cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Are Facilitating Payments Legal

Facilitating payments are bribes paid to obtain nondiscretionary acts from government bureaucrats. The United States’ Foreign Corrupt Practices Act does not include facilitating bribes among the actions that it deems criminal. This has led to a persistent description of facilitating payments as “legal” by scholars, businesses, and even the general public. This article examines facilitating payments from the perspective of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Because this Act applies to entities with a connection to the United States, this article also adopts the perspective of a business connected to the United States. The article first examines the exception within the Act, and the definitions of the types of bribes that would fall within that exception and thus are not punishable by the Act. The article then asks whether these payments are illegal under local law, and concludes that in most cases the answer is yes. The article then returns to U.S. law, finding that even though these payments are excepted by the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, they could be found criminal under other statutes. Going beyond U.S. law, the article finds that many U.S. persons and entities are subject to similar laws in other jurisdictions that do not except facilitating payments. The article concludes that facilitating payments are not legal. Although seemingly inconsequential, the purported legality of facilitating payment provides a useful tour of the legal control of corruption. Moreover, facilitating payments inflict the same sort of moral and structural damage on societies and economies as do other forms of bribery. Finally, business firms under the jurisdiction of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act should not think that they can escape liability for making facilitating payments.
Support structures and their impacts on employee outcomes: a longitudinal field study of an enterprise system implementation

Despite the impressive progress in understanding the benefits and challenges related to enterprise system (ES) implementations--such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems--little is known about how the support structures traditionally used by organizations to help employees cope with a new ES affect employee outcomes related to the system and their jobs. Likewise, little is known about how existing peer advice ties in the business unit influence these outcomes after an ES implementation. Understanding employee outcomes is critical because of their ramifications for long-term ES success. This paper examines the impacts of four traditional support structures (namely, training, online support, help desk support, and change management support), and peer advice ties on four key employee outcomes (namely, system satisfaction, job stress, job satisfaction, and job performance). This paper also seeks to show that it is peer advice ties that best fill the complex informational needs of employees after an ES implementation by providing the right information at the right time and in the right context. The proposed model was tested in a field study conducted in one business unit of a large telecommunications company and gathered data from 120 supplier liaisons over the course of a year. Both traditional support structures and peer advice ties were found to influence the various outcomes, even after controlling for pre-implementation levels of the dependent variables. In all cases, peer advice ties was the strongest predictor, thus underscoring the importance of this critical internal resource.
Training and task-related differences in retrograde amnesia thresholds determined by direct electrical stimulation of the cortex in rats.

Abstract These experiments investigated the thresholds for producing retrograde amnesia (RA) by direct electrical stimulation of the cortex in rats. In different inhibitory (passive) avoidance tasks the degree of RA varied with the region of cortex (frontal or posterior) stimulated, as well as the motivational and training conditions used: water deprivation lowered the threshold for RA produced by frontal cortex stimulation; familiarization pretraining elevated the threshold for RA produced by posterior cortex stimulation. Brain seizure thresholds and patterns were not influenced by the variations in the motivational and pretraining conditions. These findings indicate that, in rats, the degree of RA produced by direct electrical stimulation of the cortex varies markedly with the training conditions.
Racial Diversity, Business Strategy, and Firm Performance: A Resource-Based View

Although ‘valuing diversity’ has become a watchword, field research on the impact of a culturally diverse workforce on organizational performance has not been forthcoming. Invoking a resource-based framework, in this study the author examined the relationships among cultural (racial) diversity, business strategy, and firm performance in the banking industry. Racial diversity interacted with business strategy in determining firm performance measured in three different ways, as productivity, return on equity, and market performance. The results demonstrate that cultural diversity does in fact add value and, within the proper context, contributes to firm competitive advantage.
A study of teratogenic effects of particulate compounds in the amniotic cavity of chick embryos.

SummarySilica, which is known to have certain toxic properties, was injected in colloidal suspension of minute particle size into the amniotic cavity of chick embryos. It produced defects very similar to those previously observed with the highly nontoxic colloidal alumina. Carbon particles also produced striking defects of the same types as those produced by thalidomide and other noncolloidal but insoluble compounds which have been studied previously. Microscopic studies of tissues from chick embryos inoculated with carbon particles indicated that the particles entered the integumental ectoderm where they caused severe necrosis and sloughing of cells as well as marked localized hyperplasia. Following this the carbon entered the mesoderm, either through the denuded areas or, as observed in many instances, by passing through the ectoderm into the subjacent mesoderm. In the meso-derm the particles became located at progressively deeper levels, in some cases penetrating cartilagenous structures. Studies of th...
Bayesian Analysis of the Two-Sample Problem with Incomplete Data

