and 10% were exclusively located at a 80-nm annulus with its outer edge at the axolemma. Ultrastructural morphometry showed that the density of smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) in a 160 nm wide subaxolemmal annulus was approximately twice that in the remaining axon, where it was uniform. These findings: (a) are consistent with the concept that membranous materials are released from the fast transport, move laterally and are inserted into the axolemma; (b) indicate that a portion of SER, largely located at the periphery of the axon, is not involved in fast transport.
Prevalence of minor udder pathogens after intramammary dry treatment.

Abstract A total of 156 dairy cows was randomly assigned to one of four groups at drying off over an 18-mo period: untreated control or intramammary treatment of each mammary quarter with either 400mg novobiocin, 300mg cephapirin, or 1g dihydrostreptomycin with 1million units penicillin. Quarter foremilk samples were aseptically collected from each cow within 1 mo of drying off and within 1 mo after parturition for bacteriological analysis. Prior to drying off, 28.7% of quarters were postitive of which 46.7% were Corynebacterium bovis and 45.5% were coagulase-negative staphylococci. Reductions in infection prevalence from drying off to postpartum samplings for control, novobiocin, cephapirin, and streptomycin-penicillin groups were 13.6, 60.5, 74.4, and 35.3% of quarters. Recovery rates for C. bovis infections were 47.6, 100, 100, and 94.1%; for coagulase-negative staphylococci infections they were 72.7, 86.4, 80.0, and 100%. The cephapirin group showed the lowest new infection rate (1.3%) with coagulase-negative staphylococci compared with control (6.9%). There were no significant differences in lactation milk production among groups following dry period therapy. Results suggest that dry treatment reduces the prevalence of infections by the minor mastitis pathogens.
Weekly High-Dose Calcitriol and Docetaxel in Metastatic Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer

Purpose: To determine the safety and efficacy of weekly high-dose oral calcitriol (Rocaltrol, Roche Pharmaceuticals, Basel, Switzerland) and docetaxel (Taxotere, Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Bridgewater, NJ) in patients with metastatic androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). Patients and Methods: Thirty-seven patients were treated with oral calcitriol (0.5 μg/kg) on day 1 followed by docetaxel (36 mg/m2) on day 2, repeated weekly for 6 weeks of an 8-week cycle. Patients maintained a reduced calcium diet and increased oral hydration. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response was the primary end point, which was defined as a 50% reduction in PSA level confirmed 4 weeks later. Results: Thirty of 37 patients (81%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 68% to 94%) achieved a PSA response. Twenty-two patients (59%; 95% CI, 43% to 75%) had a confirmed > 75% reduction in PSA. Eight of the 15 patients with measurable disease (53%; 95% CI, 27% to 79%) had a confirmed partial response. Median time to progression was 11.4 mo...
Antiangiogenic antithrombin blocks the heparan sulfate-dependent binding of proangiogenic growth factors to their endothelial cell receptors: evidence for differential binding of antiangiogenic and anticoagulant forms of antithrombin to proangiogenic heparan sulfate domains.

The anticoagulant serpin antithrombin acquires a potent antiangiogenic activity upon undergoing conformational alterations to cleaved or latent forms. Here we show that antithrombin antiangiogenic activity is mediated at least in part through the ability of the conformationally altered serpin to block the proangiogenic growth factors fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from forming signaling competent ternary complexes with their protein receptors and heparan sulfate co-receptors on endothelial cells. Cleaved and latent but not native forms of antithrombin blocked the formation of FGF-2-FGF receptor-1 ectodomain-heparin ternary complexes, and the dimerization of these complexes in solution and similarly inhibited the formation of FGF-2-heparin binary complexes and their dimerization. Only antiangiogenic forms of antithrombin likewise inhibited 125I-FGF-2 binding to its low affinity heparan sulfate co-receptor and blocked FGF receptor-1 autophosphorylation and p42/44 MAP kinase phosphorylation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, treatment of HUVECs with heparinase III to specifically eliminate the FGF-2 heparan sulfate co-receptor suppressed the ability of antiangiogenic antithrombin to inhibit growth factor-stimulated proliferation. Antiangiogenic antithrombin inhibited full-length VEGF165 stimulation of HUVEC proliferation but did not affect the stimulation of cells by the heparin-binding domain-deleted VEGF121. Taken together, these results demonstrate that antiangiogenic forms of antithrombin block the proangiogenic effects of FGF-2 and VEGF on endothelial cells by competing with the growth factors for binding the heparan sulfate co-receptor, which mediates growth factor-receptor interactions. Moreover, the inability of native antithrombin to bind this co-receptor implies that native and conformationally altered forms of antithrombin differentially bind proangiogenic heparan sulfate domains.
Left ventricular mechanics in preeclampsia

