cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Negligence, Belief, Blame and Criminal Liability: The Special Case of Forgetting

Commentators seemingly agree about what negligence is—and how it is contrasted from recklessness. They also appear to concur about whether particular examples (both real and hypothetical) portray negligence. I am less confident about each of these matters. I explore the distinction between recklessness and negligence by examining a type of case that has generated a good deal of critical discussion: those in which a defendant forgets that he has created a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm. Even in this limited kind of example, no single perspective on blame and liability proves to be defensible. Nonetheless, a discussion of this type of case is helpful because it enables us to appreciate the difficulties in understanding the nature of negligence and the ensuing uncertainty about whether penal liability for negligence is ever warranted.
Induction of toll-like receptors and NALP/PAN/PYPAF family members by modified oligonucleotides in lung epithelial carcinoma cells.

ISIS 199044 is a chimeric 2'-O-methyl-containing oligonucleotide that produces toxicity in several cultured cell lines. Upon investigation into the mechanism of cytotoxicity, we discovered that treatment of lung epithelial carcinoma cells, A549, with ISIS 199044 and several other cytotoxic oligonucleotides induces a group of genes that are not normally expressed in these cells. These genes are involved in host response to foreign materials. Among them were toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR9, members of the toll-like receptor family, responsible for immune response to nucleic acids and cryopyrin, a member of NALP/PAN/PYPAF family, which is known to assemble with ASC and regulate NF-κB activation and to modulate apoptosis. Maximal induction occurred 12–24 hours posttreatment with 500 nM oligonucleotide in the presence of Lipofectin reagent. Furthermore, we have shown that this induction is chemistry dependent; it can be negated by certain modifications, such as replacement of 2'-O-methyl with 2'-O-methoxy...
Mentors' perceptions of negative mentoring experiences: scale development and nomological validation.

Three studies were conducted to develop a psychometrically sound, multidimensional measure of mentors' perceptions of negative experiences with their proteges. In Study 1, items were developed, and content-related validity was established. In Study 2, CFA was used to establish the dimensionality of the new measure. Construct-related (convergent and discriminant) and criterion-related validity evidence were also obtained by using data from matched mentor-protege dyads. Study 3 replicated the factor structure of the instrument and provided additional validity evidence by using a sample of female academic mentors. The findings are discussed in terms of broadening the scope of mentoring research to consider the mentor's perspective of relationship problems and dyadic processes in mentoring relationships.
Roscovitine: a novel regulator of P/Q‐type calcium channels and transmitter release in central neurons

Roscovitine is widely used for inhibition of cdk5, a cyclin-dependent kinase expressed predominantly in the brain. A novel function of roscovitine, i.e. an effect on Ca2+ channels and transmitter release in central neurons, was studied by whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings and time-lapse fluorescence imaging techniques. Extracellular application of roscovitine markedly enhanced the tail calcium current following repolarization from depolarized voltages. This effect was rapid, reversible and dose dependent. Roscovitine dramatically slowed the deactivation kinetics of calcium channels. The deactivation time constant was increased 3- to 6-fold, suggesting that roscovitine could prolong the channel open state and increase the calcium influx. The potentiation of tail calcium currents caused by roscovitine and by the L-channel activator Bay K 8644 was not occluded but additive. Roscovitine-induced potentiation of tail calcium currents was significantly blocked by the P/Q-channel blocker CgTx-MVIIC, indicating that the major target of roscovitine is the P/Q-type calcium channel. In mutant mice with targeted deletion of p35, a neuronal specific activator of cdk5, roscovitine regulated calcium currents in a manner similar to that observed in wild-type mice. Moreover, intracellular perfusion of roscovitine failed to modulate calcium currents. These results suggest that roscovitine acts on extracellular site(s) of calcium channels via a cdk5-independent mechanism. Roscovitine potentiated glutamate release at presynaptic terminals of cultured hippocampal neurons detected with the vesicle trafficking dye FM1–43, consistent with the positive effect of roscovitine on the P/Q-type calcium channel, the major mediator of action potential-evoked transmitter release in the mammalian CNS.
Changes in serum properdin of mice during tumor growth and following immunization to Ehrlich ascites carcinoma.

Employing a modified McNall procedure for determining serum properdin it was shown that in C57/BL mice growing Ehrlich ascites carcinoma there was a progressive drop of serum properdin after 3 days. Similar decreases of serum properdin values in C3H and A/He mice occurred when they were growing Gardner lymphosarcoma and L No. 2 lymphoma, respectively. On the contrary, when C57/ BL mice were given either repeated injections of 2000 r x-irradiated Ehrlich carcinoma, or repeated injections of x-irradiated tumor and 3 to 5 challenges of viable tumor, there was a transient drop with a return to a normal blood level of properdin. However, numerous challenges of mice that received repeated injections of x-irradiated tumor resuited in a significant lowering of the serum properdin, but not to levels produced with actively growing tumor. There appeared to be a correlatton of serum properdin with cancer growth. During cancer growth there was a fall in serum properdin, while regression was accompanied by a rise back to control levels of serum properdin.
Secondary ion emission from binary Fe-Cr, Fe-Ni, Cr-Ni and ternary Fe-Cr-Ni alloys: Chemical and physical matrix effects

