cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Managerial Style and Attention

Is firm behavior mainly driven by its environment or rather by the characteristics of its managers? We develop a cognitive theory of manager fixed effects, where the allocation of managerial attention determines firm behavior. We show that in complex environments, the endogenous allocation of attention exacerbates manager fixed effects. Small differences in managerial expertise then may result in dramatically different firm behavior, as managers devote scarce attention in a way that amplifies initial differences. In contrast, in less complex environments, the endogenous allocation of attention mitigates manager fixed effects. Firm owners prefer "managers with style" only in complex environments.
On the Existence, Uniqueness, and Smoothing of Solutions to the Generalized SQG Equations in Critical Sobolev Spaces

This paper studies the dissipative generalized surface quasi-geostrophic equations in a supercritical regime where the order of the dissipation is small relative to order of the velocity, and the velocities are less regular than the advected scalar by up to one order of derivative. We also consider a non-degenerate modification of the endpoint case in which the velocity is less smooth than the advected scalar by slightly more than one order. The existence and uniqueness theory of these equations in the borderline Sobolev spaces is addressed, as well as the instantaneous smoothing effect of their corresponding solutions. In particular, it is shown that solutions emanating from initial data belonging to these Sobolev classes immediately enter a Gevrey class. Such results appear to be the first of its kind for a quasilinear parabolic equation whose coefficients are of higher order than its linear term; they rely on an approximation scheme which modifies the flux so as to preserve the underlying commutator structure lost by having to work in the critical space setting, as well as delicate adaptations of well-known commutator estimates to Gevrey classes.
Classical pretzel knots and left orderability

We consider the classical pretzel knots P(a1,a2,a3), where a1,a2,a3 are positive odd integers. By using continuous paths of elliptic SL2(ℝ)-representations, we show that (i) the 3-manifold obtained...
Low-power multi-camera object re-identification using hierarchical neural networks

Low-power computer vision on embedded devices has many applications. This paper describes a low-power technique for the object re-identification (reID) problem: matching a query image against a gallery of previously-seen images. State-of-the-art techniques rely on large, computationally-intensive Deep Neural Networks (DNNs). We propose a novel hierarchical DNN architecture that uses attribute labels in the training dataset to perform efficient object reID. At each node in the hierarchy, a small DNN identifies a different attribute of the query image. The small DNN at each leaf node is specialized to re-identify a subset of the gallery-only the images with the attributes identified along the path from the root to a leaf. Thus, a query image is re-identified accurately after processing with a few small DNNs. We compare our method with state-of-the-art object reID techniques. With a $\sim 4\%$ loss in accuracy, our approach realizes significant resource savings: 74% less memory, 72% fewer operations, and 67% lower query latency, yielding 65% less energy consumption.
Graphon Signal Processing

Graphons are infinite-dimensional objects that represent the limit of convergent sequences of graphs as their number of nodes goes to infinity. This paper derives a theory of graphon signal processing centered on the notions of graphon Fourier transform and linear shift invariant graphon filters , the graphon counterparts of the graph Fourier transform and graph filters. It is shown that for convergent sequences of graphs and associated graph signals: (i) the graph Fourier transform converges to the graphon Fourier transform when the graphon signal is bandlimited; (ii) the spectral and vertex responses of graph filters converge to the spectral and vertex responses of graphon filters with the same coefficients. These theorems imply that for graphs that belong to certain families, i.e., that are part of sequences that converge to a certain graphon, graph Fourier analysis and graph filter design have well defined limits. In turn, these facts extend applicability of graph signal processing to graphs with large number of nodes — since signal processing pipelines designed for limit graphons can be applied to finite graphs — and to dynamic graphs — since we can relate the result of SP pipelines designed for different graphs from the same convergent graph sequence.
Age Does Not Influence the Positive Predictive Value of Vision Screening to Detect Amblyopia Risk Factors.

Abstract Among 3114 children seen at Vanderbilt Eye Institute from 11/1/2017-3/1/2020, the positive predictive value of vision screening to detect Amblyopia Risk Factors was similar for children
Studying the impact of optical aberrations on diffraction-limited radial velocity instruments

Spectrographs nominally contain a degree of quasistatic optical aberrations resulting from the quality of manufactured component surfaces, imperfect alignment, design residuals, thermal effects, and other other associated phenomena involved in the design and construction process. Aberrations that change over time can mimic the line centroid motion of a Doppler shift, introducing radial velocity (RV) uncertainty that increases time-series variability. Even when instrument drifts are tracked using a precise wavelength calibration source, the barycentric motion of the Earth leads to a wavelength shift of stellar light, which causes a translation of the spectrum across the focal plane array by many pixels. The wavelength shift allows absorption lines to experience different optical propagation paths and aberrations over observing epochs. We use physical optics propagation simulations to study the impact of aberrations on precise Doppler measurements made by diffraction-limited, high-resolution spectrographs. Using the optical model of the iLocater spectrograph, we quantify the uncertainties that cross-correlation techniques introduce in the presence of aberrations and barycentric RV shifts. We find that aberrations that shift the point-spread-function photocenter in the dispersion direction, in particular primary horizontal coma and trefoil, are the most concerning. To maintain aberration-induced RV errors <10 cm / s, phase errors for these particular aberrations must be held well below 0.05 waves at the instrument operating wavelength. Our simulations further show that wavelength calibration only partially compensates for instrumental drifts, owing to a behavioral difference between how cross-correlation techniques handle aberrations between starlight versus calibration light. Identifying subtle physical effects that influence RV errors will help to ensure that diffraction-limited planet-finding spectrographs are able to reach their full scientific potential.
Solid-source metal–organic molecular beam epitaxy of epitaxial RuO2

