cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do Independent Directors and Chairmen Really Matter? The Role of Boards of Directors in Mutual Fund Governance

Using a comprehensive sample of mutual fund families for 2002, this study examines whether board and chair independence are related to board effectiveness. We find evidence that board size, the number of funds overseen by each independent director, and unexplained independent director compensation are all positively related to fund fees. We find no evidence, however, that funds with a higher percentage of independent directors or independent chairmen charge lower fees. Nor do we find that the incidence of recent trading scandals is related to board and chair independence. Our findings do show that the probability of a fund scandal is positively related to unexplained independent director compensation and the number of funds overseen, while negatively related to the presence of a pricing committee. Overall, our results cast doubt on the usefulness of the two rule changes recently adopted by the SEC requiring that mutual funds have independent chairmen accompanied by at least 75% of independent directors.
Lightweight and Reliable Decentralized Reward System using Blockchain

Crowdsensing has become increasingly popular in recent years by leveraging the sensing capability of the ubiquitous Internet of Things (IoT) and mobile devices. A critical component to enable effective crowdsensing is a reliable reward system to motivate the participation of crowdsensing. In traditional crowdsensing applications, the assessment of data quality and the evaluation of each participant’s rewards are performed by the central server. Hence, their fairness and reliability are based on the assumption that the server will behave correctly. Once the server suffers from software or hardware failures, or even cheats on purpose, the profit of participants cannot be guaranteed. In this paper, we propose a reliable decentralized reward system for crowdsensing by harnessing the blockchain technique. Different from existing blockchain-based crowdsensing solutions that utilize expensive consensus mechanisms in terms of computation or financial cost, we explore the power of reputation system that exists in most crowdsensing applications and securely integrate it into blockchain to design a proof of reputation consensus mechanism. On top of it, an efficient and reliable reward system using blockchain is further designed. We evaluated the performance of our proposed reward system using numerical analysis as well as simulation.
A pattern approach for designing application

We propose to include a pattern approach in design-process for application. Pattern approach is typically used as reference of best practice. In this case, we use pattern of current operation as input to inspect requirement of next-new application. We tried case study and studied about those results.
Quantum-enabled temporal and spectral mode conversion of microwave signals

Electromagnetic waves are ideal candidates for transmitting information in a quantum network as they can be routed rapidly and efficiently between locations using optical fibres or microwave cables. Yet linking quantum-enabled devices with cables has proved difficult because most cavity or circuit quantum electrodynamics systems used in quantum information processing can only absorb and emit signals with a specific frequency and temporal envelope. Here we show that the temporal and spectral content of microwave-frequency electromagnetic signals can be arbitrarily manipulated with a flexible aluminium drumhead embedded in a microwave circuit. The aluminium drumhead simultaneously forms a mechanical oscillator and a tunable capacitor. This device offers a way to build quantum microwave networks using separate and otherwise mismatched components. Furthermore, it will enable the preparation of non-classical states of motion by capturing non-classical microwave signals prepared by the most coherent circuit quantum electrodynamics systems.
Review of Kwok Pui‐lan, Don H. Compier, and Joerg Rieger, eds., Empire and the Christian Tradition: New Readings of Classical Theologians. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007.

Stephen D. Moore reviews Kwok Pui‐lan, Don H. Compier, and Joerg Rieger, eds., Empire and the Christian Tradition: New Readings of Classical Theologians . Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2007.
Detection of Protein Contaminants in Biological Preparations by Discontinuous Counterimmunoelectrophoresis

Acidic proteins (serum albumin through beta2 globulin) can be rapidly detected by the discontinuous counterimmunoelectrophoresis method in which the protein under test is allowed to react electrophoretically with specific antiserum. In the test, acidic proteins move towards the anode and cross over antibodies moving towards the cathode. The method is several thousand times more sensitive than the Lowry test, for it can detect picogram amounts of protein. With this method, foreign proteins (chicken allantoic fluids or bovine serum) were detected in virus vaccines manufactured for human use and in commercial “monospecific” immunological reagents.
Nasal Vaccination with Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Reduces Stroke Size by Inducing IL-10-Producing CD4+ T Cells

Inflammation plays an important role in ischemic stroke and in humans IL-10 may have a beneficial effect in stroke. We mucosally administered myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35–55 peptide to C57BL/6 mice before middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to induce an anti-inflammatory T cell response directed at CNS myelin. Nasal and oral administration of MOG35–55 peptide decreased ischemic infarct size at 24 and 72 h after MCAO surgery. Nasal MOG35–55 peptide was most efficacious and reduced infarct size by 70% at 24 h and by 50% at 72 h (p ≤ 0.0001 vs control) and also improved behavior score. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated increased IL-10 and reduced IFN-γ in the area surrounding the ischemic infarct following nasal treatment. Nasal MOG did not reduce infarct size in IL-10-deficient mice. Adoptive transfer of CD4+ T cells to untreated mice from nasally tolerized mice before MCAO surgery decreased stroke size (p < 0.001 vs control), whereas, CD4+ T cells from nasally tolerized IL-10-deficient mice had no effect. Our results demonstrate that IL-10-secreting CD4+ T cells induced by nasal MOG reduce injury following stroke. In addition, we observed a dramatic reduction of CD11b+ cells in nasal MOG-treated animals. CD11b+ cells may contribute to secondary infarct expansion by enhancing NO synthesis that may be reduced by elevated IL-10 levels. Modulation of cerebral inflammation by nasal vaccination with myelin Ags that increase IL-10 in the brain may improve outcome after stroke and enhance mechanisms of recovery.
A Simple Petrologic Model for the Generation of Deccan Trap Magmas

