cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Endovascular Therapy of Thoracic Aneurysms: Gore TAG Trial Results

Although many thoracic endografts are commercially available in Europe, only three such devices have been introduced to the United States. Gore TAG endoprosthesis was the first to enter clinical trials in the United States for treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, and gained the approval of the US Food and Drug Administration for general use in March 2005. Through clinical trials, the safety and efficacy of the Gore TAG endoprosthesis were proven and shown to be superior to those of open surgical repair. This article details the device and results of these trials.
Biaxial impact fatigue of polycarbonate

An impact fatigue test has been designed for studying the repeated biaxial impact load response of polymers. In the test geometry, a thin plate-like sample is rigidly held by an annular clamp and is repeatedly impacted by a hemispherically-tipped plunger. Results have been obtained for polycarbonate. Under impact fatigue, cracks initiate on the bottom surface where high biaxial tensile stresses exist. These cracks propagate along radial lines on the sample surface and also into the sample normal to the surface. The load-bearing capability and the residual impact strength decrease as the cracks propagate. The development of impact fatigue cracks, the lifetime behaviour and the change in mechanical properties after partial impact fatigue are discussed.
Document Quality Checking Tool for Global Software Development

Software development projects often utilize global resources to reduce costs. Typically a large volume of unstructured office documents are involved. Unfortunately, in many cases the low quality of unstructured documents due to various location-related barriers (e.g. time zones, languages, and cultures) can cause negative effects on the outcomes of projects. Several approaches have been introduced for document quality checking but they have not generalized well enough to handle various unstructured documents in a broad range of projects. Based on past experience, we have prepared guidelines, templates, rules, and document quality-checking tools for designing and developing global software development projects. In this paper we specifically focus on the effectiveness of our document quality checking tool. The challenges for such a checking tool are that it must be generally adaptive and also highly accurate to be practical for industrial use. Our approach is template-based and consists of an extraction process for the physical-syntactic structure, a transformation process for the logical-semantic structure and an analysis process. Our experiments inspected 66 authentic customer documents, detecting 118 errors. The accuracy as measured by the true-positive ratio (accurately detected true errors) was 98.3% and the true-negative ratio (accurately detected non-errors) was 99.4%.
Assessing the risk of M&A: Bruner's Disaster Framework applied to Berkshire Hathaway's Gen Re Acquisition

Purpose – This paper aims to acquaint managers with a little known mergers and acquisitions (M&A) diagnostic tool that made its debut in the book Deals from Hell – M&A Lessons that Rise Above the Ashes (NY: Wiley, 2005) by Robert Bruner.Design/methodology/approach – This paper offers a retrospective case study using Bruner's risk assessment framework to examine Berkshire Hathaway's 1998 Gen Re acquisition by CEO Warren Buffet, which proved to be a problematic deal. The case study makes use of recent post‐deal reports.Findings – The case study supports the findings of Bruner's research regarding the utility of the M&A risk assessment framework presented in his book.Research limitations/implications – Tthe field of real disasters could be the subject to further strategy‐based research.Practical implications – Bruner's disaster‐based M&A risk assessment framework could be practically utilized in M&A.Originality/value – This paper is practically‐oriented commentary on recently published M&A risk assessment re...
Conservation of illusion-distorted length and illusion strength

If kindergartners, first and second graders maintained that the lengths of two equal sticks they had selected remained equal after being made to look unequal by the Muller-Lyer illusion, they were scored as conservers. Significant differences in illusion strength were found only between conservers and nonconservers in the kindergarten.
Estimation of Cutting Force Model Coefficients to Track Wear in Milling Using Bayesian Analysis

Our previous research has demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring tool wear during milling by continuously updating the coefficients of a cutting force model. The method requires a robust method for on-line model coefficient estimation. Estimation using Least Square Regression (LSR) is easily implemented but requires that the data points come from different cutting conditions which is not always possible. In this paper, a method for coefficient estimation and wear tracking based on Bayesian updating is described. The Bayesian method has the advantage that it can be used when the cutting conditions are constant.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Gelatin sponge insertion into tympanostomy tubes: an in-vitro study to evaluate postoperative obstruction

Objective To analyze the efficacy of gelatin sponge insertion into lumens of tympanostomy tubes to prevent obstruction in the presence of blood. Study design In vitro model. Methods Absorbable gelatin sponge wicks were placed in the lumen of Ultrasil Collar Button ventilation tubes and Shepherd Grommet ventilation tubes. One half of each group was covered with blood, the other left untreated. Each tube was treated with ofloxacin solution three times daily for seven days. After treatment, the tubes were inspected. Reinspection was performed after brief suctioning. Numerical scores were given based on degree of obstruction. Results A statistically significant difference in degree of obstruction (P Conclusions Gelatin sponge insertion does not prevent, and may in fact, enhance, obstruction of pressure equalization tube lumens in the presence of blood.
Three-dimensional reconstruction of coronary arteries using estimation techniques

