cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breast-conserving therapy for Stage I-II synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND Synchronous bilateral breast carcinoma (SBBC) is an uncommon presentation, and the management of patients with this disease is not well established. METHODS In order to evaluate whether patients with early-stage SBBC could be safely and effectively treated with bilateral breast-conserving therapy (BCT), the authors retrospectively reviewed the records of 24 patients with clinical Stage I-II SBBC treated during the period 1977-1989 with bilateral BCT. SBBC was defined as bilateral invasive carcinomas diagnosed no more than 1 month apart. The median age at diagnosis was 56 years (range, 32-85 years), and the median follow-up for surviving patients was 95 months (range, 68-157 months). Pathology slides were available for review in 19 cases. Cosmetic results and complications after BCT were scored. Outcome was compared with that of 1314 patients with unilateral Stage I or II breast carcinoma, within the same age range, treated during the same time period. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the SBBC and unilateral groups in actuarial disease free survival (70% and 74%, respectively, at 5 years), overall survival (88% and 87%, respectively, at 5 years), or crude distribution of sites of first failure. Multivariate analysis of overall survival and disease free survival also did not show bilaterality to be a significant factor. The cosmetic results for the SBBC group were not significantly different from those for the unilateral group. Physician assessment of cosmetic outcome was excellent in 57% and good in 43% of SBBC patients evaluated 25-48 months after BCT. Long term complications were rare in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Patients with early-stage SBBC can be safely treated with carefully planned, bilateral BCT, with outcome that appears to be comparable to that of patients with early-stage unilateral breast carcinoma. Cancer 1997; 79:1362-9. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
CT baggage image enhancement using a combination of alpha-weighted mean separation and histogram equalization

Baggage scanning systems are used for detecting the presence of explosives and other prohibited items in baggage at security checkpoints in airports. However, the CT baggage images contain projection noise and are of low resolution. This paper introduces a new enhancement algorithm combining alpha-weighted mean separation and histogram equalization to enhance the CT baggage images while removing the background projection noise. A new enhancement measure is introduced for quantitative assessment of image enhancement. Simulations and a comparative analysis are given to demonstrate the new algorithm's performance.
A method for the selective reduction of carbohydrate 4,6-O-benzylidene acetals

Abstract Glucose-derived 4,6-O-benzylidene acetals can be selectively reduced to the corresponding 6-O-benzyl derivatives by the treatment with trifluoroacetic acid and triethylsilane.
Austrian and Neoclassical Economics: Any Gains from Trade?

Austrian economics has been important to the development of modern economics, but its role in current practice is much diminished. The neoclassical approach dominates today’s thinking. Many Austrians bemoan this state of affairs; most neoclassical economists just ignore it. But Austrian and neoclassical economics aren’t mutually exclusive. Each represents a distinctive point of view, although with little meaningful intellectual exchange between them these days. This is unfortunate. Many different concepts are associated with both Austrian and neoclassical economics. To concentrate on where the most exchange of ideas might occur, I am concerned about those aspects of Austrian economics primarily dealing with the process of competition, and that portion of neoclassical economics primarily dealing with the determination of economic equilibrium. This, in a nutshell, is the main intellectual difference between them. Some consequences of this difference are discussed in what follows. I hope to show that mutually advantageous gains from trade exist. Austrian economics offers a valuable perspective of the economy as an evolutionary process, akin to biological evolution, with entrepreneurial activities representing the main instruments of change. It is primarily a macroeconomic theory of the economy as a whole, with keen insights on the nature of decentralization and the process of competition that deserve more attention. Neoclassical economics offers a microeconomic theory of economic behavior that is especially useful for analyzing specific economic problems and for orienting analysis around more sharply described empirical phenomena and data.
The absorption and first-pass metabolism of [14C]-1,3-dinitrobenzene in the isolated vascularly perfused rat small intestine.

We tested the hypothesis that the small intestine is capable of the first-pass, reductive metabolism of xenobiotics. A simplified version of the isolated vascularly perfused rat small intestine was developed to test this hypothesis with 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB) as a model xenobiotic. Both 3-nitroaniline (3-NA) and 3-nitroacetanilide (3-NAA) were formed and absorbed following intralumenal doses of 1,3-DNB (1.8 or 4.2 mumol) to isolated vascularly perfused rat small intestine. Dose, fasting, or antibiotic pretreatment had no effect on the absorption and metabolism of 1,3-DNB in this model system. The failure of antibiotic pretreatment to alter the metabolism of 1,3-DNA indicated that 1,3-DNB metabolism was mammalian rather than microfloral in origin. All data from experiments initiated with lumenal 1,3-DNB were fit to a pharmacokinetic model (model A). ANOVA analysis revealed that dose, fasting, or antibiotic pretreatment had no statistically significant effect on the model-dependent parameters. 3-NA (1.5 mumol) was administered to the lumen of isolated vascularly perfused rat small intestine to evaluate model A predictions for the absorption and metabolism of this metabolite. All data from experiments initiated with 3-NA were fit to a pharmacokinetic model (model B). Comparison of corresponding model-dependent pharmacokinetic parameters (i.e. those parameters which describe the same processes in models A and B) revealed quantitative differences. Evidence for significant quantitative differences in the pharmacokinetics or metabolism of formed versus preformed 3-NA in rat small intestine may require better definition of the rate constants used to describe tissue and lumenal processes or identification and incorporation of the remaining unidentified metabolites into the models.
Microfluidic Bubble Logic

