cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response of PETN detonators to elevated temperatures

Abstract In the present study, commercially available detonators with pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) were subjected to elevated temperatures. The detonators were thermally ignited over a range of heating rates to measure ignition delay time and assess detonator violence. The violence of the detonator was quantified by measuring the velocity of the detonator closure disc (or “flyer”). The maximum flyer velocity of a thermally ignited detonator was comparable in magnitude to that obtained by initiating a room temperature pristine detonator with an exploding bridge wire (under the same confinement); however, the high flyer velocity was not an indication of deflagration to detonation transition (DDT) in the thermally ignited detonator. The detonator responded more violently than a thermally ignited detonator when initiated at 95% of the ignition delay time. Inoperability thresholds were also measured by varying the detonator temperature and the threshold was found to be sensitive at detonator temperatures below the melting point of PETN.
Perception versus reality: Does provider documentation behavior change when clinic notes are shared electronically with patients?

Abstract Introduction Secure patient portals have improved patient access to information, including provider notes. Although there is evidence suggesting that electronic note sharing improves communication and care quality, some studies have reported provider concerns regarding note sharing. Material and methods This mixed-methods single site study utilized survey questions from a previously published landmark study to assess provider perceptions of electronic note sharing as well as objective EHR data. Surveys were sent to 628 providers in 34 primary and specialty care clinics approximately 12 weeks after the implementation of phase 1 (April 1, 2018) and phase 2 (July 1, 2018). EHR data were extracted from three months pre- and three months post-implementation of note sharing to determine whether or not note authoring times were affected. Results Nearly one-quarter (n = 150) of the responses sent to 628 providers were retained for analysis (23.9 % response rate). A majority (84.7 %) of respondents believed notes were useful vehicles for communication and 73.3 % agreed that making notes available to patients was a good idea. Additionally, 16.0 % of respondents (14.0 % for primary care and 17.0 % for specialists) believed they “spent more time writing/dictating/editing their notes.” A comparison of pre-post note authoring time revealed the aggregated primary care median increased 0.14 min (7.93–8.07 min) while aggregated specialty care median was identical (11.6 min). Discussion The EHR comparison of note authoring time pre-post did not reflect provider concerns identified in the survey regarding electronic note sharing.
Polyelectrolyte Nanocomplex Formation Combined with Electrostatic Self-Assembly Enables the Co-Delivery of Synergistic Antimicrobials to Treat Bacterial Biofilms

New approaches are needed to treat bacterial biofilm infections, particularly those of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA). PA biofilms have high rates of antimicrobial resistance and are commonly found in chronic wound and cystic fibrosis lung infections. The use of combination therapeutics that act synergistically is a promising treatment strategy; however, the delivery of multiple therapeutics at relevant dosages is challenging in the clinic. We therefore developed a new nanoscale drug carrier by combining approaches from both polyelectrolyte nanocomplex (NC) formation and layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly. This strategy led to NC drug carriers functionalized with both tobramycin antibiotics and antimicrobial silver nanoparticles with high loading efficiencies. AgTob-NCs displayed synergistic enhancements in antimicrobial activity against planktonic and biofilm PA cultures, with positively charged NCs demonstrating complete biofilm eradication. Overall, this approach shows promise in the co-delivery of diverse classes of antimicrobials to overcome antimicrobial resistance and treat bacterial biofilm infections.
Three Approaches to Sensitivity Analysis of Models

There are three ways to implement the sensitivity analysis of quantitative models. The simplest finite-difference (FD) approach requires multiple re-runs of the forward model according to the number of model input parameters. Although this approach uses the forward model without any modifications and does not require any analytic work, its application results in a very computer-intensive algorithm, which may become a prohibitive factor in practical applications to models with a large number of input parameters. Two other approaches of sensitivity analysis—the linearization approach and adjoint approach—are substantially more computer-efficient and require just single runs of a corresponding model derived from the initial, baseline model. The general formulation and comparison of these approaches is presented in this chapter.
Mammalian G s -Stimulated Adenylyl Cyclases

The sections in this article are: 1 Cloning of Mammalian Isoforms 2 Tissue Distribution of Various Adenylyl Cyclases 3 Structure and Catalytic Site 4 Basal Activity 5 Regulation by Protein–Protein Interactions 5.1 Ca2+/Calmodulin 5.2 G Protein Subunits 6 Regulation by Small Molecules 6.1 P-Site Ligands 6.2 Forskolin 6.3 Ca2+ 7 Regulation by Protein Kinases 7.1 Protein Kinase A 7.2 Protein Kinase C 7.3 Calmodulin-Kinase 7.4 Other Protein Kinases 8 Future Directions
Prions and prion diseases.

