cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complex compound option models – Can practitioners truly operationalize them?

Abstract While there is practitioner interest in real options (RO), there are significant difficulties in practitioner use of complicated RO models, such as compound options pricing models (OPMs) of multistage investments. Drawing upon theories of learning and knowledge, we propose a general framework whereby practitioners can successfully operationalize complex OPMs. From an epistemological perspective, most academic articles on OPMs are essentially propositional knowledge representations that attest to model veracity, and they require a deep background in the analytics of options pricing to comprehend the model which many practitioners lack. A key element of our framework is that the propositional knowledge representation of complex OPMs must be accompanied by a layer of abstraction translating the propositional into procedural knowledge for using the model. Secondly, while this layer of abstraction can be embodied in a software tool for using the OPM, this must be transparently done in order to build trust in the software tool. Thirdly, in the tradition of constructivist learning, using the tool must be illustrated in the context of some contemporary business problem. Finally, a continuous engagement loop must be established which makes routine the application of the RO methodology using this tool. We demonstrate these steps in the context of Geske compound option models for multistage investments. We also show how to apply our tool to the major business problem of enterprise integration. This article therefore provides academics with prescription on fostering practitioner embrace of complex OPMs and practitioners with a tool for operationalizing n -fold compound option models.
Effects of salt concentration and freezing on mozzarella cheese texture

Abstract Compression, beam bending, and sensory evaluation (salt intensity, aged flavor, firmness, cohesiveness, and fibrousness) were used to assess effects of salt concentration (.27 to 2.40%), aging time (3 to 39 days at 5.6 C), freeze-thaw cycle, and tempering time after thawing (21 days at 5.6 C) on characteristics of low-moisture, part-skim Mozzarella cheese. Temperature of the 2.5-kg cheese loaves during freezing and during thawing changed from −1.1 to −6.7°C for freezing and vice versa for thawing in times of about 6 and 5 h respectively. None of the sensory nor mechanical tests detected a consistent and statistically significant effect of the freeze-thaw cycle on characteristics of Mozzarella cheese. Increases in salt concentration caused increases in firmness, in force at 50% compression, and decreases in cohesiveness and in maximum bending distance of cheese samples. Increases of aging time and storage time after thawing resulted in softening of cheese, the magnitude of which depended on salt concentration.
Statistical model of meteor streams I. Analysis of the model

Abstract A new model has been developed for analyzing the dynamical properties of meteor streams. It is based on the Southworth-Hawkins D-criterion of the similarity of two orbits in terms of the differences in their Keplerian elements. In contrast to the earlier stream searches, the statistical rather than the determinate concept is adopted for the definition of a stream. In particular, the proposed method emphasized the significance of the character of the D-distribution of meteors with respect to the mean orbit of a meteor stream. The mean orbital elements are computed as a weighted mean of the elements of individual meteors with D smaller than a certain limit. This process is iterated until the mean orbit converges. The calculations were performed on a high speed computer by means of a program that solved the iteration procedure and listed the meteors according to increasing D, thus giving the D-distribution to be studied. To test the method, empirical D-distributions were obtained for some major streams from the Harvard- Smithsonian Radio Meteor Project survey of more than 19 000 orbits. We have assumed the empirical D-distribution for each stream to consist of an intrinsic Maxwellian D-distribution of the stream, contaminated by a sporadic-background D-distribution. Eliminating the latter by analyzing artificial samples of meteors with randomly distributed orbits, we have developed a graphical method for determining the intrinsic dispersion, σ, in the stream's D-distribution. Model calculations suggest that as a result of planetary perturbations, σ increases secularly. There is some evidence that σ could serve to estimate the mean age of streams, but more studies on this subject are necessary.
A simple IR spectroscopic method for determining fictive temperature of silica glasses

Infrared spectroscopy was used to determine fictive temperature of silica glasses. Positions of both the fundamental structural band at ∼ 1122 cm−1 monitored in infrared (IR) reflection mode and an overtone of this band at ∼ 2260 cm−1 monitored in IR transmission mode were found to be directly correlated with the glass fictive temperature. At any particular fictive temperature, the equilibrium structural band positions were found to be independent of the impurity content, such as hydroxyl, in different types of silica glass. From band shifts, the average SiOSi bond angle was computed to decrease by about 1.3° when the fictive temperature increased from 950 to 1400°C. Using this method, fictive temperatures of various as-received silica glasses were determined.
Features around embedded moonlets in Saturn's rings: The role of self-gravity and particle size distributions

This paper presents the results of N-body simulations of moonlets embedded in broad rings, focusing specifically on the saturnian A ring. This work adds to previous efforts by including particle self-gravity and particle size distributions. The discussion here focuses primarily on the features that form in the background particles as a result of the moonlet. Particle self-gravity tends to damp out features produced by embedded moonlets and this damping is enhanced if the moonlet is simply the largest member of a continuous size distribution. Observable features around an embedded moonlet appear to require that the largest ring particles be no more massive than 1/30 the mass of the moonlet. These results, compared with current and future Cassini observations, will provide insight into the nature of the particle population in the saturnian rings. Some time is also spent analyzing the way in which the background particles cluster around the moonlet. The accretion of small particles onto the moonlet can be limited by disruptive collisions with the largest ring particles in the particle size distribution.
A comparison of steerable and rigid hysteroscopy for uterine visualization and cannulation of tubal ostia.