We demonstrate universal computation in an all-fluidic two-phase microfluidic system. Nonlinearity is introduced into an otherwise linear, reversible, low-Reynolds number flow via bubble-to-bubble hydrodynamic interactions. A bubble traveling in a channel represents a bit, providing us with the capability to simultaneously transport materials and perform logical control operations. We demonstrate bubble logic AND/OR/NOT gates, a toggle flip-flop, a ripple counter, timing restoration, a ring oscillator, and an electro-bubble modulator. These show the nonlinearity, gain, bistability, synchronization, cascadability, feedback, and programmability required for scalable universal computation. With increasing complexity in large-scale microfluidic processors, bubble logic provides an on-chip process control mechanism integrating chemistry and computation.
Production of Interferon-γ and Interleukin-10 After Inactivated Hepatitis A Immunization

Study Objective. To assess helper T cell function by measuring cytokine production over time after hepatitis A immunization. Design. Open-label, single-dose study. Setting. General clinical research center of a university hospital. Subjects. Twenty-five healthy adults. Intervention. Each subject was immunized with inactivated hepatitis A vaccine; blood was drawn on day 0 (the day of immunization) and days 2, 5, 7, 10, and 28 after immunization. Measurements and Main Results. Production of interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-10 by peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated in culture with hepatitis A virus was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Concentrations of hepatitis A antibody were measured on day 28. Both IFN-γ and IL-10 production peaked on day 10 after immunization (IFN-γ day 0 median = 7.35 pg/ml, interquartile ratio [IQR] = 20.8 vs day 10 median = 22.35 pg/ml, IQR = 42.4, p<0.05; IL-10 day 0 median = 1.00, IQR = 7.4 vs day 10 median = 11.75 pg/ml, IQR = 92.3, p<0.02, Wilcoxon signed rank test). The IL-10:IFN-γ ratio on day 10 correlated with antibody production (Pearson product moment correlation 0.46, p<0.05). This ratio was used as a measure of helper T cell phenotype. Conclusion. Both IFN-γ and IL-10 are produced in response to hepatitis A vaccine. The parallel production after immunization may contribute to the high efficacy of these vaccine preparations in inducing both cell-mediated immune response and a protective antibody response.
Consumption Smoothing and Excess Female Mortality in Rural India

This paper examines the relationship between consumption smoothing and excess female mortality, by asking if favorable rainfall shocks in childhood increase the survival probabilities of girls to a greater extent than they increase boys' survival probabilities for a sample of rural Indian children. In order to avert the issue of selection bias due to underreporting of births of girls, a methodology is employed that does not require data on births by gender. The results indicate that favorable rainfall shocks increase the ratio of the probability that a girl survives to the probability that a boy survives.
Azo bond hydrogenation with hydrazine, R–NHNH2, and hydrazobenzene

Abstract Hydrogenation of azo bonds with hydrazine, mono-substituted hydrazine, and hydrazobenzene was studied with selected diazene compounds under oxygen-free conditions. The reactions proceed rapidly and in high yield in several solvents, utilizing all N–H protons. While the reduction process is accompanied by the evolution of nitrogen gas in the case of N 2 H 4 , the intermediacy of diimide could not be confirmed by standard trapping experiments.
Convergence rate of linear two-time-scale stochastic approximation

We study the rate of convergence of linear two-time-scale stochastic approximation methods. We consider two-time-scale linear iterations driven by i.i.d. noise, prove some results on their asymptotic covariance and establish asymptotic normality. The well-known result [Polyak, B. T. (1990). Automat. Remote Contr. 51 937–946; Ruppert, D. (1988). Technical Report 781, Cornell Univ.] on the optimality of Polyak–Ruppert averaging techniques specialized to linear stochastic approximation is established as a consequence of the general results in this paper.
Asymptotic analysis of the Hermite polynomials from their differential–difference equation

We analyze the Hermite polynomials H n (x) and their zeros asymptotically, as n → ∞ We obtain asymptotic approximations from the differential–difference equation which they satisfy, using the ray method. We give numerical examples showing the accuracy of our formulas.
A Relay Ring-Closing Metathesis Synthesis of Dihydrooxasilines, Precursors of (Z)-Iodo Olefins

A convenient Grubbs II metathesis provides dihydrooxasilines by relay RCM (RRCM). Dihydrooxasilines undergo ring opening to give Z-vinyl silanes. These can then be converted to Z-vinyl iodides. This sequence provides a short, high yield, and convenient route to trisubstituted Z-vinyl iodides, useful intermediates for the preparation of polypropionate antibiotics.
A SPATIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE SAGITTARIUS DWARF GALAXY TIDAL TAILS

