cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CHEMISTRY VERSUS SPECS: COMPARING JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES AND SUBJECTIVE RESPONSES TO UNEMPLOYMENT

Unemployed white-collar workers in Israel and the U.S. come to different subjective understandings of their labor market difficulties: Israelis tend to blame the system, while Americans tend to blame themselves. These different responses have profound individual and societal implications. Using in-depth interviews and observations at support groups, this paper shows how different hiring practices and labor market institutions give rise to distinct job search “games,” which I call the “chemistry” game in the U.S. and the “specs” game in Israel. Variations in the games’ structures generate particular search experiences that ultimately account for the varied subjective responses to unemployment.
The effect of papaverine on sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase and the ouabain sensitive electrical properties of crayfish nerve.

Abstract The effect of cyclic and non-cyclic nucleotides and phosphodiesterase inhibitors on (Na-K)-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity of crayfish nerve membrane fragments and on the ouabain sensitive electrical properties of the intact crayfish giant axon was investigated. Only papaverine (1 × 10 −7 −2 × 10 −4 m ), of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors stimulated the adenosine triphosphatase to approximately 2.5 times its control level. The methylxanthine inhibitors (caffeine and aminophylline) had no effect. The papaverine induced stimulation did not alter substrate or ionic activation kinetics or the ouabain sensitivity of the ATPase activity. Cyclic and non-cyclic nucleotides, slightly but significantly inhibited the (Na-K)-adenosine triphosphatase if the membrane preparation was preincubated with these agents prior to activation of enzyme activity. Addition of 3 m m adenosine triphosphate to the incubation medium simultaneous with test nucleotides prevented the inhibition. Addition of the phosphodiesterase inhibitors in conjunction with the nucleotides had no effect on adenosine triphosphatase activity other than that accounted for by the nucleotides alone. Papaverine (1−10 × 10 −6 m ) increased the membrane resistance and the temperature dependence of the membrane potential of the intact axon. The action of papaverine was totally prevented if the axon was pretreated with 0.5–1 m m ouabain. The papaverine stimulated axon was more sensitive to ouabain inhibition than the untreated control axon. The results suggest (a) papaverine acts to stimulate the (Na-K)-adenosine triphosphatase of the membrane fragments and the ouabain sensitive electrogenic transport properties of the intact axon and, (b) papaverine does not appear to act through a cyclic adenosine monophosphate mediated mechanism to stimulate the (Na-K)-adenosine triphosphatase.
More trees less loss: Nitrogen leaching losses decrease with increasing biomass in coffee agroforests

Abstract The mitigation of nutrient leaching losses is an important ecosystem service, and is easily affected by small-scale management decisions. This study was conducted on eight coffee agroforests in Costa Rica, in order to identify particular mechanisms preventing nutrient leaching losses. First, we examined how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) leaching losses differed between coffee agroforests amended with mineral or organic fertilizers. Monthly N and P concentrations were measured in soil water using tension lysimeters (at 15 and 100 cm) between October 2008 and September 2009, and a water balance model was developed to estimate annual nutrient leaching losses from these agroforests. Second, we examined the effects of human interventions (fertilizer type and quantity), biology (shade trees), and chemistry (soil properties) on nutrient leaching losses. Despite differences in the quantity and form of fertilizer inputs, N and P losses at 100 cm did not differ significantly between organically and conventionally managed agroforests (119 kg N ha −1 yr −1 and 1.5 kg P ha −1 yr −1 , respectively). Rather, N losses declined linearly with increasing shade tree biomass, which is determined by farmers. Phosphorus losses, on the other hand, declined with increasing soil iron pools, which are independent of management decisions.
DARPA Orbital Express program: effecting a revolution in space-based systems

A primary goal of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is to develop innovative, high-risk technologies with the potential of a revolutionary impact on missions of the Department of Defense. DARPA is developing a space experiment to prove the feasibility of autonomous on- orbit servicing of spacecraft. The Orbital Express program will demonstrate autonomous on-orbit refueling, as well as autonomous delivery of a small payload representing an avionics upgrade package. The maneuverability provided to spacecraft from a ready refueling infrastructure will enable radical new capabilities for the military, civil and commercial spacecraft. Module replacement has the potential to extend bus lifetimes, and to upgrade the performance of key subsystems (e.g. processors) at the pace of technology development. The Orbital Express technology development effort will include the necessary autonomy for a viable servicing infrastructure; a universal interface for docking, refueling and module transfers; and a spacecraft bus design compatible with this servicing concept. The servicer spacecraft of the future may be able to act as a host platform for microsatellites, extending their capabilities while reducing risk. An infrastructure based on Orbital Express also benefits from, and stimulates the development of, lower-cost launch strategies.
The Assay of Rauwolfia serpentina Preparations

A method is proposed for the colorimetric assay of Rauwolfia serpentina root and its preparations, based upon the reaction between reserpine-rescinnamine group alka.loids and nitrous acid.
Subjective reactions to rapid and normal paced aversive smoking