Prions are generally regarded as the most reliable markers of so-called prion diseases. With the advent of the protein-only concept of the transmission of prion diseases, which is predicated on the idea that prions are the infectious agents causing prion disease, and with the 1997 Nobel Prize for Medicine awarded for the prion protein concept, prions have firmly asserted their inclusion in the club of infectious agents, along with bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, the club's traditional members. The essence of the protein-only theory is that the abnormal prion enters the organism and converts the host’s normal prions into abnormal prions. The efficiency of the conversion is influenced by the degree of amino acid sequence homology between the two PrPs involved, so that the greater the degree of homology, the greater the rate of conversion. Several studies suggest that white blood cells may be involved in the process. It was observed that gut-associated macrophages initially remove transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) infectivity, but once their ability to remove the infectivity completely is overcome, macrophages may facilitate the spread of infectivity. Regulatory measures introduced to prevent the spread of TSEs to humans and other animal species are likely to stay. It is possible, however, that more research and better tests will more adequately characterize risk, which in turn may lead to a gradual loosening of some of the currently existing restrictions following a carefully performed risk assessment.
Kinetics of Induction and Purification of Chloramphenicol Acetyltransferase from Chloramphenicol-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Plasmid-mediated chloramphenicol resistance in Staphylococcus aureus has been shown to involve acetylation of chloramphenicol by an enzyme induced by growth in the presence of the antibiotic and certain analogues. Analysis of the kinetics of induction has been complicated by (i) the intrinsic inhibitory effects of chloramphenicol on induced enzyme synthesis and (ii) the rapid disappearance of inducer after synthesis of the acetylating enzyme. The compound related to d-threo chloramphenicol which lacks a C(3) hydroxyl substituent (3-deoxychloramphenicol) is a potent inducer of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase but is ineffective as an antibiotic and is not a substrate for the enzyme. The availability of such a "gratuitous" inducer has simplified an analysis of the kinetics of induction of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase. The enzyme from induced bacteria has been purified to homogeneity and has been compared with the analogous enzyme present in E. coli which harbors a resistance transfer factor with the chloramphenicol resistance determinant.
Epididymal Abnormalities Associated with Undescended Testis

AbstractIn a prospective study of 42 patients with undescended testes 15 (36 per cent) had epididymal abnormalities. These anomalies were divided into 3 groups, including agenesis of the epididymis, atresia of the epididymis and loop or elongated epididymis. In the second group atresia could occur at the head, body or tail of the epididymis.
The Ideology of Authorship Revisited

This paper reexamines the historical narrative of copyright law and the ideology of authorship. This strand of copyright scholarship that emerged in the 1990s highlighted the ways in which the development of modern copyright law was bundled with the rise of a new ideology of authorship as an individual act of original creation ex nihilo. Despite its important insights, the historical narrative of authorship suffers from two deficiencies. First, with a few important exceptions, scholarship in this vein tends to focus on seventeenth and particularly eighteenth century England. Intended or not, this periodization conveys the impression that the story of original authorship and copyright was completed by the end of the eighteenth century. Second, the relation between the ideology of authorship and copyright law are too often presented as direct exact correlation. This neglects the complexity of the interaction between the two and attracts the criticism that large parts of the actual legal doctrines of modern copyright law seem diametrically opposed to the presuppositions of original authorship. The paper remedies those shortcomings of authorship scholarship by focusing on the development of copyright law and discourse in nineteenth century America. It argues that much of the coming to terms with the new dominant status of original authorship and the weaving of this ideology into the actual doctrines and modes of thought of copyright law took place during this later period. Furthermore, the diffusion of the ideology of authorship into copyright law never created an exact correlation between copyright doctrine and the theoretical notions of original authorship. Instead, the paper argues, the trope of authorship was used in a variety of forms and contexts. Sometimes individual authorship was the direct foundation of significant developments. At other contexts it was explicitly rejected. In yet other cases, the ideology of authorship was used strategically or in a way that created a widening gap between legal rhetoric and actual legal arrangements. The paper explores this complexity of the relationship between copyright and authorship as it consolidated during the nineteenth century by analyzing the emergence of new doctrines and modes of analysis such as: originality doctrine, the invention of the notion of the intellectual work and the work for hire doctrine.
Computing the Partition Function of a Polynomial on the Boolean Cube

For a polynomial \(f:\{ -1,1\}^{n}\longrightarrow \mathbb{C}\), we define the partition function as the average of e λf(x) over all points x ∈ {−1, 1} n , where \(\lambda \in \mathbb{C}\) is a parameter. We present a quasi-polynomial algorithm, which, given such f, λ and e > 0 approximates the partition function within a relative error of e in N O(lnn−lne) time provided \(\vert \lambda \vert \leq (2L\sqrt{\deg f})^{-1}\), where L = L( f) is a parameter bounding the Lipschitz constant of f from above and N is the number of monomials in f. As a corollary, we obtain a quasi-polynomial algorithm, which, given such an f with coefficients ± 1 and such that every variable enters not more than 4 monomials, approximates the maximum of f on { − 1, 1} n within a factor of \(O\left (\delta ^{-1}\sqrt{\deg f}\right )\), provided the maximum is Nδ for some 0 4, we are able to establish a similar result when δ ≥ (k − 1)∕k.
Analysis and synthesis of agents that learn from distributed dynamic data sources

