cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The photolysis of lens protein: molecular changes.

The photolysis of lens protein leads to the destruction of a number of amino acids. In addition to tryptophan; methionine, histidine and cysteine are destroyed upon irradiation. The latter three amino acids are not photolyzed directly but are degraded after an initial absorption of light by tryptophan. At least part of this mediated damage is probably due to singlet oxygen. The photo-destruction of tryptophan was found to be concentration dependent. As the concentration of lens proteins increases, the photolability decreases.
Quantitative evaluation of carotid arterial plaque surface irregularity

Recent studies have demonstrated that atherosclerotic plaque surface morphology in the carotid arterial system represents an independent risk factor for embolus formation and subsequent cerebrovascular occlusive events. The primary aim of the current retrospective study is to enhance the clinical utility of this key finding by developing and evaluating objective, quantitative methods for characterizing plaque surface irregularity from Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) studies. Nine metrics were analyzed for correlation with percent stenosis in 78 arteries from 43 patients with carotid artery disease. Most of the metrics comprised measurements obtained from a surface model of the stenotic lesion derived from the MRA via the Marching Cubes algorithm with application of the Isosurface Deformable Model. Percent stenosis was determined through real-time volume rendering of 3D MIP MRA studies in Vitrea2. Six of the analyzed metrics revealed significant correlation to percent stenosis (p<0.01). Reproducibility of all metrics was evaluated in a set of 14 randomly selected arteries from 13 patients by way of a single-trial, two-observer analysis. Six of the nine metrics demonstrated significant inter-observer reproducibility by way of single-factor ANOVA analysis (p<0.02). Collectively, the findings reported herein demonstrate an objective and reliable method for quantifying carotid plaque surface irregularity from standard MRA techniques with possible future clinical application in refining risk of ischemic cerebrovascular events and associated need for prophylactic intervention.
A mode analyzing algebraic manipulation program

A new version of the REDUCE program for algebraic manipulation which performs a complete mode analysis of each command as a separate extension of the parse is presented. As a result, programs become more efficient and are easier to write and debug because the semantic error checking is more complete.
Demonstration of a Subthreshold FPGA Using Monolithically Integrated Graphene Interconnects

We have demonstrated a subthreshold FPGA system using monolithically integrated graphene wires. The graphene wires replace double-length lines in the interconnect fabric of a custom FPGA implemented in 0.18-μm CMOS. The four-layer graphene wires have lower capacitance than the CMOS aluminum wires, resulting in up to 2.11× faster speeds and 1.54× lower interconnect energy when driven by a low-swing voltage of 0.4 V. This paper presents the first graphene-based system application and experimentally demonstrates the potential of using low-capacitance graphene wires for ultralow power electronics.
Some properties of graded local cohomology modules

We consider a finitely generated graded module M over a standard graded commutative Noetherian ring R=⊕d⩾0Rd and we study the local cohomology modules HR+i(M) with respect to the irrelevant ideal R+ of R. We prove that the top nonvanishing local cohomology is tame, and the set of its minimal associated primes is finite. When M is Cohen–Macaulay and R0 is local, we establish new formulas for the index of the top, respectively bottom, nonvanishing local cohomology. As a consequence, we obtain that the (Sk)-loci of a Cohen–Macaulay R-module M, regarded as an R0-module, are open in Spec(R0). Also, when dim(R0)⩽2 and M is a Cohen–Macaulay R-module, we prove that HR+i(M) is tame, and its set of minimal associated primes is finite for all i.
Transforming Growth Factor Beta (TGFβ1, TGFβ2 and TGFβ3) Null-Mutant Phenotypes in Embryonic Gonadal Development

The role transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) isoforms TGFb1, TGFb2 and TGFb3 have in the regulation of embryonic gonadal development was investigated with the use of null-mutant (i.e. knockout) mice for each of the TGFb isoforms. Late embryonic gonadal development was investigated because homozygote TGFb null-mutant mice generally die around birth, with some embryonic loss as well. In the testis, the TGFb1 null-mutant mice had a decrease in the number of germ cells at birth, postnatal day 0 (P0). In the testis, the TGFb2 null-mutant mice had a decrease in the number of seminiferous cords at embryonic day 15 (E15). In the ovary, the TGFb2 null-mutant mice had an increase in the number of germ cells at P0. TGFb isoforms appear to have a role in gonadal development, but interactions between the isoforms is speculated to compensate in the different TGFb isoform null-mutant mice.
New Insights on Kinetic Versus Thermodynamic Ratios in Catalyzed Alkene Isomerization

The unusual reactivity of novel bifunctional catalyst 1 in the selective isomerization of alkenes under mild conditions is reported. A variety of alkenes are converted to the (E)-isomer in excellent yield with low catalytic loading. Recent findings indicate that the reaction catalyzed by 1 is reversible, resulting in unusual kinetically controlled mixtures very rich in (E)-products.
The effect of anesthesia on hemodynamics and renal function in the rat.

