cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, spectroscopic properties and electrochemistry of Rh2(ap)4(R) where R = CH3 or C6H5 and ap = 2-anilinopyridinate anion

Abstract Two sigma-bonded Rh 2 5+ complexes, Rh 2 (ap) 4 (C 6 H 5 ) and Rh 2 (ap) 4 (CH 3 ), where ap = 2-anilinopyridinate anion were synthesized and examined as to their electrochemical and spectroscopic properties in nonaqueous media. Rh 2 (ap) 4 (C 6 H 5 ) was also structurally characterized. The presence of the phenyl axial ligand on Rh 2 (ap) 4 (C 6 H 5 ) does not bring about a significant structural effect on the ap framework as compared to Rh 2 (ap) 4 Cl or Rh 2 (ap) 4 (C CH) but the Rh–Rh and Rh–C axial bond lengths are both elongated due to the strong electron-donating effect of the phenyl group. The two sigma-bonded dirhodium compounds each undergo a single reversible one-electron reduction to in situ generate a stable Rh 2 4 + complex and two reversible one-electron oxidations to give stable compounds in Rh 2 6 + and Rh 2 7 + oxidation states. These redox reactions occur at E 1/2 = −0.79, 0.28 and 0.93 V for R = CH 3 and −0.71, 0.35 and 0.95 V for R = C 6 H 5 . The ESR spectrum of Rh 2 (ap) 4 (CH 3 ) has g ⊥ and g || values of 2.17 and 1.89 while Rh 2 (ap) 4 (C 6 H 5 ) has an ESR spectrum with signals at 2.17 ( g ⊥ ) and 2.00 (g || ), consistent with the odd electron in each dimetal unit being localized on only one of the two metal centers in Rh 2 5 + .
Receptor Affinity Chromatography

Insulin receptor was purified in high yield from cultured 3T3-L1 mouse adipocytes using the bifunctional ligand N alpha B1-(biotinyl-epsilon-aminocaproyl)insulin in conjunction with avidin-Sepharose CL-4B. This ligand is 100% competent as insulin and 60% competent as biotin, as measured by competitive binding assays. The procedure requires preliminary removal of biotin-containing proteins on "native" avidin-Sepharose CL-4B. This matrix shows nearly the same biotin-binding characteristics as uncoupled avidin and can be regenerated by washing with 0.02 N HCl, causing only a minor loss of nonexchangeable biotin-binding sites. Insulin receptor is isolated by formation of a complex between the bifunctional ligand and the receptor, and then adsorption to "monomeric" avidin-Sepharose via the biotin moiety. This affinity matrix binds [14C]biotin with a Kd approximately equal to 0.2 microM and has exchangeable/nonexchangeable biotin binding sites in the ratio 9:1. Displacement of homogeneous insulin receptor is achieved by the addition of biotin; the elution is time-dependent, suggesting that it is accomplished by the prevention of rebinding.
A New Phase Boundary in (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3BaTiO3 Revealed via a Novel Method of Electron Diffraction Analysis

A new phase boundary is revealed in (1–x)(Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3−xBaTiO3, the most extensively studied lead-free piezoelectric solid solution. This discovery results from a novel method of electron diffraction analysis, which allows the precise determination of oxygen octahedra tilting in multi-domain perovskite ferroelectrics. The study using this method supports the recently proposed Cc symmetry for pure (Bi1/2Na1/2)TiO3, and, more importantly, indicates the crystal structure evolves into the R3c symmetry with the addition of BaTiO3, forming a Cc/R3c phase boundary at x = 3–4%. In the poling field Epol versus composition x phase diagram for polycrystalline ceramics, this phase boundary exists with Epol below 5.5 kV mm−1; the Cc phase is transformed to the R3c phase during poling at higher fields. The results reported here provide the microstructural origin for the previously unexplained strain behavior and clarify the low-BaTiO3-content phase relationship in this popular lead-free piezoelectric system.
The unfulfilled promise of an envisioned jewel: An attempt to transfer technology out of the splintering Soviet Union

This case study is based upon extensive interviews with a Fortune 500 company's new-products manager for Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. It focuses upon the American manager's attempt to establish an agreement to transfer a revolutionary technology out of the Soviet Union. This effort takes place as the Soviet Union is dissolving, adding complexity and uncertainty to an already extraordinarily challenging task. While ultimately unsuccessful, the case provides insight into the importance of risk-taking and the learning that results from failed experiments.
Decreased glutathione S-transferase expression and activity and altered sex steroids in Lake Apopka brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus).

