cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Skin Microbiota and its Interplay with Wound Healing

The skin microbiota is intimately coupled with cutaneous health and disease. Interactions between commensal microbiota and the multiple cell types involved in cutaneous wound healing regulate the immune response and promote barrier restoration. This dialog between host cells and the microbiome is dysregulated in chronic wounds. In this review, we first describe how advances in sequencing approaches and analysis have been used to study the chronic wound microbiota, and how these findings underscored the complexity of microbial communities and their association with clinical outcomes in patients with chronic wound disorders. We also discuss the mechanistic insights gathered from multiple animal models of polymicrobial wound infections. In addition to the well-described role of bacteria residing in polymicrobial biofilms, we also discuss the role of the intracellular bacterial niche in wound healing. We describe how, in contrast to pathogenic species capable of subverting skin immunity, commensals are essential for the regulation of the cutaneous immune system and provide protection from intracellular pathogens through modulation of the antimicrobial molecule, Perforin-2. Despite recent advances, more research is needed to shed light on host-microbiome crosstalk in both healing and nonhealing chronic wounds to appropriately guide therapeutic developments.
Pyridoxal Phosphate, GABA and Seizure Susceptibility

Pyridoxal-P plays a major role in the short term regulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) synthesis in brain, as the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) is regulated in part by a tightly controlled cycle that interconverts the hold- and apoenzyme. This mechanism explains the sensitivity of brain GABA levels to vitamin B6 deficiency and very likely contributes to the enhanced seizure susceptibility that is a prominent symptom of vitamin B6 deficiency in animals and humans.
Far-from-equilibrium effects of electric and electromagnetic fields in ceramics synthesis and processing

Electric and electromagnetic fields can promote far-from-equilibrium chemical reactions, phase transformations, and microstructural evolution. On the one hand, both direct electric fields and time-varying electromagnetic fields can change the atomic and microscale structure of materials in ways that differ from conventional methods. On the other hand, ultrafast densification in a matter of seconds (e.g., in flash sintering) and electrically induced microstructural evolution open up new opportunities for materials processing. In many cases, the external fields absorbed within a material may result in “nonthermal” effects. In other cases, thermal effects dominate, but applied fields can still influence the microstructural evolution or generate nonequilibrium defects. Consequently, new behavior evolves such as ceramics that become ductile due to high densities of dislocations created by the far-from-equilibrium processing. Many open scientific questions remain about the fundamental mechanisms underlying such interactions of external fields with matter. From an industrial standpoint, processing advanced materials using externally applied fields can have a smaller energy footprint compared to conventional methods and as such will have a profound impact on society.
Brief Introductions to Anglican Theology: Theological Method: Theological Methodology and the Jesus Movement through the Work of F. D. Maurice and Vida Scudder:

The twenty-seventh Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, Michael Curry, has called the church over which he presides to become a part of the Jesus Movement. This call raised eyebrows for some, ...
nn-PINNs: Non-Newtonian physics-informed neural networks for complex fluid modeling.

Time- and rate-dependent material functions in Non-Newtonian fluids in response to different deformation fields pose a challenge in integrating different constitutive models into conventional computational fluid dynamic platforms. Considering their relevance in many industrial and natural settings alike, robust data-driven frameworks that enable accurate modeling of these complex fluids are of great interest. The main goal is to solve the coupled Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) consisting of the constitutive equations that relate the shear stress to the deformation and fully capture the behavior of the fluid under various flow protocols with different boundary conditions. In this work, we present Non-Newtonian Physics-Informed Neural Networks (nn-PINNs) for solving systems of coupled PDEs adopted for complex fluids flow modeling. The proposed nn-PINN method is employed to solve the constitutive models in conjunction with conservation of mass and momentum by benefiting from Automatic Differentiation (AD) in neural networks, hence avoiding the mesh generation step. nn-PINN is tested for a number of different complex fluids with different constitutive models and for several flow protocols. These include a range of Generalized Newtonian Fluids (GNF) empirical constitutive models, as well as some phenomenological models with memory effects and thixotropic timescales. nn-PINN is found to obtain the correct solution of complex fluids in spatiotemporal domains with good accuracy compared to the ground truth solution. We also present applications of nn-PINN for complex fluid modeling problems with unknown boundary conditions on the surface, and show that our approach can successfully recover the velocity and stress fields across the domain, including the boundaries, given some sparse velocity measurements.
Industrial Poverty: Yesterday Sweden, Today Europe, Tomorrow America

Contents: Foreword, Michael Tanner Preface The nature of the European crisis Sweden: austerity gone wrong Industrial poverty Europe in 2012: entering the economic wasteland Europe in 2012: deeper into the crisis Can austerity work? Way forward Index.
Computational Aspects of Differential Dynamic Programming and Nonlinear Programming Techniques for Optimal Control