Although many renal physiologic studies in the rat have utilized pentobarbital anesthetized animals, there has been no systematic evaluation of the effects of barbiturate anesthesia on renal function. We therefore compared systemic hemodynamic and renal function parameters in conscious (C) and pentobarbital anesthetized (A) rats. Cardiac index and renal blood flow as assessed by microspheres were greater in C rats while systemic and renal vascular resistance were less in C rats. Although basal glomerular filtration rate was similar in both groups of animals, glomerular filtration rate following hypotonic volume expansion was greater in C than A rats. During hypotonic volume expansion, distal delivery as estimated by the sum of free water and sodium clearances was greater in C rats. In contrast, function of the distal nephron as assessed by maximum fractional free water clearance during hypotonic volume expansion and by solute free water reabsorption at maximum levels of osmolar clearance were comparable in C and A rats. Collecting duct water permeability as assessed by the response to exogenous vasopressin was similar in C and A rats. Following an exogenous sodium chloride load, C rats excreted 16% more of the sodium. No differences in measured whole blood or plasma volume were present when C and A rats were compared. We conclude that pentobarbital does not impair basal glomerular filtration rate, distal nephron function or the water permeability response of the collecting duct. Pentobarbital does result in alterations in systemic and renal hemodynamics which may contribute to the failure of A rats to normally excrete a saline load.
Average-Case Complexity

We review the many open questions and the few things that are known about the average-case complexity of computational problems. We shall follow the presentations of Impagliazzo, of Goldreich, and of Bogdanov and the author, and focus on the following subjects. (i). Average-case tractability. What does it mean for a problem to have an "efficient on average'' algorithm with respect to a distribution of instances? There is more than one ``correct'' answer to this question, and a numberof subtleties arise, which are interesting to discuss. (ii) Worst case versus average-case. Is the existence of hard-on-averageproblems in a complexity class equivalent to the existence of worst-case-hardproblems? This is the case for complexity classes like PSPACE and EXP, but it is openfor NP, with partial evidence pointing to a negative answer. (To be sure, we believethat hard-on-average, and also worst-case hard problems, exist in NP, and if so theirexistence is ``equivalent'' in the way two true statements are logically equivalent. There is, however, partial evidence that such an equivalence cannot be establishedvia reductions. It is also known that such an equivalence cannot be established viaany relativizing technique.) (iii) Amplification of average-case hardness. A weak sense in which aproblem may be hard-on-average is that every efficient algorithm fails on a noticeable(at least inverse polynomial) fraction of inputs; a strong sense is that noalgorithm can do much better than guess the answer at random. In many settings,the existence of problems of weak average-case complexity implies the existenceof problems, in the same complexity class, of strong average-case complexity.It remains open to prove such equivalence in the setting of uniform algorithmsfor problems in NP. (Some partial results are known even in this setting.) (iv) Reductions and Completeness. Levin initiated a theoryof completeness for distributional problems under reductions that preserveaverage-case tractability. Even establishing the existence of an NP-completeproblem in this theory is a non-trivial (and interesting) result.
Technology and civil disobedience: Why engineers have a special duty to obey the law

Engineers have a greater responsibility than many other professionals not to commit civil disobedience in performing their jobs as engineers. It does not follow that engineers have no responsibility for their company’s actions. Morally, engineer may be required to speak out within the company or even publicly against her company. An engineer may be required to work on a project or quit her job. None of these acts, generally, are against the law. An engineer may be morally required to commit civil disobedience as a private citizen. But, given the institutional character of engineering and the division of labor in the modern world, very rarely will conscience require an engineer to violate the law in the performance of her job as an engineer.
Subaperture Testing For Mid-Frequency Figure Control On Large Aspheric Mirrors

Encircled energy is an important specifying parameter for large, high quality optical telescopes and is critically dependent on the spatial frequency distribution of surface errors. Errors of surprisingly small amplitude whose spatial frequencies lie between those of the classical pupil aberrations and defects associated with the microroughness regime (i.e., whose periods lie below a millimeter) have a profound effect on encircled energy performance. This is particularly true at short wavelengths. Occurrence of this type of defect (called mid-frequency error) becomes more likely with increased mirror size. Full aperture interferograms that provide wavefront information over the pupil can lead to grossly inadequate performance predictions. Accurate prediction and the desired level of performance can only be achieved by precise measurement and control of the mid-frequency errors. This paper describes the processes and instrumentation for measuring and controlling figure error in this critical frequency domain during the manufacture of a high quality large aspheric mirror. Measurements of surface defects at the 0.002 µm rms level in the spatial frequency range of 0.01 to 0.25 cycle per millimeter are illustrated. The design and certification of a subaperture interferometer system is described.
Upper and lower bounds for sloshing frequencies by intermediate problems

This article presents very good, rigorous, numerical estimates for the “sloshing” eigenvalues of two families of two-dimensional regions. For each region the eigenvalues are proportional to the square of the frequencies of small lateral oscillations of an ideal fluid under the influence of gravity in a canal or in a horizontal cylindrical tank that has the region as cross-section. Our estimates are obtained by using conformal transformations that carry rectangles onto the regions, and then by employing intermediate problems with a generalized special choice to find upper and lower bounds to eigenvalues. The transformed problems are analogous to certain nonuniform string eigenvalue problems we estimate in a similar way.
Histamine and Eicosanoid Levels in Plasma and Peripheral Blood Leucocyte Cultures During Experimental Infection of Cattle with Bluetongue Virus Serotype 11

