cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On Hawking's Local Rigidity Theorem for Charged Black Holes

We show the existence of the Hawking vector field in a full neighborhood of a local, regular, bifurcate, non-expanding horizon embedded in a smooth Einstein–Maxwell space–time without assuming the underlying space–time is analytic. This extends a result of Friedrich et al. (Commun Math Phys 204:691–707, 1971), which holds in the interior of the black hole region. Moreover, we also show, in the presence of an additional Killing vector field T which is tangent to the horizon and not vanishing on the bifurcate sphere, then space–time must be locally axially symmetric without the analyticity assumption. This axial symmetry plays a fundamental role in the classification theory of stationary black holes.
Multifunctional Prussian blue analogue magnets: Emerging opportunities

Abstract There is a surge of interest to expand the search for entirely new classes of molecular magnets as the emergence of information storage and quantum computing devices. Prussian blue analogues as a family of molecular magnets are especially attracting wide attention due to their large number of derivatives with a range of magnetic ordering temperature from cryogenic to room temperature. This review presents Prussian blue analogues as multifunctional molecular magnets, which involves the development of molecular magnet syntheses and crystal structures, and magnetic properties under external stimuli. In addition, the porous network structures and vacancy order of Prussian blue analogues present a wide capability to interact with water molecules and gas adsorption. External stimuli, such as thermal, pressure, electric and magnetic field and photoexcitation, play an important role in controlling the hidden states and cooperative phenomena of high temperature molecular magnets based on Prussian blue analogues.
Thermoplastic polyurethane with controllable degradation and critical anti-fouling properties

Bioresorbable polymers, including polyesters and polypeptides, are being widely used in the medical field. However, these materials still suffer from some long-standing challenges, such as material-induced blood coagulation, foreign body response, non-adjustable degradation rate, and absence of elastic properties. In this work, we explored a new approach to address these challenges by incorporating critical anti-fouling, improved mechanical and controllable degradation properties into the existing bioresorbable polymers. We synthesized a set of zwitterionic thermoplastic polyurethanes, which consist of degradable polycaprolactone diols as soft segments and faster hydrolyzable carboxybetaine (CB) diols as chain extenders. Differential scanning calorimetry and temperature sweep rheology revealed thermal transition performance and thermoplastic behavior of the polymers. The calorimetric study observed that CB-based chain extender played a critical role in the crystallization process by affecting the structure and crystallization temperature. Cell attachment study demonstrated that the degradable zwitterionic polyurethane surfaces highly resist cell attachment even after being submerged in 100% fetal bovine serum for two weeks. The gold standard PEG-based degradable polyurethane showed the initial resistance to the cell attachment for one day and then failed after three days. This work clearly shows that the adaption of existing materials with slightly better anti-fouling properties is unlikely to solve these long-lasting challenges. Our design approach and the material platform with critical anti-fouling properties and other desired tunable properties show the potential to address these complications associated with existing bioresorbable polymers. This method can be adapted to design customized bioresorbable polymers for a wide range of applications, including implantable biomedical devices and drug delivery.
Cross-Cultural Measurement Invariance of a Measure of Disability for White, Black, Hispanic and Asian Older Adults.

Introduction: This study aims to determine the cross-cultural measurement equivalence of the Washington Group General Measure of Disability for older adults. Materials and Methods: This study used the 2012 California Health Interview Survey. The sample included 14,115 non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic and Asian adults aged 65 and older. Analysis was conducted using multi-group confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), parallel and Tau-equivalent tests. Results: The results indicated that the measure was valid for use with older adults (Satorra Bentler χ2 = 13.27, df = 3, p = 0.005, GFI = 0.996). Multi-group CFA indicated comparisons were valid between Whites with Blacks, and Hispanics with Asians. Cognitive disability was associated with independent living disability for Whites and Blacks, and with sensory disability for Hispanics and Asians. Conclusions: Findings indicated the measure is valid for cross-cultural comparison for certain racial/ethnic groups. Further research is needed to understand differences in associations of cognitive decline with other areas of disability for older adults.
Farmers' information needs, access and its impact: Evidence from different cotton producing regions in the Maharashtra state of India

