cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act on corporate innovation

Abstract We study the effect of the passage of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) on corporate innovation. SOX dramatically changed corporate governance landscape of public firms in the U.S, especially in increasing monitoring from outside independent directors, which may have an impact on corporate innovation. The passage of SOX introduced an exogenous shock to the corporate governance structure, which enables us to establish causality between SOX and corporate innovation. Using patent and citation data from the NBER patent citation database, board of directors data from Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and a difference-in-difference regression technique, we find that SOX increases corporate innovation, as measured by the number of patents and the number of citations per patent. Moreover, we find that the effects are stronger for firms facing more severe agency problems, i.e., firms with more entrenched CEOs as proxied by a longer tenure, and firms with low institutional ownerships. The effect is also found to be stronger for firms operating in innovative industries.
New photoacoustic platform for early detection of circulating clots to prevent stroke and other fatal thromboembolic complications (Conference Presentation)

Nearly 800,000 people in the U.S. experience an incident of stroke each year; ~80% of these are first time occurrences and ~87% are ischemic in nature. Someone dies of a stroke every few minutes in the U.S. but despite its prevalence there have been minimal advances in the early detection and screening of thromboembolic events, especially during patient post-operative periods or in genetically predisposed individuals. Environmental or genetic factors may disrupt the balance between coagulation and lysis of micro-thrombi in circulation and increase the risk of stroke. We introduced here a novel in vivo multicolor negative-contrast photoacoustic (PA) flow cytometry (PAFC ) platform with many innovations including customized high pulse repetition rate 1064 laser from IPG Photonics Corporation, powerful laser diode array, multichannel optical schematic, and time-resolved recording system. Using animal models, we verified the potential of this technology to detect small clots in relatively large vessels in vivo. If future clinical trials using a cost-effective, easy-to-use, safe, watch-like, wearable PA probe are successful, PAFC could provide breakthroughs in early monitoring of the growth in size and number of small clots that may predict and potentially prevent fatal thromboembolic complications. We also believe that this technology could be utilized to assess therapeutic benefits of anticoagulants and develop more efficient dosage in treatments by analyzing changes in the composition and frequency of micro-thrombi
Use of volumetric laser endomicroscopy for dysplasia detection at the gastroesophageal junction and gastric cardia.

Use of volumetric laser endomicroscopy for dysplasia detection at the gastroesophageal junction and gastric cardia
Towards High-Frequency Shape Memory Alloy Actuators Incorporating Liquid Metal Energy Circuits

Large shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators are currently limited to applications with low cyclic actuation frequency requirements due to their generally poor heat transfer rates. This limitation can be overcome through the use of distributed body heating methods such as induction heating or by accelerated cooling methods such as forced convection in internal cooling channels. In this work, a monolithic SMA beam actuator containing liquid gallium–indium alloy-filled channels is fabricated through additive manufacturing. These liquid metal channels enable a novel multi-physical thermal control system, allowing for increased heating and cooling rates to facilitate an increased cyclic actuation frequency. Liquid metal flowing in the channels performs the dual tasks of inductively heating the surrounding SMA material and then actively cooling the SMA via forced internal fluid convection. A coupled thermoelectric model, implemented in COMSOL, predicts a possible fivefold increase in the cyclic actuation frequency due to these increased thermal transfer rates when compared to conventional SMA forms having external heating coils and being externally cooled via forced convection. The first ever experimental prototype SMA actuator of this type is described and, even at much lower flow rates, is shown to exhibit a decrease in cooling time of 40.9%.
Book Review: Conscious Capitalism: A Positive Approach to Teaching Management and Strategy

I think we can teach management and strategy in a way that integrates analysis, formulation, and implementation. Furthermore, I am convinced that the concern for multiple stakeholders, social responsibility, and ethical leadership do not need to be detached from the course.
An integrated, pipeline-based approach for cryo-EM structure determination and atomic model refinement in the cloud

