cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased continental weathering flux during orbital-scale sea-level highstands: Evidence from Nd and O isotope trends in Middle Pennsylvanian cyclic carbonates

Abstract Despite the common occurrence of orbital-scale (104–105 yr) sedimentary cycles in a wide range of Proterozoic through Neogene marine and non-marine depositional systems, understanding the effects and phase relationships of orbital-scale climate drivers on time-equivalent marine and non-marine deposits is difficult mainly due to correlation limitations between the geographically isolated deposition settings. Results from this study assess the relationships between orbital-scale continental weathering flux and glacial–interglacial marine cycles using Nd isotopes (from whole rock limestones) and δ18O values (from conodont apatite) from Middle Pennsylvanian cyclic marine carbonates in the U.S. Southwest. Conodont δ18O trends from 2 of 4 sampled glacial–interglacial carbonate cycles support previous interpretations that observed water-depth changes were controlled by glacio-eustasy (30–50 m magnitudes) combined with eNd trends in 5 of 8 sampled cycles are higher during regressive intervals (early glacial phase) and lower during sea-level highstands (interglacial phase), supporting the hypothesis that increases in precipitation and/or air temperatures during interglacial intervals result in increased continental weathering rates and/or increased flux of weathered solutes to the Middle Pennsylvanian marine basin. This hypothesis is in contrast to traditional sequence stratigraphic interpretations (increased siliciclastic shedding into marine basins during falling sea level/lowstands) and suggests that climatically-controlled precipitation and/or air temperature fluctuations influenced continental weathering flux more than sea level-controlled shoreline or baseline position in this paleotropical location. These results highlight the use of combined eNd and δ18O analyses as a tool for evaluating the response of marine and coeval non-marine systems to orbital-scale climate changes, particularly in deep-time depositional systems.
Renal artery dissections.

• Renal artery dissections encountered in 15 patients, aged 3 to 75 years, were categorized as to pathogenesis (blunt abdominal trauma, catheter injury, and spontaneous). Blunt traumatic dissections (seven patients) were characterized by hypertension, gross hematuria, and pain. Catheter-induced dissections (four patients) were asymptomatic, although two exhibited accelerated hypertension. Spontaneous dissections (four patients) were all associated with preexistent arterial disease. Symptoms in these patients were uncommon, despite accelerated hypertension in three cases. Intravenous pyelography lacked specific diagnostic value for renal artery dissections. Early arteriographic examination proved essential in diagnosis and surgical treatment. Criteria for operative intervention included existence of technically correctable dissections causing (1) hemodynamically significant occlusions of the main or major segmental renal arteries, (2) documented renovascular hypertension, or (3) significant deterioration of renal function. (Arch Surg112:409-414, 1977)
The Metabolism of AIDS-Associated Mycoplasmas

Mycoplasma fermentans and Mycoplasma pirum have been recovered from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive persons. M. fermentans has been isolated with much higher frequency from HIV-positive than from HIV-negative persons. Mycoplasma genitalium has been detected by polymerase chain reaction in the blood of a patient with AIDS. Little is known about the biology of these mycoplasmas, especially their physiology, biochemistry, and growth response to inhibitors of essential metabolic loci or transport. Metabolically, they resemble other Mycoplasma species. Those studied lack cytochromes, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, and portions of the hexose monophosphate shunt. According to limited data, they fix CO2, use ATP to phosphorylate fructose-6-phosphate, have substrate phosphorylation and transaminase(s), and interconvert most purines and pyrimidines. The synthesis of thymidine may be limited. They may require a variety of essential small molecules for optimal growth (e.g., pyridoxal phosphate, ribose-1-phosphate). Their pathogenic potential and cultural lability may involve the production of the superoxide anion and the hydroxyl radical. We hypothesize that the mycoplasmas generate toxic oxygenated products that damage the host cell, probably membrane, permitting the mycoplasmas to gain easier access to the interior of the cell. The mycoplasma-damaged host cell membrane may also effect the maturation or release of HIV particles from the cell.
FDTD simulation of a partially-coherent Gaussian Schell-model beam

We describe the FDTD implementation of quasi-monochromatic Gaussian Schell model (GSM) beam incidence, which is frequently used to model partial coherence effects in lasers. The cross-spectral density of the GSM beam is subjected to coherent mode decomposition, and each coherent mode is simulated in a separate FDTD run using the plane-wave decomposition (or angular-spectrum) method. The output intensity associated with every coherent-mode excitation is then added to yield the final intensity, because of the statistical independence of the modes. A simple example is presented to show the potential functionality of the technique.
Stability review of SLAC's L-band sheet beam klystron

A review of L-band sheet beam development at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's Klystron Department. The measured current density profile of a 40:1 elliptical beam is presented. A review of instabilities discovered while simulating the klystron are presented.
De novo lumen formation and elongation in the developing nephron: a central role for afadin in apical polarity

