cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formal and informal sector credit institutions and interlinkage

Abstract Nationalized banks in poor countries often ration rural credit. This creates demand for loans from monopolistic landlord/moneylenders who often interlink credit and product contracts allowing the latter to extract more of the tenant’s consumer surplus. In the presence of asymmetric information such arrangements can be inefficient. We find that increasing the fixed credit allocation to the rural sector at a subsidized rate does not reduce that inefficiency. The entire benefit of the subsidy is extracted by the moneylender. An alternative policy of providing credit at subsidized rates but in a flexible manner is more effective in reducing the inefficiency.
The dynamics of coupled nonlinear oscillators: from relaxation oscillators to neurons

The dynamics of coupled nonlinear oscillators are extremely rich and important for a large variety of physical, technological, and biological systems. We present results for three different applications: a study of the complex behavior of several coupled electronic relaxation oscillators; a network of electronic neurons designed to simulate the dynamics of a cat retina; and an array of coupled nonlinear oscillators that can perform scene segmentation and pattern recognition.
Partial Crystallization of Mid-Ocean Ridge Basalts in the Crust and Mantle

Pressures at which partial crystallization occurs for mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB) have been examined by a new petrological method that is based on a parameterization of experimental data in the form of projections. Application to a global MORB glass database shows that partial crystallization of olivine þ plagioclase þ augite ranges from 1 atm to 1� 0GPa, in good agreement with previous determinations, and that there are regional variations that generally correlate with spreading rate. MORB from fast-spreading centers display partial crystallization in the crust at ridge segment centers and in both mantle and crust at ridge terminations. Fracture zones are likely to be regions where magma chambers are absent and where there is enhanced conductive cooling of the lithosphere at depth. MORB from slow-spreading centers display prominent partial crystallization in the mantle, consistent with models of enhanced conductive cooling of the lithosphere and the greater abundance of fracture zones through which they pass. In general, magmas that move through cold mantle experience some partial crystallization, whereas magmas that pass through hot mantle may be comparatively unaffected. Estimated pressures of partial crystallization indicate that the top of the partial melting region is deeper than about 20–35km below slow-spreading centers and some ridge segment terminations at fast-spreading centers.
Staining Potential of Sealants In/On Exterior Wall Substrates

The investigation of dozens of exterior walls on buildings by the authors have revealed that certain sealants used to seal joints in exterior walls have caused the following conditions: 1. Local staining and discoloration of masonry wall substrates due to penetration of sealant into substrates. 2. Local change in absorption of masonry wall substrates due to penetration of sealant into the substrates which results in local discoloration of wall substrates after rains. 3. Surface discoloration of sealant due to dirt accumulation on sealant. 4. Stains in the form of streaks of direct on masonry and on metal wall substrates due to transfer by rain water of some of the dirt on the sealant surface onto the adjacent surface of the substrate. Laboratory and field testing of the major commercially available sealants by the authors to date have revealed that silicone sealants have the propensity to stain certain exterior wall substrates while polyurethane sealants do not; that silicone sealants in service discolor more significantly and faster due to dirt accumulation than polyurethane sealants; that sealant that has penetrated into masonry substrates cannot be entirely removed from the substrate by cleaning; and that preconstruction testing of sealants and proper material selection canmore » help to avoid staining of sealant.« less
Aestheticized Institutionalism and Wollheim's Dilemma

In The Aesthetic Function of Art (2004), I was mainly concerned to show how my “new aestheticism” can meet standard objections to aestheticism, but I have come to realize that, since it is as much a new institutionalism as it is a new aestheticism, its institutionalist aspect requires defense as much as its aestheticist aspect does. In this article, I show how a judicious aestheticizing of George Dickie's second version of the institutional theory of art, incorporating fundamental features of my own view, can meet what seems to me to be the most serious objection to institutionalism in general, the dilemma famously proposed by Richard Wollheim
The use of restaurant inspection disclosure systems as a means of communicating food safety information

The World Health Organization estimates that up to 30% of individuals in developed countries become ill from food or water each year. Up to 70% of these illnesses are estimated to be linked to food prepared at foodservice establishments. Consumer confidence in the safety of food prepared in restaurants is fragile, varying significantly from year to year, with many consumers attributing foodborne illness to foodservice. One of the key drivers of restaurant choice is consumer perception of the hygiene of a restaurant. Restaurant hygiene information is something consumers desire, and when available, may use to make dining decisions.
A Novel Wafer Manipulation Method for Yield Improvement and Cost Reduction of 3D Wafer-on-Wafer Stacked ICs