Access to streamlined computational resources remains a significant bottleneck for new users of cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). To address this, we have built upon our previous work (Cianfrocco & Leschziner 2015) to develop software tools that will submit cryo-EM analysis routines and atomic model building jobs directly to Amazon Web Services (AWS) from a local computer or laptop. These new software tools (cryoem-cloud-tools) have incorporated optimal data movement, security, and cost-saving strategies, giving novice users access to complex cryo-EM data processing pipelines. Integrating these tools into the RELION processing pipeline and graphical user interface we determined a 2.2 A structure of β-galactosidase in ~55 hours on AWS. We implemented a similar strategy to submit Rosetta atomic model building and refinement to AWS. These software tools dramatically reduce the barrier for entry of new users to cloud computing for cryo-EM and are freely available at cryoem-tools.cloud.
Venous sinus stenting lowers the intracranial pressure in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Aims We report the cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure (CSF-OP) measurements obtained before and after venous sinus stenting (VSS) in 50 patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Methods The CSF-OP was measured with a spinal tap 3 months before and 3 months after treatment. All data were prospectively collected and included patient demographics, weight (kg), body mass index (BMI), acetazolamide daily dosage (mg), procedural details, complications, venous sinus pressures (mm Hg), trans-stenotic pressure gradient (mm Hg), transverse sinus symmetry, and type of venous sinus stenosis. Results The average pretreatment CSF-OP was 37 cm H 2 O (range 25–77) and the average post-treatment CSF-OP was 20.2 cm H 2 O (range 10–36), with an average reduction of 16.8 cm H 2 O (P 2 O in 40/50 patients. The average acetazolamide daily dose decreased from 950 mg to 300 mg at the time of 3-month follow-up (P Conclusions We provide evidence that there is a significant decrease in CSF-OP in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension 3 months after VSS, independent of acetazolamide usage or weight loss.
Service-Learning: Connecting Practical Experience With Classroom Instruction

Academic programs in Parks, Recreation and Tourism have long required undergraduate students to perform professional fieldwork, practica, and/or internships as a part of their formal preparation. A...
Agents and their cities

The interactive Web seems a natural place for the use of agent technology, to bring access to e-services with solutions to dynamic, open and changing environments. However, agent technology is still quite low key in this expanding area of Internet access and e-business space. Part of the reason for this has been the lack of a large-scale test-bed. Some fundamental changes in the development of agent systems have helped to move the research into the area of directly addressing high-level interoperability: emergence of a standard, availability of many agent systems for interoperability testing, better understanding of agent infrastructure, etc. In this paper we look at the developments of agent technology and the challenges, which will enable agent technology to play a key role in the Internet space. This paper describes the design of high-level interoperable agent services through the concept of Agentcities, its motivations, drivers and its implementation. Finally, the key challenges to be addressed to make this initiative a success are evaluated.
The IRules Project

This paper provides an overview of the Integration Rules (IRules) approach to the interconnection of distributed software components. The intended use of this rule processing technology is for the specification of event-based processing logic in the development of component-based applications for distributed environments, such as E-commerce applications. The IRules approach builds upon the use of the Enterprise JavaBeans (EJB) software component model, providing an environment to facilitate the integration of black-box software components. An application integrator uses the IRules Component Definition Language to extend the definition of an EJB component in the IRules environment with derived and stored attributes, externalized relationships, and events. The application integrator then uses the IRules Integration Rule Language together with a scripting language to develop applications. Integration rules provide active rule capability to the environment so that as distributed components and external sources generate event notifications, integration rules are used to invoke methods on components or on higher-level application transactions. The IRules approach is unique in that it addresses the language and semantic framework needed in the context of software component models for the effective use of rules in distributed environments.
Process Monitor: Detecting Events That Didn't Happen

The successful operation of a large scale enterprise information system relies, in part, on the regular and successful completion of many different tasks. Some of these tasks may be fully automated, while others are done manually. One of the challenges we face is detecting when one of these tasks fails (often silently) or is forgotten. While you will eventually learn of these omissions, it is much better to have the system detect them rather than your users! This paper discusses how we implemented a system that watches what we do and reminds us when we (or our computers) forgot to do something.
Effect of cabozantinib on bone turnover markers (BTM) and bone metastases (BM) in radioiodine refractory (RAIR)-differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC).

e17580Background: Cabozantinib is a small molecule multiple-receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that primarily targets MET and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2). We evaluated th...
First-principles evaluation of resistance contributions in Ruthenium interconnects for advanced technology nodes

Resistance contribution within Ruthenium (Ru) interconnects, used in middle-of-the line and back-end-of- the line process in an integrated circuit, are evaluated using first-principles density functional theory based transport calculations using the non-equilibrium Green’s function. Three prominent scattering mechanisms impurity scattering, interface/surface scattering and grain-boundary reflections are studied systematically. The results are compared with available resistivity data from literature. The calculated reflection coefficients (R) for the symmetric-tilt grain boundaries lie in the range of 0.38 to 0.51, indicating the grain boundary reflections can significantly enhance the metal resistivity within Ru interconnects. These grain boundary reflection coefficients are in good agreement with hardware data and a fit to the measured resistivity data predicts an average reflection coefficient of 0.51 for Ru interconnect, using Mayadas-Shatzkes model. The results obtained provide useful physical insights into Ru grain-boundary reflections and can be used to classify the metals for advanced interconnect technology.
Observations on the Mechanochemical Insertion of Zinc(II), Copper(II), Magnesium(II), and Select Other Metal(II) Ions into Porphyrins

