cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-Linear Effects of Bond Rating Changes

This paper demonstrates the importance of the initial credit rating when assessing the effect of a bond rating change on the company's stock price. First, we provide theoretical support for different price effects as a non-linear function of the initial credit rating, using a structural, Mertontype model linking the change in default probability to the change in the stock price. In particular, rating changes should have much greater effects when starting from a lower initial credit rating. This is strongly verified in the empirical data. Accounting for this non-linearity explains in large part the puzzling empirical regularity that stock price effects are associated with downgrades but not upgrades. In addition, it eliminates the investment-grade barrier effect reported in previous studies.
Must We Mean What We Say?: Ending the Waiting Game

Various keys to its interpretation are in place: “Endgame” is a term of chess; the name Hamm is shared by Noah's cursed son, it titles a kind of actor, it starts recalling Hamlet. But no interpretation I have seen details the textual evidence for these relations nor shows how the play's meaning opens with them. Without this, we will have a general impression of the play, one something like this: Beckett's perception is of a “meaningless universe” and language in his plays “serves to express the breakdown, the disintegration of language”—by, one gathers, itself undergoing disintegration. Such descriptions are usual in the discussions of Beckett I am aware of, but are they anything more than impositions from an impression of fashionable philosophy? Martin Esslin, from whom I was just quoting, applauds Beckett for his veridical registering of the modern world. Georg Lukacs deplores Beckett as an instance of the modernist writer who, while accurately registering something about our world, fails to see that his response to that world (in subjectivity, angst , formalism, psychopathology) is chosen, and partial—in particular, a choice against a socialist perspective from which alone possibilities for the future of human society can be spoken for by artists. One recognizes the sorts of production which fit Lukacs' descriptions, the amusements which sell the world its own weirdness.
Jet-A Combustion in an Indirect Injection Compression Engine versus a Direct Injection Compression Engine at Same Load and Speed

This study compares combustion of Jet-A in an indirect injection (IDI) compression ignition engine and a direct injection (DI) compression ignition engine at the same load and speed. The Jet-A was blended (75Jet-A): 75% Jet-A and 25% Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel # 2 (ULSD) by mass. Both engines had a load of 4.5 bars Indicated Mean Effective Pressure (IMEP) and were run at 2000 RPM.The IDI engine configuration was very similar to that used in High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV).The research showed that combustion pressure in the IDI engine separate combustion chamber was 81 bars versus 71 bars in the main combustion chamber showing high gas-dynamics losses at transfer passages while in the DI engine the peak pressure reached 65 bars.The Apparent Heat Release Rate (AHRR) in the IDI engine has both the premixed and diffusion stage combined while in the DI classical combustion there are visible both the premixed and diffusion burn stages. The results show that in both engines there is a Low Temperature Heat Release (LTHR) region before top dead center (BTDC). The mass averaged instantaneous temperature reached 1750 K in the direct injection engine being the same for both fuels and for the IDI engines reached 1700 K in main combustion chamber and 1950 K in the separate combustion chamber for both fuels.The study showed that there are significant differences in the shape of the AHRR between the engines, nevertheless, the Jet-A has very similar combustion characteristics with ULSD in both combustion systems making a viable option as a substitute fuel to use in High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV).Copyright © 2015 by ASME
FPGA acceleration of Markov Random Field TRW-S inference for stereo matching

In this paper, we present our hardware accelerator for inference computations on Markov Random Fields (MRFs), which wins the “adjusted run time” category of MEMOCODE 2013 design contest. The contest problem is to accelerate the popular Belief Propagation (BP) algorithm for MRF stereo matching, but BP often suffers from non-convergence in its MRF inference. To overcome the drawbacks of BP, we show how a superior method-Sequential Tree-Reweighted message passing (TRW-S)-can be rendered in hardware. TRW-S has reliable convergence, guaranteed by its so-called “sequential” computation. We show how to implement TRW-S in FPGA hardware so that it exploits significant parallelism and memory bandwidth. Our FPGA implementation demonstrates superior MRF inference performance and comparable quality of stereo matching results on the provided stereo matching tasks comYXB3-02195-A021pared to the reference BP software.
Racially Polarized Voting and Roll Call Behavior in the U.S. House

Voters express varied levels of support for the parties’ candidates depending on where they live, be it in the South (Aldrich 1995; Carmines and Stimson 1989) or rural and urban sub-regions (Gimple and Karns 2006; McKee 2008). This difference is especially pronounced among Whites, leading to varying levels of polarization based on race depending on region and sub-region of the country. To investigate this variation, we develop a new national dataset of 2008 presidential election results within 169,304 precincts merged with census demographic data. We apply methods of ecological inference to these data to estimate voting patterns among racial and ethnic groups nationally, within sections of the country, and ultimately at the precinct level. We then use these estimates to derive a measure of racial polarization at the congressional district level, and use it to predict behavior among members of the U.S. House on roll call votes identified by the NAACP as being related to civil rights. We find that polarization especially affects Democratic members in these cases, as they may need to bring together coalitions of minority voters who have favorable opinions on these issues and White voters who do not.
Pa-Canaan in the Egyptian New Kingdom: Canaan or Gaza?