We propose a theoretical framework for specification and analysis of a class of learning problems that arise in open-ended environments that contain multiple, distributed, dynamic data and knowledge sources. We introduce a family of learning operators for precise specification of some existing solutions and to facilitate the design and analysis of new algorithms for this class of problems. We state some properties of instance and hypothesis representations, and learning operators that make exact learning possible in some settings. We also explore some relationships between models of learning using different subsets of the proposed operators under certain assumptions.
Low complexity decoding of finite geometry LDPC codes

We develop a new low complexity algorithm for decoding low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes. The developments are oriented specifically toward the low cost-yet effective-decoding of (high rate) finite geometry LDPC codes. The decoding procedure updates the hard-decision received vector iteratively in search of a valid codeword in the vector space. Only one bit is changed in each iteration and the bit selection criterion combines the number of failed checks and the reliability of the received bits. Prior knowledge of the signal amplitude and noise power is not required. An optimal mechanism to avoid infinite loops in the search is also proposed. Our studies show that the algorithm achieves an appealing performance versus complexity trade-off for finite geometry LDPC codes.
Regulation of the Erythropoietin Gene

In man and other mammals the red cell mass is regulated by the hormone erythropoietin (Epo). This glycoprotein is produced in the fetal liver1 and the adult kidney2 in response to hypoxia. The hormone travels to hematopoietic tissues where it stimulates the proliferation and differentiation of erythroid progenitor cells. Recent in situ hybridization suggests that in the kidney Epo mRNA is localized in a subset of peritubular cells3,4. The site of Epo production in the liver remains uncertain. In addition, little is understood about the mechanism by which hypoxia leads to the increased expression of the Epo gene.
Twenty-one steps to successful leadership: Coaching is better than poaching when engaging executives of the future

Purpose – Presents 21 tools to coach future leaders. Design/methodology/approach – Highlights the effects of Baby Boomers leaving senior positions and prepares organizations to spot the characteristics of future leaders. Findings – Emphasizes the importance of setting a broad vision and developing a global mindset. Practical implications – Stresses the key role of learning continuously and of blending soft skills and business acumen, to achieve leadership excellence. Originality/value – Describes how to develop the leadership skills of tomorrow.
Optimization of batch rekey interval for secure group communications in wireless networks

Secure group communication has become an important network issue as more emerging network applications now are based on a group communication model In a dynamic network, a group membership can be changed dynamically. That is, new members can join and current members can leave at any time. Instead of individual rekeying, i.e., performing a rekey right after each join or leave request is received, periodic batch rekeying has been proposed to alleviate rekeying overhead in resource-constrained wireless networks. The issue of how often rekey operations should be performed, however, has not been addressed. In this paper, we develop a stochastic Petri net (SPN) model to identify the optimal batch rekey interval to minimize periodic rekey overhead while satisfying application-specific constraints in rekey delay and secrecy violation. We develop three new threshold-based schemes, demonstrate the optimal rekey intervals for these three schemes, and identify the best scheme that should be adopted for periodic batch rekeying to minimize rekey overhead, when given a set of parameter values characterizing the operational and environmental conditions.
The Bottleneck in Genetic Testing

Progress in science is a continuum but not uniform. Occasional sparks, typically ignited by the so-called disruptive discoveries, decorate the continuum. Relevant to this editorial on advances in the genetic testing technologies, is the disruptive technology of capillary sequencing, also known as Sanger sequencing.1 It enabled the initial sequencing of the human genome2,3 and led to the second Noble prize for the late Dr Fred Sanger in 1980 (http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/chemistry/laureates/1980/). The simple and elegant capillary sequencing technology ushered in the dawning of the most successful years in cardiovascular genetics and deciphering the genetic basis of single gene cardiovascular disorders, such as hereditary cardiomyopathies, ion channel disorders, and autosomal-dominant hypercholesterolemia, among others.4–8 The advances also enabled genetic testing based on the candidate gene approach, albeit the approach was time consuming, labor intensive, and relatively expensive. Hence, genetic testing based on the Sanger sequencing technique did not make the transition from the research laboratories to the bedside. Nevertheless, the genetic discoveries based on Sanger sequencing had an enormous impact on genetics as well as in medicine. This is exemplified by discovery of PCSK9 as a causal gene for autosomal-dominant hypercholesterolemia in 2003.5 The pace of subsequent mechanistic discoveries and advances toward the clinical applications were blazingly fast. 9 Within a decade of the discovery of the gene, its function was partially unraveled, and monoclonal antibodies to inhibit PCSK9 were developed, and shown to be clinically effective in lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and improving clinical outcomes.10,11 Subsequently, Food and Drug Administration recently approved 2 PCSK9 inhibitors for clinical use in a subset of patients with high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Article, see p 603 The elegant Sanger sequencing technique, however, was no exception to unrelenting technological advances, and soon it was all but replaced …
Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter (PICC)-Related Infections Correlate with the Degree of Immaturity Rather than Operator Defined Risk Factors 1147

Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheter (PICC)-Related Infections Correlate with the Degree of Immaturity Rather than Operator Defined Risk Factors 1147
Animal Ethics and Politics Beyond the Social Contract

This paper is divided into three sections. First, I describe the wide plurality of views on issues of animal ethics, showing that our disagreements here are deep and profound. This fact of reasonable pluralism about animal ethics presents a political problem. According to the dominant liberal tradition of political philosophy, it is impermissible for one faction of people to impose its values upon another faction of people who reasonably reject those values. Instead, we are obligated to justify our political actions to each other using reasons that everyone can accept. Thus, in the second section I suggest that our condition of reasonable pluralism inspires us to turn toward some form of contractarianism. The social contract tradition emerged precisely as an attempt to think about how a society characterized by deep moral disagreement could nonetheless agree about the basic principles of justice. I will show, in this section, that although the social contract tradition would seem to contain the best tools for thinking about how to deal with moral disagreement, it fails to help us think through the important issues of animal ethics. In the concluding section, I suggest some ways in which political philosophy might move beyond contractarianism when thinking about this issue, including embracing an agonistic style of politics.
Effect of dam's diet on PCB accumulation in nursing Osborne Mendel pups.

Upon parturition, dams were fed high fat or high carbohydrate diets to which 1, 10, and 30 ppm of Aroclor 1254 were added to study the effect of diet on fat and PCB accumulation in nursing pups. The percentage of body fat in the carcasses of 0, 8, and 16 day old pups ranged from 2.2 to 18.2% and from 1.2 to 12.0% for animals suckled by dams fed high fat and high carbohydrate rations, respectively. Accumulation of Aroclor 1254 expressed as ppm wet weight or as total PCB's per pup was similar for animals nursed by dams fed either the high fat or high carbohydrate ration, but pups from dams fed a high carbohydrate ration also had significantly less body fat. Therefore, transfer of PCBsvia the milk appears to be more a function of the amounts of PCB's consumed by the dam than the diet's ability to increase the percentage of body fat in the pups.
Chemically Diverse Microtubule Stabilizing Agents Initiate Distinct Mitotic Defects and Dysregulated Expression of Key Mitotic Kinases

Microtubule stabilizers are some of the most successful drugs used in the treatment of adult solid tumors and yet the molecular events responsible for their antimitotic actions are not well defined. The mitotic events initiated by three structurally and biologically diverse microtubule stabilizers; taccalonolide AJ, laulimalide/fijianolide B and paclitaxel were studied. These microtubule stabilizers cause the formation of aberrant, but structurally distinct mitotic spindles leading to the hypothesis that they differentially affect mitotic signaling. Each microtubule stabilizer initiated different patterns of expression of key mitotic signaling proteins. Taccalonolide AJ causes centrosome separation and disjunction failure to a much greater extent than paclitaxel or laulimalide, which is consistent with the distinct defects in expression and activation of Plk1 and Eg5 caused by each stabilizer. Localization studies revealed that TPX2 and Aurora A are associated with each spindle aster formed by each stabilizer. This suggests a common mechanism of aster formation. However, taccalonolide AJ also causes pericentrin accumulation on every spindle aster. The presence of pericentrin at every spindle aster initiated by taccalonolide AJ might facilitate the maintenance and stability of the highly focused asters formed by this stabilizer. Laulimalide and paclitaxel cause completely different patterns of expression and activation of these proteins, as well as phenotypically different spindle phenotypes. Delineating how diverse microtubule stabilizers affect mitotic signaling pathways could identify key proteins involved in modulating sensitivity and resistance to the antimitotic actions of these compounds.
Trends in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and HIV-associated NHL deaths in the United States.

