cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Zona incerta lesions: effects on copulation, partner-preference and other socio-sexual behaviors.

Sexually active males prefer a sexually receptive female to a non-receptive female, and partner-preference tests provide one way of studying the effect of brain damage on sexual motivation. Male rats with bilateral electrolytic lesions of the caudal zona incerta do not mate, and we studied the effects of zona incerta destruction on copulation and partner-preference. Lesioned males did not mate but were not indifferent to sexually receptive females. They continued to show a strong preference for a sexually receptive female over a non-receptive female. In addition, lesioned males showed many incomplete mounts i.e. mounts not accompanied by the pelvic thrusting necessary for intromission and ejaculation. Anogenital investigation of the receptive female was common. Taken together, these facts suggest that zona incerta destruction eliminates copulation without affecting sexual motivation, and that the failure to mate after lesioning probably reflects an inability to properly engage the locomotor responses of copulation.
Fragment yields and phase coexistence in nuclear collisions

Abstract It is shown that the apparent power-law behavior of the fragment yields obtained in high-energy proton-nucleus and nucleus-nucleus collisions can be understood in terms of the coexistence of liquid and vapor phases of nuclear matter. The fragment yields are computed by calculating the disassembly of the liquid and vapor sources microanonically. Good agreement with data is obtained for a wide range of breakup densities.
Character education, new media, and political spectacle

Ontario’s new Character Development Initiative is analyzed to determine whether it can be characterized as political spectacle. Examination of official policy texts, media reports, speeches, web pages, webcasts, and events at the Character Development Symposium suggests that the Initiative contains many elements of political spectacle; however, the policy has received little coverage in traditional media. Media coverage is considered as an essential component of political spectacles. In this case, media coverage is limited to digital media produced by the Ontario government itself. This raises questions about the implications of new media forms for the theory of political spectacle. I demonstrate that digital media offer new means for bringing political spectacles to citizens and enable governments to have greater control over their content. Since political spectacles facilitated by traditional media promote the status quo and make critical analysis of public policy difficult, government‐produced digital ...
Newly Identified Roles of PML in Stem Cell Biology

It has long been believed that the tumor suppressor promyelocytic leukemia (PML), the core component of the nuclear substructures known as the PML-nuclear bodies, plays a key part in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), as it is first cloned at the breakpoint of the t(15;17) translocation typical of that disease. Research over the past decade, however, has radically changed our view of how this tumor suppressor is regulated, how it can be therapeutically targeted, and how it functions in a number of tissue systems. One noteworthy recent study, for instance, revealed that PML regulates the activation of fatty acid metabolism, and that this metabolic reprogramming plays an essential role in cancer biology and stem cell biology through the control it exerts over stem cell fate decisions. These findings sparked exciting new investigations of PML as a critical ‘rheostat’ responsible for fine-tuning tissue homeostasis, and thus created at the intersection of cancer and stem cell biology a new field of study with important therapeutic implications.
Numerical advective flux in highly variable velocity fields exemplified by saltwater intrusion

Abstract Numerical simulation of advective solute transport requires approximation of two vectors: the concentration gradient and the velocity. Estimation of the concentration gradient by Eulerian solution techniques gives rise to classical `numerical dispersion' since the truncation error is of the form ∇ 2 C . Truncation of the velocity vector has escaped close scrutiny because the velocity field generally varies slowly in space in most groundwater environments. However, in many problems, including saltwater intrusion, the velocity field is highly variable and error associated with velocity approximation strongly affects the solution. Particle-tracking (Lagrangian) algorithms create a non-uniform error vector within each numerical block. The non-uniform error gives rise to differential advective flux that mimics the effects of classical numerical dispersion. Since the velocity truncation error vector depends on the size of a numerical block, Lagrangian methods may require extremely fine discretization of the underlying pressure grid. A finite-difference Lagrangian variable-density flow and transport code shows slow convergence to a `correct' solution of Henry's and related problems of saltwater intrusion as the grid density is changed. On the other hand, an Eulerian finite element code is shown to have a uniform velocity error vector within each element and the solution converges quickly as the grid density is changed. This suggests that the usual computational advantage that Lagrangian transport algorithms gain by using coarse grids is lost when modeling transport within highly variable velocity fields.
Catecholaminergic mechanisms of the lateral hypothalamus: Their role in the mediation of amphetamine anorexia