A seemingly simple oxide with a rutile structure, RuO2, has been shown to possess several intriguing properties ranging from strain-stabilized superconductivity to a strong catalytic activity. Much interest has arisen surrounding the controlled synthesis of RuO2 films, but unfortunately, utilizing atomically controlled deposition techniques, such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), has been difficult due to the ultra-low vapor pressure and low oxidation potential of Ru. Here, we demonstrate the growth of epitaxial, single crystalline RuO2 films on different substrate orientations using the novel solid-source metal–organic (MO) MBE. This approach circumvents these issues by supplying Ru using a “pre-oxidized” solid MO precursor containing Ru. High-quality epitaxial RuO2 films with a bulk-like room-temperature resistivity of 55 μΩ cm were obtained at a substrate temperature as low as 300 °C. By combining x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electrical measurements, we discuss the effect of substrate temperature, orientation, film thickness, and strain on the structure and electrical properties of these films. Our results illustrating the use of a novel solid-source metal–organic MBE approach pave the way to the atomic-layer controlled synthesis of complex oxides of “stubborn” metals, which are not only difficult to evaporate but also hard to oxidize.
The Role of Disclosure and Information Intermediaries in an Unregulated Capital Market: Evidence from Initial Coin Offerings

Using an international sample of 2,113 initial coin offerings (ICOs), we explore the role of disclosure and information intermediaries in the unregulated crypto-tokens market. First, we document substantial cross-sectional variation in the voluntary disclosure practices of ventures seeking to raise capital through ICOs, such as the extent of information released in a prospectus-type document called a white paper; releasing the technical source code; and communicating through social media platforms. Second, we find that, even with limited disclosure verifiability, ventures with higher levels of disclosure have a greater ability to raise capital. Finally, we find that this association is stronger in the presence of mechanisms that lend credibility to ventures’ voluntary disclosures, such as internal governance practices or external scrutiny from information intermediaries. Overall, our results suggest that voluntary disclosure and information intermediaries facilitate the functioning of ICOs as an alternative capital market.
Transport Dynamics of MtrD: an RND multidrug efflux pump from Neisseria gonorrhoeae

The MtrCDE system confers multidrug resistance to Neisseria gonorrheae, the causative agent of gonorrhea. Using free and directed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we analyzed the interactions between MtrD and azithromycin, a transport substrate of MtrD, and a last-resort clinical treatment for multidrug-resistant gonorrhea. We then simulated the interactions between MtrD and streptomycin, an apparent nonsubstrate of MtrD. Using known conformations of MtrD homologues, we simulated a potential dynamic transport cycle of MtrD using targeted MD techniques (TMD), and we noted that forces were not applied to ligands of interest. In these TMD simulations, we observed the transport of azithromycin and the rejection of streptomycin. In an unbiased, long-time scale simulation of AZY-bound MtrD, we observed the spontaneous diffusion of azithromycin through the periplasmic cleft. Our simulations show how the peristaltic motions of the periplasmic cleft facilitate the transport of substrates by MtrD. Our data also suggest that multiple transport pathways for macrolides may exist within the periplasmic cleft of MtrD.
Structural Diversity of Lanthanide 3-Nitrotrispyrazolylborates: Tunable Nuclearity and Intra-Ligand Charge Transfer Sensitization of Visible and NIR Ln3+ Emission.

Reported are the syntheses, crystal structures, and photophysical properties of 28, novel lanthanide compounds across five structural types, [Ln(3-NO2Tp)2(NO3)] (1-Ln, Ln = La-Tm, except Pm), [Bu4N][Ln(3-NO2Tp)(NO3)3] (2-Ln, Ln = Yb, Lu), [Eu(3-NO2Tp)2Cl(H2O)]·2iPrOH (3-Eu), [{Ln(3-NO2Tp)2}2(μ2-CO3)]·MeOH (4-Ln, Ln = La-Gd, except Pm), and [{Ln(3-NO2Tp)}4(μ2-OMe)6(μ4-O)] (5-Ln, Ln = Pr-Tb, except Pm) with the 3-nitrotrispyrazolylborate (3-NO2Tp-) ligand. The reaction of methanol or isopropanol solutions of LnX3 (X = Cl, NO3) with the tetrabutyl ammonium salt of the flexidentate 3-NO2Tp- ([Bu4N][3-NO2Tp]) yields Ln(3-NO2Tp)x complexes of various nuclearities as either monomers (1-Ln, 2-Ln, 3-Eu), dimers (4-Ln), or tetramers (5-Ln) owing to the efficient conversion of atmospheric CO2 to CO32- (dimers) or ligand controlled solvolysis of lanthanide ions (tetramers). 3-NO2Tp- is an efficient sensitizer for both the visible and near-IR (NIR) emissions of most of the lanthanide series, except thulium. Optical measurements, supported by density functional theory calculations, indicate that the dual visible and NIR Ln3+ emission arises from two intraligand charge transfer (ILCT) transitions of 3-NO2Tp-. This is the first report of lanthanide complexes with a nitro-functionalized pyrazolylborate ligand. The derivatization of the known Tp- ligand results in new coordination chemistry governed by the increased denticity of 3-NO2Tp-, imparting remarkable structural diversity and charge transfer properties to resultant lanthanide complexes.
Lung Cancer Risk Estimation with Incomplete Data: A Joint Missing Imputation Perspective.