Abstract Suppose a sample of n units from a population with failure time cdf F(x) is put on test and the ith unit is removed from testing at min (xi, τi) where xi is the failure time of this unit and τi is a fixed truncation time. Similarly, let a second sample of units from be tested for times . A Bayesian approach for testing the hypothesis against the alternative based on such samples is considered. The posterior probability that (where k and the t's are defined later) is obtained.
Real-time microscopic imaging of esophageal epithelial disease with autofluorescence under ultraviolet excitation

Detection of esophageal disease in current clinical practice is limited to visualization of macroscopic epithelial morphology. In this work, we investigate high resolution autofluorescence imaging under ultra violet excitation to visualize microscopic epithelial changes related to disease progression using a bench top prototype microscope. The approach is based on the hypothesis that UV excitation light can only penetrate the superficial layer of cells resulting in autofluorescence images of the epithelial layer without using an additional image sectioning approach. The experiments were performed using ex vivo human esophagus biopsy specimens. The results indicate that cellular morphology information related to disease progression is attainable without tissue preparation.
Surface electronic structure and chemisorption on corundum transition-metal oxides: α - Fe 2 O 3

The surface electronic structure of single-crystal ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ has been studied by using ultraviolet and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Both nearly-perfect surfaces and surfaces containing point defects have been prepared, and the influence of ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ and ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O on both types of surfaces has been investigated. Cation core-level spectra from cleaved surfaces exhibit complex structure. The surface electronic band structure is similar to that of the bulk; at room temperature, ${\mathrm{V}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ is metallic with the Fermi level ${E}_{F}$ lying within the overlapping $\mathrm{V}(3d)$ ${a}_{1g}$ and ${e}_{g}^{\ensuremath{\pi}}$ conduction bands. A minimum in the density of states occurs between the $\mathrm{V}(3d)$ and $\mathrm{O}(2p)$ bands at 3 eV below ${E}_{F}$. The $\mathrm{O}(2p)$ valence band has a width of 5.5-6 eV. Surface defects produced by ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}$-ion bombardment are associated with O vacancies and a net charge transfer to $\mathrm{V}(3d)$ levels. ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ interacts strongly with both perfect surfaces and surface defects, transferring charge out of the $\mathrm{V}(3d)$ levels and bending both valence and conduction bands up at the surface. The work function rises dramatically, indicating the presence of a negatively charged adsorbed species (likely ${\mathrm{O}}^{2\ensuremath{-}}$). ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$O adsorbs dissociatively on both cleaved and bombarded surfaces, producing adsorbed O${\mathrm{H}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ radicals with a saturation coverage of less than 0.5 monolayer.
KLF11-mediated Repression Antagonizes Sp1/Sterol-responsive Element-binding protein-induced Transcriptional Activation of Caveolin-1 in Response to Cholesterol Signaling

Cholesterol is a potent regulator of gene expression via a canonical pathway co-regulated by SREBP and Sp1. Here we establish the caveolin-1 gene promoter as a cell type-specific model for SREBP/Sp1 regulation whereby lipoprotein cholesterol depletion activates caveolin-1 transcription in endothelial type cells, but not in fibroblasts, both in vitro and in vivo. By extending this model, we describe a novel pathway distinct from the prototypical SREBP/Sp1 regulatory loop involving the Sp1-like protein, KLF11. Through a combination of RNA interference, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, electrophoretic mobility shift assays, and reporter assays, we demonstrate that in the presence of cholesterol, KLF11 acts as a dominant repressor of the caveolin-1 gene. Mechanistically, cholesterol depletion results in displacement of KLF11 from an Sp1 site flanking an SRE, indicating that activation by SREBP/Sp1 requires antagonism of KLF11 repression. The displacement of KLF11 results from both a down-regulation of its expression and competition by Sp1 for DNA binding. Therefore, these studies identify a novel pathway whereby KLF11 repression is coordinated with Sp1/SREBP activation of cholesterol-dependent gene expression in a cell type-specific manner and outline the mechanisms by which these functions are achieved.
Interpretation of the vibronic fine structure in the fluorescence spectrum of matrix isolated UF6

Abstract The emission spectra of UF6 in an argon matrix are ascribed to a T1g state subject to a strong Jahn-Teller effect and a weak crystal field and Herzberg-Teller effects. These effects account quantitatively for the observed triplet structure of the vibronic bands without involving different crystal sites.
Wildfire Effects on Soil Nutrients and Leaching in a Tahoe Basin Watershed

A wildfire burned through a previously sampled research site, allowing pre- and post-burn measurements of the forest floor, soils, and soil leaching near Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Fire and post-fire erosion caused large and statistically significant (P < or = 0.05) losses of C, N, P, S, Ca, and Mg from the forest floor. There were no statistically significant effects on mineral soils aside from a decrease in total N in the surface (A11) horizon, an increase in pH in the A11 horizon, and increases in water-extractable SO4(2-) in the A11 and A12 horizons. Burning caused consistent but nonsignificant increases in exchangeable Ca2+ in most horizons, but no consistent or statistically significant effects on exchangeable K+ or Mg2+, or on Bray-, bicarbonate-, or water-extractable P concentrations. Before the burn, there were no significant differences in leaching, but during the first winter after the fire, soil solution concentrations of NH4+, NO3-, ortho-P, and (especially) SO4(2-) were elevated in the burned area, and resin lysimeters showed significant increases in the leaching of NH4+ and mineral N. The leaching losses of mineral N were much smaller than the losses from the forest floor and A11 horizons, however. We conclude that the major short-term effects of wildfire were on leaching whereas the major long-term effect was the loss of N from the forest floor and soil during the fire.
Improved binding of acidic bone matrix proteins to cationized filters during solid phase assays.

