cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heart and head defects in mice lacking pairs of connexins

Abstract Gene ablation studies in mice have revealed roles for gap junction proteins (connexins) in heart development. Of the 20 connexins in vertebrates, four are expressed in developing heart: connexin37 (Cx37), connexin40 (Cx40), connexin43 (Cx43), and connexin45 (Cx45). Although each cardiac connexin has a different pattern of expression, some heart cells coexpress multiple connexins during cardiac morphogenesis. Since different connexins could have overlapping functions, some developmental phenotypes may only become evident when more than one connexin is ablated. In this study, we interbred Cx40−/− and Cx43−/− mice to generate mice lacking both Cx40 and Cx43. Cx40−/−Cx43−/− mice die around embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5), much earlier than either Cx40−/− or Cx43−/− mice, and they exhibit malformed hearts with ventricles that are abnormally rotated, suggesting a looping defect. Some Cx40−/−Cx43−/− animals also develop head defects characteristic of exencephaly. In addition, we examined mice lacking both Cx40 and Cx37 and found a high incidence of atrial and ventricular septal defects at birth. These results provide further evidence for the importance of gap junctions in embryonic development. Moreover, ablating different pairs of cardiac connexins results in distinct heart defects, suggesting both common and unique functions for Cx40, Cx43, and Cx37 during cardiac morphogenesis.
A fracture pain model in the rat: adaptation of a closed femur fracture model to study skeletal pain.

Background: Because of the relative lack of understanding of the mechanisms that drive skeletal pain, the purpose of this study was to adapt a previously validated closed femur fracture model to quantitatively evaluate skeletal pain in female and male rats. Methods: Three-month-old female and male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized, and a stainless steel pin was inserted into the intramedullary space of the left femur. Three weeks later, the rats were reanesthetized, and left femoral diaphyses were fractured using a standardized impactor device. At 1-21 days after fracture, skeletal pain was measured by quantitatively assessing spontaneous guarding, spontaneous flinching, and weight bearing of the fractured hind limb. Results: Females and males showed highly robust pain behaviors that were maximal at day 1 after fracture and returned gradually to normal nonfractured levels at days 14-21 after fracture. The magnitude of fracture pain was not significantly different at most time points between female and male rats. In both females and males, the pain-related behaviors were attenuated by subcutaneous morphine in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: This model may help in developing a mechanism-based understanding of the factors that generate and maintain fracture pain in both females and males and in translating these findings into new therapies for treating fracture pain.
The equilibrium conformation of molecules with strongly coupled electronic states

Abstract Molecules containing heavy atoms, or in electronically excited states, frequently show a high density of electronic states coupled by the momenta of the nuclei. In such cases the usual definition of the molecular conformation, determined by a minimum of a single potential-energy surface, may lose its physical meaning. We present a more general definition of a conformation, that relies on the introduction of the probability densities of the nuclei. We show how to obtain the average conformation and other molecular properties, and how the equilibrium state of the molecule can be derived in terms of generalizing forces.
Geometric distortion correction to testing image

This paper presented X-ray of correction of testing image model based on digital image processing technique. Deformation algorithm and bilinear polynomial interpolation were applied to the distortion correction of testing image then make the corrected image smooth with combining median filter method. The experimental results have shown that this algorithm is simple, effective and able to show testing image clearly and accurately, laid a foundation for defect detection and identification following up.
Effects of Playing Wii on Well-Being in the Elderly: Physical Activity, Loneliness, and Mood

Effects of compensatory strategies offered by Wii technology on physical activity, loneliness, and mood are investigated. Thirty-five individuals (M = 82 years) were randomly assigned to either playing Wii or watching television with a partner for 10 weeks. Physical activity, loneliness, mood, life satisfaction, and health were assessed. The elderly playing Wii had lower loneliness and a pattern of greater positive mood compared to the television group. No differences in life satisfaction or physical activity were found, but loneliness predicted positive mood, and positive mood predicted physical activity. This investigation points to the benefits of using Wii for well-being, particularly social connection and enjoyment.
Professional development of interdisciplinary environmental scholars