Summary The brain mechanisms mediating amphetamine's suppressive effect on feeding behavior were analyzed in rats with chronically implanted brain cannulas. Experiments in which drugs were injected directly into the anterolateral hypothalamus, the region found to be most responsive to amphetamine's action, yielded the following results. (1) Over a dose range of 6.25 nmoles (0.8 μg) to 400 nmoles (51.4 μg), hypothalamically injected d -amphetamine produced a reliable suppression of food consumption (20% at 6.25 nmoles, increasing to 88% at 200 nmoles) and was found to be approximately 3 times as potent as l -amphetamine in yielding this effect. (2) The anorexic effect of hypothalamically injected d -amphetamine was totally abolished by local administration of α-methyltyrosine, an inhibitor of dopamine, norepinephrine, and perhaps epinephrine synthesis, or by local administration of Fla-63, an inhibitor of only norepinephrine, and perhaps epinephrine, synthesis. (3) This effect of hypothalamic d -amphetamine was also antagonized by locally administered dopaminergic or beta-adrenergic receptor blockers but was unaffected by alpha-adrenergic, serotonergic, and cholinergic blockers. (4) Lateral hypothalamic administration of dopaminergic or beta-adrenergic receptor blockers, at quite low doses, was also effective in antagonizing the anorexia induced by peripherally administered d -amphetamine. These results strongly suggest that amphetamine, in suppressing feeding behavior, acts through the lateral hypothalamus, perhaps the anterior region, causing a release of dopamine and norepinephrine (or perhaps epinephrine) from lateral hypothalamic nerve endings and a subsequent stimulation of dopaminergic and beta-adrenergic receptors located in that region.
Elastic moduli of composites with rigid sliding inclusions

Abstract We investigate the effect of interfaces on the elastic properties of composites with randomly distributed inclusions. Initially, the solution for a single isolated sliding inclusion is obtained and this result is used in two separate effective-medium theories, the self-consistent method and the differential scheme, to predict the elastic properties of composites containing a finite volume fraction of inclusions. For simplicity, the inclusions are assumed to be rigid. In the analysis, a parameter is introduced to describe the degree of sliding at the interface. Two limiting cases are perfect bonding and pure sliding at the inclusion—matrix interface. We show that the Poisson's ratio of the composite tends towards a universal value that is independent of the material parameters of the matrix, as the number of inclusions is increased. In contrast to the perfect-bonding case, both effective-medium theories give remarkably similar results in the pure-sliding limit.
Ion-exchange separation and automated assay of some hexosamines

Abstract Separation of various 2-amino-2-deoxy- d -hexoses, 2-amino-2,6-dideoxy- d -hexoses, 2,6-diamino-2,6-dideoxy- d -hexoses, 3-amino-3-deoxy- d -hexoses, and 3-amino-3,6-dideoxy- d -hexoses, as well as 2-amino-2-deoxy- d -hexuronic acids and d -muramic acids, has been effected on Dowex 50 resins using pyridine-acetate buffers. The column effluents were assayed by reaction with ninhydrin in a Technicon AutoAnalyzer.
Moving Up the Judicial Ladder: The Nomination of State Supreme Court Justices to the Federal Courts

State institutions have assumed increasingly important roles in policymaking. Moreover, prior research indicates that judicial experience has emerged as a particularly important factor in nomination to the federal courts. Despite these developments, justices from state Supreme Courts are not often nominated to the federal judiciary. This article identifies the factors that influence the nomination of state Supreme Court justices to the federal courts. The results indicate that partisan alignment between the nominee, senators, and president is a critical factor in nomination. Age is also a significant factor in predicting nomination; a justice’s likelihood of being nominated peaks in her early 50s. Moreover, state high court justices who serve on relatively prestigious courts or have considerable seniority are less likely to be nominated to the federal courts thereby suggesting that visibility may not be an asset to state justices wishing to move to the federal courts.
Hydra as a tractable, long-lived model system for senescence

Hydra represents a unique model system for the study of senescence, with the opportunity for the comparison of non-aging and induced senescence. Hydra maintains three stem cell lineages, used for continuous tissue morphogenesis and replacement. Recent work has elucidated the roles of the insulin/IGF-1 signaling target FoxO, of Myc proteins, and of PIWI proteins in Hydra stem cells. Under laboratory culture conditions, Hydra vulgaris show no signs of aging even under long-term study. In contrast, Hydra oligactis can be experimentally induced to undergo reproduction-associated senescence. This provides a powerful comparative system for future studies.
Letter To A Friend: A Personal Reflection Exercise:

This article presents a personal reflection exercise used in a social issues in management course and in a course called Management Practice. The letter to a friend challenges students to reflect on the course, their career and life goals, and to identify the contributions that they will make to the world and in their lives.
Lasers without inversion: Single-atom transient response.

We discuss the effect of the transient response on the dynamics of lifetime broadened lasers that operate without the need for population inversion. A relationship between the steady-state absorptive transition probability rate and the transient gain and loss is given.
Goal programs with −ni, −pi and −(ni+pi) objective functions

Abstract The (minimizing) achievement function of the traditional goal programming (GP) model has five basic forms: n i , p i , (n i +p i ), (n i −p i ) , and (pi−ni), where ni and pi are nonnegative under and over achievement variables in the ith goal-constraint. This paper proposes and justifies three new objective-function forms: −n i , −p i , and (ni+pi) and presents an algorithm for solving the ensuing nonconvex program. We also introduce the intuitive concepts of the supposed indifference satisfactory interval (SISI), and the supposed indifference dissatisfactory interval (SIDI). We believe that these concepts will help the decision maker understand the different objective-function forms.
Enzymatic regulation of the tyrosine metabolic pathway in rat liver.

