cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Next generation multi-scale quantum simulation software for strongly correlated materials

Many technologically important materials display complex behavior due to strong electronic correlations. These include magnets, magnetoresistive materials, lanthanides and actinides and high temperature superconductors. Some of these materials display complex phase diagrams with multiple competing ground states, spin and charge ordering and complex excitations like those associated with spin and charge separation. An unbiased treatment of these phenomena requires a theory able to treat the correlations over all relevant length scales. In part, due to the minus sign problem, numerically exact methods employed to study these systems scale exponentially. Thus, despite great recent progress such as the development of the dynamical mean field approximation and its cluster extensions, there is as yet no unbiased study of these complex phenomena. The Multi-Scale Many-Body (MSMB) formalism and algorithms address these problems by separating the correlations into different length scales and treating each with an appropriate approximation: strong correlations at short length scales are treated by numerically exact Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) simulations, those at intermediate length scales are treated by Feynman diagrammatic methods, while the weak correlations at long length scales are treated by a (dynamical) mean field approximation with a self-consistently determined effective medium.
Experimental evidence of sediment preference by early life history stages of windowpane (Scophthalmus aquosus)

Abstract We evaluated sediment choice by young-of-the-year (YOY) windowpane, Scophthalmus aquosus, in the laboratory. We gave transitional (8–18 mm SL) and larger juvenile windowpane (32–89 mm SL) a choice of sediment mixtures, all of which were within the range observed in the field (tested range: sand–
Modeling the information-value decay of medical problems for problem list maintenance

The medical problem list is a key attribute of electronic health records, according to the Institute of Medicine, serving as a dynamic 'table-of-contents' to the patient's record. However, the problem list is infrequently maintained and often contains irrelevant and resolved problems. Other work has focused on adding missing information but not on removing resolved problems. Therefore we present: first, a model of the information-value decay of diagnosis information over time; second, a method to estimate this decay function using survival analysis applied to proxies of diagnosis lifetime in medical order entry data. We evaluate our method using data on 38,824 patients seen at a local hospital in a three-year period, comparing the derived survival functions to clinical expectation. We find the method useful in comparing decay and rank-ordering the relative durations of medical problems. Discriminating on the forty problems with highest and lowest area under the survival curve, our method was able to select chronic problems (as defined in HCUP's list of chronic conditions) with 100% sensitivity and 80% specificity. This straightforward statistical method applied to routinely-collected empirical data can help clean up the problem list by removing 'decayed' problems, which will lead to improvements both in patient care and medical research.
Foraging behavior of Minas Gerais tyrannulet (Phylloscartes roquettei) in a cerrado gallery forest

Studies that examine substrate preference of birds are important to uncover factors that determine abundance patterns, biotic interactions and habitat specialization. I studied aspects of the foraging ecology of the Minas Gerais tyrannulet (Phylloscartes roquettei) during June and July of 1999 and 2000 in a cerrado gallery forest in central Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Details of foraging behavior were recorded along trails inside of gallery forests and at forest edges. A quantitative survey of trees with different leaf types was also conducted and tree availability was compared to foraging substrate preference of P. roquettei. An analysis of 91 foraging observations indicated that P. roquettei has a strong preference for trees possessing small pinnate leaves and that this preference occurred in a significantly higher proportion than the availability in the local environment. This species presented foraging modes typical of members of the Phylloscartes assemblage. Results from this study may help to...
Functional plasticity in extrastriate visual cortex following neonatal visual cortex damage and monocular enucleation

Abstract Neonatal lesions of primary visual cortex (areas 17, 18 and 19; VC) in cats lead to significant changes in the organization of visual pathways, including severe retrograde degeneration of retinal ganglion cells of the X/β class. Cells in posteromedial lateral suprasylvian (PMLS) cortex display plasticity in that they develop normal receptive-field properties despite these changes, but they do not acquire the response properties of striate neurons that were damaged (e.g., high spatial-frequency tuning, low contrast threshold). One possibility is that the loss of X-pathway information, which is thought to underlie striate cortical properties in normal animals, precludes the acquisition of these responses by cells in remaining brain areas following neonatal VC damage. Previously, we have shown that monocular enucleation at the time of VC lesion prevents the X-/β-cell loss in the remaining eye. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether this sparing of retinal X-cells leads to the development of striate-like response properties in PMLS cortex. We recorded the responses of PMLS neurons to visual stimuli to assess spatial-frequency tuning, spatial resolution, and contrast threshold. Results indicated that some PMLS cells in animals with a neonatal VC lesion and monocular enucleation displayed a preference for higher spatial frequencies, had higher spatial resolution, and had lower contrast thresholds than PMLS cells in cats with VC lesion alone. Taken together, these results suggest that preserving X-pathway input during this critical period leads to the addition of some X-like properties to PMLS visual responses.
Agriculture: Weather dilemma for African maize

The impact of climate change on food production remains uncertain, particularly in the tropics. Research that exploits the results of historical crop trials indicates that Africa's maize crop could be at risk of significant yield losses.
Optimizing the noise performance of broad-band WDM systems with distributed Raman amplification

