cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cultural Foundations of Peace: How Business, Law, Ethics, and Music Can Provide Infrastructure for Social Harmony

This Article brings together the seemingly divergent topics of business, law, ethics, and music. It articulates a way for business, as aided by the structures of law and ethics, to be an instrument of peace, and further proposes that music can constructively enhance the power, range, and tone of that instrument. In advancing these arguments, the Article follows a transitivity of concepts: that is, businesses that adhere to legal and ethical principles can foster peace; music and other cultural artifacts can foster ethical and legal business behavior; therefore, music and culture can foster social harmony and lay the foundations of peace. This ordering, and its underlying logic, forms the Article’s normative core. To support it, four moves are made. First, the longstanding literature demonstrating the connection between business and peace is synthesized and linked to an emerging one suggesting that cultural artifacts — music, film, sports, the arts — can play a role in peacemaking. Second, the internal workings of businesses are explored to reveal their peace-building capabilities, which are shown both theoretically and empirically along a three-part, trust-focused law and ethics continuum. Third, the notion of Good Trust, the most valued kind of trust in business, is considered in the context of music. Here the symbiotic relationship between Good Trust and music is demonstrated, indicating that music can foster a level of trust that creates peace. Fourth, objections to music’s role in business and peace are considered and overcome. As the first to sketch the terrain of this new landscape, the Article offers a compelling articulation of a novel area of academic inquiry and calls for future research at the intersection of business, law, ethics, music, and other cultural foundations of peace.
Testing new compounds for efficacy against Varroa destructor and safety to honey bees (Apis mellifera).

BACKGROUND Varroa destructor is among the greatest threats to honey bee health worldwide. Acaricides used to control Varroa are becoming increasingly ineffective due to resistance issues, prompting the need for new compounds that can be used for control purposes. Ideally, such compounds would exhibit high toxicity to Varroa while maintaining relatively low toxicity to bees and beekeepers. We characterized the lethal concentrations (LC50 ) of amitraz, matrine, FlyNap®, the experimental carbamates 2-((2-ethylbutyl)thio)phenyl methylcarbamate (1) and 2-(2-ethylbutoxy)phenyl methylcarbamate (2), and dimethoate (positive control) for Varroa using a glass vial assay. The test compounds also were applied to honey bees using an acute contact toxicity assay to determine the adult bee LD50 for each compound. RESULTS Amitraz was the most toxic compound to Varroa, but carbamate 2 was nearly as active (within 2-fold) and the most selective due to its lower bee toxicity, demonstrating its promise as a Varroa control. While carbamate 1 was less toxic to honey bees than was amitraz, it was also 4.7-fold less toxic to the mites. Both matrine and FlyNap® were relatively ineffective at killing Varroa and were moderately toxic to honey bees. CONCLUSION Additional testing is required to determine if carbamate 2 can be used as an effective Varroa control. As new chemical treatments are identified, it will be necessary to determine how they can be utilized best alongside other control techniques as part of an integrated pest management program.
Kaon and nucleon form factors using vector dominance

The nucleon form factorsGE(t) andGM(t) are related to the K-meson isoscalar and isovector electromagnetic form factors in the vector-dominance model assuming the existence of universality among form factors. The mean charge radius of the nucleon is calculated along with that of the K-meson. Relationships among the total cross-sections for the processes e+e−→KK, ππ are stated.
Identifying Healthy Menu Items

Abstract To help restaurants accommodate and promote the growing interest in nutrition, Colorado State University's (CSU) Cooperative Extension and the American Heart Association (AHA) of Colorado created the Dine to Your Heart's Delight restaurant program. The program was designed to help restaurateurs develop and promote healthful menu choices through designated menu items which were lower in fat, cholesterol, calories, and sodium. The program proved popular in the late 1980s, after which participation inexplicably declined. On May 2, 1997, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations for nutritional labeling of restaurant menu items that bear a claim took effect. These new regulations provide an opportunity and a challenge for restaurateurs. An assessment of restaurant manager opinions and criteria for selecting and participating in a point of choice nutrition program are delineated.
Cross-Frontal Water Exchange on Georges Bank: Some Results from an U.S. GLOBEC/Georges Bank Program Model Study

This paper reviews recent progress on modeling cross-frontal water exchange on Georges Bank undertaken as part of the U.S. Global Ecosystem Northwest Atlantic/Georges Bank Study (U.S. GLOBEC/Georges Bank Program). A simple conceptual model is described first, followed by a discussion of four physical mechanisms associated with (1) strong nonlinear interaction, (2) asymmetric tidal mixing, (3) varying wind forcing, and (4) chaotic mixing. Some critical issues in modeling studies of fronts are also addressed. A new unstructured grid, finite-volume coastal ocean ecosystem model is introduced. This model combines the best of the finite-difference method for the simplest discrete computational efficiency and the finite-element method for geometric flexibility. Because the finite-volume method discretizes the integral form of the governing equations, this approach provides a better representation for the conservation laws of mass and momentum are satisfied, which is particularly important in the frontal regions.
Sea of dual mode polymer pillar I/O interconnections for gigascale integration