Abstract This study explored subjective reactions to rapid and normal paced aversive smoking through the use of a negative sensations checklist administered after every trial over six treatment sessions. Reports of aversiveness and negative sensations were greater for rapid than for normal paced smoking, although during later sessions aversive ratings for the normal paced group approximated the levels reported by rapid smoking subjects. Analyses of individual items on the sensations checklist revealed that the two smoking interventions differed primarily on symptoms related to cardiovascular stress and gastro-intestinal upset. Moderate correlations were obtained between the number of negative sensations reported and the overall aversion rating. Subjective reactions were not significantly correlated with treatment outcome. The pattern of sensations reported generally did not support a nicotine poisoning interpretation of the effects of rapid smoking. Implications for the clinical use of aversive smoking, possible mechanisms of change in rapid smoking treatment, and the need for increased attention to the multidimensional assessment of smoking behavior were discussed.
SU‐FF‐J‐19: Prototype Fixture for IGRT Coordinate Registration and 4D CT Reconstruction

Purpose: The potential use of in‐room CT technology for target localization requires accurate methods for mapping spatial and temporal data between the CT and linac coordinate spaces. This can be done by absolute calibration of the imaging device prior to scanning or by capturing known fiducial patterns within the image data. We have designed a hybrid technique for in‐room CTs that defines a unified coordinate system referenced to the treatment table. It is based on patterns encoded in the unused portion of CTimages below the treatment table surface. These patterns have two primary functions: 1) to facilitate the registration of image coordinates for image‐guided radiation therapy; and 2) to encode an external respiratory signal for 4D CTreconstruction. Methods and Materials: A fixture was made from a 6 mm thick acrylic plate embedded with small aluminum rods. The rods formed a pattern used for spatial calibration. In addition, a long “V” shaped piece of extruded aluminum was mounted on the fixture between bearings and attached to a motor. The motor was computer controlled such that the “V” could point in any direction to encode a respiratory signal. The entire fixture was mounted beneath the “tennis racket” portion of a carbon fiber treatment table. Results:CTimages clearly showed the spatial patterns and respiratory signal encoded by the fixture. Dynamic respiratory signals were imaged with minimal artifacts at angular velocities up to six rpm with 0.8s CT gantry rotation. Custom software was able to decode the image metadata and use it for IGRT coordinate registration and 4D CTreconstruction. Attenuation of 6 MV radiation by the fixture was measured to be < 3%. Conclusions: The prototype met all design goals and facilitated IGRT coordinate registration and 4D CTreconstruction.Conflict of Interest: Research sponsored by Siemens corporation.
Hydrolysis and Condensation of Hydrophilic Alkoxysilanes Under Acidic Conditions

A hydrophilic silane was obtained from the reaction of ethylene carbonate and 3-aminopropyldiethoxymethylsilane. This silane undergoes rearrangement to yield an AB2-type hyperbranched polymer under anhydrous conditions but hydrolyzes and condenses to produce linear siloxanes under acid hydrolysis. The hydrolysis and condensation reactions as a function of time, HCl concentration and water content were studied by 29Si NMR. The compositions of the silanol containing hydrolysis intermediates and the siloxanes condensation products were identified under different conditions. The instantaneous composition was found to depend on the specific combination of the acid and the water. Under certain conditions the intermediate silane-diols were stable and did not condense even under mild acidic conditions.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa PqsA Is an Anthranilate-Coenzyme A Ligase

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen which relies on several intercellular signaling systems for optimum population density-dependent regulation of virulence genes. The Pseudomonas quinolone signal (PQS) is a 3-hydroxy-4-quinolone with a 2-alkyl substitution which is synthesized by the condensation of anthranilic acid with a 3-keto-fatty acid. The pqsABCDE operon has been identified as being necessary for PQS production, and the pqsA gene encodes a predicted protein with homology to acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) ligases. In order to elucidate the first step of the 4-quinolone synthesis pathway in P. aeruginosa, we have characterized the function of the pqsA gene product. Extracts prepared from Escherichia coli expressing PqsA were shown to catalyze the formation of anthraniloyl-CoA from anthranilate, ATP, and CoA. The PqsA protein was purified as a recombinant His-tagged polypeptide, and this protein was shown to have anthranilate-CoA ligase activity. The enzyme was active on a variety of aromatic substrates, including benzoate and chloro and fluoro derivatives of anthranilate. Inhibition of PQS formation in vivo was observed for the chloro- and fluoroanthranilate derivatives, as well as for several analogs which were not PqsA enzymatic substrates. These results indicate that the PqsA protein is responsible for priming anthranilate for entry into the PQS biosynthetic pathway and that this enzyme may serve as a useful in vitro indicator for potential agents to disrupt quinolone signaling in P. aeruginosa.
Two Views of Religious Certitude