The identification of the geographical name “Canaan” continues to be widely debated in the scholarly literature. Cuneiform sources from Mari, Amarna, Ugarit, Assur, and Hattusha have been discussed, as have Egyptian sources. Renewed excavations in North Sinai along the “Ways of Horus” have, along with recent scholarly reconstructions, refocused attention on the toponyms leading toward and culminating in the arrival to Canaan. This has led to two interpretations of the Egyptian name Pa-Canaan: it is either identified as the territory of Canaan or the city of Gaza. This article offers a renewed analysis of the terms Canaan, Pa-Canaan, and Canaanite in key documents of the New Kingdom, with limited attention to parallels of other geographical names, including Kharu, Retenu, and Djahy. It is suggested that the name Pa-Canaan in Egyptian New Kingdom sources consistently refers to the larger geographical territory occupied by the Egyptians in Asia. DOI:10.2458/azu_jaei_v01i1_hasel
Gestational age-adapted oxygen saturation targeting and outcome of extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs).

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY Optimal oxygen saturation (SpO2) targets for extremely low gestational age neonates (ELGANs, gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) are unknown. Conflicting results from five recently published multicentre trials, which randomised ELGANs to high (91 to 95%) or low (85 to 89%) SpO2 targets from birth up to a corrected GA of 36 weeks, prompted us to examine our experience with two different SpO2 policies. METHODS We retrospectively compared outcomes of two cohorts of ELGANs which were exposed to two different SpO2 target policies adapted to the infants' corrected GA. Between 1 January 2000 and 30 June 2007, SpO2 targets were 85 to 95% at <30 weeks and 88 to 97% at ≥30 weeks (high SpO2 target cohort, n = 157). Between 1 July 2007 and 31 December 2011, SpO2 targets were lowered to 80 to 90% at <30 weeks, 85 to 95% between 30 and 34 weeks and finally 88 to 97% at ≥34 weeks (low SpO2 target cohort, n = 84). RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between the high and low SpO2 target cohorts in mortality rates (15.9 vs 17.9%, risk ratio [RR] 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.50-1.60), incidences of severe retinopathy of prematurity (2.3 vs 0%, RR 3.68; 95% CI 0.19-70.3), or moderate/severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (14.4 vs 21.1%, RR 0.68; 95% CI 0.37-1.26). CONCLUSIONS Adapting SpO2 targets to the advancing corrected GA seems safe and is associated with low incidences of short-term complications. Mortality rates did not vary with the two different SpO2 target policies utilised and were comparable to those reported from recently published randomised controlled SpO2 target trials.
Calcium signalling in bacteria

Whereas the importance of calcium as a cell regulator is well established in eukaryotes, the role of calcium in prokaryotes is still elusive. Over the past few years, there has been an increased interest in the role of calcium in bacteria. It has been demonstrated that as in eukaryotic organisms, the intracellular calcium concentration in prokaryotes is tightly regulated ranging from 100 to 300 nM. It has been found that calcium ions are involved in the maintenance of cell structure, motility, transport and cell differentiation processes such as sporulation, heterocyst formation and fruiting body development. In addition, a number of calcium-binding proteins have been isolated in several prokaryotic organisms. The characterization of these proteins and the identification of other factors suggest the possibility that calcium signal transduction exists in bacteria. This review presents recent developments of calcium in bacteria as it relates to signal transduction.
Amyloid β-protein fragment 25–35 causes activation of cytoplasmic calcium in neurons

The cellular mechanism by which β-amyloid has its effect on neurons is unknown. Based on observations that endogenous neurotoxins, such as glutamate and platelet activating factor (PAF), cause activation of cytoplasmic calcium, we tested if this was true with β-amyloid. Using nerve growth factor-treated PC12 cells, we noted that the active β-amyloid fragment, containing residues 25 to 35, caused a specific and dose-dependent increase in intracellular calcium due to an influx of extracellular calcium.
Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of salivary gland mycoses

This report details the fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) cytomorphologic features of two cases of salivary gland mycosis. Both patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and presented with parotid gland masses. The first patient had Histoplasmosis with secondary infection by Candida. Cytopathologically, the FNAB smears showed classic features of a deep-seated mycosis characterized by necrosis and scattered fungal forms. The second patient had a colonizing sialadenitis caused by either Asperigillus or Fusarium. Cytopathologically, the findings were similar to those seen in aspergillomas of the lung orparanasal sinuses with numerous hyphal forms and an absence of an inflammatory response. Because mycotic disease can induce a wide spectrum of pathogenic change, other benign or malignant, solid or cystic lesions enter into the differential diagnosis. Diagn Cytopathol 1994; 11:286–290. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A hazards approach towards modelling pandora moth risk

