cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hollow Men: Law and the Declension of Belief

If believing is central to what makes us persons, then how do we react when our core beliefs come under serious challenge? The "purest" responses are probably to engage in responsible apologetics, defending our beliefs against the challenges, or else adjustment or relinquishment of our beliefs in accordance with what we come to understand the truth to be. Often, however, we resort to less "pure" responses. We "bend the truth" or "fudge the facts" to deflect challenges to our beliefs. Or, in a response that entails more implicit philosophical sophistication, we deflate our very conceptions of truth and belief: in this case, this essay suggests, we may continue to affirm propositions even though we no longer fully and in good faith believe them. This essay, presented as part of a lecture series on "Christian Contributions to Contemporary Jurisprudence," argues that this last "declensionist" response produces a kind of hollowness in our personhood. The essay then explores manifestations of such declensionist strategies in modern thinking about the nature of law. It concludes by sketching some possible alternatives that Christian legal thinkers might take in response to such declension.
Innateness and the Brain

The philosophical innateness debate has long relied onpsychological evidence. For a century, however, a parallel debate hastaken place within neuroscience. In this paper, I consider theimplications of this neuroscience debate for the philosophicalinnateness debate. By combining the tools of theoretical neurobiologyand learning theory, I introduce the ``problem of development'' that alladaptive systems must solve, and suggest how responses to this problemcan demarcate a number of innateness proposals. From this perspective, Isuggest that the majority of natural systems are in fact innate. Lastly,I consider the acquistion strategies implemented by the human brain andsuggest that there is a rigorous way of characterizing these ``neuralconstructivist'' strategies as not being strongly innate. Alternatives toinnateness are thus both rigorously definable and empirically supported.
Paraconsistency: Towards a tentative interpretation

In this expository paper, we examine some philosophical and technical issues brought by paraconsistency (such as, motivations for developing a paraconsistent logic, the nature of this logic, and its application to set theory). We also suggest a way of accommodating these issues by considering some problems in the philosophy of logic from a new perspective.
Lichenometric dating of little ice age glacier moraines using explicit demographic models of lichen colonization, growth, and survival

Contemporary variants of the lichenometric dating technique depend upon statistical correlations between surface age and maximum lichen sizes, rather than an understanding of lichen biology. To dat...
Chapter 4.7 A neurobehavioral system approach in rats to study the molecular biology of fear

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the neurobehavioral system approach in rats to study the molecular biology of fear. The chapter presents three examples of a neurobehavioral system approach to the study of gene expression in contextual fear conditioning, innate fear of a predator odor, and exaggerated contextually conditioned fear. All of the examples use a species-specific, ethologically-relevant fear response: freezing. As fear-related freezing is dependent on the lateral, basolateral and central nucleus of the amygdala, the neurobehavioral systems approach compels to investigate molecular changes in these nuclei to find the molecular basis of fear. The chapter explores that this approach has yielded important differences in gene expression between fear conditioning and innate fear. The chapter emphasizes that implementation and augmentation of neurobehavioral strategies should produce more insights into the basic neurobiology of conditioned and innate fear, and have important implications for the neurobiology of anxiety disorders.
Regulation of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase and cholesterol synthesis.

Abstract Rat liver microsomal 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG)-coenzyme A reductase (mevalonate:NADP oxidoreductase (acylating CoA), EC 1.1.1.34) exhibits a cyclic rhythm with peak activity at midnight. HMG-CoA reductase from microsomes of rats killed at noon and midnight has similar properties. Cycloheximide completely prevents the 5- to 10-fold rise in activity which occurs from 6 p.m. to midnight, suggesting that the rise in activity is due to synthesis of new enzyme. The effect of cycloheximide is paralleled by short duration cholesterol feeding, which blocks the cyclic rise in activity. Cholesterol does not appear to act as a feedback inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. Mixing experiments indicate that the livers of cholesterol-fed rats do not contain a soluble inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. Cholesterol-rich lipoproteins isolated from livers of cholesterol-fed rats and added to incubations at concentrations from 0.01 to 10 mm cholesterol did not inhibit HMG-CoA reductase from control animals. After 4 hours of cholesterol feeding, liver cholesterol concentration begins to increase and acetate incorporation into cholesterol begins to decrease sharply. The decline in cholesterol synthesis measured in a liver mince closely parallels the decline in HMG-CoA reductase activity. The observed changes in HMG-CoA reductase activity thus appear to be an accurate reflection of changes in the intracellular rate of cholesterol synthesis. After 10 hours of cholesterol feeding, acetate incorporation into cholesterol and HMG-CoA reductase activity are 22% and 19% of control values, respectively. The incorporation of acetyl-CoA into HMG-CoA and of mevalonic acid into cholesterol is unchanged. Under these conditions HMG-CoA reductase appears to be the sole regulatory site between acetyl-CoA and cholesterol.
Der Abbau von Desoxyribonucleinsäure durch Ascorbinsäure: Die intermediäre Bildung von OH-Radikalen

Ascorbic acid in aqueous solution in the presence of molecular oxygen causes a degradation of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). This degradation can be completely suppressed by the addition of catalase or of peroxidase. It is concluded that the degradation of the DNA is due to the formation of hydrogen peroxide during the autoxidation of the ascorbic acid. Hydrogen peroxide itself is not very efficient in degrading DNA, but it is reduced by ascorbic acid to OH radicals which degrade the DNA.
Discriminative stimulus effects of nalbuphine in rhesus monkeys.

