cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do data breaches damage reputation? Evidence from 45 companies between 2002 and 2018

While data breaches have become more common, there is little evidence that companies that incur them experience a persistent decline in financial performance or security prices. Using new firm-level data between 2002 and 2018, this paper finds that firms experience a 26-29% increase in intangible capital following an average data breach. However, the largest and most salient breaches are associated with a 5-9% decline in intangible capital following a data breach. These effects are concentrated among firms in consumer-facing industries: smaller (larger) data breaches are associated with more positive (negative) effects on intangible capital. These results suggest that current regulatory guidance may not provide complete incentives for firms to invest in cybersecurity capabilities, particularly for small to medium size breaches.
The spectral radius of graphs with no odd wheels

Abstract The odd wheel W 2 k + 1 is the graph formed by joining a vertex to a cycle of length 2 k . In this paper, we investigate the largest value of the spectral radius of the adjacency matrix of an n -vertex graph that does not contain W 2 k + 1 . We determine the structure of the spectral extremal graphs for all k ≥ 2 , k ⁄ ∈ { 4 , 5 } . When k = 2 , we show that these spectral extremal graphs are among the Turan-extremal graphs on n vertices that do not contain W 2 k + 1 and have the maximum number of edges, but when k ≥ 9 , we show that the family of spectral extremal graphs and the family of Turan-extremal graphs are disjoint.
Jurisdiction and Discretion in Hybrid Law Cases

One of the most enduring debates in the field of federal courts is which branch of the federal government has the power to control federal jurisdiction. While some commentators and judges assert that the judiciary has the implicit authority to refine the boundaries of its jurisdiction, others argue that Article III vests that authority with Congress only and judicial modification of jurisdiction is illegitimate. In focusing almost entirely on the constitutional legitimacy of the question, this debate has overlooked an important consideration. That is, even if the judiciary may legitimately wield discretion in setting its jurisdiction, is such discretion functionally appropriate? This Article argues that such discretion is not always appropriate. Relying on an empirical analysis of two decades of cases in one area of federal jurisdiction - hybrid law jurisdiction - the Article demonstrates that some jurisdictional questions are better resolved by simple, bright-line rules. Drawing on extensive scholarship studying rules and standards - which until now had not yet been applied in this field - the Article concludes that the particular (and often misunderstood) nature of hybrid law cases calls for a rule rather than a standard. This conclusion, while limited to the field of hybrid law jurisdiction, nonetheless suggests that the debate over judicial discretion in jurisdictional questions is too narrow. Only by taking account of functionality as well as legitimacy can the proper jurisdictional directives be formulated. Thus, this Article exposes, and then attempts to fill, a gap in an ongoing debate in federal jurisdiction.
The Bose-Chowla argument for Sidon sets

Abstract Let h ≥ 2 and let A = ( A 1 , … , A h ) be an h-tuple of sets of integers. For nonzero integers c 1 , … , c h , consider the linear form φ = c 1 x 1 + c 2 x 2 + ⋯ + c h x h . The representation function R A , φ ( n ) counts the number of h-tuples ( a 1 , … , a h ) ∈ A 1 × ⋯ × A h such that φ ( a 1 , … , a h ) = n . The h-tuple A is a φ-Sidon system of multiplicity g if R A , φ ( n ) ≤ g for all n ∈ Z . For every positive integer g, let F φ , g ( n ) denote the largest integer q such that there exists a φ-Sidon system A = ( A 1 , … , A h ) of multiplicity g with A i ⊆ [ 1 , n ] and | A i | = q for all i = 1 , … , h . It is proved that, for all linear forms φ, lim sup n → ∞ F φ , g ( n ) n 1 / h ∞ and, for linear forms φ whose coefficients c i satisfy a certain divisibility condition, lim inf n → ∞ F φ , h ! ( n ) n 1 / h ≥ 1 .
Hyperspectral Band Selection for Multispectral Image Classification with Convolutional Networks

In recent years, Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) has become a powerful source for reliable data in applications such as remote sensing, agriculture, and biomedicine. However, hyperspectral images are highly data-dense and often benefit from methods to reduce the number of spectral bands while retaining the most useful information for a specific application. We propose a novel band selection method to select a reduced set of wavelengths, obtained from an HSI system in the context of image classification. Our approach consists of two main steps: the first utilizes a filter-based approach to find relevant spectral bands based on a collinearity analysis between a band and its neighbors. This analysis helps to remove redundant bands and dramatically reduces the search space. The second step applies a wrapper-based approach to select bands from the reduced set based on their information entropy values, and trains a compact Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to evaluate the performance of the current selection. We present classification results obtained from our method and compare them to other feature selection methods on two hyperspectral image datasets. Additionally, we use the original hyperspectral data cube to simulate the process of using actual filters in a multispectral imager. We show that our method produces more suitable results for a multispectral sensor design.
Osteoblast-Specific Wnt Secretion Is Required for Skeletal Homeostasis and Loading-Induced Bone Formation in Adult Mice.

