cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a Novel Sulfoxide-Containing MS-Cleavable Homobifunctional Cysteine-Reactive Cross-Linker for Studying Protein-Protein Interactions.

Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) has become an emerging technology for defining protein–protein interactions (PPIs) and elucidating architectures of large protein complexes. Up to now, the most widely used cross-linking reagents target lysines. Although such reagents have been successfully applied to map PPIs at the proteome-wide scale, comprehensive PPI profiling would require additional cross-linking chemistries. Cysteine is one of the most reactive amino acids and an attractive target for cross-linking owing to its unique role in protein structures. Although sulfhydryl-reactive cross-linkers are commercially available, their applications in XL-MS studies remain sparse, likely due to the difficulty in identifying cysteine cross-linked peptides. Previously, we developed a new class of sulfoxide-containing MS-cleavable cross-linkers to enable fast and accurate identification of cross-linked peptides using multistage tandem mass spectrometry (MSn). Here, we present the development of a new sulfoxide...
Validation of climate models with workstation tools.

Existing and planned hydrologic and climatic models have important implications for water resource management in the twenty-first century and, yet, the science of validation of such models is inadequately developed to warrant full reliance on these models. Tools for such validation must be carefully crafted and broadly tested in a critical environment. Here we develop a set of validation tools and a recommended protocal for validation using graphical workstations and the programming language “S” as the key support elements. The protocol is illustrated by an example, and the recommended validation protocol is summarized in Table 1.
Probing the QCD Phase Boundary with Finite Collision Systems

This article treats three closely-related topics. The common theme is the degree to which classical thermodynamic and statistical concepts are applicable to small-number dynamical systems near a bulk-matter phase boundary.
Critical Review of the Use of Second-Generation Antipsychotics in Obsessive-Compulsive and Related Disorders.

Currently, all second-generation antipsychotics are approved for schizophrenia. Many are also approved for bipolar disorder, with some also approved as adjunctive treatment for depression and autism-related irritability. Second-generation antipsychotics are increasingly being prescribed for indications other than those approved by the Food and Drug Administration, such as in dementia, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder to name a few. Obsessive–compulsive and related disorders are a group of disorders characterized by preoccupation and repetitive behaviors. According to the latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder, body dysmorphic disorder, trichotillomania, hoarding disorder, and excoriation, the latter two being newly designated disorders, fall under obsessive–compulsive and related disorders. Due to a lack of well designed clinical studies specifically addressing the use of second-generation antipsychotics in obsessive–compulsive and related disorders, it is unknown whether these agents are clinically beneficial. Current research describing the pathophysiology of these disorders shows the involvement of similar brain regions and neurotransmitters across the five obsessive–compulsive and related disorders. Despite differences in the receptor binding profiles, second-generation antipsychotics share many common pharmacodynamics properties. This review sought to examine all the published reports of second-generation antipsychotics being used in the management of symptoms of the aforementioned diseases and compile evidence for clinicians who encounter patients who are unresponsive to standard treatment.
Additive laser metal deposition onto silicon

Abstract By employing selective laser melting (SLM), we demonstrate how Sn3Ag4Ti alloy can robustly bond to silicon via additive manufacturing. With this technology, heat removal devices (e.g., vapor chamber evaporators, heat pipes, micro-channels) can be directly printed onto the electronic package without using thermal interface materials. This has the advantage of keeping the current microprocessor about 10 °C cooler by eliminating two thermal interface materials. This reduces operating temperature, saving power and reducing electronic-waste. The bonding of common metal alloys used in additive manufacturing onto silicon is relatively weak and generally possesses high contact angles (poor wetting and interfacial strength). By using the proper interlayer material, wettability and reactivity with the silicon substrate increase drastically. Unlike conventional dissimilar material brazing that can take tens of minutes to form a strong bond, this study demonstrates how this kinetic limitation can be overcome to form a good bond in sub-milliseconds via intense laser heating. The mechanism for rapid bonding lies in using an alloy that can form a strong intermetallic bond to the substrate at a low temperature, and exposing the sample multiple times to give sufficient diffusion time for a strong bond. Bonding of Sn3Ag4Ti to silicon occurs through the formation of a thin (∼μm) titanium-silicide interfacial layer that makes the silicon wettable to the Sn3Ag4Ti. These printed parts are mechanically resistant to thermal cycling, with no mechanical failures visible after over a week of continuous thermal cycling (−40 °C and 130 °C).
Management of Fragility Hip Fractures: Our Institutional Experience.