Three rhesus monkeys discriminated between 0.178 mg/kg of nalbuphine and saline while responding under a fixed-ratio 5 schedule of stimulus-shock termination. Nalbuphine produced dose-related increases in drug-lever responding with > or = 90% of responses occurring on the drug lever at doses larger than 0.1 mg/kg. The duration of action of the discriminative stimulus effects of nalbuphine was less than 5.25 hr. Rank order potency of compounds that substituted for the nalbuphine discriminative stimulus (i.e., > or = 90% responding on the nalbuphine lever) in all three subjects was fentanyl > butorphanol > methadone > morphine. Compounds that did not substitute completely in all monkeys included the kappa agonists ethylketocyclazocine, enadoline, spiradoline and U-50,488 and the nonopioids cocaine, d-amphetamine, clonidine, ketamine and phencyclidine. Naltrexone antagonized the discriminative stimulus effects of nalbuphine, shifting the nalbuphine dose-effect curve in a manner that was consistent with mu receptor mediation. Results from the current study demonstrate that, in rhesus monkeys, the discriminative stimulus effects of nalbuphine are mediated by mu opioid receptors. Although there is evidence suggesting that nalbuphine has kappa agonist effects (e.g., subjective effects in humans), results from several studies, including the current study, strongly suggest that in rhesus monkeys nalbuphine does not exert agonist actions at kappa receptors. Moreover, these data indicate that differences in behavioral effects between nalbuphine and prototypic mu opioids (e.g., morphine) probably result from differences in activity (e.g., efficacy) at mu receptors rather than any kappa agonist actions of nalbuphine.
Reconciling garbage cans and rational actors: Explaining organizational decisions about environmental hazard management

Abstract This paper argues that the garbage can model of organizational choice is an accurate description of organizational decision making for complex problems, but that the rational choice decision making model still applies to decisions of low and high importance. Choice situations in general are sensitive to variation in bureaucratic procedure and interest group attention. Decision importance, however, functions as an exogenous constraint on process-based explanations of observed organizational behavior. Importance is defined in terms of causal complexity and attention. For low importance decisions, causal complexity is low and so decision rules are relatively easy to apply. For high importance decisions, attendance is high and so adherence to formal policy is more likely. It is in the middle importance decisions, where causal complexity is sufficient to require interpretation of decision rules, and attention scarce enough that random groups or processes can dominate decision making, that consistent decision making is most severely constrained. These ideas are tested and confirmed in analysis of Environmental Protection Agency decisions for hazardous waste management at Superfund sites. The findings show that variation in the decision making process and variation in interest group participation are significant to explaining priorities. More specifically, decision importance has a U-shaped relationship with priorities, indicating that formal decision rules apply more in low and high importance decisions.
Identification of the gene and mRNA for the adenovirus terminal protein precursor

The precursor of the 55K adenovirus terminal protein is an 87K protein that is covalently linked to viral DNA. This protein is likely to be identical to the 80,000 dalton protein described by Challberg et al. (1980). The mRNA for the 87K terminal protein precursor, like that for the E2-72K DNA binding protein, is detectable at both early and late times of infection, and its production is sensitive to protein synthesis inhibition (Lewis and Mathews, 1980). The 87K protein, together with proteins of 105,000 and 75,000 daltons, are translated from leftward transcribed (1-strand) messenger RNAs that are complementary to the viral genome between positions 11.2 and 31.5. Additional hybridization to the region between coordinates 37.3 and 41 suggests that the RNA body is spliced to sequences mapping farther right in the genome. Electron microscopic heteroduplex analysis has revealed a family of 1-strand RNAs that probably encode these proteins. The RNA bodies extend from coordinated 30, 26 and 23 to 11.1, with leaders at 39, 68.5 and 75 map units, defining a new adenovirus early region. These RNAs and region E2 RNAs share the first leader and presumably the same promoter, and may be coordinately expressed. Virions of the protease-deficient adenovirus 2 mutant ts1 grown at the restrictive temperature contain only the 87K form; when grown at the permissive temperature they contain both the 87K and 55K forms, and an additional 62K form; wild-type virions contain only the 55K form. Peptide analysis shows all these proteins to be related. The DNA-protein complex containing the 87K form is active as a template for viral DNA replication in vitro. This data supports a model of adenovirus DNA replication in which the 87K terminal protein precursor is the primary translation product and primes DNA synthesis. The 87K precursor is processed curing virus maturation to the 55K terminal protein, possibly via a 62K intermediate form, by the virus-specified Ad2ts1 protease.
Continuum many top varieties of GMV-algebras and unital ℓ-groups

