cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Two Faces of Janus: The Jurisprudential Past and New Beginning of Rule 10b-5

Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act and its implementing Rule 10b-5 are the primary antifraud provisions for both private and public enforcement of the federal securities laws. Neither the statute nor the rule expressly provides for a private right of action, but federal courts have long recognized such an implied right, and the Securities and Exchange Commission has supported the implied private right of action as a “necessary supplement” to its own efforts. However, after a decade of applying an expansive interpretation to Section 10(b), in the early 1970s the U.S. Supreme Court began to narrowly interpret this implied private right of action, citing concerns about the costs that frivolous litigation may impose on capital markets. Most recently, in Janus Capital Group, Inc. v. First Derivative Traders, the Supreme Court constricted the ambit of Rule 10b-5(b)—which imposes liability for fraudulent misstatements—by narrowly interpreting the word “make” in a way that effectively removes entire categories of plaintiffs from liability under Rule 10b-5(b). While Janus involved private plaintiffs, the Court’s interpretation cannot easily be distinguished on the basis of the plaintiff’s identity. Therefore, Janus appears to limit the Commission to the same extent that it does private plaintiffs, even if such a limitation was not the Court’s intent.
Comments on “Consumer Information and Advertising”

Professor Nelson has presented an interesting and ingenious paper concerning the relationship between information and market structure; perhaps a more accurate title would have been “Information and Market Structure. ” Advertising expenditures and their distribution among various media are two of the five market characteristics investigated, and the assumption that “advertising is information” enters into the derivation of many of the theoretical results. Yet the principal focus of the paper remains the connection between consumer information and market structure.
Evolutionary Adaptations of Serpins and their Use in Designing New Proteinase Inhibitors

Human plasma contains a myriad of proteins with specialized functions. Of these, proteinase inhibitors represent 10% of the total protein and can be classified as the third major group in this fluid, after albumin and the immunoglobulins. Their functions are to regulate proteolytic enzymes which are normally utilized in coagulation, fibrinolysis, complement activation, phagocytosis, etc. Thus, since these processes involve a variety of proteinases with vastly different specificities it is only logical that specific inhibitors must also be utilized to regulated each system on an individual basis.
Incomplete Label Multi-Task Deep Learning for Spatio-Temporal Event Subtype Forecasting

Due to the potentially significant benefits for society, forecasting spatio-temporal societal events is currently attracting considerable attention from researchers. Beyond merely predicting the occurrence of future events, practitioners are now looking for information about specific subtypes of future events in order to allocate appropriate amounts and types of resources to manage such events and any associated social risks. However, forecasting event subtypes is far more complex than merely extending binary prediction to cover multiple classes, as 1) different locations require different models to handle their characteristic event subtype patterns due to spatial heterogeneity; 2) historically, many locations have only experienced a incomplete set of event subtypes, thus limiting the local model’s ability to predict previously “unseen” subtypes; and 3) the subtle discrepancy among different event subtypes requires more discriminative and profound representations of societal events. In order to address all these challenges concurrently, we propose a Spatial Incomplete Multi-task Deep leArning (SIMDA) framework that is capable of effectively forecasting the subtypes of future events. The new framework formulates spatial locations into tasks to handle spatial heterogeneity in event subtypes, and learns a joint deep representation of subtypes across tasks. Furthermore, based on the “first law of geography”, spatiallyclosed tasks share similar event subtype patterns such that adjacent tasks can share knowledge with each other effectively. Optimizing the proposed model amounts to a new nonconvex and strongly-coupled problem, we propose a new algorithm based on Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) that can decompose the complex problem into subproblems that can be solved efficiently. Extensive experiments on six real-world datasets demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed model.
Plasmonic emission of hybrid Au/Ag bullseye nanostructures

Abstract Bullseye nanostructures with different central disk diameters and numbers of concentric rings have been fabricated in Au/Ag metallic films on glass substrates by focused ion beam milling. The Au/Ag bimetallic nanoresonator is expected to provide chemical stability and outstanding plasmonic property. A novel hybrid plasmonic emission has been observed by cathodoluminescence in the scanning electron microscope. It is found that the hybrid plasmon amplitude of the bullseye structure highly depends on the excitation position. The plasmonic intensity is the maximum when the beam is located at the edge of the central disk, and it can be tuned by selecting the disk size and the number of grooves. Additionally, the finite element simulation reveals that the bimetallic bullseye structure strongly confines the optical radiation, and the electric field distribution directly relates to the emission wavelength.
Hydrometeorological Conditions Preceding Extreme Streamflow for the Charles and Mystic River Basins of Eastern Massachusetts

AbstractHydrometeorological links to high streamflow events (HSFEs), 1950–2014, for the Mystic and Charles watersheds in the Metro Boston region of Massachusetts are examined. HSFEs are defined as ...
Regulation of Streptococcus gordonii glucosyltransferase.