The Sea of Polymer Pillars offers highly compliant electrical, optical, and RF wafer-level I/O interconnects at an I/O density larger than 10/sup 5//cm/sup 2/. Dual mode I/O pillars function simultaneously as both electrical and optical interconnects to offer circuit/system designers essentially unlimited I/O bandwidth at potentially the lowest cost.
Functional genomic approaches to understanding molecular chaperones and stress responses.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a few key examples that underscore how characterization of proteins identified solely on the basis of their status as conserved targets of the heat shock response has led to insights into the cell biology of protein synthesis, folding, and degradation. In particular, this strategy has allowed the discovery of new general molecular chaperones, a connection between the cellular chaperone and degradation machinery, and, more recently, an unexpected relationship between ribosome metabolism and the heat shock response. The chapter concentrates on lessons learned from the application of genomic array technology to a specific folding stress response, the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is critical for maintaining the integrity of protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). In addition, the chapter also focuses on the characterization of the different cellular processes induced by the UPR and speculates on how these various processes might act in a coherent way to aid ER folding.
Common genetic polymorphisms affect the human requirement for the nutrient choline

Humans eating diets deficient in the essential nutrient choline can develop organ dysfunction. We hypothesized that common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in choline metabolism influence the dietary requirement of this nutrient. Fifty-seven humans were fed a low choline diet until they developed organ dysfunction or for up to 42 days. We tested DNA SNPs for allelic association with susceptibility to developing organ dysfunction associated with choline deficiency. We identified an SNP in the promoter region of the phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase gene (PEMT; -744 G-->C; rs12325817) for which 18 of 23 carriers of the C allele (78%) developed organ dysfunction when fed a low choline diet (odds ratio 25, P=0.002). The first of two SNPs in the coding region of the choline dehydrogenase gene (CHDH; +318 A-->C; rs9001) had a protective effect on susceptibility to choline deficiency, while a second CHDH variant (+432 G-->T; rs12676) was associated with increased susceptibility to choline deficiency. A SNP in the PEMT coding region (+5465 G-->A; rs7946) and a betaine:homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT) SNP (+742 G-->A; rs3733890) were not associated with susceptibility to choline deficiency. Identification of common polymorphisms that affect dietary requirements for choline could enable us to identify individuals for whom we need to assure adequate dietary choline intake.
Physiological factors affecting the rapid decrease in protein assimilation efficiency by a caterpillar on newly‐mature tree leaves

Lymantria dispar L. caterpillars have a decreased ability to assimilate protein from mature leaves of red oak (Quercus rubra) compared with young, expanding leaves. The present study determines whether the drop in protein assimilation efficiency (PAE) occurs during the rapid phase of leaf maturation. Several mechanisms that might account for decreased PAE are also examined: mature leaf tissues could resist being chewed efficiently, protein in mature leaf tissues could become difficult to extract, and other nutrients in mature leaves might become growth limiting. The entire seasonal decrease in PAE occurs rapidly (in less than 2 weeks), when the leaves finished expanding. The maturation process is characterized by increased levels of fibre and decreased levels of water but no significant changes in the levels of protein or carbohydrates. Despite increased fibre in mature leaves, they are not chewed into larger food particles than are immature leaves. Carbohydrate assimilation efficiencies remain high on mature leaves, and signs of limiting water levels in larvae of L. dispar on mature leaves are not observed. The most important finding in the present study is the decreased extractability of protein in food particles from mature leaves, which plays a major role in explaining the rapid decrease in PAE. It is hypothesized that structural changes in cell walls during the rapid process of leaf maturation decrease protein extractability, which, in turn, greatly decreases the nutritional quality of mature oak leaves for caterpillars. The results of the present study therefore suggest a general mechanism to help explain the widely documented decrease in the nutritional quality of the mature leaves of many tree species for herbivorous insects.
Rapid evolutionary divergence of proteins in mammalian mitochondrial ribosomes

Compared to cytoplasmic ribosomes (cytoribosomes), the mitochondrial ribosomes (mitoribosomes) of distantly related organisms are surprisingly diverse with respect to their physical and chemical properties [l] . Among more closely related organisms, such as the vertebrates, very little variation is seen in the overall structural properties of mitoribosomes. Nevertheless, in view of the general trend toward greater phylogenetic variation among mitoribosomes than among cytoribosomes, it seems likely that systematic differences among the mitoribosomes of these closely related species could be detected at a sufficiently detailed level of analysis, as for example in an electrophoretic analysis of the ribosomal proteins. Comparisons of the proteins of cytoribosomes by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis have revealed that most or all of these proteins are electrophoretically indistinguishable in mammals, birds and reptiles [2-4]. Electrophoretic analyses of mitoribosomal proteins from rat [5,6] and bovine [7] liver have also been performed. However, different electrophoretic systems were used in these studies, so it is impossible to compare the electrophoretic properties of rat and bovine mitoribosomal proteins from these results. The present experiments permit a direct comparison, and a test of the proposition that mitochondrial ribosomes show a higher rate of evolutionary divergence than cytoplasmic ribosomes.
Empirical threshold of representation