Since a significant number of lymphomas have been associated with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the purpose of this study was to describe the impact of HIV infection on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) mortality trends and demographics. Multiple-cause-of-death data for the United States from 1979 through 1996 were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Annual NHL deaths rates for the United States were calculated as the number of NHL deaths per 100,000 persons, based on estimates of the U.S. resident population. The time periods 1979-1982, 1986-1989, and 1993-1996 were examined for changes over time. To describe NHL and HIV infection mortality, the characteristics of NHL deaths with HIV infection listed anywhere on the death records were examined beginning in 1987. This study found that despite reports of a lower incidence rate of NHL among blacks with HIV/AIDS, death rates from lymphomas associated with HIV/AIDS have markedly increased in black males and females over time. It was also noted that in agreement with other studies, this study documented a decrease in NHL/HIV mortality in 1996.
Optimised coagulation using aluminium sulfate for the removal of dissolved organic carbon

Abstract Coagulation experiments at pH values ranging from 3 to 7 were conducted on raw water samples from four Australian reservoirs—Hope Valley, Myponga, Moorabool and Mt Zero—to assess the removal of natural organic matter (NOM) with alum. The aim was to characterise the NOM in these water sources that is highly recalcitrant to removal by alum coagulation. The selection of these water sources covered a range in raw water quality varying in inorganic and organic composition and character. NOM in both raw and treated waters was characterised by several techniques including specific UV absorbance (SUVA), high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and pyrolysis–gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py–GC–MS). The results can provide better understanding of the removal limitations of each treatment step and the knowledge will allow design engineers to select a suitable combined treatment process for optimum NOM removal. Despite the fact that the organic character of the four source waters were different, results showed that after optimised alum coagulation all four waters had a similar character. The molecular weight distribution analysis (HPSEC) indicated alum coagulation preferentially removed the higher molecular weight UV absorbing compounds whilst those remaining in the treated waters had the properties of lower apparent molecular weights (about 500–700 Daltons) and less UV absorbance. Py–GC–MS analyses of NOM in these waters before and after treatment indicated that polysaccharides and their derivatives are recalcitrant to removal with alum coagulation. Generally, the findings indicate that the character of the NOM is an important factor in determining its treatability.
Amino Acid Side Chains That Define Muscarinic Receptor/G-protein Coupling STUDIES OF THE THIRD INTRACELLULAR LOOP

Amino acids in the third intracellular loops of receptors play pivotal roles in G-protein coupling. To define their structural requirements, we have subjected the N- and C-terminal regions of this loop (Ni3 and Ci3, respectively) of the m5 muscarinic receptor to random saturation mutagenesis. (see Burstein, E. S., Spalding, T. A., Hill-Eubanks, D., and Brann, M. R. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 3141-3146 and Hill-Eubanks, D., Burstein, E. S., Spalding, T. A., Brauner-Osborne, H., and Brann, M. R.(1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 3058-3065). In the present study, we have extended our analysis of Ni3 by constructing libraries of receptors with all possible amino acid substitutions at the residues we previously identified as functionally important and characterizing their functional phenotypes. Numerous hydrophobic substitutions were well tolerated at Ile216 and Thr220 and caused constitutive activation in two cases, establishing that hydrophobicity is structurally favored at these positions and that many amino acid side chains are compatible with this structural role. Similarly, hydrophobic and polar, but not charged, substitutions were observed at Tyr217, but in contrast to results for Thr220, most substitutions at Tyr217 substantially decreased maximum response and increased the EC50 for carbachol, demonstrating that the specific side chain of residue 217 participates in G-protein coupling. Arg223 allowed the widest range of substitutions of the residues tested, but only basic residues were well tolerated. All other substitutions significantly increased (up to 100-fold) the EC50 for carbachol without significantly affecting maximal response. There were no significant changes in the ligand binding properties of these mutant receptors. We conclude that Ile216 and Thr220 fulfill a structural role, forming the foundation of the G-protein-coupling pocket, whereas Tyr217 and Arg223 contact G-proteins through specific side chain interactions. We propose that G-proteins are recruited to receptors by ionic interactions and that hydrophobic residues participate in activation.
Cell-Permeable Bicyclic Peptide Inhibitors against Intracellular Proteins

Cyclic peptides have great potential as therapeutic agents and research tools but are generally impermeable to the cell membrane. Fusion of cyclic peptides with a cyclic cell-penetrating peptide produces bicyclic peptides that are cell-permeable and retain the ability to recognize specific intracellular targets. Application of this strategy to protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and a peptidyl-prolyl cis−trans isomerase (Pin1) isomerase resulted in potent, selective, proteolytically stable, and biologically active inhibitors against the enzymes.
THE ROLE OF FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN CORPORATE FINANCE