Increased systemic vascular resistance and contracted blood volume are characteristic findings in preeclampsia. These alterations in cardiovascular hemodynamics can adversely affect ejection phase indices of left ventricular performance making it difficult to separate abnormalities resulting from changes in load from those caused by depressed myocardial contractility. To address this issue the contractility-sensitive, load-independent relationship between left ventricular end-systolic wall stress and rate-corrected velocity of fiber shortening was assessed in 10 nulliparous patients with preeclampsia. Comparisons were made with data obtained from 10 age-matched normotensive women with uncomplicated pregnancies (control subjects). Studies were performed by means of two-dimensionally targeted M-mode echocardiography and calibrated carotid pulse tracings during early labor, 1 day after delivery, and 4 weeks after delivery. During early labor and 1 day after delivery, patients with preeclampsia had elevated blood pressure and increased total systemic resistance. These parameters returned to normal by 4 weeks after delivery. Before delivery and 24 hours after delivery, the patients with preeclampsia had lower overall left ventricular performance (as measured by cardiac output and rate-corrected velocity of fiber shortening) and higher left ventricular afterload (as measured by left ventricular end-systolic wall stress) when compared with control subjects. These differences were no longer present 4 weeks after delivery. Despite the time-related intergroup differences in hemodynamics, left ventricular contractility was similar between normotensive and preeclamptic subjects at all stages of the study. Thus when load is eliminated as a confounding variable, the decrements in overall left ventricular performance measured in patients with preeclampsia reflect a mechanically appropriate response to increased afterload rather than an abnormality in the ventricular contractile state.
Cardiovascular risk, obesity, and myocardial blood flow in postmenopausal women

Background. This study was designed to determine whether overweight or obese status is independently associated with myocardial flow reserve (MFR), an established predictor of cardiovascular mortality, in a group of postmenopausal women with no previous cardiovascular disease. Postmenopausal women are the largest group of overweight and physically inactive individuals in the United States. Increased body mass index (BMI) is consistently associated with increased cardiovascular mortality in this population. Whether this is because of obesity itself or the accompanying increase in cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) remains controversial. Methods. We examined the relationship of myocardial blood flow (MBF), coronary vascular resistance, and MFR to BMI in 60 postmenopausal women with no coronary heart disease. Subjects underwent dynamic N-13 ammonia positron emission tomography for the measurement of MBF and MFR. Baseline demographics, CRF, and hemodynamic parameters were recorded for each subject. Datasets were divided into 3 groups according to BMI: normal (18 to 24), overweight (25 to 29), and obese (≥30). Results. The overweight and obese groups showed significantly higher resting MBF and lower MFR than the normal-weight group (both P<.001), even after adjusting for CRF. A further analysis of subjects without any CRF (n=35) showed that the MFR remained significantly lower in the obese compared with normal-weight subjects (P=.05). Levels of known markers of vascular inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and homocysteine) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels correlated with declining MFR. Conclusions. These findings provide a mechanistic link between obesity and coronary heart disease in this population.
An in situ rheometric shearing apparatus for SANS

Abstract Specifications for a modified Couette cell constant-stress rheometer which can measure simultaneously the viscometric properties and neutron-scattered intensities are reported. Representative plots demonstrating simultaneous measurements of the viscosity and the anisotropic scattering patterns as a function of shear stress and shear rate are displayed from a 1.0% by weight (0.03M) solution of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium salicylate in D2O.
Does increasing self-reliant learning in a cardiopulmonary resuscitation laboratory improve knowledge and confidence acquisition?

This investigation determined if increasing the degree of self-reliant learning (allowing students to set goals, identify resources, and implement learning strategies) in an Anesthetic Emergencies/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation laboratory learning exercise would increase surface knowledge and confidence acquisition. A total of 100 students enrolled in a surgical exercises course in the junior year of a DVM program participated. One month prior to the laboratory devoted to Anesthetic Emergencies/Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, students in two of four laboratory sections were asked to submit a protocol designed for the laboratory that included cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation, jugular venous catheterization with central venous pressure measurement, and tracheotomy. The validity of the methodology included in the protocols was reviewed by the instructor prior to the laboratory. The remaining two laboratory sections were given a laboratory outline that included specific directions for the target procedures, as well as instructor-selected references. A 10-question multiple choice question test designed to test surface knowledge was given at the beginning of the laboratory and the same 10 questions were embedded in the final examination for the surgical exercises course. At the beginning and end of the laboratory, each student was asked to rate his/her confidence level associated with administering CPR (visual analogue scale). Group means were compared using a Wilcoxon's rank sum test (p < 0.05) and anova for repeated measures was used to test for differences in confidence levels and test scores over time (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the mean (±SEM) entry quiz test score for the Self-Reliant Learning (SRL) group (4.1 ± 0.26) and that for the Instructor-Directed Learning (IDL) group (4.6 ± 0.24). The exit quiz scores for the IDL group (5.2 ± 0.224) were significantly higher than those for the SRL group (3.9 ± 0.21) although the difference between entry and exit quiz scores for the two groups was not significant. There was no significant difference between entry or exit confidence levels for the two groups. Students in the SRL group reported investing a significantly greater number of hours in preparation for the laboratory than students in the IDL group (4.8 ± 0.4 versus 3.0 ± 0.23). There was no significant difference between how the two groups rated the quality of the learning experience (IDL = 7.3 ± 0.33; SRL = 7.2 ± 0.33). In comparison to IDL, an isolated SRL experience does not significantly increase surface knowledge acquisition or retention, confidence level associated with target skills, or estimation of the quality of learning experience.
Modeling the reality

