cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quasi-Insider Shareholder Activism: Corporate Governance at the Periphery of Control

We document the role of investors at the periphery of control - "quasi-insiders" - in corporate governance. These agents, who include founders, former CEOs, and other former officers, launch activist campaigns in smaller and worse-performing firms than other activists, and use aggressive tactics to seek greater control. Their campaigns are associated with positive abnormal returns comparable to those in other activist campaigns and subsequent improvements in operating performance. The presence of a quasi-insider as a blockholder is associated with a significant increase in CEO turnover-performance sensitivity. Overall, our results suggest that quasi-insiders play a meaningful role in governance.
Quality of life and psychological symptoms in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract Background Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has a delay in diagnosis that makes time since diagnosis of interest in this population. Objectives To assess psychological conditions, perceived stress, QOL, and interpersonal support and to explore whether these factors may correlate with time since diagnosis in patients with PAH. Methods Participants at an academic medical center (n = 108) completed psychological questionnaires (Cambridge Pulmonary Hypertension Outcome Review, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Perceived Stress Scale-10, and Interpersonal Support Evaluation List-Short Form). Results Prevalence of psychiatric disorder, major depression, and “other depressive disorder” were 29.6%, 15.7%, and 9.3%, respectively. Participants reported adequate social support, high perceived stress, and average quality of life. Time since diagnosis was positively associated with greater perceived social support (ρ = 0.174, p = .075) and greater perceived stress (ρ = 0.191, p = .048), but no other psychological factor. Conclusions Routine psychological assessment and timely referral for mental health services are suggested. Social support may buffer patients from stress.
The Perils and Promises of Teaching Integration in Introductory Psychology

Teaching effectively at a Christian college or university demands excellent skills and particularly so in introductory psychology courses. With an expansive area and a large portion of students taking the class to fulfill a general education requirement, general psychology professors are challenged uniquely. Adding integration issues can overwhelm even the most diligent instructor. Yet, few pedagogical and theoretical resources on the effectiveness of different types of integrative components are available. The purposes of this article are to explore the perils and promises associated with teaching an introductory psychology course and to provide some resources and illustrations that have been found to be effective. The article also serves as an introduction to an integration curriculum incorporated into several general psychology courses at two different universities. An introduction to the curriculum reader is provided in this text, as well as an overview of other materials and topics that lend themselv...
Preliminary observations in systemic oxygen consumption during targeted temperature management after cardiac arrest.

Abstract Aim Limited data suggests low oxygen consumption (VO2), driven by mitochondrial injury, is associated with mortality after cardiac arrest. Due to the challenges of measurement in the critically ill, post-arrest metabolism remains poorly characterized. We monitored VO2, carbon dioxide production (VCO2) and the respiratory quotient (RQ) in post-arrest patients and explored associations with outcome. Methods Using a gas exchange monitor, we measured continuous VO2 and VCO2 in post- arrest patients treated with targeted temperature management. We used area under the curve and medians over time to evaluate the association between VO2, VCO2, RQ and the VO2:lactate ratio with survival. Results In 17 patients, VO2 in the first 12 h after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) was associated with survival (median in survivors 3.35 mL/kg/min [2.98,3.88] vs. non-survivors 2.61 mL/kg/min [2.21,2.94], p = .039). This did not persist over 24 h. The VO2:lactate ratio was associated with survival (median in survivors 1.4 [IQR: 1.1,1.7] vs. non-survivors 0.8 [IQR: 0.6,1.2] p 0.7 (p = .131). VCO2 was not associated with survival. Conclusions There was a significant association between VO2 and mortality in the first 12 h after ROSC, but not over 24 h. Lower VO2: lactate ratio was associated with mortality. A large percentage of patients had RQs below physiologic norms. Further research is needed to explore whether these parameters could have true prognostic value or be a potential treatment target.
The Economic Espionage Act: Bear Trap or Mousetrap?

Since its passage in 1996, the Economic Espionage Act (EEA) has been the subject of intense debate and discussion. Criminal penalties for both individuals and corporations violating the Act are severe. Expectations of protection against foreign and domestic trade secret misappropriation have also been raised. This article does the following: First, it reviews some of the reasons behind the increase in trade secret misappropriation activities in recent years. Next, it provides an overview of Congress' response to the problem of trade secret theft - the passage of the EEA. The authors also obtained the case docket sheets and indictments in each of the cases filed by the government under the Act as of the date of the publication of this article; those cases are summarized in the article; and it then discusses the lessons to be gleaned from these cases. Thus, this piece will be of interest and value to a wide audience - law professors, judges, government prosecutors and policy makers, white-collar criminal defense attorneys, in-house attorneys, risk managers, and a variety of businesses. Finally, the article discusses the steps that businesses should take in light of these case developments to develop and implement an effective Trade Secret Compliance Plan so they can seek the protection of the Act when necessary, as well as avoid becoming a criminal defendant under the Act.
Economics Yesterday and Today