Abstract CONTEXT Access to information is crucial in decision making for viable and sustainable farm business. Thus, the farmers need different types of information from various sources to refine existing practices and adopt new technologies for yield and income advantages. Knowledge about farmers' information needs, access and its impact in different production contexts help in improving the effectiveness of extension and advisory services in the country. OBJECTIVE This paper examines the farmers' information needs, access to information from different sources and its impact on cotton output and value of output in two different regions having predominantly rainfed and irrigated production contexts. METHODS Household level survey data of 644 cotton farmers were collected using multistage sampling from two districts representing distinct production contexts in the Maharashtra state of India. Factors determining the access to information from particular sources were obtained using the Probit model. The impact of access to information was estimated using Inverse Probability Weighted Regression Adjustment (IPWRA). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The information needs of the farmers from the two regions were slightly different. In the Jalgaon district with predominantly irrigated cotton production, farmers receiving information from at least one formal source had a significant positive impact on cotton output and the value of output per unit area. While considering each formal information source separately, heterogeneity in impact was observed. Access to information from public sources and mass media had a significant positive impact on cotton output. Mass media sources played a significant role in increasing the value of output per unit area. Despite government and other agencies' efforts and better access to information in predominantly rainfed areas (Yavatmal district), information received by farmers could not produce the desired impact. It necessitates appropriate tailoring of information, specific for these regions; as general information failed to produce much impact. SIGNIFICANCE This is a holistic study about information dynamics in agriculture, covering information need to its impact in two different cotton producing regions. The study reflects the heterogeneous impacts of access to agricultural information considering different sources. It suggests the importance of region specific customization of agricultural information and emphasizes more role of public sources in provision of market intelligence. Study advocates efforts to effectively channelize agro-advisories through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Information Communications Technology (ICT) sources.
THE SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF CORRUPTION ON NATIONS AND MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS

This paper focuses on the social and economics impact of corruption on national economies and multinational corporation s. The paper addresses the importance of eliminating corruption from the stand point of its macro economics effects on gross domestic product, foreign direct i nvestment and entrepreneurial activity within an economy. It also examines the i mpact that corrupt business environments have on multi national corporations an d their abilities to compete in such environments.
System for local/regional/global joined object recognition

Recent events highlight the need for technologies that provide timely identification and geo-location of objects lost within a geographic area that could span tens of thousands of square kilometers over both land and water. Mission critical systems for search and rescue require technologies that provide timely identification and geolocation of objects within these vast geographic areas. Even though there are large quantities of Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) data available from sensors on collection platforms, analysts cannot keep pace with the growing amount of sensor data. No tool exists today that funnels that data into the location and recognition information that overcomes these limitations and meets mission critical requirements. This paper introduces a system, called MiData (Multifactor Information Distributed Analytics Technology Aide) Application to Local / Regional / Global Joined Object Recognition (MAJOR), to meet this need. MAJOR applies sensors and analytics technology in a new way to create a novel capability to rapidly screen massive collections of sensor images (still and video) from multiple and diverse databases in order to chip out and fuse Essential Elements of Information (EEIs) that will transform raw data into actionable information from which analysts can locate lost objects in arbitrary geographic locations in a timely manner.
Sequence-specific recognition of DNA: nuclear magnetic resonance assignments and structural comparison of wild-type and mutant λ OR3 operator DNA

Abstract The resonances of all the base protons and most of the sugar protons in both strands of the 17 base-pair OR3 operator of the phage λ, and of the vC3 single base-pair mutant, have been assigned using two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance methods. The chemical shift and nuclear Overhauser effect data for these two DNA sequences reveal no structural perturbation at sites distal to the mutation, neither are there significant changes in structure immediately surrounding the altered base-pair in the mutant sequence. These results are consistent with the model proposed by Ohlendorf et al. (1982), based on crystallographic data on the cro protein, for the OR3-cro protein interaction. The data from these solution studies are examined and discussed in the light of this model. This work demonstrates that nuclear magnetic resonance chemical shifts and nuclear Overhauser effect intensities provide a method for comparing the solution structures of DNA molecules. From the resolution available in the spectra of the 17 base-pair operators studied, it is clear that DNA duplexes of up to 30 or more base-pairs can be studied using phase-sensitive methods.
Cananea consolidated copper company from nationalization to privatization: 1972-1991

Copper, a base metal, became important in the late nineteenth century with the development of electricity and other industrial uses. La Cananea, a Mexican copper mine, was acquired and worked by an American, Colonel Greene, between 1896 and 1907. From 1907 until the mine was nationalized in 1972, the mine was successfully worked by Anaconda, an American multinational copper company. Poor performance under nationalization and a change of policy by the Mexican government led to the reprivatization of the mine in 1990. The process of re-privatization was complicated by two factors: the value of the mine and employee redundance. This paper considers the problems of ownership and management from nationalization to privatization from 1972 to 1991.
Technical note: Fast and robust Booleans on polyhedra

This paper presents efficient methods for supporting robust Boolean operations on pairs of polyhedral manifolds. A new spatial hashing technique is proposed for detecting intersections of pairs of polygon faces quickly and robustly. Robust predicates are used to compute the exact topology of the resulting polyhedron. Degenerate intersections are identified explicitly but handled in the topological routines. Geometric positions of new vertices are then approximated using finite-precision computations. Although vertex locations are rounded off, the exact connectivity graph is kept. The faces of the rounded-off triangulated final model thus could intersect each other and have the potential for an invalid embedding.
Biochemical characterization of cone cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel using the infrared fluorescence detection system.