Abstract A study of the diurnal variation of the activities of the first three enzymes of the tyrosine catabolic pathway in rat liver was carried out. Tyrosine α-ketoglutarate transaminase (TKT), as had been shown previously, exhibited a large diurnal variation in activity. The second enzyme, p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate hydroxylase also had a diurnal variation which qualitatively paralleled that of TKT, although of a much lower amplitude. The third enzyme, homogentisate oxygenase did not exhibit change in its activity. Further studies were carried out on the induction of these three enzymes by tyrosine. It was found that in the adrenalectomized animal tyrosine injection produced an increase in p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate activity to the same extent as was observed during the diurnal rhythm studies.
Responses of seasonally anestrous gilts and weaned primiparous sows to treatment with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin and Altrenogest

Abstract Seasonal anestrus during late summer and autumn delays the onset of puberty in gilts and the prompt return to estrus in weaned sows. In this study, 132 gilts that had not been detected in estrus within 3 wk after being moved to the breeding barn were given a single intramuscular (i.m.) injection of 0, 363, 725, or 1088 IU of pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG), or they were fed Altrenogest, a synthetic progestogen, (20 mg per day) for 14 d. Thirty eight percent of control gilts were detected in estrus within 20 d after treatment. Treatment with 725 or 1088 IU PMSG or Altrenogest significantly increased the proportion of gilts detected in estrus within 20 d to 77% and significantly reduced the average interval to estrus. Treatment with 363 IU PMSG did not increase the percentage of gilts in estrus within 20 d. Primiparous sows (n = 155) were assigned to a 2 × 3 factorial experiment at weaning. The sows received 0 or 20 mg Altrenogest for 3 d beginning the day after weaning and 0, 900, or 1200 IU PMSG which was given the day after weaning or the day after the last dose of Altrenogest was administered. Fifty eight percent of control sows were detected in estrus within 10 d. Administration of 1200 IU PMSG alone increased the percentage of sows detected in estrus within 10 d to 95%. Treatment with 1200 IU PMSG plus Altrenogest or 900 IU PMSG with or without Altrenogest tended to increase the percentage of sows in estrus within 10 d (70 to 76%). Altrenogest alone was not beneficial. Fertility and subsequent litter sizes among gilts and sows that were given various treatments were similar. We concluded that a single intramuscular injection of an appropriate dose of PMSG overcomes seasonal anestrus in gilts and weaned primiparous sows.
The Formation and Habitability of Extra-Solar Planets

Abstract A quantitative numerical program, developed to model the formation of the terrestrial planets and asteroids of our solar System (Wetherill 1992), has been extended to include a more general range of stellar and preplanetary nebular parameters, as may be expected elsewhere in the Galaxy and Universe. The results of about 500 new simulations of planetary formation are reported. It is found that for circumstellar disk parameters that are not too different from those of the Solar System, the number and radial distribution of final terrestrial planets are insensitive to stellar mass and these planets concentrate in the vicinity of 1 AU. In contrast, the position of the biologically habitable heliocentric distances are strongly dependent on stellar mass (Kastinget al.1993), and the frequency of habitable planets is therefore also dependent on stellar mass. Stars of 1.0 solar mass (M⊙) almost always have at least one planet of mass >1/3 Earth mass (M⊕) in their habitable zones. Larger planets of the smaller stars tend to be too cold, those of the larger stars too hot. Nevertheless, some ∼5 to 15% of the simulated planetary systems associated with stars as small as 0.5M⊙and as large as 1.5M⊙contain a habitable planet. The position and number of simulated terrestrial planets are also insensitive to the initial surface density of solid bodies in the circumstellar disk, but the size of the planets is approximately proportional to the surface density. These results represent planetary systems associated with radial variation of surface densities, disk parameters, and giant planet populations not very different from those of our Solar System. The outer boundary of their “peak” in semimajor axis distribution at 1 AU is determined by the increasing proximity of more distant bodies to strong resonances by Jupiter and Saturn. As a consequence, this boundary will move in or out in accordance with the position, or absence, of such bodies in other systems. In the complete absence of Jupiter, the median planetary mass in the terrestrial planet region is almost 2M⊕, for the same initial surface density used in the models characteristic of our Solar System. The inner boundary is determined by the minimum distance at which planet-forming solids condense in the disk. For some, not necessarily likely, variations in these parameters, abundant populations of habitable planets can be obtained for all the values of stellar mass considered.
Identification of Rv3230c as the NADPH oxidoreductase of a two-protein DesA3 acyl-CoA desaturase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv.