The need is urgent to build capacity in the environmental community, and the interdisciplinary approach is one of the most promising avenues to accomplish this. The environmental studies and sciences program movement can ably lead this effort. Based on a workshop at the second annual meeting of the Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences (AESS) in 2010, we look at barriers to interdisciplinarity in academia, including the cultural, historical, and institutional context of disciplinary scholarship. It is within this context that interdisciplinarians must fight for identity, recognition, roles, legitimacy, and standing. Teaching, research, service, publishing, competing for funding, and meeting reappointment/promotion/tenure evaluation criteria can all pose unique difficulties for interdisciplinary scholars. We offer advice to those seeking professional interdisciplinary education, including finding the right program and advisor, developing skills, designing and completing the dissertation, and establishing a professional network. We also offer advice on securing a job—setting the stage while still in graduate school and highlighting interdisciplinary strengths in the application and interview process. We also offer advice on career advancement, such as clarifying one’s expertise and its significance, setting and fulfilling tenure-track benchmarks, adapting the career trajectory to capitalize on an interdisciplinary career, clarifying with one’s institution the criteria for advancement, and preparing the tenure portfolio. Finally, we offer an introduction to interdisciplinarity as an explicit, systematic approach in concept and framework that rests on a higher order means of organizing knowledge and action, with a focus on integration. AESS is emerging as an organization to assist professionals by assembling a supportive community of environmental educators, researchers, and problem solvers, by clarifying and promoting standards for successful interdisciplinarity in the classroom and in the field, and by offering advice and support on career issues for both up-and-coming professionals and established faculty and practitioners.
Structural properties and inversion mechanisms of [Rh(dippe)(μ-SR)]2 complexes

Several new bis-thiolate complexes of the type [Rh(dippe)(μ-SR)] 2 where R = H, methyl, cyclohexyl, o-biphenyl, and phenyl, or (SR) 2 =SCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 S have been synthesized and characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. All [Rh(dippe)(μ-SR)] 2 complexes except [Rh(dippe)(μ-SPh)] 2 exhibit bent geometries, while the orientation of the thiolato substituents changes with increasing steric bulk. 1 H and 3 1 P NMR spectroscopies indicate that both ring inversion and sulfur inversion occur among the members of the series, which allows them to access several isomeric forms when they are in solution. 3 1 P NMR spectroscopy indicates that sulfur inversion in [Rh(dippe)(μ-SH)] 2 , [Rh(dippe)(μ-Sbiphenyl)] 2 , and [Rh(dippe)(μ-SPh)] 2 is a non-dissociative process.
Discrete-time models with mosquitoes carrying genetically-modified bacteria ☆

We formulate a homogeneous model and a stage-structured model for the interactive wild mosquitoes and mosquitoes carrying genetically-modified bacteria. We establish conditions for the existence and stability of fixed points for both models. We show that a unique positive fixed point exists and is asymptotically stable if the two boundary fixed points are both unstable. The unique positive fixed point exists and is unstable if the two boundary fixed points are both locally asymptotically stable. Using numerical examples, we demonstrate the models undergoing a period-doubling bifurcation.
Southernmost Andes and South Georgia Island, North Scotia Ridge: Zircon U-Pb and muscovite 40Ar/39Ar age constraints on tectonic evolution of Southwestern Gondwanaland

Abstract Zircon U-Pb and muscovite 40 Ar 39 Ar isotopic ages have been determined on rocks from the southernmost Andes and South Georgia Island, North Scotia Ridge, to provide absolute time constraints on the kinematic evolution of southwestern Gondwanaland, until now known mainly from stratigraphic relations. The U-Pb systematics of four zircon fractions from one sample show that proto-marginal basin magmatism in the northern Scotia arc, creating the peraluminous Darwin granite suite and submarine rhyolite sequences of the Tobifera Formation, had begun by the Middle Jurassic (164.1 ± 1.7 Ma). Seven zircon fractions from two other Darwin granites are discordant with non-linear patterns, suggesting a complex history of inheritances and Pb loss. Reference lines drawn through these points on concordia diagrams give upper intercept ages of ca. 1500 Ma, interpreted as a minimum age for the inherited zircon component. This component is believed to have been derived from sedimentary rocks in the Gondwanaland margin accretionary wedge that forms the basement of the region, or else directly from the cratonic “back stop” of that wedge. Ophiolitic remnants of the Rocas Verdes marginal basin preserved in the Larsen Harbour complex on South Georgia yield the first clear evidence that Gondwanaland fragmentation had resulted in the formation of oceanic crust in the Weddell Sea region by the Late Jurassic (150 ± 1 Ma). The geographic pattern in the observed age range of 8 to 13 million years in these ophiolitic materials, while not definitive, is in keeping with propagation of the marginal basin floor northwestward from South Georgia Island to the Sarmiento Complex in southern Chile. Rocks of the Beagle granite suite, emplaced post-tectonically within the uplifted marginal basin floor, have complex zircon U-Pb systematics with gross discordances dominated by inheritances in some samples and Pb loss in others. Of eleven samples processed, only two had sufficient amounts of zircon for multiple fractions, and only one yielded colinear points. These points lie close to the lower concordia intercept for which the age is 68.9 ± 1.0 Ma, but their upper intercept is not well known. Inasmuch as this age is similar to the 40 Ar 39 Ar age of secondary muscovite growing in extensional fractures of pulled-apart feldspar phenocrysts in a Beagle suite granitic pluton (plateau age is 68.1 ± 0.4 Ma), we interpret the two dates as good time constraints for cooling following a period of extensional deformation probably related to the tectonic denudation of the highgrade metamorphic complex of Cordillera Darwin in Tierra del Fuego.
A note on variability of infrahuman FI performance