The present study explores, on the basis of experimental phase equilibria of volatile-bearing mantle lherzolite, how tholeiitic, carbonatitic, and alkaline magmas all could have been produced from ...
Hierarchy of merlin and ezrin N- and C-terminal domain interactions in homo- and heterotypic associations and their relationship to binding of scaffolding proteins EBP50 and E3KARP.

The neurofibromatosis 2 tumor suppressor gene product merlin has strong sequence identity to the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family over its ∼300-residue N-terminal domain. ERM proteins are membrane cytoskeletal linkers that are negatively regulated by an intramolecular association between domains known as NH2- and COOH-ERM association domains (N- and C-ERMADs) that mask sites for binding membrane-associated proteins, such as EBP50 and E3KARP, and F-actin. Here we show that merlin has self-association regions analogous to the N- and C-ERMADs. Moreover, the N-/C-ERMAD interaction in merlin is relatively weak and dynamic, and this property is reflected by the ability of full-length recombinant merlin to form homo-oligomers. Remarkably, the merlin C-ERMAD has a higher affinity for the N-ERMAD of ezrin than the N-ERMAD of merlin. Both the ezrin and merlin N-ERMAD bind EBP50. This interaction with the ezrin N-ERMAD can be inhibited by the presence of the ezrin C-ERMAD, whereas interaction with the merlin N-ERMAD is not inhibited by either C-ERMAD. E3KARP binds tightly to the ezrin N-ERMAD but has little affinity for the merlin N-ERMAD. The implications of these associations and the hierarchies of binding for the function and regulation of merlin and ERM proteins are discussed.
The effects of loneliness and verbal aggressiveness on message interpretation

This study predicted that loneliness and verbal aggressiveness are correlated with interpreting ambiguous messages negatively, and that loneliness, verbal aggressiveness, and negative interpretations are associated with experiencing communication as more difficult. Students (n = 173) completed personality assessments, rated their level of difficulty with everyday communication, and responded to two hypothetical scenarios, indicating whether the messages within them communicated rejection. Results support our contention that loneliness and verbal aggressiveness are predictors of negative interpretations and communication difficulty.
Transmission and scanning electron microscopic study of chlordecone (kepone) induced changes in the male mouse choroid plexus

To investigate the effects of the estrogenic insecticide chlordecone on the morphology of mouse choroid plexus, 4 different doses (100.0, 250.0, 500.0 and 1000.0 micrograms) of the chemical were administered intraperitoneally to groups of adult males. Concurrent with the chlordecone treatments, another group of males received 10.0 micrograms estradiol-17 beta; the control group was treated with sesame oil vehicle. After 15 days of daily chemical injections, the mice were terminated and the choroid plexus from fourth ventricle examined morphologically. Scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron microscopic examination of control choroid plexus showed the cuboidal epithelium profusely covered with microvilli. SEM examinations of choroid plexus epithelium after chlordecone treatments revealed dose-dependent, cell alterations that effected the microvilli and cell surfaces. After the highest chlordecone dose, microvilli were no longer visible, the choroidal cell membrane appeared either smooth or pitted and there was evidence of increased luminal debris. TEM observations of the same choroid plexus cells revealed vacuolated cytoplasm, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, vacuolated mitochondria with disrupted cristae and cellular degeneration. SEM and TEM examination of choroid plexus after estradiol treatments revealed similar cellular alterations to those recorded after chlordecone treatments. The possible significance of these data are discussed.
Research on Negotiation: What Does It Reveal about Second-Language Learning Conditions, Processes, and Outcomes?.

This article reviews insights into second-language (L2) learning that have been revealed through over a decade of research on the social interaction and negotiation of L2 learners and their interlocutors, begining with the seminal work of Hatch (1978a, 197810) and Long (1980 et passim), and withereferenceto a corpus of informal, experimental, and classroom data from published studies. This research illustrates ways in which negotiation contributes to condi- tions, processes, and outcomes ofL2 learningby facilitating learners' comprehension and structural segmentation of L2 input, access to lexical form and meaning, and production of modified output. The research points out areas in which negotiation does not appear to assist L2 learning, especially with respect to the learner's need to access L2
Launching at a distance: The effect of spatial markers:

It has been widely reported that spatial contiguity is important to judgements of causality involving one object launching another [Michotte's "launching effect" (1963, 1991)]. The present study examined the impact of different types of spatial markers on causal judgements of a distal launch (one object approaching other, stopping short of it, and the second object subsequently moving along the same trajectory). The spatial markers were objects that either partially or completely bridged the spatial gap between two objects (Experiment 1), or they were dashed lines that marked the stopping location of the first object or the starting location of the second object (Experiment 2). The presence of either objects or dashed lines could produce higher causal ratings, but the location of the marker mattered. The results suggest that altering a cause's ability to predict when the effect would occur (via a spatial marker) and the presence of a conduit for energy transmission have independent effects on causal judgements of object interaction.
Recent hydrocarbon alteration, sulfate reduction and formation of elemental sulfur and metal sulfides in salt dome cap rock

Abstract Geochemical analysis of hydrocarbons and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) provide insight to recent alteration of crude oil, microbial sulfate reduction and mineral deposition in carbonate cap rock at Damon Mound, Brazoria County, Texas, U.S.A. Previous work showed that intense aerobic biodegradation of hydrocarbons occurs in shallow cap rock where S 0 and metal sulfides are not abundant. The present study focuses on some deeper carbonate cap rock characterized by more limited oxygen availability. The C 1 -C 4 hydrocarbons in deeper cap rock are a biodegraded residue of hydrocarbons derived from crude oil. Alteration of higher-molecular-weight crude oil components is best explained by the effects of water washing accompanied by some biodegradation. SEM of cavities in carbonate cap rock shows microbes in association with globular masses of solid crude oil and sulfate minerals. Late-forming minerals in cavities include S 0 , pyrrhotite, pyrite, sphalerite and aragonite. The presence of S 0 and sulfide minerals indicates that microbial sulfate reduction is associated with limited hydrocarbon biodegradation in this deeper cap rock environment. Similar processes could explain the origin of some S 0 and metal sulfides at Damon Mound in the geologic past.
XAFS Studies of Soft Heavy Metal Ion Intercalated M(x)MoS(2)(M=Hg**(2+), Ag+) Solids

XAFS studies were performed on two new soft-heavy-metal-ion-intercalated materials MxMoS2 (M = Hg2+, Ag+). For the compound Hg0.32MoS2, EXAFS results show an average Hg coordination environment consisting of ≈2 S atoms at 2.38 A and ≈0.2 (±35%) Hg atoms at 2.55 A. Along with Hg XANES analysis, these data indicate that the Hg atoms in this compound are present as a mixture of mercuric and mercurous ions. Ag EXAFS analysis of the compound Ag0.61MoS2 indicates a Ag coordination environment consisting of ≈2 S atoms at 2.43 A. Ag EXAFS and XANES results for heat-treated Ag0.61MoS2 indicate that the Ag coordination environment has changed to that nearly identical for silver metal with several Ag−Ag interactions detected. The results suggest that heat treatment of Ag0.61MoS2 facilitates the chemical reduction of the intercalated silver ions to elemental silver. In addition, Mo EXAFS and XANES analyses indicate that both the Hg- and Ag-intercalated compounds have significant amounts of the 1T-phase of MoS2 in the...
Sensitive Periods for Adolescent Alcohol Use Initiation: Predicting the Lifetime Occurrence and Chronicity of Alcohol Problems in Adulthood*

Objective:This study examined the association between age at alcohol use onset and adult alcohol misuse and dependence by testing the sensitive-period hypothesis that early adolescence (11—14) is a vulnerable period of development during which initiating alcohol use is particularly harmful.Method:Data came from a longitudinal panel of 808 participants recruited in 1981. Participants were followed through age 33 in 2008 with 92% retention.Results:Onset of alcohol use before age 11 (late childhood), when compared with initiation during early adolescence, was related to an increased chronicity of adult alcohol dependence, even after accounting for sociodemographic controls and other substance use in adolescence. The present study finds no evidence that early adolescence is a particularly sensitive period for the onset of alcohol use. Findings related to the onset of regular alcohol use and the chronicity of alcohol dependence suggest that the onset of regular drinking before age 21 is problematic, but no one...
Fast analysis of water samples for detection of anions by capillary zone electrophoresis.

A capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method with relatively low separation voltage and short capillary length, using indirect UV detection was developed for the fast and quantitative determination of Cl−, NO− 2, SO2− 4, NO− 3, F− and HCO− 3 in potable water samples. Baseline separation of inorganic and organic anions was achieved within 1 min. The optimal carrier electrolyte consisted of 6.0 mM sodium chromate, 2.5 mM CTAB and 3.5% acetonitrile at pH 9.0. The effects of pH and the concentrations of electrolyte and flow modifiers on the resolution were investigated. Two injection methods, gravity and electrokinetic, were compared. The application of electrokinetic injection, using pyroglutamic acid as an internal standard was found to provide a method that is fast, sensitive and quantitative, with an R.S.D. for migration times from 0.1% to 0.3% and for peak areas from 1.8% to 4.1%. The limits of detection were 0.08 mg/L Cl−, 0.3 mg/L NO− 2, 0.1 mg/L SO4 2−, 0.1 mg/L NO− 3, 0.07 mg/L F−, and 0.3 mg/L HCO3...
Extra-chromosomal mutability determined by a nuclear gene locus in arabidopsis