We measure the spatial density of F turnoff stars in the Sagittarius dwarf tidal stream, from Sloan Digital Sky Survey data, using statistical photometric parallax. We find a set of continuous, consistent parameters that describe the leading Sgr stream's position, direction, and width for 15 stripes in the north Galactic cap, and three stripes in the south Galactic cap. We produce a catalog of stars that has the density characteristics of the dominant leading Sgr tidal stream that can be compared with simulations. We find that the width of the leading (north) tidal tail is consistent with recent triaxial and axisymmetric halo model simulations. The density along the stream is roughly consistent with common disruption models in the north, but possibly not in the south. We explore the possibility that one or more of the dominant Sgr streams has been misidentified, and that one or more of the "bifurcated" pieces is the real Sgr tidal tail, but we do not reach definite conclusions. If two dwarf progenitors are assumed, fits to the planes of the dominant and "bifurcated" tidal tails favor an association of the Sgr dwarf spheroidal galaxy with the dominant southern stream and the "bifurcated" stream in the north. In the north Galactic cap, the best fit Hernquist density profile for the smooth component of the stellar halo is oblate, with a flattening parameter q = 0.53, and a scale length of r 0 = 6.73. The southern data for both the tidal debris and the smooth component of the stellar halo do not match the model fits to the north, although the stellar halo is still overwhelmingly oblate. Finally, we verify that we can reproduce the parameter fits on the asynchronous MilkyWay@home volunteer computing platform.
Hard promise problems and nonuniform complexity

For every recursive set A, let PP-A denote the following promise problem. input x and y promise (x∈A)⊕(y∈A) property x∈A. We show that if L is a solution of PP-A, then A∈P L /Poly. From this result, it follows that if A is ≤ T P -hard for NP, then all solutions of PP-A are hard for NP under a reduction that generalizes both ≤ T P and ≤ T SN . Specifically, if A is NP-hard, then all solutions of PP-A are generalized high2. [BBS86b]. The main theorem that leads to this result states that if B is a self- reducible set, B≤ T P A, and A∈P L /Poly, then Σ 2 P,B ...Σ 2 P,L . Several interesting connections between uniform and nonuniform complexity follow directly from this theorem.
Extraterrestrial amino acids and terrestrial life

Since the Swedish chemist Baron Jons Jacob Berzelius first analysed the Alais meteorite for organic molecules’ in 1834, attempts to forge a link between extraterrestrial organic materials and terrestrial life have remained alluring, but often deceptive. New studies reported in this and last week’s issues hold the promise of important advances in both endeavours. (AIP)
Novel and efficient synthesis of uracil phosphonate derivatives via pentacovalent oxaphospholenes

Abstract 2,2,2-Triethoxy-1,2λ5-oxaphospholene, 1, reacts under mild, neutral conditions with aryl isocyanates to produce the phosphonate-containing pyrimidinedione derivatives 2 and 3. X-ray structure determination of 3 confirmed its structure.
Exponential Galaxy Disks from Stellar Scattering

Stellar scattering off of orbiting or transient clumps is shown to lead to the formation of exponential profiles in both surface density and velocity dispersion in a two-dimensional non-self gravitating stellar disk with a fixed halo potential. The exponential forms for both nearly flat rotation curves and near-solid-body rotation curves. The exponential does not depend on initial conditions, spiral arms, bars, viscosity, star formation, or strong shear. After a rapid initial development, the exponential saturates to an approximately fixed scale length. The inner exponential in a two-component profile has a break radius comparable to the initial disk radius; the outer exponential is primarily scattered stars.
Synthetic Application of the Alder-Bong Reaction: Stereoselective Construction of the Methanohydroazulene Framework

Abstract Tandem ene/intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of ketal 1 and DMAD permits direct entry to strained pentacyclic adducts 2a, b in high yield. Acid-catalysed deprotection and subsequent fragmentation of adduct 2a with BF3.Et2O in dichloromethane stereoselectively affords methanohydroazulene 3.
Approximation algorithms for TSP with neighborhoods in the plane

In the Euclidean TSP with neighborhoods (TSPN), we are given a collection of n regions (neighborhoods) and we seek a shortest tour that visits each region. As a generalization of the classical Euclidean TSP, TSPN is also NP-hard. In this paper, we present new approximation results for the TSPN, including (1) a constant-factor approximation algorithm for the case of arbitrary connected neighborhoods having comparable diameters; and (2) a PTAS for the important special case of disjoint unit disk neighborhoods (or nearly disjoint, nearly-unit disks). Our methods also yield improved approximation ratios for various special classes of neighborhoods, which have previously been studied. Further, we give a linear-time O(1)-approximation algorithm for the case of neighborhoods that are (infinite) straight lines.
Optimality conditions for distributive justice

This paper uses optimization theory to address a fundamental question of ethics: how to divide resources justly among individuals, groups, or organizations. It formulates utilitarian and Rawlsian criteria for distributive justice as optimization problems. The formulations recognize that some recipients are more productive than others, so that an inequitable distribution may create greater overall utility. Conditions are derived under which a distribution of resources is utility maximizing, and under which it achieves a lexicographic maximum, which we take as formulating the difference principle of John Rawls. It is found that utility maximization requires at least as much inequality as results from allotting resources in proportion to productivity, and typically a good deal more. Rawlsian justice requires a greater degree of equality than utilitarianism, particularly when the distribution of productivities across recipients has a short upper tail, although it is insensitive to the lower tail. It also requires greater equality when there are rapidly decreasing returns to investment in productivity, and ironically, when people have a stronger interest in getting rich.
Design and Synthesis of Organophosphorus Compounds with Antiviral and Other Bioactivities