There is a strong need to model the future 'System on Chip' with a behavioral description. This is the best way to divide and conquer and is also the only way to measure the discrepancy between our human understanding and the rich complexity ofa real solution. A behavioral model implies a strong effort of simplification. The modeling represents a tough work but is necessary to make a good identification of the key parameters and a correct assessment of the design risks. We believe that an appropriate cycle-driven simulator with the right level of asynchronism is currently the best answer to the simulation of these systems. The presentation will describe in deeper details the characteristics of such an ideal simulator. We will see that the solution could imply to use a software so open that currently no software houses are willing to develop. (2 pages)
Spectral methods for principal components analysis of event-related brain potentials

Abstract Principal components analysis has been a widely used method for the analysis of eventrelated, electrical brain potentials (ERPs). Recent emphasis has been placed on measuring the topography of ERPs, as derived from the instantaneous measurements from multiple locations, and on defining diagnostic differences in ERPs among various clinical populations. One goal of the present paper is to discuss inherent difficulties in utilizing PCA as an analytical technique in multiple location and multiple group studies. Another goal is to demonstrate the utility of spectral analysis and its equivalency to PCA when the signal imbedded in stationary noise model is used. Spectral analysis readily permits analysis of multiple lead and multiple group studies.
Curettage and Graft Alleviates Athletic-Limiting Pain in Benign Lytic Bone Lesions

Background Solitary bone cysts (SBC), nonossifying fibromas (NOF), and fibrous dysplasia (FD) create benign intramedullary lytic bone lesions. They are typically asymptomatic and treated conservatively. We present a series of lesions that caused performance-limiting pain in young athletes, a symptom phenomenon and possible treatment indication that has been poorly described in the literature.
Controlled Release from Cleavable Polymerized Liposomes upon Redox and pH Stimulation

A gallate derivative with three propargyl groups was coupled to palmitoyl oleoyl phosphoethanolamine (POPE). The resulting anionic lipid was formulated with common lipids such as palmitoyl oleoyl phosphatidyl choline (POPC) to form large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs). Polymerization of the LUVs was accomplished by the Cu(I)-catalyzed click reaction between the propargyl groups and the azide groups in the cross-linker. When the cross-linker contained a disulfide or ketal group, the resulting polymerized liposomes depolymerized and released entrapped contents upon the addition of a reducing thiol or under weakly acidic conditions. The click reaction allowed simultaneous multivalent surface functionalization during cross-linking, making these cleavable polymerized liposomes (CPLs) potentially very useful in the delivery and controlled release of pharmaceutical agents.
Effects of ether stress on prolactin and corticosterone levels in prenatally-stressed male rats as adults.

Abstract The effect of a potent prenatal stressor on adult levels of prolactin and corticosterone was investigated in male rats. It was found that prenatal stress had no effect on initial levels of either of these two hormones. Ether stress levels of prolactin were significantly lower in prenatally-stressed animals compared to prenatally-nonstressed subjects, whereas corticosterone levels in response to ether stress were only marginally affected in prenatally-stressed animals reared by prepartally-stressed mothers. It is suggested that alterations in endocrine function in the adult animal may result from prenatal stress effects on the development of neural mechanisms that regulate the hormonal response to ether stress.
Anti-Fungal Activity of Cathelicidins and their Potential Role in Candida albicans Skin Infection

Cathelicidins have broad anti-microbial capacity and are important for host defense against skin infections by some bacterial and viral pathogens. This study investigated the activity of cathelicidins against Candida albicans. The human cathelicidin LL-37, and mouse cathelicidin mCRAMP, killed C. albicans, but this fungicidal activity was dependent on culture conditions. Evaluation of the fungal membrane by fluorescent dye penetration after incubation with cathelicidins correlated membrane permeabilization and inhibition of fungal growth. Anti-fungal assays carried out in an ionic environment that mimicked human sweat and with the processed forms of cathelicidin such as are present in sweat found that the cleavage of LL-37 to forms such as RK-31 conferred additional activity against C. albicans. C. albicans also induced an increase in the expression of cathelicidin in mouse skin, but this induction did not confer systemic or subcutaneous resistance as mCRAMP-deficient mice were not more susceptible to C. albicans in blood-killing assays or in an intradermal infection model. Therefore, cathelicidins appear active against C. albicans, but may be most effective as a superficial barrier to infection.
Intra- and Intermonomer Interactions Are Required to Synergistically Facilitate ATP Hydrolysis in Hsp90 *□