Introduction:Approximately 320 000 fragility hip fractures are sustained in the United States annually, resulting in substantial morbidity and mortality as well as significant economic burden on th...
E-094 Isolated intraventricular hemorrhage associated with cerebral vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia following arteriovenous malformation rupture

Introduction Although well characterized in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, vasospasm is exceedingly rare following cerebral arteriovenous malformation (AVM) rupture. Subsequently, this complication is poorly characterized in regards to delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). We review cases of ruptured AVMs to assess the frequency and severity of vasospasm on cerebral angiography, and DCI. Methods We reviewed our institutional database of acute intracranial hemorrhages between 2005 and 2014, and identified patients with cerebral AVM rupture and evidence of vasospasm confirmed with digital subtraction angiography (DSA) were included. Cerebral angiograms were evaluated by 2 blinded neurointerventionalists for vasospasm. Statistical analyses were conducted on the angiographic results and variables of interest to determine predictors and associations of vasospasm and DCI. Results Thirty-six patients with acute intracranial hemorrhage due to ruptured cerebral AVMs subsequently underwent cerebral angiography. The inter-rater reliability for vasospasm was 0.81. The incidence of vasospasm was 13.9% and the incidence of subsequent DCI was 11.1%. A significant relationship existed between isolated intraventricular hemorrhage and vasospasm (p=0.001) and subsequent DCI (p=0.006). Intraparenchymal hemorrhage was also associated with vasospasm (p=0.003) and subsequent DCI (p=0.001). Radiographic vasospasm was associated with DCI in 80% of patients (p Conclusion In cases of ruptured AVMs, isolated intraventricular hemorrhage and intraparenchymal hemorrhage appear to be independent risk factors for vasospasm and DCI. Vasospasm must be considered during late neurological deterioration following AVM hemorrhage, especially in the setting of isolated IVH. Disclosures F. Al-Mufti: None. K. Amuluru: None. N. Majmundar: None. M. El-Ghanem: None. V. Patel: None. C. Romero: None. C. Gandhi: None.
Overview of Crop Models for Assessment of Crop Production

Assessment of the impact of climate change on food production systems and the policies needed to adjust to these changes, begins with the biophysical evaluation of crop production as influenced by soil properties, weather variability with climate change superimposed upon it, and potential changes in agrotechnology. The biophysical outcomes must be combined with economic and trade models for final decisions regarding optimal policies to deal with climate change. The outcomes should be appropriately responsive to the most likely climate changes of increased air temperature and higher atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2)and to the changing technology required for adjusting to the projected climate changes. The biophysical outcomes will be no better than the general circulation model projections of the actual climate change.
No Racial Disparities In Surgical Care Quality Observed After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting In TRICARE Patients

In the US, racial disparities in outcomes following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are well documented. TRICARE insurance data represent a large population with universal insurance that all...
Mara L. García. Escritoras venezolanas de hoy. Universidad Autónoma de Tlaxcala / Brigham Young University, 2005.

Escritoras venezolanas de hoy (2005) ofrece una mirada tanto a la vida personal como la trayectoria profesional de diez escritoras sobresalientes de Venezuela. Como lo afirma una de las entrevistadas, Alicia Freilich, “la ficcion requiere reflexion” (22) y esto es efectivamente lo que reflejan las entrevistas con estas escritoras. La mayoria de este grupo de mujeres empieza a publicar en los setenta mientras que otras lo hacen posteriormente, en los ochenta. Algo que tienen en comun estas escritoras es el poseer un alto grado de educacion universitaria y el ocupar cargos de gran responsabilidad.
The influence of proximity induced ferromagnetism, superconductivity and Fermi-velocity on evolution of Berry phase in Bi2Se3 topological insulator

Bi2Se3 is a well known 3D-topological insulator (TI) with a non-trivial Berry phase of attributed to the topology of the band structure. The Berry phase shows non-topological deviations from in the presence of a perturbation that destroys time reversal symmetry and gives rise to a quantum system with massive Dirac fermions and finite band gap. Such a band gap opening is achieved on account of the exchange field of a ferromagnet or the intrinsic energy gap of a superconductor that influences the topological insulator surface states by virtue of the proximity effect. In this work the Berry phase of such gapped systems with massive Dirac fermions is considered. Additionally, it is shown that the Berry phase for such a system also depends on the Fermi-velocity of the surface states which can be tuned as a function of the TI film thickness.
Geared Toward Applications: A Perspective on Functional Sequence-Controlled Polymers.

Sequence-controlled polymers are an emerging class of synthetic polymers with a regulated sequence of monomers. In the past decade, tremendous progress has been made in the synthesis of polymers, w...
Successful and Cost-Effective Facebook Recruitment: Is It Possible? Results From a Longitudinal Randomized Clinical Trial in Grandmother Caregivers.

