cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of Bicarbonate as a Trigger and Genes Involved with Extracellular DNA Export in Mycobacterial Biofilms

ABSTRACT Extracellular DNA (eDNA) is an integral biofilm matrix component of numerous pathogens, including nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Cell lysis is the source of eDNA in certain bacteria, but the source of eDNA remains unidentified for NTM, as well as for other eDNA-containing bacterial species. In this study, conditions affecting eDNA export were examined, and genes involved with the eDNA export mechanism were identified. After a method for monitoring eDNA in real time in undisturbed biofilms was established, different conditions affecting eDNA were investigated. Bicarbonate positively influenced eDNA export in a pH-independent manner in Mycobacterium avium, M. abscessus, and M. chelonae. The surface-exposed proteome of M. avium in eDNA-containing biofilms revealed abundant carbonic anhydrases. Chemical inhibition of carbonic anhydrases with ethoxzolamide significantly reduced eDNA export. An unbiased transposon mutant library screen for eDNA export in M. avium identified many severely eDNA-attenuated mutants, including one not expressing a unique FtsK/SpoIIIE-like DNA-transporting pore, two with inactivation of carbonic anhydrases, and nine with inactivation of genes belonging to a unique genomic region, as well as numerous mutants involved in metabolism and energy production. Complementation of nine mutants that included the FtsK/SpoIIIE and carbonic anhydrase significantly restored eDNA export. Interestingly, several attenuated eDNA mutants have mutations in genes encoding proteins that were found with the surface proteomics, and many more mutations are localized in operons potentially encoding surface proteins. Collectively, our data strengthen the evidence of eDNA export being an active mechanism that is activated by the bacterium responding to bicarbonate. IMPORTANCE Many bacteria contain extracellular DNA (eDNA) in their biofilm matrix, as it has various biological and physical functions. We recently reported that nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can contain significant quantities of eDNA in their biofilms. In some bacteria, eDNA is derived from dead cells, but that does not appear to be the case for all eDNA-containing organisms, including NTM. In this study, we found that eDNA export in NTM is conditionally dependent on the molecules to which the bacteria are exposed and that bicarbonate positively influences eDNA export. We also identified genes and proteins important for eDNA export, which begins to piece together a description of a mechanism for eDNA. Better understanding of eDNA export can give new targets for the development of antivirulence drugs, which are attractive because resistance to classical antibiotics is currently a significant problem.
The influence of dependent types (keynote)

What has dependent type theory done for Haskell? In this talk, I will discuss the influence of dependent types on the design of programming languages and on the practice of functional programmers. Over the past ten years, the Glasgow Haskell compiler has adopted several type system features inspired by dependent type theory. However, this process has not been a direct translation; working in the context of an existing language has lead us to new designs in the semantics of dependent types. I will take a close look at what we have achieved in GHC and discuss what we have learned from this experiment: what works now, what doesn't work yet, and what has surprised us along the way.
Technology Management: Case of the Internet of Technologies and Smart City

The omnipresence of engineering and technology in today’s world is undeniable. Technology creates continuous change and opportunity, but also presents challenges and threats in many aspects of daily life. Because of the need to mitigate risks while optimizing opportunities, managing engineering and technology has become a priority for companies, organizations, governments and individuals. The Internet of Things (IoT) is one result of this constant evolution of technology. It describes a system where items in the physical world, and sensors within or attached to these items, are connected to a global network of items via the Internet. Progressive cities that have embraced technology in their development have also helped develop the concept of a Smart City, an integrated urban system based on smarter infrastructure driven by technology. Our aim is to analyze, using a technology management approach, different ways that IoT will help improve urban transportation efficiency in smart cities, traffic management and parking. We conduct a literature review and a multi-criteria analysis based on the STEEP perspectives. Additionally, we will provide suggestions on promising practices to help cities improve transportation efficiency. Through our research and analysis of literature, we conclude that effectively leveraging the promise of IoT in smart cities, with respect to traffic management and parking, urban planners and policy makers must include the following activities: identify current technology and trends in parking and traffic management; identify problems or challenges that need to be solved through the integration of IoT and urban mobility planning; identify primary considerations from each of the STEEP perspectives; and communicate how effective management, (of the STEEP perspectives), plays a crucial role in successful implementation of smart city growth.
Study on ductile-brittle transition of single crystal silicon by a scratching test using a single diamond tool