Summary A number of commercially available matrix filter supports have been designed for the immobilization of proteins following either electrotransfer from sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gels or direct application during dot blotting assays. These matrices differ with respect to chemical composition, charge, pore size, and degree of hydrophobicity. It follows that the properties of the protein(s) of interest will greatly influence the degree to which they interact with and ultimately bind to various filters. Acidic bone proteins contain diverse post-translational modifications that influence their interactions with solid phase matrices such as those used in immunoblotting (Western or dot blotting) or ion binding (overlay) procedures. This communication describes the results of a study comparing binding of various mixtures of non-collagenous acidic bone matrix phosphoproteins as well as purified osteopontin and osteocalcin to various filters including nitrocellulose and cationized paper or nylon. Based on our findings, we recommed the use of cationized filters for solid phase assays requiring the binding of these acidic macromolecules to background supports.
Adaptive controller design using disturbance-accommodation techniques

In this paper, the theory of disturbance-accommodating control (DAC) is extended to include the case of internal ‘disturbances’ arising from uncertain plant-parameter variations. This extension of DAC theory, when combined with existing DAC theory for external disturbances, leads to what is believed to be the first general theory of adaptive control for finite-dimensional linearized dynamical systems.
On finite deformation of composites with periodic microstructure

Abstract By incorporating the periodic Green function, which is obtained from the instantaneous nominal moduli of the matrix, in the method of periodic structures (MPS), and utilizing the extremum principles of Hashin and Shtrikman (1962), the overall moduli of a rate-independent elastic-plastic matrix reiforced with periodic distribution of cylindrical inclusions are obtained. The MPS, itself, is re-examined by homogenizing the quasi-static rate equilibrium equations and utilizing a periodic stress-free velocity gradient. It is shown that by evaluating the instantaneous nominal moduli of the matrix based on the velocity gradient in the matrix adjacent to the inclusion, instead of the average velocity gradient in the matrix, a lower bound to the overall moduli can be obtained. The numerical example involves analysis of the growth of circular cylindrical cavities in an isotropically hardening matrix.
Recombinant Human Eosinophil Cationic Protein RIBONUCLEASE ACTIVITY IS NOT ESSENTIAL FOR CYTOTOXICITY

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is a toxin secreted by activated human eosinophils that has anti-parasitic, antibacterial, and neurotoxic activities; ECP also has ribonuclease activity and structural homology to other mammalian ribonucleases. To determine the relationship between the ribonuclease activity and cytotoxicity of ECP, a method for producing recombinant ECP (rECP) in a prokaryotic expression system was devised. Periplasmic isolates from induced bacterial transfectants contained enzymatically active rECP; micromolar concentrations of rECP were shown to be toxic for Staphylococcus aureus (strain 502A). In contrast, recombinant eosinophil-derived neurotoxin, with 67% amino acid sequence identity to ECP, had little to no toxicity for S. aureus; these findings are analogous to those obtained with purified, granule-derived ECP and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin. Two single base pair mutations were introduced into the coding sequence of rECP (Lys38 to Arg and His128 to Asp) to convert ribonuclease active-site residues into non-functional counterparts. These mutations eliminated the ribonuclease activity of rECP but had no discernible effect on the antibacterial activity of this protein, demonstrating that ribonuclease activity and cytotoxicity are, in this case, independent functions of ECP.
81 TEMPERAMENTAL PROFILE OF CHILDREN WITH ENURESIS AND ENCOPRESIS

Parents of 423 school age children (60-144 mo.) were surveyed by questionnaire to assess the relationship between temperamental characteristics and selected somatic dysfunctions. From questionnaire responses 3 experimental groups were identified: current nocturnal enuresis (N=26), past history of nocturnal enuresis (N=18) and current encopresis (N=12). Each subject was matched with a control without somatic dysfunction for age, sex, grade & school. Parents of all subjects completed the Parent Impression of Temperamental Traits (PITT) a behavior rating scale which generated raw scores for 9 standard temperamental variables. PITT scores correlated favorably with the Carey Behavioral Style Questionnaire for all characteristics except mood. One-way analyses of variance (Som. Dysf. Group × Temperamental Variable) demonstrated that there was no interaction of individual groups by temperamental trait. The combined somatic dysfunction group differed (p<.05) from controls on 3 variables: low adaptability (F=4.44); negative mood (F=4.55), low persistence (F=4.16) These results suggest a characteristic temperamental profile for children who manifest two of the more common somatic dysfunctions of childhood. Characterization of a child's temperamental profile may be used to facilitate identification of children at risk for selected somatic dysfunction, assist in anticipatory guidance around toilet training issues and refine the behavioral treatment of children with manifest somatic dysfunction.
Guiding Mechanisms in Dielectric-Core Photonic-Crystal Optical Waveguides

