cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Commercial Bank Underwriting: Conflict of Interest and Credible Commitment

Implicit in the passage of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 is the premise that private market solutions to the conflict of interest problem associated with banks lending to and underwriting for the same firm are unavailable, thereby necessitating regulation. The recent deregulatory effort culminating in the repeal of Glass-Steagall by the Financi a l Modernization Act in 1999 has raised the issue of the potential for conflict of interest once again. In this paper we illustrate the ability of the market to engender solutions to the problem. In the modern era lending banks use underwriting syndicate structure to credibly commit against perceptions of opportunistic behavior. Lending banks predominantly co-manage their client firm\rquote s issue with a high reputation, non-lending underwriter. The market perceives such a syndicate arrangement as credible, rew arding such issues with better prices when compared to issues lead managed by the lending bank. Such syndicate structures and issue pricing regularities are not observed when the underwriting bank does not have a lending relationship. Gross spreads are lower for lending bank-underwritten issues relative to investment bank underwritten issues, suggesting economies of scope associated with information production due to lending
Goodstein’s Theorem

This chapter is devoted to a remarkable theorem proved by R. L. Goodstein in 1944. It is remarkable in many ways. First, it is such a surprising statement that it is hard to believe it is true. Second, while the theorem is entirely about finite integers, Goodstein’s proof uses infinite ordinals. Third, 37 years after Goodstein’s proof appeared, L. Kirby and J. Paris proved that the use of infinite sets is actually necessary.That is, this is a theorem of arithmetic that can’t be proved arithmetically, but only by using the extra powers of set theory!
Nitrogen Sulfide (NS) in Star Forming Regions

Gas phase models of ion molecule chemistry have been rather successful in matching the observed abundances of small interstellar molecules containing carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. However, the situation is somewhat less clear for nitrogen-containing species, partly because the important initiating reaction N + + H 2 is slightly endothermic; and for sulfur-containing molecules, where it remains uncertain whether it is necessary to invoke surface reactions on grains to match the observed abundances. As a relatively simple species, the abundance of nitrogen sulfide should provide a good test of the models of the coupled chemistry of nitrogen and sulfur. Until very recently only two molecules containing both these elements were known in the interstellar medium, NS and HNCS, and both have been observed only in Sgr B2. We have therefore undertaken a survey for interstellar NS in Galactic molecular clouds using the FCRAO 14-meter telescope. The 2II1/2, J = 5/2 → 3/2, transition has in fact been detected in many regions of massive star formation (see table).
Edge-following with a PUMA 560 manipulator using VAL-II

The ability to follow a curved edge with controlled contact force using a robot manipulator is useful in many tasks. An edge-following system using a PUMA 560 manipulator with unmodified Unimation controller and VAL-II language, wrist force sensor, and accomodation force control is described and modeled. The model is fourth order and is conditionally stable. The system is analyzed using this model, and the results compared with experimental data. Agreement is good considering the simplicity of the model. With commanded normal force of 6.67 N and following velocity of 20 mm/s we obtained RMS force errors of 1.03 N when following a straight edge and 2.72 N when following a curved "bump" of 40 mm radius of curvature.
Modeling Resilience and Sustainability in Ancient Agricultural Systems

The reasons why people adopt unsustainable agricultural practices, and the ultimate environmental implications of those practices, remain incompletely understood in the present world. Archaeology, however, offers unique datasets on coincident cultural and ecological change, and their social and environmental effects. This article applies concepts derived from ecological resilience thinking to assess the sustainability of agricultural practices as a result of long-term interactions between political, economic, and environmental systems. Using the urban center of Gordion, in central Turkey, as a case study, it is possible to identify mismatched social and ecological processes on temporal, spatial, and organizational scales, which help to resolve thresholds of resilience. Results of this analysis implicate temporal and spatial mismatches as a cause for local environmental degradation, and increasing extralocal economic pressures as an ultimate cause for the adoption of unsustainable land-use practices. This analysis suggests that a research approach that integrates environmental archaeology with a resilience perspective has considerable potential for explicating regional patterns of agricultural change and environmental degradation in the past.
LY353381.HCl, a Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator, and Experimental Stroke

Background and Purpose—The impact of postmenopausal estrogen replacement therapy on stroke prevention and stroke severity remains controversial. Previously we have shown that cerebral tissue infarction volume sustained after middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion is smaller in female than in male animals. This protection is lost after ovariectomy but is restored by 17β-estradiol replacement. However, the therapeutic range for estradiol is suboptimal, since only doses resulting in a narrow range of plasma levels are protective in brain. The present study tested the hypothesis that a benzothiophene analogue and selective estrogen receptor modulator, LY353381.HCl (LY), reduces tissue infarction after MCA occlusion in estrogen-deficient, ovariectomized female rats. Methods—Ovariectomized female Wistar rats received LY 10 mg/kg (n=16) or an equivalent volume of vehicle (n=14) by gavage for 5 to 8 days. Subsequently, each animal was anesthetized with halothane (1.2%) and treated with 2 hours of MCA occlusion by...
Effects of language modality on preschoolers' recall of spatial-temporal sequences1:

Given the visual-spatial nature of American Sign Language (ASL), children acquiring this language may be expected to show facility in recall of spatial-temporal sequences that are arbitrarily ordered. Further, because the language provides experience with spatial-temporal sequences lacking props and themes, language-specific experience may generalize to support recall of non-linguistic sequences lacking these features. To test these suggestions, in two experiments we compared recall performance of preschool-aged English-speaking and ASL-signing children. In Experiment 1, we used elicited imitation in a 2 (language: ASL, English × 2 (prop: present, absent) × 2 (theme: present, absent) × 2 (temporal order: enabling, arbitrary) design. Children acquiring ASL had better recall of arbitrarily ordered prop-supported sequences. Further, children acquiring ASL showed some advantage in recall of sign and non-sign gesture sequences. Experiment 2 directly compared real and nonsense word (or sign) recall between the ...
Linguistic constraints on the acquisition of English syllable codas by native speakers of Mandarin Chinese

This study investigates the acquisition of English syllable codas' by speakers of Mandarin Chinese. Three participants' naturalistic production of syllable codas were studied and analyzed through VARBRUL and descriptive statistics to determine accuracy orders and production modifications of codas by length (single, double, and triple codas) at two data collection times with a time span of six months. Data were categorized as accurately produced, produced with modifications (epenthesis or feature change), or absent, which meant that one or more of the consonants in the coda were not produced. Analysis of the codas also focused on which linguistic constraints operated on development of syllable codas, and how these linguistic constraints affected production modifications by length. Results indicate that these learners of English employ different production strategies based on the length of the coda, with feature change favoured for single codas, epenthesis for two-member codas, and absence for three-member codas. These modifications can be explained by several linguistic constraints, including L1 transfer, markedness, and sonority, as well as by natural phonological processes, the latter of which appear especially salient if the coda segments have been acquired. These findings illustrate that coda modification is reflective of acquisition processes, and requires further research .
Regression mean residual life of a parallel system of dependent components

Abstract In this paper, we consider a system consisting of two dependent components and we are interested in the average remaining life of the component that fails last when (i) the first failure occurs at time t and (ii) the first failure occurs after time t. For both the cases, expressions are derived in the case of general bivariate normal distribution and a class of bivariate exponential distribution including bivariate exponential distribution of Arnold and Strauss, absolutely continuous bivariate exponential distribution of Block and Basu, bivariate exponential distribution of Raftery, Freund's bivariate exponential distribution and Gumbel's bivariate exponential distribution.
Isolation and characterisation of wheat flour proteins. II. Effects of urea and N-ethylmaleimide on the behaviour of wheat proteins during extraction and fractionation.

Proteins were extracted from wheat flour with seven different extractants. Extraction with 3·0 M-urea at pH 7·0 and at 4° solubilised practically all the proteinaceous material in wheat flour. Extracted proteins were dialysed against 0·005 M-acetate buffer pH 4·1, concentrated by ultrafiltration and lyophylised. Proteins were fractionated in acetate buffer pH 4·1 by sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation or on Sephadex G-100, and the viscosity of Sephadex G-100 eluates was determined. Adding N-ethylmaleimide alone, but not in the presence of urea, reduced the yields of proteins extracted in a two-step procedure and increased the relative amounts of proteins of high molecular weight. Adding urea resulted in distinct separation of intermediate-sized proteins into two fractions. Proteins were fractionated on Sephadex G-100 into up to eight fractions, varying in molecular weight, and they were rechromatographed on Sephadex G-100 or G-200. The results indicated aggregation and disaggregation phenomena, and heterogeneity of protein fractions under conditions used.
Excitation of rubidium atoms by electron impact

An analytic central potential containing two adjustable parameters is used to generate wave functions for the ground and excited states of the rubidium atom. The two parameters are chosen so that the potential reproduces accurately known values of optical oscillator strengths for the 5s−np (n≧5) transitions. Using the Born approximation, we calculate generalized oscillator strengths and integrated cross sections up to 5 keV for the 5s−np excitations. Reasonable agreement with experimental data is obtained.
On the periodicity of word-length in DOL languages*

The following result is established: Let L be a DOL language and x1, x2,…, a sequence of all words in L ordered by increasing length. Suppose that for some integer ko there exist arbitrarily long intervals xi,…, xi+l such that | xj+1 | − | xj | ⩽ k0 for each j, i ⩽ j
Stochastic stability of three-dimensional linear systems under parametric random action

The stability of a three-dimensional linear system, driven by a parametric random excitation is considered. The stability of the system is investigated using a combination of stochastic averaging method and a probabilistic approach. For this purpose, it is necessary to find the transient probability density of the components of the vector random process. Thus, the invariant measure of the system may be calculated from the stationary solutions of the associated Fokker-Planck equations. These solutions are obtained numerically, using the sweep method. As a comparison criterion, a digital simulation of Ito equations has been carried out using the Monte-Carlo simulation (MCS) method. As an application, the example of instability of a thin-walled bar under the effect of parametric random action is considered
The relationship of maternal work characteristics to childcare type and quality in rural communities