Three-dimensional IC (3D IC) exhibits various advantages over traditional two-dimensional IC (2D IC), including heterogeneous integration, reduced delay and power dissipation, compact device dimension, etc. Wafer-on-wafer stacking offers practical advantages in 3D IC fabrication, but it suffers from low compound yield. To improve the yield, a novel manipulation scheme of wafer named n-sector symmetry and cut (SSCn) is proposed. In this method, wafers with rotational symmetry are cut into n identical sectors, where n is a suitably chosen integer. The sectors are then used to replenish repositories. The SSCn method is combined with best-pair matching algorithm for compound yield evaluation. Simulation of wafers with nine different defect distributions shows that previously known plain rotation of wafers offers only a trivial benefits in yield. A cut number four is optimal for most of the defect models. The SSC4 provides significantly higher yield and the advantage becomes more obvious with increase of the repository size and the number of stacked layers. Cost model of SSCn is analyzed and the cost-effectiveness of SSC4 is established. Observations made are: 1) Cost benefits of SSC4 become larger as the manufacturing overhead of SSC4 become smaller, 2) cost improvement of SSC4 over conventional basic method increases as the number of stacked layers increases and 3) for most defect models, SSC4 largely reduces the cost even when manufacturing overhead of SSC4 is considered to be very large.
Bimolecular photoactivation of NBD fluorescence

The concatenation of a photochemical transformation with a chemical reaction allows the activation of nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD) fluorescence under optical control. Specifically, the coupling of photoinduced deprotection with nucleophilic substitution converts a nonemissive NBD chromophore into a fluorescent product. These operating principles can evolve into a general mechanism to implement fluorescent switches based on the attractive photophysical properties of NBDs.
Diffusion of the Vk-polaron in alkali halides: Experiments in NaI and RbI

Abstract Experimental studies of the reorientational motion of the V k center have been performed in NaI and RbI by observing the decay of the optical anisotropy of oriented V k centers at various fixed temperatures. The temperature-dependent rate constants so obtained are interpreted by viewing the V k center as a small polaron, and the relevant parameters are compared with those from previous experiments on KI and KCl. These parameters are J : a transfer energy between two adjacent V k wave functions, ω: a mean phonon frequency contributing to the transition, and S : the Huang-Rhys factor. The measurements also permit a determination of a lower limit for the V k center diffusion constant.
Full Graphs and Koszul Algebras II

The main result of this article is the establishment of a new connection between combinatorics and noncommutative algebra. This is done by linking a certain class of directed graphs, called full graphs, to quotients of path algebras that are Koszul algebras.
Long-rod penetration into targets of finite thickness at normal impact

Abstract In this paper, a theory for one-dimensional penetration of long-rods into targets of finite thickness (plates) is developed. The target is defined as a “finite” mass that resides within the bulk of the target so that an equation of motion for the target mass can be constructed. This, together with an equation of motion for the penetrator and erosion equations for the two masses, provides a penetration solution for the finite-thickness target problem. The axial extent of the target mass is simply the thickness of the plate. Results provide expected penetration rates into plate targets, as well as unpenetrated target thickness (plug or spall) and residual penetator length, mass, and velocity. Good agreement was found between the theory, hydrocode results and experimental data. Also, the formulation becomes hydrodynamic penetration in appropriate limits and therefore encompasses jet penetration of these targets as well.
Electoral Authoritarianism and the Print Media in Malaysia: Measuring Political Bias and Analyzing Its Cause

Abstract Studies of electoral authoritarianism in Southeast Asia highlight the significance of a compliant media in acting as an obstacle to democratization. Analyses of Malaysian politics are no different. Although the media in Malaysia is largely private, most observers point to the various legislative mechanisms and ownership structures through which compliance is ensured. Although most political scientists have concluded that such mechanisms ensure there is a progovernment bias, there have been few attempts to measure this bias and analyze its impact. With this study, the author aims to begin to fill that gap by studying the degree to which newspapers in Malaysia display partisanship in their coverage of Malaysian politics. To do so, two Malay-language newspapers were selected for coding, using two separate two-week periods as samples. The first period coincided with the March 2008 Malaysian general election, and the second, serving as a control, was from October 2006. Having demonstrated a clear degr...
Analysis of green coffee bean and castor bean allergens using RAST inhibition

Summary Coffee workers with occupational allergic symptoms and positive skin tests to green coffee bean and factor dust antigens have elevated serum IgE antibodies (by radioallergosorbent test–RAST) to green coffee and castor bean allergens. These antibodies were used in a RAST inhibition assay to analyse coffee and castor allergens. Bean allergens were extracted by homogenization in PBS, centrifugation and concentration of supernates by ultrafiltration. Green coffee bean allergens, fractionated by gel filtration and Pevikon block electrophoresis, were shown to be very heterogeneous with a molecular weight range of 50 000 to 500 000 daltons. Castor allergens were more homogeneous with a molecular weight of 14 000 daltons and were partially purified by Pevikon block electrophoresis, gel filtration and isoelectrofocusing. Chemical analysis showed that protein was the major component in both allergen extracts. However, proteolytic enzymes could only partially destroy allergenic activity. Such isolation and characterization of these allergens should result in better methods of diagnosis and treatment of coffee workers with occupational allergic disease.
Words and Deeds in Soviet Foreign Policy: The Case of Soviet Military Expenditures

