cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of economic analysis in futures market regulation.

The history of regulation of commodity futures markets manifests persistent concern over "excessive speculation." The phrase is found repeatedly in the hearings leading to the earliest federal statute-the Grain Futures Act of 1922--and it reappears in each subsequent revision of the statute, including the two major ones, the Commodity Exchange Act of 1936 and the Commodity Futures Trading Act of 1974 (Cowing, Rainbolt). A substantial revision in the Commodity Exchange Act in 1968 was also largely an outgrowth of the notorious vegetable oil swindle of 1963. The phrase "excessive speculation" has not been defined, much less quantified, in the statutes, even though the phrase is used specifically to justify the creation of limits on speculative positions. The economic literature has recognized the need for and importance of speculation and even has provided evidence of speculative inadequacy as a chronic affliction of some futures markets (Gray 1960, 1967). A major effort to fill the definitional void was Working's construction of a speculative index (1960). Whereas the term "excessive" is employed in the pejorative sense in the congressional deliberations, Working simply undertook to use market statistics to describe the relationship between hedging and speculation. His research led to a measure, the speculative index, which reflects the extent by which the level of speculation exceeds the minimum necessary to absorb long and short hedging, recognizing that long and short hedging positions could not always be expected to offset each other even in markets where these positions were of comparable magnitudes. Speculation above the minimum defined by the index was not defined simultaneously as excessive. Indeed, in some markets whose performance is demonstrably hampered by speculative inadequacy, the level of speculation exceeds that minimum.
Observation and analysis of the D'←A' transition of I2 in a free-jet expansion

Abstract The A′ state of I 2 is observed for the first time in a free-jet expansion, where it is prepared by ArF laser photolysis of I 2 /Ar mixtures in the expansion region. Six bands in the υv″ = 0 progression of the D′ ← A′ transition are studied by laser excitation spectroscopy, leading to the following improved spectroscopic constants (cm −1 ) for the A′ and D′ states: B ″ o = 0.028054, B ′ e = 0.020526, α′ e = 5.30 × 10 −5 , ω′ e = 103.953, ω e χ′ e = 0.2097, ω e γ′ e = 2.687 × 10 −4 .
A note on experience rating, reinsurance and premium principles

Abstract The connection between experience rating, reinsurance covers and premium calculation principles is analyzed. Under natural and order-preserving properties for the premium calculation principle and a ‘perfect hedge’ condition for the direct insurer, an adequate premium principle is derived. It turns out to be an extension of the Dutch premium principle. Actuarial applications to the design of company internal reinsurance covers and to the construction of appropriate bonus strategies are presented.
Reaction of carbon monoxide with tri-tert-butylgallium: The first example of CO insertion into a gallium–carbon bond

Abstract Reactions of t Bu 3 M (M = Al, Ga) with CO have been studied by density functional theory employing the B3PW91 functional. Calculations suggest that CO insertion into a M–C bond of t Bu 3 M is thermodynamically favorable at room temperature, whereas CO coordination to t Bu 3 M to form t Bu 3 M·CO is unfavorable due to an unfavorable entropy change. These results are in agreement with experimental observations. Reaction of carbon monoxide with t Bu 3 Ga at 50 °C and atmospheric pressure yields the dimeric tert -butylacyl complex [ t Bu 2 GaC(O) t Bu] 2 ( 1 ). Compound 1 has been characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR and IR spectroscopy. Isotopic labeling with 13 CO confirmed that the acyl carbon of 1 results from the CO starting material. CO insertion into a Ga–C bond does not occur for Me 3 Ga or n Bu 3 Ga under a range of reaction conditions.
Geometric moments from optical cosinusoidal transform

Abstract A hybrid optical/digital method based on Optical Cosinusoidal Transform (OCT) is proposed for the calculation of geometric moments. Simulation results are presented to illustrate the feasibility of the proposed method.
Our Compact with Tomorrow's Doctors

ABSTRACTIn recent years, the image of medicine as a caring profession has been badly tarnished by a rash of critical reports in the media. In the face of this negative publicity, do young people still want to be doctors? The author reviews conventional reasons given for the declining applicant pool
The Effect of Feedback Sign on Task Performance Depends on Self-Concept Discrepancies.

Control theories claim that information about performance is often used by multiple goal systems. A proposition tested here was that performance information can create discrepancies in self-concept goals, directing cognitive resources away from the task goal system. To manipulate performance information, 160 undergraduates were given false positive or false negative normative feedback while working on a task that did or did not require substantial cognitive resources. Half of the participants were then given an opportunity to reaffirm their self-concepts following feedback, whereas half were not. Feedback sign positively related to performance only for those working on the cognitively intense task and not given a chance to reaffirm. Otherwise, feedback sign was negatively related to performance, albeit weakly.
Assessment of the role of surgery for control of lung cancer.