DesA3 is a membrane-bound stearoyl-CoA Δ9 desaturase that produces oleic acid, a precursor of mycobacterial membrane phospholipids and triglycerides. DesA3 has sequence homology with other membrane desaturases including the presence of the eight His motif proposed to bind the diiron center active site. This family of desaturases function as multi-component complexes, and thus require electron transfer proteins for efficient catalytic turnover. Here we present evidence that Rv3230c from Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv is a biologically relevant electron transfer partner for DesA3 from the same pathogen. For these studies, Rv3230c was expressed as a partially soluble protein in Escherichia coli; recombinant DesA3 was expressed in Mycobacterium smegmatis as a catalytically active membrane protein. The addition of E. coli lysates containing Rv3230c to lysates of M. smegmatis expressing DesA3 gave strong conversion of [1-14C]-18:0-CoA to [1-14C]-cis-Δ9-18:1-CoA and of [1-14C]-16:0-CoA to [1-14C]-cis-Δ9-16:1-CoA. Both M. tuberculosis proteins were required to reconstitute activity, as various combinations of control lysates lacking either Rv3230c or DesA3 gave minimal or no activity. Furthermore, the specificity of interaction between Rv3230c and DesA3 was implied by the inability of other related redox systems to substitute for Rv3230c. The reconstituted activity was dependent upon the presence of NADPH, could be saturated by increasing the amount of Rv3230c added and was also sensitive to the salt concentration in the buffer. The results are consistent with the formation of a protein-protein complex, possibly with electrostatic character. This work defines a multi-protein, acyl-CoA desaturase complex from M. tuberculosis H37Rv to minimally consist of a soluble Rv3230c reductase and integral membrane DesA3 desaturase. Further implications of this finding relative to the properties of other multi-protein iron enzyme complexes are discussed.
Severe Generalized Weakness, Paralysis, and Aphasia following Administration of Irinotecan and Oxaliplatin during FOLFIRINOX Chemotherapy.

Background: Irinotecan is commonly used in combination with oxaliplatin as a component of FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy for several gastrointestinal malignancies. The purpose of this case report is to describe a patient who developed acute paralysis and aphasia while receiving her initial infusion of irinotecan. Case Report: A 67-year-old woman with newly diagnosed metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma presented for her first cycle of FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy. During her infusion of irinotecan, she developed acute onset of generalized weakness, paralysis of all extremities, and nonfluent aphasia with complete inability to communicate. This episode was self-limited and resolved within 2 h. Prior to subsequent infusions she received intravenous repletion of potassium and had no recurrence of symptoms. Discussion: In selected cases, coadministration of irinotecan and oxaliplatin may result in severe generalized weakness and aphasia, which may be triggered by underlying electrolyte disturbances. Careful monitoring and correction of potassium may help prevent this reaction.
Structure of neutral aluminum clusters Al n ( 2 ⩽ n ⩽ 23 ) : Genetic algorithm tight-binding calculations

We performed global structural optimizations for neutral aluminum clusters ${\mathrm{Al}}_{n}$ ($n$ up to 23) using a genetic algorithm (GA) coupled with a tight-binding interatomic potential. Structural candidates obtained from our GA search were further optimized by using first-principles total energy calculations. We report the lowest energy structures of neutral ${\mathrm{Al}}_{n}$ $(n=2\ensuremath{-}23)$. We found that the icosahedral structure of ${\mathrm{Al}}_{13}$ serves as the core for the growth of aluminum clusters from ${\mathrm{Al}}_{14}$ to ${\mathrm{Al}}_{18}$.
The impact of bronchopulmonary dysplasia on caregiver health related quality of life during the first 2 years of life

Objectives Preterm children with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) frequently require complex home medical regimens and re-hospitalization during the first 2 years of life. The burden of caring for these medically complex children may negatively affect caregiver health related quality of life (HRQoL). The objectives of this study were to measure caregiver HRQoL of children with BPD and to identify factors that impact caregiver HRQoL during the first 2 years of life. Methods Children (n = 186) were recruited from the Johns Hopkins BPD Outpatient Clinic between January 2008 and July 2011. Caregiver HRQoL was measured using The PedsQLTM Family Impact Module. Respiratory symptoms and morbidities were assessed using questionnaires. Results Among caregivers of BPD children, significant improvement in physical, worry, and daily domains improved longitudinally as children aged. An association was found between lower total HRQoL scores and caregivers of BPD children who reported more respiratory symptoms and acute care usage. No difference in total HRQoL scores was found between caregivers of BPD children requiring respiratory/enteral support and caregivers of children who did not. Caregiver income and educational level did not predict total HRQoL score, but Non-White race and public insurance was associated with a higher total HRQoL score at the first outpatient visit. Conclusion An association was found between lower HRQoL scores and caregivers of BPD children with frequent respiratory symptoms and acute care usage. Screening for low HRQoL in caregivers of BPD children with frequent respiratory illnesses should be considered to identify those who may benefit from additional support and intervention. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:579–586. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preliminary report on the effects of vagus stimulation on the dog's stomach and the influence of asphyxia on these effects

