cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of commercial sweeping on the demand for monetary assets during the Great Recession

Abstract This study investigates how accounting for commercial sweeping affects estimates of elasticities of substitution between monetary assets over the period 1991 to 2012 using a Fourier flexible form. On the basis of the Fourier model, we find that adjusting the monetary data for commercial sweeps leads to higher average estimates for many elasticities of substitution over the sample period. The average value of an elasticity capturing substitution between currency and demand deposits and other checkable deposits nearly doubled when the elasticity was estimated using data that was adjusted for commercial sweeps as compared with unadjusted data. We also find that the share of commercial sweeps relative to total demand deposits eventually ended up lower following each of the past two recessions than it was leading up to them.
On-Line Optimizing Control of a Continuous Bioreactor

This paper presents the procedures of applying an on-line optimizing control strategy in a hierarchical structure to a continuous fermentation process. The on-line optimization algorithm converts the optimizing control into a successive set-point tracking problem. The effectiveness of the optimization schemes has been demonstrated through the computer simulation. In the presence of unknow or various range of disturbances, the indirect optimizing control scheme is shown to be more reliable than that of conventional approach.
Adaptive rejection of the dominant frequency components of non-repeatable runout in hard disk drives

This paper presents an adaptive compensation scheme for the dominant frequency component of non-repeatable runout (NRRO). The frequency of the dominant component is estimated on-line by the least mean squares (LMS) algorithm within a short time window. Based on the frequency estimate, the basis function algorithm is applied to adaptively identify the magnitude and the phase of the dominant component. With the identified frequency, magnitude and phase, an estimate of the dominant component is constructed and then canceled by the control signal. The performance of this compensation scheme is demonstrated by simulation on a realistic hard disk drive model. Extension of the scheme to handle multiple dominant frequency components is presented also.
Turbocharging a Crank-Case Scavenged and Direct-Injected Two-Stroke Engine for Snowmobile Applications

With the recent advancement in gasoline direct-injection (GDI) technology for lightweight and high-specific power two-stroke engines, turbocharging a small crank-case scavenged GDI engine promises to be an effective way of increasing engine performance while maintaining the lowered emissions and increased fuel economy of GDI two-stroke engines. Along with increasing the power density, a variable geometry turbocharger should allow for an increase in low engine speed engine performance that will allow the engine to be operated at lower engine speeds providing quieter operation and decreased engine wear. Also presented is a method to increase throttle response and increase low speed torque through the use of a reed valve installed in the intake plenum. .
Theorizing the Law/Politics Distinction: Neutral Principles, Affirmative Action, and the Enduring Legacy of Paul Mishkin

Paul Mishkin was a colleague and a teacher to us, and we each esteem him as a master craftsman of the law: learned, wise, and far-sighted. To re-read his publications is to enter an astonishing world of clarity and integrity, a world in which no word is wasted and insight is deep and revealing. Early in his career Mishkin saw that the law could be apprehended from two distinct and in part incompatible perspectives: from the internal perspective of a faithful practitioner and from the external perspective of the general public. If the social legitimacy of the law as a public institution resides in the latter, the legal legitimacy of the law as a principled unfolding of professional reason inheres in the former. Mishkin came to believe that although the law required both forms of legitimacy, there was nevertheless serious tension between them, and he dedicated his scholarly career to attempting to theorize this persistent but necessary tension, which he conceived almost as a form of antinomy. In this article we pay tribute to Mishkin's quest for understanding. We argue that the tension identified by Mishkin is significant and unavoidable, but that it is also exaggerated because it presupposes an unduly stringent separation between professional reason and popular values. In our view the law/politics distinction is both real and suffused throughout with ambiguity and uncertainty. The existence of the law/politics distinction creates the possibility of the rule of law, but the ragged and blurred boundaries of that distinction vivify the law by infusing it with the commitments and ideals of those whom the law purports to govern.
Fino Alla Quarta Generazione: Revisione Di Leggi E Rinnovamento Religioso Nell’Israele Antico (To the Fourth Generation: Legal Revision and Religious Renewal in Ancient Israel)