Cone vision mediated by photoreceptor cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel is essential for central and color vision and visual acuity. Cone CNG channel is composed of two structurally related subunit types, CNGA3 and CNGB3. Naturally occurring mutations in cone CNG channel are associated with a variety of cone diseases including achromatopsia, progressive cone dystrophy, and some maculopathies. Nevertheless, our understanding of the structure of cone CNG channel is quite limited. This is, in part, due to the challenge of studying cones in a rod-dominant mammalian retina. We have demonstrated a robust expression of cone CNG channel and a lack of rod CNG channel in the cone-dominant Nrl−/− retina and shown that the Nrl−/− mouse line is a valuable model to study cone CNG channel. This work examined the complex structure of cone CNG channel using infrared fluorescence Western detection combined with chemical cross-linking and blue native-PAGE. Our results suggest that the native cone CNG channel is a heterotetrameric complex likely at a stoichiometry of three CNGA3 and one CNGB3.
De la plantación a la taza de café: café y capitalismo en los Estados Unidos, 1830-1930

En los Estados Unidos se produjo una campana intensa y multifacetica en la decada de 1920 para ampliar el consumo del cafe por parte de un lobby compuesto por minoristas, mayoristas, tostadores e importadores que trabajaban con la ayuda tecnica y financiera de comerciantes y gobiernos extranjeros, principalmente del Brasil. Este grupo utilizo novedosos metodos de marketing en esos anos para completar la transformacion de la bebida a lo largo de un siglo, de un articulo de lujo en un producto corriente en la dieta norteamericana. Al mismo tiempo, habiendo adquirido coherencia organizacional e influencia politica despues del cambio de siglo, los importadores, procesadores y comerciantes de cafe se unieron a otras elites norteamericanas para promover una mayor apertura hacia el comercio exterior. El presente ensayo examina la historia del cafe en la historia economica, social y politica de los Estados Unidos durante el siglo anterior a la Gran Depresion. Se centra especialmente en los cambios estructurales, institucionales y culturales de ese periodo que hicieron que el cafe fuera la bebida soberana de esa sociedad consumidora emergente.
Automating the 2G superconducting rock magnetometer for single‐solenoid alternating field demagnetization

[1] We have automated a 2G Enterprises superconducting magnetometer to measure and demagnetize standard paleomagnetic samples. After loading a sample and setting the desired demagnetization steps, the operation is performed without further operator attention. Each of a sample's three axes is measured in both directions multiple times. A single solenoid performs three-axis static demagnetization by rotating the specimen 120° about an oblique axis to each orthogonal position. This eliminates potential errors resulting from differences between the fields generated when using two orthogonal coils with different geometry. Each sample is handled only once, minimizing angular alignment errors. For initial sample moments 10–100 times the holder moment (i.e., natural remanent magnetizations greater than 10−3 A/m for standard size samples), very high quality AF demagnetization results can be obtained. The procedure for a complete, 10- to 20-step alternating field (AF) demagnetization takes between 20 and 70 min, depending on the sample's moment. This automated system is complemented by a custom program that controls all system elements, including the magnetometer, AF demagnetizer, and sample handler that shuttles the sample between the two and also rotates the sample to the measurement positions. In addition, the controlling software includes tools for (1) sample parameter input and instant results recalculation upon parameter adjustment, (2) real-time results visualization, (3) integrated Sun compass correction software, and (4) several demagnetization routines optimized for different magnitudes of magnetization. The software uses a very general and flexible, XML-based file structure capable of storing an entire field study in one hierarchical file format, with levels for locality, site, sample, and demagnetization step. It serves as an electronic field notebook for recording many more parameters and comments than those strictly needed to measure the direction of the core.
Early predictors of employment outcomes 1 year post traumatic brain injury in a population of Hispanic individuals.

Objective: To determine which demographic, injury, and rehabilitation factors are associated with employment rates in Hispanic individuals 1 year post traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Longitudinal dataset of the TBI Model Systems National Database. Participants: 418 Hispanic individuals with TBI hospitalized between 1990 and 2009 having year 1 follow-up data (18-55 years and not retired at injury). Main outcome measure: Competitive employment status 1 year post-injury (yes/no). Results: A multiple logistic regression model indicated that pre-injury employment status, pre-injury level of education, etiology, days of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA), associated spinal cord injury, Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor at rehabilitation discharge, and length of stay in rehabilitation were significant predictors of competitive employment post-injury, controlling for the effects of each other (all p-values ⩽ 0.014). Increases in the odds of not being employed post-injury were associated with not being employed pre-injury, having lower levels of education pre-injury, etiologies due to violence or falls, increased PTA, an associated spinal cord injury, lower FIM motor scores, and greater lengths of stay in rehabilitation. Conclusions: The first year post-TBI is critical for recovery and gainful employment, particularly for Hispanic individuals. Early identification of factors influencing successful gainful employment and expeditious implementation of services to ameliorate these issues are paramount in improving employment outcomes for Hispanic individuals with TBI. Language: en
A beam steering linear antenna array with novel simultaneous frequency agility and polarization reconfigurablity