Aim Pandora moth (Coloradia pandora Blake) is a phytophagous insect that produces a distinctive tree-ring pattern in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex. Laws.) during outbreak cycles. This paper describes the spatial characteristics of the outbreak regions, determines whether the size of the 1989 outbreak was within the historical range of variability, and constructs a hazard map identifying the forests in Oregon that are susceptible to future pandora moth outbreaks. Location South-central Oregon along the eastern flank of the Cascade mountain range in the High Lava Plains and Basin and Range Provinces. Methods We used dendrochronological records of 17 pandora moth outbreaks on 14 sites over 31,200 km2 area spanning 433 years. Using the site locations, we calculated minimum bounding polygons of adjacent recording sites to determine the relative size of each outbreak. Published literature on past pandora moth outbreaks and the environmental conditions of locally known outbreaks were used to create an outbreak hazard map using a geographical information system (GIS) model. Vegetation, climate, and soil layers were used to determine the potential susceptibility of Oregon forests to pandora moth. Results We found the area affected by past pandora moth outbreaks ranged in size from 12.4 to 3,391.5 km2. The 1989 outbreak covered 807.9 km2, which was well within the historical range of variability. The vegetation and soil layers greatly restricted the area susceptible to pandora moth while the climate layer seemed to have little effect in restricting the susceptible area. Main conclusions Pandora moth outbreaks did not increase in size over the last century as we have seen with spruce budworm outbreaks in this same region. Analysis of the environmental variables that are known to affect pandora moth outbreaks enabled us to produce a hazard map that predicts the suitable habitat for pandora moth. Temperature at the landscape scale did not restrain the range of pandora moth. The GIS model enabled us to propose areas susceptible to future pandora moth outbreaks providing a predictive model that can now be tested and refined with further sampling.
Imaging of pediatric head trauma

This article discusses all types of traumatic head injury in infants, children and adolescents. Neuroimaging patterns of injury help to make the precise diagnosis and assists in monitoring responses to therapy.
Specificity of Potassium-Activated Phosphodiesterase of Escherichia coli

A potassium-activated phosphodiesterase that hydrolyzes polyribonucleotides to 5'-mononucleotides has been purified approximately 600-fold from extracts of Escherichia coli B. The purified enzyme appears to be specific for single-stranded polyribonucleotides: helical forms are not hydrolyzed, nor do they inhibit the hydrolysis of single-stranded chains.
Gateway optimization in tactical networks

We address the problem of gateway selection in tactical networks, including large multi-tier networks, where only a subset of nodes assume the function of off-field communication due to cost and power availability constraints. For tactical networks with limited power availability such as sensor networks the network lifetime and performance strongly depend on the set of gateway nodes deployed and the load placed on each one of them. In this paper we introduce a gateway selection algorithm that uses a simulated annealing framework to determine the optimal set of gateway nodes. The algorithm models the trade-offs involved in determining the number and location of gateway nodes due to cost, energy consumption, and performance constraints. An appropriate cost function is developed to select an initial candidate list of potential gateway nodes. This cost function is then used within a simulated annealing framework to determine the number and location of the optimal set of gateway nodes. Algorithm performance is demonstrated by simulation results for a number of representative network scenarios.
Early post-transplant medical compliance and mental health predict physical morbidity and mortality one to three years after heart transplantation.

Abstract Background Poor medical compliance has been held responsible for a large proportion of deaths occurring subsequent to initial postoperative recovery. However, beyond clinical reports, there has been little empirical examination of this issue, or of the extent to which major psychiatric disorder and failure to adjust to the transplant predict long-term physical morbidity and mortality. We prospectively examined whether a full range of compliance behaviors and psychiatric outcomes during the first year post-transplant predicted subsequent mortality and physical morbidity through 3 years post-transplant. Methods A total of 145 heart recipients who had received detailed compliance and mental health assessments during the first year post-transplant were followed up at 3 years post-transplant. Interview data and corroborative information from family members were used to determine compliance in multiple domains, psychiatric diagnoses, and psychiatric symptomatology during the first year post-surgery. Medical record reviews were performed to abstract data on acute graft rejection episodes, incident cardiac allograft disease (CAD) and mortality from 1 to 3 years post-transplant. Results After controlling for known transplant-related predictors of outcome, multivariate analyses yielded the following significant ( p Conclusions The findings, plus data we have previously reported that showed which patients are most likely to have compliance and psychiatric problems early post-transplant, suggest that interventions focused on maximizing patients' psychosocial status in these areas may further improve long-term physical health outcomes in this population.
Gestational carrier--a reproductive haven for offspring of mothers with phenylketonuria (PKU): an alternative therapy for maternal PKU.

