cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Security Interests, Misbehavior, and Common Pools

The Modigliani-Miller Theorem on the irrelevance of corporate capital structure is perhaps the best-known result in modern finance. Simply put, the theorem states that, under certain assumptions, the market value of a firm is independent of its capital structure. Under the stylized assumptions of the theorem, substituting equity for debt or adding layers of debt to the capital structure of a firm, as occurred during much of the 1980s, has no affect on the firm's value.' The theorem applies not only to the mix of debt and equity, but also to the mix of debt itself, such as between secured and unsecured or senior and subordinated debt.2 Understanding existing patterns of debt and equity therefore begins with the Modigliani-Miller Theorem. One must identify which of the theorem's assumptions do not hold and explain why relaxing them leads to the patterns of debt and equity that currently exist. Much scholarship has examined the assumption that changes in capital structure do not affect the way in which a firm uses its assets.3 There is little reason to think that this assumption is true. It is now well-understood that equityholders may choose different projects if debt is present than they would otherwise: equityholders enjoy all of the benefits of successful projects but share the losses from unsuccessful ventures with creditors.
The "Other" Intermediaries: The Increasingly Anachronistic Immunity of Managing General Agents and Independent Claims Adjusters

The controversy surrounding contingent commissions for large commercial insurance brokers has grabbed headlines in recent years. But relatively little attention continues to be paid to the norm for the "downstream" intermediaries engaged in the administration of insurance claims. This article focuses on managing general agents, third-party administrators, and independent contractor claims adjusters -- the "other" intermediaries who perform the nuts-and-bolts tasks of the insurance industry. Although their duties are at least as important as those of insurance policy sellers, these downstream intermediaries are largely immune from policyholders claims, lowering their incentive to perform their duties well. In order to improve the claims process, these "other" intermediaries should be held accountable when they commit misconduct. In particular, these intermediaries should be potentially liable for bad faith behavior in the same manner as insurers when they intentionally act unreasonably without giving equal consideration to the rights of the policyholder. In addition to noting the benefits of accountability, this article suggests a workable standard for determining intermediary liability in cases where a policyholder alleges negligent claims administration or more severe wrongdoing.
Presidents and Process: A Comparison of the Regulatory Process Under the Clinton and Bush (43) Administrations

Do procedural controls placed on the regulatory process allow politicians to control bureaucratic decision-making? I use data on the regulatory process under the Clinton and Bush Administrations to assess the differences between these presidents with distinct ideological regulatory agendas. I find that the number of comments received, the changes made between proposal and finalization of rules, the frequency with which agencies bypass notice and comment and the time to complete a rulemaking did not vary substantially between the two presidencies. This raises questions about the effectiveness of procedural controls on agency decision-making.
Performance measurements and non-linearity modeling of GeTe phase change RF switches with direct and indirect heating schemes

In this paper, we report on the design, fabrication, and measured results of phase change RF switches using germanium telluride (GeTe) with two different heating schemes: direct heating and indirect heating. Both switches are fabricated in-house showing insertion loss less than 0.6 dB and isolation above 13 dB at frequencies from DC up to 20 GHz, indicating good RF performance. In order to better analyze the thermal and power handling performance of phase change switches, a thermoelectric model is developed. This model utilizes conclusions from existing efforts, including the Poole-Frenkel (PF) model, but is modified to achieve better agreement with the measurement results. Such accurate thermoelectric modeling method can be used to provide design guidelines for implementing phase change switches with improved performance.
Ribosomal RNA synthesis in sea urchin embryos: differential rates of accumulation in chemically-induced animalized and vegetalized larvae

Animalization was induced with evans blue and with Zn++ in embryos of Arbacia punctulata and of Lytechinus variegatus, respectively. Li+ induced vegetalization in A. punctulata embryos. While animalization did not affect the rate of cleavage, vegetalized embryos exhibited a reduction in cell number at post-morula stages. Mid-gastrulae and corresponding experimental embryos each were labeled for 4 hr with uridine-[5-3H] and with L-[3H-methyl]-methionine. The rate of uptake of each exogenous RNA precursor was similar in control and in experimental embryos. Purified RNA preparations were fractionated by electrophoresis on 2.4% acrylamide+0.5 % agarose gels. Comparison of rates of incorporation of each RNA precursor into 26s and 18s RNAs indicated that on a per cell basis evans blue- and Zn++-animalized embryos showed a reduction (0.53–0.56) and Li+-vegetalized embryos an enhancement (1.41—1.53) in the rate of accumulation of newly made 26s and 18s RNAs compared to controls (1.00). These results suggest that chemically-induced animalized and vegetalized embryos provide useful tools for studying possible differential gene expression in different embryonic germ layers of the developing sea urchin embryo.
Models of Water Flow and Solute Transport in the Unsaturated Zone