Abstract When morphologically stratified, the classification of patients according to surgical stage provides an objective basis for evaluating the results of surgical treatment. In a review of 794 patients according to surgical staging criteria, the data supported concepts regarding differences in the behavior of each cell type as well as major differences in survival between each stage of disease. The overall cumulative five-year survival was 37% for squamous cell carcinoma, 27% for adenocarcinoma, and 27% for undifferentiated large cell carcinoma. Fewer than 1% of patients with undifferentiated small cell carcinoma survived. Survival for patients with surgical Stage I disease was 53%, for Stage II 29%, and for Stage III 16%. The results of surgical treatment for patients with limited disease extent are much better than is generally realized. Fifty to 60% of such patients in this series survived five years. Survival studies by surgical stage permit reasonable estimates of the presence of occult metastatic disease and supply insights necessary to the design and appropriate selection of adjunctive therapeutic programs.
The oxidation of iron-aluminum alloys

This paper briefly summarizes studies related to the oxidation of Fe-Al alloys. Emphasis is placed on oxide phase composition, morphology, and the development of protective α-Al2O3 scales on oxidation-resistant Fe-Al alloys both with and without ternary additions.
Prevention of Recurrent Postpartum Major Depression

Objective: Postpartum depression affects between 10 and 15 percent of new mothers. These mothers are apprehensive about recurrence after later births. This study tested the efficacy of antidepressant medication administered during the postpartum period to prevent a recurrence of postpartum depression among women who had suffered a previous episode. Methods: An open clinical trial was conducted at a university-based outpatient clinic treating pregnant and postpartum women with mood disorders. Study participants were 23 pregnant women who had at least one previous postpartum episode that fit DSM-III-R criteria for nonbipolar major depression without psychotic features. Postpartum monitoring for recurrence of depressive symptoms was compared witb postpartum monitoring plus postbirth treatment with either the medication that had been effective for the previous episode or nortriptyline. The first dose was given within 24 hours of birth. The authors assessed recurrence of postpartum major depression by psychiat...
Quasi-periodic patterns coupling the Sun, solar wind and the Earth

Abstract The spectrum of velocity and magnetic fields in the solar wind is self-similar (power-law type) in the frequency range greater than >1/day indicating well-mixed turbulence. But it loses self-similarity for lower frequencies indicating the presence of large-scale patterns, which are intermittently generated inside the Sun and propagate from the Sun to the Earth. Here we discuss the spatia–temporal characteristics and origin of the 1.3-year quasi-periodic pattern found inside the Sun by helioseismic methods and detected in the solar wind. To identify and characterize this pattern on the Sun we use time series of solar magnetic Carrington maps generated at the Wilcox Solar Observatory and independent component data analysis. This analysis shows the latitudinal distribution of the pattern, its variable frequency and intermittent appearance.
Methods of Representing Radiation Formulas

Spectral distribution of radiation intensity may be represented with equal reasonableness for equal increments of wavelength, of wave number, or of logarithmic units. The three methods show maxima at different wavelengths. The most clearly descriptive type of plot shows simply the cumulative energy up to a given wavelength against the logarithm of wavelength. The Wien maximum should be de-emphasized.
QUANTUM HALL FLUID OF VORTICES IN A TWO-DIMENSIONAL ARRAY OF JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS

A two dimensional array of Josephson junctions in a magnetic field is considered. It is shown that the dynamics of the vortices in the array resembles that of electrons on a two--dimensional lattice put in a magnetic field perpendicular to the lattice. Under appropriate conditions, this resemblance results in the formation of a quantum Hall fluid of vortices. The bosonic nature of vortices and their long range logarithmic interaction make some of the properties of the vortices' quantum Hall fluid different from those of the electronic one. Some of these differences are studied in detail. Finally, it is shown that a quantum Hall fluid of vortices manifests itself in a quantized Hall electronic transport in the array.
Precoder Design for Non-Regenerative MIMO Relay Cognitive Radio Systems

In this paper, we study the problem of relay precoder design in a multi-antenna non-regenerative relay cognitive radio (CR) system assuming underlay spectrum sharing methodology with the primary users (PUs). An expression for the capacity of the secondary system is derived assuming fixed source covariance matrix. We then consider maximizing this capacity expression subject to a power constraint at the relay and an interference power constraint at the PU due to the secondary relay. We then derive the structure of the relay precoding up to a square matrix that should be chosen optimally. A constrained optimization problem is derived to find this square matrix to maximize the capacity equation. The solution to this optimization problem involves an exhaustive search and the complexity increases with the number of relay antennas. We, therefore, propose an alternative sub-optimal approach with significantly lower complexity to derive the structure of the relay precoding matrix. Through simulation, we compare the effectiveness of the optimal and the sub-optimal approaches to improve the achievable throughput of the CR system. It is shown that both approaches provide a significant improvement in the throughput of the system at different power and interference regimes.
Effect of Deep Level Impact Ionization on Avalanche Breakdown in Semiconductor p–n Junctions