Data from multi-modality provide complementary information in clinical prediction, but missing data in clinical cohorts limits the number of subjects in multi-modal learning context. Multi-modal missing imputation is challenging with existing methods when 1) the missing data span across heterogeneous modalities (e.g., image vs. non-image); or 2) one modality is largely missing. In this paper, we address imputation of missing data by modeling the joint distribution of multi-modal data. Motivated by partial bidirectional generative adversarial net (PBiGAN), we propose a new Conditional PBiGAN (C-PBiGAN) method that imputes one modality combining the conditional knowledge from another modality. Specifically, C-PBiGAN introduces a conditional latent space in a missing imputation framework that jointly encodes the available multi-modal data, along with a class regularization loss on imputed data to recover discriminative information. To our knowledge, it is the first generative adversarial model that addresses multi-modal missing imputation by modeling the joint distribution of image and non-image data. We validate our model with both the national lung screening trial (NLST) dataset and an external clinical validation cohort. The proposed C-PBiGAN achieves significant improvements in lung cancer risk estimation compared with representative imputation methods (e.g., AUC values increase in both NLST (+2.9\%) and in-house dataset (+4.3\%) compared with PBiGAN, p$<$0.05).
Augmented Lagrangian–Based First-Order Methods for Convex-Constrained Programs with Weakly Convex Objective

First-order methods (FOMs) have been widely used for solving large-scale problems. A majority of existing works focus on problems without constraint or with simple constraints. Several recent works...
Detecting and Mapping Trees in Unstructured Environments with a Stereo Camera and Pseudo-Lidar

We present a method for detecting and mapping trees in noisy stereo camera point clouds, using a learned 3D object detector. Inspired by recent advancements in 3-D object detection using a pseudo-lidar representation for stereo data, we train a PointRCNN detector to recognize trees in forest-like environments. We generate detector training data with a novel automatic labeling process that clusters a fused global point cloud. This process annotates large stereo point cloud training data sets with minimal user supervision, and unlike previous pseudo-lidar detection pipelines, requires no 3D ground truth from other sensors such as lidar. Our mapping system additionally uses a Kalman filter to associate detections and consistently estimate the positions and sizes of trees. We collect a data set for tree detection consisting of 8680 stereo point clouds, and validate our method on an outdoors test sequence. Our results demonstrate robust tree recognition in noisy stereo data at ranges of up to 7 meters, on 720p resolution images from a Stereolabs ZED 2 camera. Code and data are available at https://github.com/brian-h-wang/pseudolidar-tree-detection.
Attention Approximates Sparse Distributed Memory

While Attention has come to be an important mechanism in deep learning, there remains limited intuition for why it works so well. Here, we show that Transformer Attention can be closely related under certain data conditions to Kanerva's Sparse Distributed Memory (SDM), a biologically plausible associative memory model. We confirm that these conditions are satisfied in pre-trained GPT2 Transformer models. We discuss the implications of the Attention-SDM map and provide new computational and biological interpretations of Attention.
Non-Asymptotic Analysis for Two Time-scale TDC with General Smooth Function Approximation

Temporal-difference learning with gradient correction (TDC) is a two time-scale algorithm for policy evaluation in reinforcement learning. This algorithm was initially proposed with linear function approximation, and was later extended to the one with general smooth function approximation. The asymptotic convergence for the on-policy setting with general smooth function approximation was established in [bhatnagar2009convergent], however, the finite-sample analysis remains unsolved due to challenges in the non-linear and two-time-scale update structure, non-convex objective function and the time-varying projection onto a tangent plane. In this paper, we develop novel techniques to explicitly characterize the finite-sample error bound for the general off-policy setting with i.i.d.\ or Markovian samples, and show that it converges as fast as $\mathcal O(1/\sqrt T)$ (up to a factor of $\mathcal O(\log T)$). Our approach can be applied to a wide range of value-based reinforcement learning algorithms with general smooth function approximation.
Levenshtein Training for Word-level Quality Estimation.

