cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ZnS-Based Photonic Crystals

Recent studies of the application of II-VI materials to the fabrication of photonic crystals are reported. Modeling studies show the potential of ZnS photonic crystals to provide a new method of controlling the emission characteristics of this material system so as to enhance color, intensity and decay time. The same structures are also shown to possess giant refraction and dispersion properties that can be used to control (collect, focus and steer) light. The fabrication of these period structures is addressed. Two approaches are being considered: the fabrication of two-dimensional ZnS photonic crystals by conventional electron beam lithography and the formation of three-dimensional ZnS photonic crystals by cost-effective self-assembly methods. ZnS and related II-VI compounds are very attractive for applications in photonic crystal devices operating in the visible and near IR region due to their high indices of refraction and large bandgaps that make them highly transparent in the visible. We report recent studies on the self-assembly of nanoparticles and subsequent ZnS infiltration techniques that can be used to control the emission and out-coupling properties of phosphors embedded in a photonic crystal.
Assembly System Reconfiguration Planning Using Genetic Algorithm

Due to increased competition, the rate at which manufacturers introduce new product families to the market is increasing. However, the cost of changing manufacturing facilities to produce new product families can outweigh the benefits obtained from increased revenue. Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (RMSs) have been proposed as a cost effective strategy for manufacturing product families. Although methods for measuring RMS scalability and convertibility exist, there is a lack of methods for obtaining reconfiguration plans for assembly systems. This paper introduces assembly system reconfiguration planning (ASRP) as method to obtain reconfiguration plans for assembly systems. A genetic algorithm is developed for solving the ASRP problem.© 2008 ASME
Computing Space-Filling Curves

We show that a continuous surjection of [0,1] onto a Euclidean Peano continuum X can be computed uniformly from a name of X as a compact set and a local connectivity operator for X. We show by means of an example that the second parameter is not superfluous. We then show that this parameter is not necessary either in that there is a computable map of [0,1] into ℝ2 whose image is not effectively locally connected.
STRIATAL DOPAMINE RELEASE STIMULATED BY AMPHETAMINE OR POTASSIUM: INFLUENCE OF OVARIAN HORMONES AND THE LIGHT-DARK CYCLE

The release of endogenous dopamine (DA) from rat striatal tissue was studied in an in vitro superfusion system following hormonal manipulations in vivo. Progesterone treatment in estrogen-primed ovariectomized female rats potentiated DA release stimulated either by amphetamine or potassium (K+). In addition, the amount of striatal DA released in response to K+-stimulation was influenced by the light-dark cycle. We conclude that striatal DA release is modulated by ovarian hormones, and suggest that ovarian hormone modulation of presynaptic striatal DA activity may contribute to well-known estrous cycle dependent variations in some non-reproductive behaviors.
An improved organizational concept for high-technology firms

Technology firms are a unique type of organization because success in an extremely competitive environment requires sophisticated technology-based products and innovative management. The T form or ‘power’ design is a new organizational model to guide innovative management. The model describes the creation of a market-based corporate culture which focuses on performance outcomes and counters the inherent inclination to bureaucratize operations.
Risk of malignancy in follicular neoplasms without nuclear atypia: statistical analysis of 397 thyroidectomies.

Objective: To determine how to triage patients with a follicular neoplasm (FN), without nuclear atypia reported by fine-needle aspiration, on the basis of risk factors. Methods: The age, sex, tumor size, and cell type of 397 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for follicular carcinoma (FC) or follicular adenoma between 1991 and 2001 were analyzed statistically. The likelihood ratio and probability of FC for various combinations of tumor size, sex, and cell type were estimated with use of Bayes' theorem. Results: FC was significantly associated with tumor size >2.1 cm (P = 0.048), male sex (P = 0.0007), and Hurthle cell type (P<0.0001). The mean size of minimally invasive FC was significantly smaller (2.9 cm versus 4.8 cm; P = 0.004) and the mean patient age was significantly younger (47.6 years versus 61.0 years; P = 0.003) than for widely invasive FC. The lowest probability (0.31%) for FC was in female patients with a small (£2.1 cm) micro-follicular FN reported by a cytopathology practice with 10% accu...
A novel DEAD-box RNA helicase exhibits high sequence conservation from yeast to humans

We have identified a novel Drosophila protein, DBP80, that exhibits significant similarity to mouse mDEAD5, yeast TIF1/2, and mammalian eIF-4A. DBP80 is a member of a subclass of DEAD-box proteins that contains a distinct domain, PX(I/R)ILLKR(E/D)EETLEGIKQ(F/Y)(F/Y), in addition to the seven canonical helicase domains.
Time To Work: Job Search Strategies and Commute Time for Women on Welfare in San Francisco