Using a simple model, we have investigated the effect of deep level impact ionization on avalanche breakdown in GaAs, InP, and Si p-n junctions. The ionization coefficients are obtained using Robbins' formalism [phys. stat. sol. (b) 97, 9 (1980)]. Results are presented for trends in the dependence of the breakdown voltage and electric field on the doping densities and on the deep level density and energy. Our results show that, for fixed doping densities, the breakdown voltage and field both decrease with increasing deep level density. Further, we find that their sensitivity to the deep level density is much stronger for levels deep within the bandgap than for those near a band edge, correlating with the decreased ionization threshold energy for shallower levels. We also find that the breakdown voltage and critical field in Si p-n junctions are stronger functions of the deep level density and energy than in GaAs and InP junctions.
Some fuel loss rate and weight estimates of an open-cycle gas-core nuclear rocket engine

Engine weight estimation for showing effect on thrust, specific impulse and uranium loss rate for open cycle gas fueled nuclear rocket engine
Generalizations of theorems of Wilson, Fermat and Euler

Abstract By using Polya's and de Bruijn's theorems of enumeration, we prove some generalizations of Wilson's, Fermat's and Euler's theorems in number theory. We also present an algorithm for Polya's and de Bruijn's theorems. By using the properties of the algorithm, we interpret the meanings of the integers ( 1 p )((p − 1)! + 1) and ( 1 p )(a p − a) where p is a prime and a is a positive integer.
APL functions for interactive data analysis: Principal components analysis

APL functions to support principal components analysis are presented: a general-purpose function to obtain eigen values and eigen vectors, a more specialized function to convert these into the results commonly given by principal components analysis, and a user interface function that accesses filed data, offers flexibility in data selection, and produces labeled output. A brief introduction to the logic and uses of principal components analysis is included. General-purpose support functions to simplify file use and to increase the range of options available to the user are also provided.
Hierarchical Pareto Optimization for the Sustainable Development of Industrial Ecosystems

Establishing industrial ecosystems (IEs) is a viable approach for the sustainable development of industries. The ultimate objective of an IE is to minimize the material and energy consumption and reduce or even eliminate waste disposal through various recycle and reuse mechanisms. Yet, a rigorous scientific approach for the analysis and design of sustainable IE is lacking. The major obstacles include the challenge of evaluating each dimension of the “triple bottom line” of sustainability, handling the complex interdependency among different members, and the need of a holistic decision-making/decision-analysis method across different scales, from the individual production unit up to the ecosystem. To tackle this difficulty, the improvement of economic and environmental sustainability of IEs is defined as a multilayer multi-objective optimization problem in this paper. A novel Hierarchical Pareto Optimization Methodology is introduced to achieve the most sustainable solution. This methodology provides a sys...
Randomized controlled trial of Coblation versus electrocautery tonsillectomy.

Objective To compare the postoperative recovery of patients receiving Coblation-assisted (Arthrocare, Sunnyvale, CA) intracapsular tonsillectomy with that of patients receiving traditional subcapsular electrocautery tonsillectomy. Study design and setting This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, controlled study. One hundred one children, aged 2 to 16 years, were randomized to Coblation or to conventional electrocautery tonsillectomy. Only patients with the operative indication of obstructive sleep apnea were entered into the study. Intracapsular tonsillectomy was performed on the Coblation group, and traditional subcapsular dissection was performed on the electrocautery group. Adenoidectomy was performed with the curette in both groups. Outcome measures were assessed on days 1, 3, and 5 after surgery. These included child and parental rating of pain by using the Wong Faces pain scale, analgesic use, oral intake, and activity level. Patients, parents, and the nurse practitioner obtaining the outcome data were blinded to treatment arm. Results Treatment groups were similar in age, gender, and weight. Surgical time and estimated blood loss were similar. There were no complications in either group. Coblation patients had less pain and greater oral intake at all 3 time points. Percentage of normal activity level returned to >70% earlier and more frequently in Coblation patients. There was slightly decreased analgesic use on postoperative day 5 in the Coblation group. Conclusions and significance Children with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy demonstrate significantly better postoperative recovery after Coblation-assisted intracapsular tonsillectomy.
Diet shift response in round goby, Neogobius melanostomus, based on size, sex, depth, and habitat in the western basin of Lake Erie

Summary This study examines the diet of the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the western basin of Lake Erie. As an invasive benthic feeder, the round goby has the potential to affect smallmouth bass and other native species. Round goby (n = 100) were collected during summer 2011 and stomach contents were examined to determine diet patterns and possible ontogenetic diet shifts. Individual round goby were grouped by sex, size (small 5 m), and habitat type (natural shallows, anthropogenically modified shallows, and deep waters). Gut fullness ranged from 10 to 100% with 23 stomachs presenting 100% fullness. Round goby consumed 27 different food items including abiotic (sand grains, gravel), floral (algae, fine leaved vascular plants), and fauna items. The Index of Relative Importance (IRI) and comparative z-tests were used to assess correlations and differences. Two-way z-tests revealed a significant difference in mouth gape related to size (z = −5.56377, P = 2.64e-08), and habitat depth (z = 3.34262, P = 0.00083). A significant linear correlation was also found between mouth gape standardized by head length (HL) for both males (P = 2.63e-9) and females (P = 1.3e-4). Two-way z-tests also revealed a significant difference in gonadosomatic index (GSI) related to sex (z = 6.07727, P = 6.11248e-10), but not size. A significant difference in gut fullness was also found related to sex (z = −3.34743, P = 0.00082), habitat depth (z = 3.16336, P = 0.00156), and habitat type (z = −2.7398, P = 0.00615). IRI values demonstrated a diet selective of veliger mussels (IRI = 2462.01), juvenile mussels (IRI = 1073.03), cladocerans (IRI = 4804.31), and chironomids (IRI = 1012.12). While previous studies have focused on round goby diet shifts from macroinvertebrates to bivalves, most studies did not evaluate changes in diet among multiple categories. Furthering knowledge of multiple aspects of goby diet may aid in developing management techniques to deter future round goby invasion.
Computation aspects of the parameter estimates of linear mixed effects model in multivariate repeated measures set-up

