cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Two-Hydrogen Transfer as a Mechanism for Efficient CO2 Reduction

Two-hydrogen transfer (simultaneous protic and hydridic hydrogen transfer) is examined as a potentially efficient mechanism for the selective reduction of CO2 to methanol. High-level ab initio CCSD(T) coupled-cluster theory simulations of ammonia−borane (AB), which contains both protic and hydridic hydrogen, show the effectiveness of this mechanism. AB demonstrates how simultaneous two-hydrogen transfer is kinetically efficient because (1) two-hydrogen transfer avoids high-energy single-electron-reduced intermediates, (2) the CO2’s HOMO is protonated while the LUMO is concurrently reduced by a hydride, and (3) complementary charge polarities around the six-membered-ring transition-state structures stabilize the transition states. This study suggests that an effective mechanism for the reduction of CO2 to methanol proceeds through three two-hydrogen-transfer steps and that suitable catalysts should be developed that exploit two-hydrogen transfer without the use of AB.
Wireless sensor networks: learning and teaching

There have been many response deficiencies cited regarding a fire department's ability to fight a structure fire. The attacks on the World Trade Center on 9/11 highlighted many of these problems and demanded the attention of the world. Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) can benefit fire fighters as they bravely enter a structure fire. WSNs are networks consisting of many small sensors or nodes. The sensors can monitor a variety of data, such as the environment, movement and patient health readings. There has been much research completed in the area of WSNs but most of this research is proven via simulations with little actual experimentation or deployment of devices. Wireless sensor networks is an exciting and a new area of research; it has captured the interest of many researchers. The intrigue easily attracts the attention of students as well. With the help of various students, a wireless sensor network will be deployed in a fire training center to test a deployment in a structure. The primary measurement will be the performance of the sensors and the sensor network. Several students have been utilized to assist in writing the necessary programs, and more will continue to contribute to the project. This project will maintain research in utilizing WSNs in a fire fighting scenario and will continue to employ students to get them excited about learning and research.
Visceral, vascular, and wound complications following over 13,000 lateral interbody fusions: a survey study and literature review

Minimally invasive lateral interbody fusion (MIS-LIF) has become a popular less invasive treatment option for degenerative spinal disease, deformity, and trauma. While MIS-LIF offers several advantages over traditional anterior and posterior approaches, the procedure is not without risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of visceral, vascular, and wound complications following MIS-LIF performed by experienced surgeons. A survey was conducted by experienced (more than 100 case experience) MIS-LIF surgeons active in the society of lateral access surgery (SOLAS) to collect data on wound infections and visceral and vascular injuries. Of 77 spine surgeons surveyed, 40 (52 %) responded, including 25 (63 %) orthopedic surgeons and 15 (38 %) neurosurgeons, with 20 % practicing at an academic institution and 80 % in community practice. Between 2003 and 2013, 13,004 patients were treated with MIS-LIF by the 40 surgeons who responded to the survey. Of those patients, 0.08 % experienced a visceral complication (bowel injury), 0.10 % experienced a vascular injury, 0.27 % experienced a superficial wound infection, and 0.14 % experienced a deep wound infection. The incidence of surgical site infections and vascular and visceral complications following MIS-LIF in this large series was low and compared favorably with rates for alternative interbody fusion approaches. Although technically demanding, MIS-LIF is a reproducible approach for interbody fusion with a low risk of vascular and visceral complications and infections.
Elastic constants of polycrystalline Y1Ba2Cu3Ox

We measured the elastic constants of polycrystalline Y1Ba2Cu3Ox with eleven oxygen contents varying from 6.2 to 6.9. Reported properties include sound velocities; bulk, shear, Young’s moduli; Poisson ratio; Debye temperature. After correction to the void-free state, the measurements fail to show a systematic dependence on oxygen content. Focusing on the bulk modulus, all measurements fall below an ionic-crystal model prediction, by 5–50%. We attribute this macroscopic softness to either microcracks or weak grain-boundary mechanical linkages. For the case x = 6.9, we suggest a set of intrinsic elastic constants.
Activity reduction of radioactive mixed wastes for subsequent carboxylate determinations

Tank wastes are usually very basic, pH>12, and extremely radioactive. An ion exchange method for removing most of the radioactive components has been developed. The sample can then be removed from the hot cell facility to be analyzed for chelator, chelator fragments, and low-molecular weight acids. The use of cation exchange resin in the sample preparation does not introduce or remove any organic carbon.
Isothermal crystallization of isotactic polypropylene in dotriacontane. I: Effect of nucleating agent addition on overall crystallization kinetics

