cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multimodal Strategies for Resuscitating Injured Cells

Our cells and tissues are challenged constantly by exposure to extreme conditions that cause acute and chronic stress. Wounding at the cellular level is a common event, and results from cell exposure to supra-physiologic forces, or is the consequence of action by reactive chemical agents. An individual cellular wound results from either the alteration of protein or DNA structure, or the disruption of molecular assemblies, the most important of which is the cell's membranes. Tissue healing at the macroscopic level is a complex and coordinated process involving many different cell types while, in contrast, the wounds of individual cells heal primarily via biomolecular interactions. Like tissue wound healing, cellular wound healing involves the upregulation or acceleration of processes that are constitutively expressed in routine physiologic repair of cellular structures In addition, recent advances have been made in the identification of pharmaceutical strategies to aid the cellular repair response. Many of these strategies offer promise for augmenting the already present cellular repair mechanisms.
Fatigue, inflammation, and projected mortality in heart failure.

Background Fatigue is a prominent and poorly understood symptom of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The purpose of this study was to determine whether fatigue correlated with immune biomarkers and prognosis.
Multiangle-multiwavelength UV/visible spectroscopy for the characterization of the joint property distribution of whole blood and its components

The characterization of biological fluids for diagnostic purposes implies the estimation of the particle size distribution, the chemical composition, the shape distribution and the charge of the particles suspended in the fluid. These particle properties are defined as the joint particle property distribution. The shape distribution is especially important for the identification of healthy cells, sickle cells, viruses and bacteria. platelet viability can be determined from cell shape, discoid versus spheroid. Recent theoretical and simulations of the scattering behavior of particle dispersions using Mie and Rayleigh-Gans-Debye scattering models have demonstrated that complementary information on the joint property distribution is available from angular measurements of combined absorption and scattering spectra. A new multiangle- multiwavelength (MAMW) spectrophotometer was designed and developed using state-of-the-art fiber optic technology for the characterization of concentrated and dilute dispersion of biological fluids, primarily for whole blood and platelets. Miniature fiber optic UV/vis spectrometers were used to create a portable and robust characterization system; the spectrometer allows for the application of fields and easy adaptation for on-line analysis. This instrumentation was successfully tested for scattering measurement sensitivity and reproducibility and is capable of simultaneous absorption and scattering measurements at several angles and over a wide wavelength range. The MAMW spectrophotometer has been sued to analyze sizes of macromolecules and particle standards. Experimental results demonstrate that this technology can be used for the characterization of the joint property distribution of dilute dispersion of platelets, other biological particles and fluids.
High-pressure, laser-driven deformation of an aluminum alloy

Recent development of a laser-based experimental platform allows loading materials to high pressures in the solid state while controlling both strain rate and peak pressure. The drive utilizes momentum transfer from a plasma generated by the introduction of a strong shock in a reservoir of low-Z material. This study looks at the response of a commercial aluminum alloy (6061-T6) subjected to pressures of 18 and 40 GPa at strain rates of 107/s and 5 × 107/s, respectively. It was found that the depth of the crater formed on the sample surface is a good indicator of the general yield behavior of the material and that a relatively simple strength model prevails under the loading conditions considered here. Metallographic examination of recovered samples showed no evidence of shear-band formation or significant melting due to plasma-surface interactions. Crystal plasticity-based calculations were used to assess the effects of material texture. Lack of shear-band formation during the laser-based drive is rationalized by considering the strain gradient as compared to grain size and texture.
Incidence and implications of a left inferior vena cava on IVC filter placement

Objective: To assess the prevalence and ability to detect a left inferior vena cava (IVC) during venography prior to filter placement and its implications for device implantation. Materials and Methods : Over 58 months, patients referred for an IVC filter were prospectively evaluated for a left IVC by performing cavography injecting into the left iliac vein, left renal venography, or CT scan correlation. Additionally, cavograms of patients receiving filters over the four previous years were reviewed to assess the adequacy of detecting these anomalies based on the degree of opacification of the left iliac vein in relation to the position of the catheter tip. Results: Prospective evaluation for a left IVC was adequate in 477 of 503 patients. Retrospective evaluation using CT scans was possible in another 14. Left IVCs were detected in 5 patients (1%). Three patients with duplications were managed with either 2 filters, a suprarenal filter, or a bird's nest filter straddling both cavas. Two patients with isolated left IVCs received a single filter. Of 62 retrospectively reviewed cavograms, the left iliac vein was inadequately opacified in 69% when the catheter was in the low IVC (53 patients) and 71% when it was in the right iliac vein (7 patients). Conclusions: Low caval or right iliac vein injections infrequently provide sufficient reflux into the left iliac vein to assess for a left IVC. Left iliac vein catheterization is easy and will readily provide this information. Modifications in filter placement technique may be necessary when caval anomalies are present.
An EM Algorithm for Estimating Equations