As we have just seen, economics is not just an open-ended study of the economy, nor is it simply a collection of ideas and tools. It is an enterprise, with its own particular history, structure and values. We have sketched some of this very briefly, but we need to consider the economics enterprise in more depth before beginning the actual study of economics. After all, it is the deeper purposes of economic analysis that give meaning to the various definitions and models we will examine, and these purposes are the product of many generations of teachers, writers and researchers, each building on or reacting to the experiences of their predecessors. What economic ideas mean cannot be separated from what they mean to those who develop and use them.
on the rotation of dust devils

A number of authors have, in the past, been of the opinion that dust devil direction of rotation is controlled by the earth's rotation. While this contention can be easily attacked through theoretical arguments, actual observations become the deciding factor. The observations presented, believed to be the largest collection on record, show quite conclusively that dust devils in general have no preferred direction of rotation.
Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Deep Brain Stimulation on Voice and Speech in Patients With Dystonia.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of globus pallidus interna (GPi) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on speech and voice quality of patients with primary, medically refractory dystonia. METHODS Voices of 14 patients aged ≥18 years (males = 7 and females = 7) with primary dystonia (DYT1 gene mutation dystonia = 4, cervical dystonia = 6, and generalized dystonia = 4) with bilateral GPi DBS were assessed. Five blinded raters (two fellowship-trained laryngologists and three speech/language pathologists) evaluated audio recordings of each patient pre- and post-DBS. Perceptual voice quality was rated using the Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strain scale and changes in speech intelligibility were assessed with the Clinical Global Impression scale of Severity instrument. Inter-rater and intrarater reliability rates for perceptual voice ratings were assessed using the kappa coefficient. RESULTS Voice quality parameters showed mean improvements in Grade (P < 0.0001), Roughness (P = 0.0043), and Strain (P < 0.0001) 12 months post-DBS. Asthenia increased from baseline to 6 months (P = 0.0022) and declined significantly from 6 to 12 months (P = 0.0170). Breathiness did not change significantly over time. Speech intelligibility also improved from 6 to 12 months (P = 0.0202) and from pre-DBS to 12 months post-DBS (P = 0.0022). Grade and Strain ratings had nearly perfect and substantial inter-rater agreement (0.84 and 0.71, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Voice and speech intelligibility improved after bilateral GPi DBS for dystonia. GPi DBS may emerge as a potential treatment option for patients with medically refractory laryngeal dystonia.
Capacity to Manage Critical Domains of Living: Driving, Voting, and Sexual Expression

The importance of driving, voting, and sexual expression does not diminish with age. Cognitive functioning and health status play a significant role in predicting the ability of older adults to participate safely in these domains. Healthcare providers often find themselves in the challenging position of having to evaluate the capacity of individual to participate in activities of driving, voting, and sexual expression. Determining capacity to participate safely in these activities can require finding a balance between autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and risk, including protecting the cognitively impaired from dangerous or exploitative situations while also upholding their constitutional rights. Few guidelines exist regarding the assessment of capacity of older adults in these domains to help guide clinicians during the assessment.
Rapid and accurate diagnosis of hemoglobinopathy and β-thalassemia by ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry from blood: review of a benchmark study

Many point mutations of the human hemoglobin (Hb) genes have been documented (1-4) and, without a doubt, more remain to be identified. Most of the mutations are single base replacements in the genes and, thus, result in single amino acid substitutions in the corresponding globin chains.
Scale-Up of Liquid Chromatography using General Rate Models

One of the critical factors for a successful scale-up of liquid chromatography using the rates models is accurate parameter estimations. Three types of parameter are needed to carry out model calculations using the rate models. Isotherm parameters, the particle porosity and the bed void volume fraction are important to the accuracy of model calculations. Physical dimensions of the column are equally important, but they can be easily and precisely measured. Less important parameters are the mass transfer coefficients, which usually do not affect the general location of an elution peak. They affect the shape of the peak. However, such an influence is not very sensitive to the fluctuation of the mass transfer coefficients. Thus, parameter estimation of these coefficients does not have to be very stringent.
The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ antagonist GSK0660 mitigates retinal cell inflammation and leukostasis.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is triggered by retinal cell damage stimulated by the diabetic milieu, including increased levels of intraocular free fatty acids. Free fatty acids may serve as an initiator of inflammatory cytokine release from Muller cells, and the resulting cytokines are potent stimulators of retinal endothelial pathology, such as leukostasis, vascular permeability, and basement membrane thickening. Our previous studies have elucidated a role for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in promoting several steps in the pathologic cascade in DR, including angiogenesis and expression of inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, PPARβ/δ is a known target of lipid signaling, suggesting a potential role for this transcription factor in fatty acid-induced retinal inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that PPARβ/δ stimulates both the induction of inflammatory mediators by Muller cells as well the paracrine induction of leukostasis in endothelial cells (EC) by Muller cell inflammatory products. To test this, we used the PPARβ/δ inhibitor, GSK0660, in primary human Muller cells (HMC), human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMEC) and mouse retina. We found that palmitic acid (PA) activation of PPARβ/δ in HMC leads to the production of pro-angiogenic and/or inflammatory cytokines that may constitute DR-relevant upstream paracrine inflammatory signals to EC and other retinal cells. Downstream, EC transduce these signals and increase their synthesis and release of chemokines such as CCL8 and CXCL10 that regulate leukostasis and other cellular events related to vascular inflammation in DR. Our results indicate that PPARβ/δ inhibition mitigates these upstream (MC) as well as downstream (EC) inflammatory signaling events elicited by metabolic stimuli and inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, our data suggest that PPARβ/δ inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy against early DR pathology.
Consistent improvements in short‐ and long‐term survival following heart transplantation over the past three decades