Abstract Investigations of phosphonates and related biophosphate analogues as inhibitors of viral nucleic acid polymerases are summarized. General syntheses of α-halo phosphonoacetic acid (PAA) and methanediphosphonic acid (MDP) derivatives have been extended to preparation of seven α-halo phenyl (phosphonomethyl) phosphinates (PhMpP). Two phosphonates containing potentially reactive α-keto groups, oxophosphonoacetate (phosphonoglyoxalate, COPAA) and oxomethanediphosphonate (carbonyldiphosphonate, COMDP) are discussed. A convenient, two-step synthesis of trisodium thiophosphonoformate (TPFA) from trimethyl phosphonoformate (Me3PFA) [via Me3TPFA) is presented. TPFA selectively inhibits HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) relative to both human DNA polymerase α (pol α) and four herpesvirus DNA polymerases. The significance of membrane Na+/Pi cotransport inhibition by phosphonates is briefly addressed.
Adaptive Electricity Scheduling in Microgrids

Microgrid (MG) is a promising component for future smart grid (SG) deployment. The balance of supply and demand of electric energy is one of the most important requirements of MG management. In this paper, we present a novel framework for smart energy management based on the concept of quality-of-service in electricity (QoSE). Specifically, the resident electricity demand is classified into basic usage and quality usage. The basic usage is always guaranteed by the MG, while the quality usage is controlled based on the MG state. The microgrid control center (MGCC) aims to minimize the MG operation cost and maintain the outage probability of quality usage, i.e., QoSE, below a target value, by scheduling electricity among renewable energy resources, energy storage systems, and macrogrid. The problem is formulated as a constrained stochastic programming problem. The Lyapunov optimization technique is then applied to derive an adaptive electricity scheduling algorithm by introducing the QoSE virtual queues and energy storage virtual queues. The proposed algorithm is an online algorithm. We derive several “hard” performance bounds for the proposed algorithm, and evaluate its performance with trace-driven simulations. The simulation results demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed electricity scheduling algorithm.
Complementary therapy use among older cancer patients.

purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the use of complementary therapies among older cancer patients, to report patterns of use, and to understand who is more likely to use complementary therapies. description of study: A survey was conducted of 699 older cancer patients at 4 weeks and 6 weeks into cancer treatment. All participants were 64 years of age or older, had received a diagnosis of breast, colorectal, prostate, or lung cancer, and were recruited from community cancer treatment centers throughout Michigan. Measures of interest included self-reported physical symptoms, depressive symptomatology, optimism, spirituality, and use of conventional and complementary health services. results: Approximately 33% of older cancer patients reported using complementary therapies. These individuals were more likely to be women, to be breast cancer patients, and to have a higher level of education. The three most frequently used therapies were exercise, herbal therapy, and spiritual healing. Complementary therapy users were significantly more optimistic than nonusers. Also, there were significant differences between users and nonusers on types of physical symptoms experienced, but no differences on reported depressive symptomatology or spirituality. clinical implications: Oncology providers need to be aware that one third of their older patients are likely to supplement conventional care with complementary therapies. Therefore, providers should be knowledgeable about the safety and efficacy, in particular, of various exercise programs, herbal and vitamin therapies, and spiritual healing. It would be beneficial to develop a system within cancer centers by which patients could easily report on their use of complementary therapies, allowing providers to work in partnership with their patients.
Synthesis and hypolipidemic activity of amine-carboxyboranes, and their amides and esters in rodents.

A series of amine carboxyboranes including their amides and esters were synthesized and shown to have potent hypolipidemic activity in rodents at 20 mg/kg/day. Ethylamine carboxyborane, di-n-propylamine-carboxyborane, trimethylamine-carbomethoxyborane, n-butylamine carbomethoxyborane, methylamine-N-ethyl carbamoylborane and trimethylamine-N-n-octyl carbamoylborane were the most potent derivatives demonstrating hypocholesterolemic and hypotriglycemic activities in rats orally at 20 mg/kg/day. These derivatives lowered tissue lipids, e.g. cholesterol, in the rat liver, small intestine and aorta. The fecal lipids were elevated. Furthermore, the agents lowered cholesterol and triglycerides in the serum VLDL and LDL fractions but caused elevations in the HDL fraction after 14 days. The agents inhibited hepatic enzymatic activities of rate limiting steps involved in lipid metabolism, e.g. ATP dependent citrate lyase, sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase and phosphatidylate phosphohydrolase. Synthese und Lipidsenker-Wirkung von Amincarboxyboranen, ihren Amiden und Estern bei Nagetieren Eine Serie von Amincarboxyboranen einschl. ihrer Amide und Ester wurde synthetisiert. Sie senken bei Nagetieren in der Dosis von 20 mg/kg/Tag den Lipidspiegel. Ethylamin-carboxyboran, Di-n-propylamin-carboxyboran, trimethylamin-carbomethoxyboran, n-Butylamin-carbomethoxyboran, Methylamin-N-ethyl-carbamoylboran und Trimethylamin-N-n-octyl-carbamoylboran waren die wirksamsten Verbindungen, die den Cholesterol- bzw. Triglyceridspiegel bei Ratten in der angegebenen Dosis senkten. Sie erniedrigten die Lipidspiegel in Geweben, z.B. Cholesterol in der Rattenleber, dem Dunndarm und in der Aorta. Auserdem senkten diese Verbindungen Cholesterol und Triglyceride in VLDL- und LDL-Fraktionen des Serums und erhohten die HDL Fraktion nach 14 Tagen. Die Verbindungen hemmten die hepatischen Enzymaktivitaten der geschwindigkeitsbestimmenden Schritte im Lipidmetabolismus, z.B. die ATP-abhangige Citratlyase, sn-Glycerin-3-phosphat-acyltransferase und die Phosphatidylatphosphohydrolase.
Asymmetric Aldol−Ring-Closing Metathesis Strategy for the Enantioselective Construction of Six- to Nine-Membered Oxygen Heterocycles