Facebook is often cited in health-related research as a practical option to recruit participants into research studies, but issues with recruiting verifiable and qualified participants and unpredic...
Sequential Ir/Cu-Mediated Method for the Meta-Selective C-H Radiofluorination of (Hetero)Arenes

This article describes a sequential Ir/Cu-mediated process for the meta-selective C-H radiofluorination of (hetero)arene substrates. In the first step, Ir-catalyzed C(sp2)-H borylation affords (hetero)aryl pinacolboronate (BPin) esters. The intermediate organoboronates are then directly subjected to copper-mediated radiofluorination with [18F]tetrabutylammonium fluoride to afford fluorine-18 labeled (hetero)arenes in high radiochemical yield and radiochemical purity. This entire process is performed on a benchtop without Schlenk or glovebox techniques and circumvents the need to isolate (hetero)aryl boronate esters. The reaction was automated on a TracerLab FXFN module with 1,3-dimethoxybenzene and a meta-tyrosine derivative. The products, [18F]1-fluoro-3,5-dimethoxybenzene and an 18F-labeled meta-tyrosine derivative, were obtained in 37 ± 5% isolated radiochemical yield and >99% radiochemical purity and 25% isolated radiochemical yield and 99% radiochemical purity, and 0.52 Ci/μmol (19.24 GBq/μmol) molar activity (Am), respectively.
Using Grass Germination to Measure the Toxicity of Household Substances & Teach Statistical Methods.

We describe a series of three experiments in which students develop a model system for measuring the LC50 of household substances, using grass seed as the model organism. Students use statistical methods to compare two samples (using chi-square and Student's t-tests), conduct a two-level multifactor experiment to look at multiple factors simultaneously and observe interactions, and make serial dilutions to measure the LC50 over a threefold concentration range. The experimental series was very inexpensive to run and tended to provide very successful LC50 measurements.
Intense Lubricin Expression Defines Synoviocyte Differentiation and Detects Cells in Synovium-Related and Myxoid Tumors

Immunoprofiles of synovium-related tumors, such as Giant Cell Tumor of Tendon Sheath (GCTTS), are incompletely explored, partly due to lack of lineage defining synoviocyte markers. Synovial lining is comprised of intimal macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). FLS produce lubricin, a mucin-like glycoprotein in synovial fluid. Lubricin expression in synovium, GCTTS and myxomas was assessed by immunohistochemistry using two anti-lubricin antibodies: S6.79, monoclonal antibody, raised against purified, native lubricin, and Ab28484, an affinity purified polyclonal antibody made against a C-terminal peptide. In synovium, lubricin reactivity was limited to intimal synoviocytes with cytoplasmic and surface lining staining . Double staining using Ab28484 and anti-CD163, a marker of synovial intimal macrophages, showed non-overlap between the two synoviocyte types. In GCTTS, lubricin cytoplasmic expression was limited to large, plump cells, but not giant cells or smaller mononuclear cells. Double stain...
Non-Analytic Cognition: Contextual Influences on Expert Decision Making

I’m going to tell you a bit about recent ideas that have emerged in cognitive psychology under the rubric of non-analytic cognition. Now, with a title like that, I feel as if I owe you a little bit of context in the way of personal background. I am one of those people whose graduate students chuckle over and feel very superior about the fact that I can’t boot a DOS system in the laboratory computers. They scoff when they come to my office and see me happily clicking along on my Macintosh. In my home, we have the Macintosh also. Besides, the VCR has not been programmed since my sons left home. In short, I have very little to offer you in the way of information about complex machinery, unless you want to take me as a clinical case study.
The impact of financial information and voluntary disclosures on contributions to not-for-profit organizations : a field-based experiment

The relationship between the management of and donors to a not-for-profit firm is an example of a situation with information asymmetry. This study examines whether it is possible for nonprofit managers to increase donations received if they provide signals to convey the efficiency and effectiveness of their operations. A field-based experiment uses a real 501(c)3 organization to investigate whether accounting information reduces perceived uncertainty about nonprofit operations. Potential donors were sent, via a direct mail campaign, fundraising appeals containing varying amounts of financial and nonfinancial information in order to determine whether individual donors 1) are more likely to contribute and 2) donate greater amounts when accounting information is provided. A logistic regression provides evidence that some donors use financial accounting information when making a donation decision. Donors who had previously contributed to the organizations are more likely to give when financial efficiency measures are provided to them directly.
A case study of the effects of errors in satellite altimetry on data assimilation

Abstract Satellite altimetry provides synoptic observation of sea surface elevation that manifests the ocean circulation through the entire water column. Assimilation of altimetry data thus provides a powerful tool for using an ocean model to estimate the three-dimensional state of the ocean and its temporal variation. The uncertainty of the estimate resulting from errors in satellite altimetry is investigated, in particular, the effects of the orbit and tide errors. Covariance estimates for these errors are taken from the specifications of the TOPEX/POSEIDON mission, a stateof-the-art satellite altimetry mission. A shallow-water model of the tropical Pacific is used to carry out a case study. It is demonstrated that the estimation errors become smaller as more information is used in the estimation technique. An approximate Kaiman filter that makes use of the past assimilated information performs the best. An optimal interpolation scheme that does not take advantage of the history of assimilated information leads to inferior results. A direct inversion without using the model dynamics is the worst. In all three cases, the orbit error carries more impact than the tide error as a consequence of the differences in their covariance functions.
Recurrent Clostridium difficile infection is associated with increased mortality