The American corporate financing system, unlike that of most other countries, has not been organized around a set of “universal banks” that perform a variety of functions for their clients. Indeed, the distinguishing feature of American financial history is the number and variety of financial intermediaries, and their relationships with corporations (and one another). Besides commercial banks, there are investment banks, insurance companies, venture capitalists, commercial paper dealers, mutual funds, and many others. The economic role of such intermediaries is to reduce market frictions such as “asymmetric information” and “agency problems” that otherwise raise the cost of outside capital for U.S. companies. This article views the changing menu of such intermediaries and their networks as the driving force behind the evolution of American corporate finance. U.S. financial history is seen as a series of institutional and financial innovations designed in large part to work around costly restrictions on relationships–particularly, limits on the scale and scope of U.S. banks–that do not exist in most other countries. In terms of its success in reducing the information and control costs of corporate finance, the history of the American financial system includes periods of significant progress as well as major reversals. Three relatively successful periods– the early 19th-century in New England, the “incipient” universal banking of the 1920s, and modernday financial capitalism–are separated by periods of drastic reductions in the menu of financial relationships– particularly the Great Depression and its 20-year aftermath. Besides new financial claims like preferred stock and new intermediaries such as venture capitalists, another important innovation is new forms of cooperation among intermediaries– especially among banks, venture capitalists, trusts, pensions, and investment banks–that have enabled the U.S. financial system to provide some of the key advantages of universal banking systems. Some of the largest U.S. commercial banks today can be viewed as positioning themselves to play a central coordinating role in these new coalitions of intermediaries. In so doing, they may become the platform for a distinctively American universal banking system.
Continuous-flow dielectrophoretic trapping and patterning of colloidal particles in a ratchet microchannel

Trapping and concentrating particles in a continuous flow is critical for their detection and analysis as well as removal in many fields. A variety of electrical and non-electrical forces have been demonstrated to continuously capture and enrich particles in microfluidic devices. This work presents an experimental study of the development of particle trapping in an asymmetric ratchet microchannel under dc-biased ac electric fields. The dc/ac dielectrophoretic accumulation of particles in the first pair of ratchets and the dc electrokinetic shifting of particles into the second and subsequent ratchets are studied, which are found to depend on the particle moving direction with respect to the asymmetric ratchets. The dielectrophoretically trapped particles are eventually patterned into triangular zones in all but the first pair of ratchets for both the forward and backward motions. This developing process of particle trapping can be qualitatively simulated by modifying the channel geometry in the computational domain to mimic the particle chains/clusters formed in the ratchets.
Analysis and elimination of the discrete-ordinates flux dip

Abstract A new theoretical analysis is presented for the discrete-ordinates flux dip in one-dimensional spherical geometry. It is found that the flux dip is due to an inconsistency between the discrete-ordinates equations (in the diffusion limit) and the diffusion equation. It is theoretically shown that this inconsistency (and hence the flux dip) can be completely eliminated through the use of a simple angular weighted-diamond difference scheme. Computational results are given which confirm the theoretical analysis. The technique has been extended to one-dimensional cylindrical geometry and has been found to be equally effective. Extensions to multi-dimensional geometries appear to be straightforward, but they have not been investigated.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Treatment: Side Effects and Complications of Fundoplication

Even skilled surgeons will have complications after antireflux surgery. Fortunately, the mortality is low (
Hydrogenolysis reactions with lithium aluminium hydride

Hydrogenolyse von Kohlenstoff-Sauerstoffbindungen unter dem Einfluss von LAH wurde in der Benzol-, Pyridin-, Pyrrol-, Thiazol-, Indol-, Chinolin- und Benzacridinreihe beobachtet. Die Verbindungen, bei denen eine solche Hydrogenolyse eintritt, konnen als vinyloge Amide aufgefasst werden.
Improved subthreshold characteristics in tunnel field-effect transistors using shallow junction technologies

Abstract Si n–i–p tunnel field-effect transistor (TFET) fabricated by plasma implantation and laser annealing is proposed. This TFET has sharp lateral source doping profile, which can reduce the tunneling distance and improve carrier tunneling. Enhanced on-current (12 μA/μm) and improved I ON / I OFF ratio (6 × 10 6 ) are observed in this TFET [ V DS = ( V GS − V BTBT ) = −1.1 V; V BTBT is the V GS at the lowest subthreshold current observed at given V DS ] at T = 300 K. In addition, the TFET fabricated by laser annealing shows improved subthreshold characteristics, reduced tunneling resistance and smaller threshold voltage than TFET fabricated by rapid thermal annealing. Low-temperature measurements of this TFET were also performed to confirm the carrier injection mechanism of band-to-band tunneling. Plasma implantation and laser annealing are effective and suitable to be applied in current CMOS technology for low power devices.
Assessing the correspondence of one or more vectors to a symmetric matrix using ordinal regression

A statistical model for interpreting psychological scaling research, based on the heuristic work of Reynolds (1983), is developed. This new approach has certain advantages over the standard property fitting approach (Chang and Carroll, 1969) currently used to interpret multidimensional scaling spaces (Shepard, 1962; Torgerson, 1965). These advantages are (a) the ability to directly assess the correspondence of a descriptor vector(s) to a symmetric matrix, and (b) to provide a method in which only ordinal properties of such descriptors are required: thus standard rating, ranking, or sorting data collection methods can be used as the basis to interpret the multidimensional space resulting from the distance data.
Consumer values versus perceived product attributes: Relationships among items from the MVS, PRS, and PERVAL scales