BACKGROUND Despite noted improvements in short-term survival outcomes following orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT), review of the relevant literature suggests little improvement in long-term outcomes for patients surviving beyond 1 year. METHODS All OHT cases performed between 1989 and 2019 within the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) database were reviewed. Adults who underwent isolated OHT were included in a 1-year survival analysis. Those who survived at least 1 year post-transplant were included in a long-term survival analysis. Demographic factors were assessed using Students' t test and chi-square analysis. Survival trends and risk factors were assessed using the Kaplan-Meier and the Cox regression analysis, respectively. RESULTS A total of 53 265 and 46 372 recipients were included in the short-term and long-term cohorts, respectively. In an adjusted analysis, the reference implant era 2014-2019 had significantly better short-term survival outcomes when compared with earlier implant eras: 1989-1993 (HR: 2.92), 1994-1998 (HR: 1.53), 1999-2003 (HR: 1.27), 2004-2008 (HR: 1.11), and 2009-2013 (HR: 1.02). The same trend was recognized for long-term outcomes: 1989-1993 (HR: 1.87), 1994-1998 (HR: 1.27), 1999-2003 (HR: 1.09), and 2004-2008 (HR: 1.03). CONCLUSIONS Despite increases in multiple traditional risk factors, both short-term and long-term survival outcomes have consistently improved over the past 30 years, suggesting other factors are contributing to improved outcomes in recent eras.
Uveal Melanoma: Imaging

Imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis and management of intraocular uveal melanoma. Successful application of imaging will frequently involve multiple modalities, including color photography, ocular ultrasound, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography, among others. Each imaging modality offers unique information that can help the provider to make a diagnosis and monitor a tumor for change over time. This chapter reviews the most important modalities used to image intraocular uveal melanomas, as well as relevant findings and their impact on clinical and surgical practice.
The permuton limit of strong-Baxter and semi-Baxter permutations is the skew Brownian permuton.

We recently introduced a new universal family of permutons, depending on two parameters, called skew Brownian permuton. For some specific choices of the parameters, the skew Brownian permuton coincides with some previously studied permutons: the biased Brownian separable permuton and the Baxter permuton. The latter two permutons are degenerate cases of the skew Brownian permuton. In the present paper we prove the first convergence result towards a non-degenerate skew Brownian permuton. Specifically, we prove that strong-Baxter permutations converge in the permuton sense to the skew Brownian permuton for a non-degenerate choice of the two parameters. In order to do that, we develop a robust technique to prove convergence towards the skew Brownian permuton for various families of random constrained permutations. This technique relies on generating trees for permutations, allowing an encoding of permutations with multi-dimensional walks in cones. We apply this technique also to semi-Baxter permutations.
Chapter 2 – The Chemical Properties of Nitric Oxide and Related Nitrogen Oxides

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some of the biologically relevant chemistry of nitric oxide (NO) as a preface to an understanding its physiological and pathophysiological properties. Due to the discovery of its endogenous biosynthesis and diversity of its biological actions, NO is a molecule of extreme physiological, pharmacological, and pathophysiological interest. Much of the biological utility of NO is due to its unique chemical interactions with biological molecules. Thus, an understanding of the basic chemical properties of NO and derived species provides an insight into the intimate mechanisms of its biological activity. The chemistry and physiology of NO and related nitrogen oxides are intimately linked. The physiological importance of nitrogen oxides will undoubtedly lead to the discovery or rediscovery of new aspects of nitrogen oxide chemistry.
An intelligent interface node for use in computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM)

Design and simulation results are presented for an expert-system-based interface node appropriate for use in a CIM environment. The interface node is a major step toward resolving two of the primary problems present in CIM applications: inadequate communications resources for handling real-time data requirements including priority interrupts, and uncertainty of data concerning conditions in the manufacturing cell served by the node. A technique is presented to reorder the transmission of data through the intelligent interface nodes connected to the primary data-communications channel. A secondary communications channel is used for the transmission of the information necessary to implement the technique. A second technique is presented to diagnose, under conditions of uncertainty, major problems with operations in the manufacturing cell served by the intelligent interface node. This approach is based on the MYCIN model methodology for dealing with uncertainty and is specially modified for a CIM environment. The techniques were simulated for an example case study on an IBM-compatible personal computer. The results clearly demonstrate that this intelligent interface node works even for imperfect information. >
Unspoken Diversity: Cultural Differences in Gestures