Abstract Twenty patients underwent both rigid and steerable hysteroscopy at the time of laparoscopic tubal fulguration. During hysteroscopy, the tubal ostia were cannulated using a soft rubber probe. The rigid hysteroscope provided a better view and was easier to use. Tubal cannulation was easier and faster when the steerable instrument was utilized. With further modifications, the steerable hysteroscope could become the instrument of choice for transuterine tubal sterilization.
Estimation for the three-parameter Weibull, lognormal, and gamma distributions

New estimators for the location, scale, and shape parameters of the Weibull, lognormal, and gamma distributions are developed. The estimators are in closed form, and they do not require the simultaneous solution of nonlinear equations. Presented are the results of simulation studies conducted to compare the performances of the new estimators and those of others which have been proposed. These studies indicate that the new estimators are better, at least as far as bias and mean square error are concerned.
Synthesis of LaPO4:Eu Nanostructures Using the Sol−Gel Template Method

The sol−gel template synthesis method was used to investigate size-induced changes in luminescence properties of Eu3+-doped LaPO4 materials. Both untemplated bulk powders as well as templated nanotubes ranging in size from 20 to 200 nm were synthesized. These materials were dried at 70 °C or dried and sintered at 650 °C. Powder X-ray diffraction data indicate that the untemplated dried bulk powder is a mix of hexagonal and monazite phases, whereas the dried and sintered bulk powder is a pure monazite phase. When the LaPO4:Eu material is templated, nanotubes are formed that reflect the dimensions of the template membrane. Luminescence data indicate the Eu3+ ion substitutes for the La3+ ion in the LaPO4 host lattice for both the bulk powders and the nanotubes. Notably, as the diameter of the tube decreases, the spectra broaden and the background signal increases significantly. This is likely the result of increased defects in smaller particles that have a larger surface-to-volume ratio.
Studies on the Mechanism of Action of Liver Extracts in Inhibiting Uptake of 131I in Vitro by the Rat Thyroid Gland

The recently reported in vitro antithyroid action of various rat liver preparations was investigated further with a view to localizing the site of inhibition and ascertaining if liver extracts possessed a similar antithyroid action in vivo. Normal and goitrous rat thyroids were incubated in the presence of various concentrations of liver extract in a medium containing 13lI. The uptake of 131I by the normal thyroids was greatly depressed by the liver extract, whereas the goitrous thyroids were relatively resistant to this suppressive action. Similar results were obtained with normal thyroids blocked in vitro by l-methyl-2-mercaptoimidazole (Tapazole). The uptake of 131I by the Tapazole-blocked thyroids was not further inhibited by the antithyroid liver principle. This was explained by the finding that the liver extracts exerted a selective inhibitory action on the formation of organic iodine compounds (determined as trichloroacetic acid-precipitable 131I), in common with the action of propylthiouracil or T...
Band 3 (AE1, SLC4A1)-mediated transport of stilbenedisulfonates. I: Functional identification of the proton-activated stilbenedisulfonate influx site.

Abstract Stilbenedisulfonates (SD) bind to a “primary” SD (PSD) site on the outer membrane surface of band 3, and inhibit anion exchange (AE) allosterically. Yet, evidence [Membr. Biochem. 2 (1979) 297] suggests that SD can be transported by band 3, thus raising questions about the relative locations of the transport and SD binding sites. A “second” class of DBDS (4,4′-dibenzamido-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonate) binding sites has been discovered, which is activated by protons (p K ∼ 5.0), and is located on the membrane domain of band 3 [Biochem. J. 388 (2005) 343]. Here we show that the “second” class of DBDS binding sites, not the PSD site, lies on the SD transport pathway. We compare the pH dependence of DBDS influx to DBDS binding using: (a) control cells, (b) cells selectively crosslinked at the PSD site by treatment with 300 μM BS 3 (bis(sulfosuccinimidyl)suberate), and (c) cells with DIDS (4,4′-diisothiocyanato-2,2′-stilbenedisulfonate) bound covalently to the PSD site. DBDS binds to the “second” class of sites on band 3 in all three types of cells. DBDS does not bind to the PSD sites of BS 3 - or DIDS-modified cells. Proton-activated DBDS influx was observed using control and BS 3 -modified cells, but not when using DIDS-modified cells. The results with DIDS suggest that the PSD site and the transport site overlap. However, this interpretation is disproved by experiments with BS 3 -modified cells, where the PSD site is blocked, yet DBDS transport and binding to the “second” class of sites both take place.
Algorithms in our Midst: Information, Power and Choice when Software is Everywhere