The major policy approaches to welfare-to-work attempt to facilitate the transition into the workforce by providing job search assistance and transportation subsidies. Although these policies help some women on welfare, they fail to respond to the needs of most, who rely disproportionately on social contacts to find jobs, seek to minimize commutes, and lack the educational attainment that would help them penetrate the regional labor market. This article uses in-depth interviews with 92 women on welfare in San Francisco, as well as a binomial logit model, to examine the relationship between job search strategies and employment characteristics. The findings suggest that low-income women with children are more likely to rely on contacts than women without children, because they seek to work close to home. For most women, building connections to employers, improving human capital, and increasing the density of neighborhood economic and social activity will make jobs more accessible.
Governance and Merger Accounting: Evidence from Stock Price Reactions to Purchase Versus Pooling

This paper examines the effect of corporate governance on investor reactions to accounting choice in the context of accounting for business combinations. Using a sample of 324 recent stock swap acquisitions I find that, contrary to practitioners' belief that capital markets penalize purchase accounting, the opposite appears to be true; there is a negative and significant differential market reaction of approximately 4 percent for acquiring firms that announce pooling transactions. This return differential declines to negative 8 percent for firms with ineffective corporate governance. These findings are consistent with capital markets interpreting the choice of purchase accounting as a signal of management's confidence in the likelihood of a successful merger. This signal is particularly relevant when corporate governance is considered ineffective.
Mastery Learning: A model for academic success in urban junior colleges

The Mastery Learning Program was initiated in the City Colleges of Chicago to improve student achievement levels and reduce course attrition rates. During the first year, 37 instructors implemented these new instructional techniques in introductory courses in nine subject areas. Data were gathered from 77 classes involving 2,249 students. Results indicate that in most of the subject areas, students in mastery classes scored higher on final examinations, attained higher course grades, and were less likely to withdraw than students taught by more traditional methods.
Lymphomas in Mice: Failure of Induction after a Graft-versus-Host Reaction

A mild graft-versus-host reaction induced in (BALB/cJ x DBA/2J) F 1 mice by the administration of parental spleen cells that differ at several weak histocompatibility loci did not influence the development of lymphomas in these animals. Rous sarcoma virus also failed to induce tumors in the runt and control animals. Breast carcinomas, presumably due to contamination of the inoculums with mammary tumor virus, occurred in those experimental groups given parental cells, whether or not they were viable or immunologically competent. We found no evidence that the immunologic process—as represented by the graft-versus-host reaction—is causally related to the induction of neoplasia.
Identification of VaD and AD prodromes: the Cache County Study.

Abstract Background It is unclear whether vascular dementia (VaD) has a cognitive prodrome, akin to the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) prodrome to Alzheimer's dementia (AD). To evaluate whether VaD has a cognitive prodrome, and if it can be differentiated from prodromal AD, we examined neuropsychological test performance of participants in a nested case-control study within a population-based cohort aged 65 or older. Methods Participants (n = 485) were identified from the Cache County Study, a large population-based study of aging and dementia. After an average of 3 years of follow-up, a total of 62 incident dementia cases were identified (14 VaD, 48 AD). We identified a number of neuropsychological tests (executive and memory) that discriminated between diagnosed VaD and AD cases. Multivariate analyses sought to differentiate between these same groups 3 years before clinical diagnosis. Results The Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word List Recognition Test correct recognition of foils (mean difference, 1.25; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.42 to 2.07; p p p p p p Conclusion These results suggest that VaD has a prodromal syndrome, the cognitive features of which are distinguishable from the cognitive prodrome of AD.
A proof-of-concept demonstration for the transportation electrification education

In this paper, we present a proof-of-concept demonstration for the electrification of transportation, aiming to create great opportunities for integrating research and education. Multiple unmanned ground electric vehicles are emulated using Lego Mindstorms EV3 education kits. We implement traffic logic (e.g., path tracking algorithm), voice and gesture control, and collision avoidance functionality into each vehicle. Every vehicle is able to communicate with each other and self-navigate on a 240-sqft platform using local measurement (e.g., touch sensor, color sensor, and infrared sensor). Multiple vehicles are used to simulate the real-world traffic scenarios. Two demo-scale plug-in and wireless charging stations are also built up to mimic the dynamic charging for electric vehicles. Meanwhile, each vehicle can wirelessly communicate with the centralized transportation coordinator to find the best charging spot depending on location, user preference, and real-time pricing. In addition, each vehicle is equipped with an on-board battery monitoring system to measure the real-time battery state (e.g., current, voltage, and temperature) and estimate the battery state-of-charge (SOC). The user-friendly graphical interface is developed in Labview for each component of proof-of-concept demonstration. Most importantly, this demonstration is fully compatible with a variety of general purpose engineering software (e.g., Matlab, and Labview), and creates great opportunities for integrating research and education in Smart Grid and intelligent transportation systems.
@-tide-stabilized β-hairpins

As minimalist versions of β-structure, two-stranded β-hairpins are commonly employed as platforms for assessing the interactions that stabilize β-sheets in proteins. We have found that the presence...
Social Theory and Public Opinion

Any study of public opinion must consider the ontological status of the public being represented. In this review, we outline several empirical problems in current public opinion research and illustrate them with a contemporary case: public opinion about same-sex marriage. We then briefly trace historical attempts to grapple with the public in public opinion and then present the most thoroughgoing critiques and defenses of polling. We detail four approaches to the ontology and epistemology of public opinion. We argue for a conceptualization of public opinion that relies upon polling techniques alongside other investigative modes but that understands public opinion as dynamic, reactive, and collective. Publics are shaped by techniques that represent them, including public opinion research.
Impaired synthesis of acetylcholine in brain accompanying mild hypoxia and hypoglycemia.