The overall isothermal crystallization kinetics for nucleated and non-nucleated isotactic polypropylene (iPP)-dotriacontane systems was investigated. Adipic acid was used as the nucleating agent. Half-time was determined via differential scanning calorimetry as a function of the experimentally controlled variables dilution, crystallization temperature, and the addition of nucleating agent. The influence of these variables on crystallization mechanism and spherulitic structure, as implied by the Avrami analysis, was determined. The influence of these variables on fold surface energy was examined by the Lauritzen and Hoffman analysis.
Stock‐Price Effects of Internet Buy‐Sell Recommendations: The Motley Fool Case

The Motley Fool has attracted significant notoriety for stock market buy-sell advice on the Internet. Across five different investment portfolios, Motley Fool buy recommendations appear to generate an average 1.62% rise in stock prices on the announcement day (0), and 2.40% returns over the announcement period (−1, +1). Sell recommendations seem to cause a −1.49% announcement day return, and a −3.33% announcement period return. Small cap growth stock buy recommendations for The Motley Fool's flagship Rule Breaker Portfolio are associated with returns of 3.66% on the announcement day, and a 6.15% return over the announcement period. These findings suggest herd-like behavior among Internet investors, and that such announcements are more newsworthy than second-hand buy-sell recommendations published in traditional print and electronic media.
Finite‐element modeling of stress distribution and migration in interconnecting studs of a three‐dimensional multilevel device structure

A finite‐element method taking into account plasticity and temperature‐dependent properties of materials was used to calculate the stress distribution in interconnecting studs of a three‐dimensional multilevel device structure. A good correlation between the calculated locations of stress concentration and the experimentally observed failure sites was obtained. On the basis of this, the failure mechanisms associated with different stress components were inferred. In addition, the calculated locations of stress concentration were found to migrate as temperature changed. The phenomenon was also observed experimentally.
Clinical Profile of Anti-PL-12 Autoantibody: Cohort Study and Review of the Literature

Background The antisynthetase syndrome consists of interstitial lung disease, arthritis, myositis, fever, mechanic's hands, and Raynaud phenomenon in the presence of an antisynthetase autoantibody, most commonly anti-Jo-1. It is believed that all the antisynthetases are associated with a similar clinical profile, but definitive data in this diverse group are lacking. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical profile of anti-PL-12, an antisynthetase autoantibody directed against alanyl-transfer RNA synthetase. Methods Thirty-one subjects with anti-PL-12 autoantibody were identified from the databases at the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Johns Hopkins Medical Center, and Brigham and Women's Hospital. The medical charts were reviewed and the following data were recorded: demographic information; pulmonary and rheumatologic symptoms; connective tissue disease diagnoses; serologic autoantibody findings; CT scan results; BAL findings; pulmonary function test results; lung histopathology; and treatment interventions. Results The median age at symptom onset was 51 years; 81% were women and 52% were African American. Ninety percent of anti-PL-12-positive patients had ILD, 65% of whom presented initially to a pulmonologist. Ninety percent of anti-PL-12-positive patients had an underlying CTD. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis were the most common underlying diagnoses. Raynaud phenomenon occurred in 65% of patients, fever in 45% of patients, and mechanic's hands in 16% of patients. Test results for the presence of antinuclear antibody were positive in 48% of cases. Conclusions Anti-PL-12 is strongly associated with the presence of ILD, but less so with myositis and arthritis. Idiopathic ILD diagnosed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may, in fact, be associated with anti-PL-12 and be a “forme fruste” of an underlying autoimmune disorder.
Transmission of ground squirrel hepatitis virus to homologous and heterologous hosts.

The infectivity and host range of ground squirrel hepatitis virus (GSHV) have been further examined by animal inoculation experiments. Although carrier squirrel sera usually harbor 109 to 1010 virions per ml as determined by physical measurements, titration of one such serum revealed that squirrel infectivity was lost following dilution of the sample over 106-fold. Infectivity is markedly reduced by NP40 pretreatment of infected serum. GSHV infection cannot be readily transmitted to several related ground squirrel species, but chipmunks can be experimentally infected by GSHV virions or by cloned GSHV DNA, and the resulting infection closely resembles that seen in the normal host.
Neutral beam heating applications and development

The technique of heating the plasma in magnetically confined fusion devices by the injection of intense beams of neutral atoms is described. The basic principles governing the physics of neutral beam heating and cosiderations involved in determining the injection energy, power, and pulse length required for a fusion reactor are discussed. The pertinent experimental results from various fusion devices are surveyed to illustrate the efficacy of this technique. The second part of the paper is devoted to the technology of producing the neutral beams. A state-of-the-art account of the development of neutral injectors is presented, and the prospects for utilizing neutral injection to heat the plasma in a fusion reactor are examined.
Options for at-wavelength inspection of patterned extreme ultraviolet lithography masks