Single crystal silicon is a popular material used for semiconductor circuits and solar batteries. In the cutting process from a silicon ingot to a silicon wafer used as semiconductor materials, a multi-wire saw with fixed diamond abrasive grains is widely used due to recent increases in wafer size and reductions in wafer thickness. Also, single crystal silicon can achieve ductile mode cutting when the cutting depth is less than the critical cutting depth for the ductile-brittle transition point (dc). Thus, a silicon wafer with a good surface condition can be obtained by ductile mode cutting. In this study, we conducted scratch tests of single crystal silicon using a single crystal diamond tool. The purpose of this study is to conduct basic studies for improvement of a multi-wire saw. Also, dc was measured while scratch speeds (Vc) were changed. Moreover, we examined the relationship between Vc and cutting resistances (thrust force) at that time. The following results were obtained: 1) dc is not dependent on scratch speeds. 2) In plastic flow in ductile mode cutting, scratch marks were observed. 3) dc is about 0.5 μm at room temperature. 4) Thrust force at the ductile-brittle transition decreases by increasing the scratch speeds.
The Role of Genes and Environments in Linking the Need to Evaluate with Political Ideology and Political Extremity

Understanding the origins of political ideology and political extremity at the individual level is becoming increasingly pressing in the face of polarization in the political domain. Building upon the motivated social cognition model of political ideology, we propose a motivated cognition approach to the study of political extremity with the need to evaluate as a key epistemic motive that contributes to political extremity. Moreover, we hypothesize that the link between the need to evaluate and political extremity may rest largely on shared genetic effects. This hypothesis builds upon existing biology and politics research, which has convincingly demonstrated that genes influence the direction of ideology, but has been largely silent on the role of genes in political extremity. To test our hypothesis, we consider several types of ideological, affective, and partisan extremity alongside conventional measures of political ideology and the need to evaluate in a behavioral genetic framework. Using a twin study methodology, we show for the first that the need to evaluate is heritable, that its phenotypic relationships with ideological extremity and strength are rooted in shared genetic influences, and, unexpectedly, that the relationship between the need to evaluate and some forms of political extremity is largely environmental. In examining the genetic and environmental components of the covariation of the need to evaluate with political ideology and right wing authoritarianism, we find limited support for shared genetic influences. Taken together, these results illustrate the value of adopting a biologically informed motivated cognition approach to the study of political ideology and political extremity.
Predictors of outcome in phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas

Phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas (PPGLs) are catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumours characterised by high rates of heritability and genetic heterogeneity. Despite advances in the genetic diagnosis and improved understanding of the molecular aberrations underlying these tumours, predictive markers of malignancy remain scarce, limiting the outlook of patients with metastatic PPGL. The identification of robust predictive markers remains the most pressing challenge in PPGL management, so that the potential of targeted therapy to impact patient care can be fully realised.
Workshop III. Clinical Modification of Behavior

Some very important issues at various levels have been discussed. If what has been reported is valid—and this validation must await replication—we have made some fundamental breakthroughs in terms of health. McClelland claimed that he was able to identify certain personality characteristics which are present in Western society and which make many people prone to various major medical illnesses. Among these illnesses there are primarily cardiovascular disturbances, but also peptic ulcer and according to some investigators an increased susceptibility to cancer. McClelland states that this specific personality characteristic which makes an individual susceptible to illness is what he calls, “the need for power.” Though McClelland didn’t mention the studies of Friedman and Rosenman (1959), these investigators described a type A personality which is very similar to the characteristics described by McClelland as “the need for power.” Friedman and Rosenman state that type A personality is a coronary-prone individual who also has high levels of catecholamines. Furthermore, these findings are similar to what has been reported from Stockholm by Dr. Levi (1971) who has described the factors that lead to increased catecholamine production in terms of response to stress. However, McClelland is going further and has specified the specific personality that predisposes individuals to a hypercatecholamine response and in addition he has described the kind of environment that leads these susceptible individuals to give these responses.
5-HT1A Receptor Agonist Reverses Adrenalectomy-Induced Loss of Granule Neuronal Morphology in the Rat Dentate Gyrus

Adrenal steroids are important for maintaining neuronal maturation in the adult rats. Two weeks after bilateral adrenalectomy (ADX), hippocampal MAP-2 (microtubule associated protein-2) and calbindin immunoreactivity (IR) decreased in the molecular layer of the superior blade of the dentate gyrus. The molecular and granular cell layer at the lateral tip of the superior blade decreased in width by 32% and 50%, respectively. The granule neurons showed reduced staining with Nissl and an anti-calbindin antibody. These changes suggested a loss of the mature neuronal morphology. In this same localized regions, two glial proteins, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100 beta showed dramatically reduced immunoreactivity. These effects induced by ADX were reduced within 72 hrs by ipsapirone (1 mg/kg), a 5HT1A receptor agonist. Loss of adult neuronal morphology by ADX, and reversal by the 5HT1A agonist, may be evidence of the trophic importance of the 5HT1A receptor in granule neurons of hippocampus.
A Bilevel Programming Approach to the Convergence Analysis of Control-Lyapunov Functions