Three calves were sensitized with three doses of inactivated BTV-11 UC8 strain and then experimentally infected with the homologous virus. In addition, four BTV-seronegative heifers were also experimentally infected with BTV-11. Granulocyte rich fractions of peripheral blood leucocyte (PBL-GRF) cultures from BTV-sensitized/infected calves and from control unexposed cattle were exposed in vitro with BTV-11. Histamine, leukotriene (LT) C4 and prostaglandin (PG) D2 were assayed in supernatant fluids. Plasma histamine levels increased in BTV-infected heifers from 10.1 +/- 2 ng/ml at Day 0 to 23.1 +/- 6.6 ng/ml at Day 12 following virus exposure. In addition, in this experimental group the concentration of PGF2 alpha (mean 551.97 +/- 243.54 pg/ml) increased significantly (P < or = 0.05) compared with control cattle (mean 467.3 +/- 73.9 pg/ml). Bluetongue virus induced histamine and LTC4 release after in vitro infection of PBL-GRF. Release of LTC4 was significantly (P < or = 0.05) higher in PBL-GRF cultures from sensitized and control animals than in unexposed PBL-GRF cultures. In contrast to these results, PGD2 was not released after BTV infection of PBL-GRF in vitro. The histamine release caused by BTV was virus-specific and mainly mediated by an immunological reaction, since the release was significantly reduced by removal of cell surface immunoglobulins.
A Systematic Evidence Review of the Check-In/Check-Out Program for Reducing Student Challenging Behaviors.

Three-tiered models of prevention are increasingly being adopted by schools to address the behavioral needs of students. A critical component of multitiered systems are secondary interventions used...
Predictive and Incremental Validity of Global and Domain-Based Adolescent Life Satisfaction Reports:

Concurrent, predictive, and incremental validity of global and domain-based adolescent life satisfaction reports are examined with respect to internalizing and externalizing behavior problems. The Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS), Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale (MSLSS), and measures of internalizing and externalizing behavior problems from the Youth Self-Report of the Child Behavior Checklist are administered to secondary school students on three occasions, each separated by 1 year. As expected, concurrent and predictive validity correlations between the SLSS and MSLSS total scores and internalizing and externalizing behaviors are modest to moderate in magnitude, with correlations declining but remaining statistically significant across time. Results also reveal that the domain-based scores on the MSLSS (e.g., family, school) demonstrated incremental validity in relation to adolescents' global life satisfaction reports; that is, various domain-based scores contribute statistica...
Approaches to rid cathodic arc plasmas of macro-and nanoparticles : a review

A major obstacle for the broad application of cathodic arc plasma deposition is the presence of micro- and nanoparticles in the plasma, also often referred to as 'macroparticles'. This paper reviews the formation of macroparticles at cathode spots, their interaction with the arc plasma and substrate, and macroparticle separation and removal from the plasma by various filtering methods. Nineteen variants of filters are discussed, including Aksenov's classic 90{sup o}-duct filter, filters of open architecture, and the concept of stroboscopic filtering.
Metal-binding site in a class I tRNA synthetase localized to a cysteine cluster inserted into nucleotide-binding fold.

Abstract The 10 class I aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases share a common N-terminal nucleotide-binding fold. Idiosyncratic polypeptide insertions into this fold introduce residues important for activity, including those that interact with the tRNA acceptor helix. The class I Escherichia coli methionyl-tRNA synthetase (L-methionine:tRNA(Met) ligase, EC 6.1.1.10), a 676-amino acid homodimer, was shown previously by others to contain zinc and to have an activity dependent on its presence. We show here by atomic absorption spectroscopy and zinc titrations the presence of 1 mol of zinc per polypeptide. Replacement of zinc with cobalt yields an active enzyme with a visible absorption spectrum characteristic of tetrahedral coordination to sulfur ligands and an intense metal-to-sulfur charge-transfer band at 340 nm. Mapping of the metal-binding site by zinc blotting of recombinant and proteolytic fragments localized the site to a polypeptide insertion between two strands and a beta-sheet in the N-terminal nucleotide-binding fold that contains the catalytic site. Beginning at Cys-145, this insertion contains a Cys-Xaa2-Cys-Xaa9-Cys-Xaa2-Cys motif. Site-directed substitution of these cysteines with serines yielded proteins that were stable but generally devoid of activity. With this result there is now at least one example of a class I and of a class II E. coli tRNA synthetase with a metal-binding domain important for activity inserted into the catalytic domain.
Scale economies in United States rail transit systems

Abstract A three-staged least squares translog cost function is estimated for 13 heavy-rail and nine light-rail United States urban mass transit systems for the period 1985–1991. Firm output is taken to be endogenous. Large economies of density are found in operating costs. These economies become even more substantial when the cost of way and structure maintenance and capital costs are incorporated. However, there are constant returns to system size in short-run variable costs.
A study of BEOL resistance mismatch in double patterning process