Abstract Two recessive mutations isolated after ethyl methanesulfonate treatment produce variegation when homozygous with excellent penetrance and variable expressivity. The variegation involves different degrees of pigmentation and morphology of the leaves as well as fertility. The altered phenotypes observed in the mutants display non-mendelian inheritance though the primary cause of the alteration is the mutation at a chromosomal locus ( chm ) in linkage group 3. The two mutants seem allelic but non-identical. The results of the genetic analysis are consistent with the interpretation that a nuclear mutator locus is inducing several different type of hereditary alterations in the plastome. The plastome mutations reveal involvement of the plastome in the control of its own morphology as well as in cellular and organ differentiation. The system indicates that though the plastome is endowed with a considerable autonomy in some functions its mutability is subject also to nuclear control. The informational content of the 20–80 plastids per cell is apparently identical. The occurrence of cells with different types of plastids reveals that “epistasis” is not of major importance among the plastids within a single cell. The independent expression and inheritance of color variegation from morphological alterations indicate a separate localization (absence of linkage) of the pertaining genetic elements. The predominantly joint appearance of other phenes point to the existence of pleiotropy or linkage within the plastids.
The Need for Governance of Restructured Electric Power Systems and Some Policy Implications

Abstract Four key factors—bounded rationality, asset specificity, opportunism, and uncertainty—mean the electric power industry cannot function effectively without governance agreements. Three areas of important concern are broadly conceived dispute resolution policies, transparency-enhancing policies, and auditing policies.
ASCA National Model®: The Foundation for Supervision of Practicum and Internship Students

Providing quality supervision for student counselors in pre-K-12 school settings is both a responsibility and a challenge for professionals in the field. While the ASCA National Model® for School Counseling Programs provides a detailed structure for school counseling programs, it does not explicitly include a supervision element within its four basic components. This article presents a unique supervision format and training model specifically developed within the framework of the ASCA National Model.
Relationships Between Teenage Smoking and Attitudes Toward Women's Rights, Sex Roles, Marriage, Sex and Family

This study analyzes the relationships of cigarette smoking to attitudes toward equal opportunities for women, attitudes toward appropriate roles for women and men, and attitudes toward marriage, sex and family. Our analyses utilize data for white high school seniors from the 1985 Monitoring the Future national survey. Smoking was not related to attitudes toward equal opportunities for women, attitudes toward sex roles, or attitudes concerning the parental role. However, students who had favorable attitudes toward cohabitation by unmarried couples and unfavorable attitudes toward marriage were more likely to smoke than students who had more traditional attitudes toward sex and marriage. The association between smoking and non-traditional attitudes toward sex and marriage was observed for both females and males. Additional findings suggest that rejection of conventional values and acceptance of deviance contribute both to non-traditional attitudes toward sex and marriage and to teenage smoking, and this is ...
Polyiodine units in starch–iodine complex: INDO CI study of spectra and comparison with experiments

The starch–iodine blue complex formation does not involve negatively charged iodine species like I, I, or I; rather, neutral iodine units are involved. The heat of reaction is determined to be about −110 kJ for every mole of I-I unit in the amylose helix, which suggests that the dissociation of I2 (binding energy 149 kJ/mol) does not take place during the complex formation. Quantum mechanical (INDO CI) calculations indicate that the linear as well as nonlinear polyiodine units, I6, with interiodine distance of 3.0 A are responsible for characteristic absorbance bands of the starch–iodine complex. Based on our previous article [(1989) J. Polym. Sci. A27, 4161] and the present studies we identify (C6H10O5)16.5I6 to be the polymeric unit responsible for the characteristic blue color of the complex.
A specific alteration of protein enzymatic glycosylation induced by cyclosporine

Abstract THE MECHANISMS of chronic cyclosporine (CyA) toxicity are not well established. CyA impairs cytosolic calcium singling.1 Calcium modulates the activity of a calmodulin-dependent protein kinase, which phosphorylates a sialytransferase.2 The CyA-cyclophilin complex inhibits the phosphatase activity.3 The fixation of sialic acid on glycoconjugates is regulated by sialytransferase phosphorylation,2 thus we looked for an effect of CyA on the enzymatic glycosylation processes.
Abstract 5051: MYC-driven models of primitive neuroectodermal tumor are sensitive to inhibitors of glutamine metabolism.