A large number of models for simulating water flow and solute transport in the unsaturated zone are now increasingly being used for a wide range of applications in both research and management. Modeling approaches range from relatively simple analytical and semianalytical solutions, to complex numerical codes. While analytical and semianalytical solutions are still popular for some applications, the ever-increasing power of personal computers and the development of more accurate and numerically stable solution techniques have motivated much wider use of numerical codes in recent decades. The wide use of numerical models is also significantly enhanced by their availability in both the public and commercial domains, and by the development of sophisticated graphics-based interfaces that can tremendously simplify their use. In this paper I focus mainly on numerical models, give a brief history of their development, and discuss some of the more often used numerical techniques including relatively efficient matrix solvers that now are available for multidimensional models. Names and web addresses of some of the more popularly used numerical codes simulating vadose zone processes are also provided. Finally, some typical problems in which the numerical codes have been applied are identified. Keywords: unsaturated zone; water flow; solute transport; matrix solvers; numerical modeling
Endogenous Myelin Basic Protein Is Presented in the Periphery by Both Dendritic Cells and Resting B Cells with Different Functional Consequences

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease believed to be triggered by erroneous activation of self-reactive T cells specific for myelin proteins such as myelin basic protein (MBP). Inflammation is limited to the CNS, suggesting that the myelin-specific T cells encounter their Ags only after they cross the blood-brain barrier. However, our previous studies in mice showed that MBP epitopes are constitutively presented in lymphoid tissues. Here we identified which APCs in lymph nodes present endogenous MBP epitopes and determined the functional consequences of this presentation for both naive and activated MBP-specific T cells. Both CD8α + and CD8α − dendritic cells were potent stimulators of proliferation for both naive and previously activated/memory MBP-specific T cells. Surprisingly, resting B cells also presented endogenous MBP that was acquired using a BCR-independent mechanism. Interaction with resting B cells triggered proliferation of both naive and activated MBP-specific T cells. Activated/memory MBP-specific T cells proliferating in response to resting B cells presenting endogenous MBP did not produce cytokines and became more refractory to subsequent stimulation. Interestingly, cytokine production by activated/memory T cells was triggered by resting B cells if the number of MBP epitopes presented was increased by adding exogenous MBP peptide. These results suggest that activated MBP-specific T cells may become less pathogenic in vivo following encounter with resting B cells presenting steady-state levels of endogenous MBP but can expand and remain pathogenic if the amount of MBP presented by B cells is increased, which could occur during chronic demyelinating disease.
Retinyl ester hydrolase and the visual cycle in the chicken eye

The ability of chicken retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) membrane to hydrolyze vitamin A esters ([9,10(-3)H]all-trans- and 11-cis-retinyl palmitate) was studied. Hydrolytic activity within the retina was optimal at acidic pH of 5.0, whereas in the RPE significant hydrolytic activity was exhibited over a broad range of hydrogen ion concentrations. The highest rate of hydrolysis was associated with the all-trans-isomer and located within retina and RPE membranes [the apparent maximal velocity (Vmax) and Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) were 770 pmol.min.-1.mg-1 and 45 microM and 300 pmol.min-1.mg-1 and 3.6 microM, respectively[. Retinyl ester hydrolase activities for 11-cis-retinyl palmitate in the retina and RPE were correspondingly lower (apparent Vmax of 204 pmol.min.-1.mg-1 and Km of 18.5 microM in the retina; apparent Vmax of 131 pmol.min.-1.mg-1 and Km of 4 microM in the RPE). Together with results from other laboratories, results from the present study suggest that chicken retina contains important enzymes to complete the visual cycle.
The Pulmonary Vein Wedge Pressure in Man

In 12 patients with atrial septal defect or anomalous pulmonary venous connection, pulmonary vein wedge mean pressure uniformly exceeded mean pressure in the left atrium or pulmonary vein and with one exception was less than mean pressure in the pulmonary artery. There was a positive correlation between pulmonary arteriolar resistance and the difference in pressure between pulmonary artery and pulmonary vein wedge position. The oxygen saturation of blood, withdrawn from the pulmonary vein wedge position, uniformly exceeded that of left atrial and usually also that of pulmonary vein blood.
Abstract CS01-2: The role of radiation in the treatment of the axilla in the setting of neoadjuvant chemotherapy