The number of parameters mushrooms in a linear mixed effects (LME) model in the case of multivariate repeated measures data. Computation of these parameters is a real problem with the increase in the number of response variables or with the increase in the number of time points. The problem becomes more intricate and involved with the addition of additional random effects. A multivariate analysis is not possible in a small sample setting. We propose a method to estimate these many parameters in bits and pieces from baby models, by taking a subset of response variables at a time, and finally using these bits and pieces at the end to get the parameter estimates for the mother model, with all variables taken together. Applying this method one can calculate the fixed effects, the best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs) for the random effects in the model, and also the BLUPs at each time of observation for each response variable, to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment for each subject. The proposed met...
Improved beam smoothing with SSD using generalized phase modulation

The smoothing of the spatial illumination of an inertial confinement fusion target is examined by its spatial frequency content. It is found that the smoothing by spectral dispersion method, although efficient for glass lasers, can yield poor smoothing at low spatial frequency. The dependence of the smoothed spatial spectrum on the characteristics of phase modulation and dispersion is examined for both sinusoidal and more general phase modulation. It is shown that smoothing with non-sinusoidal phase modulation can result in spatial spectra which are substantially identical to that obtained with the induced spatial incoherence or similar method where random phase plates are present in both methods and identical beam divergence is assumed.
Women's Caregiving and Paid Work: Causal Relationships in Late Midlife

Care of an ill or disabled family member or friend is disproportionately done by women and typically is done in late midlife. Because this is-also a time in the life course when women's labor force participation peaks, many women faced with caregiving demands have to decide how to balance them with their employment. In this study we use the National Longitudinal Survey (NLS) of Mature Women to examine the causal relationship between employment and caring for an ill or disabled friend or relative over a three-year period. We find that employment does not affect whether or not women start caregiving, but that women who do start are more likely to reduce employment hours or stop work. Thus, the causal relationship between employment and caregiving in late midlife is largely unidirectional, with women reducing hours to meet caregiving demands.
Site-Specific Mutagenesis of the Metal Binding Sites of Porcine Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphatase

Abstract Mutations in the metal binding sites of porcine fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were carried out by site-specific mutagenesis based on the crystal structure of the enzyme. The mutant and wild-type enzymes have been characterized by circular dichroism spectrometry and initial-rate kinetics. One of the mutant forms of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (Glu280Gln) is associated with a single metal site, whereas two other mutants (Glu97Gln and Asp118Asn) ligate two metal ions. The mutant enzymes exhibit very large decreases in k cat relative to the wild-type enzyme; however, other kinetic parameters, such as K m values, are not greatly altered. Metal binding cooperativity and binding affinity is decreased in the mutants compared to wild-type fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase. Mutations in the metal binding sites greatly enhance the enzyme′s affinity for AMP, a potent regulator of fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase activity. The results of these investigations are fully consistent with predictions made on the role of specific amino acid residues at the metal binding sites in porcine fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase from X-ray diffraction studies [Zhang, Y., Liang, J.-Y., Huang, S., Ke, H., and Lipscomb, W. N. (1993) Biochemistry, 32, 1844-1857].
Zinc triad metal ion complexes of NN′S ligand N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(2-(methylthio)ethyl)amine

The coordination chemistry of divalent zinc triad metal ions with N-(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-(2-(methylthio)ethyl)amine (L) was investigated by X-ray crystallography and proton NMR. Chloride salts yielded non-homologous M(L)Cl2 complexes. Hg(L)Cl2 and Zn(L)Cl2 were five-coordinate monomers with distorted square pyramidal and trigonal bipyramidal geometries, respectively. Cd(L)Cl2 formed a six-coordinate polymer with a distorted octahedral geometry. These complexes had similar nearly temperature independent proton NMR spectra suggesting structural differences between them were less extensive in solution due to fluxional processes. Although 1:1 metal to ligand complexes were most thermodynamically stable for the chloride salts at all [M2+]/[L], the thermodynamic stability of [M(L)(NCCH3) x ]2+ only exceeded that of [M(L)2]2+ when [M2+] ≥ [L] with perchlorate salts. Slow intramolecular and intermolecular exchange conditions for [M(L)2]2+ and slow intermolecular exchange conditions for [M(L)(NCCH3) x ]2+ were foun...
3D reconstruction of road surfaces using an integrated multi-sensory approach