A fundamental process in biology is the de novo formation and morphogenesis of polarized tubules. Although these processes are essential for the formation of multiple metazoan organ systems, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate them. In this study, we have characterized several steps in tubule formation and morphogenesis using the mouse kidney as a model system. We report that kidney mesenchymal cells contain discrete Par3-expressing membrane microdomains that become restricted to an apical domain, coinciding with lumen formation. Once lumen formation has been initiated, elongation occurs by simultaneous extension and additional de novo lumen generation. We demonstrate that lumen formation and elongation require afadin, a nectin adaptor protein implicated in adherens junction formation. Mice that lack afadin in nephron precursors show evidence of Par3-expressing membrane microdomains, but fail to develop normal apical-basal polarity and generate a continuous lumen. Absence of afadin led to delayed and diminished integration of nectin complexes and failure to recruit R-cadherin. Furthermore, we demonstrate that afadin is required for Par complex formation. Together, these results suggest that afadin acts upstream of the Par complex to regulate the integration and/or coalescence of membrane microdomains, thereby establishing apical-basal polarity and lumen formation/elongation during kidney tubulogenesis.
Occlusion of All Four Extracranial Vessels With Minimal Clinical Symptomatology. Case Report

A case of a 55-year-old man with occlusion of both vertebral, left common carotid and right internal carotid arteries is described. Also present was 95 per cent stenosis on the origin of the right external carotid artery with severe atherosclerotic disease on both subclavian and innominate arteries. Clinical symptoms consisted of blindness of the left eye; otherwise the patient was free of neurological signs. It is suggested that not only the presence of extracranial occlusive disease but also the status of the intracranial circulation, the time factor in which the extracranial vessels became occluded, and the adaptability of the individual to establish all possible means of collateral flow play their roles in correlation of extracranial atherosclerotic disease and clinical symptomatology.
Error resiliency measure for RVLC codes

Video signals transmitted over error-prone wireless channels are often corrupted by bit errors. Due to their superior data recovery performance, the reversible variable length coding (RVLC) has been used as an error resiliency scheme in the MPEG-4 and H.263 video coding standards. In order to evaluate and compare the error resiliency performance of RVLC codes, we develop an error resiliency measure in this letter. Using this measure, different RVLC schemes are compared for MPEG-4 video sequences. The effects of propagating and nonpropagating errors are discussed as well.
Hydroxyl Tagging Velocimetry

Hydroxyl tagging velocimetry (HTV) is reviewed in this paper. HTV is a velocity method that determines the molecular velocity of humid air and combustion flows without additives. In the HTV method, multiple beams of ArF excimer laser (193 nm) light pass through a H2O-laden gas flow and dissociate H2O into H + OH to form a tagging grid of hydroxyl (OH) molecules. The OH grid is tracked over a finite-time interval by laser-induced fluorescence to measure the velocity by time-of-flight. Micro-lens optics have been used to form grids as large as 11x11 to yield ~120 velocity vectors of the two-dimensional flow over a fixed time delay. Instantaneous, single-shot measurements of two-dimensional flow patterns as well as mean and rms profiles are reported in supersonic non-reacting flows and gas turbine exhausts.
A hole in one: A project-based class on mechatronics

We present a 10 week long project-based course on mechatronics that combines lab exercises with an open-ended team project that takes the students from a very basic understanding through development of a small ground robot. Students' basic skill sets are developed using team weekly lab assignments covering software, analog electronics, rapid prototyping and fabrication techniques, and motor drive using a microcontroller. An open ended team project (specifically Slug Spackler's Revenge in 2009) gives the students an opportunity to put these skills to use and demonstrate their ability to synthesize the knowledge. A public competition is held at the end to demonstrate these projects, and is very well attended. Student evaluations indicate that this course, though extremely demanding, provides a peak engineering experience that they carry with them well beyond their educational careers.
Auger Recombination of Excitons in Semiconducting Carbon Nanotubes

The dynamics of the excitons in semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes are investigated by time-resolved fluorescence measurements. Auger recombination of excitons on the picosecond timescale is observed and compared with theory.
Quasistatic indentation of a rubber‐covered roll by a rigid roll

The nonlinear elastic problem involving the indentation of a slightly compressible rubber-like layer bonded to a rigid cylinder and indented by another rigid cylinder is analysed by the finite element method. Both the geometric and material nonlinearities are accounted for. The finite element formulation of the problem is based upon a variational principle recently proposed by Cescotto and Fonder, and is valid for both slightly compressible and incompressible materials. The results computed and presented graphically include the shape of the indented surface, the pressure distribution over the contact surface, and the stress distribution at the bond surface. For the same contact width, the results for the compressible material are found to differ significantly from those for the case when the rubber-like layer is assumed to be incompressible.
Using Markov Chain Usage Models to Test Complex Systems