Drawing on data from the Family Life Project collected in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, this paper examines the relationship between maternal work characteristics and childcare type and quality in rural communities. Research is limited on the childcare experiences of rural families. Rural areas have less access to formal childcare and families often commute long distances for work, restricting childcare options. Employed mothers using childcare were selected (n = 441). Logistic and OLS regression was used to examine which characteristics, including workplace support, objective occupational measures, hours, wage, and shift, predicted care type and quality. Results indicated that most families were using informal care. Those with more hazardous work conditions and working night shifts were less likely to use centers. Higher quality care was related to more workplace support, center use, and higher wages. Implications for social policy and practice are discussed.
Staying healthy: the salience and meaning of health maintenance behaviors among rural older adults in North Carolina.

Abstract Beliefs about what constitutes health promoting behaviors vary by culture and class, and knowing how an older adult interprets a specific health behavior can improve health education and medical compliance. Ethnomedical approaches have investigated how people define disease and the therapies used to return to a state of health. However, little research has addressed how individuals define health, or the behaviors they use to maintain health. We analyze the behaviors elders state are needed to stay healthy, and their meanings for these behaviors. Narratives collected through in-depth interviews with 145 male and female rural North Carolina residents aged 70 and older, including African Americans, Native Americans and European Americans are analyzed using systematic text analysis. The participants’ narratives include seven salient health maintenance domains: (1) Eating Right, (2) Drinking Water, (3) “Taking” Exercise, (4) Staying Busy, (5) Being with People, (6) Trusting in God and Participating in Church, and (7) Taking Care of Yourself. Several of these domains are multi-dimensional in the meanings the elders ascribe to them. There is also overlap in the content of some of the domains; they are not discrete in the minds of the elders and a specific health behavior can reflect more than one domain. Four themes cross-cut the domains: “balance and moderation”, “the holistic view of health”, “social integration”, and “personal responsibility”. Elders in these rural communities hold a definition of health that overlaps with, but is not synonymous with a biomedical model. These elders’ concept of health seamlessly integrates physical, mental, spiritual, and social aspects of health, reflecting how health is embedded in the everyday experience of these elders. Staying healthy is maintaining the ability to function in a community. These results indicate that providers cannot assume that older patients will share their interpretation of general health promotion advice.
Early Renal Benefit of Rapamycin Combined With Reduced Calcineurin Inhibitor Dose in Pediatric Heart Transplantation Patients

Background Calcineurin inhibitors such as cyclosporine are effective in preventing rejection in recipients of solid organ transplants. Unfortunately, the prolonged use of calcineurin inhibitors may result in progressive renal injury. Methods We studied the renal function of 15 pediatric heart transplant recipients who were taking calcineurin inhibitors. Their renal function was studied before and after rapamycin was introduced to their immunosuppression regimen. With the introduction of rapamycin, the patients were given a lower dose of calcineurin inhibitors, and the calcineurin inhibitor was discontinued in 5 patients. Results Renal function improved significantly in the patients by 30 days after these changes in the calcineurin inhibitor dose were instituted. Mean levels of blood urea nitrogen and mean serum creatinine decreased, and mean creatinine clearance increased. Pre-rapamycin, the patients' mean level of blood urea nitrogen was 27.1 ± 12.4 mg/dl and post-rapamycin they decreased to 18.6 ± 11.1 mg/dl ( p = 0.014). Similarly, creatinine decreased from 1.0 ± 0.5 mg/dl to 0.8 ± 0.3 mg/dl ( p = 0.019). Their creatinine clearance increased from 88 ± 28 ml/min/1.73 mol/liter 2 to 105 ± 27 ml/min/1.73 mol/liter 2 ( p = 0.008). The patients' lipid levels did not change after they were prescribed rapamycin. Biopsy-negative rejection developed in 2 patients. Conclusions The introduction of rapamycin to the immunosuppressive regimen of patients taking calcineurin inhibitors, with a concomitant reduction of the calcineurin inhibitor dose, may improve renal function within 30 days, without a significant increase in rejection.
Characterization of maize amylose-extender (ae) mutant starches: Part II. Structures and properties of starch residues remaining after enzymatic hydrolysis at boiling-water temperature