Wnt signaling is critical to many aspects of skeletal regulation, but the importance of Wnt ligands in the bone anabolic response to mechanical loading is not well established. Recent transcriptome profiling studies by our laboratory and others show that mechanical loading potently induces genes encoding Wnt ligands, including Wnt1 and Wnt7b. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that mechanical loading stimulates adult bone formation by inducing Wnt ligand expression. To test this hypothesis, we inhibited Wnt ligand secretion in adult (5 months old) mice using a systemic (drug) and a bone-targeted (conditional gene knockout) approach, and subjected them to axial tibial loading to induce lamellar bone formation. Mice treated with the Wnt secretion inhibitor WNT974 exhibited a decrease in bone formation in non-loaded bones as well as a 54% decline in the periosteal bone formation response to tibial loading. Next, osteoblast-specific Wnt secretion was inhibited by dosing 5-month-old Osx-CreERT2; WlsF/F mice with tamoxifen. Within 1 to 2 weeks of Wls deletion, skeletal homeostasis was altered with decreased bone formation and increased resorption, and the anabolic response to loading was reduced 65% compared to control (WlsF/F ). Together, these findings show that Wnt ligand secretion is required for adult bone homeostasis, and furthermore establish a role for osteoblast-derived Wnts in mediating the bone anabolic response to tibial loading. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
On the Futility of Dynamics in Robust Mechanism Design

We consider a principal who repeatedly interacts with a strategic agent holding private information. In each round, the agent observes an idiosyncratic shock drawn independently and identically fro...
Empirical observation of negligible fairness–accuracy trade-offs in machine learning for public policy

The growing use of machine learning in policy and social impact settings has raised concerns over fairness implications, especially for racial minorities. These concerns have generated considerable interest among machine learning and artificial intelligence researchers, who have developed new methods and established theoretical bounds for improving fairness, focusing on the source data, regularization and model training, or post-hoc adjustments to model scores. However, few studies have examined the practical trade-offs between fairness and accuracy in real-world settings to understand how these bounds and methods translate into policy choices and impact on society. Our empirical study fills this gap by investigating the impact of mitigating disparities on accuracy, focusing on the common context of using machine learning to inform benefit allocation in resource-constrained programmes across education, mental health, criminal justice and housing safety. Here we describe applied work in which we find fairness–accuracy trade-offs to be negligible in practice. In each setting studied, explicitly focusing on achieving equity and using our proposed post-hoc disparity mitigation methods, fairness was substantially improved without sacrificing accuracy. This observation was robust across policy contexts studied, scale of resources available for intervention, time and the relative size of the protected groups. These empirical results challenge a commonly held assumption that reducing disparities requires either accepting an appreciable drop in accuracy or the development of novel, complex methods, making reducing disparities in these applications more practical. A growing number of researchers are developing approaches to improve fairness in machine learning applications in areas such as healthcare, employment and social services, to avoid propagating and amplifying racial and other inequities. An empirical study explores the trade-off between increasing fairness and model accuracy across several social policy areas and finds that this trade-off is negligible in practice.
Residual Model Learning for Microrobot Control

A majority of microrobots are constructed using compliant materials that are difficult to model analytically, limiting the utility of traditional model-based controllers. Challenges in data collection on microrobots and large errors between simulated models and real robots make current model-based learning and sim-to-real transfer methods difficult to apply. We propose a novel framework residual model learning (RML) that leverages approximate models to substantially reduce the sample complexity associated with learning an accurate robot model. We show that using RML, we can learn a model of the Harvard Ambulatory MicroRobot (HAMR) using just 12 seconds of passively collected interaction data. The learned model is accurate enough to be leveraged as "proxy-simulator" for learning walking and turning behaviors using model-free reinforcement learning algorithms. RML provides a general framework for learning from extremely small amounts of interaction data, and our experiments with HAMR clearly demonstrate that RML substantially outperforms existing techniques.
Medical Worker Migration and Origin-Country Human Capital: Evidence from U.S. Visa Policy

We exploit changes in U.S. visa policies for nurses to measure brain drain versus gain. Combining data on all migrant departures and postsecondary institutions in the Philippines, we show that nursing enrollment and graduation increased substantially in response to greater U.S. demand for nurses. The supply of nursing programs expanded to accommodate this increase. Nurse quality, measured by licensure exam pass rates, declined. Despite this, for each nurse migrant, 10 additional nurses were licensed. New nurses switched from other degree types, but graduated at higher rates than they would have otherwise, thus increasing the human capital stock in the Philippines.
Absolute Hugoniot Measurements for CH Foams in the 2-9 MBAR Range