Model-based testing using Markov chain usage models provides a powerful way to address testing concerns. Unfortunately, the use of Markov chain usage models on systems which have multiple streams of control, or which have many modeless dialogs, has required approaches which limit automated testing (strong abstractions) or make models difficult to analyze (notations hiding a state explosion). This paper presents a new approach which relies on applying concurrency operators to the test cases generated from simple Markov chain usage models to create sophisticated test cases. This approach leverages existing tools and notations.
Temperature measurement in a compressible flow field using laser-induced iodine fluorescence

The thermometric capability of a two-line fluorescence technique using iodine seed molecules in air is investigated analytically and verified experimentally in a known steady compressible flow field. Temperatures ranging from 165 to 295 K were measured in the flow field using two iodine transitions accessed with a 30-GHz dye-laser scan near 543 nm. The effect of pressure broadening on temperature measurement is evaluated.
New poraspids (Agnatha, Heterostraci) from the Early Devonian of the western United States

ABSTRACT A new species of the cythaspid Poraspis is described from the Emsian (Early Devonian) Lippincott Member of the Lost Burro Formation in Death Valley, California. Poraspis thomasi, sp. nov., extends the geographic range of the genus, which had previously been reported from western Europe, Spitsbergen, the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and District of Mackenzie. In addition, the temporal range is extended as the previously described species ranged through the Late Silurian into the Pridoli. This species includes articulated specimens showing that the oral area consisted of a single rectangular oral plate, in contrast with the view that in cyathaspids the area consisted of an arrangement of numerous finger-like plates. Also, one ventral shield shows growth lines indicating that growth of the shield occurred in a posterior direction. An additional poraspid, Lechriaspis patula, gen. et sp. nov., is described from a single specimen from the Grassy Flat Member of the Water Canyon Formation, northern Utah,...
Bounded rationality in agent‐based models: experiments with evolutionary programs

This paper examines the use of evolutionary programming in agent‐based modelling to implement the theory of bounded rationality. Evolutionary programming, which draws on Darwinian analogues of computing to create software programs, is a readily accepted means for solving complex computational problems. Evolutionary programming is also increasingly used to develop problem‐solving strategies in accordance with bounded rationality, which addresses features of human decision‐making such as cognitive limits, learning, and innovation. There remain many unanswered methodological and conceptual questions about the linkages between bounded rationality and evolutionary programming. This paper reports on how changing parameters in one variant of evolutionary programming, genetic programming, affects the representation of bounded rationality in software agents. Of particular interest are: the ability of agents to solve problems; limits to the complexity of agent strategies; the computational resources with which agen...
Irrigation does not dislodge or destroy tumor cells adherent to the tumor bed

Local recurrences in the surgical bed after tumor resection may be due to residual tumor cells “dropping” into the wound. Irrigation with water is often used to remove these cells. We designed experiments to determine whether irrigation would prevent tumor recurrence. Surgical wounds of uniform size in C57BL/6 mice were seeded with 5 × 102, 5 × 103, 5 × 104, 5 × 105, or 5 × 106 viable syngeneic B16-F10 melanoma cells to test the hypothesis that irrigation with water would decrease local tumor recurrence. The tumor-contaminated wounds were irrigated with distilled water or with saline (0.9% NaCl) immediately or 5, 30, 60, 120, or 240 min after seeding. Control wounds were seeded but not irrigated. The technique of irrigation was altered in a second group of experiments such that the amount of time the tumor cells were exposed to the water or saline was 5, 10, or 15 min. To determine the rapidity and durability of tumor cell attachment to host tissue, 1 × 104 viable B16-F10 tumor cells were seeded in vitro onto freshly cut disks of syngeneic mouse dermis. The tissue was irrigated with saline or distilled water 0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, or 240 min later. Tumor growth was observed in all the mice and neither the mechanical action of irrigation nor the hypotonic effect of distilled water changed the rate of growth. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated stable and firm attachment to mouse tissue within seconds of seeding with no noticeable dislodgement or cytotoxicity by either saline or water irrigation. The data suggest that the commonly used technique of irrigating the bed of the resected tumor may not be of value in preventing local recurrences. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A computerized decision support system to predict the variations in the cerebral blood flow of mechanically ventilated infants

A computerized decision support system is described to predict the changes in the cerebral blood flow (CBF) of mechanically ventilated infants in response to different ventilatory settings. A CBF controller was developed and combined with a mathematical model of the infant's respiratory system to simulate the effects of ventilatory settings on the infant's CBF. The performance of the system was examined under various ventilatory treatments and the results were compared with available experimental data. The comparisons showed good agreement between the simulation results and experimental data for preterm infants. These included the results obtained under conditions of hypoventilation, hyperventilation, hypoxia, and hyperoxia. The presented decision support system has the potential to be used as an aide to the intensivist in choosing appropriate ventilation treatments for infants to prevent the untoward consequences of hazardous changes in CBF in mechanically ventilated infants such as hypoxic-ischemic brain injuries.
The Calculation Of ROE: Pedagogical Issues And Integrative Opportunities