Clostridium difficile infections (CDI) are associated with decreased survival, and up to 30% of CDI patients may experience a recurrence. Data on the impact of recurrent CDI on mortality are scarce. The purpose of this study was to determine whether recurrent CDI was independently associated with decreased 6-month survival compared with patients with CDI who did not develop a recurrence. We performed a retrospective cohort study at an academic, urban, tertiary care hospital. Data were collected from the electronic medical record and chart review. CDI patients were followed for 180 days from the end of their index hospital discharge or end of index CDI antibiotic treatment, whichever was later, to determine mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to compare patient mortality by recurrent CDI status. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine independent risk factors for death within 180 days. In all, 3958 patients aged ≥ 18 years who developed an initial CDI episode from 2003 to 2009, including 421 patients with recurrent CDI, were included in the study. Thirty-six per cent of persons with recurrent CDI died within 180 days, compared with 26% of persons without CDI recurrence (log-rank p <0.001). Recurrent CDI was associated with significantly higher hazards of death within 180 days, adjusting for demographics, comorbidities and medications received during the index CDI hospitalization (hazard ratio 1.33; 95% CI 1.12-1.58). Recurrent CDI is associated with significantly increased risk of death within 6 months after completion of their initial CDI treatment compared with CDI patients who do not develop a recurrence.
A ballistocardiographic study of 369 apparently normal persons; an analysis of normal and borderline ballistocardiograms.

Abstract 1. 1. Ballistocardiographic and electrocardiographic studies were made on 369 clinically normal persons from 20 to 84 years of age. The frequency of abnormal, borderline, and normal records was determined for each age-decade group. 2. 2. A detailed quantitative analysis was made of approximately sixty variables from 275 normal and borderline ballistocardiograms. 2.1. a. A study was made of some of the factors influencing the amplitude and duration of the ballistic complex, respiratory variation, cardiac output, ballistic “vector” distribution, and other ballistocardiographic variables. 2.2. b. Regression equations were set up for some of the measurements which were significantly correlated with age, pulse rate, body size, or other factors. 2.3. c. Mean values and limits were defined for some of the measurements used in evaluating the ballistocardiogram. 2.4. d. Preliminary, empirical criteria of normality for the ballistocardiogram were submitted. 3. 3. The borderline and abnormal ballistocardiograms were analyzed qualitatively. 4. 4. The high incidence of abnormal ballistocardiograms from clinically normal persons in the older age groups was pointed out. The need for caution in attributing clinical significance to these records was stressed.
Computational Models: Why Build Them?

The term ‘computational model’ is used for a theory that is stated definitely enough that precise reasoning (not necessarily numerical) can be performed on it to infer the course of system behavior. Nowadays, such a theory is often expressed as a computer program, the computer tracing the system's path. Keywords: symbols; theories of cognition; information processing
Antropologia do devir: psicofármacos - abandono social - desejo

Neste artigo, discuto a"farmaceuticalizacao" da saude mental no Brasil e registro os efeitos coletareis sociais e subjetivos que resultam do uso de novas tecnologias medicas em contextos urbanos de baixa renda. Analiso como uma mulher jovem e abandonada chamada Catarina reflete sobre os psicofarmacos - a constelacao de drogas para a qual foi levada - e como busca encontrar, sobretudo atraves da escrita, uma alternativa para o experimento mortal no qual literalmente se transforrmou. Ela afirma que sua"ex-familia" a ve como um tratamento medico que nao deu certo. A familia depende desta explicacao para se desculpar por te-la abandonado. Em seus proprios termos:"Querer meu corpo como um remedio, meu corpo." A vida de Catarina, portanto, conta uma historia mais ampla sobre a mudanca de um sistema de valores e o destino dos lacos sociais no atual modo de subjetivacao dominante a servico do capitalismo e da ciencia global. Mas a linguagem e o desejo permanecem e Catarina integra sua experiencia com as drogas numa nova percepcao de si e em seu trabalho literario. Sua "literatura menor" sustenta uma etica etnografica e nos da um sentido de devir que os modelos dominantes de saude considerariam impossiveis.
Method for Analysis for Guyed Towers

A method for static analysis of guyed towers is extended and applied to problems in three dimensions. The tower and guy cables may be loaded by arbitrary distributed or concentrated forces, or both, and there are no apriori assumptions about cable shape (such as the usual catenary assumption). The effect of axial forces as well as shear and twist deformations in the tower are taken into account. The base of the tower may be in any support condition between clamped and hinged including either extreme in each of three rotational degrees of freedom. Cables are handled by the Method of Imaginary Reactions. For the tower, highly accurate integration algorithms for the three dimensional beam column equations are presented. Results are applied to a 1500 foot tower bearing a 15 million pound platform and other loads, and supported by 20 cables attached in four clusters at the tope of the tower.
Relaxation by amplitude modulation: A rapid T1 measurement method.