This article presents an algorithm for accommodating missing data in situations where a natural set of estimating equations exists for the complete data setting. The complete data estimating equations can correspond to the score functions from a standard, partial, or quasi-likelihood, or they can be generalized estimating equations (GEEs). In analogy to the EM, which is a special case, the method is called the ES algorithm, because it iterates between an E-Step wherein functions of the complete data are replaced by their expected values, and an S-Step where these expected values are substituted into the complete-data estimating equation, which is then solved. Convergence properties of the algorithm are established by appealing to general theory for iterative solutions to nonlinear equations. In particular, the ES algorithm (and indeed the EM) are shown to correspond to examples of nonlinear Gauss-Seidel algorithms. An added advantage of the approach is that it yields a computationally simple method for es...
Automated Support for Reproducing and Debugging Field Failures

As confirmed by a recent survey conducted among developers of the Apache, Eclipse, and Mozilla projects, two extremely challenging tasks during maintenance are reproducing and debugging field failures—failures that occur on user machines after release. To help developers with these tasks, in this article we present an overall approach that comprises two different techniques: BugRedux and F3. BugRedux is a general technique for reproducing field failures that collects dynamic data about failing executions in the field and uses this data to synthesize executions that mimic the observed field failures. F3 leverages the executions generated by BugRedux to perform automated debugging using a set of suitably optimized fault-localization techniques. To assess the usefulness of our approach, we performed an empirical evaluation of the approach on a set of real-world programs and field failures. The results of our evaluation are promising in that, for all the failures considered, our approach was able to (1) synthesize failing executions that mimicked the observed field failures, (2) synthesize passing executions similar to the failing ones, and (3) use the synthesized executions to successfully perform fault localization with accurate results.
Echocardiographic detection of perforation of the cardiac ventricular septum by a permanent pacemaker lead.

Abstract Previously reported complications of temporary transvenous pacing include perforation of the ventricular septum or ventricular wall. 1–4 Perforation of the ventricular septum by a permanent pacing electrode with long-term left ventricular pacing has not been reported.
Novel Oxidation Products of Two Sponge-Derived Sesquiterpenes, 4α-Formamedo- and 4α-Isocyanogorgon-11-Ene

Abstract Oxidation of two sesquiterpenoids, 4α-formamido- and 4α-isocyanogorgon-11-ene (1 and 2), isolated from the sponge Axinyssa terpnis, with m−chloroperbenzoic acid yielded unexpected cyclization products 3 and 4, respectively, instead of epoxides. Their structures were determined from spectral data and X-ray analysis. Possible mechanisms are proposed.
Magnetic control of magnetohydrodynamic instabilities in tokamaks

Externally applied, non-axisymmetric magnetic fields form the basis of several relatively simple and direct methods to control magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instabilities in a tokamak, and most present and planned tokamaks now include a set of non-axisymmetric control coils for application of fields with low toroidal mode numbers. Non-axisymmetric applied fields are routinely used to compensate small asymmetries ( δB/B∼10−3 to 10−4) of the nominally axisymmetric field, which otherwise can lead to instabilities through braking of plasma rotation and through direct stimulus of tearing modes or kink modes. This compensation may be feedback-controlled, based on the magnetic response of the plasma to the external fields. Non-axisymmetric fields are used for direct magnetic stabilization of the resistive wall mode—a kink instability with a growth rate slow enough that feedback control is practical. Saturated magnetic islands are also manipulated directly with non-axisymmetric fields, in order to unlock them from th...
Selective attenuation of psychostimulant-induced behavioral responses in mice lacking A2A adenosine receptors

Abstract A 2A adenosine receptors are highly expressed in the striatum where they modulate dopaminergic activity. The role of A 2A receptors in psychostimulant action is less well understood because of the lack of A 2A -selective compounds with access to the central nervous system. To investigate the A 2A adenosinergic regulation of psychostimulant responses, we examined the consequences of genetic deletion of A 2A receptors on psychostimulant-induced behavioral responses. The extent of dopaminergic innervation and expression of dopamine receptors in the striatum were indistinguishable between A 2A receptor knockout and wild-type mice. However, locomotor responses to amphetamine and cocaine were attenuated in A 2A knockout mice. In contrast, D 1 -like receptor agonists SKF81297 and SKF38393 produced identical locomotor stimulation and grooming, respectively, in wild-type and A 2A knockout mice. Similarly, the D 2 -like agonist quinpirole produced motor-depression and stereotypy that were indistinguishable between A 2A knockout and wild-type mice. Furthermore, attenuated amphetamine- (but not SKF81297-) induced locomotion was observed in pure 129-Steel as well as hybrid 129-Steel×C57BL/6 mice, confirming A 2A receptor deficiency (and not genetic background) as the cause of the blunted psychostimulant responses in A 2A knockout mice. These results demonstrate that A 2A receptor deficiency selectively attenuates psychostimulant-induced behavioral responses and support an important role for the A 2A receptor in modulating psychostimulant effects.
Vital signs including pulsus paradoxus in the assessment of acute bronchial asthma.