Coronary arteriography is a technique used for evaluating the state of the coronary arteries. Matching of coronary arteries from multiple views is necessary for obtaining a 3-D description of the arterial tree. Overlapping vessels and artifacts due to digital subtraction of the angiogram background make the matching process quite difficult. The simplex method applied for linear programming and a relaxation technique for pre-processing the data are applied to skeletons from two views in order to obtain a matching of branches between views. The elements of the centerline along the branch are modeled as a Markov random field and a matching of each element in the two views is obtained by minimizing the energy of the matching contour. The element matching is treated as an estimation problem such that the a- posteriori probability is maximized. Results are provided for the 3-D reconstruction using these algorithms for automatic correspondence, and compared to those obtained by manual correspondence specification. This work was performed using a pig-cast realistic phantom. The results are encouraging.
Digital practice planning/DICOM structured reporting digital radiology equipment acquisition and installation procedures: A team approach at mayo clinic, Rochester, MN

Digital imaging system integration is a complex process. A project team and a defined process for system planning, evaluation, and implementation can improve the chance for success. In this presentation, our project team relates their experiences.
Acceleration of endothelial cell differentiation from CD14-positive monocytes

Abstract Introduction. In vitro differentiation of endothelial cells has potential applications in vascular tissue engineering and cell-based therapy for many diseases. The purpose of this study was to develop a new strategy that utilizes cytokines and LPS to accelerate the process of endothelial cell differentiation. Methods. CD14-positive monocytes were purified from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) by MACS separator. The purified cells were cultured in EBM2 endothelial cell-culture medium supplemented with GM-CSF and IL-4 with or without LPS for 4 days. The cells were then continuously cultured in EBM2 medium for additional 10 days (a total 14 days culture). Monocyte, dendritic cell, macrophage, endothelial cell, as well as smooth muscle cell markers were analyzed by real-time PCR, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining. Results. In the LPS-treated group, most of suspended CD14-positive monocytes were attached and distinguishably changed in morphology to endothelial-like cells (ELCs) as fast as 4 days, but no morphology change was observed in the absence of LPS treatment. At day 8, the ELCs expressed high levels of endothelial cell markers CD31 (67.7%), vWF (93.9%), and VEGF receptor 1 (94.9%), but no smooth muscle cell markers were detected. At day 14, the ELCs grew to form cobblestone morphology and formed outgrowth colonies, which are typical endothelial cell growth characteristics. Moreover, there was gradually decreased expression of CD14 during the course of the differentiation. There were nearly no dendritic cell maturation marker CD83 (1.5%) and macrophage marker CD68 (2.1%). Importantly, eNOS expression on ELC was substantially increased from 4 to 86%. Furthermore, ELCs showed endothelial functional characteristics of uptaking acetylated LDL and binding ulex-lectin. Conclusions. These data demonstrate that LPS may trigger the switch of CD14-positive monocytes to endothelial cell differentiation in the endothelial culture medium. After the switch, cells continue to fully differentiate into endothelial cells in a relative short period of 14 days.
Assisted Housing and the Educational Attainment of Children

Abstract This paper examines the long-term effects of assisted housing on the educational attainment of children. It is based on unique data, the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID)-Assisted Housing Database, in which we have matched addresses of all PSID sample members to addresses of federal and state assisted housing. Using a two-stage instrumental variable approach, the inferior educational outcomes of children who live in public housing disappear when measured characteristics are taken into account, while unmeasured characteristics have insignificant effects. We also find neither positive nor negative effects of privately owned assisted housing. These findings are similar to those on the effects of other social welfare programs.
A pancreatic ribonuclease active at pH 4.5.

When a homogenate of beef pancreas prepared at neutral pH is assayed for RNase activities at pH 4.5 and at pH 7.5, the specific activity at the acid pH is more than half that at neutral pH. Yet the procedures normally employed for the isolation of the well-characterized RNase A from the pancreas yield an enzyme that is almost devoid of activity at pH 4.5. Experiments designed to isolate from the pancreas the protein responsible for the RNase activity at acid pH have utilized chromatography and gel filtration under conditions that avoid both the strong acidification and the heat which are common features of the methods for the preparation of RNase A. The purified protein active at pH 4.5 (yield, 10 mg per 100 g of tissue) is also active at pH 7.5. The protein is labile to both strong acid and high temperature and it is this sensitivity that has contributed to its being overlooked during the decades when RNase A has been so thoroughly studied. Acid or heat treatment converts the enzyme active at pH 4.5 to a protein which is currently indistinguishable from RNase A, with as yet no detectable change in amino acid composition. Further research is required to define the small but significant chemical or physical changes which accompany this transformation.
Postmortem Survey of Disease Conditions in Backyard Poultry