Our personal, financial and civic interactions are increasingly digitally mediated, and more and more objects come embedded with chips and sensors. As a result, a new layer of power has arisen: that of the algorithm. Software-human-constructed, often invisible and progressively pervasive-not only mediates our lives, it is increasingly used to make decisions in a diverse group areas ranging from sociality to employment to health to relationships. While automation's social, political and economic impacts have long been debated, there is now a new layer that requires consideration: algorithms, often aided by big data, now make decisions in subjective realms where there is no right decision, and no anchor with which to judge outcomes. What is good? What is relevant? What is important? Who is right? What is desirable? What is valuable? These questions with philosophical roots that go to beginning of civilization are now turned over to algorithms that bring about a new set of structural biases and issues. This new phase in pervasive computing raises significant questions and challenges, and important areas of research.
Storm time ionosphere and plasmasphere structuring: SAMI3‐RCM simulation of the 31 March 2001 geomagnetic storm

We present the first self-consistent modeling study of the ionosphere-plasmasphere system response to a geomagnetic storm. We use the coupled SAMI3-Rice Convention Model (RCM) of the global ionosphere and inner magnetosphere, with self-consistent electrodynamics, to simulate the 31 March 2001 magnetic storm. We find that the penetration electric fields associated with the magnetic storm lead to a storm time-enhanced density (SED) in the low- to middle-latitude ionosphere and that the separation in latitude of the Appleton anomaly peaks increases. The SED exhibits magnetic conjugacy, occurring in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Moreover, mapping the boundary of the SED into the equatorial plane coincides with the development of a “plume-like” structure in the plasmasphere. These preliminary results are consistent with observations.
Cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate levels in normal and transformed cells of higher plants.

Abstract Cyclic adenosine 3′:5′-monophosphate (cAMP) concentrations were determined for various normal and transformed (crown-gall) plant tissues grown in sterile culture. No significant differences in cAMP concentrations were found between normal and transformed cells of Vinca rosea, Helianthus annuus , and Nicotiana tabacum , unlike the suppressed synthesis observed in transformed cells of mammalian systems. cAMP concentrations of these tissues in culture averaged 135 nanomolar. No correlation was found between cAMP concentrations and tissue culture generation times.
The firm's insurance decision. Some questions raised by the capital asset pricing model

Using the capital asset pricing model it is shown that the firm will be indifferent towards insurance against specific risks. Insurance against systematic risks involves a transfer of these non-diversifiable risks from the firm to the insurance company, and will thus only be available at a price which reflects the ‘market price of risk’. Again the firm will be indifferent towards insurance. This then leads to the investigation of alternative motivations for a firm purchasing insurance — the costs of financial distress, human capital considerations, asymmetry of information and tax laws.
Market stability: backward-bending supply in a laboratory experimental market. 1999 Presidential address Western Economic Association

The paper investigates the stability properties of markets with backward bending supply curves. Parameters are chosen so that the two classic models of price dynamics, the Walrasian model and the Marshallian model, give opposite predictions. The results are: (1) market instability can be observed; (2) in the backward bending case stability is captured by the Walrasian model and the Marshallian model of dynamics is rejected. Previous experiments have demonstrated that the Marshallian model works in the forward falling case. Thus, which theory of dynamics is appropriate for a market depends upon the underlying reasons for demand and supply shapes.
Gemcitabine as a single-agent treatment for ovarian cancer

Abstract Objective Gemcitabine has shown therapeutic activity in a variety of malignancies, including ovarian cancer. This review summarizes both published and unpublished data on the use of gemcitabine as a single agent in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Methods The results of eight clinical trials of gemcitabine in women with advanced (stage III or IV) ovarian cancer whose disease progressed despite previous heavy treatment (one to four previous courses) with platin-based chemotherapy or taxanes were reviewed. Results Gemcitabine, given as a single weekly infusion of 800–1200 mg/m 2 for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by a week of rest, produced at least a partial remission in 11 to 22% of the patients studied. Median survival was prolonged after gemcitabine therapy, and stable disease was documented in 41 to 52% of patients in four of the eight studies reviewed. Toxicity was minimal and was mostly hematologic. Conclusions Gemcitabine is obviously active as monotherapy in patients with recurrent stage III or IV ovarian cancer and appears to be very well tolerated.
A Behavior Intervention to Reduce Sexism in College Men

Sexism is associated with a number of negative outcomes, including gender-based violence and pay inequity. Men overestimate their male peers’ sexism, which may make them reluctant to intervene. Moreover, they often have little practice at doing so. Several researchers have demonstrated that attitude change can be effected through behavior change. The current study involved a preliminary investigation of the power of a behavior intervention to reduce sexist attitudes in undergraduate males at a southeastern United States university. All participants (N = 43; 85.4 % Caucasian) completed measures for sexism and rape supportive attitudes, once from the perspective of the self and then from estimations of the “average male” in their groups. Participants (N = 23) in the behavior intervention critiqued sexist ideologies through verbal role playing and a written exercise, while participants in the control condition (N = 20) completed an assertiveness skills intervention and a written exercise. Two weeks later, all participants completed the same measures. Participants in the behavior intervention group showed a significant decrease in sexist attitudes (F (1, 41) = 4.55, p = .04) compared with control participants, demonstrating that a behavior intervention measurably reduces sexism in college men.
Smart polymeric carriers for enhanced intracellular delivery of therapeutic macromolecules.