This paper describes the use of video to explore cultural differences in gestures. Video recordings were used to capture a large sample of international gestures, and these are edited into a documentary video, A World of Gestures: Culture and Nonverbal Communication. This paper describes the approach and methodology used. A number of specific questions are examined: Are there universally understood hand gestures?; Are there universal categories of gestures—i.e., universal messages with unique instances in each society?; Can the exact same gesture have opposite meanings in two cultures?; Can individuals articulate and explain the gestures common in their culture?; How can video methods provide “visual replication” of nuanced behaviors such as gestures?; Are there gender differences in knowing or performing gestures?; and finally, Is global diversity collapsing toward Western gestural forms under the onslaught of cultural imperialism? The research findings suggest that there are both cultural “differences” and also cultural “meta-differences”—more profound differences involving deeply embedded categories of meaning that make cultures unique.
Erecting New Constitutional Cultures: The Problems & Promise of Constitutionalism Post-Arab Spring

A paramount task of a democratic nation’s constitution is to prescribe effectively the supreme law of the land derived from the consent of the governed. A constitution seeks to fulfill important legal functions, including organizing political power within a state, establishing government institutions, and providing administrable laws. Constitutions and their surrounding constitutional cultures are often also statements of a nation’s commitment to the ideals it values most highly and aspires to attain. A constitution contains two types of elements: functional and aspirational. The functional elements of a constitution establish the institutions that comprise the state and the pragmatic rules of governance -- the “constitution in practice.” Aspirational elements, by contrast, articulate the nation’s commitment to higher principles, such as social justice or democracy. In a well-ordered state, the aspirational aims of a constitution provide the true north for the nation’s compass and determine policies the functional provisions should implement to achieve the legitimacy of the laws and promote a perpetually progressing society. If the functional components of a constitution cannot adequately pursue its aspirational goals, the constitution and government will lose support and lack legitimacy. This disconnect can result in social strife and political unrest. The recent upheaval in the Middle East, known as the Arab Spring, provided three nations thus far with the opportunity to erect new constitutional cultures: Tunisia, Egypt, and Libya. Adequately concretizing revolutionary aspirations in their new national constitutions, while also providing functional elements and institutions to reinforce these aspirations, is vital to the establishment of a secure and legitimate constitutional order. This note explores these ideas of constitutional theory in the universal and applies them to the particular situations in these Arab Spring nations.
The Equations of Oceanic Motions

Preface 1. Introduction 2. Equilibrium thermodynamics of sea water 3. Balance equations 4. Molecular flux laws 5. The gravitational potential 6. The basic equations 7. Dynamical impact of the equation state 8. Free wave solution on a sphere 9. Asymptotic expansions 10. Reynolds decomposition 11. Boussinesq approximation 12. Large scale motions 13. Primitive equations 14. Representations of vertical structure 15. Ekman layers 16. Planetary geostrophic flows 17. Tidal equations 18. Medium scale motions 19. Quasi-geostrophic flows 20. Motions on the f-plane 21. Small scale motions 22. Sound waves Appendix A. Equilibrium thermodynamics Appendix B. Vector and tensor analysis Appendix C. Orthogonal curvilinear coordinate systems Appendix D. Kinematics of fluid motions Appendix E. Kinematics of waves Appendix F. Conventional and notation References Index.
Diffusion and Configurational Disorder in Multicomponent Solids

Atomic diffusion in solids is a kinetic property that affects the rates of important nonequilibrium phenomena in materials. The kinetics of atomic redistribution in response to concentration gradients determine not only the speed, but often also the mechanism by which phase transformations in multi-component solids occur. In electrode materials for batteries and fuel cells high mobilities of specific ions ranging from lithium or sodium to oxygen or hydrogen are essential. In many instances, diffusion occurs in nondilute regimes in which different migrating atoms interact with each other. For example, lithium intercalation compounds such as LixCoO2 and Li[itxC6 which serve as electrodes in lithium-ion batteries, can undergo large variations in lithium concentrations, ranging from very dilute concentrations to complete filling of all interstitial sites available for Li in the host. In nondilute regimes, diffusing atoms interact with each other, both electronically and elastically. A complete theory of nondilute diffusion in multi-component solids needs to account for the dependence of the energy and migration barriers on the configuration of diffusing ions.
Metal nanocrystal/nitride heterogeneous-stack floating gate memory

