cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Internal structure of Mercury: Implications of a molten core

[1] Mercury is unique among the terrestrial planets for its relatively low mass (3.302 × 1023 kg) and high average density (5.427 g cm−3) that together imply an unusual iron-rich bulk composition and thus provide an important constraint on planet formation and evolution and on compositional variations between the planets. In light of the recent discovery of a partially or fully molten core of Mercury, we model plausible interior density structures of Mercury using layered cores and the elastic properties of molten core materials. We present constraints on Mercury's decompressed density, composition, and interior structure, including elucidation of assumptions and methodology. We demonstrate the importance of molten and/or layered cores to accurately model Mercury's interior and to correctly interpret anticipated spacecraft geophysical observations. The core radius and core mass fraction will be tightly constrained by Earth-based radar and anticipated spacecraft tracking observations, but the bulk core sulfur content and extent of the molten core are less well constrained. Finally, we discuss the implications of incorporating molten materials in modeled density structures on the hypotheses of Mercury's iron enrichment and on anticipated spacecraft results.
Reliable determination of freeze-concentration using DSC

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the feature of a DSC endotherm that can be most reliably used to determine the composition of a freeze-concentrate. Samples (3–10 mg) of sucrose in water (0–60%, w/v) were frozen and then heated (at 0.2–2.0 ° C/min) on a DSC. The peak ( T peak ) and offset ( T offset ) temperatures were obtained from the melt endotherms. A freezing point osmometer was also used to determine the freezing point depression of sucrose solutions. Two theoretical models were developed, one that describes melting in a one-component system (ice) with a heterogeneous temperature distribution, and a second model, which describes melting in a binary system (sucrose and ice) with a homogeneous temperature distribution. Modeling Laboratory (MLAB) was used to simulate melt endotherms using the two models. In Gray’s theory for analysis of dynamic thermal measurement (1968), the end of the melting occurs at the peak of the endotherm followed by a much sharper recovery to the baseline than that observed experimentally. Our theoretical model for one- and two-component systems predicts that the melting continues beyond the peak resulting in a delayed recovery to the baseline as experimentally observed. Both experimental and simulated T peak and T offset (also defined as the return to the baseline after completion of the peak) increased with an increasing scan rate. Extrapolation of the experimental T offset to a zero scan rate yielded a value of the equilibrium melting temperature, T m , which is closer to accepted literature values and osmometry data than did the extrapolation of T peak . Neither T peak nor T offset reliably (at a finite scan rate) define the multicomponent freezing point. Rather, an extrapolation of T offset to a zero scan rate gives the most reliable measure of freezing point using DSC. Simulation of DSC endotherms supports this conclusion and also exhibits the same trends as observed from experiment.
Plant responses to hypoxia – is survival a balancing act?

Molecular-oxygen deficiency leads to altered cellular metabolism and can dramatically reduce crop productivity. Plants that survive or succumb to transient submergence differ in the timing and duration of carbohydrate consumption and anaerobic metabolism. The increased production of alcohol dehydrogenase, which is required for anaerobic fermentation, paradoxically involves the formation of a reactive oxygen species. Activation of a Rho of plant (Rop) G-protein results in an increase in hydrogen peroxide that correlates with elevation of alcohol dehydrogenase expression. Tolerance of oxygen deficiency requires both activation and inactivation of the G-protein by negative-feedback regulation. We propose that the magnitude and the duration of the signaling can provide tolerance of oxygen deficiency through management of carbohydrate consumption and avoidance of oxidative stress.
Optical Computers For The Video-Rate Reconstruction Of Medical Images

In both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, continuous video-rate data acquisition, with retrospective cine-mode viewing of the reconstructed image sequence, is possible. With video-rate image reconstruction, a videographic capability for these imaging modalities is achieved, whereby dynamic events within the human body can be viewed in real-time. The computational requirement of real-time image reconstruction is extreme and has not been demonstrated to date using conventional digital-electronic circuitry. The high degree of parallelism of analog optical computers can be exploited to achieve very high computational rates and accomplish the goal of video-rate reconstruction of these medical images. Systems for CT and MR image reconstruction are described, results are presented, and performance of the systems is discussed.
Why kangaroos hop

KANGAROOS (family Macropodidae, order Marsupialia) are the only known group of large Australian herbivorous marsupials ever to have evolved major cursorial specialisations. During fast locomotion macropodids progress by a ricochet (bipedal saltation) involving a series of rebounds in which the two hind feet strike the ground at the same moment or practically synchronously and the forefeet not at all1. In macropodids the axis of the hind foot is through digit IV which is unique among large cursorial mammals; perissodactyls and most rodents have the axis through digit III, while in artiodactyls, carnivores and leporids it lies between digit III and IV2. These differences are the result of preadaptive complexes in the immediate ancestors of these groups.
Hyporheic Exchange in Mountain Rivers I: Mechanics and Environmental Effects