The laboratory information systems of the Avian Health and Food Safety Laboratory (AHFSL) and the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System (CAHFS) were analyzed to determine the disease frequency, by etiology, for backyard chicken submissions. Marek’s disease and Escherichia coli infection were by far the most common disease conditions diagnosed in both laboratories (17.7% and 17.4% at AHFSL versus 14.5% and 13.5% at CAHFS), followed by coccidiosis (AHFSL = 5.9%, CAHFS = 3.8%), ascaridiasis (AHFSL = 5.6%, CAHFS = 3.1%), and Mycoplasma gallisepticum (AHFSL = 3.2%, CAHFS = 3.6%). Neoplasia of the reproductive tract, ascites syndrome, and fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome were found at a higher rate at AHFSL (13.9%, 8%, and 5.1%, respectively) than at CAHFS (1.6%, 1%, and 1.8%, respectively). This difference might have been related to the flock purpose and age of birds submitted. The 2 notifiable diseases of poultry, Newcastle disease and avian influenza, are rare in backyard poultry and neither of these diseases was diagnosed during the investigated period.
A characterization of major salivary gland flow rates in the presence of medications and systemic diseases

The purpose of this study was to characterize the effects of medications and systemic diseases on major salivary gland flow rates. Unstimulated and 2% citrate-stimulated parotid and submandibular salivas were collected from 293 subjects of the oral physiology component of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The influence of the number of medications and diseases on salivary flow rates was determined by separate one-way ANOVA tests. There was an overall decrease in both parotid and submandibular flow rates with increasing numbers of medications and systemic diseases. However, this was significant (p < 0.05) only for unstimulated submandibular flow rates (with increasing numbers of systemic diseases) and stimulated submandibular flow rates (with increasing numbers of systemic diseases and medications). Unstimulated flow rates rapidly approached zero with increasing numbers of medications and diseases. These results suggest that the submandibular gland may be more sensitive to physiologic permutations than the parotid gland. In addition, individuals being treated for multiple systemic diseases and taking numerous medications may be more susceptible to salivary hypofunction.
The analysis of limited climatic data with reference to wind erosion risk in semi-arid to arid regions

Abstract Climatic data are frequently limited in semi-arid to arid regions. A method is proposed for presenting these data so that a qualitative assessment can be made at any site. The use of regression analysis and reciprocal distance squared for obtaining estimates of data were investigated. Pattern analysis was used to define zones of similar climatic characteristics. As a specific example, the climatic elements influencing wind erosion in the semi-arid to arid region of New South Wales have been investigated. Wind erosion is the main form of erosion in this region. For selected centres, seasonal aridity and erosive wind force indices were derived. These were combined to give erosion indices for each centre. On the basis of their aridity and erosion indices, these centres were classified into zones. The advantages of using this method of classification are simplicity of presentation and ease of interpretation.
Bending and torsion of cantilevers with cross-sections in the form of solid circular sectors

Abstract Solutions for the problems of bending and torsion of cantilever beams with solid circular sector sections are obtained in closed form. It is assumed that the circular sectors are confined in angles π, π/2N in which N is an integer. It is also assumed that all conditions needed for the St. Venant's solution of flexure of a cantilever beam are met. The method of solution is as follows. First, the solution for flexure of a semicircular cross-section beam, with the load in its plane of symmetry, is obtained in closed form. Next, considering one-half of this semicircular section, a twisting moment is superposed in order to eliminate the rotation created by the flexure. Thus, the closed form solution for the bending of a quarter of a circle cross-section beam is obtained. This procedure is continued in order to obtain solutions for bending of beams having circular sector cross-sections of angles π/4, π/8n,… In these steps, closed form solutions for torsion of these sector sections are utilized. Numerical results for the cases of sectors with angles π, π/2 and π/4 are presented.
Lipids with an emphasis on long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids

In addition to their role as a source of energy, several fatty acids are important components of cell membranes and/or precursors of biologically important eicosanoids. The long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA), are important for optimal visual function and neurodevelopment. These fatty acids are present in human milk but, until recently, have not been included in formulas marketed in the United States. Although the results of clinical trials assessing the effect of DHA and AA intakes on visual and cognitive development have been inconsistent, some studies suggest benefits. Adequate intake of these fatty acids may be especially important for the preterm infant.
A novel inorganic–organic compound: Synthesis and structural characterization of tin(II) phenylbis(phosphonate), Sn2(PO3C6H4PO3)