We prove that there are continuum many top varieties of GMV-algebras and examine the countable lattice of varieties generated by periodic primitive unital l-groups with the unit a rational translation.
Distributed self-capacitance of magnetic resonance surface coils

A theoretical investigation of the capacitive coupling between a round, flat NMR surface coil and a dielectric medium is presented. The change in coil self-capacitance produced by the presence of the medium is calculated. These calculated results are compared with those observed experimentally in a series of NMR surface coils.
Contrasting Acquisition-Focused and Performance-Focused Models of Acquired Behavior

What is encoded during a learning experience? In a learning situation, a training (acquisition) phase is often followed by a test phase. Acquisitionfocused models (most associative models) emphasize information processing that occurs during training and assume that only summary statistics (associative values) are retained to influence behavior during testing. Performance-focused models (a k a “computational” models) emphasize information processing that occurs at test and often assume fairly comprehensive memory of prior experiences. In this article, we contrast these two families of models. We note that neither family can claim unique support from the various learning phenomena commonly cited as favoring one or the other position. Within each family, there are highly diverse models that preclude blanket generalizations. However, the acquisition-focused view that subjects retain only summary statistics suggests unrealistically impoverished memories relative to the fairly veridical memories that clearly are formed. But this oversimplifying assumption of acquisition-focused associative theories is exactly what has made them superior to performance-focused models to date in stimulating research.
Factors affecting free zone electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing in capillary electrophoresis

Abstract The electrophoretic mobility of charged molecules in a free solution depends on their average charge, mass and shape, and the properties of the solvent media. In addition, differences in solvent media properties usually alter the average charge and shape of the charged molecules or form complexes with the molecules, substantially changing their electrophoretic mobilty. In this study, we report the effect of the electrophoretic sample injection, the use of polymer modifiers in the runniing buffer, and the presence of organic modifiers on the separation of proteins, peptides and DNA molecules in free zone electrophoresis. We alos report on the effect of ampholytes and salt concentration in free zone isoelectric focusing. To reduce convective disturbances in free zone electrophoresis at high field strength, the experiments were run in narrow-bore 25–50μm I.D. fused-silica capillary tubes. The optical pathof the UV detector was designed to increase sensitivity.
Fully parallel adaptive finite element simulation using the simplified spherical harmonics approximations for frequency-domain fluorescence-enhanced optical imaging

Fluorescence-enhanced optical imaging/tomography may play an important role in preclinical research and clinical diagnostics as a type of optical molecular. Time- and frequency-domain measurement can acquire more measurement information, reducing the ill-posedness and improving the reconstruction quality of fluorescence-enhanced optical tomography. Although the diffusion approximation (DA) theory has been extensively in optical imaging, high-order photon migration models must be further investigated for application to complex and small tissue volumes. In this paper, a frequency-domain fully parallel adaptive finite element solver is developed with the simplified spherical harmonics (SP N ) approximations. To fully evaluate the performance of the SP N approximations, a fast tetrahedron-based Monte Carlo simulator suitable for complex heterogeneous geometries is developed using the convolution strategy to realize the simulation of the fluorescence excitation and emission. With simple and real digital mouse phantoms, the results show that the significant precision and speed improvements are obtained from the parallel adaptive mesh evolution strategy.
Bayesian approach for network modeling of brain structural features

Brain connectivity patterns are useful in understanding brain function and organization. Anatomical brain connectivity is largely determined using the physical synaptic connections between neurons. In contrast statistical brain connectivity in a given brain population refers to the interaction and interdependencies of statistics of multitudes of brain features including cortical area, volume, thickness etc. Traditionally, this dependence has been studied by statistical correlations of cortical features. In this paper, we propose the use of Bayesian network modeling for inferring statistical brain connectivity patterns that relate to causal (directed) as well as non-causal (undirected) relationships between cortical surface areas. We argue that for multivariate cortical data, the Bayesian model provides for a more accurate representation by removing the effect of confounding correlations that get introduced due to canonical dependence between the data. Results are presented for a population of 466 brains, where a SEM (structural equation modeling) approach is used to generate a Bayesian network model, as well as a dependency graph for the joint distribution of cortical areas.
Fatigue reliability of a single stiffened ship hull panel

