cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Single-producer, multi-distributor-retailer tree-type supply chain problem with backorder

This research deals with a three-stage integrated inventory problem of tree-type single-producer multi-distributor multi-retailer supply chain network. This paper relaxes one constraint of Wee and Yang (2004) in which shortage is not allowed. The total cost model was developed based on the model presented by Wee and Yang considering the cost of backorder. Four variables that compose the total cost function are optimized to determine the optimal replenishment policy for producer, distributors, and retailers to achieve the lowest total cost. Sensitivity analysis was also applied to evaluate the outcome of the proposed solution procedure presented in this research.
Novel tricyclic pyrazolopyrimidines as potent and selective GPR119 agonists.

Abstract Systematic SAR optimization of the GPR119 agonist lead 1, derived from an internal HTS campaign, led to compound 29. Compound 29 displays significantly improved in vitro activity and oral exposure, leading to GLP1 elevation in acutely dosed mice and reduced glucose excursion in an OGTT study in rats at doses ⩾10 mg/kg.
Ciliary Vasoconstriction After Topical Adrenergic Drugs

Rabbits underwent the single-dose or long-term therapeutic administration of the adrenergic drugs phenylephrine hydrochloride, timolol maleate, and betaxolol hydrochloride. After a single dose, all three drugs caused substantial, localized constriction in the arterioles that supply the ciliary processes but did not affect the downstream bore of the same vessels. After seven weeks of a daily dose, tolerance reduced the response to betaxolol to insignificant levels and that to phenylephrine substantially, whereas timolol maleate continued to produce identical levels of vasoconstriction to those seen with single-dose administration. In addition to the consequent lowering of perfusion of the ciliary processes and presumptive impact on aqueous humor production, vasoconstriction also reinforces concerns about impaired vascular perfusion of eyes undergoing long-term ocular therapy.
Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on chondrocyte metabolism in vitro and in vivo

Salicylates and several other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that are commonly employed in the treatment of osteoarthritis effectively decrease joint pain and increase mobility. Results from in vitro studies indicate that, in addition, some of these compounds affect proteoglycan metabolism of articular cartilage. Data from in vivo studies suggest that salicylate administration may accelerate articular cartilage damage in several animal models of osteoarthritis. At in vitro concentrations comparable to those that are achieved in the synovial fluid of patients treated with the drug, several NSAIDs suppress proteoglycan synthesis by the chondrocyte. Salicylate has been shown to inhibit the enzymes involved in the early stages of chondroitin sulfate biosynthesis. These NSAID-related effects on chondrocyte metabolism appear unrelated to inhibition of prostaglandin synthetase, and are much more profound in osteoarthritic cartilage than in normal cartilage, due to enhanced uptake of NSAIDs by the osteoarthritic cartilage. Depletion of matrix proteoglycans appears to be a major factor in the increased vulnerability of chondrocytes in degenerating cartilage to effects of NSAIDs. Some NSAIDs may be bound to matrix components. If similar changes occur in the cartilage of patients with arthritis treated with NSAIDs, despite the symptomatic improvement that these drugs produce, cartilage degeneration could be accelerated.
Direct GPU/FPGA communication Via PCI express

We describe a mechanism for connecting GPU and FPGA devices directly via the PCI Express bus, enabling the transfer of data between these heterogeneous computing units without the intermediate use of system memory. We evaluate the performance benefits of this approach over a range of transfer sizes, and demonstrate its utility in a computer vision application. We find that bypassing system memory yields improvements as high as 2.2× in data transfer speed, and 1.9× in application performance.
The effect of geometric variations in posterior-stabilized knee designs on motion characteristics measured in a knee loading machine.

Background In different posterior-stabilized (PS) total knees, there are considerable variations in condylar surface radii and cam-post geometry. To what extent these variations affect kinematics is not known. Furthermore, there are no clearly defined ideal kinematics for a total knee.
A multi-spectral method for estimating cirrus cloud top heights

A two-channel method has been developed to estimate the altitude of cirrus clouds over ocean areas with an expected altitude error less than or equal to plus or minus 50 mb. Reflected radiation is used to estimate cirrus emissivity in the 10- to 11-micron spectral interval. The cirrus altitude is determined from the emissivity estimate, a registered 10- to 11-micron measurement, and a vertical temperature profile. Nimbus 3 medium-resolution infrared radiometer measurements were used to establish the relationship between reflectance and 11-micron cirrus emissivity.
Surface Treatment for Aluminum Bonding (STAB)