We derive the fundamental limit for the ratio of path-averaged signal power to optical signal-to-noise ratio (OSNR), and show that for a fixed nonlinear weight, the OSNR is maximized if the signal power variation along the fiber is minimal. We also derive the conditions under which the noise performance of Raman amplification can be improved by erbium-doped fiber amplifier post amplification.
Excimer fluorescence of polymers with aromatic substituents, 1. Dependence of excimer formation on polymer structure

Poly(α-methylstyrene) exhibits the same excimer fluorescence as polystyrene although it would be expected that repulsions between the α-methyl groups would hinder excimer formation. An alternating copolymer of stilbene and maleic anhydride exhibits excimer fluorescence, although this is absent in styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer, in 1,2-diphenylethane, and in 1,4-diphenylbutane. With polyacenaphthylene, excimer fluorescence is strong and independent of chainlength if the sample was obtained by free radical polymerization. In polyacenaphthylene obtained by cationic initiation, excimer emission increases in intensity with a decreasing polymerization temperature. Alternating acenaphthylene copolymers exhibit strong excimer emission if the comonomer is maleic anhydride, methyl methacrylate or methacrylonitrile, while methyl acrylate and acrylonitrile copolymers form very little excimer. These results suggest that excimer formation is very sensitive to conformational changes due to a change of tacticity or the nature of the comonomer and this is also reflected in NMR spectra. The use of paracyclophanes as model compounds indicates that excimer formation is compatible with a considerable deviation from a parallel alignment of the interacting aromatic residues. Poly(α-methylstyrol) zeigt die gleiche Excimeren-Fluoreszenz wie Polystyrol, obwohl man annehmen konnte, das die Abstosungskrafte zwischen den α-Methylgruppen die Bildung von Excimeren verhindern wurden. Obwohl das Copolymer aus Styrol und Maleinsaureanhydrid sowie 1,2-Diphenylathan und 1,4-Diphenylbutan keine Excimeren-Fluoreszenzaufweisen, zeigt ein alternierendes Copolymer aus Stilben und Maleinsareanhydrid eine solche. Polyacenaphthylen zeigt eine starke von der Kettenlange unabhangige Excimeren-Fluoreszen, wenn die Probe durch radikalische Polymerisation hergestellt wurde. Polyacenaphthylen, das durch kationische Polymerisationsauslosung erhalten wurde. zeigt eine Excimeren-Emission, deren Intensitat mit a bnehmender Polymerisationstemperatur zunirnmt. Alternierende Acenaphthylen-Copolymere weisen starke Excimeren-Emission auf, wenn das Comonomer Maleinsaureanhydrid, Methylmethacrylat oder Methacrylnitril ist, wahrend Methylacrylat- und Acrylnitril-Copolymere sehr wenig Excimere bilden. Diese Ergebnisse lassen die Vermutung zu, das die Bildung von Excimeren sehr empfindlich auf Anderungen der Konformation, hervorgerufen durch eine Anderung der Taktizitat oder der Natur des Comonomers, ist, und dies kommt auch in den NMR-Spektren zum Ausdruck. Die Verwendung von Paracyclophanen als Modellverbindungen zeigt, das sich die Bildung von Excimeren mit einer betrachtlichen Abweichung von einer parallelen Ausrichtung der miteinander in Wechselwirkung tretenden aromatischen Reste vereinbaren last.
Transcervical superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy in the management of papillary thyroid carcinoma

Aim. Surgery is the treatment of choice for lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma. When adequately treated by surgical extirpation, the presence of lymph node involvement does not seem to have a negative impact on cure rates or survival. Surgical lymphadenectomy for metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma has been well described for both the central and the lateral compartments of the neck. Superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy, however, has only sporadically been mentioned. We describe our experience with transcervical superior mediastinal lymphadenectomy (TSML) that avoids the morbidity of the traditional sternal split. Materials and Methods. This retrospective analysis included 30 patients (24 women and 6 men; age range, 17–72 years) who underwent TSML by the senior author (JLF) for papillary carcinoma metastatic to the superior mediastinum between 1985 and 1999. Histopathologic examination confirmed positive nodes in all the mediastinal dissections. All patients received postoperative I131. Results. All the patients are alive after a median follow-up of 5 years (range, 1–14 years). Twenty-nine of 30 patients remain free of disease, whereas one patient is alive with lung and bone metastases. No patient has had local or regional relapse. The only significant complication was a high incidence of temporary (70%) and later permanent (50%) hypoparathyroidism. Conclusions. TSML is a safe and effective treatment for superior mediastinal metastases in papillary thyroid carcinoma. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 000–000, 2002
Developing the DigiQUAL protocol for digital library evaluation