There is considerable controversy regarding the appropriate surgical procedure and its timing for evaluating the status of the axillary nodes in the neoadjuvant setting. Sentinel lymph node (SLN) surgery following initial chemotherapy avoids an axillary dissection and its associated morbidity in clinical N0 patients who have pathologic negative SLN. SLN identification and false negative rates (FNR) have been acceptable in these women and axillary recurrence rates without radiation directed to the axilla are £1%. For clinical N1 disease, 2 recent studies (SENTINA, ACOSOG 1071) reported SLN identification rates of 80% and 91%, FNR of 12.8 and 14% and ypN0 rates of 52% and 40% respectively. The SLN was the only positive node(s) in 58% and 40% of the ypN1 patients. Several studies have evaluated the role of regional node (RN) irradiation in clinical N1 patients who are ypN0 following neoadjuvant chemotherapy and have found no improvement in local-regional disease free survival. RN failure rates are low as reported by the NSABP B18 and 27 trials in the absence of post mastectomy radiation or with breast only radiation. The question of RN radiation is being addressed by an NRG (NSABP-RTOG) randomized trial. For women with clinical N1 disease who remain ypN1, axillary radiation may substitute for axillary dissection. Axillary radiation has been shown in randomized trials to be equivalent to axillary dissection in the adjuvant setting for clinical N0 women (NSABP B04) including those with positive SLN (Dutch Mirror, IBCSG 23-01, AMAROS). The Alliance trial will address this question. The potential advantage of neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the ability to adjust surgical and radiation treatment based on pathologic response and thereby minimize the morbidity of combined therapy. Various clinical scenarios will be presented with treatment options. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr CS01-2.
Fulminant Purkinje cell death following axotomy and its use for analysis of the dendritic arborization.

Young and adult cats were operated upon and a number of the vermal cerebellar folia were either transected with a vertical incision or isolated by a horizontal cut.
Primary prevention of HIV-1 infection among intravenous drug users

Recent epidemiologic data underscore the importance of primary prevention programs for promoting behavioral change to reduce the risk of HIV-1 infection among intravenous drug users (IVDUs). Optimal allocation of prevention resources requires expansion of current serologic surveillance with increased attention to areas with relatively low infection levels. Comprehensive AIDS prevention strategies must provide support for abstinence and promote reductions in the sharing of contaminated injection equipment among IVDUs both in and out of drug treatment programs. Preliminary results from outreach programs in multiple sites suggest their efficacy in recruiting drug treatment entrants and promoting risk reduction.
Studies on lactose synthesis in mammary gland slices.

Abstract The inhibition of lactose synthesis in lactating mammary glands by anaerobiosis was confirmed. It was shown that glucose is utilized under these conditions to about the same extent as under aerobic conditions. It was found that preincubation of mammary slices in the absence of glucose enhances the rate of lactose formation.
Globalization and convergence in corporate governance: evidence from Infosys and the Indian software industry

In contrast to the much-studied role of capital markets in fostering convergence in corporate governance practices worldwide, we argue that the globalization of product and talent markets has affected corporate governance of firms in the Indian software industry. We model several possible reasons why a particular firm, Infosys, has emerged as the exemplar of good corporate governance in India, traditionally a backwater of corporate governance practices. We further analyze the manner in which Infosys has attempted to shape corporate governance practices in India more generally, and why these attempts have had limited effects thus far.
Allosteric interactions with the (Na+ + K+)-dependent adenosine triphosphatase.

Priestland and Whittam1 have questioned the interpretation, in terms of allosteric processes, of certain kinetic studies2,3 of Na+ + K+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase). They proposed that competition between Na+ and K+ for the K+-sensitive site on the external surface of the membrane accounts for the sigmoidal effector–velocity curve obtained when one varies the [K+] in the presence of a fixed [Na+], and that this interpretation is an alternative to an allosteric interaction between ions and the enzyme.
Clastic sediment transport and storage in fluviokarst aquifers: an essential component of karst hydrogeology

Carbonate aquifers with well-developed conduit systems carry a flux of clastic sediment as an intrinsic aspect of the functioning of the aquifer. Sources of clastic sediments include sediments carried by sinking streams, soil washdown from the epikarst, plug injection by sinkhole piping failures, residual insoluble material from the dissolution of the limestone, and sediment backflooded from surface streams. The conduit system acts as a mixing chamber where the injected materials are sorted and rearranged. Information on the sediments and their transport processes can be obtained by investigating the source areas, by inspection of cave sediments, and by monitoring clastic sediment discharged from springs as a function of flow conditions. The engine that drives the sediment transport system is storm recharge in the ground water basin drained by the conduit system. Fine-grained clastics move during ordinary storms and can be captured easily at springs, but movement of coarser materials requires high-intensity, therefore infrequent, storms so that most of the sediment flux is episodic with long periods of storage interspersed with short periods of movement. Fluid mechanics provides the basis for calculations of both bedload and suspended load components. However, these calculations become complex because of the need to take into account discharge-dependent shifts from pipe flow to open channel flow and the effect of irregularities in conduit morphology and blockages due to breakdown and other barriers.
Reproductive Output of Gulf Killifish at Different Stocking Densities in Static Outdoor Tanks

Abstract Broodstock of Gulf killifish Fundulus grandis (initial mean [±SD] weight = 8.2 ± 1.6 g) were held in static outdoor tanks at a 2:1 (female:male) sex ratio and at densities of 15, 30, or 45 fish/m3. Eggs were collected twice per week from spawning mats suspended 8 cm below the water surface. Collected eggs were measured volumetrically and assessed for total number, egg size, and embryo viability. Significantly more eggs were collected from tanks with manufactured (Spawntex) spawning mats than from tanks with cured Spanish moss spawning mats. Significant differences in the mean number of eggs collected were present among density treatments in April, June, and July. Stocking density was also associated with mortality; the greatest mortality was observed in tanks at the highest density (45 fish/m3). There was a clear pattern in egg production in relation to lunar phase, with egg production peaks occurring between full and new moon phases for all three stocking densities. Mean gonadosomatic index valu...
Anti-collision protocols for RFID systems exploiting multi-antenna readers

