cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Wealth Effects of Sale and Leasebacks: New Evidence

This paper investigates the phenomenon of sale and leasebacks as one way in which firms may use financial contracts to rearrange their organizational architecture. A theoretic model links the length of initial leaseback period to incentives to make noncontractible future investments in the lease relationship and predicts that firms choose shorter leases when landlords make relatively important investments. Using a sample of 71 sale and leaseback events from the 1990s, we document a significant mean abnormal return of 1.3% for shareholders of seller/lessee firms announcing relatively short leasebacks. The evidence suggests that firms may use sale and leasebacks to optimize their claims to real estate.
The shine problem in hair: review of imaging methods and measures for luster.

J. Cosmet. Sci., 60, 111–123 (March/April 2009) Synopsis There is a need for both a better understanding of the technical drivers of shiny appearance in hair and for standard methods and measures of shine. To this end, we develop standard treatment methods for changing hair shine and examine a number of image-based measurements of luster. Using psychophysical techniques to get a perceptual reference, we find that available technical measures are difficult to use when trying to quantify the small changes in shine associated with treatment.
Effects of homeownership on household savings

Abstract Causal effects of homeownership decisions on the level and composition of household savings accumulation are estimated. Genuine positive impacts on both total and nonhousing savings as a function of house value chosen are found. The findings suggest, however, that the homeownership decision in conjunction with choice of an average owner-occupied house value does not substantially alter the total amount of accumulated household savings.
Development of Met-enkephalin immunoreactivity in organotypic explants of fetal mouse spinal cord and attached dorsal root ganglia.

Abstract Radioimmunoassays of methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk) in organotypic cultures of 13-day fetal mouse spinal cord explants with attached dorsal root ganglia (DRG) demonstrate a progressive development of immunoreactivity (IR) during 5 weeks in vitro. Met-Enk IR in these cultures increased to levels observed in adult rodent spinal cord. Most of the Met-Enk IR assays were made on cord explants excised from cord-DRG cultures. In smaller numbers of assays performed on entire DRG-cord cultures or on cord cultured in the absence of DRGs, similar levels of Met-Enk IR were obtained. Thus most of the Met-Enk IR appeared to be located within the cord tissue. No Met-Enk IR was detected in DRGs cultured in the absence of cord. In contrast, low levels of Met-Enk IR were present in about 50% of the assays of DRGs cultured attached to the cord. Since these assays included the neuritic outgrowths of the cultures, our data do not preclude possible contamination by Met-Enk immunoreactive cord neurites that may have aberrantly projected into the outgrowth zones. Nevertheless, the data raise the possibility of a trophic influence of cord tissue on the development of Met-Enk IR in DRG neurons. The development of Met-Enk IR in cord regions of cord-DRG explants extends previous binding assays demonstrating development of opiate receptors in these cultures 13,14 and provides further support to electrophysiological analyses suggesting tonic opioid inhibitory networks in these explants 7 .
Hole pockets in the doped 2D Hubbard model

The electronic momentum distribution n(k) of the two dimensional Hubbard model is studied for different values of the coupling U/t, electronic density 〈n 〉, and temperature, using quantum Monte Carlo techniques. A detailed analysis of the data on 8 × 8 clusters shows that features consistent with hole pockets at momenta k=(±π/2,±π/2,) appear as the system is doped away from half-filling. Our results are consistent with recent experimental data for the cuprates discussed by Aebi et al. (Phys. Rev. Lett.72, 2757 (1994)). In the range of couplings studied, the depth of the pockets is maximum at 〈n 〉 approximately 0.9, and it increases with decreasing temperature. The apparent absence of hole pockets in previous numerical studies of this model is explained.
Pride—A new early potato variety with shallow eyes and some scab resistance

Pride is a new early white potato variety with smooth skin, shallow eyes, some scab resistance, and average specific gravity. Since it sets heavier than most varieties, it should be spaced farther apart in the row. Irrigation or adequate natural moisture are necessary for good size tubers and a satisfactory yield.
LET effect on cross-linking and scission mechanisms of PMMA during irradiation

Abstract Mechanisms of scission and cross-linking are investigated for poly(methyl methacrylate) subjected to various irradiation sources, such as low LET radiation sources (MeV e -beams, Co 60 γ-rays) and high LET ions (MeV He + , Ar + ). PMMA properties were degraded upon irradiation by e -beam and γ-rays, but were improved upon bombardment with high energy ion beams (HEIB) as a result of cross-linking. The results indicate that high LET produces a high concentration of free radicals over many neighboring molecular chains, facilitating track overlap and enhancing cross-linking over scission, while low LET affects only a single molecular chain, leading to chain scission.
China's Permanent and Temporary Migrants: Differentials and Changes, 1990–2000

A unique feature of migration in China is its two-track system, one consisting of permanent migration and temporary migration. This article examines whether and how hukou reforms and the maturation of migration streams since the 1980s have changed the two-track system. Using data on interprovincial migration from the 1990 and 2000 censuses, our empirical analysis focuses on the differentials between permanent migrants and temporary migrants and their changes over time. We document the size, migration reasons, and selectivity of migrants, and we evaluate the determinants of the dichotomy between permanent migrants and temporary migrants via logistic regression models. Our findings show that between 1990 and 2000 the gaps between interprovincial permanent migrants and temporary migrants did not narrow but in most aspects had widened. There is little evidence that hukou reforms have lowered the barriers to urban citizenship. At the same time, a larger spectrum of the rural population has joined the temporary...
Modeling capacity fade in lithium-ion cells