The distributed, project-oriented nature of digital libraries (DLs) has made them difficult to evaluate in aggregate. By modifying the methods and tools used to evaluate physical libraries' content and services, measures can be developed whose results can be used across a variety of DLs. The DigiQUAL protocol being developed by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) has the potential to provide the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) with a standardized methodology and survey instrument with which to evaluate not only its distributed projects but also to gather data to assess the value and impact of the NSDL.
Acceleration of convergence for the higher-order Whitney element FEM analysis of antennas and electromagnetic scattering

Several higher order generalizations of edge-based Whitney elements can be found in the literature. Their performance with respect to the convergence of the iterative solver exhibits significant deviations. However, we have shown that the majority of such elements actually belong to the same class and are related to each other by an affine transformation. Hence, an optimal, with respect to convergence element can be derived, if the transformation is defined such that the eigenvalues of the element matrix are as clustered as possible. We provide a general explicit formula for the 3-D transformation of degrees of freedom (DoF) and basis functions (BF) and investigate its effects on the convergence rate. The results, based on a 2-D scattering problem and a 3-D patch antenna analysis, demonstrate a remarkable improvement of convergence, especially in the case of severely ill-conditioned matrices that arise due to the presence of different materials in the same problem. We also propose the use of different transformations in different regions and, despite the lack of a clear optimization criterion, an additional improvement is observed, again, in the case of the most ill-conditioned matrices.
Classifying wood-surface features using dichromatic reflection

The dichromatic reflection paradigm describes light reflection from optically inhomogeneous materials as the sum of body (diffuse) and interface (specular) reflections. Interface reflection represents unaltered light reflected from a material's surface. Body reflection represents light altered by the material's pigments and thus may provide information about the identity of the material. Wood is an optically inhomogeneous material that is also anisotropic. This latter property adds further complexity to the analysis of wood-surface images by creating localized magnitude differences in interface reflection as surface texture and fiber orientation change. This paper presents the results of a study that tested whether the use of only the body component of reflected light can significantly improve the classification of wood-surface features. To this end, reflectance curves of various Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) veneer features were separated into body and interface components, and their dimensionality reduced to a small number of basis function. Two discriminant functions, one constructed from body reflectances and the other from total reflectances, were then developed from the reduced reflectance data. The performance of the two discriminant functions were compared by classifying a new set of wood-feature spectral reflectances with each discriminant function.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Optimal Control applied to a CPR model with chest and abdominal pressures

Techniques of optimal control are applied to a blood circulation model of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which is described by a nonlinear system of seven difference equations. The variables are the pressures in the seven components of the model, namely: abdominal aorta, inferior vena cava, carotid arteries, jugular veins, thoracic aorta, right heart and superior vena cava, and thoracic pump (pulmonary vasculature and left heart). Forcing terms, representing chest and abdominal pressures, act as controls. The controls at two previous time steps give input to the seven pressure components at the current time step, which is a novel feature from the control viewpoint. We seek to maximize the blood flow, as measured by the systemic perfusion pressure, i.e., the pressure difference between the thoracic aorta and the right heart, summed over all the time steps. In principle, an increase in the blood flow would result in an increase of the surviving rates of the CPR procedure. By applying optimal control methods, we characterize the optimal waveforms for external chest and abdominal compression/decompression in terms of the original model coupled with corresponding adjoint equations. Numerical results for several scenarios are given, calculated using an iterative method. The optimal waveforms confirm the positive effects of active decompression and interposed abdominal compression.
Factors in Career Choice among US Nephrologists

Summary Background and objectives There is a projected shortage of kidney specialists, and retention of trainees in nephrology is important. Determining factors that result in choosing a nephrology career could inform future strategies to attract nephrology fellows. Design, settings, participants, & measurements An anonymous, internet-based survey was sent to members of the American Society of Nephrology in June 2009. Respondents answered questions about demographics, training background, and career choices. Results Of the 3399 members, 913 (23%) returned the survey. Mean age was 51.1±10.5 years, and 46.1% were academic nephrologists. In addition, 38.4% of respondents graduated between 2000 and 2009. Interest in nephrology began early in training, with the intellectual aspects of nephrology, early mentoring, and participation in nephrology electives named as the most common reasons in choosing nephrology. Academic nephrologists were more likely to have participated in research in medical school, have a master’s degree or PhD, and successfully obtained research funding during training. Academic debt was higher among nonacademic nephrologists. Research opportunities and intellectual stimulation were the main factors for academic nephrologists when choosing their first postfellowship positions, whereas geographic location and work-life balance were foremost for nonacademic nephrologists. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of exposing medical students and residents to nephrology early in their careers through involvement in research, electives, and positive mentoring. Further work is needed to develop and implement effective strategies, including increasing early exposure to nephrology in preclinical and clinical years, as well as encouraging participation in research, in order to attract future nephrology trainees.
Ligation-mediated amplification of RNA from murine erythroid cells reveals a novel class of β globin mRNA with an extended 5'-untranslated region