Abstract The standard FPL etch (sulfuric acid-dichromate) surface treatment of aluminum alloys for adhesive bonding has been found to suffer from bond degradation in humid atmospheres due to oxide (∼200 A thick) instability.1 Bethune1 reports a new preparation (phosphoric acid anodize) that reduces bond degradation by the formation of a thicker more stable hydroxide (∼2000 A). The FPL treatment involves at least five steps and the phosphoric acid treatment involves seven steps. Each step increases the cost and probability of improper preparation. In this note we will not attempt to review the vast amount of literature concerning the interaction of aluminum with water solutions but mention one of the more recent papers that is closely related to this work. Wegman et al. 2 found that a 30 minute tap water soak at 60°C produced strong adhesive joints that fail cohesively if the aluminum was first FPL etched. Joints made with samples that were tap water soaked after a degrease step alone were weak and failed ...
Air freight hubs in the FedEx system: Analysis of fuel use

Abstract This paper provides a data based analysis of FedEx air freighter activities from selected hub locations. The basic idea is that air freighters have a set of range and payload parameters and their corresponding fuel burn depends on weight and distance. Data from 2011 to 12 (FlightAware) are used for 180,000 + flights on origin, destination and aircraft type. The particular aircraft vary widely in payload, but additional parameters may be derived from industry web sites and BTS. The research uses flight activity at hubs such as Memphis and Indianapolis (among others) and computes the aggregate distance flown on specific aircraft. The linkage between the hub and aggregate fuel use (assuming that the out bound flights are allocated to the hub) will give some quantifiable measures of the costs allocated to the hub. The paper examines particular aspects of the air freight system that are especially vulnerable to a spike in the costs of aviation fuel. These observations suggest that traffic to regional air express and air freight hubs is likely to respond in complex ways to fuel costs.
Solution-phase synthesis of a tricyclic pyrrole-2-carboxamide discovery library applying a stetter-Paal-Knorr reaction sequence.

The solution-phase synthesis of a discovery library of 178 tricyclic pyrrole-2-carboxamides was accomplished in nine steps and seven purifications starting with three benzoyl-protected amino acid methyl esters. Further diversity was introduced by two glyoxaldehydes and 41 primary amines. The combination of Pauson−Khand, Stetter, and microwave-assisted Paal−Knorr reactions was applied as a key sequence. The discovery library was designed with the help of QikProp 2.1, and physicochemical data are presented for all pyrroles. Library members were synthesized and purified in parallel and analyzed by LC/MS. Selected compounds were fully characterized.
Transvaginal sonography in postmenopausal women treated with low-dose estrogens locally administered

Abstract Objective : The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of low-dose estrogens, administered locally, in postmenopausal women with symptoms and signs of atrophic vaginitis. Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed for the evaluation of endometrial or ovarian abnormalities. Materials and methods : Fifty-six healthy postmenopausal women with symptoms of atrophic vaginitis due to estrogen deficiency were examined with transvaginal ultrasound. The endometrial thickness, the uterus and the ovaries were measured before and after 6 months of treatment with low-dose estrogens. Results : The mean endometrial thickness, before and after treatment, was 3.1 ± 0.8 mm and 3.1 ± 1.2 mm, respectively. The mean ovarian volume before treatment was 4.5 ml and there was no difference after treatment. There were no changes in uterine thickness during the treatment period. Conclusions : Our study, using transvaginal ultrasonography, has shown that low-dose estrogens, administered locally, give no sign of endometrial proliferation, measured as endometrial thickness, and do not alter the ovarian volume in postmenopausal volume.
Action of Symmetry Groups

This paper studies maps which are invariant under the action of the symmetry group S,. The problem originates in social choice theory: there arc k individuals each with a space of preferences X, and a social choice map phi:Xk - X which is anonymous i.e. invariant under the action of a group of symmetries. Theorem 1 proves that a full range map Psi: Xk -> X exists which is invariant under the action of S, only if, for all i>1, the elements of the homotopy group IL(X) have orders relatively prime with k. Theorem 2 derives a similar results for actions of subgroups of the group Sk. Theorem 3 proves necessary and sufficient condition for a parafinite CW complex X to admit full range invariant maps for any prime number k:X must be contractible.
Phase equilibria of the Al-Li binary system

The solid + liquid phase equilibria between α-Al and β-AlLi were determined using differential thermal analysis (DTA), metallography, and chemical analysis. Boron nitride (BN), which was found to be inert to these alloys, was used as the container. These measurements were carried out in order to resolve the discrepancies reported in the literature. The α-Al+β-AlLi eutectic temperature and composition were determined to be 600 °C±1 °C and 25.8±0.5 at. pct Li. Using these data and data reported in the literature concerning the phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties, thermodynamic models for all the phases were obtained by optimization. The thermodynamic values obtained for the β-AlLi phase describe not only the phase equilibria, but also yield structural defect data in agreement with measured values. The assessed enthalpies of formation, excess entropies of formation, and entropies of melting for all the intermetallic phases obtained are compared with empirical correlations when experimental data are not available. In addition to the stable diagram, a metastable diagram involving the δ′-Al3Li is also calculated from the thermodynamic models. The calculated diagram is in good agreement with the experimental data.
Effects of Age on Concurrent Vowel Perception in Acoustic and Simulated Electroacoustic Hearing

