cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation and role of inosine-5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase in cell replication, malignant transformation, and differentiation.

Inosine-5’-monophosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.205, IMPDH) is a branch point enzyme in the synthesis of adenine and guanine nucleotides and is the rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo synthesis of guanine nucleotides.1 This enzyme has an essential role in providing necessary precursors for DNA and RNA biosynthesis, a role that can be verified by the abrupt cessation of DNA synthesis when cells are treated with IMPDH inhibitors and by the circumvention of this effect with the addition of exogenous guanosine.2
A review of rolling-type seismic isolation: Historical development and future directions

Abstract Rolling-type base isolation as a means of earthquake protection is over a century old but has advanced rapidly in recent years due to an increase in research interest. Significant developments in modeling and testing of rolling-type isolators have expanded our understanding and acceptance of this concept. This paper reviews some of the history of rolling-type isolation, as well as recent research activity focused on high-performance approaches and novel applications. Future research topics have also been identified, such as innovations to increase displacement capacity and decrease displacement demands.
Matching to complex samples : further study of arbitrary stimulus classes

College students learned matching to sample where high and low tones were related to one set of forms (A-C relations), red and green hues were related to a second set of forms (B-D), and the tone/color complexes were related to a third set of forms (AB-E). Emergent relations among the five sets of stimuli (e.g., A-D, B-C, C-E, and E-D) were assessed and performances for 13 of 14 subjects suggested the formation of five-member equivalence classes. Eight subjects also received a test (AF-D) with new colors displayed as elements of sample complexes; subsequent test performances (e.g., B-F, F-C, and E-F) for seven of these subjects suggested six-member equivalence classes. Thus, the merger of arbitrary relations into equivalence classes may be based on the development of control by redundant elements of sample complexes. Analyses of variables studied in associative learning may help to determine the parameters of such control and their relationship to stimulus equivalence.
Log periodic folded slot array antenna for an autonomous cryobot synthetic aperture radar for subsurface exploration of Europa

In this paper a log periodic folded slot antenna array is described for a forward-looking synthetic aperture radar (IceSAR) system for the ‘Very deep Autonomous Laser-powered Kilowatt-class Yo-yoing Robotic Ice explorer’ (VALKYRIE) cryobot project. Design and performance characterization of the log periodic antennas is presented along with a first light radar imagery obtained during in situ operation to prove the feasibility of this design for use in a cryobot obstacle avoidance and mapping system.
Inter-rater reliability of distal ureteral diameter ratio compared to grade of VUR

Introduction and Objective Management of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) remains controversial, and reflux grade constitutes an important prognostic factor. Recent work has suggested that distal ureteral diameter ratio (UDR) is a predictive factor relative to clinical outcome independent of grade. Previous studies have noted significant inter-rater variability with grading of VUR. The present study compared inter-rater reliability of reflux grade and UDR in children with primary VUR. Study Design Four pediatric urologists independently reviewed, in a blinded fashion, voiding cystourethrograms. For each renal unit, grade was assigned according to the standardized international scale. The UDR was calculated by dividing the largest ureteral diameter within the false pelvis by the distance between L1–L3 vertebral bodies. Correlation within each rater was determined using Pearson's correlation coefficient. Reliability of VUR grade and UDR were calculated using two-way ANOVA model inter-rater agreement. Results Four independent raters reliably measured VUR grade (ICC = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.78–0.93) and UDR (ICC = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92–0.97). While UDR and grade were equally reliable measures, UDR had a tighter confidence interval. For each rater, grade and UDR were well correlated (r = 0.73–0.84; P < 0.0001). For higher-grade reflux, grade was more variable than UDR (Summary Figure). Using empirical thresholds, the increased variability of grade compared with UDR may lead to significant differences in clinical decision-making among physicians (P = 0.022). Discussion Known discordance with grading reflux emphasizes the need for a more objective VUR measurement, as clinicians and parents often opt for clinical intervention based on both clinical course and the likelihood of spontaneous resolution. While ICC for UDR and grade were not significantly different, the confidence intervals for grade were wider due to greater variability among grade measurements. This suggests that using UDR measurements may lead to more accurate characterization of VUR and ultimately more consistent clinical decision-making across providers. Conclusions Ureteral diameter ratio has good inter-rater reliability among pediatric urologists, with less clinically relevant variability than VUR grade. Ureteral diameter ratio is a more objective and reliable measure than grade, and may be more useful in clinical decision-making. Summary Figure. Mean UDR (A) and VUR grade (B), as measured by four independent raters. The bars indicate the range of measurements. The ranges of grade measurements tended to be larger than UDR measurements, particularly with higher grades of VUR. Figure options Download full-size image Download high-quality image (140 K) Download as PowerPoint slide
Cold sintering and electrical characterization of lead zirconate titanate piezoelectric ceramics