Hyporheic exchange is the mixing of surface and shallow subsurface water through porous sediment surrounding a river and is driven by spatial and temporal variations in channel characteristics (streambed pressure, bed mobility, alluvial volume and hydraulic conductivity). The significance of hyporheic exchange in linking fluvial geomorphology, groundwater, and riverine habitat for aquatic and terrestrial organisms has emerged in recent decades as an important component of conserving, managing, and restoring riverine ecosystems. Here, we review the causes and environmental effects of hyporheic exchange, and provide a simple mathematical framework for examining the mechanics of exchange. A companion paper explores the potential effects of channel morphology on exchange processes and the hyporheic environments that may result in mountain basins (Buffington and Tonina 2009).
Ligand activation leads to regulated intramembrane proteolysis of fibroblast growth factor receptor 3

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is a major negative regulator of bone growth that inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of growth plate chondrocytes. Activating mutations of its c isoform cause dwarfism in humans; somatic mutations can drive oncogenic transformation in multiple myeloma and bladder cancer. How these distinct activi- ties arise is not clear. FGFR3 was previously shown to undergo proteolytic cleavage in the bovine rib growth plate, but this was not explored further. Here, we show that FGF1 induces regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) of FGFR3. The ectodomain is proteolytically cleaved (S1) in response to ligand-induced receptor activation, but unlike most RIP target proteins, it requires endocytosis and does not involve a metalloproteinase. S1 cleavage gen- erates a C-terminal domain fragment that initially remains anchored in the membrane, is phosphorylated, and is spatially distinct from the intact receptor. Ectodomain cleavage is fol- lowed by intramembrane cleavage (S2) to generate a soluble intracellular domain that is re- leased into the cytosol and can translocate to the nucleus. We identify the S1 cleavage site and show that γ-secretase mediates the S2 cleavage event. In this way we demonstrate a mechanism for the nuclear localization of FGFR3 in response to ligand activation, which may occur in both development and disease.
Cross-Layer Design for Lifetime Maximization in Interference-Limited Wireless Sensor Networks

We consider the joint optimal design of the physical, medium access control (MAC), and routing layers to maximize the lifetime of energy-constrained wireless sensor networks. The problem of computing lifetime-optimal routing flow, link schedule, and link transmission powers for all active time slots is formulated as a non-linear optimization problem. We first restrict the link schedules to the class of interference-free time division multiple access (TDMA) schedules. In this special case, we formulate the optimization problem as a mixed integerconvex program, which can be solved using standard techniques. Moreover, when the slots lengths are variable, the optimization problem is convex and can be solved efficiently and exactly using interior point methods. For general non-orthogonal link schedules, we propose an iterative algorithm that alternates between adaptive link scheduling and computation of optimal link rates and transmission powers for a fixed link schedule. The performance of this algorithm is compared to other design approaches for several network topologies. The results illustrate the advantages of load balancing, multihop routing, frequency reuse, and interference mitigation in increasing the lifetime of energy-constrained networks. We also briefly discuss computational approaches to extend this algorithm to large networks
Computerized measurement of the three-dimensional distribution of optic disc pallor.

PURPOSE. To describe a method which provides quantitative measurements of the surface area of pallor in each quadrant of the three-dimensional optic cup, using photogrammetric measurements from simultaneous stereophotographs and computerized image analysis. METHODS. Simultaneous stereophotographs of one normal subject and two subjects with primary open angle glaucoma were digitized and analyzed for depth measurements. The boundaries of the optic disc, optic cup and region of pallor were identified. Pallor/disc and pallor/cup ratios were subsequently calculated for the superior, temporal, inferior and nasal walls. RESULTS. A digitized photograph and a Laplacian-filtered image were obtained for each eye to be studied. After processing each stereo pair through a similarity sequential detection-based algorithm, depth measurements are represented as a grey scale image, a contour plot, and a wire mesh, with the boundaries of the optic disc, optic cup and pallor superimposed. Ratios are given of the surface area...
Inhibition of Central Sympathetic and Somatic Outflow to the Lower Urinary Tract of the Cat by the Alpha sub 1 Adrenergic Receptor Antagonist Prazosin

AbstractSelective alpha sub 1 adrenergic receptor antagonists are used to reduce the dynamic component of urethral obstruction in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Their effectiveness is presumed to result from blockade of alpha1 adrenergic receptors within the prostatic smooth muscle. However, a reduction in central sympathetic tone to the prostate might also contribute to their effectiveness. The present experiments examined the effects of the selective alpha1 adrenergic receptor antagonist prazosin on sympathetic activity recorded from the hypogastric nerve in chloralose-anesthetized cats. For comparison, the effects of prazosin were also examined on somatic activity recorded from the pudendal nerve. When the urinary bladder was empty, prazosin reduced spontaneous activity recorded from the hypogastric nerve (to 65 percent of control) and reduced evoked reflex activity recorded from the hypogastric nerve (to 44 percent of control) and the pudendal nerve (to 48 percent of control). Interesting...
A memorable experience

