cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A retrospective review of acute myeloid leukaemia in 35 dogs diagnosed by a combination of morphologic findings, flow cytometric immunophenotyping and cytochemical staining results (2007‐2015)

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is an uncommon, rapidly progressive neoplasm in dogs. The aim of this retrospective study was to characterize the clinical presentation, haematologic findings, diagnostic imaging results, treatment and survival time of a contemporary cohort of dogs with AML. Diagnosis was based on >20% blasts in bone marrow or blood identified as myeloid based on morphologic findings, flow cytometric immunophenotyping and cytochemical staining. Medical records of 35 dogs diagnosed with AML from 2007 to 2015 were included. Most dogs presented with inappetence (66%) and lethargy (57%) and physical examination findings of peripheral lymphadenopathy (74%) and tachypnea (62%). Common haematologic findings were quantifiable circulating blasts (85%; median blast count 35 700/μL; range: 300-276 500/μL), anaemia (median haematocrit 34%; range: 11%-52%) and thrombocytopenia (median 57 000/μL; range: 9000-252 000/μL). Bicytopenia and pancytopenia were each found in 44% of dogs. Follow-up information was available for 34 dogs. The overall median survival time from diagnosis was 19 days (range: 1-121 days). Clinical progression in some dogs was not as rapid as previously reported. Haematologic responses to various chemotherapeutics were documented in 3 dogs, with associated survival times of 62, 103 and 121 days. Dogs treated with prednisone or a combination of chemotherapy and prednisone had improved survival compared to dogs that received symptomatic care only (P < .0001). Our results show canine AML has an overlapping clinical presentation with lymphoma. The prognosis for canine AML remains extremely guarded. Further studies are needed to optimize therapeutic regimens for dogs with AML.
iPSC Reprogramming Is Not Just an Open and Shut Case

What exactly happens to chromatin as cells undergo an identity change? In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Li et al. (2017) and Knaupp et al. (2017) offer new insights by mapping in exquisite detail chromatin accessibility dynamics as mouse embryonic fibroblasts are reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells.
State Auditors in Education Policy

Contemporary education reform movements in the United States have emphasized accountability for student performance. Policy actors serving within the executive branch have arguably gained power in ...
Phototransduction: Phototransduction in Rods

Rods are extremely sensitive to light to the extent that they can detect single photons. The biochemical cascade responsible for rod phototransduction is established. The exquisite sensitivity of the rod system is achieved through high quantum efficiency of photoactivation, multiple amplification steps in combination with a very low noise design. This article describes the current understanding on each of these features.
Spatially Structured Enzyme Support Arrangements in Electrochemical Systems

Numerous ideas have been developed and others have been proposed for combining electrochemistry and immobilized enzymes to produce unique in vitro processes of possible use in energy transfer, analytical chemistry, and organic synthesis. Some recent and pertinent reviews have been published elsewhere (1–3). Early in vitro enzyme catalyzed energy transfer studies utilized microbial cells or isolated enzymes in solution or attached loosely to electron conducting supports; but the results of these studies showed rather poor electron transfer efficiencies (1,4,5). In analytical chemistry a wide variety of enzyme electrodes or immobilized enzyme assay techniques have been devised, often with Polarographic or Potentiometric readout (1,2). While in organic syntheses, the electrochemical regeneration of enzyme oxidation-reduction cofactors holds promise for the development of complex enzyme-catalyst reaction systems (6). In most of these studies little attention has been given to the relative spatial arrangement of the immobilized enzyme, the support matrix, and the electron conducting electrode material. However, some of the more recent studies have begun to explore the possibilities inherent in constructing specific relative spatial arrangements for the enzyme, the matrix, and the conducting electrode material. The purpose of this paper is to describe several immobilized enzyme systems where the spatial arrangement of the components may be an important factor in the overall electrochemical performance of the process.
The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting

Consultants are called upon more and more to help implement needed organizational changes, fill gaps in workforce capabilities, and solve significant business problems. As the demand for consultants increases, it is critical that practitioners differentiate themselves and understand how they can be most successful, for themselves and their clients. The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting details what effective consultants do and provides a step by step process of just how they do it. The Second Edition of The Basic Principles of Effective Consulting is fully updated with real-life cases. End-of-chapter summaries foster both mastery and engagement, as well as providing a quick reference throughout a consultant’s career. In addition, each chapter includes a section "From the experts" written by successful consultants and users of consultants’ services. These experts share ideas and tips about their own consulting experiences that relate to chapter material. The book is written for entry level and seasoned consultants, project managers, staff advisors, and anyone who wants to learn (or be reminded of) the basic principles of effective consulting. The book is well suited as an excellent textbook for college courses on consulting, organizational training, and a lifetime go-to consultant’s resource.
Soybean Response to Dicamba: A Meta-Analysis

