cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic properties of epsilon-iron nitride

Abstract The magnetic properties of epsilon-iron nitride were investigated in order to determine the magnetic structure of the material, and to determine what influence, if any, the nitrogen atoms have on the magnetic moment of the iron atoms. A sample of composition Fe3N1.17 was studied both by neutron diffraction at room temperature and by measuring the bulk magnetization between room temperature and liquid nitrogen temperature. The neutron diffraction data can be interpreted on the basis of a simple model with the spin vectors of the iron atoms ferromagnetically aligned parallel to the hexagonal c axis and with an average moment of 1.5microB per iron atom. This value is in good agreement with that of 1.33microB obtained by extrapolating the magnetization curve to 0°K. Taking 1.26 A as the radius of the iron atoms, the atomic radius of the nitrogen atoms is calculated to be 0.66 A, a considerable contraction as compared to the normal covalent nitrogen radius of 0.77 A. The observed decrease in the moment of the iron atoms and the decrease in the atomic radius of the nitrogen atoms both indicate that nitrogen does not act as an electron acceptor in this material. These results indicate that the electronic exchange process between the nitrogen and the iron atoms in Fe3N is similar to that postulated by W iener and B erger (1) between the nitrogen and the three face centered iron atoms in Fe4N.
Loss of iridium, osmium and ruthenium from aqueous solutions during storage

Abstract Aqueous solutions of iridium are stable (within 3 %) over a four-month storage period in a variety of container types and over a range of acid concentrations. Standard solutions of water-soluble iridium compounds at pH 7 can be employed reliably. Rapid loss of osmium and ruthenium from aqueous solutions at pH 7 means that standard solutions must be used within 1 day of preparation. Nitric acid solutions of osmium and ruthenium should also be avoided. The six plastics studied are unacceptable containers for 0.1 M hydrochloric acid solutions of osmium; 1 M hydrochloric acid is an adequate preservative for osmium solutions for up to two months and for ruthenium solutions for up to four months in glass, quartz or polyethylene containers.
Density functional theory study of vibrational spectra. 3. Assignment of fundamental vibrational modes of quadricyclane

Density functional theory BLYP (Becke's exchange and Lee-Yang-Parr's correlation functionals), ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) and hybrid DFT/HF B3LYP calculations were carried out to study the structure and vibrational spectra of quadricyclane. The BLYP/6-31G * and scaled HF/6-31G * frequencies correspond well with each other and with available experimental assignment of the fundamental vibrational modes. Based on conformity between the calculated and experimental results, a plausible assignment of two remaining a1 modes and all non-CH stretching a2, b1, and b2 modes is proposed.
META‐HUMANS AND METANOIA: THE MORAL DIMENSION OF EXTRATERRESTRIALS

. Although we do not know whether intelligent extraterrestrials exist, they are a permanent fixture of literature and philosophical argument. Part of their appeal is that they watch us from above and thus serve as a metaphor for human self-reflexivity. This makes fictional aliens especially useful when moral issues are at stake. In order to evaluate stories about aliens with respect to moral conclusions two conditions must be fulfilled. First, the stories have to be detailed enough that we can understand the circumstances of the aliens' moral choices. Therefore science fiction often is more useful than arguments involving aliens in short technical papers. Second, their fictional lives need to be possible in our own universe, or very nearly so, in order to be relevant for our own moral conduct. Taking as an example the unfallen aliens in C. S. Lewis's novels Out of the Silent Planet (1938) and Perelandra (1943), we can acknowledge the theological interest and literary subtlety. Nonetheless, the stories fail as moral parables in one important respect: The aliens depicted could not be a product of evolution in our universe, at least as we currently understand its scientific laws. This realization has important consequences for our self-understanding and thus underlines how fictional aliens can be useful in making sense of the complexities involved in moral argumentation.
Cytology of polypoid adenomyomas: a report of two cases.

Uterine polypoid adenomyomas, both typical and atypical variants, often arise in the lower uterine segment or endocervical canal as pedunculated polypoid masses that may be accessible for cytologic sampling. However, their cytologic findings have rarely been described in the literature. Two women in their reproductive age presented with abnormal vaginal bleeding. The cervicovaginal smear of the first patient contained sheets and strips of reactive endocervical cells in an inflammatory background. In addition, loose aggregates of spindle-shaped smooth muscle cells were also noted. The findings were consistent with those of a typical polypoid adenomyoma. The cervicovaginal smears of the second patient consisted of tightly packed, crowded clusters of glandular cells which were initially interpreted as atypical glandular cells, suspicious of adenocarcinoma. In retrospect, loose aggregates of smooth muscle stromal cells were noted. Subsequent curettage revealed an atypical polypoid adenomyoma. The cytologic findings of typical polypoid adenomyoma were nonspecific except for the presence of loose aggregates of smooth muscle cells. The cytologic features of an atypical polypoid adenomyoma may mimic that of a neoplastic glandular process. The findings of tightly packed clusters of glandular cells and loose aggregate of bland-appearing smooth muscle cells in premenopausal patients may suggest the diagnosis of atypical polypoid adenomyoma. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2000;22:176-180.
Advances in urea cycle neuroimaging: Proceedings from the 4th International Symposium on urea cycle disorders, Barcelona, Spain, September 2013