The early dental plaque organism Streptococcus gordonii has a single glucosyltransferase (GTF) enzyme that makes both α1,3- and α1,6-linked glucans from sucrose(5). The glucans made by the parental strain Challis CH1 confer a hard, cohesive, sucrose-promoted phenotype (Spp+) to colonies grown on sucrose agar(3). Spp− variants, which are soft on sucrose agar and have decreased levels of GTF activity, arise spontaneously from strain CH1 at frequencies of 10−5 to 10−3. Many Spp− strains revert to Spp+ at similar frequencies(7). The strain CH1 GTF structural gene, gtfG, encodes a processed protein with a deduced molecular weight of 173,875(6). gtfG is similar to other oral streptococcal gtf genes at both the nucleotide and deduced amino acid levels encoding a putative active site for sucrose hydrolysis and a series of 6 carboxyl terminal direct repeats implicated in glucan binding (Fig. 1). Immediately upstream from gtfG is rgg, the only described regulatory determinant for a gtf gene. rgg encodes a putative cytoplasmic protein which can act in trans to increase gtfG transcription(2). To gain additional insights into regulation of S. gordonii GTF activity at the DNA level, nucleotide sequences of regions known to be involved in GTF expression were examined in several spontaneous Spp− strains.
Adenoid hypertrophy among school-aged Iraqi children, the effect of severity and duration on its co-morbidities

Adenoid hypertrophy is a common pediatrics health problem that usually results in several morbidities such as sleep disorder, adenoid facies, impaired physical growth, cardiac complications, glue ear and nocturnal enuresis. Patients and methods: Forty-two school-aged children were enrolled in this study (6-12 years old), thirty were male and twelve were female, all are suffering from chronic snoring. All of them were subjected to standard history and physical examination to the most related health problems such as assessment of physical growth, craniofacial malformation, associated tonsillar enlargement. Investigations were performed in the form of lateral neck X-ray and ECG for all of them. The study period was 9 months from 1st of March 2018 to the 1st of December 2018. Results: There was a significant association between a higher grade of disease and speech disorders, tonsillar hypertrophy, adenoid facies, recurrent otitis media, nocturnal enuresis, impaired school performance, physical growth impairment, apnea at sleep, day time drowsiness, ECG abnormalities and deglutition problems (P < 0.05). The associated co-morbidities, namely Speech disorders, tonsillar hypertrophy, adenoid facies, recurrent otitis media, nocturnal enuresis, impaired school performance, impaired school performance, physical growth impairment, apnea at sleep, day time drowsiness, ECG abnormalities and deglutition problems, were significantly correlated to the longer duration of disease. Conclusion: Longer duration of disease and higher grade of adenoid hypertrophy are strongly correlated with disease complications and morbidities, hence early diagnosis and properly timed management is important to prevent these complications.
Network disruption: maximizing disagreement and polarization in social networks.

Recent years have seen a marked increase in the spread of misinformation, a phenomenon which has been accelerated and amplified by social media such as Facebook and Twitter. While some actors spread misinformation to push a specific agenda, it has also been widely documented that others aim to simply disrupt the network by increasing disagreement and polarization across the network and thereby destabilizing society. Popular social networks are also vulnerable to large-scale attacks. Motivated by this reality, we introduce a simple model of network disruption where an adversary can take over a limited number of user profiles in a social network with the aim of maximizing disagreement and/or polarization in the network. We investigate this model both theoretically and empirically. We show that the adversary will always change the opinion of a taken-over profile to an extreme in order to maximize disruption. We also prove that an adversary can increase disagreement / polarization at most linearly in the number of user profiles it takes over. Furthermore, we present a detailed empirical study of several natural algorithms for the adversary on both synthetic networks and real world (Reddit and Twitter) data sets. These show that even simple, unsophisticated heuristics, such as targeting centrists, can disrupt a network effectively, causing a large increase in disagreement / polarization. Studying the problem of network disruption through the lens of an adversary thus highlights the seriousness of the problem.
The Rationale for the Use of Multimodal Thromboprophylaxis with Limited Anticoagulation in Patients Undergoing Total Joint Replacement: Arguments Against LMWHs Being Still the Gold Standard

The risk of venous thromboembolism following total hip and knee replacement is well recognized. The administration of UFH, antivitamin K, LMWH, fondaparinux, and acetylsalicylic acid reduces the risk of VTE. New anticoagulants, characterized by predictable anticoagulant activity and no need of monitoring are being introduced. LMWH has been compared with old and new antithrombotic agents in by hundreds of randomized clinical trials and, meta-analysis. Though trials are nonhomogenous, LMWH resulted to be superior to UFH for efficacy and safety and to antivitamin K for efficacy, and not definitely inferior for efficacy when compared to fondaparinux.
Traction Inverter Highly Accelerated Life Testing With High-Temperature Stress