Brain tumors are a diverse group of cancers in which alterations in growth regulation pathways drive tumorigenicity. Histologically similar tumors may have significant differences in underlying molecular pathways and this in turn may have significant implications for the development of targeted treatment. The MYC family of proteins promotes proliferation and an aggressive phenotype in diverse cancers. Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNETs) are high grade tumors that can arise throughout the neuro-axis. One subset of PNETs is MYC amplified, and some PNETs are known to express LIN28A, a key regulator of MYC. MYC expression in tumors leads to increased reliance on glutamine metabolism (i.e. the Warburg effect). We hypothesized that MYC-driven PNET tumors would up regulate glutamine metabolism and that glutaminase inhibitors would selectively target MYC-driven tumors. We tested this hypothesis using the MYC-positive PNET cell line PFSK as well as MYC-transformed human neural stem cells. The glutamine methabolic inhibitors DON (6-Diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine) and acivicin were used to disrupt glutamine metabolism in these cells. Using Tetrazolium dye reduction (MTT assay) and Bromodeoxyuridine assays (BrdU) as indicators for cell growth and replication, we found that PFSK growth is inhibited by acivicin at 10 micromolar concentration (MTT activity reduced by 88%, p Citation Format: Sama F. Ahsan, Allison Hanaford, Melanie Weingart, Isabella Taylor, Charles Eberhart, Eric Raabe. MYC-driven models of primitive neuroectodermal tumor are sensitive to inhibitors of glutamine metabolism. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5051. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5051
Lesion site in unilateral stroke patients with dysphagia

The purpose of this retrospective study was to elucidate specific lesion sites associated with deglutition disorders by studying unilateral left- and right-hemispheric stroke patients with dysphagia. We reviewed computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans and videofluoroscopic swallow studies of 16 consecutive patients with unilateral ischemic infarcts and dysphagia. Results suggest that unilateral hemispheric lesions may produce dysphagia and that patients with left- and right-hemispheric strokes may have different dysphagia characteristics. Although right-hemispheric lesions were significantly smaller than left-hemispheric lesions, dysphagia seemed to be clinically more significant in patients with right-hemispheric strokes, because a higher incidence of delayed pharyngeal swallow (consistency specific) and pharyngeal stasis was recorded in this population. Cytoarchitectonic lesion mapping showed that the insular cortex was the commonest lesion site, suggesting that the insula may be important in swallowing. A prospective double-blind study in a larger sample of unilateral stroke patients with and without dysphagia is warranted to confirm these preliminary findings.
A convergent coupling strategy for the formation of polycyclic ethers: Stereoselective synthesis of the BCDE fragment of brevetoxin A

A stereoselective synthesis of the BCDE fragment of brevetoxin A has been completed. anti-Glycolate aldol, glycolate alkylation, and ring-closing metathesis reactions were employed as key bond-forming events. A convergent assembly strategy was employed that relied on a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons union of two complex fragments. Subsequent cyclization and dehydration led to efficient generation of an intermediate endocyclic enol ether, which was advanced to a tetracyclic fragment. [reaction: see text]
Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Atrophy Is Associated with Visual Field Loss over Time in Glaucoma Suspect and Glaucomatous Eyes

Purpose To compare prospectively detection of progressive retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFL) atrophy identified using time-domain optical coherence tomography with visual field progression using standard automated perimetry in glaucoma suspect and preperimetric glaucoma patients or perimetric glaucoma patients. Design Prospective, longitudinal clinical trial. Methods Eligible eyes with 2 years or more of follow-up underwent time-domain optical coherence tomography and standard automated perimetry every 6 months. The occurrence of visual field progression was defined as the first follow-up visit reaching a significant ( P Results Three hundred ten glaucoma suspect and preperimetric glaucoma eyes and 177 perimetric glaucoma eyes were included. Eighty-nine eyes showed visual field progression and 101 eyes showed RNFL progression. The average time to detect visual field progression in those 89 eyes was 35 ± 13 months, and the average time to detect RNFL progression in those 101 eyes was 36 ± 13 months. In multivariate Cox models, average and superior RNFL losses were associated with subsequent visual field index loss in the entire cohort (every 10-μm loss; hazard ratio, 1.38; P = .03; hazard ratio, 1.20; P = .01; respectively). Among the entire cohort of 487 eyes, 42 had significant visual field index improvement and 55 had significant RNFL improvement (specificity, 91.4% and 88.7%, respectively). Conclusions Structural progression is associated with functional progression in glaucoma suspect and glaucomatous eyes. Average and superior RNFL thickness may predict subsequent standard automated perimetry loss.
Platelet membrane fluidity and aggregation of rabbit platelets

Aggregation of rabbit platelets from citrated plasma in response to ADP was directly correlated with platelet plasma membrane fluidity as determined by fluorescence depolarization measurements with the probe diphenylhexatriene. Rabbits were maintained for periods of 200 and 400 days on potentially hyperlipidemic diets (20% fat by weight) with varying levels of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Dietary variations were effective in modulating the mole percentage distribution patterns of the platelet phospholipid fatty acids. The major chemical control of membrane fluidity was the actual mass of unsaturated lipid in the cells and not simply the relative percentage distributions of such unsaturated fatty acids. Substantially higher phospholipid/protein ratios were observed upon analysis of platelets and platelet membranes from rabbits after 200- than after 400-day diet periods. Accordingly lipid structures were significantly more fluid in either whole platelets or membrane isolates at the end of the shorter diet period. The observations pertaining to the extent of aggregation and membrane fluidity are in consonance with the general role of membrane fluidity in controlling biological activity and support the concept that platelet aggregation is a membrane-associated phenomenon.
Fractal Character of the Electrocardiogram: Distinguishing Heart-Failure and Normal Patients