Limited cytoplasmic delivery of enzyme-susceptible drugs remains a significant challenge facing the development of protein and nucleic acid therapies that act in intracellular compartments. Researchers have examined several approaches, including fusogenic proteins and protein transduction domains, to enhance the intracellular delivery of the therapeutic cargo. This review summarises efforts to develop ‘smart’ pH-sensitive and membrane-destabilising polymers that can shuttle therapeutic peptide, protein and nucleic acid molecules past the endosomal membrane into the cytoplasm of targeted cells. Several classes of ‘smart’ non-degradable polymeric carriers have been developed that have proved effective both in vitro and in vivo in enhancing the cytoplasmic delivery of a variety of therapeutic molecules.
Shared risk link group (SRLG)-diverse path provisioning under hybrid service level agreements in wavelength-routed optical mesh networks

The static provisioning problem in wavelength-routed optical networks has been studied for many years. However, service providers are still facing the challenges arising from the special requirements for provisioning services at the optical layer. In this paper, we incorporate some realistic constraints into the static provisioning problem, and formulate it under different network resource availability conditions. We consider three classes of shared risk link group (SRLG)-diverse path protection schemes: dedicated, shared, and unprotected. We associate with each connection request a lightpath length constraint and a revenue value. When the network resources are not sufficient to accommodate all the connection requests, the static provisioning problem is formulated as a revenue maximization problem, whose objective is maximizing the total revenue value. When the network has sufficient resources, the problem becomes a capacity minimization problem with the objective of minimizing the number of used wavelength-links. We provide integer linear programming (ILP) formulations for these problems. Because solving these ILP problems is extremely time consuming, we propose a tabu search heuristic to solve these problems within a reasonable amount of time. We also develop a rerouting optimization heuristic, which is based on previous work. Experimental results are presented to compare the solutions obtained by the tabu search heuristic and the rerouting optimization heuristic. For both problems, the tabu search heuristic outperforms the rerouting optimization heuristic.
Towards the study of functional brain development in depression: An Interactive Specialization approach

Depression is a significant and impairing mood disorder with onset possible as early as age 3 and into adulthood. Given this varying pattern of age of onset, identifying the relationship between brain development and depression across the lifespan has proven elusive. This review identifies some of the factors that may have limited the advancement of our knowledge in this area and discusses how synthesizing established models of depression and normative brain development may help to overcome them. More specifically, it is suggested that current neurobiological models of depression fail to account for the developmental variance associated with early neural network development and the potential influence of experience on this process. The utility of applying an established framework of normative brain development to this topic is described and its potential utility for conceptualizing the influence of depression on brain function across the life span is addressed. Future directions including longitudinal neuroimaging studies of early onset depression and groups at risk for this disorder are proposed.
pH-dependent toxicity of serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors in taxonomically diverse freshwater invertebrate species

Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are pollutants that influence behaviour, physiology and survival of freshwater animals. Factors influencing the sensitivity of freshwater invertebrates to these drugs must be understood in order to predict their effects on freshwater ecosystems. The toxicities of fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil) and citalopram (Celexa), were tested in larval Aedes aegypti (Insecta, Diptera), Cypridopsis vidua (Crustacea, Ostracoda) and Hydra vulgaris (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa) across a broad range of ambient pH values. H. vulgaris were most sensitive, with minimal survival in the presence of drugs (1×10–5 molL–1) in all but acidic media, whereas A. aegypti larvae were least sensitive. In all species tested the drugs were toxic in neutral and alkaline media but showed minimal or no toxicity in acidic media, whereas citalopram and fluoxetine enhanced survival of C. vidua in pH 4 media. Increased toxicity in alkaline media supports the hypothesis that the ionisation states of the drugs influences their toxicity by effects on membrane permeability, whereas enhanced survival of C. vidua in acidic media in the presence of SSRIs suggests that serotonergic pathways may be involved in regulation of acid–base balance in this species.
On accurate and asymmetry-aware measurement of link quality in wireless mesh networks

This paper presents a highly efficient and accurate link-quality measurement framework, called efficient and accurate link-quality monitor (EAR), for multihop wireless mesh networks (WMNs) that has several salient features. First, it exploits three complementary measurement schemes: passive, cooperative, and active monitoring. By adopting one of these schemes dynamically and adaptively, EAR maximizes the measurement accuracy, and its opportunistic use of the unicast application traffic present in the network minimizes the measurement overhead. Second, EAR effectively identifies the existence of wireless link asymmetry by measuring the quality of each link in both directions of the link, thus improving the utilization of network capacity by up to 114%. Finally, its cross-layer architecture across both the network layer and the IEEE 802.11-based device driver makes EAR easily deployable in existing multihop wireless mesh networks without system recompilation or MAC firmware modification. EAR has been evaluated extensively via both ns-2-based simulation and experimentation on our Linux-based implementation in a real-life testbed. Both simulation and experimentation results have shown EAR to provide highly accurate link-quality measurements with minimum overhead.
Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps is Associated With Decreased Expression of Mucosal Interleukin 22 Receptor