This paper describes a cold sintering process for Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 ceramics and the associated processing-property relations. Pb(Zr,Ti)O3 has a very small, incongruent solubility that is a challenge during cold sintering. To circumvent this, a Pb(NO3)2 solution was used as the transient liquid phase. A bimodal lead zirconate titanate powder was densified to a relative density of 89% by cold sintering at 300 °C and 500 MPa. After the cold sintering step, the permittivity was 200, and the dielectric loss was 2.0%. A second heat-treatment involving a 3 h anneal at 900 °C increased the relative density to 99%; the resulting relative dielectric permittivity was 1300 at room temperature and 100 kHz. The samples showed well-defined ferroelectric hysteresis loops, having a remanent polarization of 28 μC/cm2. On poling, the piezoelectric coefficient d33 was ∼200 pC/N. With a 700 °C 3 h post-annealing, samples show a lower room temperature relative permittivity (950 at 100 kHz), but a 24 h hold time at 700 °C produces c...
Potential of phase contrast x-ray imaging for detecting tumors in dense breast: initial phantom studies

The objective of this study is to demonstrate the potential of using the High-energy in-line phase contrast x-ray imaging to detect lesions that are indistinguishable by conventional x-ray mammography but are detectable by supplemental ultrasound screening within dense breasts. For this study, a custom-made prototype x-ray/ultrasound dualmodality phantom that mimics dense breast is created to include embedded carbon fiber disks with multiple diameters and thicknesses. The phase contrast image is acquired using a prototype at 120kVp, 67μA, exposure time of 16.7sec and focal spot size of 18.3μm with average glandular dose (AGD) of 0.3mGy under a geometric magnification of 2.48. The conventional x-ray image is acquired with a bench top system operating at 40kVp, 300μA, exposure time of 50sec and same AGD. The results demonstrate that conventional x-ray imaging is unable to detect any of the carbon fiber disks, while phase contrast imaging and ultrasonography are able to detect most or all of the disks under the applied experimental conditions. These results illustrate phase contrast imaging is capable of detecting targets in a dual-modality phantom which simulates lesions in dense breast tissue, when the simulated lesions are not distinguishable by conventional mammography. Therefore mammographic screening with phase contrast technique could eventually replace both x-ray and ultrasonography for screening detection of small lesions with microcalcification in dense breasts where pathologic lesions are masked due to highly glandular tissue. These results encourage further investigation using high glandular density phantoms to further evaluate the effectiveness of phase contrast imaging as a single modality test, which combines the advantages of both x-ray and ultrasound imaging in cancer screening of patients with dense breasts.
Visible light communications: Toward multi-service waveforms

In visible light communications (VLC) systems based on baseband intensity modulation (IM), the modulating signals are designed for a single-purpose to either support single-user access using single-carrier pulsed modulation such as On-Off keying (OOK) or multi-user access mainly using the multi-carrier orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). In VLC based sensing, transmitted sinusoidal beacons are considered to identify the different light sources. A key challenge is that such systems are not capable of supporting simultaneous bit streaming and sensing to high-end devices already equipped with chip sets compatible with OFDM and resource limited low-end devices for Internet-of-Things (IoT). In this paper, we present a novel design of a modulating waveform to effectively tackle this issue. The proposed waveform allows high-end and low-end devices to receive the same baseband signal, extract the useful part and process without any interference. We provide a detailed presentation of the design, explanation of the demodulation schemes and performance evaluation. We validated the performance through simulation results showing bit-error rate (BER) curves using multi-carrier OFDM for high-end devices. The bit-error performance is maintained at different dimming levels while offering a parallel data stream using single-carrier modulation for low-end devices and a stream of sinusoidal beacons needed for the sensing mission.
ApoE isoform leading to hypertriglyceridemia in new onset type 1 diabetes

We report a case of pediatric diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) with significant hypertriglyceridemia. The patient was found to have the e3/ e4 isoform of ApoE, increasing risk of hypertriglyceridemia in DKA. We suggest further genetic investigation for patients presenting with severe hypertriglyceridemia and DKA.
Diagnostic Yield From Screening Asymptomatic Individuals at High Risk for Pancreatic Cancer: A Meta-analysis of Cohort Studies