Abstract A novel tin(II) phenylbis(phosphonate) compound has been synthesized hydrothermally and its structure has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The structure is monoclinic, space group P21/c (no. 14), a = 4.8094 ( 4 ) , b = 16.2871 ( 13 ) , c = 6.9107 ( 6 ) A ; β = 106.292 ( 6 ) ° , V = 519.59 ( 7 ) A 3 , Z = 2 . The three-dimensional structure consists of 3-coordinated tin and 4-coordinated phosphorus double layers separated (pillared) by phenyl rings. These phenyl rings are placed 4.8 A apart along the a-axis in the structure resulting in lower surface area (∼14 m2/g). The porosity has been increased by replacing phenyl groups by methyl groups (∼31 m2/g).
Commentary on Craig R. Bermingham's “Translation with Introduction and Commentary” of Marianne Weber's “Authority and Autonomy in Marriage”

Tout en saluant le travail effectue, le present article a pour but de rectifier quelques conceptions erronees relevees dans la traduction, l'introduction et le commentaire effectues par Craig R. Bermingham de l'essai publie en 1912 par Marianne Weber Autorite et autonomie dans le mariage
Food Additives Reducing Volatility of Antioxidants at Frying Temperature

At frying temperature, antioxidants are lost not only by reaction with radicals formed by oil oxidation but also by decomposition and evaporation before they are able to exert antioxidant activity. In this study, it was hypothesized that an additive that can bind or interact with an antioxidant could reduce volatility of the antioxidant at frying temperature. Three synthetic antioxidants, tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which have relatively high volatility, were used as antioxidants in this study to examine the hypothesis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) experiments showed that all 22 additives tested in this study effectively reduced volatility of the antioxidants. An NMR study showed that signals of BHT shifted by addition of an additive, evidencing the interaction between the two substances in the chloroform solution. To examine the effect of these interactions on antioxidant activity, heating tests were conducted with soybean oil (SBO) containing 200 ppm antioxidants at 180 °C. Oxidation was monitored with 1H NMR for loss of olefinic protons and bisallylic protons in SBO and with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) for polymerized triacylglycerols (PTAG). Improved antioxidant activity of the antioxidants were observed when combined with several additives tested in this study, and HPLC analysis showed that the antioxidants were effectively reserved by the additives in SBO during the heating process. The concentrations of the antioxidants retained in SBO were relatively well correlated with the antioxidant activity.
Solar energy outside the Earth's atmosphere

Spectral irradiance measurements at high altitude were made using a variety of monochromators and filter radiometers. The results of all recent high-altitude measurements have been critically examined by an ad hoc committee on 'Solar Electromagnetic Radiation.' The committee has proposed standard values for engineering use for the solar constant and the solar spectrum. These values are presented and also the reasons for recommending their acceptance. Detailed comparisons are made between the revised spectral irradiance values and those which had been widely accepted in earlier years. New values are computed for frequently cited astrophysical quantities which are derived from the solar constant and the solar spectrum. The spectrum is extended to 10 A in the X-ray range and to 10 m in the microwave range. The revised value of the solar constant is 1.94 cal per sq cm per min. The proposed standard solar spectrum shows significant differences from other curves throughout the spectral range.
Association of a 97 kilodalton glycoprotein with human ovarian carcinoma

The association of a 97 kilodalton glycoprotein (97k-GP) with human ovarian epithelial tumors is reported. The 97k-GP has been found to be present in elevated levels in all the 8 serous cystadenocarcinoma specimens tested. This glycoprotein is present in small amounts in endometrial tumors and either absent or present in trace amounts in control ovaries. Subcellular localization of this glycoprotein indicates that it is a component of plasma membrane.
Public health's response: citizens' thoughts on volunteering

Purpose – The aim of this paper is twofold: to delineate the results of the focus groups regarding volunteers and their needs; and to compare the results with pertinent literature regarding volunteerism to determine whether the motivating factors and needs of volunteers still need to be addressed by public health and other professional practitioners.Design/methodology/approach – Focus groups were conducted with public health volunteers and content analysis was conducted to identity central themes.Findings – Several important themes related to motivation and training emerged from the focus groups. These findings are supported by the sociological, psychological, management and administrative literature on volunteerism.Research limitations/implications – While qualitative, these findings emphasize factors of which public health and emergency management officials need to be cognizant as they prepare, plan and work with volunteers.Practical implications – In order to retain volunteers' public health and emerge...
SNAKE RIVER SALMON RECOVERY: QUANTIFYING THE COSTS