Building on a proof of concept study that showed the possibility of the mechanochemical insertion of some M(II) metals into meso-tetraphenylporphyrin using a ball mill as an alternative to traditional solution-based methods, we present here a detailed study of the influence of the many experimental variables on the reaction outcome performed in a planetary mill. Using primarily the mechanochemical zinc, copper, and magnesium insertion reactions, the scope and limits of the type of porphyrins (electron-rich or electron-poor meso-tetraarylporphyrins, synthetic or naturally occurring octaalkylporphyrins, and meso-triphenylcorrole) and metal ion sources suitable for this metal insertion modality were determined. We demonstrate the influence of the experimental metal insertion parameters, such as ball mill speed and reaction time, and investigated the often surprising roles of a variety of grinding agents. Also, the mechanochemical reaction conditions that remove zinc from a zinc porphyrin complex or exchange ...
Tension hydrothorax secondary to small cell lung cancer

Malignant tension hydrothorax is rare. Here we present a malignant tension hydrothorax secondary to small cell lung cancer (SCLC). To our knowledge, this is the first report of this entity. Briefly, a 53-year-old male smoker presented in acute distress after months of fatigue, shortness of breath, and weight loss. On examination his heart rate was 122, respiratory rate 31, blood pressure 102/60, oxygen saturation 92%, and he had tracheal deviation to the left with absent breath sounds on the right. Work-up revealed hyponatraemia and a large pleural effusion causing tracheal deviation, mediastinal shift and compression of abdominal contents. There were associated masses in the right lung upper lobe and tail of the pancreas. Urgent, interval drainage of the effusion over several hours with tube thoracostomy relieved his symptoms while also avoiding life-threatening re-expansion pulmonary oedema. Subsequent thoracoscopic pleural biopsies revealed extensive SCLC. He was advised to begin urgent chemotherapy.
Image classification and control of microfluidic systems

Current microfluidic-based microencapsulation systems rely on human experts to monitor and oversee the entire process spanning hours in order to detect and rectify when defects are found. This results in high labor costs, degradation and loss of quality in the desired collected material, and damage to the physical device. We propose an automated monitoring and classification system based on deep learning techniques to train a model for image classification into four discrete states. Then we develop an actuation control system to regulate the flow of material based on the predicted states. Experimental results of the image classification model show class average recognition rate of 95.5%. In addition, simulated test runs of our valve control system verify its robustness and accuracy.
Solar Cell Testing for the Jupiter Environment: Low Irradiance, Low Temperature and High Radiation

Solar cell characterization for missions to the Jupiter system presents unique challenges. Such missions require accurate predictions of cell performance under low irradiance, low temperature and high radiation conditions. However, test artifacts such as room-temperature annealing of radiation-induced defects can introduce significant inaccuracy in the ground-based test data with respect to the true flight performance. In this paper, we present a preliminary investigation of the room-temperature annealing artifact using in-situ dark-IV characterization, and we place a lower bound on the inflation it introduces.
Effectiveness of a Primary Care-Based Pediatric Weight Management Program.

Background Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic of great concern for our nation, including pediatric populations treated at military treatment facilities. Objective This study aims to retrospectively evaluate the effectiveness of a primary care-based structured weight management program in a sample of pediatric patients with obesity at a military treatment facility. Methods This study was a retrospective chart review of patients enrolled in the All About Me Program (AAMP) from August 1, 2011, through July 10, 2012. Baseline demographics, 5-2-1-0 behavioral targets, and anthropometric measures were obtained from 54 enrollees. Pre- and post-program weight, body mass index (BMI) percentile, and 5-2-1-0 behavioral targets were compared for 20 patients who completed the program which consisted of a total of five visits over 3 months. Results Participants showed a significant reduction in their BMI, improvement in daily servings of fruits and vegetables, reduction in recreational screen time from baseline, improvement in daily physical activity, and reduction in consumption of sugary beverages. Conclusions These preliminary findings are a promising indicator that primary care-based obesity interventions may be effective for the management and treatment of pediatric obesity. Implications for nursing This evidence-based toolkit provides a practical point-of-care guidance on the prevention, assessment, and treatment of childhood obesity and can be easily implemented in other primary care settings.
Industrialization as a Historical Episode

This essay is part of a special issue entitled “Looking Backward, Looking Forward: HSNS at 50,” edited by Erika Lorraine Milam.
Differences in perception and memory for speech fragments in complex versus simple words: Two experiments

Abstract Two experiments investigated how people perceived and remembered fragments of spoken words that either corresponded to correct lexical entries (as in the complex word drink-er) or did not (as in the simple word glitt-er). Experiment 1 was a noise-rating task that probed perception. Participants heard stimuli such drinker, where strikethrough indicates noise overlaid at a controlled signal-to-noise ratio, and rated the loudness of the noise. Results showed that participants rated noise on certain pseudo-roots (e.g., glitter) as louder than noise on true roots (drinker), indicating that they perceived them with less clarity. Experiment 2 was an eye-fixation task that probed memory. Participants heard a word such as drink-er while associating each fragment with a visual shape. At test, they saw the shapes again, and were asked to look at the shape associated with a particular fragment, such as drink. Results showed that fixations to shapes associated with pseudo-affixes (-er in glitter) were less accurate than fixations to shapes associated with true affixes (-er in drinker), which suggests that they remembered the pseudo-affixes more poorly. These findings provide evidence that the presence of correct lexical entries for roots and affixes modulates people’s judgments about the speech that they hear.
A Study of Arm and Shoulder-Girdle Strength of College Women in Selected Tests