This article describes several techniques for predicting Soviet military expenditures on the basis of an analysis of the annual budget speech by the Minister of Finance. Using the Shishko-Nincic series as an indicator of actual ruble increments in the Soviet defense budget, more than four-fifths of the variance in the change in Soviet ruble expenditures for defense can be explained by an interactive model that combines a) the Finance Minister's changing characterizations of the United States and imperialism, b) his depiction of Soviet military intentions, and c) the planning cycle. This finding suggests that even in a relatively low information system such as the Soviet Union, its leadership believes it must depict the broad contours of the budget even with respect to military expenditures. The result is that the Soviet Union provides more information about important matters than Western analysts have hitherto realized.
Development of soil abrasivity testing for soft ground tunneling using shield machines

Primary and secondary wear in soft ground tunneling using various types of shields has a major impact on machine operation, utilization, and tunneling costs. Wear occurs due to interaction between abrasive soils and cutters, as well as other components of the machine which come to contact with the muck. However, lack of a standard or universally accepted test for soil abrasivity in the geotechnical investigations has made the prediction of tool wear a difficult task. This paper introduces a new test device, designed to measure soil abrasion and the result of initial testing at the Pennsylvania State University. The testing system is configured to simulate the working condition of the cutting tools in excavation chamber of pressurized face shields. This includes the high contact stresses between the tool and the soil, maintaining the original soil size distribution, field moisture conditions, and possibility of applying high ambient pressures as well as soil conditioners. The preliminary results of testing on several soil types, moisture conditions, and various tool hardness is presented. The test set up is discussed to provide more detailed information on the testing conditions and potential implications in practical applications.
The Aspergillus Genome Database (AspGD): recent developments in comprehensive multispecies curation, comparative genomics and community resources

The Aspergillus Genome Database (AspGD; http://www.aspgd.org) is a freely available, web-based resource for researchers studying fungi of the genus Aspergillus, which includes organisms of clinical, agricultural and industrial importance. AspGD curators have now completed comprehensive review of the entire published literature about Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus fumigatus, and this annotation is provided with streamlined, ortholog-based navigation of the multispecies information. AspGD facilitates comparative genomics by providing a full-featured genomics viewer, as well as matched and standardized sets of genomic information for the sequenced aspergilli. AspGD also provides resources to foster interaction and dissemination of community information and resources. We welcome and encourage feedback at aspergillus-curator@lists.stanford.edu.
BU-32: a novel proteasome inhibitor for breast cancer

Introduction Proteasome inhibition provides an attractive approach to cancer therapy and may have application in the treatment of breast cancer. However, results of recent clinical trials to evaluate the effect of the proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib (Velcade®, also called PS-341) in metastatic breast cancer patients have shown limited activity when used as a single agent. This underscores the need to find new and more efficacious proteasome inhibitors. In this study, we evaluate the efficacy of the novel proteasome inhibitor BU-32 (NSC D750499-S) using in vitro and in vivo breast cancer models.
Stunning, preconditioning, and functional recovery after global myocardial ischemia

Stunning (reversible myocardial ischemia without necrosis) occurs with induced global ischemia during cardiac operations and depresses the ability of the heart to utilize oxygen efficiently because less contractile work is developed per unit of oxygen utilized. Interestingly, regional studies have demonstrated dramatic infarct size reduction with stunning episodes before prolonged ischemia, a phenomenon known as myocardial preconditioning. It is postulated that the postischemic contractile dysfunction noted after stunning causes reduced energy demands, which "preconditions" myocardium to withstand a subsequent longer ischemic episode. Some evidence from regional studies suggests that preconditioning may improve functional recovery after ischemia. This study examined the complex relationship between stunning and preconditioning to functional recovery in a surgical setting of global ischemia. To study the effect of stunning, myocardial oxygen consumption, oxygen extraction, and functional indices of contractility were measured before and after isolated rabbit hearts were subjected to 10, 20, or 45 minutes of normothermic 37 degrees C global ischemic stun intervals. This demonstrated that while oxygen consumption and extraction quickly recover to prestun levels, contractility remains depressed well beyond the stun interval. To study the effect of preconditioning using stunning, isolated hearts were then subjected to 120 minutes of 34 degrees C cardioplegic-induced ischemia after preconditioning. Hearts received either modified St. Thomas cardioplegic solution as a control or cardioplegia administered after preconditioning with 37 degrees C ischemic stunning for 5, 10, 15, 20, or 45 minutes or multiple 5- or 10-minute stuns, with reperfusion before cardioplegic-induced ischemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Analysis of sulfur poisoning on a PEM fuel cell electrode