Secondary ion emission from Fe-Cr, Fe-Ni, Cr-Ni binary alloys and Fe-Cr-Ni ternary alloys (concentration range 10–90% of the alloying element) bombarded with 3 keV Xe+ ions has been investigated as a function of concentration of the studied element in the multicomponent system. The linear increase of the secondary ion intensity with concentration of the element in the sample was found only for a low-concentration region. There are pronounced nonlinearities in the medium and high-concentration regions. A possible explanation for such nonlinearities based on chemical and physical matrix effects is proposed.
Meson channel design and performance for the SREL synchrocyclotron

Abstract A pion-muon channel has been designed for internally generated mesons from the NASA Space Radiation Effects Laboratory 600 MeV synchrocyclotron. The channel, similar to those at CERN and Chucago, consists of three sections: a main section containing 24 identical 11” bore quadrupole magnets, an inout matching section consisting of a quadrupole doublet for matching to the meson emittance from the cyclotron, and an output bending magnet. Computer programs using quadrupole transfer matrices including linear magnetic fringe field effects have been used to optimize the meson flux. The main section quadrupoles have terraced pole tips and achieve a gradient of 2.4 kG/in. Movable channel mounting has been incorporated with pillared shielding to facilitate reorientation of the channel with respect to the cyclotron to change the mean pion momentum entering the channel. 740 stopped μ − per gram sec and 1.500 stopped π − per gram sec were observed into a 6″ × 6″ target.
Circuit design advances to enable ubiquitous sensing environments

This paper describes critical circuit building blocks for emerging sensing applications, particularly those where volume, and therefore power consumption constraints are orders of magnitude below current state of the art. Developments in ultra-low power microprocessors and memories are described, along with sub-nW timekeeping circuits, pW voltage references, and efficient DC-DC voltage conversion circuits at sub-µA current loads. Taken together, these circuit design advances point to a vision of true mm3 low-cost sensing nodes with hybrid power sources, i.e., scavenged and micro-battery, providing long lifetime and reliable operation.
Near real-time operation of public image database for ground vehicle navigation

An effective color night vision system for ground vehicle navigation should operate in near real-time to be practical. We described a system that uses a public database as a source of color information to colorize night vision imagery. Such an approach presents several problems due to differences between acquired and reference imagery. Our system performed registration, colorizing, and reference updating in near real-time in an effort to help drivers of ground vehicles during night to see a colored view of a scene.
HLA-DQ Polymorphism Influences Progression of Demyelination and Neurologic Deficits in a Viral Model of Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract The importance of genetic susceptibility in determining the progression of demyelination and neurologic deficits is a major focus in neuroscience. We studied the influence of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DQ polymorphisms on disease course and neurologic impairment in virus-induced demyelination. HLA-DQ6 or DQ8 was inserted as a transgene into mice lacking endogenous expression of MHC class I (β 2 m) and class II (H2-A β ) molecules. Following Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection, we assessed survival, virus persistence, demyelination, and clinical disease. Mice lacking expression of endogenous class I and class II molecules (β 2 m°Aβ° mice) died 3 to 4 weeks postinfection (p.i.) due to overwhelming virus replication in neurons. β 2 m°Aβ°DQ6 and β 2 m°Aβ°DQ8 mice had increased survival and decreased gray matter disease and virus replication compared to nontransgenic littermate controls. Both β 2 m°Aβ°DQ6 and β 2 m°Aβ°DQ8 mice developed chronic virus persistence in glial cells of the white matter of the spinal cord, with greater numbers of virus antigen-positive cells in β 2 m°Aβ°DQ8 than in β 2 m°Aβ°DQ6 mice. At day 45 p.i., the demyelinating lesions in the spinal cord of β 2 m°Aβ°DQ8 were larger than those in the β 2 m°Aβ°DQ6 mice. Earlier and more profound neurologic deficits were observed in β 2 m°Aβ°DQ8 mice compared to β 2 m°Aβ°DQ6 mice, although by 120 days p.i. both strains of mice showed similar extent of demyelination and neurologic deficits. Delayed-type hypersensitivity and antibody responses to TMEV demonstrated that the mice mounted class II-mediated cellular and humoral immune responses. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that rates of progression of demyelination and neurologic deficits are related to the differential ability of DQ6 and DQ8 transgenes to modulate the immune response and control virus.
Statins as a possible cause of inflammatory and necrotizing myopathies