At least since Cardinal Newman's Grammar of Assent (1870), Anglo-American philosophers have been concerned with the role of certitude, or subjective epistemic certainty, in theistic belief. Newman is himself famous for holding that certitude is an essential feature of any sort of genuine belief, including in particular religious belief. As one recent commentator, Michael Banner, notes, for Newman
Transmural “Scar-to-Scar” Reentrant Ventricular Tachycardia

We describe a scar-related reentrant ventricular tachycardia circuit with a proximal segment in an endocardial basal septal scar and an exit in a region of slow conduction in a non-overlapping region of epicardial basal lateral scar. The 12-lead EKG demonstrates criteria for a basal lateral epicardial VT, however the same morphology could be produced with a longer stim-latency with pace mapping or VT induction from the endocardial septal region of scar. A significant segment of myocardium demonstrated no endocardial or epicardial scar on electroanatomic mapping, suggesting the presence of a mid-myocardial isthmus. Further evidence was provided by assessment of unipolar settings. The epicardial VT that initially appeared to originate from the basal lateral epicardial region, was successfully treated with radiofrequency ablation of the lateral aspect of the endocardial septal scar.
ABC Transporters and Isothiocyanates: Potential for Pharmacokinetic Diet–Drug Interactions

Isothiocyanates, a class of anti-cancer agents, are derived from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and watercress, and have demonstrated chemopreventive activity in a number of cancer models and epidemiologic studies. Due to public interest in cancer prevention and alternative therapies in cancer, the consumption of herbal supplements and vegetables containing these compounds is widespread and increasing. Isothiocyanates interact with ATP-binding cassette (ABC) efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein, MRP1, MRP2 and BCRP, and may influence the pharmacokinetics of substrates of these transporters. This review discusses the pharmacokinetic properties of isothiocyanates, their interactions with ABC transporters, and presents some data describing the potential for isothiocyanate-mediated diet-drug interactions.
Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology: the eagle can land.

In 2004, Joseph Loscalzo, the then-new editor-in-chief of Circulation , invited readers to use the journal to soar like an eagle above the cardiovascular landscape and to stay informed of cutting-edge advances in cardiovascular medicine. From that broad vista, readers could hone their focus to specific areas and monitor the latest findings that came to the fore in the highest-quality original investigations that have defined Circulation from its inception. We now welcome you to Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology . The arrival of this new member of the American Heart Association family facilitates transmission of important advances to clinicians and investigators who needed more focused knowledge in the field. The journal will be published bimonthly in electronic and printed formats; however, all articles will also be posted online …
Diversionary comments under political blog posts

An important issue that has been neglected so far is the identification of diversionary comments. Diversionary comments under political blog posts are defined as comments that deliberately twist the bloggers' intention and divert the topic to another one. The purpose is to distract readers from the original topic and draw attention to a new topic. Given that political blogs have significant impact on the society, we believe it is imperative to identify such comments. We then categorize diversionary comments into 5 types, and propose an effective technique to rank comments in descending order of being diversionary. To the best of our knowledge, the problem of detecting diversionary comments has not been studied so far. Our evaluation on 2,109 comments under 20 different blog posts from Digg.com shows that the proposed method achieves the high mean average precision (MAP) of 92.6%. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the effectiveness of the method is stable under different parameter settings.
Endotoxin-induced changes in phospholipid dynamics of the stomach.

Abstract Background The gastric mucosa is protected in part by a hydrophobic layer of phosphatidylcholine (PC) that overlies the mucus gel on the stomach. Endotoxin treatment (i.e., lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) results in an apparent disruption of this layer, as evidenced by a reduction in surface hydrophobicity and an increase in transmural permeability. The current studies compared PC and lyso-PC levels in mucus and gastric mucosa before and after LPS treatment, and examined potential mechanisms for surface phospholipid changes. Methods Rats were administered LPS (5 mg//kg, intraperitoneally) and samples were collected after 5 h for analysis of PC and its primary degradant, lyso-PC, in the loosely and firmly adherent mucus layers and the mucosa. The dependence of LPS-induced effects on gastric alkalinization, PC synthetic activity, and intestinal reflux material was assessed. Results The gastric contents after LPS, which also contained duodenal reflux material, had greatly increased amounts of PC and lyso-PC. The firmly adherent mucus layer was unchanged. The gastric mucosa after LPS revealed significant reductions of PC levels and no change in lyso-PC content. These phospholipid changes were not caused by alkalinization of the stomach or altered PC synthesis. Prevention of duodenogastric reflux by pylorus ligation blocked the LPS-induced increase in luminal lyso-PC and the reduction in mucosal PC. Conclusions LPS appears to induce a release of PC from gastric mucosa into the lumen, along with degradation of PC to lyso-PC, without an effect on PC synthesis. Component(s) of intestinal reflux material appear to be required for these effects. The lowered PC levels in gastric mucosa after LPS may contribute to reduced barrier properties of this tissue.
Letter by DeGroff Regarding Article, “Direction of Preoperative Ventricular Shunting Affects Ventricular Mechanics After Tetralogy of Fallot Repair”