Abstract An operational method using data from previous elections is proposed for determining the vote share a small party needs to have a fifty-fifty chance of winning its first seat. The resulting median value for 23 electoral systems is 1.0 per cent of the nation-wide vote, with a range from 0.1 to 8 per cent. This empirical threshold of representation is affected by assembly size, legal representation threshold (if any exists), and geographical concentration of small party votes. In turn, this threshold affects the number of seat-winning parties and the effective number of parties in the system. Empirical thresholds can also be calculated on the district level. They can then be compared with theoretical thresholds of representation, and unanticipated discrepancies occur, because apparently minor aspects of electoral rules can alter the outcome.
BILDERVERBOT MEETS BODY IN THEODOR W. ADORNO'S INVERSE THEOLOGY

A recurring issue in analyzing the work of the critical theorist Theodor W. Adorno (d. 1969) is how to understand his professed adherence to the biblical commandment that prohibits the manufacture of images of the divine—referred to as the “image ban” or Bilderverbot (Exod 20:4–5). Adorno writes, “I see no other possibility than that of extreme asceticism toward any faith in revelation, and extreme allegiance to the Bilderverbot .” Theodor W. Adorno, “Vernunft und Offenbarung,” Gesammelte Schriften (20 vols.; Frankfurt am Main: Suhrkamp, 1970–1993) 10:616. See also Gesammelte Schriften 6:207, 293–94; idem, Negative Dialectics (trans. E. B. Ashton; New York: Continuum, 1994) 207, 298–99. Gesammelte Schriften 3:40; idem and Max Horkheimer, Dialectic of Enlightenment (trans. John Cumming; New York: Continuum, 1994). Adorno also prohibits pronunciation of the divine name; see Gesammelte Schriften 6:394; Negative Dialectics , 402. Some readers' interest in the significance of Adorno's allegiance to the Bilderverbot is primarily theological. Others' interest, particularly that of his successors in critical theory, is primarily political. In their estimation, Adorno's allegiance to the Bilderverbot undermines any contribution he might make to contemporary formulations of an emancipatory praxis.
Estimating a gene's mutation burden by the number of observed synonymous base substitutions

A common goal of tumor sequencing projects is the identification of genes whose mutations are selected for during tumor development. This is accomplished by finding genes that have more nonsynonymous mutations than expected by an estimated background mutation frequency. While this frequency is unknown, it can be estimated using both the observed synonymous mutation frequency, and the nonsynonymous to synonymous mutation ratio. The synonymous mutation frequency can be determined across all genes, or in a gene-specific manner. This choice introduces an interesting tradeoff. A gene-specific frequency is difficult to estimate given small or missing synonymous mutation counts, but adjusts for an underlying mutation load bias. Using a genome-wide synonymous frequency is more robust, but is less suited for adjusting for the same bias. Studying three evaluation criteria for identifying genes with high nonsynonymous mutation burden (preferential selection of expressed genes, genes with mutations in conserved bases, and genes that show loss of heterozygosity), we find that the gene-specific synonymous frequency is superior in the gene expression and conservation tests, while both frequencies perform similarly for the loss of heterozygosity test. In conclusion, we believe that the use of the gene-specific synonymous mutation frequency is well suited for estimating a gene's nonsynonymous mutation burden.
Family Satisfaction in the ICU: Differences Between Families of Survivors and Nonsurvivors

Background We previously noted that the families of patients dying in the ICU reported higher satisfaction with their ICU experience than the families of survivors. However, the reasons for this finding were unclear. In the current study, we sought to confirm these findings and identify specific aspects of care that were rated more highly by the family members of patients dying in the ICU compared to family members of ICU survivors. Methods A total of 539 family members with a patient in the ICU were surveyed. Family satisfaction was measured using the 24-item family satisfaction in the ICU questionnaire. Ordinal logistic regression identified which components of family satisfaction were associated with the patient's outcome ( ie , whether the patient lived or died). Results A total of 51% of respondents had a loved one die in the ICU. Overall, the families of patients dying in the ICU were more satisfied with their ICU experience than were families of ICU survivors, and the largest differences were noted for care aspects directly affecting family members. Significant differences were found for inclusion in decision making, communication, emotional support, respect and compassion shown to family, and consideration of family needs (p Conclusions The families of patients dying in the ICU were more satisfied with their ICU experience than were the families of ICU survivors. The reasons for this difference were higher ratings on family-centered aspects of care. These findings suggest that efforts to improve the support of ICU family members should focus not only on the families of dying patients but also on the families of patients who survive their ICU stay.
Preparation and the structural determination of hydroperoxy derivatives of docosahexaenoic acid and other polyunsaturates by thermospray LC/MS