Highly accelerated life testing (HALT) is one of the most popular step-stress testing methodologies for identifying the weaknesses and increasing product reliability in a fast and cost-efficient way. The traction inverter plays a critical role in EV/HEV power train systems, and the requirements on its reliability at the harsh environment operation are becoming more demanding. In this article, to evaluate the weak links and various components performance and ascertain the effect of high temperature on the traction inverter, the traction inverter HALT was carried out with high-temperature stress between 190 °C–220 °C taking the IGBT on-die temperature as the benchmark. Nine traction inverters were tested, which were divided into four groups with respect to the designed step-stress test profile. The changes in electrical and thermal indicators were observed online using the proposed monitoring system. At the end of each test, the effects of different conditions on the overall testing time, failure modes, and damage were examined, and the damages were listed systematically and discussed. Furthermore, the characteristics of the dc-link capacitor at different temperatures and the related degradation were observed online. The results show that the inverter can operate hundreds of hours with the IGBT on-die temperature of 200 °C, and the gate driver board chip of 127 °C. The findings in this study could help to the improvement design of the traction inverter, as well as to keep the design life prediction never be overestimated.
F2R polymorphisms and clopidogrel efficacy and safety in patients with minor stroke or TIA

Objective To investigate the association between protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) gene F2R polymorphisms and efficacy of clopidogrel for minor stroke or TIA. Methods Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (CYP2C19*2 [681G>A, rs4244285], CYP2C19*3 [636G>A, rs4986893], and F2R [IVSn-14 A/T, rs168753]) were genotyped among 2,924 patients randomized to clopidogrel plus aspirin (n = 1,461) or aspirin alone (n = 1,463). The primary efficacy outcome was new stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) and the safety outcome was any bleeding. Results Overall, 859 (29.4%) were AA homozygotes, 1,479 (50.6%) were AT heterozygotes, and 586 (20.0%) were TT homozygotes for F2R IVSn-14 polymorphisms; 1,716 (58.7%) were carriers of at least 1 CYP2C19 loss-of-function allele (*2 or *3). Compared with aspirin alone, patients with clopidogrel–aspirin treatment had a low risk of new stroke in patients with AT genotype (7.6% vs 11.3%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.44–0.89) and TT genotype (5.8% vs 11.6%; HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.25–0.82) but not in carriers of the AA genotype (10.8% vs 11.6%; HR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.63–1.44) (p = 0.03 for interaction). The association between F2R IVSn-14 A/T polymorphism and clopidogrel response was present regardless of the carrier status of the CYP2C19 loss-of-function alleles. The F2R IVSn-14 genotypes were not associated with the risk of any bleeding for clopidogrel–aspirin treatment (p = 0.66 for interaction). Conclusions Among patients with minor ischemic stroke or TIA who were receiving clopidogrel and aspirin, those carrying the F2R IVSn-14 T allele had a lower rate of recurrent stroke than those who were not. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT00979589.
The Student with a Learning Disability: Mee Sook Smith, a Nursing Student with a Learning Disability in an Associate Degree Program

A nursing student in an associate degree program has a history of academic challenges. Prior to college, she worked with a series of tutors. She continues to have challenges in nursing school. Faculty advise her to change majors. The student does not consider herself to have a disability nor has she been evaluated for a learning disability.
Two Factor Structures Possible for the FACIT-Sp in Patients With Heart Failure.

Abstract Context The Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp) is a 12-item measure of spiritual well-being in chronic illness originally developed in patients with cancer. The overall scale, a two-factor model (meaning/peace, faith), and a three-factor model (meaning, peace, faith) have been proposed for the FACIT-Sp, and consensus on the best factor structure has not been reached. In addition, the factor structure of the FACIT-Sp has not been considered in patients with heart failure. Objectives To examine the factor structure of the FACIT-Sp in heart failure patients. Methods A confirmatory factor analysis framework was used to test three competing models on 217 patients with heart failure using data from the CASA (Collaborative Care to Alleviate Symptoms and Adjust to Illness) trial. The overall scale (single factor), two-factor, and three-factor models were tested using baseline data, then confirmed with 12-month data. Model modifications were made based on empirical inspection of baseline data and replicated using 12-month data. Cronbach's alpha and correlations with measures of quality of life and psychological health were examined. Results All three models had strong factor loadings on all items except the negatively worded items. The two-factor and three-factor models fit reasonably well after modifications, but the single factor did not fit well (1/2/3-factor: RMSEA 0.14/0.09/0.06, CFI 0.85/0.93/0.97, SRMR 0.09/0.05/0.04). Internal consistency was sufficient for all factors. Conclusion The two-factor and three-factor models were supported in heart failure patients. The three-factor model demonstrated better statistical fit but was not more interpretable. Key message This study investigated the factor structure of the FACIT-Sp in patients with heart failure. The two-factor and three-factor models were supported, but the single factor model was not. Negatively worded items did not perform well.
Design of a waveguide eye-tracking system operating in near-infrared with holographic optical elements

Recent research in augmented reality (AR) eyewear has prompted interest in using volume holographic optical elements for this application. However, many sensing operations in AR systems require the use of wavelengths in the near-infrared (NIR) (750 to 900 nm). These wavelengths typically exceed the sensitivity range of available commercial holographic recording materials (450 to 650 nm), which complicates the design of optical elements with power since significant aberrations result when the reconstruction wavelength differs from the construction wavelength. Several methodologies for designing a waveguide hologram imaging system in NIR are reviewed and evaluated. The design approach presented in our work integrates the most effective practices such as fabrication point source location optimization and aberration analysis to realize effective holographic waveguide couplers formed with visible wavelength light and reconstructed in the NIR. The technique is demonstrated by designing and fabricating an input waveguide hologram in conjunction with a multiplexed output coupling hologram. The resulting input/output waveguide holograms can achieve an image resolution of (∼3 lp / mm) with a 0.6-mm-thick glass substrate that has a refractive index of 1.8.
Correction to: GTS-21, an α7nAChR agonist, increases pulmonary bacterial clearance in mice by restoring hyperoxia-compromised macrophage function.