In conventional RFID systems, only one tag can be identified at a time. Tag collisions occur if more than one tag simultaneously occupies the shared RF channel, resulting in low identification efficiency and long delay, particularly when the population of tags is large. In this paper, we propose two RFID anti-collision protocols, both are based on framed slotted ALOHA (FSA), to concurrently identify multiple tags by using a multi-antenna reader. The first one is Blind Identification Protocol , which relies on blind estimation of the channel between the activated tags and the reader and, as such, does not require redesign of the existing RFID tags. The second one is Orthogonal ID-aided Identification Protocol which estimates the channels with the use of temporary orthogonal IDs, which are randomly selected by the tags and are inserted at the head of each tag's reply signal. The use of orthogonal IDs facilitates both the detection of activated tags and the channel estimation. Unlike code division multiple access (CDMA) techniques which rely on the use of excessive bandwidth and require redesign of tags, the proposed protocols use multiple antennas at the reader to support concurrent identification of multiple tags without the requirement of additional bandwidth and no or minimal modifications to the existing tags. As a result, the proposed techniques yield significant improvement of the identification efficiency and reduction of the identification delay. We analyze, in an analytical framework, the identification efficiency of the proposed protocols, and the optimum frame size is derived.
Did I answer your question? Attending physicians' recognition of residents' perceived learning needs in ambulatory settings.

Accurately recognizing the learning goals of trainees should enhance teachers’ effectiveness. We sought to determine how commonly such recognition occurs and whether it improves residents’ satisfaction with the teaching interaction. In a cross-sectional survey of 97 internal medicine residents and 42 ambulatory clinic preceptors in five ambulatory care clinics in Washington and Oregon, we systematically sampled 236 dyadic teaching interactions. Each dyad participant independently indicated the residents’ perceived learning needs from a standardized list. Overall, the preceptors’ recognition of the residents’ learning needs, as measured by percentage of agreement between preceptors and residents on the learning topics, was modest (k 0.21, p=.02). The percentage of agreement for all topics was 43%, ranging from 8% to 66%. Greater time pressures were associated with lower agreement (38% vs 56% for the highest and lowest strata of resident-reported time pressure; 15% vs 43% for highest and lowest strata of preceptor-reported time pressure). Agreement increased as the number of sessions the pair had worked together increased (62% for pairs with >20 vs 17% for pairs with 0 previous sessions). Satisfaction with teaching encounters was high (4.5 on a 5-point scale) and unrelated to the degree of agreement (p=.92). These findings suggest that faculty development programs should emphasize precepting skills in recognizing residents’ preceived learning needs and that resident clinics should be redesigned to maximize preceptor-resident continuity and minimize time pressure.
Transplacental passage of vancomycin from mother to neonate

Objective The objective of the study was to analyze a large number of patients receiving vancomycin chemoprophylaxis and evaluate the maternal and neonatal cord blood levels at the time of delivery. Study Design Every mother who entered labor with a positive group B streptococcal culture and a high-risk penicillin allergy with resistance to clindamycin or unknown sensitivity was consented to participate in the study. In the initial phase of the study, patients received the standard intravenous dose of 1 g every 12 hours. Based on the results, this was changed to a dosing of 15 mg/kg every 12 hours in the second phase and then further modified to 20 mg/kg every 8 hours in the third phase. Maternal and cord blood vancomycin levels were obtained at delivery and evaluated. Results A total of 55 patients consented to participate in the study, with 31 in phase I, 12 in phase II, and 12 in phase III. For the standard-dosing phase I group, only 32% of maternal and 9% of cord blood samples were therapeutic at delivery. For phase II, 50% of maternal and 33% of cord blood values were therapeutic; however, in phase III, 83% of mothers and neonates had therapeutic levels at the time of delivery. Conclusion With standard dosing, only 9% of neonates have therapeutic vancomycin levels at delivery. By using a regimen of 20 mg/kg intravenous every 8 hours (maximum individual dose 2 g), the newborn therapeutic level increases above 80%. The pharmacological pattern shows that transplacental passage occurs with fetal levels equaling maternal levels, but transplacental transport is somewhat slow in both directions.
The cloning and sequencing of Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 petCA operon: Implications for the cytochrome c-553 binding domain of cytochrome f.