Statistical analysis of the sequence of heartbeats can provide information about the state of health of the heart. We used a variety of statistical measures to identify the form of the point process that describes the human heartbeat. These measures are based on both interevent intervals and counts, and include the interevent-interval histogram, interval-based periodogram, rescaled range analysis, the event-number histogram, Fano-factor, Allan Factor, and generalized-rate-based periodogram. All of these measures have been applied to data from both normal and heart-failure patients, and various surrogate versions thereof. The results show that almost all of the interevent-interval and the long-term counting statistics differ in statistically significant ways for the two classes of data. Several measures reveal 1/f-type fluctuations (long-duration power-law correlation). The analysis that we have conducted suggests the use of a conveniently calculated, quantitative index, based on the Allan factor, that indicates whether a particular patient does or does not suffer from heart failure. The Allan factor turns out to be particularly useful because it is easily calculated and is jointly responsive to both short-term and long-term characteristics of the heartbeat time series. A phase-space reconstruction based on the generalized heart rate is used to obtain a putative attractor's capacity dimension. Though the dependence of this dimension on the embedding dimension is consistent with that of a low-dimensional dynamical system (with a larger apparent dimension for normal subjects), surrogate-data analysis shows that identical behavior emerges from temporal correlation in a stochastic process. We present simulated results for a purely stochastic integrate-and-fire model, comprising a fractal-Gaussian-noise kernel, in which the sequence of heartbeats is determined by level crossings of fractional Brownian motion. This model characterizes the statistical behavior of the human electrocardiogram remarkably well, properly accounting for the behavior of all of the measures studied, over all time scales.
Advancements towards sustainable transportation systems: 1.5 PDH's

As world continues to rely more and more upon vehicular transportation, the looming problems of fuel supply and air pollution become more imminent. The internal combustion engine (ICE) has long been the mechanism that propels our vehicles, and gasoline has been its major source of energy. This fuel supply is dwindling and researchers are looking for new sources of energy. Demands for higher fuel economy, performance, reliability, and reduced emissions push the automotive industry to seek advanced technologies such as electrification of ancillaries and engine augmentations. An immediate solution to this problem is essential, and the most promising answer lies in hybrid electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (HEV and PHEV) technologies. The proposed long-term sustainable solution includes (1) integrating the transportation industry with the electric power industry, (2) using electricity as the carrier, and (3) generating electricity from renewable energy sources. In this presentation, different HEV and PHEV configurations will be presented with a focus on engineering fundamentals as well as state-of-the-art research and development in the components and system integration. In addition, it is focused on drive train configurations and presents a review of conversion strategies to hybridize different vehicles.
Back to the future of AACR: retooling former cataloging practices to solve problems old and new

Abstract New forms of publication have called into question AACR2’s current division of the type of publication into monographs and serials. This paper analyzes the recommendations in the April 1999 report to the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) on AACR, “Revising AACR2 to Accommodate Seriality.” The JSC report presents a new type of publication model, which recognizes elements of seriality in resources that do not meet the current AACR2 definition of serial. Recommendations in the JSC report attempt to provide rules for the cataloging of new forms of materials as well as solutions to other current cataloging problems. Some of these solutions are based on incorporating and adapting the best of former rules and practices. Anticipated benefits of the rule revision include harmonization of AACR2 with international standards, reduction of needless title changes, and a more holistic approach to serials cataloging.
Multi-armed bandit problems with heavy-tailed reward distributions

In the Multi-Armed Bandit (MAB) problem, a player selects one out of a set of arms to play at each time without knowing the arm reward statistics. The essence of the problem is the tradeoff between exploration and exploitation: playing a less explored arm to learn its reward statistics or playing the arm appearing to be the best. An approach based on a Deterministic Sequencing of Exploration and Exploitation (DSEE) is developed for constructing sequential arm selection policies. It is shown that when the moment-generating functions of the arm reward distributions are properly bounded, the optimal logarithmic order of the regret can be achieved by DSEE. The condition on the reward distributions can be gradually relaxed at a cost of a higher (nevertheless, sublinear) regret order: for any positive integer p, O(T1/p) regret can be achieved by DSEE when the moments of the reward distributions exist (only) up to the pth order. The proposed DSEE approach complements existing work on MAB by providing corresponding results under a set of relaxed conditions on the reward distributions. Furthermore, with a clearly defined tunable parameter — the cardinality of the exploration sequence, the DSEE approach is easily extendable to variations of MAB, including decentralized MAB with partial reward observations and restless MAB with unknown Markov dynamics. Potential applications include dynamic spectrum access, multi-agent systems, Internet advertising and Web search.
Helicon plasma studies