(1944). A Study of Arm and Shoulder-Girdle Strength of College Women in Selected Tests. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 15, No. 3, pp. 258-267.
Interleukin-10 does not contribute to the anti-contractile nature of PVAT in health.

Abstract Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is protective and reduces contraction of blood vessels in health. PVAT is composed of adipocytes, multiple types of immune cells and stromal cells. Interleukin (IL)-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine usually produced by T cells, B cells and macrophages, was identified as one of the highly expressed (mRNA) cytokines in the mesenteric PVAT of healthy rats. One report suggested that exogenous IL-10 causes relaxation of mouse mesenteric arteries, also suggesting that IL-10 maybe a potential anti-contractile factor. Hence, we hypothesized that PVAT-derived IL-10 causes vasorelaxation and/or reduces vasoconstriction, thus contributing to the anti-contractile nature of PVAT in health. Mesenteric arteries from rats and mice expressed the receptor for IL-10 (in tunica intima and media) as determined by immunohistochemistry. Mesenteric resistance arteries for rats and superior mesenteric artery for mice were used for isometric contractility studies. Increasing concentrations [0.4–100 ng/mL] of recombinant rat/mouse (rr/mr) IL-10 or vehicle was directly added to half-maximally constricted (phenylephrine, PE) vessels (without PVAT, with endothelium). IL-10 did not cause a direct vasorelaxation. Further, the ability of rrIL-10 to cause a rightward or downward shift of a vasoconstriction-response curve was tested in the rat. The vessels were incubated with rrIL-10 [100 ng/mL or 10 ng/mL] or vehicle for 1.5 h in the tissue bath followed by a cumulative PE [10−8–10−4 M] or U46619 [10−10–10−5 M] response curve. The maximal contractions and EC50 values were similar in IL-10 incubated vessels vs vehicle. Thus, acute exposure of exogenous IL-10 did not reduce local vasoconstriction. To further test if endogenous IL-10 from PVAT was anti-contractile, superior mesenteric arteries from IL-10 WT and KO mice, with and without PVAT, were subjected to increasing concentrations of PE. The anti-contractile nature of PVAT was preserved with both short-term and prolonged depletion (using younger and older mice, respectively) of endogenous IL-10 in males and females. Contrary to our hypothesis, PVAT-derived IL-10 neither caused vasorelaxation nor reduced local vasoconstriction directly/indirectly. Therefore, IL-10 does not contribute to the anti-contractile nature of PVAT in healthy rodents.
Improving Mathematics Achievement in the New Normal Education System Using Genyo E-Learning

Mathematics as a discipline effectively learned when teacher-assisted instruction is present has now aided with computer-assisted learning. This study assessed the effectiveness of Genyo-E-Learning in Online Distance Learning through a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design. Pupils have matched accordingly with their Mathematics grades in the third-grading period. Pretest underwent KR20 and Levene’s Test of Homogeneity of Variance to see if the covariate is reliable and groups are at the same level. As shown in the Schema of Classes, the researcher designed two lesson outlines with different structures for the intact groups covering the topic: Circumference of a Circle. The lesson for the Control Group was delivered through the Conventional Virtual Lecture Method, while the Experimental Group had Genyo E-Learning as an aid for transmission. The post-test scores were the basis as to what group the significant difference favors. Post-tests were treated with ANCOVA at a 0.05 significance level. The researcher used the National Achievement Test Descriptive Equivalence Table to determine groups' mastery level and used the Evaluation Form on the Excerpts of Online Classes to evaluate the degree of pupils' interactivity toward the lesson. Mathematics Achievement of pupils taught with Genyo E-Learning is greater than that of Conventional Virtual Lecture Method teaching and rated Very Satisfactorily and Satisfactorily respectively based on Interactivity Evaluation. More pupils from the Experimental Group achieved Mastered Level based on the Achievement Level Scale. Genyo E-Learning Systems could improve Mathematics Achievement in the New Normal Education System.
The benefits of incorporating active learning into online, asynchronous coursework in Dental Physiology.