This paper deals with the estimation of convergence rate and domain of attraction of control-Lyapunov functions in Lyapunov-based control. This pair of estimation problems has been considered only for input-affine systems with constraints on the input norm. In this paper, we propose a novel optimization framework to address the estimation of convergence rate and domain of attraction. Specifically, we formulate the estimation problems as min–max bilevel programs for the decay rate of the Lyapunov function, where the inner problem can be resolved using Karush–Kuhn–Tucker optimality conditions, and the resulting single-level programs can be transformed into and solved as mixed-integer nonlinear programs. The proposed approach is applicable to systems with input-nonaffinity or more general forms of input constraints under an input-convexity assumption.
Low Cross-talk Fibers Using OAM

We review the state of the art of fibers with annular index profiles that yield stable vector (equivalently OAM) modes with low cross-talk, which have been used to demonstrate MIMO-free data transmission over km lengths. Article not available.
Low-dimensional shape analysis in the space of diffeomorphisms

Abstract Statistical shape analysis via diffeomorphic image registration is challenging due to the high-dimensional and nonlinear nature of the space of diffeomorphisms. In this chapter, we first introduce a low-dimensional representation of initial velocity fields (i.e., the tangent space of diffeomorphisms) in a bandlimited frequency domain, which leads to an efficient statistical analysis of anatomical shape changes characterized by diffeomorphic transformations. We then present a latent variable model for probabilistic principal geodesic analysis (PPGA) that quantifies shape variability using this new representation. We run our model on 3D brain MRI scans and demonstrate its efficiency in capturing the data variability across large populations. Experimental results show that our model estimates a more compact representation of group variation at a substantially lower computational cost than state-of-the-art methods, such as tangent space principal component analysis (TPCA) and PPGA using a vector field representation in the original high-dimensional image grid.
Reduced Incidence of Hepatic Encephalopathy and Higher Odds of Resolution Associated With Eradication of HCV Infection.

Background & Aims It is unclear whether a sustained virologic response (SVR) to direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy reduces the risk of incident hepatic encephalopathy (HE) in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection or whether it leads to resolution of pre-existent HE. Methods We identified 71,457 patients who initiated antiviral treatments in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System from January 1, 1999 through December 31, 2015; 35,871 patients (58%) received only interferon, 4535 patients (7.2%) received DAAs plus interferon, and 21,948 patients (35%) received DAA-only regimens. We collected data from patients through October 31, 2018, for an average of 6.6 years. We evaluated the association between SVR and the development of incident HE or the resolution of pre-existent HE (defined by cessation of pharmacotherapy) as well as the risk of hospitalization with HE after adjusting for potential confounders. Results Compared to no SVR, SVR after DAA therapy was associated with a significantly lower risk of developing HE (0.28 vs 1.39 per 100 person-years; adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 0.41; 95% CI, 0.32–0.51). This association persisted among patients with co-morbid alcohol use disorder and diabetes as well as patients with cirrhosis (AHR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.31–0.43) and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores of 9 or more (AHR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.30–0.44). SVR was also associated with reduced risk of hospitalization with HE (AHR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.43–0.81). Among 2396 patients who were receiving pharmacotherapy for HE at the time of antiviral treatment, SVR was associated with a significantly increased likelihood of HE resolution for those with MELD scores below 9 (AHR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.74–2.93) but not those with MELD scores of 9 or more. Conclusions In a retrospective study of veterans, we found DAA eradication of HCV infection to be associated with a 59% reduction in risk of development of HE and a > 2-fold increased likelihood of resolution of pre-existing HE in all subgroups except patients with MELD scores of 9 or more.
Ceylon African Mānja performance: enactments of Black ways of being and Knowing in Sri Lanka

Ceylon Africans are an Afrodiasporic community in Sri Lanka and are the descendants of enslaved Africans brought to the island from the 16th–20th centuries. This article focuses on the deployment o...
Connectionist and mutual information tools to determine water saturation and rank input log variables