We show that the main guiding mechanisms in dielectric-core photonic crystal optical waveguides are total internal reflection and distributed Bragg reflection. We also show that by placing a slab of semiconductor material between two photonic band gap (PBG) mirrors, we can obtain waveguide modes at frequencies out of the photonic bandgap. These modes are similar to the modes of a conventional dielectric slab waveguide. Using these modes, we can obtain very good coupling between a PBG waveguide and a dielectric slab waveguide with similar slab properties.
It was ideas and ideologies, not interests or institutions, which changed in Northwestern Europe, 1600–1848

The economic history on which recent economics has been based is erroneous, based on the Marx and Engels of 1848. What actually happened, 1517-1789, in northwestern Europe was the coming, as Schumpeter put it, of a busiess-0respecting civilization. Ideas mattered as much as, and often more than, material or institutional circumstances, such as property law or coal deposits or exploitation. The interest-only theories of Steven Cheung and Douglass North don’t work. We need a “humanomics,” whose killer app is a new and verified theory of how we became rich.
Special session 4B: Panel: Testing and calibration for power management circuits

Power management units are essential parts in almost every electronic system. PMUs have distinct test and calibration schemes compared to other regular analog circuits since they operate in the large signal mode and the operation heavily depends on the nature of the load. Built-in test and calibration for PMUs is becoming increasingly more common-place due to the challenges posed by increasing process variations, decreasing form factor, and increasingly diverse load conditions. This panel will discuss the challenges related to testing of power management circuits, calibration and built-in test approaches that are currently in place and the way to move forward.
Spatial distributions of Kv4 channels and KChip2 isoforms in the murine heart based on laser capture microdissection.

Objective: Regional differences in repolarizing K+ current densities and expression levels of their molecular components are important for coordinating the pattern of electrical excitation and repolarization of the heart. The small size of hearts from mice may obscure these interventricular and/or transmural expression differences of K+ channels. We have examined this possibility in adult mouse ventricle using a technology that provides very high spatial resolution of tissue collection. Methods: Conventional manual dissection and laser capture microdissection (LCM) were utilized to dissect tissue from distinct ventricular regions. RNA was isolated from epicardial, mid-myocardial and endocardial layers of both the right and left ventricles. Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify the transcript expression in these different regions. Results: LCM revealed significant interventricular and transmural gradients for both Kv4.2 and the alpha-subunit of KChIP2. The expression profile of a second K+ channel transcript, Kir2.1, which is responsible for the inwardly rectifying K+ current I k 1, showed no interventricular or transmural gradients and therefore served as a negative control. Conclusions: Our findings are in contrast to previous reports of a relatively uniform left ventricular transmural pattern of expression of Kv4.2, Kv4.3 and KChIP2 in adult mouse heart, which appear to be different than that in larger mammals. Specifically, our results demonstrate significant epi- to endocardial differences in the patterns of expression of both Kv4.2 and KChIP2.
Hepatic and pancreatic damage produced by cytotoxic drugs

Liver toxicity frequently complicates therapy with cytotoxic drugs. It may occur simply as transient elevation of serum transaminases and bilirubin, or be associated with clinical and pathologic evidence of chronic disease. It may be the dose-limiting side effect of certain drugs such as L-asparaginase and mithramycin, and careful attention to the dose and schedule dependency of individual hepatotoxic drugs is essential to the effective design of combination regimens. The mechanisms ofdamage are often not well established, but when they are known, the biochemical details may provide useful information either for anticipating interactions with other drugs or ameliorating toxicity. By contrast, the pancreas is only infrequently damaged clinically by anticancer drugs, and while there are some well known examples of pancreatic toxins, they are fewer in number than those that affect the liver. This review discusses the various individual agents that are reported to damage the liver and pancreas, as well as some combinations that seem to have synergistic effects.
Web Soil Survey Launches Latest Version

All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. T latest version of the Web Soil Survey 3.0 (WSS) was recently launched by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation (NRCS) and can be accessed at http://websoilsurvey.nrcs. usda.gov. The web-based application provides anyone with computer access a wealth of free soils information along with soil maps, properties, and interpretations aimed at helping with land use decisions.
Carbon nanoparticles/whiskers reinforced composites and their tensile response