One of the most widely used measures of firm profitability and stockholder return is return-on-equity (ROE). However, depending upon an individual firm’s financial decisions (for example, dividend policy) and an analyst’s assumptions used for the ROE calculation, the results can vary significantly. This variation can create confusion for students when the topics of ratio and financial statement analysis are presented. This paper seeks to clarify these issues, offers suggestions to improve the topic discussion in the classroom, and provides examples of additional opportunities for interdisciplinary application.
Approach Toward the Total Synthesis of Lundurines

The methodology developed in the A-D group for the gold-catalyzed cyclization of indoles with alkynes was applied in the total synthesis of lundurines. Lundurines are a new type of alkaloids characterized by a cyclopropyl fragment embedded within a hexacyclic ring system that includes a 1H–azocine[5,4–b]indole ring unit. The key step in the total synthesis of lundurine A is a 8–endo–dig cyclization of the alkynylindole catalyzed by AuCl3, which affords exclusively the desired azocine[5,4–b]indole derivative.
Calcium isotopic fractionation in microbially mediated gypsum precipitates

Abstract Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O) precipitation experiments were carried out at low pH in the presence of the sulfur oxidizing bacterium Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The observed Ca isotopic fractionation (expressed as Δ44/40Cas-f = δ44/40Casolid–δ44/40Cafluid) at the end of each experimental time period (∼50 to 60 days) was −1.41‰ to −1.09‰ in the biotic experiments, −1.09‰ in the killed control, and −1.01‰ to −0.88‰ in the abiotic controls. As there were no strong differences in the solution chemistry and the rate at which gypsum precipitated in the biotic and abiotic controls, we deduce a biological Ca isotope effect on the order of −0.3‰. The isotope effect correlates with a difference in crystal aspect ratios between the biotic experiments (8.05 ± 3.99) and abiotic controls (31.9 ± 8.40). We hypothesize that soluble and/or insoluble organic compounds selectively inhibit crystal growth at specific crystal faces, and that the growth inhibition affects the fractionation factor associated with gypsum precipitation. The experimental results help explain Ca isotopic variability in gypsum sampled from a sulfidic cave system, in which gypsum crystals exhibiting a diversity of morphologies (microcrystalline to cm-scale needles) have a broad range of δ44/40Ca values (∼1.2–0.4‰) relative to the limestone wall (δ44/40Ca = 1.3‰). In light of the laboratory experiments, the variation in Ca isotope values in the caves can be interpreted as a consequence of gypsum precipitation in the presence of microbial organic matter and subsequent isotopic re-equilibration with the Ca source.
Enhanced bacterial virulence in fluids produced in strangulation intestinal obstruction.

SummarySterile, non-lethal ultrafiltrates of strangulation fluids from humans, dogs, and rats promoted a rapid, lethal E. coli infection in healthy mice by fewer bacteria than was possible with saline suspensions of the same organisms. Cl. welchii and Cl. sordelli, similarly suspended, killed only a small proportion of test mice. Sublethal dosages of several substances that might contribute to the virulence-enhancing activity of strangulation fluids were also studied: E. coli endotoxin enhanced the virulence of Cl. sordelli and E. coli; Cl. welchii exotoxin enhanced only E. coli; bile and mucin enhanced all 3 test microorganisms. Synergism between bacteria of one species and products of another may contribute to the severity of mixed bacterial infections. The identity of the factor in strangulation fluids is unknown. There is as yet no evidence of a role for a bacterial virulence-enhancing factor in the pathophysiology of strangulation intestinal obstruction.
The use of mitoxantrone, 5-fluorouracil and high-dose leucovorin in the treatment of advanced breast cancer

Summary Background Metastatic breast cancer remains an incurable disease; therefore, both the efficacy and the toxicity of palliative chemotherapy are important considerations. Mitonxantrone and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with high dose leucovorin are active drugs in the treatment of breast cancer, and both can be given with relatively few side effects. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of these agents in a combination regimen for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. Patients and methods In a phase II study, we treated 35 women with metastatic breast cancer with the following regimen: mitoxantrone 12 mg/m2 i.v. day 1; leucovorin 300 mg i.v. over 1 hour followed by 5-FU 350 mg/m2 i.v. push on days 1, 2 and 3; courses repeated every 21 days. Responding patients received a total of 6–8 courses. Most patients were receiving second-line chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer, but some were receiving first-line therapy following failure of adjuvant chemotherapy. Results Twenty of 31 assessable patients (65%) had objective responses; in addition, 2 of 4 patients with bone-only metastases had sustained symptomatic responses. Toxicity was mild and the regimen was well tolerated. The activity of this drug combination has been verified in several other phase II studies. Conclusions The combination of mitoxantrone, 5-FU and high-dose leucovorin provides an attractive option for second-line chemotherapy of metastatic breast cancer. The efficacy of this combination in first-line therapy is currently being compared to cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-FU (CMF) in a randomized trial.
The Safety in Unsafe Teams: A Multilevel Approach to Psychological Safety