The ring closing metathesis reaction has rapidly become an important transformation in organic synthesis.1 Examples of many ring sizes with a variety of functional appendages2 have been constructed by this powerful method, largely because of the advent of the functionally tolerant ruthenium3 and molybdenum4 carbene complexes. Even kinetically and thermodynamically disfavored eight-membered rings have been prepared by ringclosing metathesis. However, virtually all5 successful eight-membered ring closures have required the incorporation of cyclic conformational constraints6 or rigid acyclic conformational control elements to avoid formation of dimers or oligomers.7 It is noteworthy that cyclic constrained dienes underwent more efficient ringclosing metathesis to form eight-membered rings when the two olefinic chains were positioned trans on the cyclic constraint than when they were cis.7 Grubbs6a has attributed this effect to a greater difference in energy between the diene and the cyclic olefin in the cissubstituted substrate. We reasoned that dienes with an appropriate acyclic conformational bias might allow eight (or nine)-membered ring formation and avoid the additional strain imposed by a fused ring attached to the newly formed cyclic olefin. We recently reported an asymmetric aldol-ring-closing metathesis strategy for the enantioselective synthesis of the carbocyclic fragment of the nucleoside analogue 1592U89.8 In view of the importance of enantioselective approaches to cyclic ethers of all sizes, particularly eightand nine-membered ring metabolites that are abundant in marine algae,9 an extension of the aldol-metathesis strategy to oxygen heterocycles seemed in order. We report here an efficient, general strategy for the asymmetric synthesis of sixto nine-membered cyclic ethers.10
Synthesis, structure, and bonding in K12Au21Sn4. A polar intermetallic compound with dense Au20 and open AuSn4 layers.

The new phase K{sub 12}Au{sub 21}Sn{sub 4} has been synthesized by direct reaction of the elements at elevated temperatures. Single crystal X-ray diffraction established its orthorhombic structure, space group Pmmn (No. 59), a = 12.162(2); b = 18.058(4); c = 8.657(2) {angstrom}, V = 1901.3(7) {angstrom}{sup 3}, and Z = 2. The structure consists of infinite puckered sheets of vertex-sharing gold tetrahedra (Au{sub 20}) that are tied together by thin layers of alternating four-bonded-Sn and -Au atoms (AuSn{sub 4}). Remarkably, the dense but electron-poorer blocks of Au tetrahedra coexist with more open and saturated Au-Sn layers, which are fragments of a zinc blende type structure that maximize tetrahedral heteroatomic bonding outside of the network of gold tetrahedra. LMTO band structure calculations reveal metallic properties and a pseudogap at 256 valence electrons per formula unit, only three electrons fewer than in the title compound and at a point at which strong Au-Sn bonding is optimized. Additionally, the tight coordination of the Au framework atoms by K plays an important bonding role: each Au tetrahedra has 10 K neighbors and each K atom has 8-12 Au contacts. The appreciably different role of the p element Sn in this structure from that inmore » the triel members in K{sub 3}Au{sub 5}In and Rb{sub 2}Au{sub 3}Tl appears to arise from its higher electron count which leads to better p-bonding (valence electron concentrations = 1.32 versus 1.22).« less
Enabling social enterprise through regulatory innovation: A case study from the United Kingdom

Social enterprise, broadly defined as the innovative use of resources to achieve social goals, is an expanding part of the global economy that has the potential to address pressing social problems ranging from education to health care. It is a growing component of what is often referred to as the third sector; the part of the economy that encompasses organizations that are neither governmental nor for-profit business institutions. Within the last two decades, governments have begun to take note of this trend and make policy changes to support the sustained emergence of these enterprises. One policy option that has recently emerged in Europe and the United States is the creation of a separate regulatory framework for social enterprises via new forms of legal organization. This article explores the effectiveness of one new type of social enterprise legal organization, the UK's Community Interest Company. By analysing data collected from the UK's National Survey of Third Sector Organisations in 2009, this ar...
Patience among children