The genes encoding the Rieske iron-sulfur protein and cytochrome f from a unicellular, naturally transformable, photoheterotrophic cyanobacterium, Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, formerly Agmenellum quadruplicatum, have been isolated and sequenced. The two genes were found to be on a single operon, petCA.
Growth and reproduction of invasive Vincetoxicum rossicum and V. nigrum under artificial defoliation and different light environments

The exotic vines Vincetoxicum rossicum (Kleopow) Barbar. and Vincetoxicum nigrum (L.) Moench have become increasingly invasive in low- and high-light habitats in North America, and a biological con...
Nitric oxide-induced persistent inhibition and nitrosylation of active site cysteine residues of mitochondrial cytochrome-c oxidase in lung endothelial cells.

Persistent inhibition of cytochrome-c oxidase, a terminal enzyme of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, by excessive nitric oxide (NO) derived from inflammation, polluted air, and tobacco s...
Long‐term engraftment of hepatocytes transplanted on biodegradable polymer sponges

Hepatocyte transplantation may provide an alternative to orthotopic liver transplantation to treat liver failure. However, suitable systems to transplant hepatocytes and promote long-term engraftment must be developed. In this study, highly porous, biodegradable sponges were fabricated from poly (L-lactic acid) (PLA), and poly (DL-lacticco-glycolic acid) (PLGA), and utilized to transplant hepatocytes into the mesentery of three groups of Lewis rats. The portal vein was shunted to the inferior vena cava in one group of rats (PCS). The second group of animals received a PCS and a 70% hepatectomy on the day of sponge-hepatocyte implantation (PCS + HEP), and the control group (CON) received no surgical stimulation. The sponges were vascularized by ingrowth of fibrovascular tissue over the first 7 days in vivo. Approximately 95-99% of the implanted hepatocytes (determined utilizing computer-assisted image analysis) died in all three experimental groups during this time. The number of engrafted hepatocytes in the CON group further decreased over the next 7 days to 1.3 +/- 1.1% of the original cell number. However, the number of engrafted hepatocytes in the PCS and PCS + HEP increased over this time to 6 +/- 1% and 5 +/- 2%, respectively. The number of engrafted hepatocytes in the PCS group continued to increase over the next 2.5 months to a value of 26 +/- 12% of the initial cell number, and a large number of engrafted hepatocytes was still present at 6 months. These results indicate that stable new tissues can be engineered by transplanting hepatocytes on biodegradable sponges into heterotopic locations if appropriate stimulation is provided.
Heroin vs alcohol addiction—Quantifiable psychosocial similarities and differences

Abstract A pilot study of 50 heroin addicts and 66 alcohol addicts utilizing the recently developed quantitative methods for measuring life change and seriousness of illness. Alcohol addicts were found to have significant attenuation of perception of life change and seriousness of illness as compared to heroin addicts and current “normative” data. The heroin addicts were found to have a mild but significant augmentation of perception of life change and seriousness of illness as compared to the “normative” data. In addition both the heroin addicts and alcohol addicts were found to maintain very high levels of life change. The documented differences in perception and the maintenance of high levels of life change were felt to have potential significance in the treatment and evaluation of both groups of addicts.
Patient risk in anesthesia: Probabilistic risk analysis and management improvements

In this paper, we present a pilot study in which we use probabilistic risk analysis (PRA) to assess patient risk in anesthesia and its human factor component. We then identify and evaluate the benefits of several risk reduction policies. We focus on healthy patients, in modern hospitals, and on cases where the anesthetist is a trained medical doctor. When an accident occurs for such patients, it is often because an error was made by the anesthesiologist, either triggering the event that initiated the accident sequence, or failing to take timely corrective measures. We present first a dynamic PRA model of anesthesia accidents. Our data include published results of the Australian Incident Monitoring Study as well as expert opinions. We link the probabilities of the different types of accidents to the “state of the anesthesiologist” characterized both in terms of alertness and competence. We consider different management factors that affect the state of the anesthesiologist, we identify several risk reduction policies, and we compute the corresponding risk reduction benefits based on the PRA model. We conclude that periodic recertification of all anesthesiologists, the use of anesthesia simulators in training, and closer supervision of residents could reduce substantially the patient risk.
Instrumental activities of daily living among community-dwelling older adults: Discrepancies between self-report and performance are mediated by cognitive reserve

The ability to engage in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) is known to rely on cognitive abilities, primarily executive functioning and memory. There is also evidence that good self-awareness, which facilitates the use of compensatory strategies, may prolong functionality and delay the diagnosis of dementia. However, little is known about the mechanisms that mediate self-awareness among healthy elderly. The present study examined the correlates of discrepancies between self-report and performance-based measures of IADLs in a sample of 75 community-dwelling elderly. The results indicate that even among independently living individuals, there is still variability in functionality (i.e., 35% of the sample made IADL performance errors) and self-awareness (i.e., 38% of the sample demonstrated a discrepancy between IADL self-report and performances). Better awareness of IADL weaknesses was associated with higher levels of cognitive reserve but, unexpectedly, lower levels of executive abilities. Additionally, consistent with prior research, better IADL performances were associated with better cognition.
An Experimental Study of Bistatic Scattering from Some Small, Absorber-Coated, Metal Shapes