This volume is translation of Bernard Levinson's book, Legal Revision and Religious Innovation in Ancient Israel (Cambridge University Press, 2008), into Italian. This book examines the doctrine of transgenerational punishment found in the Decalogue: the idea that God punishes sinners vicariously and extends the punishment due them to three or four generations of their progeny. Already in ancient Israel, even though it was a “God-given” law, the unfairness of punishing innocent people merely for being the children or grandchildren of wrongdoers was clearly recognized. A series of inner-biblical and post-biblical responses to the rule demonstrates that later writers were able to criticize, reject, and replace this problematic doctrine with the alternative notion of individual retribution. From this perspective, the formative canon is the source of its own renewal: it fosters critical reflection upon the textual tradition and sponsors intellectual freedom. To round out the volume, a final chapter provides a valuable bibliographical essay on the distinctive approach of “inner-biblical exegesis.” This resource will support further study and shows the contributions of European, Israeli, and North American scholars. The volume opens new perspectives on current debates within the humanities about canonicity, textual authority, and authorship. There is an extended discussion of the formation of the German literary canon (Mme de Stael; Heinrich Heine and the "portatives Kanon") and of German intellectual history (Immanuel Kant).Abstract for the Italian edition:Questo libro esamina la dottrina della punizione «fino alla quarta generazione» presente nel Decalogo. Benche questa fosse una legge «di origine divina», il fatto di punire innocenti solo perche figli o nipoti di malfattori fu apertamente considerato ingiusto da parte dell’Israele antico. Gli autori di epoca successiva erano in grado di criticare, rifiutare e addirittura sostituire questa dottrina problematica con la nozione alternativa di retribuzione individuale. Il canone in via di formazione costituisce la fonte del suo stesso rinnovamento: esso favorisce una riflessione critica sulla tradizione testuale e promuove la liberta intellettuale. Grazie a questa creativa impresa ermeneutica gli scribi riuscirono a travasare il nuovo nell’antico; soltanto cosi l’antica parola divina pote sostenere ancora e per sempre la vita del popolo.Il volume, al fine di incoraggiare ulteriori approfondimenti, include un prezioso saggio bibliografico sui diversi approcci all’esegesi intra-biblica, presentando i contributi di studiosi europei, israeliani e nordamericani.The English version of this document can be found at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1850904A versao em portugues deste artigo pode ser encontrada em: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2085496La version francaise de ce document se trouvent a: http://ssrn.com/abstract=1858808 Dies titel ist auch in deutsch erhaltlich bei: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2080486
Deviated nasal septum in case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome (KTWS) is a rare entity. It includes cutaneous hemangioma (Port-wine stains) of the face and extremities with associated varicosities and hypertrophy of underlying soft tissue and bone. Craniofacial involvement is rare in this syndrome. We report a case of Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome who presented with craniofacial deformity leading to deviated nasal septum, nasal obstruction and intermittent nasal bleed. These patients can have involvement of oral cavity and nasal mucosa with angiomatous malformation, which can give rise to epistaxis and excessive bleeding during oral and nasal surgeries. We discuss the review and management of such cases from Otolaryngologists point of view.
Perder la perspectiva, distorsionar la historia

La relacion entre enjuiciamiento penal e interpretacion historica es problematica por multiples razones. Krenz afirma, en breve, que las dos tareas son radicalmente diferentes y que no deben ser abordadas en el mismo foro. Maier “responde” que las dos tareas son, en efecto, distintas, pero, en ultima instancia, inextricables. Por lo tanto, debemos tratar de reconciliar esas dos tareas de la mejor manera posible. La tension entre lo que considero la verdad de cada una de las anteriores afirmaciones constituye el tema de este articulo.
Are parents of school-age children with specific language impairments accurate estimators of their child’s language skills?:

This study was designed to examine the relative accuracy of parents’ estimations of the language skills of school-age children (ages 5-7) with and without language impairments. The parents of children with language impairments were more accurate estimators than the parents of normally developing children in terms of the correspondence of absolute ratings of language skills, but less accurate in terms of correlations of ratings with standardized test scores. Parent ratings were not significantly correlated with teacher ratings in either group. Definitions of accuracy of estimations and their implications are discussed in terms of the role of parents in the identification of children’s language needs, both for formal intervention and for day-to-day language stimulation.
Biological variability of lipoproteins and apolipoproteins in patients referred to a lipid clinic

We determined the physiological variability of total cholesterol, high- (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoproteins A-I and B in fasting blood samples from patients referred to the Johns Hopkins Lipid Referral Clinic. Samples were taken on each of three occasions during baseline evaluation visits before the patients were treated. The median physiological coefficients of variation (CVp) were as follows: total cholesterol, 5.0%; triglycerides, 17.8%; HDL cholesterol, 7.1%; LDL cholesterol, calculated from the previous three measurements, 7.8%; and apolipoproteins A-I and B, 7.1% and 6.4%, respectively. There were no significant differences in CVp between children (less than or equal to 18 years) and adults (greater than 18 years) for any of the measurements. On the basis of our findings, single measurements in serial samples taken on three occasions suffice to establish the patients' usual values with the following precisions (+/- 1 CV): total cholesterol, +/- 4%; triglycerides, +/- 11%; HDL cholesterol, +/- 8%; LDL cholesterol, +/- 6%; and apolipoproteins A-I and B, +/- 7%.
Real-time feedback scheduling of flexible manufacturing systems

A genetic manufacturing environment is considered. The emphasis is on small-lot, discrete, and asynchronous type of manufacturing systems rather than high volume and continuous type. Two classes of scheduling policies are proposed to render the machine stable. The policies are of feedback type. The decision is made in real-time and on-line.
Modeling Powdered Activated Carbon Injection for the Uptake of Elemental Mercury Vapors.