Our previous imaging research performed as part of a Urea Cycle Rare Disorders Consortium (UCRDC) grant, has identified specific biomarkers of neurologic injury in ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency, OTCD. While characterization of mutations can be achieved in most cases, this information does not necessarily predict the severity of the underlying neurological syndrome. The biochemical consequences of any mutation may be modified additionally by a large number of factors, including contributions of other enzymes and transport systems that mediate flux through the urea cycle, diet and other environmental factors. These factors likely vary from one patient to another, and they give rise to heterogeneity of clinical severity. Affected cognitive domains include non-verbal learning, fine motor processing, reaction time, visual memory, attention, and executive function. Deficits in these capacities may be seen in symptomatic patients, as well as asymptomatic carriers with normal IQ and correlate with variances in brain structure and function in these patients. Using neuroimaging we can identify biomarkers that reflect the downstream impact of UCDs on cognition. This manuscript is a summary of the presentation from the 4th International Consortium on urea cycle disorders held in, Barcelona, Spain, September 2, 2014.
Numerical calculation of developing laminar flow in rotating ducts with a 180° bend

This study is concerned with developing laminar flow of an incompressible, Newtonian fluid, having constant viscosity, rotating in circular and rectangular ducts that contain a 180° bend. The Reynolds number ranges from 100 to 400, the rotation number from 0 to 0.4, and the Dean number from 66 to 264. Positive and negative rotation modes are considered. The artificial compressibility method is used for the numerical calculations and new boundary conditions are developed for these flows. It is shown that rotation causes the secondary flow to occur in ducts of any geometry, and that the strength of the secondary flow in the bend due to both rotation and curvature decreases as compared to the no rotation case.
The Glenn A. Fry Award Lecture 1992: aqueous humor proteins: a key for unlocking glaucoma?

In this report 1 summarize recently reported studies which establish the existence of a previously undocumented diffusional pathway for plasma-derived proteins from the ciliary body stroma to the anterior chamber of the normal mammalian eye via the iris root. The data support the hypothesis that nearly all of the plasma-derived protein present in the aqueous humor of the anterior chamber arrives via this pathway, thus by-passing the posterior chamber. Additional studies suggest that some of the protein transported via the pathway is shunted directly into the trabecular meshwork and aqueous outflow pathways. Perfusion studies show how the perfused eyes were later immunohisto-chemically stained to reveal the distribution and qualitative amounts of serum albumin
Insects Flying to Ships

ALL those who have travelled about the world in recent years must have noticed the insects which fly to ships at anchor, attracted by the bright electric lights. Some years ago I secured a most interesting series (including a new species of moth) off the coasts of Chile and Peru, and in many other places have made collections where I could not go ashore. The most remarkable occasion of this sort was perhaps at Diamond Harbour, on the Hooghly River, near Calcutta, in December 1927. Going up, we waited some time, and again going down (on the way to Rangoon). The latter delay was caused by a railway accident in France, which prevented the through mails from arriving in time, so we had to wait until they were brought out in a tender some time in the night. Thus the deplorable accident brought good fortune to an entomologist travelling in India—a curious example of the interdependence of things. Diamond Harbour is not really a harbour, but merely a station on the river where ships anchor to await favourable conditions, with the shore distant perhaps half a mile.
Relative Hidden Markov Models for Evaluating Motion Skill

This paper is concerned with a novel problem: learning temporal models using only relative information. Such a problem arises naturally in many applications involving motion or video data. Our focus in this paper is on videobased surgical training, in which a key task is to rate the performance of a trainee based on a video capturing his motion. Compared with the conventional method of relying on ratings from senior surgeons, an automatic approach to this problem is desirable for its potential lower cost, better objectiveness, and real-time availability. To this end, we propose a novel formulation termed Relative Hidden Markov Model and develop an algorithm for obtaining a solution under this model. The proposed method utilizes only a relative ranking (based on an attribute of interest) between pairs of the inputs, which is easier to obtain and often more consistent, especially for the chosen application domain. The proposed algorithm effectively learns a model from the training data so that the attribute under consideration is linked to the likelihood of the inputs under the learned model. Hence the model can be used to compare new sequences. Synthetic data is first used to systematically evaluate the model and the algorithm, and then we experiment with real data from a surgical training system. The experimental results suggest that the proposed approach provides a promising solution to the real-world problem of motion skill evaluation from video.
Second harmonic FEL oscillation.