Abstract A new method to determine the structure of lipoxygenase reaction products is presented. Thermospray mass spectra of hydroperoxy derivatives of polyunsaturates contain both molecular ion species and fragment reflecting the position of oxygenation. Data are presented for hydroperoxyl-docosahexaenoic, eicosapentaenoic, arachidonic and linoleic acids in this regard. Ten positional isomers of hydroperoxy docosahexaenoic acid were prepared by autooxidation and their structures were determined by thermospray LC/MS and confirmed by electron impact GC/MS after suitable derivatives were made. This technique was particularly useful in determining the structure of unknown metabolites by direct monitoring of the reaction mixture without derivation. In this paper, the value of this approach is demonstrated using a soybean lipoxygenase reaction mixture as a simple example.
The global impact of land-use change

creased by 25% to greater than 350 ppm. Water quality and soil fertility in many regions of the world have been severely degraded, and the biotic system has been dissected, depleted, and endangered by increasing human demands (Ojima et al. 1991). To understand the cause and the effect of global change, the scientific community must focus greater attention on the social context (i.e., cultural, political, demographic, and economic factors) influencing human impact on the global environ-
Factors affecting the recognition of reverberant speech by elderly listeners.

Elderly listeners have been shown to experience greater difficulty with speech understanding than young listeners. The greater difficulty with speech understanding in elderly listeners has been att...
Calculation of external-internal flow fields for mixed-compression inlets

Supersonic inlet flows with mixed external-internal compressions were computed using a combined implicit-explicit (Beam-Warming-Steger/MacCormack) method for solving the three-dimensional unsteady, compressible Navier-Stokes equations in conservation form. Numerical calculations were made of various flows related to such inlet operations as the shock-wave intersections, subsonic spillage around the cowl lip, and inlet started versus unstarted conditions. Some of the computed results were compared with wind tunnel data.
Formation of vitamin D esters in vivo

A nonpolar metabolite of vitamin D appears in the liver and carcass within 2 hours after 3H-vitamin D3 administration to vitamin D-deficient rats. Its concentration in liver and carcass remains low regardless of the amount of vitamin D administered or time after dosage. It has not been detected in extracts of blood. This metabolite migrates on silicic acid columns identically with vitamin D palmitate and yields almost entirely vitamin D3 on saponification. The vitamin D3 thus produced was identified by co-chromatography with crystalline vitamin D3 and by bioassay. Thus the metabolite has been identified as an ester of vitamin D and a long chain fatty acid.
Charge induced pattern formation on surfaces: segregation in cylindrical micelles of cationic-anionic peptide-amphiphiles.

Micelles, vesicles, and films composed of two species of incompatible heterogenous molecules exhibit full internal segregation of the component species. This macroscopic segregation can be inhibited by oppositely charging the two different molecular species. The degree of compatibility achieved by the charges leads to either fully homogenous mixtures or to local segregation and the possible formation of regular patterns. We investigate the induction of periodic surface patterns by the presence of opposite charges in flat films and cylindrical micelles. In the strong segregation limit the incompatibility between species can be described by a line tension parameter γ. The size of the patterns formed is of the order of a characteristic size L∼(γ/σ2)1/2, where σ is the surface charge density. The pattern symmetry on flat surfaces is function only of the fraction of area covered by the components, f: lamellar for 0.34<f<0.66 and hexagonal otherwise. In cationic and anionic mixtures aggregated into cylindrical ...
P Bodies and the Control of mRNA Translation and Degradation

Recent results indicate that many untranslating mRNAs in somatic eukaryotic cells assemble into related mRNPs that accumulate in specific cytoplasmic foci referred to as P bodies. Transcripts associated with P body components can either be degraded or return to translation. Moreover, P bodies are also biochemically and functionally related to some maternal and neuronal mRNA granules. This suggests an emerging model of cytoplasmic mRNA function in which the rates of translation and degradation of mRNAs are influenced by a dynamic equilibrium between polysomes and the mRNPs seen in P bodies. Moreover, some mRNA-specific regulatory factors, including miRNAs and RISC, appear to repress translation and promote decay by recruiting P body components to individual mRNAs.
Kleingrass growth and utilization by growing steers

Abstract A model of kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) growth and utilization by steers is presented. The model included stochastic inputs of climatological characteristics, water retention at different soil depths, rainfall runoff, potential evapotranspiration, forage growth, forage intake and steer performance. The model was used in a 2 × 3 × 4 factorial experiment where the factors were energy systems (ARC, 1965 versus NRC, 1976), stocking rates (2·47 head per hectare, 4·32 head per hectare and 6·18 head per hectare), and four management options. Individual steer weights by months were not significantly affected by the use of either energy system. Steer weights at the end of the grazing season were affected (F = 0·06) by energy system, the NRC system predicting 7·2 kg per head more liveweight gain than the ARC system. The light stocking rate had greater (P = 0·01−0·13) daily gains over months than the heavier stocking rates. The heavy stocking rate resulted, however, in greater (P
Reading teacher effectiveness: Implications for teaching the gifted