One hundred nine episodes of acute bronchial asthma were studied both before and after treatment in the emergency department, comparing the pulse rate, respiratory rate, and pulsus paradoxus to the one second forced expiratory volume (FEV 1 ). The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of these clinical parameters in predicting the degree of airway obstruction in acute bronchial asthma. Pulse, respiratory rate, and pulsus paradoxus showed poor correlation to FEV 1 (or % predicted value) both pre- and post-treatment. Further, of all patients presenting with a pre-treatment FEV 1 less than or equal to 1.0 liter, 36% had a normal pulse (⩽ 100/min), 17% had a respiratory rate less than or equal to 20/min, and 33% had no pulsus paradoxus. Following therapy, 44% of those patients with persistent severe airway obstruction (FEV 1 ⩽ 1.6 L) had a normal pulse, 38% had a respiratory rate less than or equal to 20/min, and 71% had no pulsus paradoxus. Pulse rate, respiratory rate, and degree of pulsus paradoxus are unreliable indices of the degree of airway obstruction in the assessment of acute bronchial asthma, and abnormalities of these clinical parameters tend to disappear with minimal improvement in airway obstruction. Thus pulse rate, respiratory rate, and pulsus paradoxus cannot be substituted for pulmonary function measurements in assessing acute bronchial asthma.
The transverse magnetothermoelectric properties of an indium single crystal

Recently published results show that, at temperatures of the order of θD/10, Al and In exhibit large changes in the thermopower when a high magnetic field is applied transverse to the samples. To improve our understanding of this effect, we have experimentally determined six independent transport coefficients of an In single crystal with a magnetic field (up to 2 T) along [001] at temperatures between 2.5 and 8 K. This procedure enables us to ascertain which quantities make the major contribution to the observed thermopower change; it is found that the Hall resistivity ϱ yx and the Nernst— Ettingshausen coefficient ɛ″ yx play the major role. We are able to prove that phonon drag is mainly responsible for the effects.
Evidence of Cultural Competence within Teacher Performance Assessments.

Professional integrity and changing demographics in the public school system in the United States coupled with standards for teacher preparation require that preservice teachers possess knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to work with diverse populations. Using the Teacher Work Sample, a plan for instruction serving as a teacher performance assessment, the research examines the document for evidence of cultural competence. Student descriptions, reflections, and lesson plans provide evidence of preservice teacher dispositions and attitudes toward diverse students. The research revealed that work samples fell into four distinct categories depicting different levels of competence ranging from static to proactive. Data collected generated a rubric suggesting the placement of preservice teacher work on a continuum of development in the area of cultural competence.
Mapping conservation reserve program (CRP) grasslands using multi‐seasonal thematic mapper imagery

Abstract This is a critical time for evaluating the status and success of the U.S. Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), a program that has resulted in the conversion of millions of hectares of cropland to grassland, woodland, and other conservation uses. In order to evaluate the effects of CRP on soil erosion, wildlife habitat, water pollution, and groundwater recharge, however, it is essential to have detailed digital maps that accurately identify CRP lands. Remote sensing techniques offer a means for developing such a database in an economical and accurate way. Utilizing multi‐seasonal imagery in an unsupervised classification technique, highly accurate maps of cropland and grassland were produced for 1987 and 1992 for Finney County, Kansas. Post‐classification differencing identified regions of cropland that had changed to grassland between the two years, indicating land that had been converted to CRP. Comparison of the CRP map with ground truth sources produced an accuracy of approximately 88%. Digital...
The effects of agricultural cooperatives on land conflicts, violence, and community trust: Household-level evidence from rural Burundi

Facing a population growth rate of 3.2 percent and dwindling per capita land access, many rural communities in Burundi are experimenting with land cooperatives to collectivize risk, share information, reap economies of scale (if any), and build trust between association members. We use unique field data gathered by one author (Almquist) during a one-shot evaluation of a cooperative association operating in three villages in southeastern Burundi. We employ pseudo difference-in-differences logistic regression models to assess the effects of the cooperative on the (1) incidence of reported land conflicts within the last three years, (2) perceived community land inequality, (3) reported acceptability of land inequality, (4) violence toward acquaintances, (5) trust of colleagues, and (6) trust of neighbors. We find no evidence that cooperatives affect the incidence of land conflicts, but do find that residents of cooperative villages exhibit heightened perceptions of, and lower tolerance for, land inequalities; they are less likely to report violence toward acquaintances, but cooperative members are more likely to do so than nonmembers; and nonmember residents of active cooperative towns report less trust toward neighbors. We speculate that one weakness of cooperatives is that they may heighten the risk of violence between members and nonmembers. [JEL codes: D74, H56, O1]
Computational and experimental studies of chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection techniques for atmospherically relevant peroxides