Purpose A novel longitudinal relaxation time (T1) measurement method using complex amplitude modulation is presented. Theory The method applies a series of inversion pulses to the imaged region in accordance with a binary modulation sequence. The longitudinal magnetization acquired in a given pulse repetition time (TR) interval is the sum of the individual longitudinal magnetization recovered during each previous TR interval, weighted by T1 decay factors and the combined effect of all the radiofrequency pulses they have experienced. The demodulated signal for each voxel is an exponential curve with a decaying rate determined by T1 and the acquisition flip angle θ. Methods Sequences using a 15-cycle pseudorandom binary code were implemented on Siemens 3T Trio with standard gradient echo readout and multislice gradient echo-planar imaging. The sequences were tested on T1 phantoms and human and compared against inversion recovery method. Results Our studies on phantoms and a human volunteer show that T1 estimated from this method is very accurate and well reproducible. The average scan time is ∼1.6 s per slice (full k-space gradient echo-planar imaging with matrix size 128 × 128). Conclusion The current protocol is almost twice as fast as two fastest existing methods. Optimizing protocols and incorporating common acceleration techniques will make it even faster. Magn Reson Med 71:2155–2165, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extending the phase gradient autofocus algorithm for low-altitude stripmap mode SAR

The phase gradient autofocus (PGA) algorithm has been widely used in spotlight synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to remove motion-induced blurs in the images. The PGA algorithm has been proven to be a superior autofocus method. This algorithm is extended for application to low-altitude stripmap mode SAR. PGA assumes a narrow beam, which is valid for most SAR systems. However, lower altitude SARs have large range dependencies that cannot be ignored. A new phase estimator for PGA is introduced and extended to allow range dependence. Three SAR images with different characteristics are used in simulations comparing the new estimator to the widely used maximum likelihood approach and in demonstrating the range-dependent PGA algorithm. The PGA algorithm is also extended to stripmap mode SAR data through a new compression method.
Radial mixing in galactic discs: the effects of disc structure and satellite bombardment

We use a suite of numerical simulations to investigate the mechanisms and effects of radial migration of stars in disc galaxies such as the Milky Way (MW). An isolated, collisionless stellar disc with an MW-like scaleheight shows only the radial ‘blurring’ expected of epicyclic orbits. Reducing the disc thickness or adding gas to the disc substantially increases the level of radial migration, induced by interaction with transient spiral arms and/or a central bar. We also examine collisionless discs subjected to gravitational perturbations from a cosmologically motivated satellite accretion history. In the perturbed disc that best reproduces the observed properties of MW, 20 per cent of stars that end up in the solar annulus 7 kpc 10 kpc. This level of migration would add considerable dispersion to the age–metallicity relation of solar neighbourhood stars. In the isolated disc models, the probability of migration traces the disc’s radial mass profile, but in perturbed discs migration occurs preferentially at large radii, where the disc is more weakly bound. The orbital dynamics of migrating particles are also different in isolated and perturbed discs: satellite perturbations drive particles to lower angular momentum for a given change in radius. Thus, satellite perturbations appear to be a distinct mechanism for inducing radial migration, which can operate in concert with migration induced by bars and spiral structures. We investigate correlations between changes in radius and changes in orbital circularity or vertical energy, identifying signatures that might be used to test models and distinguish radial migration mechanisms in chemodynamical surveys of the MW disc.
Using a hydraulically balanced beam as a case study in control implementation for control education

This paper discusses a low cost solution to teaching controls in the laboratory through the use of a novel balance beam. The balance beam provides a vehicle to address many problems of control implementation as well as control algorithms. Due to the complexity of the system a full semester of laboratory exercises is provided for even advanced students. The flexibility of the system provides challenging exercises for different levels of education. A low overall cost translates to accessibility to more schools.
Maximum likelihood pitch estimation using state-variable techniques

The problem of estimating the pitch period of a speech waveform contaminated by acoustically coupled background noise is formulated to include the properties of the spectral envelope by postulating a state-variable model for the speech generation process. Applying the maximum likelihood estimation technique, the optimum processor uses a Kalman filter preprocessor to flatten the spectrum. The resulting signal is then passed through a bank of comb filters and the optimum pitch corresponds to the comb filter for which the output energy is smallest. The Kalman prefilter reduces to an LPC filter only when the speech is generated by an all-pole process and the signal-to-noise ratio is large. For the low signal-to-noise ratio case, a parallel formant speech generation model is more likely to lead to practical numerical algorithms for estimating the spectral coefficients.
Quantifying the impacts of vehicle-generated dust : a comprehensive approach