Abstract A promising technique to develop polymer matrix composites by reinforcing carbon nanoparticles/whiskers through an extrusion process is described. Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) powder and carbon nanoparticles/whiskers are first dry mixed and made then into continuous filaments by hot extrusion through a small orifice under a high shear force. After extrusion, the filament is partially cooled by chilled air, dried, and continuously wound in a spool. The filaments are then laid in rovings, stacked in a unidirectional fashion, and consolidated in a compression molding machine to construct laminated composite structures. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) has been performed to compare the thermal stability of as-fabricated composites with the neat polymer. The TGA result shows that the extruded composites are thermally more stable than their neat counterpart. Tensile coupons were then extracted both in longitudinal [0°] and transverse directions [90°] and tested in a Minimat Tester. It was found that with the addition of 2% by weight of carbon nanoparticles/whiskers in LLDPE, the tensile strength and modulus of the composite have increased by 16.9 and 16.37%, respectively. The (0°) and (90°) coupons have also demonstrated to have directional effects in tensile response which is believed to have been caused by the alignment of whiskers during the extrusion process. The percentage of crystalline nature and crystal structure of carbon nanoparticles/whiskers and as-fabricated composites were also identified by the X-ray diffraction pattern. Transmission electron microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopic studies were conducted to investigate the morphology of the composite system. Details of the fabrication procedures, synthesis of composites, and mechanical testing are included in the paper.
The effects of multi-energy ion bombardment, neutron irradiation and stress/temperature cycling on fatigue failure of 316 SS

Samples which had been subjected to high fluence helium and lithium ion bombardment with concurrent temperature cycling from 340 to 580/sup 0/C were found to have a significantly higher post-irradiation fatigue life (for cycles to failure on the order of 10/sup 5/) than non-ion-bombarded samples, provided that the maximum in stress cycing during irradiation dose not exceed approximately half the yield stress. Although cycling to higher stresses during ion bombardment negates this increase, no detrimental effect on postirradiation lifetime is found despite the presence of higher densities of short surface cracks.
Fast algorithms for least-squares-based minimum variance spectral estimation

The minimum variance (MV) spectral estimator is a robust high-resolution frequency-domain analysis tool for short data records. The traditional formulation of the minimum variance spectral estimation (MVSE) depends on the inverse of a Toeplitz autocorrelation matrix, for which a fast computational algorithm exists that exploits this structure. This paper extends the MVSE approach to two data-only formulations linked to the covariance and modified covariance cases of least-squares linear prediction (LP), which require inversion of near-to-Toeplitz data product matrices. We show here that the near-to-Toeplitz matrix inverses in the two new fast algorithms have special representations as sums of products of triangular Toeplitz matrices composed of the LP parameters of the least-squares-based formulations. Fast algorithm solutions of the LP parameters have been published by one of the authors. From these, we develop fast solutions of two least-squares-based minimum variance spectral estimators (LS-based MVSEs). These new MVSEs provide additional resolution improvement over the traditional autocorrelation-based MVSE.
Patterns of Health and Illness: Using the Critical Medical Anthropological Approach to Study the Effects of Poverty on Health

AbstractThis article reviews briefly the literature both supporting and contradicting the theory that there is a positive association between poor physical and mental health and low income. The article then proposes a) the use of the critical medical anthropological model to explore the relationship between health and economic status and b) making a more intense inquiry in the contextual field of decision making from the perspective of persons in lower socioeconomic classes. The article concludes with the assertion that any democratic system has a payoff for the decision makers (i.e., the involved and voting electorate) and that the existing system, regardless of the degree to which it may be criticized, is paying off for the dominant power structure.
Employee Moral Rights: Recognizing Their Implicit Financial Investments in the Firm

The literature on employee (moral) rights has been limited to workplace human rights. This essay focuses on Employee Moral Rights defined as the moral claims individuals are entitled to due to their role as employees. Noting they make significant (although implicit) financial investments in the firm they work for, this essay argues dedicated employees should be treated as financial investors, which implies dedicated employees have the moral right to (1) be treated as every other financial investor; (2) share in the firm’s profits; (3) timely, accurate, and sufficient disclosure of significant information; (4) protection from senior managers’ abusive self-dealing; and (5) mechanisms to protect their financial investment including fair severance payments and effective pension protection.
Objectivity and rationality in epistemology and education: Scheffler's middle road