ABSTRACT Batch kinetic experiments were performed to assess the rate of elemental mercury uptake by virgin activated carbon at 25 and 140 °C, and the homogeneous surface diffusion model (HSDM) was used to obtain Langmuir isotherm constants, the film mass transfer coefficient, and the surface diffusion coefficient for this adsorbent-adsor-bate pair. The adsorptive capacity of the carbon decreased, while the adsorption kinetics improved, with an increase in temperature. Simulations showed that the adsorptive capacity, particle size, and activated carbon dose, as well as the contact time influenced the removal of elemental mercury under conditions that may be encountered in the flue gases of coal-fired power plants. When adsorption equilibrium was achieved, the adsorptive capacity determined the carbon dose required to attain a certain percentage of mercury removal. When the system was mass-transfer limited, smaller particle size resulted in beter mercury removal. Although increasing the adsorptive capacity ...
Re-irradiation of central nervous system tumors

Recurrence or progression of disease is a common occurrence for some CNS tumors and is an important therapeutic dilemma. Disease progression can lead to worsening of neurological symptoms, including potential neurologic death. Therefore, local control of brain tumors in previously irradiated patients is of critical importance clinically. This poses a therapeutic challenge for clinicians when considering re-irradiation in terms of efficacy and potential toxicity. Multiple re-irradiation strategies for the management of recurrent or progressive disease have been evaluated. This report reviews data for efficacy and safety of re-irradiation in managing recurrent or progressive CNS (brain and spine) tumors.
A new tool for consultation-liaison funding: modified DRGs to reflect psychiatric comorbidity.

Abstract Funding for consultation-liaison (C-L) psychiatry remains an overriding obstacle to its implementation and practice. Several methods have been described to access funds for this subspecialty of psychiatry, but none has been enacted as a policy by third party payers to reimburse adequately for the service. In addition, although the consultation portion of the effort can be reimbursed in part in some cases through fee for services, the liaison portion is dependent on the donation of psychiatry time or the largesse of the host department. The efforts at Stanford to capitalize on the findings that psychiatric and medical comorbidity results in prolonged length of hospital stay and increased health resource utilization suggest that specific DRGs would be important patient groups to screen and charge for psychiatric services. Furthermore, DRGs that are accompanied by a high frequency of psychiatric comorbidity are a “target” for an additional funding aliquot to assess and manage the patient's psychiatric status.
Frattini subgroups ofp-closed andp-supersolvable groups

A nonabelianp-group with cyclic center cannot occur as a normal subgroup contained in the Frattini subgroup of ap-closed group. If a nonabelian normal subgroup of orderpn and nilpotence classk is contained in the Frattini subgroup of ap-closed group, then its exponent is a divisor ofpn−k. This fact is used to derive a relation among the order, number of generators, exponent, and class of the Frattini subgroup, forp-groups. Finally, it is conjectured that a nonabelianp-group having center of orderp cannot occur as a normal subgroup contained in the Frattini subgroup of any finite group. A proof is given forp-supersolvable groups.
Sensitivity enhancement of long period gratings for temperature measurement using the long period grating pair technique

Abstract An approach to enhance the sensitivity achievable with long period grating (LPG) technology for temperature measurement, by using a LPG pair technique to create Mach-Zehnder interferometers written into B–Ge co-doped optical fibres, is presented. The separation of the single LPGs constituting the pair is kept very short with, as a consequence, LPGs being written with high coupling coefficients, implying a significant change in the differential effective group refractive index of the fibre. This allows the temperature-induced wavelength shift of the interference fringes (IFs) of the LPG pair to change at a faster rate than the LPG envelope, due to the consequent increasing phase change of the core modes, with respect to the cladding modes within the grating region as a function of temperature and wavelength variations. A brief theoretical explanation is given and an experimental demonstration is shown by comparing the characteristics of two separate LPG pairs (LPGP1 and LPGP2), where LPGP1 comprises two ‘strong’ LPGs, while LPGP2 comprises two ‘weak’ LPGs. Results obtained have shown that the sensitivity of the change of the IF position in LPGP1 occurs at a faster rate than its envelope, whereas for LPGP2, this shifts at a similar rate to the envelope of the spectrum. A simple mathematical approach is suggested to calculate the wavelength shift based on the phase change variation in LPGP1, using basic Fourier analysis. The sensitivity enhancement obtained in the experimental results from LPGP1 to LPGP2 was determined to be ∼50%, from a phase shift of 2°/°C for the IF of LPGP2 to a phase shift of 3°/°C for the IF of LPGP1, with a root-mean-square (rms) deviation of 1.9°, corresponding to a rms error in temperature of 0.6 °C.
A Parathyroid Myxoadenoma Observed Grossly

We are reporting a case of a patient with primary hyperparathyroidism because of an unusual parathyroid adenoma. The tumor had an extensive myxofibrous stroma without an identifiable lipomatous component. Though moderate to extensive myxoid alteration of the stroma has been reported in lipoadenomas, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first parathyroid adenoma in which the myxomatous component was recognized grossly and which lacked a stromal adipose component.
Detection of single ion channel activity on a chip using tethered bilayer membranes