We have produced and measured for the first time second harmonic oscillation in the infrared region by the high average power Jefferson Lab Infrared Free Electron Laser. Although such lasing is ideally forbidden, since gain is zero on axis for a perfect electron beam in an infinite wiggler, the finite geometry and beam emittance allows sufficient gain for lasing to occur. We were able to lase at pulse rates up to 74.85 MHz and could produce over 4.5 watts average and 40 kW peak of IR power in a 40 nm FWHM bandwidth at 2925 nm. In agreement with predictions, the source preferentially lased in a TEM01 mode. We present results of initial source performance measurements and comparisons of gain as calculated by different approaches.
Changes in the Inequality of Earnings for Young Men in Metropolitan Labor Markets, 1979–1989: The Effects of Declining Wages and Sectoral Shifts within an Efficiency Wage Framework

: Inequality in the earnings of young men with different educational backgrounds has grown rapidly in the United States in recent years, but the growth of inequality has varied widely across different metropolitan labor markets. We examine the increasing inequality of earnings among young men in the largest metropolitan areas of the United States for the 1979–1989 period and develop explanations for the growth of inequality that involve shifts of employment from highly paid to poorly paid sectors and declines in earnings within sectors. Our explanations depend on the logic of efficiency wage models. Efficiency wage models allow wages to include noncompetitive premiums that may differ across industries and regions because of differences in production conditions. This makes it possible for the real wages of identically qualified workers to differ across industries and regions, even at equilibrium. Shifts in the employment of less-educated young men from well-paid to poorly paid sectors (such as manufacturing to services) accounted for only minor portions of the growth of inequality. Most of the growth of inequality resulted from declining earnings within sectors, especially in those sectors and metropolitan areas where earnings for less-educated young men were highest in 1979, relative to the earnings of young men with more education. This pattern of earnings declining most rapidly in sectors and cities where they had been highest also accounts for much of the variation in the growth of inequality across metropolitan areas and is consistent with the demise of efficiency wage premiums that were previously available in particular industries and localities.
Conductive inkjet printed DIY music control surface

We developed a novel music control sensate surface, which enables retrofit integration between any musical instruments with a versatile, customizable, and essentially cost-effective user interface. Our project presents new opportunities in customizable, flexible interface design since, unlike just using a touch screen, it adapts very well to non-square or non-flat surfaces or surfaces with holes. Our design requires an interactive circuit that is made in a computer-aided design environment and printed from a conductive inkjet printer on a PET substrate. This method allows us to create a functional decoration on the controller surface, combining graphic design and music performance with expressive physical manipulation. We present an example of implementation on an electric ukulele and provide several design examples to demonstrate the versatile capabilities of this system.
Effects of multi-scale viscoelasticity of polymers on high-pressure, high-frequency sealing dynamics

Abstract Viscoelastic effects on the performance of a hydraulic rod seal are examined using a visco-elastohydrodynamic model. The model consists of coupled macro and micro scale deformation and contact mechanics analyses and micro scale fluid mechanics analysis. Dynamic mechanical analysis and a constrained optimization method are used to extract the spectrum of relaxation time scales and corresponding instantaneous elastic moduli associated with the seal polymer, required by the model. Simulation results show that the seal performance, including leakage prevention and friction force, depends on the relationship between the characteristic time constants of the polymer’s molecular chains and the seal cycle frequency.
Automated analysis of toxicant-induced changes in rat sperm head morphometry

Abstract An automated sperm morphometry analysis (ASMA) instrument was developed to obtain measurements of toxicant-induced changes in rat sperm head morphometry. 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB), a testicular toxicant known to affect sperm parameters, was used. Twelve-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to a control (C) and to two 1,3-DNB treatment groups (T1 = 15 mg/kg; T2 = 25 mg/kg). 1,3-DNB was administered as a single dose by gavage, and animals were sacrificed 22 days after exposure. Sperm were collected, and morphology smears were made by a standard method. One hundred sperm heads were digitized on each slide, and 8 metric measurements were automatically reported. All measurements tended to decrease in a dose-dependent manner with increasing doses of 1,3-DNB. All values for total width (W a ) and interior width (W e ) were significantly different from one another. Wa/L was significantly larger in the control than in T1 or T2, and symmetry (S = W b /W a ) was significantly smaller in the control than in T1 or T2. Multivariate cluster analysis revealed three subpopulations that were also visually distinct. Subpopulation no. 1 was normal, based on published descriptions of normal rat sperm; subpopulation no. 2 was abnormal with a flattened curvature and a normal length; subpopulation no. 3 was abnormal with a foreshortened length and a flattened curvature. T1 and T2 contained significantly more sperm from subpopulation no. 2 and no. 3 than C(T1 = 22% and T2 = 34% vs. C = 8% by cluster analysis). C had 93% normal sperm, while the treatments had 78% and 66%, respectively. Based on these findings, we conclude that ASMA is an efficient and accurate method of sperm morphometry analysis that may improve our ability to detect sperm biomarkers of reproductive health.
The C-terminal domain LLKIL motif of CXCR2 is required for ligand-mediated polarization of early signals during chemotaxis