Fatigue cracks in ship structures are considered a nuisance as they require periodic inspection and repair. If left unrepaired, the crack could grow to reach a critical length and threaten the integrity of the structure. Although the cracks are typically characterized by stable propagation rate, the scatter in fatigue performance is difficult to quantify and could be on the order of thousands or even millions of cycles. The development of maintenance and management programs for ship structures should therefore account for the inherent scatter in performance through probabilistic fatigue assessment. Probabilistic assessment by testing a large number of specimens can be very costly. Therefore, the assessment can be performed through conducting large number of numerical or analytical simulations that account for the inherent statistical scatter in both load and resistance. This paper presents a framework for probabilistic assessment of the propagation rate of cracks in welded stiffened panels using finite element Monte Carlo simulations. The parameters influencing the propagation rate are treated as random variables with predefined statistical distributions. The results can be used for proposing inspection intervals for ships. In addition, very useful insight can be drawn on the most sensitive parameters affecting crack growth in the panels and the probability of failure at a given inspection period.
Spectroscopic and computational characterization of the base-off forms of cob(II)alamin.

The one-electron-reduced form of vitamin B12, cob(II)alamin (Co2+Cbl), is found in several essential human enzymes, including the cobalamin-dependent methionine synthase (MetH). In this work, experimentally validated electronic structure descriptions for two “base-off” Co2+Cbl species have been generated using a combined spectroscopic and computational approach, so as to obtain definitive clues as to how these and related enzymes catalyze the thermodynamically challenging reduction of Co2+Cbl to cob(I)alamin (Co1+Cbl). Specifically, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), electronic absorption (Abs), and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopic techniques have been employed as complementary tools to characterize the two distinct forms of base-off Co2+Cbl that can be trapped in the H759G variant of MetH, one containing a five-coordinate and the other containing a four-coordinate, square-planar Co2+ center. Accurate spin Hamiltonian parameters for these low-spin Co2+ centers have been determined by co...
Assessment of Severe Emotional Impairment: Practices and Problems.

The basic purpose of this study was to determine: (a) how school psychologists operationally define severe emotional disturbance as outlined in PL 94–142 (SED), and (b) the extent to which assessment procedures are in compliance with PL 94–142. A total of 83 school psychologists from two north central states participated in the study. Results indicated that a typical battery for assessing SED consisted of the WISC-R, WRAT, Bender-Gestalt, an incomplete sentences test, a behavior-rating scale, classroom observation, and informal interviews. A high correlation was found between the frequency with which psychologists use a type of data and the importance ascribed to that data source. Psychologists generally relied on only one or two criteria when considering severity of emotional disturbance. Special education placement often was contingent upon program availability. Implications for training and practice were presented.
Women wearing white: Discourses of menstruation and the experience of menarche:

This study examines how dominant societal discourses of menstruation are appropriated, rejected, or interpreted as adolescent girls make meaning of their menarche. Thirteen women ages 18–21 participated in flexible in-depth interviews to retrospectively recount their menarcheal experience. A variation of the Reading Guide was used for primary data analysis, which identified four themes highlighting girls’ ambivalence regarding menarche. Participants were conflicted at menarche about their putative status as ‘women’; used imprecise, distancing language when discussing menstruation; engaged in material and discursive practices of concealing menstruation; and referenced a community of menstrual suffering. Further, discourse analysis of participants’ talk suggests their continued discomfort. We argue that girls experience menarche ambivalently in relation to menstrual taboos, body shame and emergent womanhood. Negative discourses of menstruation and women’s bodies converge to set girls on a problematic gender...
On solving for the density matrix

Abstract A “generating matrix” formalism is presented which is useful in the solution of a class of time-dependent quantum density matrix problems. Three examples of its use are sketched, giving a unified approach to the solution of the problem of the spontaneous emission of electromagnetic radiation from a single atom in various environments.
Phosphor with Fluorescence Larger Than the Energy Gap

Under certain conditions of excitation a ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{+3}$-activated SrS phosphor exhibits an emission which is energetically greater than the energy gap. This emission is observed at 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and not at room temperature. It is proposed that the excitation and short-wavelength emission take place between levels of the ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{+3}$ center. At 77\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K the reduction of lattice vibrations effects the isolation of the ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{+3}$ site from the lattice and hence the probability of hole transfer from the activator to the lattice is diminished. The nature of the energy levels of the Pr ion is discussed.
Evaluation of a Smoking Cessation Program for HIV Infected Individuals in an Urban HIV Clinic: Challenges and Lessons Learned.