Abstract Ligation-mediated RNA amplification was developed as a tool for analysis and determination of the termini of RNA molecules [Volloch et al. (1991) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88: 10671-10675]. In this approach, T4 RNA ligase is used to join cellular RNA with a defined ribo-oligonucleotide. Although several additional enzymatic steps are involved in this type of analysis, the reliability of the entire procedure is determined by the initial ligation step, which marks and preserves the termini of cellular RNA molecules. We applied this approach to the analysis of the 5' terminus of beta globin mRNA in various murine erythroid cells. As expected, we detected RNA molecules with 5' ends terminating at the regular cap site as well as globin RNA molecules truncated at the 5' end. Unexpectedly, we also detected a class of beta globin mRNA which is identical to regular beta globin mRNA in every respect but contains 17, 29, or 31 additional nucleotides 5' to the regular cap site. These extensions correspond precisely to the genomic segments just upstream of the regular cap site and are probably generated by initiation of transcription of the globin gene upstream from the regular cap site. It is likely that the extended globin RNA is transcribed not from the TATA promoter, which regulates the transcription of regular murine globin mRNA, but from the GATA regulatory element located 30 nucleotides upstream of the 31-nucleotide extension, in a position identical to that of the active GATA promoter of the TATA-less chicken beta globin gene. The evolutionary conservation of this relationship suggests the importance of the GATA promoter element of the mouse beta globin gene and its possible involvement in developmental regulation of expression of this gene.
International Variation in Lung Cancer Mortality Rates and Trends among Women

Background: There is no recent comprehensive global analysis of lung cancer mortality in women. We describe contemporary mortality rates and trends among women globally. Methods: We used the World Health Organization's Cancer Mortality Database covering 65 populations on six continents to calculate age-standardized (1960 Segi world standard) lung cancer death rates during 2006 to 2010 and annual percent change in rates for available years from 1985 to 2011 and for the most recent five data years by population and age group (30–49 and 50–74 years). Results: Lung cancer mortality rates (per 100,000) among young women (30–49 years) during 2006 to 2010 ranged from 0.7 in Costa Rica to 14.8 in Hungary. Rates among young women were stable or declining in 47 of 52 populations examined. Rates among women 50 to 74 years ranged from 8.8 in Georgia and Egypt to 120.0 in Scotland. In both age groups, rates were highest in parts of Europe (Scotland, Hungary, Denmark) and North America and lowest in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Rates in older women were increasing for more than half (36/64) of populations examined, including most countries in Southern, Eastern, and Western Europe and South America. Conclusions: Although widespread reductions in lung cancer in young women provide evidence of tobacco control success, rates continue to increase among older women in many countries. Impact: More concentrated efforts to initiate or expand tobacco control programs in these countries globally will be required to attenuate the future lung cancer burden. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(6); 1–12. ©2014 AACR .
Experimentelle Untersuchungen über das Verschleißverhalten verschiedener metallischer und nichtmetallischer Werkstoffe des Pumpen‐ und Anlagenbaus bei hydroabrasiver Belastung

In einer Modellversuchseinrichtung (Prinzip: Rotierende Scheibe) werden metallische und nichtmetallische Werkstoffe des Pumpen- und Anlagenbaus hydroabrasiven Belastungen unterschiedlicher Intensitaten in einer Quarzsand-Wasser-Suspension ausgesetzt. Die gepruften metallischen Werkstoffe weisen sehr unterschiedliche Verschleiswerte auf. Der austenitische und halbaustenitische Stahlgus sowie die Aluminiumbronze sind durch relativ grose Materialverluste gekennzeichnet. Geringere Werte lassen sich dem bainitischen Guseisen zuordnen. Bei den beiden Hartgusvarianten ist ein sehr niedriges Verschleisniveau festzustellen. Wie erwartet wird der hochste Widerstand gegenuber Hydroabrasion im Fall des keramischen Werkstoffs ermittelt. Die Verschleiswerte der ubrigen Kunststoffvarianten liegen auf einem vergleichsweise mittleren bis niedrigen Level. Die untersuchten Temperatureinflusse wirken sich entscheidend nur bei den beiden Elastomeren aus.
Electrical Frequency Tuning of Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator

This paper describes the design, fabrication, and measurement of an electrically tunable film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) that is formed by integrating FBAR with an electrostatic microelectromechanical systems actuator. Around 1.47% tuning of the series resonant frequency ( Deltaf cong 22.5 MHz) at 1.5 GHz is experimentally obtained with an electrostatic actuation voltage of 7 V. This is the highest frequency tuning reported for FBAR operating at above 1 GHz without any extra power consumption. Two integration approaches of FBAR and air-gap capacitor are presented and compared, in terms of fabrication process and Q factor. The approach that minimizes any possible energy loss in the acoustic wave propagation path shows a quality factor (160-304) significantly higher than the one having a capacitor right on top surface of the FBAR's piezoelectric film. Furthermore, we have characterized the electrical tuning of FBAR through piezoelectric stiffening due to an applied DC electric field and report a linear frequency shift of about -8 ppm/V at 3.4 GHz.
Reformatted Four-Chamber and Short-Axis Views of the Heart Using Thin Section (≤2 mm) MDCT Images