We propose a novel scheme to use the Levenshtein Transformer to perform the task of word-level quality estimation. A Levenshtein Transformer is a natural fit for this task: trained to perform decoding in an iterative manner, a Levenshtein Transformer can learn to post-edit without explicit supervision. To further minimize the mismatch between the translation task and the word-level QE task, we propose a two-stage transfer learning procedure on both augmented data and human post-editing data. We also propose heuristics to construct reference labels that are compatible with subword-level finetuning and inference. Results on WMT 2020 QE shared task dataset show that our proposed method has superior data efficiency under the data-constrained setting and competitive performance under the unconstrained setting.
The number of solutions for random regular NAE-SAT

Recent work has made substantial progress in understanding the transitions of random constraint satisfaction problems. In particular, for several of these models, the exact satisfiability threshold has been rigorously determined, confirming predictions of statistical physics. Here we revisit one of these models, random regular k-nae-sat: knowing the satisfiability threshold, it is natural to study, in the satisfiable regime, the number of solutions in a typical instance. We prove here that these solutions have a well-defined free energy (limiting exponential growth rate), with explicit value matching the one-step replica symmetry breaking prediction. The proof develops new techniques for analyzing a certain “survey propagation model” associated to this problem. We believe that these methods may be applicable in a wide class of related problems.
Plastic mulches reduce adult and larval populations of Drosophila suzukii in fall-bearing raspberry

The invasive spotted-wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is a major pest of fruit crops worldwide. Management of D. suzukii relies heavily on chemical control in both organic and conventional systems, and there is a need to develop more sustainable management practices. We evaluated the efficacy of three colors of plastic mulches at reducing populations of D. suzukii in fall-bearing raspberry and assessed the mulches’ impacts on canopy microclimate factors relevant to D. suzukii. Black, white, and metallic plastic mulches reduced adult D. suzukii populations by 42–51% and larval populations by 52–72% compared to the grower standard. The mulches did not change canopy temperature or relative humidity, but metallic mulches increased canopy light intensity compared to the black mulch. Radiance in the visible spectrum (401–680 nm) was higher for the white and metallic mulch plots, but the black mulch plots did not differ from the control. In the UV spectrum (380–400 nm), all three plastic mulches had higher radiance than the control plots. Future studies will determine whether changes in radiance are associated with the observed reduction in D. suzukii populations. Plastic mulches are a promising cultural practice for managing D. suzukii since they can reduce adult and larval populations and could be incorporated into an integrated pest management program in both organic and conventional systems.
Mixed method data collection strategies

Social scientists have long relied on a wide range of tools to collect information about the social world, but as individual fields have become more specialised, researchers are trained to use a narrow range of the possible data collection methods. This book, first published in 2006, draws on a broad range of available social data collection methods to formulate a set of data collection approaches. The approaches described here are ideal for social science researchers who plan to collect new data about people, organisations, or social processes. Axinn and Pearce present methods designed to create a comprehensive empirical description of the subject being studied, with an emphasis on accumulating the information needed to understand what causes what with a minimum of error. In addition to providing methodological motivation and underlying principles, the book is filled with detailed instructions and concrete examples for those who wish to apply the methods to their research.
Study of the Thermodynamics (Thermal and Cl Catalyzed) and Kinetics of the Cis and Trans Isomerizations of CF3CF═CHF, CF3CH═CHCF3, and CH3CH═CHCH3 in 100-950 Torr of N2 Diluent at 296-875 K: Effect of F and CF3 Substitution on the Isomerization Process Including the Fluorine "Cis Effect".

The equilibrium constants for the Z to E isomerizations of CF3CF═CHF (K1) and CF3CH═CHCF3 (K2) have been measured using GC/FID analysis over the temperature ranges 360–850 and 297–850 K, respectively. At lower temperature, K was determined using Cl atom catalysis. At higher temperature, K was measured without a catalyst. The temperature-dependent expressions are K1 (Z to E) = 1.45(±0.15)e–[2845(±100)/RT] and K2 (Z to E) = 1.9(±0.22)e+[4330(±120)/RT] (where the gas constant R ≡ 1.986 cal mol–1 K–1). For isomerization 1, the Z (fluorine cis) isomer is 2.85 kcal mol–1 lower in energy than the E (fluorine trans) isomer, providing another example of the fluorine “cis effect” in olefins. For isomerization 2, the E(trans) isomer is 4.3 kcal mol–1 lower in energy than the corresponding Z(cis) isomer as is normal for olefins. The isomerization rate constant in a single direction was also measured for each fluorinated compound: k–1(E to Z) = 1013.87±0.24e–59530(±887)/RT s–1; and k2(Z to E) = 1013.89±0.23e–58845(±67...
Autonomic Effects of Anesthesia

Publisher Summary The anesthetic agents with the most significant effects on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) are the potent volatile anesthetic gases that are derivatives of ether. They include halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane. One of the more popular techniques is to establish general anesthesia with an intravenous (IV) bolus of propofol followed by a maintenance infusion. This is commonly associated with substantial hypotension. Investigations using human sympathetic microneurography have identified propofol to be a potent inhibitor of sympathetic efferent activity. The mechanism is probably central in origin but may also involve depression of baroreflex function. For the maintenance of anesthesia, propofol is commonly infused in combination with inhalation of the nonpotent anesthetic, nitrous oxide (typically 50–70% inspired concentration). This allows the use of less propofol and results in modest return of sympathetic outflow, baroreflex function, and blood pressure. The potent anesthetic gases appear to have multiple effects on the ANS, and detailed dissection of these effects has been reported in animal studies.
Repurposing FDA-approved drugs as therapeutics to treat Rift Valley fever virus infection