Maternal phenylketonuria, PKU, has a detrimental effect on embryogenesis. Infant pathology is independent of fetal genotype, but is directly correlated with excessive phenylalaninaemia throughout pregnancy. Although normal children have been delivered by affected mothers who either had benign hyperphenylalaninaemia or in whom strict diet has apparently maintained maternal phenylalaninaemia in the low normal range from before conception, more abnormal than normal births have been reported. In addition, attempts at dietary management are often unsuccessful; most reported cases documented various severe pathological consequences of maternal PKU. Currently available methods provide viable alternative treatment.In vitro fertilization using the parental gametes, followed by implantation of the pre-embryo in a surrogate mother, would avoid a metabolic environment impairing normal development, and therefore should be recommended as alternative therapy for potential mothers with PKU.
Effects of convergent strabismus on the development of physiologically identified retinogeniculate axons in cats

We have studied the effects of surgically induced convergent strabismus (esotropia) on the morphological development of retinogeniculate X and Y axon arbors in cats. Single axons were recorded in the lateral geniculate nucleus or in the optic tract adjacent to the nucleus, classified physiologically, and injected intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase. The arbors of recovered axons were compared with X and Y axon arbors from normally reared adult cats. Our data demonstrate that while X axon arbors are relatively normal, the arbors of Y axons are profoundly affected by rearing with strabismus. Y axons, whether originating from the deviated or the nondeviated eye, have substantially smaller arbors and fewer boutons in the A-laminae of the lateral geniculate nucleus compared to Y axons in normal cats. The C-lamina terminations of contralaterally projecting Y axons in the strabismic cats are unaffected. These results suggest that the postnatal development of retinogeniculate Y axon arbors in the A-laminae is strongly influenced by abnormalities in postnatal visual experience. Furthermore, the present data suggest that, in addition to intraocular competitive interactions between X and Y axons previously proposed to account for the effects of other rearing conditions, interactions between afferents from the two eyes must also be involved in the development of at least Y axons.
Ultraviolet Emission Spectra of High-Pressure Rare Gases

The emissions arising from a short-arc discharge in high-pressure (10–20 atm) rare gases extend well into the vacuum-ultraviolet (vuv) region. Short-wavelength-emission cutoffs of 1600, 1310, and 1150 A were found for xenon, krypton, and argon, respectively. High-pressure-neon emission extends to even shorter wavelengths. The construction of a high-intensity, high-pressure lamp utilizing a magnesium fluoride window is described. This lamp should be useful as a vuv source. In an unfocused mode, the flux from this lamp (measured at the exit slit of a monochromator with a 0.6-A bandpass) was 3×109 photons/s using argon gas and 1000 W of power. Approximate ratios of flux emitted for neon, argon, and krypton are 1:5:10, respectively.
Thermoregulation and hormone replacement in postmenopausal women

Abstract To determine the thermoregulatory effects of hormone replacement in postmenopausal women, we measured core, skin, mean body temperatures, vasomotor changes, metabolic heat production, and sweat rate during warm and cold thermal challenges. The shivering to vasodilation interthreshold range was smaller in women taking estrogen (0.8±0.2°C) than in women taking no hormones (1.5±0.2°C, P=0.02). The vasodilation threshold was lower in the estrogen group (36.4±0.2°C) than in the no hormone (37.0±0.3°C, P=0.04) and combined estrogen/progesterone (36.9±0.1°C, P=0.03) groups. Baseline core temperature was higher in women on combined estrogen/progesterone therapy (37.5±0.1°C) compared to those on no hormones (37.0±0.2°C, P=0.02) or estrogen alone (36.9±0.1°C, P=0.004). Estrogen therapy in postmenopausal women lowers heat response thresholds and narrows the interthreshold response range for thermoregulation. Adding progesterone to estrogen therapy elevates the heat response thresholds and increases core temperature setpoint.
Frailty: An outcome predictor for elderly gynecologic oncology patients ☆

Abstract Objectives The objective of this pilot study was to determine if frailty predicts surgical complications among elderly women undergoing gynecologic oncology procedures. Methods A cohort of gynecologic oncology patients age ≥65, undergoing surgery between March and December 2011 was identified. Frailty was evaluated using a validated assessment tool. The primary outcome measure was 30day postoperative complication rate. Results Forty women were approached for study entry and 37 (92%) enrolled. The mean age was 73years (range 65–95). The majority of women had a malignancy and underwent a major abdominal surgical procedure. Twenty-one women (57%) were not frail, 10 (27%) were intermediately frail and 6 (16%) were frail. There was no difference in age or prevalence of medical comorbidities between groups. Frail women had a significantly higher BMI compared to intermediately frail and not frail women, (36.0, 31.5 and 26.1kg/m 2 , p =0.02). The rate of 30-day surgical complications increased with frailty score and was 24%, versus 67% for women who were not frail as compared to the frail ( p =0.04). Conclusions Pre-operative frailty assessment is well accepted by gynecologic oncology patients and feasible in a clinic setting. Frail women had a higher BMI, indicating that low body weight is not a marker for frailty, and had a significantly higher rate of 30-day postoperative complications in this pilot study. Initial findings support the concept of measuring frailty as a possible predictor for postoperative morbidity that will allow for improved patient counseling and decision making.
Lasing dynamics of a silicon photonic crystal microcavity