HEK293 cells expressing wild-type CXCR2 recruit PH-Akt-GFP to the leading edge of the cell in response to chemokine. However, in cells expressing mutant CXCR2 defective in AP-2 and HIP binding, i.e. with a mutation in the LLKIL motif, PH-Akt-GFP does not localize to the leading edge in response to ligand. Inhibition of Akt/PKB by transfection of HEK 293 cells with a dominant negative (kinase defective) Akt/PKB inhibits CXCR2 mediated chemotaxis. FRET analysis reveals that membrane-bound activated Cdc42 and Rac1 localize to the leading edge of cells expressing wild-type CXCR2 receptor, but not in cells expressing mutant CXCR2. By contrast, when the activation of Cdc42 and Rac1 are monitored by affinity precipitation assay, cells expressing either wild-type or LLKIL mutant receptors show equivalent ligand induction. Altogether, these data suggest that restricted localized activation of Akt/PKB, Rac1 and Cdc42 is crucial for chemotactic responses and that events mediated by the LLKIL motif are crucial for chemotaxis.
Reproductive failure experimentally induced in sows via artificial insemination with semen spiked with porcine circovirus type 2.

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is associated with reproductive failure in female pigs. However, the association of PCV2-positive semen in the pathogenesis has not been elucidated. The objectives of this study were to determine whether semen spiked with PCV2 causes infection in PCV2-naive, mature female pigs and whether delivery of PCV2 via artificial insemination causes reproductive failure or fetal infection. Nine sows were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 3 sows each and artificially inseminated with PCV2 DNA-negative semen (group 1), PCV2 DNA-negative semen spiked with PCV2a (group 2), or PCV2b (group 3). All sows in groups 2 and 3 developed PCV2 viremia 7 to 14 days after insemination. None of the group 2 sows became pregnant, whereas all group 3 sows (3/3) farrowed at the expected date. At parturition, presuckle serum samples were collected, and live-born piglets, stillborn fetuses, and mummified fetuses were necropsied. All live-born piglets (n = 8) in group 3 were PCV2 viremic at birth. Stillborn fetuses (n = 2) had gross lesions of congestive heart failure. Mummified fetuses (n = 25) varied in crown-rump length from 7 to 27 cm, indicating fetal death between 42 and 105 days of gestation. PCV2 antigen was detected in the myocardium by immunohistochemistry of 7/8 (88%) live-born piglets, 2/2 (100%) of the stillborn fetuses, and 25/25 (100%) of the mummified fetuses. In addition, 4/25 mummified fetuses had PCV2 antigen associated with smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. The results of this study indicate that intrauterine administration of PCV2 causes reproductive failure in naive sows.
Analysis of quinolones by voltage‐assisted liquid‐phase microextraction combined with LC‐MS

The method of liquid-phase microextraction assisted with voltage was developed and applied on determination of quinolones in water sample in this study. Both of the reproducibility and extraction time were improved with the aid of applying voltage. Four analytes in neutral state such as cinoxacin, oxolinic acid, nalidixic acid, and flumequine were extracted from a sample solution at pH 2.0, through a polypropylene hollow fiber which was immobilized with 2-octanone, and then into a 25 μL of the acceptor phase of 40 mM borate buffer at pH 10.0 by applying voltage of 100 V. Subsequently, the acceptor solution was directly subjected to analysis by LC-MS. The performance of the method for four quinolones was also evaluated. Linearity was obtained in the range of 1.0–25.0 ng/mL with R2 > 0.996. Limits of detection were below 0.6 ng/mL, and recoveries of water sample were ranged from 90.8 to 109.6%.
Benefits and Risks of Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs in Steroid-Resistant Nephrotic Syndrome

In this paper we discuss the effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on proteinuria and the specific risks of these drugs in patients with nephrotic syndrome. We summarize the results of a prospective uncontrolled trial of meclofenamate in severe steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome secondary to focal glomerular sclerosis and idiopathic membranous nephropathy. This study examined the effect of meclofenamate on proteinuria, serum albumin levels, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, renal function, BP, liver function tests, and hemotologic values. We also sought and evaluated adverse reactions due to this medication. We offer some suggestions for selective use and careful supervision of NSAIDs in the nephrotic syndrome.
The Communicative Cycle Of Employee Emotional Abuse: Generation and Regeneration of Workplace Mistreatment

Employee emotional abuse (EEA) is repetitive, targeted, and destructive communication by more powerful members toward less powerful members in the workplace. It is costly, widespread, and may be th...
IMAGING SMALL PARTICLES

Abstract This paper reviews recent results on multiply twinned particles, emphasising the interplay between experimental electron microscopy and theoretical modelling of the internal and surface structures. A wide range of particle structures can be understood through the use of a modified Wulff construction. Inhomogeneous elasticity is also useful in understanding defects in small particles. With respect to the energy balance between multiply twinned particles and single crystals, it is important to include the weakening of the (111) surface bonding for Ag and Au evidenced by recent experimental results on the longitudinal surface phonon frequencies. Theoretical models need to be extended to the atomic level, and there remain a number of unsolved structural problems.
Far-red and NIR emissions from tissues