The final qualification of masks for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography may require defect inspection utilizing EUV radiation. To properly address inspection of masks for the 0.07-micrometer technology generation targeted by EUV lithography, the overall defect sensitivity requirements and scaling trends in inspection of patterned masks are discussed. To achieve the data acquisition rates of several hundred megapixels/sec required during inspection of 0.07-micrometer technology masks and to maintain light intensities below the damage threshold of mask materials, simultaneous acquisition of the inspection signal from multiple pixels on the mask, rather than the serial pixel data collection currently used in many mask inspection tools, will become necessary. The high data rates needed for future mask inspection technologies impose requirements on the minimum pulse repetition rate of the light source used in the inspection and influence the EUV mask inspection system design options. EUV light sources that either produce continuous-wave radiation or operate at pulse repetition rates of at least 10 - 100 kHz will be needed for mask inspection relevant to EUV technology, assuming that data from 104 or more pixels can be measured in parallel. The average EUV light source power requirements for an at- wavelength, bright-field EUV mask inspection system are estimated to be on the order of 1 W. The basic technologies for sources, optics, and detectors needed for at-wavelength EUV mask inspection currently exist but significant efforts to develop the numerous system components would be necessary to implement practical EUV mask inspection tools.
A Survey of Intraocular Silicone Oil Use in the United States

Purpose: This survey was conducted to determine the pattern of usage of intravitreal silicone oil in the United States. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 542 members of the Retina and Vitreous Societies in December 1990, and again 6 weeks later in an attempt to improve the response rate. Results: Two hundred eighty-seven questionnaires (53%) were returned. Ninety-eight percent of the respondents perform vitreous surgery, and 61 % of them use silicone oil. This survey determined the degree of participation in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)- and institutional review board-approved protocols and the most common indications for use of silicone oil. Ninety-six percent of the respondents indicated that the use of silicone oil represented an acceptable standard of care. Conclusion: Silicone oil is widely used in the United States despite its lack of FDA approval.
Intestinal Microflora: Metabolism of Drugs and Carcinogens

The intestinal microflora are capable of performing a wide variety of metabolic transformations. The digestive tract can be exposed to orally ingested, bile excreted, or blood-borne exogenous and endogenous substances that can be converted by the intestinal flora into carcinogens, mutagens, cocarcinogens or tumor promoting agents. In addition, the intestinal microflora can metabolize a wide variety of pharmacological agents resulting in production of metabolites required for the physiological activity of these agents or conversely in the inactivation of these agents. This article reviews the current knowledge of the relationship between the intestinal microflora and the metabolic reactions leading to the transformation of drugs and the production of mutagenic or carcinogenic compounds. The composition and distribution of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract is discussed and the type of reactions these bacteria perform is summarized. The conversion of specific substrates such as, rutin, digoxin, cycasin, azulfidine and cyclamate are discussed and the physiological implication of these conversions are presented.
Ionic conductivity in lithium aluminosilicate xerogels and gel films

Abstract Xerogel formulations containing x = 3, 5, 10 and 14 mol% of alumina were prepared in the 15 mol% lithia − (85 − x ) mol% silica system. The precursor for the silica was tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). Lithium and aluminum nitrates dissolved in water/ethanol mixtures were used for the other components. Bulk gels were dried for measurement of ionic conductivity, using ac complex impedance spectroscopy over the temperature range room temperature (23 °C) to 350 °C. A thin film was prepared, as well, on an electroded surface acoustic wave (SAW) device. The conductivities of the thin film and the corresponding xerogel of the same composition were similar and showed the same temperature dependence. Conductivities were as high as 10 −6 S/cm and stable. The ionic conductivity at a given temperature increased with increasing substitution of alumina for silica.
At the heart of the chromosome: SMC proteins in action

Structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) proteins are ubiquitous in organisms from bacteria to humans, and function as core components of the condensin and cohesin complexes in eukaryotes. SMC proteins adopt a V-shaped structure with two long arms, each of which has an ATP-binding head domain at the distal end. It is important to understand how these uniquely designed protein machines interact with DNA strands and how such interactions are modulated by the ATP-binding and -hydrolysis cycle. An emerging idea is that SMC proteins use a diverse array of intramolecular and intermolecular protein-protein interactions to actively fold, tether and manipulate DNA strands.
A Direct Synthesis of γ-Ethoxy Dienones

Abstract In conjunction with quassinoid model studies we required dienones such as 1 or their derived dienols for use in Diels-Alder reactions. No general synthetic routes to this class of compounds have to our knowledge been reported. A recent comprehensive review on alkoxy dienes1 does not contain a single example of a diene with this substitution pattern. After some unsuccessful efforts, we initiated the sequence of reactions shown below. The reaction of ethoxyvinyl lithium2 with 3-ethoxy-2-cyclohexenone proceeded i n excellent yield. We recognized that the hydrolysis of 2 could present a problem since the acidic hydrolysis of both 3-alkoxy allylic alcohols3 and 2-alkoxy allylic alcohols4 is known to afford conjugated enones. Moreover, the conditions must be sufficiently mild that the enol ether in the product is not affected. Various aqueous acid condition3,4 provided mixtures of products. However, silica gel chromatography of alcohol 2 produced dienone 1 in 94% yield from 3-ethoxy-2-cyclohexenone! Re...
Preparation of Nanocrystalline Titanium Silicide Powder and Its Consolidation Using Sodium Silicate