Nonvolatile memories with heterogeneous-stack floating gate of metal nanocrystals and silicon nitride (Si3N4) have been fabricated and characterized. The heterogeneous gate stacks showed superior characteristics in retention and low voltage write/erase over single metal nanocrystal memories and/or nitride memories (i.e., MONOS or SONOS). The metal nanocrystals in the stack made low voltage operation possible by the direct tunneling programming, while the nitride layer as an additional charge storage trap layer enabled longer retention time. By making the double stack of Si3N4-Au-Si3N4-Au, we could enhance the memory characteristics even further
Improvements in Coverability Analysis

In simulation-based verification users are faced with the challenge of maximizing test coverage while minimizing testing costs. Sophisticated techniques are used to generate clever test cases and to determine the quality attained by the tests. The latter activity, which is essential for locating areas of the design that need to have more tests, is called test coverage analysis.We have previously introduced the notion of coverability, which refers to the degree to which a model can be covered when subjected to testing. We showed how a coverability analyzer enables naive users to take advantage of the power of symbolic model checking with a 'one-button' interface for coverability analysis. In this work, we present several heuristics, based on static program analysis and on simulation of counter examples, for improving the efficiency of coverability analysis by symbolic model checking. We explain each heuristic independently and suggest a way to combine them. We present an experiment that shows improvements based on using random simulation in the analysis of coverability.
Anatomy of a Design Regime

Since the European Union adopted uniform sui generis design rights, an increasingly complex system of cumulative and overlapping intellectual property rights has emerged. While such harmonization offers several benefits, analyzing the interpretation and application of narrow legal requirements within the EU Community Design Rights may indicate whether such benefits will actually be realized. This paper examines Regulation 6/2002’s definitions of “informed user” and “overall impression” as they apply to registered designs. After summarizing relevant case law and considering underlying policy goals of the EU Community design legislation, this paper explores whether these definitions could be more efficient and intellectually honest if both the universe of invalidating prior art—relevant to a design’s eligibility for protection—and the corresponding scope of protection were restricted by industrial sectors.
Abstract 545: Suppression of Atherosclerosis by Synthetic REV-ERB Agonist

Background: Development of atherosclerosis is a complex process that involves both hyperlipidemia and inflammation. Therapies that can target both metabolic and inflammatory aspect of this disease have significant potential in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The nuclear receptors for heme, REV-ERBα and REV-ERBβ, play important roles in regulation of metabolism and inflammation. Recently it was demonstrated that knock-down of REV-ERBα in hematopoetic cells in LDL receptor null mice led to increased atherosclerosis. We sought to determine if synthetic REV-ERB agonists that we have developed might have the ability to suppress atherosclerosis in this model. Methods and Results: A previously characterized synthetic REV-ERB agonist, SR9009, was used to determine if activation of REV-ERB activity would affect atherosclerosis in LDL receptor deficient mice. Eight-week-old mice with deficient LDL receptor were fed high cholesterol diet and treated with vehicle or REV-ERB agonist, SR9009 (100mg/kg, I.P.) ...
Large-scale global surface mass variations inferred from GPS measurements of load-induced deformation

[1] Detrended crustal deformation measurements from a global network of up to 200 continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking sites are inverted for low degree and order (n, m ≤ 6) spherical harmonic series of surface mass variations. An independent geophysical model of the atmosphere, oceans, and water and snow on land is also used to guide the spherical harmonic truncation and to evaluate aliasing errors in the results. Inversion uncertainties decrease significantly as spatial coverage and data quality improve with time, especially in the last few years. Consequently, GPS inverted seasonal geocenter and low degree zonal harmonics converge to those determined by measurements from satellite laser ranging (SLR). Significant n > 1 and non-zonal variations have also been found.
Measuring Justin's Approach to the Spirit: Trinitarian Conviction and Binitarian Orientation

Over the last hundred years scholars have debated the degree to which Justin Martyr distinguishes the activity and identity of the Word and the Spirit. The incomplete analyses of previous studies did not perceive Justin's regular failure to distinguish the activity of the Spirit from that of the Word, which reveals the presence of a binitarian orientation. In addition, combining the work of E.R. Goodenough and C. Oeyen permits us to recognize the presence of a Spirit-Christology in 1 Apol 33 and Dial 87-88. The failure to distinguish the identities of the Word and the Spirit in these two passages are instances in which Justin subordinates his Trinitarian convictions to binitarian logic.
Rebuttal to Miller: 'Accelerated aging': a primrose path to insight?'.