In this abstract, a beam steering linear (1×4) antenna array with novel simultaneous frequency agility and polarization reconfigurablity is presented. This includes development of a (i) Wideband frequency agile antenna, (ii) Polarization reconfiguration control circuit and (iii) Beam forming network with digital phase shifters and low noise amplifiers (LNAs). The array radiating elements consist of a circular microstrip patch and a concentric annular ring patch around it. Four varactor diodes have been placed between the central patch and the ring patch. By varying the varactor capacitance values, the coupling between the patch and ring is varied. When the varactors are biased such a way to provide low capacitance value, the antenna shows high impedance, and therefore, the patch and the ring become decoupled. In this case, only the central patch radiates in the dominant TM11 mode giving the higher frequency coverage. However, when the varactors are biased such a way that they provide high capacitance value, the antenna shows low impedance, and therefore, the patch and the ring become fully coupled. In this case, both central patch and outer ring patch participate in the radiation mechanism operating in the dominant TM11 mode and provide lower frequency coverage. Therefore, by varying the capacitance of the varactor, the resonant frequency can be varied between 1.5GHz and 2.4GHz. The overall frequency agility range of around 46% has been achieved. This antenna has been fabricated on a Rogers RT/Duroid 5880 (e r = 2.2, tanδ = 0.0009, 3mm thick) and tested for impedance matching and radiation patterns.
The concentration of the global alcohol industry and its penetration in the African region.

AIMS: To describe the penetration and expansion of the global alcohol industry into the African region, as a context for exploring the implications for public health. METHODS: Source materials for this study came primarily from market research and the business press. This was supplemented by industry sources (from websites, company annual reports), World Health Organization reports and the scientific literature. RESULTS: Drinking in Africa is characterized by high rates of abstention and a high prevalence of heavy episodic consumption among those who drink. Much of the region is currently experiencing a rapid rise in consumption. Rising populations and income and the rapid pace of urbanization make Africa very attractive to the global alcohol industry, and industry leaders have identified Africa as a key area for growth. The shift from collaboration to competition in Africa among the global alcohol companies has prompted increasing alcohol production, promotion, new product development, pricing schemes and stakeholder lobbying. CONCLUSIONS: Beer consumption has increased across most of the continent, and global brewers view themselves as legitimate players at the alcohol policy table. Weak alcohol policy environments may be compromised further in terms of public health protections by alcohol industry opposition to effective measures such as marketing regulations, availability controls and taxation. Language: en
Campaign finance reform and electoral competition

Using state senate data from 1984 through the beginning of 2002, this paper finds that campaign donation regulations clearly reduce the competitiveness in political races. This is reflected in several dimensions. Conservative estimates indicate that different donation limits are associated with anywhere from a 4 to over a 23 percentage point increase in win margins. The regulations increase the probability that only one candidate will run for office. And they increase the probability that incumbents win re-election. Campaign finance regulations also tend to reduce the number of candidates who run for office by an average of about 20 percent.
High-pressure crystal chemistry of MgSiO3 perovskite

A high-pressure single-crystal x-ray diffraction study of perovskite-type MgSiO3 has been completed to 12.6 GPa. The compressibility of MgSiO3 perovskite is anisotropic with b approximately 23% less compressible than a or c which have similar compressibilities. The observed unit cell compression gives a bulk modulus of 254 GPa using a Birch-Murnaghan equation of state with K′ set equal to 4 and V/V0 at room pressure equal to one. Between room pressure and 5 GPa, the primary response of the structure to pressure is compression of the Mg-O and Si-O bonds. Above 5 GPa, the SiO6 octahedra tilt, particularly in the [bc]-plane. The distortion of the MgO12 site increases under compression. The variation of the O(2)-O(2)-O(2) angles and bondlength distortion of the MgO12 site with pressure in MgSiO3 perovskite follow trends observed in GdFeO3type perovskites with increasing distortion. Such trends might be useful for predicting distortions in GdFeO3-type perovskites as a function of pressure.
Acute exposure to ZnO nanoparticles induces autophagic immune cell death

The increasing risk of incidental exposure to nanomaterials has led to mounting concerns regarding nanotoxicity. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) are produced in large quantities and have come under scrutiny due to their capacity to cause cytotoxicity in vitro and potential to cause harm in vivo. Recent evidence has indicated that ZnO NPs promote autophagy in cells; however, the signaling pathways and the role of ion release inducing toxicity remain unclear. In this study, we report that ZnO NPs are immunotoxic to primary and immortalized immune cells. Importantly, such immunotoxicity is observed in mice in vivo, since death of splenocytes is seen after intranasal exposure to ZnO NPs. We determined that ZnO NPs release free Zn(2+) that can be taken up by immune cells, resulting in cell death. Inhibiting free Zn(2+) ions in solution with EDTA or their uptake with CaCl2 abrogates ZnO NP-induced cell death. ZnO NP-mediated immune cell death was associated with increased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). ZnO NP death was not due to apoptosis, necroptosis or pyroptosis. Exposure of immune cells to ZnO NPs resulted in autophagic death and increased levels of LC3A, an essential component of autophagic vacuoles. Accordingly, ZnO NP-mediated upregulation of LC3A and induction of immune cell death were inhibited by blocking autophagy and ROS production. We conclude that release of Zn(2+) from ZnO NPs triggers the production of excessive intracellular ROS, resulting in autophagic death of immune cells. Our findings suggest that exposure to ZnO NPs has the potential to impact host immunity.
Cross-Linking in Natural-Rubber Vulcanizates