Statistical design of experiments was employed to assess the effect of mechanical alloying variables and the chemical binder (sodium silicate) percentage on the crystallite size of mechanical alloyed titanium silicide powder and the microhardness of samples consolidated by chemical bonding. The results indicate that mechanical alloying the powder with higher milling time, higher milling speed and lower ball-to-powder ratio and consolidating with 20% sodium silicate gives a combination of fine crystallite size and good microhardness in the compact.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
“Being Heard”: Qualitative Research Conundrums With Individuals With Developmental Disabilities

This article examines qualitative research dilemmas encountered with participants who have communication, physical and cognitive impairments. A review of the extant literature indicates the importa...
Surgery resident working conditions and job satisfaction.

Introduction Medical students demonstrate decreased interest in surgical residencies and resident attrition after entry into programs has been reported at 14% to 20%. This study surveyed surgery residents regarding working conditions and how those conditions influenced their job satisfaction. Methods A new survey was developed to measure residents' working conditions. Questions generated from literature review were expanded and validated through focus groups at 2 academic medical centers. The resulting survey was administered on general/vascular surgery services at 52 hospitals along with a job-satisfaction scale. Questions were grouped into composite measures using factor analysis. Correlations were calculated between working conditions and job satisfaction at the individual and the hospital level. Results In 844 returned surveys, resident job satisfaction did not correlate with age, sex, or postgraduate year. Perceived quality of patient care was the strongest (R = .51) of 68 items that did correlate (P Conclusions Our data confirm prior studies indicating that the teaching skills of the attending and the duty hours influence resident satisfaction. More important than these factors, however, were the effectiveness of systems and staff that facilitate the residents' job—care of the patient. Resident satisfaction and student recruitment efforts could be enhanced by the Program and Hospital Director's correction of deficiencies in these areas.
Ion and nonelectrolyte permeability properties of channels formed in planar lipid bilayer membranes by the cytolytic toxin from the sea anemone, Stoichactis helianthus.

When present at nanomolar concentrations on one side of a lipid bilayer membrane,helianthus toxin (a protein of mol wt≈16,000) increases enormously membrane permeability to ions and nonelectrolytes by forming channels in the membrane. Membranes containing sphingomyelin are especially sensitive to toxin, but sphingomyelin isnot required for toxin action. Conductance is proportional to about the 4th power of toxin concentration. Single channel conductances are approximately 2×10−10 mho in 0.1m KCl. Toxin-treated membranes are more permeable to K+ and Na+ than to Cl− and SO 4 = , but the degree of selectivity is pH dependent. Above pH 7 membranes are almost ideally selective for K+ with respect to SO 4 = , whereas below pH 4 they are poorly selective. The channels show classical molecular sieving for urea, glycerol, glucose, and sucrose — implying a channel radius >5 A. In symmetrical salt solutions above pH 7, theI–V characteristic of the channel shows significant rectification: below pH 5 there is very little rectfication. Because of the effects of pH on ion selectivity and channel conductance, and also because of the rectification in symmetrical salt solutions and the effect of pH on this, we conclude that there are titratable negative charge groups in the channel modulating ion permeability and selectivity. Since pH changes on the side containing the toxin are effective whereas pH changes on the opposite side are not, we place these negative charges near the mouth of the channel facing the solution to which toxin was added.
A sense of scent: A review of two books dealing with primate endocrinology

Stoddart, D. Michael. The Scented Ape: The Biology of Human Odour. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990. ix + 286 pp. including glossary, references, and index. $80 cloth, $24.95 paper. Ziegler, Toni E. and Fred B. Bercovitch, eds. Socioendocrinology of Primate Reproduction. New York: Wiley‐Liss, 1990. viii + 217 pp. including chapter references and index. $72.50 cloth.
Maintaining a Heterosexual Identity: Sexual Meanings Among a Sample of Heterosexually Identified Men Who Have Sex with Men

Heterosexually identified men who have sex with men are an understudied group for whom there is little knowledge of the social and sexual meanings of their same-sex encounters. This study employed qualitative methods to better understand the maintenance of a heterosexual identity in the face of discordant sexual behaviors. Open-ended, in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 heterosexually identified men (M age, 39.85 years) who reported at least one sexual encounter with a male in the previous year but not more than one sexual encounter per month with a male. Of the participants, 61.9% were African American/black, 28.6% were currently married, 71.4% reported current substance use, and 57.1% were HIV infected. Participants did not consider their same-sex activities as discrepant with their heterosexual identity as these activities were coded as infrequent, recreational, accidental, or an economic necessity. They avoided intimacy by depersonalizing male sexual partners, limiting gestures (e.g., kissing, hugging, eye contact, conversation), and by distancing themselves from gay-identified venues. Participants transferred responsibility for their same-sex sexual activities by blaming external factors, such as a fight with their wife or substance use, for the sexual encounters. Despite their ability to compartmentalize these sexual encounters, many participants expressed guilt and shame when discussing their same sex experiences.
Comparing two tests used for diagnostic or screening purposes