Abstract GEMS-0067 maize ae -line starches developed by the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) project consist of 39.4–43.2% resistant starch (RS), which is larger than the existing ae -line starches of H99 ae , OH43 ae , B89 ae , and B84 ae (11.5–19.1%) as reported in part I of the study. The objective of this study was to understand the mechanism of the RS formation in the GEMS-0067 ae -line starch. In the current study, we analyzed the structures and properties of the RS residues that remained after enzymatic hydrolysis of the ae -line starches at 95–100 °C. The RS residues consisted of two major components: large starch molecules of average degrees of polymerization (DP) 840–951 with a few branches and small starch molecules (average DP 59–74) with mostly linear chains. All the RS residues had a semi-crystalline structure with the B-type polymorph and displayed high onset (100.7–107.7 °C), peak (118.6–121.4 °C), and conclusion (139.7–158.8 °C) gelatinization temperatures. After the maize ae -mutant starches were defatted with methanol, the RS contents decreased to 27.8–28.9% for the GEMS-0067 ae -line starches and 9.0–11.0% for the existing ae -line starches. The RS residues were attributed to the presence of long-chain double-helical crystallites derived from amylose and the intermediate component (IC). These crystallites present in native ae -line starches had gelatinization temperatures above 100 °C and maintained the semi-crystalline structures after enzymatic hydrolysis at 95–100 °C.
Host genes involved in the interaction between Aspergillus flavus and maize

Aflatoxin contamination caused by Aspergillus flavus is a major concern in maize production. Understanding the complex interrelationships of genes during the A. flavus–maize interaction may be the key to developing strategies to interrupt the aflatoxin contamination process. The A. flavus Genome Sequencing and Expressed Sequence Tags projects are providing opportunities to identify a number of candidate genes involved in plant invasion as well as aflatoxin biosynthesis. Many A. flavus hydrolase genes have been presumed to function in polymer degradation and nutrient capture. With the application of proteomics and genomics technology, many resistance-associated proteins and genes have also been identified by comparing resistant with susceptible maize lines. This research facilitates an understanding of defense mechanisms in maize kernels at physical and biochemical levels. Although environmental stress, such as drought and high temperature, has been observed to greatly enhance aflatoxin contamination of ma...
Physical Interaction of Mammalian CDC37 with CDK4

CDC37 was originally identified as a Start gene in budding yeast and has been shown to be required for association of CDC28 with cyclins. The exact functional mechanism by which CDC37 promotes this association, however, remains unknown. CDK4 is a cyclin D-dependent kinase that controls progression through G1 of the mammalian cell cycle. We have detected a specific association of CDK4 with the molecular chaperon HSP90 and a 44-kDa protein that we identify as mammalian CDC37. A physical interaction between CDC37 and CDK4 suggests that CDC37 may regulate the mammalian cell cycle through a direct effect on CDK4. Association of CDK4 with both CDC37 and HSP90 may also imply a mechanistic link between the functions of CDC37 and HSP90.
MBE Growth of Low Dislocation and High Mobility GaAs-on-Si

Data is presented on the optimization of several molecular beam epitaxial growth processes to provide low dislocation density and high mobility GaAs single crystals on (100) Si wafers. The substrate tilt angle, the growth temperature, and the first buffer layer structure, were investigated Tor this purpose. Using Hall measurements the GaAs layers grown on 2 or 3-degree tilt (100) Si showed consistently high mobilities which are equivalent to the homoepitaxial GaAs mobility. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that on tilted (100) Si substrates most of the misfit dislocations were confined within the first 50 A GaAs layer by forming a type of edge dislocation at the Si surface step edges. Also low temperature grown buffer layers always gave better morphologies and lower etch pit densities while keeping the high mobilities on overgrown GaAs layers.
A note on a simple, accurate formula to compute implied standard deviations

Abstract We derive a simple, accurate formula to compute implied standard deviations for options priced in the classic framework developed by Black and Scholes (1973) and Merton (1973). When a stock price is equal to a discounted strike price, this formula reduces to a formula provided by Brenner and Subrahmanyam (1988). However, their formula's accuracy is sensitive to stock price deviations from a discounted strike price. The formula derived here extends the range of accuracy to a wide band of option moneyness.
Polyglycine conformational analysis: calculated vs experimental gas-phase basicities and proton affinities.

Structures of neutral and protonated polyglycines (Glyn and GlynH+ with n = 1−6) in the vicinity of global energy minima were calculated using the density functional theory at the B3LYP/6-311++G** (A) and B3LYP/6-31+G** (B) levels. Ninety-three structures were chosen for conformation and protonation studies. Geometries of the peptides are found to vary from open chains to multiple rings. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding is deduced to be the driving force for conformational stability. The preferred protonation sites are shown to be the terminal nitrogen atom and its adjacent amide oxygen atom. Structural series are developed according to geometrical form, hydrogen bonding, and protonation site. Physical factors that influence the relative electronic and thermodynamic stabilities of different structural series are examined. To obtain ab initio values of highest quality for gas-phase basicity (GB) and proton affinity (PA), electronic energies for n = 1−6 and thermal corrections to Gibbs free energy and enthal...
Cluster headache developing following ipsilateral orbital exenteration.