In this paper, differential dynamic programming (DDP) and nonlinear programming (NLP) techniques are applied to problems of optimal control of nonlinear heating ventilation and air conditioning systems, and structural/mechanical systems. The two approaches are described and their computational aspects are discussed. It is shown that implementation details of the methods can have considerable impact on the performance of the methods. Example problems are solved to compare performance of the methods.
Bayesian Design of Noninferiority Clinical Trials with Co-primary Endpoints and Multiple Dose Comparison

We develop a Bayesian approach for the design of noninferiority clinical trials with co-primary endpoints and multiple dose comparison. The Bayesian approach has the potential of power increase and hence sample size reduction due to the incorporation of the historical data and the correlation structure among multiple co-primary endpoints while it still maintains the family-wise type I error control without additional multiplicity adjustment. In this chapter, we compare the Bayesian method to the conventional frequentist method with or without Bonferroni multiplicity adjustment resulting from the multiple dose comparison. The proposed method is also applied to the design of a clinical trial, in which the study drug at a low dose level and at a high dose level is compared with the active control in terms of the bivariate co-primary endpoints.
Image Averaging for Improved Iris Recognition

We take advantage of the temporal continuity in an iris video to improve matching performance using signal-level fusion. From multiple frames of an iris video, we create a single average image. Our signal-level fusion method performs better than methods based on single still images, and better than previously published multi-gallery score-fusion methods. We compare our signal fusion method with another new method: a multi-gallery, multi-probe score fusion method. Between these two new methods, the multi-gallery, multi-probe score fusion has slightly better recognition performance, while the signal fusion has significant advantages in memory and computation requirements.
Independent gate skewed logic in double-gate SOI technology

Independent gate control of double gate SOI devices (D. Fried, 2003 and L. Mathew, 2004) can be effectively exploited to improve performance and reduce power in sub-50nm circuits. In this paper, we have proposed a skewed logic style using independent gate operation of double gate SOI devices.
Regional vs. Global Democracy: Advantages and Limitations

The contemporary proliferation of transnational impacts of local and national decisions in view of globalization have led to the need for new forms of regional coordination, cooperation, and regulation, as well as to calls for more global democratic forms, in order to deal with the economic, ecological, and human rights concerns that transcend the borders of nation-states. Beginning with reflections on the development of new forms of regionalism in economics and politics (including the EU but extending to other geographical regions), this paper considers the normative arguments that can be advanced in favor of the cultivation of regional democratic associations, operating within regional human rights agreements, at this historical juncture. It develops further implications of two criteria I have previously advanced for enfranchising those impacted across borders and asks whether they support new forms of regional democracy or enfranchisement, and if so, of what sort. Among the considerations in favor of a regional focus are 1) communitarian factors stressing the importance of shared experiences as well as the role of localities, 2) the notion that regional governance would respect the existing diversity in global mores and cultures, and 3) the greater feasibility of regional as opposed to global forms of democratic association for the present and the foreseeable future. The normative difficulties with such regional models are then considered, especially the potential these new forms of association might have for engendering conflicts between or among regions (thereby replicating here the conflicts among nation-states) and also the possibility that regionalism may reify and intensify cultural differences in the interpretation of basic international norms, including possibly weakening the force of some human rights. The paper then goes on to briefly review the leading proposals for more comprehensive schemes of global democracy, both in the strong form advocated by such theorists as Tannsjo and Marchetti and in the cosmopolitan proposals of Held and Archibugi. A more modest proposal for transnational, though not fully global, forms of democracy is then proposed, operating within democratized institutions of global governance and drawing support from networked democratic social movements. The paper concludes with a consideration of the relation of such transnational democracy to new regional forms of democratic association, as well as to global democracy.
Cholera studies in non-human primates: Part 8. Comparison of methods for the enumeration of immunologically active cells and early immune globulin, precipitin, vibriocidin and antitoxin formation

Abstract A chimpanzee was inoculated with 50 units of the choleragenic portion (Fraction 2) of Vibrio cholerae toxin. 24, 26 and 28 hours later samples of the spleen, liver, lymphatic nodes, the intestines, and blood were collected. The number of immunologically active cells was determined by the plaque procedure, the bentonite method, and the adhesion test. Precipitins, vibriocidal and toxin-neutralizing activity, as well as IgG, IgA, and IgM, were determined. DNA and RNA were also estimated. The bentonite and the adhesion tests proved to be valuable indicators of the immunological process. They demonstrated more IgG-producing cells than were found by the other procedures. The adhesion test was positive with a significantly smaller proportion of the cells manufacturing IgA and IgM than with IgG producers. It is possible that adhesion, as vibriocidal and antitoxic activity, is a function more closely related to immune globulins of smaller molecular weight. There was an increase in antibody-forming cells and in the enumerated antibodies as early as 24 to 28 hours after the antigen was injected, pointing towards the absence of a “negative phase” in immunization with this toxin. No significant changes of DNA and RNA could be found by microchemical methods at this early stage of the development of immunity.
Examining Sex Offender Community Notification Laws