Starting with the premise that sub-team psychological safety microclimates are important to team behavior and invisible to current team-level psychological safety concepts and measures, we introduce a multilevel view of psychological safety within work teams. We develop a theory of how whole-team and sub-team psychological safety influence team functioning and development. Using social network models of theoretical teams, we illustrate the presence and influence of distinct psychological safety microclimates within a team, including incongruities between sub- and whole-team safety climates. For example psychologically safe sub-teams can be hidden within unsafe teams, and these sub-teams may be responsible for significant aspects of team learning and performance. We propose that theorizing and measuring multiple levels of psychological safety in work teams, including pockets of (un)safety that contradict intact team dynamics complements Edmondson's intact team psychological safety concept and measures. Ena...
THE CONTINUING VITALITY OF THE TRADITION: A CLASSICAL MUSLIM PARADIGM OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY

La sostenida reflexion sobre la naturaleza de los ninos ha animado a la historia intelectual y socio-cultural en diferentes ambitos: el Mundo Antiguo, el Occidente Europeo, Bizancio. Sin embargo, poco se ha hecho en el contexto islamico. No obstante, incluso un estudio de textos relevantes, aunque dispersos y aislados, muestra que los ninos fueron para los musulmanes, una seria preocupacion intelectual y moral. El trabajo de abA« HAmid Muhammad al-GhazAlA« (d. 505 A.H./1111 CE), brinda datos importantes a partir de los cuales reconstruir una teoria de la ninez como una etapa distintiva en las “edades de la vida”, un periodo que impuso deberes especiales sobre los padres. Este estudio examina y construye una teoria Ghazaliana del nino y la ninez. Su pensamiento pone en claro relieve ideales societales y normas de comportamiento que se combinaron para facilitar el objetivo social de la crianza de los jovenes moralmente recta, educada, empatica y con conciencia civica. Mi investigacion descubre, reconstruye y explica la genesis de la ninez en el Islam, investigando el pensamiento de un primer pensador con la tradicion intelectual musulmana pre-moderna. Mi investigacion tambien muestra definitivamente la continua significancia y vitalidad de los valores tradicionales socio-culturales e intelectuales islamicos que rodearon al nino y su entorno familiar
We to Me: An Autoethnographic Discovery of Self - In and Out of Domestic Abuse

“We to Me” is a personal and evocative encounter, reflection, and experience of self through the retelling and analysis of my own experiences in a six-year abusive relationship. This autoethnograph...
Effect of Trisodium Phosphate on Campylobacter Attached to Post-Chill Chicken Carcasses

Trisodium phosphate (TSP) was evaluated as a means to reduce Campylobacter on chicken carcasses. Post-chill chicken carcasses were dipped into a 10% TSP solution at 50°C for 15 s. After storing the TSP-treated carcasses for 0, 1 or 6 days at 4°C, the carcasses were subjected to the recovery of Campylobacter . The incidence and reduction of Campylobacter attached to the carcasses were measured using a nitrocellulose (NC) membrane lift, conventional culture method, and a most probable number (MPN) technique. In trials 1 and 2, the incidence of Campylobacter was measured. For 1 day-stored groups, Campylobacter was present on 96 and 100% of control carcasses and present on 24 and 28% of TSP-treated carcasses as measured by NC membrane lift method. The reduction was less (4 to 36%) when measured by culture method. For carcasses immediately subjected for the recovery of cells after treatment, there was no difference between TSP-treated and control carcasses by either NC membrane or culture method. In trial 3, the reduction levels of Campylobacter were quantified by using a MPN method. The levels of Campylobacter on carcasses were decreased by 1.5 and 1.2 logs in 1- and 6-day stored, TSP-treated carcasses, respectively (p 0.10).
Isolating spectral cues in amplitude and quasi-frequency modulation discrimination by reducing stimulus duration.