Mechanical ventilation, in combination with supraphysiological concentrations of oxygen (i.e., hyperoxia), is routinely used to treat patients with respiratory distress, such as COVID-19. However, prolonged exposure to hyperoxia compromises the clearance of invading pathogens by impairing macrophage phagocytosis. Previously, we have shown that the exposure of mice to hyperoxia induces the release of the nuclear protein high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) into the pulmonary airways. Furthermore, extracellular HMGB1 impairs macrophage phagocytosis and increases the mortality of mice infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). The aim of this study was to determine whether GTS-21 (3-(2,4-dimethoxybenzylidene) anabaseine), an α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) agonist, could (1) inhibit hyperoxia-induced HMGB1 release into the airways; (2) enhance macrophage phagocytosis and (3) increase bacterial clearance from the lungs in a mouse model of ventilator-associated pneumonia. GTS-21 (0.04, 0.4, and 4 mg/kg) or saline were administered by intraperitoneal injection to mice that were exposed to hyperoxia (≥ 99% O2) and subsequently challenged with PA. The systemic administration of 4 mg/kg i.p. of GTS-21 significantly increased bacterial clearance, decreased acute lung injury and decreased accumulation of airway HMGB1 compared to the saline control. To determine the mechanism of action of GTS-21, RAW 264.7 cells, a macrophage-like cell line, were incubated with different concentrations of GTS-21 in the presence of 95% O2. The phagocytic activity of macrophages was significantly increased by GTS-21 in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, GTS-21 significantly inhibited the cytoplasmic translocation and release of HMGB1 from RAW 264.7 cells and attenuated hyperoxia-induced NF-κB activation in macrophages and mouse lungs exposed to hyperoxia and infected with PA. Our results indicate that GTS-21 is efficacious in improving bacterial clearance and reducing acute lung injury via enhancing macrophage function by inhibiting the release of nuclear HMGB1. Therefore, the α7nAChR represents a possible pharmacological target to improve the clinical outcome of patients on ventilators by augmenting host defense against bacterial infections.
RFCMOS technology from 0.25/spl mu/m to 65nm: the state of the art

The effort to design RF circuits in CMOS is motivated by low cost and significant capacity for on-chip integration. We discuss some of the challenges of implementing RF designs in CMOS, focusing on those introduced by the changing properties of FETs as technology nodes scale and devices shrink. We present methods and tools, using which, designers can ease these challenges and reduce the risk of implementing RF circuits in CMOS.
Peripheral Retinopathy in Offspring of Carriers of Norrie Disease Gene Mutations: Possible Transplacental Effect of Abnormal Norrin

Background: The Norrie disease (ND) gene (Xp11.3) (McKusick 310600) consists of one untranslated exon and two exons partially translated as the Norrie disease protein (Norrin). Norrin has sequence homology and computer-predicted tertiary structure of a growth factor containing a cystine knot motif, which affects endothelial cell migration and proliferation. Norrie disease (congenital retinal detachment), X-linked primary retinal dysplasia (congenital retinal fold), and X-linked exudative vitreoretinopathy (congenital macular ectopia) are allelic disorders. Methods: Blood was drawn for genetic studies from members of two families to test for ND gene mutations. Sbcteen unaffected family members were examined ophthalmologically. If any retinal abnormality were identified, fundus photography and fluorescein angiography was performed. Results: Family A had ND (R109stp), and family B had X-linked exudative vitreoretinopathy (R121L). The retinas of 11 offspring of carrier females were examined: three of seven carrier females, three of three otherwise healthy females, and one of one otherwise healthy male had peripheral inner retinal vascular abnormalities. The retinas of five offspring of affected males were examined: none of three carrier females and none of two otherwise healthy males had this peripheral retinal finding. Conclusions: Peripheral inner retinal vascular abnormalities similar to regressed retinopathy of prematurity were identified in seven offspring of carriers of ND gene mutations in two families. These ophthalmologic findings, especially in four genetically healthy offspring, strongly support the hypothesis that abnormal Norrin may have an adverse transplacental (environmental) effect on normal inner retinal vasculogenesis.
C‐Coupon Studies of SiC/SiC Composites Part I: Acoustic Emission Monitoring