Abstract— Lowering the concentration of oxygen or of glucose to which mouse and rat brains were exposed impaired the synthesis of acetylcholine from labelled precursors in vivo. Histotoxic hypoxia induced with KCN or anemic hypoxia induced with NaNO2 (to oxidize hemoglobin to methemoglobin) reduced incorporation of [2H4]choline into acetylcholine. This change in acetylcholine metabolism occurred with doses of KCN or NaNO2 which did not alter the concentrations of ATP or ADP or the adenylate energy charge. Hypoglycemia induced by large doses of insulin also reduced the incorporation of [2H4]choline into acetylcholine. Both hypoxia and hypoglycemia increased the concentration of choline in the brain. The specific activity of choline did not decrease in hypoxia; it did not decrease enough in hypoglycemia to explain the reduced incorporation of [2H4]choline into acetylcholine. Pretreatment with the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine delayed the onset of both seizures and death in mice after induction of hypoxia by large doses of NaNO2. Pretreatment with physostigmine also decreased the number of mice dying within 3 h after the induction of hypoglycemia with large doses of insulin. These observations suggest that the effects of hypoxia and hypoglycemia interfere with the synthesis of a critical pool of acetylcholine. The incorporation of labelled precursors into acetylcholine related linearly to both the cytoplasmic redox state (NAD/NADH ratio) and to the NAD/NADH potential across the mitochondrial membrane. The redox potential of NAD/NADH in the cytoplasm was calculated from the [pyruvate]/[lactate] equilibrium and the redox potential of NAD/NADH in the mitochondria from the [NH4][2-oxoglutar-ate]/[glutamate] equilibrium. The potential across the mitochondrial membrane was calculated from the difference. These observations indicate that carbohydrate oxidation is one of the factors on which the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine depends closely in mouse and rat brain.
Fuel reduction treatment and wildfire influence on carabid and tenebrionid community assemblages in the ponderosa pine forest of northern Arizona, USA

We investigated the response of community assemblages of carabids (Coleoptera: Carabidae) and tenebrionids (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from June to August in 2003 and 2004 on ponderosa pine forest stands of various conditions that were created by fuel reduction treatments (thinning, and thinning plus prescribed burning) and wildfires between 1987 and 1996 in northern Arizona. We found that richness and abundance increased for carabids but decreased for tenebrionid significantly from June (the driest season of the year) to August (wet monsoon season of the year), a temporal partition for ecological niches in ponderosa pine forests. For both taxa, wildfire burned stands had the highest species richness and diversity; whereas the thinned stands had the highest species evenness. Both fuel reduction treatment and wildfire resulted in significantly different community assemblages of carabids and tenebrionids compared to unmanaged stands. Results showed that carabids from the genera of Amara, Anisodactylus, Cicindela, Harpalus, Radine, and tenebrionids in the genus of Eleodes were ecological indicators for wildfire stands. However, Synuchus dubius, and Coelocnemis spp.1 were indicator species for thinned stands, and unmanaged stands, respectively. We concluded that the richness and diversity of both taxa tended to increase after fuel reduction treatment and wildfire, and that some species from both taxa were suitable as ecological indicators for the structural change of ponderosa pine forests. Creating a mosaic of heterogeneous landscape through mechanical fuel reduction treatments is an important management strategy to maintain high invertebrate species diversity in ponderosa pine forest ecosystems in the southwestern US.
Theoretical modeling of the interior ballistic processes in an electrothermal chemical gun

A comprehensive theoretical model has been developed to describe the interior ballistic processes in an electrothermal chemical (ETC) gun. The model, which takes into account the plasma/working fluid interaction, predicts transient and spatial variations of the gun chamber pressure, instantaneous projectile motion, and gun muzzle velocity. A complete set of governing equations is derived from first principles of physics, and the governing system is solved by an implicit finite difference scheme. Two sets of pulse-forming network (PFN) discharge curves, with various peak power times and total discharge times; are employed to study the ETC gun performance. The numerical results show that a ballistic efficiency of more than 13% can be achieved for an exothermic working fluid (C8H18/H2O2). The breech pressure and projectile-base pressure exhibit double peaks during the ballistic cycle. The first peak is due to the initial discharge of a plasma jet into the gun chamber, whereas the second peak is the result of vigorous interactions between the plasma jet and the working fluid. The calculated maximum breech pressure is on the order of 400 MPa, and a typical muzzle velocity is on the order of 2 km/s. Comparison of present numerical results with limited available experimental data is made and found to be good.
Path planning for cooperative time-optimal information collection