This study investigated the psychophysical effects of distortion products in a listening task traditionally used to estimate the bandwidth of phase sensitivity. For a 2000 Hz carrier, estimates of modulation depth necessary to discriminate amplitude modulated (AM) tones and quasi-frequency modulated (QFM) were measured in a two interval forced choice task as a function modulation frequency. Temporal modulation transfer functions were often non-monotonic at modulation frequencies above 300 Hz. This was likely to be due to a spectral cue arising from the interaction of auditory distortion products and the lower sideband of the stimulus complex. When the stimulus duration was decreased from 200 ms to 20 ms, thresholds for low-frequency modulators rose to near-chance levels, whereas thresholds in the region of non-monotonicities were less affected. The decrease in stimulus duration appears to hinder the listener's ability to use temporal cues in order to discriminate between AM and QFM, whereas spectral information derived from distortion product cues appears more resilient.
Nonlinear Pricing: Self-Selecting Tariffs and Regulation

During the late 70’s and early 80’s the series of articles on nonlinear/multi-part tariffs explored the efficacy in the welfare effects of these prices. They found that multi-part prices could improve consumers’ surplus or welfare. In particular, non-linear prices can benefit each and every individual consumer as well as consumers in the aggregate (Willig 1978). During the same period, articles appeared on self-selecting tariffs where the consumer picks from a menu of prices to select a pricing plan. One of the principal finding of these studies on self-selecting or optional tariffs was that individual consumers generally purchased a plan which was more expensive than they needed. In other words, consumers paid for service above their needs, and paid more than they would have if they had knowledge of perfect information about their future usage. One critical assumption of neoclassical economics is that consumers have perfect information regarding prices and usage of products. Observation of consumers’ behavior with self-selecting tariffs belies that assumption. Today, more than ever in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector, we have a variety of self-selecting packages of plans from which to choose. One must select among the various plans of cellular phone packages, broadband services, and mobile wireless devices “hot spot.” What broadband plans for DSL service, how many minutes for cellular service, what level of use for wireless data, etc. However, with the push for “competition” and deregulation, the ICT oligopolies have not been subject to price controls. Indeed, pricing regulation of these firms has been neglected (Alleman and Rappoport 2005). This paper explores the relationship between these various areas and suggests how regulators should insert their influence in policy making. Specifically, regulators should require ICT firms to be more transparent regarding their optional pricing packages. Indeed we propose that ICT firms should be required to bill their consumers the “best” price structure for their usage ex post, and not require consumers to select a package ex ante. This pricing policy would allow the society to reap the saving and welfare benefits of nonlinear pricing.
High-performance green nanocomposites using aligned bacterial cellulose and soy protein

Abstract Maximum potential of any fibers as reinforcing agent in composite materials can be obtained through their preferential alignment. In this study, a facile method has been developed to fabricate high-performance green composites based on aligned bacterial cellulose (BC) as reinforcing agent and soy protein as bio-resin. Aligned BC nanofibrils were produced by cultivating it inside polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) tubes followed by an optimum wet-stretching. The curved geometry of the inner tube surface provided the bacteria a preferred direction for growth. Further improvement in alignment was obtained with optimized stretching of the tube-shaped BC (TBC) at a crosshead speed of 0.03 mm/min and draw ratio of 1.20. Stretched TBC showed superior mechanical properties in comparison to the conventionally-grown BC pellicle. Stretched TBC resulted in higher tensile strength (230% increase), modulus (330% increase), and orientation indices (135% increase) compared to the conventional BC pellicle. Soy protein isolate (SPI)-based fully green composites reinforced with TBC were prepared by a vacuum-assisted resin impregnation process, and the same stretching method was applied to the TBC-SPI gel. The stretched and cured composites showed significant improvements in the tensile strength (from 40 MPa to 150 MPa) and modulus (from 2 GPa to 8 GPa) in comparison to the conventional BC reinforced composite because of the enhanced alignment of BC nanofibrils.
Structural Framing: Health Care Reform and Changing American Politics

Even as many Americans adopted more negative overall assessments of reform, however, Figure 2 indicates that – with the exception of the individual mandate -- six or more out of ten continued to favor many of the core elements of the new law, including greater financial assistance through tax credits and Medicaid, insurance regulations to prohibit exclusions and caps on coverage, and closing the so-called “doughnut hole” in
Strontium Oxide Tunnel Barriers for High Quality Spin Transport and Large Spin Accumulation in Graphene

The quality of the tunnel barrier at the ferromagnet/graphene interface plays a pivotal role in graphene spin valves by circumventing the impedance mismatch problem, decreasing interfacial spin dephasing mechanisms and decreasing spin absorption back into the ferromagnet. It is thus crucial to integrate superior tunnel barriers to enhance spin transport and spin accumulation in graphene. Here, we employ a novel tunnel barrier, strontium oxide (SrO), onto graphene to realize high quality spin transport as evidenced by room-temperature spin relaxation times exceeding a nanosecond in graphene on silicon dioxide substrates. Furthermore, the smooth and pinhole-free SrO tunnel barrier grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), which can withstand large charge injection current densities, allows us to experimentally realize large spin accumulation in graphene at room temperature. This work puts graphene on the path to achieve efficient manipulation of nanomagnet magnetization using spin currents in graphene for logi...
Nonparametric testing for smooth structural changes in panel data models