Battery life is an important, yet technically challenging, issue for battery development and application. Adequately estimating battery life requires a significant amount of testing and modeling effort to validate the results. Integrated battery testing and modeling is quite feasible today to simulate battery performance, and therefore applicable to predict its life. A relatively simple equivalent-circuit model (ECM) is used in this work to show that such an integrated approach can actually lead to a high-fidelity simulation of a lithium-ion cell's performance and life. The methodology to model the cell's capacity fade during thermal aging is described to illustrate its applicability to battery calendar life prediction.
A 5-GHz high-efficiency class-E oscillator

A 5-GHz high-efficiency feedback oscillator using a class-E amplifier is presented. The oscillator is designed at 5.0 GHz for maximum conversion efficiency using only quasilinear simulation techniques. A maximum conversion efficiency of 59% is measured with an output power of 300 mW. The oscillator can also be biased for a maximum power of 600 mW with a conversion efficiency of 48%.
Influence of effectors on the rate of reaction of reduced ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase with N-ethylmaleimide

Abstract Ribonucleoside triphosphate reductase from Lactobacillus leichmannii , after reduction by exposure to dithiothreitol, has been alkylated with N -ethylmaleimide. Under conditions where the unreduced enzyme does not incorporate N -ethylmaleimide residues, the reduced enzyme is rapidly alkylated to the extent of one N -ethylmaleimide per molecule of enzyme. Loss of enzyme activity parallels the incorporation of N -ethylmaleimide. The value of the second-order rate constant for the alkylation at 0 °C of the reduced enzyme is influenced by the presence of some of the effectors of the enzyme, e.g., dATP at 200 μ m reduces this parameter from 0.61 to 0.33 m m −1 min −1 . The addition of coenzyme B 12 did not significantly affect the rate of alkylation of the reduced enzyme nor did it change the rate of alkylation of the dATP-reduced enzyme complex. Reduced enzyme, freed of dithiol, was shown to be unable to convert CTP stoichiometrically to dCTP when all of the usual enzyme assay components, except the dithiol, were present, nor did addition of CTP to the otherwise complete mixture decrease the level of N -ethylmaleimide-reactive thiol. However, the subsequent addition of dithiol was found to result in essentially complete reduction of CTP to dCTP. Hence, although reduction of the enzyme is probably required to generate an active form of the enzyme, the reduced enzyme does not appear to be capable of transferring its reducing equivalents stoichiometrically to the substrate to form dCTP from CTP. These results are discussed in terms of the mechanism of action of this enzyme.
The Cultic World of the Blind Monks: Benzaiten, Jūzenji, and Shukujin

AbstractThis paper examines the complex institutional and symbolic network that developed during the medieval period, bringing together people, places, institutions, myths, legends, rituals, and deities. It focuses on the relationships between the goddess of musical arts and eloquence Benzaiten, the Hie Shrine deity Jūzenji, and itinerant performers such as the blind monks (mōsō) and the biwa hōshi, who were instrumental in bringing together traditional Buddhist teachings and the performing arts (geinō). The paper argues that these relationships formed part of a broader semantic and symbolic field, at the center of which was the Protean figure of the shukujin (whose name can mean “astral god” and “god of destiny,” but also “god of the shuku”—outcasts groups and settlements). It shows how the latter was eventually identified by the Nō playwright Konparu Zenchiku (1405-1468), in his seminal work Meishukushū, with the figure of Okina, the divine old man that is widely regarded as the symbol of Nō theater. With the slow decline of the blind monks and the growing aestheticism of Nō, however, the vital connection between esoteric Buddhism, local religious traditions, and the performing arts eventually unraveled.
Bile acids. LXXIII. Synthesis of analogs of 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one as substrates for hepatic steroid 12α-hydroxylase

Abstract Analogs of 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one were prepared to ascertain structural features necessary for maximal activity of hepatic microsomal 12α-steroid hydroxylase. Methyl 3α,7α-dihydroxy-5β-cholane-24-carboxylate derived from chenodeoxycholic acid was oxidized at C-3 with silver carbonate/Celite. The product was hydrolyzed and dehydrogenated with SeO 2 to provide 3-oxo-7α-hydroxy-4-cholene-24-carboxylic acid. 5β-Cholestane-3α,7α,25-triol and 5β-cholestane-3α,7α,12α,25-tetrol were similarly oxidized at C-3 and dehydrogenated to provide 7α,25-dihydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and 7α,12a,25-trihydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, respectively. The products were characterized by thin-layer and gas chromatography, ultraviolet, infrared, proton resonance and mass spectrometry.
MULTI-WAVELENGTH OBSERVATIONS OF SOLAR FLARES WITH A CONSTRAINED PEAK X-RAY FLUX