The COVID-19 pandemic required a shift to online learning that posed particular challenges for the education of dental students. Basic science courses were presented in an online, asynchronous format to facilitate small group rotations through pre-clinical work. The success of active learning was previously examined in a Dental Physiology course, and it was desired to reassess those methods in an online environment. Students were provided with pre-recorded lectures containing learning activities, and the effectiveness was compared to traditional lecture recordings. On surveys, dental students had more positive perceptions of online recordings that incorporated active learning strategies, with higher perceived effectiveness of the lecturer, ability to pay attention, motivation to study, and confidence with the material. This was similar to the previous study, in which face-2-face (F2F) active learning was more positively reviewed than traditional lectures. Compared to these past sections, the online cohort expressed similarly positive perceptions of the active learning sections, but the online traditional lectures were perceived to be less effective than F2F lectures. Despite the differences in student perceptions, unit exam scores were similar for didactic lectures in both online and F2F settings. Unit exam scores were significantly higher when active learning strategies were employed, with the highest performance levels in the F2F cohort. While active learning strategies continue to be effective, further research is needed to optimize these methods and engage students in online coursework. The results suggest the importance of active and collaborative learning opportunities in the education of students in physiology coursework.
Pressurized star crack.

Stress and displacement fields resulting from star cracks in pressurized infinite thin elastic plate, utilizing mellin transforms
Ionization of clusters. III. Evaluation of interaction parameters from binding data.

Abstract Interactions between ionizable groups on the same molecule modulate the binding of protons to an extent where the binding constants may be shifted by orders of magnitude. The first two papers of this series discussed the family of car☐ylic acids, pairwise isotropic interactions, and evaluation of single site binding data. This paper presents an extended group of hypothetical binding isotherms. Procedures are illustrated for deriving interaction parameters from binding data. The interaction parameters for about 25 representative compounds with two and three interacting ionizable groups are evaluated and tabulated.
Tumor-Specific CD4+ T Cells Render the Tumor Environment Permissive for Infiltration by Low-Avidity CD8+ T Cells

CD4+ T cells enhance tumor destruction by CD8+ T cells. One benefit that underlies CD4+ T cell help is enhanced clonal expansion of newly activated CD8+ cells. In addition, tumor-specific CD4+ help is also associated with the accumulation of greater numbers of CD8+ T cells within the tumor. Whether this too is attributable to the effects of help delivered to the CD8+ cells during priming within secondary lymphoid tissues, or alternatively is due to the action of CD4+ cells within the tumor environment has not been examined. In this study, we have evaluated separately the benefits of CD4+ T cell help accrued during priming of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells with a vaccine, as opposed to the benefits delivered by the presence of cognate CD4+ cells within the tumor. The presence of CD4+ T cell help during priming increased clonal expansion of tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in secondary lymphoid tissue; however, CD8+ T cells that have low avidity for tumor Ag were inefficient in tumor invasion. CD4+ T cells that recognized tumor Ag were required to facilitate accumulation of CD8+ T cells within the tumor and enhance tumor lysis during the acute phase of the response. These experiments highlight the ability of tumor-specific CD4+ T cells to render the tumor microenvironment receptive for CD8+ T cell immunotherapy, by facilitating the accumulation of all activated CD8+ T cells, including low-avidity tumor-specific and noncognate cells.
The design of resource-conserving metropolitan growth: The problem of estuarine settlements

The central problem is that posed by the recognition that a metropolis is a vortex pulling in food, water, fuel, materials, messages, people, and manufactures in large quantities. It must rid itself of waste heat, sewage, and solid waste; it must also export goods and services along with people and messages. When these requirements are put in quantitative terms, and compared against prospective supplies, it is apparent that as Asian cities grow they will encounter critical shortages in the supply of fuel, water, food, and accessible, buildable land. In most Asian countries the authorities hope to diminish the problem by keeping people in the countryside. However, almost everywhere villages have accumulated a proportion of 40-60% landless households. When that level is reached a relatively minor stress will trigger migration to the cities where many of the migrants will settle permanently. More than three decades ago it was found that the resources required for building and operating cities according to the planning standards at that time were at least ten times the dimensions of the expected supplies. If Asia found a solution, Africa could benefit from it, but what was the solution?
Vector Dark Matter from Inflationary Fluctuations

We calculate the production of a massive vector boson by quantum fluctuations during inflation. This gives a novel dark-matter production mechanism quite distinct from misalignment or thermal production. While scalars and tensors are typically produced with a nearly scale-invariant spectrum, surprisingly the vector is produced with a power spectrum peaked at intermediate wavelengths. Thus dangerous, long-wavelength, isocurvature perturbations are suppressed. Further, at long wavelengths the vector inherits the usual adiabatic, nearly scale-invariant perturbations of the inflaton, allowing it to be a good dark-matter candidate. The final abundance can be calculated precisely from the mass and the Hubble scale of inflation, ${H}_{I}$. Saturating the dark-matter abundance we find a prediction for the mass $m\ensuremath{\approx}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}({10}^{14}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}/{H}_{I}{)}^{4}$. High-scale inflation, potentially observable in the cosmic microwave background, motivates an exciting mass range for recently proposed direct-detection experiments for hidden photon dark matter. Such experiments may be able to reconstruct the distinctive, peaked power spectrum, verifying that the dark matter was produced by quantum fluctuations during inflation and providing a direct measurement of the scale of inflation. Thus a detection would not only be the discovery of dark matter, it would also provide an unexpected probe of inflation itself.
Surface blemish detection from passive imagery using learned fuzzy set concepts