We present a Bayesian approach to the comparison of two binary diagnostic tests in a decision framework. We also show how a binary test that depends on a random variable may be optimally dichotomized with respect to the loss function.
Gain-Scheduled Adaptive Control for Seismically Excited Hybrid Structures

A nonlinear controller is developed using gain-scheduled adaptation for a six-story, base-isolated office building subjected to strong earthquakes. Several linearized models and a scheduled piecewise linear model of the structure are developed using a finite-element nonlinear model. Compensators are designed, based on the \iH\D∞\N control design method using the linearized models. The family of designed compensators is then gain-scheduled. The selected scheduling variable is a combination of the interstory ductility and the measured earthquake magnitude. The performance and robustness of the gain-scheduled adaptive controller is extensively studied for a variety of earthquake records and uncertainties, ranging from structure parameter variations to controller hardware-related time delays. All controller simulations are performed using the detailed finite-element nonlinear structure model. A key advantage of the gain-scheduled adaptive controller, compared to a constant-gain controller, is the reduction of up to 40% in the applied control forces while maintaining the same closed-loop performance.
Right ventricular pathology in chronic pulmonary hypertension

Right ventricular free wall biopsy specimens in 40 patients undergoing surgery for relief of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension were normal in 5%, disclosed only myocyte hypertrophy in 80%, mild focal fibrosis in 12.5%, and myocarditis in 2.5%. There was no relation between postsurgical functional or hemodynamic outcomes and the presence of focal fibrosis.
Evaluating Gabor preprocessing for SIFT-based ocular recognition

It has been shown that SIFT is an effective recognition algorithm when applied to the ocular region[2, 4]. In addition, Gabor filters have been shown to be very useful as a preprocessing tool for machine learning driven image classification[1]. We evaluate the effect of this preprocessing approach on the performance of the SIFT algorithm when applied to ocular recognition. Our results show that the Gabor filter preprocessing does not improve the performance of the SIFT algorithm in the realm of ocular recognition.
Tribology issues of contact and proximity recording technology

We discuss tribology issues of the head/disk interface for proximity and contact recording situations. We begin by first reviewing different approaches toward contact recording and then discuss key elements of proximity recording technology from the viewpoint of tribology, concentrating on the head/disk interface for tripad sliders and sub-ambient-pressure tripad sliders. Experimental results are then discussed for the acoustic emission at the slider/disk interface of proximity recording tripad sliders, and a numerical model for the calculation of the contact location as a function of velocity is presented. Recent investigations using phase-demodulated interferometry are then presented to analyze details of the transition of a proximity recording slider from sliding to "flying." Finally, stiction of laser-textured disks and proximity recording sliders is discussed, and a model is presented for the dependence of stiction on humidity.
Local Nordic tobacco interests collaborated with multinational companies to maintain a united front and undermine tobacco control policies

Objective To analyse how local tobacco companies in the Nordic countries, individually and through National Manufacturers9 Associations, cooperated with British American Tobacco and Philip Morris in denying the health hazards of smoking and undermining tobacco control. Methods Analysis of tobacco control policies in the Nordic countries and tobacco industry documents. Results Nordic countries were early adopters of tobacco control policies. The multinational tobacco companies recognised this fact and mobilised to oppose these policies, in part because of fear that they would set unfavourable precedents. Since at least 1972, the Nordic tobacco companies were well informed about and willing to participate in the multinational companies activities to obscure the health dangers of smoking and secondhand smoke and to oppose tobacco control policies. Cooperation between multinational companies, Nordic national manufacturer associations and local companies ensured a united front on smoking and health issues in the Nordic area that was consistent with the positions that the multinational companies were taking. This cooperation delayed smoke-free laws and undermined other tobacco control measures. Conclusions Local tobacco companies worked with multinational companies to undermine tobacco control in distant and small Nordic markets because of concern that pioneering policies initiated in Nordic countries would spread to bigger market areas. Claims by the local Nordic companies that they were not actively involved with the multinationals are not supported by the facts. These results also demonstrate that the industry appreciates the global importance of both positive and negative public health precedents in tobacco control.
Formal modeling and verification of microprocessors