There are currently no FDA-approved therapeutics available to treat Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infection. In an effort to repurpose drugs for RVFV treatment, a library of FDA-approved drugs was screened to determine their ability to inhibit RVFV. Several drugs from varying compound classes, including inhibitors of growth factor receptors, microtubule assembly/disassembly, and DNA synthesis, were found to reduce RVFV replication. The hepatocellular and renal cell carcinoma drug, sorafenib, was the most effective inhibitor, being non-toxic and demonstrating inhibition of RVFV in a cell-type and virus strain independent manner. Mechanism of action studies indicated that sorafenib targets at least two stages in the virus infectious cycle, RNA synthesis and viral egress. Computational modeling studies also support this conclusion. siRNA knockdown of Raf proteins indicated that non-classical targets of sorafenib are likely important for the replication of RVFV.
The ATMOS (Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy) experiment - An overview

The objective of the ATMOS experiment is to measure the concentrations and distributions of gases in the middle and upper atmosphere (10 to 120 km) by IR absorption spectroscopy. In 1985 high resolution (0.01/cm) IR occultation spectra of the atmosphere were recorded using a modified Michelson interferometer orbiting onboard the Space Shuttle. With the sun as the radiation source, a single spectrum was obtained every 2.2 seconds with S/N ratios of 100:1 or better. An overview of the data analysis techniques, implications for malecular spectroscopy, and results obtained from the mission is presented.
“I wish I'd known”: patients' suggestions for supporting sexual quality of life after diagnosis with metastatic breast cancer

ABSTRACTResearch has found that breast cancer and its treatments can have severe consequences for patients' sexual quality of life (SQoL); however, patients often report not knowing about possible impacts of treatment on their sexual well-being. This gap in information provision has been especially prominent for those diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). To address the development of resources for patients diagnosed with MBC, the current study examined patients' descriptions of resources needed to support their SQoL in palliative care. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 women diagnosed with MBC, aged 35--77 in a US breast cancer practice. Patients were asked to describe those issues that were most pressing and the supports they would find most valuable to improving their SQoL. Thematic analysis focused on what was missing in their care and what they wished they knew (or wish they had been told) about cancer and their SQoL. Four themes were developed from the interviews: (1) unexpe...
Immunological evidence for the association of p53 with a heat shock protein, hsc70, in p53-plus-ras-transformed cell lines.

Abstract A rabbit antiserum was prepared against the C-terminal peptide of 21 amino acids from the human heat shock protein hsp70. These antibodies were shown to be specific for this highly inducible heat shock protein (72 kilodaltons [kDa] in rat cells), and for a moderately inducible, constitutively expressed heat shock protein, hsc70 (74 kDa). In six independently derived rat cell lines transformed by a murine cDNA-genomic hybrid clone of p53 plus an activated Ha-ras gene, elevated levels of p53 were detected by immunoprecipitation by using murine-specific anti-p53 monoclonal antibodies. In all cases, the hsc70, but not the hsp70, protein was coimmunoprecipitated with the murine p53 protein. Similarly, antiserum to heat shock protein coimmunoprecipitated p53. Western blot (immunoblot) analysis demonstrated that the hsc70 and p53 proteins did not share detectable antigenic epitopes. The results provide clear immunological evidence for the specific association of a single heat shock protein, hsc70, with p53 in p53-plus-ras-transformed cell lines. A p53 cDNA clone, p11-4, failed to produce clonable cell lines from foci of primary rat cells transfected with p11-4 plus Ha-ras. A mutant p53 cDNA clone derived from p11-4, SVKH215, yielded a 2- to 35-fold increase in the number of foci produced after transfection of rat cells with SVKH215 plus Ha-ras. When cloned, 87.5% of these foci produced transformed cell lines. SVKH215 encodes a mutant p53 protein that binds preferentially to the heat shock proteins of 70 kDa compared with binding by the parental p11-4 p53 gene product. These data suggest that the p53-hsc70 protein complex could have functional significance in these transformed cells.
Kinetics and products of the TiO2, photocatalytic degradation of 2-chlorobiphenyl in water

Abstract The light-induced degradation of 2-chlorobiphenyl (2-CB) under simulated solar irradiation has been investigated in aqueous solutions containing TiO2 suspensions as photocatalysts. The apparent quantum yield for an initial 2-CB concentration Co = 3.8 μg/mL at the natural pH was ca. 0.005The oxidation kinetics of 2-CB follows the Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model at natural pH. The primary degradation of 2-CB follows a pseudo-first-order kinetics. Several reaction intermediates were identified using GC/FTIR/MS and ion chromatography. The products at the initial stage of the reaction were seven isomers of 2-chlorobiphenyl-ol and biphenyl-2-ol. These intermediates underwent further photocatalytic oxidation via aldehydes, ketones, and acids finally into CO2, and HCl. The formation and fate of some of these compounds under irradiation were also investigated. A reaction scheme involving hydroxyl radicals has been proposed.
Stable isotopes of helium, nitrogen and carbon in a coastal submarine hydrothermal system