Motivated by cooperative exploration missions, this paper considers constant velocity, level flight path planning for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with range limited, omni-directional sensors. These active energy-based sensors collect information about objects of interest at rates that depend on the range to the objects according to Shannon's channel capacity equation, where the signal-to-noise ratio is governed by the radar equation. The mission of the UAVs is to travel through a given area and collect a specified amount of information about each object of interest while minimizing the total mission time. This information can then be used to classify the objects of interest. An optimal path planning problem is formulated where the states are the Cartesian coordinates of the UAVs and the amounts of information collected about each object of interest, the control inputs are the UAV heading angles, the objective function is the total mission time, and the boundary conditions are subject to inequality constraints that reflect the requirements of information collection. Necessary conditions for optimality are given, whose solutions yield extremal paths, and whose utilization highlights analytical properties of these extremal paths. The problem exhibits several limiting regimes, including the so-called Watchtower and the Multi-Vehicle Traveling Salesman Problem. These results are illustrated on several time-optimal cooperative exploration scenarios.
Role-playing in science education: An effective strategy for developing multiple perspectives

Five young women are up at the front of the college classroom, and their 25 classmates are attentive to the goings on. One steps behind the lecture podium as the others take their spots in chairs set in a row. The woman behind the podium announces that this is “The Oprah Show,” and then proceeds to initiate a conversation with her scientist guests. The participants are self-possessed and serious, picking up on each other’s comments to describe their unique lives and perspectives. They are in agreement in their responses to the question of today’s show, “Who does science?,” although their expertise ranges from primatology to cancer research, robotics, and environmental activism. Their unanimous conclusion: “Anyone who has a question that she is passionate about can be a scientist.”
The Presidency and Political Science: Two Hundred Years of Constitutional Debate

This work surveys the intellectual history of presidential scholarship from the Founding to the late 20th century. Reviewing the work of over 60 thinkers, including Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Woodrow Wilson, Richard Neustadt, James McGregor Burns, and Theodore Lowi, the authors identify six central questions, the answers to which can help form a theory of presidential power: Does presidential power derive from the prerogatives of office or from incumbency?; Does presidential influence depend upon force of personality, rhetorical leadership, or partisanship?; Does presidential leadership depend upon historical context or is regime-building manifested through political, institutional, and constitutional developments?; Does presidential leadership vary between domestic and foreign affairs?; Does the president actively or passively engage the legislative process and promote a policy agenda?; and Does the organization of the executive branch service presidential leadership? Arguing that three paradigms have dominated the history of presidential scholarship - Hamiltonianism, Jeffersonianism and Progressivism - the authors conclude that today's understanding of the presidency is characterized by a "new realism and old idealism". The book should appeal to students and scholars as well as to general readers with an interest in the American presidency.
Retrospective analysis of safety and feasibility of a 3 days on/11 days off temozolomide dosing regimen in recurrent adult malignant gliomas.

SUMMARY Aims: We report the safety and feasibility of a 3 days on/11 days off temozolomide regimen for the treatment of recurrent malignant gliomas. Patients & methods: Fifteen adult patients were treated; 14 were treated with 300 mg/m2 and one treated with 250 mg/m2. Results: We reviewed the toxicity, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival and objective response rate. Two patients (13%) experienced grade 3 nausea/vomiting and six patients (40%) experienced grade 3 lymphopenia. Dose reduction and treatment delay occurred in eight (53%) cases. One patient discontinued treatment due to uncontrolled nausea/vomiting. Median PFS for glioblastoma patients was 4.1 months and 6-month PFS was 25%. Twelve patients exhibited stable disease (86%), one patient (7%) had progressive disease and one patient (7%) showed a partial response. Conclusion: The '3 on/11 off' temozolomide regimen for recurrent high-grade gliomas was tolerable and warrants further study in a larger, prospective study.
PolyADP-ribose polymerase is a coactivator for AP-2-mediated transcriptional activation

Overexpression of transcription factor AP-2 has been implicated in the tumorigenicity of the human teratocarcinoma cell lines PA-1 that contain an activated ras oncogene. Here we show evidence that overexpression of AP-2 sequesters transcriptional coactivators which results in self-inhibition. We identified AP-2-interacting proteins and determined whether these proteins were coactivators for AP-2-mediated transcription. One such interacting protein is polyADP-ribose polymerase (PARP). PARP suppresses AP-2 self-inhibition and enhances AP-2 activity in PA-1 cells indicating that it is a coactivator for AP-2-transcription. PARP significantly restores AP-2 transcriptional activity in ras oncogene-transformed cells suggesting that it might suppress transformation in these cells. Another AP-2-interacting protein, RAP74, a subunit of transcription factor TFIIF, does not affect AP-2-mediated transcriptional activation alone or in the presence of RAP30, the other subunit of TFIIF. RAP74 also fails to relieve AP-2-mediated transcriptional self-interference and cross-interference. These studies suggest that the interaction between AP-2 and RAP74 may have functions other than activation of AP-2-mediated transcription.
En Route to Metastasis: Circulating Tumor Cell Clusters and Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition

Blood-borne metastasis accounts for the vast majority of cancer-related deaths and it is fueled by the generation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from a primary tumor deposit. Recent technological advances have made it possible to characterize human CTCs as they travel within the bloodstream. CTCs are found both as single cells and as clusters of cells held together by intercellular junctions. Although less prevalent, CTC clusters appear to have greater metastatic potential than single CTCs in the circulation. Both may exhibit shifts in expression of epithelial and mesenchymal markers, which may show dynamic changes during cancer progression. In this review we discuss recent insights into the biological properties of individual and clustered cancer cells in the circulation.
Left Ventricle Apical Conduit to Bilateral Subclavian Artery in a Patient With Porcelain Aorta and Aortic Stenosis

Severe atherosclerosis or calcification of the ascending aorta is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in patients who underwent cardiac operations. Several techniques had been used to avoid the manipulation of the ascending aorta during cardiac surgery. We reported our extra-anatomic approach in a patient with coronary artery disease and severe aortic stenosis with porcelain aorta. A 76-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, aortic stenosis, and coronary artery disease was scheduled to have cardiac surgery. After a standard median sternotomy, we found that the ascending aorta was severely calcified. The surgical strategy was changed to the construction of the composite conduit from the left ventricle (LV) apex to bilateral subclavian artery and coronary artery bypass grafting with saphenous vein. The right axillary artery and right atrium were cannulated to set up the cardiopulmonary bypass. A composite graft with a 21-mm bioprosthetic valve (Hancock II, Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, Minn) interposed into a 22–11–11 mm Y-shaped Hemashield graft (Meadox, Hemashield, Boston Scientific, Boston, Mass) was constructed. The proximal part of the composite graft was anastomosed directly to the LV apex. The distal portions of this composite graft were anastomosed end-to-side to the bilateral subclavian artery. Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a wide opened connection and unlimited blood flow from the LV apex to the conduit (Figure 1). Flow in the bilateral proximal subclavian artery showed reversed flow, which highlighted the adequacy of new LV outflow tract. The postoperative plain chest film showed the unusual location of prosthetic valve (Figure 2). Magnetic resonance angiography showed the patency of this apical composite conduit (Figure 3). The patient had an uneventful recovery. In current practice, ascending aortic calcification or atherosclerosis could be identified by epiaortic ultrasound; however, preoperative noninvasive study such as high-resolution, noncontrast computed tomography could be used for this purpose.
The effect on long-term survival of erythrocyte transfusion given for cardiac valve operations.

Background Studies in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have shown an increased long-term mortality rates associated with perioperative blood transfusions. However, some studies in other patient populations have shown no effect on death or even a lowered mortality rate in patients receiving blood transfusions, which suggests that the effects of blood transfusion may be disease-dependent. Methods Data of all patients who underwent valve operations with or without associated CABG between October 2, 1991, and November 14, 2007, were obtained from the department's database and analyzed using logistic regression for 30-day and Cox models for long-term mortality to determine the effects of transfusion on death. To control for the potential interaction between transfusion and complications and sicker patients being more likely to receive blood, we separately analyzed the data for the different valve populations and used propensity analysis to control for sicker patients being more likely to receive blood. Results Of 1823 patients who underwent valve operations, the operation was isolated in 993 and combined with CABG in 830. By 30 days, 125 patients (6.9%) had died, and 717 (39%) were dead at follow-up. After controlling for type of operation and factors that influenced the transfusion decision, transfusion was associated with increased death only in patients who had combined valve and CABG, and not in isolated valve operations. Conclusions Transfusion had no effect on the mortality rate after isolated valve operations but was associated with increased mortality when valve operations were combined with CABG.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Mechanics and Its Coupling to Cerebrovascular Dynamics

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is not stagnant but displays fascinating oscillatory flow patterns inside the ventricular system and reversing fluid exchange between the cranial vault and spinal compartment. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge of pulsatile CSF motion. Observations contradicting classical views about its bulk production and clearance are highlighted. A clinical account of diseases of abnormal CSF flow dynamics, including hydrocephalus, syringomyelia, Chiari malformation type 1, and pseudotumor cerebri, is also given. We survey medical imaging modalities used to observe intracranial dynamics in vivo. Additionally, we assess the state of the art in predictive models of CSF dynamics. The discussion addresses open questions regarding CSF dynamics as they relate to the understanding and management of diseases.
Securities Regulation of Alternative Litigation Finance