Spectral and temporal profiles together with polarization for far-red to NIR emission wing beyond 650 nm were measured form adipose and tissues. The characteristics of the emission arising form adipose and tissues are shown to be different under 532 nm and 632 nm laser excitation indicating a different origin of the emission. The difference in the spectral intensity of the far-red to NIR emission under 632 nm laser excitation was used to image and distinguish adipose from tissue.
Persistence and Function of Central and Effector Memory CD4+ T Cells following Infection with a Gastrointestinal Helminth

Immunity in the gastrointestinal tract is important for resistance to many pathogens, but the memory T cells that mediate such immunity are poorly characterized. In this study, we show that following sterile cure of a primary infection with the gastrointestinal parasite Trichuris muris, memory CD4+ T cells persist in the draining mesenteric lymph node and protect mice against reinfection. The memory CD4+ T cells that developed were a heterogeneous population, consisting of both CD62Lhigh central memory T cells (TCM) and CD62Llow effector memory T cells (TEM) that were competent to produce the Th type 2 effector cytokine, IL-4. Unlike memory T cells that develop following exposure to several other pathogens, both CD4+ TCM and TEM populations persisted in the absence of chronic infection, and, critically, both populations were able to transfer protective immunity to naive recipients. CD62LhighCD4+ TCM were not apparent early after infection, but emerged following clearance of primary infection, suggesting that they may be derived from CD4+ TEM. Consistent with this theory, transfer of CD62LlowCD4+ TEM into naive recipients resulted in the development of a population of protective CD62LhighCD4+ TCM. Taken together, these studies show that distinct subsets of memory CD4+ T cells develop after infection with Trichuris, persist in the GALT, and mediate protective immunity to rechallenge.
The Path Density of Interhemispheric Surface-to-Surface Transport. Part II: Transport through the Troposphere and Stratosphere Diagnosed from NCEP Data

Interhemispheric transport from the earth’s surface north of 32.48N (region VN) to the surface south of 32.48S (region VS) is quantified using the path-density diagnostic developed in Part I of this study. The path density is computed using the Model of Atmospheric Transport and Chemistry (MATCH) driven by NCEP reanalyses. The structure of both the VN / VS and VN / VN zonally averaged path densities is examined in detail for air that had last VN contact (‘‘VN air’’) during January and July. The path density provides the joint probability that VN air will make its next surface contact with either VN or VS, that it will have surface-tosurface transit time t 2 (t, t 1 dt), and that it can be found in volume element d 3 r during its surface-tosurface journey. The distribution of surface-to-surface transit times, the probability of VN air making next contact with VS, and the probability of finding VN air destined for VS in the stratosphere are computed from suitable integrations of the path density. Approximately one-third of the VN air undergoes interhemispheric transport to VS, with a ;20% probability of being found in the stratosphere during its surface-to-surface journey. The stratospheric fraction has about equal contributions from the part of the stratosphere that is isentropically isolated from the troposphere and from the part that is isentropically connected to the troposphere (i.e., from the overworld and the stratospheric middleworld in the terminology of Hoskins). The flow rate through the stratospheric middleworld is about twice as large as the flow rate through the overworld.
IFN-β-Mediated Up-Regulation of CD1d in Bacteria-Infected APCs

The expression of CD1d molecules is essential for the selection and activation of a unique subset of T cells, invariant NKT cells, which express limited TCR diversity and have been demonstrated to function in both regulatory and antimicrobial immune responses. Although it has been reported that the levels of CD1d expression can be modulated during infection, the mechanisms that mediate this effect are poorly defined. In this study, we show that infection of dendritic cells and macrophages both in vitro and in vivo with the intracellular pathogen Listeria monocytogenes leads to up-regulation of CD1d. IFN-β is required to mediate this up-regulation in L. monocytogenes infection, as well as being sufficient to up-regulate CD1d expression in vitro. Unlike MHC class I molecules, the increased surface expression of CD1d by IFN-β is not regulated at the transcriptional level. Confocal microscopy and metabolic labeling experiments show that the total pool of CD1d protein is increased in IFN-β-treated cells and that increased surface expression of CD1d is not due to the redistribution of the intracellular pool of CD1d. IFN-β treatment increases the de novo synthesis of CD1d. This change in surface CD1d expression was functionally relevant, as IFN-β-treated dendritic cells are more efficient in stimulating invariant NKT cells than untreated controls. Taken together, these data support a role for early IFN-β-mediated up-regulation of CD1d in NKT cell activation during infection.
High Data Rate Multimode Fiber Access Systems

The increasing speed requirements of access systems have raised new challenges for this traditional MMF environment. We review glass and plastic multimode fiber performance demonstrating that this media is capable of supporting 40 Gbps serial data streams.
The Lasso under Heteroscedasticity