Purpose In this study, the authors investigated the effects of age on the use of fundamental frequency differences (ΔF0) in the perception of competing synthesized vowels in simulations of electroa...
Inhibition of Ca2+-activated Cl− channels by gallotannins as a possible molecular basis for health benefits of red wine and green tea

TMEM16A was found recently to be a calcium-activated Cl(-) channel (CaCC). CaCCs perform important functions in cell physiology, including regulation of epithelial secretion, cardiac and neuronal excitability, and smooth muscle contraction. CaCC modulators are of potential utility for treatment of hypertension, diarrhea, and cystic fibrosis. Screening of drug and natural product collections identified tannic acid as an inhibitor of TMEM16A, with IC(50) ∼ 6 μM and ∼100% inhibition at higher concentrations. Tannic acid inhibited CaCCs in multiple cell types but did not affect CFTR Cl(-) channels. Structure-activity analysis indicated the requirement of gallic or digallic acid substituents on a macromolecular scaffold (gallotannins), as are present in green tea and red wine. Other polyphenolic components of teas and wines, including epicatechin, catechin, and malvidin-3-glucoside, poorly inhibited CaCCs. Remarkably, a 1000-fold dilution of red wine and 100-fold dilution of green tea inhibited CaCCs by >50%. Tannic acid, red wine, and green tea inhibited arterial smooth muscle contraction and intestinal Cl(-) secretion. Gallotannins are thus potent CaCC inhibitors whose biological activity provides a potential molecular basis for the cardioprotective and antisecretory benefits of red wine and green tea.
Eocene hyperthermal event offers insight into greenhouse warming

What happens to the Earth's climate, environment, and biota when thousands of gigatons of greenhouse gases are rapidly added to the atmosphere? Modern anthropogenic forcing of atmospheric chemistry promises to provide an experiment in such change that has not been matched since the early Paleogene, more than 50 million years ago (Ma),when catastrophic release of carbon to the atmosphere drove abrupt, transient, hyperthermal events. Research on the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum(PETM)—the best documented of these events, which occurred about 55 Ma—has advanced significantly since its discovery 15 years ago. During the PETM, carbon addition to the oceans and atmosphere was of a magnitude similar to that which is anticipated through the 21st century. This event initiated global warming, biotic extinction and migration, and fundamental changes in the carbon and hydrological cycles that transformed the early Paleogene world.
Distribution of living coccolithophores in the California Current system, southern California borderland

The distribution of living coccolithophores in the California Current system of southern California at 10 m water depth was investigated on two dates in March and June, 1982. Six closely spaced stations were sampled in March, of which three were resampled in June. Thirty-six euphotic species were identified of which four,Emiliania huxleyi, Umbilicosphaera sibogae, Gephyrocapsa oceanica, andRhabdosphaera longistylis, respectively, were the most abundant. Both the “cold” and “warm” morphotypes ofE. huxleyi were present, in varying proportions. Large ranges in community structure, diversity (0.35–2.64 natural bels), and standing crop (1.0 × 104–6.2 × 105cells/l) were recorded. This range of end-member values is approximately that found in the open ocean from 0° to about 65° latitude. The distributions of four coccolithophore assemblages recognized in March samples from the Borderland area appear to reflect the following distinct water masses: (1) California Current; (2) Southern California Counter Current; (3) Transitional Zone; (4) Near Shore. The coccolithophore assemblages from the June stations were more uniform, indicating that the Borderland was experiencing more stable conditions than in March.
Field Trial Evaluating the Influence of Prophylactic and Therapeutic Antimicrobial Administration on Antimicrobial Resistance of Fecal Escherichia coli in Dairy Calves

The objective of this study was to describe the influence of in-feed and therapeutic antimicrobials on resistance in commensal fecal Escherichia coli isolated from preweaned calves. Four groups of 30, day-old calf-ranch calves were enrolled and raised until 4 weeks of age. Groups 1 to 3 were raised without antimicrobials in the feed. Group 1 was isolated from the other groups and received no antimicrobial therapy. Group 2 was housed on the calf ranch and did not receive antimicrobial therapy, whereas groups 3 and 4 could be treated with antimicrobials. Group 4 was fed neomycin and tetracycline HCl in the milk replacer. Fecal samples were collected from calves on days 1, 14, and 28. Three E. coli isolates per sample were evaluated for susceptibility to 12 antimicrobials. Cluster analysis was used to group isolates having similar susceptibility patterns. Cumulative logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with increasing levels of multiple antimicrobial resistance. In-feed antimicrobials were associated with higher levels of multiple antimicrobial resistance in fecal E. coli.f In calves not receiving in-feed antimicrobials, older calves had higher levels of resistance compared to day-old calves. Individual antimicrobial therapy increased resistance in these calves but appeared to be transient. There was no environmental influence on resistance in E. coli populations among study groups.
Effects of sulfonylureas, α-endosulfine counterparts, on glomerulosclerosis in type 1 and type 2 models of diabetes