We present an analysis of soft X-ray (SXR) and extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) observations of solar flares with an approximate C8 Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) class. Our constraint on peak GOES SXR flux allows for the investigation of correlations between various flare parameters. We show that the duration of the decay phase of a flare is proportional to the duration of its rise phase. Additionally, we show significant correlations between the radiation emitted in the flare rise and decay phases. These results suggest that the total radiated energy of a given flare is proportional to the energy radiated during the rise phase alone. This partitioning of radiated energy between the rise and decay phases is observed in both SXR and EUV wavelengths. Though observations from the EUV Variability Experiment show significant variation in the behavior of individual EUV spectral lines during different C8 events, this work suggests that broadband EUV emission is well constrained. Furthermore, GOES and Atmospheric Imaging Assembly data allow us to determine several thermal parameters (e.g., temperature, volume, density, and emission measure) for the flares within our sample. Analysis of these parameters demonstrate that, within this constrained GOES class, the longer duration solar flares are cooler events with larger volumes capable of emitting vast amounts of radiation. The shortest C8 flares are typically the hottest events, smaller in physical size, and have lower associated total energies. These relationships are directly comparable with several scaling laws and flare loop models.
Abstract 4092: Cancer-type regulation of MIG-6 expression by 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine and Trichostatin A

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Mitogen inducible gene 6 (MIG-6) is a tumor suppressor gene located in chromosome 1p36 which is frequently lost in many human cancers. It is mainly viewed as a negative feedback regulator of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family members by directly binding to the receptors and thereby negatively regulating the signaling. Mice with Mig-6 deficiency are prone to develop epithelial hyperplasia or tumors in various tissues including lung, gallbladder, bile duct, uterus and skin. Previously, we reported a few mutations in MIG-6 gene in human lung cancer, but such event is rare. To determine if MIG-6 is regulated by epigenetic silencing, we identified a group of cancer cell lines with low or no MIG-6 expression and investigated the status of DNA methylation and histone deacetylation in MIG-6 promoter. We found that DNA methylation inhibitor 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-Aza-dC) induced MIG-6 expression in the melanoma but not in the lung cancer cell lines, while histone deacetylase inhibitor Trichostatin A (TSA) induced MIG-6 expression in lung cancer lines but not in melanoma cell lines. However, the MIG-6 promoter itself does not seem to be directly affected by methylation or histone deacetylation, indicating they are indirectly regulated and most likely mediated by transcription factor(s). Luciferase reporter assays revealed that a short segment of exon-1 in MIG-6 gene is responsible for the induction of its expression by TSA in the lung cancer cells. Our data suggest that MIG-6 gene expression is differentially regulated by the inhibitors of methylation and histone deacetylation in lung cancer and melanoma cells respectively, without directly modifying the promoter. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4092. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4092
The biological characteristics of a water soluble porphyrin in rat lymph nodes.

Abstract The biological characteristics of a radiolabeled metalloporphyrin, 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)-porphinato [ 67 Cu]copper (II) ([ 67 Cu]TCPP), in rat lymph nodes, surrounding muscle, fat and blood were determined. Lymphatic tissue localized greater amounts of [ 67 Cu]TCPP than did surrounding muscle and fat. Inflamed lymph nodes localized greater amounts of [ 67 Cu]TCPP than did noninflamed lymph nodes. Time course studies suggest that the uptake of [ 67 Cu]TCPP in noninflamed and in inflamed lymph nodes may involve different biological processes. The affinity of [ 67 Cu]TCPP for inflamed lymph nodes may be influenced by the degree of inflammation. If further studies confirm these results, [ 67 Cu]TCPP may be useful as a potential radiopharmaceutical for imaging inflamed lymph nodes.
Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP: mediators of the mechanical effects on bone remodeling.

Compressive forces of physiological magnitude (60 grams per square centimeter) reduce the adenosine 39,59-monophosphate and guanosine 39,59-monophosphate content of the epiphyses of tibiae from 16-day-old chick embryos. An equivalent hydrostatic pressure applied directly to cells isolated from this tissue also affects cyclic nucleotide accumulation. The tissue response is uniform throughout the epiphysis, whereas the cell response varies according to the area of origin.
Yukawa Deflected Gauge Mediation

We consider models that are natural extensions of those where supersymmetry is broken at low energy scales and transmitted to visible matter by gauge interactions. We investigate the situation where the quark and lepton superfields of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM) are localized to a brane in a higher dimensional space while the messenger fields and the sector that breaks supersymmetry dynamically are localized to another brane in the same space. The MSSM gauge and Higgs fields are assumed to propagate in the bulk. If some of the messenger fields and the Higgs fields have the same quantum numbers, this allows the possibility of mixing between these fields so that the physical Higgs and messenger fields are admixtures of the brane and bulk fields. This manifests itself in direct couplings of the quark and lepton fields to the physical messengers which are proportional to the MSSM Yukawa couplings and hence preserve the flavor structure of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Masakawa (CKM) matrix. The result is new contributions to the soft supersymmetry breaking parameters that are related to the Yukawa couplings and which therefore naturally satisfy the constraints from flavor changing neutral currents. For messenger scales greater than 1000 TeV these new contributions are parametrically of the same order of magnitude as gauge mediation. This scenario naturally avoids the cosmological problems associated with stable messengers and admits a simple and natural solution to the \ensuremath{\mu} problem based on the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model.
Mixtures of regressions with changepoints