Economic costs are relevant to endangered species protection in both theory and practice. Recovering endangered Snake River salmon will require modifying public land use, restricting fishing and hatchery production, reducing water for agriculture, and altering the operation of hydroelectric dams. The economic costs are estimated to range from $246 million to $359 million per year. While the estimated cost is not matched by the estimated increased value of fishing, the nonuse value of salmon recovery may be very large. Better economic and biological information is needed to assure that decisions for salmon species protection are reasonably cost effective. (JEL Q28, H43)
Explanation of the patterns in Mie theory

The far-field scattered light intensity, or the related phase function, for a spherical particle is known to display an overall power-law structure when formulated in terms of the scattering wave vector. Empirically determined patterns in the intensity relating to the particle size and refractive index are known. The cause of the patterns, however, has not been satisfactorily explained. This work applies an exact microphysical model to explain most of the patterns, and specifically, to reveal the physical cause of crossovers from one power-law to another. A unique aspect of this microphysical approach is phasor analysis, which provides a visually based way to examine the angle-dependent wavelet superposition involved in the model. A simple color coding scheme connects the phasors to the interior of the particle, and it is this connection that reveals the meaning of the crossovers.
Physical and behavioral development in two strains of mice fed excess dietary vitamin B6

Abstract The progeny of two strains of mice (I/Crgl, C57BL/Crgl) fed excess vitamin B6 were examined for physical and behavioral development. Physical and behavior tests which improved with excess vitamin B6 in I strain mice included: body weight gain, upper teeth eruption, eye opening, olfactory discrimination, and auditory reactivity. Both strains of mice showed a developmental pattern for olfactory discrimination and surface righting behaviors. In the I strain mice negative geotaxis did not show a developmental pattern, and performance was not improved with excess vitamin B6 in either I or C57BL mice. The surface righting test, administered at a very early age, showed a definite pattern of development in both I and C57BL mice. The surface righting response was faster in the I strain mice, than in C57BL mice. Lower teeth eruption was not accelerated with excess vitamin B6 for I or C57BL mice. The timing of the physical growth and behavioral development was quite different in the two strains. The response in the I strain to acoustic and tactile startle was less than for C57BL mice, but open field activity was greater in the I strain mice than C57BL mice and may account for some of the strain differences observed in the developmental behaviors. When fed a diet with vitamin B6 1000 fold higher than amounts recommended for mice, I strain mice showed improvements in physical growth and behavior which developed after 10 days of age. These results indicate I strain mice have a high dietary requirement for vitamin B6.
Effects of Reducing the Cognitive Load of Mathematics Test Items on Student Performance

This study explores a new item-writing framework for improving the validity of math assessment items. The authors transfer insights from Cognitive Load Theory (CLT), traditionally used in instructional design, to educational measurement. Fifteen, multiple-choice math assessment items were modified using researchbased strategies for reducing extraneous cognitive load. An experimental design with 222 middle-school students tested the effects of the reduced cognitive load items on student performance and anxiety. Significant findings confirm the main research hypothesis that reducing the cognitive load of math assessment items improves student performance. Three load-reducing item modifications are identified as particularly effective for reducing item difficulty: signalling important information, aesthetic item organization, and removing extraneous content. Load reduction was not shown to impact student anxiety. Implications for classroom assessment and future research are discussed.
Dissipationless phonon Hall viscosity

We study the acoustic phonon response of crystals hosting a gapped time-reversal symmetry-breaking electronic state. The phonon effective action can in general acquire a dissipationless ``Hall' viscosity, which is determined by the adiabatic Berry curvature of the electron wave function. This Hall viscosity endows the system with a characteristic frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{v}$; for acoustic phonons of frequency $\ensuremath{\omega}$, it shifts the phonon spectrum by an amount of order ${(\ensuremath{\omega}/{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{v})}^{2}$ and it mixes the longitudinal and transverse acoustic phonons with a relative amplitude ratio of $\ensuremath{\omega}/{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{v}$ and with a phase shift of $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}\ensuremath{\pi}/2$, to lowest order in $\ensuremath{\omega}/{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{v}$. We study several examples, including the integer quantum Hall states, the quantum anomalous Hall state in Hg${}_{1\ensuremath{-}y}$Mn${}_{y}$Te quantum wells, and a mean-field model for ${p}_{x}+i{p}_{y}$ superconductors. We discuss situations in which the acoustic phonon response is directly related to the gravitational response, for which striking predictions have been made. When the electron-phonon system is viewed as a whole, this provides an example where measurements of Goldstone modes may serve as a probe of adiabatic curvature of the wave function of the gapped sector of a system.
Integrating climate change into peacebuilding