In response to public concern about sex offenders, many states have enacted sex offender registration laws. These laws require convicted sex offenders to register with the police in their place of residence and to notify police of any change of address for a set period of years. Almost all of the registration statutes enumerate the offenses that require registration. For the most part, the statutes focus on sexual assaults, including forcible rape and sodomy, and sexual abuse of children, including incest. Several statutes also target promoters of child pornography and child prostitution. Lesser crimes such as indecent exposure or public indecency are enumerated in some of the statutes. Upon commencement of probation or release from prison, convicted sex offenders generally must register with the chief of police in the area in which they intend to live. In most jurisdictions, the sex offender has thirty days to complete the registration requirement before a penalty accrues.
Groundwater Sampling with Passive Diffusion Samplers

Passive diffusion-based sampling methods have been used to monitor environmental contaminants, particularly trace metals and certain lipophilic compounds including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and pesticides, for many years. In particular, dosimeter-type and semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs) are commonly used in limnology, oceanography, and ecotoxicology for evaluating ultralow concentrations and potential bioavailability of contaminants. These types of samplers are most frequently used for sampling sediment porewater and surface water (i.e., rivers, estuaries, harbors) and have occasionally been used for groundwater characterization in contaminant toxicology studies. These types of sampling devices are composed of a “trapping” phase, such as hexane, activated carbon, or triolein (a prominent fish lipid), contained within a semipermeable membrane (such as dialysis-type cellulose or a synthetic polymer). Upon deployment, contaminants diffuse through the membrane and are subsequently retained in the trapping phase until analysis. After the SPMD is removed, the contaminants must typically be extracted from the trapping phase before analysis. A significant disadvantage with SPMDs and dosimeter-type devices for groundwater sampling is that back-calculation to actual in situ aqueous concentrations may not be straightforward due to nonlinear and/or nonequilibrium sorption behavior of the trapping phase. Keywords: passive diffusion samplers; LDPE bag samplers; peepers; semipermeable membrane devices (SPMDs); groundwater sampling; groundwater characterization
From UBE3A to Angelman syndrome: a substrate perspective.

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a debilitating neurodevelopmental disorder that is characterized by motor dysfunction, intellectual disability, speech impairment, seizures and common features of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Some of these AS related phenotypes can be seen in other neurodevelopmental disorders (Williams, 2011;Tan et al., 2014). AS patients commonly carry mutations that render the maternally inherited UBE3A gene nonfunctional. Duplication of the chromosomal region containing the UBE3A gene is associated with ASDs. Although the causative role for UBE3A gene mutations in AS is well established, a long-standing challenge in AS research has been to identify neural substrates of UBE3A, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. A prevailing hypothesis is that changes in UBE3A protein levels would alter the levels of a collection of protein substrates, giving rise to the unique phenotypic aspects of AS and possibly UBE3A associated ASDs. Interestingly, proteins altered in AS are linked to additional ASDs that are not previously associated with changes in UBE3A, indicating a possible molecular overlap underlying the broad-spectrum phenotypes of these neurogenetic disorders. This idea raises the possibility that there may exist a “one-size-fits-all” approach to the treatment of neurogenetic disorders with phenotypes overlapping AS. Furthermore, while a comprehensive list of UBE3A substrates and downstream affected pathways should be developed, this is only part of the story. The timing of when UBE3A protein functions, through either changes in UBE3A or possibly substrate expression patterns, appears to be critical for AS phenotype development. These data call for further investigation of UBE3A substrates and their timing of action relevant to AS phenotypes.
cyk-1: a C. elegans FH gene required for a late step in embryonic cytokinesis

A maternally expressed Caenorhabditis elegans gene called cyk-1 is required for polar body extrusion during meiosis and for a late step in cytokinesis during embryonic mitosis. Other microfilament- and microtubule-dependent processes appear normal in cyk-1 mutant embryos, indicating that cyk-1 regulates a specific subset of cytoskeletal functions. Because cytokinesis initiates normally and cleavage furrows ingress extensively in cyk-1 mutant embryos, we propose that the wild-type cyk-1 gene is required for a late step in cytokinesis. Cleavage furrows regress after completion of mitosis in cyk-1 mutants, leaving multiple nuclei in a single cell. Positional cloning and sequence analysis of the cyk-1 gene reveal that it encodes an FH protein, a newly defined family of proteins that appear to interact with the cytoskeleton during cytokinesis and in the regulation of cell polarity. Consistent with cyk-1 function being required for a late step in embryonic cytokinesis, we show that the CYK-1 protein colocalizes with actin microfilaments as a ring at the leading edge of the cleavage furrow, but only after extensive furrow ingression. We discuss our findings in the context of other studies suggesting that FH genes in yeast and insects function early in cytokinesis to assemble a cleavage furrow. SUMMARY
At the Edge of Danger: Elementary Teachers in Queens, New York, September 11, 2001

Teachers were among the public servants at work in New York City on September 11, 2001. This study focuses on the feelings and actions of a representative group of elementary teachers in Queens, New York. As they became aware of the unfolding tragedy of the World Trade Center attacks, they demonstrated the essential qualities of public service, which include selflessness and placing others’ needs above their own. On that day, teachers, and other public servants, such as police and firefighters, became for ordinary citizens the voice and face of the democratic state in a time of crisis.
The ability of insulin to alter the stable calcium pools of isolated adipocyte subcellular fractions.