Introduction. HIV infected persons have high prevalence of smoking and tobacco-associated health risks. Few studies describe smoking cessation programs targeting this population. The Infectious Disease Practice (IDP) in Newark, New Jersey, initiated a smoking cessation program (SCP) for HIV infected smokers. We report participation, abstinence rates, and predictors of abstinence. Methods. This is a prospective cohort study, comparing participants to non-SCP smokers, during April 1, 2011, to October 31, 2012. Intervention included one individualized counseling session with an offer of pharmacotherapy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with self-reported seven-day point prevalence abstinence at six months as primary outcome measure. Results. Among 1545 IDP patients, 774 (51%) were current smokers of whom 123 (16%) participated in the SCP. Mean six-month abstinence rate amongst SCP participants was 16%. A history of cocaine or heroin use was predictive of continued smoking (odds ratio [OR] adjusted 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07–0.55) while smokers in the preparation stage of change were more likely abstinent at six months (OR adjusted 8.26, 95% CI 1.02–66.67). Conclusions. A low-intensity smoking cessation intervention in an HIV treatment setting is effective in a minority of participants. Further research is needed to better address barriers to smoking cessation such as substance use.
New Trends in the Surgical Management of Invasive Bladder Cancer

Radical cystectomy with urinary diversion is one of the most complex urologic procedures and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although it remains the gold standard for treatment of advanced localized disease, survival has not changed substantially over the preceding decades, and high complication rates and prolonged hospital stays remain common. However, recent years have seen the development of robotic-assisted radical cystectomy, trials on the benefit of extended lymph node dissection, and evidence supporting the role of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols. This article reviews recent trends in surgical management of muscle-invasive bladder cancer.
Origins of reactive airways disease in early life: do viral infections play a role?

There is mounting evidence suggesting that infection with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in early life increases the risk of developing reactive airway disease (RAD) later in childhood. A recent prospective study demonstrated that children hospitalized with RSV bronchiolitis in infancy face a significantly increased risk of recurrent wheezing and allergy at least until the age of 7 y that is independent of hereditary factors. Proposed mechanisms for this link include immune dysregulation, in which RSV-specific IgE or an imbalance between T-lymphocyte-dependent immune pathways may be involved, and abnormal neural control, in which the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic pathways are altered by RSV infection. More recent studies suggest that immune and neural mechanisms may be linked and that post-RSV airway inflammation may be explained, at least in part, on the basis of these neuroimmune interactions. Conclusion: Passive immunoprophylaxis may protect against persistent viral-induced inflammation of the respiratory tract, long-term changes in pulmonary function and increased frequency of RAD episodes.
Corporate boards and acquirer returns: international evidence

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of board structure on non-US acquirer returns in 11,499 acquisition transactions from 60 countries during the period from 2001 to 2011. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper the authors employ event study methodology and regression analyses including instrumental variables two-stage least squares regressions. Findings – The authors find that board independence in non-US firms is associated with significantly higher acquirer returns, but this effect is only present in countries with lower levels of investor protection. The authors contribute to the literature by documenting that due to the substitution effect between internal and external governance, when external governance mechanisms are not adequately developed, better internal governance (as measured by higher degree of board independence) reduces agency problems and leads to better firm decisions and outcomes (as measured by the quality of corporate acquisitions). Originality/value – T...
Effect of absorbed and nonabsorbed anti-H-2 antiserum on mouse blastocysts

Conventional antisera and monoclonal antibodies have been used to demonstrate the presence of H-2 antigens on preimplantation mouse embryos. In this study, the specificity of previously used anti-H-2 conventional antisera was tested by absorption of the antisera on spleen lymphocytes. It was found that absorption of the anti-H-2 antisera removed all of the antibody reactive with lymphocytes, but only about half of the antibody reactive with embryos. The effect of absorbed and nonabsorbed anti-H-2 antisera on mouse blastocysts was tested both by cytotoxicity assays and by electron microscopy. The results suggest that conventional antisera do indeed detect H-2 antigens on mouse embryos, but they may detect other, as yet undefined, antigens as well.
Mechanisms of Inhibition by Heparin of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation and Migration

Heparin, an inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration, affects a number of other cell functions. These effects include inhibition of growth factor binding, deposition of mat
Multicriteria GIS modeling of wind and solar farms in Colorado

Abstract The majority of electricity and heat in Colorado comes from coal and natural gas; however, renewable energy sources will play an integral role in the state’s energy future. Colorado is the 11th windiest state and has more than 250 sunny days per year. The objectives of this research are to: 1) determine which landcover classes are affiliated with high wind and solar potential; and 2) identify areas that are suitable for wind and solar farms using multicriteria GIS modelling techniques. Renewable potential (NREL wind speed measurements at 50 m above the ground and NREL annual insolation data), landcover, population density, federal lands, and distance to roads, transmission lines, and cities were reclassified according to their suitability. Each was assigned weights based on their relative importance to one another. Superb wind classes are located in high alpine areas. Unfortunately, these areas are not suitable for large-scale wind farm development due to their inaccessibility and location within a sensitive ecosystem. Federal lands have low wind potential. According to the GIS model, ideal areas for wind farm development are located in northeastern Colorado. About 41 850 km2 of the state has model scores that are in the 90–100% range. Although annual solar radiation varies slightly, inter-mountain areas receive the most insolation. As far as federal lands, Indian reservations have the greatest solar input. The GIS model indicates that ideal areas for solar development are located in northwestern Colorado and east of Denver. Only 191 km2 of the state had model scores that were in the 90–100% range. These results suggest that the variables used in this analysis have more of an effect at eliminating non-suitable areas for large-scale solar farms; a greater area exists for suitable wind farms. However, given the statewide high insolation values with minimal variance, solar projects may be better suited for small-scale residential or commercial projects.
Effects of early experience on the metabolism and production of corticosterone in rats