To the Editor: I enjoyed the work presented recently in Circulation by Richmond et al1 entitled “Direction of Preoperative Ventricular Shunting Affects Ventricular Mechanics After Tetralogy of Fallot Repair.” However, a major limitation of this …
Digital signature with a subliminal channel

A subliminal channel is a covert communication channel to send a message to an authorised receiver; this message cannot be discovered by any unauthorised receiver. There are some applications that can take advantage of this by hiding secret messages in this subliminal channel. For example, a credit card provider can hide the card holder's credit history and credit limit in a digital signature for an issued credit card. Simmons had found that El Gamal-type digital signature schemes can be easily used to establish a subliminal channel owing to their low information rate. Simmons had also found that in all broadband subliminal channels devised thus far the receiver needs to know the transmitter's secret signing key; subliminal channels that do not require the transmitter to entrust its secret key to the subliminal receiver are generally narrowband. This limits the practical usefulness of the subliminal channel. The paper shows how to construct a digital signature scheme with a broadband subliminal channel that does not require the subliminal receiver to share the transmitter's secret signing key. The subliminal channel can be constructed in either p-channel or q-channel, where p and q are two large primes as used in the RSA scheme. To any outsider, forging a legitimate signature requires solving both the factoring problem and the discrete logarithm problem. Implementation of the signature scheme based on the Lucas function is proposed to achieve greater efficiency.
Some bandwidth properties of simultaneous amplitude and angle modulation

This paper treats some bandwidth properties of modulated signals of the form q(t) \cos [\omega_{c}t + \varphi(t)] where both q(t) and \varphi(t) are modulating time functions. For such simultaneous amplitude and angle modulation (AAM), relationships are given connecting the bandwidth of the modulated signal with the properties of the modulating time functions. Some useful bounds on the bandwidth are found and a relationship is derived between the amplitude and the angle modulating functions which results in a minimum bandwidth. Several examples of such minimum bandwidth signals are given.
Verification of hybrid systems: monotonicity in the AHS control system

Numerous approaches to verifying the safety of vehicles in the AHS architecture of PATH have been proposed (see [1] and [2]). One approach involves finding a boundary between safe and unsafe initial conditions. This task is significantly easier if we can guarantee that the severity of an accident is monotonic in the initial conditions. Simulation results are presented in which it is shown that this condition does not hold for the design of [1], and a hybrid automaton model explaining this situation is presented. Finally, some attempts to modify the control laws to obtain monotonicity are presented.
Comparison of Commercial Processing Method vs Hot-Deboning of Fresh Broilers on Nutrient Content of Breast Meat

Conventional commercial processing of fresh broilers usually involves ice-water immersion chilling, which may cause some losses of water-soluble nutrients. This study was conducted to determine the effect of conventional chilling vs hot deboning on the nutrient content (proximate composition, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, P, Na, Mg, Ca and K) of breast meat from broilers. Significant differences were found between the two methods when the results of moisture, ash, P, K and Na were compared. No differences were found for other nutrients. A leaching mechanism for ash, mostly of P and K salts by the commercial process is suggested.
Assessment of urban heat Islands: A multi‐sensor perspective for the Dallas‐Ft. worth, USA region

Abstract Data acquired during the early to mid‐1990s by several satellite‐sensor systems were combined in an assessment of the urban heat‐island effect for the Dallas‐Fort Worth, TX region of the United States. Normalized difference vegetation index and radiant surface temperature were computed from NOAA‐AVHRR data. Two measures of the anthropogenic light emitted by urban‐related surface features were available from the DMSP‐OLS. Landsat MSS data were used to provide estimates of the predominant land cover within the grid cells associated with the NOAA‐AVHRR and DMSP‐OLS data. The multi‐sensor analysis of the environment associated with seven climate observation stations in the Dallas‐Ft. Worth region provided a methodology for characterization of the stations as “urban”; or “rural.”; Three of the seven stations examined were identified through this analyis as “urban.”; The information provided by a single sensor, while valuable, was clearly enhanced by the use of the multiple sensors included in this study.
Fractures after rheumatoid arthritis. A population-based study

In a population-based study, the incidence of osteoporotic fractures in patients who have been diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis was investigated. This incidence was found to be increased, though not dramatically so: the relative risk for hip fracture, for example, was 1.5. Univariate analyses generally indicated increased risk associated with increasing age, earlier age at diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, disability, impaired ambulation, steroid use, and thinness, and decreased risk associated with obesity and estrogen use. In multivariate analyses, only aging, impaired ambulation, and thinness were identified as independent risk factors.
An improved transmission oximeter using interference filters.