An image analysis method for real-time surface blemish detection using passive imagery and fuzzy set concepts is described. The method develops an internal knowledge representation for surface blemish characteristics on the basis of "experience", thus facilitating autonomous learning based upon positive and negative exemplars. The method incorporates fuzzy set concepts in the learning subsystem and image segmentation algorithms, thereby mimicking human visual perception. This enables a generic solution for color image segmentation.
Base metal exchange between magnetite and a chloride-rich hydrothermal fluid☆

Abstract Base metal exchange reactions between magnetite and a supercritical aqueous chloride solution have been experimentally calibrated at T = 600 to 800°C, P = 2 kb, and total chloride = 2.06 M. The results are expressed as the distribution coefficients Kd MFe = (X M X Fe ) fl (X M X Fe ) s , where fl and s represent the fluid and the solid solution, respectively, and X M = m M (m M + m Fe total (m M + m Fe total ) are the mole fractions of the metal of interest and of total Fe, respectively. The experimentally determined distribution coefficients are KdMnFe = 64, 33, and 18, and KdZnFe=161, 87, and 53, at T=600, 700, and 800°C, respectively. Linear regression yields the best fit equations: ln KdZnFe = 5198/T(K) − 0.872 (r2 = 0.9999) and ln KdMnFe = 5941/T(K) − 2.63 (r2 = 0.9995). Kd values were independent of composition over the range of concentrations investigated. Clearly, both Mn and Zn are strongly fractionated into the fluid with respect to Fe. A combination of KdMnFe and KdZnFe yields KdZnMn = 2.54, 2.67, and 2.94 at 600, 700, and 800°C, where Kd = (X Zn X Mn ) fl / (X Zn X Fe ) s . The partitioning and temperature dependence described by KdZnMn are significantly weaker than those shown by KdMnFe and KdZnFe. Results for the CdFe and CuFe exchange reactions indicate that both Cd and Cu are extremely partitioned into the fluid with respect to Fe and very strongly partitioned into the fluid with respect to Zn and Mn. The experimental results suggest that even minor to trace concentrations of these base metals in natural magnetites indicate strong enrichment of Zn, Mn, Cu, and Cd relative to Fe in chloride-rich hydrothermal fluids. In particular, KdMnFe was applied to magnetites from skarn deposits. Calculations at 360 to 420°C suggest that skarn fluids in equilibrium with magnetites containing only minor concentrations of Mn can have Mn/Fe ratios greater than 1.
Molecular control of endothelial cell behaviour during blood vessel morphogenesis

The vertebrate vasculature forms an extensive branched network of blood vessels that supplies tissues with nutrients and oxygen. During vascular development, coordinated control of endothelial cell behaviour at the levels of cell migration, proliferation, polarity, differentiation and cell-cell communication is critical for functional blood vessel morphogenesis. Recent data uncover elaborate transcriptional, post-transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms that fine-tune key signalling pathways (such as the vascular endothelial growth factor and Notch pathways) to control endothelial cell behaviour during blood vessel sprouting (angiogenesis). These emerging frameworks controlling angiogenesis provide unique insights into fundamental biological processes common to other systems, such as tissue branching morphogenesis, mechanotransduction and tubulogenesis.
Image Fusion using Gaussian Mixture Models.

Recently, a number of works have show that patch-based image features can lead to more robust models than their pixel based counterparts. Critical to their success is that natural image patches can be expressed sparsely in appropriately defined dictionaries which can be tuned to a variety of applications. Yu, Sapiro and Mallat [1] demonstrated that estimating image patches from multivariate Gaussians is equivalent to finding sparse representations in a structured overcomplete PCA-based dictionary and can be solved using a straightforward piecewise linear estimator (PLE). In this work we show how a similar PLE can be formulated to fuse images with various linear degradations and different levels of additive noise. We consider the degradation model y = U f + w, in which a given image f has undergone some linear degradation U and is corrupted by additive noise w∼N (0,σ2). Decomposing f into overlapping √ n× √ n vectorized patches fi ∈Rn, i = 1.., I and noting that each patch may have a unique linear degradation Ui and unique additive noise wi, we can express the degraded image patches as yi = Ui fi +wi for i = 1, .., I. Recovering f from y then becomes the problem of recovering fi from yi and rebuilding f from { fi}i=1. In this work we propose a model for recovering f from J images, y j = U j f +w j, j = 1, ..., ,J, where the linear degradations U jand noise levels w j ∼N (0,σj ) may vary amongst images. Following the single image recovery model proposed in [1], we show that given a fixed number of multivariate Gaussians parametrized by their means μk ∈ Rn and covariance matrices Σk ∈ Rn×n, k = 1, ...,K, each patch fi (for i = 1, ..., I) can be estimated by maximizing the log a posteriori probability p( fi|yi , ...,yi ,Σk), which is equivalent to solving
Properties and affinity purification of the mixed-type putative acetylcholine receptor from wild and a mutant strain of house flies