Abstract The calcium contents of adipocyte plasma membranes, mitochondria and microsomes (endoplasmic reticulum) were measured by atomic absorption. Ruthenium red (RR) and EDTA were used to selectively modify post-homogenization artifacts. Values obtained in the presence of RR appear to approximate the in vivo calcium content for mitochondria. Measurements in the presence of EDTA represented a highly stable pool of calcium for all organelles. Insulin (100 micro-units/ml) treatment of adipocytes prior to fractionation caused a conversion of a significant portion of the stable calcium pool to an exchangeable form in mitochondria without altering the total mitochondrial calcium content. Insulin did not affect the calcium content of the plasma membranes. The hormone did significantly increase the calcium content of the microsomes, which probably reflected the increased ability of microsomes isolated from insulin-treated adipocytes to bind and accumulate calcium.
Complex syndactyly: aesthetic and objective outcomes.

Purpose Outcome data after the treatment of complex syndactyly are lacking. The purpose of this investigation was to critically analyze and report our results after surgical reconstruction of complex syndactyly. Methods We included 13 patients and 21 hands (25 webspaces) in this retrospective call-back investigation. There were 17 middle/ring finger and 8 ring/little finger complex syndactylies, each with a defined, isolated osseous bridge between the distal phalanges. We excluded complicated and syndrome-associated syndactylies. Patients returned for clinical examination and subjective assessment at an average of 9 years (range, 2–27 y) after the most recent surgery. Of 21 hands, 6 had undergone a revision surgery. Results The Vancouver Scar Scale scores averaged 3 (range, 0–6), web creep averaged 1.5 (range, 0–3), and total active motion averaged 148° for the affected fingers. In the middle/ring finger syndactylies, the middle finger was most commonly supinated (average, 13°) and ulnarly deviated (average, 9°), and the ring finger was either supinated or pronated and radially deviated (average, 13°). In the ring/little finger syndactylies, the ring finger was most commonly supinated (average, 8°) without deviation, and the little finger was most commonly pronated (average, 8°) and radially deviated (average, 24°). There was a notable nail wall deformity in most fingers. Surgeon visual analog scale scores (range, 0–10, where lower scores are better) averaged 2.8 (range, 0.8–5.0). Patient visual analog scale scores were 0.4 (range, 0–3) for pain, 1.9 (range, 0–10) for appearance, and 1.1 (range, 0–3) for function. Conclusions Complex syndactyly reconstruction is challenging, and common postsurgical findings include rotational and angular deformity and nail deformity. When deformity was present, the fingers typically rotated away from and deviated toward the site of the previous complex syndactyly. We describe how we have altered our approach based on these findings. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic IV.
Testing the Hardy-Weinberg law across strata

Summary The problem of testing the Hardy-Weinberg law when data are sampled from several populations with different allele frequencies is considered. An Odds-ratio representation of disequilibrium is proposed. This ration is assumed to be constant across strata, an assumption that seems more reasonalbe than that of previous authors of a constant difference in true and expected (undre equilibrium) heterozygote proportions. A score-type test which optimally combines information from the separate strata is then drived using the theory of unbiased estimating equations. Simulations show that the new test has greater power than previously proposed tests when the disequilibrium ratio is constant across strata. The method is applied to glyoxable genotype data form populations in India.
IS NEAR BASAL BLOOD PRESSURE A MORE ACCURATE PREDICTOR OF CARDIORENAL MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPERTENSION THAN CASUAL BLOOD PRESSURE