Abstract An oximeter using monochromatic light is described, and data are presented which reveal the accuracy of determinations made by the oximeter as compared with the Van Slyke method of analysis. The standard error of this comparison was ±0.2 per cent in the range of hemoglobin concentration from 10 to 17 Gm. per 100 ml. Also, the present cuvette-oximeter allows continuous recording of dye concentration for use in indicator-dilution curves for measurement of blood flow.
Precision and sensitivity of a seven‐day growth and survival toxicity test using the west coast marine mysid crustacean Holmesimysis costata

A 7-d growth and survival toxicity test using the west coast marine mysid crustacean Holmesimysis costata (Holmes) was evaluated to determine test precision and sensitivity. The intralaboratory coefficient of variation (CV) among six reference toxicant test median lethal concentrations (LC50s) was 25%, whereas the mean intralaboratory CV for side-by-side effluent test LC50s was 7%. The mean intralaboratory CV for the concentration at which growth was inhibited by 25% (IC25) was 19%. Interlaboratory CVs for effluent LC50s averaged 14%, whereas variation among growth IC25s averaged 15%. Test precision and sensitivity compared favorably with literature values for a number of commonly used toxicity tests and chemical methods. Toxicity increased slightly with increased mysid exposure from 4 to 7 d (mean effluent LC50s of 9.9% for 4 d of exposure and 7.5% for 7 d), and more significantly from 7 to 24 d (zinc LC50 values were 50 μg/L and 7.8 μg/L for concurrent 7-d and 24-d tests). Although growth was a less sensitive endpoint than survival in tests with individual chemicals (zinc and sodium azide), growth was the more sensitive endpoint in seven of nine tests with complex effluents. Seventy-five percent of tests conducted at all participating laboratories met protocol test acceptability criteria (n = 40).
The discovery and development of boceprevir

Introduction: Boceprevir was the first direct acting agent developed for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection. Boceprevir functions by targeting NS3 protease, a viral enzyme essential for replication. This peptidomimetic molecule was optimized from a peptide lead to provide a potent, selective and orally bioavailable drug that can be combined with ribavirin and peg interferon to achieve sustained viral response (undetectable HCV RNA levels for 24 weeks after completion of therapy) in patients infected with Genotype 1 of the virus. Areas covered: This article provides a review of the pre-clinical and clinical discovery of boceprevir. This review includes the role and function of its molecular target, NS3 protease, as well as the assays used to measure in vitro efficacy, compound optimization and clinical studies to demonstrate safety and efficacy. Expert opinion: As the first direct acting anti-HCV agent, boceprevir represents an important advance in therapy of this widespread chronic disease. Yet,...
Report on the High Resolution Spectrometer at PEP

A report on the High Resolution Spectrometer at PEP is presented. The detector is presently collecting data at PEP. The first data analysis indicates that all design criteria have been met.
Rheumatoid arthritis, dysproteinemic arthropathy, and paraproteinemia†

The results of clinical and immunochemical studies of 16 patients with rheumatoid disease and 2 with secondary joint disease who had coexistent para-proteinemias are presented. The former include 8 cases of lanthanic dysimmuno-globulinemia, 6 cases of multiple myeloma, and one case each of Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia and heavy-chain disease. The latter group consisted of 2 patients with multiple myeloma in whom dysproteinemic arthropathy developed. Other primary neoplasms occurred in 6 of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The onset of rheumatoid arthritis antedated the detection of para-proteinemia by 1 to 44 years (average 15). Prolonged antigenic stimulation manifested by rheumatoid arthritis is discussed as a possible pathogenetic factor in the evolution of immunoproliferative disorders.
Simultaneous degradation of organophosphorus pesticides and p-nitrophenol by a genetically engineered Moraxella sp. with surface-expressed organophosphorus hydrolase.

Abstract Moraxella sp., a native soil organism that grows on p-nitrophenol (PNP), was genetically engineered for the simultaneous degradation of organophosphorus (OP) pesticides and p-nitrophenol (PNP). The truncated ice nucleation protein (INPNC) anchor was used to target the pesticide-hydrolyzing enzyme, organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH), onto the surface of Moraxella sp., alleviating the potential substrate uptake limitation. A shuttle vector, pPNCO33, coding for INPNC-OPH was constructed and the translocation, surface display, and functionality of OPH were demonstrated in both E. coli and Moraxella sp. However, whole cell activity was 70-fold higher in Moraxella sp. than E. coli. The resulting Moraxella sp. degraded organophosphates as well as PNP rapidly, all within 10 h. The initial hydrolysis rate was 0.6 micromol/h/mg dry weight, 1.5 micromol/h/mg dry weight, and 9.0 micromol/h/mg dry weight for methyl parathion, parathion, and paraoxon, respectively. The possibility of rapidly degrading OP pesticides and their byproducts should open up new opportunities for improved remediation of OP nerve agents in the future.
Reconsidering Whether to License in the Aftermath of MedImmune