Summary1. In the dog stimulations of the vagus repeated at short intervals are followed by contractions of the stomach of approximately uniform amplitude.2. Prolonged stimulation of the vagus is followed by a single contraction of the stomach and its usual subsequent relaxation in spite of continued stimulation. Failure of cardiac inhibition occurs at about the same time as relaxation of the stomach begins.3. Reduction of the body temperature to 25° C. to 23° C. is followed by decreased response to vagus stimulation but no indications of either failure of gastric response to repeated vagus stimulation or tetanus. At 21° C. vagus stimulation is without effect on the stomach but stimulation of the stomach wall is followed by a contraction.4. Partial asphyxia of the stomach by shutting off the blood supply to the part is followed by rapid failure of gastric response to repeated vagus stimulations similar to that observed in the turtle. Removal of the asphyxia is followed by recovery of the gastric response t...
Branch Retinal Artery Occlusion Associated With Directional Coronary Atherectomy After Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

Purpose To report a case of branch retinal artery occlusion after atherectomy. Methods A 51-year-old man complained of visual loss in the right eye after directional coronary atherectomy, performed secondary to a complicated percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. He underwent a full ophthalmologic examination, including fluorescein angiography and Doppler ultrasound. Results Visual acuity was 20/30 with an inferior scotoma present in the right eye. There were three Hollenhorst plaques present inside the superotemporal vascular arcade. Conclusions There is a small but definite risk of retinal microinfarctions after atherectomy.
Effect of letter-pair frequency and orientation of speed of “same” - “different” judgments by children and adults

In making “same”-“different” judgments of letter pairs, fourth graders took nearly twice as long to respond as did adult Ss, yet otherwise showed a similar pattern of results, responding faster on “same” than on “different” letter pairs, faster on more frequent than on less frequent letter pairs, faster on upright than on upside-down letter pairs. Contra to Egeth & Blecker (1971) and to Ellis & Chase (1972), the letter orientation effect was not restricted to “ Hsame” pairs. Contra to Krueger (1973), the letter frequency effect was not restricted to “different” pairs.
Environment About Indium in Ga1-xInxN from In and Ga K-Edge XAFS

GaN doped with various amounts of In can be used to make diodes with colors from blue to green. In order to determine the effect of the In on the local nitrogen and gallium environment, we have collected both In and Ga K-edge XAFS data on films of Ga 1-x In x N. The distribution of In in the GaN matrix was found to be random both by plotting the amplitude of the InGa/In peak vs. x and from more detailed fits, although small clusters of three or fewer In atoms cannot be ruled out. In-In and In-Ga atom pairs are of comparable bond length, increasing approximately linearly with concentration x. These atom-pair distances are between the Ga-Ga distance in GaN (3.18 A) and the In-In distance in InN (3.52 A). Ga edge data is consistent with this distribution, but further distortions make detailed fits more difficult.
Dynamics of random sequential adsorption

The coverage of a two-dimensional surface by the random sequential adsorption of hard disks is shown to approach the "jamming limit" with time as ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{2}}$ (or ${t}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{d}}$ for general dimension $d$), confirming a conjecture by Feder. The same argument predicts a logarithmic divergence of the two-particle correlation function at contact, confirming a second conjecture by Feder. The effects of placing squares on the surface instead of disks, and the consequences of these results for future numerical work on related problems are discussed.
Linear system and conservation laws for d = 10 super-yang-mills

Abstract A new twistor-like parametrization of the linear system for d = 10 super-Yang-Mills is proposed. It is more suitable for power series expansion of conservation laws. We also perform dimensional reduction to obtain a much stronger four-dimensional linear system which includes SU(4) self-duality constraint.
Local Tree Mapping: A Collaborative, Place-Based Activity Integrating Science, Technology, Math, and Geography

ABSTRACT This inquiry-based activity designed for the fifth through 12th grade allows students to engage in an outdoor, place-based experience, working collaboratively both in groups and as a class to accomplish the class goal of creating a local tree map linked to student-collected data about each tree. During Local Tree Mapping, students explore the local trees in the yard or neighborhood of the school, while learning basic skills in geographical information systems and Microsoft Excel. Through this activity, students gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the role of trees within the Earth's ecosystems, as they collect data on tree type, height, diameter, age, and the longitude and latitude of the trees. An extension activity is described in which students can enter their tree data into a carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction calculator to determine how much CO2 is sequestered by the trees in their research site. Local Tree Mapping provides an opportunity for students to gain inquiry sk...
ASSESSING THE MORTALITY RISK OF A BUSINESS

A number of studies have examined the factors affecting the mortality risk of a business. One factor that has not been given sufficient attention is the area of cash flow and working capital management. In order to make informed business decisions, the business owner is dependent on cost estimates and other financial projections that provide a view of the business in its entirety. Regardless of whether a company is a start-up or an ongoing business, financial projections are crucial to successful management, providing an important test of feasibility for new firms and giving existing businesses a chance to spot problems and make corrections before it's too late. Ultimately, the true test of survivability of a business is its bottom line. However, in the interim, the degree of a company's liquidity provides a critical measure of its mortality risk. Even if a company is earning net income, it still takes cash to pay the bills. Properly managing the area of working capital and cash flows is essential to the survival and growth of a business. This is particularly true of smaller firms who experience different circumstances than large firms including fewer available resources.
Estudio lingüístico-comparativo del siciliano y el español