SYNOPSIS A patient developed cluster headache after exenteration of the ipsilateral orbit. This case illustrates that the prominent eye findings in cluster headache are epiphenomena, and not critical to the development of the pain itself.
Syntheses and Structural Characterizations of Vanada- and Niobatricarbadecaboranyl Monohalide Complexes

The syntheses and structural characterizations of the vanadium and niobium monohalide tricarbadecaboranyl complexes 1-(η5-C5H5)-1-Br-2-Ph-1,2,3,4-VC3B7H9 (1), [1-(η5-C5H5)-1,1‘-μ-Cl-2-Ph-closo-1,2,...
What Method This Madness: An Inquiry Into Hamlet's Antic Disposition

N HIS MONUMENTAL WORK on “Hamlet” Eissler’ quotes Kott as saying that the bibliography on “Hamlet” alone is twice as thick as the Warsaw telephone directory. It would be a more than formidable task to merely review the literature on Hamlet’s madness. However, the purpose of this brief communication is primarily methodological: it is limited to the demonstration of one particular interpretation of the latent unconscious meanings behind Hamlet’s “antic disposition.” Consequently, it seems sufficient to survey the literature on Hamlet’s madness only briefly. The question “Was Hamlet mad?” was extensively pursued by Eissler last year.’ The controversy, however, had already begun in 1765 when Samuel Johnson criticized Shakespeare for not adequately motivating Hamlet’s feigned madness: “for he does nothing which he might not have done with the reputation of sanity.“* During the more than two hundred years from Johnson to Eissler almost every serious critic wrestled with and wrote about this vexing problem. I will follow Edgar3 in classifying the main critical interpretations into four groups. The first group sees the character of Hamlet as representing a true feigned psychosis in a weak and indecisive soul. The second thinks that his madness represents a combination of feigned and actual psych0si.s. The third group makes the historical interpretation which holds that Hamlet portrays the melancholy type common in Elizabethan literature and Elizabethan psychology. Finally, the fourth group consists of the psychoanalytic interpretations that see Hamlet suffering the conflicts of an unresolved Oedipus complex. Most literary critics hold to the first interpretation, namely that of a feigned insanity. This view was voiced by Johnson, Schlegel, Goethe, Hallam, Robertson, and many others, most recently by Huhner. In contrast, most neuropsychiatrists have diagnosed Hamlet as truly insane underneath the feigned insanity. Typical is Connolly4 who stated: “It certainly appears to me that the intention to feign was soon forgotten, or could not be steadily maintained in consequence of a real mental infirmity.” Brigham’ discerned a full history of a case of melancholy madness. Historically oriented scholars, however, have tended towards the third type of interpretation. Schi.icking6 shows how Hamlet’s characteristics comply with
Procedure for the Transrectal and Transcutaneous Ultrasonographic Diagnosis of Pelvic Fractures in the Horse

Abstract Recent advancements in the quality and availability of imaging modalities have allowed clinicians to diagnose fractures in horses with hindlimb lameness. Many imaging modalities aid in the diagnosis of pelvic fractures, including radiography, nuclear scintigraphy, computed tomography, and ultrasonography. Ultrasonography is an appropriate initial diagnostic tool when a pelvic fracture is suspected. The use of ultrasonography minimizes many of the risks and complications associated with the radiographic, scintigraphic, and computed tomographic evaluation of pelvic fractures, and is readily available to equine practitioners. This manuscript provides a detailed description of a complete transrectal and transcutaneous ultrasonographic examination of the equine pelvis. The described method has been effective in the diagnosis of pelvic fractures in a series of eight cases. Transrectal ultrasonography was found effective in revealing fractures of the ischiatic table, acetabulum, pubis, and ilium. Transcutaneous ultrasonography effectively identified fractures of the ilium, acetabular rim, femoral neck, greater trochanter, and a capital physeal fracture with a subluxated femoral head.
Spatiotemporal variations of crustal anisotropy from similar events in aftershocks of the 1999 M7.4 İzmit and M7.1 Düzce, Turkey, earthquake sequences

SUMMARY We analyse spatiotemporal variations of crustal anisotropy along the Karadere–Duzce branch of the North Anatolian Fault from similar earthquakes in the aftershock regions of the 1999 Mw7.4Izmit and Mw7.1 Duzce earthquakes. The similar earthquake clusters are identified by performing cross-correlation on waveforms generated by ∼18 000 earthquakes. Depending on the applied similarity criterion, about 4–60 per cent of the events belong to similar event clusters. Splitting parameters averaged within each cluster show significant variations for slightly different ray paths, indicating strong spatial variations of crustal anisotropy in this area. We also find clear changes in the spatiotemporal seismicity patterns following the Duzce main shock. Large apparent co-seismic changes (up to 30 per cent) of shear wave splitting delay times are observed across the time of the Duzce main shock at stations near the epicentral region. However, the changes can be mostly explained by the spatial variations of ray paths due to the changing seismicity, rather than changes in the properties of the anisotropic medium. Splitting parameters measured within similar earthquake clusters indicate at most 2 per cent changes in delay times associated with the occurrence of the Duzce main shock. The results do not show systematic precursory changes before the Duzce main shock.
Renal clearable inorganic nanoparticles: A new frontier of bionanotechnology

While inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) with tunable and diverse material properties open up unprecedented opportunities for novel biomedical technologies, translating these NPs into clinical practices has been severely hampered by the toxicity induced by their nonspecific accumulation in healthy tissues/organs. In the past few years, the emergence of renal clearable inorganic NPs has made it possible to address this long-term challenge. This review summarizes size, shape, surface chemistry and biodegradation considerations in the design of renal clearable inorganic NPs and their strengths over conventional non-renal clearable NPs and small-molecule contrast agents in tumor targeting. Finally, some materials chemistry challenges in the development of renal clearable inorganic NPs and their biomedical implications beyond tumor targeting are discussed.
Optical performance of dichroic spectrum-splitting filters

We investigate the optical performance of dichroic filters used in solar spectrum-split- ting applications. Photovoltaic (PV) systems utilizing spectrum splitting have higher theoretical conversion efficiency than single-bandgap PV modules. Dichroic filters have been used in sev- eral spectrum-splitting optical system designs with success. However, dichroic filters only achieve ideal performance under collimated incident light. With an incident angle constraint the optical concentration ratio is limited. A high-concentration ratio helps to achieve high-con- version efficiency and control cost by reducing the PV cell area. In a dual-junction spectrum- splitting PV configuration with a gallium arsenide (GaAs) PV cell and a 2.1-eV bandgap PV cell, the experimental dichroic filter can provide 86.3% of the ideal designed performance. The filter nonideal performance under focused incident light is simulated with ZEMAX. System efficiency under different F-number and filter refractive index is simulated for dual-junction and three- junction systems to show the performance of dichroic filters. We have found that for a dual-bandgap spectrum-splitting system there is a 0.32% system efficiency gain associated with a filter refractive index increased from 1.5 to 1.95. An efficiency gain of 0.41% is associated with an aperture size reduction from F2.0 to F3.0. In a three-junction configuration, simulation shows that a 0.57% system efficiency gain is possible when the filter refractive index is increased from 1.5 to 1.95. An efficiency gain of 0.63% is associated with an aperture size reduction from F2.0 to F3.0. © 2014 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE) (DOI: 10.1117/1.JPE.4
Resource allocation for reliability of a complex system with aging components

To assess the reliability of a complex system, many different types of data may be available. Full-system tests are the most direct measure of reliability, but may be prohibitively expensive or difficult to obtain. Other less direct measures, such as component or section level tests, may be cheaper to obtain and more readily available. Using a single Bayesian analysis, multiple sources of data can be combined to give component and system reliability estimates. Resource allocation looks to develop methods to predict which new data would most improve the precision of the estimate of system reliability, in order to maximally improve understanding. In this paper, we consider a relatively simple system with different types of data from the components and system. We present a methodology for assessing the relative improvement in system reliability estimation for additional data from the various types. Various metrics for comparing improvement and a response surface approach to modeling the relationship between improvement and the additional data are presented.
In utero effects of 1,2-dimethyl hydrazine on adenosine and guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate content in rat fetal intestine.

Abstract Sperm positive 12–14-day pregnant Holtzman rats were exposed to a single subcutaneous injection (20 mg/kg body wt) of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH). Two days post-exposure, the fetal intestinal tissues were examined for their content and metabolic activities for cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic 3′,5′-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). The in utero exposure to the carcinogen resulted in lowering the intracellular content of cAMP and increasing cGMP. The decreased levels of cAMP may be accounted for the finding of a corresponding increase in its breakdown by its phosphodiesterases; however, associated with the increase in cGMP was correspondingly an increase in its phosphodiesterases, suggesting the activities for synthesis of this cyclic nucleotide may be the major factor for its elevated concentration. These observations indicate that DMH may cross the placental barrier and can effect the intracellular cyclic nucleotide concentrations in the fetal tissues as well as acting as a colorectal carcinogen in the adult rat. The changes in the cyclic nucleotide levels were toward the direction expected for an increased cell proliferation; consequently, further investigations are suggested to determine whether a hyperproliferative state is induced by the DMH in the already rapidly dividing fetal intestinal tissue.
Differential regulation of the PTH/PTHrP receptor and its mRNA in human osteoblast-like SaOS-2 cells

Using wild-type SaOS-2 cells and a mutant cAMP-resistant subclone Ca#4A, we have recently shown that homologous down-regulation of PTH/PTHrP receptor (PTH/PTHrPR) is mediated by mechanisms independent of PKA activation, and that homologous down-regulation of PTH/PTHrPR mRNA occurs later than the decline in functional cell surface receptors via a mechanism that does not involve enhanced mRNA degradation or new protein synthesis but does depend on cAMP/PKA. Treatment of SaOS-2 cells with [Arg2]hPTH(1-34) or hPTH(3-34) for 24 h, both of which bind to the human PTH/PTHrPR as well as hPTH(1-34) but fail to stimulate cAMP/PKA efficiently, does not cause down-regulation of PTH/PTHrPR mRNA; however, the same treatment did down-regulate PTH/PTHrPR protein. Incubation with isoproterenol for 24 h, which activates both PKA andβ-adrenergic receptor kinase (βARK) in these cells, induced significant down-regulation of both the PTH/PTHrPR and its mRNA. However, treatment with vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) or PGE2 for 24 h, both of which stimulate the cAMP/PKA pathway in these cells, did not down-regulate PTH/PTHrPR mRNA. We conclude that both PKA-dependent and -independent (such asβARK) mechanisms are required for regulation of the PTH/PTHrPR and its mRNA.
Organization of the Chick CDC37 Gene