The Supreme Court decision in MedImmune Inc. v. Genentech Inc., 127 S. Ct. 764 (2007) broadened the opportunity for patent licensees to challenge licensed patents through declaratory judgment challenges without risking infringement. The decision also left the door open to patent scope and validity challenges from prospective licensees. While framed as a procedural question of standing to bring suit, the application of the decision has the potential to shift the decision making of licensors and licensees and to significantly change the volume and cost of patent licensing activity. In addition to having potentially wide reaching effects on licensing activity, the decision foreshadows similar changes to patent and licensing that could result from the adoption of proposed patent reform legislation. Indeed, many of the results and open questions raised in this paper feed into the larger debate over the social welfare effects of proposed patent reforms. Proponents of the MedImmune decision believe that the broader right to challenge patents will promote the competitiveness of the market for ideas by removing "bad patents," while detractors fear that the result will be to reduce the volume and increase the price of licenses and patenting activity. Missing from the debate is a systematic analysis of the ways in which the decision will impact patent and licensing activity and, more broadly, social welfare. This paper provides a law and economics framework for this analysis. It begins with a legal analysis of the Federal Circuit and Supreme Court decisions in the MedImmune case and in subsequent cases broadening the reach of the decision to clarify the scope and nature of the rule change. It then applies a simple law and economics model to examine how the greater ability of a licensee to challenge a licensed patent will impact the licensing decisions of licensors and licensees and how these decisions in turn will impact social welfare. The analysis suggests that the cost in terms of increased litigation and higher risk and cost of licensing is likely to dominate the potential benefit of removing "bad patents," although there will be disparate effects on exclusive versus non-exclusive licensing and on different categories of licensors and technologies. Allowing parties to contract away the right to bring a declaratory judgment will not remove these effects. Indeed, the impact on pre-contract negotiations will be one of the more significant factors in dampening licensing activity and promoting litigation. The paper indicates areas in which change in licensing behavior can be expected as a result of the MedImmune decision, leaving the magnitude of the changes and net impact on social welfare for future empirical study.
Factors Associated With Patient-perceived Hoarseness in Spasmodic Dysphonia Patients.

Summary Objectives/Hypothesis The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Clinical Practice Guidelines on Hoarseness distinguishes between hoarseness, which is a symptom perceived by the patient, and dysphonia, which is a diagnosis made by the clinician. Our objective was to determine factors that are associated with patient-perceived hoarseness in spasmodic dysphonia (SD) patients. Study Design Retrospective study. Methods Adductor SD patients who presented for botulinum toxin injections from September 2011 to June 2012 were recruited. The main outcome variable, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), was used to quantify patient-perceived hoarseness. Clinical data, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and VHI-10 were collected. Clinician-perceived dysphonia was measured by a speech-language pathologist with Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V). Statistical analysis included univariate analyses and multiple linear regression. Results One hundred thirty-nine SD patients had VHI-10 score of 26.0 ± 7.2 (mean ± standard deviation), disease duration of 10.5 + 7.0 years, CAPE-V overall score of 43.2 ± 21.8, HADS anxiety score of 6.7 ± 3.8, and HADS depression score of 3.6 ± 2.8. In univariate analyses, there were positive correlations ( P 2 = 0.178, P Conclusions Older age, higher anxiety levels, female gender, and clinician-perceived dysphonia are associated with higher levels of patient-perceived hoarseness in SD patients. Hoarseness is a very personal symptom. Multiple factors determine its self-perception.
Triammonium hexa-hydroxidoocta-deca-oxidohexa-molybdogallate(III) hepta-hydrate.

The title compound, (NH4)3[GaMo6(OH)6O18]·7H2O, contains two centrosymmetric GaMo6 B-type Anderson cluster units consisting of central GaO6 octa­hedra surrounded by a hexa­gonal assembly of MoO6 edge-sharing octa­hedra. Like other B-type Anderson clusters, where the central Mo atom is substituted with a di- or trivalent metal ion, the central six μ3-oxido bridges are protonated. The average Ga—O bond length is 1.97 (1) A, whereas the average Mo—O distances are 2.29 (2), 1.94 (1) and 1.709 (5) A, respectively, for Mo—(μ3-OH), Mo—(μ2-O) and Mo=O bonds. In the crystal structure, the Ga(μ3-OH)6Mo6O183− polyanionic clusters are surrounded by NH4+ cations and solvent water mol­ecules, forming an extended network of hydrogen bonds.
Changes in the Distribution of the Mean Scores on Locus of Control with Staff Level in Public Accounting Firms

One would anticipate that the distribution of scores on the locus of control test would remain relatively constant among staff levels in public accounting unless factors within the work environment differentially effect those with one type of locus of control. This research indicates that on average locus of control becomes more internal as staff level increases. There was a dramatic reduction in the frequency of the most external scores in the locus of control profiles as staff level increased.
Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Cardiovascular Disease: Clinical Pharmacology Now and in the Future

Context: While substantial benefit has accrued with respect to prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) since the advent of statin therapy, much remains unknown and there is considerable need to address residual risk beyond statins. Moreover, many individuals are unable to tolerate statins. Evidence Acquisition: As a result of several recent clinical trials and publications describing early Phase 1–3 clinical trials, the authors briefly discuss the current situation regarding pharmacological management for the prevention and treatment of individuals with disorders of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, outline some of the unanswered questions, and speculate on where we might expect to be in 5–10 years. Evidence Synthesis: Fortunately, recent developments in drug therapy hold considerable promise of additional benefits. In addition, new drugs in the pipeline, ongoing clinical trials, and new approaches to treatment hold promise for further improvements in therapy in the fore...
THE COMMUNITY-BASED RANDOMIZED TRIALS OF PHARMACOLOGIC TREATMENT OF MILD-TO-MODERATE HYPERTENSION