A meta-analysis of 11 previously published field studies was conducted with the objectives being to (1) estimate the no observable effects dose (NOED) for dicamba on susceptible soybean; (2) evaluate available evidence for hormesis, or increased soybean yield in response to low doses of dicamba; (3) estimate the dose of dicamba likely to cause measurable soybean yield loss under field conditions; and (4) quantify the relationship between visible injury symptoms and soybean yield loss. All studies that included visible injury data (N=7) reported injury symptoms at the lowest nonzero dicamba dose applied (as low as 0.03 g ae ha-1), and therefore a NOED could not be estimated from the existing peerreviewed literature. Based on statistical tests for hormesis, there is insufficient evidence to support any claim of increased soybean yield at low dicamba doses. Future research should include a range of dicamba doses lower than 0.03 g ha-1 to estimate a NOED and determine whether a hormesis effect is possible at or below dicamba doses that cause visible injury symptoms. Soybean is more susceptible to dicamba when exposed at flowering (R1 to R2 stage) compared with vegetative stages (V1 to V7). A dicamba dose of 0.9 g ha-1 (95% CI=0.08 to 1.7) at the flowering stage was estimated to cause 5% soybean yield loss. When exposed at vegetative stages, dicamba doses that cause less than 30% visible injury symptoms (95% CI=23 to 49%) appear unlikely to cause greater than 5% soybean yield loss; however, if soybean is exposed at flowering, visible injury symptoms greater than 12% (95% CI=8 to 16%) are likely to be associated with at least 5% soybean yield loss.Nomenclature: Dicamba; soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr.
Virulence of Marburg Virus Angola Compared to Mt. Elgon (Musoke) in Macaques: A Pooled Survival Analysis

Angola variant (MARV/Ang) has replaced Mt. Elgon variant Musoke isolate (MARV/MtE-Mus) as the consensus standard variant for Marburg virus research and is regarded as causing a more aggressive phenotype of disease in animal models; however, there is a dearth of published evidence supporting the higher virulence of MARV/Ang. In this retrospective study, we used data pooled from eight separate studies in nonhuman primates experimentally exposed with either 1000 pfu intramuscular (IM) MARV/Ang or MARV/MtE-Mus between 2012 and 2017 at the United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the association of variant type with time to death, the development of anorexia, rash, viremia, and 10 select clinical laboratory values. A total of 47 cynomolgus monkeys were included, of which 18 were exposed to MARV/Ang in three separate studies and 29 to MARV/MtE-Mus in five studies. Following universally fatal Marburg virus exposure, compared to MARV/MtE-Mus, MARV/Ang was associated with an increased risk of death (HR = 22.10; 95% CI: 7.08, 68.93), rash (HR = 5.87; 95% CI: 2.76, 12.51) and loss of appetite (HR = 35.10; 95% CI: 7.60, 162.18). Our data demonstrate an increased virulence of MARV/Ang compared to MARV/MtE-Mus variant in the 1000 pfu IM cynomolgus macaque model.
Architecture Optimization and Performance Comparison of Nonce-Misuse-Resistant Authenticated Encryption Algorithms

This paper presents a performance comparison of new authenticated encryption (AE) algorithms which are aimed at providing better security and resource efficiency compared to existing standards. Specifically, these algorithms improve the security of existing AE standards by providing a critical property termed nonce-misuse resistance. This paper addresses algorithm to architectural mappings of several candidates from the ongoing Competition for AE: Security, Applicability, and Robustness as well as a submission from the Crypto Forum Research Group. Implementations of the architectures on both field-programmable gate arrays and application-specific integrated circuits platforms are provided and compared with the architecture of a popular standard: Advanced Encryption Standard in Galois Counter mode (AES-GCM). Optimizations that are applicable to AE, in general, and nonce-misuse-resistant architectures, in particular, are presented. A hardware–software codesign approach to optimization is also discussed. The implementations via proposed optimizations demonstrate that new AE algorithms can provide comparable performance as standard AES-GCM while enhancing security and resource utilization for specific use-case scenarios.
Collaborative study of a method for the atomic absorption spectrophotometric and polarographic determination of cadmium in food

The method studied involved acid digestion, dithizone extraction, and determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry and polarography. This study consisted of 2 phases, with 10 laboratories participating in Phase I and 15 laboratories in Phase II. The 12 commodities studied (lettuce, potatoes, orange juice, shredded wheat, milk, sugar, eggs, fish, frankfurters, rice, beans and oysters) were spiked at 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 ppM cadmium. Only 3 collaborators submitted polarographic results. There were no statistically demonstrable differences for the atomic absorption method between spiking levels, commodities, or laboratories. Coefficients of variation were acceptable. The atomic absorption spectrophotometric method for determining cadmium has been adopted as official first action. 2 references, 2 tables.
Gaining Access and Constituent Correspondence in the U.S. House of Representatives

In this article, we use legislative correspondence to determine who gains access to key staffers in a congressional office. To evaluate our theory of the office power hierarchy, we test hypotheses ...
Wave energy conversion under constrained wave-by-wave impedance matching with amplitude and phase-match limits