Abstract A number of freshwater lakes and reclaimed agricultural sites in Central Florida have been the receiving waters for agrochemical and municipal runoff. One of these sites, Lake Apopka, is also a eutrophic system that has been the focus of several case studies reporting altered reproductive activity linked to bioaccumulation of persistent organochlorine chemicals in aquatic species. The present study was initiated to determine if brown bullheads ( Ameiurus nebulosus ) from the north marsh of Lake Apopka (Lake Apopka Marsh) exhibit an altered capacity to detoxify environmental chemicals through hepatic glutathione S -transferase (GST)-mediated conjugation as compared with bullheads from a nearby reference site (Lake Woodruff). We also compared plasma sex hormone concentrations (testosterone, 17-β estradiol, and 11 keto-testosterone) in bullheads from the two sites. Female bullheads from Lake Apopka had 40% lower initial rate GST conjugative activity toward 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), 50% lower activity towards p -nitrobutyl chloride (NBC), 33% lower activity toward ethacrynic acid (ECA), and 43% lower activity toward Δ5-androstene-3,17-dione (Δ 5 -ADI), as compared with female bullheads from Lake Woodruff. Enzyme kinetic analyses demonstrated that female bullheads from Lake Apopka had lower GST-catalyzed CDNB clearance than did female Lake Woodruff bullheads. Western blotting studies of bullhead liver cytosolic proteins demonstrated that the reduced GST catalytic activities in female Lake Apopka bullheads were accompanied by lower expression of hepatic GST protein. No site differences were observed with respect to GST activities or GST protein expression in male bullheads. Female Lake Apopka bullheads also had elevated concentrations of plasma androgens (testosterone and 11-ketotestosterone) as compared with females from Lake Woodruff. In contrast, male Lake Apopka bullheads had elevated levels of plasma estrogen but similar levels of androgens as compared with male bullheads from Lake Woodruff. Collectively, our studies indicate the presence of reduced GST protein expression, reduced GST conjugative capacity and altered sex steroid homeostasis in female bullheads from a contaminated field site in Central Florida. The implications of these physiological alterations in terms of pollutant biotransformation and reproduction are discussed.
Minimal neural networks: Concerted optimization of multiple decision planes

Abstract Harrington, P. de B., 1993. Minimal neural networks: concerted optimization of multiple decision planes. Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 18: 157–170. Minimal neural networks (MNNs) differ from other neural networks in that they use localized processing. A MNN has been developed that builds classification trees with branches composed of multiple processing units, as opposed to conventional neural works, which require a network composed of layers of processing units to be configured before training. A global entropy minimization may be achieved at a branch by combining the processing logic using principles from fuzzy set theory. Weight vectors are adjusted using an angular coordinate system and gradients of the fuzzy entropy function. The branches are optimal with respect to fuzziness and can accommodate non-linearly separable or ill-conditioned data. Unlike other neural networks, the mechanism of inference may be traced. In addition, the observation scores, the variable loadings of the weight vectors and the structure of the classification tree yield a bounty of qualitative and diagnostic information. Synthetic bivariate data and pyrolysis-tandem mass spectra are used to compare the MNN with a backpropagation neural network.
The CIMS PL/I compiler

CIMS PL/I is an implementation of PL/I on the Control Data 6600 computer. The most challenging aspect of implementing PL/I is dealing with the sheer size and complexity of the language; since a PL/I compiler is an inherently large object, building one is a good way to test the limits of ideas on compiler construction and programming methodology. Version 1 of CIMS PL/I has been in active use since 1973 and includes roughly 70% of the full language, but is limited by some severe design flaws. Version 2 is now under development; the parser and the declaration processor are in excellent working order, but the later passes are still being worked on. In this paper I shall describe Version 2 as though it already existed in full. Version 2 is intended to implement full ANSI Standard PL/I [1], and the passes that have been completed accept the full language. Both versions are themselves written almost entirely in PL/I, and have been developed using boot-strapping methods.
Frameless Image-Guided Intracranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery: Clinical Outcomes for Brain Metastases

Purpose: After preclinical investigations confirming the accuracy of target localization by frameless image-guided radiosurgery, we report the clinical outcomes of patients with brain metastases who underwent frameless radiosurgery. Methods and Materials: Between 2005 and 2006, 53 patients underwent frameless stereotactic radiosurgery using a linear accelerator equipped with on-board image guidance for the treatment of 158 brain metastases. The radiation doses were delivered in a single fraction (dose range, 12-22 Gy; median, 18). Patients were followed with magnetic resonance imaging scans at 2-3-month intervals. Progression-free survival was the primary study endpoint. Results: With a median follow-up of 38 weeks (range, 14-112), the overall survival rate was 70% at 6 months, 44% at 1 year, 29% at 18 months, and 16% at 24 months. Local control was achieved in 90% of 168 treated lesions at 6 months, 80% at 12 months, 78% at 18 months, and 78% at 24 months. Local control tended to be improved in lesions treated with {>=}18 Gy and for lesions <0.2 cm{sup 3}. Adverse events occurred in 5 patients (9.6%). No evidence of imaging changes on post-stereotactic radiosurgery scans was found to suggest mistargeting of a radiation isocenter. Conclusion: The clinical outcomes after frameless stereotactic radiosurgery weremore » comparable to those after frame-based radiosurgery techniques. Given its significant advantages in terms of patient comfort, ability to use fractionated treatment regimens, and convenience in scheduling of personnel and equipment resources, frameless radiosurgery will likely become a common technique for intracranial radiosurgery.« less
Genetische oorzaken van kleine lengte