The electrocardiographic phenomenon of cardiac memory results from aberrant ventricular activation and causes transient ECG features that can mimic ischaemia. We present the case of a patient with ischaemic cardiomyopathy who exhibited evidence of T-wave memory in the setting of multiple episodes of non-sustained ventricular tachycardia that were triggered by an insect bite.
Robust methods for using context-dependent features and models in a continuous speech recognizer

In this paper we describe the method we use to derive acoustic features that reflect some of the dynamics of frame-based parameter vectors. Models for such observations must be context dependent. Such models were outlined in an earlier paper. Here we describe a method for using these models in a recognition system. The method is more robust than using continuous parameter models in recognition. At the same time it does not suffer from the possible information loss in vector quantization based systems. >
Pteridine detection in urine: the future of cancer diagnostics?

Pteridines as biomarkers The aim of developing noninvasive cancer screening techniques that can lead to both diag­ nosis and prognosis is rapidly gaining popular­ ity in cancer biomarker research and discov­ ery. Accordingly, the field of cancer biomarker research is experiencing a shift from more tra­ ditional antigenic and proteomic approaches to the promising outlet of metabolic diagnostics. Indeed, the discovery of a family of related com­ pounds that can be implicated in multiple can­ cers at different stages is highly desirable. One instance where these goals may be realized lies in the class of compounds known as pteridines. Assigning pteridines as potential biomarkers for malignancy is certainly not a recent develop­ ment. Early studies examined their potential cancer­ revealing roles as early as the mid 1980s [1]. From these early studies, the biomarker literature has seen a flurry of studies conducted on assorted pteridines in further attempts to implicate them as urinary biomarkers for malignancy, spanning a wide breadth of analytical platforms including gas chromatography, liquid chromato graphy, liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and capil­ lary electrophoresis. The findings of these studies are also quite remarkable: urinary pteridines have been implicated as potential biomarkers in a host of diseases, including breast, prostate, kidney and bladder cancers, as well as phenylketonuria [2–10]. Moreover, these studies have served to narrow the entire pteridine family down to a dozen key mem­ bers, including: xanthopterin, isoxanthopterin, pterin, 6­biopterin, 7­biopterin, pterin­6­carbox­ ylic acid, neopterin, pterin, tetrahydrobiopterin, 6­hydroxymethylpterin, 6,7­dimethylpterin and 6­methylpterin.
Securities Fraud: An Economic Analysis

This paper analyzes a firm's propensity to commit securities fraud and the real consequences of fraud. The theory shows that fraud has real economic cost, as investment distortions can arise from fraud-induced market misvaluation and management's ability to influence the firm's litigation risk through investment. The cost of inefficiency is borne by not only shareholders of fraudulent firms but also those of honest firms. The theory also characterizes a firm's equilibrium supply of fraud. A firm's fraud propensity and the magnitude of fraud are shown to depend on the nature of the firm's assets, growth potential, and the quality of corporate governance. The theory provides testable implications for cross-sectional variations in firms' fraud propensities and for firms' investment incentives in the presence of fraud. It also sheds light on he potential effectiveness of legislative initiatives and regulatory changes that deal with fraud.
Temporal Placement for Run-Time Reconfiguration

In this paper, we propose the use of an algorithm that will improve the performance of the FPGA placement task for Run-Time Reconfiguration (RTR) computing. Previous literature will be referenced for the sake of presenting related work, as well as to present some algorithms that can be used for the placement of static, compile-time reconfigurable devices. These algorithms will then be examined in order to propose a placement algorithm that will be used in further RTR research.
High-energy nucleon-nucleus scattering and cosmic-ray cross sections.

We develop a QCD-based diffractive model for nucleon-nucleon and nucleon-nucleus cross sections in which the increase in the cross sections at high energies is driven by semihard parton-parton scattering. We use the model to calculate the absorptive cross section for protons on air at very high energies, and find excellent agreement with data from cosmic-ray experiments. The results can be used to extract ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}(\mathrm{pp}}$) from ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{abs}(\mathrm{p}}$-air) in a way which is nearly independent of the input parameters. We include an approximate treatment of single-diffractive pp scattering.
An intelligent sampling method for inspecting free-form surfaces

The two most important factors in sampling during coordinate verification of a surface are the number of measuring points that accurately represent the surface and the distribution of those points. Three algorithms are developed in this paper for sampling of free-form surfaces at a patch scale (not the entire surface). The three developed algorithms take each patch on the surface as a separate unit and distribute the points within the patch in two steps, namely, sample the most critical points that depend on maximum and minimum Gaussian curvature of each patch and add more points depending on the overall distribution of the most critical points distributed on the surface. In each step of sampling, the maximum difference between the CAD model and the surface created using those sampled points is obtained, and an optimum number of measuring points is determined. This minimizes sampling effort and (non-value-added) measurement time. A comparison is performed between the three proposed algorithms and two well known sampling techniques: the equiparametric approach and the patch-size-based sampling method. The proposed algorithms distribute the points in each patch based on a specific plan. The results show that the developed algorithms help select an efficient number of sampling points.
Polymer NMR spectroscopy. IX. Polyacrylamide and polymethacrylamide in aqueous solution