Abstract Background Hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl Co-A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitors or statins are a well recognized cause of a variety of skeletal myopathic effects which generally resolve on stopping the medication. Recent reports, however, suggest that statins are associated with a unique autoimmune myopathy wherein symptoms persist or even progress after statin discontinuation and require immunosuppressive therapy. We performed a systematic review to examine the association of statins with inflammatory (dermatomyositis/polymyositis) and necrotizing myopathies. Methods We searched PubMed, Ovid and Scopus for English language articles addressing statin associated inflammatory and necrotizing myopathies. Given the paucity of cases, we extended the search to include articles in all languages. Results The search yielded 14 articles reporting a possible association of statins with inflammatory myopathies describing 10 cases of polymyositis and 14 cases of dermatomyositis, and 4 articles reporting a possible association of statins with necrotizing myopathies describing 63 cases. One study identified a unique antibody directed against HMGCR in patients with necrotizing myopathy. Systemic immunosuppressive therapy was required in majority of these cases for resolution of symptoms. Conclusion Statins have recently been associated with a variety of inflammatory myopathies including polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and a necrotizing myopathy. The association of statins with necrotizing myopathy is strengthened by the discovery that the serum of some of these patients contains an anti-HMGCR antibody. This suggests that statins can cause or unmask an immune mediated myopathy.
SU‐E‐T‐762: Dose Perturbation Studies Due to Prostate Seed Implants in Proton Uniform Scanned Beams

Purpose: To quantify dose perturbation in uniform scanned protonradiotherapy when used as a boost therapy following prostate seed implant. By comparing the combined rectal dose‐volume curves for proton therapy and intensity modulated conventional radiotherapy(IMRT); it has been shown that [1] at low dosesprotonradiotherapy offers better rectal sparing than IMRT. As such protonradiotherapy may be a good candidate for use as boost radiation therapy.Methods: A slice of prostate seed implant phantom is constructed to investigate protondose distribution perturbations. Water equivalent materials (PMMA) are used for phantom construction. Seeds are implanted into the phantom in different configurations with various orientation and proximity to each other. The phantom is imaged on a Philips CT scanner and plans are generated using Varian Eclipse treatment planning system (TPS). Phantoms are irradiated under a uniform scanning proton beam at Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute. Dose perturbation due to the seed implants is studied with radiographic film dosimeters as well as IBA MatriXX detector. Irradiation outcome is analyzed on OmniPro I'mRT software. Results are compared with dose distributions from Eclipse TPS.Results: These studies indicate that there may potentially be small perturbations in protondose distribution. This should be considered since commonly vast number of these seeds is being implanted Conclusions: Our preliminary results indicate that protondose perturbations are present when protonradiotherapy is used as a boost therapy following prostate seed implant. These effects have been analyzed with Eclipse TPS for protons.
Observing and modeling cognitive events through event-related potentials and ACT-R

The study of cognition is generally thought to rely on techniques for inferring cognitive processes that are unobservable. One approach to cognitive science is to leverage an understanding of structure and function of the nervous system based on observable neurological events to determine mental processing. Event-related potential (ERP) research offers one technique to objectively measure cortical responses that are believed to be associated with perceptual and cognitive processes. Here, two ACT-R (Adaptive Control of Thought - Rational) models of mental processing are adapted based on the results of two ERP experiments. The models provide both a sequence of mental steps required to complete each task and a greater specificity of time course of mental events than traditional ACT-R models. We conclude with implications of this research for cognitive theory and ACT-R as well as future work to be conducted.
Genetic differentiation between english and french populations of the satyrid butterfly Pararge megera

Genetic differentiation between english and french populations of the satyrid butterfly Pararge megera
Regulation of RANTES Promoter Activation in Gastric Epithelial Cells Infected with Helicobacter pylori

RANTES, a CC chemokine, plays an important role in the inflammatory response associated with Helicobacter pylori infection. However, the mechanism by which H. pylori induces RANTES expression in the gastric mucosa is unknown. We cocultured gastric epithelial cells with wild-type H. pylori, isogenic oipA mutants, cag pathogenicity island (PAI) mutants, or double knockout mutants. Reverse transcriptase PCR showed that RANTES mRNA was induced by H. pylori and that the expression was both OipA and cag PAI dependent. Luciferase reporter gene assays and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that maximal H. pylori-induced RANTES gene transcription required the presence of the interferon-stimulated responsive element (ISRE), the cyclic AMP-responsive element (CRE), nuclear factor-interleukin 6 (NF-IL-6), and two NF-κB sites. OipA- and cag PAI-dependent pathways included NF-κB→NF-κB/NF-IL-6/ISRE pathways, and cag PAI-dependent pathways additionally included Jun N-terminal kinase→CRE/NF-κB pathways. The OipA-dependent pathways additionally included p38→CRE/ISRE pathways. We confirmed the in vitro effects in vivo by examining RANTES mRNA levels in biopsy specimens from human gastric antral mucosa. RANTES mRNA levels in the antral mucosa were significantly higher for patients infected with cag PAI/OipA-positive H. pylori than for those infected with cag PAI/OipA-negative H. pylori or uninfected patients. The mucosal inflammatory response to H. pylori infection involves different signaling pathways for activation of the RANTES promoter, with both OipA and the cag PAI being required for full activation of the RANTES promoter.
The role of adrenocorticotropin testing in evaluating girls with premature adrenarche and hirsutism/oligomenorrhea.