Binding of decamethonium to a soluble preparation from house fly head (either wild or a mutant strain) showed a single kind of binding with values for wild strain of Kd = 0.095 micrometers and Bmax = 0.22 nmol/mg protein. The mutant had a four-fold greater affinity and a seven-fold lesser amount. The binding was blocked by both nicotinic and muscarinic drugs. The decamethonium binding migrated in sucrose gradients as a single peak, with sedimentation coefficient s20,w = 12.5 S and therefore a molecular weight of 342 000. Purification by affinity chromatography was achieved with only partial loss of activity, andthe purified material demonstrated a single band on analytical disc gel electrophoresis. Electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulphate gels showed two subunits of molecular wegiths 94 000 and 64 000. Both subunits had an isoelectric point of 4.8.
A Magnetic Fluid Dynamometer

SINCE THE ANNOUNCEMENT of the magnetic fluid by J. Rabinow1 in 1948, several manufacturers have been producing magnetic fluid clutches for use primarily in servomechanisms. Though some manufacturers also have produced designs for breaking service, the author knows of no instance where the magnetic fluid has been used for absorption-dynamometer applications. The smoothness of control and the possibility of simple water cooling make this use very attractive.
Alternative approaches to cochlear implantation

Despite the fact that the transmastoid facial recess approach continues to be the gold standard and most commonly utilized worldwide for cochlear implant (CI) surgery, a number of other techniques have been developed and described in the literature. While many of these alternative techniques are employed when anatomical constraints require nontraditional approaches, others are used depending on the preference, comfort level, and specific training of the surgeon. While these alternative techniques are important additions to any otologist's armamentarium, it is paramount that CI surgery remain safe and effective while minimizing complications.
Screening correction for hadron-deuteron absorption cross sections near 200 GeV/ c

We have determined the screening-correction factor ${G}_{a}$ for proton-deuteron and positive-pion-deuteron absorption cross sections near 200 GeV/c. The determination uses measured cross sections on nucleon and deuteron targets, with an assumption about the one- and two-prong absorption cross sections on deuterons. The values found for ${G}_{a}$ are larger than the corresponding total-cross-section screening-correction factors, but are in reasonable agreement with a simple geometrical prediction.
Outflows and deep water production by marginal seas

Abstract We examine some of the processes that determine the properties of marginal sea outflows by reviewing historical data and by an analysis of two simple models. Our numerical simulation model makes several of the streamtube approximations of Smith (1975), but goes on to include a Froude number-dependent entrainment parameterization, an Ekman number-dependent parameterization of broadening, and it can accept real bottom topography and real oceanic temperature and salinity profiles. This numerical model reproduces some of the main features of the four major outflows considered here (Mediterranean Sea, two from the Norwegian-Greenland Sea, and Weddell Sea) including the bulk properties of the product water. A notable feature of these four outflows is that the density ordering of the source waters and product waters is reversed; for example, the densest source water comes from the Mediterranean Sea, the Mediterranean outflow makes the least dense product water. The reason is that intense entrainment of North Atlantic Central Water decreases the density of the Mediterranean outflow by about 1kg m −3 as it begins to descend the continental slope. The three high-latitude outflows are more or less similar in that strong entrainment generally occurs over short segments of the path where the bottom topography is relatively steep, typically just beyond the shelf-slope break. However, the densities of these outflows are decreased much less by entrainment (about 0.1kgm −3 in the Denmark Strait outflow, about 0.2kg m −3 in the Faroe Bank Channel outflow and 0.03kg m −3 in the Weddell Sea outflow) as they descend to the bottom in their respective basins. Entrainment causes much less decrease in density in these outflows primarily because of the lower density differences between these outflows and their overlying oceanic waters. High latitude outflows are more likely to reach the bottom because the oceanic water column in polar and subpolar seas is weakly stratified. These and other results indicate that the temperature and salinity of the oceanic water column are of considerable importance in determining the product water of a marginal sea outflow. Numerical experiments suggest that the density of the product water is remarkably insensitive to variations in the density of the source water. For example, if the density of the Mediterranean source water is arbitrarily increased by 1kg m −3 , then the increased density difference between outflow and overlying oceanic water results in even more vigorous entrainment. This increases the transport of product water by about 10 6 m 3 s −1 and limits the increase in density of the product water to only about 0.15kg m −3 . These and other results are obtained also from a simple end-point model of a descending outflow.
Study of the phase transformation of cobalt