Rats were handled for 3 min daily for 3 weeks before or after weaning or were left totally undisturbed. At 80 days of age, animals from each group were selected for corticosterone half-life determination. Adrenal tissue from the remaining animals was incubated in vitro in the presence or absence of ACTH. Handled and unmanipulated animals did not differ in half-life or in adrenocortical output. These data do not support the hypothesis that the reduced adrenocortical reactivity that results from manipulating animals is due to either the metabolism of corticosterone or the response of the adrenal cortex to ACTH.
Radiation Q of planar dipole phased arrays on a grounded substrate

The exact radiation quality factor Q of infinite planar dipole arrays on a grounded magneto-dielectric substrate is presented. The radiated power and stored energies are evaluated in terms of Floquet modes and the spectrum of the arbitrary dipole current. The characteristics of Q with respect to geometrical and material parameters are shown. The Q of an array on a magnetic substrate can be lower than that of a similar array on a dielectric substrate.
Chemical Synthesis of a Hyaluronic Acid Decasaccharide

The chemical synthesis of a hyaluronic acid decasaccharide using the preactivation-based chemoselective glycosylation strategy is described. Assembly of large oligosaccharides is generally challenging due to the increased difficulties in both glycosylation and deprotection. Indeed, the same building blocks previously employed for hyaluronic acid hexasaccharide syntheses failed to yield the desired decasaccharide. After extensive experimentation, the decasaccharide backbone was successfully constructed with an overall yield of 37% from disaccharide building blocks. The trichloroacetyl group was used as the nitrogen protective group for the glucosamine units, and the addition of TMSOTf was found to be crucial to suppress the formation of trichloromethyl oxazoline side product and enable high glycosylation yield. For deprotections, the combination of a mild basic condition and the monitoring methodology using (1)H NMR allowed the removal of all base-labile protective groups, which facilitated the generation of the fully deprotected HA decasaccharide.
Kinetics of Methane Hydrate Formation from Polycrystalline Deuterated Ice

The kinetics of methane hydrate formation was investigated by in-situ time-of-flight neutron powder diffraction. Samples were prepared from deuterated ice particles (< 0.25 mm) and transformed to clathrate hydrate by pressurizing the system with methane gas. The rates of sI methane hydrate formation were measured in-situ under isothermal conditions with a methane pressure of 1000 psi (6.9 MPa). Kinetic data were analyzed in terms of a shrinking core model, including possible contributions of nucleation, methane diffusion, and interface reaction. The data support the hypothesis that methane hydrate formation reaction from ice particles is diffusion-controlled. The reaction starts quickly at the nucleation stage, which propagates to form a hydrate layer that covers the ice particle. Further reaction is limited by the growth of the hydrate layer and inward diffusion of methane molecules through the hydrate layer to the unreacted ice core. The reaction rate at the interface between hydrate and unreacted ice p...
Epitopes for chicken monoclonal antibodies in spleens of selected Japanese quail lines.

Abstract A line of Japanese quail selected for high plasma cholesterol is highly susceptible to diet-induced atherosclerosis. Lymphocyte epitopes recognized by mouse anti-chicken monoclonal antibodies (c-mAb), TCR-1, TCR-2, TCR-3, CD-3, CD-4, CD-8, and BU-1a/b were reacted with spleens from quail selected for high (HL) and low (LL) plasma total cholesterol and their nonselected controls (CL). Cross reactivity to c-mAb and effect of line and gender were immunohistochemically evaluated. Chicken spleens were positive controls. Quail were immunologically stimulated with either sheep red blood cells (SRBC) or Brucella abortus 2 weeks before spleens were removed. Quail spleen epitopes of all lines recognized TCR-3 and CD-8 c-mAb, but no other c-mAb. Number of reacting cells and staining intensity to the TCR-3 c-mAb were greater in the HL than in the LL regardless of the stimulating Ag or dose used. For the CD-8 c-mAb, there were no differences among lines in birds receiving SRBC. In B. abortus -immunized birds, sex×line interactions indicated that males of the HL and CL had lower responses than females but LL males were not different than females. TCR-3 and CD8 c-mAb may be useful in studying immunological mechanisms for atherosclerosis in Japanese quail.
CpG methylation patterns and decitabine treatment response in acute myeloid leukemia cells and normal hematopoietic precursors