Abstract The extent of irreversible deactivation of Pt towards hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) due to sulfur adsorption and subsequent electrochemical oxidation is quantified in a functional polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell. At 70 °C, sequential hydrogen sulfide (H2S) exposure and electrochemical oxidation experiments indicate that as much as 6% of total Pt sites are deactivated per monolayer sulfur adsorption at open-circuit potential of a PEM fuel cell followed by its removal. The extent of such deactivation is much higher when the electrode is exposed to H2S while the fuel cell is operating at a finite load, and is dependent on the local overpotential as well as the duration of exposure. Regardless of this deactivation, the H2/O2 polarization curves obtained on post-recovery electrodes do not show performance losses suggesting that such performance curves alone cannot be used to assess the extent of recovery due to sulfur poisoning. A concise mechanism for the adsorption and electro-oxidation of H2S on Pt anode is presented. H2S dissociatively adsorbs onto Pt as two different sulfur species and at intermediate oxidation potentials, undergoes electro-oxidation to sulfur and then to sulfur dioxide. This mechanism is validated by charge balances between hydrogen desorption and sulfur electro-oxidation on Pt. The ignition potential for sulfur oxidation decreases with increase in temperature, which coupled with faster electro-oxidation kinetics result in the easier removal of adsorbed sulfur at higher temperatures. Furthermore, the adsorption potential is found to influence sulfur coverage of an electrode exposed to H2S. As an implication, the local potential of a PEM fuel cell anode exposed to H2S contaminated fuel should be kept below the equilibrium potential for sulfur oxidation to prevent irreversible loss of Pt sites.
New Evidence on the Gains from Trade

We summarize the evidence on the gains from trade in monopolistic competition models, arising from three sources: (i) price reductions due to increasing returns to scale; (ii) increased product variety available to consumers; (iii) self-selection of firms with only the most efficient firms surviving after trade liberalization. There is little direct evidence to support the first source of gains from trade, though some indirect evidence from the European Union. The second and third sources of gains from trade find strong empirical support from studies from various countries, relying on new models and new empirical methods.
A differential scanning calorimetric study of conversion of ovalbumin to S-ovalbumin in eggs

The presence of S-ovalbumin, a more heat-stable form of ovalbumin formed on storage of eggs, can be determined by differential scaning calorimetry of egg white. At a heating rate of 10°C/min, at pH 9, the characteristic denaturation temperature of ovalbumin is 84.5°C, that of S, ovalbumin, 92.5°C. The formation of S-ovalbumin proceeds through a previously unrecognised intermediate species having a denaturation temperature of 88.5°C. The kinetics of the conversion on storage of eggs at 4, 22 and 37°C have been determined. Differential scanning calorimetry is a rapid and convenient method of determining the quality of eggs held in storage. Freeze-dried preparations of ovalbumin stored in the cold for 20 years showed partial conversion to the intermediate, but not to S-ovalbumin.
A field programmable multi-chip module (FPMCM)

Multi-chip module (MCM) packaging can reduce the cost and increase the utility of field programmable systems. We are currently developing a first generation field programmable multi-chip module (FPMCM) as a test vehicle for a particular MCM technology. We present the advantages of MCM for field programmable systems and develop analytical models for estimating the capacity of FPMCM architectures based on Rent's rule. These models are used to generate the architecture of our first generation prototype which employs smaller FPGA die and a mixture of direct and switched interconnect. We conclude with a discussion of the challenges and opportunities that FPMCMs face. >
Does imagery impede or facilitate transfer of learning

Stimulus imagery level (pictures vs. words) and instructions to subjects (neutral vs. interactive imagery) were orthogonally manipulated in order to investigate their joint effect on transfer. One hundred forty-four students learned three lists conforming either to an A-B, A-D, A-F transfer paradigm or to an A-B, C-D, E-F transfer paradigm. With neutral instructions, there was no evidence of significant negative transfer for pictures or words. With imagery instructions, there was significant negative transfer for words but not for pictures. Discussion focused on the failure to find reduced associative interference in the typical paradigm (words with imagery instructions) used in popular mnemonic techniques.
Effects of Germination on Proteins, Raffinose Oligosaccharides, and Antinutritional Factors in the Great Northern Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

During 5 day germination, the major reserve proteins of the Great Northern bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were substantially hydrolyzed. In vitro trypsin digestion of the extracted proteins up to 4 hr at 37°C indicated that the major storage proteins in germinated and the ungerminated seeds, although substantially hydrolyzed, could not be completely degraded. In vitro susceptibility of the extracted proteins was improved on moist heat treatment (97°C, 30 min). A substantial increase in soluble essential amino acids occurred during germination. Highest decrease in stachyose + raffimose (76.40%) was observed at the end of the third day of germination. Trypsin, chymotrypsin, and α-amylase inhibitory activities and phytic acid were reduced respectively by 62.9, 73.4, 67.1, and 57.8% after 5 days of germination.
Fragmented Governance of International Rivers: Negotiating Bilateral versus Multilateral Treaties