CDC37 and the chaperone protein, Hsp90, form a complex that binds to several kinases, resulting in stabilization and promotion of their activity. CDC37 also binds DNA and glycosaminoglycans in a sequence-specific manner. In this study, we further characterize chick CDC37 and examine the organization of the CDC37 gene. Chick CDC37 is a ∼50-kDa protein encoded by an mRNA of ∼1.7 kilobases. The CDC37 gene is ∼8.5 kilobases and contains 8 exons and 7 introns of various sizes. The presumptive promoter and 5′-flanking regions contain an E2 box and consensus binding sites for SP1, for the S8 homeodomain protein, and for two zinc finger clusters within the myeloid progenitor transcription factor, MZF1. Particularly striking is a ∼470-base pair region composed of a highly repetitive 10–11-base pair sequence, (T/C)gCTAT(A/G)GGG(A/T) (where g represents the additional G present in the 11-base pair sequence). This region includes 15 copies of the sequence, TATGGGGA, which conforms to the DNA consensus sequence recognized by one of the zinc finger clusters in MZF1. These findings emphasize the potential importance of CDC37 in regulation of cellular behavior during tissue development and reorganization.
Assessment of linear-scale indices for perimetry in terms of progression in early glaucoma

Currently, global indices that summarize the visual field combine sensitivities on a logarithmic (decibel) scale. Recent structure–function models for glaucoma suggest that contrast sensitivity should be converted to a linear scale before averaging across visual field locations, to better relate sensitivity with the number of surviving retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). New indices designed to represent the number of RGCs already lost are described. At least one was found to be a significantly better predictor of subsequent rate of change than traditional Mean Deviation (p = 0.014) in participants with glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Issues concerning the creation of optimal global indices are discussed.
Effect of tea phenolics on iron uptake from different fortificants by Caco-2 cells

Abstract The in vitro effects of tea phenolics on Fe uptake from different fortificants (FeSO4, FeCl3, FeEDTA) by Caco-2 cells were compared. Cell cultures were exposed to catechin, tannic acid, green or black tea solutions, added within Fe-containing solution, or used to pre-treat cell cultures before Fe-exposure. Cell ferritin formation was used as a measure of Fe uptake. Reverse phase chromatography was used to identify specific phenolics in tea solutions, and the Fe-binding catechol and galloyl groups were determined spectrophotometrically. The results showed a positive effect of catechin on Fe uptake only from dissociable Fe sources, and a marked inhibitory effect of tannic acid regardless of the Fe source. Tea phenolics exhibit similar inhibitory patterns on Fe uptake from FeCl3 and FeEDTA solutions; however, the Fe uptake from FeSO4 solutions was significantly less affected. These data improve the understanding of interactions by which tea phenolics affect Fe uptake at the intestinal level.
Concentric zones of active RhoA and Cdc42 around single cell wounds

Rho GTPases control many cytoskeleton-dependent processes, but how they regulate spatially distinct features of cytoskeletal function within a single cell is poorly understood. Here, we studied active RhoA and Cdc42 in wounded Xenopus oocytes, which assemble and close a dynamic ring of actin filaments (F-actin) and myosin-2 around wound sites. RhoA and Cdc42 are rapidly activated around wound sites in a calcium-dependent manner and segregate into distinct, concentric zones around the wound, with active Cdc42 in the approximate middle of the F-actin array and active RhoA on the interior of the array. These zones form before F-actin accumulation, and then move in concert with the closing array. Microtubules and F-actin are required for normal zone organization and dynamics, as is crosstalk between RhoA and Cdc42. Each of the zones makes distinct contributions to the organization and function of the actomyosin wound array. We propose that similar rho activity zones control related processes such as cytokinesis.
Estimation of regional material yield from coastal landslides based on historical digital terrain modelling

High-resolution historical (1942) and recent (1994) digital terrain models were derived from aerial photographs along the Big Sur coastline in central California to measure the long-term volume of material that enters the nearshore environment. During the 52-year measurement time period, an average of 21 000 ± 3100 m3 km−1 a−1 of material was eroded from nine study sections distributed along the coast, with a low yield of 1000 ± 240 m3 km−1 a−1 and a high of 46 700 ± 7300 m3 km−1 a−1. The results compare well with known volumes from several deep-seated landslides in the area and suggest that the processes by which material is delivered to the coast are episodic in nature. In addition, a number of parameters are investigated to determine what influences the substantial variation in yield along the coast. It is found that the magnitude of regional coastal landslide sediment yield is primarily related to the physical strength of the slope-forming material. Coastal Highway 1 runs along the lower portion of the slope along this stretch of coastline, and winter storms frequently damage the highway. The California Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining this scenic highway while minimizing the impacts to the coastal ecosystems that are part of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. This study provides environmental managers with critical background data on the volumes of material that historically enter the nearshore from landslides, as well as demonstrating the application of deriving historical digital terrain data to model landscape evolution. Published in 2005 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
MMSE DFE Transceiver Design Over Slowly Time-Varying MIMO Channels Using ST-GTD