Summary form only given. Helicon plasma sources are recognized as sources of high density plasma. These sources are characterized by an axial magnetic field and an inductive antenna that is used to generate helicon waves which penetrate into the core plasma and heat electrons away from the walls. Even though these sources have been studied extensively some aspects of their operation are still unknown-the design of these sources is still an art form. There are axially short, large radii, low field systems and axially long, radially small, high field systems. This report concentrates on the latter type. Peak densities of 2-3/spl times/10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/ are obtained on our test system which is a 120 cm long, 10 cm diameter cylindrical glass tube filled with argon at 7 mTorr. The axial magnetic field is 1 kG. RF power of 300-700 Watts at 13.56 MHz is applied to a 3 turn, 15 cm long, spiral antenna that is located near one end of the system. A Nagoya III antenna and a double half-turn antenna have also been studied. A grounded limiter/end plate is located near the antenna. The densities are measured using Langmuir probes with RF fluctuation suppression circuits and confirmed with 70 GHz microwave interferometry. The density increases from less than 1/spl times/10/sup 12/ cm/sup -3/ to 2/spl times/10/sup 13/ cm/sup -3/ as the power is increased from 150 to 300 Watts. Antenna coupling measurements show that increased coupling cannot account for the increased density. More efficient electron heating or changes in the losses or a combination of these must be invoked to account for the density increases.
Group treatment of adult male inpatients abused as children

Recent research indicates that childhood abuse experiences characterize a large subset of psychiatric inpatients. This paper presents a time-limited pilot group developed for adult male abuse survivors in an inpatient setting using: (1) techniques adapted from the existing literature on treatment of abuse survivors; and (2) approaches deriving from the interface of theory and current manifestations of distress. The eclectic therapeutic approach incorporated psychoeducational, cognitive, behavioral, and art therapy techniques presented below in a session-by-session format.
A Retrospective Analysis of the Clinical Quality Effects of the Acquisition of Highland Park Hospital by Evanston Northwestern Healthcare

Abstract In 2004, the Federal Trade Commission brought a legal action retrospectively challenging the 2000 acquisition of Highland Park Hospital by Evanston Northwestern Healthcare in Evanston, Illinois. A major issue in that case was whether the merger had resulted in improved clinical quality at Highland Park. In this paper, we describe the conceptual framework that guided our analysis of that issue and we report our findings. Specifically, we examine numerous quantitative measures of clinical quality. We find little evidence that the merger improved quality. We also discuss the applicability of our framework to the prospective analysis of unconsummated hospital mergers.
Subcarinal collection following mediastinoscopy: a normal post-procedural CT finding

Aim To determine the frequency with which a subcarinal collection is present at computed tomography (CT) following mediastinoscopy and to determine the CT features of the collection. Materials and methods All patients who underwent uncomplicated mediastinoscopy during a 1-year period were retrospectively identified. This list was cross-referenced to determine those patients who also underwent CT within 15 days after the procedure. Each post-mediastinoscopy CT examination was assessed in consensus by three fellowship-trained thoracic radiologists for the presence of subcarinal abnormalities, which were also characterized in terms of their size and density. Additional CT findings were recorded, including tracheobronchial wall thickening, paratracheal collections, mediastinal fat stranding, and mediastinal air. Results The study cohort included 10 patients (seven men and three women) with mean age of 65 years (range 49–81 years). CT was performed a mean of 11 days following mediastinoscopy. The most common CT finding was an oval subcarinal collection in nine of 10 cases (size 1.1–3.2 cm). In all nine cases, the subcarinal collections were consistently lower in attenuation than the subcarinal lymph node in the same region on the pre-procedure CT examination. Other CT findings included anterior tracheobronchial wall thickening (n = 7); paratracheal collection (n = 6); mediastinal fat stranding (n = 6); and mediastinal air in (n = 4) cases. Conclusion A subcarinal collection was identified in 90% of cases following mediastinoscopy. Its rapid development and characteristic appearance help to distinguish it from a lymph node.
Cooperation between the products of different nuclei in hybrid myotubes produces localized acetylcholine receptor clusters

Cultured myotubes form clusters of acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) spontaneously and at sites of nerve-muscle contact. To investigate the cellular mechanisms by which spontaneous clusters are formed, we have made hybrid myotubes between a mouse muscle cell variant, S27, that does not cluster AChRs, and one that does not make AChRs. We have also made hybrid myotubes using S27 and quail muscle cells. In both cases, clusters of AChRs were found near the non-S27 nuclei; in the case of the interspecific hybrids, mouse AChRs were associated with extracellular matrix components contributed by the quail nuclei. Our results suggest that AChRs made by one nucleus can be clustered by localized extracellular matrix produced by a different nucleus and provide an example of nuclear cooperation between the products of different nuclei within multinucleated muscle fibers.
MODELING FREQUENCY DISTRIBUTION of STEADY-STATE O2 PARTIAL PRESSURES IN MODIFIED-ATMOSPHERE PACKAGES