Comprehension and decoding skills development are factors affecting the quality of reading instruction in schools. Pertinent research literature is reviewed. The teacher is the most influential contributing to students’ learning. Other contributing factors are opportunity to learn, engagement in learning, and of course, effective diagnosis. The need for further research on reading skills diagnosis is discussed.
New Demerit Control Limits for Poisson Distributed Defects

Defects may be categorized according to the degree to which they affect product quality. The weighted sum of each category's defects is considered an observation of demerits that may be monitored using a demerit control chart. Traditionally, this chart ..
Friendships Between Black and White Women

This article focuses on the challenges facing one European American woman as she delved into a topic that has seen little research. What is the essence of friendships between Black women and White women, and how do cross-racial female dyads negotiate their differences? For the researcher, the challenge was in developing an appropriate methodology that could elicit honest responses from participants who sit on either side of a racial divide. Eight women in four cross-racial friendship dyads were interviewed individually and in their friendship dyad to discover the effect racial difference has on friendship negotiation. Questions posed revolve around race, class, power, and political possibilities for impacting racism. The data revealed the possibilities for crossing the racial divide that has historically kept Black women and White women at a distance. It showed the potentiality for these women to experience not only equal but sustaining friendships.
Expression, Secretion, and Processing of Rice α-Amylase in the Yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

The gene encoding rice alpha-amylase in Oryza sativa was expressed in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica, which is a potential host system for heterologous protein expression. For efficient secretion, the strong and inducible XPR2 promoter was used in the construction of four kinds of expression vectors with the following configurations between the XPR2 promoter and terminator: 1) XPR2 prepro-region-rice alpha-amylase coding sequence, 2) rice alpha-amylase signal peptide-rice alpha-amylase coding sequence, 3) XPR2 signal peptide-rice alpha-amylase coding sequence, and 4) XPR2 signal peptide-dipeptide stretch-rice alpha-amylase coding sequence. Secretion of active recombinant rice alpha-amylase into the culture medium was achieved only in the first two cases, demonstrating that the XPR2 signal peptide is not sufficient to direct the secretion of heterologous protein. Furthermore, our study shows that the XPR2 prepro-region causes imprecise processing (after Pro150-Ala151 or Val135-Leu136 instead of Lys156-Arg157) and leads to N-terminal amino acid sequences that differ from that of native rice alpha-amylase. Secondary structure analysis proposed that the structural form in the vicinity of the KEX2-like endopeptidase processing site in the XPR2 pro-region might play a critical role in the processing of heterologous proteins. These results suggest that the XPR2 pro-region is dispensable for obtaining the precise N-terminal amino acid in heterologous protein secretion. In contrast, utilizing the rice alpha-amylase signal peptide was sufficient in directing secretion of recombinant protein with the expected N-terminal sequence, indicating that the signal peptide of rice alpha-amylase was effectively recognized and processed by the Y. lipolytica secretory pathway.
IN VITRO MUSCLE CONTRACTURES INDUCED BY HALOTHANE AND SUXAMETHONIUM: I: The Rat Diaphragm

The rat diaphragm was used as an in vitro model for studies of contractures synergistically-induced by halothane and suxamethonium. The effects of three agents reported to inhibit phospholipase A2 activity (quinacrine, spermine and indomethacin), tubocurarine and dantrolene were examined on these contractures. Contract-ures induced by 1% halothane (0.26±0.02g) (mean±SEM) were increased (0.60±0.04g) if suxamethonium 50 mmol litre−1 was also in the bathing medium. Suxamethonium-induced contractures (0.22±0.03g) were also enhanced when halothane was present (0.51±0.03g). Spermine, indomethacin and dantrolene antagonized both halothane- and suxamethonium-induced contractures. Quinauced by either halothane or suxamethonium. were antagonized by tubocurarine; however, Contractures induced by halothane were not antagonized by tubocurarine. however, contractures induced by halothane were not antagonized by tubocurarine. These results suggest that free fatty acids may be involved in contractures induced synergistically by halothane and suxamethonium. Different mechanisms are involved in the induction of contractures by suxamethonium than by halothane.
Analysis of the in vitro synergistic effect of 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin on cervical carcinoma cells

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is currently being used as an anticancer drug to reduce tumor bulk in order to increase the operability rate and postoperative survival in patients with cervical cancer, which has been combined with cisplatin (CP) because of its superior activities observed in human carcinoma cells. However, the combined anticancer effect of 5-FU and CP in cervical carcinoma cells is poorly understood. Therefore, we conducted a study to investigate whether anticancer drugs 5-FU and CP may exhibit the combined antiproliferative effect in cervical carcinoma cells. Using proteomics analysis, including two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS), we investigated the antiproliferative effect–related proteins after treatment with 5-FU and/or CP. Our experiments showed that the combination of 5-FU and CP engaged both the apoptotic pathways: the membrane death receptor–mediated apoptosis pathway and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Moreover, the combination of 5-FU and CP resulted in remarkable increasing susceptibility to apoptosis. We suggest that the combination of 5-FU and CP suppresses the growth of cervical carcinoma cells by synergistic effect with the induction of apoptosis. In vitro synergistic effect of 5-FU and CP supports the basis of the clinical application of the combination chemotherapy to the patients with cervical cancer.
Thermodynamic analysis of the transcription cycle in E. coli