Background & Aims There have been few studies of abdominal imaging screening of individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer (based on family history or genetic variants). We performed a meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to determine the diagnostic yield and outcomes of abdominal imaging screening for asymptomatic individuals at high risk. Methods Through a systematic review of multiple electronic databases and conference proceedings through July 2017, we identified prospective cohort studies (>20 patients) of asymptomatic adults determined to be at high-risk of pancreatic cancer (lifetime risk >5%, including specific genetic-associated conditions) who were screened by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect pancreatic lesions. Our primary outcome was identification of high-risk pancreatic lesions (high-grade pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, high-grade dysplasia, or adenocarcinoma) at initial screening, and overall incidence during follow up. Summary estimates were reported as incidence rates per 100 patient-years. Results We identified 19 studies comprising 7085 individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer; of these, 1660 patients were evaluated by EUS and/or MRI. Fifty-nine high-risk lesions were identified (43 adenocarcinomas: 28 during the initial exam and 15 during follow-up surveillance) and 257 patients underwent pancreatic surgery. Based on our meta-analysis, the overall diagnostic yield screening for high-risk pancreatic lesions was 0.74 (95% CI, 0.33–1.14), with moderate heterogeneity among studies. The number needed to screen to identify 1 patient with a high-risk lesion was 135 (95% CI, 88–303). The diagnostic yield was similar for patients with different genetic features that increased risk, and whether patients were screened by EUS or MRI. Conclusions Based on meta-analysis, 135 patients at high-risk for pancreatic cancer must be screened to identify 1 patient with a high-risk pancreatic lesion. Further studies are needed to determine whether screening reduces mortality and is cost effectiveness for individuals at high-risk of pancreatic cancer.
Synergistic induction of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 in HEP G2 cells by thrombin and transforming growth factor-beta.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) is a physiologic modulator of the fibrinolytic system. Its activity in plasma increases in diverse thrombotic states. The large synthetic capacity of the liver make it a source of potentially large amounts of PAI-1. Because thrombin activity increases in association with thrombotic disorders and because specific binding sites for thrombin have been identified on hepatocytes, we characterized the effect of thrombin on hepatocyte PAI- 1 production. Incubation of Hep G2 cells with human alpha-thrombin resulted in a dose- and time-dependent increase in the concentration of PAI-1 in conditioned media. This effect was inhibited completely by hirudin and by antithrombin III. Steady-state levels of both the 3.2-kb and 2.2-kb forms of PAI-1 mRNA increased after stimulation of the cells with thrombin, indicating that thrombin influences PAI-1 expression in Hep G2 cells at the pretranslational level. Incubation of Hep G2 cells with alpha-thrombin and either platelet lysates or purified transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), both previously shown to augment hepatocyte PAI-1 expression, resulted in a synergistic increase in the concentration of PAI-1 in conditioned media. PAI-1 mRNA appeared to be synergistically increased as well. Thus, thrombin increases expression of both PAI-1 protein and mRNA in Hep G2 cells and exerts synergistic effects with TGF-beta. These results underscore the potential importance of inhibition of thrombin under conditions in which thrombolysis is induced pharmacologically.
American Football Players in Preseason Training at Risk of Acute Kidney Injury Without Signs of Rhabdomyolysis.

OBJECTIVE This study was designed to identify changes in blood biomarkers that would indicate excessive muscle breakdown during the initial 10 days of preseason training in collegiate American football players and subsequently increase their risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Preseason, heat acclimatization period. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-five Division I American football players. INTERVENTION Clinical biomarkers for muscle damage were measured during a preseason training camp. Samples were obtained before camp and approximately 5 and 10 days into camp after completion of heat acclimatization training. MAIN OUTCOMES Creatine kinase, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, and creatinine were measured. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated. Urine was collected at each blood draw to qualitatively identify hematuria and red blood cells. RESULTS A high percentage of athletes had an asymptomatic reduction in kidney function over the 10-day period. Ten of 23 athletes did have a significant, 31.6%, mean reduction in GFR, placing each at risk of AKI according to Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss of kidney function, and End-stage kidney disease (RIFLE) classification. The plasma myoglobin for the at risk of AKI group had a mean value 8× above their baseline mean on day 5 and statistically significant mean 13× higher on day 10 than baseline. The not at risk of AKI group did not have significant differences between days 0, 5, and 10. CONCLUSIONS A relatively high percentage of athletes had an asymptomatic reduction in kidney function during the intense preseason training period. 43.4% of athletes in this study had a significant 31.6% mean reduction in GFR over the 10 days. According to RIFLE classification, this placed each athlete "at risk" of AKI.
In Memoriam: Professor Bongani Mayosi, 1967 to 2018

![Figure][1] Professor Bongani Mawethu Mayosi, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Cape Town (UCT) and professor and former head of the Department of Medicine at Groote Schuur Hospital and UCT, was born in uMthatha in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province on January
Structured Singular Value Control for Modular Resource Management in Multilayer Computers