Alternative Litigation Finance – or ALF – is a rapidly growing, largely unregulated industry, which poses myriad potential benefits and problems. Although ALF has attracted significant scholarly attention, the potential role for securities regulation of ALF has not been widely discussed. This Essay seeks to begin that discussion by analyzing the potential securities regulation of the ALF contract – which is the agreement between the ALF client (the recipient of ALF funds) and the ALF company (the supplier of ALF funds). First, this Essay provides an overview of ALF, including a summary of the potential pros and cons of ALF and the various regulatory responses proposed by scholars. Second, this Essay analyzes whether an ALF agreement satisfies the definition of "investment contract" so as to qualify as a "security," concluding that an ALF agreement probably qualifies as a security in those jurisdictions that apply a vertical commonality test. Third, this Essay considers whether ALF agreements implicate the central policy of the securities laws – full and fair disclosure – and concludes that ALF agreements are rife with information asymmetry, thus implicating this policy. Fourth, this Essay analyzes how securities regulation would affect ALF contracts, focusing on the prohibitions on the sale and advertising of unregistered, nonexempt securities and the antifraud provisions and concluding that these provisions would partially redress the informational imbalances. In conclusion, this Essay argues that the flexibility of securities regulation makes it a particularly effective method of regulating an evolving industry such as ALF.
BIRD: browsing interface for the retrieval of documents

BIRD (Browsing Interface for Retrieval of Documents) is an interface that helps in information seeking tasks by simplifying the organization of documents into lists. It provides a visual interface for dividing and merging lists of documents on the basis of document contents. Users can categorize sets of documents into lists while browsing documents, and thus keep track of the progress of browsing sessions. >
Self-Cognitions in Antisocial Alcohol Dependence and Recovery

Cross-sectional relationships between content and structural properties of the self-concept and alcohol use in young adults with antisocial alcohol dependence (AAD) (n = 24), those in recovery from AAD (n = 18), and controls (n = 23) were examined using the schema model of the self-concept. Persons with AAD had a trend toward fewer positive self-schemas than did controls, and had more negative self-schemas and a trend toward higher interrelatedness than did those in recovery and controls. They also showed evidence of a drinking-related self-schema, whereas those in recovery showed evidence of a recovery-related self-schema. Finally, evidence to support a model using properties of the self-concept to predict high levels of alcohol use was found. These findings provide a beginning empirical foundation for the development of nursing interventions aimed at altering self-structure to prevent the development of and promote recovery from antisocial alcohol dependence.
Malarial parasite diversity in chimpanzees: The value of comparative approaches to ascertain the evolution of Plasmodium falciparum antigens

Plasmodium falciparum shares its most recent common ancestor with parasites found in African apes; these species constitute the so-called Laverania clade. In this investigation, the evolutionary history of Plasmodium lineages found in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) was explored. Here, the remainders of 74 blood samples collected as part of the chimpanzees’ routine health examinations were studied. For all positive samples with parasite lineages belonging to the Laverania clade, the complete mitochondrial genome (mtDNA), the gene encoding dihydrofolate reductase-thymidylate synthase (dhfr-ts), the chloroquine resistance transporter (Pfcrt), the circumsporozoite protein (csp), merozoite surface protein 2 (msp2), and the DBL-1 domain from var2CSA were amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Other Plasmodium species were included in the mtDNA, dhfr-ts, and csp analyses. Phylogenetic and evolutionary genetic analyses were performed, including molecular clock analyses on the mtDNA. Nine chimpanzees were malaria positive (12.2%); four of those infections were identified as P. falciparum, two as a Plasmodium reichenowi- like parasite or Plasmodium sp., one as Plasmodium gaboni, and two as Plasmodium malariae. All P. falciparum isolates were resistant to chloroquine indicating that the chimpanzees acquired such infections from humans in recent times. Such findings, however, are not sufficient for implicating chimpanzees as an animal reservoir for P. falciparum. Timing estimates support that the Laverania clade has co-existed with hominids for a long-period of time. The proposed species P. gaboni, Plasmodium billbrayi, and Plasmodium billcollinsi are monophyletic groups supporting that they are indeed different species. An expanded CSP phylogeny is presented, including all the Laverania species and other malarial parasites. Contrasting with other Plasmodium, the Laverania csp exhibits great conservation at the central tandem repeat region. Msp2 and var 2CSA, however, show extended recent polymorphism in P. falciparum that likely originated after the P. reichenowi-P. falciparum split. The accumulation of such diversity may indicate adaptation to the human host. These examples support the notion that comparative approaches among P. falciparum and its related species will be of great value in understanding the evolution of proteins that are important in parasite invasion of the human red blood cell, as well as those involved in malaria pathogenesis.
Role of Plasmodium falciparum Digestive Vacuole Plasmepsins in the Specificity and Antimalarial Mode of Action of Cysteine and Aspartic Protease Inhibitors