Abstract Characterization of petroleum reservoirs plays an important role to effectively manage and forecast the recovery performance. A number of subset log variables such as gamma-ray, resistivity, density, neutron, and sonic porosity logs are generally used to characterize/predict the reservoir properties. The data attributes selection and ranking in reservoir characterization are vital to determine the output variables with the best performance and cost-effective manner during exploration and production operations. The objectives of this research work are to estimate the water saturation in the reservoir with an acceptable accuracy and to rank the log variables according to their importance. To achieve the objectives, the mutual information (MI) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques are implemented with the non-linear predictors using log variables. The feed-forward ANN model is employed and optimized to predict the water saturation, where the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm is used for the network training. There is a good match between the real data and predictions so that the regression coefficient and the maximum error is 99.98% and 5.55%, respectively. In addition, both ANN and MI approaches lead to the same ranking levels of log variables, implying high accuracy and reliability of the introduced strategies. It is found that the primary (or most important) log variables are the true resistivity and bulk density to obtain the pore fluid saturation. The approach suggested in this study (connectionist and MI strategies) can assist engineers/operators to run a few numbers of logging tools for prediction of water saturation, resulting in saving the exploration costs through an efficient manner. In addition, further understanding is attained to conduct proper data selection for determination of reservoir petrophysical properties.
KEEPING IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITOR MYOCARDITIS IN CHECK: SIMULTANEOUS VENOARTERIAL ECMO AND IMPELLA SUPPORT AS A BRIDGE TO RECOVERY

As immunotherapy use in various malignancies expands, immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) myocarditis is a rare but potentially fatal complication requiring a high degree of clinical suspicion for early diagnosis and treatment. A 60 year-old female with colon cancer status post 3 months of nivolumab
Multiscale Simulation Reveals Passive Proton Transport Through SERCA on the Microsecond Timescale

The sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) transports two Ca2+ ions from the cytoplasm to the reticulum lumen at the expense of ATP hydrolysis. In addition to transporting Ca2+, SERCA facilitates bidirectional proton transport across the sarcoplasmic reticulum to maintain the charge balance of the transport sites and to balance the charge deficit generated by the exchange of Ca2+. Previous studies have shown the existence of a transient water-filled pore in SERCA that connects the Ca2+ binding sites with the lumen, but the capacity of this pathway to sustain passive proton transport has remained unknown. In this study, we used the multiscale reactive molecular dynamics method and free energy sampling to quantify the free energy profile and timescale of the proton transport across this pathway while also explicitly accounting for the dynamically coupled hydration changes of the pore. We find that proton transport from the central binding site to the lumen has a microsecond timescale, revealing a novel passive cytoplasm-to-lumen proton flow beside the well-known inverse proton countertransport occurring in active Ca2+ transport. We propose that this proton transport mechanism is operational and serves as a functional conduit for passive proton transport across the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
WHAT’S GOING ON?: Black Experiences of Latinization and Loss in South Los Angeles

Once nearly eighty percent Black, South LA is now two-thirds Latino. The demographic change was due to many factors, including a Black exodus driven by economic precarity, fear of crime, and experiences of over-policing and a Latino influx initially spurred by an immigration surge that could not be accommodated in traditional entry neighborhoods. While earlier research often focused on the conflicts between groups, time has passed and our new work points to contemporary quotidian accommodations between residents. We also document an emerging style of Black-Brown community organizing that seeks to both acknowledge the nuance of difference and create a shared sense of place identity. This article lifts up the Black experience in that transition of space and politics and notes how a sense of loss can result from such a dramatic change in a place that was once an iconic and literal home for much of Black Los Angeles. We suggest that that sense of loss is exacerbated by a legacy of racist asset-stripping and a deep worry about Black erasure due to current displacement pressures from gentrification. We close by discussing how organizers and political leaders need to take these dynamics into account when both building coalitions and ensuring Black futures in what is now a Black-Brown political and social space.
Dynamic SWIR imaging near the 1950-nm water absorption band for caries lesion diagnosis

Author(s): Tressel, John T; Abdelaziz, Marwa; Fried, Daniel | Abstract: SignificanceIt is not sufficient to detect caries lesions on tooth surfaces; it is also necessary to measure the activity of the lesions to determine if intervention is needed. Changes in the reflectivity of lesion areas during dehydration with forced air at short wavelength infrared (SWIR) wavelengths can be used to assess lesion activity since these changes represent the evaporation dynamics of water from the lesion.AimThe aim of this study is to develop new optical methods for assessing lesion activity on tooth surfaces utilizing the strong water absorption band near 1950-nm.ApproachThe time-resolved reflectivity of 20 active and arrested caries lesions on the surfaces of human extracted teeth was monitored at 1300 to 2000nnm using broadband light sources and an extended range InGaAs camera during drying with air.ResultsMultiple parameters representing the rate of change of the lesion reflectivity correlated with the presence of a highly mineralized outer surface zone indicative of lesion arrest measured with x-ray microtomography (microCT). Performance at 1950-nm was higher than for other wavelengths.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that SWIR imaging near 1950-nm has great potential for the assessment of lesion activity.
Clinical evaluation of a phantom-based deep convolutional neural network for whole-body-low-dose and ultra-low-dose CT skeletal surveys