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is an inflammatory disorder of the sinonasal mucosa that is frequently associated with microbial colonization. Innate defense mechanisms at the mucosal surface are critical in protecting the host from airborne environmental pathogens. Recent studies of skin and gastrointestinal tract inflammatory diseases have shown that stimulation of the interleukin-22 receptor (IL-22R1) nonspecifically increases innate immune responses. The potential role of IL-22R1 in the pathogenesis of CRSwNP has never been explored. Study Design: Prospective. Methods: Nine controls and 19 subjects with CRS were prospectively enrolled prior to undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery. Nasal epithelial cells were cultured from surgically obtained ethmoid mucosa and IL-22R1 protein expression was examined via flow cytometry. RNA was extracted from whole mucosal samples and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to determine expression of IL22 and IL-22R1. Subjects were followed for at least 6 months postoperative to assess for recurrence or persistence of polyps. Results: Flow cytometry demonstrated the expression of IL-22R1 protein on the surface of cultured nasal epithelial cells. IL-22R1 mRNA was expressed in 100% of the controls and CRSsNP. However, IL-22R1 was only expressed in 55% of patients with recalcitrant CRSwNP. Additionally, levels of IL22R1 were significantly lower in recalcitrant CRSwNP compared to controls and CRSsNP. IL22 levels did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: In this study, we demonstrate IL-22R1 mRNA and protein expression on nasal epithelial cells. Failure of medical and surgical therapy in CRSwNP is associated with significantly decreased expression of IL-22R1. Further research is needed to determine the potential of IL-22R1 as a therapeutic target in CRSwNP.
Inflation Expectations, Business Taxation And The Incentive To Invest In Depreciable Capital Goods

A parochial issue in business taxation - one which was discussed vigorously during the U.S. 20072009 economic contraction – is the issue of how corporate Federal income tax policy affects incentives for businesses to undertake new investments in capital goods. This paper focuses on the question of how the tax treatment of depreciation affects the incentives of business to invest in capital goods when businesses (rightly or wrongly) expect significant inflation during the depreciable life of the investment. An innovative idea of adjusting the system of tax depreciation for inflation is to allow an immediate deduction for the present value of the future economic depreciation that firms could claim if there were zero inflation. No adjustment for inflation would ever be needed because the depreciation charge would be taken in the same year in which the asset was purchased. The result of this approach is consistent with the result for inflation-adjusted historical cost depreciation because gains from changes in the relative prices of depreciable assets would be included in income.
Elevated coagulation and inflammatory markers in adolescents with a history of premature adrenarche

Abstract Females with a history of premature adrenarche are at high risk of developing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and features of the metabolic syndrome later in life. Coagulation disorders, subclinical inflammation, and oxidative stress have been reported in patients with PCOS and metabolic syndrome. These factors were studied in a group of adolescents with a history of premature adrenarche. This is a cross-sectional study that determined the biochemical-hormonal profile and indices of inflammation, coagulation, and oxidative stress in 45 adolescent girls with a history of premature adrenarche and 19 age- and body mass index–matched controls. Girls with premature adrenarche had hyperandrogenism and higher indices of insulin resistance than controls. They also had significantly higher C-reactive protein (0.76 ± 0.65 vs 0.41 ± 0.31 mg/L, P = .0001) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (37.6 ± 24.7 vs 24.47 ± 4.6 ng/mL, P = .034), and lower tissue plasminogen activator values in comparison with controls (3.5 ± 1.5 vs 5.2 ± 2.12 ng/mL, P = .0019). Both C-reactive protein(r = 0.545, P = .0001) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (r = 0.36, P = .04) were positively correlated with oxidative stress, whereas tissue plasminogen activator was positively correlated (r = 0.37, P = .02) with total antioxidant status. None of these factors was correlated with androgens or indices of insulin resistance. Adolescent girls with a history of premature adrenarche display metabolic deviations usually encountered in subjects with PCOS and metabolic syndrome, such as subclinical inflammation and fibrinolytic abnormalities.
Estimation and Hypothesis Testing in Linear Models Containing Measurement Error A Review of Joreskog's Model for the Analysis of Covariance Structures

This paper reviews Joreskog's model for the analysis of covariance structures by first introducing the simpler case of confirmatory factor analysis. The mathematical results necessary for estimation and hypothesis testing are presented in a way which should be more accessible to sociologists than the original sources. The usefulness of Joreskog's techniques is indicated by reformulating a series of models which have been estimated by sociologists using techniques without statistical justification in the format of covariance structures. Identification is considered in this context. The argument is made that these methods can greatly extend our ability to construct structural equation models containing measurement error.
Can road mortality limit populations of pool-breeding amphibians?