Modal acoustic emission (AE) was used to monitor the acoustic activity during room temperature and elevated temperature c-coupon tests for a variety of SiC/SiC systems including composites containing Sylramic®, ZMI , or Hi-Nicalon fibers with melt-infiltrated or polymer-infiltrated SiC matrices. Modal AE proved excellent at monitoring matrix cracking in the curved portion of the C-coupon specimen with increasing load. This included the load at which the first AE event occurred and the location of AE events during the test that were, presumably, caused by the formation and growth of interlaminar cracks and, at higher loads, transverse cracks. Graphical techniques were employed to estimate the load for 1 st AE. It was determined that for this test with these material systems, the first AE could be estimated within the load range bounded by the load at which initial deviation from linearity of the load-displacement curve occurs and the load where the 98% offset of the linear regression fit intercepted the load-displacement curve. The calculation of interlaminar tensile stress from the load for 1 st AE was determined for all the systems. Ultimate ILT strength usually corresponded to ILT stress determined from the ultimate load to failure of the C-coupon test, which was considerably higher than the first cracking stress.
Accident Analysis and Measures to Establish Compatibility

Accident research shows that, when two vehicles collide, the injury outcome differs in some cases. This is due to vehicle compatibility features. In this paper the relevance of these potentially important compatibility features and expected compatibility measures is examined from the perspective of accident analysis.
15 cm*15 cm high efficiency multicrystalline silicon solar cell

A large-area multicrystalline silicon solar cell with 15 cm*15 cm cell area using a substrate made by a casting method has been developed to obtain high efficiency at low cost. The bifacial silicon nitride solar cell (BSNSC) fabrication process has been applied to this large-area solar cell. By optimizing the surface structure to reduce the reflective losses, the p-n junction formation and the electrode pattern, conversion efficiencies of 15.6% and 15.3% (AM 1.5, global, 100 mW/cm/sup 2/, 25 degrees C) for large-area multicrystalline silicon solar cells have been obtained by an evaporation method and a screen-printing method, respectively. >
Nursing Diagnosis Extension and Classification (NDEC) report

This marks the beginning of a new column, Notes on NDEC. This column will appear in each issue to describe the work of the Nursing Diagnosis Extension and Classification (NDEC) research team. We hope you will read it carefully and send your responses to the principal investigator of NDEC, Martha Craft-Rosenberg, at the University of Iowa College of Nursing (martha-craft-rosm-berguicmn.edu) or to the Editor (jsimon6721aol.com). Your responses will facilitate an open dialogue on conceptual and methodological issues in nursing diagnosis. This first column reports on the work completed by Spring 1998, the work in progress, and the work planned for the future. We are pleased to provide these Notes on NDEC. MCR.
Reductive metabolism of diaziquone (AZQ) in the S9 fraction of MCF-7 cells. II. Enhancement of the alkylating activity of AZQ by NAD(P)H: quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase).

Abstract The alkylating activity of reduced diaziquone was studied by the nitrobenzylpyridine (NBP) assay and was compared to those of the parent compound and aziridine-containing N,N′,N“- triethylenethiophosphoramide (Thio-TEPA). Diaziquone (AZQ) was reduced enzymatically by 2e − using S9 cell fraction from MCF-7 cells which is rich in NAD(P)H:quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase (DT-diaphorase) (QAO) activity. One electron enzymatic reduction was performed with NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. The alkylating activity of AZQ increased 3-fold when reduced by 2e − . This increase was inhibited by dicumarol, an inhibitor of QAO. In contrast, the alkylating activity of AZQ did not increase beyond that of the parent compound when reduced by 1e − using purified NADPH-cytochrome c reductase. Similar results were obtained when AZQ was reduced chemically with borohydride (2e − ) and with NADPH (1e − ). Anaerobic incubations of AZQ with the S9 fraction of MCF-7 cells (2e − reduction) resulted in an increase in NBP alkylation over its aerobic counterpart (1.8-fold) while maintaining the near 3-fold increase in alkylation over untreated AZQ. In contrast, AZQ incubations with NADPH-cytochrome c reductase (1e − reduction) under the same conditions did not result in an NBP alkylation increase over untreated AZQ. These results indicate that AZQ hydroquinone is most likely the responsible species for the observed alkylation of this antitumor agent to DNA and other nucleophiles. The results also suggest that NAD(P)H:quinone-acceptor oxidoreductase is a very important enzyme in the bioactivation of AZQ.
Does exchange rate volatility hinder export growth? Additional evidence

The authors examine the impact of exchange rate volatility on trade, using and ARCH-in-mean model. The advantages of this statistical approach over earlier approaches is that it provides more efficient coefficient estimates and it prevents the problem of spurious regressions. They applied the model to six countries, estimating both bilateral and aggregate exports. The results led to the hypothesis that the impact of exchange rate volatility may be influenced by the invoicing of exports. Also, one can argue that the effect of exchange rate volatility on trade is overstated, for the following reasons: exchange rate volatility does not measure the added riskiness of a firm's portfolio; exchange rates can provide a natural hedge in a firm's portfolio; exchange rates may be negatively correlated with each other or with the firm's other assets; and finally, the use of forward markets can provide a useful short-term hedge.
Judicial Innovations to Screen Eyewitness Identifications