Effects of sulfonylureas, α-endosulfine counterparts, on glomerulosclerosis in type 1 and type 2 models of diabetes. Background Previously, we showed the expression of a unique sulfonylurea receptor (SUR) and its putative endogenous ligand, α-endosulfine, in mesangial cells and isolated glomeruli. Further, this ligand was up-regulated by high glucose concentration. To investigate the possible role of α-endosulfine up-regulation in diabetes, we administered sulfonylureas, the exogenous ligands of SUR, to diabetic animals. Methods In streptozotocin-induced, insulin-deficient, diabetic rats, glomerulosclerosis, albuminuria, glomerular expression of fibronectin mRNA, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were studied for various periods up to 36 weeks. Several rat groups received either glibenclamide or tolazamide during the entire study period. Also, glomerulosclerosis and albuminuria were determined in insulin-resistant db/db mice, at 26 weeks of treatment with tolazamide. Results Sulfonylureas did not improve hyperglycemia or reduce glycosylated hemoglobin levels. In insulin-deficient diabetic rats, sulfonylureas significantly decreased the degree of glomerulosclerosis and completely reversed the enhanced albumin excretion. Also, glibenclamide reduced diabetes-induced glomerular overexpression of fibronectin mRNA. Because glibenclamide may improve the afferent arteriolar dilatation of diabetes, thereby reducing glomerular hyperfiltration, its effect on GFR was determined. Glibenclamide did not alter glomerular hyperfiltration or renal hypertrophy, regardless of the intensity of hyperglycemia. Finally, in insulin-resistant mice, tolazamide did not alter the extent of diabetic glomerulosclerosis or increased albuminuria. Conclusion Long-term treatment with sulfonylureas completely prevents glomerular injury in insulin-deficient diabetes in rats. However, this protective effect is not demonstrable in an insulin-resistant model of the disease. We postulate that mesangial α-endosulfine up-regulation in the hyperglycemic milieu of insulin-deficient diabetes may retard glomerular extracellular matrix formation and mesangial expansion.
US Higher Education in a Budgetary Vortex--1992-2007: Tracing the Positioning of Academe in the Context of Growing Inequality.

Through comparative statistical data of public investment trends in higher education, the institution of higher education in the US is contemporarily contextualized within the growing milieu of disparity. Specifically, this study focuses on the period from 1992 to 2007 to see if a mitigation of the growing economic disparity projected per the Kuznets curve was reflected in the prioritization of higher education support needed to preserve the social mobility of the workforce. Through the analysis of higher educational expenditure within the budgetary priorities of the 50 states from 1992 to roughly the present, this paper reveals that, in absolute terms or by disproportional emphasis, the institutional repositioning of higher education necessary for a Kuznets curve readjustment of disparity has not occurred.
A dual ascent approach for steiner tree problems on a directed graph

The Steiner tree problem on a directed graph (STDG) is to find a directed subtree that connects a root node to every node in a designated node setV. We give a dual ascent procedure for obtaining lower bounds to the optimal solution value. The ascent information is also used in a heuristic procedure for obtaining feasible solutions to the STDG. Computational results indicate that the two procedures are very effective in solving a class of STDG's containing up to 60 nodes and 240 directed/120 undirected arcs. The directed spanning tree and uncapacitated plant location problems are special cases of the STDG. Using these relationships, we show that our ascent procedure can be viewed as a generalization ofboth the Chu-Liu-Edmonds directed spanning tree algorithm and the Bilde-Krarup-Erlenkotter ascent algorithm for the plant location problem. The former comparison yields a dual ascent interpretation of the steps of the directed spanning tree algorithm.
Identifying differentially expressed genes in unreplicated multiple-treatment microarray timecourse experiments

Microarray technology has become widespread as a means to investigate gene function and metabolic pathways in an organism. A common experiment involves probing, at each of several time points, the gene expression of experimental units subjected to different treatments. Due to the high cost of microarrays, such experiments may be performed without replication and therefore provide a gene expression measurement of only one experimental unit for each combination of treatment and time point. Though an experiment with replication would provide more powerful conclusions, it is still possible to identify differentially expressed genes and to estimate the number of false positives for a specified rejection region when the data is unreplicated. We present a method for identifying differentially expressed genes in this situation that utilizes polynomial regression models to approximate underlying expression patterns. In the first stage of a two-stage permutation approach, we choose a 'best' model at each gene after considering all possible regression models involving treatment effects, terms polynomial in time, and interactions between treatments and polynomial terms. In the second stage, we identify genes whose 'best' model differs significantly from the overall mean model as differentially expressed. The number of expected false positives in the chosen rejection region and the overall proportion of differentially expressed genes are both estimated using a method presented by Storey and Tibshirani (2003). For illustration, the proposed method is applied to an Arabidopsis thaliana microarray data set.
Propagation delays induced in GPS signals by dry air, water vapor, hydrometeors, and other particulates