In this paper, we present our experience in building a mobile imaging system that incorporates multi-modality sensors for road surface mapping and inspection applications. Our proposed system leverages 3D laser-range sensors, video cameras, global positioning systems (GPS) and inertial measurement units (IMU) towards the generation of photo-realistic, geometrically accurate, geo-referenced 3D models of road surfaces. Based on our summary of the state-of-the-art systems for a road distress survey, we identify several challenges in the real-time deployment, integration and visualization of the multi-sensor data. Then, we present our data acquisition and processing algorithms as a novel two-stage automation procedure that can meet the accuracy requirements with real-time performance. We provide algorithms for 3D surface reconstruction to process the raw data and deliver detail preserving 3D models that possess accurate depth information for characterization and visualization of cracks as a significant improvement over contemporary commercial video-based vision systems.
Steady-state kinetic study of magnesium and ATP effects on ligand affinity and catalytic activity of sheep kidney sodium, potassium-adenosinetriphosphatase.

Abstract A non-linear least squares computer analysis of steady-state kinetic data of ATP hydrolysis catalyzed by sheep kidney (Na+, K+-ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) gives kinetic parameters of various enzyme intermediates. Chemical models that fit the whole group of experimental data allow an overview of the effects of varying concentrations of Mg2+ and ATP on the ligand affinity and catalytic activity of the enzyme, and also make possible the following rationale in relation to the active transport of sodium and potassium across a cell membrane: In the presence of 60 mM of sodium and the absence of ATP, potassium binds favorably to the enzyme. This effective binding of potassium is consistent with extracellular binding of potassium prior to transport into a cell, because the extracellular medium consists of high sodium, low potassium and no ATP. Binding of potassium is decreased by free ATP and Mg · ATP complex. This “weakening” of potassium binding may be related to the low affinity sites of the enzyme for potassium inside a cell where ATP and Mg2+ are present. In the presence of 10 mM potassium, binding of sodium is insignificant, but is stimulated by Mg2+, ATP, and Mg · ATP. This is consistent with the intracellular event of sodium binding prior to transport out of the cell. The breakdown of the Mg · ATP-containing enzyme complexes may cause release of potassium into cell and put the enzyme in a form that does not bind sodium favorably in the absence of ATP; hence, sodium is released to extracellular medium which contains no ATP.
Thermal Cis → Trans Isomerization of Covalently Attached Azobenzene Groups in Undrawn and Drawn Polyethylene Films. Characterization and Comparisons of Occupied Sites

The thermal cis → trans isomerization of azobenzene groups covalently attached to chains of undrawn and drawn polyethylene films (Azo-PE) has been examined in a temperature range that is well above the glass transition and well below the melting transition. Isomerizations in undrawn films at all temperatures and in a drawn film at 70 °C, the highest temperature examined, follow single-component first-order kinetics. At 20−65 °C, two first-order components whose activation energies are both smaller than that of the undrawn film are needed to describe the isomerization kinetics in the drawn state. Doped (i.e., noncovalently attached) azobenzene groups in polyethylene films (Azo/PE) also exhibit a biexponential kinetics after drawing, but the fraction of the faster component is much smaller than that in the drawn Azo-PE films. Comparisons between the rate constants for isomerization of undrawn and drawn Azo-PE and Azo/PE films at the same temperature indicate that as a consequence of probe translocations the...
Structure Sensitivity of the Reaction of Methanol on Ceria

Temperature programmed desorption was used to study the reaction of CH3OH on several different ceria-based model catalysts. These catalysts consisted of a CeO2(111) single crystal and thin ceria films supported on α-Al2O3(0001) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (100). The results of this study demonstrate that the reaction of CH3OH on CeO2 surfaces is highly structure sensitive and depends on crystallographic orientation, the concentration of surface oxygen vacancies, and the oxidation state of surface cerium cations. The primary decomposition pathway for methoxide intermediates adsorbed on surface oxygen vacancy sites is dehydrogenation to produce H2CO and surface hydroxyl groups. The surface hydroxyl groups then either react with additional methoxides to reform CH3OH or react to produce H2O. In contrast, methoxides adsorbed on partially reduced ceria surfaces, possibly on Ce3+ sites, undergo complete dehydrogenation to CO and H2.
Direct dual layer spinning of aminosilica/Torlon® hollow fiber sorbents with a lumen layer for CO2 separation by rapid temperature swing adsorption

The direct dual layer spinning of Torlon®/silica hollow fibers with a neat Torlon® lumen layer is reported here for the first time. The dual layer fibers containing a porous Torlon®/silica main structure and a dense, pure Torlon® polymer bore-side coating provide a simplified, scalable platform from which to construct hollow fiber amine sorbents for postcombustion CO2 capture. After fiber spinning, an amine infusion process is applied to incorporate PEI into the silica pores. After combining dilute Neoprene treatment followed by poly(aramid)/PDMS treatment, a helium permeance of the fiber sorbents of 2 GPU with a He/N2 selectivity of 7.4 is achieved. Ten of the optimized amine-containing hollow fibers are incorporated into a 22-inch long, 1/2 inch OD shell-and-tube module and the module is then exposed on the shell side to simulated flue gas with an inert tracer (14 mol % CO2, 72 mol % N2, 14 mol % He [at 100% R.H.]) at 1 atm and 35°C in a RTSA system for preliminary CO2 sorption experiments. The fibers are found to have a breakthrough and equilibrium CO2 capacity of 0.8 and 1.2 mmol/g- dry fiber sorbent, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41845.
Effects of Emphasizing Hypothetico-Predictive Reasoning within the Science Learning Cycle on High School Student's Process Skills and Conceptual Understandings in Biology.