Matched circuit components are widely used in logic circuits including resistors, capacitors and transistors. Any variations in those components could cause mismatch in circuit performance. In advanced technology nodes, double patterning (litho/etch/litho/etch) process has been introduced to pattern BEOL metal and via levels. Two patterning steps (litho/etch/litho/etch) with two sets of masks for litho printing and with two independent etch processes, could result in pattern dimension difference which leads to resistance and capacitance (RC) mismatch. In wire or via heavily dominated logic circuits, this RC mismatch may be sensitive to design-matched circuit components.
IMPLICATIONS OF DYNAMICALLY VARIABLE TRAITS FOR IDENTIFYING, CLASSIFYING, AND MEASURING DIRECT AND INDIRECT EFFECTS IN ECOLOGICAL COMMUNITIES

This article discusses how the presence of dynamic change in traits affecting inter-specific interactions changes the ways in which interactions between species are distinguished, classified, and measured. The prevalence of models lacking any trait dynamics has led to methods of identifying and measuring indirect effects that are not valid when phenotypically or evolutionarily plastic traits affect interspecific interactions. When traits are dynamic, the number of links in a dynamic model can no longer be used to distinguish direct and indirect effects, and classifying interactions by a single sign denoting effect on equilibrium density becomes problematic. The presence of trait dynamics also changes the interpretation of manipulative experiments that have been used to measure indirect effects. Because both traits and population densities can transmit indirect effects, a given ordered series of species will often transmit several indirect effects, which may have opposite signs. Because some traits can cha...
Blends of Amphiphilic PDMS and Trisilanolisobutyl-POSS at the Air/Water Interface

Blends of amphiphilic poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) and a model polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) nanofiller, trisilanolisobutyl-POSS, form homogeneous monolayers at the air/water interface. At high POSS content (>80 wt %), a thermodynamic analysis of surface pressure−area per monomer (Π−A) isotherm data suggests possible phase separation prior to collapse of the PDMS component. PDMS bilayer formation that normally occurs around Π ≈ 8 mN m-1 shifts to higher surface pressures with increasing trisilanolisobutyl-POSS content, indicating compatibility between the two materials in the monolayer state that is analogous to a positive deviation binary liquid mixture. Further compression leads to the collapse of the POSS component into multilayer domains around Π ≈ 17.5 mN m-1. Brewster angle microscopy shows the amount of PDMS in the blend alters the aggregation state of the nonequilibrium solidlike trisilanolisobutyl-POSS domains. These results provide insight into POSS aggregation mechanisms that may...
Dwell time and phase times for transmission and reflection.

The dwell time ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{D}$(E) and the transmission and reflection times ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{T}$(E) and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{R}$(E), respectively, associated with the interaction of a particle of energy E with a one-dimensional barrier are currently the subject of considerable controversy. In this paper we prove that, despite a recent claim to the contrary, B\"uttiker's expression for the dwell time is correct. We use this fact in combination with a rigorous result derived by Hauge, Falck, and Fjeldly to prove that the phase times ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{T}^{\ensuremath{\varphi}}$(E) and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{R}^{\ensuremath{\varphi}}$(E) cannot be identified with ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{T}$(E) and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{R}$(E).
Marked activation delay caused by ischemia initiated after regional K+ elevation in in situ pig hearts.

BACKGROUNDConduction mediated by the slow inward (Ca2+) current occurs in vitro under specific experimental conditions but has not been documented in ventricular muscle in vivo during regional myocardial ischemia, perhaps because certain constituents of ischemia (including hypoxia and acidosis) may inhibit the Ca2+ current in this setting. We hypothesized that slow conduction mediated by the Ca2+ current could occur during acute ischemia in situations in which the extracellular K+ rise was more marked relative to the degree of acidosis, as may occur at ischemic boundaries.METHODS AND RESULTSIn open-chest, anesthetized swine, an arterial shunt from the carotid artery to the mid-left anterior descending coronary artery was created through which a solution of KCl was infused to raise extracellular K+ ([K+]e) to approximately 9.4 mmol/L before the initiation of ischemia, which we termed "K(+)-modified ischemia." Ischemia initiated at a normal [K+]e ("unmodified ischemia") resulted in a mean activation delay i...
Critical theory and communication: A selective literature review