Hemoglobin (Hb) degradation is essential for the growth of the intraerythrocytic stages of malarial parasites. This process, which occurs inside an acidic digestive vacuole (DV), is thought to involve the action of four aspartic proteases, termed plasmepsins (PMs). These enzymes have received considerable attention as potential antimalarial drug targets. Leveraging the availability of a set of PM-knockout lines generated in Plasmodium falciparum, we report here that a wide range of previously characterized or novel aspartic protease inhibitors exert their antimalarial activities independently of their effect on the DV PMs. We also assayed compounds previously shown to inhibit cysteine proteases residing in the DV. The most striking observation was a ninefold increase in the potency of the calpain inhibitor N-acetyl-leucinyl-leucinyl-norleucinal (ALLN) against parasites lacking all four DV PMs. Genetic ablation of PM III or PM IV also decreased the level of parasite resistance to the beta-hematin binding antimalarial chloroquine. On the basis of the findings of drug susceptibility and isobologram assays, as well as the findings of studies of the inhibition of Hb degradation, morphological analyses, and stage specificity, we conclude that the DV PMs and falcipain cysteine proteases act cooperatively in Hb hydrolysis. We also identify several aspartic protease inhibitors, designed to target DV PMs, which appear to act on alternative targets early in the intraerythrocytic life cycle. These include the potent diphenylurea compound GB-III-32, which was found to be fourfold less potent against a P. falciparum line overexpressing plasmepsin X than against the parental nontransformed parasite line. The identification of the mode of action of these inhibitors will be important for future antimalarial drug discovery efforts focusing on aspartic proteases.
Principles of CASE Tool Integration

This book provides an in-depth analysis of the CASE tool integration problem, and describes practical approaches that can be used with current CASE technology to help your organization take greater advantage of integrated CASE.
Noncompaction of the myocardium complicated by coronary artery embolism

Isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium is an unusual form of cardiomyopathy resulting from an arrest of compaction of the loosely interwoven meshwork of myofibers that embryologically exist within the myocardium causing multiple trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses within the ventricular myocardium. The clinical features associated with ventricular compaction consist of ventricular dysfunction, arrythmias, and systemic and pulmonary thromboemboli. We hereby describe a 30-year-old man with isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium who first presented with an acute coronary artery embolism.
Recipes for Antimicrobial Wine Marinades against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica

We have evaluated bactericidal activities against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica of several antimicrobial wine recipes, each consisting of red or white wine extracts of oregano leaves with added garlic juice and oregano oil. Dose-response plots were used to determine the percentage of the recipes that resulted in a 50% decrease in colony-forming units (CFU) at 60 min (BA(50)). Studies designed to optimize antibacterial activities of the recipes demonstrated that several combinations of the naturally occurring plant-derived ingredients rapidly inactivated the above mentioned 4 foodborne pathogens. We also showed that (a) incubation temperature affected activities in the following order: 37 degrees C > 21 degrees C > 4 degrees C; (b) varying the initial bacterial concentrations from 10(3) to 10(4) to 10(5) CFU/well did not significantly affect BA(50) values; (c) storage of 3 marinades up to 2 mo did not change their effectiveness against Salmonella enterica; and (d) polyphenolic compounds isolated by chromatography from red wine exhibited exceptional activity at nanogram levels against 2 strains of Bacillus cereus. These observations suggest that antimicrobial wine formulations have the potential to improve the microbiological safety of foods.
Whole-Body I-131 Metastatic Survey as an Aide in Determining Functional Thyroid Metastases

Whole-body metastatic survey scans are performed in order to determine the extent of metastases, the quality of tumor uptake, and whether the patient will benefit from therapeutic doses of radioiodine. Periodic whole-body scans also help to evaluate the success of radioiodine therapy or the necessity to repeat therapeutic treatments. Using a dual-probe rectilinear scanner and supplementing with scintillation camera images, we have found this procedure useful in detecting metastatic and focal thyroid cancer.
Control of Moulting and Metamorphosis in the Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca Sexta (L.): Cessation of Juvenile Hormone Secretion as a Trigger for Pupation

During the final larval instar of the tobacco hornworm the presence of juvenile hormone (JH) inhibits the secretion of the brain9s prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH). The corpora allata cease to secrete JH when the larvae attain a weight of approximately 5 g. The JH is cleared from the haemolymph in about 24 h. This process in itself renders the brain competent to release PTTH. The actual release of PTTH occurs at the very first photo-periodic gate after the JH has disappeared from the haemolymph. A functional failure of this normal mechanism is apparently responsible for the developmental standstill of Lepidoptera which diapause as mature larvae.
Nação, narração e naturalismo em Bom-Crioulo de Adolfo Caminha