In a companion paper, we have studied the zero-forcing (ZF) transceiver with decision feedback equalizer (DFE) over slowly time-varying narrowband multiinput multioutput (MIMO) channels. The space-time generalized triangular decomposition (ST-GTD) was used for the design of ZF-DFE transceivers. The space-time geometric mean decomposition (ST-GMD) ZF transceiver minimizes both the arithmetic mean square error (MSE) at the feedback detector and the average uncoded bit error rate (BER) in moderate high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). This paper addresses the design problem of DFE transceiver without zero-forcing constraint. In the first part, a channel independent temporal precoder is superimposed on the conventional block-wise GMD-based minimum mean square error (MMSE) DFE transceiver to take advantage of the temporal diversity. In the second part, ST-GTD is applied for the design of MMSE DFE transceivers. With accurate channel prediction and space-time powerloading, the proposed ST-GMD MMSE transceiver minimizes the arithmetic MSE at the feedack detector, and maximizes Gaussian mutual information. For practical applications, the ST-GTD MMSE transceiver which does not require channel prediction but shares the same asymptotic BER performance with the ST-GMD MMSE system is also developed. In the convex region, our analysis shows that the proposed MMSE transceivers has better BER performance than the conventional GMD-based MMSE transceiver; the average BERs of the proposed systems are nonincreasing functions of the ST-block size. The superior performance of ST-GMD MMSE transceiver over the ST-GMD ZF transceiver is also verified analytically.
Broadband high harmonic generation from 400 nm sub-10 fs driving pulses

Broadband high harmonic generation produced from 400 nm sub-10 fs driving pulses is reported. The results indicate an efficient method of generating intense single attosecond pulses from 400 nm driving lasers.
Group invariant inference and right Haar measure

Every group invariant inference is strongly inconsistent except possibly for the formal Bayes inference that uses an improper prior induced by right Haar measure. The proof uses a number of technical assumptions which hold for many group invariant statistical models including examples in MANOVA.
The childhood schizophrenic in adolescence.

1. The importance of establishing a diagnosis in the emotionally disturbed child has been emphasized. 2. Forty adolescent childhood schizophrenics have been contrasted with 20 adolescent behavior problem cases and 20 adolescents whose schizophrenia appeared in adolescence. 3. (a.) The childhood schizophrenics revealed: (i) a tendency to early and severe physiological disturbances and showed general immaturity; (ii) a frequent history of spontaneous “whirling” and toe-walking; (iii) poverty of thought, marked sexual confusion and obsession with space, time and motion in those under 15; (iv) marked distortion of body image, with concern over bodily extremities and spacial orientation; (v) Bender Gestalts emphasizing “vortical activity”; and (vi) positive “whirling tests” in many but with the presence of positive tests in controls making it apparent that this test is not diagnostic of itself. (b.) The adolescent schizophrenics showed none of these symptoms except for: (i) marked sexual confusion; (ii) confusion about body periphery; and (iii) positive “whirling tests” in some. (c.) The behavior-problem adolescents had none of the gross abnormalities described for the childhood schizophrenics. 4. There appeared to be some therapeutic gains in several adolescent childhood schizophrenics who were experiencing long-term “relationship therapy” with accepting adults of the same sex. 5. Remedial reading, speech therapy, visual-motor training must be of primary concern in all therapeutic programs.
Stem cell niches in the adult mouse heart

Cardiac stem cells (CSCs) have been identified in the adult heart, but the microenvironment that protects the slow-cycling, undifferentiated, and self-renewing CSCs remains to be determined. We report that the myocardium possesses interstitial structures with the architectural organization of stem cell niches that harbor long-term BrdU-retaining cells. The recognition of long-term label-retaining cells provides functional evidence of resident CSCs in the myocardium, indicating that the heart is an organ regulated by a stem cell compartment. Cardiac niches contain CSCs and lineage-committed cells, which are connected to supporting cells represented by myocytes and fibroblasts. Connexins and cadherins form gap and adherens junctions at the interface of CSCs–lineage-committed cells and supporting cells. The undifferentiated state of CSCs is coupled with the expression of α4-integrin, which colocalizes with the α2-chain of laminin and fibronectin. CSCs divide symmetrically and asymmetrically, but asymmetric division predominates, and the replicating CSC gives rise to one daughter CSC and one daughter committed cell. By this mechanism of growth kinetics, the pool of primitive CSCs is preserved, and a myocyte progeny is generated together with endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Thus, CSCs regulate myocyte turnover that is heterogeneous across the heart, faster at the apex and atria, and slower at the base–midregion of the ventricle.