Computer systems are operating in environments where applications are rapidly diversifying while resources like energy and storage are becoming severely limited. These environments demand that computers dynamically manage their resources efficiently to deliver the best performance and meet many goals. An important challenge in designing computer resource management systems is that computers are structured in multiple modular layers, such as hardware, operating system, and network. Each layer is complex and designed independently without full knowledge of the other layers. Therefore, computers must have modular resource controllers for each layer that are robust to modeling limitations and the uncertainty of influence from other layers. Existing designs either rely heavily on ad hoc heuristics or lack modularity. We present a design with multiple Structured Singular Value (SSV) controllers from robust control theory for systematic and efficient computer management. On a challenging computer, we build a two-layer SSV control system that significantly outperforms state-of-the-art heuristics.
Data storage in cellular DNA: contextualizing diverse encoding schemes

Nature has been using DNA to store biological data for millions of years, and finally humans are learning to use the same medium for our own data. In this paper, we survey the field of cellular DNA encoding, where encoding schemes are used to insert data into pcDNA and ncDNA areas while bypassing the biological restrictions associated with those areas. We first characterize the unique bio-restrictions associated with existing cellular DNA encoding schemes, then we contrast the schemes with respect to the restrictions they meet, supported features, and implementation details. We discuss the pros and cons of the implementation of each encoding scheme, and make recommendations accordingly. Finally, we highlight existing gaps, and provide our insight into future research directions.
F5-HD: Fast Flexible FPGA-based Framework for Refreshing Hyperdimensional Computing

Hyperdimensional (HD) computing is a novel computational paradigm that emulates the brain functionality in performing cognitive tasks. The underlying computation of HD involves a substantial number of element-wise operations (e.g., addition and multiplications) on ultra-wise hypervectors, in the granularities of as small as a single bit, which can be effectively parallelized and pipelined. In addition, though different HD applications might vary in terms of number of input features and output classes (labels), they generally follow the same computation flow. Such characteristics of HD computing inimitably matches with the intrinsic capabilities of FPGAs, making these devices a unique solution for accelerating these applications. In this paper, we propose F5-HD, a fast and flexible FPGA-based framework for refreshing the performance of HD computing. F5-HD eliminates the arduous task of handcrafted designing of hardware accelerators by automatically generating an FPGA implementation of HD accelerator leveraging a template of optimized processing elements, according to the applications specification and user's constraint. Our evaluations using different classification benchmarks revealed that F5-HD provides 6.9x and 7.8× (11.9× and 1.7×) higher energy efficiency improvement and faster training (inference) as compared to an optimized implementation of HD on AMD R9 390 GPU, respectively.
the pre-battle processions of the first crusade and the creation of militant christian communitas

During the First Crusade warriors and retainers participated with clergy in a series of liturgically prescribed penitential processions to demonstrate worthiness to God and achieve military victory...
Reproductive isolation, morphological and ecological differentiation among cryptic species of Euchlanis dilatata, with the description of four new species

Morphological approaches may not provide sufficient resolution for species delineation. Thus, we used an integrated approach that included molecular and ecological characters as well as morphological features to gain a better estimate of species diversity and to improve our understanding of the speciation process within rotifers. Previously, seven putative cryptic species were found within Euchlanis dilatata complex based on a nuclear marker. Here, we investigated reproductive isolation, variation in trophi morphology, and life history characteristics among representatives of some of these species. Mating success between each cryptic species was 0–1.1%; lower than that of positive controls (intra-clonal: 15.6–43.9%). SEM trophi images representing individuals from all seven lineages were used for morphometric analyses. Using Discriminant Analysis, 64% of individuals were correctly assigned to cryptic species. Five clonal lineages, each representing a putative species, were used in life table experiments with varying temperature and conductivity. Age-specific fecundity increased under high temperature and life expectancy decreased under high temperature and high conductivity. There was variation among cryptic species in some life table characteristics, such as life expectancy and generation time. Applying an integrative taxonomy approach, we examined the boundaries between E. dilatata cryptic species and described four of them as new species.
Is it time for the 4th P in nurse practitioner education? Physical assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, and procedures: A systematic review.

Background and purpose Nurse practitioners (NPs) perform diagnostic and clinical procedure skills in the acute, specialty, urgent, and primary care settings. Nurse practitioners surveyed on readiness for practice report a lack of confidence and education preparation for performing selected advanced diagnostic and skills. As NPs gain independent, full practice scope, it is imperative advanced diagnostic and procedure skills used in practice are taught in nurse practitioner curriculum. The purpose of this review is to document a systematic review of the literature, answering the following question: Among primary care NPs, does current program curriculum align with current procedures and skills in theclinical setting? Methods PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, CINAHL, and Embase were searched between inception and 2018 using the search terms "advanced practice nursing, clinical competence, diagnostic techniques or procedures, and primary health care." Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines, nine articles were included in the synthesis. Conclusion There is scant research regarding NP educational preparation of skills and procedures. Study findings indicate that programs are not teaching all the procedures deemed important. Education should promote improved congruence between the skills and procedures taught in program curricula and those used in clinical practice. Implications for practice It is critical to complete an education practice survey measuring skill and procedure preparation and competency at graduation. Survey results will determine whether skill and procedure guidelines are indicated for NP education. A recommendation may include minimal skills and procedure for all nurse practitioner curricula.
Protocol for Projecting Allele Frequency Change under Future Climate Change at Adaptive-Associated Loci