Dry air, water vapor, hydrometeors, and other particulates (sand, dust, aerosols, and volcanic ash) in the atmosphere introduce microwave propagation delays. These delays must be properly characterized to achieve the highest accuracy in surveying and atmospheric sensing using Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. In this paper we review the theory of microwave propagation delays induced by the above atmospheric constituents and estimate their maximum delays. Because the structure of atmospheric refractivity can be highly complex and difficult to model, and because measurement tools are unavailable for characterizing most of the refractive components, we use simplified examples to illustrate its effects. Our results show that propagation delays due to water vapor, cloud liquid, rain, and sandstorms can be significant in high-accuracy GPS applications. For instance, propagation through 1 km of heavy rain can induce 15-mm delays in L1, and because delays due to scattering are dispersive and alias as ionospheric delays in L3 processing, L3 range errors are magnified to 20 mm. Depending upon the distribution of precipitation relative to the configuration of GPS satellites, such unmodeled delays can induce horizontal and vertical errors of several centimeters.
Developmental changes in cytochrome oxidase histochemistry in the main and accessory olfactory bulbs of embryonic and neonatal garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis spp.)

Developmental studies examining the changes in oxidative metabolic activity are useful for understanding how and if the vomeronasal and olfactory systems respond to stimulation during embryogenesis. Garter snakes are good candidates for examining the potential functionality of the vomeronasal system in utero. In adult garter snakes, the vomeronasal system mediates many behaviors. Neonatal garter snakes exhibit these same behaviors, and the vomeronasal system has been shown to mediate feeding behavior in neonates. Using cytochrome oxidase histochemistry, we examined changes in the oxidative metabolic activity of main and accessory olfactory bulbs of embryonic and neonatal garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis and T. s. parietalis). Cytochrome oxidase staining is greater in the accessory olfactory bulb than in the main olfactory bulb of embryonic garter snakes. However, neonates show no differences in the staining of the accessory and main olfactory bulbs, suggesting a change in the stimulation of the main olfactory bulb after birth. This is the first report of cytochrome oxidase histochemistry in reptiles and in the vomeronasal system of embryonic vertebrates. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Responses of institutional investors corporate to social performance measures

This study represents a first attempt to empirically examine the impact of data relating to corporate social performance (CSP) on institutional ownership. Findings, though not statistically significant, are consistent with the hypothesis that institutional investors increase ownership when CSP data are positive and, minimally, do not decrease investment. Additionally, although fewer institutions invest in the on-average smaller and more highly-leveraged firms in the socially responsible group, institutions invest in about the same percent of overall equity, suggesting that they may be making some sort of risk trade-off.
Enthymematic solutions to the Lockshin defection story: A case study in the repair of a problematic narrative

This essay examines newspaper coverage of the Arnold Lockshin family's 1986 defection to the Soviet Union. As a case study, it illustrates how the print media can enthymematically repair ideologically problematic narratives in such a way that engaged publics can maintain cognitive consistency. It is argued that the media used four premises—credibility, perversion, gullibility, and isolation—to reconstruct enthymematically the narrative in a nonthreatening, ideologically consistent manner.
Sulfometuron methyl influences seedling growth and leaf function of three conifer species

Seedling growth and gas exchange responses were measured for two potted seedling trials testing herbicide phytotoxicity to three important tree species of the Inland Northwest, USA. Media-filled pots were treated with sulfometuron methyl (Oust®) in varying concentrations and planted with seedlings of Larix occidentalis Nutt., Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Beissn.) Franco, and Pinus monticola Dougl. ex D. Don. Seedlings were grown in two trials to determine the effects of two important residue breakdown factors, substrate moisture and pH, relative to that of herbicide application rate on seedling health. Changes in seedling height, root-collar diameter, and root volume were morphologic variables of interest, and physiological variables measured were net photosynthetic assimilation, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate. While three levels of media moisture and four levels of media pH had no effect on seedling performance, most growth and leaf function variables were hindered across application rate treatments of all three species. Label-recommended dosages resulted in growth suppression levels potentially detrimental to seedling establishment for all three species. This was most pronounced for Pinus monticola, in particular for root growth, where untreated control seedlings showed 109% more root volume growth than treated seedlings. We conclude that when possible, a species-specific application rate might be found that balances the benefits of vegetation control with the phytotoxicity to promote optimal growth gains.
A comparison between the vibrational relaxation rate of HCl in liquid versus supercritical xenon