Experimental data are presented on the bistatic scattering cross sections of some small metal bodies, uncoated and coated with a resonant, lossy layer. All of the targets-spheres, cylinders, and cones?are of a size to be in the resonant region at wavelengths of approximately 3 cm. All of the bodies indicate a similar trend-the coated bodies are effectively camouflaged in the back hemisphere, but not in the forward hemisphere. In the forward direction, the scattering cross sections of the coated bodies are at least as large as, or larger than, those of the uncoated bodies. The bistatic angles beyond which this enhancement is effective become smaller as the electrical size of the body decreases, i. e., as frequency decreases.
Monostatic lidar in weak-to-strong turbulence

Abstract A heuristic scintillation model previously developed for weak-to-strong irradiance fluctuations of a spherical wave is extended in this paper to the case of a monostatic lidar configuration. As in the previous model, we account for the loss of spatial coherence as the optical wave propagates through atmospheric turbulence by eliminating the effects of certain turbulent scale sizes that exist between the scale size of the spatial coherence radius of the beam and that of the scattering disc. These mid-range scale-size effects are eliminated through the formal introduction of spatial scale frequency filters that continually adjust spatial cut-off frequencies as the optical wave propagates. In addition, we also account for correlations that exist in the incident wave to the target and the echo wave from the target arising from double-pass propagation through the same random inhomogeneities of the atmosphere. We separately consider the case of a point target and a diffuse target, concentrating on both...
Vertisol genesis in a humid climate of the coastal plain of Texas, U.S.A.

Numerous genetic studies of Vertisols have been conducted using qualitative and semi-quantitative methods across a broad range of climates. However, no detailed investigations exist on Vertisols formed in humid climates using multiple pedogenic techniques on both a microlow (ML) and microhigh (MH). Hence, we sampled and characterized a ML and MH from a Lake Charles pedon (mean annual rainfall=1090 mm, mean annual temperature=20 °C) in the late Pleistocene coastal plain Beaumont Formation of east Texas. According to the official series description the Lake Charles classifies as a fine, smectitic, hyperthermic Typic Hapludert with mollic and calcic diagnostic horizons. Coupled with field morphology and characterization data, micromorphology and constituent mass balance interpretations were used to reconstruct the major pathway of pedogenesis. In response to greater water recharge, the ML contains darker colors, more organic carbon, greater depth of carbonate leaching, and lower pH. The proportion of oxalate-extractable iron increases toward the surface and is in greater abundance in the ML than MH. In contrast, dithionite-extractable iron increases with depth and has similar quantities in both the ML and MH. The parent material and lower profiles contain asepic microfabric dominated by micaceous-rich coarse clay and silt. The asepic zone deep contains an abundance of soft carbonate masses and iron manganese segregations that appear to be forming contemporaneously, with the presence of argillans substantiating clay translocation during the early history of soil formation. Sepic microfabric dominates the upper profiles of both the ML and MH in part from the transformation of biotite to smectite, which is more pronounced in the microlow because of more intense weathering. Hard carbonate nodules and iron manganese concretions are abundant in the upper sepic zone and contain skelsepic microfabric, suggesting that they are no longer growing. Dilation was the dominant strain force during pedogenesis from volume expansion in response to crack infills and shrink–swell processes. Mass flux calculations indicate that total clay gains occurred in both the ML and MH during pedogenesis. Late Pleistocene Vertisols appear to approach steady state when forming in humid climates. The soil mechanics model best explains the observed depth distribution of properties, including slickensides, with pedoturbation playing a secondary role in the genesis of these humid-climate Vertisols.
An analysis of the impact of convective parameter sensitivity on simulated global atmospheric CO distributions

[1] In an effort to better understand how uncertainty in simulated convection propagates into simulations of global trace gas distributions, we have constructed an eight-member ensemble of simulations using NASA's Goddard Earth Observing System Version 5 (GEOS-5) general circulation model (GCM). The ensemble was created by perturbing parameters in the model's moist physics schemes found to strongly influence the magnitude of convective mass flux. Globally, ensemble spreads in column CO are typically small (less than 4% of the mean column value) and, in many areas, are not significantly different from internal model variability. The largest ensemble spreads are found near source regions and outflow pathways. At the majority of remote surface monitoring sites, the annual mean ensemble spread is less than 5%, indicating that these locations, which are often the basis of inversion studies, are relatively insensitive to uncertainty in the representation of convection. We also examine in greater detail two simulations in which the magnitude of convective mass flux is significantly altered. Changes to convective parameters strongly influence grid-scale vertical and turbulent transport processes in addition to convective mass flux. Despite large differences in the magnitude of convective mass fluxes, this compensating behavior by other model processes results in comparable atmospheric residence times in the two simulations and largely similar global CO distributions. The results indicate that convective mass flux is strongly related to other vertical transport processes in a GCM and cannot be viewed as entirely separate. Future studies of the role of convective transport need to consider the relationship between convective and total mass flux.
Effects of monovalent, exchangeable cations and electrolytes on the infrared vibrations of smectite layers and interlayer water