We introduce an extension to the mixture of linear regressions model where changepoints are present. Such a model provides greater flexibility over a standard changepoint regression model if the data are believed to not only have changepoints present, but are also believed to belong to two or more unobservable categories. This model can provide additional insight into data that are already modeled using mixtures of regressions, but where the presence of changepoints has not yet been investigated. After discussing the mixture of regressions with changepoints model, we then develop an Expectation/Conditional Maximization (ECM) algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation. Two simulation studies illustrate the performance of our ECM algorithm and we analyze a real dataset.
Increased Zap-70 Association with CD3ζ in CD4 T Cells from Old Mice

Abstract Aging diminishes the amount of phosphotyrosine in the CD3ζ chains of resting and activated mouse CD4 T cells by about threefold and might therefore be expected to a corresponding decline in Zap-70 association with CD3ζ and in Zap-70 kinase function in CD3ζ complexes. We show here that aging leads, unexpectedly, to an approximately twofold increase in the amount of Zap-70 associated with CD3ζ in resting CD4 T cells. There is, however, no effect of age on total intracellular Zap-70 content. Cross-linking CD3 to CD4 leads to an increase of only 50% in the functional activity of Zap-70 in CD3ζ complexes from freshly isolated CD4 T cells of young donors. Compared to Jurkat and HT-2 cells, fresh T cells show both higher baseline levels and lower induced levels of Zap-70 function in CD3ζ complexes. CD4 T cells from old mice have baseline levels of Zap-70 activity similar to those seen in activated T cells from young mice, and these levels do not increase after CD3/CD4 cross-linking. Tyrosine-specific phosphorylation of Zap-70 is also higher at rest in old T cells than in young T cells and inducible only in cells from young donors. These data suggest that age-related defects in T cell activation are not likely to be attributable simply to a decline in Zap-70 association with CD3ζ or to diminished Zap-70 phosphorylation. The increase with age in CD3ζ-Zap association, despite the loss with age in CD3ζ tyrosine phosphorylation, suggests that the pattern of tyrosine phosphate groups among CD3ζ ITAM groups may be different in T cells from young and old donors or that access to ITAM regions within CD3ζ may be blocked by inter- or intramolecular steric hindrance in young CD4 T cells.
A model of thermal conductivity for planetary soils: 1. Theory for unconsolidated soils

[1] We present a model of heat conduction for mono-sized spherical particulate media under stagnant gases based on the kinetic theory of gases, numerical modeling of Fourier's law of heat conduction, theoretical constraints on the gas thermal conductivity at various Knudsen regimes, and laboratory measurements. Incorporating the effect of the temperature allows for the derivation of the pore-filling gas conductivity and bulk thermal conductivity of samples using additional parameters (pressure, gas composition, grain size, and porosity). The radiative and solid-to-solid conductivities are also accounted for. Our thermal model reproduces the well-established bulk thermal conductivity dependency of a sample with the grain size and pressure and also confirms laboratory measurements finding that higher porosities generally lead to lower conductivities. It predicts the existence of the plateau conductivity at high pressure, where the bulk conductivity does not depend on the grain size. The good agreement between the model predictions and published laboratory measurements under a variety of pressures, temperatures, gas compositions, and grain sizes provides additional confidence in our results. On Venus, Earth, and Titan, the pressure and temperature combinations are too high to observe a soil thermal conductivity dependency on the grain size, but each planet has a unique thermal inertia due to their different surface temperatures. On Mars, the temperature and pressure combination is ideal to observe the soil thermal conductivity dependency on the average grain size. Thermal conductivity models that do not take the temperature and the pore-filling gas composition into account may yield significant errors.
Systolic Partitioned And Banded Linear Algebraic Computations

For general linear algebraic computations in science, engineering and mathematics, problem sizes typically grow until constraints imposed by computation rates, I/O or memory availability result in unreasonably long execution times. From this point of view such computing architectures as systolic arrays provide a potential for processing much larger arrays. However, in order to utilize this potential, the problem of how to efficiently decompose large arrays onto a fixed systolic array in a numerically stable way must be solved. In some cases this is most efficiently done by partitioning the algorithm so that it can be run as a sequence of operations on input subarrays that are of the same size as the underlying hardware array. For some cases, such as those associated with banded matrices, it is necessary only to process the non-zero data. In all cases, however, the algorithms must run on the same hardware array without an undue amount of extra control or communication overhead. In this paper we describe algorithmic and architectural approaches to providing a fairly broad range of linear algebraic operations on matrices that are much larger than the underlying hardware array. All of the techniques we describe here have been simulated in detail using APL in order to verify correctness.
Third Generation E-journals and Beyond

in a discussion with Peter Boyce (American Astronomical Society), Gerry McKiernan (Iowa State University), and David Pritchard (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)The first electronic journals a...
Evaluation of a QTL for waterlogging tolerance in Southern soybean germplasm