This article explains how, in State v. Lawson, 291 P.3d 673 (Or. 2012), the Oregon Supreme Court reconsidered the role trial judges must play in screening eyewitness identification. The court recognized the shortcomings of eyewitness evidence, including a high number of wrongful convictions stemming from misidentification, but also recognized that eyewitness identification may be the only evidence connecting a guilty defendant to a crime. In weighing eyewitness identification admissibility questions, Oregon Evidence Code rules (similar to their Federal Rule of Evidence counterparts) 401, 602 and 701 all must be considered by the trial judge.
Neutral sugar composition and gravimetric yield of plant and bacterial fractions of feces

Separating dietary fiber from other polysaccharides in digesta and feces is necessary to understand its mechanisms of action. A gravimetric method that separates fecal plant and bacterial matter based on size and density was evaluated and modified to determine the plant and bacterial mass of lyophilized whole and blended rat and human feces. Three screen mech combinations (150 and 75 microns, 150 and 35 microns, 35 microns) were used with rat feces. Filtration of a homogenized rat fecal slurry sequentially through 150- and 35-microns-mesh screens versus 150- and 75-microns-mesh screens decreased the gravimetric recovery of bacteria from congruent to 35 to congruent to 25% of fecal dry weight and increased the plant fraction weight. Neutral sugar composition, determined by gas chromatography of alditol acetates, and bacterial counts of the fractions suggested that the decreased yield of bacterial fraction represented removal of plant material and not a loss of bacteria. Rat excreta contained 29.5% (dry weight) total neutral sugar, 88% of which was recovered in the plant material. Human feces containing wheat bran, fractionated with the 150- and 35-microns-mesh screens, was 21% neutral sugar, congruent to 65% of which was in the plant fraction. The plant fractions had more xylose and arabinose and less glucose than the bacterial fractions. Processing samples in a Waring blender had no adverse effect on the rat or human fecal bacterial counts. The use of this gravimetric method in combination with the sugar analysis of the fractions provided a better measure of plant and bacteria than only gravimetric yield.
Geomorphology: Nature, nurture and landscape

Those studying erosion in mountain regions wrestle with factors such as what builds mountains, and how climate affects erosive forces. Yet perhaps a physically based theory is what is most needed.
New Vortex-Matter Size Effect Observed in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 + delta

The vortex-matter 3D to 2D phase transition is studied in micron-sized Bi(2)Sr(2)CaCu(2)O(8 + delta) single crystals using local Hall magnetization measurements. At a given temperature, the second magnetization peak, the signature of a possible 3D--2D vortex phase transition, disappears for samples smaller than a critical length. We suggest that this critical length should be equated with the 2D vortex lattice ab-plane correlation length R(2D)(c). The magnitude and temperature dependence of R(2D)(c) agree well with Larkin-Ovchinnikov collective pinning theory.
How to Justify Enforcing a Ulysses Contract When Ulysses is Competent to Refuse

Sometimes the mentally ill have sufficient mental capacity to refuse treatment competently, and others have a moral duty to respect their refusal. However, those with episodic mental disorders may wish to precommit themselves to treatment, using Ulysses contracts known as "mental health advance directives." How can health care providers justify enforcing such contracts over an agent's current, competent refusal? I argue that providers respect an agent's autonomy not retrospectively--by reference to his or her past wishes-and not merely synchronically--so that the agent gets what he or she wants right now-but diachronically and prospectively, acting so that the agent can shape his or her circumstances as the agent wishes over time, for the agent will experience the consequences of providers' actions over time. Mental health directives accomplish this, so they are a way of respecting the agent's autonomy even when providers override the agent's current competent refusal.
Quantifying the effect of colorization enhancement on mammogram images

Current methods of radiological displays provide only grayscale images of mammograms. The limitation of the image space to grayscale provides only luminance differences and textures as cues for object recognition within the image. However, color can be an important and significant cue in the detection of shapes and objects. Increasing detection ability allows the radiologist to interpret the images in more detail, improving object recognition and diagnostic accuracy. Color detection experiments using our stimulus system, have demonstrated that an observer can only detect an average of 140 levels of grayscale. An optimally colorized image can allow a user to distinguish 250 - 1000 different levels, hence increasing potential image feature detection by 2-7 times. By implementing a colorization map, which follows the luminance map of the original grayscale images, the luminance profile is preserved and color is isolated as the enhancement mechanism. The effect of this enhancement mechanism on the shape, frequency composition and statistical characteristics of the Visual Evoked Potential (VEP) are analyzed and presented. Thus, the effectiveness of the image colorization is measured quantitatively using the Visual Evoked Potential (VEP).
The effects of exposure to dietary nickel and zinc upon humoral and cellular immunity in SJL mice.