Rationale and Objectives In cardiovascular computed tomography (CT), thin collimation results in a large number of images per examination. Moreover, interpretation relies on multiplanar reformatted images. Materials and Methods Although many strategies for approaching cardiac reformations have been described, as CT use increases, so does the importance of simple and reproducible postprocessing algorithms. The clinical importance of reformations has recently extended beyond the left ventricle to include the right ventricular in patients with pulmonary embolism. Results This work illustrates an algorithm to reformat two of the most important views in cardiovascular CT: the four-chamber and short axis views. Conclusions The illustration is performed in the context of two cardiovascular examinations: cardiac CT and CT pulmonary angiography.
Mullite formation from nonstoichiometric slow hydrolyzed single phase gels

A comparative dynamic x-ray diffraction (DXRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) study was performed in the investigation of mullite and spinel formation from slowly hydrolyzed single phase gels with Al/Si ratios ranging from 1/1 to 14/1. Both metastable tetragonal mullite and spinel were observed to form at temperatures 1250 °C. As the Al/Si ratio increases, both the tetragonal mullite and spinel formation temperatures decrease while the orthorhombic mullite formation temperature increases. Based on the Al/Si composition where the formation extents of tetragonal mullite and spinel were maximum, their compositions are estimated to be 2Al 2 O 3 · SiO 2 and 6A12 O3 · SiO 2 , respectively.
Pregnancy-specific elevations in fecal concentrations of estradiol, testosterone and progesterone in the domestic dog (Canis familiaris).

Estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and progesterone (P4) concentrations were determined by enzyme-immunoassay in aqueous extracts of fecal samples obtained during anestrus, proestrus, estrus and metestrus of 11 nonpregnant and 11 pregnant bitches. Fecal hormone concentrations (ng/g) changed in relation to stage of cycle. Mean fecal steroid concentrations in 22 anestrous bitches and 3 ovariectomized bitches were low and similar for E2 (53 +/- 5 and 27 +/- 2), T (60 +/- 7 and 36 +/- 6), and P4 (62 +/- 6 and 86 +/- 15). Within 0 to 3 d of the ovulatory LH surge fecal E2 reached peak concentrations (301 +/- 38). The T peaks (281 +/- 41) were coincident or 1 to 3 d later. Fecal P4 was then elevated for approximately 2 m.o. Between Days 26 and 45 after ovulation, mean fecal P4 concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) in pregnant (401 +/- 60) than in nonpregnant bitches (164 +/- 23) and peak fecal P4 concentrations in individual animals were higher (P < 0.01) in pregnant (812 +/- 121) than in nonpregnant bitches (425 +/- 97). In the same period mean concentrations of E2 (117 +/- 13 vs 61 +/- 5) and T (102 +/- 10 vs 70 +/- 6) were also higher (P < or = 0.05) in pregnant than in nonpregnant bitches. Serum E2, T and P4 concentration were positively correlated (P = 0.1) with concentration in fecal samples obtained one day after serum collection. Although serial fecal ovarian steroid concentrations demonstrate the time course of ovulatory cycles, the diagnostic value of individual fecal samples appears limited. The ratios of peak to basal values were approximately 6, 5 and 7 for E2, T and P4, respectively, and were considerably lower than ratios of 12 to 50 previously reported for serum or plasma concentrations. The results demonstrate that there are pregnancy-specific increases in P4, E2 and T production reflected in fecal concentrations. While such increases are reflected in fecal samples, they are generally not evident in serum or plasma concentrations because of increased hemodilution, metabolism and clearance in pregnant bitches. The physiological stimulus for these increases, presumably ovarian in origin, or the potential role of prolactin is not known.
Cardiovascular disease risk in type 2 diabetes mellitus: insights from mechanistic studies.

Summary Individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus have increased cardiovascular disease risk compared with those without diabetes. Treatment of the residual risk, other than blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol control, remains important as the rate of diabetes increases worldwide. The accelerated atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease in diabetes is likely to be multifactorial and therefore several therapeutic approaches can be considered. Results of mechanistic studies done in vitro and in vivo—animals and people—can provide important insights with the potential to improve clinical management decisions and outcomes. In this Review, we focus on three areas in which pathophysiological considerations could be particularly informative—ie, the roles of hyperglycaemia, diabetic dyslipidaemia (other than the control of LDL-cholesterol concentrations), and inflammation (including that in adipose tissue) in the acceleration of vascular injury.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and Security Market Behavior: Early Evidence