This project can be considered to be an initial process leading to the ultimate objective of identifying and assigning costs associated with the impacts of vehicle-generated dust so that the benefits can be quantified, if these impacts are ameliorated through actions such as the provision of a sealed road surface. The report outlines the background to the project, the results of the review process, describes the need for a comprehensive approach and identifies and provides some provisional estimates the possible impacts of traffic generated dust on road safety, health, agriculture and the environment. The objectives of the project, the achievements made, the problems encountered and the findings to date are described. The report outlines the overall approach that has been undertaken to achieve the stated aims of the project in relation to the available data. The outcomes from discussions with prospective developing country partners are reported together with the results of correspondence and discussions with other professionals. Recommendations and conclusions are made on the work undertaken to date. An outline methodology and terms of reference are provided for a follow-up study.
Empirical reverse engineering of the pricing kernel

Abstract This paper proposes an econometric procedure that allows the estimation of the pricing kernel without either any assumptions about the investors preferences or the use of the consumption data. We propose a model of equity price dynamics that allows for (i) simultaneous consideration of multiple stock prices, (ii) analytical formulas for derivatives such as futures, options and bonds, and (iii) a realistic description of all of these assets. The analytical specification of the model allows us to infer the dynamics of the pricing kernel. The model, calibrated to a comprehensive dataset including the S&P 500 index, individual equities, T-bills and gold futures, yields the conditional filter of the unobservable pricing kernel. As a result we obtain the estimate of the kernel that is positive almost surely (i.e. precludes arbitrage), consistent with the equity risk premium, the risk-free discounting, and with the observed asset prices by construction. The pricing kernel estimate involves a highly nonlinear function of the contemporaneous and lagged returns on the S&P 500 index. This contradicts typical implementations of CAPM that use a linear function of the market proxy return as the pricing kernel. Hence, the S&P 500 index does not have to coincide with the market portfolio if it is used in conjunction with nonlinear asset pricing models. We also find that our best estimate of the pricing kernel is not consistent with the standard time-separable utilities, but potentially could be cast into the stochastic habit formation framework of Campbell and Cochrane (J. Political Economy 107 (1999) 205).
Computational Study of the Aminolysis of Anhydrides: Effect of the Catalysis to the Reaction of Succinic Anhydride with Methylamine in Gas Phase and Nonpolar Solution

Different possible pathways of the aminolysis reaction of succinic anhydride were investigated by applying high level electronic structure theory, examining the general base catalysis by amine and the general acid catalysis by acetic acid, and studying the effect of solvent. The density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) and B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) levels was employed to investigate the reaction pathways for the aminolysis reaction between succinic anhydride and methylamine. The single point ab initio calculations were based on the second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory (MP2) with 6-31G(d) and 6-311++G(d,p) basis sets and CCSD(T)/6-31G(d) level calculations for geometries optimized at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. A detailed analysis of the atomic movements during the process of concerted aminolysis was further obtained by intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations. Solvent effects were assessed by the polarized continuum model method. The results show that the concerted mechanism of noncatalyzed aminolysis has distinctly lower activation energy compared with the addition/elimination stepwise mechanism. In the case of the process catalyzed by a second methylamine molecule, asynchronous proton transfer takes place, while the transition vectors of the acid-catalyzed transition states correspond to the simultaneous motion of protons. The most favorable pathway of the reaction was found through the bifunctional acid catalyzed stepwise mechanism that involves formation of eight-membered rings in the transition state structures. The difference between the activation barriers for the two mechanisms averages 2 kcal/mol at various levels of theory.
Analysis And Nonlinear Simulation Of Quadrupole And Dipole Wiggler Fels For Millimeter Waves

An FEL amplifier with a helical quadrupole wiggler is investigated analytically and numerically. A 3-D simulation code is utilized to examine the nonlinear evolution of circular waveguide modes as well as the characteristics of relativistic particle motion, which illustrate a strong focussing effect. The simulation predicts a 0.55 dB/cm gain, 2% efficiency, and 8% bandwidth for the optimum TE21 mode at 300 GHz for an untapered wiggler. Mode competition for an over-moded waveguide and a nonlinear wiggler taper for efficiency enhancement are examined for a linear dipole wiggler in a rectangular guide. It is found that the maximum TEoi mode efficiency is 53% at 280 GHz and that the TM21 mode power can be as high as 28% in the uniform wiggler region.
Effects of superselective embolization for renal vascular injuries on renal parenchyma and function.