Abstract We are interested in potential interactions between environmental trace metal exposures and immune function. In particular, we have wondered whether dietary exposure to nickel and zinc cations can influence T and B cell proliferation and function. To study this question, we fed SJL female mice supplemental nickel and zinc sulfate from 4–8 weeks of age, and immunized the animals intraperitoneally (i.p.) with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) at 8 weeks. Eight days later, we measured antibody responses to KLH. Both IgG and IgM antibody responses to KLH were significantly depressed in vivo in the nickel fed animals (p
Dielectrically shielded microstrip (DSM) lines

Microstrip lines can be shielded by a dielectric cover to reduce the radiation loss. Experiments carried out using ring resonators showed the insertion loss can be substantially reduced. The effective dielectric constant of these shielded microstrip lines was calculated by the variational method. The results agree very well with experiment.
Adaptive time-sequential binary sensing for high dynamic range imaging

We present a novel image sensor for high dynamic range imaging. The sensor performs an adaptive one-bit quantization at each pixel, with the pixel output switched from 0 to 1 only if the number of photons reaching that pixel is greater than or equal to a quantization threshold. With an oracle knowledge of the incident light intensity, one can pick an optimal threshold (for that light intensity) and the corresponding Fisher information contained in the output sequence follows closely that of an ideal unquantized sensor over a wide range of intensity values. This observation suggests the potential gains one may achieve by adaptively updating the quantization thresholds. As the main contribution of this work, we propose a time-sequential threshold-updating rule that asymptotically approaches the performance of the oracle scheme. With every threshold mapped to a number of ordered states, the dynamics of the proposed scheme can be modeled as a parametric Markov chain. We show that the frequencies of different thresholds converge to a steady-state distribution that is concentrated around the optimal choice. Moreover, numerical experiments show that the theoretical performance measures (Fisher information and Cram´er-Rao bounds) can be achieved by a maximum likelihood estimator, which is guaranteed to find globally optimal solution due to the concavity of the log-likelihood functions. Compared with conventional image sensors and the strategy that utilizes a constant single-photon threshold considered in previous work, the proposed scheme attains orders of magnitude improvement in terms of sensor dynamic ranges.
Respiratory and cutaneous water loss of temperate-zone passerine birds.

Abstract We measured respiratory water loss (RWL) and cutaneous water loss (CWL) of 12 species of passerine birds, all from a temperate environment, and related their CWL to classes of lipids within the stratum corneum (SC). We purposed to gain insight into the generality of patterns of CWL in birds that have been generated mostly from studies on species from deserts, and we addressed the hypothesis that CWL is a passive diffusion process. Despite taxonomic and ecological differences among 12 species of temperate birds, mass-specific RWL and surface-specific CWL were statistically indistinguishable across species. When the birds were dead, CWL was reduced by 16.3% suggesting that CWL is, in part, under physiological control. We found that ceramides, cerebrosides, dioscylceramides, cholesterol, cholesterol sulfate, fatty acid methyl esters, free fatty acid, sterol esters, and triacylglycerol constituted the intercellular lipids of the avian SC. CWL was positively associated with amount of ceramide 3, but this lipid class represented less than 2% of the total SC lipids. Combining direct measurements ( n = 24) of RWL with indirect estimates ( n = 25) yielded the equation log RWL (g H 2 O/d) = − 0.86 + 0.73 (log body mass, g).
Long-term effects of chaining treatments on vegetation structure in piñon-juniper woodlands of the Colorado Plateau.

Abstract Over the last half-century a range of methods have been utilized to reduce trees and shrubs in order to reduce wildfire risk and promote herbaceous vegetation to support livestock and wildlife. We examined the long-term (20–40 year) effects of past tree-reduction treatments on vegetation and ground cover in pinon–juniper woodlands, which is the third most extensive vegetation type in the continental United States. Tree-reduction treatments were conducted between 1963 and 1988 in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah by the US Bureau of Land Management and involved chaining followed by seeding to remove trees and often shrubs. Treatments were effective at increasing perennial grass cover and reducing tree cover over multiple decades. The increase in perennial grass cover was predominantly due to a nonnative species that was seeded, Agropyron cristatum (crested wheatgrass). Surface fuel loads were nearly twice as high in treated areas, likely changing fire behavior and increasing habitat complexity. Treated areas had higher bare mineral soil cover and lower biocrust cover, which may influence soil erosional processes. Interestingly, treated areas had significantly less Pinus edulis (pinon pine) recruitment compared to untreated areas, while there was no change in Juniperus osteosperma (Utah juniper) recruitment. These results indicate that treated areas may become more J. osteosperma dominated in the future due to increased establishment of J. osteosperma compared to P. edulis. Our results show that while treatments were effective at reducing tree cover and increasing herbaceous cover, there were long-term (40 year) treatment effects on vegetation composition and ground cover that need to be taken under consideration when developing future management strategies.
Contralateral nucleocortical cells of the paraflocculus of tree shrew (Tupaia glis).

Abstract The location and distribution of nucleocortical cells which project to the contralateral parafloccular cortex has been determined using horseradish peroxidase. These multipolar medium-sized neurons are found in the same areas of the contralateral posterior interposed and lateral cerebellar nuclei which, on the ipsilateral side, contained the primary population of labeled soma. Although few in number these cells are topographically organized in relation to the contralateral parafloccular cortex.
Bounded and periodic evolutionary machines

The aim of this paper is the development of foundations for evolutionary computation. We introduce and study two classes of evolutionary automata: bounded and periodic evolutionary machines.
OR04-3A REHABILITATION MODEL FOR ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE IN THE HOMELESS HISPANIC POPULATION IN WASHINGTON, DC