Abstract Recent policy initiatives offer cash payments to children (and often their families) to induce better health and educational choices. These policies implicitly assume that children are especially impatient (i.e., have high discount rates); however, little is known about the nature of children's patience, how it varies across children, and whether children can even make rational inter-temporal choices. This paper examines the inter-temporal choices of 5- to 16-year-old children in an artefactual field experiment. We examine their choices between varying levels of compensation received in 2 or 4 months in the future and in 0 or 2 months in the future. We find that children's choices are consistent with hyperbolic discounting, boys are less patient than girls, older children are more patient and that mathematical achievement test scores, private schooling and parent's patience are not correlated with children's patience. We also find that although more than 25% of children do not make rational inter-temporal choices within a single two-period time frame, we cannot find variables that explain this behavior other than age and standardized mathematical achievement test scores.
Completeness results for e-resolution

Since their introduction in 1965, resolution based deductive systems for the first-order predicate calculus have been extensively investigated and utilized by researchers in the field of automatic theorem-proving by computer. Part of this research has been directed at finding techniques for treating the equality relation within the framework of resolution based deductive systems. Perhaps the most natural treatment of equality, introduced so far, is by means of the para-modulation principle which when used in conjunction with resolution forms a complete deductive system for the first-order predicate calculus with equality. A very similar technique for treating equality was introduced and called E-resolution. In fact E-resolution can be viewed as a restricted form of paramodulation and resolution. The purpose of this paper is to define E-resolution in terms of paramodulation and resolution and to prove the completeness of E-resolution and several modifications of E-resolution.
Is rate adaptation beneficial for inter-session network coding?

This paper considers the interplay between rate adaptation and inter-session network coding gains in wireless mesh or ad hoc networks. Inter-session network coding opportunities at relay nodes depend on packets being overheard by surrounding nodes ? the more packets nodes overhear, the more opportunities relays have to combine packets, resulting in a potential increase in network throughput. Thus, by adapting its transmission rate, a node can increase the range over which its packets are overheard, enabling additional opportunities for coding and increased overall throughput. This paper considers inter-session coding, restricted to a single relay (bottleneck) node, or star network topology. Even for such simple topologies the optimal joint rate adaptation and network coding policy is known to be NP-hard. Optimal rate vector selection is a combinatorial optimization problem, which is NP-hard, and finding optimal coding scheme turns out to be a clique partitioning problem which is also NP-hard. So, we provide heuristics to find a suboptimal rate vector and coding scheme. Additionally, we provide a linear programming formulation for network coding when only pairwise intersession coding is allowed. We evaluate the averaged throughput in two different scenarios, in which relays have different access opportunities, giving some intuition on the impact of rate adaptation in lightly and heavily loaded systems. The gains of joint rate adaptation and network coding are marginal when the relay has a higher access opportunity than other nodes, or when the MAC operates ideally it ranges from 9% to 19% as compared to a network without network coding and 4% over a network using regular network coding. While, when the relay has equal access opportunity as other source nodes, which is more typical of todays MAC protocols under heavy loads, the gain ranges from 40% to 62% as compared to the standard relaying case and is upto around 20% as compared to a network with regular pairwise network coding. This can further be increased to a gain of 40% to 120% by replacing pairwise coding with sub-optimal general network coding scheme.
Stochastic Perron’s method and verification without smoothness using viscosity comparison: Obstacle problems and Dynkin games

We adapt the Stochastic Perron’s method in [1] to the case of double obstacle problems associated to Dynkin games. We construct, symmetrically, a viscosity sub-solution which dominates the upper value of the game and a viscosity super-solution lying below the lower value of the game. If the double obstacle problem satisfies the viscosity comparison property, then the game has a value which is equal to the unique and continuous viscosity solution. In addition, the optimal strategies of the two players are equal to the first hitting times of the two stopping regions, as expected. The (single) obstacle problem associated to optimal stopping can be viewed as a very particular case. This is the first instance of a non-linear problem where the Stochastic Perron’s method can be applied successfully.
Identifying the Persuasive Effects of Presidential Advertising

Do presidential campaign advertisements mobilize, inform, or persuade citizens? To answer this question we exploit a natural experiment, the accidental treatment of some individuals living in nonbattleground states during the 2000 presidential election to either high levels or one-sided barrages of campaign advertisements simply because they resided in a media market adjoining a competitive state. We isolate the effects of advertising by matching records of locally broadcast presidential advertising with the opinions of National Annenberg Election Survey respondents living in these uncontested states. This approach remedies the observed correlation between advertising and both other campaign activities and previous election outcomes. In contrast to previous research, we find little evidence that citizens are mobilized by or learn from presidential advertisements, but strong evidence that they are persuaded by them. We also consider the causal mechanisms that facilitate persuasion and investigate whether some individuals are more susceptible to persuasion than others.
The Welfare Effects of Research and Production Joint Ventures

This paper develops a model to analyze behavior and welfare effects of a research and production joint venture (JV). In the model, a research dollar is more productive if spent in the joint venture because it increases the achievable probability of new product introduction. This efficiency of research and production joint ventures offsets, to some degree, the loss due to higher consumer prices. For some parameter configurations and joint venture membership rules, research and production joint ventures yield higher social welfare than research-only joint ventures (RJVs). This contrasts with some of the industrial organization literature on research collaboration and with traditional antitrust views.
Structure and property of heteroepitaxial TiO2/VO2 multilayers