Abstract This paper investigates an approach to limit the fullness of ‘tuning’ provided by wave-by-wave impedance matching control of wave energy devices in irregular waves. A single analytical formulation based on the Lagrange multiplier approach of Evans [1] is used to limit the velocity amplitude while also limiting the closeness of the phase match between velocity and exciting force. The paper studies the effect of the present technique in concurrently limiting the device velocity and the required control/actuation force. Time domain application requires wave-profile prediction, which here is based on a deterministic propagation model. Also examined in the time domain is the effect of possible violation of the displacement constraint, which for many designs implies impacts at hard stops within the power take-off mechanism. Time domain simulations are carried out for a 2-body axisymmetric converter (with physical end-stops) in sea states reported for a site off the US east coast. It is found that the approach leads to effective power conversion in the less energetic sea states, while as desired, considerable muting of the optimal response is found in the larger sea states. Under the assumptions of this work, the end-stop collisions are found to have a minor effect on the power conversion. The present approach could be used to guide the design of power take-off systems so that their displacement stroke, maximum force, and resistive and reactive power limits are well-matched to the achievable performance of a given controlled primary energy converter.
Abstract 514: Proteomic Characterization of Extracellular Matrix Regulation in Human Aortic Valve Development and Disease

We present the first report of the collagen protein interactome in human aortic valve (AV) development and disease. AV disease affects up to 13% of the world population. As no therapies are availab...
Transitions to family caregiving: enrolling incident caregivers and matched non-caregiving controls from a population-based study

Providing care to an older adult with a disability has been associated with increased risk to the caregiver’s health, but most previous studies of caregiving and health compare persons who are already caregivers with poorly matched non-caregiving controls and are often based on convenience samples. In this report, we describe the enrollment of persons who transitioned into a family caregiving role while participating in a national epidemiological study. Participants in the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study were asked on two occasions 9–14 years apart if they were providing care on an ongoing basis to a family member with a chronic illness or disability. Those who answered “no” and “yes”, respectively, to this caregiving question and reported sufficient caregiving responsibilities after their transitions were enrolled in the present study as incident caregivers (N = 251). Participants matched on multiple demographic and health history variables and who reported no history of caregiving were enrolled as non-caregiving controls (N = 251). Among eligible participants, 84% agreed to participate, and 47% of caregivers reported caring for a person with dementia. Descriptive analyses confirmed the success of the matching procedures for balancing the groups on multiple demographic and pre-caregiving health variables. Depressive symptoms and perceived stress increased significantly after the transition to caregiving. Comparable, population-based samples of incident caregivers and matched non-caregivers have been enrolled. Future analyses will examine within-person changes in health and circulating biomarkers as a function of the transition to caregiving.
The Dialogic Nature of Semiotic Tools in Facilitating Conscious Thought: Peirce’s and Vygotskii’s Models

Peirce’s adherence to the endoporeutic principle reveals how abductive rationality can effectively be exploited; it elevates dialogue as the most efficacious intervention to advance the development of modal logic. Peirce’s endoporeutic principle prefigures Vygotskii’s private and inner speech as the primary factor affecting thought refinement. This inquiry explores the far-reaching effects of internal dialogue upon hypothesis-making, particularly critical at early ages. In short, Propositions expressed in talking to self may obviate which hunches surface in their infancy as faulty/plausible, in a way that no other kind of interventions can insinuate, creating what Peirce describes as “double consciousness.” Double consciousness privileges the element of surprise within dialogic exchanges (linguistic, and non-linguistic alike) by means of the imposition of the “strange intruding” idea. Double consciousness as self-talk can preclude adopting emergent propositions/assertions (often only implicit), it offers a powerful forum to discard hasty/weak hunches in a timely fashion, together with those whose content fails to give rise to serviceable courses of action and workable remedies.
Activation of Meiotic Genes Mediates Ploidy Reduction during Cryptococcal Infection.

Summary Cryptococcus neoformans is a global human fungal pathogen that causes fatal meningoencephalitis in mostly immunocompromised individuals. During pulmonary infection, cryptococcal cells form large polyploid cells that exhibit increased resistance to host immune attack and are proposed to contribute to the latency of cryptococcal infection. These polyploid titan cells can generate haploid and aneuploid progeny that may result in systemic infection. What triggers cryptococcal polyploidization and how ploidy reduction is achieved remain open questions. Here, we discovered that Cryptococcus cells polyploidize in response to genotoxic stresses that cause DNA double-strand breaks. Intriguingly, meiosis-specific genes are activated in C. neoformans and contribute to ploidy reduction, both in vitro and during infection in mice. Cryptococcal cells that activated their meiotic genes in mice were resistant to specific genotoxic stress compared to sister cells recovered from the same host tissue but without activation of meiotic genes. Our findings support the idea that meiotic genes, in addition to their conventional roles in classic sexual reproduction, contribute to adaptation of eukaryotic cells that undergo dramatic genome changes in response to genotoxic stress. The discovery has additional implications for evolution of sexual reproduction and the paradox of the presence of meiotic machinery in asexual species. Finally, our findings in this eukaryotic microbe mirror the revolutionary discoveries of the polyploidization and meiosis-like ploidy reduction process in cancer cells, suggesting that the reversible ploidy change itself could provide a general mechanism for rejuvenation to promote individual survival in response to stress.
Fileshark: A Graphical File System Visualization Tool