Abstract Infrared spectroscopy was used to investigate how ν Si–O , the frequency of Si–O stretching, in layers of Li- and Na-montmorillonite and ν 2 , the frequency of H–O–H bending, in the interlayer water were affected by increasing the concentration, C , of LiCl and NaCl, respectively. Oriented gels of Li- and Na-montmorillonite equilibrated with solutions having various values of C were obtained by using a miniature pressure membrane apparatus. One part of each gel was used for the gravimetric determination of m w / m c , the water content. The other part was transferred to an FTIR spectrometer where the spectrum of the gel was measured by attenuated total reflectance. Thus, the dependence of both ν Si–O and ν 2 on m w / m c was determined in the same samples. The results showed that increasing C had little or no effect on the relation between ν Si–O and m w / m c , or on the relation between ν 2 and m w / m c . The vibrational coupling of Si–O stretching in the montmorillonite layers and H–O–H bending in the interlayer water was demonstrated. It was essentially independent of the species of exchangeable cation and C . Thus neither the species of exchangeable cation nor C had any specific effect on the structure of the clay layers or the structure of the interlayer water.
Portals and mirrors: simple, fast evaluation of potentially visible sets

We describe an approach for determining potentially visible sets in dynamic architectural models. Our scheme divides the models into cells and portals, computing a conservative estimate of which cells are visible at render time. The technique is simple to implement and can be easily integrated into existing systems, providing increased interactive performance on large architectural models.
Concordance of DMET Plus Genotyping Results With Those of Orthogonal Genotyping Methods

There are several hurdles to the clinical implementation of pharmacogenetics. One approach is to employ pre-prescription genotyping, involving interrogation of multiple pharmacogenetic variants using a high-throughput platform. We compared the performance of the Drug Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters (DMET) Plus array (1,931 variants in 225 genes) with that of orthogonal genotyping methods in 220 pediatric patients. A total of 1,692 variants had call rates >98% and were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Of these, 259 were genotyped by at least one independent method, and a total of 19,942 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-patient sample pairs were evaluated. The concordance rate was 99.9%, with only 28 genotype discordances observed. For the genes deemed most likely to be clinically relevant (TPMT, CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, VKORC1, DPYD, UGT1A1, and SLCO1B1), a total of 3,799 SNP-patient sample pairs were evaluable and had a concordance rate of 99.96%. We conclude that the DMET Plus array performs well with primary patient samples, with the results in good concordance with those of several lower-throughput genotyping methods.
The role of occupational upper extremity use in breast cancer related upper extremity lymphedema

Background Upper extremity (UE) use has been related to breast cancer-related lymph edema (BCRL). Our aim was to evaluate severity of BCRL in different occupation groups, according to upper extremity use.
Monoclonal antibodies to porcine tumor necrosis factor alpha: development of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Abstract Five hybridomas (4F4, 14H1, 9B4, 6E10, and 8G7) secreting antibodies to porcine tumor necrosis factor alpha (PTNF-α) were obtained from one fusion. Four of the 5 monoclonal antibodies (Mab) recognized recombinant PTNF-α (rPTNF-α) on western blot and were able to neutralize both rPTNF-α and native (released by porcine macrophages) PTNF (nPTNF-α, only 4F4, 14H1, and 9B4 tested for the neutralization of nPTNF-α) in vitro. A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for PTNF-α was developed using Mab 4F4 and purified rabbit polycloral antibodies against PTNF-α. The test detected PTNF-α concentrations as low as 400 pg/ml and did not cross react with native porcine TNF-β, recombinant human TNF-α, recombinant mouse TNF-β or native mouse TNF-α. The Mabs and the ELISA should be useful for assessing PTNF-α levels in swine serum during disease processes and possibly for alleviation of toxic effects of TNF-α.
The denatured state ensemble contains significant local and long-range structure under native conditions: analysis of the N-terminal domain of ribosomal protein L9.

The denatured state ensemble (DSE) represents the starting state for protein folding and the reference state for protein stability studies. Residual structure in the DSE influences the kinetics of protein folding, the propensity to aggregate, and protein stability. The DSE that is most relevant for folding is the ensemble populated under native conditions, but the stability of proteins and the cooperativity of their folding normally prevent direct characterization of this ensemble. Indirect experiments have been used to infer residual structure in the DSE under nondenaturing conditions, but direct characterization is rare. The N-terminal domain of ribosomal protein L9 (NTL9) is a small mixed α–β domain that folds cooperatively on the millisecond time scale. A destabilized double mutant of NTL9, V3A/I4A-NTL9, populates the DSE in the absence of denaturant and is in slow exchange with the native state on the nuclear magnetic resonance time scale. The DSE populated in buffer was compared to the urea-induced ...
Tumor suppressive miR-124 targets androgen receptor and inhibits proliferation of prostate cancer cells