The DNA hypomethylating drug decitabine maintains normal hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal but induces terminal differentiation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. The basis for these contrasting cell fates, and for selective CpG hypomethylation by decitabine, is poorly understood. Promoter CpGs, with methylation measured by microarray, were classified by the direction of methylation change with normal myeloid maturation. In AML cells, the methylation pattern at maturation-responsive CpGs suggested at least partial maturation. Consistent with partial maturation, in gene expression analyses, AML cells expressed high levels of the key lineage-specifying factor CEBPA, but relatively low levels of the key late-differentiation driver CEBPE. In methylation analysis by mass spectrometry, CEBPE promoter CpGs that are usually hypomethylated during granulocyte maturation were significantly hypermethylated in AML cells. Decitabine-induced hypomethylation was greatest at these and other promoter CpGs that are usually hypomethylated with myeloid maturation, accompanied by cellular differentiation of AML cells. In contrast, decitabine-treated normal HSCs retained immature morphology, and methylation significantly decreased at CpGs that are less methylated in immature cells. High expression of lineage-specifying factor and aberrant epigenetic repression of some key late-differentiation driver genes distinguishes AML cells from normal HSCs, and could explain the contrasting differentiation and methylation responses to decitabine.
Variational equations on mixed Riemannian Lorentzian metrics

Abstract A class of elliptic–hyperbolic equations is placed in the context of a geometric variational theory, in which the change of type is viewed as a change in the character of an underlying metric. A fundamental example of a metric which changes in this way is the extended projective disc, which is Riemannian at ordinary points, Lorentzian at ideal points, and singular on the absolute. Harmonic fields on such a metric can be interpreted as the hodograph image of extremal surfaces in Minkowski 3-space. This suggests an approach to generalized Plateau problems in three-dimensional space-time via Hodge theory on the extended projective disc. Analogous variational problems arise on Riemannian–Lorentzian flow metrics in fiber bundles (twisted nonlinear Hodge equations), and on certain Riemannian–Lorentzian manifolds which occur in relativity and quantum cosmology. The examples surveyed come with natural gauge theories and Hodge dualities. This paper is mainly a review, but some technical extensions are proven.
Privacy-preserving link discovery

Link discovery is a process of identifying association(s) among different entities included in a complex network structure. These association(s) may represent any interaction among entities, for example between people or even bank accounts. The need for link discovery arises in many applications including law enforcement, counter-terrorism, social network analysis, intrusion detection, and fraud detection. Given the sensitive nature of information that can be revealed from link discovery, privacy is a major concern from the perspective of both individuals and organizations. For example in the context of financial fraud detection, linking transaction may reveal sensitive information about other individuals not involved in any fraud. In this paper, we propose an approach for link discovery in a privacy-preserving manner. We show how the problem can be reduced to finding the transitive closure of a graph. A secure split-matrix multiplication protocol based on secure scalar product computations is proposed to find the transitive closure. We analyze the performance and usability of the proposed approach.
Precision of lattice strain and orientation measurements using high-energy monochromatic X-ray diffraction

A systematic framework for estimating the uncertainty associated with measurements of finite stretch and orientation of a crystalline lattice using monochromatic X-ray diffraction is presented. A hierarchical method is implemented, in which uncertainties in the locations of diffraction peaks are communicated to the lattice stretch and rotation parameters by using the classical method of weighted least squares. This enables the uncertainty of the lattice stretch and rotation parameters to be estimated from a single full rotation scan. This method is applied to diffraction data obtained from a ruby single crystal as an idealized case for validation, and an example application is demonstrated by analyzing a strained and plastically deformed polycrystalline titanium alloy, β21S. For the ruby single crystal, it was possible to attain average uncertainties for lattice orientation and strain that were found to be comparable to standard statistical analysis of repeated measurements. For the titanium alloy, a single grain was analyzed, and a precision of 0.03° for lattice orientation and 100–250 × 10−6 for lattice strain components was obtained. The basic framework of the uncertainty analysis is generally applicable, although specific results are unique to monochromatic X-ray diffraction experiments.
Accuracy of Monthly, Bimonthly, and Trimonthly Dairy Herd Improvement Association Records