Abstract We report the results of computational and experimental studies concerning the chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection of hydrogen peroxide (HOOH) and methyl hydroperoxide (CH 3 OOH). GAUSSIAN2 (G2) electronic structure calculations are used to predict structures, natural charges of the atoms and energies for the neutral species, as well as for the cation, anion, and the proton and fluoride adduct species. These calculations are used to predict ion–molecule reaction thermodynamics as a guide to the experimental development of chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection methods. Both HOOH and CH 3 OOH are predicted to react exothermically with O 2 + and F − to yield the cationic and fluoride adduct species, respectively. In addition, CH 3 OOH is predicted to react exothermically with H 3 O + to yield the proton adduct species. The feasibility of F − chemical ionization mass spectrometric detection of peroxides was experimentally explored through kinetic studies. The fluoride adduct formation reactions for both HOOH and CH 3 OOH were found to proceed at or near collision-limited rates.
Activation of the sinoaortic baroreceptor reflex arc induces analgesia: Interactions between cardiovascular and endogenous pain inhibition systems

Two experiments examined the view that activation of the sinoaortic baroreceptor reflex arc induces analgesia. Rats were instrumented with carotid artery and jugular vein cannulae for measurement of arterial blood pressure, central venous blood pressure, and heart rate during assays of pain sensitivity using tail-flick responses to radiant heat. In Experiment 1, increases in arterial blood pressure effected by infusion of phenylephrine resulted in profound analgesia that persisted for a 28-min observation period following termination of the infusion. During the phenylephrine infusion period, the degree of analgesia was significantly correlated to the degree of reflex bradycardia, but was not significantly correlated to changes in either arterial or venous blood pressure. In Experiment 2, increases in arterial blood pressure effected by infusion of phenylephrine failed to induce analgesia in rats with bilateral sinoaortic deafferentations, indicating that activation of the sinoaortic baroreceptor reflex arc is required for this form of analgesia. As in Experiment 1, reflex bradycardia, rather than increases in arterial blood pressure, was correlated with analgesia. These outcomes are consistent with the view that systems involved in the regulation of blood pressure are physiologically linked to systems involved in the regulation of pain. The implications of these findings for the etiology of hypertension are discussed.
Non isothermal heat capacities and chemical reactions using a modulated DSC

An evaluation of measurements of heat capacities by modulated differential scanning calorimetry, MDSC is presented. Heat capacities were obtained from 130 to 550 K by a non isothermal technique in which a periodic modulation was added to the linear heating rate. Effects of amplitude and period of modulation, sample weight, sample type, pan type, and cell imbalance are described. Results are compared with those obtained using the isothermal technique. Heat capacity could be measured well into the decomposition region and separated from the non reversing signal due to chemical reaction (degradation), thus allowing a precise detection of onsets of the thermal degradation. This additional information will aid in the interpretation of the degradation chemistry, a field vital for the petroleum-industry.
NEXAFS study of HCOO/Ag(110): Evidence for dynamic bending

Abstract The structure of the surface formate on Ag(110) at 300 K was studied by near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) at the carbon K-edge. Interpretation of the NEXAFS spectra of the formate intermediate with a localized bond picture is inconsistent with the findings of previous vibrational studies. Rather, the resonances must be assigned to transitions to delocalized molecular orbitals, whereupon the results agree with the bidentate configuration deduced from the vibrational experiments. A bonding geometry is determined with respect to the surface normal in which the O-O direction lies parallel to the plane of the surface; no azimuthal ordering was detected. The molecular plane appears to be inclined at an angle of 30 ± 15°. This apparent tilt may be due to a dynamical motion of the species about the surface normal in which the molecular plane oscillates and rotates about the surface normal. These results indicate different bonding geometries for formate on Ag(110) and Cu(110).
“We Too, Are America: Illusions and the Myth of ‘National’ Studios”

The historical and aesthetic importance of the classical Hollywood cinema lies in the fact that to go beyond it we must go through it. —Bordwell, Staiger, Thompson. A key figure of American Arts an...
Critical illness outcome study: an observational study of protocols and mortality in intensive care units

INTRODUCTION Many individual Intensive Care Unit (ICU) characteristics have been associated with patient outcomes, including staffing, expertise, continuity and team structure. Separately, many aspects of clinical care in ICUs have been operationalized through the development of complex treatment protocols. The United State Critical Illness and Injury Trials Group-Critical Illness Outcomes Study (USCIITG-CIOS) was designed to determine whether the extent of protocol availability and use in ICUs is associated with hospital survival in a large cohort of United States ICUs. Here, we describe the study protocol and analysis plan approved by the USCIITG-CIOS Steering Committee. METHODS USCIITG-CIOS is a prospective, observational, ecological multi-centered "cohort" study of mixed ICUs in the U.S. The data collected include organizational information for the ICU (e.g., protocol availability and utilization, multi-disciplinary staffing assessment) and patient level information (e.g. demographics, acute and chronic medical conditions). The primary outcome is all-cause hospital mortality, with the objective being to determine whether there is an association between protocol number and hospital mortality for ICU patients. USCIITG-CIOS is powered to detect a 3% difference in crude hospital mortality between high and low protocol use ICUs, dichotomized according to protocol number at the median. The analysis will utilize regression modeling to adjust for outcome clustering by ICU, with secondary linear analysis of protocol number and mortality and a variety of a priori planned ancillary studies. There are presently 60 ICUs participating in USCIITG-CIOS to enroll approximately 6,000 study subjects. CONCLUSIONS USCIITG-CIOS is a large multicentric study examining the effect of ICU protocol use on patient outcomes. The primary results of this study will inform our understanding of the relationship between protocol availability, use, and patient outcomes in the ICU. Moreover, given the shortage of intensivists worldwide, the results of USCIITG-CIOS can be used to promote more effective ICU and care team design and will impact the delivery of intensive care services beyond individual practitioners. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01109719.
Polysaccharide storage myopathy phenotype in quarter horse-related breeds is modified by the presence of an RYR1 mutation.