The value of pharmacologic treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension remains controversial despite the availability of data from eight community-based randomized trials including over 34,000 subjects with entry diastolic blood pressures ranging from 85 to 120 mmHg. To obtain more reliable estimates of the effects of treatment, the authors conducted an overview of the data from all of these individual trials, and they found a significant 18% reduction in vascular mortality among subjects allocated to treatment, due chiefly to reductions in fatal stroke and myocardial infarction. Subjects allocated to treatment experienced highly significant reductions of approximately 40% in all stroke (typical odds ratio = 0.60, 95% confidence interval = 0.51-0.71) and fatal stroke (0.58, 0.44-0.77). For myocardial infarction, the proportional reductions were much smaller than those for stroke and were 9% for all and 8% for fatal events. While suggestive of protective effects, the typical odds ratios did not achieve statistical significance for either all (0.91, 0.82-1.01) or for fatal myocardial infarction (0.92, 0.78-1.08). This overview demonstrates a significant benefit of pharmacologic treatment of mild-to-moderate hypertension on vascular mortality and on all as well as fatal stroke. It also suggests possible benefits of treatment on all and fatal myocardial infarction which should be investigated further.
Lactoferrin: Natural, Multifunctional, Antimicrobial.

Lactoferrin: Natural, Multifunctional, Antimicrobial. A.S. Naidu. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2000.This monograph of 86 pages is well written by one of the leading researchers in the field. He has c...
Homology Models in Docking and High-Throughput Docking

The use of homology models in docking-based drug discovery is already established, and provides an effective and computationally affordable alternative whenever experimental structures are not available. Recent methodological studies have confirmed and benchmarked the feasibility of using structural models in docking. However, more accurate methods are expected to be developed in the near future, especially for the model refinement stage. In this review, the latest developments in homology modeling in the context of structure-based virtual screening are presented, together with the recent success stories of homology modeling in actual docking-based drug discovery endeavours.
Evidence of Risk-Bearing Affecting Shareholder and Director Influences on Diversification

The assumption that organizational monitors (e.g. boards of directors and influential shareholders) are impartial judges that oversee organizational decisions is a key tenet of agency theory that h...
Isolation and characterization of Thy 1 homologue from human thymus.

A 40 000 M.W. glycoprotein was isolated from human thymus. This molecule binds lentil lectin, reacts with an antiserum made against the p25 antigen (the human Thy 1 homologue) and possesses almost identical amino acid composition as the p25 antigen and its 40 000 M.W. dimer.
Isolated lower extremity I-131 bone marrow uptake in a runner.

A 34-year-old woman with a history of thyroidectomy for poorly differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma but negative cervical lymph nodes underwent empiric radio-iodine therapy with 197.5 mCi Na 1-131. Her pretherapy thyroglobulin level was 2.4 ng/ml. Seven-day delayed whole-body images showed asymmetric bilateral femoral and tibial osseous uptake. The patient denied bone pain, and skeletal palpation produced no pain. She was very athletic and involved in power walking and other sports. A bone scan did not reveal skeletal metastases.
Estimation of Quantiles with Application to Regulations

Regulations are often set in terms of a value L which can be exceeded by only a small proportion of samples taken from a particular effluent or water body over a predetermined period. Estimation of a quantile (also known as percentile or fractile) can provide the limit L, at the regulation setting stage, or provide the means of assessing compliance with the regulation at the monitoring stage. Methods for the nonparametric estimation of a quantile are reviewed and studies comparing the performance of these estimators under various assumptions are summarized.
In vitro technetium-99m red blood cell labeling using commercial stannous pyrophosphate

A simple and rapid technique of preparing technetium-99m-labeled erythrocytes using commercial stannous pyrophosphate as the reducing agent was developed. The technique involves incubating red cells with stannous pyrophosphate, centrifugation, and addition of Tc-99m pertechnetate to the red cell fraction. A mean red cell labeling efficiency of 94% was achieved in 10 patient samples and less than 5% in vitro dissolution of Tc-99m red blood cells occurred up to two hours after preparation.
Nazi Discourse: Colonial Fantasies of ‘Space’ and ‘Race’

This chapter looks at the development of the Nazi imperial-colonial imagination. It examines Adolf Hitler’s and Heinrich Himmler’s spatial and racial fantasies, fantasies based on their understandings (and misunderstandings) of earlier historical precedents. It discusses the origin of these fantasies during their youth and shows how these fantasies grew and expanded as they entered the political arena and ultimately achieved political power. It also discusses competing Nazi visions of empire and Nazi colonial plans. While there were competing visions of empire and differing colonization plans, it was the visions and plans of Hitler and Himmler which would ultimately prevail (with murderous consequences for millions of Nazi-defined and targeted Jewish and non-Jewish political and racial ‘enemies’).
Injuries and home advantage in the NFL.