This paper presents a methodology for microprocessor verification that significantly reduces the learning curve for performing verification. The methodology is formalized in the HOL theorem-proving system. The paper includes a description of a large case study performed to evaluate the methodology. The novel aspects of this research include the use of abstract theories to formalize hardware models. Because our model is described using abstract theories, it provides a framework for both the specification and the verification. This framework reduces the number of ad hoc modeling decisions that must be made to complete the verification. Another unique aspect of our research is the use of hierarchical abstractions to reduce the number of difficult lemmas in completing the verification. Our formalism frees the user from directly reasoning about the difficult aspects of modeling the hierarchy, namely the temporal and data abstractions. We believe that our formalism, coupled with case studies and tools, allows microprocessor verification to be done by engineers with relatively little experience in microprocessor specification or logic. We are currently testing that hypothesis by using the methodology to teach graduate students formal microprocessor modeling. >
Equilibrium analysis of one aggressive investment strategy

This paper presents an equilibrium analysis of one type of aggressive investment strategy that ensures a high return subject to accepting risk. We focus on the comparison between this aggressive strategy and a relatively conservative strategy — portfolio insurance. We demonstrate that the aggressive strategy enlarges investment opportunities, and that the market behaves more stable with the presence of aggressive investors than the market with conservative investors only.
Cooperative adaptive sampling of random fields with partially known covariance

SUMMARY This paper considers autonomous robotic sensor networks taking measurements of a physical process for predictive purposes. The physical process is modeled as a spatiotemporal random field. The network objective is to take samples at locations that maximize the information content of the data. The combination of information-based optimization and distributed control presents difficult technical challenges as standard measures of information are not distributed in nature. Moreover, the lack of prior knowledge on the statistical structure of the field can make the problem arbitrarily difficult. Assuming the mean of the field is an unknown linear combination of known functions and its covariance structure is determined by a function known up to an unknown parameter, we provide a novel distributed method for performing sequential optimal design by a network comprised static and mobile devices. We characterize the correctness of the proposed algorithm and examine in detail the time, communication, and space complexities required for its implementation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Yersinia pestis YopE Contains a Dominant CD8 T Cell Epitope that Confers Protection in a Mouse Model of Pneumonic Plague

Septic bacterial pneumonias are a major cause of death worldwide. Several of the highest priority bioterror concerns, including anthrax, tularemia, and plague, are caused by bacteria that acutely infect the lung. Bacterial resistance to multiple antibiotics is increasingly common. Although vaccines may be our best defense against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, there has been little progress in the development of safe and effective vaccines for pulmonary bacterial pathogens. The Gram-negative bacterium Yersinia pestis causes pneumonic plague, an acutely lethal septic pneumonia. Historic pandemics of plague caused millions of deaths, and the plague bacilli's potential for weaponization sustains an ongoing quest for effective countermeasures. Subunit vaccines have failed, to date, to fully protect nonhuman primates. In mice, they induce the production of Abs that act in concert with type 1 cytokines to deliver high-level protection; however, the Y. pestis Ags recognized by cytokine-producing T cells have yet to be defined. In this study, we report that Y. pestis YopE is a dominant Ag recognized by CD8 T cells in C57BL/6 mice. After vaccinating with live attenuated Y. pestis and challenging intranasally with virulent plague, nearly 20% of pulmonary CD8 T cells recognize this single, highly conserved Ag. Moreover, immunizing mice with a single peptide, YopE(69-77), suffices to confer significant protection from lethal pulmonary challenge. These findings suggest YopE could be a valuable addition to subunit plague vaccines and provide a new animal model in which sensitive, pathogen-specific assays can be used to study CD8 T cell-mediated defense against acutely lethal bacterial infections of the lung.
Non-industrial private forest owner's willingness-to-harvest: How higher timber prices influence woody biomass supply

Given the large proportion of many forested landbases comprised of non-industrial private owners, there is a great need to characterize their willingness-to-harvest (WTH) bioenergy feedstocks. A choice-based study examined non-industrial private forest landowners' WTH: timber products and woody biomass, timber products only, woody biomass only, and none. A Bayesian multinomial model analyzed the impacts of timber and woody biomass prices and other explanatory variables on WTH. Landowners' demographic profile, parcel size, attitudes toward biomass harvesting and forest ownership objectives had significant effects on stated WTH. Timber revenues had a greater marginal effect on WTH of timber and woody biomass, compared with harvesting timber only highlighting the importance of strong traditional timber markets to enhance bioenergy feedstock availability. Public policy efforts aimed at increasing woody biomass supply from NIPFs might be most effective by targeting timber rather than woody biomass revenues.
A Shipboard Oceanographic Data Processing and Control System

In June of 1962 a digital computer (IBM 1710) was placed aboard the Research Vessel Chain of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. This system has made it possible to automatically sample, compute, and record the ship's heading and speed, latitude and longitude, water depth, gravity in terms of total acceleration, free-air and Bouguer anomalies, and the magnetic field of the earth. The system was expanded in November, 1963, to provide online plotting of bathymetric, gravity anomaly, and magnetic field profiles; computer control of gravity meter spring tension; processing of ocean surface temperature and sound velocity measurements; reduction of Loran C and VLF radio navigation data to latitude and longitude; display of ship's position and numerical data at remote stations aboard the ship; and malfunction detection and alarm message generation. Three magnetic-disk storage units are used for data and program storage and provide the ability to merge real-time on-line computations with background off-line computations (time-sharing). Experiments are being made using three input/output typewriters at remote locations on the ship. The advantages of a shipboard system are described.
Carcinoma of the Stomach With Hepatocyte Differentiation (Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma)