Abstract Aim. Our objective was to evaluate the outcome of superselective embolization used for treatment of renal vascular injuries on renal parenchyma and renal function. Materials and methods. Between January 1999 and December 2001, 6 consecutive patients (five males, one female, mean age 45 years) underwent embolization to treat bleeding from renal vascular injuries, resulting from iatrogenic interventions (4) and blunt abdominal trauma (2). Five patients had increased serum creatinine. Angiography depicted a pseudoaneurysm (PA) in three, PA with arteriovenous fistula (AVF) in one, and active extravasation in two patients. Superselective catheterization was achieved using a 5-F catheter in three, and coaxial microcatheter in the remaining three cases. All lesions were successfully embolized with 0.035″ or 0.018″ coils. Results. Bleeding was ceased in all patients and did not recur. Mean post-embolization parenchymal ischemic area was 11.7% (range: 0–30%). Imaging follow-up (mean: 12 months, range: 5–23) showed that mean parenchymal infarcted area was 6% (range: 0–15%). Serum creatinine level was normal in all patients one week after the procedure and at the latest follow-up. Conclusion. Superselective embolization resulted in permanent cessation of bleeding. Serious parenchymal infarction was prevented and serum creatinine level returned to the pre-bleeding values. Embolization should be considered as the treatment of choice in this patient population.
A comparison of quality and cost indicators by surgical specialty for lobectomy of the lung.

Objectives This investigation compared patients undergoing lobectomy for non–small cell lung cancer by either a general surgeon or a cardiothoracic surgeon across a geographically diverse system of hospitals to see whether a significant difference in quality or cost was present. Methods The Premiere administrative database and tumor registry data of a single health system's hospitals was used to compare adherence to national treatment guidelines, patient outcomes, and charges for patients undergoing lobectomy for non–small cell lung cancer in a 5-year period. Surgeons performing lobectomy were designated as a general surgeon or cardiothoracic surgeon according to their national provider number and board certification status. Excluded from analysis were centers that performed fewer than 50 lobectomies during the study period. Results During the study period, 2823 lobectomies were performed by 46 general surgeons and 3653 lobectomies were performed by 29 cardiothoracic surgeons in 54 hospitals in a single health care system. Significant differences were found between general and cardiothoracic surgeons with respect to adherence to national guidelines in staging and treatment, mean length of stay, significant morbidity, and operative mortality. Mean charges for lobectomy of the lung were also found to differ significantly between general and cardiothoracic surgeons. Conclusions This review found that currently measurable indicators for quality of care were significantly superior and overall charges were significantly reduced when a lobectomy for non–small cell lung cancer was performed by a cardiothoracic surgeon rather than by a general surgeon.
Is the sugar always sweet in intestinal inflammation

Immune responses are mediated mainly by protein/protein interactions. In addition, protein/carbohydrate (sugar) interactions through specific protein families termed lectin and chi-lectin are also involved in several immune and biological responses under not only the state of health but also inflammatory conditions. Interestingly, recent studies have identified unexpected roles of animal lectins (galectin-1 and galectin-4) and chi-lectin (chitinase 3-like-1) in intestinal inflammation. Galectin-1 contributes to the suppression of intestinal inflammation by the induction of effector T cell apoptosis. In contrast, galectin-4 is involved in the exacerbation of this inflammation by specifically stimulating intestinal CD4+ T cells to produce IL-6. CHI3L1 enhances the host/microbial interaction that leads to the exacerbation of intestinal inflammation. In this review, we discuss a novel aspect of lectin/carbohydrate interactions in intestinal inflammation.
Exact magnetic monopole solutions in Yang-Mills and unified gauge theories

We study the magnetic monopoles in non-Abelian gauge theories. The exact static, spherically symmetric solutions of the magnetic monopoles in both Yang-Mills and unified gauge theories are obtained. The energyE of the static system is calculable and it is either zero or infinite. The existence of the magnetic monopole solution is a consequence of symmetry rather than dynamics. We propose a new definition of the electromagnetic field tensor, which relates the static solution of gauge fields and the magnetic monopole solution. Experimental implications are discussed.
Three-dimensional sampling of material structure for property modeling and design

Newly developed 3-D tomographic techniques permit acquisition of quantitative materials data for input to structure-property models. At the mesoscale, techniques that enable sampling of larger material volumes provide information such as grain size and morphology, 3-D interfacial character, and chemical gradients. However, systematic approaches for determining the characteristic material volume for 3-D analysis have yet to be established. In this work, the variability in properties due to microstructure is discussed in the context of a methodology for defining volume elements that link microstructure, properties, and design. As such, we propose a 3-D sampling methodology based on convergence of microstructural parameters and associated properties and design considerations.
Methionine Biosynthesis and Utilization in Pseudomonas tabaci and Ps. angulata

Pseudomonas tabaci, the wildfire bacterium of tobacco, produces an exotoxin, detectable by a bacteria-free, chlorotic halo surrounding the necrotic focus of infection in the leaf at the site of inoculation ; Ps. angulata, the causative agent of angular leaf spot of tobacco, does not produce the chlorotic halo. These species are indistinguishable when Ps. tabaci is attenuated and no longer produces the exotoxin1. Since the exotoxin behaves as a methionine anti-metabolite for the host cells2, the effect of a second methionine antimetabolite, methionine sulphoximine, on toxigenic strains of Ps. tabaci was determined. Furthermore, eighteen independently isolated, methionine-requiring mutants of this species were tested to establish the site of the block in the biosynthetic pathway for this amino-acid.
SIMULATION OF DRYING IN A BATCH LUMBER KILN FROM SINGLE-BOARD TESTS