Este estudio ofrece una propuesta linguistico-comparativa entre el espanol y el siciliano. Mientras que se han realizado detalladas comparaciones entre lenguas romances, menos atencion se le ha dado al siciliano, dado su caracter de dialecto del italiano. Segun algunos linguistas, el siciliano, como el sardo (hablado en Cerdena), no se constituye como un dialecto, sino como una lengua independiente, que perdio su estatus de tal cuando el parlamento italiano decidio asignar una lengua oficial nacional. En esta investigacion, independientemente de la interpretacion del siciliano como lengua o como dialecto, se analizaran algunos de los aspectos fonicos, lexicos, ortograficos y morfologicos mas sobresalientes que lo diferencian del espanol. Paralelamente, se establecen correspondencias con el italiano y el latin para entender mejor los procesos evolutivos del siciliano. Nuestro proposito reside en contribuir al canon analitico de estudios de dialectos y lenguas romances y en darle mas visibilidad al siciliano, el cual cuenta con pocos estudios de esta indole.
Nonlinear Alfvén waves in a plasma with a finite conductivity

Nonlinear Alfven waves, which in the infinitely conducting plasma are noncompressive and have a constant magnetic field strength (B2=const), propagate in a turbulent plasma. The latter is characterized by a big (but finite) electrical conductivity σeff due to micro-instabilities. The Alfven wave in such a medium is governed by the diffusion equation. It is shown that an initial periodic perturbation (withB2=const) while still being incompressive, decays due to dissipation.
DEMONSTRATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A DNA-LIKE RNA IN EXCISED PLANT TISSUE.

Differential extraction techniques, sucrose gradient centrifugation and methylated-albumin-kieselguhr column chromatography have been used to characterize and purify the RNA and DNA species of excised soybean hypocotyl. These methods have facilitated the demonstration of a fraction of RNA very different from soluble- and ribosomal-RNA in this tissue. This fraction of RNA has high AMP and low GMP contents, and because of the similarity of its ratio of GMP to AMP to that of soybean DNA, it has been designated as DNA-like, or D-RNA. The D-RNA is heterogeneous in size, sedimenting over the light and heavy ribo-somal region of a sucrose gradient. It is synthesized at approximately twice the rate of ribosomal-RNA, and has a mean life of around two hours.
Algal cell disruption using microbubbles to localize ultrasonic energy.

Microbubbles were added to an algal solution with the goal of improving cell disruption efficiency and the net energy balance for algal biofuel production. Experimental results showed that disruption increases with increasing peak rarefaction ultrasound pressure over the range studied: 1.90 to 3.07 MPa. Additionally, ultrasound cell disruption increased by up to 58% by adding microbubbles, with peak disruption occurring in the range of 108 microbubbles/ml. The localization of energy in space and time provided by the bubbles improve efficiency: energy requirements for such a process were estimated to be one-fourth of the available heat of combustion of algal biomass and one-fifth of currently used cell disruption methods. This increase in energy efficiency could make microbubble enhanced ultrasound viable for bioenergy applications and is expected to integrate well with current cell harvesting methods based upon dissolved air flotation.
Calcium and phosphorus requirements of the very young turkey as determined by response surface analysis.

The first experiment was a central composite rotatable design with calculated calcium levels of 6.2, 7.0, 9.0, 11.0, and 11.8 g/kg diet and total phosphorus levels of 5.2, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, and 10.8 g/kg diet (2.8 g phytin-P/kg by analysis). This design involved three replicates for each rotatable point and fifteen replicates of the central point. The second experiment was a 4 × 4 factorial design with calculated Ca levels of 8.0, 10.0, 12.0, and 14.0 g/kg diet and calculated total P levels of 7.0, 9.0, 11.0, and 13.0 g/kg diet (2.5 g phytin-P/kg by analysis). There were four replicates for each treatment. In both 16 d experiments maize–soya-bean diets were used and each replicate consisted of one pen containing 10-d-old broad-breasted, white tom turkeys. The Ca and total P requirements for optimum growth were estimated to be 12.5 and 10.0 g/kg diet respectively. Bone ash was adequate at these levels of Ca and total P, but maximum bone ash was not achieved until much higher levels of Ca and total P were employed. At the required levels of Ca and total P for growth the incidences of Ca- and P-deficiency rickets were very low. There were no treatment effects on feed efficiency. Increasing dietary Ca decreased the incidence of the Ca-deficiency lesion. There was a quadratic response due to dietary total P on both P-deficiency rickets and plasma dialysable P; intermediate levels of dietary P resulted in low incidence of the P-deficiency lesion and high levels of plasma dialysable P. There was a strong negative correlation between the incidence of P-deficiency rickets and plasma dialysable P. Percentage retention was very low at high levels of dietary P and low levels of Ca which corresponded with slightly higher P-deficiency rickets and low plasma dialysable P. No such obvious relationships existed between Ca retention, incidence of Ca-deficiency rickets, and plasma Ca. The incidence of tibial dyschondroplasia was very low in the present study. There were pronounced dietary treatment effects on phytin-P retention; at 14 d percentage phytin-P retention treatment means ranged from 18 to 46 in Expt 1 and from 0 to 40 in Expt 2 with the highest retention of phytin-P at low levels at both Ca and total P.Calcium: Phosphorus: Phytin-phosphorus retention: Rickets: Tibial dyschondroplasia: Turkey
Would the Real Factors of the Stanford-Binet Fourth Edition Please Come Forward?:

Publication of the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition has resulted in publication of at least six factor analyses of the instrument. After the principles for factor analysis are discussed, four of these analyses are reviewed and criticized in detail, and two others are noted. After the shortcomings of previous analyses are described, factor analyses of the standardization data are reported that are based on principal axis factorings of the age-specific and age-grouped correlation matrices with Oblimin rotation. At ages 2 through 7 the instrument produced two correlated factors of verbal and nonverbal ability. Above age 7 there are three correlated factors: verbal ability, abstract/spatial ability, and memory. The correlations among the primary factors are taken as evidence of a second-order factor of general intelligence. The factors remain stable across age levels. Analysis of the median correlations across all ages yielded evidence of the four factors hypothesized by the test constructors.
High-efficiency wire bond antennas for on-chip radios

In this paper we present an integrated high-efficiency wire bond antenna for on-chip radios. Measured and simulated results are presented for the radiation pattern, gain, and radiation efficiency of a 40-GHz wire bond antenna. In particular, we discuss the antenna characteristics when the antenna is a) placed on a silicon substrate having an ideal ground plane and b) placed on an actual SiGe RF CMOS transceiver. The measured gains for the first case range from 0.4 dBi to 3.6 dBi for ground plane sizes of 0.5 λ2 to 2.1 λ2, respectively, after numerically removing the 1.2 dB loss from the feeding line. These correspond to extracted radiation efficiencies of 51% to 84%. For the second case, the measured gain is −1.4 dBi resulting in a radiation efficiency of 51%. Given the design simplicity and low-cost fabrication process, these antennas are particularly attractive for high-frequency on-chip radios.
Novel wildlife in the Arctic: the influence of changing riparian ecosystems and shrub habitat expansion on snowshoe hares

Warming during the 20th century has changed the arctic landscape, including aspects of the hydrology, vegetation, permafrost, and glaciers, but effects on wildlife have been difficult to detect. The primary aim of this study is to examine the physical and biological processes contributing to the expanded riparian habitat and range of snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) in northern Alaska. We explore linkages between components of the riparian ecosystem in Arctic Alaska since the 1960s, including seasonality of stream flow, air temperature, floodplain shrub habitat, and snowshoe hare distributions. Our analyses show that the peak discharge during spring snowmelt has occurred on average 3.4 days per decade earlier over the last 30 years and has contributed to a longer growing season in floodplain ecosystems. We use empirical correlations between cumulative summer warmth and riparian shrub height to reconstruct annual changes in shrub height from the 1960s to the present. The effects of longer and warmer growing seasons are estimated to have stimulated a 78% increase in the height of riparian shrubs. Earlier spring discharge and the estimated increase in riparian shrub height are consistent with observed riparian shrub expansion in the region. Our browsing measurements show that snowshoe hares require a mean riparian shrub height of at least 1.24-1.36 m, a threshold which our hindcasting indicates was met between 1964 and 1989. This generally coincides with observational evidence we present suggesting that snowshoe hares became established in 1977 or 1978. Warming and expanded shrub habitat is the most plausible reason for recent snowshoe hare establishment in Arctic Alaska. The establishment of snowshoe hares and other shrub herbivores in the Arctic in response to increasing shrub habitat is a contrasting terrestrial counterpart to the decline in marine mammals reliant on decreasing sea ice.
Avionics systems validation test environments

The Cassini Program is the last of the large interplanetary spacecraft missions. The Integration Test Laboratory (ITL) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is part of the Cassini Program. This laboratory includes the Attitude and Articulation Control Subsystem (AACS) testbed. This environment was used to not only verify and validate the AACS, but was also used to develop advanced concepts and ideas for use in future testbed environments. The concepts developed for the AACS testbed included the use of multiple computers, real-time data collection and real-time display, Internet access, and the incorporation of commercially-available components. These concepts resulted in improved simulation fidelity, repeatable operation and reduced future operational costs. This focuses on a description of the testbed, lessons learned, the innovations used, and future directions that will substantially reduce future testbed costs.
Drugs that block smooth muscle contraction inhibit in vivo ovulation in hamsters