In his ‘Accelerated aging’: a primrose path to insight?’ Richard Miller discusses problems and pitfalls associated with the use of animal models of accelerated aging for obtaining insight into mechanisms of longevity and aging. The issues raised, some of which we addressed in our paper ‘Accelerating aging by mouse reverse genetics: a rational approach to understand longevity’, are valid and deserve attention. Most significantly, we agree that side-by-side comparisons of aging-related phenotypes in mutant and control mice are essential. In addition, it is desirable that multiple tissues be affected and that the premature appearance of aging phenotypes occurs after development, preferably after maturation. Why then do we disagree with Miller about the potential usefulness of accelerated mouse models in elucidating normal aging? We believe there are four basic points of disagreement. The first three points involve interpretation of data. The fourth point is theoretical and influenced by the first three.
Superconductivity, magnetic order, and quadrupolar order in the filled skutterudite system Pr 1-x Nd x Os 4 Sb 12

Superconductivity, magnetic order, and the high field ordered phase have been investigated in the filled skutterudite system Pr${}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}$Nd${}_{x}$Os${}_{4}$Sb${}_{12}$ as a function of composition $x$ in magnetic fields up to 9 T and at temperatures between 50 mK and 10 K. Electrical resistivity measurements indicate that the high field ordered phase, which has been identified with antiferroquadruoplar order, persists to $x$ $~$ 0.5. The superconducting critical temperature ${T}_{c}$ of PrOs${}_{4}$Sb${}_{12}$ is depressed linearly with Nd concentration to $x$ $~$ 0.55, whereas the Curie temperature ${T}_{\mathrm{FM}}$ of NdOs${}_{4}$Sb${}_{12}$ is depressed linearly with Pr composition to ($1\ensuremath{-}x$) $~$ 0.45. In the superconducting region, the upper critical field ${H}_{c2}(x,0)$ is depressed quadratically with $x$ in the range 0 $l$ $x$ $\ensuremath{\lesssim}$ 0.3, exhibits a kink at $x$ $\ensuremath{\approx}$ 0.3, and then decreases linearly with $x$ in the range 0.3 $\ensuremath{\lesssim}$ $x$ $\ensuremath{\lesssim}$ 0.6. The behavior of ${H}_{c2}(x,0)$ appears to be a result of pair breaking caused by the applied magnetic field and the exchange field associated with the polarization of the Nd magnetic moments in the superconducting state. From magnetic susceptibility measurements, the correlations between the Nd moments in the superconducting state appear to change from ferromagnetic in the range 0.3 $\ensuremath{\lesssim}$ $x$ $\ensuremath{\lesssim}$ 0.6 to antiferromagnetic in the range 0 $l$ $x$ $\ensuremath{\lesssim}$ 0.3. Specific-heat measurements on a sample with $x$ $=$ 0.45 indicate that magnetic order may occur in the superconducting state, as is also inferred from the depression of ${H}_{c2}(x,0)$ with $x$.
Asparagine-Linked Glycosylation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: Functional Conservation of the First Step in Oligosaccharide-Lipid Assembly

Abstract The gene gpt encoding uridine diphosphate N-acetyl-D-glucosamine:dolichol phosphate N-acetylglucosaminylphosphoryltransferase (L-G1PT) was isolated by screening a Schizosaccharomyces pombe genomic DNA library in λ phage under low-stringency hybridization using the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene ALG7 as probe. Sequencing 2.4 kb of S. pombe DNA revealed a 1338-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a hydrophobic protein of 446 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 49,852. The S. pombe protein was 50% identical to the S. cerevisiae protein and 43% identical to the protein from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Overexpression of the gpt gene in S. pombe cells increased resistance to tunicamycin 25-fold and increased the specific activity of the enzyme in isolated cell membranes 13-fold. This was accompanied by a 50-fold increase in poly(A)+ RNA hybridizing to the gpt probe. Northern analysis indicated a single 1.8-kb message is transcribed from the gpt gene. The gpt gene is essential for viability of S. pombe. Cells containing a disrupted ORF could be rescued by an expression plasmid containing either the intact S. pombe gpt ORF or the CHO L-G1PT cDNA. The S. pombe gpt gene was mapped to chromosome 2 near top1 and ade1.
Hodgkin's disease, stages I and II. Relationship of recurrence to size of disease, radiation dose, and number of sites involved

A total of 57 patients with Hodgkin's disease limited to above the diaphragm (Stages I and II, A and B) were treated with radiation therapy alone at the University of Florida between 1964 and 1974. Staging laparotomy was done on 24 patients (42%). A total of 16 patients have relapsed, 4 within the treatment fields, 3 marginally, and 9 as extensions. Analysis of dose vs. size showed no in-field failure with disease less than 6 cm in size, with a range of doses. Massive disease continued to recur occasionally, even with higher doses. Most of the massive disease was mediastinal or hilar; the risk of lung or pleural involvement as determined by x-ray and/or biopsy showed a dramatic increase with size of mediastinal/hilar disease. Only 2 (5%) of 43 patients with mediastinal disease less than 6 cm in size had lung or pleural involvement, compared with 10 (71%) of 14 patients with disease greater than 6 cm in size. Both in-field recurrence and generalized relapse were closely related to the number of anatomical sites involved. Treatment programs need to consider tumor size, particularly in the mediastinum, and the number of sites involved.
MULTIWALLED CARBON NANOTUBE POLYMER COMPOSITES: SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THIN FILMS