The performance of the Lasso is well understood under the assumptions of the standard linear model with homoscedastic noise. However, in several applications, the standard model does not describe the important features of the data. This paper examines how the Lasso performs on a non-standard model that is motivated by medical imaging applications. In these applications, the variance of the noise scales linearly with the expectation of the observation. Like all heteroscedastic models, the noise terms in this Poisson-like model are \textit{not} independent of the design matrix. More specifically, this paper studies the sign consistency of the Lasso under a sparse Poisson-like model. In addition to studying sufficient conditions for the sign consistency of the Lasso estimate, this paper also gives necessary conditions for sign consistency. Both sets of conditions are comparable to results for the homoscedastic model, showing that when a measure of the signal to noise ratio is large, the Lasso performs well on both Poisson-like data and homoscedastic data. Simulations reveal that the Lasso performs equally well in terms of model selection performance on both Poisson-like data and homoscedastic data (with properly scaled noise variance), across a range of parameterizations. Taken as a whole, these results suggest that the Lasso is robust to the Poisson-like heteroscedastic noise.
Client Management’s Assessments of Audit Offshoring and Their Willingness to Trade Off Audit Quality

Although large audit firms in the U.S. and the U.K. have begun offshoring audit work, there is limited research on this expanding practice. We survey senior-level client management regarding their perceptions of audit offshoring and its impact on audit quality and the audit process. In addition, we use audit offshoring as the context for our experiment to examine clients’ willingness to privately trade off audit quality for lower audit fees. Consistent with prior research on familiarity and country-of-origin, we predict and find that audit clients who are more familiar with audit offshoring are less concerned about its potential negative effects on audit quality than those who are less familiar. However, we find that even many familiar clients are nevertheless concerned about data security and confidentiality and want more transparency regarding audit firms’ offshoring practices. Our experiment provides novel evidence that clients are willing to trade off audit quality for lower audit fees when they know that investors are unaware that they are making this tradeoff. We discuss the implications of our findings for audit firms, clients, regulators, and investors.
A core flight software system

No two flight missions are alike, hence, development and on-orbit software costs are high. Software portability and adaptability across hardware platforms and operating systems has been minimal at best. Standard interfaces across applications and/or common applications are almost non-existent. To reduce flight software costs, these issues must be addressed. This presentation describes how the Flight Software Branch at Goddard Space Flight Center has architected a solution to these problems.
Arterial blood pressure and hyperviscosity in sickle cell disease

Abnormal rheologic behavior of sickle cells is the result of increased viscosity of the blood caused by the polymerization of hemoglobin S and the resultant production of dense, dehydrated sickle erythrocytes. As the viscosity of sickle cells increases, there is a negative impact on blood flow, which contributes to the vascular occlusion process, the hallmark of the sickling disorders. Blood flow is directly proportional to the blood pressure and inversely proportional to the blood viscosity. Blood flow has important implications for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in sickle cell patients and for transfusion therapy for the acute and chronic complications of this disease.
Distributed algorithms via gradient descent for fisher markets

Designing distributed algorithms that converge quickly to an equilibrium is one of the foremost research goals in algorithmic game theory, and convex programs have played a crucial role in the design of algorithms for Fisher markets. In this paper we shed new light on both aspects for Fisher markets with linear and spending constraint utilities. We show fast convergence of the Proportional Response dynamics recently introduced by Wu and Zhang. The convergence is obtained from a new perspective: we show that the Proportional Response dynamics is equivalent to a gradient descent algorithm (with respect to a Bregman divergence instead of euclidean distance) on a convex program that captures the equilibria for linear utilities. We further show that the convex program program easily extends to the case of spending constraint utilities, thus resolving an open question raised by Vazirani. This also gives a way to extend the Proportional Response dynamics to spending constraint utilties. We also prove a technical result that is interesting in its own right: that the gradient descent algorithm based on a Bregman divergence converges with rate O(1/t) under a condition that is weaker than having Lipschitz continuous gradient (which is the usual assumption in the optimization literature for obtaining the same rate).
Stereochemical assignment at the C‐13 carbon of pimaradienes by 13C NMR. A reassessment

According to reported results by Kato et al. in their 1977 paper, 13C data can not be used for assignment of stereochemistry at carbon-13 in pimaradiene-type compounds. By comparing well established 13C trends to the appropriate conformations, one can indeed predict the correct stereochemistry at C-13 of pimaradienes. The result by this method correlates exactly with crystal structure data. 13C NMR is reliable for determination of C-13 stereochemistry in the pimaradienes.
High performance AlInAs/GaInAs HBTs for high speed, low power digital circuits

Summary form only given. The authors describe high-performance single-heterojunction (SH) and double-heterostructure (DH) AlInAs/GaInAs HBTs (heterojunction bipolar transistors) for low-power digital circuits. They report record results in both DC and RF performance of AlInAs/GaInAs HBTs and circuits, including the highest unity current gain frequency, f/sub t/=78 GHz, reported for AlInAs/GaInAs HBTs, and a divide-by-four frequency divider operating up to a frequency of 17.1 GHz with a total power consumption of only 67 mW. >
Fully automated laser ablation liquid capture surface analysis using nanoelectrospray ionization mass spectrometry