Nucleotide-dependent conformational changes of the constitutively dimeric molecular chaperone Hsp90 are integral to its molecular mechanism. Recent full-length crystal structures (Protein Data Bank codes 2IOQ, 2CG9, AND 2IOP) of Hsp90 homologs reveal large scale quaternary domain rearrangements upon the addition of nucleotides. Although previous work has shown the importance of C-terminal domain dimerization for efficient ATP hydrolysis, which should imply cooperativity, other studies suggest that the two ATPases function independently. Using the crystal structures as a guide, we examined the role of intra- and intermonomer interactions in stabilizing the ATPase activity of a single active site within an intact dimer. This was accomplished by creating heterodimers that allow us to differentially mutate each monomer, probing the context in which particular residues are important for ATP hydrolysis. Although the ATPase activity of each monomer can function independently, we found that the activity of one monomer could be inhibited by the mutation of hydrophobic residues on the trans N-terminal domain (opposite monomer). Furthermore, these trans interactions are synergistically mediated by a loop on the cis middle domain. This loop contains hydrophobic residues as well as a critical arginine that provides a direct linkage to the γ-phosphate of bound ATP. Small angle x-ray scattering demonstrates that deleterious mutations block domain closure in the presence of AMPPNP (5′-adenylyl-β,γ-imidodiphosphate), providing a direct linkage between structural changes and functional consequences. Together, these data indicate that both the cis monomer and the trans monomer and the intradomain and interdomain interactions cooperatively stabilize the active conformation of each active site and help explain the importance of dimer formation.
Low-complexity block-based motion estimation via one-bit transforms

We present an algorithm and a hardware architecture for block-based motion estimation that involves transforming video sequences from a multibit to a one-bit/pixel representation and then applying conventional motion estimation search strategies. This results in substantial reductions in arithmetic and hardware complexity and reduced power consumption, while maintaining good compression performance. Experimental results and a custom hardware design using a linear array of processing elements are also presented.
Interpreting spatial information and regulating mitosis in response to spindle orientation

Conklin's early studies on mollusk embryogenesis at the beginning of the 20th century (Conklin 1902) noted the importance of differential (unequal) cell divisions. His careful observations contributed to the emerging hypothesis that differential partitioning of cellular constituents generated different cell fates during development (Conklin 1902). Cellular asymmetry has been studied intensively in a variety of model organisms amenable to a combination of genetics, cell biology, and biochemistry. An important feature of asymmetric cell division is that the mitotic spindle must be properly oriented and positioned in the cell so that the daughter nuclei are segregated to the proper regions of the cell and so that cytokinesis divides the cell asymmetrically at the proper position along the cell axis (Siller and Doe 2009). Given the importance of asymmetric cell divisions, it is not surprising that there are mechanisms that coordinate cell polarity with spindle orientation in asymmetrically dividing cells. It is also not surprising that cells have evolved regulatory mechanisms to deal with spindle misorientation (Amon 1996; Fraschini et al. 2008). Mitotic spindles are complex organelles consisting of two microtubule-organizing centers or spindle poles that nucleate several classes of microtubules. The plus ends of kinetochore microtubules link the chromosomes to the poles and interpolar microtubules overlap at their plus ends, effectively linking the poles to each other. The astral microtubules radiate from the spindle poles away from the chromosomes and into the cytoplasm, where the plus ends interact with the cell cortex. The microtubules grow and shrink by “dynamic instability,” allowing the plus ends of the astral microtubules to probe the cytoplasmic space and the cell cortex. One of the features that characterizes asymmetric cell divisions is that there are proteins localized to the cortex that interact with astral microtubules, which allows the spindle to interpret cell polarity and orient the spindle (Siller and Doe 2009). Once the chromosomes are segregated, the spindle is disassembled; cells exit mitosis and complete cytokinesis. All of this has to be properly orchestrated in both time and space to produce the desired unequal products.
Postmortem Presence of Drugs and Method of Violent Suicide

The link between substance use and suicide is well established. However, little research analyzes how substance use is related to the method of suicide. This paper analyzes how specific drugs are associated with method of suicide, a critical topic because drug use bears on the etiology of suicide and may lead to policies aimed at deterring suicide. We use the COVDRS and logistic regression to examine postmortem presence of drugs among 3,389 hanging and firearm suicides in Colorado from 2004-2009. Net of demographic controls, we find that opiates are positively associated with firearms (OR: 1.92, 95% L: 1.27, 95% U: 2.86]) while antidepressants are positively associated with hanging (OR: 1.45, 95% L: 1.04, 95% U: 2.03). For cocaine and opiates, the association between drug use and violent method vary by educational attainment. Importantly, knowledge of the presence and type of specific drug is strongly associated with the method of suicide.
Molecular analysis of Salmonella serotypes at different stages of commercial turkey processing