The aim of this article was to elucidate the basic relationships between processing conditions and the mechanical and electrical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotube reinforced polymer composites. In conventional chopped fiber reinforced polymer composites, uniform distributions of fibers throughout the matrix are critical to producing materials with superior physical properties. Previous methods have dispersed carbon nanotubes by aggressive chemical modification of the nanotubes or by the use of a surfactant prior to dispersion. 1, 2 Here, ultrasonic energy was used to uniformly disperse multiwalled nanotubes (MWNTs) in solutions and to incorporate them into composites without chemical pretreatment. Polystyrene (PS) solutions containing MWNTs were cast and spun to yield thin film MWNT composites. The rheology of PS/MWNT suspensions was modeled using the Carreau equation. MWNTs were found to align at the shear rates generated by the spin casting process. The tensile modulus and strain to failure of samples compared well to classical micromechanical models, increasing with MWNT loading. The composite films showed lower strains at the yield stress than neat PS films. The presence of MWNTs at 2.5 vol % fraction approximately doubles the tensile modulus, and transforms the film from insulating to conductive (surface resistivity, ρ, approaching 103 Ω/□). © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2660–2669, 2002
Microchannel plate life tests.

The behavior of the gain of a microchannel plate (MCP) during operation of the latter at moderate output currents was investigated. The total charge per unit area, Q, extracted from the MCP is shown to be the relevant quantity for evaluating MCP performance. The shape of the gain versus Q curve provides information on the gain decay process. Long periods of stable gain, frequently exhibited by channeltrons, were not observed in the present experiment.
Treatment of Cardiac Arrest with Rapid Defibrillation by Police in King County, Washington

AbstractBackground. Improving survival from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is an ongoing challenge for emergency medical services (EMS). Various strategies for shortening the time from collapse to defibrillation have been used, and one is to equip police officers with defibrillators. Objective. We evaluated the programmatic implementation of police defibrillation to determine if such a program could improve the process of care in a high-functioning and mature EMS system. Methods. We conducted a prospective observational study of implementation of a police defibrillation in two police departments in King County, Washington, from March 1, 2010 to March 31, 2012. The program was designed to dispatch police specifically to cases with a high suspicion of cardiac arrest, defined as a patient who was unconscious and not breathing normally. We included all nontraumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest events that occurred prior to EMS arrival and within the city limits of the two cities. We collected both EMS and p...
Synthetic lac operator DNA is functional in vivo

Blunt end ligation with an EcoRI/ octanucleotide “linker” was used to construct a plasmid containing chemically synthesized lac operator DNA. This plasmid renders the host bacterium constitutive for β-galactosidase.
Preventive systemic antibiotics in colorectal surgery.

Abstract Background: Elective colon surgery has the highest rate of surgical site infection (SSI) of any elective procedure in surgery. The evolution of strategies for the prevention of SSI has had the correct use of preventive antibiotics as a crucial component. Methods: Review of the pertinent English-language literature. Results: Correct use of prophylactic antibiotics in elective colon surgery requires that the drug have activity against colonic aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, be administered immediately before the surgical incision, and not be continued into the postoperative period. All of the documented and many of the theoretically feasible antibiotic choices are discussed in terms of their advantages for this indication. Conclusions: The best outcomes in the prevention of SSI in elective colon surgery are achieved when appropriate systemic antibiotics are employed in conjunction with the appropriate use of oral antibiotic bowel preparation.
The metabolic consequence of visual deprivation in the rat.

The effects of visual conditions during rearing were measured metabolically in adult rats. Quantitative 2-deoxy[14C]glucose autoradiography was performed on pigmented rats raised from birth in either total darkness or ambient laboratory light. One eye was enucleated on the day of the experiment and glucose utilization was determined in the presence of ambient laboratory light or total darkness. The optic centers of subjects raised in total darkness and tested in ambient light had the highest rates of glucose utilization compared to any of the other 3 groups. The lateral geniculate nucleos (pars dorsalis and pars ventralis), lateral posterior nucleus and superior colliculus exhibited the greatest changes. Normally reared rats showed very little metabolic difference between total darkness and ambient laboratory light. These results demonstrated that dark rearing increases the rates of glucose utilization in the rodent visual system. However, the extent of these increases is dependent upon stimulus conditions during measurement and the optic center being measured.
In the absence of T cells, natural killer cells protect from mortality due to HSV-1 encephalitis.