To identify biochemical predictors for future development of hirsutism and/or oligomenorrhea (H/O) in girls with premature adrenarche (PA), we performed dexamethasone-suppressed ACTH stimulation tests in girls with PA (n = 46), young women (n = 44) with H/O, and adult women (n = 31). Cortisol, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone were measured. Seven girls with PA (15%) and seven with H/O (16%) had evidence of nonclassical adrenal steroid biosynthetic defects [nonclassical congenital adrenal hyperplasia (NCAH)]. Twenty-five girls with PA (54%) and 28 girls with H/O (64%) had the moderately elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone response to ACTH that has been reported in obligate heterozygotes for 21-hydroxylase deficiency. There were no clinical features that distinguished the girls with NCAH from the others. ACTH testing is an important tool in distinguishing those girls with PA and H/O who have NCAH. Although we could find no differences in other adrenal steroid hormones that mig...
Impact of the Oral Commensal Flora on Alveolar Bone Homeostasis

Homeostasis of healthy periodontal tissues is affected by innate and adaptive immunosurveillance mechanisms in response to the normal oral flora. Recent comparisons of germ-free (GF) and normal specific-pathogen-free (SPF) mice have revealed the impact of host immunosurveillance mechanisms in response to the normal oral flora on alveolar bone height. Prior reports that alveolar bone height is significantly less in normal SPF mice compared with their age- and strain-matched GF counterparts suggest that naturally occurring alveolar bone loss is a normal component of healthy periodontal tissue homeostasis. In this report, histomorphometric analyses confirmed increased alveolar bone loss and revealed increased numbers of TRAP+ osteoclastic cells lining the alveolar bone surface in SPF compared with GF mice. Increased numbers of RANKL+ cells and IL17+ cells in the periodontium of SPF mice demonstrate possible molecular mechanisms mediating the up-regulated osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone loss in SPF mice compared with GF mice. Increased numbers of T-lymphocytic cells and T-helper cells in the junctional epithelium of SPF mice compared with GF mice suggest that the adaptive immune response contributes to physiologic alveolar bone loss in the healthy periodontium. This GF animal model study notably begins to elucidate the impact of host immunosurveillance mechanisms in response to the normal oral flora, mediating catabolic alveolar bone homeostasis in the healthy periodontium.
New Screening Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer: A Practical Guide for the Primary Care Physician

Until recently, most clinical guidelines in the United States were in general agreement about the tests available for colorectal cancer screening, recommending fecal occult blood tests every year, flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, both these tests together, double contrast barium enema every 5 years, or colonoscopy every 10 years. However, the release of two new sets of guidelines in 2008 has made it necessary for primary care physicians to update their knowledge of the recommended screening options. The most influential factor in determining whether a patient is screened is recommendation from a physician. The primary goal of this article is to review and critique the new guidelines for average-risk screening in adults older than 50 years. Armed with this information, primary care physicians will be better educated as to the importance of offering screening to their patients, as well as the strength and weaknesses of each recommended test.
Final Thoughts on Measurement Bias and Differential Prediction

In the focal article, we suggested that more thought be given to the concepts of test bias, measurement bias, and differential prediction and the implicit framework of fairness underlying the Cleary model. In this response, we clarify the nature and scope of our recommendations and address some of the more critical comments of our work.
Evaluation of composite graft replacement of the aortic root and ascending aorta.

Abstract Replacement of the entire aortic root and ascending aorta with a composite graft was done in 7 patients with ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic regurgitation. There was no worrisome postoperative bleeding, and follow-up aortography has demonstrated correction of the aortic root disease in all patients and no complications referable to the coronary artery implantation.
Adjustment and income distribution in an agricultural economy: A general equilibrium analysis of Cameroon

Abstract To distinguish policy packages that have favorable characteristics for both structural adjustment and income distribution, this paper uses static and dynamically optimizing simulations of a Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model based on detailed country and household data from Cameroon. Model results indicate that public spending to reduce transport and marketing costs are beneficial for the poor and for economic growth, even at the expense of competing public investments.
Changes in Relaxin Precursor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels in Ovaries of Rats after Hysterectomy and Removal of Conceptuses, and during the Estrous Cycle*

Preprorelaxin mRNA levels in the rat ovary were determined by dot hybridization of unfractionated RNA with 32P-labeled cDNA. The sharp rise in these levels occurring near midpregnancy could be prevented by hysterectomy. After the rise occurred in intact rats, hysterectomy sharply reduced the amount of messenger. Reduction of the number of conceptuses to one also reduced ovarian preprorelaxin mRNA levels. Thus, the uterus and/or its contents were necessary for both stimulation and maintenance of preprorelaxin mRNA levels. The sharp decline in ovarian preprorelaxin mRNA levels after hysterectomy was partially prevented by the administration of 17 beta-estradiol, but not by 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone. However, 17 beta-estradiol did not stimulate the rise in ovarian preprorelaxin mRNA levels when given to pregnant rats that were hysterectomized near the time of the natural increase in preprorelaxin mRNA levels. The amount of preprorelaxin mRNA at estrus was 3.5 times greater than the proestrous value. The estrous level was reduced to about half by the time of metestrus. The amount of ovarian preprorelaxin mRNA at estrus was 200-400 times less than that from 20-day pregnant rats. The changes in ovarian preprorelaxin mRNA levels during the estrous cycle suggest a possible role for relaxin in nonpregnant rats. Because of the correlation between changes in preprorelaxin mRNA levels and the concentration of immunoreactive relaxin in the ovaries and blood, shown by others, the amount of precursor mRNA probably regulates the concentration of relaxin in the rat ovary. The agents and mechanisms involved in this regulation remain to be determined, but estrogen appears to be important for maintenance of the elevated preprorelaxin mRNA levels in the ovary.
Performance-driven synthesis in controller-datapath systems