Salmonella isolates were collected from 2 commercial turkey processing plants (A and B) located in different US geographical locations. Isolates recovered at different stages of processing were subjected to 2 genotype techniques [PAGE and denatured gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE)] to determine their usefulness for Salmonella serotyping. Primers used for PCR amplification were to a highly conserved spacer region located between the 16S and 23S rDNA genes. Sampling sites at plant A were 1) postscald, 2) pre-inside-outside bird wash, 3) post-IOBW, and 4) postchill with 30, 44, 36, and 12 Salmonella isolates recovered, respectively. Plant B had an additional site and these locations were 1) prescald, 2) postscald, 3) pre-inside-outside bird wash, 4) post-IOBW, and 5) postchill with 16, 54, 24, 35, and 24 Salmonella isolates recovered, respectively. In plant A, 4 different Salmonella serotypes were identified: Derby, Hadar, Montevideo, and Senftenberg. In plant B, 10 serotypes were identified: Agona, Anatum, Brandenburg, Derby, Hadar, Meleagridis, Montevideo, Reading, Senftenberg, and Typhimurium. Salmonella Derby was predominant in plant A (83%), whereas Salmonella Typhimurium was the most common serotype recovered in plant B (39%). Genotype analyses of the Salmonella serotypes were expressed in dendrograms with comparisons interpreted as percentage similarity coefficients. Both PAGE and DGGE were able to distinguish serotype band patterns. However, DGGE was more discriminating than PAGE. Isolates of the same serotypes were grouped together on the dendrogram of band patterns generated by DGGE. In contrast, PAGE failed to group all like serotypes together on the corresponding dendrogram. The results of the study suggest that genotyping techniques can be very useful in discriminating Salmonella serotypes collected from the processing plant environment of commercial poultry production. These molecular techniques may offer more cost-effective means to identify Salmonella serotypes from large numbers of isolates and with more immediate results than those currently achieved with conventional typing techniques.
Dynamic Decision Making: A Model of Senior Leaders Managing Strategic Paradoxes

Senior leaders increasingly embed paradoxes into their organization's strategy, but struggle to manage them effectively. To better understand how they do so, I compared in-depth qualitative data from six top management teams exploring and exploiting simultaneously. The results informed a model of dynamic decision making in which strategic paradoxes can be effectively engaged. The details of this dynamic decision-making model extend and complicate our understanding of managing paradoxes by depicting dilemmas and paradoxes as interwoven, explicating a consistently inconsistent pattern of addressing tensions, and framing both differentiating and integrating practices as necessary for engaging paradox.
The Origins of Attachment Theory: John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth

Attachment theory is based on the joint work of John Bowlby (1907-1991) and Mary Salter Ainsworth (1913- ). Its developmental history begins in the 1930s, with Bowlby's growing interest in the link between maternal loss or deprivation and later personality development and with Ainsworth's interest in security theory. Although Bowlby's and Ainsworth's collaboration began in 1950, it entered its most creative phase much later, after Bowlby had formulated an initial blueprint of attachment theory, drawing on ethology, control systems theory, and psychoanalytic thinking, and after Ainsworth had visited Uganda, where she conducted the first empirical study of infantmother attachment patterns. This article summarizes Bowlby's and Ainsworth's separate and joint contributions to attachment theory but also touches on other theorists and researchers whose work influenced them or was influenced by them. The article then highlights some of the major new fronts along which attachment theory is currently advancing. The article ends with some speculations on the future potential of the theory. Attachment theory is the joint work of John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth (Ainsworth & Bowlby, 1991). Drawing on concepts from ethology, cybernetics, information processing, developmental psychology, and psychoanalysis, John Bowlby formulated the basic tenets of the theory. He thereby revolutionized our thinking about a child's tie to the mother and its disruption through separation, deprivation, and bereavement. Mary Ainsworth's innovative methodology not only made it possible to test some of Bowlby's ideas empirically but also helped expand the theory itself and is responsible for some of the new directions it is now taking. Ainsworth contributed the concept of the attachment figure as a secure base from which an infant can explore the world. In addition, she formulated the concept of maternal sensitivity to infant signals and its role in the development of infant-mother attachment patterns. The ideas now guiding attachment theory have a long developmental history. Although Bowlby and Ainsworth worked independently of each other during their early careers, both were influenced by Freud and other psychoanalytic thinkers—directly in Bowlby's case, indirectly in Ainsworth's. In this article, I document the origins of ideas that later became central to attachment theory. I then discuss the subsequent period of theory building and consolidation. Finally, I review some of the new directions in which the theory is currently developing and speculate on its future potential. In taking this retrospective developmental approach to the origins of attachment theory, I am reminded of Freud's (1920/1955) remark:
The Kress Library of Business and Economics and Some of Its Treasures

The following brief tour through Harvard's Kress Library should acquaint scholars with that collection's unique strengths and whet their appetites for further exploration of its shelves.
Impact of snow conditions in spring dynamical seasonal predictions