This study evaluated the clinical utility of a phantom-based convolutional neural network noise reduction framework for whole-body-low-dose CT skeletal surveys. The CT exams of ten patients with multiple myeloma were retrospectively analyzed. Exams were acquired with routine whole-body-low-dose CT protocol and projection noise insertion was used to simulate 25% dose exams. Images were reconstructed with either iterative reconstruction or filtered back projection with convolutional neural network post-processing. Diagnostic quality and structure visualization were blindly rated (subjective scale ranging from 0 [poor] to 100 [excellent]) by three musculoskeletal radiologists for iterative reconstruction and convolutional neural network images at routine whole-body-low-dose and 25% dose CT. For the diagnostic quality rating, the convolutional neural network outscored iterative reconstruction at routine whole-body-low-dose CT (convolutional neural network: 95 ± 5, iterative reconstruction: 85 ± 8) and at the 25% dose level (convolutional neural network: 79 ± 10, iterative reconstruction: 22 ± 13). Convolutional neural network applied to 25% dose was rated inferior to iterative reconstruction applied to routine dose. Similar trends were observed in rating experiments focusing on structure visualization. Results indicate that the phantom-based convolutional neural network noise reduction framework can improve visualization of critical structures within CT skeletal surveys. At matched dose level, the convolutional neural network outscored iterative reconstruction for all conditions studied. The image quality improvement of convolutional neural network applied to 25% dose indicates a potential for dose reduction; however, the 75% dose reduction condition studied is not currently recommended for clinical implementation.
Validating Psychometric Properties of a Revised Patient Version of the Combined Assessment of Psychiatric Environments (CAPE).

BACKGROUNDMeasuring patient experience is an essential challenge in the inpatient behavioral health population.PURPOSEThis initiative analyzed the psychometric properties of a revised version of th...
Imperial Tombs in Tang China, 618-907: The Politics of Paradise

Introduction Part 1: Place, Form and Function 1. Ambition and Archetype 2. Li Xian's Tomb 3. Relative Status 4. Builders and Painters 5. Passages of Rites Part 2: Visions of Kingdoms 6. Palatial Quarters 7. Pleasures and Protocols 8. Courtly Women Conclusion Index
A numerical study of pulsatile flow through constricted arteries

Numerical techniques for the solution of a wide variety of problems in fluid dynamics are discussed. (BJ)
Fast Distributed Genetic Algorithms for Partitioning Uniform Grids

In this thesis the author presents a new method for partitioning general large uniform 5-point grids into sub-domains of given areas having minimum total perimeter. For applications in scientific computing in parallel environments, this problem corresponds to minimizing the communication overhead between processors while observing load balancing constraints dictated by the speed of each individual processor. For a large class of grid shapes it is shown that the partition produced by this method is asymptotically optimal as the problem parameters grow to infinity. A new distributed Genetic Algorithm based on this decomposition theory significantly outperforms other well-known methods such as the spectral bisection (or quadrisection) methods and the geometric mesh partitioner.
Interactive Protection System Simulation Using ATP MODELS and C

This paper presents a new approach for interactive protection system simulation. In this approach, the power system network is modeled by the ATP program while the "compiled foreign model" mechanism of MODELS language is employed to model the digital protective relay in C++ language. This allows "object-oriented" relay modeling as well as building a "seamless" interface between the power system network model and the relay model. An example is used to demonstrate the interactive protection system simulation developed using the new approach
Instant Messaging as a Scale-Free Network

The topology of an instant messaging system is described. Statistical measures of the network are given and compared with the statistics of a comparable random graph. The scale-free character of the network is examined and implications are given for the structure of social networks and instant messenger security.
Fluctuations and Universality in a Catalysis Model with Long-range Reactivity

Abstract The critical properties of the Ziff-Gulari-Barshad (ZGB) model with the addition of long-range reactivity [C. H. Chan and P. A. Rikvold, Phys. Rev. E 91 , 012103 (2015)] are further investigated. The scaling behaviors of the order parameter, susceptibility, and correlation length provide additional evidence that the universality class of the ZGB system changes from the two-dimensional Ising class to the mean-field class with the addition of even a weak long-range reactivity mechanism.
Statistical Models of Life Events and Criminal Behavior

The goal of developmental and life course criminology is to understand patterns of crime and delinquency over the life course. To date, research in this field has devoted a great deal of attention to describing patterns of change in the dependent variable over different ages, often in the form of trajectories or growth curves of offending in relation to age (LeBlanc and Loeber 1998; Piquero et al. 2007). Closely tied to such studies is a sizable body of research investigating potential predictors of differences in trajectories (e.g., Nagin et al. 1995; Nagin and Tremblay 1999, 2005).
Improvement of correlations between external and learning environments using the remote experiment