RATIONALE Laser ablation provides for the possibility of sampling a large variety of surfaces with high spatial resolution. This type of sampling when employed in conjunction with liquid capture followed by nanoelectrospray ionization provides the opportunity for sensitive and prolonged interrogation of samples by mass spectrometry as well as the ability to analyze surfaces not amenable to direct liquid extraction. METHODS A fully automated, reflection geometry, laser ablation liquid capture spot sampling system was achieved by incorporating appropriate laser fiber optics and a focusing lens into a commercially available, liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA®)-ready Advion TriVersa NanoMate system. RESULTS Under optimized conditions about 10% of laser-ablated material could be captured in a droplet positioned vertically over the ablation region using the NanoMate robot-controlled pipette. The sampling spot size area with this laser ablation liquid capture surface analysis (LA/LCSA) mode of operation (typically about 120 µm × 160 µm) was approximately 50 times smaller than that achievable by direct liquid extraction using LESA® (ca 1 mm diameter liquid extraction spot). The setup was successfully applied for the analysis of ink on glass and paper as well as the endogenous components in Alstroemeria Yellow King flower petals. In a second mode of operation with a comparable sampling spot size, termed laser ablation/LESA®, the laser system was used to drill through, penetrate, or otherwise expose material beneath a solvent resistant surface. Once drilled, LESA® was effective in sampling soluble material exposed at that location on the surface. CONCLUSIONS Incorporating the capability for different laser ablation liquid capture spot sampling modes of operation into a LESA®-ready Advion TriVersa NanoMate enhanced the spot sampling spatial resolution of this device and broadened the surface types amenable to analysis to include absorbent and solvent-resistant materials. Published in 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Biological activity of 3,3',5'-triiodo-DL-thyronine.

Experiments have been conducted to evaluate the thyromimetic activity of 3,3′,5′-triiodo-DL-thyronine in rats as determined by its ability to slow the rate of loss of thyroidal radioactivity after administration of I131 and its suppression of thyroidal 24-hour I131 uptake. The administration of this substance in doses up to five times that of L-thyroxine failed to change the thyroidal I131 release rate under conditions in which the latter compound was strongly inhibitory. Similar results were obtained whether or not the recirculation of I131 was blocked by the administration of methimazole. In suppressing thyroidal I131 uptake it appeared to have 75% the activity of thyroxine, but inorganic iodide in comparable doses was observed to be equally effective. These results are interpeted as demonstrating a lack of significant thyromimetic activity in this compound, less than 10% that of thyroxine.
Renal elimination of a novel and potent αvβ3 integrin antagonist in animals

Compound A (3-{2-oxo-3-[3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-[1,8]napthyridin-2-yl)propyl]-imidazolidin-1-yl}-3(S)-(6-methoxy-pyridin-3-yl)propionic acid), a hydrophilic zwitterion, is a potent and selective αvβ3 integrin antagonist currently under clinical development for the treatment of osteoporosis. The mechanism of renal excretion of compound A was investigated using a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches.In rats, renal excretion of compound A involved tubular secretion; ratios between renal clearance, corrected for unbound fraction in plasma (CLr,u) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were greater than unity (2–5). The tubular secretion of compound A was saturable at high plasma levels (> 26 μM), and was inhibited significantly, although modestly (about twofold) by relatively high plasma concentrations of the organic anion PAH (160 µM) and the cation cimetidine (about 400 μM), but not by the P-gp inhibitor quinidine (about 50 μM). However, compound A (about 100 μM) had a minimal effect on CLr/GFRs for c...
Measuring the impact of data mining on churn management

Churn management is a fundamental concern for businesses and the emergence of the digital economy has made the problem even more acute. Companies’ initiatives to handle churn and customers’ profitability issues have been directed to more customer‐oriented strategies. In this paper, we present a customer relationship management framework based on the integration of the electronic channel. This framework is constituted of four tools that should provide an appropriate collection, treatment and analysis of data. From this perspective, we pay special attention to some of the latest data mining developments which, we believe, are destined to play a central role in churn management. Relying on sensitivity analysis, we propose an analysis framework able to prefigure the possible impact induced by the ongoing data mining enhancements on churn management and on the decision‐making process.
Decision-Making and its Social-Cultural Environments: A Proposed Research Model

The paper presents a research model for understanding decision-making assumed to being done within decision-making situations contextualized within a multilayered social-cultural environment which includes a national social-cultural environment, an organizational matrix, a professional worldview, and a familial environment influencing behavior, and for this essay, decisionmaking. These social-cultural matricies have various dimensions, for example, power distance and uncertainty avoidance. The various levels consist of multiple communities of discourse and practice, that is, social group or networks with attending meaning-systems, vocabularies, and practices. These communities influence communicative and decision-making styles. People exhibit these styles within decision-making situations which, in this paper, are located within organizations, or companies.
Exacerbation of extrarenal systemic lupus erythematosus following peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis.