ABSTRACT A deterministic model was developed to perform a board-by-board simulation of a forced convective batch lumber kiln. Individual board properties may be input and dryer operating parameters varied. The drying rates are empirical correlations based on single-board laboratory tests. The model incorporates the thermodynamic properties of the wood and gas, as well as mass and energy balances within the lumber stack. It also accounts for differences in heat and mass transfer resulting from position and changing gas properties throughout the dryer. The rate of drying predicted by the model and the final moisture content distribution were verified by weighing boards in a batch kiln before, during, and after drying. The application of the model is illustrated by simulating four common scenarios.
Gut feelings: the emerging biology of gut–brain communication

The concept that the gut and the brain are closely connected, and that this interaction plays an important part not only in gastrointestinal function but also in certain feeling states and in intuitive decision making, is deeply rooted in our language. Recent neurobiological insights into this gut-brain crosstalk have revealed a complex, bidirectional communication system that not only ensures the proper maintenance of gastrointestinal homeostasis and digestion but is likely to have multiple effects on affect, motivation and higher cognitive functions, including intuitive decision making. Moreover, disturbances of this system have been implicated in a wide range of disorders, including functional and inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders, obesity and eating disorders.
Applications of direct detection device in transmission electron microscopy.

A prototype Direct Detection Device (DDD) camera system has shown great promise in improving both the spatial resolution and the signal to noise ratio for electron microscopy at 120–400 keV beam energies (Xuong, et al., 2007. Methods in Cell Biology, 79, 721–739). Without the need for a resolution-limiting scintillation screen as in the charge coupled device (CCD), the DDD camera can outperform CCD based systems in terms of spatial resolution, due to its small pixel size (5 μm). In this paper, the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the DDD prototype is measured and compared with the specifications of commercial scientific CCD camera systems. Combining the fast speed of the DDD with image mosaic techniques, fast wide-area imaging is now possible. In this paper, the first large area mosaic image and the first tomography dataset from the DDD camera are presented, along with an image processing algorithm to correct the specimen drift utilizing the fast readout of the DDD system.
Surface-active substrates for Raman and luminescence analysis

This paper describes the development of active materials for optically enhanced Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy. The substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering investigated in this study involved silver-coated microspheres on glass plates. The effect of various experimental parameters, such as angle of incidence and excitation wavelength, were investigated. The substrate used for surface luminescence analysis consisted of a cellulose membrane coated with fumed silica microparticles, to enhance the sensitivity of analysis. Examples of analysis of benzo[a]pyrene and its derivatives are used to illustrate the efficacy of the analytical techniques.
Reason giving: when public leaders ignore evidence.

Discussion of bioethics-related policy, given its value-laden nature, can result in heated and emotional discourse. Political leaders significantly affect public deliberations surrounding bioethica...
Reduction of the fcc to L10 Ordering Temperature for Self-Assembled FePt Nanoparticles Containing Ag

[Fe49Pt51]88Ag12 nanoparticles were prepared by the simultaneous polyol reduction of platiunum acetylacetonate and silver acetate and the thermal decomposition of iron pentacarbonyl, giving 3.5 nm diameter FePt particles with Ag atoms substituted in the lattice. The addition of Ag promoted the fcc to tetragonal phase transition, thereby reducing the temperature required for this transition by some 100 to 150 °C compared with pure FePt nanoparticles. After heat treatment at 400 °C for 30 min, the coercivity of the films containing [Fe49Pt51]88Ag12 nanoparticles was more than 3400 Oe, while the films containing FePt nanoparticles were superparamagnetic. This decrease in phase transformation temperature allowed us to decrease the particle coalescence and loss in particle positional order seen when FePt nanoparticles were transformed at temperatures above 550 °C.
The Computer Gender Gap: Children's Attitudes, Performance and Socialization

A review of research studies on gender differences in computer-based education revealed significant discrepancies between equality of access and performance outcomes for female and male users. Begi...
On holomorphic dependence and infrared effects in supersymmetric gauge theories

Abstract According to general theorems in supersymmetric gauge theories the chiral quantities should depend on the chiral parameters in a holomorphic way. By chiral parameters we mean the complex coefficients in front of the chiral structures such as the mass parameters of the matter fields or the gauge coupling constant. Actually, this general assertion is often broken if the effective action under consideration contains massless (light) fields. We discuss this phenomenon and show that the violation of holomorphicity can be traced back to the renormalization of the massless fields. It is just their Z-factors that introduce non-holomorphicity explicitly. In some cases it is possible to define quantities which are free from infrared effects violating holomorphicity. We believe that these latter quantities have direct physical meaning and restore holomorphicity. The dependence of the gluino condensate on the gauge coupling constant and the renormalization of the θ-angle are considered as instructive examples.