[1] A suite of numerical simulations with the Center for Ocean Land Atmosphere (COLA) Studies' and the Goddard Earth Observing System (GEOS) general circulation models (GCMs) has been performed in conjunction with the Dynamical Seasonal Prediction (DSP) Project. These simulations aim to quantify the impact of realistic snow conditions on skill in the GCMs. In this study, ensemble climate simulations conducted for Northern Hemisphere spring (March–June) that span the years 1982–1998 are considered. For each year of these seasonal simulations, a pair of complementary runs is performed. For one of the simulations, snow conditions are allowed to evolve interactively; for the other simulation, the snow conditions are prescribed, according to a daily, global snow depth analysis, within each of the land modules of the GCMs. For this study, the impact of snow conditions on simulated near-surface air temperature is assessed. The results indicate that the prescribed (and presumably improved) snow conditions in the GCMs play a beneficial role in skillfully capturing the observed spatial/temporal patterns of interannual variations of near-surface air temperature, at a local scale. Through consideration of the surface energy-budget and the effect of snow cover on surface albedo, the localized improvement of near-surface air temperature skill (both in the spatial correlations and in the root-mean-square error) that results from the prescribed snowfields is found to be strongly tied to when and where the interannual variabilities of snow cover and mean incident short wave radiation coincide. This impact of prescribed snow is also most considerable during the widespread ablation of the matured winter season snow cover, which typically occurs during April over the Northern Hemisphere. Overall, the impact of the prescribed snow over all land points (i.e., local and nonlocal) shows mixed results in its effect on near-surface air temperature skill. These mixed results most likely underscore the difficulty of the GCMs to consistently translate the localized skillful response into nonlocal/remote skill. In the end, physical parameterizations in GCMs should be improved before all seasonal prediction enhancements from improved snow conditions can be realized.
The People's Liberation Army and China's Crisis

The suppression of the prodemocracy movement on the Chinese mainland in June 1989 has left American sinologists uncertain about the future political and security roles of the People's Liberation Army. The current policy of the leadership in Beijing seems to be to charge the PLA with the suppression of domestic "class enemies"—a responsibility not embraced with enthusiasm.Together with that development is another that apparently redefines the traditional security responsibilities of the PLA. Since at least 1985, the Communist Chinese leadership has argued that a major conflict involving the principal military powers is very unlikely. "Small wars," it is maintained, calculated to resolve territorial and national interest conflicts are far more likely. The apparent intention is to groom the PLA for such an environment.The rulers of China may well view nationalistic, irredentist wars not only as an occasion to resolve some external problems, but as an opportunity to reconsecrate the military to Communist part...
Performance of Frequency Selective Scheduling and Fractional Frequency Reuse Schemes for WIMAX

WiMaX is the commercial name for the 4G OFDM based wireless broadband data transmission standard 802.16, developed by IEEE ([1] and [2]). It is currently being deployed in several countries around the world. Sub-channels (which are the basic unit of resource allocation) are formed by grouping together sub-carriers in one of two formats - PUSC or AMC. In PUSC the set of sub-carriers in a sub-channel are distributed throughout the bandwidth while in AMC the sub-carriers in a subchannel are contiguous within a portion of the bandwidth. In this paper we study two candidates that offer the potential to improve the system performance of PUSC and identify scenarios when this improvement is possible: (i) compare the performance of PUSC with two flavors of AMC; and (ii) study how the PUSC performance can be improved by a Fractional Frequency Reuse (FFR) scheme that tries to perform interference mitigation/co-ordination and improve the throughput of users at the edge of the cell.
Logic tree analysis of secondary nonstructural systems with independent components

Abstract The seismic performance of a nonstructural secondary system depends on the performance of each component of the system, and on the way in which the components are connected. The performance of each component is commonly described using fragility curves. Logic trees may be used to describe the way in which the components are connected. The use of logic tree analysis for secondary systems is briefly reviewed, and the method extended to allow the determination of the sensitivity of the system failure probability to the failure probability of any component of the system. An approximate method is proposed to find confidence intervals for the failure probability of the system, given uncertainty in the failure probability of each component. The method was found to give good results.
Evaluation of Advanced Automotive Seats to Improve Thermal Comfort and Fuel Economy

Automotive ancillary loads have a significant impact on the fuel economy of both conventional and advanced vehicles. Improving the delivery methods for conditioned air is an effective way to increase thermal comfort at little energy cost, resulting in reduced airconditioning needs and fuel use. Automotive seats are well suited for effective delivery of conditioned air due to their large contact area with and close proximity to the occupants. Normally a seat acts as a thermal insulator, increasing skin temperatures and reducing evaporative cooling of sweat. Ventilating a seat has low energy costs and eliminates this insulating effect while increasing evaporative cooling. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has applied a combination of experimental testing and modeling to quantify improved thermal comfort and potential fuel savings by using a ventilated seat. The thermal comfort improvement can be used to reduce the A/C heat capacity by 4%, resulting in a predicted A/C fuel use reduction of 2.8% on an EPA highway cycle and 4.5% on an EPA city cycle. This is a 0.3%-0.5% reduction in total vehicle fuel use when the A/C system is on; while modest for an individual car, the potential fuel savings is significant on a national level.
Molecular motions of the outer ring of charge of the sodium channel: do they couple to slow inactivation?