Membrane-bound ion channels are promising biological receptors since they allow for the stochastic detection of analytes at high sensitivity. For stochastic sensing, it is necessary to measure the ion currents associated with single ion channel opening and closing events. However, this calls for stability, high reproducibility, and long lifetimes. A critical issue to overcome is the low stability of the ion channel environment, that is, the bilayer membrane. A promising technique to surmount this is to connect the lower part of the membrane to a surface forming a tethered bilayer membrane. By reconstituting the synthetic ion channel, gramicidin A, into a tethered bilayer as part of a microchip design, we have been able to record the activity of single ion channels. The observed activity was compared with that obtained by a conventional electrophysiology method, tip dipping, to confirm its authenticity. These findings allow for the construction of stable biosensors based on ion channels and provide a novel technique for the characterization of ion channel activity.
Curcumin induces differentiation of embryonic stem cells through possible modulation of nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway.

Curcumin, an active ingredient of dietary spice used in curry, has been shown to exhibit anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative properties. Using EB directed differentiation protocol of H-9 human embryonic stem (ES) cells; we evaluated the effect of curcumin (0–20 μmol/L) in enhancing such differentiation. Our results using real time PCR, western blotting and immunostaining demonstrated that curcumin significantly increased the gene expression and protein levels of cardiac specific transcription factor NKx2.5, cardiac troponin I, myosin heavy chain, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase during ES cell differentiation. Furthermore, an NO donor enhanced the curcumin-mediated induction of NKx2.5 and other cardiac specific proteins. Incubation of cells with curcumin led to a dose dependent increase in intracellular nitrite to the same extent as giving an authentic NO donor. Functional assay for second messenger(s) cyclic AMP (cAMP) and cyclic GMP (cGMP) revealed that continuous presence of curcumin in differentiated cells induced a decrease in the baseline levels of cAMP but it significantly elevated baseline contents of cGMP. Curcumin addition to a cell free assay significantly suppressed cAMP and cGMP degradation in the extracts while long term treatment of intact cells with curcumin increased the rates of cAMP and cGMP degradation suggesting that this might be due to direct suppression of some cyclic nucleotide-degrading enzyme (phosphodiesterase) by curcumin. These studies demonstrate that polyphenol curcumin may be involved in differentiation of ES cells partly due to manipulation of nitric oxide signaling.
Perestroika and a "Law-Governed" Soviet State: Criminal Law

As an outgrowth of perestroika and glasnost', an astounding, unprecedented debate has surfaced in the Soviet Union on the faults in the Soviet legal system, especially criminal law. Moreover, a draft of Fundamentals of Criminal Legislation of the USSR has been submitted to the new Supreme Soviet, which includes numerous changes in the criminal law system. This essay analyses the debate, especially the commentary of leading Soviet legal specialists, and the proposed legislative changes in view of the impediments to successful criminal law reform. We conclude that the role of the Party, which Gorbachev insists must be strengthened, is an especially insurmountable obstacle to "democratization" and the transformation of the Soviet Union into a "law-governed" society.
The proteolytic landscape of the yeast vacuole

The vacuole in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae plays a number of essential roles, and to provide some of these required functions the vacuole harbors at least seven distinct proteases. These proteases exhibit a range of activities and different classifications, and they follow unique paths to arrive at their ultimate, common destination in the cell. This review will first summarize the major functions of the yeast vacuole and delineate how proteins are targeted to this organelle. We will then describe the specific trafficking itineraries and activities of the characterized vacuolar proteases, and outline select features of a new member of this protease ensemble. Finally, we will entertain the question of why so many proteases evolved and reside in the vacuole, and what future research challenges exist in the field.
Meta!Blast computer game: a pipeline from science to 3D art to education

Meta!Blast (http://www.metablast.org) is designed to address the challenges students often encounter in understanding cell and metabolic biology. Developed by faculty and students in biology, biochemistry, computer science, game design, pedagogy, art and story, Meta!Blast is being created using Maya (http://usa.autodesk.com/maya/) and the Unity 3D (http://unity3d.com/) game engine, for Macs and PCs in classrooms; it has also been exhibited in an immersive environment. Here, we describe the pipeline from protein structural data and holographic information to art to the threedimensional (3D) environment to the game engine, by which we provide a publicly-available interactive 3D cellular world that mimics a photosynthetic plant cell.
Effects of preexposure to morphine and pentobarbital on disposition of methadone in isolated rat livers

Abstract The effect of administration of pentobarbital (P) and morphine (M) by pellet implantation on hepatic uptake and disposition of [ 14 C]methadone was investigated using isolated perfused rat liver preparations obtained from drug- and placebo-treated animals. Placebo liver preparations excreted 36.4% of the radiolabel as metabolites of methadone in the bile after 2 hr of perfusion. P treatment resulted in a marked increase (205% of placebo) in the biliary excretion of endogenously formed metabolites of methadone. On the other hand M treatment elicited a marked decrease (57% of placebo) in the biliary excretion of endogenous metabolites of methadone. These results could not be explained by slightly altered volume of bile secretion. An examination of the pharmacokinetics of methadone revealed that rate of metabolism of methadone was increased by penfobarbital and decreased by morphine pretreatments. However, the altered rate of metabolism of meth done alone could not account for the modifications elicited by P and M on biliary excretory function. Increased biliary excretion after P was lower than would be expected due to increased metabolism of methadone. Biliary excretion of exogenously provided metabolites of methadone was slightly suppressed after M and enhanced after exposure to P. These results are suggestive of the potential for clinically significant drug interactions in drug addiction. These findings also imply that factor(s) other than bile flow and in addition to rate of metabolism play a role in the drug-induced modification of biliary excretory function.
Technical challenges involved in implementation of VOC reactivity-based control of ozone.