Despite warnings of interstate conflict over shared water resources, states are reaching hundreds of treaties and agreements over their international rivers. We have extensive knowledge about the negotiations process of individual treaties, but there is a paucity of systematic analysis of the forces influencing treaty formation. In addition, the few quantitative studies examining the formation of agreements fail to consider the different factors influencing the rise of bilateral versus multilateral agreements on multilateral basins. Correcting this omission is important because scholars have discovered that states frequently sign bilateral agreements over multilateral rivers, which contradicts the integrated river basin management approach advocated by environmentalists, engineers, and water experts. This study seeks to fill this vacuum within the existing literature by distinguishing between the formation of bilateral treaties on bilateral and multilateral basins and comparing these bilateral forms of cooperation to the formation of multilateral treaties on multilateral basins. Through quantitative analysis, we argue that treaty type is a by-product of state interest, transaction costs, and distribution of power.
Computerized Adaptive Testing Using MIRT

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is a methodology for constructing a test, administering it to an examinee, and scoring the test using interactive computer technology. This methodology has a history that is as long as that of interactive computing. An early summary of CAT methods is given in Weiss (1974). A detailed description of the development of an operational application for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is given in (Sands 1997). There are also several books available that describe the basic components of CAT procedures (Wainer, Dorans, Flaugher, Green, Mislevy, Steinberg and Thissen 1990; Parshall, Spray and Davey 2002; van der Linden and Glas 2000) so the basic details of the methodology are not presented here. A review of that literature will show that most of the current CAT methodology is based on the assumption that a unidimensional IRT model accurately represents the interaction between persons and test items. In this chapter, the generalization of the CAT methodology to the multidimensional case is considered. To provide a framework for this material, a brief summary of the conceptual basis for CAT is provided.
Metformin prevents hepatocellular carcinoma development by suppressing hepatic progenitor cell activation in a rat model of cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-associated mortality is increasing at an alarming rate, and there is a readily identifiable cohort of at-risk patients with cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetes. These patients are candidates for chemoprevention. Metformin is an attractive agent for chemoprevention because it is inexpensive, has a favorable safety profile, and is well tolerated over long time periods. METHODS The authors studied the efficacy of metformin as a prevention agent in a clinically relevant rat model of HCC, in which tumors develop in the setting of chronic inflammation and cirrhosis. Repeated injections of diethylnitrosamine were used to induce sequential cirrhosis and HCC, and metformin was administered at the first signs of either fibrosis or cirrhosis. RESULTS Prolonged metformin exposure was safe and was associated with decreases in fibrotic and inflammatory markers, especially when administered early at the first signs of fibrosis. In addition, early metformin treatment led to a 44% decrease in HCC incidence, whereas tumor burden was unchanged when metformin was administered at the first signs of cirrhosis. It is noteworthy that activation of the hepatic progenitor/stem cell compartment was first observed at the onset of cirrhosis; therefore, only early metformin treatment suppressed receptor for advanced glycation end products and inhibited the activation of hepatic progenitor cells. CONCLUSIONS The current results are the first to demonstrate an effect on progenitor/stem cells in the setting of chemoprevention and provide further rationale to explore metformin as an early intervention in clinical trials of patients with chronic liver disease at high risk for HCC. Cancer 2016;122:1216–27. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Suspected Large Vessel Occlusion: Should Emergency Medical Services Transport to the Nearest Primary Stroke Center or Bypass to a Comprehensive Stroke Center With Endovascular Capabilities?

A patient calls 911 for acute onset of stroke-like symptoms. Emergency medical services (EMS) arrives within 2 hours of stroke symptoms onset; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score=14. Should the emergency medical technician (EMT) take the patient to the nearest primary stroke center or should they bypass the primary stroke center to take the patient directly to a comprehensive stroke center with endovascular capabilities? Andrew M. Southerland and Karen C. Johnston There is no debate that new data demonstrating significant efficacy of endovascular therapy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a paradigm shift. For select patients with anterior circulation stroke, proximal large vessel occlusion (LVO), and supportive brain imaging, timely reperfusion using stent retriever thrombectomy substantially increases the odds of a favorable outcome.1 However, the suggestion that EMS should bypass primary stroke centers (PSC) to proceed to comprehensive stroke centers (CSC) for patients with suspected moderate/severe AIS is premature. > If you don’t know where you're going, you might wind up someplace else. > > – Yogi Berra This case highlights the challenge of accurate prehospital diagnosis. In the scenario, an EMT arrives to find the patient with a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score=14, but this is misleading. Numerous prehospital stroke scales have been validated for EMS use, but are not measures of stroke severity and lack the requisite sensitivity/specificity for diagnosing anterior circulation LVO.2–4 Even more compelling is the discrepancy in number of stroke patients screened compared with the small fraction who are ultimately eligible for EVT (Extend-IA [Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits–Intra-Arterial] trial reported <1%).5 Using our current tools, selective bypass to a CSC would result in many endovascular …
Electro-thermal control of aluminum-doped zinc oxide/vanadium dioxide multilayered thin films for smart-device applications.

