cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conflict of Laws Conventions and Their Reception in National Legal Systems: Report for the United States

This is the U.S. national report on "Conflict of Laws Conventions and Their Reception in National Legal Systems," prepared for the Intermediate Congress of the International Academy of Comparative Law held in 2008. The report discusses the various mechanisms for implementation of conflict-of-laws conventions in the United States: through federal legislation, federal rulemaking and state legislation. It reviews the conflict-of-laws conventions to which the United States is party (including in the areas of family law and litigation procedure), as well as recent case-law under those conventions. It also examines relevant aspects of U.S. law on treaties, discussing the issue of self-executing versus non-self executing treaties within the particular context of private law conventions.
Employment Discrimination Law in Perspective: Three Concepts of Equality

Over the past fifty years, the body of law prohibiting discrimination in employment has grown enormously in terms of the extent of geographic coverage, the range of covered employers, the array of protected workers, and the spectrum of prohibited practices. Beginning in the mid-1940s, states began passing Fair Employment Practices laws that generally prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin. Over the next two decades, the geographic reach of these laws spread as most states outside the South enacted some form of this legislation. With the passage of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,1 the legal prohibition became national in scope and the categories of protected workers were extended to include women. In successive years, more employers came within the regulatory domain of Title VII as the required number of workers in a covered firm dropped from one hundred to fifteen,2 and in 1972 Congress extended the reach of the law to state and local government and educational institutions.3 Then, in the mid-1970s, the prohibition against racial discrimination was extended to all employers through the Supreme Court's decision in Runyon v. McCrary,4 which interpreted the century-old 42 U.S.C. ? 1981 as providing a remedy for racial discrimination that was independent of Title VII and therefore not bound by the latter's exemption of small employers.
Verification of Real-Time Systems by Successive Over and Under Approximation

Automata-theoretic techniques provide a powerful means of verifying finite-bounded systems. However they suffer from state explosion. One approach to this problem is to analyze an abstracted system description. In safety verification, different abstractions can yield true lower or upper approximations of the set of reachable states. Previously, we presented an algorithm [24] which uses simple heuristics to automatically generate finer abstractions until the approximations correctly answer the verification problem.
Cylindrical Antenna With Tapered Resistive Loading

Current, input impedance and far field pattern of cylindrical antenna with tapered resistive loading
Quickest spectrum sensing over correlated channels

Quickest spectrum sensing seeks to optimize a balance between two opposing performance measures in spectrum sensing, one being the delay in identifying spectrum opportunities, and the other being the quality of the decision. The existing spectrum sensing approaches formed based on quickest detection theory rely on the assumption that the occupancy states of different spectrum bands over a wideband spectrum are statistically independent. This is an assumption that cannot be met in practice, especially in broadband communication schemes in which radio channels are dynamically grouped in bundles and allocated to different users based on the users' traffic needs. As a result of such channel grouping and allocation the occupancy states of the channels, especially the adjacent ones, are correlated. This paper, in contrast to the existing literature on quickest spectrum sensing, considers a wideband spectrum in which the occupancy states of different channels follow a pre-specified dependency kernel. The objective is to design the quickest spectrum sensing approach for identifying spectrum holes, which aims to minimize the average delay in identifying spectrum opportunities while assuring, in parallel, certain guarantees on the quality of the decision. The closed-form expression of the optimal sensing scheme are delineated and are shown to have low computational complexity.
Law and credit constraints in transition economies1

Using a survey of over 4,000 firms in 21 transition economies, this paper investigates how legal extensiveness (law on the books) and legal effectiveness (law in practice) affect availability of bank finance. Our findings suggest that both law on the books and law in practice are important, but that they impact firms of different sizes differently. Small firms appear to be the most credit constrained in countries with weak creditor rights and with weak contract enforcement, while large firms are the most credit constrained in countries with weak courts and unclear and inconsistent laws pertaining to firms’ business operations.
An historical reenactment of the battle of Gettysburg on Janus (Army)

Utilizing Janus (A), we analyzed the decision made by LTG Richard Ewell at Gettysburg, PA on the evening of 1 July, 1863. At this time, LTG Ewell decided not to attack Culp's Hill. Instead, he waited until the next morning to attack, to permit the mustering of both artillery support and his third division, under command of MG Johnson. Many historians contend that this was a poor tactical decision and was a direct cause of the confederate loss at Gettysburg and possibly the war. We have investigated this issue using a combat simulation model called Janus (Army). Prerequisite to the simulation, systems and weapons of the time had to be modeled in the Janus database. To keep this relatively manageable, we decided to model only the most significant system types on each side. These included the Confederate and Yankee soldier armed with a bayonet and a non-repeating rifle; the cannoneer and cannon (12 Ib ball and cannister-shot) on each side. In total, the simulation represented nearly 200,000 systems engaged at Gettysburg. Our study employed a two level, two factor experimental design. The two factors were the presence of the corp's artillery and Johnson's division. Both factors were relevant to the decision to delay the confederate attack. The levels corresponded with whether or not each factor was used in the simulation. In all, we conducted three replications of the following four design points (tactical alternatives) from which to base our conclusions: 1.Design Point 1 (B): Situation on 1 Jul 1863 (no change). Ewell's Corps attacks. 2.Design Point 2 (B+A): Corps Artillery supports the attack. 3.Design Point 3 (B+J): MG Johnson's Division participates in attack. 4.Design Point 4 (B+A+J): Corps Artillery supports and MG Johnson's Division participates in attack. We conclude that LTG Ewell made the correct tactical decision. Without either his corps artillery or Johnson's Division, the corps would have faced annihilation should he have attacked on 1 July. Had he had his corps artillery (6 guns), he probably should have pushed aggressively up the hill. If he had only Johnson's division, he probably could have taken the hill but could not have held it as a tenable position for very long.
The Yeast Gene, MDM20, Is Necessary for Mitochondrial Inheritance and Organization of the Actin Cytoskeleton

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the growing bud inherits a portion of the mitochondrial network from the mother cell soon after it emerges. Although this polarized transport of mitochondria is thought to require functions of the cytoskeleton, there are conflicting reports concerning the nature of the cytoskeletal element involved. Here we report the isolation of a yeast mutant, mdm20, in which both mitochondrial inheritance and actin cables (bundles of actin filaments) are disrupted. The MDM20 gene encodes a 93-kD polypeptide with no homology to other characterized proteins. Extra copies of TPM1, a gene encoding the actin filament–binding protein tropomyosin, suppress mitochondrial inheritance defects and partially restore actin cables in mdm20Δ cells. Synthetic lethality is also observed between mdm20 and tpm1 mutant strains. Overexpression of a second yeast tropomyosin, Tpm2p, rescues mutant phenotypes in the mdm20 strain to a lesser extent. Together, these results provide compelling evidence that mitochondrial inheritance in yeast is an actin-mediated process. MDM20 and TPM1 also exhibit the same pattern of genetic interactions; mutations in MDM20 are synthetically lethal with mutations in BEM2 and MYO2 but not SAC6. Although MDM20 and TPM1 are both required for the formation and/or stabilization of actin cables, mutations in these genes disrupt mitochondrial inheritance and nuclear segregation to different extents. Thus, Mdm20p and Tpm1p may act in vivo to establish molecular and functional heterogeneity of the actin cytoskeleton.
Improved transformation technique for the prediction of liberation by a random fracture model

Abstract King's Random Fracture Model (RFM) was implemented using the exponential model for the distribution of linear intercepts through both continuous and dispersed phases and the Finlayson function for the distribution of intercept lengths through particles. Accurately measured distribution of intercept lengths through particles and linear grade distributions were compared to those predicted by the model, and very good agreement was found. The inversion of the transformation equation, which describes the relationship between the one-, two- and three-dimensional information regarding the composition of mineral particles was implemented using the constrained Rosenbrock Hillclimb Procedure with an appropriate objective function. Volumetric grade distributions determined from depth profile measurement were compared with the results of inversion from either linear or areal grade distributions, and again very good agreement was found. Assuming both procedures were correct, the liberation spectrum of a copper ore containing 3.8 vol.% CuFeS2 was determined from very simple image analysis measurements using the RFM coupled with the implemented solution for the transformation equation.
CLP-the Cornell list processor

Presented in this paper are the highlights of CLP, a teaching language which has been employed at Cornell University and was constructed to serve as a means of introducing simulation and other list-processing concepts. The various advantages of CLP are discussed and examples are given.
A general class of test statistics for Van Valen's Red Queen hypothesis

Van Valen's Red Queen hypothesis states that within a homogeneous taxonomic group the age is statistically independent of the rate of extinction. The case of the Red Queen hypothesis being addressed here is when the homogeneous taxonomic group is a group of similar species. Since Van Valen's work, various statistical approaches have been used to address the relationship between taxon age and the rate of extinction. We propose a general class of test statistics that can be used to test for the effect of age on the rate of extinction. These test statistics allow for a varying background rate of extinction and attempt to remove the effects of other covariates when assessing the effect of age on extinction. No model is assumed for the covariate effects. Instead we control for covariate effects by pairing or grouping together similar species. Simulations are used to compare the power of the statistics. We apply the test statistics to data on Foram extinctions and find that age has a positive effect on the rate...
On Fear, Distrust, and Ebola

video-basedmotion analysis (Glarner CE et al. Surgery. 2014;156[3]:729-734). Confidentiality issues will also need to be addressed when information is gatheredonsurgeons’ skills. Forexample, should details recorded during surgical proceduresbemadepublicandadmissible incourt when something goes wrong? “As a surgeon, the informationcouldprotectyou,but it could also implicate you, and it’s unclear howmuchof that information shouldbeexposed,” said Lee. Aggarwal also points to another concern, which relates to the dangers of focusing only on a surgeon’s technical skills to assesscompetency.“Surgeryismuchmorethan fixing things. Surgeons have to interactwith patients and a team of clinicians to make shared decisions about situations that may haveanumberofoptions,”hesaid. “Wehave tomakesure thatwe’re assessingboth technicalandnontechnical skills sothatat theend of theday,we’ll be able toknowthat the surgeries that arebeingperformedare safe and are providing benefits for patients.” Until more standardized assessment tools are widely adopted, patients are encouraged to be proactive in gathering information reflective of surgeons’ skills (Livingston EH. JAMA. 2015;313[5]:536).
Social Functions of Denial of Death

Denial of death has been the focus of much writing in the thanatological literature. Much of this literature has viewed denial as disfunctional in the treatment of terminal illness. Denial has been defined in psychodynamic terms as the defense mechanism which protects dying patients from disabling awareness of the danger of impending death. This paper explores both the social nature of denial and the functionality of denial in preserving relationships threatened by knowledge of terminal illness. It asserts that denial serves to forestall social withdrawal by the patient and his/her social circle, as well as promoting role enactments necessary to medical treatment.
Atomic geometry of the PbS(100) surface

Abstract The surface structure of PbS(100), in the form of the mineral galena, was studied with the X-ray standing wave technique using surface-sensitive Auger electron yield detection and normal incidence geometry. We find that neither S nor Pb surface atoms are displaced from their respective bulk site positions. This lack of surface relaxation differs from the recent suggestion based on theory that a sizable contraction is needed to explain the experimentally observed lack of a surface core-level shift in Pb 5d photoemission data. To shed more light on this issue, we have also measured high-resolution Pb 4f, Pb 5d, and S 2p photoemission spectra for PbS(100) and confirmed that the surface core-level shifts are absent for cations as well as for anions.
Development of impact acoustic detection and density separations methods for production of high quality processed beans

Abstract Impact acoustic detection (IAD) and density separation (DS) techniques were used to process and study the acoustic and physical properties of dry beans. The IAD’s data analysis software consisted of real time Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) function and the integral against frequency 0–20 kHz was called signal level (SL). Solutions of calcium nitrate and water were used for DS. Bean with low SL (LSL: SL ⩽ 0.04) had higher percentage of skin damage and vice versa. Beans with high SL (HSL: SL > 0.04) were larger sized than those with LSL. Beans with low density had more skin damage than beans with high density. The quantity of broken dehydrated precooked pinto beans in LSL fraction was four times more than in HSL fraction. The percentages of burst and split beans in LSL fraction were higher than in HSL fraction. Higher solid losses and hydration ratio were associated with low density. Contrary to conventional methods, IAD could separate beans based on skin damage. Both techniques could improve high quality processing of dehydrated precooked beans.
Dipetalonema viteae: Isoelectric focusing and immunochemical studies on somatic extracts of adult worms and microfilariae

Abstract Isoelectric focusing (IEF) of a somatic extract of adult worms (SEAW) yielded nine fractions. Most of the applied protein antigen was recovered in five fractions with pI values of 5.2, 4.4, 4.3, 4.0, and 3.3, respectively. The nine IEF fractions of SEAW gave a total of 37 bands following electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel (PAGE). IEF fractionation of a somatic extract of microfilariae (SEM) yielded nine fractions. Two fractions with pI values of 4.4 and 3.2, respectively, contained most of the applied protein. The nine IEF fractions of SEM gave a total of 32 bands following PAGE. Crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CI) of SEM and SEAW against serum from hyperinfected hamsters yielded five and eight precipitation peaks, respectively. CI of SEM and SEAW against their homologous rabbit antisera gave 7 and 10 major precipitation peaks, respectively. Immunodiffusion of the nine IEF fractions from both SEM and SEAW against both their homologous and heterologous rabbit antisera indicated three and four precipitin bands peculiar only to SEM and SEAW, respectively. The remaining 23 bands from both preparations showed lines of identity.
Nucleophilic Addition to a p-Benzyne Derived from an Enediyne: A New Mechanism for Halide Incorporation into Biomolecules

Biosynthesis of haloaromatics ordinarily occurs by electrophilic attack of an activated halogen species on an electron-rich aromatic ring. We now present the discovery of a new reaction whereby a nucleophilic halide anion can be attached even to an aromatic ring without activating substituents. We show that the enediyne cyclodeca-1,5-diyn-3-ene, in the presence of lithium halide and a weak acid, is converted to 1-halotetrahydronaphthalene. The kinetics are consistent with rate-limiting cyclization to a p-benzyne biradical that rapidly adds halide and is then protonated. This reaction has interesting mechanistic features and important implications for incorporation of halide into biomolecules.
Near-Bottom Turbulence Measurements in a Partially Mixed Estuary: Turbulent Energy Balance, Velocity Structure, and Along-Channel Momentum Balance

Abstract A set of moored, bottom-mounted and shipboard measurements, obtained in a straight section of the lower Hudson estuary during late summer and early fall of 1995, determine velocity, density, and along-channel pressure gradient throughout the 15-m water column, as well as providing direct eddy-correlation estimates of Reynolds stress and indirect inertial-range estimates of dissipation within 3 m of the bottom. The analysis focuses on testing 1) a simplified turbulent kinetic energy equation, in which production balances dissipation; 2) the Prandtl–Karman law of the wall, which is a relationship between bottom stress and near-bottom velocity gradient; and 3) a simplified depth-integrated along-channel momentum balance involving local acceleration, pressure gradient, and bottom stress. Estimates of production and dissipation agree well throughout the entire record. The relationship between bottom stress and velocity gradient is consistent with the law of the wall within approximately 1 m of the sea...
Agglomeration, job flows and unemployment

This paper examines how job flows and unemployment vary across regions in the context of a New Economic Geography (NEG) model with equilibrium employment. The in-migration that results from agglomeration economies leads to higher rates of both job creation and job destruction. In-migration also leads to lower rates of unemployment suggesting that the regional effects of job creation on unemployment dominate those of job destruction, a result consistent with empirical evidence. Since higher rates of job destruction correspond to higher productivity the results demonstrate that a NEG model can provide a microfoundation for labor market pooling.
It's this, not that: How Marshall Sahlins solves kinship

Comment on SAHLINS, Marshall. 2013. What kinship is—and is not. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Screening for cancer with molecular markers : progress comes with potential problems

Recent research has raised hopes for impressively accurate screening for cancer with molecular biomarkers. These molecular markers will probably be more sensitive and specific than older screening modalities, as well as easier to use. In this Essay, I argue that these sensitive screening tests might be clinically valuable - but that they will present unique issues in implementation and interpretation. These issues are likely to affect the way clinicians conduct screening and the way that they make diagnoses in individuals who screen positive for cancer.
Mass spectral studies of thermal decomposition of metal nitrates : an introduction to the discussion of two mechanisms

Residual gas analysis and static secondary ion mass spectrometry are used to investigate the reported appearance of metal oxide species in the gas phase during the decomposition of various metal nitrates. Copper, silver, cadmium and lead nitrates are heated and decomposed in vacuo in an attempt to elucidate the possible mechanism for the observation of gas phase metal oxides and nitrates at relatively low temperatures. This paper contains the experimental information. Two following papers will provide two different interpretations of the data. The same data will be used in both papers.
Toward Monitoring and Increasing Exercise Adherence in Older Adults by Robotic Intervention: A Proof of Concept Study

Socially assistive robots have the potential to improve the quality of life of older adults by encouraging and guiding their performance of rehabilitation exercises while offering cognitive stimulation and companionship. This study focuses on the early stages of developing and testing an interactive personal trainer robot to monitor and increase exercise adherence in older adults. The robot physically demonstrates exercises for the user to follow and monitors the user's progress using a vision-processing unit that detects face and hand movements. When the user successfully completes a move, the robot gives positive feedback and begins the next repetition. The results of usability testing with 10 participants support the feasibility of this approach. Further extensions are planned to evaluate a complete exercise program for improving older adults' physical range of motion in a controlled experiment with three conditions: a personal trainer robot, a personal trainer on-screen character, and a pencil-and-paper exercise plan.
Growth rate of a vesicomyid clam from the galapagos spreading center.

The shell of a 19-centimeter-long vesicomyid clam, collected live at the Galapagos spreading center hydrothermal field, was sampled along growth lines and analyzed for members of the (238)U and (232)Th decay series. The growth rate, determined from the (210)Po/(210)Pb and (228)Th/(228)Ra couples, is about 4 centimeters per year along the axis of maximum growth, which is 12 centimeters long. This yields an age of 3 to 4 years for this clam.
Heterogeneity in macrophage phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus strains: high-throughput scanning cytometry-based analysis.

Alveolar macrophages (AMs) can phagocytose unopsonized pathogens such as S. aureus via innate immune receptors, such as scavenger receptors (SRs). Cytoskeletal events and signaling pathways involved in phagocytosis of unopsonized bacteria likely govern the fate of ingested pathogens, but are poorly characterized. We have developed a high-throughput scanning cytometry-based assay to quantify phagocytosis of S. aureus by adherent human blood-derived AM-like macrophages in a 96-well microplate format. Differential fluorescent labeling of internalized vs. bound bacteria or beads allowed automated image analysis of collapsed confocal stack images acquired by scanning cytometry, and quantification of total particles bound and percent of particles internalized. We compared the effects of the classic SR blocker polyinosinic acid, the cytoskeletal inhibitors cytochalasin D and nocodazole, and the signaling inhibitors staurosporine, Go 6976, JNK Inhibitor I and KN-93, on phagocytosis of a panel of live unopsonized S. aureus strains, (Wood, Seattle 1945 (ATCC 25923), and RN6390), as well as a commercial killed Wood strain, heat-killed Wood strain and latex beads. Our results revealed failure of the SR inhibitor polyinosinic acid to block binding of any live S. aureus strains, suggesting that SR-mediated uptake of a commercial killed fluorescent bacterial particle does not accurately model interaction with viable bacteria. We also observed heterogeneity in the effects of cytoskeletal and signaling inhibitors on internalization of different S. aureus strains. The data suggest that uptake of unopsonized live S. aureus by human macrophages is not mediated by SRs, and that the cellular mechanical and signaling processes that mediate S. aureus phagocytosis vary. The findings also demonstrate the potential utility of high-throughput scanning cytometry techniques to study phagocytosis of S. aureus and other organisms in greater detail.
Partial Substitution of the Functions of the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 UL13 Gene by the Human Cytomegalovirus UL97 Gene

The predicted amino acid sequence of the human cytomegalovirus U(L)97 protein bears partial homology to the herpes simplex virus 1 U(L)13 protein, especially in regions that are homologous to conserved domains characteristic of protein kinases. Earlier studies showed that U(L)13 mediated the posttranslational processing of several herpes simplex virus 1 proteins including ICP22. Whereas no kinase activity has been specifically attributed to U(L)13, it has been shown that U(L)97 can phosphorylate ganciclovir. To examine whether U(L)97 can substitute for U(L)13, we constructed a herpes simplex virus 1 recombinant virus, R4970, in which U(L)13 was replaced by U(L)97 and in addition, the thymidine kinase gene was deleted. Characterization of this recombinant virus showed the following: (1) The recombinant virus grew as well as the wild-type virus in BHKTK+ cells, which restricted the growth of the U(L)13 virus. (2) U(L)97 could partially mediate the posttranslational modification of HSV-1 ICP22. This modification correlated with the restoration of the amounts of ICP0 and U(S)11 proteins, which were down regulated in the U(L)13- virus-infected cells. (3) The recombinant virus was sensitive to ganciclovir in Vero- and KHOS-infected cells but not in the 143 thymidine kinase minus cells derived from KHOS cells. Vero cells infected with this recombinant virus phosphorylated ganciclovir. We conclude that U(L)97 partially compensates for U(L)13 functions.
Identification of a Carboxyl-terminal Diaphanous-related Formin Homology Protein Autoregulatory Domain

Abstract Mammalian and fungalDiaphanous-related formin homology (DRF) proteins contain several regions of conserved sequence homology. These include an amino-terminal GTPasebinding domain (GBD) that interacts with activated Rho family members and formin homology domains that mediate targeting or interactions with signaling kinases and actin-binding proteins. DRFs also contain a conservedDia-autoregulatory domain (DAD) in their carboxyl termini that binds the GBD. The GBD is a bifunctional autoinhibitory domain that is regulated by activated Rho. Expression of the isolated DAD in cells causes actin fiber formation and stimulates serum response factor-regulated gene expression. Inhibitor experiments show that the effects of exogenous DAD expression are dependent upon cellular Dia proteins. Alanine substitution of DAD consensus residues that disrupt GBD binding also eliminate DAD biological activity. Thus, DAD expression activates nuclear signaling and actin remodeling by mimicking activated Rho and unlatching the autoinhibited state of the cellular complement of Dia proteins.
Improving antipsychotic prescribing practices in nursing facilities: The role of surveyor methods and surveying agencies in upholding the Nursing Home Reform Act.

Abstract Background Inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotics is a longstanding challenge to providing high quality care in nursing facilities. The 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) had an initial impact in reducing inappropriate prescribing, but rates returned to pre-NHRA levels. While the recent Partnership to Improve Dementia Care in Nursing Homes (Partnership) initiative has been successful in reducing the prescribing of antipsychotics in skilled nursing facilities/nursing facilities (NF), it is not known how this guidance initiative impacted prescribing practices and other care processes concerning NF residents with dementia. Objectives The objectives of this study were to explore surveyor observations of NF care practices subsequent to participation the Partnership guidance program and to use a social ecological framework to estimate how these observations were influenced by individual, organizational, and contextual factors. Methods A total of 320 NF surveyors responded to a 49-item questionnaire designed in collaboration with CMS officials and state surveying agency personnel, and distributed by state agency directors. Three outcome variables: measuring improvements in clinical care, deficiencies in clinical care, and falsification of records in response to the Partnership initiative, were created from survey responses. A four-level social ecological framework describing the NF surveyor's environment was used to identify potential influences on surveyors' care observations. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationship between environment and outcome variables. Results Surveyors observed both improvements in clinical care, including 80.6% reporting nursing facility providers responding to consultant pharmacists' recommendations, and deficits in clinical care in response to the Partnership initiative. Furthermore, 39.7% of surveyors observed a new, but false, diagnosis of psychosis (as defined by the surveyor). Surveyor characteristics and methods and surveying agency and culture were found to substantially impact the success of the Partnership initiative. The most distal level of the framework evaluated in this study, state contextual effects, was found not to impact care observations. Conclusions There is substantial variation in surveyor observations of changes to clinical care in response to the Partnership guidance initiative. Further investigation is needed into the type and severity of falsification of records observed by nursing facility surveyors. When constructing interventions to care for residents in NFs, policymakers must consider the environment in which surveyors operate.
Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Protects against Rotenone-Induced Dopaminergic Cell Death through Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinases 1/2 and Phosphatidylinositol-3 Kinase Pathways

Administration of rotenone to rats reproduces many features of Parkinson’s disease, including dopaminergic neuron degeneration, and provides a useful model to study the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. However, the cell death mechanisms induced by rotenone and potential neuroprotective mechanisms against rotenone are not well defined. Here we report that rotenone-induced apoptosis in human dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells is attenuated by pretreatment with several growth factors, most notably basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). bFGF activated both extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3-kinase) pathways in SH-SY5Y cells. Ectopic activation of ERK1/2 or PI3-kinase protected against rotenone, whereas inhibition of either pathway attenuated bFGF protection. Reducing the expression of the proapoptotic protein Bcl-2-associated death protein (BAD) by small interfering RNA rendered SH-SY5Y cells resistant to rotenone, implicating BAD in rotenone-induced cell death. Interestingly, bFGF induced a long-lasting phosphorylation of BAD at serine 112, suggesting BAD inactivation through the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Moreover, primary cultured dopaminergic neurons from mesencephalon were more sensitive to rotenone-induced cell death than nondopaminergic neurons in the same culture. The loss of dopaminergic neurons was blocked by bFGF, an inhibition dependent on ERK1/2 and PI3-kinase signaling. These data suggest that rotenone-induced dopaminergic cell death requires BAD and identify bFGF and its activation of ERK1/2 and PI3-kinase signaling pathways as novel intervention strategies to block cell death in the rotenone model of Parkinson’s disease.
Teaching Manipulator Kinematics by Painting With Light

In this paper, we examine the creation and benefits of a new teaching platform to introduce and reinforce the key concepts of robotic manipulators in an introductory-level robotics course. This system combines a vintage PUMA 260 six-degree-of-freedom robotic arm with modern control circuitry and a Matlab API. The API operates as a servo controller for the robot, thereby allowing students to apply their knowledge of inverse kinematics to a real manipulator arm. To further motivate the exploration of manipulators, we have developed an open-ended project where students engage in the art of three-dimensional light painting. To facilitate this activity, a tricolor LED has been affixed to the end-effector of the robot. With a digital SLR camera, we take a long-exposure photograph as the robot is driven through a trajectory, effectively painting a picture with the end effector. We have also developed a method to quickly assemble pseudo-long-exposure photographs and videos using an inexpensive video camera. We believe this novel setup and project are an effective way to engage and motivate students to learn the underlying math and dynamics of robotic manipulators.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Strategy making in novel and complex worlds: the power of analogy

We examine how firms discover effective competitive positions in worlds that are both novel and complex. In such settings, neither rational deduction nor local search is likely to lead a firm to a successful array of choices. Analogical reasoning, however, may be helpful, allowing managers to transfer useful wisdom from similar settings they have experienced in the past. From a long list of observable industry characteristics, analogizing managers choose a subset they believe distinguishes similar industries from different ones. Faced with a novel industry, they seek a familiar industry which matches the novel one along that subset of characteristics. They transfer from the matching industry high-level policies that guide search in the novel industry. We embody this conceptualization of analogy in an agent-based simulation model. The model allows us to examine the impact of managerial and structural characteristics on the effectiveness of analogical reasoning. With respect to managerial characteristics, we find, not surprisingly, that analogical reasoning is especially powerful when managers pay attention to characteristics that truly distinguish similar industries from different ones. More surprisingly, we find that the marginal returns to depth of experience diminish rapidly while greater breadth of experience steadily improves performance. Both depth and breadth of experience are useful only when one accurately understands what distinguishes similar industries from different ones. We also discover that following an analogy in too orthodox a manner—strictly constraining search efforts to what the analogy suggests—can be dysfunctional. With regard to structural characteristics, we find that a well-informed analogy is particularly powerful when interactions among decisions cross policy boundaries so that the underlying decision problem is not easily decomposed. Overall, the results shed light on a form of managerial reasoning that we believe is prevalent among practicing strategists yet is largely absent from scholarly analysis of strategy. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fold distortion: A new indicator of tectonic transport direction

In the Monte Reventino area of Calabria (southern Italy), minor fold axes provide directional markers on the limbs and in the hinges of major inclined folds formed of mechanically strong greenschist encased in weak serpentinite. These markers show that the opposite limbs of major folds have been rotated in opposite directions during Alpine-age emplacement of an overriding nappe. This fold distortion can be explained by tectonic transport roughly parallel to the axes of the major folds, and the sense of this movement can be determined from the pattern of rotated minor fold axes.
A new uranyl oxide hydrate phase derived from spent fuel alteration

Abstract An alteration phase that formed during the corrosion of commercial oxide spent nuclear fuel has been characterized with analytical transmission electron microscopy (AEM). The phase is a CsBa uranyl molybdate oxide hydrate that has an orthorhombic structure related to the alkaline earth uranyl oxide hydrates of the protasite-group minerals. On the basis of the compositional analysis and a proposed model of the structure, the ideal structural formula is (Cs0.8Ba0.6)(UO2)5(MoO2)O4(OH)6·nH2O (where n is around 6). Low levels of strontium are also present in the phase. The estimated unit cell parameters are a = 0.754 nm, b = 0.654 nm, and c = 3.008 nm. Although many of the phases formed during corrosion of spent oxide fuel are similar to those observed in natural uraninite deposits, such as Pena Blanca in Mexico, there are important differences owing to the presence of fission products in the spent fuel. Thus, accurate determination of corrosion processes in actual radioactive waste forms is important. This study suggests that the natural UMo deposits at Shelby, WY, and Bates Mountain Tuff, NV, may be good analogues for the long-term behavior of UMo phases formed due to spent fuel corrosion.
The ring inversion of gaseous N-methylpiperazine. Pressure and temperature dependent 1H NMR studies

Abstract Pressure dependent gas phase ring inversion rate constants of N -methylpiperazine (MPZ) obtained from line-shape analysis of exchange broadened 1 H NMR spectra can be adequately modeled using RRKM theory indicating that intramolecular vibrational redistribution in critically energiezed MPZ molecules is statistical or nearly so and that transition state theory is a useful approximation at high pressures for providing a framework for comparisons of rate data obtained for this and other similar molecules. Temperature dependent gas phase 1 H NMR spectra of MPZ are consistent with the following activation parameters for the chair ⇌ chair ring inversion process: Δ G ‡ = 51.5(1.2) kJ mol −1 , Δ H ‡ = 51.9(1.7) kJ mol −1 , Δ S ‡ = 2.1(1.7) J mol −1 K −1 , E act = 55.7(1.7) kJ mol −1 and A ∞ = 2.2(1.3) × 10 13 s −1 . Δ H ‡ and E act for MPZ are slightly higher than values obtained for gaseous N -methylpiperidine, indicating that replacement of the CH 2 group at position four of the ring with an NH group increases the barrier to ring inversion. Δ G ‡ 247 in the gas phase is 3.3 kJ mol −1 higher than in a 20% solution of MPZ in CH 2 Cl 2 , and 2.5 kJ mol −1 higher than in a 20% solution of MPZ in CH 3 OH, indicating that interactions with polar solvent molecules facilitate the ring inversion process.
Rapid microfluidic mixing.

A preformed T-microchannel imprinted in polycarbonate was postmodified with a pulsed UV excimer laser (KrF, 248 nm) to create a series of slanted wells at the junction. The presence of the wells leads to a high degree of lateral transport within the channel and rapid mixing of two confluent streams undergoing electroosmotic flow. Several mixer designs were fabricated and investigated. All designs were relatively successful at low flow rates (0.06 cm/s, ≥75% mixing), but had varying degrees of success at high flow rates (0.81 cm/s, 45−80% mixing). For example, one design operating at high flow rates was able to split an incoming fluorescent stream into two streams of varying concentrations depending on the number of slanted wells present. The final mixer design was able to overcome stream splitting at high flow rates, and it was shown that the two incoming streams were 80% mixed within 443 μm of the T-junction for a flow rate of 0.81 cm/s. Without the presence of the mixer and at the same high flow rate, a...
Regurgitation and reingestion in captive gorillas: Description and intervention

Direct observation of regurgitation and reingestion (r/r) of captive gorillas was used to describe and catalog this behavior and thus lay the groundwork for possible intervention in the r/r cycle. Analysis of questionnaires regarding 117 gorillas at 17 zoos suggests that social deficits during early development contribute to the occurrence of r/r later in life. Wild-caught and captive-born, hand-reared gorillas show higher incidence of r/r than that of mother-reared infants. R/r increases the daily ingestion time. Feeding browse decreases r/r and increases time spent feeding from about 11% of the day to 27% of the day.
Altered lung morphogenesis, epithelial cell differentiation and mechanics in mice deficient in the Wnt/β-catenin antagonist Chibby.

The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway plays crucial roles in various aspects of lung morphogenesis and regeneration/repair. Here, we examined the lung phenotype and function in mice lacking the Wnt/β-catenin antagonist Chibby (Cby). In support of its inhibitory role in canonical Wnt signaling, expression of β-catenin target genes is elevated in the Cby−/− lung. Notably, Cby protein is prominently associated with the centrosome/basal body microtubule structures in embryonic lung epithelial progenitor cells, and later enriches as discrete foci at the base of motile cilia in airway ciliated cells. At birth, Cby−/− lungs are grossly normal but spontaneously develop alveolar airspace enlargement with reduced proliferation and abnormal differentiation of lung epithelial cells, resulting in altered pulmonary function. Consistent with the Cby expression pattern, airway ciliated cells exhibit a marked paucity of motile cilia with apparent failure of basal body docking. Moreover, we demonstrate that Cby is a direct downstream target for the master ciliogenesis transcription factor Foxj1. Collectively, our results demonstrate that Cby facilitates proper postnatal lung development and function.
Surgeon specialty and long-term survival after pulmonary resection for lung cancer.

Background Long-term outcomes and processes of care in patients undergoing pulmonary resection for lung cancer may vary by surgeon type. Associations between surgeon specialty and processes of care and long-term survival have not been described. Methods A cohort study (1992 through 2002, follow-up through 2005) was conducted using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End-Results-Medicare data. The American Board of Thoracic Surgery Diplomates list was used to differentiate board-certified thoracic surgeons from general surgeons (GS). Board-certified thoracic surgeons were designated as cardiothoracic surgeons (CTS) if they performed cardiac procedures and as general thoracic surgeons (GTS) if they did not. Results Among 19,745 patients, 32% were cared for by GTS, 45% by CTS, and 24% by GS. Patient age, comorbidity index, and resection type did not vary by surgeon specialty (all p > 0.10). Compared with GS and CTS, GTS more frequently used positron emission tomography (36% versus 26% versus 26%, respectively; p = 0.005) and lymphadenectomy (33% versus 22% versus 11%, respectively; p ω 0.001). After adjustment for patient, disease, and management characteristics, hospital teaching status, and surgeon and hospital volume, patients treated by GTS had an 11% lower hazard of death compared with those who underwent resection by GS (hazard ratio, 0.89; 99% confidence interval, 0.82 to 0.97). The risks of death did not vary significantly between CTS and GS (hazard ratio, 0.94; 99% confidence interval, 0.88 to 1.01) or GTS and CTS (hazard ratio, 0.94; 99% confidence interval, 0.87 to 1.03). Conclusions Lung cancer patients treated by GTS had higher long-term survival rates than those treated by GS. General thoracic surgeons performed preoperative and intraoperative staging more often than GS or CTS.
A flowing electrolytic hydride generator for continuous sample introduction in atomic spectrometry

Abstract Hydride generation is a useful technique for sample introduction in atomic spectrometry. Apparatus utilizing the chemical reduction of aqueous As, Se, Sb, Te and Pb are in common use and commercially available. An alternate method of hydride generation is electrolytic reduction. This method requires fewer reagents, reducing the potential risk of sample contamination. In this study, the construction and evaluation of a new flowing electrolytic hydride generator for sample introduction in atomic spectrometry is described. The effectiveness of several possible cathode materials and electrolytes is compared. Flame atomic absorption spectrometry was used to detect As, Se and Sb in aqueous solutions after conversion to AsH3, H2Se and SbH3. Sensitivity increases of 11–18 times over pneumatic solution nebulization were realized. Also, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was combined with this new type of hydride generator for the detection and quantitation of As and Se in aqueous solutions. Detection limits by ICP-AES were 0.7 μg/ml and 3 μg/ml for As and Se, respectively. In addition, the effects of several possible concomitants on the production of H2Se and AsH3 were examined.
β-Adrenergic Receptors and Catecholamine Sensitive Adenylate Cyclase in Developing Rat Ventricular Myocardium: Effect of Thyroid Status

β-Adrenergic Receptors and Catecholamine Sensitive Adenylate Cyclase in Developing Rat Ventricular Myocardium: Effect of Thyroid Status
Elevated levels of umbilical cord plasma corticotropin-releasing hormone in growth-retarded fetuses

CRH is synthesized in the hypothalamus and released in response to stress into the portal hypophyseal blood; an additional site of synthesis, the placenta, is present only during pregnancy. Placental CRH is released into the maternal and fetal circulation during human pregnancy, and we hypothesized that the chronic fetal stress associated with fetal growth retardation may stimulate placental CRH release. We measured plasma CRH concentrations in the umbilical cord blood of 28 growth-retarded fetuses and 28 normally grown fetuses matched for gestational age and mode of delivery. Plasma ACTH, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), and cortisol were also measured in the umbilical cord samples to determine if CRH levels were correlated with levels of pituitary and adrenal hormones. The mean umbilical cord plasma CRH level in the growth-retarded fetuses was 206 +/- 25.8 pmol/L, which was significantly higher than that in the normally grown fetuses matched for gestational age, presence or absence of labor, and mode of delivery (49.4 +/- 16.7 pmol/L; P < 0.01). The mean plasma ACTH level in the growth-retarded fetuses (5.7 +/- 1.2 pmol/L) was significantly higher than that in the normally grown fetuses (3.3 +/- 0.7 pmol/L; P < 0.05). The mean cortisol concentration in the growth-retarded fetuses was 260 +/- 32.5 nmol/L, and that in the normally grown fetuses was 220 +/- 40 nmol/L. The mean DHEAS level was significantly lower in the growth-retarded fetuses (4.8 +/- 0.6 mumol/L) than that in the normally grown fetuses (7.7 +/- 0.6 mumol/L; P < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between umbilical cord plasma CRH and both ACTH and cortisol concentrations as well as a significant negative correlation between CRH and DHEAS levels in the growth-retarded fetuses. The umbilical cord plasma CRH level is extremely elevated in growth-retarded fetuses compared to that in normal fetuses. Placental CRH, like hypothalamic CRH, may be stimulated in conditions of chronic stress and may modulate fetal pituitary-adrenal function in high risk pregnancies.