In this paper we propose a novel silicon microcavity design based on the dispersion engineered photonic crystals (PhCs). With the unique self-collimation property of PhCs, we optimize the passive cavity by tuning the design parameters, such as coupling gap size and array size, to achieve higher Q factor and drop efficiency. Highest cavity mode below the band edge is of particular interest. The strong mode confinement in the low index active material offers an opportunity to realize a lasing mechanism. To investigate the lasing dynamics we introduce the rate equations of atomic system into the electromagnetic polarization to fully describe the nonlinearity of active medium. With these auxiliary differential equations we solve the time evolutions of the electromagnetic waves and atomic populations by using the FDTD method.
Exceptionally fast growth rate of <100-yr-old tufa, Big Soda Lake, Nevada: Implications for using tufa as a paleoclimate proxy

Large tufa mounds (>3 m tall, with a basal circumference of 5 m) have been discovered on the margin of Big Soda Lake, Nevada, USA. These tufa mounds are rooted at a maximum of 4 m below the current lake surface and are actively forming from groundwater seepage, which can be seen emanating from the top of the tufa mounds. Big Soda Lake is a volcanic crater lake whose water level is maintained exclusively by groundwater. The age of the tufa mounds is well constrained because prior to the development of the Newlands Irrigation Project in 1907, the water level was ∼18 m lower than the current lake level. The vertical columnar nature of the tufa mounds indicates that they formed under the lake and not subaerially. Thus, the tufa mounds are <100 yr old and have grown at a rate ≥30 mm/yr. Stable oxygen and carbon isotope analyses of tufa carbonate compared to isotopic analyses of groundwater and lake water and hydrochemical data indicate that the fluids responsible for their precipitation are a simple mixture of modern groundwater and lake water and do not reflect a recent climate signature. The exceptionally fast growth of the tufa mounds indicates that large tufa deposits may form almost instantaneously in geologic time. Given this potential for rapid growth and the fact that variations in isotopic compositions of tufa deposits have been interpreted in terms of changes in paleoclimate and changes in the composition of recharge water over thousands of years, care should be taken when trying to determine the significance of variations in isotopic or chemical compositions of tufas that may have been caused by mixing with groundwater.
Three diagnostic approaches to Asperger syndrome: implications for research.

Objective: To examine the implications for research of the use of three alternative definitions for Asperger syndrome (AS). Differences across the three nosologic systems were examined in terms of diagnostic assignment, IQ profiles, comorbid symptoms, and familial aggregation of social and other psychiatric symptoms. Method: Standard data on diagnosis, intellectual functioning, comorbidity patterns, and family history were obtained on 65 individuals screened for a very high probability of having autism without mental retardation (or higher functioning autism, HFA) or AS. Diagnoses of AS were established based on three different approaches: DSM-IV, presence/absence of communicative phrase speech by 3 years, and a system designed to highlight prototypical features of AS. Results: Agreement between the three diagnostic systems was poor. AS could be differentiated from HFA (but not from PDD-NOS) on the basis of IQ profiles in two of the three systems. Differences in patterns of comorbid symptomatology were obtained in two of the three systems, although differences were primarily driven by the PDD-NOS category. Only one of the approaches yielded differences relative to aggregation of the “broader phenotype” in family members. Conclusions: Diagnostic assignments of AS based on three commonly used approaches have low agreement and lead to different results in comparisons of IQ profiles, patterns of comorbidity, and familial aggregation of psychiatric symptoms across the approach-specific resultant groups of HFA, AS, and PDD-NOS.
Recombination of Influenza A Viruses of Human and Animal Origin

Simultaneous infection of the allantoic sac of the chick embryo with influenza A/equine 1/56 and any of three recombinants derived from human influenza viruses produced stable hybrids with antigens from each parent strain. These hybrids contain the hemagglutinin protein of the equine virus and the neuraminidase of the human strains. The experiments demonstrate genetic homology of human and equine influenza A viruses and suggest the possibility of their recombination in nature.
An equivariant extension theorem and G-retracts with a finite structure

Let G be a compact Lie group. An equivariant extension theorem for G-spaces with a finite structure is proved. This theorem is then used to give a characterization of G-ANR's and G-AR's for G-spaces with a finite structure.
Some comparative studies on testing parallelism of several straight lines under heteroscedastic variances

This paper examines the robustness of the Welch test, the James test as well as Tan's ANOVA test (to be referred as Fβ test) for testing parallelism in k straight lines under heteroscedasticity and nonnormality. Results of Monte Carlo studies demonstrate the robustness of all tests with respect to departure from normality. Further, there is hardly any difference between these methods with respect to both power and size of the test.
The nonholomorphic parts of certain weak Maass forms

Abstract We compute the nonholomorphic parts of certain harmonic weak Maass forms related to the overpartition rank, the M 2 -rank for partitions without repeated odd parts, and the full rank of 2-marked Durfee symbols. This leads to precise descriptions of the modularity of associated rank difference generating functions.
Is the location of a positive surgical margin after radical prostatectomy important for prognosis