Abstract Recently, a method for measuring the average number of cross-links per chain of vulcanized polymer has been developed. It is possible to calculate the degree of cross-linking of the vulcanizate from its amount of swelling in a solvent such as benzene. This method was used by Flory to study the effect of primary molecular weight on the cross-linking of Butyl vulcanizates. An evaluation of the general validity of the method was ascertained by using quantitative cross-linking agents (diazodicarboxylates) to prepare vulcanizates of natural rubber and GR-S. Bardwell and Winkler have also used this technique to study the relationship between the degree of cross-linking and the force of retraction at 300 per cent elongation of GR-S latex vulcanized with potassium persulfate. The formation of cross-linking during the vulcanization by sulfur of several polymers has also been investigated. Gee has compared the formation of cross-linking in natural rubber vulcanizates with the amount of combined sulfur. Car...
Effect of Thorium Additions on Metallurgical and Mechanical Properties of Ir-0.3 pct W Alloys

Metallurgical and mechanical properties of Ir-0.3 pct W alloys have been studied as a function of thorium concentration in the range 0 to 1000 ppm by weight. The solubility limit of thorium in Ir-0.3 pct W is below 30 ppm. Above this limit, the excess thorium reacts with iridium to form second-phase particles. Thorium additions raise the recrystallization temperature and effectively retard grain growth at high temperatures. Tensile tests at 650 °C show that the alloy without thorium additions (undoped alloy) fractured by grain-boundary (GB) separation, while the alloys doped with less than 500 ppm thorium failed mainly by transgranular fracture at 650 °C. Intergranular fracture in the doped alloys is supressed by GB segregation of thorium, which improves the mechanical properties of the boundary. The impact properties of the alloys were correlated with test temperature, grain size, and heat treatment. The impact ductility increases with test temperature and decreases with grain size. For a given grain size, particularly in the fine-grain size range, the thorium-doped alloys are much more ductile and resistant to GB fracture. All of these results can be correlated on the basis of stress concentration on GBs by using a dislocation pileup model.
Cl- channels in basolateral TAL membranes: XIII. Heterogeneity between basolateral MTAL and CTAL Cl- channels

Cl - channels in basolateral TAL membranes: XIII. Heterogeneity between basolateral MTAL and CTAL Cl - channels. Background Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic phosphate (cAMP) analogues augment net NaCl absorption in microperfused mouse medullary thick ascending limb (MTAL) segments but not in cortical thick ascending limb (CTAL) segments. This ADH-dependent MTAL effect is due to increased apical Na + /K + /2Cl - admittance and apical K + recycling accompanied by a rise in calculated intracellular Cl - concentrations and by a threefold rise in basolateral Cl - conductance. rbClC-Ka, a 75.2 member of the ClC family of Cl - channels, mediates net Cl - absorption in the MTAL. The gating characteristics of rbClC-Ka channels from their intracellular surfaces are, to our knowledge, unique among Cl - channels. The channels are activated by small increases in intracellular Cl - (K 1/2 = 10mm Cl - ). Adenosine triphosphate plus the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (ATP + PKA) gate rbClC-Ka when cytosolic Cl - concentrations are 25mm. Thus, in mouse MTAL segments, ADH-dependent rises in cytosolic Cl - are primarily responsible for basolateral Cl - conductance increases. Methods These experiments compared the properties of Cl - channels fused into bilayers from basolaterally enriched vesicles from cultured mouse CTAL cells with rbClC-Ka channels. Results The key findings were that anti-rbClC-Ka, an antibody that recognizes and blocks rbClC-Ka, recognized and blocked basolateral Cl - channels in CTAL cells, that the extracellular faces of the CTAL channels were, like rbClC-Ka, substrate gated with a K 1/2 of approximately 170mm Cl - , and that, unlike rbClC-Ka channels, cytosolic faces of basolateral CTAL Cl - channels were not gated by either increasing cytosolic Cl - concentrations or cytosolic (ATP + PKA). This failure of activation of basolateral CTAL Cl - channels was confirmed using excised patch clamp studies. Finally, on Western blots, anti-rbClC-Ka recognized a 74kDa band on basolateral CTAL vesicles. Conclusions Basolateral CTAL Cl - channels probably share a high degree of structural homology and possibly molecular mass with rbClC-Ka channels. However, significant differences between rbClC-Ka channels and CTAL Cl - channels account for the inability of increasing either cytosolic Cl - or (PKA + ATP) to raise P o in CTAL basolateral Cl - channels.
Semantics of fractional permissions with nesting