A mathematical model was developed to predict the frequency distribution of steady-state O 2 partial pressures in modified-atmosphere packages of fresh and minimally processed fruits and vegetables. Variation in O 2 uptake was predicted to have relatively larger influence on the package O 2 distribution than variation in film permeability to O 2 . The model also predicted that the range of O 2 partial pressures in the packages would be larger for the products with lower K 1/2 (a constant in product O 2 uptake equation) values. The percent deviation of package O 2 partial pressures from [O 2 ] med increased with [O 2 ] med up to about 3 kPa and gradually decreased thereafter. Package O 2 distribution was symmetrical at higher [O 2 ] med but became gradually asymmetrical with decreasing [O 2 ] med from 6 kPa. The model was used to predict target [O 2 ] med for the design of modified-atmosphere packages for different probability levels of having package O 2 being equal to or less than a minimum tolerable level of the product.
IMMUNIZATION STUDIES WITH NAJA NAJA VENOM DETOXIFIED BY PHOTOOXIDATION

Abstract Photooxidation of cobra venom by visible light in the presence of methylene blue resulted in a relatively slow detoxification of the venom. The γ-globulin isolated from rabbits immunized with the detoxified venom gave poor protection in the animal experiments. Possible reasons for the weak response of the immune serum are discussed.
An evaluation of ERIC PCR and AP PCR fingerprinting for discriminating Salmonella serotypes

PCR fingerprints of 89 Salmonella isolates belonging to 22 serotypes were obtained using ERIC PCR (enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR) and AP PCR (arbitrarily primed PCR) to evaluate the ability of different fingerprinting methods to differentiate or identify serotypes and subtypes. Fingerprints were scored and comparisons were made using a computer program. ERIC PCR produced a unique, complex fingerprint for almost every isolate, but these fingerprints did not identify serotypes. One AP PCR primer also produced complex fingerprints that discriminated among isolates, but again did not identify serotypes. A second AP PCR primer produced simple patterns, including one pattern shared by 35 isolates from 12 different serotypes. In general, the three sets of PCR fingerprints distinguished isolates, but were not correlated with serotypes. Matching fingerprints from different gels by computer was difficult, since similarities were based on both intense and faint bands. In addition, this study suggests that dendrograms created from PCR fingerprints should be viewed with caution.
Formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon via gas phase benzyne

Abstract Gas phase benzyne generated from the high temperature pyrolysis of phthalic anhydride is reduced to benzene. This newly formed benzene is then free to react further with more benzyne to yield more complex aromatic hydrocarbons.
The Blood Picture of the Normal Dog

SummaryThe results of 251 determinations of the red blood cell count, hemoglobin, volume of packed red cells, mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin, and hemoglobin concentration, reticulocyte percentage and leucocyte count of 34 normal dogs are recorded. No significant sex differences for these values were observed.
Native species of helix destabilizing protein-1 in mouse myeloma identified by antibody probing of Western blots

Antibody probing of Western blots is a method for analyzing the apparent Mr of a protein in any given preparation (Renart, J., Reiser, J., and Stark, G., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76: 3116, 1979). We prepared a rabbit antiserum to purified mouse myeloma helix destabilizing protein-1 and used this antiserum in Western blotting experiments with a crude homogenate of mouse myeloma. The results indicated that the native species of helix destabilizing protein-1 can be degraded during purification. This in vitro proteolysis results in complete loss of the native species and accumulation of lower Mr proteins that represent limit digestion products. These findings have identified the true native form of mouse myeloma HDP-1 as a protein of apparent Mr = 36,000 to 38,000, instead of the Mr = 24,000 and 27,000 proteins obtained by routine purification.
Off with their heads: the need to criminalize some forms of scientific misconduct.

An increasingly long line of high-profile scientific misconduct cases raises the question of whether regulatory policy ought to incorporate more rigorous sanctions for investigators and their institutions. Broad and Wade graphically describe these cases through the early 1980s. They continue to recent times with the cases of Evan Dreyer, Kimon Angelides and Robert Liburdy, Justin Radolf, and others. In addition, recent Congressional investigation into conflict of interest concerns surrounding consulting by National Institutes of Health scientists has raised further questions about ethical standards. The record of continuing scandal suggests that current policy may not be optimal for controlling scientific misconduct. Would an alternative policy better minimize its incidence and associated costs? What should we expect of public policy governing misconduct by American scientists? Surely the public has a right to presume that its tax money is being spent wisely and that any economic rewards from taxpayer funded research are used prudently and in the public interest.
Computing a shape's moments from its boundary

Abstract Moments have been among the most commonly used tools in the analysis of 2D shapes. Important information about a shape such as its size, center location and orientation are all moment-based attributes. There is also a number of very useful shape features such as maximum and minimum moments of inertia, moment invariants, shape spreadness and shape elongation which are also derived from moments. Traditionally, moments of a shape are computed from the occupancy array representation of the shape. That is, all the shape's pixels are involved in the computation. In this paper we propose a method which computes the same set of moments using only the corner pixels along a shape's boundary. The basic approach is to construct a set of triangles using the shape's corners and the origin of the coordinate system. The moments of these triangles are computed first. The moments of the shape are then derived from the triangles' moments. We have found the suggested method to be much more efficient than the traditional occupancy array based methods.