Controlling VOC emissions on the basis of their individual contribution to ozone formation has been subject to extensive discussion and research in past years, and the concept has gained some acceptance in the air pollution community for certain product categories and industrial operations. Despite its potential to decrease ozone formation, there are some technical challenges that still remain before we can confidently apply the concept of reactivity in the most beneficial manner to reduce ozone concentrations. The goal of this paper is to (1) assess how existing science in this area supports the use of reactivity, particularly, the maximum incremental reactivity, for VOC control under a national policy application and (2) identify where uncertainties exist that could affect such a policy. Box model and air quality model results are used to show that there are ways to describe a chemical’s reactivity that are relatively robust across large geographic areas. Modeling results also indicate that the choice o...
Generation of synthetic stereo views from digital terrain models and digitized photographs

A sequence of steps to produce synthetic stereo scenes from hardcopy aerial photographs is discussed. First, a digital terrain model (DTM) is collected from existing stereo coverage by conventional photogrammetric techniques. One photograph of the pair is converted into digital form by scanning, including the fiducial or registration marks. Its position and orientation parameters are retained from the original stereo setup. The images of a synthetic stereo pair are constructed by selecting two fictitious photo stations and orientations (with reasonable base-height ratio). The three-dimensional terrain model is projected onto the fictitious photo planes and the facets `draped'' with corresponding image densities from the original scanned image. Such stereo pairs can be viewed using a split-image/stereoscope setup on a standard PC display, or on a high-resolution display using frame-sequential format and liquid crystal stereo shutter.
Sarcoplasmic proteins influence water‐holding capacity of pork myofibrils

Water-holding capacity (WHC) is one of the main pork quality characteristics. The objective of this study was to determine the influence of (denaturation of) sarcoplasmic proteins on WHC. Myofibrils extracted from red, firm, non-exudative (‘normal’) and PSE (pale, soft, exudative) pork longissimus muscle were combined with sarcoplasmic extracts (with or without proteins) from PSE and normal pork longissimus samples. Weight increase of myofibrils (mg increase mg−1 myofibrillar protein) was used as a measure of WHC. When combined with protein-containing sarcoplasmic extract from normal pork, WHC of myofibrils from PSE (2.6 mg mg−1) and normal (2.8 mg mg−1) pork was higher (P < 0.05) than when combined with sarcoplasmic extract from PSE meat (1.3 mg mg−1 for PSE and 1.9 mg mg−1 for normal myofibrils). Protein-free sarcoplasmic extracts were prepared by heating the extracts for 30 min at 80 °C. WHC of myofibrils combined with protein-free sarcoplasmic extract from PSE and normal pork was not significantly different. WHC of myofibrils combined with protein-free extract was lower than WHC of myofibrils combined with protein-containing extract. Ionic strength or pH could not explain the observed differences. It was concluded that sarcoplasmic proteins do influence WHC. The mechanism of this influence still needs to be determined. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry
TOTAL SYNTHESES OF PANCRATISTATIN. A REVIEW.

(2008). TOTAL SYNTHESES OF PANCRATISTATIN. A REVIEW. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 40, No. 2, pp. 107-161.
Production of refractory blocks in induction-heated fusion-crystallization devices

The feasibility was demonstrated experimentally with compositions of the system ZrO2 — Al2O3 — SiO2 as examples that fused blocks of refractory materials can be produced without the casting operation in an induction-heated fusion-crystallization device. The fusion process is characterized by the almost complete absence of melt contamination and by an adequate agreement of the chemical compositions of the blocks and the starting mix. The porosity of baddeleyite — corundum blocks produced by this method was low. The structure of the blocks varies with the composition of the starting material and is characterized by the presence of baddeleyite and corundum crystals and a vitreous phase. The blocks are fissured as a result of the high rate of cooling. Fissuring can be reduced or prevented by heat-treating the blocks in an annealing device immediately after crystallizing.
Laser induced infrared fluorescence of Cs2 and Rb2

Laser induced cross fluorescence of Cs2 and Rb2 molecules in the infrared region (1.0–1.6 μm) has been observed using several exciting wavelengths from an argon-ion laser and a tunable cw dye laser. New emission bands have been observed. The lower states of these bands have gerade symmetry and therefore have heretofore escaped observation by conventional absorption spectroscopy.
The mass-action law based algorithms for quantitative econo-green bio-research