We integrated road maps, traffic volume data, and pool locations in a modeling study to estimate the potential effects of road mortality on populations of pool-breeding spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum Shaw). Population projections based on spotted salamander life tables imply that an annual risk of road mortality for adults of >10% can lead to local population extirpation; mitigation efforts (tunnels, road closures, and other measures) should seek to reduce road mortality rates to below this threshold. For central and western Massachusetts, we estimated that salamanders would be exposed to at least this threshold level of risk at 22–73% of populations (assuming a 100 vs. 500 m migration distance, respectively). We conclude that road mortality can be a significant source of additive mortality for individual spotted salamanders in many parts of the species’ range. Efforts to prevent such mortality by transportation planners are likely warranted strictly on a biological basis in areas with road densities >2.5 km per km 2 of landscape and traffic volumes >250 vehicles/lane/day within the migration range of a breeding population of spotted salamanders.
Revealing the cues within community places: stories of identity, history, and possibility.

Place-based approaches to community change have become increasingly popular strategies for addressing significant social problems. With their intentional focus on ‘place,’ most efforts have sought to gain greater understanding into how neighborhood contexts affect people. However, while both aggregate characteristics and social dynamics of neighborhoods have been subject to scrutiny in the literature, less attention has been paid to understanding how the environmental characteristics of neighborhoods and communities as places have meaning for residents. The present study used an innovative methodology called Photovoice to obtain a greater understanding of themeanings residents ascribe to the salient characteristics of their neighborhoods and communities. As part of a place-based initiative, 29 adult and youth residents in seven distressed urban neighborhoods photographed and dialogued about the meaningful physical attributes of their community. According to participants, place characteristics provided cues about their personal histories as members of the community; communicated messages about the value and character of the community and its residents; defined social norms and behavior within the community; and provided markers that could remind residents of who they are and inspire a sense of possibility for who they could become. Implications for practice are discussed.
Parameterized families of polynomials for bounded algebraic curve and surface fitting

Interest in algebraic curves and surfaces of high degree as geometric models or shape descriptors for different model-based computer vision tasks has increased in recent years, and although their properties make them a natural choice for object recognition and positioning applications, algebraic curve and surface fitting algorithms often suffer from instability problems. One of the main reasons for these problems is that, while the data sets are always bounded, the resulting algebraic curves or surfaces are, in most cases, unbounded. In this paper, the authors propose to constrain the polynomials to a family with bounded zero sets, and use only members of this family in the fitting process. For every even number d the authors introduce a new parameterized family of polynomials of degree d whose level sets are always bounded, in particular, its zero sets. This family has the same number of degrees of freedom as a general polynomial of the same degree. Three methods for fitting members of this polynomial family to measured data points are introduced. Experimental results of fitting curves to sets of points in R/sup 2/ and surfaces to sets of points in R/sup 3/ are presented. >
Understanding and Evaluating Buyout Portfolio Risks

The purpose of the paper will be to understand and evaluate portfolio level risk from the perspective of an investor (LP) whose portfolio contains one or more buyout funds. For the purposes of this paper, risk will be defined as the increased probability of a loss of capital that would result in a return that is less than the median LBO return for a given year. It is the intent of the paper to acknowledge the limits of statistical analysis and focus on a logical measure of relative risk by creating a “risk spectrum” for each of what I believe to be the fundamental risk drivers within a fund. Further, I will try to establish a framework for monitoring risk on an ongoing basis, as it will likely change during the fund’s life.
Justifying Force Against Animal Cruelty

Punishing animal cruelty strengthens nonhuman rights and common justice. Today, bystanders should not be liable for reasonably protecting other animals from such abuse. If anything, the law should encourage these interventions by exculpation. This article outlines how existing legal doctrine can serve this end. Three familiar defenses can be made to justify force here, though with varying mileage. A “defense of property” theory would be familiar to the traditional legal status of nonhumans. Yet this permission is ordinarily limited to property owners and non-deadly force, making it a less robust avenue of defense. The historical and lingering inconsistencies of treating other animals solely as items of property also point away from this regime. Instead, arguments may be made that at least in terms of their emerging protection from cruelty, nonhumans are legal persons. Therefore, bystanders who enforce this right should argue that their actions fall under a more permissive theory of “defense of persons,” which has the benefit of allowing a wider range of actors and force. Likewise, appeals to the public good and lesser evil of using moderate force against animal abusers could allow an extension of the situational defense of “necessity.” In any event, due to the shocking nature and unfortunate prevalence of animal cruelty, a reasonable third-party permission to intervene should be discussed.
Microbial lipid production from SPORL-pretreated Douglas fir by Mortierella isabellina