Books reviewed THE DIALECTICAL IMAGINATION: A HISTORY OF THE FRANKFURT SCHOOL AND THE INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL RESEARCH 1923–1950. By Martin Jay. Boston: Little, Brown, 1973; pp. xvii+382. $12.50. ORIGIN AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FRANKFURT SCHOOL: A MARXIST PERSPECTIVE. By Phil Slater. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1977; pp. xvii+185. $13.75. THE ORIGIN OF NEGATIVE DIALECTICS: THEODOR W. ADORNO, WALTER BENJAMIN, AND THE FRANKFURT INSTITUTE. By Susan Buck‐Morss. New York: The Free Press, 1977; pp. xv+335. $15.95. CRITICAL THEORY: SELECTED ESSAYS. By Max Horkheimer. Trans. Matthew J. O'Connell, et al. New York: Seabury Press, 1972; pp. xxi+290. Paper $4.95. THE ORIGIN OF GERMAN TRAGIC DRAMA. By Walter Benjamin. Trans. John Osborne. New York: Schocken Books, 1977; pp. 1+256. $17.25. ILLUMINATIONS. By Walter Benjamin. Trans. Harry Zohn. New York: Schocken Books, 1969; pp. 1+278. Paper $4.75. UNDERSTANDING BRECHT. By Walter Benjamin. Trans. Anna Bostock. New York: Schocken Books, 1973; pp. xix+124. $7.95. REFLECTIO...
Juvenile hormone-controlled synthesis of female-specific protein in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae.

Application of 1 μg of the all-trans methyl (±)-12,14-dihomojuvenate induces the de novo synthesis of a female-specific protein at a rate similar to that found in unoperated egg-maturing females. JH also appears to stimulate an increased synthesis of the non-sex-specific proteins. The female-specific protein is essential for egg maturation since it makes up 85–90% of the egg proteins. The exact role of the non-sex-specific proteins in egg maturation processes is not known. 12,14-Dihomojuvenate and 12-homojuvenate, the two naturally occurring JHs, have similar potencies in inducing the synthesis of female-specific protein. The 14-homojuvenate, not known to occur naturally, also has similar potency. Epoxyfarnesenic acid is 10–20 times less potent. The all-trans isomers of either of the two JHs appear to be 2–10 times more potent than the naturally occurring hormones, whereas the t,c,t-isomer of the 12,14-dihomojuvenate has no activity. The JHs possibly influence transcription of specific mRNA since application of actinomycin D (2 μg) simultaneously with JH completely blocked female-specific protein synthesis even when assayed 5 days later. Messenger for the specific female protein is relatively long lived (at least 3–4 days).
Factor analysis of solute parameters in ether-stationary phase interactions

Abstract A data matrix of retention indices for 18 ethers on 25 stationary phases is factor analyzed. Six factors reproduce 96% of the data points to better than ± five retention index units. Over 30 vectors based on physically and chemically significant parameters of the ethers appear upon rotation to be factors. Among the successfully rotated parameters are molecular weight, total atom number, boiling point (°K), unity, unsaturation uniqueness, and the difference in the carbon number for the two alkyl groups. The relative importance of the physically significant vectors is estimated by reproducing the matrix using all possible combinations of vectors. In a six-factor space, the best set of physical vectors gave an average row average error of 5.3. The square of the boiling point (°K) is shown to be most nearly equivalent to the dominant eigenvector. Using combinations of six vectors consisting of rows and columns of data from the original matrix, the best reproductions for solute-associated and solvent-associated vectors had average row average errors of 3.3 and 2.9, respectively.
Anti-isomorphisms, character modules and self-dual codes over non-commutative rings

This paper is dedicated to Vera Pless. It is an elaboration on ideas of Nebe, Rains and Sloane: by assuming the existence of an anti-isomorphism on a finite ring and by assuming a module alphabet has a well-behaved duality, one is able to study self-dual codes defined over alphabets that are modules over a non-commutative ring. Various examples are discussed.
Long-term neurodevelopmental outcome after intrauterine laser treatment for severe twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate long-term neurodevelopmental outcome after intrauterine laser treatment for twin-twin transfusion syndrome. Study Design: All 89 surviving infants who were treated between January 1995 and May 1997 were investigated in a single center. Seventy-five children were tested with the Griffiths' Developmental Test Scales at a median age of 21 months; 14 children (median age, 34 months) were tested with the Snijders-Oomen-Non-Verbal-Intelligence Test. All children underwent a detailed standardized physical and neurologic examination. Results: Sixty-nine infants (78%) showed a normal development (group I), 10 infants (11%) had minor neurologic deficiencies (group II), and 10 infants (11%) had major neurologic deficiencies (group III). No difference between recipient and donor status was observed ( P =.93). There was a trend toward a more favorable outcome for those infants who were born as twins (53 infants [81%] in group I and 5 infants [8%] in group III) compared with singleton survivors after intrauterine death of the cotwin (16 infants [67%] in group I and 5 infants [21%] in group III); however, the difference was not significant ( P =.12). Conclusion: After intrauterine laser treatment for twin-twin transfusion syndrome, 78% of the children had a normal neurodevelopmental status, 11% of the children had minor neurologic deficiencies, and 11% of the children had major neurologic deficiencies, at a median age of 22 months. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2003;188:876-80.)
Security price responses to unexpected earnings: a nonparametric investigation

The widely used linear model of the unexpected earnings/returns relationship has been challenged. In this article we propose a flexible nonparametric approach to study this relationship in which splines are used to approximate the unknown regression function. Spline confidence bands are constructed based on wild bootstrap to examine the adequacy of certain linear/nonlinear specifications. Monte Carlo results show that the proposed bands have excellent coverage of the true regression function with little computing load. These properties make the procedure highly recommended for extracting information from large and complicated datasets. The proposed approach has also been applied to the real world financial data from the unexpected earnings/returns study, and we find significant evidence of nonlinearity. The nonlinearity persists when we control the measurement errors of the earning surprises and firm size.
Subtyping pathological gamblers based on impulsivity, depression and anxiety