A case of hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach is reported, and the literature is reviewed. The stomach is one of the most common sites in which hepatoid adenocarcinomas have been detected. Of the 59 cases reviewed from the literature (including the current case), a 2:1 male predominance was noted, and the serum a-fetoprotein level was almost always increased. All patients were adults, and most had evidence of metastases at the time of resection. Prognosis seems less favorable than that associated with the more common intestinal type of adenocarcinoma of the stomach. Hepatoid adenocarcinomas typically show periodic acid-Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant intracytoplasmic globules, which are demonstrated to be positive with antibodies to a-fetoprotein. The tumor cells resemble liver cells, and rare cases, including our own, have evidence of bile production. In our case, messenger RNA for albumin, unique to liver cells, was demonstrated by in situ hybridization of the tumor cells.
Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy Mimicking Neuromyelitis Optica

Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) is rarely associated with multiple sclerosis-like features. We present a case of a 65-year-old African American woman with LHON masquerading as neuromyelitis optica (NMO). We highlight the features of the clinical examination and MRI that were suggestive of an alternative diagnosis and review the literature regarding LHON and multiple sclerosis. The diagnosis of LHON should be considered in all cases of acute or subacute bilateral optic neuropathy, including presumed seronegative NMO.
Effect of NSAIDs on Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger activity in rat colonic crypts.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; 1) are widely recommended for several acute and chronic conditions. For example, both indomethacin and aspirin are taken for pain relief. Aspirin is al...
Mitigation of power system collapse through active dynamic buffers

Power electronics continues to grow as an element of electrical loads. Most such loads, including motor drives, computer power supplies, and compact fluorescent lighting, serve to "isolate" the load dynamics from the utility grid. The unfortunate effect is that these loads enforce local constant power behavior, which tends to de-stabilize the supply system. This paper reviews the power buffer concept, in which a power electronics load takes advantage of dynamic isolation to present a desired dynamic behavior to the grid. Through simulations and experimental results power buffers are shown to prevent system instabilities and voltage collapse.
Individual (N-of-1) trials can be combined to give population comparative treatment effect estimates: methodologic considerations

Objective: To compare different statistical models for combining N-of-1 trials to estimate a population treatment effect. Study Design and Setting: Data from a published series of N-of-1 trials comparing amitriptyline (AMT) therapy and combination treatment (AMT þfluoxetine [FL]) were analyzed to compare summary and individual participant data meta-analysis; repeated-measure models; Bayesian hierarchical models; and single-period, single-pair, and averaged outcome crossover models. Results: The best-fitting model included a random intercept (response on AMT) and fixed treatment effect (added FL). Results supported a common, uncorrelated within-patient covariance structure that is equal between treatments and across patients. Assuming unequal within-patient variances, a random-effect model was favored. Bayesian hierarchical models improved precision and were highly sensitive to within-patient variance priors. Conclusion: Optimal models for combining N-of-1 trials need to consider goals, data sources, and relative within- and between-patient variances. Without sufficient patients, between-patient variation will be hard to explain with covariates. N-of-1 data with few observations per patients may not support models with heterogeneous within-patient variation. With common variances, models appear robust. Bayesian models may improve parameter estimation but are sensitive to prior assumptions about variance components. With limited resources, improving within-patient precision must be balanced by increased participants to explain population variation. 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Intracellular roles of microbial aminotransferases: overlap enzymes across different biochemical pathways.

(1981). Intracellular Roles of Microbial Aminotransferases: Overlap Enzymes Across Different Biochemical Pathways. CRC Critical Reviews in Microbiology: Vol. 8, No. 3, pp. 229-266.
Morphology Mapping of Phase-Separated Polymer Films Using Nanothermal Analysis

Polymers films are attractive, in part, because their physical properties can be tuned by blending polymer with complementary characteristics. However, blending is typically challenging because most polymers will undergo phase separation, resulting in unpredictable behavior. Here, we introduce band excitation nanothermal analysis (BE-NanoTA) as a nondestructive AFM-based technique for mapping the near surface, thermal properties of polymeric coatings. BE-NanoTA was used to investigate phase separation and domain growth in poly(styrene-ran-acrylonitrile):poly(methyl methacrylate) SAN:PMMA films. The size and shape of PMMA-rich domains are consistent with prior measurements on the same system using a destructive method, namely UV-ozone etching of PMMA followed by topography mapping using standard AFM. Moreover, new insights into the mechanism of phase separation were uncovered including the observation of SAN- and PMMA-rich channels near the surface at early times as well as small SAN-rich domains trapped w...
Toxinotypes of Clostridium Perfringens Isolated from Sick and Healthy Avian Species