Abstract Consumer values and the perceived attributes of a product elicit consumptive behaviors. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to test the psychometric properties of three scales (MVS; Richins & Dawson, 1992 ; PRS, Richins, 1994 ; PERVAL scale, Sweeney & Soutar, 2001 ) that measure consumer values and the perceived attributes of a product within a licensed sport merchandise (LSM) setting, and (b) to examine the relationships among items across the three scales for commonalities, and to examine the relationships between consumer values (CV) and perceived product attributes (PPA). Statistical analyses indicated that the psychometric properties of the MVS, PRS, and PERVAL scales could be improved substantially. A principal components analysis (PCA) indicated nine interpretable dimensions; five that could be categorized as CV dimensions (Social Approval, Materialism, Covetousness, Prestige/Status, and Escape) and four that could be categorized as PPA dimensions (Price/Quality, Nostalgia, Craftsmanship, and Aesthetic Beauty).
Gynecologic knowledge is low in college men and women

Abstract Study Objective Although men may influence women’s reproductive choices, little is known about men’s knowledge regarding gynecologic matters (eg, sex, anatomy, and contraception). This study aimed to evaluate the level of gynecologic knowledge among college students, particularly to investigate the differences in knowledge between men and women. Design, Setting, Participants We administered a survey to assess knowledge of sex, contraception, and female anatomy to college students at a Midwestern university during the spring 2010 semester. Interventions and Main Outcome Measures The survey included demographic and behavioral questions, 9 general gynecology knowledge items, and 11 female anatomy items. A total gynecology score was generated by summing the correct responses to 20 items. Results The 236 respondents included 98 men and 138 women (aged 18-36 years). Women scored higher than men on 19 of 20 individual items, with mean total scores of 13.4 vs 10.1 (P Conclusions College men have lower gynecologic knowledge than women. Increasing age and having a parent who discussed anatomy with them served as predictors of higher knowledge scores. Because men influence women’s reproductive choices, efforts to increase men’s knowledge are needed.
An on-line assay for clinical detection of amyloidogenic transthyretin variants directly from serum.

We report here for the first time the on-line analysis of transthyretin genetic variants by mass spectral analysis. The use of mass spectrometry to analyze immunoprecipitated transthyretin has been previously described. However, the on-line analysis of TTR directly from serum reported here will allow for a fully automated high throughput analysis. Mutations in the plasma tranport protein TTR are readily observed and distinguished from normal TTR. Free TTR as well as TTR-cysteine and TTR-cysteinylglycine adducts are clearly evident. The resulting assay from serum to final interpretation requires jess than twenty minutes. The assay should be an effective first line discriminator of patients who are being considered to have Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy (FAP) and an adjunct to definitive diagnosis by sequencing of the TTR gene or protein.
Perceptual Dysfunction in Hemiplegia and Automobile Driving

Sixteen post-stroke, hemiplegic patients, who requested that they be allowed to return to driving, were extensively evaluated by a physiatrist, psychologist, occupational therapist, and driver training specialist. After they completed a driver training program, the patients were divided into three groups based on their driving program success and follow-ups. Significant differences in the psychological test results were found between Group I (those who drove without any difficulty) and Groups II and III (those who drove limited distance or who failed driver training). Results suggest that patients with significant cognitive and perceptual problems who take training and limit their driving can be safe drivers when they return to driving. Language: en
On the dynamics of a deterministic and stochastic model for mosquito control

Abstract In this work, we analyze a system of nonlinear difference equations describing community intervention in mosquito control. More specifically, we extend the model given in [M. Predescu, R. Levins, T. Awerbuch, Analysis of a nonlinear system for community intervention in mosquito control, Discrete Contin. Dyn. Syst. Ser. B 6 (3) (2006) 605–622] to allow for consciousness to be created in an ongoing way by educational efforts that are independent of the presence of mosquito breeding sites. In order to quantify the effect of random external events, such as weather or public concerns, we consider a stochastic version of the model. Numerical simulations show that the stochastic model is consistent with the deterministic one.
Investigation of Pyrochlore-Based U-Bearing Ceramic Nuclear Waste: Uranium Leaching Test and TEM Observation

A durable titanate ceramic waste form (Synroc) with pyrochlore (Ca(U,Pu)Ti2O7) and zirconolite (CaZrTi2O7) as major crystalline phases has been considered to be a candidate for immobilizing various high-level wastes containing fissile elements (239Pu and 235U). Transmission electron microscopy study of a sintered ceramic with stoichiometry of Ca(U0.5Ce0.25Hf0.25)Ti2O7 shows the material contains both pyrochlore and zirconolite phases and structural intergrowth of zirconolite lamellae within pyrochlore. The (001) plane of zirconolite is parallel to the (111) plane of pyrochlore because of their structural similarities. The pyrochlore is relatively rich in U, Ce, and Ca with respect to the coexisting zirconolite. Average compositions for the coexisting pyrochlore and zirconolite at 1350 °C are Ca1.01(Ce3+0.13Ce4+0.19U0.52Hf0.18)(Ti1.95Hf0.05)O7 (with U/(U + Hf) = 0.72) and (Ca0.91Ce0.09)(Ce3+0.08U0.26Hf0.66Ti0.01)Ti2.00O7 (with U/(U + Hf) = 0.28), respectively. A single pyrochlore (Ca(U,Hf)Ti2O7) phase may ...
Normal Infant and Adult Auditory Brainstem Responses to Bone-Conducted Tones

Auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) were recorded to 500- and 2000-Hz bone-conducted (BC) tones from normal infants and adults. Infant ABR thresholds for the 500-Hz BC tones are significantly lower than their thresholds to 2000-Hz BC tones. Infant wave V latencies to 500-Hz BC tones are significantly shorter than those of adults, whereas infant and adult responses to 2000-Hz BC tones are similar in latency, suggesting that the effective intensity of the BC tones may be 9-17 dB greater for infants than for adults. A marked asymmetry between the ipsilaterally and contralaterally recorded wave V is seen for infant responses to 500- and 2000-Hz tones at all intensities; this asymmetry is not as evident in adults, except near threshold.
Cylindrocopturus Jatrophae Fall, a New Economic Insect

Serious damage to chrysanthemums in one garden in Tucson, Arizona, by a small stem borer proved to be due to a hitherto unrecorded insect pest. This was identified as Cylindrocopturus Jatrophae Fall, first discovered by Schwarz on Jatropha in the Santa Catalina Mountains. Jatropha is a native shrub of the family Euphorbiaceae.
Morphology and kinematics of prey capture in the syngnathid fishes Hippocampus erectus and Syngnathus floridae

The mechanism of prey capture in two syngnathid fishes, the lined seahorse Hippocampus erectus (Perry) and the dusky pipefish Syngnathus floridae (Jordan and Gilbert), is described based on anatomical observations and high-speed video recordings (200 and 400 images s−1) of feeding events by four seahorses and three pipefish. The fish were collected near Turkey Point, Florida, U.S.A., in January 1994 to March 1995. The dominant features of the morphology of these and many other syngnathiform fishes include extreme elongation of the suspensorium and neurocranium with a small mouth located at the anterior tip of the head. In the seahorse, a preparatory phase of prey capture consisted of slow ventral head flexion. This was followed by rapid elevation of the head and snout as the prey was drawn into the mouth by suction. Both H. erectus and S. floridae capture prey rapidly, with peak head excursions and mouth opening occurring within 5 to 7 ms of the onset of the strike. There was no upper jaw protrusion. In both species the time to recovery of the cranium and hyoid apparatus to resting positions was highly variable but took at least 500 ms. Manipulations of freshly dead specimens indicated a biomechanical linkage between head elevation and hyoid depression. However, the predictions of a previously proposed four-bar linkage model that couples hyoid depression to head elevation were not fully supported by kinematic data from one seahorse, suggesting that additional linkages act during the expansive phase of prey capture. These species exhibit the generalized kinematic pattern of prey capture in bony fishes, with head elevation, hyoid depression and mouth opening occurring almost simultaneously. The derived morphology results in a unique feeding behav‐ior, in which prey are captured during a sudden up-swing of the head, which brings the mouth to the prey. Suction is used to draw the prey into the buccal cavity.
COMMERCIAL BANKING IN THE SIXTIES

IF THE TRENDS EMERGING in the late 1950's and in 1960 are not reversed by marked changes in economic conditions or tax and regulatory policy, the commercial banks will not be able to play as important a role in financing the 1960's as they have done in years past. This conclusion is based on the expectation that in all years except those of recession bank deposits will continue to grow at a slower rate than the growth of GNP. With the commercial banks thus not able to expand as fast as the economy in general, other financial institutions and instruments will expand in activity and function to fill the gap. These trends of change are already developing and appear bound to become intensified in the new decade. With them will come important implications for the economy at large, the banking system, and the money managers. I. ASSUMPTIONS
Characterizing avian survival along a rural-to-urban land use gradient

Many avian species persist in human-dominated landscapes; however, little is known about the demographic consequences of urbanization in these populations. Given that urban habitats introduce novel benefits (e.g., anthropogenic resources) and pressures (e.g., mortality risks), conflicting mechanisms have been hypothesized to drive the dynamics of urban bird populations. Top-down processes such as predation predict reduced survivorship in suburban and urban habitats, whereas bottom-up processes, such as increased resource availability, predict peak survival in suburban habitats. In this study, we use mark–recapture data of seven focal species encountered between 2000 and 2012 to test hypotheses about the processes that regulate avian survival along an urbanization gradient in greater Washington, D.C., USA. American Robin, Gray Catbird, Northern Cardinal, and Song Sparrow exhibited peak survival at intermediate and upper portions of the rural-to-urban gradient; this pattern supports the hypothesis that bott...