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the Act) was enacted in response to numerous corporate and accounting scandals, and was aimed at reinforcing corporate accountability and professional responsibility in order to restore investor confidence in corporate America. This study examines the market reaction to the Act and finds a positive (negative) abnormal return at the time of several legislative events that increased (decreased) the likelihood of the passage of the Act. We find that the Act was wealth-increasing on average, and that the market reaction is more positive for more compliant firms with effective corporate governance, reliable financial reporting, and credible audit functions prior to its enactment. Investors interpreted the Act as good news and led toward the restoration of investor confidence in public financial information. Overall, our results suggest that the induced benefits of the Act significantly outweigh its imposed compliance costs.
Circumsporozoite protein of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium ovale identified with monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been produced against Plasmodium ovale sporozoites and used to characterize the circumsporozoite (CS) protein. Six MAbs were produced, and all were species specific. By using Western blot (immunoblot) analysis, three polypeptides were detected: a predominant 51,000-Mr polypeptide and two presumed precursor 57,000- and 67,000-Mr molecules. The presence of a repeating epitope in the CS protein of P. ovale was demonstrated by using one of the MAbs in a single-antibody two-site enzyme immunoassay. Three MAbs recognized epitopes on the surfaces of sporozoites; the presence of at least one other epitope within the CS protein, but not on the surfaces of P. ovale sporozoites, was also demonstrated.
Intraarterial Papaverine Treatment for Cerebral Vasospasm

We evaluated the techniques and efficacy of intraarterial papaverine (IA-PAP) infusion for treatment of symptomatic vasospasm following subarachnoid hemorrhage from aneurysmal rupture. Papaverine was infused on 23 occasions in 16 patients to treat 67 vascular territories. Infusion was performed in the supraclinoid internal carotid artery in most cases, but superselective infusion was also performed on numerous occasions for treatment of the anterior and middle cerebral arteries and the basilar artery. Overall, angiographic improvement was observed after 22 of the 23 (96%) treatments. Early clinical improvement, within 24h, was noted in 9 patients, 8 (50%) of whom showed dramatic improvement. There was no clinical evidence of recurrent vasospasm in these patients. Recurrence of angiographic spasm was demonstrated in 4 patients, 1 of whom showed marked clinical improvement after a second treatment. Complications of treatment included monocular blindness developed in 1 patient and brief generalized seizures in 2 patients. Further studies are necessary to determine the best mode of endovascular treatment, including the optimal dose and site for infusion of IA- PAP, and the role of combined therapy using IA-PAP plus percutaneous angioplasty.
Molecular β-adrenergic signaling abnormalities in failing rabbit hearts after infarction

We studied alterations in the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) system of rabbit hearts during the development of heart failure (HF) after myocardial infarction (MI) to determine whether the molecular β...
Effect of acidification on the location of H+-ATPase in cultured inner medullary collecting duct cells

In previous studies, our laboratory has utilized a cell line derived from the rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) as a model system for mammalian renal epithelial cell acid secretion. We hav...
Mitigating Factors in the Death Penalty

### Jury Instructions Must Directly Address Mitigating Factors in Death Penalty Cases In Bigby v. Dretke , 402 F.3d 551 (5th Cir. 2005), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard a case appealed from the Northern Court of Texas (trial court) on the issue of jury instruction in death
Controlling the production of interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor in disease.

Abstract Interleukin 1 (IL-1), either IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are primarily inflammatory cytokines. The most studied drugs that suppress the production of IL-1 and TNF are corticosteroids, which inhibit the transcription of IL-1, TNF, and other cytokines. Nonsteroidal compounds that are cyclooxygenase-lipoxygenase inhibitors are called dual inhibitors. Other agents that suppress IL-1 and TNF are termed cytokine-suppressing antiinflammatory drugs (CSAIDs). The mechanism by which CSAIDs act appears to be through their ability to bind a mitogen activating protein (MAP) kinase that is needed for translation of cytokine mRNAs. The importance of lipoxygenase products in the production of IL-1 has been shown. IL-4, IL-10, and IL-3 suppress gene expression and synthesis of IL-1 and TNF. We carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in healthy human volunteers using a single intravenous injection of IL-10. These studies indicate that IL-10 may be useful for suppressing inflammatory cytokine production in a variety of diseases.
Interactions of metal hydrous oxides with chelating agents

Abstract Chelating agents, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and its thermal decomposition products [iminodiacetic acid (IDA), N(2-hydroxyethyl)iminodiacetic acid (HIDA)], and oxalic acid, enhance the dissolution of magnetite and hermatite at temperatures above 90°C. The mechanism involves three different processes: (a) acid dissolution assisted by the chelating agent, (b) reductive dissolution brought about by internal electron transfer between the ligand and the constituent Fe(III) ion complexes, followed by the released of Fe(II), and (c) additional autocatalytic dissolution by the ferrous-carboxylate complexes generated in solution by process (b). Hydrogen peroxide quenches pathway (c) by oxidizing dissolved Fe(II). The rates dissolution in the absence and in the presence of high H 2 O 2 concentrations allow for the evaluation of the relative importance of (a) and (b). Hydrazine greatly accelarated the overall dissolution rates through direct heterogeneous redox interaction with the surface Fe(III) ions. In all cases magnetic is more reactive than hematite. Rate constants are calculated for the various dissolution pathways and, in the case of heterogeneous electron transfer, the values are compared with those for analogous homogeneous reactions.
Dominant White of Chickens—Single or Multiple Factored?