Peacebuilding countries are concentrated in areas of heightened vulnerability to climate change impacts, and almost certainly lack the capacity to manage these impacts. In spite of this overlap, climate change adaptation and mitigation projects are typically excluded from peacebuilding activities. This is particularly alarming given that many analysts believe climate change will trigger, amplify or perpetuate humanitarian crises, population displacement, political extremism and violent conflict in the regions in which most peacebuilding operations take place. This paper investigates opportunities for integrating climate change into peacebuilding. It identifies three obstacles to this integration—the lack of climate change tools and policies that can be easily introduced into typical peacebuilding programming; the skepticism and complacency of the donor community; and tensions between the objectives and timeframes of peacebuilding and those of climate change response. The paper then examines opportunities to integrate climate change into four principal programmatic areas of peacebuilding—socio-economic recovery, politics and governance, security and rule of law, and human rights—and concludes that more attention needs to be given to these opportunities in order to build resilience and reduce the likelihood of more daunting and costly challenges in the future.
The effect of in-process research and development capitalization on M&A and purchase price allocations

Abstract We investigate whether the change in accounting treatment of in-process research and development cost (IPRD) from expensing to capitalization affects the frequency of acquiring target firms with IPRD and the purchase price allocated to IPRD. We examine 1490 acquisitions in high-technology industries using a unique data set of purchase price allocations. For our sample as a whole, we find that the accounting rule change does not reduce the number of acquisitions with IPRD or the purchase price allocated to IPRD, but our results vary by industry. We provide evidence that the frequency of acquisitions with IPRD decreased for two of the four industry groups and IPRD intensity (IPRD/Assets Acquired) decreased for two industry groups. Our study contributes to research that examines whether mandatory accounting changes affect company economic decisions and research on managing earnings using IPRD.
Distinct Wnt members regulate the hierarchical morphogenesis of skin regions (spinal tract) and individual feathers.

Skin morphogenesis occurs in successive stages. First, the skin forms distinct regions (macropatterning). Then skin appendages with particular shapes and sizes form within each region (micropatterning). Ectopic DKK expression inhibited dermis formation in feather tracts and individual buds, implying the importance of Wnts, and prompted the assessment of individual Wnt functions at different morphogenetic levels using the feather model. Wnt 1, 3a, 5a and 11 initially were expressed moderately throughout the feather tract then were up-regulated in restricted regions following two modes: Wnt 1 and 3a became restricted to the placodal epithelium, then to the elongated distal bud epidermis; Wnt 5a and 11 intensified in the inter-tract region and interprimordia epidermis or dermis, respectively, then appeared in the elongated distal bud dermis. Their role in feather tract formation was determined using RCAS mediated misexpression in ovo at E2/E3. Their function in periodic feather patterning was examined by misexpression in vitro using reconstituted E7 skin explant cultures. Wnt 1 reduced spinal tract size, but enhanced feather primordia size. Wnt 3a increased dermal thickness, expanded the spinal tract size, reduced interbud domain spacing, and produced non-tapering ‘giant buds’. Wnt 11 and dominant negative Wnt 1 enhanced interbud spacing, and generated thinner buds. In cultured dermal fibroblasts, Wnt 1 and 3a stimulated cell proliferation and activated the canonical beta-catenin pathway. Wnt 11 inhibited proliferation but stimulated migration. Wnt 5a and 11 triggered the JNK pathway. Thus distinctive Wnts have positive and negative roles in forming the dermis, tracts, interbud spacing and the growth and shaping of individual buds.
Crystal structure and multicomponent effects in Tetrahedral Silicate Cathode Materials for Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries

Abstract A first principles investigation is performed to study the structural and electrochemical properties of four polymorphs of the Li 2 FeSiO4 orthosilicate family ( Pmn2 1 , Pmnb , P2 1 /n and Pbn2 1 ), to predict the effect of the transition metal composition. Our results show that the inclusion of Mn and Ni cations helps to stabilize the layered structures, but the polymorphs with a 3D cation network arrangement ( P2 1 /n and Pbn2 1 ) still have comparable energetic stability. We also show that the decrease of the cationic repulsion with the extraction of Li (found for these polymorphs during the discharge process) reduces the voltage step between the first and second Li extraction processes. The effect of multiple interactions between Li and the transition metals is examined, and the implications of multicomponent structures to improve the design of battery cathode are also addressed.
Segmented Transition Pathway Of The Receiver Domain Of Nitrogen Regulatory Protein C