Abstract The vibrational relaxation of HCl has been studied in both liquid Xe at 289 K and supercritical Xe at 291 K. The rate of relaxation of HCl( v = 1) in supercritical Xe is identical to the relaxation rate in the liquid-phase at a common density. These results are consistent with the predictions of an isolated binary collision model for this system. This prediction is valid even if, as expected, HCl—Xe complexes are present in both the liquid and supercritical fluid as long as the nature and concentration of the complexes depend only on density and temperature.
The monitoring rationale for dividends and the interaction of capital structure and dividend decisions

Abstract This paper develops an agency-cost framework for the simultaneous determination of a firm's capital structure and dividend decisions. In the model, simultaneity is contingent on the applicability of Easterbrook's (1984) monitoring rationale for paying dividends, which, in turn, is hypothesized to depend on the existence of alternative sources of monitoring. Estimations of the Rozeff (1982) specification for dividend payout for subsamples stratified according to the prevalence of non-dividend monitoring mechanisms and growth-induced capital market monitoring, confirm the sample-specific validity of the monitoring rationale. A simultaneous system of equations is then estimated and, consistent with our hypothesis, simultaneity between capital structure and dividend decisions is observed only for the subsample in which the monitoring rationale for dividends is found applicable.
Effect of Pressure on the Ferromagnetic Transition of Mn As x Sb 1 − x Solid Solutions

The ferromagnetic transition temperatures of $\mathrm{Mn}{\mathrm{As}}_{x}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$ solid solutions for $0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\le}1$ have been measured as a function of pressure up to 4.5 kbar. Previous work has shown that for the solid solutions in the concentration range $0.9\ensuremath{\lesssim}x\ensuremath{\le}1$ the magnetic transition is first order and is accompanied by a hexagonal-to-orthorhombic structure transformation, while for $0\ensuremath{\le}x\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.9$ the magnetic transition is second order with no structural change. We have found that the initial pressure derivative of the transition temperature ($\frac{\ensuremath{\partial}{T}_{c}}{\ensuremath{\partial}P}$) changes discontinuously in the narrow concentration range $0.87\ensuremath{\lesssim}x\ensuremath{\le}0.90$, further demarcating the first- and second-order regions. We also find that substituting Sb for As in the first-order region increases the critical pressure ${P}_{c}$ which stabilizes the orthorhombic phase to the lowest temperature. This further supports Goodenough's observation of a critical molar-volume range in which the first-order transformation occurs. The solid solutions which exhibit second-order behavior are analyzed using an itinerant-electron ferromagnet model.
Present status and future of DC SQUIDs made from high-Tc superconductors

Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) that operate at 77 K have now been fabricated by many groups from high temperature superconductors. We will examine the performance of high-Tc SQUIDs, including the issues of the periodicity and hysteresis of the response, the magnitude of the noise in the SQUIDs, and the manufacturability of the devices. The nature of the junctions forming the SQUIDs, which have been naturally occurring grain boundaries in all but a few of the reported devices, and the physical mechanisms responsible for the noise sources will also be reviewed. The possible applications of these and future high-Tc SQUIDs will be examined.
Tapping the Core: Behavioral Characteristics of the Low-Income, African-American Male Core Group

African-Americans (AA) have been among the hardest hit by the hidden epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the US. One potential means of reversing this epidemiological trend is to identify groups responsible for the sustained prevalence of STD in the AA community, who are commonly known as ‘core groups’. However, there is a lack of specific information about characteristics and attitudes of this group as researchers have yet to empirically define this ‘core group’. The primary purposes of this study are to define and confirm the existence of the social epidemiological concept known as the core group among AAs and to determine the sexual beliefs and practices of AA male core group using habitus. Data from 266 low-income, AA males between the ages of 16 and 78 recruited from an inner-city STD clinic in the southeast are analyzed. Findings indicate differences between core and non-core men in sexual activity, STDs, age and age of sexual initiation, monogamy, trading money or drugs for sex, sexual preoccupation, and beliefs and attitudes.
Exploring an innovative watershed management approach: From feasibility to sustainability

Abstract Watershed management is dedicated to solving watershed problems on a sustainable basis. Managing watershed development on a sustainable basis usually entails a balance between the needs of humans and nature, both in the present and in the future. From a watershed or water resources development basis, these problems can be classified into five general categories: lack of water quantity, deterioration in water quality, ecological impacts, weak public participation, and weak economic value. The first three categories can be combined to make up physical sustainability while the last two categories can be defined as social and economic sustainability. Therefore, integrated watershed management should be designed to achieve physical sustainability utilizing, to the greatest extent possible, public participation in an economically viable manner. This study demonstrates an innovative approach using scientific, social, and motivational feasibilities that can be used to improve watershed management. Scientific feasibility is tied to the nature of environmental problems and the scientific means to solve them. Social feasibility is associated with public participation. Motivational feasibility is related to economic stimulation for the stakeholders to take actions. The ecological impacts, lack of water quantity and deterioration in water quality are problems that need scientific means in order to improve watershed health. However, the implementation of these means is typically not achievable without the right public participation. In addition, public participation is typically accelerated by economic motivation for the stakeholders to use the resources in a manner that improves watershed health. The Big Lost River in south-central Idaho has been used as an illustration for implementing scientific, social and motivational feasibilities and in a manner that can achieve sustainability relative to water resources management. However, the same approach can be used elsewhere after appropriate modifications.
Ovarian Torsion in an Adolescent Female With Long-Standing Cystic Fibrosis