We demonstrate the electro-thermal control of aluminum-doped zinc oxide (Al:ZnO) /vanadium dioxide (VO2) multilayered thin films, where the application of a small electric field enables precise control of the applied heat to the VO2 thin film to induce its semiconductor-metal transition (SMT). The transparent conducting oxide nature of the top Al:ZnO film can be tuned to facilitate the fine control of the SMT of the VO2 thin film and its associated properties. In addition, the Al:ZnO film provides a capping layer to the VO2 thin film, which inhibits oxidation to a more energetically favorable and stable V2O5 phase. It also decreases the SMT of the VO2 thin film by approximately 5–10 °C because of an additional stress induced on the VO2 thin film and/or an alteration of the oxygen vacancy concentration in the VO2 thin film. These results have significant impacts on technological applications for both passive and active devices by exploiting this near-room-temperature SMT.
High-Sensitivity Non-Birefringent Mach-Zehnder Interferometer for Sensing UV Induced Refractive Index Change Using an Unique Short Bi-Moded Optical Fibre

A short two-moded fibre interferometer is used as an effective sensor to measure the refractive index change induced by UV irradiation while a grating is being written into the core. It has a capability of measuring a refractive index change of ~10-6 and it may be improved simply by increasing the length of the interferometer.
Lesser Peachtree Borer: Recovery of Marked Native Males in Pheromone Baited Traps

Captured native male moths of the lesser peachtree borer (LPTB), Synanthedon pictipes (Grote and Robinson) were released at the center of a circular 800-ha area containing evenly spaced (6.5/ha) large wing traps. The avg recovery at this trap density was 20.3%; however, 97% were recaptured in 15 traps located within a 0.6-km radius of the release point. On the basis of this recapture rate, an estimated 16.6% of the native male population were captured during the season. Of those captured, 77% were caught in traps located near or within peach orchards.
Budesonide for the treatment of ulcerative colitis

Introduction: Budesonide is a synthetic corticosteroid characterized by enhanced topical potency and limited systemic bioavailability. Its use in ulcerative colitis (UC) was limited to rectal prepa...
Analysis method of sodium cyclamate determination in wine samples

A method for determination of sodium cyclamate in wine samples by gas chromatography with FID detector was established.The sample was extracted with hexane and esterification conditions were improved.Sodium cyclamate was isolated with a HP-5 capillary column.It was quantified detector of flame ionization with external standanrd.Under optimum conditions,the linear range of the calibration curve and correlation coefficient were 0.1-1.0 mg/mL and r=0.9995,respectively.The recovery and the relative standard deviation of the method were 89.0-97.0% and 2.67-2.83 %,respectively.
Clinical Observation of Medilac-s to Treat Patients with Antibiotic-associated Diarrhea in the Aged

Objective: To explore the effect of Medilac-s to treat patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the elderly.Methods: 79 patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea were randomly divided into two groups.Control group received normal treatment alone,while treatment group combined Medilac-s with conventional treatment.Results: The total effective rate of treatment group was signifi-cantly higher than the control group(P0.05).Conclusion: The effect of Medilac-s to treat patients with antibiotic-associated diarrhea in the elderly was significant.
Inner City African American Female Adolescents:investigating Percpetions Of Womanhood And Aggressive Behavior

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of womanhood among African American female adolescents, and whether or not their perceptions consisted of aggressive or violent behavior. Black Feminist Thought and Social Constructionism were theoretical perspectives used to frame this qualitative study. Six African American female adolescents from two different cities participated in this study. Data collection included a semi-structured interview with each participant separately, transcribing each interview, downloading transcribed data into a qualitative data analysis program, and combing data for themes. This study attempted to answer to primary questions: How do Inner City African American female adolescents view womanhood? How does aggressive or violent behavior play a role, or not, in African American adolescent perceptions of womanhood? Data analysis revealed several themes from participant’s interviews: strength, responsibility, education, mom as role model, stereotypes, and finances. Limitations and implications for future research are also discussed. Inner City AA Female Adolescents 5
Dance Media Collaborations: Engaging “At Risk” Youth

ABSTRACTThis article presents strategies I developed to engage my students in collaborative, project-based dance units using video and social media at a Title 1 high school in rural Texas. The school has a history of violence, and students also face many challenges in their personal lives. I found that through dance and video, students could express and process some of their ongoing struggles as well as develop support systems among themselves that would extend far beyond the dance projects. At the same time, they were developing twenty-first-century skills with the use of video, video editing, and social media. The projects described in this article could serve as models for other dance teachers in working with their students.
Spectrum-blind minimum-rate sampling and reconstruction of 2-D multiband signals

We consider 2-D multiband signals, with a given bound on their spectral occupancy (the occupied fraction of the area of a bounding box of the spectral support). We propose a universal sampling pattern that guarantees well-conditioned reconstruction of all such signals. Such a universal sampling pattern can asymptotically achieve the Nyquist-Landau (1967) minimal sampling rate, determined by the spectral occupancy. Compared to 'Nyquist' patterns that avoid aliasing, for sparse spectral supports our design offers considerable reduction in sampling rate. Furthermore, we propose algorithms allowing reconstruction to be done blindly-without prior knowledge of the spectral support, other than its bounding box. The results apply to both continuous and discrete-time signals, and directly generalize to M-D. This work extends our analogous results for the 1D case.
Radiologic imaging and staging of primary and metastatic liver tumors.