Measurement of casual and near basal systolic and diastolic blood pressures were correlated with the severity of cardiorenal manifestations of hypertension in 471 patients. There was a significant association of each of the four blood pressure measurements with each other (P < 0.001). Systolic blood pressure and mamfestations of hypertension increased with age. Blacks had higher blood pressures and more manifestations than whites. All four blood pressure measurements were significantly associated (r 2 0.78. P -c 0.0005) with grade 3 fundi. proteinuria and casts in the urme. electrocardiographic left ventricular hyper- trophy. cardiomegaly by chest X-ray and aortic dilatation and/or elongation by chest X-ray. The /er~I of blood pressure is rhe important correlate of these manifestations of hypertension. This is equally true whether systolic, diastolic. casual or near basal measurements are used. Near basal blood pressure does not correlate better with the cardiorenal manifestations of hyper- tension than casua! blood pressure. neither does diastolic blood pressure correlate better with these manifestations than systolic blood pressure. MANY PATIENTS whose blood pressure is raised in the physician's office may have normal blood pressure at other times, an observation which is the basis for the traditional distinction between fixed and labile hypertension (l, 23. Some who accept this distinction believe that basal blood pressure is more important in prognosis than casual blood pressure (3,4). To avoid the inconvenience of hospitalization, near basal readings have been used as an approximation of the basal blood pressure (S). We compared casual with near basal blood pressure and systolic with diastolic pressure as to indications of the clinical manifestations of hypertension. We found that both casual and systolic blood pressure correlate as well with the manifestations of hypertension as near basal and diastolic blood pressure. METHODS Selection of subjects Four-hundred and seventy-one hypertensive patients were selected for study. They comprised about 80% of new patients registered in the hypertension clinic during the period 1955-1959. All had a casual blood pressure (3) of 150 mmHg systolic and/or of 90mmHg diastolic or greater without treatment and measurements of near basal blood pressure within 1 month. Secondary causes of hypertension were excluded by physical examination, intravenous pyelography, repeated urinalyses, serum potassium and urinary catecholamine determinations. Seriously ill patients and those requiring
Cross-Cultural Differences in Motivations and Perceived Interactivity: A Comparative Study of American and Korean Internet Users

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine cultural differences in motivations for using the Internet and consumers' interactivity on a website. Cultural context was used to explain cultural differences in motivations and interactivity between South Korea and the United States. The results showed that subjects from the low context culture had a higher degree of information and convenience motivation and perceived a higher degree of human-message interaction, while subjects from the high context culture had a higher degree of social interaction motivation and human-human interaction.
Acid-Sensitive Pt(II) 2,6-Di(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-4(1H)-one Complexes

Three Pt(II) 2,6-di(pyridin-2-yl)pyrimidin-4(1H)-one complexes (2−4) with chloride or 4-ethynyltolyl ancillary ligands were synthesized and characterized. The photophysical properties of 2−4 were i...
Continuous xylose fermentation by Candida shehatae in a two-stage reactor

Recent work has identified ethanol toxicity as a major factor preventing continuous production of ethanol at the concentrations obtainable in batch culture. In this paper we investigate the use of a continuous two-stage bioreactor design to circumvent toxic effects of ethanol. Biomass is produced via continuous culture in the first stage reactor in which ethanol concentrations are either absent or maintained at low levels. The freshly grown cells are fed into the second bioreactor in which high ethanol concentrations are produced. The steady influx of fresh cells and continuous removal of spent cells helps minimize the loss of fermentative activity that results from anaerobiosis and exposure to high ethanol concentrations. A final ethanol concentration of 37 g L−1 and overall yield of .32 g g−1 were obtained with the two-stage reactor as compared to corresponding values of 38 g L−1 and .32 g g−1 obtained in batch. The volumetric rate in the two-state process was .96 g L−1 as compared to .46 g L−1 h−1 in batch.
The allosteric enhancer, PD 81,723, stabilizes human A1 adenosine receptor coupling to G proteins.

Abstract 2-Amino-3-benzoylthiophenes such as PD 81,273 (PD) have been shown to increase agonist, but not antagonist, radioligand binding and to enhance functional effects of A1 adenosine receptor (A1AR) activation in tissues derived from rats and guinea-pigs. The mechanism by which PD produces this allosteric enhancement, and its effect on human A1ARs was not known. In this study, we demonstrate that PD modifies recombinant human A1AR binding and function in stably transfected CHO cells. In membranes, PD (20 μM) causes: (i) a 3-fold increase in the fraction of receptors found in a high affinity G-protein coupled conformation as assessed by the binding of [ 125 I ]N 6 -(3- iodo -4- aminobenzyladenosine ) (125I-ABA), an A1AR agonist; (ii) a 2.44-fold increase in the potency of the agonist R-N6-phenylisopropyladenosine (R-PIA) to compete for binding with the antagonist radioligand, [3H]8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipro-pylxanthine ([3H]CPX); (iii) a 1.5-fold increase in the t 1 2 of 125I-ABA to dissociate from A1AR; and (iv) a 2.2-fold increase in the concentration of guanosine-5′-3-0-(thio)triphosphate (GTPγS) required to half-maximally uncouple receptor-G-protein complexes. In intact CHO cells expressing A1AR, PD increases the potency of R-PIA to decrease forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation by 3.3-fold. We speculate that PD binds to A1AR at a site distinct from the agonist binding site and stabilizes agonist-R-G complexes.
Individual differences in feedback propensities and training performance