A concern about objectivity and rationality has been a major impetus to the development of philosophy in the West. Students of Greek philosophy are well aware of the effect that new currents of thinking about custom, knowledge, and belief had in motivating the inquiries that Socrates first undertook, inquiries about objectivity and truth that were codified and transmitted into our philosophical culture by his student Plato. As the society of the Athenians opened up both to dissident voices from within and to new perspectives from the nonAthenian world, common sense modes of justifying thought and action were questioned. A slight but significant awareness of the role of history in human affairs led to an inkling among some Athenians that modes of life that had previously been taken as divinely revealed and established might actually be simply the result of time and chance. The very notion of common sense was then questioned as the certainties of one's own culture were seen to clash with those of other cultures. In response to these destabilizing currents, some simply insisted on the incorrigible veracity of common sense or custom; through ostracism and sometimes force some elements of the status quo fought to close Athenian society to currents of change. Others, including many of those called Sophists, took the new knowledge about history and other cultures to imply a sort of relativism or subjectivism; combined with a proto-Nietzschean view of power and belief these Sophists taught the pursuit of influence rather than the acceptance of custom. Philosophy takes root in the West when Socrates enters the fray to oppose both the common-sensists and the relativists in the name of objectivity, and in so doing to engage in a radically new kind of thinking. Socrates' legacy to future philosophers is contained in his insistence that objective inquiry into the nature and worth of our most basic beliefs and practices is possible, and that rationality is a central part of any human life worth living. He rejects, then, both the 'head in the
mRNA expression profile of a human cancer cell line in response to Ginkgo biloba extract: induction of antioxidant response and the Golgi system.

Supplementation of diets with plant extracts for health and prevention of degenerative diseases is popular. However the molecular basis of their therapeutic potentials are poorly defined. We hypothesized that in vitro assays that enable quantitative analysis of the gene expression profiles combined with targeted biochemical analysis can identify the potential effects of phytochemicals. The hypothesis was tested by application of GeneChips to define mRNA expressions of a human bladder cancer cell line incubated with a flavonoid containing extract of Ginkgo biloba leaves. The analysis of the transcriptional response revealed a net activation of transcription. Functional classification of the affected mRNAs showed the largest changes in the abundance of mRNAs for intracellular vesicular transport, mitochondria, transcription and antioxidants. The transcripts for hemeoxygenase-1, mitochondrial superoxide dismutase and the regulatory subunit of γ-glutamyl-cysteinyl synthetase and their encoded proteins were el...
A fluorescent ‘off-on-off’ proton switch with an overriding ‘enable-disable’ sodium ion switch

A molecular photoionic switch that responds to three cationic inputs with a primary ‘off-on-off’ and a secondary overriding ‘enable-disable’ fluorescence output, via the control of three separate photoinduced electron transfer (PET) processes is described.
Effects of a-priori information on detection of simulated lung nodules in digital chest radiography

Two years ago we first reported the preliminary results from an experimental methodology that we believed would be sensitive enough to enable the measurement of very subtle changes in observer detection performance [1]. If successful, we intended to apply this methodology to the evaluation of computer enhancement techniques. The procedure had two facets: generation of digital images using a 3M chest phantom with simulated lung and heart structures, and the presentation of reference information to the observers during the psychophysical experimental session. We used our Toshiba computed radiography (TCR) 201A system to generate the digital images. The digital images were a benchmark from which we could physically measure changes due to image processing. Eventually we hoped to be able correlate physical measurements taken from the digital image to psychophysical detection measurements to get a better understanding of the effect of processing on perception. We believe that this correlatiye information will eventually help us to find or develop enhancement techniques that measurably improve detection. Once we knew that a teOhnique increased detection, then we would apply it to clinical images and evaluate the technique's increases in diagnostic accuracy.
Clinical evidence of cardiac weakness and incoordination secured by simultaneous records of the force BCG and carotid pulse derivative and interpreted by an electrical analogue

Abstract Studies made on an electrical model of the circulation have clarified our methods of diagnosing cardiac weakness and incoordination from the force BCG and improved our interpretation of such records in physiological terms. The force BCG and carotid dp dt taken simultaneously yield more exact physiological information about the heart's performance than does either record taken alone. Their limitations are discussed. When the physiological interpretation of the records of any patient is in doubt one can consult the model. By altering the physiological components of the model until the BCG and dp dt of a patient are reproduced, one can estimate the cardiac ejection curve at each instant of time and identify the underlying physiological abnormalities of the heart and circulation.
Development and Relative Assessments of Models for Characterizing the Current Dependent Hysteresis Properties of Magnetorheological Fluid Dampers

Magnetorheological (MR) dampers exhibit hysteretic and nonlinear force— velocity characteristics, which are strongly dependent upon the nature of the excitation and applied current. A number of reported models for characterizing such hysteretic and nonlinear force—velocity properties are reviewed in view of their applicability for predicting the hysteretic damping force under varying applied current and excitation conditions. It is concluded that the vast majority of these models lack consideration of damping force dependence upon the control current, and the frequency and magnitude of excitation. An independent current function is proposed that could enhance the current-dependent damping force prediction ability of the selected models, when integrated with the hysteretic force function. The parameters of the resulting modified models are identified on the basis of the measured data acquired for a MR-damper under wide ranges of excitation amplitudes and frequencies, and applied currents. These include mod...
The influence of temperature and pH on trace metal speciation in seawater