The radiologic imaging and staging of primary and metastatic liver tumors has been revolutionized by advances in ultrasonographic (US) imaging, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In spite of the improved sensitivity in the detection of hepatic malignancies, the ability to differentiate benign from malignant intrahepatic lesions often remains problematic due to extensive overlap in imaging appearances. Additionally, only several liver lesions have a pathognomonic appearance on cross-sectional imaging. As a result, tissue sampling performed with CT or ultrasound guidance is often required to better characterize a hepatic lesion (1–5).
The Earth as Pinprick: Some Early Western Challenges to Anthropocentrism

While the ancient Greeks and Romans (most notably Plato and Aristotle) were essentially anthropocentric in point of view, some of them, including Democritus, Empedocles, Lucretius, Seneca, and Lucian, established important precedents that challenge and overturn this view, anticipating modern science and even Darwin and beyond. This chapter analyzes texts from the Presocratics to late antiquity to show how the questioning of anthropocentrism developed over roughly 800 years. The ancients show that the questioning of anthropocentrism is nothing new; their work is part of the bridge required to help us move more responsibly into the later parts of the twenty-first century and beyond.
Attorney ‘mal-practices’: an invisible ethical problem in the early American republic*

ABSTRACTLawyers and judges in the early American republic were surprisingly reluctant to penalise colleagues for malpractice and misconduct towards clients. Though they were part of a legal culture obsessed with preserving lawyers’ moral rectitude, they nonetheless remained sceptical of attempts to address malpractice. This article explores that apparent contradiction. I analyse allegedly wronged clients’ unsuccessful attempts to seek legal satisfaction, whether in civil, criminal, or professional suspension proceedings. I find that the period’s public-spirited legal ethics was in fact a major contributor to these former clients’ difficulties. Legal reformers worried constantly about the dangers to the republic of too-zealous advocacy, which might undermine the public interest. These concerns helped render the opposite problem – of lazy or even duplicitous client ‘advocacy’ – invisible and irremediable. Stories from the past, I argue, help illuminate a tendency to overlook malpractice that continues to th...
An air gap moderates the performance of nanowire array transistors

Solution-processed nanowires are promising for low-cost and flexible electronics. When depositing nanowires from solution, due to stacking of the nanowires, an air gap exists between the substrate and much of the active material. Here, using confocal Raman spectroscopy, we quantify the thickness of the air gap in transistors comprising organic semiconductor nanowires. The average air gap thickness is found to be unexpectedly large, being at least three times larger than the nanowire diameter, leading to a significant impact on transistor performance. The air gap acts as an additional dielectric layer that reduces the accumulation of charge carriers due to a gate voltage. Conventional determination of the charge carrier mobility ignores the presence of an air gap, resulting in an overestimate of charge carrier accumulation and an underestimate of charge carrier mobility. It is shown that the larger the air gap, the larger the mobility correction (which can be greater than an order of magnitude) and the larger the degradation in on-off current ratio. These results demonstrate the importance of minimizing the air gap and of taking the air gap into consideration when analyzing the electrical performance of transistors consisting of stacked nanowires. This finding is applicable to all types of stacked one-dimensional materials including organic and inorganic nanowires, and carbon nanotubes.
IL-3 Inhibits Osteoblast Formation in Multiple Myeloma Via CD45+ Cells.