The importance of natural killer (NK) cells in the resistance to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), a common infection of immunocompromised patients, is unclear. Previous data on the role of NK cells in murine HSV-1 infection has been contradictory. Adoptive transfer studies suggested that NK cells mediated resistance to HSV-1, but in vivo depletion approaches demonstrated that NK cells were not important. We studied the course of HSV-1 infection after intranasal (i.n.) inoculation of E26 mice (lacking NK and T cells), T cell knockout (T cell ko) mice (lacking T cells only), or normal control mice. The E26 mice showed greater mortality and an impaired ability to clear virus from lung and brain compared to T cell ko mice and control mice, and had severe necrotizing HSV-1 encephalitis. Therefore, the data support the hypothesis that NK cells play an important role in the natural defense of murine HSV-1 infection.
UC Davis XIPline ('zipline') End-Station at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource: Development and Experimental Results

Abstract The X-ray fluorescence Induced by Polychromatic Beam end-station (XIPline, pronounced “zipline”) began development and operation at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL) in early 2012. The end-station is a collaboration of the University of California Davis, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the SSRL. Since its initial development, the end-station has been used as an element specific analytical tool for a variety of environmental, metallic, and mineral samples. Presented here are the motivations for development, the specifications of the beamline end-station, and two examples of recent experiments performed. Specifically we look at analysis of an aerosol deposited substrate to demonstrate the main purpose of this line and we also show our analysis of the recent Sutter׳s Mill Meteorite, an example of bulk sample analysis.
Enforced expression of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-3 affects functional capillary morphogenesis and inhibits tumor growth in a murine tumor model.

Homeostasis of the extracellular matrix is a delicate balance between degradation and remodeling, the balance being maintained by the interaction of activated matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and specific tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Up-regulation of MMP activity, favoring proteolytic degradation of the basement membrane and extracellular matrix, has been linked to tumor growth and metastasis, as well as tumor-associated angiogenesis, whereas inhibition of MMP activity appears to restrict these processes. We have used retroviral-mediated gene delivery to effect sustained autocrine expression of TIMP-3 in murine neuroblastoma and melanoma tumor cells in order to further examine the ability of TIMPs to inhibit angiogenesis in vivo. Growth of both histologic types of gene-modified tumor cells in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice was significantly restricted when compared with controls. Grossly, these tumors were small and had few feeding vessels. Histologic evaluation revealed that although tumors overexpressing TIMP-3 had an increased number of CD31+endothelial cells, these endothelial cells had not formed functional tubules, as evidenced by decreased vessel continuity and minimal pericyte recruitment. This effect appears to be mediated, in part, by decreased expression of vascular endothelial (VE)–cadherin by endothelial cells in the presence of TIMP-3 as seen both in an in vitro assay and in TIMP-3–overexpressing tumors. Taken together, these results demonstrate that overexpression of TIMP-3 can inhibit angiogenesis and associated tumor growth, and that the antiangiogenic effects of TIMP-3 appear to be mediated through the inhibition of functional capillary morphogenesis.
Note on computing autocorrelations

A method is described whereby an autocorrelation may be computed with slightly over half the usual number of multiplication operations.
Perspectives on the long-term dynamics of lakes in the landscape

Abstract Lakes are valued as a part of our “sense of place” at a very local and personal level. Yet protecting a treasured lake from unwanted change increasingly requires that we address long-term drivers acting over broad spatial scales. Global climate change and invasion of exotics, for examples, cannot be dealt with efficiently or even at all at an individual lake scale. Protecting our lake requires regional and global advocacy and action. When we do not act at these longer and broader scales we are often beset with surprises, live with problems not of our choosing, seek solutions for thousands of lakes one lake at a time, and often must live with or manage the consequences of irreversible changes.
Rheumatoid factor from periodontitis patients cross-reacts with epitopes on oral bacteria

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the antigenic specificity of rheumatoid factor (RF) that had previously been reported in the serum of patients with periodontitis. DESIGN: IgM-RF was isolated from the serum of five RF-seropositive rheumatoid arthritis patients and 14 RF-seropositive periodontitis patients and examined for specificity to human IgG and selected oral bacteria. METHODS: IgM-RF was prepared by affinity chromatography on human IgG columns. Human IgG antibody to Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleaturn, and Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was isolated by binding and elution of antibody from the bacteria, followed by purification using a rabbit anti-lgG affinity column. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Binding of the isolated IgM-RF was determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The antigens used for detection of binding included isolated human IgG, human IgG antibody bound to the bacteria, and the bacteria alone. Inhibition of the IgM-RF binding with IgG or Fcγ was used to assess the specificity of the reactivity with IgG and/or the bacteria. RESULTS: The results showed that the IgM-RF reacted with polyclonal human IgG nonspecifically bound to microtiter plates. The reactivity of the IgM-RF was increased when incubated with IgG that bound as antibody to C. gingivalis, F. nucleaturn or A. actinomyceternco-mitans. However, the IgM-RF did not bind with increased intensity to the specific IgG antibody preparations or to IgG preparations lacking antibody to these microorganisms. Additionally, the IgM-RF preparations bound to surface components of both C. gingivalis and F. nucleatum. Blocking studies showed that Fcγ but not IgG inhibited IgM-RF binding to both micro-organisms. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that the RF detected in the serum of some periodontitis patients may be elicted by certain micro-organisms in the subgingival plaque. Furthermore, C. gingivalis and F. nucleaturn appear to express surface antigen epitopes that are antigenically related to determinants on IgG and can induce cross-reactive IgM-RF.