Absolute Hugoniot measurements for empty plastic foams at ~10% of solid polystyrene density and supporting rad-hydro simulation results are reported. Planar foam slabs, $\sim 400\mu \mathrm{m}$ thick and $\sim 500\mu \mathrm{m}$ wide, some of which were covered with a 10 $\mu \mathrm{m}$ solid plastic ablator, were directly driven with 4 ns long Nike krypton-fluoride 248 nm wavelength laser pulses that produced strong shock waves in the foam. The shock and mass velocities in our experiments were up to 104 km/s and 84 km/s, respectively, and the shock pressures up to ~9 Mbar. The motion of the shock and ablation fronts was recorded using side-on monochromatic x-ray imaging radiography. The steadiness of the observed shock and ablation fronts within $\sim$ 1 % has been verified. The Hugoniot data inferred from our velocity measurements agree with the predictions of the SESAME and CALEOS equation-of-state models near the highest pressure ~9 Mbar and density compression ratio ~5. In the lower pressure range 2 to 5 Mbar, a lower shock density compression is observed than that predicted by the models, see the Figure. Possible causes for this discrepancy are discussed.
Health and environmental policies associated with low fatality rate of Covid-19

Abstract. The statistical evidence of the study here shows that countries with a low average COVID-19 fatality rate have high expenditures in health sector and a lower exposure of population to air pollution, regardless a higher percentage of population aged more than 65 years. This study suggest that the negative impact of future pandemics driven by novel viral agents can be reduced with long-run policies directed to support healthcare sector and sustainable environment. Keywords. COVID-19, Fatality rates, Health policy, Air pollution, Sustainability, Crisis management, Policy responses; Preparedness. JEL. F21, F68, O53, K23 .
You Are the Best Reviewer of Your Own Papers: An Owner-Assisted Scoring Mechanism

I consider the setting where reviewers offer very noisy scores for a number of items for the selection of high-quality ones (e.g., peer review of large conference proceedings) whereas the owner of these items knows the true underlying scores but prefers not to provide this information. To address this withholding of information, in this paper, I introduce the \textit{Isotonic Mechanism}, a simple and efficient approach to improving on the imprecise raw scores by leveraging certain information that the owner is incentivized to provide. This mechanism takes as input the ranking of the items from best to worst provided by the owner, in addition to the raw scores provided by the reviewers. It reports adjusted scores for the items by solving a convex optimization problem. Under certain conditions, I show that the owner's optimal strategy is to honestly report the true ranking of the items to her best knowledge in order to maximize the expected utility. Moreover, I prove that the adjusted scores provided by this owner-assisted mechanism are indeed significantly more accurate than the raw scores provided by the reviewers. This paper concludes with several extensions of the Isotonic Mechanism and some refinements of the mechanism for practical considerations.
SUPER-ADAM: Faster and Universal Framework of Adaptive Gradients

Adaptive gradient methods have shown excellent performance for solving many machine learning problems. Although multiple adaptive methods were recently studied, they mainly focus on either empirical or theoretical aspects and also only work for specific problems by using specific adaptive learning rates. It is desired to design a universal framework for practical algorithms of adaptive gradients with theoretical guarantee to solve general problems. To fill this gap, we propose a faster and universal framework of adaptive gradients (i.e., SUPER-ADAM) by introducing a universal adaptive matrix that includes most existing adaptive gradient forms. Moreover, our framework can flexibly integrates the momentum and variance reduced techniques. In particular, our novel framework provides the convergence analysis support for adaptive gradient methods under the nonconvex setting. In theoretical analysis, we prove that our new algorithm can achieve the best known complexity of $\tilde{O}(\epsilon^{-3})$ for finding an $\epsilon$-stationary point of nonconvex optimization, which matches the lower bound for stochastic smooth nonconvex optimization. In numerical experiments, we employ various deep learning tasks to validate that our algorithm consistently outperforms the existing adaptive algorithms.
The Instrumented Subassembly System in Ebr-II

The Instrumented Subassembly System supplies the means of measuring operating parameters of specimen fuels, instruments, and related components in the EBR-II core. The system consists of an instrumented subassembly, an extension tube with seals and connections for the instrument lead wires, a drive to make it compatible with fuel handling operations, and recording and data logging equipment. The instrumented subassembly is located in the fifth row of the core (replacing a control rod), is cooled by flowing sodium of 700 to 900°F, and is exposed to a total flux of ∼ 1.9 × 1015 n/(cm2 sec) at 50-MW reactor power. A prototype subassembly, containing 23 instruments was successfully tested in the reactor for 140 days (3856 MWd).
Transport as control mechanism of cerebral metabolite levels.