The file system is a critical and ubiquitous part of our operating systems, yet it is often poorly understood. While many undergraduate students studying computer science learn the fundamentals of operating systems, they can often find it difficult to fully comprehend how a file system works. This difficulty may be in part because the true workings of a file system are hidden from the user, and so any coverage of its operation was done, by necessity, in the abstract. To address this, we have created a tool which visualizes the operations of the file system in situ, much like Wireshark provides information on what is happening on a network. Our tool, named Fileshark, provides an easy-to-use interface for visualizing the processes involved in reading, storing, and deleting data. Our tool can aid in the teaching of operating systems, computer forensics, and common concepts like transactions that are also found in other domains (e.g. databases and distributed systems).
Evaluating trends and seasonality in modeled PM 2.5 concentrations using empirical mode decomposition

Abstract. Regional-scale air quality models are being used for studying the sources, composition, transport, transformation, and deposition of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The availability of decadal air quality simulations provides a unique opportunity to explore sophisticated model evaluation techniques rather than relying solely on traditional operational evaluations. In this study, we propose a new approach for process-based model evaluation of speciated PM2.5 using improved Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (improved CEEMDAN) to assess how well version 5.0.2 of the coupled Weather Research and Forecasting model – Community Multiscale Air Quality model (WRF-CMAQ) simulates the time-dependent long-term trend and cyclical variations in the daily average PM2.5 and its species, including sulfate (SO4), nitrate (NO3), ammonium (NH4), chloride (Cl) organic carbon (OC) and elemental carbon (EC). The utility of the proposed approach for model evaluation is demonstrated using PM2.5 data at three monitoring locations. At these locations, the model is generally more capable of simulating the rate of change in the long-term trend component than its absolute magnitude. Amplitudes of the sub-seasonal and annual cycles of total PM2.5, SO4 and OC are well reproduced. However, the time-dependent phase difference in the annual cycles for total PM2.5, OC and EC reveal a phase shift of up to half year, indicating the need for proper temporal allocation of emissions and for updating the treatment of organic aerosols compared to the model version used for this set of simulations. Evaluation of sub-seasonal and inter-annual variations indicates that CMAQ is more capable of replicating the sub-seasonal cycles than inter-annual variations in magnitude and phase.
Deep net route generation faster than a bullet

Recent breakthroughs in deep net processing have shown the ability to compute solutions to physics-based problems such as the three-body problem many orders-of-magnitude times faster. In this paper, we show how a deep autoencoder, trained on paths generated using a dynamical, physics-based model can generate comparable routes much faster. The autogenerated routes have all the properties of a physics-based model without the computational burden of explicitly solving the dynamical equations. This result is useful for planning and multi-agent reinforcement learning simulation purposes. In addition, the fast route planning capability may prove useful in real time situations such as collision avoidance or fast dynamic targeting response.
Dynamic Modeling of Field Operators in Human Reliability Analysis: An EMRALD and GOMS-HRA Dynamic Model of FLEX Operator Actions

In response to the Fukushima Dai-ichi accident, the Nuclear Energy Institute developed guidance for establishing flexible coping strategies for beyond-design-basis external events (BDBEE). These coping strategies, termed FLEX, consist of additional equipment and procedures to safeguard the plant in the event of a BDBEE. Little research has been performed to model the FLEX activities with dynamic human reliability analysis (HRA). The research described here sought to build an HRA model of FLEX activities for a station blackout event, add dynamics to the model using the GOMS-HRA method, and evaluate the feasibility and ease of building the dynamic model within an existing dynamic PRA tool called Event Modeling Risk Assessment using Linked Diagrams (EMRALD). The modelling effort was successful in building a dynamic HRA model of FLEX activities within the existing dynamic PRA tool and highlighted several potential improvements to enable EMRALD to better incorporate HRA more effectively within its framework.
Model-based deep embedding for constrained clustering analysis of single cell RNA-seq data.