In contrast to fast inactivation, the molecular basis of sodium (Na) channel slow inactivation is poorly understood. It has been suggested that structural rearrangements in the outer pore mediate slow inactivation of Na channels similar to C-type inactivation in potassium (K) channels. We probed the role of the outer ring of charge in inactivation gating by paired cysteine mutagenesis in the rat skeletal muscle Na channel (rNav1.4). The outer charged ring residues were substituted with cysteine, paired with cysteine mutants at other positions in the external pore, and coexpressed with rat brain β1 in Xenopus oocytes. Dithiolthreitol (DTT) markedly increased the current in E403C+E758C double mutant, indicating the spontaneous formation of a disulfide bond and proximity of the α carbons of these residues of no more than 7 A. The redox catalyst Cu(II) (1,10-phenanthroline)3 (Cu(phe)3) reduced the peak current of double mutants (E403C+E758C, E403C+D1241C, E403C+D1532C, and D1241C+D1532C) at a rate proportional to the stimulation frequency. Voltage protocols that favored occupancy of slow inactivation states completely prevented Cu(phe)3 modification of outer charged ring paired mutants E403C+E758C, E403C+D1241C, and E403C+D1532C. In contrast, voltage protocols that favored slow inactivation did not prevent Cu(phe)3 modification of other double mutants such as E403C+W756C, E403C+W1239C, and E403C+W1531C. Our data suggest that slow inactivation of the Na channel is associated with a structural rearrangement of the outer ring of charge.
Effect of circular staple line buttressing material on gastrojejunostomy failure in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

Abstract Background To determine the effect of bovine pericardium strip (BPS) reinforcement of the circular stapler on the gastrojejunostomy leak rates and staple line failure after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) at a university hospital in the United States. Gastrojejunostomy leak after LRYGB is a devastating complication. Various techniques, including buttressing the gastrojejunostomy staple line with biomaterial, have been used in an effort to minimize leaks. Methods A total of 350 consecutive patients underwent LRYGB without staple line buttressing. After this initial experience, BPS reinforcement of the gastrojejunostomy was conducted in 81 consecutive patients. BPS reinforcement was not used for the final 69 consecutive patients in this 500 patient series. Circular staple line failures (intraoperative immediate and complete failure of the anastomosis) and leaks were evaluated retrospectively. Results Three leaks (and no intraoperative staple line failures) occurred in 419 patients without BPS buttressing, all in the first 100 cases of our experience, and 3 leaks and an anastomotic staple line failure occurred in the 81 patients with BPS buttressing (.7% versus 4.9%, P = .02). The body mass index and other potential leak risk factors did not differ between the 2 groups. Conclusion In our experience, buttressing of the circular staple line with BPS during LRYGB was associated with an increased staple line adverse event rate. BPS buttressing of the gastrointestinal circular staple lines should be used with caution.
Silicon opto-acoustic oscillator

The Opto-Electronic Oscillator (OEO) is state-of-the-art for generation of low-phase-noise RF signals in the 1–30 GHz frequency range. The OEO uses a RF filter and an electro-optic modulator for filtering the RF signal and up-converting it to optical frequencies [1]. Our group has previously demonstrated a combined MEMS Acoustic filter + Optical modulator using silicon RF MEMS fabrication technology [2]. In this paper we report on improving the up-conversion loss of the Acousto-Optic modulator from −70dB to −26dB using an implant mask to reduce contact and series resistances. This low conversion loss enables us to close the optical and RF loops around the modulator, using an amplifier, to make an oscillator. This hybrid “Opto-Acoustic Oscillator” oscillates at 237 MHz with 5mW output power.
Death by Omission

In his ‘Moral Rights and Causal Casuistry’, Professor Eric Mack articulates a theory of what he calls ‘causal casuistry’ that he labels ‘restrictive’.1 One of the central principles of Mack’s ‘restrictive’ view of causality is the ‘Causing versus Allowing Principle’ (hereafter, ‘CA’) according to which ‘there is a morally significant difference between causing a death and allowing a death’ ([10], p. 59). I shall argue that CA is false and that the view of causality articulated by Professor Mack disguises the richness and complexity of what we do or fail to do.
Second-Moment Combination of Stochastic Loads

A practical method for specification and evaluation of stationary stochastic loads and their combinations is developed. A set of descriptor functions for stationary processes is introduced that describes the mean and variance of the extreme over given intervals of time, in terms of the random-point-in-time mean and variance of the process. For linear combinations of stationary loads, the mean and variance of the combined extreme are obtained in terms of the random-point-in-time means and variances of individual loads and their respective descriptor functions. Computed values of the extreme may be used in conjunction with the second-moment theory to evaluate structural reliabilities or required safety margins. Applications of the method to several load models are presented. Computed results for various combinations are shown to be in good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations.
A Convexity Embedded Necessary and Sufficient Condition for the Hurwitz stability of a Real Matrix using its elemental sign structure and qualitative determinant concept