The relationship between dose and effect is not random, but rather governed by the unified theory based on the median-effect equation (MEE) of the mass-action law. Rearrangement of MEE yields the mathematical form of the Michaelis–Menten, Hill, Henderson–Hasselbalch and Scatchard equations of biochemistry and biophysics, and the median-effect plot allows linearization of all dose-effect curves regardless of potency and shape. The “median” is the universal common-link and reference-point for the 1st-order to higher-order dynamics, and from single-entities to multiple-entities and thus, it allows the all for one and one for all unity theory to “integrate” simple and complex systems. Its applications include the construction of a dose-effect curve with a theoretical minimum of only two data points if they are accurately determined; quantification of synergism or antagonism at all dose and effect levels; the low-dose risk assessment for carcinogens, toxic substances or radiation; and the determination of competitiveness and exclusivity for receptor binding. Since the MEE algorithm allows the reduced requirement of the number of data points for small size experimentation, and yields quantitative bioinformatics, it points to the deterministic, efficient, low-cost biomedical research and drug discovery, and ethical planning for clinical trials. It is concluded that the contemporary biomedical sciences would greatly benefit from the mass-action law based “Green Revolution”.
Effect of Door Configuration on Cavity Flow Modulation Process

Supersonic ow over a high-aspect-ratio cavity was studied with variations on the conguration of the cavity doors. The rectangular cavity had a length of 9 inches and a depth of 1 inch giving an aspect ratio of L=D = 9. The cavity width was 2 inches. Flat panels were attached to the longitudinal edges of the cavity opening to represent doors. In the open position the panels protruded into the oncoming ow with a height of 1=2 of the cavity width, or 1 inch. Wall-pressure signals were measured at 9 locations along the centerline of the cavity for three door con gurations: no doors (N-N), both doors open (O-O), and one door open with one door closed (O-C). The O-O con guration did not exhibit resonant tones in the spectra. Compared to N-N, the O-C spectra exhibited sharper resonant peaks that were higher in amplitude and shifted to slightly higher frequency. The modulation model of Delprat was used to evaluate the shift in tonal frequencies. The results suggest that the presence of the closed door spanning half the cavity opening resulted in a higher shear layer convection velocity and a generally stronger uid/acoustic coupling.
Search for Optical Pulsations from the Vela Pulsar

THE detection1,2 of optical pulsations from the pulsar NP 0532 in the Crab Nebula naturally stimulates a search for optical radiation from other radio pulsars. Of the known pulsars, the southern object PSR 0833–45 has properties most similar to that of the Crab pulsar: the periods of the two objects are the shortest known (33 ms and 89 ms), their principal pulse shapes are very similar, and each seems to be associated with a supernova remnant (the Crab Nebula and Vela X).
Replication of the Jensen effect on dysgenic fertility: An analysis using a large sample of American youth

Abstract The purpose of this study is to replicate recent findings demonstrating that the dysgenic fertility trend is a Jensen effect. Data were drawn from Project TALENT. Present analyses included data from a total sample of 79,734 participants with complete data regarding number of biological children at the 11 year follow up, and analyses were further split by sex and race to examine possible differential trends among subgroups. Correlated vectors analyses revealed strong Jensen effects such that subtests with higher g- saturation were associated with larger dysgenic fertility gradients. This effect was evident in the total sample, and within all race/gender subgroups except for Asian males. Such findings yield further confirmation that g is in fact the principal factor by which the dysgenic fertility gradient operates.
Minimally Sufficient Research

Psychology would be improved if researchers stopped using complicated designs, procedures, and statistical analyses for the sole reason that they are able to do so. The present article reviews some of the classic studies in psychology, all of which are breathtakingly simple. The notion of minimally sufficient research is suggested as an ideal worth following. More generally, questions should dictate research methods and statistical analyses, not vice versa.
Meek and Mild: American Children's Bibles’ Stories of Jesus as a Boy

Abstract The four canonical gospels provide readers with few details of the life of Jesus as a boy. Many authors of children's bibles in America, however, have been happy to fill in some of the details. This article suggests that these retellings regularly create or adapt stories of Jesus’ childhood to teach children virtues that serve to affirm the status quo rather than virtues that would lead children to become agents of change and advocates for justice.
Competition Policy In Health Care Markets: Navigating The Enforcement And Policy Maze

US health care is in ferment. Private entities are merging, aligning, and coordinating in a wide array of configurations. At the same time, there is a great deal of policy change. This includes the...
Fatigue behaviour and life predictions of case-hardened steels

This paper presents experimental and analytical results on fatigue behaviour of case-hardened steel. Fully reversed strain-controlled constant amplitude axial fatigue tests were performed on through-hardened case, through-hardened core and case-hardened steel specimens. Surface versus sub-surface cracking and the role of residual stresses and their relaxation are discussed. Multi-layer models of the case-hardened specimens were used to predict crack nucleation sites as well as fatigue lives, and the predictions corresponded well with the experimental results. Linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) was also used to conduct fatigue crack growth analysis to further explain the experimental observations from the fracture surfaces of the case-hardened specimens. A fatigue strength estimation method based on hardness and inclusion size was used to estimate the fatigue limit of the materials investigated. Fractography of fracture surfaces and crack nucleation location are also presented.
La pena de muerte y sus aplicaciones técnicas en el pensamiento de Jeremías Bentham