This study examined putative subtypes of pathological gamblers (PGs) based on the Pathways model, and it also evaluated whether the subtypes would benefit differentially from treatment. Treatment-seeking PGs (N = 229) were categorized into Pathways subtypes based on scores from questionnaires assessing anxiety, depression, and impulsivity. The Addiction Severity Index-Gambling assessed severity of gambling problems at baseline, posttreatment, and 12-month follow-up. Compared with behaviorally conditioned (BC) gamblers, emotionally vulnerable (EV) gamblers had higher psychiatric and gambling severity, and were more likely to have a parent with a psychiatric history. Antisocial impulsive (AI) gamblers also had elevated gambling and psychiatric severity relative to BC gamblers. They were more likely to have antisocial personality disorder and had the highest legal and family/social severity scores. They were also most likely to have a history of substance abuse treatment, history of inpatient psychiatric treatment, and a parent with a substance use or gambling problem. AI and EV gamblers experienced greater gambling severity throughout treatment than BC gamblers, but all three subtypes demonstrated similar patterns of treatment response. Thus, the three Pathways subtypes differ on some baseline characteristics, but subtyping did not predict treatment outcomes beyond a simple association with problem gambling severity.
Evaluation of the interfacial shear in a discontinuous carbon fiber/mortar matrix composite

The mathematical relationship between fiber-matrix interfacial shear stress and drying shrinkage reduction due to fiber addition was derived for the purpose of estimating this stress from the measured drying shrinkage of short fiber reinforced cement. For short carbon fiber reinforced mortar, this stress increased with curing age, particularly abruptly within the first 2 days and reaching 1.92 MPa at 14 days if slip between fiber and matrix was assumed and 3.46 MPa if no slip between fiber and matrix was assumed.
Low energy electron-excited nanoscale luminescence spectroscopy studies of intrinsic defects in HfO2 and SiO2–HfO2–SiO2–Si stacks

Low energy electron-excited nanoscale (LEEN) luminescence spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry have been used to probe the defect states and chemical composition in as-deposited relatively thick (∼100nm) HfO2 films and in SiO2∕HfO2∕SiO2∕Si (5nm∕15nm∕5nm) heterojunction stacks grown by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition including as well changes in bonding and defects after high temperature (900°C) annealing. LEEN measurements of optical transitions in the thicker HfO2 films are assigned to defect-associated radiative transitions centered at approximately 2.7, 3.4, 4.2 and 5.5eV. These spectra exhibited significant changes in as-deposited films (300°C) and after a 900°C anneal in forming gas (N2∕H2). Qualitative differences in LEEN spectra of stacked films are correlated with (i) formation of Hf silicate during deposition of the HfO2 film onto the SiO2 substrates in the as-deposited films, and (ii) a chemical phase separation of these Hf silicates into a heterogeneous mixture SiO2 and Hf...
Characterization of a Highly Repetitive Sequence Conserved Among the North American Morone Species.

A highly repetitive DNA sequence family from the genome of the North American Morone has been cloned and characterized. This family, first identified as a HindIII repetitive element, is composed of repeat units that range from 285 to 288 bp in length and comprise approximately 5.5% of the genome. The copy number of the repeat was estimated to be 1.85 × 105 per haploid genome set. Data from Southern blot analyses demonstrated that the HindIII repetitive element was tandemly organized. Sequence analysis of six cloned repeat monomers from each of the four North American Morone species, M. saxatilis, M. chrysops, M. americana, and M. mississippiensis, revealed a high degree of conservation of the monomeric unit. The intraspecific sequence variation ranged from 3.2% to 5.4%. A similar level of variation was detected between cloned monomers from the same individual, suggesting that most of the intraspecies variation may be due to variation among copies of the repeat. The interspecific sequence variation ranged from less than 4.6% between M. americana and M. mississippiensis to approximately 16% between the other Morone species pairs. Phylogenetic analysis of the repetitive element nucleotide sequences indicated that M. americana and M. mississippiensis were more closely related to each other than to any other pairs of Morone species. In addition, we reconstructed the Morone phylogeny using 22 previously described morphologic characters. Congruent relationships were obtained between both sets of data. The data suggest that the genus Morone is composed of two sets of sister taxa, M. saxatilis:M. chrysops and M. americana:M. mississippiensis.
A maternalistic approach to prevention