The NMR spectrum of polyacrylamide in aqueous solution exhibits a doublet resonance in the amide proton region, in contrast to the broad singlet shown by most smallmolecule amides. This is attributed to the relatively slow reorientation rate of the polymer segments, permitting effective coupling of the electric quadrupole moment of the N14 nucleus to the motions of the molecular framework. This, in turn, narrows the amide resonance to such a degree that the two protons can be discriminated. By observation of the collapse of this doublet, the rate of rotation of the amide groups can be measured; at pH 4.5 this rotation requires an activation energy of 10.5 ± 1 kcal. and is more rapid than proton exchange between the amide group and water. Rotation is not catalyzed by acid or base, where as exchange is catalyzed by both and becomes more rapid than rotation at high and low pH. The two amide protons exchange at equal rates; if intramolecular hydrogen bonding of amide groups is present, it has no apparent retarding effect on proton exchange. These results are discussed in terms of possible protonated intermediates.
Smoking and oral contraceptive continuation

Abstract Background Smoking may be related to early discontinuation of oral contraceptives (OC). Study design This was a planned secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Women aged less than 25 initiating OC at three inner-city publicly funded family planning clinics enrolled in the study. Subjects reported smoking status at enrollment; 3- and 6-month interviews assessed OC continuation. Results One hundred eighty-nine (12%) of 1598 participants were current smokers. Smokers were more often lost to follow-up than nonsmokers ( P P Conclusions These data suggest that young smokers may be more likely to discontinue OC within 6 months than nonsmokers. Smoking may be a marker for risk-taking behavior that extends to the premature discontinuation of OC.
Legislative Party Switching and Executive Coalitions

In parliamentary systems, legislative parties are the building blocks for executive coalitions. A standard assumption in the large literature on coalition politics is that legislative parties form fixed units from one election to the next. Under some conditions, however, this assumption falls flat. For instance, about one-fourth of legislators in the Italian lower house switched parties between 1996 and 2001. How is legislative party switching linked to the politics of executive coalitions? This paper examines how government composition affects the direction of party switching, and how party switching affects the reallocation of cabinet office. I devote in-depth scrutiny to Italy. Subsidiary country cases, chosen to maximize institutional variation, are Australia, Britain, Canada, France, and Spain.
Search for Heavy Particles Decaying into Electron-Positron Pairs in $p{\bar p}$ Collisions

We present preliminary results of searches for technibadrons (ρT,ωT), and Z′ particles, using their decay into e+e-. The search is based on 124.8 pb-1 of data collected by the DO detector at the Tevatron during 1992-1996. In the absence of a signal we set 95% CL upper limits on the production cross section and decay into e+e- as a function of the mass of the decaying particle. For certain model parameters, we exclude the existence of degenerate ρT and ωT states with masses below 207 GeV/c2. We exclude a Z′ with mass below 670 GeV/c2, assuming that the Z′ has the same couplings as the Z boson.
Induction of multiple flagella in Naegleria: Requirements for RNA and protein synthesis

The induction of multiple flagella by a heat shock was used to examine the role of RNA and protein synthesis in the regulation of the number of flagella produced during the differentiation of the amebo-flagellate Naegleria gruberi. Control cells differentiating at 25.0°C produce an average of 2.1 flagella per flagellate (f/F), whereas cells exposed to 38.2°C from 35 minutes until 72 minutes after initiation produce an average of approximately 5 f/F. Heat shock was found to prevent completion of the RNA synthesis essential for flagellum formation, even though both RNA and protein synthesis continued at 38.2°C. A delay of two minutes for every one minute of heat shock was seen in both the formation of flagella (T50) and the completion of essential RNA synthesis for heat shocks of one to ten minutes applied beginning 35 minutes after initiation. Times at 38.2°C of ten minutes to 45 minutes produced a delay of approximately 0.6 minutes for each minute of heat shock, whereas shocks longer than 47 minutes prevented flagellum formation. The times from completion of RNA synthesis until completion of protein synthesis or flagella formation were found to be approximately 15 minutes and approximately 32 minutes, respectively. This was true in control cells as well as in cells heat shocked for up to 45 minutes. The fact that heat shock delayed completion of RNA synthesis without affecting the time for completion of protein synthesis or flagella formation suggests that heat shock acts at some step related to the completion of transcription. Short heat shocks, 30 seconds to five minutes, were observed to prevent flagellum formation in cells that had completed RNA synthesis if additional RNA synthesis was inhibited. In contrast, short heat shocks had little effect on cells that had completed protein synthesis, even if additional protein synthesis was inhibited. Two alternative hypotheses for the mechanism of heat shock delay of transcription are discussed. One hypothesis involves a direct effect of high temperature on transcription, and the other postulates a temperature-sensitive protein necessary for flagellum formation.
Positive operators and an inertia theorem