Abstract In this study we examined a family of Quarter Horses with Polysaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) with a dominant mutation in the skeletal muscle glycogen synthase ( GYS1 ) gene. A subset of horses within this family had a more severe and occasionally fatal PSSM phenotype. The purpose of this study was to identify a modifying gene(s) for the severe clinical phenotype. A genetic association analysis was used to identify RYR1 as a candidate modifying gene. A rare, known equine RYR1 mutation, associated with malignant hyperthermia (MH), was found to segregate in this GYS1 PSSM family. Retrospective analysis of patient records ( n =179) demonstrated that horses with both the GYS1 and RYR1 mutations had a more severe clinical phenotype than horses with the GYS1 mutation alone. A treadmill trial ( n =8) showed that serum creatine kinase activity was higher and exercise intolerance greater in horses with both mutations compared to the GYS1 mutation alone.
Formation of cyclopentane methane binary clathrate hydrate in brine solutions

Abstract Building on a our previous study on the kinetics of formation of cyclopentane (CP)-methane binary sII-type hydrate in well-agitated fresh water, analogous experiments have been performed in brine solutions at two salinities (3.5% and 7.0% NaCl, w/w) to investigate how salt affects this formation process thermodynamically and kinetically. The hydrate formation rate in salt water is found to be ~2–3 times smaller than that in fresh water at small subcooling levels Δ T 4 K but at higher subcooling levels, the two become comparable. The methane occupancy in the small cavities of the sII hydrate is also estimated to be ~0.5 for methane pressures between 1 and 3 MPa under equilibrium conditions, as well as during growth at subcooled conditions ( Δ T ~ 7 K ) .
Replication of genomewide association studies on age at menarche in the Korean population

Early menarche is associated with adverse health outcomes, including breast cancer, endometrial cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Recently, a genomewide association study (GWAS) of age at menarche (AAM) in 104,533 individuals of European ancestry was reported by the ReproGen consortium. They identified 42 loci known and novel loci that were linked to age at menarche. Because age at menarche varies between ethnic groups, we decided to investigate if these results would be replicated in the Korean population. To this end, we examined the association of the SNPs reported in the ReproGen GWAS with AAM in 3,194 individuals from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) cohort. Genotype data for total 17 SNPs (6 genotyped SNPs and 11 imputed SNPs) were available for the association analysis using linear regression analysis for age at menarche with controlling current age, waist-to-hip ratio, and body mass index as the covariates. We found replication of the ReproGen study in two SNPs; one SNP (rs466639) in the retinoic acid receptor gamma gene (RXRG), showing a significant association with early menarche (beta = −0.224 ± 0.065, p value = 5.2 × 10−4, Bonferroni-corrected p value = 0.009), and the other (rs10899489), in GRB2 (growth factor receptor bound protein 2)-associated binding protein 2 (GAB2), linked to late menarche (beta = 0.140 ± 0.047, p value = 2.8 × 10−3, Bonferroni-corrected p value = 0.049). This result possibly suggests that genetic factors governing AAM in the Korean population would be distinct from those in the Europeans, implying roles of modulating or interacting factors in determining AAM, including environmental factors such as nutritional status.
Design Tradeoffs and Hardware Architecture for Real-Time Iterative MIMO Detection using Sphere Decoding and LDPC Coding

We explore the performance and hardware complexity tradeoffs associated with performing iterative multiple- input multiple-output (MIMO) detection using a sphere decoder and a low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoder. Iterations are performed both within the LDPC decoder as well as via an outer iteration loop through which refined soft information is fed back from the LDPC decoder to a MIMO detector. A hardware architecture and associated implementation results on Xilinx Virtex-5 field programmable gate array for a 4 x 4 QPSK MIMO system are presented. The system offers a performance improvement of approximately 1 dB over systems without the outer iteration loop, and provides an information bit throughput that ranges from 60 to 300 megabits per second when a length 1944 rate 1/2 LDPC code is used.
Of Women, Bitches, Chickens and Vixens: Animal Metaphors for Women in English and Spanish