Clustering is a critical step in single cell-based studies. Most existing methods support unsupervised clustering without the a priori exploitation of any domain knowledge. When confronted by the high dimensionality and pervasive dropout events of scRNA-Seq data, purely unsupervised clustering methods may not produce biologically interpretable clusters, which complicates cell type assignment. In such cases, the only recourse is for the user to manually and repeatedly tweak clustering parameters until acceptable clusters are found. Consequently, the path to obtaining biologically meaningful clusters can be ad hoc and laborious. Here we report a principled clustering method named scDCC, that integrates domain knowledge into the clustering step. Experiments on various scRNA-seq datasets from thousands to tens of thousands of cells show that scDCC can significantly improve clustering performance, facilitating the interpretability of clusters and downstream analyses, such as cell type assignment. Clustering cells based on similarities in gene expression is the first step towards identifying cell types in scRNASeq data. Here the authors incorporate biological knowledge into the clustering step to facilitate the biological interpretability of clusters, and subsequent cell type identification.
Right Ventricular Pulmonary Artery Coupling and Mortality in Cardiac Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Background Impaired right ventricular (RV) pulmonary artery coupling has been associated with higher mortality in patients with chronic heart disease, but few studies have examined this metric in c...
Geospatial decision support system for ameliorating adverse impacts of irrigated agriculture on aquatic ecosystems

Abstract Tributary stream systems provide an important source of water for sustaining adjacent irrigated agricultural enterprises. Unfortunately, irrigation withdrawals, depending on the timing and amounts, can have substantial negative impacts on critical aquatic ecosystems in the tributaries. Current regulatory trends in many regions point to increased restrictions on irrigation diversions for ecosystem protection, which could lead to increased risk of shortfalls in agricultural crop production. A geospatial decision support system (geo-DSS) integrating a spatially gridded hydro-meteorological flow estimation model (HL-RDHM) with a GIS-based river basin management model (GeoMODSIM) is presented for evaluating water management alternatives for maintaining the viability of irrigated agriculture while mollifying detrimental impacts on aquatic ecosystems and maintaining environmental flow requirements. As a case study, the geo-DSS is applied to the Feliz Creek basin tributary to the Russian River of northern coastal California which is home to a thriving viticulture industry while supporting spawning habitat for endangered and threatened fish species. The geo-DSS is applied on spatial (~1 km grid size) and temporal (daily) scales that are ecologically relevant for modeling agricultural operations and water rights priorities. The geo-DSS utilizes extensive sets of hydrologic forcing data varying from dry to wet conditions to assess baseline conditions and evaluate management alternatives. Baseline model results show that with minimum bypass flow restrictions in place for instream flow protection, the cumulative effects of upstream diversions can still be significant during low flow periods, while creating substantial risk of agricultural irrigation supply shortages. The case study application demonstrates that the geo-DSS is capable of locating, sizing, and managing off-stream farm ponds receiving optimally timed diversions from adjacent streams that are necessary for maintaining agricultural water supply while complying with environmental flow requirements for sustaining aquatic ecosystems.
Imperfect Instantaneous Energy Conservation in Wheeler–Feynman Absorber Theory

In classical electrodynamics, it can be challenging to demonstrate the balance between minus of power of radiating particles and retarded radiation energy flux for radiation in the free-space because of the field’s singularity. In an alternative radiation theory of Wheeler–Feynman absorber theory, which is based on a first principle of time-symmetric interaction between radiating particles surrounded by the absorber at large distance, the singularity is eliminated but the balance cannot be preserved due to advanced effects. This is quantitatively demonstrated with an argument of consequent non-classical light radiated by classical current.
The Histogram-Based Subsystem

Color histograms are easy to compute, and are computable for any kind of images. In ARBIRS, we use color histograms to represent texture regions.
Is Happiness a Moving Target? The Relationship Between Residential Mobility and Meaning in Life

Despite a long tradition of residential mobility in the United States and a growing trend of international mobility, the impact of frequent moving has only recently become a topic of scientific inquiry. The growing body of literature on residential mobility has considered how moving impacts well-being, but has not directly examined the role of residential mobility in the development and maintenance of meaning in life (MIL). This chapter considers the existing research on residential mobility, exploring the links between moving and various outcomes that could significantly impact MIL, including personal identity development, quality of interpersonal relationships, community involvement, and the experience of positive affect. Based on the accumulated evidence, three competing models for the possible relationship between moving and meaning in life are proposed, and the need for empirical research is discussed.
Phosphorylation Reactions Associated with the Glucocorticoid Receptor

Phosphorylation/dephosphorylation has proven to be a prominent control mechanism in biology for activation or repression of the activities of a variety of proteins. Considerable progress has been made concerning the regulation of protein kinase activity of many cell membrane receptors for hormones and growth factors by phosphorylation. More recently, steroid hormone receptors, located within the cell, have been found to be phospho-proteins as well, and there are a few reports suggestive of protein kinase activity either being inherent to, or closely related to glucocorticoid and estradiol receptors. This chapter surveys recent work on the phosphorylation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), the evidence that it either is, or is closely associated with, a protein kinase and some of the activities of this kinase.
Model Study of Dynamic Response of Landing Mat

A 1/7 scale model is developed that simulates the dynamic response of AM2 landing mat subjected to C-5A aircraft landings. The fundamental variables include length, material stiffness, density, aircraft deceleration and velocity, coefficients of friction, tire pressure, and soil-mat interaction. The model is validated by simulating a buckling failure in prototype AM2 mat at Dyess Air Force Base. Five runway modifications are tested: (1)Restraint by pretensioned bands riveted to the mat surface; (2)diagonal laying pattern; (3)increased friction at the mat-subgrade interface; (4)cleats attached to the underside of the mat; and (5)longitudinal stiffeners.
STOCK MARKET REACTION TO MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN ADOPTION