Abstract The solid substrate and spent liquor obtained after SPORL pretreatment of Douglas fir residues were evaluated as substrates for the production of intracellular microbial lipid by Mortierella isabellina NRRL 1757. The production of lipid was investigated in a batch fermentation using different strategies viz . separate hydrolysis and fermentation, quasi-simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (Q-SSF), and whole slurry (solid substrate and spent liquor) saccharification and fermentation. The maximum lipid yield (0.21 g/g sugar) was obtained with Q-SSF of the solid substrate. Nutrient supplementation was not necessary for lipid production from SPORL-pretreated Douglas fir. Detoxification of SPORL spent liquor with lime did remove the inhibitors and improved the fermentation for lipid production. The lipid produced had a similar fatty acid compositional profile to those of vegetable oil, suggesting that it could have potential as a substrate for biodiesel production.
What Does Being an Early Childhood 'Teacher' Mean in Tomorrow's World of Children and Family Services?

The potential role and training requisites of an early childhood teacher in a world expected to increasingly focus on children and family services in the future are discussed. The professional attributes, academic knowledge and communication and interpersonal relationship skills needed by early childhood teachers are described, and suggestions are made for the development of appropriate courses to train them for the purpose.
GROWTH STIMULATING EFFECT OF 4-METHYL-5(2-HYDROXYETHYL) THIAZOLE ON THIAMINE-DEFICIENT RATS.

It is well known that 4-methyl-5 (2-hydroxyethyl) thiazole (MHET) can replace thiamine as a nutrient for some bacteria (1). Abderhalden (2,3) without success attempted to demonstrate that MHET could replace thiamine in the diet of the rat. Since then, MHET and the pyrimidine moiety of thiamine (2-methyl-4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl pyrimidine) have been isolated from urine of rats after givin large doses of thiamine (4,5), suggesting that the rat is capable of cleaving thiamine to give these two products. Also Van Eys (6) has identified MHET as a component of glycerol phosphate dehydrogenase, which indicates a strong possibility that MHET is biologically active. It, therefore, seemed desirable to investigate once again the possibility that MHET is biologically active. As workers in the past have apparently achieved essentially negative results (2,3,6,8) our experimental approach involved 3 special considerations.1. From chemical considerations it seemed possible that MHET, if not carefully prepared, may not be...
Acute tubulointerstitial nephritis

Between 1980 and 1988, 12 patients at the Cleveland Clinic had biopsy-proven acute tubulointerstitial nephritis. Etiologies of the disease included drugs, systemic illness, and idiopathic causes. Clinical features were nonspecific, and the diagnosis of acute tubulointerstitial nephritis was seldom entertained in these patients prior to biopsy. Seven patients had unrelated underlying renal disease. Treatment included discontinuation of the offending agent and/or a trial of steroids. All patients had final creatinine levels lower than at diagnosis. Because the condition is potentially reversible, this disease should be considered in all patients with new azotemia who do not exhibit prerenal factors, features typical of acute tubular necrosis, red blood cell casts heralding a glomerular process, or evidence of obstructive uropathy.
Temperature Regulation in Mice of the Genus Scotinomys

Body temperature and metabolism were examined in Scotinomys teguina and S. xerampelinus during 2.5-hour exposures to ambient temperatures between 0 and 35° C Thennal conductance at temperatures below thermoneutrality averaged 0.34 cc O2/g/hr/°C in the smaller species, teguina , and 0.28 cc 02/g/hr/°C in xerampelinus . The difference in mean conductance between species is statistically significant. During exposure to ambient temperatures near 35° C, deaths occurred in xerampelinus but not in teguina . In the range 0 to 5°C, hypothermia was more common in teguina than in xerampelinus . These differences in thermophysiology between the species are correlated with altitudinal distribution; xerampelinus is restricted to cool or cold highlands and teguina is found at lower, warmer altitudes. Although both are montane, tropical species, they adhere to broad patterns of thermoregulatory physiology established in studies of North American peromyscines of the genera Peromyscus, Reithrodontomys , and Baiomys .
A simple proof of a simple version of the Riemann mapping theorem by simple functional analysis

(1991). A Simple Proof of a Simple Version of the Riemann Mapping Theorem by Simple Functional Analysis. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 98, No. 9, pp. 824-826.
Arterial Spin Labeling Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging Performed in Acute Perinatal Stroke Reveals Hyperperfusion Associated With Ischemic Injury.