Background In the first decade of this century players in the National Football League, the NFL community, fans, even the public at large, became aware that multiple concussions, heretofore considered inconsequential, could have devastating consequences later in life.
Reliability guarantees for lossy network coding subgraph construction

Random linear network coding can provide robustness to link losses, and in this work we present an approach to achieve a chosen level of reliability. We formulate the subgraph construction problem, in which participating links are identified along with the number of coded packets contributed by each, as a min-cost network flow problem with probabilistic constraints to represent per-link reliability requirements. We show how to transform this problem into an integer linear program and provide an approximate algorithm to solve it. We then analyze the end-to-end reliability provided by the scheme, and present an algorithm to compute the probability of successful decoding at the destination node, in the case that the network coding subgraph is a Two Terminal Series Parallel (TTSP) graph. Results from numerical examples and Monte Carlo simulation indicate that the end-to-end reliability is accurately computed by our scheme, and that our subgraph construction approach provides a means to select the operating point in the tradeoff between reliability and subgraph cost.
Asperity generation and its relationship to seismicity on a planar fault: a laboratory simulation

Author(s): Selvadurai, PA; Glaser, SD | Abstract: Earthquake faults, and all frictional surfaces, establish contact through asperities. A detailed knowledge of how asperities form will enable a better understanding of the manner in which they communicate during foreshock failure sequences that are observed, leading to the larger main shock. We present results of experiments where a pressure sensitive film was used to map, size and measure the magnitudes of the normal stresses at asperities along a seismogenic section of a laboratory simulated fault. We measured seismicity acoustically and foreshocks were found to be the result of localized asperity failure during the nucleation phase of gross fault rupture. Since surface roughness plays an important role in how asperities are formed, two Hurst exponents were measured to characterize a highly worn interface using roughness profiles: (i) long wavelength estimates (H ~ 0.45) and (ii) short wavelength estimates (H ~ 0.8-1.2). The short wavelength roughness estimates were computed at the scale of single asperity junction points. Macroscopically, the number of asperities and real contact area increased with additional application of normal force while the mean normal stress remained constant. The ratio of real to nominal contact area was low - ranging from 0.02 l Ar/A0 l 0.05-predicting that the asperities should be elastically independent of each other. Results from the pressure sensitive film showed that asperities were closely spaced and could not be treated as mechanically independent. Larger asperities carried both higher levels of average normal stress and higher levels of normal stress heterogeneity than smaller ones. Using linear stability theorem, the critical slip distance on foreshocking asperities was estimated to be d0 ~ 0.65-3 μm. The critical slip distance d0 was ~1.8-11.5 per cent of the premonitory slip needed to initiate gross fault rupture of the interface (20-40 μm) and the overall slip necessary to initiate gross fault rupture was on the order of the average asperity diameter (52 μm). Foreshocks may be due to a change in the critical slip distance, at localized sections of the fault, caused by the two distinct roughness profiles measured at short and long length scales.
Scalable High-Radix Modular Crossbar Switches

Crossbars are a basic building block of networks on chip that can be used as fast, single-stage networks or in router cores for larger scale networks. However, scaling crossbars to high radices presents a number of efficiency, performance, and area challenges. Thus, we propose modular flow-through crossbar switch cores that perform better at high radices than conventional monolithic designs. The modular sub-blocks are arranged in a controlled flow-through, pipelined scheme to eliminate global connections and maintain linear performance scaling and high throughput. Modularity also enables energy savings via deactivation of unused I/O wires. Evaluation using an analytical crossbar switch modeling tool demonstrated improved energy delay product (up to 5.3X) compared to conventional crossbar switches, but with approximately 30% area overhead. Further, we evaluated modular crossbar networks with the proposed switch cores using BookSim2, cycle-accurate detailed network on chip tool. The proposed design achieves more than 90% saturation capacity with an internal speed up of 1.5, supports data line rates as high as 102.4Gbps (in 40nm CMOS bulk), and offers lower average network latency compared to conventional crossbars.
Development of calibration apparatus for DC electric field measurement device

DC electric field is one of the most important parameters to evaluate the environment impact of DC power transmission project. In this paper a new apparatus for the calibration of shutter-type filed mills was developed. The parallel plate system can produce a calculable electric field with space charge. The principle and arrangement of the system are described in detail. Tests are performed to study several important factors that affect the accuracy of the calibration procedure. The test results suggest that the height of the field mill should be less than half of the spacing between the parallel plates. Normally electric-field meters that operate in the ground plane can be calibrated by making a hole in the center of the bottom plate and mounting the probe flush with the bottom plate. And calibration of ground-referenced field mills that operate above the ground plane can be made by supporting the probe at the center of the parallel plates with the handle. In this paper the difference between two mounting types are discussed and compared.