Abstract The E. coli RNA transcription cycle can be divided into three major phases, which are generally called initiation, elongation, and termination. In this paper, we review recent biophysical studies of the interactions of the transcriptional regulatory proteins, sigma 70 and NusA, with themselves and with core RNA polymerase in solution, as well as with core polymerase within the transcription complex. The different affinities of sigma 70 and NusA for core RNA polymerase at various stages in the transcription cycle, together with other quantitative data, are then used to construct a partial free energy diagram for the overall transcription process. This thermodynamic framework, which is interrupted by at least two irreversible steps, can be used to rationalize physiological aspects of the transcription cycle and its regulation, as well as to identify crucial points at which our knowledge is still incomplete.
Modeling ballistic impact into flexible materials

The dynamic problem is approximated by a time series of static analysis problems. An algorithm is described wherein in each time step the material properties of the target and the geometry of the deflection cone are derived.An experimental program was performed involving bullets fired at Kevlar 29 fabric targets.
Multiple functions of a multi-component mating pheromone in sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus.

The role of the C24 sulphate in the mating pheromone component, 7α,12α,24-trihydroxy-5α-cholan3-one 24-sulphate (3kPZS), to specifically induce upstream movement in ovulated female sea lampreys Petromyzon marinus was investigated. 7α,12α-dihydroxy-5α-cholan-3-one 24-oic acid (3kACA), a structurally similar bile acid released by spermiated males, but lacking the C24 sulphate ester, was tested in bioassays at concentrations between 10 −11 and 10 −14 molar (M). 3kACA did not induce upstream movement in females or additional reproductive behaviours. In contrast, spermiated male washings induced upstream movement, prolonged retention on a nest and induced an array of nesting behaviours. Differential extraction and elution by solid-phase extraction resins showed that components other than 3kPZS + 3kACA are necessary to retain females on nests and induce nest cleaning behaviours. All pheromone components, including components in addition to 3kPZS + 3kACA that retain females and induce nest cleaning behaviours were released from the anterior region of the males, as had been reported for 3kPZS. It is concluded that the sea lamprey male mating pheromone has multiple functions and is composed of multiple components. Published 2012. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Detection of Serum Antibodies in Coccidioidomycosis by Solid-Phase Radioimmunoassay

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) was developed to measure antibody in coccidioidomycosis with improved quantitation. Sera from 41 patients with active coccidioidomycosis had a mean +/- SD value of 0.6 +/- 0.49 mg/ml. Twelve healthy controls and 23 patients with noncoccidioidal diseases had a mean level of 0.06 +/- 0.12. Complement fixation (CF) and RIA titers were also compared with the clinical course in 19 patients with active coccidioidomycosis (seven had pulmonary disease; 12 had disseminated disease). The RIA was most useful in pulmonary cases. Pulmonary patients who experienced an improvement in symptoms more often experienced a drop in RIA titer (all of four patients) than CF titer (two of four). Similarly, pulmonary patients who demonstrated radiographic improvements experienced a drop in RIA titer (four of five) more often than a drop in CF titer (three of five). In patients with disseminated disease, there was agreement between the two assays and the clinical symptom score.
An Energy-Based Framework to Determine the Fatigue Strength and Fatigue Ductility Parameters for LCF/HCF Life Assessment of Turbine Materials

An energy-based framework is developed to determine the fatigue strength parameters of Basquin equation and the fatigue ductility parameters of Manson-Coffin equation to predict fatigue life of a steam turbine material. The proposed framework is based on assessing the complete energy necessary to cause fatigue failure of a material. This energy is considered as a fundamental material property and is known as fatigue toughness. As a first approximation, the fatigue toughness is equivalent to the monotonic tension energy of a material. This assumption was experimentally verified for weld metal of a weld joint constituent of a turbine rotor and for aluminum 6061-T6. However, in case of base metal of the weld joint constituent, the fatigue toughness was found to be higher than the monotonic energy. From the fatigue toughness and the experimentally determined fatigue life at two different stress levels, the cyclic parameters of Ramberg-Osgood constitutive relation that describes the hysteresis stress-strain loop were calculated. Next, the coefficients and exponents of Basquin and Manson-Coffin equations were expressed as functions of fatigue toughness and cyclic parameters of a material. The predicted fatigue life obtained from the present energy-based framework was found to be in a good agreement with the experimental data.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Quality Control Of Academic Optics Programs

The field of optics is continuing an explosive growth period and is finding new applications every day. The need and demand for educated and trained optical engineers and scientists has caused a significant increase in the number of academic optics programs being offered. The objective of this paper is to put forth the issues and offer a possible course of action.
Cross-reactivity of human lupus anti-DNA antibodies with α-actinin and nephritogenic potential