This paper describes new algorithms which combine state assignment and pipelining to perform timing-driven synthesis. A cycle time requirement for a controller-datapath system must be satisfied under fixed arrival times of datapath outputs and departure times of datapath inputs. As a result, the controller's design must take into account not only cycle time of the FSM in isolation, but also input arrival time specifications and output departure time requirements. Most state assignment methods minimize area; moreover, state assignment alone may not be sufficient to eliminate all delay bottlenecks. Performance-Driven Synthesis (PDS) applies both high-level and sequential optimizations to meet a cycle time requirement: we use new don't-care assignment algorithms to minimize the delays of FSM output signals on critical paths by reducing their dependencies on late-arriving FSM primary input signals; we also use new pipelining algorithms to break critical paths which cannot be fixed by state assignment. Experimental results show that PDS improves delays with little area overhead. >
Performing engineering: How the performance metaphor for engineering can transform communications learning and teaching

In the Engineering Communications Program (ECP) in the College of Engineering at Cornell University, we are proposing a new metaphor for engineering - engineering as performance. We are doing so for two reasons: 1) engineering as performance unites many of the "pedagogies of engagement" current in engineering education within a single conceptual framework; and 2) engineering as performance enables a transformation in how we understand communication, and therefore how we should approach communication learning and teaching. Our paper focuses on the latter of these reasons. We begin with a discussion of the present approach to communications instruction. Next, we describe the ways that our understanding of communication is transformed through this new metaphor. And finally, we describe in detail the changes that those transformations might suggest in communication learning and teaching, assessment, even curriculum design.
Has Selection for Improved Agronomic Traits Made Reed Canarygrass Invasive

Plant breeders have played an essential role in improving agricultural crops, and their efforts will be critical to meet the increasing demand for cellulosic bioenergy feedstocks. However, a major concern is the potential development of novel invasive species that result from breeders' efforts to improve agronomic traits in a crop. We use reed canarygrass as a case study to evaluate the potential of plant breeding to give rise to invasive species. Reed canarygrass has been improved by breeders for use as a forage crop, but it is unclear whether breeding efforts have given rise to more vigorous populations of the species. We evaluated cultivars, European wild, and North American invader populations in upland and wetland environments to identify differences in vigor between the groups of populations. While cultivars were among the most vigorous populations in an agricultural environment (upland soils with nitrogen addition), there were no differences in above- or below-ground production between any populations in wetland environments. These results suggest that breeding has only marginally increased vigor in upland environments and that these gains are not maintained in wetland environments. Breeding focuses on selection for improvements of a specific target population of environments, and stability across a wide range of environments has proved elusive for even the most intensively bred crops. We conclude that breeding efforts are not responsible for wetland invasion by reed canarygrass and offer guidelines that will help reduce the possibility of breeding programs releasing cultivars that will become invasive.
Crystallization Kinetics of Oxalic Acid Dihydrate: Nonisothermal Desupersaturation of Solutions

Oxalic acid dihydrate was dissolved in binary solvents (acetonerwater and glycerol:water) at various saturation temperatures and then cured at higher temperatures. A temperature programmer was used to both heat and cool the solution in a linear fashion. Desupersaturation was followed as a function of time by measuring the changes in solution concentration, and number-based particle size distributions of the resulting crystals were then determined. A model based on the numerical evaluation of the nucleation and growth rates was developed which describes the amount of oxalic acid dihydrate precipitated with respect to time during nonisothermal crystallization. The model allows for calculation of the nucleation and growth rate constants when used with established values of the nucleation and growth orders.
Effect of cargo properties on in situ forming implant behavior determined by noninvasive ultrasound imaging