Introduction. This rehabilitation model for chronic alcoholics was conceived for the Homeless Hispanic population in Washington DC. The Neighbors Consejo (NC) integrated several city agency services into a model which is cost effective, comprehensive and easy to manage. Methods. Homeless Hispanics are housed in our program which provides all the basic needs, food and shelter, medical and mental health treatment. This 90 day program helped these clients to develop life skills and be sober and ready for employment. Results. There is marked decrease in the utilization of city's essential services and burden on the community resulting in reduced expenses. Also, noted is a significant change in the 'revolving door' behavior as we are able to integrate services, provide supervised housing, education and treatment. In this Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual model these clients benefitted enormously and showed substantial improvement. Conclusions. These Hispanic Homeless individuals who were illegal, unemployed were lost in the community due to alcohol dependence. The city governmental agencies like Ambulance, Police, Hospital Emergency Rooms, Mental Health clinics, jails, and court system all could not provide adequate service for their treatment and sobriety. This model helped to integrate the most needed mental health and rehabilitation services for the Homeless Hispanic community.
Withholding and Withdrawing Tube Feeding for Persons with Dysphagia: Exploring Complications of Advance Directives and the Obligations of a Rehabilitation Team

Mr. D is a 65-year-old man with a history of hypertension. He sustained a large left middle cerebral artery stroke 1 month ago with a resultant right hemiplegia and a global aphasia. Mr. D had a PEG tube placed a week after his stroke. At the rehabilitation hospital (to which he was transferred 2 weeks after his initial hospitalization), he was seen by the speech and language pathologist who began trial feeding of honey, thick liquids, and pureed consistencies in just the last few days. He appeared to be tolerating it well, but required maximum cueing to use the recommended strategies adequately. The patient’s health care team has become concerned for the well being of the patient and his family. The patient has a wife and five children who visit regularly. His wife is at the hospital daily and has demonstrated much distress over her husband’s condition. Mr. D is taking Ritalin to act both as an antidepressant and a neurostimulant and has since been able to participate in therapy more effectively. Mr. D appears to be content, although he is unable to communicate abstract feelings and ideas due to his aphasia. A few days ago, Mrs. D came in to speak with the attending physician. She presented a copy of Mr. D’s advance directive naming her as his proxy should he be unable to participate in decision making (which had been known to the team). The document also included a personal statement at the end written by Mr. D 2 years prior to this illness. He wrote, “I hope that you will respect my wish not to be kept alive through extraordinary means. I do not want to live if I cannot function fully. I hope you will help me if I am ever in such a condition.”
Crop borders reduce potato virus Y incidence in seed potato.

Summary. Crop borders of soybean (Glycine max), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), winter wheat (Triticum aestivum) and potato (Solanum tuberosum) were tested as a means of reducing potato virus Y (PVY) incidence in seed potato. Borders of fallow cultivated ground served as controls. Aphid landing rates were monitored weekly in plots using green tile traps, and PVY incidence was assessed by serologically testing tuber progeny from selected rows in each plot. Average weekly aphid landing rates in fallow-bordered and crop-bordered plots were not significantly different in 1992 (29.4 and 25.2 aphids, respectively) or 1993 (7.3 and 6.6 aphids, respectively). However, crop borders significantly reduced PVY incidence. In 1992, fallow-bordered and soybean-bordered plots averaged 47.8% and 35.0% PVY infection, respectively. In 1993, PVY infection averaged across all crop (soybean, sorghum, and wheat) bordered plots was 2.7% compared to 6.8% in fallow-bordered plots. PVY incidence in the centre rows of fallow-bordered and crop-bordered plots was statistically equivalent, while outer rows of crop-bordered plots had significantly less PVY than outer rows of fallow-bordered plots. Crop borders apparently reduced the number of viruliferous aphids landing on the edge of the plot. The choice of crop species used as a border, or treating the border with a systemic insecticide, did not affect aphid landing rates or PVY incidence. In 1995, PVY incidence in the centre 10 row block of potatoes averaged 2.1% across all crop borders (potato and soybean). PVY infection in the four row potato border averaged 5.7%. Crop borders are readily adaptable to current production practices, although the greatest benefits in reducing PVY incidence would occur in average sized, generation 0 (< 0.2 ha), elite seed potato fields.
Splenectomy for thrombocytopenia in chronic granulocytic leukemia

Splenectomy for thrombocytopenia was performed in 6 patients in the chronic phase of chronic granulocytic leukemia. The operation was performed after a prolonged thrombocytopenia, with hemorrhagic manifestations due to busulfan-related myelosuppression unresponsive to corticosteroids and frequent platelet transfusions (2 patients), and the inability to control the clinical and hemato-logic manifestations of the disease because of inordinate platelet sensitivity to chemotherapy (4 patients). There was an immediate postoperative rise in platelet count in all 6 patients which was sustained in 5 patients. The rise was rapid in 3 cases. Spleen size did not correlate with the extent of postoperative recovery. In 5 patients with bleeding and thrombocytopenia, no further hemorrhagic problems or platelet transfusions were required as long as they remained in the chronic phase of CGL. Hydroxyurea was a useful drug to control CGL in patients markedly sensitive to the thrombocytopenic effects of busulfan.