Abstract Using available data we have constructed complexation schemes which depict the influence of temperature and pH on metal speciation in seawater. Our calculations show that the extent of complexation of strongly hydrolyzed metals in seawater is strongly temperature and pH dependent. The extent of complexation of the twenty or more metals present in seawater predominantly as carbonate complexes is substantially influenced by pH and temperature, but to a much smaller degree than strongly hydrolyzed metals. For the small group of metals extensively complexed with chloride ions in seawater, temperature and pH appear to be variables of minor significance. We have identified the following concerns. (i) In general, previous experimental work does not provide well defined descriptions of metal hydrolysis under weakly alkaline conditions. (ii) Very few studies have been devoted to characterizing the temperature dependence of carbonate complexation equilibria. (iii) There are major uncertainties in the primary data upon which characterizations of Pd (II), Pt (II), Au (I), Ag (I) and Cu (I) chemistry are based.
Characterization of a gene encoding a manganese peroxidase from Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The complete nucleotide (nt) sequence of a gene (mnp-1) encoding manganese peroxidase isozyme 1 (MnP-1) (pI = 4.9) from Phanerochaete chrysosporium has been determined. The sequence of 2539 bp includes 526 bp of 5'-flanking sequence and 368 bp 3' to the poly(A) site. Comparison of cDNA and genomic sequences indicates six introns varying in size from 57-72 bp. Intron splice-junction sequences all adhere to the GT---AG rule. The positions of the introns show little similarity to the intron positions in the closely related lignin peroxidase-encoding genes. The 5' upstream region of the mnp-1 gene contains a TATAA element and three inverted CCAAT elements (ATTGG) at nt positions -81, -181, -195, and -304, respectively, relative to the start codon. In addition, the mnp-1 gene contains three putative heat-shock (HS) elements similar to the consensus C--GAA--TTC--G sequence, and two consensus metal response elements located within 500 bp upstream from the start codon. Furthermore, Northern-blot analysis demonstrates that mnp gene transcription is regulated by HS.
Laboratory Realizations of Stratified Seamount-trapped Waves

Abstract The response of a uniformly rotating, uniformly stratified fluid surrounding an axisymmetric Gaussian seamount to barotropic, rectilinear tidal forcing at a range of subinertial frequencies is examined in a rotating table laboratory experiment. Flow is compared to numerical solutions for linear, stratified, seamount-trapped waves. As is appropriate to model the oceanic system at Fieberling Guyot, laboratory forcing is weak and motions have small Rossby number and small wave steepness, the ratio between particle orbit length and seamount circumference. The numerical solutions are used to explore properties of the gravest first azimuthal seamount-trapped wave mode, which is most likely to be observed in the ocean. Particles execute nearly circular orbits in a bottom-trapped region above the seamount summit. On the sloping flanks below, particles follow narrow elliptical paths oriented along seamount contours, and the azimuthal velocity is reversed relative to that above the summit. Force balances a...
Part-to-Part and Part-to-Substrate Magnetic Self-Assembly of Millimeter Scale Components with Angular Orientation

This paper presents multifunctional self-assembly of millimeter scale components using magnetic forces between permanent micromagnets integrated on the component surfaces. Part-to-part assembly is demonstrated by batch assembly of free-floating 1mm × 1mm × 0.5mm silicon parts in a liquid environment with the assembly yield varying from 88% to 90%. Part-to-substrate assembly is demonstrated by assembling an ordered array on a substrate in a dry environment with the assembly yield varying from 87% to 98%. In both cases, diverse magnetic shapes/patterns are used to control the alignment and angular orientation of the components and assembly times range from 15 - 240 s.
An Open Distributed Architecture for Reuse and Integration of Heterogeneous NLP Components

The shift from Computational Linguistics to Language Engineering is indicative of new trends in NLP. This paper reviews two NLP engineering problems: reuse and integration, while relating these concerns to the larger context of applied NLP. It presents a software architecture which is geared to support the development of a variety of large-scale NLP applications: Information Retrieval, Corpus Processing, Multilingual MT, and integration of Speech Components.
Asymptotic Distribution of the Maximum Likelihood Estimator for a Stochastic Frontier Function Model with a Singular Information Matrix

This paper investigates the asymptotic distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator in a stochastic frontier function when the firms are all technically efficient. For such a situation the true parameter vector is on the boundary of the parameter space, and the scores are linearly dependent. The asymptotic distribution of the maximum likelihood estimator is shown to be a mixture of certain truncated distributions. The maximum likelihood estimates for different parameters may have different rates of stochastic convergence. The model can be reparameterized into one with a regular likelihood function. The likelihood ratio test statistic has the usual mixture of chi-square distributions as in the regular case.
In utero pulmonary artery and aortic growth and potential for progression of pulmonary outflow tract obstruction in tetralogy of fallot