Abstract The DHIA centering date method of testing, used in the United States, the DHIA method modified to adjust production in the first and last periods, according to the day of lactation when tested, and the DHIA method modified to adjust production for the day of lactation when first tested were simulated on daily milk weights of 369 Holstein lactations from the Cornell University herd. The DHIA method of testing over-estimated actual production by an average of 57.3, 80.8, and 80.8 kg of milk for monthly, bimonthly, and trimonthly testing, respectively. Adjusting production in the first and last test periods reduced the mean deviation from actual production to -0.5, 1.5, and -2.9 kg of milk for monthly, bimonthly, and trimonthly DHIA testing. The variance of the deviation from actual production was reduced to 90.7, 89.0, and 75.2% of the variance of deviations in the unadjusted centering-day method for monthly, bimonthly, and trimonthly DHIA testing, respectively. Adjusting production in only the first test period yielded mean deviations from actual production of 1.4, 11.2, and 20.3 kg of milk, and reduced the variance of the deviations to 91.8, 95.1, and 84.4% of the variance of deviations of the unadjusted DHIA method from actual production for monthly, bimonthly, and trimonthly, respectively. It was concluded that correcting test-day production for the stage of lactation in the first and last test periods merits consideration, because of the more accurate estimate of actual production obtained and the reduction in the variance of the deviations of DHIA estimates from actual yield.
The Management Theory Jungle and the Existential Manager

The article attempts to prove that it is not possible to develop a general theory of management and applies an existential theory of management in the issues in dispute surrounding management theor...
The effect of westernization on urine estrogens, frequency of ovulation, and breast cancer risk. A study of ethnic chinese women in the orient and the USA

In a 10-year incidence survey of breast cancer in Boston 14 cases in American Chinese women were observed while approximately 13 were expected on the basis of age-specific incidence in the white population. In Hawaii on the other hand while breast cancer incidence rates for ethnic Chinese are approximately 3 times as high as those of indigenous Chinese populations data indicate that they are still 35% lower than those of whites in Hawaii or on the US mainland. We have compared estrogen concentrations in the urine of Chinese women in the Orient Honolulu and Boston. Levels of estrone (E1) and estradiol (E2) increased greatly from the low to the high risk group. The increase was evident both among the younger (ages 15-19) and the older (ages 20-24) women in both follicular and luteal phase specimens. The crude unweighted average increase from Oriental to continental US Chinese was about 38% and 34% for E1 and E2 respectively. On the other hand levels of E3 decreased from the low-risk to the high-risk group but the decrease was modest (16%) and not always regular. There were no systematic or significant differences in ovulation frequency in the 3 groups. Results are compatible with the hypothesis that high levels of E1 and E2 are important to breast carcinogenesis. Whether E3 has some additional protective effect or is irrelevant is unclear. The data do not support the hypothesis that total urine estrogens (E1+E2+E3) are predictive of population groups at high risk for breast cancer and they appear inconsistent with the hypothesis that frequency of ovulation (or anovulation) is an important aspect of breast carcinogenesis. (authors modified)
A superconductive dual‐control active microwave device

In this article we review the background material necessary for the understanding of the operation of superconducting flux flow transistors. A new microwave flux flow device is then presented which exhibits behavior analogous to that of a dual-gate FET. Equivalent circuits and experimental results are presented.
Bad medicine: there is a lot wrong with diabetes care in the United States.

For decades the debate raged with regard to the relationship between glycemic control and diabetic complications. Ultimately, the debate ended with convincing evidence that tight glycemic control impacts the microvascular complications of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the issue of glycemic control in macrovascular complications remains somewhat controversial (The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Study Group 2008). Millions of taxpayer dollars were expended on clinical trials to prove conclusively the relationship between glycemic control and complications. However, translational efforts to bring this into routine clinical practice have, for the most part, failed. The current management strategy for diabetes (types 1 and 2) remains more of a bail-out system, with the clinical focus and fiscal expenditures being directed at the management of established diabetic complications, such as end-stage renal disease, advanced cardiovascular disease and advanced eye disease: and this, instead of preventive care. Suboptimal diabetes care is a phenomenon not only in the United States, but
The Wnt Signaling Inhibitor Dickkopf-1 Is Required for Reentry into the Cell Cycle of Human Adult Stem Cells from Bone Marrow

Adult human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow stroma (hMSCs) differentiate into numerous mesenchymal tissue lineages and are attractive candidates for cell and gene therapy. When early passage hMSCs are plated or replated at low density, the cultures display a lag phase of 3–5 days, a phase of rapid exponential growth, and then enter a stationary phase without the cultures reaching confluence. We found that as the cultures leave the lag phase, they secrete high levels of dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1), an inhibitor of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. The addition of recombinant Dkk-1 toward the end of the lag period increased proliferation and decreased the cellular concentration of β-catenin. The addition of antibodies to Dkk-1 in the early log phase decreased proliferation. Also, expression of Dkk-1 in hMSCs decreased during cell cycle arrest induced by serum starvation. The results indicated that high levels of Dkk-1 allow the cells to reenter the cell cycle by inhibiting the canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Since antibodies to Dkk-1 also increased the lag phase of an osteosarcoma line that expressed the gene, Dkk-1 may have a similar role in some other cell systems.