Currently, the factors/toxins responsible for Clostridium perfringens-associated avian enteritis are not well understood. To assess whether specific C. perfringens' toxinotypes are associated with ...
New species of pit scale, Asterolecanium russellae (Homoptera: Asterolecaniidae), from the Republic of the Philippines

A new species of scale insect, Asterolecanium russellae , on orchids from the Republic of the Philippines is described and illustrated. A modified key is provided to separate the new species from other asterolecaniids. The characteristic that distinguishes this species from other pit scales is the arrangement of large 8-shaped pores on the dorsum in seven or eight medial clusters.
Squamous Papillomas of the Conjunctiva in Dogs: A Condition Not Associated With Papillomavirus Infection

Papillomas of the conjunctival surface in people can be of viral or nonviral origin and are found in high association with human papillomavirus. Canine conjunctival papillomas are seldom described, and published accounts have mostly been associated with canine oral papillomavirus infection. Here, we describe conjunctival squamous papillomas that do not express papillomavirus proteins and compare them with papillomavirus-associated conjunctival papillomas. Conjunctival squamous papillomas presented a distinct histopathologic profile and lacked the cytopathic effects seen in viral papillomas. They appeared as exophytic, papilliferous, pedunculated lesions with delicate fronds and angular terminal margins. Squamous papillomas presented with a delicate fibrovascular core and were associated both clinically and grossly with a feeder vessel. Pigmentation was variable within the epithelium and stroma of these lesions, and inflammatory infiltrates were characteristically minimal. Conjunctival squamous papillomas resembled squamous papillomas of the skin; however, they lacked significant hyperkeratosis. Compared with conjunctival viral papillomas, these masses occurred in older dogs and were smaller and solitary. Furthermore, polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry failed to demonstrate papillomavirus genetic material and antigens in conjunctival squamous papillomas. Both viral and nonviral conjunctival papillomas were considered benign.
Toward a Model of Institutional Scholarship in Health Professions Education

Using an expanded definition of scholarship that goes beyond the scholarship of discovery (research) to include the scholarship of integration, the scholarship of application, and the scholarship of teaching, this article explains interrelationships among these scholarship types in health professions and specifically dental education. Such interrelationships can lead to meaningful expansion of scholarship especially in the form of translational research, which relies on the development of all four of these types of scholarship. In recent years, health care-related organizations have been seeking ways to expand translational research. At the same time, an increasing number of academic institutions have been considering how to redefine what qualifies as advancing one's discipline in ways that go beyond mere number of publications and grants to better reflect the faculty member's overall scholarly effort. These redefinitions and a new attention to scholarly collaboration have led to the concept of a "complete scholar": one who makes contributions in all four areas of scholarship by collaborating with other scholars, practitioners, and members of the community. Expanding the concept of a complete scholar to that of a "complete institution" is the basis for what we propose as a Model of Institutional Scholarship. This model is exemplified by the Cochrane Collaboration, a gold standard for a complete vision of research on evidence-based health care. In the Model of Institutional Scholarship, an institution can visualize, plan, develop, and orchestrate all scholarship being conducted within its realm, creating collaborations among individual efforts that will enhance effectiveness and the creation of new knowledge.
Intracellular Delivery of Proteins with Cell-Penetrating Peptides for Therapeutic Uses in Human Disease

Protein therapy exhibits several advantages over small molecule drugs and is increasingly being developed for the treatment of disorders ranging from single enzyme deficiencies to cancer. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs), a group of small peptides capable of promoting transport of molecular cargo across the plasma membrane, have become important tools in promoting the cellular uptake of exogenously delivered proteins. Although the molecular mechanisms of uptake are not firmly established, CPPs have been empirically shown to promote uptake of various molecules, including large proteins over 100 kiloDaltons (kDa). Recombinant proteins that include a CPP tag to promote intracellular delivery show promise as therapeutic agents with encouraging success rates in both animal and human trials. This review highlights recent advances in protein-CPP therapy and discusses optimization strategies and potential detrimental effects.
An Automated Packaging Machine for Lepidopterous Larvae

After modifications, a food packaging machine was used to mass rear the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). The machine dispenses 1-oz plastic containers, fills each with a selected amount of artificial diet, dispenses larvae onto the diet, and caps the container in one continuous process, Operating speed is 2000-4500 containers/hour. The machine, modifications, and operating techniques are explained.
On the Mutually Informing Relationship Between Practice and Theory in Evaluation

The relationship between theory and practice, or between theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge, is not a simple one, and rarely is it the case that theory is 'applied' to practice. This paper aims to clarify the relationship by briefly discussing the nature of practical problems and the role that theoretical knowledge plays in addressing those problems.