De volwassen lengte wordt voor het grootste deel bepaald door genetische factoren. Veel van deze factoren hebben een klein effect op de lengtegroei. In het diagnostisch proces bij een groeiachterstand is het vooralsnog alleen mogelijk onderzoek te doen naar de erfelijke factoren die juist een groot effect hebben. Alvorens hiertoe over te gaan, is het van belang om via anamnese, familieanamnese, lichamelijk onderzoek en eventueel radiologisch onderzoek de groeiachterstand goed te karakteriseren. Daarbij is het van belang te letten op lichaamsproporties, op dysmorfe kenmerken en/of aangeboren afwijkingen en op het begin van de groeiachterstand (preof postnataal). Bij afwijkende lichaamsproporties (met name korte ledematen ten opzichte van de romp) bestaat er een verdenking op een skeletdysplasie, bij dysmorfe kenmerken en/of aangeboren afwijkingen moet een syndromale oorzaak van kleine lengte worden overwogen, terwijl bij een laag gewicht of kleine lengte bij de geboorte, zonder inhaalgroei, aandacht moet worden besteed aan IGF-I en de IGF-I-receptor. Vanwege het belang van een diagnose voor prognose en mogelijke therapie kan bij blijvende onduidelijkheid over de oorzaak van de kleine lengte de expertise gevraagd worden van een speciale polikliniek of (internationale) werkgroepen. Als ook dan de diagnose niet kan worden gesteld, is het zinvol het kind na een aantal jaren terug te zien en de groei opnieuw te analyseren, omdat er nieuwe syndromen dan wel nieuwe inzichten in bestaande aandoeningen kunnen zijn beschreven, maar ook vanwege de voortschrijdende vernieuwing van onderzoekstechnieken.
MO-E-W-608-01: Display Evaluation Demonstration Workshop

The AAPM TG18 is a new initiative aimed to provide standard guidelines and procedures for acceptance testing and quality control of electronic display devices for medical applications. The recommendations, based on the newly‐designed TG18 test patterns, include detailed visual and quantitative methods and specific acceptance criteria for objective assessment of display quality using the TG18 standard test patterns and specified equipment. The display characteristics considered include luminance, luminance spatial and angular response, resolution, noise, veiling glare, reflection, color uniformity, geometrical distortions, and display artifacts. The goal of this demonstration workshop is to present a tutorial and demonstration on practical aspects of display set up and display performance evaluation based on the TG18 methodology. Representatives from the TG18 committee and from industry will be present to demonstrate and discuss display evaluation issues. Participants: Jeffrey Charette, Barcoview, LLC; Ehsan Samei, Duke University Medical Center; Noriyuki Hashimoto, Eizo Nanao Corporation; Dave Sorensen, Image Systems Corporation; Kenneth Compton, National Display Systems; Adi Abileah, Planar Systems; Hans Roehrig, University of Arizona;
Precipitation in CuTi and CuTiAl alloys; discontinuous and localised precipitation

Abstract Discontinuous precipitation in a Cu-4% Ti binary alloy is studied through transmission electron microscopy. Different types of contrast conditions are used and moire fringes and interfacial dislocations are revealed. The grain refinement that occurs during discontinuous precipitate growth is due to translational and rotational subgrain boundaries formed on account of the different habit planes of precipitates from the different nucleation sites. It is also shown that discontinuous precipitation is absent in a Cu-2.1% Ti-2.4% Al and a Cu-2.1% Ti-5% Al alloys over a wide range of aging temperatures. However, a pronounced tendency for localised precipitation is observed in these alloys. It is found that the ternary CuTiAl alloys have lower coherent solvus temperatures. Solute supersaturation is therefore relieved through precipitation of the equilibrium phase by heterogenous nucleation at grain boundaries, twin boundaries, dislocations and other structural imperfections where a lower activation energy barrier is present.
What are you trying to pull? a group exercise

Abstract The authors describe a group exercise based on the idea that people implicitly attempt to elicit (or pull) certain reactions from people in their everyday lives and emphasize the potential for adapting such an exercise to a variety of purposes.
IL-4 suppresses osteoclast development and mature osteoclast function by a STAT6-dependent mechanism: irreversible inhibition of the differentiation program activated by RANKL

Numerous reports have described the effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on bone biology. Previous studies, performed using complex coculture systems, demonstrated the effects of IL-4 on osteoblasts and osteoclasts. To directly test the effect of IL-4 on osteoclasts, we took advantage of a simplified system using recombinant receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) as the osteoclast differentiation factor. We analyzed the ability of IL-4 to directly regulate osteoclast differentiation and mature osteoclast function. We found that IL-4 inhibited the differentiation of osteoclasts from bone marrow precursors in an irreversible manner and also inhibited the resorptive capacity of mature osteoclasts. In the presence of IL-4, we detected the appearance of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)–negative multinucleated giant (MNG) cells. Both IL-4 effects were dependent on signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6). We found that IL-4 suppresses RANK mRNA expression in the developing precursor cells. When RANK was ectopically expressed under the cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter in RAW264.7 macrophages, IL-4 treatment did not inhibit osteoclast development. Furthermore, when osteoclastogenesis was induced independently of RANKL by using tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-4 inhibited osteoclast differentiation through a STAT6-dependent mechanism. These results suggest that IL-4 regulates osteoclast development by regulating gene expression, including RANK. We propose that IL-4 irreversibly regulates the lineage commitment of precursor cells by regulating gene expression, resulting in the suppression of osteoclast development and the generation of MNG cells as an alternative pathway of differentiation.
X-ray Raman scattering studies on C60 fullerenes and multi-walled carbon nanotubes under pressure