The papers by Brickley, Bhagat and Lease ('The Impact of Long-Range Managerial Compensation Plans on Shareholder Wealth') and by Tehranian and Waegelein ('Market Reaction to Short-Term Executive Compensation Plan Adoption') examine stock price performance around the time firms adopt management incentive plans. Each paper finds positive stock price performance. In this overview, I integrate the evidence presented in these two stimulating papers, and suggest additional tests of important economic hypotheses. Before discussing the details of the two papers, I have some observations on the overall picture that emerges from the studies. First, the general conclusion of positive stock price performance around the time of incentive plan adoption is strongly supported by the evidence in the two papers, and is not due to some methodological quirk. In light of these two papers (with different samples yet similar results) and of Larcker's (1983) findings along the same lines, it is difficult to argue that incentive plans are merely an 'excessive perk' whose adoption hurts shareholders. Second, there is evidence on reasons for the positive stock price performance. The evidence supports two views. One is that plan adoption leads to higher stock prices, via, for example, incentive effects. An alternative view is that higher stock prices lead to plan adoption: some of the data suggest the possibility that firms adopt plans after a period of favorable performance, and the data are consistent with the notion that plan adoption takes place in expectation of future stock price increases, that is, when management has favorable inside information about the firm's future prospects. As I shall
Computing rates of growth of division fields on CM abelian varieties

We report on algorithmic aspects of the problem of explicitly computing the rate of growth of the field of N k -th division points on an n-dimensional simple Abelian variety with Complex Multiplication. Two new examples are discussed.
Observational Studies: Overview

An observational study is an empirical but nonexperimental investigation of the effects caused by a treatment. In an experiment, such as a clinical trial, the investigator assigns subjects at random to treatment groups ensuring that comparable subjects receive competing treatments. In an observational study, the investigator does not control the assignment of treatments, with the consequence that the individuals in different treatment groups may not have been comparable prior to treatment. Analytical adjustments, such as matching, are used to remove overt bias, that is, pretreatment differences that are accurately measured and recorded. In addition, there may be pretreatment differences that were not recorded, called hidden bias. An observational study is designed to permit detection of the most plausible hidden biases. In addition, the analysis of an observational study investigates the sensitivity of conclusions to hidden biases of plausible magnitudes. Strategies for making studies less sensitive to unmeasured biases are discussed.
Cytochrome oxidase solubilization at high pH. II. Separation and partial isolation of cytochrome oxidase from beef heart mitochondria without use of detergents or sonic oscillations.

Abstract Two new methods are presented for the separation and partial isolation of cytochrome oxidase from high pH-solubilized beef heart mitochondria. In the first method, cytochromes c and b are extracted from extensively water-washed beef heart mitochondria by titration with alkali hydroxides to pH values between 10.0–10.2, leaving behind cytochrome oxidase-enriched residues. The oxidase-rich residues are washed with water and re-extracted by titration with alkali hydroxides to pH 12, yielding a soluble fraction rich in cytochrome oxidase and very low in content of cytochrome b and c components. The solubilized, oxidase-enriched preparations are treated with (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 to obtain a cytochrome oxidase preparation which contains no cytochrome b and little or no cytochrome c . The material solubilized at pH 10.0–10.2 contains mainly b and c cytochrome components and only traces of the oxidase. The latter can be removed by pH adjustment to yield a fraction containing only b and c cytochromes and no a or oxidase components. In the second method, the extensively water-washed beef heart mitochondria are solubilized by alkali titration to pH 12. The solubilized material containing c , b , and oxidase components is spun at 110,0000 for 1 hr, yielding a residue containing cytochrome oxidase and very little or no b and c components. The above methods permit simple and direct physicochemical separations of cytochrome components from mitochondria and preparation of active oxidase components in good yield, without the use of bile salts, detergents, or sonic oscillations.
The effect of probiotics on immune regulation, acne, and photoaging

Probiotics are live micro-organisms that provide a health benefit to the host. The role of probiotics in the management of disease, as well as immune modification, has recently experienced a renewed interest in society, as probiotics can be found in products ranging from yogurt to facial creams. In this article, we discuss the role of probiotics in the development of the immune system, the treatment of acne and rosacea, and protection against aging and photodamage.
Twenty Years of Speckle Interferometry

It is an honor for me to be the first speaker at this symposium celebrating the five hundredth anniversary of the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela as well as recognizing the contributions to astronomy made by the past and present staff members of the Observatorio Astronomico “Ramon Maria Aller.” I congratulate Dr. Docobo and his co-organizers for putting together such an interesting meeting and wish them the very best in their efforts to advance astronomical research and education in this historic and lovely part of the world.
Electrophysiological Studies on Initiation and Reversal of the Heart Beat in Ciona Intestinalis