This Practice Point commentary discusses the findings and limitations of the study by Eastham and co-workers, which concludes that the location of a positive surgical margin after radical prostatectomy is important for prognosis. The study found that posterolateral margins markedly increased the risk of biochemical failure while apical margins did not. Posterolateral margin status was found to be even more important for predicting biochemical failure than was lymph node positivity or seminal vesicle invasion. For several reasons, however, these results might not be generalizable to other groups of patients or to clinically relevant end points, such as cancer-specific survival. Consequently, these data should be regarded as preliminary and should not inform therapeutic decisions. Instead, knowledge of the most-common sites of margin positivity might direct surgeons to examine any shortcomings in their surgical technique. We contend that positive margins can be prevented at even the most difficult-to-access locations if appropriate steps are taken.
Two-Phase Co-ordinates of a Three-Phase Circuit

IN RECENT years there has been an increasing interest in the use of substituted variables in the analysis of unbalanced three-phase circuits and machines. The best known and most widely used of the substituted variables are symmetrical components, introduced by Fortescue in 1918. In the method of symmetrical components the actual currents and voltages of the three phases of a three-phase circuit are replaced by the zero-sequence, positive-sequence, and negative-sequence currents and voltages, and, furthermore, the three-phase circuit itself is replaced for purposes of analysis by three fictitious single-phase circuits known as the sequence networks. This method has achieved extensive use in the analysis of polyphase machinery and in the making of fault studies on three-phase power systems. Another example of substituted variables is furnished by the direct-axis and quadrature-axis quantities as defined by Park2 in 1929, which have greatly facilitated the mathematical analysis of salient-pole synchronous machines.
Toll gets tied in a knot.

Characterization of the interaction between purified Spatzle and Toll shows that cleaved Spatzle dimers directly bind Toll and trigger intracellular signaling.
Flavor symmetry breaking in the quark sea of the nucleon

The effective theory of meson fields of hadrons is used to explain the flavor symmetry breaking in the quark sea of the nucleon. \( \bar s - \bar d \) is predicted to be −0.940±0.096 in this theory. The relationship between this flavor symmetry and the σ term is found. The magnitude of the flavor symmetry breaking found experimentally is consistent with a large σ term. The numerical results are in agreement with data.
Post-event processing and memory bias for performance feedback in social anxiety

Abstract Despite predictions following from cognitive theories of anxiety, evidence for memory biases in social anxiety has been mixed. This study extends previous research by using stimuli relevant to participants’ concerns and allowing time for post-event processing. Participants high (n = 42) or low (n = 39) in social anxiety symptoms gave speeches and received standardized feedback on their and a confederate's performance. Participants then took recognition and recall tests for the feedback immediately after it was given and after a two-day delay. Results showed no recall biases. However, the hypothesized recognition biases were found: the high social anxiety group remembered the confederate's feedback more positively than their own, remembered their negative feedback as worse than the low group, and diminished positive feedback over time. Moreover, post-event processing mediated the relationship between social anxiety and memory for negative feedback. Results suggest that biased recognition of social feedback is linked to social anxiety.
Characterization of SDS--PAGE-separated proteins by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

A new strategy to characterize SDS−PAGE-separated proteins with MALDI MS is described. The proteins, electroblotted onto nitrocellulose after SDS−PAGE separation and stained with reversible Ponceau S dye, are readily recovered by dissolving the membrane in matrix solutions prepared with acetone. The resulting mixtures are amenable to direct MALDI MS analysis, which provides a rapid and accurate means of measuring the molecular weights of SDS−PAGE-separated proteins and of peptides that result from CNBr digestion of proteins on the nitrocellulose membrane. Compared with the traditional elution method, this procedure provides more efficient detection of proteins and peptides, especially the higher molecular weight proteins from the membrane. As little as 3.5 pmol of lysozyme and 15 pmol of bovine albumin loaded onto a gel can be detected using this method. The detection sensitivity is higher than or comparable to that of the traditional Coomassie Brilliant Blue staining procedure.
Cohesive Devices in Conversations.

The literature on conversational coherence is filled with devices that are believed to be the bases of coherence, but no test has been performed to determine if those devices are found more frequently in coherent than incoherent messages. This research was designed to find out how coherence is cued between turns in conversations. In Phase 1, the assumption that conversations contain explicit cues to coherence was tested by asking subjects to reconstruct conversations from randomized constituent remarks. Only if connections between turns were explicitly cued would subjects have any basis for placing turns together beyond levels expected by chance. The findings indicated that turns were consistently paired well beyond chance, suggesting that explicit cues to connections between turns in conversations do exist. The next step was to determine what those cues were. In Phase 2 a coding system was developed and applied to the pairs of turns identified in the reconstruction task as either coherent or incoherent. ...
Effects of β-Carotene and Other Factors on Outcome of Cervical Dysplasia and Human Papillomavirus Infection