One of the fundamental goals of public health is the prevention of disease to reduce human suffering. Identifying risk factors for diseases is an important milestone towards prevention, but influencing global health often requires converting such findings into behavioural modifications. We are painfully aware how difficult behavioural changes are, and consequently many insights into disease causation remain scientific discoveries that do not translate into substantial reductions of the global burden of disease. Can we more effectively convert our knowledge into successful prevention using a population strategy of prevention that circumvents the individual’s choice? Or does our society favour the freedom of the individual’s choice even at the expense of a conscious self-destruction of health, thus increasing the burden of disease and the cost to society? In this issue of the journal, Adams and White focus on one possibly problematic aspect of the population approach to prevention, its effect on individuals with the lowest risk when a J-shaped curve characterizes the relation between risk factor and disease. 1 Adams and White point out an issue that Geoffrey
HABITAT DISTRIBUTION, LIFE HISTORY AND BEHAVIOR OF TETRAGNATHA SPIDER SPECIES IN THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

Habitat distribution patterns of five species of Tetragnatha Latreille 1804 were studied by analyzing 1163 one-hour samples collected at 17 focal sites representing 16 major biotic communities (habitats) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Tetragnatha versicolor Walckenaer 1841 is a habitat generalist, being common over a wide range of elevations (520-1755 m) and in 10 of the 16 habitats, including seven forest habitats as well as wetland, high grass bald, and grassland habitats. Te- tragnatha laboriosa Hentz 1850 is virtually restricted to non-wetland grassy habitats, T. elongata Wal- ckenaer 1805 to streams, T. viridis Walckenaer 1841 to hemlock trees, and T. straminea Emerton 1884 to non-forested wetlands (marshes). Microhabitat segregation exists in the high grass bald community between T. versicolor (prefers trees and shrubs) and T. laboriosa (prefers herbs). Size frequency histograms of seasonal samples of T. straminea specimens indicate that this species has a one-year life cycle with six post-emergent instars, and that most individuals overwinter in the antepenultimate instar and mature and mate in May and June. Tetragnatha straminea is able to capture prey with or without using a web and adopts stick-like cryptic postures in three different contexts.
Field Emission and Growth of Fullerene Nanotubes

Efforts to control the growth of individual carbon nanotubes from nanotube seed crystals have led to a characterization of their field-induced electron emission behavior. The application of a bias voltage in the growth apparatus was motivated by the prolific formation of nanotubes in the carbon are growth method, in which the electric field appears to play a central role. The authors report here the ability to achieve various tube tip configurations by the controlled application of voltage, heat and chemicals to an individual nanotube, and that these states are well characterized by the emission currents they induce.
Analysis of naphthalene adduct binding sites in model proteins by tandem mass spectrometry.

The electrophilic metabolites of the polyaromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene have been shown to bind covalently to proteins and covalent adduct formation correlates with the cytotoxic effects of the chemical in the respiratory system. Although 1,2-naphthalene epoxide, naphthalene diol epoxide, 1,2-naphthoquinone, and 1,4-napthoquinone have been identified as reactive metabolites of interest, the role of each metabolite in total covalent protein adduction and subsequent cytotoxicity remains to be established. To better understand the target residues associated with the reaction of these metabolites with proteins, mass spectrometry was used to identify adducted residues following (1) incubation of metabolites with actin and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), and (2) activation of naphthalene in microsomal incubations containing supplemental actin or PDI. All four reactive metabolites bound to Cys, Lys or His residues in actin and PDI. Cys17 of actin was the only residue adducted by all metabolites; there was substantial metabolite selectivity for the majority of adducted residues. Modifications of actin and PDI, following microsomal incubations containing 14C-naphthalene, were detected readily by 2D gel electrophoresis and phosphor imaging. However, target modifications on tryptic peptides from these isolated proteins could not be readily detected by MALDI/TOF/TOF and only three modified peptides were detected using high resolution–selective ion monitoring (HR–SIM). All the reactive metabolites investigated have the potential to modify several residues in a single protein, but even in tissues with very high rates of naphthalene activation, the extent of modification was too low to allow unambiguous identification of a significant number of modified residues in the isolated proteins.
Network crisis intervention in a college setting

This article discusses the use of crisis intervention and networking principles with emotionally disturbed college students. In addition, the article demonstrates how these principles can be applied to larger systems such as entire living units or service organizations which are experiencing a crisis. Through the use of case examples the author identifies pressures experienced by college students and organizations and suggests intervention strategies emphasizing the use of available social supports. With the use of individual interviews, small and large group meetings, telephone conferences, homework assignments, and debriefing sessions, clients and their systems can be taught to cope with crises with a minimum of professional assistance.
A state-space model for integration of battery energy storage systems in bulk power grids

Applications of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in the power grids will be expanded in the coming years due to factors such as decreasing costs of such systems. In a modern power network, BESS systems can be optimally controlled for peak-load shaving and other ancillary services such as volt-var control, system balancing and loss reduction. However, all these “system-level” controls will depend on the capability of each individual BESS to independently control the active and reactive power injection/absorption at its connected bus, and to maintain the voltage of the DC link between its AC/DC and DC/DC converters. As a result, understanding the behavior and control requirements for the operation of the BESS is necessary. In this paper, an active AC/DC rectifier and a bidirectional DC/DC converter have been modeled and analyzed for charging and discharging of the batteries in a BESS system. The models used in these analyses have been developed based on an integrated state-space equation set for the converters and the battery. This type of modeling is proper for demonstration of the effects of massively integrated storage systems in the bulk power grids.
Cytotoxic Effect of Mycobacteria on Ehrlich Ascites Cells