1. Electrophysiological techniques have been used to define pacemaker characteristics and organization in the heart of the tunicate Ciona intestinalis . The frequency of spontaneous beat initiation was regular or irregular for a given period of time; in any single heart, these frequency modes intermittently changed from one to the other in no regular order. Reversals could take place immediately, after a pause, or after collisions. 2. Trains of electrical stimuli applied to the ends of the heart could drive propagated contractions at a frequency of up to 2.6/sec, and dominance could be controlled by altering the frequency and/or intensity of the stimuli. Each end gave a characteristic response to increasing frequency of driving, and the threshold for one-to-one driving was frequency-dependent. 3. When the middle of a heart was ligatured, the two ends were independently active. Visceral ends exhibited regularly varying levels of high and low frequency with a period of several minutes, whereas the frequency levels of the hypobranchial ends varied irregularly. 4. Intracellular resting potentials were approximately -50 mV., and propagated action potentials associated with contractile events did not show ‘overshoot.’ Partial electrical responses were affiliated with weak or failing mechanical events, and complex, double-peaked intracellular potentials were often associated with collisions. In some cases a cell could show electrical activity that was completely dissociated from the mechanical response of the whole heart. Excitation thus probably spreads passively between cells, and multiple foci of activity may co-exist at any given time. 5. From electrophysiological and anatomical data, an hypothesis is proposed to explain the observed mechanical activity on the basis of the interactions of individual cells and higher-order interactions among groups of cells. Supported by grants from the U.S. Public Health Service (NB-02944) and the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR-334-67) to Dr Donald Kennedy, and by a National Science Foundation Pre-doctoral Fellowship to the author.
Carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions in urban turf

Undisturbed grasslands can sequester significant quantities of organic carbon (OC) in soils. Irrigation and fertilization enhance CO2sequestration in managed turfgrass ecosystems but can also increase emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs). To better understand the GHG balance of urban turf, we measured OC sequestration rates and emission of N2O (a GHG ∼ 300 times more effective than CO2) in Southern California, USA. We also estimated CO2 emissions generated by fuel combustion, fertilizer production, and irrigation. We show that turf emits significant quantities of N2O (0.1–0.3 g N m−2 yr−1) associated with frequent fertilization. In ornamental lawns this is offset by OC sequestration (140 g C m−2 yr−1), while in athletic fields, there is no OC sequestration because of frequent surface restoration. Large indirect emissions of CO2 associated with turfgrass management make it clear that OC sequestration by turfgrass cannot mitigate GHG emissions in cities.
Elevated CO2 and conifer roots: effects on growth, life span and turnover

Elevated CO2 increases root growth and fine (diam. 2 mm) root growth across a range of species and experimental conditions. However, there is no clear evidence that elevated CO2 changes the proportion of C allocated to root biomass, measured as either the root∶shoot ratio or the fine root∶needle ratio. Elevated CO2 tends to increase mycorrhizal infection, colonization and the amount of extramatrical hyphae, supporting their key role in aiding the plant to more intensively exploit soil resources, providing a route for increased C sequestration. Only two studies have determined the effects of elevated CO2 on conifer fine-root life span, and there is no clear trend. Elevated CO2 increases the absolute fine-root turnover rates; however, the standing crop root biomass is also greater, and the effect of elevated CO2 on relative turnover rates (turnover∶biomass) ranges from an increase to a decrease. At the ecosystem level these changes could lead to increased C storage in roots. Increased fine-root production coupled with increased absolute turnover rates could also lead to increases in soil organic C as greater amounts of fine roots die and decompose. Although CO2 can stimulate fine-root growth, it is not known if this stimulation persists over time. Modeling studies suggest that a doubling of the atmospheric CO2 concentration initially increases biomass, but this stimulation declines with the response to elevated CO2 because increases in assimilation are not matched by increases in nutrient supply.
Till beneath ice stream B: 4. A coupled ice-till flow model

A nonsteady model of an ice stream flowing on deforming till shows that the system responds rapidly and in a stable manner to reasonable marginal perturbations. For the model we require one-dimensional flow and continuity of ice and till, and we assume linear viscous till rheology and balance between the driving stress for ice flow and the resistive stress at the bed. This allows us to write coupled equations for the time rate of change of the ice thickness and the till thickness in terms of these thicknesses and the till viscosity. An analytic, steady state solution for ice stream B, West Antarctica, shows that till viscosity decreases slowly downstream, probably in response to decreasing effective pressure downstream. Nonsteady numerical experiments with fixed ice thicknesses at the ends show that a marginal perturbation causes a wave of adjustment to travel the length of the ice stream in about 50 years, with a new steady state in about 200 years. Changes in till thickness tend to moderate perturbations in the ice and thus stabilize the system.
Use of Selective Adsorption in the Analysis of Hydrastis