Abstract : A generalization of the theorem of Perron-Frobenius is used to prove an inertia theorem, which contains Lyapunov's theorem and Stein's theorem as special cases. It is pointed out that there is a close relation between the inertia theorem and known results on M-matrices. (Author)
Discretionary monetary policy, quantitative easing and the decline in US labor share

Labor shares in the US and other OECD countries have been trending downward (OECD (2012); Elsby et al. (2013)). Piketty (2014) has argued that this may be an inevitability of capitalist economies. Others have argued that globalization may be a cause (Harrison (2005); Guscina (2006); Schneider (2011)). We explore the possibility that in the US discretionary monetary expansion has played a role. We estimate the relationship between monetary policy innovations and labor share based using VARs estimated separately for the 1986-2002 ( rule-based ), 2003-2014 ( discretionary ), and 2008Q3-2014 ( quantitative easing ). We report that positive monetary policy innovations are associated with statistically significant, persistent decreases in labor shares in the later ( discretionary and quantitative easing ) periods.
A proof of the Grothendieck inequality

The fundamental constant of Grothendieck's inequality, defined below, was shown by Grothendieck to be less than sinh π/2=2.301+. We improve the bound slightly, and show that for the positive definite case π/2 suffices.
The simultaneous estimation of right and left ventricular outputs applied to a study of the bronchial circulation in dogs.

Abstract The existence of an arterial blood supply to the lungs through the bronchial arteries, and the partial drainage of this blood into the pulmonary veins requires the output from the left ventricle to exceed that from the right ventricle by the amount of bronchial blood entering the pulmonary veins. The difference between the outputs of the ventricles of the heart is, therefore, an indirect measure of the systemic arterial blood flow to the lesser circulation in the absence of other obvious arteriovenous anomalies. A method for the simultaneous determination of the outputs from both ventricles, using radioactive iodinated serum albumin dilution curves, has been described, as have experiments testing the method by means of models. In 5 out of 6 normal dogs the left ventricular output exceeded that of the right by a mean value of 67 ml./min. Very much larger differences were observed in a dog with an artificial end-to-end anastomosis between the left subclavian and left pulmonary arteries. In 8 out of 10 observations in dogs with permanent ligation of one pulmonary artery, values far in excess of the normal difference between the outputs of the two ventricles were found. This is consistent with the concept of an enlarged bronchial arterial system. Some of the implications of this study have been discussed.
Serum Urate and Incident Cardiovascular Disease: The Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) Study.

Objective There is controversy about whether serum urate (sUA) predicts future cardiovascular disease (CVD) independently of classical risk factors, and the age at which any prediction starts. We studied the sUA-CVD association among generally healthy adults. Methods CARDIA recruited 5115 black and white individuals aged 18–30 years in 1985–1986 (year-0). Fatal and nonfatal CVD events by year 27 (n = 164) were ascertained during annual contacts and classified using medical records. The association with sUA (year-0, 10, 15 and 20) was modeled using Cox proportional hazards regression, pooling over gender-specific quartiles. Results Mean sUA concentration was higher in men than women, but increased over time in both genders. Those with elevated sUA had worse metabolic profiles that substantially deteriorated over time. Adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors (the minimal model), baseline sUA concentration was positively associated with incident CVD (hazard ratio (HR) per mg/dL = 1.21; 95% confidence interval: 1.05, 1.39; P = 0.005). This positive association attenuated to nonsignificance in the full model accounting simultaneously for classical CVD risk factors (HR = 1.09; 0.94, 1.27; P = 0.24). Both the minimal and full models appeared to show stronger associations (than year-0 sUA) between year-10 sUA and incident CVD (HR = 1.27 and 1.12, respectively), but sUA was not statistically significant in the full model. Despite fewer events, year-15 sUA showed a significant sUA-CVD association pattern, with minimal model association magnitude comparable to year-10, and remained significant in the full model (HR = 1.19; 1.02, 1.40; P = 0.03). Hyperuricemia at year-15 strongly predicted CVD risk (HR = 2.11; 1.34, 3.33; P = 0.001), with some attenuation in the full model (HR = 1.68; P = 0.04). Conclusions sUA may be an early biomarker for CVD in adults entering middle age. The prediction of CVD by sUA appeared to strengthen with aging. The potential complex relation of sUA with deterioration of a cluster of metabolic abnormalities warrants future exploration.
Phase II clinical trial of curcumin in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

14151 Background: Pancreatic cancer is virtually always lethal, and the only FDA-approved therapies- gemcitabine and erlotinib- produce objective responses in less than 10% of patients. Curcumin (diferuloyl methane) is a plant- derived compound that inhibits the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) transcription factor (central to pancreatic cancer growth) and has substantial antitumor activity in preclinical models. We evaluated the toxicity and anti-tumor activity of curcumin, and its impact on survival and biologic correlates. Methods: Patients received 8 grams of curcumin (Sabinsa Corp.) by mouth daily for two months. Maintenance therapy was continued at the same dose and schedule until disease progression. Results: Seventeen patients were enrolled as of the date of analysis. Six were inevaluable: noncompliance (n = 1), never dosed (n = 1), noted to have gastric obstruction after one dose (n = 1), and too early (n = 3). Eleven patients were evaluable for response and 15 were evaluable for toxicity. To ...
Do Companies Decrease Stock Split Events When They are Aging