Abstract X-ray Raman scattering experiments were performed on C 60 fullerenes and multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) up to 20 GPa and 25 GPa using a diamond anvil cell and synchrotron radiation at HPCAT, Advanced Photon Source. The intensity of the near edge peaks representing sp 2 hybridization (π⁎) decreases with increasing pressure in both materials. Around 13 GPa the X-ray Raman spectra of C 60 completely transformed to sp 3 type bonding leading to diamond-like phase. Similar features have been observed in MWCNT at 16 GPa indicating the formation of strong interlayer covalent bonds. Our experiments are in excellent agreement with recent theoretical simulations reported on the mechanical behaviour of compressed nanotubes and provide direct experimental evidence for bond switching of these carbonaceous systems at high pressures.
Manioc—A tropical staff of life

A plant which in one form contains deadly prussic acid and in other forms nourishes thousands of primitive people and furnishes tapioca to modern man. *** DIRECT SUPPORT *** A02QO001 00002
Alterations of amino acids in plasma of lactating cows during the experimental induction of ketosis

Abstract Amino acids in plasma of 12 cows were determined during 10 days to measure effects of a lowenergy ration and exogenous thyroxine. Cows were fed rations which provided either their energy and protein requirements on Day 0, or only 30% of the energy and 90% of die protein required. A daily dosage of 6.9mg of L-thyroxine (sodium) pentahydrate injected on Days 4 through 7 in combination with the lowenergy ration induced signs of clinical ketosis. The combination of thyroxine injections with a low-energy ration elevated valine, leucine, and isoleucine on Day 5. These were much lower on Day 7. These changes were similar to those of the pattern of glucose in blood. Glutamic acid was highest on Day 6. These changes in amino acids were apparently the result of protein catabolism in response to energy deficiency. Possible causes for the elevation of tiiese amino acids in plasma, and the possibility of these amino acids having triggered a release of insulin are discussed. In addition, some possible metabolic deficiencies are discussed considering commonly established biochemical pathways.
Regional Differences in the World Atmospheric Circulation

(1953). Regional Differences in the World Atmospheric Circulation. Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 14-26.
DNA fragmentation of normal spermatozoa negatively impacts embryo quality and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome

Objective To evaluate DNA fragmentation in morphologically normal sperm recovered from the same sample used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to correlate DNA damage with embryo quality and pregnancy outcome. Design Prospective study. Setting Academic center. Patient(s) 36 infertile men participating in the ICSI program. Intervention(s) Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase–mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-fluorescein nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and morphologic assessment by phase contrast. Main Outcome Measure(s) Simultaneous assessment of sperm morphology and DNA fragmentation by TUNEL assay was performed in the same cell, then the percentage of normal sperm with fragmented DNA (normal SFD) was correlated with embryo quality and pregnancy outcomes. Result(s) A highly statistically significant negative correlation was found between the percentage of normal SFD and embryo quality. This association was confirmed for the transferred embryos and for the total embryo cohort. The receiver operating characteristics curve analysis demonstrated that the percentage of normal SFD and embryo quality were statistically significant predictors of pregnancy. When the percentage of normal SFD was ≤17.6 %, the likelihood of pregnancy was 3.5 times higher. No correlation was found between the percentage of total sperm with fragmented DNA (morphologically normal and abnormal) and ICSI outcomes. Conclusion(s) The DNA fragmentation of morphologically normal sperm negatively impacts embryo quality and probability of pregnancy in ICSI cycles.
The diffusion model of longitudinal mixing in beds of finite length. Numerical values

Abstract Accurate numerical values are provided for the solution of the diffusion model of miscible fluid displacement in beds of finite length. The calculations presented here apply to the case in which a solute, uniformly distributed throughout the medium at the outset of the experiment, is displaced by a solvent which may itself contain some of the solute. Results are given in dimensionless form for (i) the instantaneous concentration of solute leaving the bed, and (ii) the average solute concentration in the bed at any instant. Various limiting cases are discussed.
Polymerase chain reaction-based DNA fingerprinting of Enterococcus faecium isolated from intramammary infections of dairy cows