Abstract Geothermal gases from submarine and subaerial hot springs in Ensenada, Baja California Norte, Mexico, were sampled for determination of gas chemistry and helium, nitrogen and stable carbon isotope composition. The submarine hot spring gas is primarily nitrogen (56.1% by volume) and methane (43.5% by volume), whereas nearby subaerial hot spring gases are predominantly nitrogen (95–99% by volume). The N2/Ar ratios and σ 15N values of the subaerial hot spring gas indicate that it is atmospheric air, depleted in oxygen and enriched in helium. The submarine hot spring gas is most probably derived from marine sediments of Cretaceous age rich in organic matter. CH4 is a major component of the gas mixture ( σ 13 C = −44.05% 0 ), with only minor amounts of CO2 (σ13C= −10.46%0). The σ15N of N2 is + 0.2%0 with a very high N2/Ar ratio of 160. The calculated isotopic equilibra tion temperature for CH4CO2 carbon exchange at depth in the Punta Banda submarine geothermal field is approximately 200°C in agreement with other geothermometry estimates. The 3He/4He ratios of the hot spring gases range from 0.3 to 0.6 times the atmospheric ratio, indicating that helium is predominantly derived from the radioactive decay of U and Th within the continental crust. Thus, not all submarine hydrothermal systems are effective vehicles for mantle degassing of primordial helium.
Do Illustrations Improve Children's Comprehension of Assent Documents?

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to assess children's comprehension of a new assent booklet, (KidSent), which uses pictures and written information. STUDY DESIGN A randomized, crossover study evaluated the comprehension of assent documents by children, 7 to 11 years of age at a local elementary school. The two types of documents tested were the standard assent form and the KidSent Assent Booklet. Participants were randomized as to which test document they received first by using a cluster randomization design. Participants read the document and then took a short quiz. The process was repeated for the other document on a separate day. Study participants were assigned a percentage score and a binary perfect score for each quiz. Mixed effects logistic and linear regression models with random intercepts were applied to the continuous percent quiz scores and binary perfect quiz scores, respectively. RESULTS A total of 190 participants completed the standard quiz, and 195 students completed the boo...
Comment: Use of Piecewise Regression Models to Estimate Changing Relationships in Fisheries

Maceina (2007) recently proposed using piecewise regression to estimate size- and age-related mortality rates in fish. Piecewise regression (also called change-of-phase, segmented, hockey stick, an...
Reserpine-induced supersensitivity and the proliferation of cardiac β-adrenoceptors

Abstract Chronic reserpine pretreatment resulted in an increase in the basal developed force generated by papillary muscles isolated from the right ventricle of the rabbit. In addition, supersensitivity to the inotropic effects of isoproterenol and a concomitant increase in β-adrenoceptor number were demonstrated. These results indicate that reserpine-induced supersensitivity is not only associated with alterations at sites beyong the level of receptor activation but also at the level of specific postjunctional membrane receptors.
Development of conducting polypyrrole as corrosion-resistant catalyst support for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) application

Abstract Three polypyrrole (PPy) samples were synthesized via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization to study their applications as an alternate cathode catalyst support material for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The electrochemical stabilities of the PPy samples and commercial carbon supports (Vulcan XC-72) were examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV). In contrast to the carbon supports, only a small anodic current was observed for the PPy samples up to 1.8 V, indicating their resistance towards oxidation under high positive potentials. Among the PPy samples synthesized in this investigation, PPy-3 showed the highest electrical conductivity (1.67 S cm−1) and BET surface area of 69.6 m2 g−1, and therefore was selected as a catalyst support for further studies. The wet reduction method was chosen to prepare supported platinum catalyst (50 wt% Pt/PPy) by using sodium formate as reducing reagent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image showed finely dispersed platinum crystallites with a diameter of dPt = 3.6 nm on the polypyrrole support. The potential cycling experiment revealed that Pt/PPy is electrochemically more stable than the Pt/C electrocatalyst. The oxygen reduction activity obtained from Tafel plots indicated twofold higher activity for Pt/PPy catalyst than that of Pt black catalyst at 0.9 V. Comparison of ORR activity and fuel cell polarization curves demonstrated good oxygen reduction reaction kinetics and comparable fuel cell performance with that of commercial E-TEK Pt/C catalyst for the Pt/PPy catalyst.
Interactive graphical preprocessing of three-dimensional framed structures

Abstract General concepts and requirements of interactive graphical problem description are applied to the development of a preprocessor for three-dimensional frames. Specialization for frames involves the assembly of realistic structures from simple two- and three-dimensional frames. Attention is focused on the assignment of properties for steel structures. A description of the preprocessor is presented to illustrate its flexibility, its features for verifying information already entered, and its facilities for editing and for correcting errors.
Translational regulation of the novel haploid-specific transcripts for the c-abl proto-oncogene and a member of the 70 kDa heat-shock protein gene family in the male germ line.