The idea of this study was inspired by the learning behavior of the financial market developed by Pastor and Veronesi (2003). This study examines the relationship between stock split activity and company age. This paper finds that companies at younger age tend to split their stocks more often than when they are old. This paper also verifies the notion that good companies tend to split whereas bad companies don’t.
DHEA and sport

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a 19-carbon steroid, is situated along the steroid metabolic pathway. It is the most abundant circulating hormone in the body and can be converted to either androgens or estrogens. It is readily conjugated to its sulphate ester DHEAS, and they are designated as DHEA(S) here when used together. Its secretion reaches a peak in early adulthood and thereafter decreases, until approximately age 70 years when it reaches a concentration of approximately 20%. Many hormonal changes may take place with aging but none is as marked as this. This "relative DHEA deficiency" resulted in DHEA being enthusiastically labelled by some as a fountain of youth or an antidote to aging that would prove to be the panacea they are seeking. Its use was also taken up enthusiastically by the athletic community and used as a prohormone in the belief or hope that it would be converted mainly to testosterone in the body.
Upholding Patriarchal Male Domination through Male Homosociality, Triangulated Eroticism, and Castration Threats in Your Friends and Neighbors

The film Your Friends and Neighbors portrays a complex, interweaving web of relational interactions among a group of six characters. Using Sedgwick as a foundational starting point, I discuss how varying erotic triangles between the characters create gender inversions. But the bonds of male homosociality within the film also work to create gender inversions, as these interactions have a tendency to straddle the line between homosocial and homosexual. Both of these situations set up the threat of emasculation and ultimately the threat of symbolic castration. Actions are taken to “regain” masculinity, but I argue that it is the character who intentionally emasculates himself that is eventually seen as the most masculine and does not face either of the aforementioned threats. As a result, the film contributes to the perpetuation of patriarchal male domination.
Powerful Biblical Statements: Lessons in Communication for Today's Leadership

One of the most important prerequisites for effective leadership is powerful communication. This has been observed throughout all of human history, and examples of powerful communication may be found even in one of the oldest documents of record, the Hebrew Bible. This paper examined a small selection of powerful statements from the Hebrew Bible. The ancient messages resonate today as much as they did thousands of years ago. The authors conclude that, for a passage to be memorable and powerful, it could be categorized on one or more of three dimensions: simplicity, language and the content of the message itself. It is hoped that individuals in leadership positions will make use of these exemplars as guidelines for effective communication as well as a touchstone in understanding what truly is important.
The reaction between nitric oxide and alpha-tocopherol: a reappraisal

Recently Gorbunov et al. reported that nitric oxide (.NO) can directly oxidize alpha-tocopherol to alpha-tocopheroxyl radical (Gorbunov et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 219, 835-841, 1996). We have reinvestigated this reaction and report that a direct reaction between .NO and alpha-tocopherol does not occur. However, the reaction between .NO and oxygen generates an oxidant which oxidizes alpha-tocopherol to alpha-tocopheryl quinone. Exposure of alpha-tocopherol to a low flux of .NO generated from spermine NONOate (100 microM) results in no consumption of alpha-tocopherol under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions. A higher flux of .NO, generated from 1 mM spermine NONOate, oxidizes alpha-tocopherol only under aerobic conditions. Artifactual oxidation of alpha-tocopherol can be observed when using commercial .NO that is contaminated with higher oxides of nitrogen, such as dinitrogen trioxide and dinitrogen tetraoxide.
Carrier Delocalization in Two-Dimensional Coplanar p-n Junctions of Graphene and Metal Dichalcogenides.

With the lateral coplanar heterojunctions of two-dimensional monolayer materials turning into reality, the quantitative understanding of their electronic, electrostatic, doping, and scaling properties becomes imperative. In contrast to traditional bulk 3D junctions where carrier equilibrium is reached through local charge redistribution, a highly nonlocalized charge transfer (trailing off as 1/x away from the interface) is present in lateral 2D junctions, increasing the junction size considerably. The depletion width scales as p–1, while the differential capacitance varies very little with the doping level p. The properties of lateral 2D junctions are further quantified through numerical analysis of realistic materials, with graphene, MoS2, and their hybrid serving as examples. Careful analysis of the built-in potential profile shows strong reduction of Fermi level pinning, suggesting better control of the barrier in 2D metal–semiconductor junctions.
Do children's learning-related behaviors moderate the impacts of an empirically-validated early literacy intervention?