Abstract Detecting and modeling structural changes in time series models have attracted great attention. However, relatively little effort has been paid to the testing of structural changes in panel data models despite their increasing importance in economics and finance. In this paper, we propose a new approach to testing structural changes in panel data models. Unlike the bulk of the literature on structural changes, which focuses on detection of abrupt structural changes, we consider smooth structural changes for which model parameters are unknown deterministic smooth functions of time except for a finite number of time points. We use nonparametric local smoothing method to consistently estimate the smooth changing parameters and develop two consistent tests for smooth structural changes in panel data models. The first test is to check whether all model parameters are stable over time. The second test is to check potential time-varying interaction while allowing for a common trend. Both tests have an asymptotic N ( 0 , 1 ) distribution under the null hypothesis of parameter constancy and are consistent against a vast class of smooth structural changes as well as abrupt structural breaks with possibly unknown break points alternatives. Simulation studies show that the tests provide reliable inference in finite samples and two empirical examples with respect to a cross-country growth model and a capital structure model are discussed.
Examining Process and Moderating Effects of Customer-Created Guilt in a Service Context: An Abstract

Guilt has been identified as a key consumption emotion and is often experienced in interpersonal interactions, making it an interesting emotion to examine in a service context. This work examines customer-created guilt in the context of a service experience. Service scripts offer a set of norms or expectations for routine service encounters between customers and service providers. Consistent with the notion that a violation of social norms induces guilt, a customer’s negative deviation from the service script can induce customer-created guilt.
Systemic Therapies for Patients with Liver Tumors: Prospects for the Future

Attempts to identify effective chemotherapy for patients with liver metastases represent a specific aspect of the more general search for meaningfully beneficial systemic chemotherapy of primary and metastatic tumors.
Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 2 (SCA2) Spinal Cord Transcriptome Sequencing Informs Understanding on ALS (S18.005)

Objective: The objective of this study is to characterize the spinal cord (SC) transcriptome of spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) mice, and to characterize SC genes modified by ATXN2 ASO treatment. Background: CAG repeat expansions in the ATXN2 gene are the cause of SCA2 and increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Patients with SCA2 also often present with motor neuron disease characteristic of ALS. Our past work demonstrated that lowering the expression of ATXN2 using an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) delivered to the lateral ventricle improved motor, molecular and neurophysiological phenotypes of two different SCA2 mouse models. In addition, reduction of Atxn2 expression genetically or by ASO improved the survival of TDP-43 ALS mice. Design/Methods: RNA-seq of SC and cerebellar (CB) RNAs was performed using BAC-ATXN2-Q72 mice vs wildtype littermates, including comparison of ASO vs saline treatments (total N=28). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and pathway analysis (GO, KEGG, IPA). Results: The DEG cutoff used was P 0.585. 12.6% of DEGs were shared between SC and CB. WGCNA identified three SC gene modules significantly correlated with SCA2. Top pathways of each were immune system processes, lipid/cholesterol biosynthesis, and ion transport. DEGs in the spinal cord of SCA2 mice treated with ATXN2 ASO vs saline associated with lysosome/phagosome functions. Modulation of these pathways by the disease-modifying ASO aligns with new data we have on abnormal autophagy in SCA2. We also identified DEGs related to ALS in SCA2 mouse SC, including reduced Slc1a2 expression, mutated in ALS. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the underlying molecular basis of ALS motor neuron phenotypes observed in SCA2, and possible therapeutic targets for ALS given that reduction of ATXN2 increased TDP-43 ALS mouse survival. Study Supported by: Supported by NIH grants R21NS081182, R01NS097903, and R37NS033123. Disclosure: Dr. Scoles has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dansithong has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pflieger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Paul has nothing to disclose. Dr. Figueroa has nothing to disclose. Dr. Schneider has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rigo has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Ionis pharmaceuticals. Dr. Bennett has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pulst has nothing to disclose.
Progress in the Study of in Vitro Neoplastic Transformation

Since the pioneering work of Berwald and Sachs1,2 in 1963–1965, much effort has been made to develop adequate and useful mammalian cell systems for the study of the basic mechanisms of neoplastic transformation in chemical carcinogenesis. This constitutes a major aspect of this chapter. More recently, advances have been made to characterize neoplastic transformation at the molecular level; i.e. the study on neoplastic transformation has advanced from the animal model to the cell system, and then to the molecular description. While this approach is still in its infancy, some promising results have begun to appear. The description of this future trend will be included at the end of this chapter.
HVEM LIGHTs the Way for ILC3s.