Publisher Summary The paper discusses the possible role that transport mechanisms of metabolites play in the nervous system. The chapter discusses about transport mechanisms controlling levels of amino acids at steady state. Relationships that bring attention to the idea that amino acid levels are functionally important in the nervous system appeared when the levels of cerebral amino acids in various species were compared. The table is also mentioned in the paper. It also has investigations on the amino acids present in higher levels in the brain like glutamic acid, taurine, aspartic acid, and GABA and of amino acids present in lower levels in the brain such as methionine, ornithine, and isoleucine. The close similarity of the patterns of amino acid concentration not only indicates the functional significance of such patterns but also indicates the existence of mechanisms that keep the composition of the cerebral amino acid pool at a constant pattern. Mechanisms determining amino acid levels in brain slices, Energy supply of cerebral transport, Comparison of cerebral amino acid levels in vivo with the uptake of amino acids by brain slices and alterations in cerebral amino acid transport and the cerebral amino acid pool are also mentioned in brief in the abstract. As a conclusion, the paper tells that the observations pointed out the possibility that those transport processes that can be observed in brain slices may have the determining role in controlling the levels of cerebral metabolites, especially since it is likely that uptake and exit determine the level of amino acids when brain slices are incubated in media containing amino-acids. It seems not only that influx and efflux determine the steady state level of amino acids in brain slices, but that any alteration in either flux will correspondingly alter the steady state levels. It has to be emphasized that not only influx, but also efflux, is an important determinant, and that the possibility exists that these two fluxes can be independently influenced.
Income Inequality in Developing Countries

7 • Globally, it is reported that the top 1 percent of income recipients receive about 15 percent of worldwide income, and the top 5 percent receive 40 percent of all income. Meanwhile, the poorest 20 percent receive only 1 percent of the global income. This paper attempts to unlock the significant factors that affect income inequality. In 1963, Simon Kuznets derived the inverted U hypothesis from which he inferred that through the course of development, as per capita income increases, initially, income inequality will increase before it starts to improve. Hence he inferred that the trend of income inequality through a country's development takes the form of an inverted U. However, Kuznets' inverted U is a development pattern and not a theory. Therefore, the inverted U pattern does not explain income inequality. In this study, using data on 61 countries, an inverted u pattern is found. The labor surplus model supports that the share of labor in industry and high population growth rates explain the inverted U. An explanation given by Arthur Lewis also supports that education explains the inverted U pattern. Using empirical tests, this paper addresses whether the share of labor, high population growth rates and education determine the inverted U pattern that was also found using data in this study.
Susceptibility of human population groups to colon cancer.

Publisher Summary Colorectal cancer poses a major problem and is responsible for a significant high proportion of malignant neoplasms. The relative frequency of successful treatment of individuals varies with the stage at which the disease is detected; a higher rate of success is related to the detection of disease at an earlier stage. The early identification of abnormalities in cell development and related parameters in individuals having high susceptibility to colon cancer can be now carried out with greater precision. This chapter discusses recent approaches to the identification of abnormalities in high risk groups, their contribution to the understanding of the development of neoplasia in man, and their potential role in the early detection and prevention of the disease. The approaches considered in the chapter have helped to identify abnormal stages of the development of colonic epithelial cells and related physiological and environmental factors that can influence the development of neoplasia, as well as individuals and familial aggregates at increased risk. Individuals and population groups can be classified on the basis of abnormal cell phenotype and related physiological and fecal content abnormalities.
An Experimental Test of Risk-Sharing Arrangements

We investigate risk-sharing without commitment by designing an experiment to match a simple model of voluntary insurance between two agents when aggregate income is constant. Participants are matched in pairs. Each period, they receive their income with or without a random component h that one person or the other receives; after observing own and counterpart income, each person in a pair can decide to make a transfer to the other person. It is common information that there is a given probability that all pairs will be dissolved at the end of each period, with participants re-matched. At the end of the experiment, one period is randomly drawn to count for cash payment. Participants all face the same variance in their income, but do not necessarily have the same mean income. This setting allows us to experimentally test different implications of risk-sharing without commitment. In particular, we find strong evidence of risk-sharing and reciprocal behavior, where transfers are higher with a higher continuation probability and with a higher degree of risk aversion. However, transfers are lower with inequality, in contrast with existing models of both risk-sharing and social preferences.
Adenine and guanine nucleotide metabolism during platelet storage at 22 degrees C