Diagnostic ultrasound has been shown to be an effective method for the noninvasive characterization of in situ forming implant behavior both in vivo and in vitro through the evaluation of the echogenic signal that forms as a consequence of the polymer phase transition from liquid to solid. The kinetics of this phase transition have a direct effect on drug release and can be altered through factors that change the mass transfer events of the solvent and aqueous environment, including properties of the entrapped active agent. This study examined the effect of payload properties on implant phase inversion, swelling, drug release, and polymer degradation. Poly(dl-lactide-co-gylcolide) implants were loaded with either: sodium fluorescein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), doxorubicin (Dox), or 1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI). Fluorescein and Dox were released at near equivalent rates throughout the diffusion phase of release but due to differing drug–matrix interactions, Dox-loaded implants released a lower mass of drug during the degradation phase of release. DiI was not readily released, and due to increased depot hydrophobicity, resulted in significantly lower swelling than the other formulations. The initial echogenicity was higher in Dox-loaded implants than those loaded with fluorescein, but after the initial precipitation, phase inversion and drug release occurred at near equivalent rates for both Dox and fluorescein-loaded implants. Nonlinear mathematical fitting was used to correlate drug release and phase inversion, providing a noninvasive method for evaluating implant release (R2 > 0.97 for Dox, BSA, and fluorescein; DiI had a correlation coefficient of 0.56).
Personality Configurations in Self-Managed Teams: A Natural Experiment on the Effects of Maximizing and Minimizing Variance in Traits

In this study, we examined the impact of seeding teams to create maximal and minimal levels of extroversion and conscientiousness variance. Using the theories of complementary and supplementary fit, we make predictions regarding the main and interactive effects of extroversion and conscientiousness variance on performance. Testing our hypotheses in a longitudinal study of MBA teams, our results demonstrate that the combination of minimizing conscientiousness variance (consistent with complementary fit) and maximizing extroversion variance (consistent with supplementary fit) produced the highest levels of short-term and long-term performance. jasp_778 1701..1732
Wintertime shoreward near-surface currents south of Cape Hatteras

[1] Cross-isobath flow on continental shelves is of interest for a variety of reasons. Near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, the transport of larval organisms, pollutants, and oceanic carbon budget constituents to and from the adjacent Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds may depend critically on cross-isobath currents. Shoreward currents in the near-surface waters south of Cape Hatteras are documented herein, on the basis of continuous 2-year time series, encompassing all or part of three consecutive winters. Energetic shoreward currents exist ∼30% of the time from midfall through late spring. These currents are evident over the 20 and 35 m isobaths along a mooring line situated ∼40 km southwestward from Cape Hatteras. Shoreward velocities average ∼12 cm/s, and events persist from 0.5 to 4 days, occurring every 2.5–5 days, except in summer. These events often coincide with southwestward winds but occur under both upwelling and downwelling favorable conditions, such that Ekman veering in the surface layer does not account for the shoreward velocities. In winter the mooring line south of Cape Hatteras is frequently traversed by a strong temperature and salinity front, with light, relatively fresh, cold, stratified water on one side, and denser, more saline, warmer, unstratified water on the other. Hydrography and satellite sea surface temperature imagery help identify this front as the boundary between South Atlantic Bight and Mid-Atlantic Bight coastal shelf waters, the “Hatteras Front.” Flow along the Hatteras Front where it crosses the shelf appears to account for the observed shoreward currents. The along-shelf advection of the Hatteras Front may depend on both winds and Gulf Stream distance offshore.
Comment on "Modeling Adsorption and Self-Diffusion of Methane in LTA Zeolites: The Influence of Framework Flexibility"

In a recent paper by Garcia-Sanchez et al.,1 the influence of framework flexibility on the self-diffusivity, Di,self, of CH4 has been investigated in three different zeolites with the LTA topology, LTA-Si (all-silica), ITQ-29 (all-silica), and LTA-5A (96 Si, 96 Al, 32 Na+, 32 Ca2+, Si/Al ) 1). Two different force fields, due to Hill and Sauer2 and Nicholas et al.,3 were used to describe the framework flexibility. For a range of CH4 loadings, Θi 10 molecules/cage. At these high loadings, the diffusion process is governed by intracage hops; flexibility issues are not of great importance. For LTA-5A, however, the Hill-Sauer flexible framework implementation gave results nearly the same as those for that the rigid framework over the entire range of loadings; see Figure 1c. Commenting on their MD simulation results, Garcia-Sanchez et al.1 write “It is interesting to speculate if and why flexibility is essential to compute methane self-diffusivities”. They further state that “none of the current force fields are able to capture the average structure exactly and specifically the 8-ring window separating the cages. A small deviation of the window from the crystal structure leads to very different diffusivities”. The primary objective of this Comment is to quantify the influences of the chosen force field on the window dimensions. We shall demonstrate that the diffusivities are governed by the size of the 8-ring window aperture separating cages and that the size of the windows is influenced by the choice of the force field used to describe lattice flexibility. We aim to draw the unequivocal conclusion that lattice flexibility, per se, has no influence on the self-diffusivity of CH4 in cage-type zeolites with 8-ring windows. For a cage-type zeolite, two dimensions of the 8-ring windows of the original crystalline framework can be identified as indicated in Figure 2, (1) the shortest distance, dmin, and (2) the longest distance, dmax; these distances are also called straight and diagonal, respectively, in the work of Combariza et al.4 The values of dmin and dmax are obtained by subtracting the van der Waals diameter of O atoms, taken to be equal to 2.7 A, from the center-to-center distances of framework atoms in the 8-ring windows. The diameters determined following the method of Delaunay triangulation, described in the work by Foster et al.,5 correspond with the * To whom correspondence should be addressed. Tel.: +31 20 6270990. Fax: + 31 20 5255604. E-mail: r.krishna@uva.nl. † University of Amsterdam. ‡ University of California, Berkeley. Figure 1. Comparison of rigid and flexible framework (with Hill-Sauer force field) simulations of the self-diffusivities, Di,self, of CH4 in (a) ITQ-29, (b) LTA-Si, and (c) LTA-5A. The data of Garcia-Sanchez et al.1 are plotted along with rigid framework simulations performed in this work, with both the original rigid crystalline framework and the time-averaged framework obtained from implementation of the Hill and Sauer2 force field. J. Phys. Chem. C 2010, 114, 18017–18021 18017
Multiple Measures and High‐Stakes Decisions: A Framework for Combining Measures