Summary We describe how to predict population-level allele frequency change at loci associated with locally adapted traits under future climate conditions. Our method can identify populations that are at higher risk of local extinction and those that might be prime targets for conservation intervention. We draw on previously developed community ecology statistical methods and apply them in novel ways to plant genomes. While a powerful diagnostic tool, our method requires a wealth of genomic data for use. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Blumstein et al. (2020) .
Health disparities among Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries who participate in federal rental housing assistance programs

Abstract Background Approximately 1.2 million non-elderly adults jointly participate in U.S. Department of Urban Development (HUD) rental housing assistance and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability programs (Social Security Disability Insurance (DI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI), yet information about the health of these program participants is limited. Objective /Hypothesis. Non-elderly DI and/or SSI participants participating in HUD-assisted rental housing programs face unique health disparities. Methods Using newly available 2013–2016 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data linked with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administrative records on public and assisted housing programs, multivariate analyses were used to highlight differences in health status, health behaviors, health care utilization, and financial worry about health and housing costs between non-elderly persons participating in HUD rental housing assistance programs who were and who were not also participating in DI and/or SSI. Results The focal population had higher predicted probabilities of fair or poor health status, chronic condition diagnoses (hypertension, asthma, diabetes), and obesity than others but a lower probability of smoking (p Conclusions Opportunities for joint intervention between HUD and SSA to improve the health of their program participants are discussed.
Globalizing Music Theory with African Tone Systems

In a 2015 keynote, Kofi Agawu encouraged music researchers to "rethink music theory with African aid". In recent years, cognitive science research has demonstrated the interconnectedness of language and music (Ladd 2008, Patel 2009). Notably, Agawu suggests a better understanding of the languages of Africa is key. Theoretical models based on Indo-European languages and music have often failed to explain sounds of the non-west. Area studies research has the potential to invigorate the disciplines it engages. 19th-century missionaries were bewildered by the pitch contours of Niger-Congo languages. Their understanding of poetry and lyrics was fixated on stress and meter. No existing linguistic or musical model quite captures the nature of African tone systems. Based on two years of fieldwork in Nigeria, this paper takes the position that the phonology of African languages, and corresponding aesthetics in vocal arts and music, may inform our understanding of all vocal arts and music. Tangible aesthetic commonalities are apparent in comparisons of Yoruba poetry to slam poetry and hip-hop, particularly the use of what Olatunji calls "tonal counterpoint" (1984). More abstract examples are also offered, including how a model of African tone systems may inform analysis of a Fugue by J. S. Bach.
A core model for G2

The action of the affine Weyl group of type A n on its coroot lattice is classically modeled using n -cores, which are integer partitions with no hooks of length n . Exploiting an identification between the coroot lattices of types G 2 and A 2 , we use 3 -cores to give a combinatorial model for the action of the affine Weyl group W ˜ ( G 2 ) on its coroot lattice.
Structural effects on the bromination rate and selectivity of alkylbenzenes and alkoxybenzenes in aqueous solution

Aqueous free bromine species (e.g., HOBr, BrCl, Br2, BrOCl, Br2O, and H2OBr+) can react with activated aromatic compounds via electrophilic aromatic substitution to generate products with industrial applications, environmental consequences, and potentially adverse biological effects. The relative contributions of these brominating agents to overall bromination rates can be calculated via nonlinear regression analyses of kinetic data collected under a variety of solution conditions, including variations in parameters (e.g., [Cl−], [Br−], and pH) known to influence free bromine speciation. Herein, kinetic experiments conducted in batch reactors were employed to evaluate the contributions of steric and electronic effects on bromination of monosubstituted alkylbenzenes (ethyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl) and alkoxybenzenes (ethoxy, isopropoxy, tert-butoxy) and to elucidate the inherent reactivities of aqueous brominating agents towards these aromatic compounds. For bromination at the para position of alkylbenzenes, overall reactivity increased from tert-butyl < ethyl ≈ isopropyl. For bromination at the para position of alkoxybenzenes, reactivity increased from tert-butoxy < ethoxy < isopropoxy. In going from ethyl to tert-butyl and ethoxy to isopropoxy, unfavorable steric effects attenuated the favorable electronic effects imparted by the substituents. When comparing unsubstituted benzene, alkyl-, and alkoxybenzenes, the structure of the substituent has a significant effect on bromination rates, nucleophile regioselectivity, and electrophile chemoselectivity. Hirshfeld charges were useful predictors of reactivity and regioselectivity. The experimental results were also modeled using Taft equations. Collectively, these findings indicate that steric effects, electronic effects, and brominating agents other than HOBr can influence aromatic compound bromination in solutions of free bromine.
Responsabilité Des Dirigeants: Quel Est Le Degré Minimal D’Harmonisation Européenne Souhaitable? (Directors' Liability: What Should Be the Minimum Degree of Harmonisation in the EU?)