Learning there is considered an individual activity. During the learning process we handle and manipulate knowledge in a physical way. It means that we working with “tangible” knowledge. Learning process there is realized in one physical environment and is recognized by all that it influences behavior (Gallagaher -1993) [1]. An important part of the learning is collaboration that introduced an important learning parameter: working environment. This environment allows to puts together thinking skills, communication skills, affective skills, all with the role to establish correlations between learning environment and external environment. The above remarks pointed that is beneficial to move learning from individual activity towards the collaborative, extending the internal environment towards external ones in some proportions. In the paper are mentioned some peculiarities of this movement when in learning process are implied the remote experiment as a new pedagogical approach.
Quantitative Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compounds in Water Using an Evanescent Fiber Optic Chemical Sensor

This work evaluates the usefulness of two linear chemometric algorithms, principle component regression and partial least-squares analysis, for modeling the responses of an evanescent fiber optic chemical sensor to aqueous mixtures of organic analytes with individual concentrations ranging from 50 to 200 ppm. Two data sets were examined. One contained trichloroethylene, 1,1,2 trichloroethane, toluene, and chloroform. The second set contained these four analytes as well as tetrachloroethene. Both chemometric algorithms performed comparably on a given data set with cross-validated root mean squared errors of prediction (RMSEP) for trichloroethylene, 1,1,2 trichloroethane, toluene, and chloroform of approximately 6, 9, 6, and 16 ppm from the first set and 7, 11, 13, and 31 ppm from the second set with tetrachloroethene RMSEP of 31 ppm. The decrease in the quantitative performance of the algorithm for modeling toluene and chloroform upon addition of tetrachloroethene to the sample solutions is due to increase...
Conspicuous by its absence: Ethics and managerial economics

This paper gives prescriptions for introducing ethical concerns into the economic theory of the firm. Topics include social responsibility, corporate governance, profit maximization, competition barriers, collusion, the market system, and welfare economics. The need for such prescriptions is based on a content analysis of 21 managerial economics texts for their coverage of ethics. My analysis finds that substantive discussions of ethics are conspicuous by their absence. As ethical breaches can involve significant monetary damages to a firm – particularly through adverse market reactions – moral-reasoning abilities can complement analytical skills. Consequently, my analysis demonstrates how ethics figure into the opportunity costs of managerial decision making, which is central to the economic definition of profit.
Influence of canopy architecture on light penetration in lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia) forests

Abstract We examined the influence of canopy architecture on light penetration in unmanaged lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var latifolia) forests of the Rocky Mountains. Light extinction coefficients were estimated for 19 stands of varying age and structure from measured light interception using the Beer-Lambert equation. Estimates of G (k corrected for solar angle) varied between 0.28 and 0.70 and were negatively correlated with estimates of leaf area index (LAI) and the percent gap in the canopy. We also simulated the effects of changing canopy architecture on light penetration. Simulation results suggested that the order of importance of the characteristics of canopy architecture on light penetration was: (1) LAI; (2) foliage aggregation; (3) average leaf inclination angle; (4) vertical distribution of foliage. Direct measurement and simulation of light penetration suggested that increased LAI and increased within-crown foliage aggregation result in a reduced light capture efficiency (light capture/unit LAI). Canopy gaps tend to be more pronounced in dense, older lodgepole pine forests. High LAI and aggregated foliage distributions associated with this forest structure would cause increased foliage overlap and foliage self shading, thus reducing light capture efficiency.
η6-Coordination of the Curved Carbon Surface of Corannulene (C20H10) to (η6-arene)M2+ (M = Ru, Os)

Reactions of [(η6-arene)M(acetone)3]X2 (M = Ru, Os; X = BF4, PF6, or SbF6) with 1 equiv of the curved-surface buckybowl, corannulene (C20H10, 1), in CD3NO2 afford quantitatively the η6-coordinated ...
Birthplace, length of time in the U.S., and language are associated with diet among inner-city Puerto Rican women.

This study examined whether the length of time in the U.S., language use, and birthplace were associated with food consumption among 174 low-income Puerto Rican women in Hartford, Connecticut. A condensed food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to examine the dietary intake for various food groups and composite food groups among the studied women. Length of time in the U.S. was positively associated with the frequency of consumption of artificial drinks such as sodas and fruit drinks (P=.048). Respondents in households where English was the primary language spoken reported a higher frequency of consumption of artificial drinks when compared to those living in bilingual and monolingual Spanish-speaking households (P=0.05). The frequency of consumption of snack foods (e.g., chips) was greater among bilingual speakers than monolingual Spanish speakers (P=.01). Finally, women born in Puerto Rico drank fruit juices more frequently than those born in the U.S. (P=.02). There were no other statistically signi...
Motivating number systems for older pupils