The article presents a framework for combining multiple measures to reach high-stakes decisions. Criteria are identified for the employment of conjunctive, compensatory, and complementary approaches to combining measures. The framework is illustrated through the documentation of the School District of Philadelphia's initiative to employ multiple measures, including standardized test scores, to determine promotion decisions. The author demonstrates that the use of multiple measures itself does not necessarily improve the reliability and validity of the decisions. It is the logic by which the measures are combined that determines the accuracy and appropriateness of the decisions reached.
Characteristics of the X-ray and Hα emissions associated with solar proton flares

X ray and H alpha emissions associated with solar proton flares, correlating rise time with solar cosmic rays
Interacting multiple-model approach to fixed-interval smoothing

A fixed-interval smoothing algorithm for linear systems with Markovian switching coefficients is developed in this paper. This smoothing algorithm uses two multiple model-filters, where one of the filters propagates in the forward-time direction and the other one propagates in the backward-time direction. Simulation results of target trajectory reconstruction for a manoeuvring target will be given to compare the performance of this smoothing algorithm to a multiple-model filter and a smoother designed using a single model. >
The Interactions of Organizational and Competitive Influences on Strategy and Performance

Despite much debate in the strategy literatures, there is little consensus as to whether organizational capabilities or market competition are more important in shaping firms’ actions and performance. We suspect that simply comparing firm-level and industry-level influences will continue to prove fruitless for two reasons. In the first place, both organization and competition are clearly important in shaping strategy and performance. In the second place, we suspect that the inconclusive nature of much of the existing research reflects the fact that organizational capabilities, competition, strategy, and performance are fundamentally endogenous. That is, reciprocal interactions at multiple levels of analysis between the environment and the firm shape business strategy and performance, while interactions between strategy and performance, in turn, shape both organizational capabilities and competitive environments. This special issue of the Strategic Management Journal includes papers that focus attention on several dimensions of these interactions. A common theme emerges from the work concerning the sequential nature of the interrelationships. The papers suggest that firms develop organizational capabilities as they act in competitive, institutional, and cognitive environments, where capabilities arise both by design and as the unexpected by-products of firm actions. The capabilities, managers’ understanding of the capabilities, and the historical context that surrounds them then condition firms’ reactions to changes in their environment. The reactions and firm performance in turn affect the structure of the industry, and all these changes generate new information which in turn creates new learning opportunities. Thus, the papers view strategy and performance as an ongoing sequence of capabilities-conditioned adaptations by firms which in turn become exogenous events in the environments of the managers of other firms. For strategy researchers, the important question is not that of which disciplinary perspective or mode of explanation is a more appropriate one, but rather that of the conditions under which a given mode of explanation is most appropriate. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of electron acceptors and donors on transformation of tetrachloromethane by Shewanella putrefaciens MR-1

Transformation of chlorinated aliphatic compounds was examined in Shewanella putrefaciens strain MR-1, an obligately respiring facultative anaerobe. Under anaerobic conditions, MR-1 has been shown to transform tetrachloromethane to trichloromethane (24%), CO2 (7%), cell-bound material (50%) and unidentified nonvolatile products (4%). The highest rate and extent of transformation were observed with MR-1 cells grown under iron(III)-respiring conditions. Lactate, formate and hydrogen were the most effective electron donors. Tetrachloromethane was not degraded in the presence of oxygen. Transformation of other chlorinated methanes and ethenes was not observed.
Crevasse patterns and the strain-rate tensor: a high-resolution comparison

Values of the strain-rate tensor represented at a 20 m length scale are found to explain the pattern and orientation of crevasses in a 0.13 km 2 reach of Worthington Glacier, Alaska, U.S.A. The flow field of the reach is constructed from surveyed displacements of 110 markers spaced 20-30 m apart. A velocity gradient method is then used to calculate values of the principal strain-rate axes at the nodes of a 20 m × 20 m orthogonal grid. Crevasses in the study reach are of two types, splaying and transverse, and are everywhere normal to the trajectories of greatest (most tensile) principal strain rate. Splaying crevasses exist where the longitudinal strain rate (∈˙ x ) is ≤ 0 and transverse crevasses are present under longitudinally extending flow (i.e. ∈˙ x > 0). The orientation of crevasses changes in the down-glacier direction, but the calculated rotation by the flow field does not account for this change in orientation. Observations suggest that individual crevasses represent local values of the regional flow field and are transient on the time-scale of 1-2 years; they are not persistent features that are translated and rotated by flow. Crevasse patterns are thus found to be a useful tool for mapping the strain-rate tensor in this reach of a temperate valley glacier.
In Vitro, Pharmacological and Clinical Studies with Amikacin