Water-saturated soils and flooding (submergence) can greatly reduce soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield. Mapping analyses with the simple sequence repeat (SSR) marker Sat_064 have identified a quantiative trait locus (QTL) for tolerance to waterlogging in the cultivar Archer. Our objectives were to evaluate the effect of this QTL on waterlogging tolerance in southern environments and genetic backgrounds, and to assess variability for waterlogging tolerance in Archer derived populations. We used Sat_064 genotype data to create seven sets of NILs from the populations A5403 × Archer and 9641 × Archer. The NILs were grown under waterlogged (water level 70-120 mm above the soil surface for 2 wk starting at flowering) and irrigated control conditions at three environments in 1999 and 2000 and evaluated each for yield and visual waterlogging injury. Waterlogging injury was rated on a 0 (no symptoms) to 9 (>90% severely chlorotic or dead) scale. Checks and select RILs from the same crosses were also tested. Additional RILs from each population were tested for waterlogging injury in 2000. The Sat_064 marker did not account for a significant portion of the variability among the NILs for either waterlogging tolerance based on yield, yield in waterlogged conditions, or waterlogging injury. This may be due to the southern genetic backgrounds and environments in this study as the Sat_064 QTL was originally identified in northern genetic backgrounds and environments. Variation for waterlogging tolerance and waterlogging injury was noted in the RIL populations. The most tolerant RILs suffered a 32% yield reduction from waterlogging and had a waterlogging injury rating of 1.3 while the most susceptible RILs suffered a 77% yield loss and had a waterlogging injury score of 6.8. The populations segregated for waterlogging tolerance independently of the Sat_064 marker. Visual assessment of waterlogging injury was associated with yield-based assessment of waterlogging tolerance and could be used to select for lines with improved waterlogging tolerance.
Characterizing Power and Resource Consumption of Encryption/Decryption in Portable Devices

One way to facilitate private communication is to transform information using encryption. However, encryption algorithms are computation-intensive and power-hungry operations for portable devices, which have computing resource limits and energy constraints. Choosing a suitable encryption-decryption algorithm to implement in portable devices is an important decision that needs to be made in order to secure the exchange of sensitive information without over utilizing the power source, processor and memory in mobile devices. This paper provides a methodology to comprehensively evaluate encryption/decryption algorithms for portable devices based on energy, delay, and footprint. Our result is based on four cutting edge algorithms: RC6, Serpent, Mars, and Twofish, and can help to analyze the power and resource overhead of encryption/decryption, as well as other applications running on mobile devices.
Sensory nerve terminal mitochondrial dysfunction induces hyperexcitability in airway nociceptors via protein kinase C.

Airway sensory nerve excitability is a key determinant of respiratory disease-associated reflexes and sensations such as cough and dyspnea. Inflammatory signaling modulates mitochondrial function and produces reactive oxygen species (ROS). Peripheral terminals of sensory nerves are densely packed with mitochondria; thus, we hypothesized that mitochondrial modulation would alter neuronal excitability. We recorded action potential firing from the terminals of individual bronchopulmonary C-fibers using a mouse ex vivo lung-vagal ganglia preparation. C-fibers were characterized as nociceptors or non-nociceptors based upon conduction velocity and response to transient receptor potential (TRP) channel agonists. Antimycin A (mitochondrial complex III Qi site inhibitor) had no effect on the excitability of non-nociceptors. However, antimycin A increased excitability in nociceptive C-fibers, decreasing the mechanical threshold by 50% and increasing the action potential firing elicited by a P2X2/3 agonist to 270% of control. Antimycin A–induced nociceptor hyperexcitability was independent of TRP ankyrin 1 or TRP vanilloid 1 channels. Blocking mitochondrial ATP production with oligomycin or myxothiazol had no effect on excitability. Antimycin A–induced hyperexcitability was dependent on mitochondrial ROS and was blocked by intracellular antioxidants. ROS are known to activate protein kinase C (PKC). Antimycin A–induced hyperexcitability was inhibited by the PKC inhibitor bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) I, but not by its inactive analog BIM V. In dissociated vagal neurons, antimycin A caused ROS-dependent PKC translocation to the membrane. Finally, H2O2 also induced PKC-dependent nociceptive C-fiber hyperexcitability and PKC translocation. In conclusion, ROS evoked by mitochondrial dysfunction caused nociceptor hyperexcitability via the translocation and activation of PKC.
Thermal characterization analysis of milkweed flos

The thermal analysis of milkweed and several individual commercial materials of similar chemical composition has been carried out. By combining a two-stage thermal process (pyrolysis-combustion) with a thermogravimetric analyzer and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, it has been possible to identify the major organic volatile products of pyrolysis and to correlate gas evolution with the decomposition of the individual components (cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin) of the floss. During pyrolysis, acetic acid, formic acid and methanol are formed in addition to CO2 and H20. The data also show that pyrolytic decomposition of the three chemical constituents of milkweed occur without any apparent synergistic interaction. The combustion of milkweed produced CO2 and H20, as expected, but the removal of the waxy coating from the fibers results in an increased susceptibility to combustion. The coating displays no effect on the process of pyrolysis.
Technology and Capacity Building