Teaching is greatly about helping students to learn—by, for instance, sparking curiosity, fuelling imagination, and demonstrating relevance. We present material on number systems for catching and sustaining the attention of older pupils. This consists of a survey of the current legacies from various systems used historically, and some examples of how an understanding of number systems can aid in problem solving. The article offers a general appreciation of number‐systems, and concludes by introducing some basic results from number theory.
Characterizing strong compactness via strongness

We construct a model in which the strongly compact cardinals can be non-trivially characterized via the statement “κ is strongly compact iff κ is a measurable limit of strong cardinals”. If our ground model contains large enough cardinals, there will be supercompact cardinals in the universe containing this characterization of the strongly compact cardinals.
Cefazolin in children with renal insufficiency

Cefazolin (7 mg/kg) was administered to 11 children with renal insufficiency and to ten children on hemodialysis. The serum half-life of the drug was progressively prolonged as glomerular filtration rate fell. The serum half-life of cefazolin was variably prolonged in those children on hemodialysis, but their serum levels of cefazolin had dropped by 35 to 65% during dialysis. Most had no measurable level prior to the next dialysis. Dosage recommendations are made for both groups of patients.
When is one head better than two? Interdependent information in group decision making

Abstract Research on information exchange in group decision making has frequently assumed that information items have independent meanings. Relaxing this assumption raises new issues and presents new possibilities. In the experiment presented here, dyads worked on hidden profile decision tasks in which pairs of unshared information items had interdependent meanings. Dyad decisions were more likely to be accurate when each pair of interdependent items was allocated to a single member (a “connected” hidden profile) than when each pair of interdependent items was separated between the two members (a “disconnected” hidden profile). These information distributions influenced the degree to which dyads considered unshared information. Cognitive load was manipulated, and it impaired decision makers’ ability to identify connections among interdependent information items. The differentiated distribution of information inherent in transactive memory systems moderated the negative effects of cognitive load on dyad decisions.
A social structural reinterpretation of ‘the burden of acting White’: a hermeneutical analysis

This essay explores how social psychologically the social structure of capitalist inequality has given rise to the Black–White achievement gap. This critical understanding is a reinterpretation of the ‘burden of acting White’ hypothesis, and suggests that research on the achievement gap should focus on how the Black–White achievement gap is more a result of two interrelated epiphenomena, ‘mismatch of linguistic structure’ and ‘mismatch of linguistic social functions’, which result from the class structure in Black America as opposed to a ‘burden of acting White’, the idea that Black students intentionally underachieve because of racialized peer pressure which, culturally, associates academic achievement and success with White Americans.
Maxillofacial prosthetics: Vital signs

A maxillofacial prosthetics survey was designed to record the response rate of prosthodontists regarding the frequency of maxillofacial procedures and insurance coverage in 1991. The survey explored variability with respect to membership in professional organizations, region, education, primary activity, and age of the prosthodontist. A total of 342 survey instruments were received from a total of 690 mailed. A total of 18,410 maxillofacial procedures were performed by the survey population. Members of the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics performed procedures at a significantly higher rate than did the members of the American College of Prosthodontists. A greater procedure rate was observed for prosthodontists in the South Midwest and Southwestern regions; the hospital setting; with 2 plus 1 year additional postgraduate maxillofacial training; and the 45- to 54-year age group. Insurance covered most maxillofacial procedures, but was not uniformly distributed within predictor variables nor between procedures.
Modulation of perceived contrast by a moving surround

Abstract The apparent contrast of a center pattern depends on the contrast of its surround. To examine the suprathreshold perception of moving patterns, we measured the perceived contrast of a moving grating while the direction and speed of the surround patterns varied. Subjects matched the apparent contrast of a center patch embedded in surround patches to that of a patch with no surround pattern. Temporal frequency, Michelson contrast and movement direction of both center and surround patterns varied systematically. We found that: (1) contrast reduction is most prominent when the center and surround have the same velocity (velocity selectivity); (2) contrast enhancement occurs when the surround moves at a higher speed than the center, if the difference in temporal frequencies of center and surround exceeds 10–20, independent of the directional relationship between center and surround; (3) contrast reduction is stronger for higher surround contrasts with lower center contrasts; and (4) contrast enhancement is relatively unaffected by center and surround contrasts. We conclude that the contrast perception of moving patterns is influenced by directionally-selective mechanisms except at high temporal frequencies. Our results further suggest that there is not only the lateral inhibition often assumed to influence contrast gain control, but also an excitatory connection between motion encoding units.
A STUDY OF THE SPERMATOZOIDS OF DICHOTOMOSIPHON TUBEROSUS (CHLOROPHYCEAE)1