The receiver domain of nitrogen regulatory protein C (NtrC) has two distinct conformations. The largest differences between the two conformations occur in the alpha4-helix. In addition to rigid body translocation and rotation, the alpha4-helix gains half a turn at one end and loses half a turn at the other end when the protein transforms from one conformation to another. The transition pathway between the two conformations is explored by the targeted molecular dynamics (TMD) algorithm in explicit solvent. It is segmented with four consecutive and distinct transition stages. Each transition stage has its own characteristic motion. We propose the reaction coordinates for each transition stage. By projecting the quasi-harmonic principal components along the first stage of the transition, we show that the dynamics of the nano-second time scale overlaps well with the beginning segment of the whole transition. The TMD pathway suggests that several transient hydrogen bonds help stabilize the intermediate structure and facilitate the transition.
Comments, with reply, on "Measurement and compensation of fictitious power under nonsinusoidal voltage and current conditions" by J.H.R. Enslin and J.D. Van Wyk

Comments are made on the above-mentioned work by J.H. Enslin and J.D. Van Wyk (see ibid., vol.37, p.403-408, Sept. 1988). The commenter first takes issue with the definitions used for active power as an average rate of energy transfer over an arbitrary time window. He then questions the three different physical interpretations offered for a new definition of reactive power. In replying, the original authors state that they are of the opinion that consistent results are obtained with the new approach in power systems with a sinusoidal voltage and periodic currents under steady-state conditions. This approach has distinct advantages in practical measurement techniques, distortion analysis, and practical compensation with dynamic power filters, when confronted with nonsinusoidal currents, even under dynamic conditions. This approach is furthermore adaptable to sinusoidal voltages and currents and can have an impact on the analysis of power systems with aperiodic waveforms of voltage and current. >
Enhancement of forbidden nuclear β-decay by low-frequency electromagnetic fields.

Abstract Nuclear β-decays that are forbidden by angular momentum and/or parity selection rules can be significantly enhanced by external electromagnetic fields. The effect is largely nonperturbative in nature, with a governing intensity parameter that becomes larger at long wavelengths. FIR radiation is a focus of interest for inducing the effect. An examination is done here of the field-dependent terms which lead to forbiddenness removal in β-decay. These terms come primarily from field interaction with the initial and final nuclear charges, and from the longitudinal field interaction term for the β-particle. Relevant astrophysical environments are discussed in which the effect can occur.
Building a hierarchical organization of protein complexes out of protein association data.

Organizing experimentally determined protein associations as a hierarchy can be a good approach to elucidating the content of protein complexes and the modularity of subcomplexes. Several challenges exist. First, intrinsically sticky proteins, such as chaperones, are often falsely assigned to many functionally unrelated complexes. Second, the reported collections of proteins may not be true “complexes” in the sense that they bind together and perform a joint cellular function. Third, due to imperfect sensitivity of protein detection methods, both false positive and false negative assignments of a protein to complexes may occur. We mitigate the first issue by down-weighting sticky proteins by their occurrence frequencies. We approach the other two problems by merging nearly identical complexes and by constructing a directed acyclic graph (DAG) based on the relationship of partial inclusion. The constructed DAG, within which smaller complexes form parts of the larger, can reveal how different complexes are joined. By merging almost identical complexes one can deemphasize the influence of false positives, while allowing false negatives to be rescued by other nearly identical association data. We investigate several protein weighting schemes and compare their corresponding DAGs using yeast and human complexes. We find that the scheme incorporating weights based on information flow in the network of direct protein–protein interactions produces biologically most meaningful DAGs. In either yeast or human, isolated nodes form a large proportion of the final hierarchy. While most connected components encompass very few nodes, the largest one for each species contains a sizable portion of all nodes. By considering examples of subgraphs composed of nodes containing a specified protein, we illustrate that the graphs' topological features can correctly suggest the biological roles of protein complexes. The input data, final results and the source code are available at ftp://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/qmbpmn/ProteinComplexDAG/.
Wormbase Curation Interfaces and Tools

Curating biological information from the published literature can be time- and labor-intensive especially without automated tools. WormBase1 has adopted several curation interfaces and tools, most of which were built in-house, to help curators recognize and extract data more efficiently from the literature. These tools range from simple computer interfaces for data entry to employing scripts that take advantage of complex text extraction algorithms, which automatically identify specific objects in a paper and presents them to the curator for curation. By using these in-house tools, we are also able to tailor the tool to the individual needs and preferences of the curator. For example, Gene Ontology Cellular Component and gene-gene interaction curators employ the text mining software Textpresso2 to indentify, retrieve, and extract relevant sentences from the full text of an article. The curators then use a web-based curation form to enter the data into our local database. For transgene and antibody curation, curators use the publicly available Phenote ontology annotation curation interface (developed by the Berkeley Bioinformatics Open-Source Projects (BBOP)), which we have adapted with datatype specific configurations. This tool has been used as a basis for developing our own Ontology Annotator tool, which is being used by our phenotype and gene ontology curators. For RNAi curation, we created web-based submission forms that allow the curator to efficiently capture all relevant information. In all cases, the data undergoes a final scripted data dump step to make sure all the information conforms into a readable file by our object oriented database.
Prevalence of Bronchial Hyperresponsiveness in Highly Trained Athletes