Partindo da ideia de sistema literario formulada por Antonio Candido, propoe-se neste ensaio estabelecer um dialogo entre Iracema (1865) de Jose de Alencar e Bom-Crioulo (1895) de Adolfo Caminha, com um duplo objetivo. Primeiro, entender de que forma Bom-Crioulo retoma e expande as fragilidades do sistema politico-social estabelecido pelas elites do Imperio e presentes ja nas entrelinhas da narrativa alencariana. Segundo, perceber de que forma Bom-Crioulo pode contribuir para a construcao da identidade brasileira e, por conseguinte, participar na interacao que se estabelece entre nacao e narracao. O foco principal deste ensaio sera o romance de Caminha, embora o ponto de partida seja o jogo intertextual que este mantem com Iracema, o romance de Alencar.
Ovarian Development of Female Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus Clarkii) as Influenced by Temperature and Photoperiod

ABSTRACT The effect of combinations of each of two photoperiods (14L: 10D and 10L:14D) and each of two temperatures (20°C and 27°C) on ovarian development in mature red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) was evaluated as measured by gonadosomatic index (GSI). Mean GSI for all treatments increased over time from an initial value of 0.063% to a final range of 0.481― 1.225% after 70 days. The effect of temperature and photoperiod varied at different sampling periods with temperature being significant at day 14 and photoperiod being significant at day 70. Interaction of the two variables was significant at day 56. Regression analysis indicated that the mean rate of increase of the GSI over time under the cold temperature (20°C), short photoperiod (10L: 14D) regime was significantly lower than those for all other treatments. Ovaries of females held under long photoperiod (14L: 10D) had the greatest mean rate of increase of GSI, but not significantly greater than that of the warm temperature (27°C), short photoperiod treatment. Mean rates of increase of whole body weight of crayfish in the warm temperature treatments were significantly greater than those for the cold water treatments but were not accompanied by significant increases in mean ovarian weights. Field data and laboratory results collectively suggest that temperature controls the onset of ovarian development which is accelerated by increasing day length.
Interaction of chloramphenicol and 181-1181-1181-1in barbital-anesthetized mice

L'augmentation de l'anesthesie produite par le barbital chez la souris traitee auΔ1-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ1-THC) a 10 ou 20 mg/kg par voie i.p. est accentuee d'une maniere significative par le traitement prealable au chloramphenicol (CHPC) a 100 mg/kg, mais non pas par 50 mg/kg de ce compose injecte par voie i.p. Le CHPC seul n'a aucun effet. Le CHPC etant un inhibiteur des systemes enzymatiques des microsomes hepatiques, on en a conclu que l'effet duΔ1-THC sur le prolongement de la duree du sommeil au barbital est du au compose parent plutot qu'a l'un des produits de transformation biologique.
The nursing care of the open heart patient.

The recovery of the open heart patient depends on good nursing care and is often very rapid. In a very successful case the patient will be sitting up the evening of surgery, dangling the first postoperative day, out of bed in a chair the second, and walking the third. He may be discharged as soon as a week following surgery. The patient's rate of recovery is an individual matter. He will determine his own activity by his condition. We usually let the patient be the guide in determining his limitations and progress. It is both thrilling and rewarding to see this type of progress in a patient. To quote Dr. James Jude, chief of cardiovascular surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, "The future of cardiac nursing is bright. It calls for those who desire to give their hearts to the healing of hearts of others."
Taking STEPs Forward to Understand Fragile X Syndrome

A priority of fragile X syndrome (FXS) research is to determine the molecular mechanisms underlying the functional, behavioral, and structural deficits in humans and in the FXS mouse model. Given that metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) long-term depression (LTD) is exaggerated in FXS mice, considerable effort has focused on proteins that regulate this form of synaptic plasticity. STriatal-Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase (STEP) is a brain-specific phosphatase implicated as an “LTD protein” because it mediates AMPA receptor internalization during mGluR LTD. STEP also promotes NMDA receptor endocytosis and inactivates ERK1/2 and Fyn, thereby opposing synaptic strengthening. We hypothesized that dysregulation of STEP may contribute to the pathophysiology of FXS. We review how STEP’s expression and activity are regulated by dendritic protein synthesis, ubiquitination, proteolysis, and phosphorylation. We also discuss implications for STEP in FXS and other disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. As highlighted here, pharmacological interventions targeting STEP may prove successful for FXS.
Femtosecond Studies of the Charge-Transfer-toSolvent Transition of the Sodium Anion in THF

Following excitation of the errs band of the sodium anion in THF, recombination of the solvated electrons with the parent sodium atom takes place on two time scales: -2 ps, and -200 ps. The fraction of electrons that recombine in -2 ps depends on the initial excitation energy; the data suggest that a stable atom:electron contact pair is formed following CTTS. All the results show that Na- provides a unique model system for studying charge transfer: only electronic degrees of freedom are involved, so that the spectroscopy is well-defined for all the species in the reaction.