Adenine and guanine nucleotide metabolism of platelet concentrates (PCs) was studied during storage for transfusion at 22 +/- 2 degrees C over a 7-day period using high-pressure liquid chromatography. There was a steady decrease in platelet adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP), which was balanced quantitatively by an increase in plasma hypoxanthine. As expected, ammonia accumulated along with hypoxanthine but at a far greater rate. A fall in platelet guanosine triphosphate (GTP) and guanosine diphosphate (GDP) paralleled the fall in ATP + ADP. When adenine was present in the primary anticoagulant, it was carried over into the PC and metabolized. ATP, GTP, total adenine nucleotides, and total guanine nucleotides declined more slowly in the presence of adenine than in its absence. With adenine, the increase in hypoxanthine concentration was more rapid and quantitatively balanced the decrease in adenine and platelet ATP + ADP. Plasma xanthine rose during storage but at a rate that exceeded the decline in GTP + GDP. When platelet ATP + ADP was labeled with 14C-adenine at the initiation of storage, half of the radioactivity was transferred to hypoxanthine (45%) and GTP + GDP + xanthine (5%) by the time storage was completed. The isotopic data were consistent with the presence of a radioactive (metabolic) and a nonradioactive (storage) pool of ATP + ADP at the initiation of storage with each pool contributing approximately equally to the decline in ATP + ADP during storage. The results suggested a continuing synthesis of GTP + GDP from ATP + ADP, explaining the slower rate of fall of GTP + GDP relative to the rate of rise of plasma xanthine. Throughout storage, platelets were able to incorporate 14C-hypoxanthine into both adenine and guanine nucleotides but at a rate that was only one fourth the rate of hypoxanthine accumulation. All of these data should be helpful in improving the function and viability of PC as currently stored for 5 days, in devising methods for storage beyond 5 days, and in the development of synthetic media for PC storage.
Perception of Teaching and Assessing Technical Proficiency in American College of Veterinary Surgeons Small Animal Surgery Residency Programs.

Objective To determine how American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) small animal surgery residency programs are teaching and assessing technical skills, and ascertain the perceived value of those methods. Study Design Internet-based survey. Sample Population Residents and Diplomate supervisors of ACVS small animal residency programs. Methods Residents and supervisors were surveyed on their experience of surgery instruction, use of different resources for teaching, type and frequency of feedback, and perceived effectiveness of their programs in imparting technical proficiency. Results A total of 130 residents (62%) and 119 supervisors (44%) participated. Both residents and supervisors estimated the resident was the primary surgeon for a mean of 64% of cases, although this proportion varied widely between participants. The majority of residents and supervisors considered that direct intraoperative guidance was the most effective way for residents to develop technical skills. Verbal interactions between supervisor and resident occurred frequently and were highly valued. Regular wet laboratories and access to simulation models were uncommon. Despite over 90% of all participants reporting that a sufficient level of technical aptitude would be attained, only 58% of residents were satisfied with their technical skills training. Conclusion Residents relied on direct interaction with supervisors to develop technical skills. The traditional mode of instruction for veterinary residents is the apprenticeship model, which is partly driven by ACVS requirements of supervisory support. Exposure to other teaching and assessment methods was variable. The current structure of residency programs is successful in imparting technical competency as perceived by supervisors and residents. However, consideration of a more formal method of residency training with structured assessment of technical skills as in human medicine should not be dismissed.
Baroreflex control of heart rate in rats with heart failure after myocardial infarction: effects of captopril.

Activation of the renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems in heart failure may result in altered baroreflex control of heart rate. To determine the specific effects of treatment with captopril on baroreceptor dysfunction in heart failure, baroreflex control of heart rate was measured in conscious rats with heart failure 6 weeks after ligation of the left coronary artery. Plasma norepinephrine was measured as a reflection of sympathetic nervous system activity. After bolus injections of phenylephrine (2-50 micrograms/kg) and nitroprusside (2-50 micrograms/kg), the arterial baroreflex was analyzed by fitting percentage of mean arterial pressure changes and heart rate changes to a logistic regression function. There were no differences in baroreflex function between normal and sham-operated rats. Plasma norepinephrine was increased (P < .05) in the heart-failure rats and did not change with captopril treatment. In untreated rats, heart failure increased (P < .05) the centering point by 900%, threshold by 243% and saturation by 89%, whereas decreasing (P < .05) the operational point by 73%. There was a decrease (P < .05) in the nitroprusside-related gain and an increase (P < .05) in phenylephrine-related gain, but the overall baroreflex gain was not changed. In heart-failure rats, captopril increased (P < .05) threshold, saturation and centering point and decreased (P < .05) operational point and nitroprusside- and phenylephrine-related gain abnormalities. The increase in operational point and decreases in threshold, saturation, centering point and phenylephrine-related gain were the results of a specific interactive effect of captopril in heart failure (P = .0033, .0176, .0509, .0217 and .0567, respectively).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Shari'ah-Compliant Project Finance: A Structural Overview