French Abstract: Le transfert du centre des interets principaux (« CIP ») d’un Etat membre a un autre peut avoir des consequences importantes tant sur la portee que sur la nature des obligations et la responsabilite des dirigeants, ainsi que sur la mise a execution de ces obligations. Cette situation pourrait entrainer une incertitude pour les creanciers et les dirigeants. Selon moi, ces difficultes pourraient etre resolues par un certain degre d’harmonisation en ce qui concerne les obligations des dirigeants. Dans cet article, je souhaite me concentrer sur ce qui pourrait constituer le point de depart de regles communes. English Abstract: Moving the centre of main interests (COMI) from one Member State to the another may have a significant impact on both the extent and the content of the directors’ duties and liabilities, as well as on the enforcement of these duties. This situation could result in uncertainty for the creditors and the directors alike. In my view, these difficulties could be resolved by the minimum harmonisation of the directors’ duties. The issue that I want to focus on refers to what could be the starting point for the common rules.
Trust and the unintended effects of behavior control in virtual teams

This article reports the findings of a longitudinal study of temporary virtual teams and explores the role of behavior control on trust decline. We conducted an experiment involving 51 temporary virtual teams. Half of the teams were required to comply with behavior control mechanisms traditionally used in colocated teams. Their counterparts were allowed to self-direct. Our analysis shows that the behavior control mechanisms typically used in traditional teams have a significant negative effect on trust in virtual teams. In-depth analysis of the communication logs of selected teams reveals that trust decline in virtual teams is rooted in instances of reneging and incongruence. Behavior control mechanisms increase vigilance and make instances when individuals perceive team members to have failed to uphold their obligations (i.e., reneging and incongruence) salient. Heightened vigilance and salience increase the likelihood that team members' failure to fulfill their obligations will be detected, thus contributing to trust decline.
Biofilms in unsaturated environments.

Publisher Summary Unsaturated environments contain three dynamic phases: solid, water, and air. In nature, the solid phase contains a combination of inert organomineral complexes and biotic materials. The dominant fluid phase is normally air but is transiently water. Unsaturated biofilms can be cultivated in many ways that effectively simulate the dry or transiently moist environments in which they naturally grow. These natural environments include the surfaces of plants, food, rocks, monuments, and the vadose zone (including surface soil). What is required for planning unsaturated biofilm cultivation is first an understanding of water relations for the natural system being simulated, and second a solid understanding of how the cultivation scheme will enable one to address the questions of interest. At the same time, the limitations, if any, of the selected cultivation scheme for replicating the full complexity of the natural environment should be acknowledged so that the results of experimentation can be interpreted appropriately. Although unsaturated biofilms are understudied relative to their saturated counterparts, the variety of useful methods available for cultivating and studying them will hopefully stimulate more researchers to examine their various forms and functions in the many systems they occupy.
A terahertz reconfigurable photo-induced fresnel-zone-plate antenna for dynamic two-dimensional beam steering and forming

We report a novel and simple approach to realize terahertz (THz) dynamic two-dimensional (2D) beam steering and forming antennas, based on reconfigurable photo-induced Fresnel zone plates (PI-FZPs). The FZPs are formed by directly illuminating a high-resistivity silicon wafer with the desired patterns using a digital light processing (DLP) projector, without any circuit or device fabrication. At 750 GHz, the THz beam from a diagonal horn antenna has been steered two dimensionally over a range from approximately −12° to +12° from the antenna boresight, by projecting different PI-FZP patterns. In addition, using PI-FZPs with different focal lengths, the THz beam size can be dynamically tuned. Both the beam steering and forming can be performed simultaneously without affecting the antenna performance, making this an enabling technology for emerging THz applications such as sensing, imaging, tracking, adaptive wireless communications and short-range high-speed interconnections.
Poverty measurement in the U.S., Europe, and developing countries