This study examined the effects of adding a prediction/discussion phase at the beginning of a three-phase learning cycle involving exploration, term introduction, and concept application. The added phase required high-school biology students to individually write out predictions with explanatory hypotheses concerning concepts in genetics, homeostasis, ecosystems, and natural selection. This was followed by interactive debate of predictions and reasons. Data sources included questionnaires, field observations, teacher/researcher daily log reports, and a battery of tests to assess cognitive changes. Hypothetico-predictive reasoning and logical argumentation served as cognitive-development processes which prompted students to construct and deconstructed their procedural and declarative knowledge. The prediction/discussion-based learning cycle instruction, when compared with traditional learning cycle instruction, produced significant gains relative to the use of process skills, logical-thinking skills, science concepts, and scientific attitudes. Guidelines were generated for developing, teaching, and evaluating prediction/discussion based learning cycles. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 36: 1127–1147, 1999
Ovarian response to human chorionic gonadotropin or gonadotropin releasing hormone in cats in natural or induced estrus.

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hOG) or gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) was given alone or with repeated coital stimuli to study ovarian activity and ovulation in the domestic cat. Adult cats in natural estrus (NE) or treated with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH-P) to induce estrus (2.0 mg/d for 5 d; IE) were assigned to one of five treatments: I, mating (M) only (three times daily for the first 3 d of estrus); II, M + hOG (250 IU, i.m. on Days 2 and 3 of estrus); III M + GnRH (25 mug, i.m. on Days 2 and 3 of estrus); IV, hOG only (250 IU, i.m. on Days 2 and 3 of estrus); or V, GnRH only (25 mug on Day 2 and 3 of estrus). Overall, IE females produced a greater (P < 0.05) number of corpora lutea (7.6 +/- 0.9) and unovulated follicles (18.9 +/- 2.1) than NE cats (4.9 +/- 0.6 and 3.6 +/- 0.9, respectively). For both NE and IE females, the M + hOG treatment (II) produced a greater number (P < 0.05) of ovulations (9.1 and 13.9, respectively) than any other ovulatory regimen (I, 4.1, 6.6; III, 4.1, 7.8; IV, 4.0, 6.2; V, 4.1, 5.6, respectively). These results indicate that 1) the excessive follicle number resulting from FSH-P treatment cannot be reduced with any of the hOG or GnRH treatments tested and 2) the use of hOG with copulatory stimuli synergistically enhances the ovulatory response of cats experiencing a natural estrus or those treated with FSH-P.
Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome produced in rats with AY 9944 treated by intravenous injection of lipoprotein cholesterol

A limitation to treating Smith-Lemli-Opitz infants by giving dietary cholesterol is their impaired ability to absorb cholesterol due to a deficiency of bile acids. Since intravenously administered lipoprotein cholesterol should not require bile acids for uptake into tissues, we tested the effects of this form of cholesterol on tissue cholesterol and 7-dehydrocholesterol levels in an animal model of SLO, created by feeding rats 0.02% AY 9944. Intravenous administration of 15 mg of bovine cholesterol supertrate twice daily increased serum cholesterol levels from 11 to over 250 mg/dl. This treatment increased liver cholesterol levels from 309 to over 900 micrograms/g and lowered hepatic 7-dehydrocholesterol levels from 1546 to 909 micrograms/g. A combination of iv cholesterol and 2% dietary cholesterol was most effective as it raised hepatic cholesterol levels to 1950 micrograms/g, which is 50% above normal. 7-Dehydrocholesterol levels were decreased to 760 micrograms/g. Similar responses were seen for heart, lung, kidney, and testes. Brain sterol levels were not significantly affected. AY 9944 caused a modest increase in hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity. Administration of dietary cholesterol together with iv cholesterol lowered hepatic HMG-CoA reductase activity to barely detectable levels. The data indicate that the combination of iv and dietary cholesterol was most effective in raising cholesterol levels, lowering 7-dehydrocholesterol levels, and inhibiting de novo cholesterol biosynthesis.
A history of business teaching games in English-speaking and post-socialist countries: the origination and diffusion of a management education and development technology

The modem business gaming movement came about through the fusion of developments in war games, operations research, computer technology, and education theory. Beginning with first applications in t...
Suppression of proprioceptive feedback control in movement sequences through intermediate targets