This article focuses on the development and implementation of modern Shari'ah-compliant project and infrastructure finance structures and techniques. The definition and history of project finance are summarized, as are some of the essential institutions, practices, premises, methodology and traditions of modern Shari'ah-compliant finance. The article then turns to explanations of some of the generic structures that are used in Shari'ah-compliant project and infrastructure financings. These include bifurcated ijara (lease) structures that incorporate both conventional interest-based financing and Shari`ah-compliant investments and operations, bifurcated istisna'a-ijara (construction-lease) structures, single Islamic tranche structures that are used in tandem with conventional financings, istisna'a-parallel istisna'a construction financing structures, sukuk al-ijara (lease securitization structures), mudaraba (service-capital partnership) stuctures and sukuk al-mudaraba, musharaka (partnership, particularly diminishing partnership) structures and sukuk al-musharaka, and other structures. The Bahrain Financial Harbour Sukuk is considered as an exemplary case study.
Cell Wall Replication in Escherichia coli, Studied by Immunofluorescence and Immunoelectron Microscopy

Abstract Beachey, Edwin H. (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, Md.), and Roger M. Cole. Cell wall replication in Escherichia coli, studied by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy. J. Bacteriol. 92:1245–1251. 1966.—Cell wall components of four different strains of Escherichia coli (B; B/r, try−; O5; and O86:B7) were labeled with homologous fluorescent antibodies (FLG); the way the label was dispersed on further growth in media free of antibody was followed by fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence diminished diffusely along longitudinal wall but remained bright at cell poles (or cross walls); newly formed cross walls did not fluoresce. In agreement, reverse labeling (preincubation in unlabeled antibody, followed by staining on the slide with homologous FLG) showed that stainability of longitudinal wall increased gradually and diffusely with increased time of incubation, whereas polar wall remained nonfluorescent or stained only faintly; newly formed poles (or cross walls), on the other hand, stained brightly. These observations were confirmed by electron microscopy, after immunoferritin labeling. Although the mode of cross-wall formation remained unclear, our findings refuted reported ideas of segmental or polar growth of cell wall in E. coli and supported the idea of wall replication by diffuse intercalation, as described for Salmonella.
THE SMALLEST DINOFLAGELLATE GENOME IS YET TO BE FOUND: A COMMENT ON LAJEUNESSE ET AL. “SYMBIODINIUM (PYRRHOPHYTA) GENOME SIZES (DNA CONTENT) ARE SMALLEST AMONG DINOFLAGELLATES”1

LaJeunessse and colleagues (LaJeunesse et al. 2005) have recently documented small genome sizes of Symbiodinium and concluded that Symbiodinium is a dinoflagellate lineage with the smallest genome. The conclusion is inconsistent with recent discoveries of picoplanktonic dinoflagellates. The search for the smallest genome and the effort to understand the evolutionary history of dinoflagellate genome should be an area of research in the years to come, which can be greatly aided by an understanding on the current hypotheses regarding mechanisms of genome size evolution. Even the smallest dinoflagellate genome documented to date is too large to be sequenced with current technology, but sequencing of chromosomes or expressed genes of key representative species is feasible and can be very insightful for understanding genome composition and function in this important lineage of eukaryotes.
Optimizing antibiotic treatment for ventilator-associated pneumonia

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common infectious complication in patients receiving mechanical ventilation and accounts for exorbitant use of resources in the intensive care unit. Antimicrobial management of VAP incorporates an initial broad-spectrum, empiric regimen to ensure appropriate coverage with deescalation of therapy after 48-72 hours based on culture results and sensitivities. When VAP clinically responds to treatment, antimicrobials should be discontinued after 7-8 days to reduce overall antibiotic consumption and the selection pressure on flora observed in the intensive care unit and thus minimize the development and spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Cognitive and social functions and growth factors in a mouse model of Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) is an autism-spectrum disorder caused by mutations in the X-linked gene encoding methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2). Abnormalities in social behavior, stereotyped movements, and restricted interests are common features in both RTT and classic autism. While mouse models of both RTT and autism exist, social behaviors have not been explored extensively in mouse models of RTT. Here, we report cognitive and social abnormalities in Mecp2(1lox) null mice, an animal model of RTT. The null mice show severe deficits in short- and long-term object recognition memories, reminiscent of the severe cognitive deficits seen in RTT girls. Social behavior, however, is abnormal in that the null mice spend more time in contact with stranger mice than do wildtype controls. These findings are consistent with reports of increased reciprocal social interaction in RTT girls relative to classic autism. We also report here that the levels of the neurotrophins brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and nerve growth factor (NGF) are decreased in the hippocampus of the null mice, and discuss how this may provide an underlying mechanism for both the cognitive deficits and the increased motivation for social contact observed in the Mecp2(1lox) null mice. These studies support a differential etiology between RTT and autism, particularly with respect to sociability deficits.
Diffusion and ionic conductivity in sodium-β-alumina below room temperature