Objective Cross-reactivity with kidney antigens is believed to be a critical determinant in the renal pathogenicity of anti–double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibodies. Murine nephritogenic anti-dsDNA antibodies have been shown to cross-react with α-actinin, and anti–α-actinin antibodies have been found to be deposited in the kidneys of lupus mice with active nephritis. Furthermore, in humans with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), it has been found that a greater proportion of polyclonal IgG anti-dsDNA antibodies from patients with renal involvement bind to α-actinin than do those from patients without renal disease. We undertook this study to substantiate a direct link between cross-reactive anti-dsDNA/anti–α-actinin antibodies and the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis in humans. Methods A panel of 10 anti-dsDNA and/or anti–α-actinin antibodies was generated by Epstein-Barr virus transformation of lymphocytes from patients with SLE and was extensively characterized. Antibody binding was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blotting. Antibody potential for pathogenicity was assessed by measuring binding to isolated glomeruli and mesangial cells and by evaluation of histologic features of the kidney following injection in vivo. Results All anti-dsDNA antibodies isolated also bound α-actinin. Cross-reactive antibodies bound to mesangial cells and to isolated glomeruli ex vivo. Binding to glomeruli was not inhibited by DNase treatment, but could be abrogated by α-actinin. Furthermore, histopathologic abnormalities seen in mice injected intraperitoneally with a cross-reactive cell line included fusion of podocyte foot processes and subepithelial and subendothelial deposition. Conclusion These studies provide strong support for the hypothesis that α-actinin is a major cross-reactive target for anti-dsDNA antibodies in SLE patients. Cross-reactive anti-dsDNA/anti–α-actinin antibodies from SLE patients are pathogenic and may contribute to the kidney lesions in lupus nephritis.
The incidence of injury among male and female intercollegiate Rugby players.

BACKGROUND: The National Collegiate Athletic Association classifies women's rugby as an emerging sport. Few studies have examined the injury rates in women's collegiate rugby or compared injury rates between sexes. HYPOTHESIS: Injury rates will differ between female and male intercollegiate club rugby players. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiological study. METHODS: Five years of injury data were collected from the men's and women's rugby teams at a US service academy using the institution's injury surveillance system. The primary outcome of interest was the incidence rate of injury during the study period per 10,000 athlete exposures. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated using a Poisson distribution to compare the rates by sex. RESULTS: During the study period, the overall incidence rate for injury was 30% higher (IRR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.54) among men when compared with women; however, the distribution of injuries varied by sex. The incidence rate for ACL injury among women was 5.3 times (IRR = 5.32, 95% CI: 1.33, 30.53) higher compared with that among men. Men were 2.5 times (IRR = 2.54, 95% CI: 1.03, 7.52) more likely to sustain a fracture. The rate of acromioclavicular joint injury was 2.2 times (IRR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.03, 5.19) higher among men when compared with women. Men were 6.6 times (IRR = 6.55, 95% CI: 2.65, 20.91) more likely to have an open wound than women. CONCLUSION: There are differences in injury rates and patterns between female and male American rugby players. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The differences in injury patterns may reflect distinct playing styles, which could be the result of the American football background common among many of the male players. Language: en
Low Viscosity Highly Concentrated Injectable Nonaqueous Suspensions of Lysozyme Microparticles

Subcutaneous injection of concentrated protein and peptide solutions, in the range of 100-400 mg/mL, is often not possible with a 25- to 27-gauge needle, as the viscosity can be well above 50 cP. Apparent viscosities below this limit are reported for suspensions of milled lysozyme microparticles up to nearly 400 mg/mL in benzyl benzoate or benzyl benzoate mixtures with safflower oils through a syringe with a 25- to 27-gauge needle at room temperature. These apparent viscosities were confirmed using a cone-and-plate rheometer. The intrinsic viscosity regressed from the Kreiger-Dougherty model was only slightly above the Einstein value of 2.5, indicating the increase in viscosity relative to that of the solvent was caused primarily by the excluded volume. Thus, the increases in viscosity from electrical double layer interactions (electroviscous effects), solvation of the particles, or deviations of the particle shape from a spherical geometry were minimal, and much smaller than typically observed for proteins dissolved in aqueous solutions. The small electroviscous effects are expected given the negligible zeta potential and thin double layers in the low dielectric constant organic solvent. The suspensions were resuspendable after a year, with essentially constant particle size after two months as measured by static light scattering. The lower apparent viscosities for highly concentrated protein suspensions relative to protein solutions, coupled with these favorable characteristics upon resuspension, may offer novel opportunities for subcutaneous injection of therapeutic proteins.
Gastroesophageal reflux related to respiratory inhibition after crying and feeding hypoxemia in infants