The allotropic transformation of cobalt was studied with a differential scanning calorimeter. The temperatures of the fcc to hep transformation, As, and fcc to hcp transformation, Ms, exhibit a linear dependence on the heating and cooling rates: As(K) = 723.2 + 0.28R and Ms(K) = 671.4-0.28R whereR is the rate in K/min. As, Ms, and the associated enthalpies of the phase changes were observed to increase with increasing number of cycles through the transformation. The Ms reaction was observed to proceed slowly isothermally while exhibiting athermal behavior when cooled rapidly.
The Christian Right Thesis: Explaining Longitudinal Change in Participation among Evangelical Christians

Many attribute George W. Bush's strong campaign performance to Republican efforts to increase turnout among evangelical Protestants by stressing issues that focus on “moral values.” However, most scholarly studies either focus on demonstrating that moral issues affected vote choice in recent elections or they focus on documenting longitudinal changes in party loyalty or political attitudes among Evangelicals. Our task is to add to this literature by examining long-term trends in participation among Evangelicals and comparing those trends to trends among other major religious denominations. We find that, contrary to conventional wisdom, the increase in Evangelical turnout appears to have been driven by social and demographic changes among Evangelicals rather than by a political strategy. In fact, controlling for social and demographic changes, we find more impressive turnout gains among other groups, such as black Protestants and the nonreligious.
Cholinergic Degeneration and Alterations in the TrkA and p75NTR Balance as a Result of Pro-NGF Injection into Aged Rats

Learning and memory impairments occurring with Alzheimer's disease (AD) are associated with degeneration of the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs). BFCNs extend their axons to the hippocampus where they bind nerve growth factor (NGF) which is retrogradely transported to the cell body. While NGF is necessary for BFCN survival and function via binding to the high-affinity receptor TrkA, its uncleaved precursor, pro-NGF has been proposed to induce neurodegeneration via binding to the p75NTR and its coreceptor sortilin. Basal forebrain TrkA and NGF are downregulated with aging while pro-NGF is increased. Given these data, the focus of this paper was to determine a mechanism for how pro-NGF accumulation may induce BFCN degeneration. Twenty-four hours after a single injection of pro-NGF into hippocampus, we found increased hippocampal p75NTR levels, decreased hippocampal TrkA levels, and cholinergic degeneration. The data suggest that the increase in p75NTR with AD may be mediated by elevated pro-NGF levels as a result of decreased cleavage, and that pro-NGF may be partially responsible for age-related degenerative changes observed in the basal forebrain. This paper is the first in vivo evidence that pro-NGF can affect BFCNs and may do so by regulating expression of p75NTR neurotrophin receptors.
Psychometric properties of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire and Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia in patients with neck pain.

Objective: To examine selected psychometric properties of these instruments in a cohort of patients with mechanical neck pain. Design: Cohort design of 78 subjects completing self-report measures of pain, disability, and the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire Work (FABQW) and Physical Activity (FABQPA) subscales, as well as the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) at baseline and a 2-day follow-up. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to calculate test–retest reliability, and Cronbach's alpha was used to calculate internal consistency. Concurrent validity was analyzed between the FABQPA, FABQW, TSK, pain, and disability using Pearson correlation coefficients and hierarchical linear regression modeling. Results: The FABQPA and FABQW subscales exhibited substantial test–retest reliability, whereas the TSK exhibited moderate reliability. Internal consistency was high for all measures. The FABQW subscale was the only measure that significantly contributed to the regression model for both pain and disability in this group of patients with neck pain. Conclusions: Whereas the reliability and internal consistency of all measures ranged between moderate and substantial, the results of this study suggest weaker relationships between measures of fear and avoidance beliefs and pain/disability among patients with mechanical neck pain than has been reported among patients with low-back pain.
Re‐birthing the monstrous: James Whale's (Mis) reading of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

The myth of male self‐birthing (or parthenogenesis), immortalized in Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, undergoes a crucial transformation in James Whale's film. This re‐envisaging of the “Frankenstein complex”; is significant insofar as it reveals hidden gendered assumptions and anxieties concerning technology. At an initial level, Whale's film downplays what Rushing and Frentz call the “dystopian”; aspects of the Frankensteinian complex, in comparison with the novel, as is evidenced in the film's elimination of sexual ambiguity and a tacked‐on happy ending. Yet the resultant strain in excising critical aspects of Mary Shelley's novel is so great that the film ends up both veiling and unveiling its severe repression, and as such, both reinforces and undercuts its patriarchal aspirations. Associated with this strained reinforcement and critique of patriarchal politics is an expression of the ‘flip side”; or “shadow”; portrait of the dominant Western myth of technology as progress.