Abstract Various types of TiO2/VO2 multilayer structures have been prepared on sapphire (11 2 0) substrates by a low-pressure metal-organic chemical vapor deposition process. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to study the crystallinity and epitaxial relationships of the deposited films. High-resolution electron microscopy was used to examine the microstructure of the overlayers and interfaces. Electrical resistivity measurements were performed to investigate the metal-semiconductor phase transition of VO2 layers in multilayer structures.
Lattice games without rational strategies

We show that the lattice games of Guo and Miller support universal computation, disproving their conjecture that all lattice games have rational strategies. We also state an explicit counterexample to that conjecture: a three dimensional lattice game whose set of winning positions does not have a rational generating function.
Virasoro constraints for target curves

We prove generalized Virasoro constraints for the relative Gromov-Witten theories of all nonsingular target curves. Descendents of the even cohomology classes are studied first by localization, degeneration, and completed cycle methods. Descendents of the odd cohomology are then controlled by monodromy and geometric vanishing relations. As an outcome of our results, the relative theories of target curves are completely and explicitly determined.
New Lagrangian function for nonconvex primal-dual decomposition

Abstract In this paper, a new Lagrangian function is reported which is particularly suited for large-scale nonconvex optimization problems with separable structure. Our modification convexifies the standard Lagrangian function without destroying its separable structure so that the primal-dual decomposition technique can be applied even to nonconvex optimization problems. Furthermore, the proposed Lagrangian results in two levels of iterative optimization as compared with the three levels needed for techniques recently proposed for nonconvex primal-dual decomposition.
The strange duality conjecture for generic curves

Let SUX(r) be the moduli space of semi-stable vector bundles of rank r with trivial determinant over a connected smooth projective algebraic curve X of genus g ≥ 1 over C. Recall that a vector bundle E on X is called semi-stable if for any subbundle V , deg(V )/ rk(V ) ≤ deg(E)/ rk(E). Points of SUX(r) correspond to isomorphism classes of semi-stable rank r vector bundles with trivial determinant up to an equivalence relation. For any line bundle L of degree g−1 onX define ΘL = {E ∈ SUX(r), h(E⊗L) ≥ 1}. This turns out be a non-zero Cartier divisor whose associated line bundle L = O(ΘL) does not depend upon L. It is known that L generates the Picard group of SUX(r) (for this and the precise definition of L in terms of determinant of cohomology see [DN]). Let U∗ X(k) be the moduli space of semi-stable rank k and degree k(g−1) bundles on X. Recall that on U∗ X(k) there is a canonical non-zero theta (Cartier) divisor Θk whose underlying set is {F ∈ U∗ X(k), h(X,F ) = 0}. Put M = O(Θk). Consider the natural map τk,r : SUX(r)× U∗ X(k) → U∗ X(kr) given by tensor product. From the theorem of the square, it follows that τ∗ k,rM is isomorphic to L M. The canonical element Θkr ∈ H0(U∗ X(kr),M) and the Kunneth theorem give a map well defined up to scalars:
The slope of the credit yield curve for speculative-grade issuers

Many theoretical bond pricing models predict that the credit yield curve facing risky bond issuers is downward-sloping. Previous empirical research (Sarig and Warga (1989), Fons (1994)) supports these models. Our study examines sets of bonds issued by the same firm with equal priority in the liability structure, but with different maturities, thus holding credit quality constant. We find, counter to prior research, that risky bonds typically have upward-sloping credit yield curves. Moreover, when we combine our matched sets of bonds (no longer controlling credit quality), the estimated slope is negative, indicating a sample selection bias problem associated with maturity. USING OPTION ANALYSIS, Merton (1974) shows that corporate bond spreads can either increase or decrease with maturity, depending on the risk of the firm: High-grade corporate issuers face upward-sloping credit yield curves and speculative-grade firms' credit yield curves are downward-sloping or humpshaped (i.e., mostly downward-sloping). More recent theoretical research (e.g., Jarrow, Lando, and Turnbull (1997) and Longstaff and Schwartz (1995)) also predicts similar credit yield curves. Sarig and Warga (1989) and Fons (1994) find empirical evidence supporting these models. Although market practitioners tend to agree with academics that the risk term structure is upward-sloping for high-quality credits, practitioners typically do not view the slope of the curve facing high-yield issuers as negative.1 Our investigation provides some empirical support for the practitioners' view of the world: Contrary to many bond pricing models' predictions, the credit yield curve for most speculative-grade firms appears upward-sloping.
A Catalytic Asymmetric Method for the Synthesis of γ-Unsaturated β-Amino Acid Derivatives

Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of β-amino acid derivatives is an area of intense interest, due to the importance of these compounds as components in pharmaceutical agents and peptidomimetics....
The C4-exo methylene isomer of avermectin B1a: Synthesis via an allylic radical and bioactivity