serum. The patient was treated with an increase in the dose of prednisone to 40mg daily , the addition of irbersartan (6), and the use of gloves. She has improved gradually on that regime. When last seen, 5weeks after the lupus flare , her Raynaud’s phenomenon and arthralgias had disappeared and her hands were warm. The papillae of the tongue had regenerated and discomfort during mastication had subsided. Her laboratory tests had improved, although ANA titer remained high and complement levels were stilllow . The temporal association between an episode of peritonitis and a lupus flare suggests that the infection could have triggered the flare. In a literature search, we found one other case of lupus flare following PD catheter infection in the series by Wu and colleagues (4). These authors did not comment on the probability that the PD catheter infection triggered the lupus flare. We may have missed other reported associations between PD catheter infections and lupus flares. We suggest that peritonitis may trigger lupus flares in PD. In our patient, the combination of serologically active disease and low doses of maintenance medications could have contributed to the clinical exacerbation after the immunologic stimulus of peritonitis. We suggest that SLE activity should be monitored in PD patients with SLE that develop peritonitis.
Nature inspiring processing route toward high throughput production of perovskite photovoltaics

We report our results of developing perovskite thin films with high coverage, improved uniformity and preserved crystalline continuity in a single pass deposition. This approach, inspired by the natural phenomena of tears of wine, works by regulating the hydrodynamics of the material comprising of droplets during spray-pyrolysis. In contrast to conventional spray-pyrolysis where droplets dry independently and form a rough morphology, the use of binary solvent system creates localized surface tension gradients that initiate Marangoni flows, thus directing the incoming droplets to spontaneously undergo coalescing, merging and spreading into a continuous wet films before drying. By systematically exploring the dynamics of spreading and drying, we achieve spray-coated perovskite photovoltaics with power conversion efficiency of 14.2%, a near two-fold improvement than that of the spray-pyrolysis counterpart. Of particular significance is the fact that the single pass deposition technique unveils novel inroads in efficient management of lead consumption during deposition.
Trajectories of Cigarette Smoking Beginning in Adolescence Predict Insomnia in the Mid Thirties

ABSTRACTBackground: Insomnia is increasingly recognized as a public health concern in modern society. Insomnia diagnoses appear to be increasing and are associated with poor health outcomes. They may cost $100 billion annually in health services. Objective: Given the adverse consequences of insomnia such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and depression, the present study was designed to examine the relationship of the trajectories of earlier cigarette smoking and later insomnia. The ultimate goal is to reduce the prevalence of insomnia. Methods: 674 participants (53% African Americans, 47% Puerto Ricans, 60% females) were surveyed at 6 points in time. We employed the growth mixture model to obtain the trajectories of cigarette smoking from age 14 to 32. We used logistic regression analyses to examine the associations between the trajectories of smoking and insomnia. Results: Males were less likely to have insomnia than females (Adjusted odds ratio: AOR = 0.34, p < .05). A higher Bayesian posterior prob...
Abstract 5155: BMP-2 inhibits the tumorigenicity of human osteosarcoma tumor-initiating cells

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), members of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β superfamily, were originally identified as molecules that induce bone and cartilage formation and are now considered as multifunctional cytokines. More recently, there have been a number of studies showing the inhibitory effects of BMP-2 on tumorigenesis in many cancers. However, very little has been investigated to date about the role of BMP-2 in human osteosarcoma. In the present study we show that BMP-2 inhibits the tumorigenicity of an aggressive human osteosarcoma cell line, OS99-1. Based on the stem cell theory of cancer, a subpopulation of cells showing characteristics of stem cells was identified using high aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity (ALDHbr cells) from xenografts. These stem-like cells were found to be highly tumorigenic and were classified as tumor initiating cells. In vitro, the growth of the sorted tumorigenic ALDHbr cells was significantly inhibited by the addition of 300 ng/ml of BMP-2 in the presence of 0.5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 48h, as evaluated by cell proliferation assay. In addition, using RT-PCR analysis, we found BMP-2 down-regulated the expressions of embryonic stem cell markers Oct3/4, Nanog, and Sox-2. Conversely there was an increase in the transcription of osteogenic markers Runx-2 and Collagen Type I in the sorted tumorigenic ALDHbr cells treated with the same BMP-2 solution for 48h compared with the same volume of vehicle. In vivo, tumor formation in animals was compared to a control receiving ALDHbr cells maintained under identical conditions without BMP-2. All animals receiving untreated ALDHbr cells developed large tumor masses that showed characteristic osteosarcoma features, including nuclear atypia, extensive neovascularization, and high mitotic activity. Conversely, ALDHbr cells treated with 30μg/animal of BMP-2 did not form significant tumors. Further immunostaining confirmed most Ki-67 positive cells were shown in the tumor sections from mice injected with ALDHbr cells without BMP-2, whereas few Ki-67 positive cells were present in the sections of tumor from ALDHbr cells treated with BMP-2. Based on these results, it appears that BMP-2 may suppress tumor growth by inducing the differentiation of tumor -initiating cells. BMP-2 or BMP-2-mimetic drugs, if properly delivered to tumor and combined with traditional therapies, may therefore provide a new therapeutic option. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5155.