Abstract: Speakers of English and Spanish often understand gender differences in terms of animal imagery. It is quite common in both languages to come across metaphors presenting women in the guise of chickens, bitches or vixens. Given the cognitive and social force of metaphor in our understanding of the world and of ourselves, such animal images offer a window on the role given to women in our society. In fact, whether in the form of pets, livestock or wild animals, women tend to be seen as inferior and subordinated to men. _____________________________________________________________ Resumen: Los hablantes de lengua inglesa y espanola usan a menudo la imagineria animal con el fin de comprender diferencias de genero. En ambas lenguas es bastante frecuente encontrar metaforas que presentan a la mujer en la forma de pollitos, perras y zorras. Dada la fuerza social y cognitiva de la metafora en nuestro entendimiento del mundo y de los seres humanos, dichas imagenes animales reflejan el papel otorgado a la mujer en nuestra sociedad. De hecho, ya sea bajo la apariencia de mascotas, ganado o animales salvajes, existe una tendencia a representar a las mujeres como inferiores y subordinadas al hombre.
Energy-dependent degradation: Linkage between ClpX-catalyzed nucleotide hydrolysis and protein-substrate processing.

ClpX requires ATP to unfold protein substrates and translocate them into the proteolytic chamber of ClpP for degradation. The steady-state parameters for hydrolysis of ATP and ATPγS by ClpX were measured with different protein partners and the kinetics of degradation of ssrA-tagged substrates were determined with both nucleotides. ClpX hydrolyzed ATPγS to ADP and thiophosphate at a rate (6/min) significantly slower than ATP hydrolysis (140/min), but the hydrolysis of both nucleotides was increased by ssrA-tagged substrates and decreased by ClpP. KM and kcat for hydrolysis of ATP and ATPγS were linearly correlated over a 200-fold range, suggesting that protein partners largely affect kcat rather than nucleotide binding, indicating that most bound ATP leaves the enzyme by hydrolysis rather than dissociation, and placing an upper limit of ≈15 μM on KD for both nucleotides. Competition studies with ClpX and fluorescently labeled ADP gave inhibition constants for ATPγS (≈2 μM) and ADP (≈3 μM) under the reaction conditions used for steady-state kinetics. In the absence of Mg2+, where hydrolysis does not occur, the inhibition constant for ATP (≈55 μM) was weaker but very similar to the value for ATPγS (≈45 μM). Compared with ATP, ATPγS supported slow but roughly comparable rates of ClpXP degradation for two Arc-ssrA substrates and denatured GFP-ssrA, but not of native GFP-ssrA. These results show that the processing of protein substrates by ClpX is closely coupled to the maximum rate of nucleotide hydrolysis.
preparations for UNCLOS IV

(1988). preparations for UNCLOS IV? Ocean Development & International Law: Vol. 19, No. 5, pp. 421-430.
Revisiting the Seven Commandments for Users of Multivariate Methods

While multivariate methods are extremely relevant to marketing problems, it is not easy to successfully implement them in the research program of the organization due to their complexity and variety. Therefore, a number of practical guidelines are described below which should be followed by researchers if they are committed to the idea of integrating multivariate methods in their research programs.
A new look at the convergence of a famous sequence

A new proof for the monotonicity of the sequence [image omitted] is given as a special case of a large family of monotomic and bounded, hence convergent sequences. The new proof is based on basic calculus results rather than induction, which makes it accessible to a larger audience including business and life sciences students and faculty. The slow rate of convergence of the two sequences is also discussed, and convergence bounds are found.
Networking development by Boolean logic

Eric Davidson at Caltech has spent several decades investigating the molecular basis of animal development using the sea urchin embryo as an experimental system1,2 although his scholarship extends to all of embryology as embodied in several editions of his landmark book.3 In recent years his laboratory has become a leading force in constructing gene regulatory networks (GRNs) operating in sea urchin development.4 This axis of his work has its roots in this laboratory’s cDNA cloning of an actin mRNA from the sea urchin embryo (for the timeline, see ref. 1)—one of the first eukaryotic mRNAs to be cloned as it turned out. From that point of departure, the Davidson lab has drilled down into other genes and gene families and the factors that regulate their coordinated regulation, leading them into the GRN era (a field they helped to define) and the development of the computational tools needed to consolidate and advance the GRN field.
Bounds on the performance of continuous and quantized phase-only matched filters

The classical matched-filter definition of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is used as the performance measure to present bounds for the performances of phase-only filters (POF’s), binary phase-only filters (BPOF’s), and N-ary phase-only filters (NPOF’s). Specifically, signal-dependent bounds on the SNR of the POF relative to the ideal matched spatial filter for additive white noise are developed. In addition, the tightest possible bounds on the SNR of the BPOF relative to the POF for any type of additive noise are developed. These bounds are then extended to develop the tightest possible bounds on the SNR of the NPOF relative to the POF. The extension to the generalized BPOF and the generalized NPOF is also discussed.
Manipulating the characteristics of words and nonwords to better understand word learning