Poverty is created and sustained by a system, not merely low income. A weak infrastructure precludes safe water, electricity, efficient food production and distribution. The absence of a rule of law and/or dangerous neighbors, poor education, and scarcity of health facilities all exacerbate poverty. All of these factors work together to create a system of poverty that becomes almost inescapable. In this chapter we include four cases of projects aimed at addressing the system of poverty. Eskom, the leading energy company in South Africa faced the daunting task of electrifying neglected communities in that country. The Volta River Project, demonstrates the difficulties of providing adequate power and water in Ghana. Transforming Education In Rural Haiti: Intel and L’Ecole De Choix, narrates a school project in earthquake-ravaged Haiti, and Zynga, a large interactive social gaming company, embarked on a series of efforts to raise funds through its games for various antipoverty initiatives in the developing world.
A fast median filter using AltiVec

The paper describes the design and implementation of a median filter for graphics images on the Motorola AltiVec architecture. The filter utilizes 16-way SIMD parallelism to filter images at rates of 1.15 cycles/pixel for 3/spl times/3 squares and 6.6 cycles/pixel for 5/spl times/5 squares. The median filter is based on a new sorting network which sorts N/sup 2/ numbers (arranged in an N/spl times/N square) by sorting all columns, rows, and diagonal lines in the square. The paper also describes a scheme for efficient testing of the sorting network.
Death Due to Acute Salicylate Intoxication Despite Dialysis

Abstract Background: Salicylate poisoning is a common problem with appreciable morbidity and mortality. We present a case of a patient with a large aspirin ingestion who expired despite aggressive hemodialysis (HD). Case Report: A 35-year-old man arrived at the Emergency Department 7.5 h after ingesting 400 tablets of 325-mg aspirin. He was afebrile, the respiratory rate (RR) was 30 breaths/min, heart rate (HR) 120 beats/min, blood pressure (BP) 125/76 mm Hg, and oxygen saturation 99% on room air. His salicylate concentration was 89.6 mg/dL. His initial arterial blood gas: pH 7.48, pCO 2 21 mm Hg, PaO 2 97 mm Hg, and bicarbonate 15.8 mmol/L. His initial serum chemistry panel was normal. He received activated charcoal and intravenous hydration with sodium bicarbonate. Two hours after arrival, salicylate concentration was 91.6 mg/dL. The patient became agitated and HD was initiated; 22 h after presentation, repeat salicylate concentration was 88.4 mg/dL and his creatinine was 3.9 mg/dL. A second run of HD was performed. After this, his temperature had risen to 39.06°C (102.3°F), BP 122/64 mm Hg, HR 168 beats/min, RR 43 breaths/min, and oxygen saturation 95% (2 L nasal cannula). His confusion increased, and he died 40 h after his ingestion. Conclusion: HD is widely advocated in managing severe salicylate intoxications, however, no consensus exists for the duration and best mode of therapy. Patients with severe salicylate poisonings may require extended durations of HD to effectively mitigate toxicity. Additional study is warranted to determine optimal therapy in severe salicylate intoxications.
Net flux of nutrients across splanchnic tissues in wethers consuming grasses of different sources and physical forms ad libitum

Crossbred sheep (n 16, 8.5 months of age and 33 (SE 0.9) kg) were used in a 21 d experiment (2 x 2 factorial) to determine effects on net flux of nutrients across the portal-drained viscera (PDV) and liver of ad libitum consumption of bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon; B) v. ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum)-wheat (Triticum aestivum; RW) hay, coarsely chopped (CC) or finely ground and pelleted (GP). Crude protein concentrations were 86, 81, 113 and 119 g/kg and neutral-detergent fibre concentrations were 710, 688, 654 and 672 g/kg (dry matter basis) for B-CC, B-GP, RW-CC and RW-GP respectively. Digestible energy intake (6.0, 9.6, 10.2 and 13.8 MJ/d) differed (P < 0.01) with grass source and form, and digestible N intake values were 4.4, 7.0, 8.4 and 14.1 (SEM 0.82) g/d for B-CC, B-GP, RW-CC and RW-GP diets respectively. Consumption of O2 by the PDV (118, 165, 144 and 155 mmol/h) and splanchnic bed (196, 273, 247 and 266 mmol/h for B-CC, B-GP, RW-CC and RW-GP respectively) was greater (P = 0.07) for GP than for CC. The ratio splanchnic heat energy production: digestible energy intake was greater (P = 0.06) for B than for RW (0.374, 0.300, 0.278 and 0.219 for B-CC, B-GP, RW-CC and RW-GP respectively). alpha-Amino-N release by the PDV (P < 0.01; 11.6, 12.8, 23.0 and 18.7 mmol/h) and uptake by the liver (P = 0.07; 15.2, 6.1, 17.0 and 19.3 mmol/h for B-CC, B-GP, RW-CC and RW-GP respectively) were greater for RW than for B. Release of NH3-N by the PDV was greater (P = 0.02) for CC than for GP (12.5, 6.2, 15.7 and 8.9 mmol/h), and hepatic urea-N release differed between grass sources (P = 0.03) and physical forms (P = 0.07; 22.6, 12.7, 31.4 and 24.8 mmol/h for B-CC, B-GP, RW-CC and RW-GP respectively). In conclusion, decrease in forage particle size elicited by grinding and pelleting did not affect the difference between grass sources in splanchnic tissue heat energy production relative to digestible energy intake.
PEDIATRIC ACQUIRED IMMUNODEFICIENCY SYNDROME