A method is described for the determination of hydrastine in hydrastis. This method is based on the adsorption of the hydrastis alkaloids on Florisil columns. Hydrastine is selectively eluted with ammoniacal alcohol and determined by a spectrophotometric procedure.
Nitroethane as a probe molecule for CO hydrogenation over Ru/SiO2

Studies of C{sub 2}H{sub 5}NO{sub 2} hydrogenation and addition to CO hydrogenation over a Ru/SiO{sub 2} catalyst have been carried out as part of a current effort by this group to investigate the usefulness of nitroparaffins as probe molecules capable of generating C{sub y}H{sub x} groups and to better understand the role of the latter in hydrocarbon formation during CO hydrogenation. Among other observations, it was noted that during CH{sub 3}NO{sub 2} addition the weight percent of the C2 fraction remained almost constant while there were major changes in the weight percent of the C1 and C3 through C6 hydrocarbon fractions. The results of this study were viewed as an indication that C{sub 2} surface species may play a special role in chain growth initiation during hydrocarbon formation on Ru catalysts. In an attempt to probe the possible role of C{sub 2} groups in chain growth initiation 1.65 vol% C{sub 2}H{sub 5}NO{sub 2} was added to He:CO:H{sub 2} mixtures at two molar ratios (Conditions A, 1:2:2; B, 1:1:3) flowing at 3 liters/h over 0.25 g of Ru/SiO{sub 2} at 533 K and 1 atm. C{sub f2}H{sub 5}NO{sub 2} (1.7 vol%) hydrogenation in He:H{sub 2} (1:4 molar ratio) was also studiedmore » under the same conditions. The rates of product formation and product distributions for CO hydrogenation in the absence and presence of C{sub 2}H{sub 5}NO{sub 2} after 5 min reaction are given. The values of the chain growth probabilities, {alpha}, and the olefin-to-paraffin molar ratios for the C2 and C3 fractions in the products are also listed. A table also gives the rates of formation of CO{sub 2} and of CH{sub 3}CN, the only nitrogen-containing hydrocarbon product detected.« less
A comparison of the central gastrointestinal antitransit effects of morphine and bombesin in the mouse

The gastrointestinal motor effects of centrally-given morphine and bombesin were compared in mice. Both compounds produced a dose-related decrease in the propulsion of a marker along the gut when given by the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) or intrathecal (i.th.) routes. Co-administration of the same compound by both routes was found to produce a marked increase in potency for morphine, but only a slight increase in potency for bombesin. Isobolographic analysis of the gut effects of these compounds revealed a multiplicative brain-spinal cord interaction for morphine, but an additive interaction for bombesin. These results are consistent with the interpretation that morphine can act at either the level of the brain or the spinal cord, activating independent pathways which ultimately converge to alter gut propulsion. In contrast, spinal bombesin requires communication to supraspinal sites in order for its gut effects to occur, suggesting activation of a common outflow pathway from the central nervous system.
Zinc Supplementation Prevents Alcoholic Liver Injury in Mice through Attenuation of Oxidative Stress

Alcoholic liver disease is associated with zinc decrease in the liver. Therefore, we examined whether dietary zinc supplementation could provide protection from alcoholic liver injury. Metallothionein-knockout and wild-type 129/Sv mice were pair-fed an ethanol-containing liquid diet for 12 weeks, and the effects of zinc supplementation on ethanol-induced liver injury were analyzed. Zinc supplementation attenuated ethanol-induced hepatic zinc depletion and liver injury as measured by histopathological and ultrastructural changes, serum alanine transferase activity, and hepatic tumor necrosis factor-α in both metallothionein-knockout and wild-type mice, indicating a metallothionein-independent zinc protection. Zinc supplementation inhibited accumulation of reactive oxygen species, as indicated by dihydroethidium fluorescence, and the consequent oxidative damage, as assessed by immunohistochemical detection of 4-hydroxynonenal and nitrotyrosine and quantitative analysis of malondialdehyde and protein carbonyl in the liver. Zinc supplementation suppressed ethanol-elevated cytochrome P450 2E1 activity but increased the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase in the liver, without affecting the rate of blood ethanol elimination. Zinc supplementation also prevented ethanol-induced decreases in glutathione concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity and increased glutathione reductase activity in the liver. In conclusion, zinc supplementation prevents alcoholic liver injury in an metallothionein-independent manner by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species (P450 2E1) and enhancing the activity of antioxidant pathways.
Cross-price effects in demand between exports and imports☆

Abstract This paper extends the Bickerdike-Robinson-Metzler elasticities model to include cross-price effects in demand between exports and imports, and compares the extension to the Kemp general-equilibrium model. In the extended elasticities model, positive cross-price influences impede adjustment; in the general-equilibrium model, however, such influences are part of the uniform gross-substitutability condition that assures stability. This difference arises because income and own-price effects for nontraded goods are constrained to zero in the elasticities model. Evidence of the demand for exports and imports for the United States indicates significant crossprice effects.