An adventitious finding of one rat’s unusually high rate of responding on FI schedules was reported. This S’s idiosyncratic mediation of interreinforcement intervals indicates that an FI schedule does not invariably lead to low-rate, scalloped performance in infrahumans.
Teaching music in an era of high-stakes testing and budget reductions

Prior research suggests that the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is having an adverse effect on school music programs, particularly in schools that have not made “adequate yearly progress.” In many instances, music programs are being reduced or eliminated, music teachers are being required to assist with the teaching of other subjects, academically low-achieving students are being precluded from participating in music, and the overall time allotted for music is being reduced. Because the arts are excluded from NCLB's list of tested subjects—that is, subjects for which schools are held accountable—music has been relegated to a noncore status, even though the law identifies the arts as a core academic subject. This article discusses changing paradigms within music education and how some music teachers are adapting to these shifts.
Explicit memory for unattended information

Explicit recognition memory of unattended information was tested in two studies. College students performed complex mental addition problems in the presence of distracting words, with instructions to concentrate on rapidly and accurately verifying the accompanying arithmetic answers. Then, they took a surprise recognition test on the words. Experiment 1 showed that a short exposure (800 msec) resulted in chance levels of recognition performance, whereas a longer exposure (1,100 msec) supported recognition barely better than chance. Experiment 2 addressed whether attended and unattended encoding are qualitatively different mental states or instead the same state, differing only in the degree of attention given. A state-dependent memory effect was observed, in which reactivating the same attentional state at the time of test as had occurred at the time of study had beneficial effects on recognition performance. This outcome adds to other types of evidence, which suggest that attended and unattended encoding differ qualitatively. It was concluded that unattended encoding supports an impoverished degree of explicit, as well as implicit, long-term memory.
To the heart of the matter

Abstract Nuclear Structure and Function (Vol. 53, Methods in Cell Biology) edited by M. Berrios, Academic Press, 1998. £44.00 (625 pages) ISBN 0 12 093170 2
Stem Cells Derived from Goiters in Adults Form Spheres in Response to Intense Growth Stimulation and Require Thyrotropin for Differentiation into Thyrocytes

Objective: This study aimed to analyze under which conditions quiescent stem cells derived from human goiters can be propagated to outgrow and whether these cells have retained the capacity to differentiate into thyroid cells. Design: Stem cells were isolated by fluorescence-activated cell sorting as a side population by the Hoechst 33342 efflux technique. Growth pattern of stem cells and cocultures of stem cells with thyrocytes grown as monolayer and in Matrigel was investigated. Expression of stem cell markers, endodermal markers, and thyroid-specific markers was analyzed by RT-PCR. In stem cell-derived thyrocytes, embedded in collagen to form follicles, TSH-dependent 125iodide uptake was measured. Results: Stem cells were isolated as a side population from a non-side population fraction that consisted of endodermal marker-positive cells and thyroid cells. Intense growth stimulation of stem cells in coculture with thyrocytes resulted in formation of nonadherent, three-dimensional spheres that consisted ...
Enzymic assay method for inorganic pyrophosphate

Abstract A specific method for the assay of inorganic pyrophosphate has been developed in which a coupled enzyme system catalyzes the oxidation of NADH equivalent to the added pyrophosphate. The method is sensitive to nanomole quantities of inorganic pyrophosphate. It does not involve the determination of orthophosphate and assays may be made in the presence of large amounts of this substance. The method is suitable for assays in the presence of acid-labile phosphate esters. Trace amounts of inorganic pyrophosphate were detected in orthophosphoric acid and its salts. About 10% of the phosphorus in a sample of metaphosphoric acid was in pyrophosphate. Commercial samples of acetyl phosphate and some nucleotide triphosphates were found to be seriously contaiminated with inorganic pyrophosphate. Studies were made on some substances that interfere with the assay.
Study of two-phase flows in reduced gravity using ground based experiments

Experimental studies have been carried out to support the development of a framework of the two-fluid model along with an interfacial area transport equation applicable to reduced gravity two-phase flows. The experimental study simulates the reduced gravity condition in ground based facilities by using two immiscible liquids of similar density namely, water as the continuous phase and Therminol 59® as the dispersed phase. We have acquired a total of eleven data sets in the bubbly flow and bubbly to slug flow transition regimes. These flow conditions have area-averaged void (volume) fractions ranging from 3 to 30% and channel Reynolds number for the continuous phase between 2,900 and 8,800. Flow visualization has been performed and a flow regime map developed which is compared with relevant bubbly to slug flow regime transition criteria. The comparison shows that the transition boundary is well predicted by the criterion based on critical void fraction. The value of the critical void fraction at transition was experimentally determined to be approximately 25%. In addition, important two-phase flow local parameters, including the void fraction, interfacial area concentration, droplet number frequency and droplet velocity, have been acquired at two axial locations using state-of-the-art multi-sensor conductivity probe. The radial profiles and axial development of the two-phase flow parameters show that the coalescence mechanism is enhanced by either increasing the continuous or dispersed phase Reynolds number. Evidence of turbulence induced particle interaction mechanism is highlighted. The data presented in this paper clearly show the marked differences in terms of bubble (droplet) size, phase distribution and phase interaction in two-phase flow between normal and reduced gravity conditions.
Residence time distribution in extruders determined by in‐line ultrasonic measurements

The knowledge of residence time distribution (RTD) in industrial extruders is critical, notably when dealing with easily degradable polymers or when using extruders as chemical reactors. Many methods have been proposed for RTD determination but there are some drawbacks associated with each; they are expensive, hazardous, time consuming, or lacking sensitivity. A novel ultrasonic technique, sensitive to the filler concentration of polymer suspensions, is proposed. Ultrasonic properties (ultrasonic velocity and attenuation) were evaluated with regard to parameters such as linearity of the response, resolution of the measurement, and especially robustness to pressure and temperature variations. The attenuation, chosen for RTD evaluation along with a specific grade of calcium carbonate filler as the tracer, was then monitored to yield the RTD of the material in a twin-screw extruder, for different experimental conditions where quantity of filler utilized, as well as the method used to feed it, were changed in order to optimize the technique. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A simple, rapid bioassay for detecting effects of pollutants on bacteria.

A screening bioassay needs to be rapid, and sensitive. The bioassay is described which is accurate, inexpensive, and which utilizes bacteria as the toxicity predictor. The basis of the test involves measuring the kinetics of dissolved oxygen depletion by a mixed microbial population following exposure to a pollutant and allows results to be obtained in as little as 40 min. Pollutants tested were cadmium, copper, nickel, sulfate, diuron, pentachlorophenol, atrazine, tricholoracetic acid, dimethylformamide, and diazinon. (JMT)
Identification of cytoskeletal, focal adhesion, and cell adhesion proteins in growth cone particles isolated from developing chick brain.

Growth cones are intimately involved in determining the direction and extent of neurite elongation during development. They are able to monitor their environment and respond to it by undergoing directed motility. We have isolated a fraction enriched in growth cone particles from embryonic chick brain. Assayed by immunoblots, this fraction is enriched in GAP-43, and contains the cytoskeletal proteins actin, myosin 11, neurofilament protein, tubulin, kinesin, and dynamin. All of the major components of focal adhesions are also present: alpha-actinin, vinculin, talin, and integrin. In addition to integrin, we also identify the cell adhesion molecules A-CAM, L1, fibronectin, and laminin in these particles. This preparation of isolated growth cone particles may be a useful model system for studying growth cone adhesion and motility.
Optoelectronic techniques for real-time pattern recognition

We investigate the recent trends and advancements in real time pattern recognition with special reference to joint transform correlator (JTC) architectures and algorithms. Techniques for achieving both single and multiple target detection in noise-free, noisy and cluttered input scenes using the classical, binary and fringe-adjusted JTCs are discussed. Distortion invariant target recognition using tools such as the synthetic discriminant function is also incorporated. Various optoelectronic and all-optical architectures and implementation issues for effectively implementing the various types of JTC techniques are discussed. Extensive simulation results are presented to investigate the effectiveness of the various JTC techniques, especially the fringe-adjusted JTC.
Simultaneous learning of concepts and simultaneous estimation of probabilities

When can one simultaneously learn many concepts from the same sample? We call this “simultaneous learning.” This generalizes the notion of learning, which focuses on one concept at a time. We examine this issue along with an analogous notion for estimating the probabilities of sets, “simultaneous estimation.” In each case, an unknown distribution from a known class P of probabilities generates the samples. We show that simultaneous estimation of a class of concepts is possible if it can be simultaneously learned, and this, in turn, is possible if a somewhat richer class can be simultaneously estimated. We also characterize simultaneous learning and estimation in terms of a notion of sampling complexity. Specializing to the case where P is the set of all probabilities, we show that simultaneous learning or estimation is possible if and only if the VC dimension of the concept class is finite.
Potato Chips Fried in Canola and/or Cottonseed Oil Maintain High Quality

Potato chips fried in partially hydrogenated canola oil (CA), cottonseed oil (CS) and CA: CS blends (85:15 and 70:30) and stored (light or dark) for 4 wk were studied. Peroxide value (PV) was not affected by oil type or storage conditions but increased with storage time. Flavor volatiles (26) were identified and quantified. Oil type affected concentrations of chip volatile aldehydes but not heterocyclic cornpounds. No differences among oil types were found in fresh chip flavor or likability scores by a sensory panel.
Remodeling of Cancellous Bone in Young Monkeys

Remodeling of the trabeculae in cancellous bone was studied in young monkeys that received multiple weekly injections of lead acetate as a marker. Resorption of old bone and deposition of new bone were demonstrated. The rate of deposition of new bone varied at different sites of the same trabeculae and also at different time intervals of the same site. The total formation time of new bone to fill the trabecular space was estimated.
Possibility of optically induced nuclear fission.

The process of nuclear fission induced by nonlinear radiative coupling to atomic electrons is considered. For 248-nm radiation at an intensity of \ensuremath{\simeq}${10}^{21}$ W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, highly relativistic currents are produced which can couple to the fission mode of nuclear decay. With irradiation for a time of \ensuremath{\simeq}100 fs the results indicate a fission probability of \ensuremath{\simeq}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}5}$ for $_{{\mathrm{}}^{2}{\mathrm{}}_{92}^{38}}\mathrm{U}$ nuclei located at the surface of a solid target, a value several orders of magnitude above the limit of detection.
THE EAST BALTIC ACCUSATIVE PLURAL

The traditional comparative grammars suppose that the East Baltic o-stem XC. plur. ending -us is to be derived from IndoEuropean * -6rcs which passed to *-tions and then to -zoos which in word final position was shortened to -zcs.l) Support for a posited Indo-European act. plur. ending -iins is thought to be found in the Skt. act. plur. ending -gin. But the Sanskrit forms can easily be explained analogically. According to A. Thumb, ‘Wegen des ai. -tin ist es jedoch nicht niitig, ein idg. -6ns anzusetzen; devin kann zum Nom. Pl. d8vlfh nach dem Muster der Singula;*formen dt%&: dt%am (bzw. d&m im Sandhi vor t, d) geschaffen sein?) I propose that the East Baltic act. plur. ending -zcs (dial. -zcrts) can be better explained as a borrowing from the act. plur. of the etymological N-stern nouns. Such borrowings of case endings from one class of nourts to another are not infrequent in the IndoEuropean languages. In Slavic the etvmological &stem genitive plural ending -o&i has spread to the o-stem nouns. In Latin, for example, the consonant stem nouns have the lot. sing. ending -2’ by analogy with the iand o/e-stems?) Such an explanation was not proposed before because it was thought that the definite forms of the East Baltic adjective which contained an -UOS (cf. Lith. -zcosilcs, Latv. -aces) presupposed an original Vs. But this is a needless hypothesis. Here I must digress to explain mv view of the Common East Baltic vocalic system. For this I PO& four phonemes, viz. /f, 8, 6, d/. The diphthongs traditionally written as -zcoand -iecan be
A young woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and extensive mesenteric vasculitis involving small and medium vessels

History of the present illness The patient had 2 recent hospital admissions. Two months prior to her current presentation, she presented to the emergency department with a tooth abscess for which she underwent incision and drainage, and received a 1-week course of penicillin. One week later, she was admitted with a fever of 40.8°C and was noted to have tooth decay on panoramic radiographs without evidence of an abscess. She was treated with intravenous vancomycin and piperacillin tazobactam for 48 hours and then switched to oral clindamycin. Because of her elevated international normalized ratio (INR), she was unable to undergo tooth extraction prior to discharge. Two weeks later, she was readmitted with 4 days of recurrent fevers, malaise, diffuse arthralgias, and increased dyspnea with minimal exertion. Previous lupus exacerbations were characterized by arthralgias, rash, and hemolytic anemia. On this admission, laboratory evaluation revealed leukocytosis, worsening anemia and thrombocytopenia, creatinine of 0.7 mg/dl, alkaline phosphatase of 127 units/liter (normal value 111), spot urine proteinto-creatinine ratio of 1.47 (prior 1.1), low C3 and C4, and an increase in her double-stranded DNA by enzyme immunoassay from 120 to 768 IU/ml (normal value 30). She was empirically treated with vancomycin and piperacillin tazobactam given her recent tooth infection. The elevated alkaline phosphatase level prompted an abdominal ultrasound that showed multiple small hypoechoic areas in the spleen. An extensive infectious evaluation, including blood cultures, fungal serologies, knee arthrocentesis, magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar spine, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiograms, and computed tomography of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, was negative. Her viral serologies were also unremarkable, other than evidence of IgG seropositivity for cytomegalovirus (CMV) with a negative viral load, consistent with prior exposure. Despite broad-spectrum antibiotics, she remained febrile. Her baseline prednisone dose of 12.5 mg was increased to 60 mg daily for possible lupus flare, after which she defervesced within 48 hours. Her thrombocytopenia was thought to be secondary to SLE-related idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura because it resolved with high-dose steroids and intravenous immunoglobulin. She was discharged home 11 days after admission. The patient remained afebrile for 1 week at home. During this period she developed new-onset progressive upper abdominal pain with meals lasting 20–30 minutes. She denied associated constitutional symptoms, diarrhea, hematochezia, or melena.
GLOBE: Analytics for Assessing Global Representativeness

The goal of meta-analysis is to synthesize results from a collection of studies in order to identify patterns that have broader applicability. In many of the global change sciences, these synthesis studies attempt to bring together results of local case studies to make claims about global patterns. In order to substantiate claims of generality, it is crucial to establish that the collected case studies are representative of the regions they claim to characterize. Said differently, a meta-analyst must demonstrate that their choice of studies was not biased in a way that would undermine her claims. The GLOBE project aims to shorten the gap between local and global researchers by, among other things, providing analytics that help assess the representativeness of a collection of study sites and assist in correcting any bias found. In this paper we present the methods used by GLOBE to formalize the concept of representativeness, to analyze and visualize it, to address sampling bias, and present a use case in the domain of land change science.
The Two Europes

In pursuit of the question of European identity, this paper applies Ramon Menendez Pidal's idea of the two Spains to the whole of Europe, setting up the contrast between traditional and modernist Europe. Though the most traditionalist societies have usually engaged in various forms of “updating,” and most modernists wish some connection with the past, the dividing line between the Two Europes was the Enlightenment and French Revolution. On the one side we have the “pious,” those who want to retain much of the past and walk in their fathers’ footsteps. Commonly these either are religious or tolerant of religion. On the other side we have those trying to create a new cultural space separated from some ancien regime. Often these are hostile to religion. Though probably Southern Europe is more traditionalist than Northern, the two Europes are found across Europe intermingled. The goal of this essay is to delineate the nature of each of the two Europes.
Biomimetic myoelectric control of a dexterous artificial hand for prosthetic applications

A new biomimetic two-input EMG based control algorithm for a dexterous robotic hand is presented. The biomimetic controller maps the EMG control signals to the prosthesis in a more physiologically expected manner. By exploiting the muscular structure of the forearm, the controller permits control of both power and lateral pinch grasps in addition to a typing function with the index finger. Proportional control of wrist flexion and extension is also possible while simultaneously controlling the applied grip force. Experimental results show that there exists a correlation between hand position and EMG signals, which is used as a basis for the biomimetic control algorithm. The control algorithm was evaluated by four human test subjects who performed five different tasks. Results indicate a general trend of improvement using the controller with increased training time.
A Method for Identification and Analysis of Non-Overlapping Myeloid Immunophenotypes in Humans

The development of flow cytometric biomarkers in human studies and clinical trials has been slowed by inconsistent sample processing, use of cell surface markers, and reporting of immunophenotypes. Additionally, the function(s) of distinct cell types as biomarkers cannot be accurately defined without the proper identification of homogeneous populations. As such, we developed a method for the identification and analysis of human leukocyte populations by the use of eight 10-color flow cytometric protocols in combination with novel software analyses. This method utilizes un-manipulated biological sample preparation that allows for the direct quantitation of leukocytes and non-overlapping immunophenotypes. We specifically designed myeloid protocols that enable us to define distinct phenotypes that include mature monocytes, granulocytes, circulating dendritic cells, immature myeloid cells, and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We also identified CD123 as an additional distinguishing marker for the phenotypic characterization of immature LIN-CD33+HLA-DR- MDSCs. Our approach permits the comprehensive analysis of all peripheral blood leukocytes and yields data that is highly amenable for standardization across inter-laboratory comparisons for human studies.
Calcium and the heart: a question of life and death

The importance of calcium-dependent signaling in the heart has been appreciated for decades. For example, it is well accepted that intracellular calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) is required for cardiac muscle contraction. Indeed, with each heart beat the calcium concentration in the cytosol of cardiac myocytes is elevated approximately 10-fold from a resting level of ∼100 nM to ∼1 μM. Presumably, a defect in signaling that prevents effective elevation of cytosolic calcium would impair contractility as the contraction of heart muscle is directly determined by the level of calcium elevation during systole. Similarly, a defect in the removal of calcium from the cytosol during diastole would impair cardiac relaxation, which is critically important in that it allows the heart chambers to refill with blood in preparation for the next beat.
Jonathan Edwards on Men and Trees, and the Problem of Solidarity

THIS essay addresses the problem of the relation between membership and moral responsibility in the interpretation of the doctrines of original sin and atonement by Jonathan Edwards. Focusing on his image of a tree and its branches to typify the solidarity of men as sinners ("in Adam") and as saints ("in Christ"),1 I will argue that Edwards defines the "nature" of man in organic and historical terms which modify significantly both the biological images of infection and regeneration in the Augustinian-Calvinist tradition and the juridical terms of federal headship in Puritan covenant theology. Edwards defines "membership" in the race of Adam, as well as in the body of Christ, as a form of participation in a history which is decisively shaped by the disposition of its organizing figure. Yet, in formulating the doctrines of original sin and atonement, Edwards is careful to maintain the balance between disposition as a generic characteristic and action as an individual responsibility. Edwards' theory of solidarity, informed by a sense of history as the medium of ethical relationship, is an instructive attempt to clarify the relation between curse and disobedience, as well as that between grace and faithfulness.
Transformative Mixed Methods Research

Paradigms serve as metaphysical frameworks that guide researchers in the identification and clarification of their beliefs with regard to ethics, reality, knowledge, and methodology. The transforma...
The economics of 'more research is needed'

Background Results from epidemiology and other health research affect millions of life-years and billions of dollars, and the research directly consumes millions of dollars. Yet we do little to assess the value of research projects for future policy, even amid the ubiquitous assertions that 'more research is necessary' on a given topic. This methodological proposal outlines the arguments for why and how ex ante assessments can inform us about the value of a particular piece of further research on a topic. Methods Economics and decision theory concepts-cost-benefit analysis and probability-weighted predictions of outcomes-allow us to calculate the payoff from applied health research based on resulting decisions. Starting with our probability distribution for the parameters of interest, a Monte Carlo simulation generates the distribution of outcomes from a particular new study. Each true value and outcome are associated with a policy decision, and improved decisions are valued to give us the study's contribution as applied research. Results The analysis demonstrates how to calculate the expected value of further research, for a simplified case, and assess whether it is really warranted. Perhaps more important, it points out what the measure of the value of a further study ought to be. Conclusions It is quite possible to improve our technology for assessing the value of particular pieces of further research on a topic. However, this will only happen if the need and possibility are recognized by methodologists and applied researchers.
The Process of Reading‐to‐Write Used by a Skilled Spanish‐As‐a‐Foreign‐Language Student: A Case Study

The purpose of this study was to explore how one skilled Spanish-As-a-Foreign-Lan-guage (SFL) student in a third-year level class performed reading-to-write tasks. Case study research methodology was used to investigate the processes of reading-to-write within an academic foreign language (FL) setting. The subject of the study was a skilled Advanced-Level SFL student from a composition class in a large southeastern university. She did one reading-to-write task as part of her class assignment which was analyzed in the study. Data were collected using stimulated-recall interviews. The subject kept reading and writing logs to help her stimulate recall of the processes she used. Results led to the design of a preliminary identification of the reading-to-write process that has important consequences for future research and implications for teaching.
Metasynthesis: The State of the Art—So Far

To make qualitative results more accessible to clinicians, researchers, and policy makers, individuals are urged to synthesize findings from related studies. Since 1994, several types of metasynthesis have been conducted, resulting in theory building, theory explication, and substantive descriptions of phenomena. A variety of methodologies have been used to complete these projects, as no firm metasynthesis guidelines exist. As such, the purpose of this article is to discuss recently completed works and draw inferences regarding key methodological elements and research study integrity. The author also offers suggestions for future investigations.
Interannual variability of total ozone during the breakdown of the Antarctic circumpolar vortex

Data from the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) on the Nimbus 7 satellite are compared with Dobson spectrophotometer measurements from the Antarctic, where a large decrease in October total ozone has been observed over the last decade. It has been hypothesized that the decrease is caused by local photochemical effects of man-made chlorofluorocarbons. The TOMS data, which start in 1978, agree well with the Dobson data, confirming the low values of recent years. However, during the southern hemisphere spring total ozone in the Antarctic is strongly affected by transport associated with the breakdown of the stratospheric vortex. The strength and timing of the vortex breakdown are highly variable and can have a large effect on monthly-mean total ozone values. The TOMS data suggest that variations in the stratospheric circulation have contributed to the long-term decrease. Large variations in total ozone are not confined to the Antarctic. Zonal-mean ozone values have also decreased in the northern hemisphere spring during the TOMS observing period.
On the statistical efficiency of LMS algorithms

Summary form only given. This paper describes the statistical efficiency of LMS algorithms. In this work, two gradient descent adaptive algorithms are compared, the LMS algorithm and the LMS/Newton algorithm. LMS is simple and practical and is used in many applications worldwide. LMS/Newton is based on Newton's method and the LMS algorithm. LMS/Newton is optimal in the least squares sense. It maximizes the quality of its adaptive solution while minimizing the use of training data. Many least squares adaptive algorithms have been devised over the years, but no other least squares algorithm can give better performance, on average, than LMS/Newton. Furthermore, LMS algorithm is related to the famous backpropagation algorithm used for training neural networks.
A general interprocedural framework for placement of split-phase large latency operations

Overlapping split-phase large latency operations with computations is a standard technique for improving performance on modern architectures. In this paper, we present a general interprocedural technique for overlapping such accesses with computation. We have developed an Interprocedural Balanced Code Placement (IBCP) framework, which performs analysis on arbitrary recursive procedures and arbitrary control flow and replaces synchronous operations with a balanced pair of asynchronous operations. We have evaluated this scheme in the context of overlapping I/O operations with computation. We demonstrate how this analysis is useful for applications which perform frequent and large accesses to disks, including applications which snapshot or checkpoint their computations or out-of-core applications.
Girls Arrested for Murder: An Empirical Analysis of 32 years of U.S. Data by Offender Age Groups

Most studies on juvenile homicide offenders (JHOs) have used small samples and have concentrated on adolescent male offenders. As a result, little is known about the population of female juveniles arrested for murder. This study utilized the Supplementary Homicide Report (SHR) database to investigate age differences between younger (aged 6-12 years) and older (aged 13-17 years) females arrested for murder in the United States from 1976 to 2007. As predicted, six variables used to test seven hypotheses with respect to younger and older female JHOs in single victim incidents were significant (victim age, victim gender, victim offender relationship, murder weapon, offender count, and homicide circumstance). Regression analysis revealed that younger girls were seven times more likely than older girls to kill children aged 0-12 years. Girls aged 6-12 years were five times more likely than their teen counterparts to be involved in conflict-related homicides as opposed to crime-related homicides. Although approximately the same percentages of younger and older girls killed infants under the age of 1, the victims were significantly different for the two offender age groups. This article concludes with a discussion of our findings and directions for future research.
EVIDENCE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GRAVITATIONAL RADIATION FROM MEASUREMENTS OF THE BINARY PULSAR PSR 1913+16

Results of four years of timing observations of PSR 1913+16 made with the 305-m telescope at the Arecibo Observatory at frequencies near 430 and 1410 MHz are summarized. Received intensity data were accumulated for intervals of 5 minutes and the resulting profile was then fitted to a template to determine its precise arrival time. Data on PSR 1913+16 have been acquired using a number of different receivers, dispersion-removing systems, and recording methods in order to improve the measurement accuracy. Random errors in the measured pulse arrival times have been reduced from 300 microseconds in 1974 to 50 microseconds in 1978. Analysis of the timing data was carried out using a model which describes the system in terms of 13 parameters of physical interest. It is found that changes of the orbital period observed during the experiment can be best explained by gravitational radiation damping at a rate consistent with the predictions of general relativity.
The C. elegans ortholog of mammalian Ku70, interacts with insulin-like signaling to modulate stress resistance and life span

The mammalian Ku heterodimer has important roles in DNA double strand break repair, telomere maintenance, cell cycle checkpoint-arrest, tumor suppression, and cellular stress resistance. To investigate the evolutionarily conserved functions of Ku, we knocked down expression by RNA interference (RNAi) of Ku genes in C. elegans. We found that C. elegans Ku70 (CKU-70) is required for resistance to genotoxic stress, regulates cytotoxic stress responses, and influences aging. The latter effects are dependent on an IGF-1/insulin-like signaling pathway previously shown to affect life span. Reduction of CKU-70 activity amplifies the aging phenotype of long-lived insulin receptor daf-2 mutations in a daf-16-dependent manner. These observations support the view that organismal stress resistance determines life span and Ku70 modulates these effects.
Cloning and Biochemical Characterization of TAF-172, a Human Homolog of Yeast Mot1

The TATA binding protein (TBP) is a central component of the eukaryotic transcriptional machinery and is the target of positive and negative transcriptional regulators. Here we describe the cloning and biochemical characterization of an abundant human TBP-associated factor (TAF-172) which is homologous to the yeast Mot1 protein and a member of the larger Snf2/Swi2 family of DNA-targeted ATPases. Like Mot1, TAF-172 binds to the conserved core of TBP and uses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to dissociate TBP from DNA (ADI activity). Interestingly, ATP also causes TAF-172 to dissociate from TBP, which has not been previously observed with Mot1. Unlike Mot1, TAF-172 requires both TBP and DNA for maximal (approximately 100-fold) ATPase activation. TAF-172 inhibits TBP-driven RNA polymerase II and III transcription but does not appear to affect transcription driven by TBP-TAF complexes. As it does with Mot1, TFIIA reverses TAF-172-mediated repression of TBP. Together, these findings suggest that human TAF-172 is the functional homolog of yeast Mot1 and uses the energy of ATP hydrolysis to remove TBP (but apparently not TBP-TAF complexes) from DNA.
Introducing Discriminant Analysis to the Business Statistics Curriculum

Recently a good deal of interest and effort has been directed toward making statistics courses more effective in business schools. It is believed that a key to success in this area involves giving a more prominent role to statistical tools which are useful in actual business practice. If the research literature is any indication, discriminant analysis (DA) has many potential applications in virtually all areas of business. Yet, DA is rarely taught in undergraduate business and/or M.B.A. statistics courses. This is partially due to the fact that most presentations of DA are relegated to multivariate statistics texts that assume an advanced knowledge of linear algebra. This paper attempts to rectify this situation by proposing a simplified pedagogical approach for introducing linear DA in undergraduate and/or M.B.A. business statistics courses.