Abstract Sodium tracer diffusivity and ionic conductivity have been measured from room temperature down to −79°C on the same single crystals of sodium-β-alumina of composition 1.23Na2O·11Al2O3. The Haven ratio decreases from 0.35 at room temperature to 0.18 at −79°C. The low value of HR and its temperature dependence can be explained in terms of high correlation effects for ionic diffusion due to large associated defects present at low temperatures.
Cell-free synthesis of a precursor polyprotein containing both gag and pol gene products by Rauscher murine leukemia virus 35S RNA

Abstract Translation of Rauscher murine leukemia virus (RLV) 35S RNA in a mRNA-dependent protein-synthesizing system results in the synthesis of polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 200,000, 75,000 and 65,000 daltons. Each of these polypeptides was immunoprecipitable with anti-p30 serum, while only the 200,000 dalton size class was specifically recognized by antiserum prepared against purified reverse transcriptase. intracellular Pr200 gag-pol has been shown to contain p30 tryptic peptide sequences(Arcement et al., 1976) and to share antigenic determinants with the gag proteins p30, p15, p12 and p10 and the reverse transcriptase (Jamjoom, Naso and Arlinghaus, 1977). These results and others (Jamjoom et al., 1977) led us to the conclusion that Pr200 gag-pol is the initial translation product that leads to the formation of mature reverse transcriptase. In the present study, nine of eleven methionine-containing tryptic peptides found in a anti-reverse transcriptase-precipitable 80,000 dalton molecular weight virion polypeptide (p80 pol ) were contained in Pr200 gag-pol . In addition, virion p80 pol co-migrates in SDS-polyacrylamide gels with the major polypeptide found in partially purified preparations of active reverse transcriptase. The in vitro synthesized 200,000 dalton polypeptide was identical to intracellular Pr200 gag-pol as determined by comparing ion-exchange profiles of methionine-labeled tryptic peptides. The frequency of synthesis of the in vitro synthesized Pr200 gag-pol was 125 to 120 that of the combined synthesis of the 65,000 and 75,000 dalton gag precursors. A similar ratio of Pr200 gag-pol to Pr65 gag and Pr80 gag has been observed in viral infected cells. Thus 35S viral genomic RNA is an mRNA for both gag and pol gene products. Experiments with the arginine analogue canavanine suggest that the usual termination signal occurs after the translation of Pr80 gag . We propose that the Pr200 gag-pol results from an occasional read-through (5% frequency) of a single termination codon at the end of the gag gene.
Relating laboratory and outdoor exposure of coatings: IV. Mode and mechanism for hydrolytic degradation of acrylic-melamine coatings exposed to water vapor in the absence of UV light

Acrylic-melamine coatings are known to be susceptible to hydrolysis when exposed to water or humid environments. The mode and specific pathways for hydrolytic degradation of acrylic-melamine coatings exposed to water vapor in the absence of ultraviolet light are presented. Samples of a partially methylated melamine-acrylic coating applied to CaF2 substrates were subjected to five different relative humidity levels ranging from approximately 0 to 90% at 50°C. Coating degradation was measured with transmission Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and tapping mode atomic force microscopy (AFM). In humid environments, partially methylated melamine-acrylic coatings undergo hydrolysis readily, causing considerable material loss and formation of mainly primary amines and carboxylic acids. The rate of hydrolysis increases with increasing RH. Hydrolytic degradation of acrylic-melamine coatings is an inhomogeneous process in which pits form, deepen, and enlarge with exposure. Such localized degradation mode suggests that hydrolysis of this material is an autocatalytic progression where acidic degradation products formed in the pits catalyze and accelerate the hydrolysis reactions.
An awareness approach to the covert symptoms of stuttering

Abstract Speech-language clinicians working with the confirmed stuttering client are often faced with the clinical management of the covert symptoms of stuttering in addition to the more observable and measurable overt symptoms. The authors report the successful use of awareness techniques to exaggerate the subjective experience of these covert symptoms and encourage the use of these techniques as an adjunct to the counseling and desensitization procedures traditionally employed. A transcribed clinical management session in which several awareness techniques are used to aid the client in an introspective examination of “anticipation of stuttering,” is analyzed in order to reach some specific recommendations for using awareness techniques in the clinical management of the covert symptoms of stuttering.
Near Infrared Spectroscopy Differentiates Ligament and Tendon Composition

More than 200, 000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears occur in the United States each year, most in young healthy individuals. The torn ACL is generally either reconstructed with tendons. Ligamentization, or the transformation of a tendon graft to a healthy functional ligament, is poorly understood. Mid infrared (MIR) and near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy are sensitive to the chemical and structural changes in tissue and have been used to differentiate between normal and degenerated tissue. To date, the ability of both MIR and NIR spectroscopy to distinguish regional variations along the length of the ACL has not been explored.
Love, sex and disability: the pleasures of care

edited by S. Smith Rainey, 2011, London, Lynne Rienner Publishers, 197 pp., £43.50 (hardback), ISBN 978-1-5882-6777-1 The myth that people with physical disabilities live sexless and burdensome rel...
FLEXPERT: facility layout expert system using fuzzy linguistic relationship codes