Approximately 40 to 50 infants and children with similar epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory features of AIDS have been described. The occurrence of significant numbers of patients with PAIDS in geographic areas that are associated with similar risk factors and clinical features of AIDS suggests a common cause. Immunologic evaluation reveals hypergammaglobulinemia, decreased or absent antibody responses after immunization, normal to decreased T-cell numbers, decreased helper/suppressor cell ratios, and abnormal results of functional studies of T-cells. None of the patients described has the clinical or laboratory features of well-established congenital immunodeficiency disorders. No consistent viral agent has been documented except for antibody to ARV and HTLV III. The frequent finding of T-cell abnormalities in the mothers of infants with PAIDS is in contrast to the absence of such abnormalities in the mothers of infants with congenital immunodeficiency disorders. Future studies in PAIDS should be directed toward uncovering the etiology and risk factors as well as determining the response to treatment with various methods of immunologic reconstitution.
Opting out: confidentiality and availability of an ‘alibi’ for potential living kidney donors in the USA

Ethicists and guidelines have suggested that potential living kidney donors who withdraw from evaluation be offered an 'alibi.' We sought to determine what potential living kidney donors are told about their ability to opt out, alibi availability and postwithdrawal confidentiality. We reviewed 148 consent forms for living kidney donor evaluation from US transplant centres that performed >5 living kidney transplants in 2010-2011 (response rate 87%). We found that while 98% of centres used evaluation consent forms that indicated that the donor could withdraw, only 21% of these documents offered an alibi. Another 23% of centres' consent forms indicated that the transplant team would be willing to inform the intended recipient that an individual was not a potential donor. Relatively few consent documents explicitly addressed the confidentiality of the donor's health information (31%), candidacy status (18%), decision (24%) or reasons (23%) following withdrawal. To preserve potential donors' autonomy and relationships, we advocate that all transplant centres offer general alibis in their evaluation consent forms. We conclude by offering recommendations for evaluation consent discussions of opting out, alibis and postwithdrawal confidentiality.
Lower Extremity Vascular Access in Neonates and Infants: A Single Institutional Experience

Abstract Purpose To demonstrate feasibility and evaluate outcomes of direct-stick saphenous and single-incision tunneled femoral noncuffed central venous catheters (CVCs) placed in a large series of neonates and infants at a single institution. Materials and Methods A retrospective review was performed for all neonates and infants receiving a lower extremity CVC by interventional radiology between 2007 and 2012. Technical success, mechanical and infectious complications, and catheter outcomes were recorded. Results There were 271 primary insertions performed in 243 children by interventional radiologists in the interventional radiology suite or at the bedside. CVCs were placed via the femoral vein with single-incision technique (84.9%) or the saphenous vein via a direct-stick technique (15.1%), with a technical success rate of 100%. The total number of catheter-days was 7,917 days (median, 19 d; range, 0–220 d). The number of primary catheter-days was 5,333 days (median, 15 d; range, 0–123.0 d), and salvage procedures prolonged catheter life by 2,584 days (median, 15 d; range, 1.0–101.0 d). The mechanical and adjusted infectious complication rates were 1.67 and 0.44 per 100 catheter-days. Conclusions Image-guided placement of saphenous or tunneled femoral catheters using a single incision is a safe and feasible method for vascular access in neonates and infants.
Lubiprostone in constipation: clinical evidence and place in therapy:

Constipation is one of the most common function bowel disorders encountered by primary care providers and gastroenterologists. Disorders of chronic constipation, including irritable bowel syndrome with constipation, chronic idiopathic constipation, and opioid-induced chronic constipation, are associated with significant medical costs and a negative impact on quality of life. Although there is evidence supporting the effectiveness of some over-the-counter laxatives in chronic constipation, currently there is no evidence supporting lifestyle modification, dietary change or over-the-counter laxatives as effective long-term therapy for patients with chronic constipation. Lubiprostone is a prostaglandin-derived bicyclic fatty acid available to use for long-term treatment of constipation. Lubiprostone works by increasing intraluminal chloride ion secretion, which results in a passive influx of water and sodium, leading to increased intestinal peristalsis and colonic laxation with decreased intestinal stool transit time. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of lubiprostone in patients with chronic constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and opioid-induced constipation have shown it to be effective and free of serious adverse effects. The most common side effects associated with lubiprostone are mild to moderate nausea and diarrhea. Currently lubiprostone is approved for treatment of chronic constipation and opioid-induced constipation for men and women at 24 µg twice daily and for treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with constipation in women at 8 µg twice daily. Additional research continues to shed light on the molecular mechanisms of lubiprostone and further work may expand its clinical applications.
Characterization of aging in polymeric insulation by thermally stimulated depolarization current measurements