Abstract Noting the relative scarcity of research on the role of individual differences (other than abilities) in determining training outcomes, this paper proposes how new developments in individual differences research may be used for such purposes. The paper reviews recent developments in identifying external and internal feedback propensities and how these may yield different interactions between the individual trainee and the training setting. Seven propositions are developed to guide research on such interactions and results from two studies are reviewed for suggestive support for some of these propositions. The paper concludes with a discussion of how such research may advance our understanding of the design and delivery of training, as well as other areas that use performance feedback as a central construct.
Curriculum Construction: Conflicts and Constraints That Promote the Underachievement of African American Students in Urban Schools

The current deficits that exist in the academic achievement of African American students are evidence that the traditional curriculum model in the United States has failed over the years (Ogbu, 198...
International entrepreneurship, venture capital networks, and reinvestment decisions

Prior research has established that venture capitalists (VCs) may face significant obstacles in financing ventures from emerging or transition economies. Such hurdles are usually attributed to the weaknesses of host countries’ institutional systems, especially regulatory. These institutional pitfalls may thwart VCs’ ability to exit a portfolio company leading to lower returns than expected. Developing this approach, we argue that exit strategies may also be difficult to execute when VCs expand into advanced economies although for different reasons. Thus, we show that both necessity entrepreneurship prevalent in emerging economies and opportunity entrepreneurship prevalent in advanced economies are positively associated with the number of investment rounds received by portfolio companies. In contrast, we establish that VC firm capital and network density are negatively associated with the number of rounds provided to portfolio companies across distinct institutional environments. This suggests that VCs may improve their performance by choosing an appropriate strategy to navigate unfamiliar institutional environments to minimize their liability of foreignness. Finally, we find that the interaction of VC capital and network density is positively related to the number of VCs’ investment rounds. Apparently, resource-rich VC firms may not fully realize the informational benefits of their dense “knowledge networks” due to insufficient collaboration with partners. At the same time, such VCs may no longer enjoy access to free information flows from prospective allies. Hence, network density and superior resources combined may lead to a greater number of investment rounds.
Enhanced Pulse Power Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Using Internal Hybrid Catalyst Layer Electrodes

Novel internal polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell/energy storage hybrid power systems were fabricated to improve the pulse power output of the system by incorporating a supercapacitor element (Ru 2 O·0.5H 2 O) and a battery element (CeZrO 2 ) into the cathode catalyst layer of fuel cells. The steady-state performance of the hybrid fuel cell system was similar to that of the conventional fuel cell. However, the peak power output of the hybrid system, which was demonstrated by a potential square-wave voltammetry program, showed a much higher value than that of the conventional fuel cell. The pulse power output of the fuel cells can be enhanced markedly by incorporating a supercapacitor element or a battery element into the electrocatalyst layer.
The Evolution of Servile Peasants in Hungary and in Catalonia: A comparison

Both Catalonia and Hungary experienced major peasant uprisings at the end of the Middle Ages. The Hungarian Revolt of 1514 was suppressed by the nobility while the Catalan peasants succeeded in throwing off servitude in 1486. Despite this fundamental difference, there are certain ideological similarities between Hungary and Catalonia, particularly with regard to the ideological justifications for servitude and attacks against it. The background to this ideological conflict goes back to the late thirteenth century when historical myths of foundation were elaborated in both countries based on the French Pseudo-Turpin cycle. In Catalonia, the Carolingian era provided a suitable background to explaining the privileges of nobles and the subordination of the peasantry based on courage and cowardice aganist the Muslim enemy. In Hungary, a similar test of bravery placed in early times explained why nobles dominated over the peasantry, but the historical context was now the supposed Hunnish ancestors of the Magyars. In both instances literary forms were taken over by historians and jurists to explain and justify servitude. We also have some idea from the late Middle Ages of how these assertations were answered by advocates of the rebellious peasantry.
Sequencing and Valuing Public Goods

Abstract This paper establishes several propositions concerning the importance of context in valuing public goods. It first provides necessary and sufficient conditions for the value of a public good to be independent of context. Utility-constant valuation sequences are considered where public goods are systematically made available or taken away. For the case of strict Hicksian substitutes, willingness to pay for an increase in one of the public goods is strictly decreasing the farther out in a sequence it is valued. For the destruction of public goods the reverse is true for willingness to accept compensation. Sequencing has opposite implications for the assessment of the benefits of providing public goods than for the assessment of the damage from destroying them.
Nature/Culture/Seawater