Abstract Women with histopathologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) were followed at 3-month intervals in a randomized double-blinded trial to evaluate the efficacy of β-carotene to cause regression of CIN. Questionnaire data, plasma levels of micronutrients, and a cervicovaginal lavage for human papillomavirus (HPV) detection were obtained at each visit, and an endpoint biopsy was performed at 9 months. Sixty-nine subjects had a biopsy endpoint evaluation; 9 of 39 (23%) subjects in the β-carotene group versus 14 of 30 (47%) in the placebo group had regression of CIN ( P = 0.039). Independent risk factors for persistent CIN at 9 months included type-specific persistent HPV infection (OR = 11.38, P = 0.006) and continual HPV infection with a high viral load (OR = 14.25, P = 0.007) at baseline and 9 months, an initial diagnosis of ≥CIN II (OR = 6.74, P = 0.016), and older age (OR for ≥25 years=4.10, P = 0.072). After controlling for these factors, the β-carotene and placebo groups did not differ in risk for having CIN at 9 months (OR = 1.53, P = 0.550). Resolution of baseline HPV infection was significantly correlated with non-high-risk HPV types (RR = 2.94, P = 0.015), age P = 0.014), and douching after sexual intercourse (RR = 3.02, P = 0.012), but not with randomization group. Our data indicate that a large proportion of mild CIN lesions regress; age and HPV infection play an important role in the natural course of CIN; and repeated HPV testing may have a value in distinguishing women who need aggressive treatment for CIN versus those who do not. Supplementation of β-carotene does not appear to have a detectable benefit in treatment of CIN.
Embryonic use of egg shell calcium in a gastropod

THE function of the calcified outer eggshell found in many gastropod eggs which are deposited on land has been the subject of considerable speculation. Various theories of its relationship to desiccation mechanical support protection against predators physiological buffering and possible calcium source have been discussed1–4. This report presents the first quantitative analysis proving that a gastropod embryo uses the egg shell calcium in forming its embryonic shell the protoconch.
Photo-compton currents at material interfaces: Theory and experiment

Analytical formulae are presented for the electron number current, energy current and energy deposition at the photon irradiated interface between different materials. Representative results are shown and compared with previous experimental data. Experimental results are given for the electron number current as a function of interface materials, photon spectrum and photon angle of incidence. The experimental results are compared to the predictions of the analytical formulae and the Monte Carlo code SANDYL.
A regional perspective of Preceramic times in the central Andes

MacNeish, Richards., Angel Garcia Cook, Luis G. Lumbreras, Robert K. Vierra, and Antoinette Nelkin‐Terner. The Prehistory of the Ayacucho Basin, Peru: Excavations and Chronology. Volume II. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1981. xii + 279 pp. including figures, graphs, tables, references, index. $45.00 cloth. MacNeish, Richard S., Robert K. Vierra, Antoinette Nelkin‐Temer, and Carl J. Phagan. The Prehistory of the Ayacucho Basin, Peru: Nonceramic Artifacts. Volume III. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1980. xii + 344 pp. including figures, graphs, tables, references, index. $45.00 cloth. MacNeish, Richard S., Robert K. Vierra, Antoinette Nelkin‐Terner, Rochelle Lurie, and Angel Garcia Cook. The Prehistory of the Ayacucho Basin, Peru: The Preceramic Way of Life. Volume IV. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1983. x + 288 pp. including figures, graphs, tables, references, index. $45.00 cloth.
Abstract 5159: Wnt signaling protein (Wisp2/CCN5) stimulates angiogenesis and invasion in prostate cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Introduction: Angiogenesis and invasion are essential attributes of metastatic cancer cells. The Wnt-Induced Signaling Protein-2 (Wisp-2 /CCN5) is a secreted protein implicated in modification of extracellular matrix, invasion, and angiogenesis. The regulation of Wisp-2 and its function in CaP is poorly explored although it is highly expressed in advanced CaP cells. We discovered recently that a pro-inflammatory chemokine, Interleukin-8 (IL-8) strongly modulates Wisp2 expression in CaP cells. Since chronic inflammation is thought to be significant in CaP metastasis and IL-8 is a major effecter of inflammatory pathway, we investigated the physiological consequence of Wisp-2 modulation in CaP cells. Hypothesis; Wisp-2 is a down-stream effector of IL-8 induced angiogenesis and invasion, and is essential for metastatic progression of prostate cancer. Methods: Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to determine the expression of Wisp-2 mRNA and other mRNA in prostate epithelial and cancer cells (e.g. RWPE-1, LNCaP, LAPC-4, DU145, and PC3). Wisp-2 mediated-VEGF secretion was determined by ELISA and endothelial tube formation assay using human vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC cells). Invasive activity and their attributes were determined using gelatin-zymography for matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), Matrigel invasion assay and chemotaxis assay. Results: Wisp2 RNA was strongly expressed in two highly metastatic CaP cell lines, DU145 and PC-3 and moderately in less invasive LAPC4 and LNCaP cells. Constitutive autocrine expression or external addition of IL-8 increased Wisp-2 mRNA by ≥15.2 times in LNCaP, and 7.4 times in LAPC4 cells. Depleting Wisp-2 by RNA interference caused 82% reduction of Wisp2 in DU145, and 75% in PC-3. Depletion of Wisp2 did not affect cell proliferation in DU145 and PC3 but it reduced expression of VEGF mRNA by 64% in DU145 and 43% in PC3. Secreted VEGF protein in cultures of DU145 and PC-3 cells showed a decrease of 62% in DU145 and 30% in PC3. Condition medium of Wisp-2 depleted DU145 cell cultures showed 20% decrease in proliferation and vessel formation activity in HUVEC cells. Further, Wisp-2 depletion in DU145 cells resulted in significant decrease in chemo-invasion activity (28%) and secretion of MMP-9 (25%). Conclusions: These results show that Wisp2 is down stream effector of IL-8 and is an important modulator, affecting extracellular matrix to stimulate angiogenesis and invasiveness in CaP cells. Suppression of Wisp-2 in CaP may reduce their metastatic potential. (Grant Support; VA MERIT Review, VA5312.01 (BLL)) Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5159. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5159
Kinase–phosphatase competition regulates Bacillus subtilis development