Permissions specify mutable state that can be accessed by a program. Fractions distinguish write access (1) from read access (any smaller fraction). Nesting can model object invariants and ownership. Fractional permissions provides a foundation the meaning of many of access-based annotations: uniqueness, read-only, immutability, method effects, guarded state, etc. The semantics of fractional permissions with nesting is given in terms of “fractional heaps.” We show that the fraction law Π ≡ 1/2 Π + 1/2 Π permits sound reasoning and that nesting can be carried out safely using only local reasoning.
An electrically driven terahertz modulator with over 20 dB of dynamic range

We design and test a switchable diffraction grating based on active metamaterials for terahertz modulation. We observe off-axis diffraction which permits operation of the device as a high-contrast modulator, with better than 20 dB of dynamic range.
Complex phenotypes in asthma: current definitions.

Abstract Asthma is increasingly recognized as a heterogeneous disease. However, identification of different subgroups or phenotypes has been complex and controversial. The convergence of both clinical and statistical approaches to grouping patients and their characteristics, in association with increasing recognition of molecular patterns is now beginning to move the field forward. Integration of efficacy data with targeted molecular therapies will eventually lead to more complete understanding of these “molecular phenotypes” and eventually lead to the identification of fully defined endoytpes. This process should improve our ability to treat more complex and severe forms of asthma.
Structural and Functional Modeling of Human Lysozyme Reveals a Unique Nonapeptide, HL9, with Anti-HIV Activity†

We previously reported that lysozyme accounts for anti-HIV activity associated with the beta-core fraction of human chorionic gonadotropin [Lee-Huang, S., Huang, P. L., Sun, Y., Kung, H. F., Blithe, D. L. & Chen, H. C. (1999) Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 96, 2678-81]. To define the structural and sequence requirements for anti-HIV activity, we carried out peptide fragmentation and activity mapping of human lysozyme. We identified two peptides that consist of 18 and 9 amino acids of human lysozyme (HL18 and HL9), corresponding to residues 98-115 and 107-115. HL18 and HL9 are potent inhibitors of HIV-1 infection and replication with EC(50)s of 50 to 55 nM, comparable to intact lysozyme. Scrambling the sequence or substitution of key arginine or tryptophan residues results in loss of antiviral activity. HL9, with the sequence RAWVAWRNR, is the smallest peptide we identified with full anti-HIV activity. It forms a pocket with its basic residues on the surface of the molecule. HL9 exists as an alpha-helix in native human lysozyme, in a region of the protein distinct from the muramidase catalytic site. Monte Carlo peptide folding energy minimizing simulation modeling and CD studies indicate that helical propensity does not correlate with antiviral activity. HL9 blocks HIV-1 viral entrance and replication, and modulates gene expression of HIV-infected cells, affecting pathways involved in survival, stress, TGFbeta, p53, NFkappaB, protein kinase C and hedgehog signaling.
A line in the sea

THE ocean has considerable spatial and temporal heterogeneity in biomass and productivity owing in part to the effects of ocean circulation and mixing1,2. Water mass boundaries (fronts) in coastal waters are well-known sites of enhanced biological activity3,4. Comparatively little is known of open-ocean fronts, and one of the few biological studies of an oceanic front showed phytoplankton biomass at only slightly higher densities than in surrounding waters5. Here we present photographs and measurements from satellites, aircraft, ships and the Space Shuttle Atlantis which show dramatic biological responses to circulation and mixing processes associated with an open-ocean front. Breaking waves (whitecaps) caused by water turbulence and mixing, and very dark green water caused by extremely high concentrations (>20 mg of chlorophyll a per m3) of buoyant diatoms (Rhizosolenia sp.) made a distinct line in the sea visible for hundreds of kilometres. The line traced the northern edge of a westward-progagating (50 km per day) tropical instability wave (1,000-km wavelength) delineating the boundary between cold, upwelled waters and warmer waters to the north. High phytoplankton biomass and primary production associated with the extensive diatom patches may explain anecdotal observations of high animal abundance along this frontal boundary.
Vandermonde independent matrices, basic sets, and polynomial matrix functions over a finite field

Let D and R be sets and let denote a collection of functions from D to R. A subset S of D is called a basic set for iff every function g:S→R has a unique extension . For a given class such a set may or may not exist. After discussing several related concepts and deriving a few of the elementary properties of basic sets in general, this paper examines the question of whether or not basic sets exist for a particular class of matrix functions over a finite field. Specifically, if Fq denotes the finite field of q elements and denotes the algebra of n × n matrices of Fq , then a function is called a right polynomial function on iff there arc matrices A0 ,…,Am in such that for all . The collection of all right polynomial functions on , denoted by , is the class of interest in this paper. The question of whether or not basic sets exist for leads in a natural way to the introduction of the following concept of independence for a set of matrices. A subset {X 1,…,Xt} of is called a V-independent set iff the general...
Analytical equation of state for molecular fluids: Kihara model for rodlike molecules.