Abstract Twenty of 71 cows in a dairy herd that calved between 1 November 1990 and 31 January 1991 had clinical or subclinical mastitis associated with Enterococcus faecium during early lactation. Forty-two E. faecium isolates were cultured from samples of mammary secretions collected from these 20 cows during this period. In the following calving season between 1 November 1991 and 31 January 1992, five isolates of E. faecium were identified from mammary secretion of four of 85 cows. All four cows had E. faecium intramammary infections within 14 days after calving. Isolates were subtyped using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA fingerprinting method. In addition, plasmid analysis was performed. PCR-based DNA fingerprinting differentiated the 47 isolates into four distinct subtypes. Five of six clinical mastitis isolates of E. faecium belonged to Subtype 2, and E. faecium Subtype 1 was the only subtype that was isolated from both calving seasons. PCR-based DNA fingerprinting was useful in tracing an infection of the same subtype in a cow over a period of time. New intramammary infections by different subtypes were identified also. Two plasmids of 4.8- and 5.1-kb were observed in seven strains identified as Subtype 3 by PCR-based DNA fingerprinting. Results of this study suggest that E. faecium can be an important cause of mastitis during early lactation. PCR-based DNA fingerprinting was useful for subtyping E. faecium isolates. Use of this technique could aid in understanding the epidemiology of bovine mastitis and facilitate development of more effective methods to control intramammary infections in dairy cows.
Prognostic significance of cyclooxygenase-2 in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: To determine the relative prognostic significance of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Experimental Design: This retrospective cohort study included 82 patients with SCC referred to the Department of Therapeutic Radiology at Yale-New Haven Hospital (Connecticut) between 1980 and 1999 who were treated with primary external beam radiotherapy or gross total surgical resection and postoperative radiotherapy. A microarray of archival tumor tissue was constructed and stained with monoclonal antibodies directed against COX-2 and scored for intensity by a pathologist blinded to the clinical outcomes of the patients. COX-2 immunoreactivity and clinicopathological data were analyzed with respect to survival endpoints using bivariate and multivariate techniques. Results: Frequency of COX-2 overexpression was 45%. In multivariate analysis, COX-2 positivity predicted poor 3-year survival ( P = 0.02; odds ratio = 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.20–0.84). Increasing age was significantly associated with increased 3-year survival ( P = 0.03; odds ratio = 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.004–1.09). Positive COX-2 status trended toward predicting decreased 3-year disease-free survival. Conclusions: COX-2 was the most important predictor of poor survival in this patient cohort. In patients with oropharyngeal SCC treated with external-beam radiation therapy, overexpression of COX-2 may affect clinical outcome, and COX-2 may therefore prove valuable both as a prognostic factor and as a therapeutic target.
Stage IV Prostate Cancer: Survival Differences in Clinical T4, Nodal and Metastatic Disease

Purpose: In the prostate specific antigen era most prostate cancer presents at an early stage. However, a significant number of patients have advanced disease, including those with stage IV disease. Assignment to stage IV prostate cancer may occur by different modes, namely as T4N0M0 vs N1 vs M1 disease. We hypothesize that patients with clinical T4 disease have better outcomes than those with N1 or M1 disease.Materials and Methods: A total of 17 SEER registries were queried from 1995 through 2003. Multivariate and univariate analyses examined overall survival and prostate cancer specific survival across subcategories of stage IV disease while controlling for various patient and disease related characteristics.Results: There were 615 patients with cT4N0M0 disease, 3,189 with TxN1M0 and 10,893 with TxNxM1 who met the study inclusion criteria. Survival differences were observed between cT4N0M0 and M1 cancer, between N1 and M1 disease, and were most pronounced in younger patients (age 50 years or younger), g...
The identification of users by relational agents

Virtual agents designed to establish relationships with more than one user must be able to identify and distinguish among those users with high reliability. We describe an approach for relational agents in public spaces to identify repeat users based on two strategies: a biometric identification system based on hand geometry, and an identification dialogue that references previous conversations. The ability to re-identify visitors enables the use of persistent dialogue and relationship models, with which the agent can perform a range of behaviors to establish social bonds with users and enhance user engagement. The agent's dialogue encourages users towards repeat visits, and provides mechanisms of recovery from identification errors, as well as contextual information which may be used to improve the accuracy of the biometric identification. We have implemented and evaluated this identification system in a virtual guide agent for a science museum that is designed to conduct repeated and continuing interactions with visitors. We also present the results of a preliminary evaluation of the system, including user opinions of this technology, and of the effect of identification, both successful and unsuccessful, on acceptance and engagement of the agent.
Dynamic Capabilities and Managing Human Capital

We apply the dynamic capabilities framework to explore the management of human capital, with particular emphasis on the process of “acqui-hiring.” Acqui-hiring is the acquisition of small companies primarily to gain access to their employees and has been proliferating according to publicly available data. While this trend has received considerable attention from practitioners, scholars have not systematically explored these acquisitions or explained how they fit into the corporate strategy of the acquirers, mostly Silicon Valley–based technology companies. We use a hand-collected dataset to document recent trends in acqui-hiring and present two case studies to provide insights into how acqui-hiring works in practice. We then draw on prior work in strategic management on dynamic capabilities to explain how acqui-hiring relates to the broader set of strategies firms employ to sustain competitive advantage. Specifically, we present acqui-hiring as one example of asset orchestration—an important dynamic capab...
Age of First Use as a Predictor of Current Alcohol and Marijuana Use Among College-Bound Emerging Adults