Simple movements can be seen as building blocks for complex action sequences, and neural control of an action sequence can be expected to preserve some control features of its constituent blocks. It was previously found that during single-joint elbow movements to a single target, the proprioceptive feedback control is initially suppressed, and we tested this feedback suppression in a two-segment sequence during which subjects momentarily slowed down at an intermediate target at a 30° distance (first segment) and then immediately moved another 30° to the final target (second segment). Either the first or second segment was unexpectedly perturbed; the latency of the earliest response to the perturbation in the muscle surface electromyogram was analyzed. The perturbations were delivered either at the onset of each segment or about 0.1 s later. We found that in both segments, the response latency to the late perturbation was shorter than the latency to the early perturbation, which suggests that the proprioceptive feedback control is suppressed in the beginning of each segment. Next, we determined the latency of the response to unexpected perturbations in 30° movements to a single target. We found that the response latency was not significantly different in the movement to a single target and in each segment in the sequence. This result suggests that the initial suppression of the proprioceptive feedback control in movements to single targets is preserved in movements through intermediate targets and supports the idea of modular organization of neural control of movement sequences.
sFas and sFas Ligand and Pediatric Sepsis-Induced Multiple Organ Failure Syndrome

The Fas-Fas ligand system is important for apoptosis of activated immune cells. Perturbation of this system occurs in diseases with dysregulated inflammation. Increased soluble Fas (sFas) occurs in systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and can block apoptosis. Increased shedding of FasL (sFasL) occurs in viral infection and hepatitis. Although dysregulated inflammation is associated with sepsis-induced multiple organ failure (MOF) in children, a role for Fas has not been established. We hypothesize that 1) sFas will be increased in children with severe and persistent sepsis-induced MOF and will correlate with inflammatory markers suggesting a role for sFas in inflammatory dysregulation in severe sepsis, and 2) sFasL will be increased when viral sepsis or sepsis-induced liver failure-associated MOF is present in children. Plasma sFas, sFasL, IL-6, IL-10, nitrite + nitrates, and organ failure scores were measured on d 1 and d 3 in 92 children with severe sepsis and 12 critically ill control children. sFas levels were increased in severe sepsis, continued to increase in persistent MOF and nonsurvivors, and were correlated with serum inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-10, nitrite + nitrate levels). In contrast, sFasL was not increased in severe sepsis and did not correlate with inflammation. sFasL was, however, increased in liver failure-associated MOF and in nonsurvivors, and was associated with viral infection. At autopsy, hepatocyte destruction and lymphocyte infiltration were associated with increased sFas and sFasL levels. sFas may interfere with activated immune cell death and contribute to dysregulation of inflammation, worsening outcome from severe sepsis. sFasL may contribute to hepatic injury and the development of liver failure-associated MOF.
Gene-expression measurement: variance-modeling considerations for robust data analysis

System-wide measurements of gene expression by DNA microarray and, more recently, RNA-sequencing strategies have become de facto tools of modern biology and have led to deep understanding of biological mechanisms and pathways. However, analyses of the measurements have often ignored statistically robust methods that account for variance, resulting in misleading biological interpretations.
Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia in the Elderly

Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD) is a syndrome characterized by recurrent ventricular tachycardia. However, cases of ARVD have also presented as dilated cardiomyopathy later associated with ventricular arrhythmias. Histologically, this syndrome manifests as a fibrofatty replacement of the RV myocardium, predisposing the heart to ventricular arrhythmias. ARVD was once considered a disease of the young, but may be underrecognized in the older population. This report presents two cases of elderly men with newly symptomatic ARVD, believed to represent the oldest patients with ARVD described in the literature to date. The diagnosis of ARVD should be considered in individuals of all ages who present with a clinical syndrome consistent with ARVD and supportive evidence on ECG.
Zinc deficiency mediates alcohol-induced apoptotic cell death in the liver of rats through activating ER and mitochondrial cell death pathways

Hepatic zinc deficiency has been well documented in alcoholic patients, but the mechanisms by which zinc deficiency mediates cell death have not been well defined. The objectives of this study were...
Heavy Metal Pollutants and Chemical Ecology: Exploring New Frontiers

Heavy metals are an important class of pollutants with both lethal and sublethal effects on organisms. The latter are receiving increased attention, as these may have harmful ecological outcomes. For example, recent explorations of heavy metals in freshwater habitats reveal that they can modify chemical communication between individuals, resulting in “info-disruption” that can impact ecological relationships within and between species. Info-disruption can affect animal behavior and social structure, which in turn can modify both intraspecies and interspecies interactions. In terrestrial habitats, info-disruption by metals is not well studied, but recent demonstrations of chemical signaling between plants via both roots and volatile organic molecules provide potential opportunities for info-disruption. Metals in terrestrial habitats also can form elemental plant defenses, in which they can defend a plant against natural enemies. For example, hyperaccumulation of metals by terrestrial plants has been shown to provide defensive benefits, although in almost all known cases the metals are not anthropogenic pollutants but are naturally present in soils inhabited by these plants. Info-disruption among microbes is another arena in which metal pollutants may have ecological effects, as recent discoveries regarding quorum sensing in bacteria provide an avenue for metals to affect interactions among bacteria or between bacteria and other organisms. Metal pollutants also may influence immune responses of organisms, and thus affect pathogen/host relationships. Immunomodulation (modification of immune system function) has been tied to some metal pollutants, although specific metals may boost or reduce immune system function depending on dose. Finally, the study of metal pollutants is complicated by their frequent occurrence as mixtures, either with other metals or with organic pollutants. Most studies of metal pollutants focus on single metals and therefore oversimplify complex field conditions. Study of pollutant impacts on chemical ecology also are difficult due to the necessity of studying effects at varying ecological scales: “dynamic scaling” of chemical ecology studies is rarely done completely. It is clear that much remains to be learned about how heavy metal pollution impacts organisms, and that exciting new research frontiers are available for experimental exploration.
Associative symmetry: I. Position learning in the gerbil