Abstract Bekierkunst, Adam (Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pa.), and L. Joe Berry. Cytotoxic effect of mycobacteria on Ehrlich ascites cells. J. Bacteriol. 89:205–211. 1965.—Mycobacterium tuberculosis, strains H37Rv, H37Ra, and BCG, release into a medium within 3 to 5 hr a substance that is toxic to Ehrlich ascites cells as evidenced by a diminished packed cell volume after 5 to 7 days of growth in the peritoneal cavity of mice. Cell-free extracts of the above strains of mycobacteria display the same type of cytotoxic effect, the strongest action being that of the virulent strain, H37Rv. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidase activity of surviving tumor cells was three to four times greater after treatment with the mycobacterial extracts than that of control cells. The cycotoxicity is probably due to cord factor, because 10 μg of this substance injected intraperitoneally into mice bearing Ehrlich ascites cells inhibited the growth of the cells to 50% of that of control cells. An increase in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotidase activity was found in surviving tumor cells after cord factor treatment.
Utilization of the Navien distal intracranial catheter in 78 cases of anterior circulation aneurysm treatment with the Pipeline embolization device

Background Endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms relies on coaxial catheter support systems to provide safe and stable access. Large-bore distal intracranial catheters have become necessary for aneurysm treatment with flow diverting devices including the Pipeline embolization device (PED). These catheters must accommodate 0.027 inch microcatheters, be supple enough to track distally and be able to provide sufficient support for manipulations required for PED deployment. Methods A single-center aneurysm database was reviewed to identify patients who underwent anterior circulation aneurysm embolization with the PED while using the Navien distal intracranial catheter. Data were collected regarding the equipment used, cervical internal carotid artery (ICA) tortuosity, intraprocedural Navien positions and periprocedural complications. Results The Navien catheter (5 Fr, 0.070 inch outer diameter, 0.058 inch inner diameter, 115 cm) was used in 78 cases of anterior circulation PED. It was tracked into position over a Marksman microcatheter in 76 of the 78 cases (97%). The final catheter tip position was in the cervical ICA (1/78, 1%), petrous ICA (23/78, 30%), proximal cavernous ICA (48/78, 62%), distal cavernous/clinoidal ICA (3/78, 4%), supraclinoid ICA (2/78, 2%) and the M1 segment (1/78, 2%). In each case the catheter was tracked to its desired position (100% clinical success) despite significant proximal vessel tortuosity in 34 cases (44%). No clinically significant catheter-related complications occurred. Conclusions The Navien intracranial catheter is an important component of the triaxial system for embolization of cerebral aneurysms with the PED. This catheter is highly trackable to distal positions, atraumatic and provides sufficient support for the microcatheter manipulations used during typical PED deployments.
Caudate lobe resections: a single-center experience and evaluation of factors predictive of outcomes.

Background: Despite the increasing frequency of liver resection for multiple types of disease, caudate lobe resection remains a rare surgical event. The goal of this study is to review our experience and evaluate possible predictors of adverse outcomes in patients undergoing caudate lobectomy. Methods: We reviewed a 1,900-patient prospective hepato-pancreatico-biliary database from January 2000 to December 2011, identifying 36 hepatectomy patients undergoing caudate lobe resection. Clinicopathologic characteristic and outcome data were compared using chi-square, T-test, ANOVA, Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression analysis. Primary endpoints were the incidence and severity of complications, and secondary endpoints were blood loss, hospital stay, and transfusion requirements. Patients were also divided in two groups with group A being patients operated on before December 2007 and group B after 2007. We compared the demographics, risk factors, complication rates, and operative details between the two groups. Results: Thirty-six patients underwent caudate lobe resection for cholangiocarcinoma (47.2%), metastatic colorectal cancer (36.1%), hepatocellular carcinoma (8.3%), or benign disease (8.3%). Nine patients (29%) had additional liver resection. Median overall survival (OS) was 21 months. Complications occurred in 52.7% (19/36) of patients with a median grade of 2. Tobacco abuse was associated with an increased risk of operative complications (73.3% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.03). Prior history of cardiac disease was associated with a higher complication rate (87% vs. 42%, p = 0.03). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, biliary procedures, hepatitis, and prior major abdominal surgery were not predictive of complications. Major complication was also predicted by the volume of RBC transfusion (2.7 vs. 4.1 units, p = 0.003). In our subgroup analysis of the patients undergoing surgery before and after 2007, the two groups were well matched based on age, comorbidities, and risk factors. The complication rates and rates of high-grade complications were similar, but blood loss (600 ml vs. 400 ml, p = 0.03), inflow occlusion time (Pringle time 12.6 vs. 6, p = 0.00), and hospital stay (9.5 vs. 7 days, p = 0.01) were significantly lower in group B. Conclusions: With appropriate patient selection, caudate lobe resection is an effective component of surgery for hepatic disease. Tobacco use and prior cardiac history increase the risk of complications.