We present an analytical equation of state for convex-molecule fluids in any number of dimensions, based on statistical-mechanical perturbation theory for hard convex bodies. The second virial coefficient is calculated exactly. Two temperature-dependent parameters in addition to the second virial coefficient arise, an effective molecular volume (or van der Waals covolume) and a scaling factor for the average contact pair distribution function of hard convex bodies. The equation is tested against computer simulations and perturbation calculations for the model of rodlike molecules interacting via a Kihara (12,6) potential. This model allows the two temperature-dependent parameters to be calculated from the intermolecular potential by simple quadrature, without further approximations for averaging over molecular orientations. The agreement is quite good.
Combat in the dissertation zone

Dans cet article, l'A se penche sur la difficulte de la direction de theses en sociologie. L'A revient sur l'importance et les differents modeles du travail intellectuel universitaire, pour se pencher sur les effets des interactions avec les etudiants et la confrontation au marche universitaire
Argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) deficiency in high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinoma: an opportunity for personalized targeted therapy

Cells deficient in argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) must absorb the arginine they need for growth from circulating blood. Treatment with pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG 20) selectively eliminates arginine from the circulation and has shown some efficacy against ASS-deficient tumors including small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We sought to assess ASS expression in a cohort of high-grade pulmonary neuroendocrine carcinomas (PNEC) which include SCLC and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC). Sixty-nine PNEC (49 SCLC and 20 LCNEC) were retrieved from our pathology archives. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections of the 54 primary tumors, 15 metastases and appropriate positive and negative controls were immunostained using an ASS-specific monoclonal antibody. Positive staining in <30 % of the tumor was scored as weak; staining in ≥30 % of the tumor was scored as strong. The absence of staining in the tumor was recorded as ASS negative. 58 % of the PNEC including 61.2 % of the SCLC and 50 % of the LCNEC were ASS negative. These ASS-negative tumors included 63 % of the primary and 40 % of the metastatic lesions tested. More than 50 % of the high-grade PNEC tested lack immunohistochemically detectable ASS, suggesting that they are auxotrophic for arginine and potential candidates for arginine deprivation therapy. PNEC comprise about 25 % of primary lung cancers and have a 5-year overall survival of only 5–10 %, underscoring the need for new and more effective therapies. Immunostaining for ASS has potential to improve the selection of patients with PNEC for arginine deprivation therapy with ADI-PEG 20.
Resistive wave dissipation on magnetic inhomogeneities Normal modes and phase mixing

Numerical solutions of the linearized, resistive MHD equations indicate the presence of two characteristic forms of wave decay on magnetic inhomogeneities. Solutions for relatively long-wavelength disturbances and large values of the resistivity have the behavior of decaying normal modes. In the opposite limits, phase mixing becomes important, with the eventual build-up of large spatial gradients in which the resistive terms dominate. This composite behavior is shown to be conceptually consistent with analytic results, which predict that the complete solution consists of the sum of collective and noncollective contributions. The numerical simulations go beyond analytic theory by defining where each contribution prevails and computing wave decay when phase mixing is effective. The dispersion relation in the normal-mode regime is also determined analytically, with some approximations, and is in good agreement with the numerical solution. The decay time of the normal modes varies with Lundquist number at S1/6, while the phase-mixed decay time scales as S1/3.
Nocebo Responses to Antihypertensive Medications

Apatient was seen in consultation for intolerance to multiple antihypertensive medications. She presented a list of her experiences, which is summarized in the Table. Although the cough she experienced while taking angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors was a typical side effect of this drug class and consistent on rechallenge, this was not the case with her other reported medication reactions. When the patient received the same medication labeled in the same way (Calan SR), she had diarrhea on both occasions. When she received the same medication labeled differently (Calan SR or Verelan and Cozaar or Hyzaar), her reactions differed. The patient listed valsartan, propranolol, hydralazine, and indapamide as ineffective, but it was not clarified whether they were tolerated. The patient was taking one-fourth 100 mg metoprolol twice a day, but experienced headache and heartburn at higher doses, and clonidine 0.1 mg daily, but experienced a localized rash at higher doses. She had been hospitalized on one occasion for hypertension and on another occasion for hypertension and ‘‘stress.’’ She was currently taking alprazolam. She summarized her view of antihypertensive medications as ‘‘I am scared of them.’’ She added that statins raised her blood pressure, but she was tolerating levothyroxine. After an explanation for the origin of these nonspecific side effects was provided to the patient, she stated that she did not believe this accounted for her reactions.
The Effects of Total Sleep Deprivation on Cerebral Responses to Cognitive Performance