Mongolian gerbils were trained to position in a Y maze, escaping the receipt of punishing heat by making an appropriate turn. A backward run from the positive goal was interpolated on every sixth trial, with the animal reinforced for going to either the negative goal or the start. A significant number of animals chose to return to the startbox, indicating that a bidirectional connection was formed between the start and positive goal during forward training. In addition, backward criterion was achieved significantly faster than forward criterion. The unexpected superiority of backward to forward performance was explained in terms of the relative massing of the forward trials, as well as the intrusion of curiosity behavior during frontward training. Accordingly, it was concluded that symmetrical connections are formed during forward learning.
Telehealth: Voice Therapy Using Telecommunications Technology

Telehealth offers the potential to meet the needs of underserved populations in remote regions. The purpose of this study was a proof-of-concept to determine whether voice therapy can be delivered effectively remotely. Treatment outcomes were evaluated for a vocal rehabilitation protocol delivered under 2 conditions: with the patient and clinician interacting within the same room (conventional group) and with the patient and clinician in separate rooms, interacting in real time via a hard-wired video camera and monitor (video teleconference group). Seventy-two patients with voice disorders served as participants. Based on evaluation by otolaryngologists, 31 participants were diagnosed with vocal nodules, 29 were diagnosed with edema, 9 were diagnosed with unilateral vocal fold paralysis, and 3 presented with vocal hyperfunction with no laryngeal pathology. Fifty-one participants (71%) completed the vocal rehabilitation protocol. Outcome measures included perceptual judgments of voice quality, acoustic analyses of voice, patient satisfaction ratings, and fiber-optic laryngoscopy. There were no differences in outcome measures between the conventional group and the remote video teleconference group. Participants in both groups showed positive changes on all outcome measures after completing the vocal rehabilitation protocol. Reasons for participants discontinuing therapy prematurely provided support for the telehealth model of service delivery.
A normal offsetting technique for automatic mesh generation in three dimensions

A technique, based on a normal offsetting procedure, for the fully automatic generation of meshes suitable for finite element analysis in three dimensions is presented. The method is completely automatic, requiring no user intervention in the process and no special modelling procedures. The method is applied to three-dimensional solid geometries. The procedure positions nodes in the interior domain of an object by offsetting an initial set of nodes on the object boundary along vectors normal to the boundary to define a layer of new interior point locations. The offset points are processed to ensure good nodal spacing appropriate for generating well-shaped elements. Following processing, the offset points become a new boundary surrounding the remaining unmeshed region in the interior of the geometric domain. The offsetting procedure is applied again to this new boundary layer to form another offset layer farther into the domain interior. The offset-process-offset cycle is repeated until the entire region is filled with nodes. Tetrahedral elements are then formed by triangulation of the nodes. The boundary-based technique ensures good quality element shapes for analysis in critical boundary regions and facilitates applications involving integration of mesh generation with design geometry databases. Calculation of nodal locations are based on local parameters avoiding the higher-order time complexities associated with global calculations.
Genome-wide phosphoacetylation of histone H3 at Drosophila enhancers and promoters

Transcription regulation is mediated by enhancers that bind sequence-specific transcription factors, which in turn interact with the promoters of the genes they control. Here, we show that the JIL-1 kinase is present at both enhancers and promoters of ecdysone-induced Drosophila genes, where it phosphorylates the Ser10 and Ser28 residues of histone H3. JIL-1 is also required for CREB binding protein (CBP)-mediated acetylation of Lys27, a well-characterized mark of active enhancers. The presence of these proteins at enhancers and promoters of ecdysone-induced genes results in the establishment of the H3K9acS10ph and H3K27acS28ph marks at both regulatory sequences. These modifications are necessary for the recruitment of 14-3-3, a scaffolding protein capable of facilitating interactions between two simultaneously bound proteins. Chromatin conformation capture assays indicate that interaction between the enhancer and the promoter is dependent on the presence of JIL-1, 14-3-3, and CBP. Genome-wide analyses extend these conclusions to most Drosophila genes, showing that the presence of JIL-1, H3K9acS10ph, and H3K27acS28ph is a general feature of enhancers and promoters in this organism.