Amikacin, a new aminoglycoside antibiotic, was found to have broad spectrum in vitro activity against most gram-negative bacilli. Amikacin was also effective against 74% of 26 isolates of gram-negative bacilli known to be resistant to gentamicin. Pharmacological studies in humans demonstrated that adequate serum concentrations of amikacin could be safely reached and maintained by continuous infusions. Using these two schedules, amikacin cured 64% of 155 episodes of identified infections occurring in cancer patients. The majority of infections were pneumonia and septicemia. The most commonly identified pathogens were E. coli, organisms of the Klebsiella-Enterobacter-Serratia group and P. aeruginosa. The cure rate for infections produced by these organisms was 79%. Included were 5 of 8 infections produced by organisms resistant to gentamicin. The results with continuous infusions of amikacin in patients with severe neutropenia were as good as the results with intermittent infusions in patients with adequate neutrophil counts. Optimum results were obtained in neutropenic patients when a serum concentration of approximately 15 µg/ml was maintained.
Stock Liquidity and Tax Avoidance: Evidence from Natural Experiments

This study establishes a causal link between stock liquidity and tax avoidance. We find that high liquidity reduces firms’ tax-avoiding activities. Our analysis suggests that an interquartile improvement in stock liquidity increases the effective tax rate by 6%, a sizable impact compared to the sample average rate of 21%. To address endogeneity challenges, we exploit the variation in stock liquidity introduced by two exogenous shocks (tick size changes and stock splits) and conduct an instrumental variable analysis. We then examine two possible mechanisms through which high liquidity curbs tax avoidance — namely, heightened takeover exposure and improved contracting roles of equity-based compensation. Amid the global trend of cutting statutory tax rates, deterring extensive tax avoidance has become increasingly important in tackling government budget deficits. Our findings suggest that when policymakers consider liquidity-altering regulations, they should not overlook high liquidity’s beneficial effect on reducing tax avoidance.
Perception and Interpretation in Contemporary Southwestern Archaeology: Comments on Cordell, Upham, and Brock

We find the paper "Obscuring Cultural Patterning in the Archaeological Record: A Discussion from Southwestern Archaeology" by Cordell et al. (1987) annoying because it contains errors, it misrepresents our work, and it misunderstands our approaches to archaeology. Since we had no opportunity to comment on this paper before its acceptance by American Antiquity, its publication now presents us with the need to provide a detailed response and the opportunity to clear up misunderstandings of a potentially broader scope.
Interventions for Overhead Drilling in Construction

Drilling into concrete or metal ceilings is a strenuous task that construction workers perform to hang ductwork, piping, and electrical equipment. The task can be associated with pain and disorders at the wrist, forearm, shoulder, neck and back due to the high forces and awkward postures applied during drilling. Previously we described field usability testing of a foot lever and an inverted drill press intervention device compared to the usual method for overhead drilling. Both interventions were rated as inferior to the usual method on setup time and mobility. For this study we used the inverted drill press design but tested 3 different wheeled bases. Construction workers (N=16) evaluated usability and upper body fatigue after using the 3 devices and the usual method in commercial construction settings. Across almost all usability measures the usual method received the poorest ratings and was associated with the greatest level of regional upper body fatigue. Overall, the wheeled ‘Collar Base’ interventio...
A Summary of Charge-Coupled Devices for Astronomy

Charge-coupled devices (CCDs) have been the most common visible and nearultraviolet imaging sensors in astronomy since the 1980s. Almost all major astronomical instrumentation utilizes CCD imagers for both scientific observations and the more routine tasks such as telescope guiding. In this short review, we provide a brief history of CCDs in astronomy and then describe their operation as they are most commonly implemented for scientific imaging. We discuss specialized CCD sensors which have been developed and effectively utilized in modern astronomical instrumentation. We conclude with an overview of the characterization of CCDs as performed in detector laboratories and at telescopes and discuss anticipated future advances.
Reclaiming Pulp from Office Wastepaper by Dry Method

The amount of office wastepaper containing electrostatic printing toners is rapidly growing. Conventional washing and flotation processes of deinking are not so effective to reclaiming speck-free pulp. The dispersing process is essential for peeling the undetached toners from pulp.This paper shows dry method technology to treat toner-printed office wastepaper. Laboratory single-disk refiner was employed to fiberize the toner-printed wastepaper in dry state. Hand made sheets from reclaimed fiber were weakened in mechanical strength, but looked as if it were deinked, because of the toners in hand made sheet being distributed into fine particles.