In December of 2009, as this issue goes to press, many within the American community of analysts, policymakers, and program managers are looking expectantly at the possibility of change in the basic measure used to gauge poverty in the United States. A broad consensus has emerged that the current official measure of poverty in the United States is deeply flawed, in the income threshold used to gauge need as well as in the measurement of available resources (Blank, 2008). While there will be opposition to this change, primarily due to concerns centering around the relationship of the poverty measure to funding of block grants and benefit eligibility within programs, there does seem to be good reason to believe that the time has arrived for a new poverty measure for the United States. Income-based poverty measures compare resources available to people to a threshold, below which they are considered poor.1 Both the poverty threshold and the measurement of available resources currently in use in the United States can be readily improved. The current poverty threshold of three times the cost of a minimally adequate diet was developed in 1963 using data from 1955 and has primarily been adjusted since then only for inflation. The proportionate share of food in the average American’s budget has shrunk dramatically since 1963 as incomes have risen and spending patterns have changed. This alone would imply multiplying the cost of a minimally adequate diet by eight. Updating the poverty threshold to more accurately reflect the composition of a more contemporary set of expenditures is overdue. Similarly, measuring resources available to families to meet needs by including cash benefits while excluding the value of in-kind transfers such as the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and ignoring effects of the tax system through programs such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) provides a picture of need neither before the generosity of government nor afterwards. There is no technical or informational hurdle that justifies not measuring the components of private income, the additions to available resources that flow from public benefits, and the influence of the tax system on family resources. Poverty Measurement in the U.S., Europe, and Developing Countries Kenneth A. Couch Maureen A. Pirog
Evidence for Plasmid Linkage of Restriction and Modification in Streptococcus cremoris KH.

Abstract Restriction and modification have been demonstrated in Streptococcus cremoris KH cells when infected by Streptococcus lactis C2 phage (designated c2) at an efficiency of plating of 2 × 10−7. The growth of c2 phage through KH cells produces modified progeny phage capable of unrestricted growth on KH cells. The ability of single-colony isolates of S. cremoris KH cultures to restrict and modify c2 phage was found to be variable. From 2 to 6.5% of colonies isolated were partially deficient in restrictive capacity, permitting a greater plaquing ability by c2 phage of 1.8 to 2.9 log cycles. No completely restrictionless mutants were isolated from 1,000 colonies examined. Mutants were shown to be deficient in both restriction and modification capabilities of the same specificity. The frequent occurrence of a genotypic change that resulted in the loss of both restriction and modification capacities indicated the involvement of plasmid deoxyribonucleic acid in genetically determining this specific restriction and modification system. S. cremoris KH was found to harbor 11 plasmid molecules, with molecular weights (×106) estimated to be 50, 41, 24, 18, 10, 7.4, 3.3, 3.0, 2.8, 2.5, and 1.5. Of the 27 mutants examined, 25 were missing the 10-megadalton plasmid. This consistent plasmid difference among the majority of mutants isolated supports the involvement of this plasmid in restriction and modification. Plasmid linkage of restriction and modification systems provides a genetic mechanism for the rapid development of phage-sensitive starter cultures due to the inherent instability of extrachromosomal elements.
UNHCR and International Refugee Law: From Treaties to Innovation

1. Foundations for UNHCR's International Refugee Law Role 2. UNHCR's Statutory Role and Work Related to Refugee Law 3. Flexibility in UNHCR's International Law Role 4. The Crisis in Refugee Protection 5. UNHCR's Approaches to Address Weaknesses in the Treaty Framework 6. UNHCR's Approaches to Improve the Effectiveness of International Refugee Law 7. Applying Lessons from the Past to Enhance UNHCR's Role in the Future
Time-dependent perturbation of a two-state quantum system by a sinusoidal field

Different methods for solving the 'two-level problem' are discussed, namely, the problem of what happens to a material system having only two nondegenerate energy levels when it is perturbed by an electromagnetic field that varies with time in a monochromatic sinusoidal fashion. The various methods discussed include: (1) the Sen Gupta technique using nondegenerate Rayleigh-Schroedinger perturbation theory, (2) the Salwen-Winter-Shirley partitioning perturbation technique, (3) the Shirley and series degenerate Rayleigh-Schroedinger expansion, (4) the degenerate Rayleigh-Schroedinger technique for considering high frequency fields, and (5) the singular perturbation expansion technique.
Sex differences in vocal learning in birds.

Young females pick up songs much faster than males but are not so versatile later on. A young songbird develops its songs by imitating adults1, just as human infants acquire speech, listening to and memorizing adult songs during an early sensitive phase and then practising its vocalizations until they match the memory formed earlier2. Here I investigate whether patterns of song learning differ between the sexes among northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis), one of a few temperate species in which both sexes sing, rather than just the males. I find that females learn the same number of songs as males but in less than one-third of the time; however, auditory experience is not essential for males to develop their songs, whereas it is necessary for females to do so.
Study of the Power Supply Ripple Effect on teh Dynamics at SPEAR

For long term stability analysis time variation of tunes is important. We have proposed and tested a technique for measuring the magnitude of this variation. This was made possible by using tune extraction algorithms that require small number of turns thus giving an instantaneous tune of the machine. In this paper we demonstrate the measured effect of the tune modulation with 60 Hz power supplies ripple, power line interference from SLAC linac operating at 30 Hz repetition rate, and nonperiodic variation.
Prostaglandins and the kidney.