Previous studies indicated that the prevalence of symptomatic asthma is about 4 to 7 percent. No similar studies exist to suggest the prevalence of asthma in highly trained competitive athletes, since asthma is thought to be an uncommon disease in this population. We became concerned, therefore, when a large number of football players developed symptoms consistent with asthma during preparation in California for the Rose Bowl in December 1981. We studied the team and found 12 percent of the football players admitted to a history of asthma, whereas none of the members of the university basketball team and 7 percent of a group of sophomore medical students and physician assistant students gave a history of asthma. Furthermore, 19 percent of the football players indicated that at some time they had chest tightness, cough, wheezing, or prolonged shortness of breath after exercise; 12 percent of the basketball players and 37 percent of the students indicated such a history. We examined each of these three groups for nonspecific bronchial hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine using a modified methacholine bronchoprovocation (MBP) challenge and found that 76 of 151 (50 percent) football players tested had positive tests; 76 percent of those with symptoms had positive results of inhalation tests and 47 percent of those with minimal or no symptoms had positive test results. In addition, four of 16 (25 percent) basketball players and 69 of 167 (41 percent) students had positive MBP tests. These studies indicate that bronchial hyperresponsiveness to inhaled methacholine is much more common in these young adults than has previously been suspected.
Characterization of synthetic carrier ampholytes by repetitive scanning of the electric field during focusing

This paper reports the utilization of a potential gradient array detector for monitoring the dynamics of the electric field during isoelectric focusing. Transient and steady state electric field profiles are presented for synthetic carrier ampholyte mixtures with a wide (about 3-10) pH range. Two available commercial products (Ampholine and Pharmalyte) and a laboratory synthesized mixture (PEHA ampholytes) are compared. The formation of conductivity gaps and their migration toward the cathode in extended experiments (cathodic drift) can be visualized with this system.
Relationship of Blood Lead Levels to Incident Nonspine Fractures and Falls in Older Women: The Study of Osteoporotic Fractures†‡

Lead is stored in the skeleton and can serve as an endogenous source for many years. Lead may influence the risk of fracture, through direct effects on bone strength or indirectly by disturbing neuromuscular function and increasing the risk of falls. The objective of this analysis is to test the hypothesis that women with higher blood lead levels experience higher rates of falls and fracture. This was a prospective cohort study of 533 women 65–87 yr of age enrolled in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures at two U.S. research centers (Baltimore, MD; Monongahela Valley, PA) from 1986 to 1988. Blood lead levels (in μg/dl) were measured in 1990–1991 by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and classified as “low” (≤3; lower 15th percentile, referent); “medium” (4–7); or “high” (≥8; upper 15th percentile). Total hip BMD was measured by DXA twice, 3.55 yr apart. Information on falls was collected every 4 mo for 4 yr. Incident nonspine fractures were identified and confirmed over 10 yr. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI of fracture. Generalized estimating equations were used to calculate the incident rate ratio of falls (95% CI). The mean blood lead level was 5.3 ± 2.3 (SD) μg/dl (range, 1–21 μg/dl). Baseline BMD was 7% lower in total hip and 5% lower in femoral neck in the highest compared with lowest blood lead group (p < 0.02). Hip bone loss tended to be greater in the high lead group, but differences were not significant. In multivariable adjusted models, women with high blood lead levels had an increased risk of nonspine fracture (HR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.25, 5.03; p trend = 0.016) and higher risk of falls (incident rate ratio = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.07, 2.45; p trend = 0.014) compared with women with lowest lead level. Blood lead levels are associated with an increased risk of falls and fractures, extending the negative health consequences of lead to include osteoporotic fractures.
Digital micromirror device as a diffractive reconfigurable optical switch for telecommunication

Digital micromirror devices (DMDs) by their high-switching speed, stability, and repeatability are promising devices for fast, reconfigurable telecommunication switches. However, their binary mirror orientation is an issue for conventional redirection of a large number of incoming ports to a similarly large number of output fibers, like with analog micro-opto electro-mechanical systems. We are presenting here the use of the DMD as a diffraction-based optical switch, where Fourier diffraction patterns are used to steer the incoming beams to any output configuration. Fourier diffraction patterns are computer-generated holograms that structure the incoming light into any shape in the output plane. This way, the light from any fiber can be redirected to any position in the output plane. The incoming light can also be split to any positions in the output plane. This technique has the potential to make an “any-to-any,” true nonblocking, optical switch with high-port count, solving some of the problems of the present technology.