Abstract In many breeding experiments involving white varieties “Dominant White” is postulated as unifactorial genetically. Punnett (1923) cited data which supported a theory that there were at least two inhibitor genes for color that were necessary for the dominant white phenotype viz: the (I) gene inhibiting black and a Silver gene (S) inhibiting red. Henderson (1947) presented data which indicated that the “white” of a synthetic White Laced Red variety was the result of the presence of the “I” gene in most cases, although a few black and white barred individuals appeared in the F2 generation from the original White Leghorn-Dark Cornish cross. The white of the barred variants proved to be sex linked silver in subsequent breeding tests. It was suggested then, that mating of a Silver Laced variety with White Laced Reds should result in all white progeny in the F1 generation, and that such a result would confirm …
Pheochromocytoma; report of a case with symptoms simulating acute anxiety attacks.

(1952). Pheochromocytoma: Report of a Case with Symptoms Simulating Acute Anxiety Attacks. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 288-293.
Utilization of the track embolization technique to improve the safety of percutaneous lung biopsy and/or fiducial marker placement

Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study was to describe and present outcomes of the track embolization technique with absorbable hemostat gelatin powder during percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy and/or fiducial marker placement versus the standard of care (no track embolization) in an attempt to decrease rates of pneumothorax (PTX), chest tube placement, hemorrhage and/or complications, and average cost per patient. Materials and methods An institutional review board-approved, case–control, retrospective study was performed in which 125 consecutive patients who underwent track embolization were compared with 124 consecutive controls at one institution. For subjects in whom the track embolization technique was utilized, it was performed passively through a coaxial needle as it was removed. All procedures were performed by one of three attending interventional radiologists. For each group, medical records and procedure images were reviewed for PTX occurring postprocedure, PTX requiring chest tube placement, and occurrence of minor or major complication and/or hemorrhage. Comparison was made with published complication rates, and a cost-per-patient analysis was performed. Statistical analysis was performed utilizing Fisher's Exact Test. Results In track embolization cases versus controls, there were statistically significant reduction in PTX (8.8% vs. 21%; P =.007) and reduction in PTX requiring chest tube placement (4% vs. 8.1%; P =.195). This compares favorably to previously published rates of PTX and chest tube placement of 8%–64% and 1.6%–17%, respectively. None of the pneumothoraces occurring at time of needle placement increased in size with use of the track embolization technique. There were no major complications (including neurological sequela) in the track embolization group. In track embolization cases versus controls, there was a statistically significant reduction in both the rate of major hemorrhage (0% vs. 4%; P =.029) and average cost per patient ($262.40 vs. $352.07; P =.044). Conclusions CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy and/or fiducial marker placement were safer utilizing the track embolization technique during trocar removal. In addition, this technique was cost effective in the study population.
Comparison of Abbott MS-2 and API 20E Overnight System in Identification of Enterobacteriaceae

The Abbott MS-2 was compared to the API 20E overnight system for its ability to identify Enterobacteriaceae. Two hundred sixty-nine clinical isolates, 19 laboratory stock cultures, and 11 American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) stock cultures were examined by both systems. There was 83.7% agreement for clinical specimens, 84.2% for hospital stock cultures, and 81.8% for ATCC strains. Some discrepancies between the MS-2 and API identifications may be due to differences in data banks and biochemical tests used. The major advantage of the MS-2 is its speed.
A Plea for Bystander Intervention

I would be remiss if I did not begin by admitting my sheer delight to see organizational scientists (e.g., Hall, Hall, & Perry, 2016 ; Ruggs et al., 2016 ) taking a greater interest in broader societal social issues like these. In 2007, when I was the chair of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology's (SIOP's) Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA), I devoted part of a column in The Industrial–Organizational Psychologist to discussing what I perceived to be a law enforcement racial injustice perpetrated against several adolescents in Louisiana known as the “Jena Six” (Avery, 2007 ). The issue at hand in that case was the impact of race after an arrest was made. The media reports of the case at that time compelled many to believe that its handling by law enforcement and the criminal justice system had been influenced adversely by the racial composition of the White plaintiff and Black defendants. Like Ruggs et al., I felt then and continue to believe that we, as industrial–organizational (I-O) psychologists, could be doing more to redress societal injustice. I also commend them on the multifaceted nature of their discussion and appreciate that they highlighted a number of ways in which our existing knowledge base is, and future research products could be, pertinent to what's happening all too often between police and the minority communities they are intended to serve and protect.
“Devalued” Daughters Versus “Appreciated” Sons Gender Inequality in China’s Parent-Organized Matchmaking Markets

Postponed marriage is a general trend among today’s Chinese young people. However, since in traditional Chinese culture, marriage has been regarded as a family responsibility, when adult children reach a certain age, their parents often push them for marriage. In recent years, some retired parents in China’s major cities voluntarily organized matchmaking markets in parks to exchange their single adult children’s personal information in order to “help” the latter find spouse. Most of these matchmaking markets are only attended by parents, whose adult children remain single in their late 20s and beyond. Through a field research on matchmaking events held in four parks in Beijing, it was found that young women’s parents significantly outnumbered young men’s parents. Younger age and good physical appearance are considered as “assets” for women, while men’s most valued “capital” are better education, higher income, and wealth.
Congenital myopathy results from misregulation of a muscle Ca2+ channel by mutant Stac3.