Seawater has occupied an ambiguous place in anthropological categories of "nature" and "culture." Seawater as nature appears as potentiality of form and uncontainable flux; it moves faster than culture - with culture frequently figured through land-based metaphors - even as culture seeks to channel water's (nature's) flow. Seawater as culture manifests as a medium of pleasure, sustenance, travel, disaster. I argue that, although seawater's qualities in early anthropology were portrayed impressionistically, today technical, scientific descriptions of water's form prevail. For example, processes of globalization - which may also be called "oceanization" - are often described as "currents," "flows," and "circulations." Examining sea-set ethnography, maritime anthropologies, and contemporary social theory, I propose that seawater has operated as a “theory machine” for generating insights about human cultural organization. I develop this argument with ethnography from the Sargasso Sea and in the Sea Islands. I conclude with a critique of appeals to water's form in social theory.
Nanoparticle/Dye Interface Optimization in Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A critical component in the development of highly efficient dye-sensitized solar cells is the interface between the ruthenium bipyridyl complex dye and the surface of the mesoporous titanium dioxide film. In spite of many studies aimed at examining the detailed anchoring mechanism of the dye on the titania surface, there is as yet no commonly accepted understanding. Furthermore, it is generally believed that a single monolayer of strongly attached molecules is required in order to maximize the efficiency of electron injection into the semiconductor. In this study, the amount of adsorbed dye on the mesoporous film is maximised, which in turn increases the light absorption and decreases carrier recombination, resulting in improved device performance. A process that increases the surface concentration of the dye molecules adsorbed on the TiO2 surface by up to 20% is developed. This process is based on partial desorption of the dye after the initial adsorption, followed by readsorption. This desorption/adsorption cycling process can be repeated multiple times and yields a continual increase in dye uptake, up to a saturation limit. The effect on device performance is directly related and a 23% increase in power conversion efficiency is observed. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and electrochemical impedance analysis were used to elucidate the fundamental mechanisms behind this observation.
DNA methylation dysregulates and silences the HLA-DQ locus by altering chromatin architecture

The major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) locus encodes a cluster of highly polymorphic genes HLA-DR, -DQ and -DP that are co-expressed in mature B lymphocytes. Two cell lines were established over 30 years ago from a patient diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. Laz221 represented the leukemic cells of the patient; whereas Laz388 represented the normal B cells of the patient. Although Laz388 expressed both HLA-DR and HLA-DQ surface and gene products, Laz221 expressed only HLA-DR genes. The discordant expression of HLA-DR and HLA-DQ genes was due to epigenetic silencing of the HLA-DQ region CCCTC transcription factor (CTCF)-binding insulators that separate the MHC-II sub-regions by DNA methylation. These epigenetic modifications resulted in the loss of binding of the insulator protein CTCF to the HLA-DQ flanking insulator regions and the MHC-II-specific transcription factors to the HLA-DQ promoter regions. These events led to the inability of the HLA-DQ promoter regions to interact with flanking insulators that control HLA-DQ expression. Inhibition of DNA methylation by treatment with 5'-deoxyazacytidine reversed each of these changes and restored expression of the HLA-DQ locus. These results highlight the consequence of disrupting an insulator within the MHC-II region and may be a normal developmental mechanism or one used by tumor cells to escape immune surveillance.
Linking Product and Process Innovations and Modes of International Sourcing in Global Competition: A Case of Foreign Multinational Firms

In increasingly complex global competition, multinational firms, U.S. and foreign alike, have stepped up international sourcing of components and finished products to serve various markets. Since an increasing portion of global competition is shaped by European and Japanese multinational firms with due emphasis on product quality and manufacturing, it is an opportune time to examine the like among their product development, manufacturing, and sourcing activities. Those European and Japanese multinational firms marketing products in the United States are chosen as subjects of this study.
Meeting research needs with postmortem biospecimen donation: summary of recommendations for postmortem recovery of normal human biospecimens for research.

Normal human tissues, bodily fluids, and other biospecimens of known quality are essential for research to understand the development of cancer and other diseases and to develop new diagnostics and therapies. However, obtaining normal biospecimens appropriate for contemporary large-scale molecular and genomic research is one of the most challenging biospecimen acquisition problems for scientists and biospecimen resources that support research. Recognizing this challenge, the U.S. National Cancer Institute recently convened a series of workshops and meetings focused on the acquisition of normal tissues for research and produced an extensive document, Recommendations for Postmortem Recovery of Normal Human Biospecimens for Research. This article summarizes these recommendations, addressing key ethical, operational, and scientific elements for collecting normal reference biospecimens from postmortem donors in the U.S. Awareness of these recommendations can foster more effective collaborations and mitigate po...
Anomalous diffusion of electromagnetic eddy currents in geological formations

Controlled-source electromagnetic (EM) induction in some geological formations isshown here to be compactly described by an anomalous subdiffusion process. Such aprocess, which is not universal, is governed by a fractional diffusion equation oralternatively the convolutional form of Ohm’s law. A subdiffusing eddy current vortex,or electromagnetic smoke ring, propagates in such a way that its position of medianintensity overruns its position of peak intensity. This behavior is not allowed in classicaldiffusion but is a simple consequence of diffusion within a stationary fractal medium.A similar analysis has been applied to understand heavy-tailed traveltime distributions thatappear in certain hydrological time series. The tell-tale signature of anomalouselectromagnetic diffusion is a slope b of the magnetic zero-crossing moveout curve that isconstant with transmitter-receiver (RX) offset and significantly different from unity.Neither lateral heterogeneity nor unixial anisotropy can generate such a constant-slopemoveout curve with an economy of model parameters. Controlled-source EM data fromtwo sites in Texas and one in New Mexico are used in this study to test the eddy currentsubdiffusion hypothesis.
Molecular Profiling to Optimize Treatment in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Review of Potential Molecular Targets for Radiation Therapy by the Translational Research Program of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group