El articulo analiza las doctrinas de Jeremias Bentham acerca de la pena de muerte y de su aplicacion, expuestas sobre todo en su libro Teoria de las penas legales.
Topochemical lithium insertion into Fe2(MoO4)3: Structure and magnetism of Li2Fe2(MoO4)3

Abstract Powder X-ray diffraction, variable temperature magnetic susceptibility, and zero-field Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements were used to characterize the new phase Li2Fe2(MoO4)3. This material is obtained simply by the mixing of solutions of lithium iodide in acetonitrile with solid Fe2(MoO4)3 at ambient temperature. The reaction is entirely reversible using bromine as an oxidant. Li2Fe2(MoO4)3 possesses the high-temperature orthorhombic ferric molybdate structure and Guinier photographs were completely indexed in space group Pnca with cell constants a = 9.3483(5), b = 12.8974(9), and c = 9.4941(6) A versus the monoclinic ( P2 1 a ) Fe2(MoO4)3 precursor phase. Chemical analytical data, room-temperature magnetic susceptibility and Mossbauer spectroscopy indicate essentially complete stoichiometric reduction of the latter compound. Magnetic hyperfine splitting of the zero field Mossbauer spectrum below 12.5 K indicates a three-dimensional magnetically ordered state which susceptibility results show to be weakly ferromagnetic owing to probable canting of antiferromagnetically coupled lattices. Above ∼40 K, the material obeys a Curie-Weiss law whose parameters are C = 3.51 emu/mole, μeff = 5.30β and ϑ = −19 K.
Epidemiologic Examination of Erythromycin Resistance among North American Group A Streptococcal Upper Respiratory Tract Isolates from Diverse Geographic Sites (1989-1998): Prevalence and Relationship to M-Serotype

Epidemiologic Examination of Erythromycin Resistance among North American Group A Streptococcal Upper Respiratory Tract Isolates from Diverse Geographic Sites (1989-1998): Prevalence and Relationship to M-Serotype
Complete hamster CAD protein and the carbamylphosphate synthetase domain of CAD complement mammalian cell mutants defective in de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis.

The mammalianCAD gene codes for a 240-kDa multifunctional protein that catalyzes the first three steps of de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis. Previously, the longest cDNA construct available was missing approximately 500 bp of coding sequence at the 5′ end, thereby lacking the sequence to encode the entire carbamylphosphate synthetase (CPSase) domain. Here, a completeCAD hamster cDNA is constructed, placed into a mammalian expression vector, and transfected into hamster cells deficient in CAD. Transfectants show coordinately restored levels of all three enzyme activities and the presence of full-length CAD protein. A derivative construct of theCAD cDNA was generated that should encode only the CPSase domain. When transfected into mammalian cells, a protein was synthesized that had significant CPSase activity both in vivo and in vitro. The two constructs generated in this study will facilitate the study of CAD structure, function, and allosteric regulation.
ESSENTIAL MINERAL ELEMENTS IN PEANUTS AND PEANUT BUTTER

Thirteen of the elements considered essential in human nutrition were determined in raw peanuts and peanut butter by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Raw peanuts and peanut butter samples obtained from a commercial plant were prepared either by dry ashing or wet digestion. Statistical analysis of the data showed a difference at the 1% level of significance for the content of all the elements that were determined in raw peanuts and peanut butter, with the exception of calcium and potassium which showed a difference at the 5% level. The results obtained indicate that both raw peanuts and peanut butter are fairly good sources of four essential elements for which Recommended Dietary Allowances have been established. Seven other essential elements were found present in nutritionally significant quantities.
Uncertainty modeling and decision support

Abstract We first formulate the problem of decision making under uncertainty. The importance of the representation of our knowledge about the uncertainty in formulating a decision process is pointed out. We begin with a brief discussion of the case of probabilistic uncertainty. Next, in considerable detail, we discuss the case of decision making under ignorance. For this case the fundamental role of the attitude of the decision maker is noted and its subjective nature is emphasized. Next the case in which a Dempster–Shafer belief structure is used to model our knowledge of the uncertainty is considered. Here we also emphasize the subjective choices the decision maker must make in formulating a decision function. The case in which the uncertainty is represented by a fuzzy measure (monotonic set function) is then investigated. We then return to the Dempster–Shafer belief structure and show its relationship to the fuzzy measure. This relationship allows us to get a deeper understanding of the formulation the decision function used Dempster– Shafer framework. We discuss how this deeper understanding allows a decision analyst to better make the subjective choices needed in the formulation of the decision function.
Self-similarity simplification approaches for the modeling and analysis of Rockwell hardness indentation

The indentation process of pressing a Rockwell diamond indenter into inelastic material has been studied to provide a means for the analysis, simulation and prediction of Rockwell hardness tests. The geometrical characteristics of the spheroconical-shaped Rockwell indenter are discussed and fit to a general function in a self-similar way. The complicated moving boundary problem in Rockwell hardness tests is simplified to an intermediate stationary one for a flat die indenter using principle of similarity and cumulative superposition approach. This method is applied to both strain hardening and strain rate dependent materials. The effects of different material properties and indenter geometries on the indentation depth are discussed.
Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation outcomes for children with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia and early or late BM relapse.