Linguistic variables, fuzzy statements and fuzzy algorithms, from the theory of fuzzy sets, provide suitable tools to solve ill-defined problems. Unlike conventional techniques that deal only with discrete conditions, like ‘on’ and ‘off’, and precise numerical values, fuzzy logic offers an alternate technique that deals with non-discrete conditions, such as ‘absolutely important’, ‘quite important’ and ‘less important’. This paper presents a new approach, based on the theory of fuzzy logic, to solve the facility layout problem. The proposed approach considers the multicriteria nature of the layout problem and the fuzziness of the input data through the integration of an expert system and a fuzzy algorithm with a facility layout program. The system generates the best layout that satisfies die qualitative as well as the quantitative constraints on the layout problem. This facilitates the incorporation of the knowledge of facility layout experts. A knowledge-based system, named FLEXPERT, has been developed t...
A Bioenergetics-Based Approach to Explain Largemouth Bass Size in Tropical Reservoirs

Abstract In tropical systems where largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides have been introduced, maximum age is reduced to the point where few fish live beyond 3 years and adult growth rates are very slow. Concurrently, tropical largemouth bass have an extended spawning period (up to 8 months) and individual fish spawn multiple times each year. In this study, we examined the relationship between latitude and maximum size (record angler-caught fish) of largemouth bass from temperate to tropical environments and tested the hypothesis that the slow growth of adult largemouth bass is the result of excessive energy reallocation to reproduction. State and national record-sized largemouth bass were plotted against latitude for the USA, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan, Portugal (European record), Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Largemouth bass maximum weight increased as latitude decreased from 46.8°N; peak maximum weight occurred at 27.9°N. Below 27.9°N, largemouth bass size records decreased as latitude decreased (R 2 =...
Accounting and the potency of open market operations

Through a mathematical programming setup, reserve accounting is shown to be auxiliary to accomplishing monetary policy operating objectives. This article outlines a theoretical way of comparing the potency of open market operations under different reserve accounting procedures. It is shown that if the interest sensitivity of reservable liabilities is greater than the interest sensitivity of reserves, then lagged reserve accounting makes Federal Reserve open market purchases and ‘sells’ of securities more powerful in affecting the federal funds rate.
Choosing inclusion criteria that minimize the time and cost of clinical trials

AIM: To present statistical tools to model and optimize the cost of a randomized clinical trial as a function of the stringency of patient inclusion criteria. METHODS: We consider a two treatment, dichotomous outcome trial that includes a proportion of patients who are strong responders to the tested intervention. Patients are screened for inclusion using an arbitrary number of test results that are combined into an aggregate suitability score. The screening score is regarded as a diagnostic test for the responsive phenotype, having a specific cutoff value for inclusion and a particular sensitivity and specificity. The cutoff is a measure of stringency of inclusion criteria. Total cost is modeled as a function of the cutoff value, number of patients screened, the number of patients included, the case occurrence rate, response probabilities for control and experimental treatments, and the trial duration required to produce a statistically significant result with a specified power. Regression methods are developed to estimate relevant model parameters from pilot data in an adaptive trial design. RESULTS: The patient numbers and total cost are strongly related to the choice of the cutoff for inclusion. Clear cost minimums exist between 5.6 and 6.1 on a representative 10-point scale of exclusiveness. Potential cost savings for typical trial scenarios range in millions of dollars. As the response rate for controls approaches 50%, the proper choice of inclusion criteria can mean the difference between a successful trial and a failed trial. CONCLUSION: Early formal estimation of optimal inclusion criteria allows planning of clinical trials to avoid high costs, excessive delays, and moral hazards of Type II errors.
A high-density bipolar logic masterslice for small systems

A new high-density bipolar logic masterslice which uses a simple Schottky Transistor Logic (STL) circuit cell as its basic building block is presented in this paper. The STL cell is derived from Integrated Injection Logic (I2L). The use of low-barrier Schottky diodes for AND logic, as diodes function in Diode Transistor Logic (DTL), makes possible achieving the NAND circuit operation. A brief description of the Schottky diode fabrication process is also given. A new concept of contact hole personalization is introduced and is shown to be an efficient approach to masterslice design as well as a factor in achieving high cell density. Due to the unusual structure of the basic cell and the arrangement of the cells in the masterslice, a new physical design methodology was developed for the design of different part numbers, corresponding to unique logic functions, on this masterslice. The STL circuit operates witha 1.7-V power supply and yields a typical delay of 3 ns at 0.5 mW and 5 ns at 0.15 mW. The I/O circuits are TTL-level compatible. The cells, the circuits, the unique features of the masterslice, and its application in an I/O controller chip are described.