Background and Purpose— Perfusion-weighted imaging in adults with acute stroke often reveals hypoperfusion in the ischemic core and in a surrounding area of nondiffusion-restricted penumbral tissue. Perinatal stroke is common, but the perfusion pattern is rarely documented. We aimed to describe the perfusion pattern in newborns with perinatal stroke. Methods— Neonates with clinical features of acute stroke underwent magnetic resonance imaging. Perfusion data were obtained using pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling. Strokes were classified as arterial, venous, or both. Core infarction was determined by the presence of restricted diffusion on diffusion-weighted imaging. Perfusion-weighted imaging and susceptibility-weighted imaging signal in the ischemic area were visually compared with the homologous region in the contralesional hemisphere. Electroencephalogram data were evaluated for seizure activity. Results— In 25 neonates with acute stroke, 8 of 11 (73%) with arterial ischemic stroke demonstrated hyperperfusion, 1 of 9 (11%) with venous stroke, and 4 of 5 (80%) with both. Hypoperfusion was observed in 3 of 9 (33%) with venous and none with arterial ischemic stroke. Perfusion was normal in 4 of 9 (45%) with venous and 1 of 5 (20%) with both. Twenty-one of 24 patients (88%) with electroencephalogram data had either electrographic seizures or focal sharp waves in the ipsilesional hemisphere (11/11 arterial ischemic stroke, 6/9 venous, and 4/5 both). Conclusions— Perfusion-weighted imaging can be obtained in neonates with acute stroke and often reveals hyperperfusion in the infarct core. Penumbra in arterial ischemic stroke is seldom found. Hyperperfusion may be caused by poststroke reperfusion or to neuronal hyperexcitability of stroke-associated seizure. Its identification may be useful for consideration of therapy for acute neonatal stroke.
Monitoring in Critically Ill Patients

Minimizing the risk of monitoring critically ill patients involves a careful general evaluation of the patient, adherence to strict indications for the use of invasive techniques, and care coupled with experience in the actual manipulation. The procedures undertaken must be essential to the successful outcome of the care of the patient.
A Posteriori Taint-Tracking for Demonstrating Non-interference in Expressive Low-Level Languages

We previously presented a theory of analysis for expressive low-level languages that is capable of proving non-interference for expressive languages. We now provide an independent result for the taint-flow analysis that drives tracking of information. In particular, we show that the taint-tracking can be derived from the results of a taint-free analysis. In addition to improving performance, this independence broadens the applicability of the underlying approach to information-flow analysis.
Immune Therapy of Human Cancers

There is considerable controversy whether the immune system is important in controlling human cancers. We review data regarding leukemia control in recipients of bone marrow transplants. These data indicate that several distinct immune-mediated anti-leukemia mechanisms operate. We consider how these mechanisms might be used to treat human cancers.
Abstract B60: Targeting the polyamine addiction of pancreatic cancers: Combination therapies and biomarkers

This project developed a combination therapy which inhibits both polyamine transport and biosynthesis in an effort to target the polyamine addiction of pancreatic cancers. Several parameters were measured in six human pancreatic cell lines (L3.6pl, Panc-1, BxPC3, AsPC-1, Capan-1 and HPNE) and one murine line (Pan02). These included the kinetics of 3H-spermidine uptake (Vmax and Km values), the 72h IC50 value for difluoromethylornithine (DFMO, an inhibitor of polyamine biosynthesis), and the ability of exogenous spermidine to rescue the viability of DFMO-treated cells. DFMO has a mixed clinical history and cancers often escape DFMO via polyamine import. Three polyamine transport inhibitors (PTIs) were evaluated for their ability to block the uptake of exogenous spermidine into DFMO-treated pancreatic cancer cells (via EC50 values). The combination therapy (DFMO+PTI) was shown to effectively block spermidine import in vitro and improved survival times in an orthotopic mouse model. Basal c-Myc and ATP13A3 protein expression were shown to track well with polyamine transport activity (Vmax) in untreated cell lines. In the presence of DFMO, both polyamine transport activity and ATP13A3 protein expression of L3.6pl cells were increased, whereas c-Myc protein expression decreased. This suggested that ATP13A3 may be involved in the DFMO-stimulated polyamine transport response and was confirmed via siRNA experiments. Using ATP13A3 as a biomarker of polyamine transport, our results could be explained in the context of relative ATP13A3 expression and the caveolin-1 status of each cell line. Cell lines with high ATP13A3 and low Cav-1 had the highest Vmax (e.g., L3.6pl and Panc-1) and could be readily rescued from DFMO by exogenous spermidine (1 µM). In contrast, cells with low ATP13A3 and low Cav-1 expression (i.e., Capan-1 and AsPC-1) gave low Vmax values and could not be rescued from DFMO by exogenous spermidine. BxPC3 cells were found to have high ATP13A3 and high Cav-1 expression and were found to be poorly rescued by exogenous spermidine in the presence of DFMO. In summary, the combination therapy of DFMO+PTI was shown to effectively deplete pancreatic cancers of intracellular polyamines and holds great promise as a potential therapy. The discovery of ATP13A3 as a polyamine transport protein is very significant as there are few proteins identified for this pathway and this marker (along with Cav-1 status) could be used to stratify patients in ongoing DFMO trials. In this regard, the DFMO+PTI approach represents a potential catch-all therapy for tumors addicted to polyamine metabolites. Citation Format: Otto Phanstiel, IV, Meenu Madan, Arjun Patel, Kristen Skruber, Deborah A. Altomare.{Authors}. Targeting the polyamine addiction of pancreatic cancers: Combination therapies and biomarkers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Advances in Science and Clinical Care; 2016 May 12-15; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(24 Suppl):Abstract nr B60.