Abstract Expression of the c- abl proto-oncogene in the mouse testis is characterized by the production of a unique 4.7-kb transcript present in germ cells that have entered the haploid phase of spermatogenesis. A similar developmental stage specificity of expression is observed for a member of the 70-kDa heat-shock protein (hsp 70) gene family. A unique-sized hsp 70 transcript (T-hsp 70) is produced in haploid spermatids and is stable throughout spermatogenesis. In the present study, we examined the regulation of expression of these genes by examining their association with polyribosomes. The germ cell-specific c- abl and T-hsp 70 mRNA variants were both associated with the polysomal fractions of mouse testis cells, suggesting that they are functional mRNAs. However, both c- abl and T-hsp 70 mRNAs were also found in the ribonucleoprotein particle fractions. The distribution of these mRNAs in both the polysomal and nonpolysomal fractions is comparable to that seen for the mRNA of protamine-1, a gene whose expression in the testis is known to be regulated at the level of translation. In contrast, transcripts from the β-tubulin gene were seen predominantly in the polyribosomal fractions. These findings suggest that translation of the novel c- abl and T-hsp 70 transcripts is confined to subpopulations of testicular cells.
A University Supervisor Negotiates Territory and Status.

Being a supervisor is a hundred times more political than I anticipated it would be. There are constraints and obstacles that I hadn't thought about in place for the supervisor. Negotiating your way into the classroom, sometimes feeling as if the cooperating teacher isn't saying things because of the personal relationship that is going on, things that need to be said. So sometimes the supervisor has to initiate some of those conversations that the cooperating teacher is reluctant to because she lives every day with the student teacher. And the placement is tough. Also not getting direct support from the English Education people, not because they don't want to give it, but because I don't think they really know what kind of support that I need. Like I needed to be able to talk to other supervisors which has really helped a whole bunch. I honestly think I have gotten better as the years have gone by, but I think it is too bad that it takes so long to figure out some of the system's problems, to get to know ...
Social Stratification and Membership in Instrumental – Expressive Voluntary Associations

PARSONS CONTENDS that every social system has two problems (functions) it must solve to survive.' One of these is to cope with the physical environment (the instrumental function), the other to control deviant behavior (the expressive function). In systems having a highly complex division of labor, the instrumental function becomes further differentiated into policy-making (goal attaining) and production (adaptive) functions. The expressive function often subdivides into pattern-maintenance (socialization of the young) and integrative (formal means of control) functions. Thus, subsystems develop and become organized around the fulfillment of these functions.
How white adoptive parents of Asian born youth talk about racism within the family

Transracial adoption has been widespread in the United States since the 1960s. This practice is controversial and challenging because of the combination of transracial adoptees experiencing racism and White adoptive parents who are steeped in white privilege. White parents educating their transracially adopted children about racism is not an innate process, but rather one parents must learn. This has been an understudied issue, and the literature is missing empirical information, particularly about White parents of Asian born children educating their children about race-related issues. Therefore, the goal of this study is to generate new knowledge about how White adoptive parents address race-related issues with their Asian born children. Eleven White adoptive parents of Asian born children participated in two in-depth face-to-face interviews. At the time of the interviews, the children were in their late teens or early twenties. The results indicate that less than one-fifth of the parents proactively int...
The dual nature of T H 17 cells: shifting the focus to function

Interleukin 17 (IL-17)-producing helper T cells (TH17 cells) have been broadly linked to the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune diseases. In the few short years since the discovery of TH17 cells, new paradigms about their prominence in chronic inflammation and human autoimmunity have emerged. Recent findings that TH17 cells might be capable of regulatory functions and that the associated effector molecules IL-17 and IL-22 aid in restricting tissue destruction during inflammatory episodes illuminate the complexities of IL-17 and TH17 biology. In this Perspective we highlight critical differences between IL-17 itself and TH17 cells and discuss the protective nature of IL-17 and TH17 cells.
Alzheimer's disease risk factors as related to cerebral blood flow: additional evidence

In a previous report, Alzheimer's disease risk factors, including alcohol abuse, depression, Down's syndrome, cerebral glucose metabolism defect, head trauma, old age, Parkinson's disease, sleep disturbance, and underactivity, were shown to have an association with reduced cerebral blood flow. In this report an attempt is made to strengthen a hypothesis that reduced cerebral blood flow may be a required cofactor in the cause of Alzheimer's disease with examples of additional putative risks, including aluminum, ApoE 4 alleles, estrogen deficiency, family history of dementia, low education-attainment, olfactory deficit, and underactivity coupled with gender, considered to have a relationship or potential relationship with reduced cerebral blood flow. Factors, believed to ameliorate Alzheimer's disease, associated with improved or stabilized cerebral blood flow are tabulated. A tentative cerebral blood flow nomogram is shown as a potential model to possibly help predict Alzheimer's disease susceptibility.
Design optimization of energy-efficient hydrophobic wafer-bonded III-V/Si semiconductor optical amplifiers