Abstract Normally, osteoclast activation is coupled to an increase in osteoblast activity. In Multiple Myeloma (MM), bone remodeling is uncoupled, and bone destruction occurs both by markedly increased osteoclastic bone destruction and severely impaired osteoblastic bone formation. Although several reports have shown that conditioned media from MM cell lines suppress osteoblast (OBL) differentiation, the identity of the OBL inhibitor(s) is unknown. A recent report by Tian et al (NEJM 2003) has identified DKK1, an inhibitor of the WNT signaling pathway, as a putative OBL inhibitor in MM. However, it is likely that other inhibitors of OBL differentiation are present in the myeloma microenvironment, just as there are several potent stimulators of osteoclast formation produced or induced by myeloma cells. We recently reported that IL-3 levels in bone marrow plasma of patients with MM are increased compared to normal controls and that IL-3 in MM marrow plasma stimulates osteoclast formation. We also demonstrated that IL-3 is produced by primary myeloma cells and that it increased MM cell growth in vitro. However, the effects of IL-3 on OBL are unknown. Therefore, to determine if IL-3 could affect OBL growth and differentiation, we tested the effects of IL-3 on OBL differentiation in primary mouse marrow stromal cells. We found that murine marrow stromal cells and OBL-like cell lines expressed IL-3 receptor alpha (IL-3R) by RT-PCR. Staining for IL-3R in marrow stromal cell cultures after treatment with IL-3 confirmed that the IL-3R was present on thirty percent of the cells. Importantly, treatment of primary murine stromal cell cultures with IL-3 (0.01–10 ng/mL) inhibited basal and BMP-2 stimulated osteoblast formation in a dose dependent manner, without affecting cell growth. At 10 ng/mL IL-3 inhibited OBL differentiation by 80%. Time course studies demonstrated that IL-3 affected the later stages of osteoblast differentiation. Further, the inhibitory effects of IL-3 were not due to induction of TNFalpha, a known OBL inhibitor. TNFalpha levels were very low (0–20pg/ml) in the conditioned media of these cultures, and treating the cultures with anti-mouse TNFalpha did not block the IL-3 effect. IL-3 did not inhibit alkaline phosphatase activity in the osteoblast-like cell lines, MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 suggesting that IL-3 may act indirectly through another cell type in the mixed cell population in the primary mouse osteoblast culture system. Since IL-3 acts primarily on hematopoietic cells, we determined if IL-3 was acting indirectly by increasing CD45+ cells in the cultures. IL-3 increased the number of CD45+ hematopoietic cells in the primary culture from approximately 15% to 30%. Further, depletion of the CD45+ cells abolished the inhibitory effects of IL-3 but not TNFalpha on osteoblasts, and adding back CD45+ cells to the stromal cell cultures restores the inhibitory effects of IL-3. This data suggests that IL-3 is an important mediator of bone destruction in MM by both inducing osteoclast formation and indirectly inhibiting osteoblast formation.
Sulfonation of the resolving cysteine in human peroxiredoxin 1: A comprehensive analysis by mass spectrometry.

Abstract Peroxiredoxin 1 (Prx1) is an essential peroxidase that reduces cellular peroxides. It holds 2 indispensable cysteines for its activity: a peroxidatic cysteine (CP) for peroxide reduction and a resolving cysteine (CR) for CP regeneration. CP can be readily sulfonated to CP–SO3H by protracted oxidative stress, which inactivates Prx1 as a peroxidase. By comparison, sulfonation of CR to CR–SO3H in mammalian cells has only been reported once. The rare report of CR sulfonation prompts the following questions: “can CR–SO3H be detected more readily with the current high sensitivity mass spectrometers (MS)?” and “do CP and CR have distinct propensities to sulfonation?” Answers to these questions could shed light on how differential sulfonation of CP and CR regulates Prx1 functions in cells. We used a sensitive Orbitrap MS to analyze both basal and H2O2-induced sulfonation of CR and CP in either recombinant human Prx1 (rPrx1) or HeLa cell Prx1 (cPrx1). In the Orbitrap MS, we optimized both collision-induced dissociation and higher-energy collisional dissociation methods to improve the analytical sensitivity of cysteine sulfonation. In the basal states without added H2O2, both CP and CR were partially sulfonated in either rPrx1 or cPrx1. Still, exogenous H2O2 heightened the sulfonation levels of both CP and CR by ~200–700%. Titration with H2O2 revealed that CP and CR possessed distinct propensities to sulfonation. This surprising discovery of prevalent Prx1 CR sulfonation affords a motivation for future investigation of its precise functions in cellular stress response.
Invited response to "Hyperfiltration After Donation and Living Kidney Donor Risk".

The concerns of Dr. van Londen and colleagues are well founded (1). In the future, obesity and diabetes will occur more often as young adults age and will increase the exponential growth in ESRD rates 20-30 years later. These lifetime outcomes will remain distant and difficult to predict in young candidates. The risks of post-donation hyperfiltration, i.e., an unusually high single nephron glomerular filtration rate (sngfr), have been a concern of transplant centers for decades (2). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
EFFECTS OF LEADERSHIP STYLES ON HOTEL FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of leadership styles on financial performance. Although the importance of leadership styles has been recognized in practice and academia, little research has focused on the impact of leadership on financial performance in hospitality and tourism industry. Design – The paper first defines motives, leadership styles, leaders’ experiences, and Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC). It then uses quasi-experimental design to predict the impacts of leadership styles and leaders’ experiences on financial performance. Methodology – The study has conducted partial least square regression to find the effects of leadership styles and leaders’ experiences on financial performance of the hotel companies. Approach – Vision statements of the publicly traded hotel companies are transferred into motives and leadership styles using the LIWC. Findings – Transformational leadership and longer-tenured CEOs with high power and affiliation motives are associated with return on equity (ROE) whereas transactional leadership and older CEOs with high achievement motive affect return on assets (ROA). Originality of the research – The study opens a new approach to quantify the vision statements using LIWC and contributes to the relationship of leadership styles, leaders’ experiences, and financial performance.