This review provides a summary and assessment of research involving renal prostaglandins. Arachidonic acid released from phospholipids is converted by prostaglandin cycle-oxygenase in the kidney to...
Validation and application of close-range photogrammetry to quantify ephemeral gully erosion

ix CHAPTER 1. IMPROVED MEASUREMENTS OF EPHEMERAL GULLY EROSION WILL ENCHANCE SOIL CONSERVATION
Evidence for radiation and chemicals as leukemogenic agents.

Both single and prolonged exposure to x ray and gamma rays was demonstrated to produce an increase in the incidence of leukemia in man. There is no reason to question the leukemogenic capacity of all types and energies of radiation irrespective of the source, providing that the hemopoietic tissues are irradiated. After single doses of penetrating x rays or gamma rays, reaeonable estimates of the increased incidence of leukemia to be expected can be made. Comparable estimates after chronic exposure, intermittent exposure, and deposition of radioisotopes in the bone cannot be made. Many chemicals and drugs were shown to be capable of inducing leukemia in animals. Of all the toxic agents to which man is exposed in industry, a reasonable cause and effect relationship was established only for benzol. The absence of a positive correlation of leukemia induction with other toxic agents a "clean bill of health," since all carcinogenic processes are statistical, and the unequivocal demonstration of a small effect may necessitate a sample size in excess of 105. Such an exposed group is a rarity, even in huge industries. When a positive effect is demonstrated in a small group the hazard is relatively great. The leukemia burden frommore » toxic influences in industry remains unknown, but its sum throughout industry could be significant. Continuous surveillance for an effect and increasing protection against all khown leukemogens is essential. Any drug or chemical capable of inducing bone marrow damage must be assumed to be potentially a leukemogen. (auth)« less
Working With American Indian Students and Families Disabilities, Issues, and Interventions

Although most American Indian students are educated in the public school system, there is limited literature regarding (a) how general and special educators can effectively meet the unique educational needs of these students or (b) what strategies educators can use while working with their families. Additionally, there are limited resources available regarding how American Indians view special education, disability issues, and the relationship between school and family. The worldview of American Indians differs from mainstream America, which has led to the overrepresentation of American Indian students in special education programs. This article provides culturally responsive research-based practices to help foster school and family relationships and improve the educational outcomes of American Indian students.
Seaweed extracts and unsaturated fatty acid constituents from the green alga Ulva lactuca as activators of the cytoprotective Nrf2-ARE pathway.

Increased amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in many pathological conditions, including cancer. The major machinery that the cell employs to neutralize excess ROS is through the activation of the antioxidant-response element (ARE) that controls the activation of many phase II detoxification enzymes. The transcription factor that recognizes the ARE, Nrf2, can be activated by a variety of small molecules, most of which contain an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl system. In the pursuit of chemopreventive agents from marine organisms, we built, fractionated, and screened a library of 30 field-collected eukaryotic algae from Florida. An edible green alga, Ulva lactuca, yielded multiple active fractions by ARE–luciferase reporter assay. We isolated three monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) derivatives as active components, including a new keto-type C18 fatty acid (1), the corresponding shorter chain C16 acid (2), and an amide derivative (3) of the C18 acid. Their chemical structures were elucidated by NMR and mass spectrometry. All three contain the conjugated enone motif between C7 and C9, which is thought to be responsible for the ARE activity. Subsequent biological studies focused on 1, the most active and abundant ARE activator isolated. C18 acid 1 induced the expression of ARE-regulated cytoprotective genes, including NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase 1, thioredoxin reductase 1, both subunits of the glutamate–cysteine ligase (catalytic subunit and modifier subunit), and the cystine/glutamate exchange transporter, in IMR-32 human neuroblastoma cells. Its cellular activity requires the presence of Nrf2 and PI3K function, based on RNA interference and pharmacological inhibitor studies, respectively. Treatment with 1 led only to Nrf2 activation, and not the increase in production of NRF2 mRNA. To test its ARE activity and cytoprotective potential in vivo, we treated mice with a single dose of a U. lactuca fraction that was enriched with 1, which showed ARE-activating effects similar to those observed in vitro. This could be owing to this fraction's ability to stabilize Nrf2 through inhibition of Keap1-mediated Nrf2 ubiquitination and the subsequent accumulation and nuclear translocation of Nrf2. The induction of many ARE-driven antioxidant genes in vivo and most prominently in the heart agreed with the commonly recognized cardioprotective properties of MUFAs. A significant increase in Nqo1 transcript levels was also found in other mouse tissues such as the brain, lung, and stomach. Collectively, this study provides new insight into why consumption of dietary seaweed may have health benefits, and the identified compounds add to the list of chemopreventive dietary unsaturated fatty acids.