Background: Alcohol and marijuana are the most commonly used psychoactive substances; however, the sequencing and relationship between age of first use and continued current problematic use among college-bound emerging adults is not well understood. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of current and historical alcohol and marijuana use among college-bound recent high school graduates (N = 1,365; age ∼18 years). Results: Drinking was prevalent (78%, N = 1,055) and marijuana use was prevalent (46%, N = 622). Stepwise logistical regression revealed the lower the age of first use, the higher the prevalence of current problematic substance use. Those who initiate alcohol ≤ 12 are twice as likely to currently use marijuana frequently. A significant relationship was found between age of first use and non-social substance use (drinking, p = 0.0001; marijuana, p = 0.0025). The temporal ordering of substance use indicates that alcohol precedes marijuana use, and age of first alcohol use is relevant to rates of...
Environmental interactions during host race formation: host fruit environment moderates a seasonal shift in phenology in host races of Rhagoletis pomonella

Summary 1. Host race formation is a common form of ecological speciation during which new populations that exploit a novel host (e.g. nutritional resource) experience divergent natural selection, causing adaptive divergence from the ancestral population. Typically, multiple selection pressures drive this divergence, suggesting that interactions among environmental effects may be critical during the speciation process. 2. Host-race-forming phytophagous insects often experience divergent natural selection imposed by seasonality and nutritional environment, two factors likely to interact through their effects on growth and life-history timing. We tested for the presence of such an interaction in the apple maggot fly, Rhagoletis pomonella, asking whether nutritional effects interact with seasonality to determine overwintering success. 3. We find evidence for such an interaction, wherein feeding on a novel host fruit actually mitigates the negative effects of novel seasonality. Feeding on apple (novel) compared to hawthorn (ancestral) fruit conferred greater fly lipid reserves the overwintering, diapause stage. Earlier, seasonal emergence characteristic of the apple host race imposes an overwintering survival cost. But feeding on apples offsets this cost, which confers greater pupal lipid reserves and consequently larger adult body size post-winter. Seasonality and host fruit interact to determine fly lipid reserves, and host race differences in lipid content are maximized under the most stressful conditions typically experienced by the apple host race. F1 rearing and genetic association tests revealed no evidence for genetically based divergence in lipid content, suggesting that differences in lipid storage among the fly host races are driven primarily by the host fruit environment. 4. Our results suggest that interactions between seasonality and host plant environment shape natural selection and therefore influence adaptive divergence during host race formation.
REVIEW OF BIASED SOLAR ARRAY - PLASMA INTERACTION STUDIES

The Solar Electric Propulsion System (SEPS) is proposed for a variety of space missions. Power for operating SEPS is obtained from large solar array wings capable of generating tens of kilowatts of power. To minimize resistive losses in the solar array bus lines, the array is designed to operate at voltages up to 400 volts. This use of high voltage can increase interactions between the biased solar cell interconnects and plasma environments. With thrusters operating, the system ground is maintained at space plasma potential which exposes large areas of the arrays at the operating voltages. This can increase interactions with both the natural and enhanced charged particle environments. Available data on interactions between biased solar array surfaces and plasma environments are summarized. The apparent relationship between collection phenomena and solar cell size and effects of array size on interactions are discussed. The impact of these interactions on SEPS performance is presented.
Stability region estimates for SDRE controlled systems using sum of squares optimization

In this paper, we investigate the state-dependent Riccati equation (SDRE) method to control nonlinear systems. This method stabilizes the closed loop system around the origin. However, the global asymptotic stability is not ensured. Moreover, the stability analysis is complicated because the closed loop system is typically not known in a closed form. We present a theorem that turns stability region estimation into a functional search problem. Results on the sum of squares polynomials are used to turn this search into a semi-definite programming problem. A simple example demonstrating this method is given.
LIPOXYGENASE ACTIVITY IN MENHADEN GILL TISSUE AND ITS EFFECT ON ODOR OF n‐3 FATTY ACID ESTER CONCENTRATES

Menhaden oil is highly susceptible to oxidation due to a high concentration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, leading to objectionable off-odors and off-flavors. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the enzyme lipoxygenase is present in menhaden gill tissue and if its activity on n-3 fatty acid esters can be detected by a sensory panel. Lipoxygenase activity was found in the crude enzyme extract from menhaden gill tissue. The enzyme exhibited its highest activity at pH 9–10, and was inhibited by esculetin. Panelists judged the smell of n-3 fatty acid ethyl ester concentrates that were incubated with the enzyme extract to be significantly stronger than that of untreated controls. It can be concluded that menhaden gill tissue contains an active lipoxygenase which possibly contributes to the peroxidation of menhaden oil.
Strategies for Faculty-Student Engagement: How Community College Faculty Engage Latino Students

Student-faculty engagement has been identified as the best predictor of Latino student persistence (Hurtado & Carter, 1997). This study explores the strategies that community college faculty employ to engage Latino students. Findings indicate that knowledge, appreciation, and sensitivity to Hispanic cultures and an understanding of the preferred learning styles of Latino students are important considerations to establishing classroom environments that engage Latino students and, thus, facilitate their retention and academic success.
Genomic basis for coral resilience to climate change.