The early response to bacterial infection requires cytokine responses by immune cells. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Seo et al. (2018) demonstrate that TNF-TNFR superfamily molecules LIGHT and HVEM stimulate early IFN-γ production by type 3 innate lymphoid cells, which are critical for defense against Yersinia enterocolitica.
Nunchi, Ritual, and Early Confucian Ethics

A central challenge for early Confucian ethics, which relies heavily on the moral rules, scripts, and instructions of ritual (li 禮), is to provide an account of how best to deviate from ritual when unexpected circumstances demand that one must do so. Many commentators have explored ways in which the Confucian tradition can meet this challenge, and one particularly interesting line of response to it focuses on “mind-reading”—the ability to infer others’ mental states from their behavior. In this article, I introduce nunchi 눈치, a Korean word meaning a keen social awareness and facility in dynamic social situations, and make the case that it represents a key component in a full account of how to best deviate from ritual.
Towards a Unified Framework for De-noising Neural Signals

Neural signals provide key information for decision-making processes in multiple disciplines including medicine, engineering, and neuroscience. The correct interpretation of these signals, however, requires substantial processing, especially when the signals exhibit low Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR). Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals are considered among this group and require effective handling of multiple types of artifactual components. Unfortunately, most available de-noising tools are suitable only for offline signal processing. For some artifacts (e.g., EEG motion artifacts), no established method of effective denoising exists for offline or real-time applications. Thus, there is a critical need for methods that can handle artifacts in neural signals with high performance, reliability and real-time capability. Here, we propose novel methods for handling some of the most challenging artifacts that exhibit highly complex dynamics, including motion artifacts. Having the same core sample-adaptive processing tool used for handling different types of artifacts, we present our efforts towards a unified framework for neural data artifact denoising with real-time compatibility.
Whitewash as Affective Platform: Art and Politics of Surface in the Work of Yto Barrada and Hassan Darsi

Whitewash when read through affect is a site of fleeting documentation, a temporary archive of becoming, an ephemeral glimpse into what might become, different. By reading slowly and carefully the ...
Christianity and human rights

The idea that human rights are Christianity’s bequest to global law is attractive for many reasons but difficult to verify, this chapter argues. It is not merely that so many claims on Christian origins for so many things have been made, but that the notion that human rights derive from Christianity itself has a complex history. As global law once hoped to be in the process of materializing now seems further away than ever, this essay proposes seizing the moment in order to review when and why people began to claim that Christianity in various stages of its history gave birth to human rights. Along the way, the essay reviews the history and historiography of points of alleged origin from the founders to high Scholasticism, from the Protestant Reformation to the nineteenth century liberalization of Christianity, and from the Cold War mobilization of the faith to the post-Cold War spike in human rights consciousness, discourse, and law.
A tribute to H. George Frederickson – One of public administration’s modern-day founding fathers

On Friday, July 24, 2020, public administration lost one of its giants, H. George Frederickson, after a long and distinguished career. Many of the readers of this piece are, no doubt, familiar with...
Novel geometries for air-cooled condensation of ammonia-water mixtures

Abstract An analytical and experimental investigation of air-cooled condensers for small-scale ammonia-water absorption heat pumps is presented. Conventional round-tube corrugated fin design and a novel multi-pass tube array design are considered for a condenser operating at severe ambient conditions within a compact footprint. Segmental heat and mass transfer models are developed to gain a deeper understanding of the characteristics of each design. Predicted heat duties are within 5% of the measured values. The limitations of correlations to predict air-side pressure drop in corrugated fins are identified. The performance of the novel multi-pass tube array condenser was comparable to that of conventional condensers, but is determined to be air-side limited throughout length of the heat exchanger. An improved multi-pass condenser design with fins for increased air-side area is proposed using the insights gained from the modeling and experiments. This design meets the heat duty requirements at severe ambient conditions, while decreasing the size of the heat exchanger by 33%.
METABOLISM OF FLUROXENE AND ANALOGOUS FLUORINATED ETHER ANESTHETICS BY HIGHLY PURIFIED CYTOCHROMES P-450 AND THE ASSOCIATED ENZYME DESTRUCTION

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the metabolism of fluroxene and analogous fluorinated ether anesthetics by highly purified cytochromes P-450 and the associated enzyme destruction. The chapter discusses the action of 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethyl vinyl ether (TFVE) and analogous anesthetics on various forms of highly purified cytochrome P-450 to determine whether all forms are equivalently susceptible to destruction and to identify the mechanism of destruction. The metabolism of the fluorinated anesthetic fluroxene, that is, 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethyl vinyl ether (TFVE), to 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) catalyzed by either phenobarbital (PB-B) or β-naphthoflavone (BNF-B) was not linear with time. The rates of metabolism catalyzed by BNF-B were lower than rates with PB-B. The saturated anesthetic 2, 2, 2-trifluoroethyl ethyl ether (TFEE) produced virtually the same low levels of destruction as observed with the complete reconstituted system but in the absence of substrate. None of these substrates produced destruction in the absence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-oxidase (NADPH), which implicates the metabolism of the substrates in the destruction of the enzyme. Added lipid enhanced the anesthetic related destruction of PB-B but was apparently not involved in BNF-B destruction.