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF), which was once considered a fatal childhood illness, is now manageable with advances in treatment. Progressive damage to the lung and intestinal systems are caused by the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene mutation. The most commonly known gynecologic complications of cystic fibrosis involve infertility, namely amenorrhea, ovarian dysfunction and chronic anovulation. The majority of these endocrine disorders affect reproductive-aged females. Recent research suggests CFTR is expressed in the fallopian tubes, cervix and endometrium. Females with cystic fibrosis have been noted to have multicystic ovaries, much like those observed in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Reproductive tract effects of the CFTR mutation are believed to be present as early as the initiation of puberty, providing a mechanism for ovarian cyst formation. This case will demonstrate the importance of recognizing ovarian pathology as a cause for acute onset abdominal pain in the adolescent female CF patient. Case: A 14-year-old female presented to the hospital with acute lower abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Her medical history was significant for pancreatic insufficiency, cirrhosis, chronic constipation, multiple previous small bowel resections and an active pseudomonas aeruginosa and staph aureus pulmonary infection. An extensive work up failed to show a primary gastrointestinal cause of the pain. A pelvic ultrasound showed an 8.5cm cystic lesion in the left adnexa with normal vascular flow to the ovary. A pelvic magnetic resonance study showed a 9.6cm thick walled cystic lesion suggestive of a dermoid cyst with intermittent ovarian torsion. Gynecology was consulted and urgent exploratory surgery revealed a necrotic left ovary and adherent tube. The ovarian pathology was significant for a mature teratoma. Comments: Abdominal pain in patients with cystic fibrosis presents a diagnostic challenge because primary gastrointestinal conditions are so prevalent. This case report highlights the importance of considering ovarian pathology as a potential cause of acute or persistent abdominal pain in adolescent females patients with cystic fibrosis. Timely diagnosis could lead to preservation of ovarian tissue in a population that faces a high prevalence of infertility as they reach their reproductive years. Further scientific investigation into the association of the CFTR gene mutation and ovarian pathology is warranted to guide clinical practice for pediatric gynecologists who care for adolescent female CF patients.
Effects of submarine mine tailings disposal on juvenile yellowfin sole (pleuronectes aspen): A laboratory study

Behaviour, survival, and growth studies were conducted in the laboratory on juvenile yellowfin sole (Pleuronectes asper) exposed to mine tailings produced by a pilot plant for a gold mine near Juneau, Alaska. Fish avoided fresh tailings in favour of natural marine sediment (control) and weathered tailings (75 years old). Only when fresh tailings were covered with 2 cm of control sediment did fish prefer control and fresh tailings equally. Survival of fish was similar (p = 0.66) for fish held on all test sediments. Fish held on fresh tailings for 60 d grew significantly (p = 0.013) less than control fish during the first, but not the second, month. Avoidance or short-term reductions in flatfish growth may occur from submarine disposal of tailings. Rapid burial of tailings in areas with high natural sedimentation (e.g., large river mouths) may accelerate recovery of the sea floor.
Analysis of skeletal muscle gene expression patterns and the impact of functional capacity in patients with systolic heart failure

Background Declining physical function is common among systolic heart failure (HF) patients and heralds poor clinical outcomes. We hypothesized that coordinated shifts in expression of ubiquitin-mediated atrophy-promoting genes are associated with muscle atrophy and contribute to decreased physical function.
YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7- delta //Au/Nb sandwich geometry SNS weak links on c-axis oriented YBa/sub 2/ Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7- delta /

Sandwich geometry superconductor/normal metal/superconductor structures have been fabricated on LaAlO/sub 3/ and cubic zirconia with laser-ablated, c-axis-oriented YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7- delta / base electrodes, 100-600 AA of Au, and Nb counter electrodes, all formed in situ without breaking vacuum. Junctions range in size from 5 to 50 mu m on a side. Four probe I-V measurements at 4.2 K show R/sub n/A products as low as 6*10/sup -9/ Omega cm/sup 2/ and critical current densities up to 5.2 kA/cm/sup 2/. AC Josephson steps were observed with the application of 10-GHz radiation. The temperature dependence of J/sub c/ and the observation of the AC Josephson effect suggest that true supercurrents are present and that they do indeed represent the characteristics of the YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7- delta //Au/Nb structure. The best results were obtained when the devices were annealed at approximately 450 degrees C in O/sub 2/ for 30 min after Au deposition.
Highly Efficient Plasmon-Enhanced Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells through Metal@Oxide Core–Shell Nanostructure