We have demonstrated previously that smooth muscle cells (SMC) in the base of hamster follicles contract minutes before ovulation. The contraction of these cells correlates well in time with the development of a constriction in the base of the follicle. The purpose of this study was to determine whether contraction of SMC (1) produces this constriction and (2) is necessary for ovulation. We treated preovulatory hamster ovaries with six classes of drugs (lanthanides, calcium antagonists, local anesthetics, prostaglandins, cAMP modulators, and cytochalasin B) known to inhibit SMC contraction in other tissues. Drugs were injected into the experimental bursal cavity of a hamster 3 hours before ovulation; the contralateral ovary received no treatment and served as a control. Three hours after ovulation, the number of ruptured follicles on experimental and control ovaries were compared by light and electron microscopy. All the smooth muscle (SM) inhibitors, except those that affect cAMP levels and cytochalasin B, prevented (1) contraction of follicular SM, (2) constriction of the base of the follicle, and (3) ovulation. These results support the idea that contraction of follicular SMC constricts the follicle and is required for ovulation. The results further show that follicular SMC are activated by an influx of extracellular calcium and that prostaglandin F2 alpha may be involved in promoting this contraction.
A procedure to calculate the structural parameters of densified ceramic materials

A method is developed with which the structural parameters of monodisperse ceramic materials can be calculated, taking into account in a fairly simple manner the way they have been densified. A refined model of the structure is used. The dependence of the average coordination number of a densified system on its porosity is calculated. The calculated results closely agree with the experimental data over a wide range of porosity.
A 71-year-old man with fever, productive cough, and tree-in-bud pattern on chest CT scan.

71-year-old man complained of 3 days of fever to 102°F, dyspnea, sore throat, hoarseness, and a cough productive of yellow sputum. He had no recent travel or animal exposure, but he had lately been around children who were coughing. He did not smoke or drink alcohol in excess. He had type 2 diabetes for many years, which was well controlled with oral therapy. For about 12 years he had a chronic nonproductive cough with occasional episodes of wheezing. He had no history of sinus disease. At baseline, his oxygen saturation was 97%. A chest radiograph performed 18 months earlier was normal except for calcifi ed hilar and subcarinal lymph nodes. His pulmonary medications, prescribed for presumed cough-variant asthma, included inhaled budesonide/formoterol, inhaled albuterol/ipratropium, montelukast, and theophylline. He had just completed a short course of oral prednisone that had not helped a recent worsening of his chronic cough.
The mitochondrial chaperonin hsp60 is required for its own assembly.

HEATSHOCK protein 60 (hsp60) in the matrix of mitochondria is essential for the folding and assembly of newly imported proteins1. Hsp60 belongs to a class of structurally related chaperonins found in organelles of endosymbiotic origin and in the bacterial cytosol2–9. Hsp60 monomers form a complex arranged as two stacked 7-mer rings6. This 14-mer complex binds unfolded proteins at its surface, then seems to catalyse their folding in an ATP-dependent process10. The question arises as to how such an assembly machinery is itself folded and assembled. Hsp60 subunits are encoded by a nuclear gene and translated in the cytosol as precursors7 which are translocated into mitochondria and proteolytically processed. In both intact cells and isolated mitochondria of the hsp60-defective yeast mutant mif4, self-assembly of newly imported wild-type subunits is not observed. Functional pre-existing hsp60 complex is required in order to form new, assembled, 14-mer. Subunits imported in vitro are assembled with a surprisingly fast half-time of 5–10 min, indicative of a catalysed reaction. These findings are further evidence that self-assembly may not be the principal mechanism by which proteins attain their functional conformation in the intact cell.
A Web content serving utility

Utility computing allows users, or customers, to utilize advanced technologies without having to build a dedicated infrastructure. Customers can use a shared infrastructure and pay only for the capacity that each one needs. Each utility offers a specific information technology service, delivered on a pay-as-you-go model. This paper describes the design and development of a content-serving utility (CSU) that provides highly scalable Web content distribution over the Internet. We provide a technology overview of content distribution and a summary of the CSU from a customer perspective. We discuss the technical architecture underlying the service, including topics such as physical infrastructure, core service functions, infrastructure management, security, and usage-based billing. We then focus on the key issues affecting the performance and capacity of both the service infrastructure and the customer Web sites it supports.
Age-related changes in brain support cells: Implications for stroke severity

Stroke is one of the leading causes of adult disability and the fourth leading cause of mortality in the US. Stroke disproportionately occurs among the elderly, where the disease is more likely to be fatal or lead to long-term supportive care. Animal models, where the ischemic insult can be controlled more precisely, also confirm that aged animals sustain more severe strokes as compared to young animals. Furthermore, the neuroprotection usually seen in younger females when compared to young males is not observed in older females. The preclinical literature thus provides a valuable resource for understanding why the aging brain is more susceptible to severe infarction. In this review, we discuss the hypothesis that stroke severity in the aging brain may be associated with reduced functional capacity of critical support cells. Specifically, we focus on astrocytes, that are critical for detoxification of the brain microenvironment and endothelial cells, which play a crucial role in maintaining the blood brain barrier. In view of the sex difference in stroke severity, this review also discusses studies of middle-aged acyclic females as well as the effects of the estrogen on astrocytes and endothelial cells.