Abstract Avermectin B1a Δ4,4a, 2, has been obtained from avermectin B1a, 1, and its bioactivity evaluated. The key step of the transformation is the reduction of an intermediate allylic radical with nBu3SnH.
The biosynthesis of nitrogen-, sulfur-, and high-carbon chain-containing sugars

Carbohydrates serve many structural and functional roles in biology. While the majority of monosaccharides are characterized by the chemical composition (CH2O)n, modifications including deoxygenation, C-alkylation, amination, O- and N-methylation, which are characteristic of many sugar appendages of secondary metabolites, are not uncommon. Interestingly, some sugar molecules are formed via modifications including amine oxidation, sulfur incorporation, and “high-carbon” chain attachment. Most of these unusual sugars have been identified over the past several decades as components of microbially produced natural products, although a few high-carbon sugars are also found in the lipooligosaccharides of the outer cell walls of Gram-negative bacteria. Despite their broad distribution in nature, these sugars are considered “rare” due to their relative scarcity. The biosynthetic steps that underlie their formation continue to perplex researchers to this day and many questions regarding key transformations remain unanswered. This review will focus on our current understanding of the biosynthesis of unusual sugars bearing oxidized amine substituents, thio-functional groups, and high-carbon chains.
Complement and cell-mediated lysis of haptenated erythrocytes sensitized with oligomers of rabbit igg antibody

Abstract Trinitrophenylated (TNP)‡ chicken erythrocytes were coated with various amounts of radiolabeled, affinity cross-linked oligomers of rabbit anti-TNP IgG. These cells were used as targets for lysis by complement or by several types of effector cells, normal splenocytes, cells of a macrophage line (P388D1) or cells of two lymphoma lines (PL-1 and ABLS-5). With complement as mediator, lysis increased with the number and size of target-bound molecules. In contrast, antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytolysis (ADCC) depended only on the number of sub-units bound, and was independent of oligomer size. Moreover, complement-mediated lysis required a threshold level of bound antibody before lysis occurred, whereas at low levels of sensitization ADCC increased linearly with increasing antibody. These results suggest that IgG clusters on the target cell are required for complement-mediated lysis but not for cell-mediated lysis. Furthermore, the data suggest that the crosslinking of neighboring Fc receptors on the surface of effector cells is not required for initiating ADCC. Non-immune IgM and small oligomers of non-immune IgG were used to block lysis mediated by each type of effector. ADCC was readily inhibited by small oligomers but not by IgM, while complement was inhibited by only larger IgG oligomers and by IgM. These results suggest that ADCC is not blocked by IgM, but is much more susceptible to inhibition by small IgG immune complexes than complement-mediated lysis.
Bisoxazolidine-catalyzed enantioselective Reformatsky reaction.

A readily available chiral bisoxazolidine catalyzes the asymmetric Reformatsky reaction between ethyl iodoacetate and aldehydes. In the presence of 10 mol % of the ligand, dimethylzinc, and air, th...
Nickel-catalyzed reductive cross-coupling of aryl halides with alkyl halides.

The direct reductive cross-coupling of alkyl halides with aryl halides is described. The transformation is efficient (equimolar amounts of the starting materials are used), generally high-yielding (all but one between 55 and 88% yield), highly functional-group-tolerant [OH, NHBoc, NHCbz, Bpin, C(O)Me, CO2Et, and CN are all tolerated], and easy to perform (uses only benchtop-stable reagents, tolerates small amounts of water and oxygen, changes color when complete, and uses filtration workup). The reaction appears to avoid the formation of intermediate organomanganese species, and a synergistic effect was found when a mixture of two ligands was employed.
Student politics in the third world

Student political activism remains a key issue in the Third World despite its decline in the industrialized nations. Students continue to be active in politics and frequently have an impact on societal events. The historical development of student politics and student involvement in independence struggles, the role of students as incipient elites, and the fragility of the political structures of many Third World nations all contribute to the efficacy of student politics. Universities, as key intellectual institutions in their societies, also play an important role in Third World societies. Students, especially those in the social sciences, are fairly easy to mobilize and they often have a basic interest in political and social issues. It is argued that student movements emerge from their social and political environment and it is not surprising that activism continues as a powerful force in the Third World.
An Upper Limit to the Degree of Evolution between Supermassive Black Holes and Their Host Galaxies

We describe a model-independent integral constraint that defines an upper limit to the allowed degree of evolution in the ratio of black hole (BH) mass to host galaxy luminosity or mass, as a function of redshift. Essentially, if the BH/host ratio is excessive at redshift z, then it would imply that the total mass density in BHs above some M is larger at that redshift than at z = 0, which is impossible. This argument requires no knowledge of host or BH properties, only a lower limit to the observed luminosity density in the brightest galaxies at some z. We calculate this upper limit from a variety of luminosity and mass functions in different bands from redshifts z = 0-2. We show that it is consistent with passive evolution of spheroid populations (with a fixed MBH/Mhost relation) in all cases, and provides tighter constraints than have generally been obtained previously, ruling out at 6 σ observational and theoretical estimates suggesting that MBH/Mhost was significantly larger at high redshifts than locally. We discuss a variety of possible "loopholes" or changes in the BH/host populations and correlations, and show that they typically lower the upper limits and strengthen our conclusions.