We have investigated the effects of localized surface plasmons (LSPs) on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The LSPs from Ag nanoparticles (NPs) increase the absorption of the dye molecules, allowing us to decrease the thickness of photoanodes, which improves electron collection and device performance. The plasmon-enhanced DSSCs became feasible through incorporating core–shell Ag@TiO2 NPs into conventional TiO2 photoanodes. The thin shell keeps the photoelectrons from recombining on the surface of metal NPs with dye and electrolyte and improves the stability of metal NPs. With 0.6 wt % Ag@TiO2 NPs, the power conversion efficiency of DSSCs with thin photoanodes (1.5 μm) increases from 3.1% to 4.4%. Moreover, a small amount of Ag@TiO2 NPs (0.1 wt %) improves efficiency from 7.8% to 9.0% while decreasing photoanode thickness by 25% for improved electron collection. In addition, plasmon-enhanced DSSCs require 62% less material to maintain the same efficiency as conventional DSSCs.
Coupling processes at the magnetopause

This review covers several aspects of magnetopause research during the two-year period from mid-1991 to mid-1993. It focusses upon three topics which received renewed attention: the structure of the steady-state magnetopause, the origin of the transient events which are superimposed upon it, and the cause of transient signatures observed by high-latitude dayside ground magnetometers. Case and statistical studies defined the relatively unknown characteristics of the magnetosheath plasma layers lying outside the magnetopause, while theoretical studies provided alternative explanations for the presence of magnetosheath plasma within the LLBL. Evidence was presented for a steady transition from magnetosheath to magnetospheric plasma parameters. Detailed studies described the plasma, energetic particle, and magnetic field characteristics of transient events in the outer dayside magnetosphere, and multipoint studies provided important new information concerning the ionospheric response to sudden changes in solar wind parameters. This review emphasizes the competing explanations which have been advanced to explain these phenomena.
Elementary teachers' cognitive and affective perceptions of exceptional children.

114 elementary teachers were examined on knowledge of exceptional children and attitudes toward mentally retarded children in a pretest-posttest experimental control group design. 20 teachers were enrolled in a 10-wk. course in which characteristics of exceptional students were discussed. These 20 teachers, called administrative teachers, provided inservice training to 57 participating teachers (experimental group). Statistically significant changes in knowledge occurred for the 57 participating teachers but not in a control group of 57 used for comparison. No significant changes in attitudes toward mentally retarded children were observed.
The implementation of a geospatial information technology (GIT)-supported land use change curriculum with urban middle school learners to promote spatial thinking

This study investigated whether a geospatial information technology (GIT)-supported science curriculum helped students in an urban middle school understand land use change (LUC) concepts and enhanced their spatial thinking. Five 8th grade earth and space science classes in an urban middle school consisting of three different ability level tracks participated in the study. Data gathering methods included pre/posttest assessments, daily classroom observations, daily teacher meetings, and examination of student produced artifacts. Findings indicated that content knowledge about environmental issues associated with LUC and spatial thinking skills involved with aerial and remotely sensed (RS) imagery interpretation increased for all learners. In most content and skill area clusters, effect sizes were larger for lower and middle track learners than for upper track learners. Achievement for spatial thinking items increased for all ability level tracks. The curriculum implementation appeared effective for enhancing spatial thinking skills involved with RS image interpretation to identify objects and investigate ground cover features. Learners at all ability levels had difficulty interpreting time-sequenced images. Influencing learning contexts including curriculum design principles and instructional strategies are discussed. The findings from this study provide support that spatial thinking can be learned, can be taught formally to all students in an urban middle school, and can be supported by appropriately designed tools, technologies, and curriculum. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Inc. J Res Sci Teach 48: 281–300, 2011
The positive effects of negative interactions: Can avoidance of competitors or predators increase resource sampling by prey?

Spatial overlap between predators and prey is key to predicting their interaction strength and population dynamics. We constructed a spatially-explicit simulation model to explore how predator and prey behavioral traits and patterns of resource distribution influence spatial overlap between predators, prey, and prey resources. Predator and prey spatial association primarily followed the ideal free distribution. Departures from this model were intriguing, especially from the interactions of predator and prey behavior. When prey weakly avoided conspecifics, they associated more highly with resources when predators were present. Predators increased the rate of prey movement between patches, which increased their ability to sample their environment and aggregate in patches with high resources. When prey strongly avoided each other, predators decreased prey association with resources. That is, an increased rate of prey movement increased the probability that prey would interact and avoid each other without regard to the distribution of resources. More generally, a more highly clumped distribution of resources acted as a spatial anchor that generally increased prey, predator, and resource association. Prey tended to congregate with resources and predators generally congregated with prey.