AbstractObjective: To determine the relationships between gastroesophageal reflux (GER) and both respiratory inhibition after crying (RIAC) and feeding hypoxemia in infants.Methods: We screened for RIAC and feeding hypoxemia among infants with a gestational age of 36 weeks or greater using pulse oximetry. We investigated the infants who showed hypoxemia with a decrease in SpO2 to less than 70% and bradycardia with a heart rate of less than 100 beats per minute caused by GER. We then evaluated the relationships between these events and both RIAC and feeding hypoxemia.Results: We examined 250 infants in the present study. RIAC and feeding hypoxemia were observed in 35 (14.0%), and 30 (12.0%) infants, respectively. Ten infants showed hypoxemia and bradycardia caused by GER. These events were correlated with RIAC (p = 0.006) and feeding hypoxemia (p = 0.031).Conclusions: In the infants with RIAC and feeding hypoxemia, some show severe hypoxemia and bradycardia caused by GER. Medical staff caring for infants s...
Proactive Casing Leak Detection Methodologies: A Case History

Abstract This paper addresses how high resolution electromagnetic induction was used to study, assess and map the overall well casing integrity of offshore wells and to enable predictions of casing leakage based on the extent or severity of the casing corrosion log. The objective of the paper is to show how proactive detection and prevention of leaks before they occur have guaranteed continuous operation excellence, safety and environmental compliance. These studies were carried out to understand the nature of the corrosion observed. In addition, several other technologies were deployed to effectively detect leaks and further sketch out their location. The lessons learnt and experience acquired during the monitoring and evaluation of casing integrity will be shared. The new technology was used as a tool to establish a casing integrity baseline for an entire field and articulated the new strategic corrosion master surveillance plan. Using the new technology has resulted in a significant reduction in the frequency of routine conventional temperature surveys and therefore optimized resource utilization to foresee other essential jobs.
Recursive maximum likelihood estimates using the Ito calculus

Showing that a certain maximum likelihood estimate of the initial state of a nonlinear system is an Ito process asymptotically is considered. Also using the Ito calculus, a scalar recursive estimator equation is derived.
A decomposition algorithm for multistage convex programs

The multistage or staircase structure appears naturally in many models with time horizons. This paper presents and discusses a decomposition algorithm when the problem functions are convex. The Dantzig-Wolfe convex programming algorithm is presented as one of the techniques available for solving the generated subproblems. Computational implementation of the algorithm and more efficient techniques in the presence of special structure are discussed.
Caracterización de materiales a través de medidas de microscopía electrónica de barrido (SEM)

SEM is an image generation technique widely used on materials researchdue its high-resolution capabilities and proven aptitude to unveil morphological, structural and even chemical features of a given sample.This paper brings out a concise review of the fundamentals, instrumental details and usefulness of the resulting SEM images. All of the concluding facts were thus related with the most important hotocatalyst: TiO2.
Successful treatment of anorexia nervosa with self-monitoring and long distance praise

Abstract An 18 year old college freshman who suffered from anorexia nervosa was, after 1 month's hospitalization, treated as an outpatient through the use of self-monitoring and telephone consultations. Weight and caloric-intake records acquired daily for 7 months and weight evaluations obtained at 6 month intervals for 2 years showed the treatment to be highly successful. A call is made for evaluation of the reported treatment package in clinical series and, contigently, for evaluations of its therapeutically critical components.
Conflicting evidence on the frequency of ESR1 amplification in breast cancer.

An earlier report of high-frequency ESR1 amplification in breast cancer is now challenged by correspondence from four groups. This discussion of whether or not there is something 'FISHy' about ESR1 amplification highlights the difficulty of validating such observations, leaving the frequency and clinical significance of ESR1 amplification in breast cancer an open question.
International Trade and Growth: An Overview using the New Growth Theory

An overview of the new growth theory is provided from both an analytical and empirical perspective. Following a historical outline and a brief analytical sketch of the R&D-based models, the results from fitting two structural models to data are presented. Results show the relative impacts on growth from trade and R&D-based policies including technological spillovers from trade. The mechanism of intersectoral adjustments to the long-run growth path is also discussed. Insights provided by the theory are related to agriculture from the view of agriculture in the context of the broader economy within which it must compete for resources, and in terms of growth in agricultural factor productivity as evidenced by the recent growth in genetic engineering. t is generally agreed that the world economy is in its second wave of globalization, with the first wave ending in the early 1900s, and the second wave beginning in the late 1950s to early 1960s. Contributors to this literature, such as Baldwin and Martin, draw heavily on the new growth theory to explain this transformation. Agriculture also has a role in this transformation. Technological advances have caused U.S. agriculture in the second wave to evolve from its classic role as an exporter of a relatively narrow class of primary commodities supported mostly by public research and development (R&D) expenditures, to a larger share of processed food products in exports, with an increasing array of attributes linked to private R&D efforts (Gopinath and Roe). The general task of this paper is to provide a relatively nontechnical discussion of the insights that the new growth theory provides into the linkages between growth and trade with particular attention to agriculture. The paper contains four major sections. The following section introduces the new theory by briefly