In this paper, we highlight the importance of the ‘elemental sign structure’ of a matrix in its Hurwitz stability/instability assessment. The issue of determining conditions for the Hurwitz stability of a matrix is an age old topic of interest to engineers working with continuous time linear state space systems. However, the reason for revisiting this old issue is that the currently available conditions of stability, namely the Routh-Hurwitz test and the associated Kronecker Lyapunov matrix characteristic equation test (Fuller's condition) do not possess convexity property with respect to stability. In this paper, we present an alternative to these famous conditions by making use of the sign structure of the matrix. The proposed new condition of stability combines the concepts of both Quantitative Determinant (involving eigenvalues) and the Qualitative Determinant (involving only the sign information of the matrix elements) and serves as an alternative way of assessing the stability of a matrix. This new necessary and sufficient condition with convexity property is deemed extremely helpful in solving the related problems of stability including the testing of robust stability of interval parameter matrix families, which has attracted intense attention and scrutiny in the last few decades. The implications and importance of this new condition with convexity property are discussed.
Everglades Restoration: Interactions of Population and Environment

The Everglades system has suffered drastic changes to its life-blood, water. Dramatic population increases and intensive drainage efforts have significantly altered water quantity, quality, timing, and distribution through the system. This paper reviews water management alterations to the Everglades system and changes in the region's population and demography documenting the interconnectivity of the human and natural system. Specific ramifications of population and economic growth on land use, water use, and flood control are examined as a backdrop for discussion of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration efforts now underway. Through discussion of these ramifications and restoration efforts, challenges and opportunities for successful Everglades restoration are identified.
Experimental Research of Lung Injury Caused by Different Condition Mechanical Ventilation and Oxygen Inhalation in Newborn Rabbits

Objective To explore the pathologic change of lung injury caused by mechanical ventilation(MV) at different peak inspiratory pressure(PIP) and 450 mL/L concentration oxygen inhalation in the newborn rabbits.Methods Sixty newborn rabbits aged 1-5 days were arranged randomly to high PIP group,moderate PIP group,low PIP group and no MV control group.All rabbits of ventilation groups were done by MV and killed to obtain lung tissue at 1,3 and 6 h after trail,and the change of lung tissue structure was observed by pathological section and the change of lung ultrastructure was observed by electron microscope,respectively.The broncho-alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) was collected for detecting the concentration of total protein and total cell count and the percentage of cell were classified in BALF sediment film.At the same time the ratio of wet to dry was detected and analyzed.Results 1.The lung injury in moderate PIP group was not severe compared with low PIP group and high PIP group.It was obviously in part pulmonary atelectasis in low PIP group and pulmonary hemorrhage and pulmonary bullae formation in high PIP.2.With the ventilation went on,the cell count in BALF increased at different peak inspiratory pressures and different hours of 1,3,6 h.The values of WBC count in low PIP group at 1,3,6 h,were(12.12±7.01)×1012 L-1,(12.62±2.98)×1012 L-1,(18.55±5.63)×1012 L-1;moderate PIP group were(10.71±2.34)×1012 L-1,(14.73±3.63)×1012 L-1,(15.48±1.23)×1012 L-1;high PIP group were(26.59±7.896)×1012 L-1,(22.36±6.799)×1012 L-1,(37.34±11.23)×1012 L-1 respectively,and the major WBC were macrophage and lymphocyte and slight segmented cell in the cell classification.The change of WBC classification count in BALF indicated that the cell response was different in the different ventilation way and different at different time in the same ventilation way.3.Mechanical ventilation with high PIP accelerated the alveolar typeⅡ(AT-Ⅱ) hyperplasia and conversion to AT-Ⅰ.Mechanical ventilation with low PIP showed AT-Ⅱswelling and the lung organization edema and low PIP ventilation for 6 h had appeared collagen fibers hyperplasia.Conclusions Newborn rabbits MV with about 450 mL/L concentration oxygen will also cause the lung bubble and basal membrane structural changes and collagen fibers hyperplasia.The changes of AT-Ⅱ,leukomonocyte and macrophage may be the pathologic foundation of pulmonary histopathologic changes in the newborn rabbit MV induced lung injury.
Speed Sensor-less Direct Torque Control of Asynchronous Motor based on DSP

This paper designs a new speed-adaptive flux observer which based on model reference self-adapt control system theory.The observer uses the stator current and the stator flux as state variable,the observation of flux and the estimation of speed are proceeding at the meantime.The observed flux could be applied to direct torque control system.The speed adaptive scheme of speed estimation is obtain utilizing Lyapunov's stability theory.Based on controller's core TMS320F2812,the speed sensor-less direct torque control emulation system has been designed.The experimental results prove that the control system has preferably observing precision of stator flux and speed of motor,it can reduce the degree of flux aberration and the operation characteristic in the low gear.