We discuss optimum design strategies for high-efficiency hybrid semiconductor optical amplifiers. Optimizing the bonding layer, III-V wafer stack design, straight hybrid amplifier dimensions, and flared amplifier configurations leads to a design for up to 35% wall-plug efficiency at 2mW input and 10dB gain.
Temperature Effect on Postdiapause Development and Survival of Embryos of Three Species of Melanoplus (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Postdiapause development and survival of embryos to hatch were studied at 10 constant temperatures (12, 15, 18, 24, 27, 30, 33, 36, 39, and 42°C) for three species of North American grasshoppers: Melanoplus sanguinipes (F.), M. bivittatus (Say), and M. differentialis (Thomas). M. sanguinipes and M. bivittatus had similar development curves (rate versus temperature) with developmental thresholds of 10.4 and 9.8°C, respectively. M. differentialis had a slower development curve, but the developmental threshold was 8.8°C. Even though M. differentialis had a lower developmental threshold, mean hatch days, the time to the first day of hatch, and the respective thermal units were nearly double those of M. sanguinipes or M. bivittatus . Percentage of hatch was greatest at 26.8°C for M. sanguinipes , at 24°C for M. bivittatus , and at 26.3°C for M. differentialis ; thermal death points were reached at 43, 42, and 42.3°C, respectively.
Multilevel preconditioned QMR methods for unstructured mesh computation

We present a variant of the Quasi-Minimal Residual (QMR) algorithm of Freund and Nachtigal with a preconditioner based on the Algebraic Multilevel (AMLI) algorithm of Axelsson and Vassilevski. This combination provides an effective solution method for indefinite algebraic systems and is tested by application to finite element discretizations of the Helmholtz equation. The implementation is applicable with both h- and p-refinements, and easily extends to a parallel environment.
Production and purification of tungsten-178

Abstract The feasibility of making large activity levels of 178 W using the high-current proton beam available at the Brookhaven Linac Isotope Producer (BLIP) facility has been investigated. The radionuclide was produced by the ( p , 4 n ) reaction on 181 Ta. A 0.127 mm thick natural tantalum foil was irradiated at various incident proton energies in the range 47–97 MeV. The target was dissolved in a mixture of hydrofluoric and nitric acids, and the tungsten separated from the tantalum using an ion-exchange procedure. A Ge(Li) gamma-ray spectrum of the purified 178 W demonstrated detectable activity only from the 178 W and its daughter radionuclide 178 Ta. With this procedure 100 mCi quantities of the parent nuclide could, for example, be produced by bombardments for 3 days with 47 MeV protons using beam currents averaging approximately 70 μA.
An Environmental Plan for the Middle Nolichucky River Area

This article presents an environmental plan for the area surrounding the Middle Nolichucky River in northeastern Tennessee, developed for a nonprofit group called the Friends of the Nolichucky Rive...
EEG findings in infantile Tay-Sachs disease.

Abstract An infantile case of Tay-Sachs disease is reported. The child had a disordered EEG for his age which showed a non-focal mixed fast and slow dysrhythmia.
The origin of nuclei in precipitation reactions

Abstract Data have been presented which show that the particle size of a precipitate is influenced by the past history of the water used in preparing a reagent solution. On the basis of these data and previously published information it is proposed that the nucleation process in practical anylytical precipitation reactions is one of induced nucleation on sites which are inevitably available. It has been shown that such a mechanism is free of inconsistencies encountered with other proposals concerning the origin of nuclei
DNA damage phenotype and prostate cancer risk

Abstract The capacity of an individual to process DNA damage is considered a crucial factor in carcinogenesis. The comet assay is a phenotypic measure of the combined effects of sensitivity to a mutagen exposure and repair capacity. In this paper, we evaluate the association of the DNA repair kinetics, as measured by the comet assay, with prostate cancer risk. In a pilot study of 55 men with prostate cancer, 53 men without the disease, and 71 men free of cancer at biopsy, we investigated the association of DNA damage with prostate cancer risk at early (0–15 min) and later (15–45 min) stages following gamma-radiation exposure. Although residual damage within 45 min was the same for all groups (65% of DNA in comet tail disappeared), prostate cancer cases had a slower first phase (38% vs. 41%) and faster second phase (27% vs. 22%) of the repair response compared to controls. When subjects were categorized into quartiles, according to efficiency of repairing DNA damage, high repair-efficiency within the first 15 min after exposure was not associated with prostate cancer risk while higher at the 15–45 min period was associated with increased risk (OR for highest-to-lowest quartiles = 3.24, 95% CI = 0.98–10.66, p-trend = 0.04). Despite limited sample size, our data suggest that DNA repair kinetics marginally differ between prostate cancer cases and controls. This small difference could be associated with differential responses to DNA damage among susceptible individuals.
Give Up or Get Going? Productive Uncertainty in Uncertain Times

We live in uncertain times; the path toward attaining important goals is best thought of as probabilistic, not certain. Three studies test the prediction that this “world uncertainty,” uncertainty about the path, is motivating if accompanied by certainty that one can have the skills needed to work on one's goals. Self- and world-certainty were separately manipulated in college students, and effect on salience of academic and career possible identities and behaviors was assessed. For students, self-uncertainty reduces salience of academic–career possible identities (Study 1), but self-certainty does not help unless combined with some world-uncertainty (Study 2). This combination also increases planned study hours (Study 2) and actual goal-focused action, working on a resume builder instead of playing games (Study 3).