Objectives. This study was designed to define patterns of pulmonary artery and aortic growth in fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot and to determine the potential for in utero progression of right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Background. Despite an abundance of reports documenting the prenatal diagnosis of tetralogy of Fallot, there is little information about its course in utero. Methods. Pulmonary artery and ascending aortic diameters were measured from prenatal and postnatal echocardiograms of 16 fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot, initially studied at 23.6 ± 6.0 (mean ± SD) weeks of gestation. Fetuses were classified retrospectively as having mild and severe tetralogy of Fallot according to whether the pulmonary artery circulation was (severe, n = 5) or was not (mild, n = 11) ductus arteriosus dependent at birth. Results. Initial main pulmonary artery diameter was small for gestational age in 9 fetuses, large in 2 and normal in 5 compared with data from 57 gestational age-adjusted normal fetal studies; it was significantly smaller in the group with severe tetralogy of Fallot (p = 0.05). The initial main pulmonary artery/aortic diameter ratio was also smaller for the group with severe tetralogy of Fallot (0.50 ± 0.15 vs. 0.73 ± 0.14 in the group with mild tetralogy of Fallot, p = 0.01). Initial aortic and branch pulmonary artery diameters tended to be normal or near normal for age. In eight fetuses serially studied, main and branch pulmonary artery growth was normal or reduced during prenatal follow-up. Pulmonary artery growth was most reduced in two fetuses in the group with severe tetralogy of Fallot, resulting in pulmonary artery hypoplasia at birth. Two fetuses with valvular pulmonary atresia at birth had previously shown anterograde pulmonary outflow in midgestation, suggesting progression of pulmonary outflow obstruction. Conclusions. The postnatal spectrum of pulmonary artery size in tetralogy of Fallot can be attributed to variable patterns of growth in utero. Main pulmonary artery size, main pulmonary artery/aortic diameter ratio and pattern of pulmonary artery growth may be predictive of the severity of postnatal pulmonary outflow obstruction. Pulmonary atresia can develop in utero in some fetuses with tetralogy of Fallot.
Gauge invariant quantum variables in QCD

Abstract We establish the gauge invariance property of recently proposed variables that lead to flux tubes in the strong coupling limit of quantum chromodynamics. We present a method for deriving the SU(N)1 ⊗ SU(N)2 ⊗ SU(N)3 algebra satisfied by these variables, which was previously guessed in an axial gauge formalism. We make use of Dirac brackets and apply our method to light-cone variables of similar nature.
Does trypsin extract soluble antigen meet the criteria of immunogenicity without allergenicity

We were unable to confirm the finding of Crowle that TESA possesses the attribute of immunogenicity and absence of allergenicity which are desired in a non-living antituberculosis vaccine. This disagreement could be a function of the particular lot of TESA examined and/or differences in the animal test systems used for the assay of protective potency. The relative contribution of these two possibilities could be determined by the simultaneous assay of a potent TESA product in different laboratories using different animal models.
Perfectly matched layer boundary conditions for quantum phase space transport

The use of a perfectly matched layer absorbing boundary condition for solutions of the Wigner transport equation is proposed. The formulation of the perfectly matched layer is demonstrated and its performance is evaluated by means of an error-analysis.
Measurement of the Neutron Energy Dependence of Base Current Degradation of a Silicon Bipolar Transistor

A measurement of the neutron energy dependence of base current of a small signal bipolar transistor is given. The theory of the method, the neutron radiation damage calibration and measurement, the neutron dosimetry, and an experiment to test the concepts and to obtain preliminary results are described.
PHENOMENOLOGICAL THEORY NEAR CRITICAL POINTS.

Abstract Information in the order-parameter correlation function is used to construct a phenomenological theory which agrees with the known critical exponents, includes the effects of large fluctuations, and is valid right up to the critical points.
Sleep Fragmentation Has Differential Effects on Obese and Lean Mice

Chronic sleep fragmentation (SF), common in patients with sleep apnea, correlates with the development of obesity. We hypothesized that SF differentially affects neurobehavior in lean wild-type (WT) and obese pan-leptin receptor knockout (POKO) mice fed the same normal diet. First, we established an SF paradigm by interrupting sleep every 2 min during the inactive light span. The maneuver was effective in decreasing sleep duration and bout length, and in increasing sleep state transition and waking, without significant rebound sleep in the dark span. Changes of sleep architecture were evident in the light span and consistent across days 1–10 of SF. There was reduced NREM, shortened sleep latency, and increased state transitions. During the light span of the first day of SF, there also was reduction of REM and increased delta power of slow-wave sleep. Potential effects of SF on thermal pain threshold, locomotor activity, and anxiety were then tested. POKO mice had a lower circadian amplitude of pain latency than WT mice in the hot plate test, and both groups had lowest tolerance at 4 pm (zeitgeber time (ZT) 10) and longest latency at 4 am (ZT 22). SF increased the pain threshold in WT but not in POKO mice when tested at 8 a.m. (ZT 2). Both the POKO mutation and SF resulted in reduced physical activity and increased anxiety, but there was no additive effect of these two factors. Overall, SF and the POKO mutation differentially regulate mouse behavior. The results suggest that obesity can blunt neurobehavioral responses to SF.