The work of Susan Gathercole and others on nonword repetition has increased general interest in the relationship between memory and language, and has provided a fertile theoretical framework for researchers to explore how the language system makes use of the phonological loop, a component in Baddeley's (1986) working memory model. Gathercole (2006) integrated a number of findings from a variety of research methodologies and populations to support this theoretical framework. She also discussed how this framework might be applied to increase our understanding of language disorders characterized by word learning problems. Synthesizing the findings from many and diverse areas of study to formulate a coherent theory is a challenge, but this challenge must be undertaken if we hope to significantly advance our understanding of human behavior, including the differences in processing that are found across the lifespan and across individuals. I admire Gathercole for undertaking this challenge (and the additional challenge of applying the theory to language disorders) in the area of word learning.
Ensemble inference in geophysical inverse problems

Non-invasive studies of the shallow Earth are an essential element in a broad range of earth science disciplines. Such studies are usually accomplished using geophysical techniques, which means that a geophysical inverse problem must be solved. Unfortunately, non-uniqueness is a basic property of almost all solutions to geophysical inverse problems. In this paper we describe a method of dealing with this non-uniqueness which we believe is more direct, more complete, and more informative than previous attempts in this area. Instead of using regularization methods to constrain the non-uniqueness of geophysical inverse problems, we confront directly the non-uniqueness and attempt to describe it. The basic technique is to generate and describe a collection of models that fit the data within acceptable limits based upon observational errors. This collection of models, called an ensemble, is analysed with statistical methods in order to characterize the uncertainty in the solution and also make inferences about properties that are shared by all acceptable models. A by-product of this approach is that it produces basic information about the degree of linearity contained in the problem and maps trade-offs between various parameters. The method proposed is quite general and should be applicable to a broad range of geophysical inverse problems. We illustrate the basic method by applying it to two typical geophysical problems. The first application is to a set of cross-borehole traveltime observations gathered in Kesterson, California. The small deviations of the observed traveltime residuals from those predicted by a uniform half-space indicates that the velocity contrasts are not large. The set of acceptable models appears to form a non-degenerate hyperellipsoid in the model space. The mean of the velocity models converges quite rapidly to a smoothed version of a linearized singular-value decomposition solution. The velocity variations agree very well with the results of a hydrological tracer test conducted prior to the seismic experiment. The second application is to the problem of simultaneously estimating the shape and density of a constant density body using surface gravity measurements. In this case a linear analysis is found to be inadequate. A quadratic formulation is necessary to accurately represent the trade-off between the magnitude of the density perturbation and the depth extent of the body.
Phase I study of the ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-thiosemicarbazone (3-AP) in combination with high dose cytarabine in patients with advanced myeloid leukemia

Purpose: This Phase I dose escalation study was based on the hypothesis that the addition of 3-aminopyridine-2-carboxaldehyde-thiosemicarbazone (3-AP) to cytarabine would enhance cytarabine cytotoxicity. The primary objective of the study was to establish the maximum tolerated dose of 3-AP when given in combination with a fixed dose of cytarabine. Experimental design: Twenty-five patients with relapsed or refractory myeloid leukemia were enrolled to three dose levels of 3-AP. Cytarabine was administered as a 2 h infusion at a fixed dose of 1,000 mg/m2/day for 5 consecutive days. Escalating doses of 3-AP as a 2 h infusion were administered on days 2 through 5. The 3-AP infusion preceded the start of the cytarabine infusion by 4 h. Results: In general, the toxicities observed with the combination were similar to the expected toxicity profile for cytarabine when utilized as a single agent at this dose and schedule. However, two of three patients developed dose-limiting methemoglobinemia at the highest 3-AP dose studied (100 mg/m2). Transient reversible methemoglobinemia was documented in 11 of 15 patients enrolled at the 75 mg/ m2 dose level. Objective evidence of clinical activity was observed in four patients. Conclusions: The combination of 3-AP and cytarabine given on this schedule is feasible in advanced myeloid leukemia. The recommended Phase II dose is 75 mg/m2/day of 3-AP on days 2–5 given prior to cytarabine administered at a dose of 1,000 mg/m2/day over 5 consecutive days. Methemoglobinemia is a common toxicity of this combination and requires close monitoring.
Fast Three-Dimensional Modeling of Atomic Oxygen Undercutting of Protected Polymers

A method is presented to model atomic-oxygen erosion of protected polymers in low Earth orbit. Undercutting of protected polymers by atomic oxygen can occur as a result of the presence of scratch, crack, or pin window defects in the protective coatings. As a means of providing a better understanding of undercutting processes, a fast method of modeling atomic-oxygen undercutting of protected polymers has been developed. Current simulation methods often rely on computationally expensive ray-tracing procedures to track the surface-to-surface movement of individual “atoms.” To reduce the burden of time-consuming calculations, the method introduced replaces computationally demanding individual particle simulations by substituting a model that utilizes both a geometric configuration-factor technique, which collectively governs the diffuse transport of atoms between surfaces, and an efficient algorithm, which rapidly computes the cumulative effects stemming from the series of atomic-oxygen collisions at the surfaces of an undercut cavity. This new method facilitates the systematic study of three-dimensional undercutting by allowing rapid simulations to be made over a wide range of erosion parameters.
Questrom vs. Federated Department Stores, Inc: A Question of Equity Value