The major regulator of sporulation initiation in Bacillus subtilis is the phosphorelay, a multicomponent signal transduction system. A myriad of signals, both positive and negative, from the environment, cell cycle and metabolism is received and interpreted by the phosphorelay and integrated through the opposing activity of protein kinases and protein aspartate phosphatases to create an extremely sophisticated regulatory network.
In defence of a realist interpretation of theology

In this essay, I defend theology against a recent argument made by Peter Byrne. According to Byrne, any discipline of thought that can be interpreted realistically shows the accumulation of reliable or widespread belief about the reality it investigates. I challenge this claim, first, by showing how theology, so construed as an exercise of ‘faith seeking understanding’, can and should be interpreted realistically, even if it does not show the accumulation of reliable or widespread belief about divine reality. Second, I give a plausible account of why theology is beset by internal disagreement and division, even if the goal of theological enquiry is to overcome such disagreement and division.
Ensuring Erp Implementation Success

Abstract MOST FIRMS OF ANY SIGNIFIcant size are in some stage of implementing enterprise resources planning (ERP) systems or other similar multifunctional enterprise systems. Some are in the early stages of the process, giving consideration to the very substantial implementation costs, perhaps ten times the cost of the system itself. Others have successfully implemented ERP and are tying these systems in with supply-chain management (SCM) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems to have “end-to-end” integrated systems.
Sensing Small Displacements by Chromatic Asymmetry

A method of sensing small displacements between two images of complementary chromaticity is described. An autocollimator that uses this method of detection has a pointing sensitivity that exceeds visual interferometric techniques. Two images of complementary chromaticity are superimposed and made to move in opposite directions in response to a test-mirror rotation. The resulting chromatic asymmetry enables experimental detection of setting errors of 1.5 s of arc for a 0.08-mm-wide test mirror. Analysis of image chromaticity when the source is a krypton-ion laser predicts setting errors one-sixteenth of those obtained by interferometry.
Effect of Pb-substitution on the thermal behavior of Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor

The effect of Pb-substitution on the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O superconductor is studied by thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. When studied under different atmospheres (oxygen, nitrogen and air), the Bi-bascd compounds behave similarly to the YBa2Cu3O6+x, but the transition temperature is very different. The weight loss under an oxygen atmosphere is reversible, indicating the dynamic nature of "some" lattice oxygen. While when studied under a nitrogen atmosphere, an irreversible loss was observed during the cooling cycle. A unique transition at around 420°C was observed for the Bi-based compounds. Interestingly, the magnitude of this transition depends on the amount of Pb-substitution. The nature of this transition is believed to be due to the formation of an unstable phase probably associated with a Bi-O site or a mixed-oxide site, and is time dependent. This finding suggests the importance of careful sample handling to avoid possible inconsistent electrical and magnetic measurements...
Intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer for cations derived from azole-substituted coumarin dyes

Abstract The conjugate acids of 7-aminocoumarins that are substituted with benzimidazole or benzothiazole groups display long wavelength absorption and emission associated with low-lying charge transfer states; rapid radiationless deactivation is proposed to proceed via TICT-type intermediates.
Risk premia on foreign exchange: a direct approach

Abstract This paper derives an explicit, direct model of the foreign exchange risk premium as an observable variable and uses it to test the time-variation and stationarity of foreign exchange risk premiums. It also examines the significance and accuracy of the forward market forecast error in predicting the risk premium. Assuming that returns in the foreign exchange market can be described by a diffusion-type stochastic process, it shows that the risk premium on foreign exchange is a weighted average (weighted by a finite time interval) of the forward premium and the exchange rate risk-adjusted excess return to holding foreign exchange. We find that there exists a long-run equilibrium relationship between the forward premium and the risk-adjusted excess return in a cointegrated system. The Johansen (Econometrica 59 (1991) 1551) procedure for cointegration tests confirms that risk premiums are stationary and time-varying. The forward market forecast error appears to be a poor predictor for the risk premium on foreign exchange.