Therapeutic decisions in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been mainly based on disease stage, performance status, and co-morbidities, and rarely on histological or molecular classification. Rather than applying broad treatments to unselected patients that may result in survival increase of only weeks to months, research efforts should be, and are being, focused on identifying predictive markers for molecularly targeted therapy and determining genomic signatures that predict survival and response to specific therapies. The availability of such targeted biologics requires their use to be matched to tumors of corresponding molecular vulnerability for maximum efficacy. Molecular markers such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), K-ras, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) represent potential parameters guide treatment decisions. Ultimately, identifying patients who will respond to specific therapies will allow optimal efficacy with minimal toxicity, which will result in more judicious and effective application of expensive targeted therapy as the new paradigm of personalized medicine develops.
Vitality of reef coral populations off Key Largo, Florida: Recruitment and mortality

Recently, questions about the health of the coral reefs of the Florida Keys have been raised. Estimates of net recruitment and mortality of reef corals on Carysfort Reef, Key Largo, Florida, suggest that these populations declined over the 14 month interval studied. The greatest rate of change on Carysfort Reef, the most well developed reef in the northern Keys, occurred in the zone of richest coverage by corals. Water pollution associated with the tremendous increase in the human population of South Florida in the last twenty years may be contributing to the reef's decline.
Hydroxyl radical as a probe of the charge distribution in aromatics: phenol.

Initial radiation chemical yields of 1.48 (2), 0.24 (2), and 2.01 molecules per 100 eV of absorbed energy are reported for addition of •OH radical to each of the ortho, meta, and para positions of phenol. These yields represent 91% of the yield of 5.96 expected for •OH addition to 5 mM phenol and are in general agreement with other previous measurements. Pulse radiolysis experiments show that phenoxy radical is produced in a yield of ∼0.42 as a result of addition of •OH at phenol's ipso position. The total of these yields (5.84) accounts for the addition of virtually all of the expected •OH radicals. The relative yields for addition to the ortho, meta, and para positions provide a measure of the charge distribution in phenol that correlates quite well with the unpaired spin distribution in phenoxyl radical. This correlation indicates that the OH substituent similarly affects the charge distribution on the aromatic ring of phenol and the unpaired spin distribution in the phenoxyl radical.
Surface states, surface magnetization and electron spin polarization in ferromagnetic 3d metals

Abstract Ab initio spin polarized self-consistent LCAO energy band studies of ferromagnetic 3d transition metal films are reported. These films, 9 layer Ni(001) and 7 layer Fe(001), need to be thick enough to accurately determine the energy dispersion and spatial character of surface states and their effects on the surface magnetism, electron spin polarization and average exchange splittings. We find the layer spin density moments to show Friedel type oscillations and the surface layer moments for Ni(0.44μ B ) and Fe(3.0 μ β ) to be modified from the bulk values of 0.58 μ β and 2.2 μ β by their respective surface states close to the Fermi energy. Comparisons are made with bulk results, experimental data and other theoretical results.
We Are Fighting the World: A History of the Marashea Gangs in South Africa, 1947–1999 – By Gary Kynoch

The author examines one of the major urban gangs among black South Africans: the Marashea (or Russian) gang. He convincingly argues that the gang's history is inseparable from the history of South ...
Prophylactic antibiotics to prevent urinary tract infection during clean intermittent self-catheterization (CISC) for management of voiding dysfunction after prolapse and incontinence surgery: a decision analysis

The objective of this study is to estimate efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in UTI prevention during CISC for postoperative voiding dysfunction after prolapse/incontinence surgery. We constructed a decision tree model to evaluate risks and benefits of prophylactic antibiotics during CISC for voiding dysfunction after prolapse/incontinence surgery. The model randomized women requiring CISC to prophylactic antibiotics or no prophylaxis. Probabilities for UTI after CISC with or without prophylactic antibiotics, sequelae from antibiotic use or UTI, and utility values were obtained from published literature and practice quality assurance reviews. Main outcome was probability of experiencing no UTI or adverse event. Under baseline assumptions, prophylactic antibiotics were favored in both models. In the true UTI model, prophylactic antibiotics had an 83.1% probability of no UTI or adverse events; 16.1% better than no prophylactic antibiotics. Using decision analysis methods, prophylactic antibiotics are favored for prevention of UTI during CISC to manage voiding dysfunction after prolapse/incontinence surgery.
Fragrance material review on 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol

A toxicologic and dermatologic review of 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented.