cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Constructing a Global Law‐Violence against Women and the Human Rights System

This ethnographic analysis of one of the core human rights conventions suggests that despite the lack of enforceability of this convention and its operation within the framework of state sovereignty, it is similar to state law. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, or CEDAW, the major UN convention on the status of women, articulates a vision of women's equal protection from discrimination and addresses gender-based violence as a form of discrimination. It had been ratified by 171 nation states as of mid-2003. Its implementation relies on a complex process of periodic reporting to a global body meeting in New York and a symbiotic if sometimes contentious relationship between government representatives and international and domestic NGOs. Like state law, it serves to articulate and name problems and delineate solutions. It provides a resource for activists endeavoring to address problems of women's status and turns the international gaze on resisting nations. Its regulatory strength depends on the cultural legitimacy of the international process of consensus building and related social movements to define social justice in these terms. Thus, like state law, its impact depends on its cultural legitimacy and its embodiment in local cultures and legal consciousness. This examination of CEDAW as quasi law extends our understanding of law as a plural and a symbolic system rooted in a particular historical moment of globalization.
G2E3 is a dual function ubiquitin ligase required for early embryonic development.

G2E3 is a putative ubiquitin ligase (E3) identified in a microarray screen for mitotic regulatory proteins. It shuttles between the cytoplasm and nucleus, concentrating in nucleoli and relocalizing to the nucleoplasm in response to DNA damage. In this study, we demonstrate that G2E3 is an unusual ubiquitin ligase that is essential in early embryonic development to prevent apopotic death. This protein has a catalytically inactive HECT domain and two distinct RING-like ubiquitin ligase domains that catalyze lysine 48-linked polyubiquitination. To address in vivo function, we generated a knock-out mouse model of G2E3 deficiency that incorporates a β-galactosidase reporter gene under control of the endogenous promoter. Animals heterozygous for G2E3 inactivation are phenotypically normal with no overt change in development, growth, longevity, or fertility, whereas G2E3 null embryos die prior to implantation. Although normal numbers of G2E3-/- blastocysts are present at embryonic day 3.5, these blastocysts involute in culture as a result of massive apoptosis. Using β-galactosidase staining as a marker for protein expression, we demonstrate that G2E3 is predominantly expressed within the central nervous system and the early stages of limb bud formation of the developing embryo. In adult animals, the most intense staining is found in Purkinje cell bodies and cells lining the ductus deferens. In summary, G2E3 is a dual function ubiquitin ligase essential for prevention of apoptosis in early embryogenesis.
Summer ice dynamics during SHEBA and its effect on the ocean heat content

Winter ice dynamics plays an important role in the energy budget of the air-ice-ocean system, through the formation of leads and ridges. In summer, thermodynamic processes cause a transition in the ice pack from a mechanical continuum to an ensemble of floes that move in a state of free drift, with little floe-floe interaction. Results from the recent Surface Heat Budget of the Arctic Ocean (SHEBA) experiment have demonstrated that even under summer conditions, ice dynamics can still cause dramatic changes in the characteristics of the ice-ocean matrix that affect the energy budget. To illustrate this, we present observations taken before and after a period of sustained, moderate winds in late July 1998, which was preceded by an extended period of low winds. These conditions resulted in significant differential motion of ice floes in the vicinity of SHEBA. The measurements include the mass balance of the ice cover, the distribution of ice and open water, and salinity and temperature profiles in leads. The data show that after the storm there was a significant change in the amount and distribution of open-water areas, that there was an increase in the rate of bottom ablation, and that a stratified layer of warm fresh water that had formed at the top of leads during melt had become mixed.
Bleach plant effluent influences enzyme production by Phanerochaete chrysosporium

Abstract The effect of pulp mill bleach plant effluent on enzyme production by Phanerochaete chrysosporium is described. (Bleach plant effluent contains residual lignin removed for the purposes of making paper). F.p.l.c. analysis showed different protein profiles when comparing effluent-free and effluent-containing cultures. In addition to using unfractionated effluent, various molecular weight fractions were also prepared for use in separate cultures by ultrafiltration of the effluent. Once again, F.p.l.c. analysis revealed a different protein profile was obtained with each molecular weight fraction used as an adjunct to the growth medium. Analysis of these proteins by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis verified these differences and showed that effluent-containing cultures contain proteins not found in the effluent-free cultures.
Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver and pregnancy

Inflammatory pseudotumor of the liver (IPL) is a rare, nonneoplastic entity of unknown etiology. Our patient represents the first reported case of IPL that was managed conservatively during an intrauterine pregnancy.
Faculty Workload: An Analytical Approach

Recent discussions of practices in higher education have tended toward muck-raking and self-styled exposure of cynical self-indulgence by faculty and administrators at the expense of students and their families, as usually occurs during periods of economic duress, rather than toward analytical studies designed to foster understanding This article looks briefly at some examples of this tendency and then offers an analytical approach to understanding faculty workloads and the ways of assessing and evaluating faculty work.
Characteristics of late presenters in Bucharest.

Introduction : Late presentation is associated with increased healthcare costs, rates of HIV transmission and poor outcome. In Romania, in 2012, one third of individuals with new HIV diagnosis were late presenters (LP). Objective : The aim of the study was to evaluate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics associated with late presentation. Methods : We retrospectively studied patients over 18 years old, notified in our institution between January 2012 and December 2013, including 499 out of 727 newly diagnosed patients in Bucharest. LP were defined as patients presenting with CD4 T-cell count below 350 cells/mm 3 or with an AIDS defining event. Patients with advanced HIV disease (AHD) were defined as persons with a CD4 T-cell count below 200 cells/mm 3 . Differences between groups were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables and the chi-square test for dichotomous variables. Multivariable analysis was performed using binary logistic regression. Results : Out of 499 patients included, 362 (72%) were male. The median age was 30 (IQR 26–36). A total of 302 (61%) were LP and 184 (37%) were patients with AHD. A total of 170 (34%) were asymptomatic and 114 (23%) presented with an AIDS-defining event. The median CD4 count was 293 cells/mm 3 (IQR 125–471) and the median HIV viral load was 100,191 copies/mL (IQR 34,560–272,936). Characteristics of LP compared with non-LP are shown in Table 1. Stage C disease has been shown by multivariable analysis to be associated with LP (p<0.001, OR=11.56, 95% CI 4.94–27.03). Conclusions : More than half of newly HIV diagnosed patients in Bucharest were LP. The proportion of LP was highest among heterosexually acquired cases. Although most our patients were young, late presentation was associated with age over 35 years. The lower proportion of LP among IVDU compared with those heterosexually infected could be explained by a higher proportion of HIV screening tests among IVDU. (Published: 2 November 2014) Citation : Elena Jipa R et al. Journal of the International AIDS Society 2014, 17(Suppl 3) :19691 http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/view/19691 | http://dx.doi.org/10.7448/IAS.17.4.19691
Conducting polymers: a review of recent work

The conductivities of all the currently reported conducting polymers are compared to those of the classical metals. The requirements for a technologically useful conducting polymer are considered and the degree to which existing conducting polymers meet these requirements is evaluated. The mechanism of doping is discussed together with the final state of the dopant and the polymer. The available structural data are described as well as the problems of structurally characterizing these systems. Some of the problems of inhomogeneous distribution of dopant species are also pointed out.
An unusual form of late stenosis after aortic valve replacement with a cloth-covered Starr-Edwards prosthesis.

A 24-year-old man presented with late stenosis of a clothcovered Starr-Edwards valve (model 2320). Fibrous ingrowth occurred at the inflow orifice of the valve and all three struts were adherent to the aortic wall, creating a “tunnel” form of obstruction. The stenotic valve was replaced with a porcine heterograft, and the small aortic root was enlarged with a Dacron patch. This form of late prosthetic valve stenosis should have been prevented by enlargement of the aortic root at the time of valve insertion and by long-term anticoagulant therapy.
Maximizing bilinear forms subject to linear constraints

Abstract We present methods for maximizing a bilinear form x T Ay /(∥ x ∥ ∥ y ∥) or its absolute value subject to linear constraints. The constraints are either of the form C x = d , G y = h or of the form C x e R ( D ), G y e R ( H ), where R ( D ) and R ( H ) represent the column spaces of matrices D and H . We also show how to compute the angle between two subspaces of R m subject to these types of linear constraints and how to compute linearly constrained canonical correlations and the corresponding canonical vectors.
Smith-Magenis syndrome (interstitial deletion of chromosome 17p) and congenital heart disease

A syndrome with characteristic facial and skeletal features resulting from a specific deletion of material on the short arm of chromosome 17 was first described by Smith et al in 1982. 1 The common findings are brachycephaly, hypoplasia of the middle face, and short broad hands associated with mental retardation. More than 50 cases have been reported, and about one third have congenital heart disease. We report here a patient with atrial and ventricular septal defects together with pulmonary valvar stenosis.
Production of silicon compounds and fulvic acids from cotton wastes biochar using chemical depolymerization

Abstract This study evaluated the depolymerization of biochar from cotton wastes gasification using three chemical agents (KMnO 4 , H2SO 4 , and NaOH). The experiment was carried using a factorial design 3 × 3 × 2 with three concentrations (2.5, 5, and 10% w/v) and two environmental conditions (autoclave and without autoclave). After the chemical treatments, the liquid and solid phase obtained was analyzed using UV–vis and FT-IR spectroscopy, and ultimate and proximate analysis. The sulfuric acid treatments performed the largest transformations of the biochar’s solid phase; meanwhile, the KMnO 4 treatments achieved the largest depolymerizations followed by the NaOH experiments. The methanol precipitation of the ATC–KMnO 4 [10%] treatment’s products generated two silicon related compounds and a brown liquid associated with fulvic acids. This is the first research showing the possibility of transform cotton wastes biochar into profitable products as silica or fulvic acids.
Photoemission and electronic structure of FeOOH: Distinguishing between oxide and oxyhydroxide

Valence-band and core x-ray-photoemission spectroscopy has been used to examine the electronic structure of FeOOH and ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$. The known small difference in the core-level Fe 2p spectra of the two compounds is discussed. X\ensuremath{\alpha} calculations of an ${\mathrm{FeO}}_{6}$${\mathrm{H}}_{3}^{3\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ cluster are shown to give good agreement with the two-peak FeOOH valence-band XPS spectrum, and it is clear that FeOOH and ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ can be clearly distinguished in the valence-band region. X\ensuremath{\alpha} calculations of an ${\mathrm{FeO}}_{6}^{9\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ cluster are found to predict the three-peak structure of the ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ valence band. The O 2s region of FeOOH is found to be more sensitive to chemical environment than the O 1s region, and the former region is well explained by the X\ensuremath{\alpha} calculation. Little decomposition of FeOOH is found during data collection.
BYPASS1: synthesis of the mobile root-derived signal requires active root growth and arrests early leaf development

The Arabidopsis bypass1 (bps1) mutant root produces a biologically active mobile compound that induces shoot growth arrest. However it is unknown whether the root retains the capacity to synthesize the mobile compound, or if only shoots of young seedlings are sensitive. It is also unknown how this compound induces arrest of shoot growth. This study investigated both of these questions using genetic, inhibitor, reporter gene, and morphological approaches. Production of the bps1 root-synthesized mobile compound was found to require active root growth. Inhibition of postembryonic root growth, by depleting glutathione either genetically or chemically, allowed seedlings to escape shoot arrest. However, the treatments were not completely effective, as the first leaf pair remained radialized, but elongated. This result indicated that the embryonic root transiently synthesized a small amount of the mobile substance. In addition, providing glutathione later in vegetative development caused shoot growth arrest to be reinstated, revealing that these late-arising roots were still capable of producing the mobile substance, and that the older vegetative leaves were still responsive. To gain insight into how leaf development responds to the mobile signal, leaf development was followed morphologically and using the CYCB1,1::GUS marker for G2/M phase cells. We found that arrest of leaf growth is a fully penetrant phenotype, and a dramatic decrease in G2/M phase cells was coincident with arrest. Analyses of stress phenotypes found that late in development, bps1 cotyledons produced necrotic lesions, however neither hydrogen peroxide nor superoxide were abundant as leaves underwent arrest. bps1 roots appear to require active growth in order to produce the mobile bps1 signal, but the potential for this compound's synthesis is present both early and late during vegetative development. This prolonged capacity to synthesize and respond to the mobile compound is consistent with a possible role for the mobile compound in linking shoot growth to subterranean conditions. The specific growth-related responses in the shoot indicated that the mobile substance prevents full activation of cell division in leaves, although whether cell division is a direct response remains to be determined.
Effect of Temperature on the Adhesive Fracture Behavior of an Elastomer-Epoxy Resin

Abstract The bulk and adhesive fracture behavior of a diglycidyl ether bisphenol-A epoxy modified with 15% carboxy-terminated butadiene acrylonitrile was determined as a function of temperature. The bulk fracture toughness increased sharply near the resin Tg in a manner similar to unmodified epoxy resins. The adhesive fracture energy exhibited a maximum with respect to bond thickness and this maximum broadened and shifted to larger bond thicknesses with increasing temperature. These results are discussed in terms of the size and stress condition of the crack tip deformation zone.
Diurnal and seasonal cortisol, testosterone, and DHEA rhythms in boys and girls during puberty.

Diurnal and seasonal rhythms of cortisol, testosterone, and DHEA were examined, as little is known about the relationship between these rhythmicities and pubertal development. Salivary samples were...
Childhood infections and the risk of inflammatory bowel disease

Adults with inflammatory bowel disease from North Carolina were questioned during 1986 and 1987 to assess risk due to a variety of childhood infections and treatments with antibiotics. Responses were compared with those of neighbor controls. Persons with Crohn's disease were more likely to report an increased frequency of childhood infections in general (odds ratio 4.67, 95% CI 2.65–8.23) and pharyngitis specifically (odds ratio 2.14, 95% CI 1.30–3.51). This was validated by an increased frequency of tonsillectomy (odds ratio 1.53, 95% CI 1.07–2.20). Crohn's cases were more likely to report frequent treatment with antibiotics for both otitis (odds ratio 2.07, 95% CI 1.03–4.14) and pharyngitis (odds ratio 2.14, 95% CI 1.20–3.84). Although Crohn's cases were more likely to report frequent exposure to penicillin (odds ratio 1.81, 95% CI 0.98–3.31), there did not appear to be excess risk conferred by penicillin after controlling for frequency of infections. Persons with ulcerative colitis also reported an excess of infections generally (odds ratio 2.37, 95% CI 1.19–4.71), but not an excess of specific infections or treatments with antibiotics. Persons who reported an increased frequency of infections tended to have an earlier onset of Crohn's disease (P<0.0001) and ulcerative colitis (P=0.04). Finally, it was noted that urban living in childhood increased the risk for Crohn's disease. We conclude that childhood infections may be a risk factor for Crohn's disease and may presage the early onset of disease.
Recovery of Respiratory Function in Survivors with Paraquat Intoxication

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate chest radiograms and respiratory function changes, including pulmonary function tests and alveolar-arterial oxygen difference, in survivors with paraquat intoxication. Chest radiograms and pulmonary function tests for 21 paraquat-poisoned patients were performed 10 d after paraquat intoxication; 3 mo later, the tests were repeated in 16 patients who survived. Forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s, diffusing capacity of the lung, and alveolar-arterial oxygen difference were compromised after paraquat intoxication. Forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity correlated significantly with initial platelet counts (r = .453 and .443, respectively) 10 d after intoxication. The alveolar-arterial oxygen difference also correlated significantly with peak serum total bilirubin concentrations (r = .443) and initial platelet counts (r = .469). The follow-up data for respiratory functions (forced expiratory volume in 1 s: 74.33 ± 27.1...
Impacts of High-Resolution Land Surface Initialization on Regional Sensible Weather Forecasts from the WRF Model

This manuscript presents an assessment of daily regional simulations of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical weather prediction (NWP) model initialized with high-resolution land surface data from the NASA Land Information System (LIS) software versus a control WRF configuration that uses land surface data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Eta Model. The goal of this study is to investigate the potential benefits of using the LIS software to improve land surface initialization for regional NWP. Fifty-eight individual nested simulations were integrated for 24 h for both the control and experimental (LISWRF) configurations during May 2004 over Florida and the surrounding areas: 29 initialized at 0000 UTC and 29 initialized at 1200 UTC. The land surface initial conditions for the LISWRF runs came from an offline integration of the Noah land surface model (LSM) within LIS for two years prior to the beginning of the month-long study on an identical grid domain to the subsequent WRF simulations. Atmospheric variables used to force the offline Noah LSM integration were provided by the North American Land Data Assimilation System and Global Data Assimilation System gridded analyses. The LISWRF soil states were generally cooler and drier than the NCEP Eta Model soil states during May 2004. Comparisons between the control and LISWRF runs for one event suggested that the LIS land surface initial conditions led to an improvement in the timing and evolution of a sea-breeze circulation over portions of northwestern Florida. Surface verification statistics for the entire month indicated that the LISWRF runs produced a more enhanced and accurate diurnal range in 2-m temperatures compared to the control as a result of the overall drier initial soil states, which resulted from a reduction in the nocturnal warm bias in conjunction with a reduction in the daytime cold bias. Daytime LISWRF 2-m dewpoints were correspondingly drier than the control dewpoints, again a manifestation of the drier initial soil states in LISWRF. The positive results of the LISWRF experiments help to illustrate the importance of initializing regional NWP models with high-quality land surface data generated at the same grid resolution.
Drug Use Patterns Among American Indian and Alaskan Native Youth: Special Rural Populations

SUMMARY American Indian and Alaskan Native communities illustrate the great diversity found among the rural populations of the United States. These communities are marked by cultural, socioeconomic, and historical patterns that differ from other rural groups and that lead to a distinctive set of social problems. When compared to a national sample of youth, American Indian and Alaskan Native youth show exceptionally high levels of drug use. Because they share a number of similar cultural characteristics, it could be hypothesized that the rates of drug use among these Native groups are related to cultural traits. However, non-Native Alaskan youth also have high rates of drug use, indicating that there are factors in the social environment other than culture that account for this behavior. Possible explanatory factors include uncertain economic conditions, family instability, and lack of access to cultural values. Although rural living in itself is not necessarily a contributing factor to drug use, it does p...
The isolation and characterization of the pyruvate kinase-encoding gene from the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica

Abstract The dimorphic yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, has been developed as a useful expression/secretion system for heterologous proteins such as chymosin and tissue plasminogen activator. To further develop this expression system, we have cloned the gene (PYK) encoding the highly expressed glycolytic enzyme, pyruvate kinase (PYK). Genomic clones were selected by their specific hybridization to synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide probes based on regions of the enzyme that were conserved through evolution. The clones identified by hybridization contained overlapping DNA inserts. We have confirmed the identity of the cloned gene based on two criteria: (1) the nucleotide sequence of the proposed PYK gene predicts a protein that is highly homologous to the corresponding Saccharomyces cerevisiae enzyme, and (2) PYK-specific activity was increased twofold when wild-type Y. lipolytica strains were transformed with the isolated DNA. Interestingly, we found that the open reading frame of the Y. lipolyticaPYK gene was interrupted by an intron. This represents the first report of an intron in a Y. lipolytica gene.
Nearly Quasi-Steady Free Convection Heat Transfer in Gases

The first-order deviations from the quasi-steady free convection heat transfer conditions were determined and a criterion developed to distinguish when heat transfer is essentially quasi-steady. The system chosen for study was a vertical plate suspended in a gas. The surface temperature was spatially uniform but permitted to take on arbitrary, but continuously differentiable, variations with time. (M.C.G.)
AAEM minimonograph #47: Normative data in electrodiagnostic medicine

This article reviews, without mathematics, the important principles governing the acquisition and use of normative data in electrodiagnostic medicine. Common flaws in neurophysiological normative data include vague clinical criteria for establishing freedom from disease, samples that are too small and inadequately stratified, and application of Gaussian statistics to non-Gaussian variables. Other problematic issues concern the trade-off between permissible false-positivity and false-negativity in defining the limits of normative from sample data, test-retest variability, and the use of multiple independent test measurements in each electrodiagnostic examination. The following standards for normative data are proposed: (1) standardized objective determination of freedom from disease; (2) appropriately large sample of normal subjects; (3) proportional statification of normal subjects for known relevant variables; (4) test of Gaussian fit for application of Gaussian statistics; and (5) data presentation by percentiles when Gaussian fit is in doubt. Many existing normative studies in clinical neurophysiology do not meet these standards. High-quality normative data, readily accessible, is essential for the accurate electrodiagnosis of neuromuscular diseases.
Solid-phase synthesis of oligoesters using a J anda J el™ resin

Abstract This communication describes a general method for the solid-phase synthesis of oligomeric esters. A J anda J el™ resin was utilized as the solid support in conjunction with the highly acid labile Rink linker. Ester coupling reactions were performed using buffered reagents and the monomer was protected as its allyl ester. In this manner, ester coupling and deprotection could be performed under essentially neutral conditions, giving rise to products in both excellent yields and purity.
Multiple inhibitory pathways shape odor-evoked responses in lobster olfactory projection neurons

This study characterizes odor-evoked responses of the glomerular output neurons of the spiny lobster olfactory lobe, and implicates previously identified γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)- and histamine-mediated inhibitory pathways in shaping these responses. Odor-evoked responses were more complex than electrically evoked responses, with up to three distinct components: a brief, short-latency (fast) depolarization, a longer-duration, longer-latency (slow) depolarization, and a slow hyperpolarization. Seventy-seven percent of all responses contained the hyperpolarization, while only 31% and 23% contained the fast and slow depolarizations, respectively. The broader tuning of the hyperpolarization relative to the other two components suggests that the hyperpolarization mediates lateral inhibitory interactions across olfactory glomeruli. Perfusing the brain with the GABA-receptor antagonist picrotoxin increased the amplitude of the hyperpolarization, while the histamine-receptor antagonist cimetidine decreased the hyperpolarization in some instances but increased it in others. Pharmacological enhancement or suppression of the hyperpolarization could mask or unmask, respectively, the slow depolarization. Both antagonists could also cause the appearance of the fast depolarization when it was not apparent prior to treatment. We conclude that GABA- and histamine-mediated inhibition contributes to the overall pattern of the response of projection neurons to odors by regulating the relative strength of these three distinct types of input.
An Integrated Solution for Wafer-Level Packaging and Electrostatic Actuation of Out-of-Plane Devices

This paper presents an innovative way to integrate electrodes into our hermetic wafer-level epi-polysilicon encapsulation for out-of-plane actuated devices. The epitaxial-grown silicon encapsulation process was modified to integrate electrodes in the out-of-plane direction and realize ultra-compact packaging. The integration allows reduction of parasitic resistance by more than 180X relative to other conventional interconnects to out-of-plane electrodes. A 200 KHz "see-saw" mode resonator is demonstrated with parasitic resistance of approximately 1 ?.
P3 and stimulus incentive value.

Event-related potentials were recorded to two equiprobable, task-relevant visual stimuli (0.00 and 1.00) under three different conditions. In the baseline condition subjects attended to both stimuli and pressed the appropriate button to each stimulus. In the Accuracy/Incentive condition subjects earned one dollar each time the 1.00 stimulus was presented by accurately pressing the appropriate button after each stimulus. Incorrect presses to either stimulus resulted in the loss of a dollar. In the Speed-Accuracy/Incentive run, subjects could only earn one dollar to the 1.00 stimulus if they accurately pressed the correct button within 350 msec. Reaction times greater than 350 msec to either stimulus resulted in the loss of a dollar. The results indicate that the amplitude of the P3 component is significantly different to equiprobable task-relevant stimuli with differential incentive values. P3 may reflect the subjective motivational properties of stimuli.
Determination of the nuclear magnetic resonance parameters in p-difluorobenzene

Abstract The 13CH satellite spectrum of p-difluorobenzene has been observed at natural abundance, and an exact analysis of this seven-spin system has been performed, including the isotope effect on the chemical shifts. The directly bonded 13CF coupling has been determined from the 13CF satellite spectrum. In addition, high resolution spectra of the proton and fluorine patterns have been obtained, and the dependence of the fine structure in these patterns on the NMR parameters is discussed. The results are compared with those previously obtained for the other symmetrical p-dihalobenzenes.
Socioemotional Wealth and Corporate Responses to Institutional Pressures: Do Family-Controlled Firms Pollute Less?

Socioemotional Wealth and Corporate Responses to Institutional Pressures: Do Family-Controlled Firms Pollute Less? Pascual Berrone, Cristina Cruz, Luis R. Gomez-Mejia and Martin Larraza-Kintana Adm...
Polygonal approximation of digital planar curves through break point suppression

This paper presents a new algorithm that detects a set of dominant points on the boundary of an eight-connected shape to obtain a polygonal approximation of the shape itself. The set of dominant points is obtained from the original break points of the initial boundary, where the integral square is zero. For this goal, most of the original break points are deleted by suppressing those whose perpendicular distance to an approximating straight line is lower than a variable threshold value. The proposed algorithm iteratively deletes redundant break points until the required approximation, which relies on a decrease in the length of the contour and the highest error, is achieved. A comparative experiment with another commonly used algorithm showed that the proposed method produced efficient and effective polygonal approximations for digital planar curves with features of several sizes.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS VERSUS GOOD IMPRESSIONS : THE EFFECT OF SELF-REGULATION ON INTERVIEW EVALUATIONS

Abstract Self-regulation may interfere with the ability to fully use situational information to form impressions of others. The demands posed by self-regulation were studied in a job interview situation. In the context of a simulated job interview, participants in the high cognitive load condition (interviewers) were less able to correct their initial characterizations of a job applicant with situational information than participants in the low cognitive load condition (observers). Results are discussed in terms of the person-perception literature and how cognitive load effects could be minimized to increase the comprehensiveness of interviewer assessments.
Electron Irradiation of p -Type Germanium at 4.2°K

Degenerate $p$-type germanium samples (${p}_{0}\ensuremath{\simeq}{10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$) have been irradiated at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K with 4.5-MeV electrons from a microwave linear accelerator. Measurements of electrical conductivity and Hall effect have been made during the irradiation and later infrared illumination and heating. Small changes occur during the irradiation and may be described by a carrier removal rate of 0.4 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Under the same conditions $n$-type Ge has a removal rate 25 times larger. This result is also in contrast to the case of 1.1-MeV electron irradiation of $p$-type Ge, where the changes are immeasurably small. Subsequent illumination-induced changes lower the conductivity and may be represented as the sum of two components, each exponential in the time of illumination. Two processes may also be observed during the heating. One, occurring between 30 and 90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, restores the conductivity; another, between 70 and 110\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, has the reverse effect. Observation of both of the annealing processes is related to the duration of prior illumination. From this information relationships between the annealing processes and the stages of illumination-induced change are deduced. A crude analysis of the annealing is attempted and possibilities for the mechanisms are discussed.
Patterns of hind limb motor output during walking in the salamander Dicamptodon tenebrosus, with comparisons to other tetrapods

Based on similarity of motor patterns of lizards, crocodiles, birds and mammals, various authors have concluded that a number of homologous muscles across these taxa demonstrate neuromuscular conservatism. This hypothesis remains untested for more basal taxa. Therefore, a quantitative electromyographic study of the hind limb during treadmill walking (mean speed of 0.75 SVL/s) in the salamander Dicamptodon tenebrosus was undertaken. Muscles located ventrally on the hind limb become active just before foot placement on the substrate, and maintain activity through the first half of the stance phase. Dorsally located muscles begin activity at or just before the start of the swing phase, and fire through the first half of swing. Several muscles showed a secondary EMG burst during the stride. The second burst in most ventral muscles occurred in late stance. In all dorsal muscles with double bursts, the second burst occurred in the middle of stance. Comparison of electromyographic onset and offset values for Dicamptodon to those for presumed homologues in other tetrapods reveals similarity in activity patterns for all ventral and two dorsal muscles despite anatomical rearrangements, supporting the hypothesis of neuromuscular conservatism for some muscles but not others.
Perfluorodecanoic Acid Noncompetitively Inhibits the Peroxisomal Enzymes Enoyl-CoA Hydratase and 3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase

The mechanisms of the inhibition of hepatic peroxisomal β-oxidation by the peroxisome proliferator PFDA3 were studied. Female Sprague Dawley rats were given a single ip injection of either 0, 10, or 40 mg/kg PFDA or were placed on a diet supplemented with the peroxisome proliferator ciprofibrate (0.01%). After 2 weeks, the rats were killed, and hepatic peroxisomes were isolated by discontinuous sucrose gradient centrifugation. Treatment of rats with either PFDA or ciprofibrate increased the individual activities of each of the enzymes in the peroxisomal β-oxidation pathway. Similarly, treatment of rats with ciprofibrate greatly increased total peroxisomal β-oxidation, but peroxisomal β-oxidation was slightly decreased in rats treated with 40 mg/kg PFDA. In vitro inhibition studies found that PFDA was a noncompetitive and reversible inhibitor of both the activities of the peroxisomal bifunctional protein, namely enoylCoA hydratase and 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase. The Ki of the inhibition was approximately 5 μM. PFDA only slightly inhibited the activity of peroxisomal fatty acyl CoA oxidase, and did not inhibit peroxisomal thiolase activity. We therefore conclude that PFDA inhibits peroxisomal β-oxidation by noncompetitively inhibiting the peroxisomal bifunctional enzyme.
Comparison of rat epididymal sperm counts by IVOS HTM-IDENT and hemacytometer

Abstract Epididymal sperm counts, a common measurement in male reproductive toxicity studies, are routinely determined using a hemacytometer. Recently, computer assisted methods for automated sperm counts have been developed. In the present study we evaluated an automated system, the TOX IVOS (Hamilton Thorne Research, Beverly, MA) HTM-IDENT option, that utilizes a DNA-specific stain and fluorescence illumination to identify sperm for enumeration. Cauda and caput epididymal sperm counts were determined in 48 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, using both the hemacytometer and HTM-IDENT. The mean hemacytometer and HTM-IDENT counts (±SD) were 250 ± 43and254 ± 52 million, respectively, for cauda sperm, and 123 ± 13 and 127 ± 18 million, respectively, for caput sperm. The average coefficient of variation using the hemacytometer was 13.8% as compared to 17.3% for the HTM-IDENT. Comparison of the machine count and a visual count from the Display Statics screen of the HTM-IDENT indicated that when two or more sperm heads touched or overlapped, the machine counted them as one. Manual (visual) and machine counts when compared over a range of nine concentrations from 3.7 to 47.8 million/mL differed by 4 to 12% at the lowest to highest concentration. The concentration of epididymal sperm samples used in comparing the two counting methods ranged from 5.8 to 17.7 million/mL. Therefore, the HTM-IDENT undercounting error attributable to sperm heads touching was less than 6%. Overall the data indicate good agreement between the HTM-IDENT and the hemacytometer counts. Furthermore, both counting time and technician fatigue were markedly reduced. Thus the HTM-IDENT option improves the efficiency of epididymal sperm counting without loss of precision.
Amodal Completion in the Absence of Image Tangent Discontinuities

It has been widely believed since Helmholtz that tangent discontinuities in image contours, such as T-junctions or L-junctions, will occur when one object occludes another. Here we describe a class of occlusion relationships where changes in 'border ownership' and amodal completion take place in the absence of tangent discontinuities in the image. We propose that even subtle curvature discontinuities can be a signal to potential changes in border ownership, and are valid ecological cues for occlusion in certain scenes.
Negative effects of US taxation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to criticize the current US tax system and explain in what ways taxation harms the economy. Taxes are coercive. Taxpayers are forced to pay individual income taxes. If the taxpayer refuses, several adverse consequences will unfold against him even including jail‐time. Taxes diminish taxpayer's disposable income and leave consumer's wants unattended. The money they could have used to fulfil their wants goes instead to the government in the form of taxes.Design/methodology/approach – Taxation is analyzed from an economic point of view.Findings – Progressive taxation is harmful to the economy because it punishes successful individuals. The more they earn (a reflection of the productive value they bring to the market), the more they have to pay. Meanwhile less productive citizens paying little or no tax are receiving “benefits” derived from the investment of more successful taxpayers. These are inefficient since they reduce incentives. Taking money from Peter and giving ...
Progressive Pentecostalism: an emergent trend in global Christianity

The emergence of Pentecostalism, its worldwide spread and its transformation of itself, in many places, into a religion of social engagement is described and analysed.
Radiation therapy for pediatric craniopharyngioma

Object The treatment of craniopharyngioma is highly controversial. Continued advances in limited surgery and radiation therapy have maintained excellent local disease control while minimizing treatment-related sequelae. Further analyses of outcomes are necessary to characterize the long-term effects of radiation therapy. Methods An extensive literature review was performed for all studies including radiation therapy, with or without surgery, for pediatric craniopharyngioma. Results The authors identified 32 papers describing radiation therapy for treatment of pediatric craniopharyngioma, with disease control ranging from 44 to 100%. Modern studies report at least 90% disease control with 5-year follow-up. Fifteen studies reported outcomes, demonstrating that more than two-thirds of patients treated with surgery and radiation therapy have favorable outcomes, and this rate is more than 85% in the modern era. Conclusions Conservative surgery and radiation therapy results in long-term disease control in pedia...
The calcium channel β2 (CACNB2) subunit repertoire in teleosts

Background Cardiomyocyte contraction is initiated by influx of extracellular calcium through voltage-gated calcium channels. These oligomeric channels utilize auxiliary β subunits to chaperone the pore-forming α subunit to the plasma membrane, and to modulate channel electrophysiology [1]. Several β subunit family members are detected by RT-PCR in the embryonic heart. Null mutations in mouse β2, but not in the other three β family members, are embryonic lethal at E10.5 due to defects in cardiac contractility [2]. However, a drawback of the mouse model is that embryonic heart rhythm is difficult to study in live embryos due to their intra-uterine development. Moreover, phenotypes may be obscured by secondary effects of hypoxia. As a first step towards developing a model for contributions of β subunits to the onset of embryonic heart rhythm, we characterized the structure and expression of β2 subunits in zebrafish and other teleosts.
A Composite Neural Gas-Elman Network that Captures Real-World Elastic Behavior of 3D Objects

This paper employs a neural gas network to obtain a compressed model of 3D geometry of objects, which accounts for elastic behavior as well. Based on the output of the network, we are able to cluster the object into areas of similar geometry and elasticity and then represent the elastic behavior of each cluster by an Elman neural network that models force-displacement behavior without explicit computation of elastic parameters. This approach allows us not only to recover the elastic parameters in the sampled points (those points for which we have measurements) but also provides us with an estimate on the elastic behavior in points that are not part of the sampling point set. The comparison of the Elman network with the three-element viscoelastic model indicates that the neural approach estimates better nonlinear elastic behaviors than its counterpart.
WATER PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENTS OF THE PAST

Present-day climatic conditions of the Earth were reached between 5,000 and 8,000 years ago. These are essentially the conditions under which the earliest civilizations arose. Ancient basic water problems were the same as those of today, and remarkable technologies for coping with these problems were developed. Few water technologies, except for water treatment, are modern creations. Dry farming began about 8000 B.C. Irrigation began about 5000 B.C. and became extensive by about 3500 B.C., principally in Mesopotamia, the Nile Valley of Egypt, and the Indus Valley of Pakistan. Ancient irrigators developed ingenious structures for obtaining groundwater without the use of wells or sweeps. One device, the Khanat (a kind of infiltration gallery), is still widely used in the Mediterranean area, southwest Asia and China. The khanat was invented during the First Millenium B.C. Ancient peoples also learned to collect surface runoff in areas of scanty precipitation and to use it for local groundwater recharge. The water was recovered from dug wells and used for domestic supply and stock watering. Damming of rivers began at least by the early part of the First Millenium B.C. in the Arabian Peninsula. Most early dams were for irrigation but some were also for city water supply. Many canals in various areas served the dual purposes of water supply and navigation. Soil and water salinity have been persistent problems throughout the history of irrigation and we still have not solved these problems. Irrigation practices were developed independently in the New World but much later than in the Old. North American Indians in some areas still follow the ancient practices. The chinampa system, still used in Mexico, is one of the most intensive methods of farming ever devised. Ancient peoples in the Old World also developed ingenious methods for conserving and increasing soil moisture and for retarding runoff and erosion. During the time of classical Greece and imperial Rome practical water engineering developed to a high degree. Water tunnels, aqueducts, canals, drainage ditches, and dams become commonplace. Even so, water supply and management came relatively late in Europe, where dependence had been largely on natural supply and distribution until the 19th Century.
Diffusion, mixing, and associated dye effects in DNA-microarray hybridizations.

Typical DNA microarrays utilize diffusion of dye-labeled cDNA probes followed by sequence-specific hybridization to immobilized targets. Here we experimentally estimated the distance typical probes travel during static 16-h hybridizations. Probes labeled with Cy3 and Cy5 were individually introduced to opposite sides of a microarray with minimal convective mixing. Oppositely labeled probes diffused across the initial front separating the two solutions, generating a zone with both dyes present. Diffusion-distance estimates for Cy3- and Cy5-labeled cDNAs were 3.8 mm and 2.6 mm, respectively, despite having almost identical molecular masses. In separate 16-h hybridization experiments with oppositely labeled probes premixed, arrays that were continuously mixed had 15–20% higher signal intensities than arrays hybridized statically. However, no change was observed in the Cy3/Cy5 signal intensity ratio between continuously mixed and static hybridizations. This suggests that the observed dye bias in diffusion-distance estimates results from differences in the detection limits of Cy3 and Cy5-labeled cDNA, a potential concern for array data on low-abundance transcripts. Our conservative diffusion-distance estimates indicate that replicate targets >7.6 mm apart will not compete for scarce probes. Also, raising the microarray gap height would delay the onset of diffusion-limited hybridization by increasing the amount of available probe.
Optical Properties of CdSe Nanoparticle Assemblies

We report on three-dimensional fluorescence imaging of micron-size faceted crystals precipitated from solutions of CdSe nanocrystals. Such crystals have previously been suggested to be superlattices of CdSe quantum dots [1,2]. Possible applications for these materials include their use in optical and optoelectronic devices. The micron-size crystals were grown by slow evaporation from toluene solutions of CdSe nanocrystals in the range of 3–6 nm, produced by traditional wet-chemistry techniques. By using a confocal microscope with laser illumination, three-dimensional raster-scanning and synchronized hyper-spectral detection, we have generated spatial profiles of the fluorescence emission intensity and spectrum. The fluorescence data of the micro-crystals were compared with spectra of individual nanocrystals obtained from the same solution. The results do not support the assertion that these microcrystals consist of CdSe superlattices.
A Review of: “Micro-Process Engineering, N. Kockmann, Editor”

The editor of this bound volume is of the firm opinion that a primary goal of engineering activities is to achieve high performance in technical systems using a relatively low effort for optimized ...