Although prostate cancer (CaP) is the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumor in American men, the mechanisms underlying the development and progression of CaP remain largely unknown. Recent studies have shown that downregulation of the microRNA miR-124 occurs in several types of human cancer, suggesting a tumor suppressive function of miR-124. Until now, however, it has been unclear whether miR-124 is associated with CaP. In the present study, we completed a series of experiments to understand the functional role of miR-124 in CaP. We detected the expression level of miR-124 in clinical CaP tissues, evaluated the influence of miR-124 on the growth of CaP cells and investigated the mechanism underlying the dysregulation of miR-124. We found that (i) miR-124 directly targets the androgen receptor (AR) and subsequently induces an upregulation of p53; (ii) miR-124 is significantly downregulated in malignant prostatic cells compared to benign cells, and DNA methylation causes the reduced expression of miR-124; and (iii) miR-124 can inhibit the growth of CaP cells in vitro and in vivo. Data from this study revealed that loss of miR-124 expression is a common event in CaP, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of CaP. Our studies also suggest that miR-124 is a potential tumor suppressive gene in CaP, and restoration of miR-124 expression may represent a novel strategy for CaP therapy.
Intranictitans tacking for replacement of prolapsed gland of the third eyelid in dogs.

Objective To evaluate a new procedure for fixation of prolapsed nictitans glands to the cartilage of the nictitans that will not interfere with the mobility of the nictitating membrane. Methods A prospective clinical trial utilizing a nonabsorbable suture to anchor the prolapsed gland to the cartilage of the third eyelid was undertaken. Fifteen eyes of 10 dogs were included in the study. A 4-0 nylon suture was passed from the anterior surface of the third eyelid through the base of the cartilage to the posterior aspect and then tunneled circumferentially beneath the conjunctiva over and around the prolapsed gland. The suture was then passed through the cartilage again to the anterior face of the third eyelid. The gland was replaced into its normal position as the suture was slowly tightened and then tied on the anterior aspect of the nictitans. Results Over a period of several weeks, the glands reduced in size and took on a normal appearance. All glands but one remained in place for the length of follow-up, which ranged from 2 weeks to 33 months. Conclusions This procedure results in acceptable cosmetic effects with the return of the gland to its normal position posterior to the nictitating membrane. The advantage of this technique over traditional tacking to the orbital rim is that the third eyelid retains its normal mobility and, thus, its protective functions. The procedure once mastered is very quick and can be performed in less time than many of the traditional replacement techniques.
The Role of the Proximate Principle in the Emergence of Urban Parks in the United Kingdom and in the United States

Residences located close to urban parks frequently sell at a premium. The increased home values represent a 'capitalization' of a park's value to proximate homeowners and this phenomenon has been termed 'the proximate principle'. The evolution of the principle from squares and gardens in small private estates to large park areas occurred with the development of Regent's Park in London. The proximate principle's dissemination into the new industrial cities of the UK first emerged at Prince's Park in Liverpool, but it was still confined to private developments. Its transition into the public sector occurred with the development of Birkenhead Park. The data showing that Birkenhead Park was potentially a self-financing venture funded by the enhanced value of proximate profits were widely disseminated and provided the financial rationale for many subsequent urban parks in other UK cities. This principle was absorbed by Frederick Law Olmsted on two early visits to Birkenhead Park and incorporated into the design of Central Park in New York City, the first large urban park in the US. Olmsted meticulously documented the impact of Central Park on adjacent property values and demonstrated that the park made a 'profit'. These data were crucial in verifying the legitimacy of the proximate principle and in providing the justification for large urban parks in a host of other US cities. Although these data are naive when viewed through the lens of modern social science, recent studies using sophisticated techniques have confirmed the fundamental legitimacy of the proximate principle.
Survey of anesthesia practice in spine surgery patients in the United States.

Purpose. There is a wide range of anesthetic practice in spine surgery with respect to anesthetic choice, blood conservation, and monitoring. There is no ideal technique with respect to each of these choices. This study was designed to determine the usual practice for members of the Society of Neurosurgical Anesthesia and Critical Care (SNACC), with regard to the use of anesthetic technique, the type of monitoring used (and the person responsible for its application and interpretation), and the blood conservation strategies most often utilized for the management of patients undergoing spinal surgery. Methods. A total of 415 questionnaires were mailed to all current members of the SNACC. Of these, 85 (23%) were completed and returned. Results. The majority of the respondents administer general anesthesia for lumbar laminectomy. Somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring is available at most of the institutions (94%) but only utilized in 75% of patients undergoing a Harrington rod placement. Motor evoked potential monitoring is available at 50% of the institutions, but utilized 25% of the time for these surgeries. The two most frequent blood conservation strategies utilized are intraoperative salvage and autologous donation. Conclusion. The most frequent monitoring utilized for major spinal surgeries is SSEP. Autologous donation and intraoperative salvage are the most frequent blood conservation methods utilized.