This case is based on a factual situation facing the courts. Allen Questrom, recently retired Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Federated Department Stores, is suing the company for the amount of incentive compensation he earned during the five years he was Federated's CEO. This incentive compensation was to be based on the increase in the firm's total equity value over this five‐year period, a time during which Questrom rescued the retailer from bankruptcy. Questrom and Federated are in dispute over Federated's equity value as of January 28, 1995. Therefore, the court is being asked to estimate Federated's equity value as of January 28, 1995 and then determine the amount of compensation that Federated owes Questrom. The presiding judge (Gilbert Snider) wants you to analyze selected information from Federated's financial statements. As part of your analysis, the judge has asked you to explain the role that certain components of the financial statements have with respect to firm valuation. You are asked to ...
Distribution of powers of the partition function modulo ℓ^j

In this paper we study Newman's conjecture for powers of the partition function. While this conjecture is known for powers of primes l that are not exceptional for the power under consideration, it is an open problem for exceptional primes. We settle this conjecture in many cases for small powers of the partition function by generalizing results of Ono and Ahlgren. It should be noted our method requires a case by case examination of each power and does not yield a general method for dealing with different powers simultaneously.
Computational Science and Engineering On-line: an integrated web-based environment for multi-scale modelling of complex reaction systems

We present a development of an integrated extendable web-based environment called Computational Science and Engineering On-line (CSEO) to include different fields of computational science. Our initial efforts are focusing on an integrated environment for multi-scale modelling of complex reacting systems from fundamental quantum chemistry with different entry points. CSEO provides an information management system that allows data flow from one application to another in a transparent manner. In addition, it provides a set of web-based graphic-user interfaces (GUIs) to different scientific applications. Current available GUIs are for quantum chemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics. Work is in progress to allow CSEO accessing resources from the computing grids using the Globus technology. CSEO can be accessed at http://cseo.net. It can also be hosted at different mirror sites.
Hunter-Gatherer: three search techniques integrated for natural language semantics

This work integrates three related AI search techniques - constraint satisfaction, branch-and-bound and solution synthesis - and applies the result to semantic processing in natural language (NL). We summarize the approach as "Hunter-Gatherer:" • branch-and-bound and constraint satisfaction allow us to "hunt down" non-optimal and impossible solutions and prune them from the search space. • solution synthesis methods then "gather" all optimal solutions avoiding exponential complexity. Each of the three techniques is briefly described, as well as their extensions and combinations used in our system. We focus on the combination of solution synthesis and branch-and-bound methods which has enabled near-linear-time processing in our applications. Finally, we illustrate how the use of our technique in a large-scale MT project allowed a drastic reduction in search space.
Market Reactions To Callable And Noncallable Debt Issues

Financial theory claims that issuing callable debt rather than noncallable debt offers substantial advantages to the issuing firms. Yet our evidence shows that a substantial amount of noncallable debt exists, suggesting a deficiency in the theory. Our event study analysis found that market reactions to callable bond issues were not significantly different from zero. Thus, the prevalent claim that callable debt offers an advantage over noncallable debt is not supported. The market was found to reach negatively the issuance of noncallable debt, short-term noncallable debit, short-term callable debt, and short-term debt. Therefore, short-term bonds appear to be a signal of negative private information and long-term debt issues appear to be a signal of positive information.
INBREEDING DEPRESSION AND ITS EFFECTS ON NATAL DISPERSAL IN RED-COCKADED WOODPECKERS

Abstract Natal dispersal is a key life-history component that may be influenced by the fitness consequences of inbreeding. We studied natal dispersal and inbreeding within a large population of cooperatively breeding, endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis). We assessed the costs of close inbreeding, the spatial distribution of related males and its relationship to dispersal distance of females, and the change in dispersal behavior of females in the presence of closely related males. Close inbreeding resulted in a significant loss of fitness, through two separate effects: closely related pairs (kinship coefficient ≥ 0.125) exhibited lowered hatching rates and lowered survival and recruitment of fledglings relative to unrelated pairs. Despite a highly predictable spatial clustering of closely related males near the female's natal territory, natal dispersal distance of females was not sufficient to avoid these males as mates. Females changed dispersal behavior in the presence of closely rela...
A Resource Based View Of Manufacturing Strategy And Implications To Organizational Culture And Human Resources

This paper purports that manufacturing strategy is a strategic asset. To prove that manufacturing strategy is valuable, it is determined that manufacturing strategy is linked to manufacturing success which is linked to business success. To capitalize on manufacturing strategy as a strategic asset, the factors that influence a successful strategy are determined.