Recent advances in DNA-sequencing technologies now allow for in-depth characterization of the genomic stress responses of many organisms beyond model taxa. They are especially appropriate for organisms such as reef-building corals, for which dramatic declines in abundance are expected to worsen as anthropogenic climate change intensifies. Different corals differ substantially in physiological resilience to environmental stress, but the molecular mechanisms behind enhanced coral resilience remain unclear. Here, we compare transcriptome-wide gene expression (via RNA-Seq using Illumina sequencing) among conspecific thermally sensitive and thermally resilient corals to identify the molecular pathways contributing to coral resilience. Under simulated bleaching stress, sensitive and resilient corals change expression of hundreds of genes, but the resilient corals had higher expression under control conditions across 60 of these genes. These “frontloaded” transcripts were less up-regulated in resilient corals during heat stress and included thermal tolerance genes such as heat shock proteins and antioxidant enzymes, as well as a broad array of genes involved in apoptosis regulation, tumor suppression, innate immune response, and cell adhesion. We propose that constitutive frontloading enables an individual to maintain physiological resilience during frequently encountered environmental stress, an idea that has strong parallels in model systems such as yeast. Our study provides broad insight into the fundamental cellular processes responsible for enhanced stress tolerances that may enable some organisms to better persist into the future in an era of global climate change.
A Compton-vetoed germanium detector with increased sensitivity at low energies

The difficulty to directly detect plutonium in spent nuclear fuel due to the high Compton background of the fission products motivates the design of a gamma detector with improved sensitivity at low energies. We have built such a detector by operating a thin high-purity Ge detector with a large scintillator Compton veto directly behind it. The Ge detector is thin to absorb just the low-energy Pu radiation of interest while minimizing Compton scattering of high-energy radiation from the fission products. The subsequent scintillator is large so that forward-scattered photons from the Ge detector interact in it at least once to provide an anti-coincidence veto for the Ge detector. For highest sensitivity, additional material in the line of sight is minimized, the radioactive sample is kept thin, and its radiation is collimated. We will discuss the instrument design, and demonstrate the feasibility of the approach with a prototype that employs two large CsI scintillator vetoes. Initial spectra of a thin Cs-137 calibration source show a background suppression of a factor of ~2.5 at ~100 keV, limited by an unexpectedly thick 4 mm dead layer in the Ge detector.
Analysis of delay circuits and systems using operators and causality

This paper presents a method of analysis for delay circuits and systems using operators. By assuming all operators are causal, we show that the operator approach is rigorous and-at the same time-more general than the transform approach. Our analysis is couched in terms of delay operators acting upon continuous time signals; in this manner, the resulting theory is applicable to continuous time delay structures and the usual discrete time methods are seen to follow at once from the continuous time case.
Constrained multivariable control of a diaphragm-type chlorine/caustic electrolyzers using dynamic matrix control

A multivariable linear dynamic matrix control (DMC) strategy is implemented for a highly nonlinear, electrochemical process with significant dead time. The goal is for the control system to improve energy efficiency by returning the process to the desired operating point or to within control limits in an optimal manner. A comparison of the DMC strategy to traditional control strategies shows improved controller performance with DMC.
Anomalous Fresh Water Lens Morphology on a Strip Barrier Island

Electromagnetic surveys of a young, wholly sedimentary, strip barrier island (St. George Island) on Florida's Gulf Coast reveal a Dupuit-Ghyben-Herzberg fresh water lens with the thickest part located close to the ocean side of the island at both undeveloped and developed sites. This result is at odds with those obtained on other barrier beaches, where the lens is either approximately symmetric or skewed toward the lagoon side due to higher sea level and greater upper beach storage on the ocean side. The inferred morphology of the fresh water lens on St. George Island can be attributed to variations in hydrogeologic (e.g., hydraulic conductivity, presence of semipermeable confining layer) and/or boundary conditions (e.g., recharge, higher sea level on the lagoon side), but the effects of variations in these factors on the shape of the lens are not separable. We therefore use independent constraints on hydraulic conductivity (from tidal pumping analyses), hydrofacies distribution, and recharge patterns to assess the plausibility that lateral variations in various physical parameters produce the observed lens shape. Dune ridge topography, which may constitute a significant portion of the width of a narrow island, perturbs recharge and shallow ground water flow patterns and may contribute to the development of a thick fresh water lens on an island's ocean side. However, topographic variations alone cannot account for the anomalous form of the island's fresh water lens.
Amoeba: A methodology for modeling and evolving cross-organizational business processes

Business service engagements involve processes that extend across two or more autonomous organizations. Because of regulatory and competitive reasons, requirements for cross-organizational business processes often evolve in subtle ways. The changes may concern the business transactions supported by a process, the organizational structure of the parties participating in the process, or the contextual policies that apply to the process. Current business process modeling approaches handle such changes in an ad hoc manner, and lack a principled means for determining what needs to be changed and where. Cross-organizational settings exacerbate the shortcomings of traditional approaches because changes in one organization can potentially affect the workings of another.This article describes Amoeba, a methodology for business processes that is based on business protocols. Protocols capture the business meaning of interactions among autonomous parties via commitments. Amoeba includes guidelines for (1) specifying cross-organizational processes using business protocols, and (2) handling the evolution of requirements via a novel application of protocol composition. This article evaluates Amoeba using enhancements of a real-life business scenario of auto-insurance claim processing, and an aerospace case study.
A chronic reference value for 1,3-butadiene based on an updated noncancer toxicity assessment.

A chronic noncancer toxicity assessment for 1,3-butadiene (BD) has been conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) using information not available to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) in 2002. The TCEQ developed a chronic reference value (ReV) of 33 μg/m3 (15 ppb). The chronic ReV is based on the same animal study and critical endpoint used by U.S. EPA for ovarian atrophy in B6C3F1 mice, but uses mode of action (MOA) information that indicates the diepoxide metabolite is responsible for ovarian atrophy. In addition, diepoxide-specific hemoglobin adduct data in mice, rats, and humans and other experimental data that became available after 2002 were used to support a conservative data-derived toxicokinetic animal-to-human uncertainty factor (UFA) of 0.3. The default toxicodynamic UFA of 3 was used, together with the data-derived toxicokinetic UFA of 0.3, resulting in a total UFA of 1. The necessary experimental data were not available to calculate a chemical-specific...
Reliable Solubility Data in the Age of Computerized Chemistry: Why, How and When?

Since 1979, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) Commission V.8 on Solubility Data has published over 70 compilations of evaluated data on the solubility of gases in liquids, liquids in liquids, and solids in liquids. These volumes rep- resent one of the largest collections of chemical property data ever produced and are the result of work of scientists throughout the world. In 1998, IUPAC signed an agreement with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to continue the series by replac- ing the monographs by articles in the Journal of Physical and Chemical Reference Data. Five data compilations have already been published in the Journal, and many more are under way. Recently, IUPAC and NIST have concluded another agreement about computerizing all pre- viously published IUPAC solubility data. In this paper, we describe in detail the computeri- zation of IUPAC solubility data, with some emphasis on harmonizing data published over a long time period. We describe the anticipated query paths that will be supported. We also dis- cuss some of the driving forces for making these and other data resources available over the World Wide Web.
ABT-737 increased intracellular ceramides through sphingomyelin hydrolysis in ALL cell lines

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 2819 Ceramides are thought to act as lipid second messengers in cell death pathways. Some antineoplastaic drugs, such as daunorubicin, Ara-C, or vincristine increase ceramides through sphingomyelin (SM) hydrolysis, while others (doxorubicin, etoposide, fenretinide) stimulate de novo synthesis of ceramides. We reported that the combinatoin of ABT-737 (a Bcl-2 family inhibitor) and the cytotoxic retinoid fenretinide (4-HPR) caused a greater increase in ceramides in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells than either drug alone (Proc AACR 47:1336, 2006). We have examined the mechanism by which ABT-737 increased ceramides in the ALL cell lines RS4-11 (pre-B) and CEM (T cell). Ceramides were measured by thin-layer chromatography and [14C]-L-serine. Cytotoxicity was determined using a fluorescence-based DIMSCAN assay. RNA expression of sphingmyelinases was determined by Taqman RT-PCR. In CEM cells pre-labeled overnight with [14C]-L-serine, ABT-737 caused a time-dependent increase in ceramides relative to controls (8-fold at 6 hours). Myriocin, a serine palmitoyltransferase (SPT) inhibitor did not affect the increase in ceramides in response to ABT-737, but GW4869, a neutral sphingomyelinase (nSMase) inhibitor, significantly decreased the generation of ceramides by ABT-737 (p= 0.007). Similar results were obtained with RS4-11 cells. These data indicate that synthesis of ceramides by ABT-737 is mainly due to sphingomyelin hydrolysis. In addition, real-time RT-PCR showed that mRNA for both neutral-SMase (1.51 ± 0.06-fold; p=0.007 at 2h) and acid-SMase (2.25 ± 0.24; p=0.09 at 4h) were up-regulated by ABT-737 in RS4-11 cells. However, cytotoxicity of ABT-737 for ALL cells was minimally affected by the nSMase inhibitor GW4869 or by desipramine (an acid-SMase inhibitor). Thus, ABT-737 increased intracellular ceramides in ALL cells via the sphingomyelin hydrolysis pathway in a time-dependent manner, but the role of ceramides in ABT-737-induced cytotoxicity appeared to be minimal.
Tunable transversely pumped counterpropagating optical parametric oscillators and amplifiers

The backward parametric oscillations in the parallel propagation configuration1 have not been observed because of the lack of appropriate materials for achieving quasi phase matching. Recently, following Ref. 2, quasi phase matching based on GaAs/AlGaAs multilayers3 and on asymmetric quantumwell domain structures4 was achieved. Here, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, we propose to use the second-order optical nonlinearities of these structures in a vertical cavity to achieve tunable and efficient transversely pumped counterpropagating optical parametric oscillations (TPCOPOs) and amplifications (TPCOPAs), see Fig. 1. As in Refs. 3 and 4, the quasi phase matching can be achieved in these structures by spatially modulating the second-order susceptibility along the growth direction.