Large registry studies have shown superior disease-free survival (DFS) with matched sibling donor (MSD) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) over chemotherapy alone for patients with B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and a late BM relapse. As most of these patients will not have an MSD, the decision to pursue an unrelated allo-HCT in second remission (CR2) or await a future relapse and perform HCT in third remission (CR3) continues to be debated. Between 1990 and 2006, 41 children with relapsed B-precursor ALL received a myeloablative allo-HCT at the University of Minnesota. Graft sources consisted of matched related donor (n=11), matched unrelated donor (n=9), and unrelated umbilical cord blood (n=21). Before allo-HCT, 15 patients had an early relapse (<36 months from diagnosis) and 26 had an initial late relapse (⩾36 months from diagnosis). In all, 30 patients (73%) were in CR2 and 11 were in CR3 (27%) at time of allo-HCT. Five year OS/DFS were similar for patients with an early or late marrow relapse, but there was inferior DFS among late-relapse patients transplanted in CR3 compared with CR2 (30% vs 75%, P=0.04). These results suggest that allo-HCT should be pursued in children after a first marrow relapse, rather than waiting for subsequent recurrence.
Fundamental Immunology (4th edn) edited by W.E. Paul

Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1999. $135.00 (xi + 1589 pages)ISBN 0 7817 1412 5In assembling the fourth edition of Fundamental Immunology, W.E. Paul strives to cover the collective landscape of the field. This edition has been reorganized first to introduce concepts and review history, before moving on to chapters detailing the current status and future trends in focused areas. The reorganization is designed to help readers with a limited background in the field gain insight, but few should use this book as an introductory text. However, for readers with some background or with main interests in related areas, and/or those desiring a current reintroduction to the field, this fourth edition will supersede Paul's goal of providing an ‘authoritative presentation of the basic elements and mechanisms of clinical conditions’.Fundamental Immunology represents a superb collection of chapters pertinent to any individual interested in gaining current information about immunology. The 45 chapters are written by leading researchers in their respective areas of expertise. These chapters build from fundamental cell biology, tissue organization and immunoregulation to an integrated view of the mechanisms underlying clinical immunology. The individual chapters vary slightly in their organization and focus, but most include a comprehensive review of current thinking in the specific area, with some indication of the outstanding questions.Many readers may use a volume of this size and scope for reference. With this purpose in mind, the organizational annotation is limited to a table of contents and a brief chronological outline at the beginning of each chapter. Additional notation of page numbers for subsections within the chapter would benefit readers trying to find specific, detailed information. Alternatively, an enhanced and expanded index with more precise terms could eliminate this deficiency.The fourth edition of Fundamental Immunology is a great resource covering a broad range of topics in depth. The individual contributors bring their own insight and bias with the benefits of their expertise. While some may choose to dwell on the primary literature for the most current information, those looking to gain a comprehensive and current view of immunology in one volume will find this book a most practical purchase.
On estimation and testing when explanatory variables are partly endogenous

Abstract When some of explanatory variables are correlated with regression errors, the standard econometric theory advocates the use of instrumental variables estimators. This paper considers a special case where applied researchers do not have a sufficient number of instruments but instead they do have prior information on parameters in the form of parameter restrictions. The paper proposes a simple method of estimation and hypothesis testing in the above context. The results are extended to restricted GMM estimation in nonlinear context.
Concurrent Augmented Feedback and Isometric Force Generation during Familiar and Unfamiliar Muscle Movements

Abstract To evaluate the effect of concurrent augmented feedback on isometric force output during familiar and unfamiliar muscle movements, 18 men and 21 women, 18 to 23 years of age, completed two isometric exercises: flexion of the thumb (a familiar muscle movement) and abduction of the fifth digit (an unfamiliar movement). The exercises consisted of 10 maximum voluntary isometric contractions lasting 10 s each and separated by 10-s intertrial rest intervals. Concurrent visual feedback was provided during alternate contractions. The order of exercises and trials for feedback was randomly assigned and balanced over subjects. Peak force output during abduction of the fifth digit was significantly (p ≤ .01) greater with (4.4 ± 0.29 kg) than without feedback (4.1 ± 0.26 kg). Feedback did not influence (p > .05) peak force output during thumb flexion (232 ±1.09 kg vs 22.5± 1.05 kg). Muscular fatigue was more pronounced during thumb flexion without feedback (18.4 ± 1.17%) than when feedback was provided (11.8...