We review the findings from a study utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) to examine the effects of total sleep deprivation (TSD) on verbal learning, arithmetic, and divided attention. For verbal learning and divided attention, TSD was associated with increased activation in the bilateral prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes. Increased sleepiness after TSD and lower levels of memory impairment were correlated with increased activation in specific regions of the prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes, respectively. The arithmetic task led to significantly decreased activation in the bilateral prefrontal cortex and parietal lobes. Based on this and other data, we hypothesize an adaptive cerebral response during cognitive performance following TSD with the specific pattern of adaptation depending on the specific cognitive processes performed. We discuss the need to test the hypothesis in a variety of ways.
Reverse link outage probabilities of multicarrier CDMA systems with beamforming in the presence of carrier frequency offset

The outage probability of reverse link multicarrier (MC) code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems with beamforming in the presence of carrier frequency offset (CFO) is studied. A conventional uniform linear array (ULA) beamformer is utilized. An independent Nakagami fading channel is assumed for each subcarrier of all users. The outage probability is first investigated under a scenario where perfect beamforming is assumed. A closed form expression of the outage probability is derived. The impact of different types of beamforming impairments on the outage probability is then evaluated, including direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation errors, angle spreads, and mutual couplings. Numerical results show that the outage probability improves significantly as the number of antenna elements increases. The effect of CFO on the outage probability is reduced significantly when the beam-forming technique is employed. Also, it is seen that small beamforming impairments (DOA estimation errors and angle spreads) only affect the outage probability very slightly, and the mutual coupling between adjacent antenna elements does not affect the outage probability noticeably.
Ab initio study of electronic coupling in the aqueous Fe2+–Fe3+ electron exchange process

Electronic Hamiltonian matrix elements between initial and final zeroth order states associated with electron exchange in the hexa‐aquo Fe2+/Fe3+ redox system have been calculated in terms of self‐consistent field (SCF) ab initio wave functions. The face‐to‐face and apex‐to‐apex approach geometries of the quasioctahedral reactants have been modeled, respectively, by the [Fe(H2O)3–Fe(H2O)3]5+ cluster (S6 symmetry) and the [Fe(H2O)–Fe(H2O)]5+ cluster (D2h symmetry). For the latter cluster, the Condon approximation has been tested and found to be accurate to within ∼1 cm−1 for the important range of inner‐shell FeO distances. The calculations employ ab initio effective core potentials for inner‐shell electrons and explicitly include all metal and ligand valence electrons. Due to weak 3d–3d overlap, the energy‐preferred SCF solutions are charge localized (i.e., symmetry broken: S6→C3 and D2h→C2v). The present results for the interpenetrating face‐to‐face approach geometry are quite similar to earlier results based on a crystal‐field model, implying an electronic transmission factor 〈κ〉 of ∼1/5 at the most probable reactive encounter separation (5.3 A). The alternative apex‐to‐apex approach geometry is found to be less kinetically favorable. Attempts to fit calculated values of the electronic matrix elements to functions of the form Pn(r)rm exp(−αr) for the range r∼5–8 A, where r is the Fe⋅⋅⋅Fe separation in A and Pn(r) is a polynominal, yield values of α ranging from 0.8 to 2.4 A−1, depending on the values of n and m, the orientation of reactants, and the model employed for the ligands. The calculated matrix elements are found to be rather insensitive with respect to variation of certain features of the SCF wave functions.
Use of pharmacokinetic data below lower limit of quantitation values.

In assessing the pharmacokinetics (PK) of therapeutic agents, studies are commonly performed to evaluate the ‘washout’ of the drugs and metabolites after single or multiple doses. The author is often frustrated when viewing reports and publications where the lower concentrations of drugs are absent and reported as Below the Limit of Quantitation (BLQ). Similar circumstances occur in pharmacodynamic (PD) studies where biomarkers are suppressed to very low, but meaningful, concentrations. When seeking these missing values, a common response is referral to the 2001 FDA Guidance on Bioanalytical Method Validation (1) and the later 2007 AAPS Workshop Report (2). The former advises that use of measurements below the LLOQ is “not recommended”. Thus such values are not usually provided. The author herein provides arguments for provision and acceptance of such data in many circumstances. While this issue has been addressed previously in somewhat similar vein (3), it seems appropriate to revisit at the present time in view of the persistence of this analytical dilemma and the advancement of pharmacometric concepts and methods for dealing with low exposure data.
Mechanically strong, flexible highly conducting polyaniline structures formed from polyaniline gels

Abstract Strong and highly conductive films up to 0.6 mm thick can be prepared from polyaniline gels. Concentrated emeraldine base solutions (>6 wt%) in NMP are found able to form these gels. Films obtained from these gels have better mechanical properties than those obtained from typical dilute solutions (1 wt%). Doping of the gel films in different dopant/solvent solutions are studied. Films doped in EtSO3H/acetic acid can be cold drawn to a draw ratio of 3.5 to 1 and have conductivities of 103 S/cm or better. Dopant and moisture content are found to have a large influence on the mechanical properties of the films.
On energy circuits in the failing myocardium.

This editorial refers to 'High-energy phosphotransfer in the failing mouse heart: role of adenylate kinase and glycolytic enzymes' by D. Aksentijevic et al., published in this issue on page 1282-1289.