SUMMARY Spermatozoids of the siphonous green alga Dichotomosiphon tuberosus (A. Br.) Ernst are specialized gametes which differ in many respects from other green algal motile cells, but whose microanatomy nevertheless indicates its chlorophycean affinities. Each cell is anteriorly biflagellate and contains an irregularly shaped nucleus attached to the flagellar bases by a complex support apparatus. There is a single reduced chloroplast in each spermatozoid and numerous (50–100) minute spherical mitochondria, only 0.3 μm diam. These move vigorously in the living cell and when viewed with the light microscope they bear a striking resemblance to bacteria. Rather unexpectedly, no contractile vacuoles could be detected, even though the gametes are naked freshwater cells. Daring spermatogenesis the nucleoli of the vegetative cells disperse and are replaced by a large dense body presumably formed from either nucleolar material or condensed chromatin. The flagellar apparatus includes a cruciate flagellar root system, a feature now known to be characteristic of most green algae, exceptions being those putative ancestors of the higher plants and bryophytes. Discharge of spermatozoids from the antheridia is extremely rapid and the whole process may be finished in 30 sec. The antheridium lacks a pore apparatus, but at maturity bursts open explosively at the apex. Phyletic affinities are discussed and it is concluded that the ultrastructure of the motile cells does not, at this time, support the separation of the siphonous green algae from other green algae into a separate class.
New properties and computational improvement of the GOP algorithm for problems with quadratic objective functions and constraints

In Floudas and Visweswaran (1990, 1993), a deterministic global optimization approach was proposed for solving certain classes of nonconvex optimization problems. An algorithm, GOP, was presented for the solution of the problem through a series ofprimal andrelaxed dual problems that provide valid upper and lower bounds respectively on the global solution. The algorithm was proved to have finite convergence to an ∈-global optimum. In this paper, new theoretical properties are presented that help to enhance the computational performance of the GOP algorithm applied to problems of special structure. The effect of the new properties is illustrated through application of the GOP algorithm to a difficult indefinite quadratic problem, a multiperiod tankage quality problem that occurs frequently in the modeling of refinery processes, and a set of pooling/blending problems from the literature. In addition, extensive computational experience is reported for randomly generated concave and indefinite quadratic programming problems of different sizes. The results show that the properties help to make the algorithm computationally efficient for fairly large problems.
Posterior Interosseous Nerve Syndrome from Thermal Injury

Background. Due to anatomical proximity to bone, the radial nerve is the most frequently injured major nerve of the upper extremity, frequently secondary to fractures (Li et al. (2013)). We describe an incidence when a branch of the radial nerve is injured as a result of a thermal injury. Observation. Radial nerve injury can occur anywhere along the anatomical course with varied etiologies, but commonly related to trauma. The most frequent site is in the proximal forearm involving the posterior interosseous branch. However, problems can occur at the junction of the middle and proximal thirds of the humerus and wrist radially. When the radial nerve is injured by a burn, a new rehabilitation dynamic arises. Not only does one agonize about the return of nerve function but also fret about the skin grafts that replaced the devitalized tissue housing that compartment. Discussion. Although posterior interosseous nerve syndrome has been described in the context of many different etiologies, it has not previously been discussed in relation to burn injuries. In this case, not only did the patient's rehabilitation involve aggressive therapy for return of sensation and function of the arm, but also prevention of contracture normally seen in replacement of full thickness burns.
Infinite dilution activity coefficients of apple juice aroma compounds

Abstract An apparatus based on the inert gas stripping method was assembled for measuring infinite dilution activity coefficients, γ ∞ , of 15 apple juice aroma compounds in aqueous solutions. Values were estimated using the UNIFAC model and compared with experimental results; differences ranged from −80 to 118% with an average of 48% for the absolute values of the differences. Values predicted with recent UNIFAC parameters were in better agreement with experimental results than those obtained using original parameters. The effect of temperature on γ ∞ and relative volatility of ethyl acetate and acetone was also studied. Measurements were conducted for esters in solutions containing different levels of ethanol. A decrease in γ ∞ with increasing ethanol concentrations was observed for esters in solutions containing ethanol, especially at mole fractions > 10 −2 .
Quantitative Scanning of Soft-Tissue Sarcomas with Nitrogen-13-Labeled L-Glutamate

Nitrogen-13-L-glutamate, a labeled amino acid enzymatically synthesized from cyclotron-produced N-13 ammonia and alpha-ketoglutaric acid, was used as an imaging agent in 14 patients with soft-tissue sarcomas. Concentration of nitrogen-13 label within the sarcoma was seen in 11 of the 14 patients; in some cases, clinically inapparent metastatic tumor lesions could also be detected. In eight patients, the tumor response to chemotherapy was evaluated by serial studies with this agent. In each case, the change in uptake of N-13 label by the sarcoma after therapy paralleled the clinical response to treatment. N-13-labeled L-glutamate may thus be of value as an imaging agent in the management of patients with soft-tissue sarcomas.