The authors present the characterization of aging in polymers used for outdoor high-voltage insulation by the thermally stimulated depolarization (TSD) current technique. The materials evaluated include new, artificially aged and naturally aged samples of high-temperature-vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubber and ethylene-propylene rubber. Results of this technique are compared with the data obtained from techniques such as crossover voltage measurement (COV), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) studies X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It is shown that TSD can provide information at the molecular level which relates to aging. >
REILLEXTM HPQ: A NEW, MACROPOROUS POLYVINYLPYRIDINE RESIN FOR SEPARATING PLUTONIUM USING NITRATE ANION EXCHANGE

ABSTRACT Anion exchange in nitric acid is the major aqueous process used to recover and purify plutonium from impure scrap materials. Most strong-base anion exchange resins incorporate a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer. A newly available, macroporous anion exchange resin based on a copolymer of l-methyl-4-vinylpyridine and divinylbenzene has been evaluated. Comparative data for Pu( IV) sorption kinetics and capacity are presented for this new resin and two other commonly used anion exchange resins. The new resin offers high capacity and rapid sorption kinetics for Pu( IV) from nitric acid, as well as greater stability to chemical and radiolytic degradation
Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum (PXE)‐Like Fibers in Patients Without PXE

Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is an inherited disorder characterised by progressive calcification of elastic fibers in the skin, eyes and cardiovascular system. Skin lesions show distinctive thickened, fragmented elastic fibers in the reticular dermis. PXE-like fibers have not been described in patients without PXE. We describe 12 patients without known PXE who demonstrated the incidental finding of small numbers of PXE-like fibers in association with the following conditions: lipodermatosclerosis, granulomatous dermatitis, lichen sclerosus, morphea profunda, erythema nodosum, septal panniculitis, basal cell carcinoma and fibrosing dermatitis NOS. The biopsies were almost exclusively from the lower extremities of elderly women (mean age 73.8). The affected gene in PXE has been recently described as ABCC6 which codes for a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) family of proteins. The c.3421C>T mutation has been associated with a high risk of coronary artery disease. We describe a novel assay for this genotype employing real-time PCR of paraffin embedded skin biopsies. Four patients with PXE-like fibers were tested in this fashion and did not carry this mutation. Our series demonstrates that light microscopic findings associated with PXE are not specific, as PXE-like fibers can be observed in patients without clinical or genetic evidence of the disease.
Let's Skill All the Lawyers: Shakespearean Lessons in Law and Rhetoric

Shakespeare's works present intriguing explorations of law and legal theory. They help demonstrate the flaws in command-theory positivism, natural law theory and prediction theory accounts of the law. Shakespeare's works also provide insights into a workable jurisprudence complying with the semiotics of law and its ten inherent restraints (the “semiotic decalogue”). As a semantic enterprise, the semiotics of law necessarily involves rhetoric. Concomitant with Shakespeare’s legal explorations, his works explore rhetorical theory and practice and provide useful lessons in rhetorical success and failure.
Model-Driven Agile Development of Reactive Multi-Agent Systems

The Sage development method and associated tool set support an incremental, iterative, model-driven process to build and maintain high assurance, reactive multi-agent systems. A set of interconnected models provide documentation supporting high assurance certification efforts, maintenance, and reuse. Tools can analyze the models for important classes of errors, and generate complete multi-agent systems.
An Economic Interpretation of Hate Crime

This paper utilizes an established economic framework, grounded in Becker's (1981) path-breaking analysis of altruism and envy within the family, to explore hate crimes, also known as bias-motivated crimes. After developing a hate crime economic framework, we make use of a unique data set on hate crime data compiled by the FBI since 1992 to estimate the determinants of hate crimes across states using both a random effects and a fixed effects approach. While there are limitations in the use of bias-motivation crime data in empirical analysis, we are able to uncover interesting and thought-provoking insights into hate crimes which are empirically distinguishable from other crime.
Quantized distributed relay network for physical layer network coding

Quantized distributed MIMO reception enhances communication between users using geographically separated nodes. Here we apply distributed reception to a two-user network with a relay composed of many "dumb" radio nodes. The network operates with a slotted structure commensurate with physical layer network coding. In the uplink, the user transmissions are simultaneously observed by all nodes. Subsequently, each relay node broadcasts a compressed version of the observed signal to the users. Given prior transmissions and channel state information, decoding algorithms can be run by the users. To demonstrate practicality, we compare performance of the system to physical layer network coding.
Hand-held transendoscopic robotic manipulators

Natural orifice endoscopic surgery can enable incisionless approaches, but a major challenge is the lack of small and dexterous instrumentation. Surgical robots have the potential to meet this need yet often disrupt the clinical workflow. Hand-held robots that combine thin manipulators and endoscopes have the potential to address this by integrating seamlessly into the clinical workflow and enhancing dexterity. As a case study illustrating the potential of this approach, we describe a hand-held robotic system that passes two concentric tube manipulators through a 5 mm port in a rigid endoscope for transurethral laser prostate surgery. This system is intended to catalyze the use of a clinically superior, yet rarely attempted, procedure for benign prostatic hyperplasia. This paper describes system design and experiments to evaluate the surgeon's functional workspace and accuracy using the robot. Phantom and cadaver experiments demonstrate successful completion of the target procedure via prostate lobe resection.