Skeletal muscle contractions are initiated by an increase in Ca2+ released during excitation–contraction (EC) coupling, and defects in EC coupling are associated with human myopathies. EC coupling requires communication between voltage-sensing dihydropyridine receptors (DHPRs) in transverse tubule membrane and Ca2+ release channel ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1) in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Stac3 protein (SH3 and cysteine-rich domain 3) is an essential component of the EC coupling apparatus and a mutation in human STAC3 causes the debilitating Native American myopathy (NAM), but the nature of how Stac3 acts on the DHPR and/or RyR1 is unknown. Using electron microscopy, electrophysiology, and dynamic imaging of zebrafish muscle fibers, we find significantly reduced DHPR levels, functionality, and stability in stac3 mutants. Furthermore, stac3NAM myofibers exhibited increased caffeine-induced Ca2+ release across a wide range of concentrations in the absence of altered caffeine sensitivity as well as increased Ca2+ in internal stores, which is consistent with increased SR luminal Ca2+. These findings define critical roles for Stac3 in EC coupling and human disease.
A 3-V 4.25-Gb/s Laser Driver with 0.4-V Output Voltage Compliance

The design of a 155-Mb/s-4.25-Gb/s laser driver in SiGe BiCMOS is described. A large output voltage compliance range that allows DC coupling to the laser diode is achieved with a translinear pseudo-differential output driver. Active back-termination is provided at the modulation output pins. Careful design of the level shift stage affords low deterministic jitter over a very wide range of bit rates. The dynamic performance is preserved over a wide range of modulation current with a segmented driver slice scheme
Sinc-Related Methods

The formulas of the previous chapter are all related to the Cardinal function representation $$C(f,\,h)\, \circ \,\phi (x)\, = \,\mathop \sum \limits_{k = - \infty }^\infty \,F({z_k})\,S(k,h)\, \circ \,\phi (x),$$ (5.1.1) ; with \({z_k}\, = \,{\phi ^{ - 1}}(kh)\). We recall here, that\(C(F,h)\, \circ \,\phi \) both interpolates F on Г = φ −1(R) , and it also accurately approximates it in a suitable space of functions. In the present chapter we examine some related methods of approximation. This chapter may be termed the unfinished chapter, in the sense that many other formulas are possible by each approach presented here, although we do not present or study the majority of these as we have done in the case of the Cardinal expansion; indeed, a thorough study, as done in the case of Sinc methods in this text would require the writing of at least an additional text. We have merely chosen to point out some connections of Sinc formulas with other formulas, thus opening doors to new avenues of research, and to present some esthetically pleasing formulas which may have practical value as well.
Analysis of inexact Krylov subspace methods for approximating the matrix exponential

Abstract Krylov subspace methods have proved quite effective at approximating the action of a large sparse matrix exponential on a vector. Their numerical robustness and matrix-free nature have enabled them to make inroads into a variety of applications. A case in point is solving the chemical master equation (CME) in the context of modeling biochemical reactions in biological cells. This is a challenging problem that gives rise to an extremely large matrix due to the curse of dimensionality. Inexact Krylov subspace methods that build on truncation techniques have helped solve some CME models that were considered computationally out of reach as recently as a few years ago. However, as models grow, truncating them means using an even smaller fraction of their whole extent, thereby introducing more inexactness. But experimental evidence suggests an apparent success and the aim of this study is to give theoretical insights into the reasons why. Essentially, we show that the truncation can be put in the framework of inexact Krylov methods that relax matrix–vector products and compute them expediently by trading accuracy for speed. This allows us to analyze both the residual (or defect) and the error of the resulting approximations to the matrix exponential from the viewpoint of inexact Krylov methods.
Hydrodynamics and mass transfer coefficients in a bubble column photo-bioreactor

Abstract The present study compares typical measurements of bubble dynamics obtained with a 4-point optical probe over the same range of superficial gas velocity in the same size gas–liquid contactor in two different systems. The classical bubble column (BC) arrangement employed air bubbled through water. The photo-bioreactor (PBR) used a growing algae in appropriate culture solution. Local gas holdup distribution across the vessel was monitored, as well as the local distribution of bubble velocity, bubble chord length, bubble frequency and interfacial area per unit volume for both systems. It was observed these parameters were significantly different in the photo-bioreactor. This information coupled with the tracer absorption studies with oxygen provided the needed information to evaluate the gas liquid volumetric mass transfer coefficients from an appropriate model for both systems. The development of such a model is described. It was concluded that the difference in hydrodynamics of the two systems was due to difference in physicochemical properties.