The present study included 314 children who had been involved in Project STAR, and explored how two learning-related behaviors, interest in literacy and effortful control, moderated the impact of the literacy intervention on reading outcomes. Results indicated significant associations of both learning-related behaviors with reading, with the children with the highest literacy interest and effortful control in the intervention group showing the highest reading outcomes. These results indicate that accounting for a greater breadth of possible moderators of intervention impacts is an important area to explore.
Methylphenidate and Attention Deficit Disorder

The relative effects of sustained release (Ritalin [SR-207[) and standard methylphenidate (Ritalin 10 mg, BD) on cognitive and social behavior in 22 boys with ADD were investigated at a summer treatment program supervised by the Western Psychiatric Institute, Univ of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA.
Substituted building blocks of life under UV radiation: Ultrafast excited state dynamics of 2-thiouracil vs uracil

The photophysics of uracil and 2-thiouracil have been investigated using time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy with emphasis on evaluating the role of intersystem crossing pathways.
Crowdfunding an Entrepreneurial Career: The Role of Prior Paid Employment in Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding is an emerging source of capital. Using signaling theory, we examine the role of positive and negative signals of value and commitment arising from prior paid employment in crowdfundin...
Analysis of the Yimin-Fengtun 500KV TCSC on the Northeast China Power System

Abstract A TCSC (Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation) is proposed to be installed in the Yimin-Fengtun 500kV system at the Fengtun site on the Northeast China power system which will be the first 500kV series compensation of China. In this paper, amount of simulations are made to acquire characteristics of steady state and transient state of studied system. A comparison of system feature with the TCSC and fixed compensation is also given. An important point in the paper is about control strategy of the TCSC and influence of characteristics and parameters of the TCSC equipment on power system. It can be indicated that the TCSC can greatly improve the performance of power system and characteristics of the TCSC equipment must be deeply studied so as to be fully used to acquire more benefit.
An easier and quicker access to (benzenesulfonyl)difluoromethanesulfenamide reagent

Abstract (Benzenesulfonyl)difluoromethanesulfenamide ( PhSO2-BB12H ) is an interesting reagent to lead to various fluoroalkylselenotated molecules. This compound is obtained from [(benzenesulfonyl)difluoromethyl]trimethylsilane. Herein, a new process in two steps, without intermediate purifications, is described to easily synthesize this product. With this new method, preparation of PhSO2-BB12H reagent has been carried out in only 3 steps, with only one final purification and with a good overall yield.
Parenting in the Context of Childhood Trauma: Self-Efficacy as a Mediator between Attributions and Parenting Competence

Given the well documented relationship between childhood trauma and the regulation of stress and emotion, it is likely that childhood trauma also will have important implications for parenting. As a result, the current study aimed to understand the relationships among mothers’ attributions, self-efficacy, and parenting competence within the context of childhood trauma experiences. In particular, mothers’ self-efficacy was examined as a mediator in the relationship between attributions and parenting competence. The sample was divided into low and high trauma subsamples. Mediation analyses indicated that, for mothers in the low childhood trauma subsample, the model was not supported. In contrast, among mothers in the high childhood trauma subsample, the model was supported. Additionally, hierarchical regression analyses revealed that self-efficacy was a strong unique predictor for young children’s internalizing and externalizing problems in mothers from the low childhood trauma subsample. In contrast, the examined variables worked more collectively in the prediction of young children’s internalizing and externalizing problems for mothers in the high childhood trauma subsample. These findings suggested that mothers’ understanding of their young children’s problems and their own parenting were related differently when the context of childhood trauma experiences was considered and may be important to target in parenting interventions.
Healthcare: An Industry Unlike Any Other Goes Global

The healthcare industry has been transformed in recent years from what was traditionally an entirely domestic industry into an increasingly global industry, defined by cross-national principles. In parallel to the forces that have driven the globalization of the industry, however, there have been others that have resisted these developments and anchored the industry in national systems of healthcare delivery and consumption. This interplay between the global and the local is emerging as a predominant feature of the industry that is shaping its contemporary dynamics and will likely have significant consequences in the years to come. In this paper, I seek to explicate this development and examine the opportunities and challenges that it holds for healthcare providers and the policymakers who oversee the industry.
Facile Tumor Spheroids Formation in Large Quantity with Controllable Size and High Uniformity

A facile method for generation of tumor spheroids in large quantity with controllable size and high uniformity is presented. HCT-116 cells are used as a model cell line. Individual tumor cells are sparsely seeded onto petri-dishes. After a few days of growth, separated cellular islets are formed and then detached by dispase while maintaining their sheet shape. These detached cell sheets are transferred to dispase-doped media under orbital shaking conditions. Assisted by the shear flow under shaking and inhibition of cell-to-extracellular matrix junctions by dispase, the cell sheets curl up and eventually tumor spheroids are formed. The average size of the spheroids can be controlled by tuning the cell sheet culturing period and spheroid shaking period. The uniformity can be controlled by a set of sieves which were home-made using stainless steel meshes. Since this method is based on simple petri-dish cell culturing and shaking, it is rather facile for forming tumor spheroids with no theoretical quantity limit. This method has been used to form HeLa, A431 and U87 MG tumor spheroids and application of the formed tumor spheroids in drug screening is also demonstrated. The viability, 3D structure, and necrosis of the spheroids are characterized.
Metabolism and Metabolites of Benzylisoquinolinium Diester Compounds

Diester onium compounds, generically, are synthesized as potential substrates for plasma esterases including pseudocholinesterase, or as candidates for the non-biological chemical degradation of quaternary ammonium compounds known as the Hofmann elimination. The benzylisoquinolinium diesters are metabolized or degraded by either mechanism, depending on specific structural requirements.
The Impact of Constraint Programming

Constraint programming is a success story for artificial intelligence. It quickly moved from research laboratories to industrial applications and is in daily use to solve complex optimization throughout the world. At the same time, constraint programming continued to evolve, addressing new needs and opportunities. This talk reviews some recent progress in constraint programming, including its hybridization with other optimization approaches, the quest for more autonomous search, and its applications in a variety of nontraditional areas.
Determination of Purgeable Organics in Sediment

The analysis of volatile organic compounds in sediment poses challenging problems. Previous methods have been insensitive to low concentrations of volatiles in sediments. The reasons behind this are twofold. Sediment analysis is usually limited to a 50 gm sample size for ease of sample handling. A liquid extraction of a sediment sample this large would be difficult. The large volumes of solvent required could not be concentrated by any solvent stripping technique without loss of the organics in question. Head space analysis is limited to small volume injections of low concentration resulting in a minimum detectable limit of 25 ppb “EMSL, Cincinnati, Ohio” (1977).
Symmetric Quantum Calculus

The q- and h-differentials may be “symmetrized“ in the following way, $$ \tilde d_q f(x) = f(qx) - f(q^{ - 1} x), $$ (26.1) $$ \tilde d_h g(x) = g(x + h) - g(x - h), $$ (26.2) where as usual, q ≠ 1 and h ≠ 0. The definitions of the corresponding derivatives follow obviously: $$ \tilde D_q f(x) = \frac{{\tilde d_q f(x)}} {{\tilde d_q x}} = \frac{{f(qx) - f(q^{ - 1} x)}} {{(q - a^{ - 1} )x}}, $$ (26.3) $$ \tilde d_h g(x) = \frac{{\tilde d_h g(x)}} {{\tilde d_h x}} = \frac{{g(x + h) - g(x - h)}} {{2h}}. $$ (26.4) We are going to concern ourselves briefly with symmetric q-calculus only, since it is important for the theory of some algebraic objects called quantum groups.
Racial variation in the prevalence of atrial fibrillation among patients with heart failure: the Epidemiology, Practice, Outcomes, and Costs of Heart Failure (EPOCH) study

Abstract Objectives This study was designed to determine the association between race and atrial fibrillation (AF) among patients with heart failure (HF). Background Atrial fibrillation is known to complicate HF, but whether its prevalence varies by race, and the reasons why, are not well understood. Methods We identified adults hospitalized with confirmed HF within a large integrated healthcare delivery system. We obtained information on demographics, comorbidity, vital signs, medications, and left ventricular systolic function status. “Atrial fibrillation” was defined as AF or atrial flutter documented by electrocardiogram or prior physician-assigned diagnoses. We evaluated the independent relationship between race and AF using multivariable logistic regression. Results Among 1,373 HF patients (223 African Americans, 1,150 Caucasians), the prevalence of AF was 36.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 34.3% to 39.5%). Compared with Caucasians, African Americans were younger (mean age 67 vs. 74 years, p Conclusions In a contemporary HF cohort, AF was significantly less common among African Americans than among Caucasians. This variation was not explained by differences in traditional risk factors for AF, HF etiology and severity, and treatment.
Animal mechanism and the Cartesian vision of nature

In the fifth part of the Discourse, a few pages are devoted to the thesis that was to become notorious as the doctrine of the bete-machine, the doctrine that all animate bodies are machines, and, in particular, that all non-human animate bodies are only machines (A.T. VI, pp. 40–60, esp. pp. 57–59).1 In looking back to consider the impact on modern thought of the Cartesian revolution, this seems a minor and peripheral theme, no more weighty (except to animal lovers) than the pages it occupies in proportion to the whole volume published in 1637 (A.T. VI, pp. 1–485). Yet if we start from this document and put it, along with other texts allied to it, into the framework of the Cartesian enterprise as a whole, it turns out, I think, to guide us to some fresh insights — and also, I confess, to some fresh problems. I want to consider the implications of animal automatism, then, in four contexts: first, as one of the two allegedly objectionable features of Cartesian natural philosophy, which Descartes’s disciples felt called on to defend; second, as an aspect of the Cartesian effort to reduce all natural change to local motion; third, in the context of Descartes’s interest in automata; and fourth, closely related to the third, in the context of Descartes’s defense of his new program as related to what he calls (with a capital M) Mechanica.