cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Invisible Risk: Pandemics and the Financial Markets

Are pandemics systemically important to modern-day financial markets? This study uses the COVID-19 pandemic as a natural experiment for testing how large-scale pandemics affect the financial markets. Using hand-collected data at the firm level, I find that managers systematically underestimated their exposure to pandemics in their SEC-mandated risk factors, and the vast majority of firms decreased in value at the pandemic's onset. I also find that the pandemic triggered unprecedented changes in U.S. employment levels and the values of bonds, commodities, and currencies. These types of findings suggest that pandemics are systemically important to the financial markets. Overall, this study provides some of the first large-scale evidence on how pandemics affect the financial markets.
Chapter 7 – Nanobiotechnology

The main practical objectives of nanobiotechnology are using biological components to achieve nanoscale tasks. Some of these tasks are nonbiological and have applications in such areas as electronics and computing, whereas others are applicable to biology or medicine. The purpose of this chapter is to show, by selected examples, how biological approaches can contribute to nanoscience.
State Sovereignty-Non-Refoulement Nexus: Towards Sustainable Legal and Political Refugee Regime in Kenya

For over two decades, Kenya has been home to thousands of refugees from the neighboring conflict plagued states in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region. A report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicates that as of January 2016, 593,881 refugees and asylum seekers were living in Kenya. While the majority of refugees are settled in the designated Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps, a significant number reside in various urban centers in the country. Refugees of Somali descent account for most of the refugees, most of whom reside in the Dadaab refugee camp. This can be explained by the continued state of anarchy in Somalia since the military ouster of Siad Barre in 1991 and Somali’s proximity to Kenya among other factors. While Kenya adheres to various conventions and protocols relating to refugee protection, the rise of international terrorism has been a major concern in the recent past. In particular, the emergence of the Al-Shabaab (a militant group linked to the Al-Qaeda) that has exploited the ungoverned spaces in Somalia to carry out their terror-related activities, some of which have impacted on Kenya’s national security. Consequently, there has been increased political pressure for the adoption of more stringent measures of dealing with Somali refugees to avoid possible infiltration of the Al-Shabaab into the refugee camps.
Left atrial appendage morphology predicts the formation of left atrial appendage thrombus

BACKGROUND Nonchicken wing left atrial appendage (LAA) morphology is associated with higher risk for stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) than chicken wing (CW) morphology. OBJECTIVE Assess whether LAA morphology predicts the formation of LAA thrombus independent of age, sex, presenting rhythm, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), or anticoagulant use. METHODS A cross-sectional analysis was performed on patients prospectively enrolled in the Vanderbilt LAA Registry or presenting for transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) between January 1, 2015, and November 1, 2017 (n = 306). Two physicians independently reviewed TEEs interpreted as having LAA thrombus. Determination of LAA morphology, ejection velocity, and presence of thrombus (n = 102) were based on 0°, 45°, 90°, and 135° TEE views. The control cohort (n = 204) included consecutive AF patients undergoing TEE without LAA thrombus. RESULTS LAA morphology in patients with LAA thrombus was: 35% windsock, 47% broccoli, and 12% CW. Windsock (odds ratio [OR], 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.7-9.3, p = .001) and broccoli (OR, 6.6; 95% CI: 2.6-16.6; p < .001) morphology were higher risk for thrombus compared to CW. Female sex predicted higher-odds for LAA thrombus (OR, 2.6; 95% CI: 1.4-4.8; p = .002) as did LAA-EV < 20 cm/s (OR, 11.12; 95% CI: 5.6-22.1). Anticoagulation use (OR, 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9; p = .03) and higher LVEF (OR, 0.95; 95% CI: 0.93-0.98; p < .001) were associated with lower risk. In patients with a CW morphology who had LAA thrombus, 4 of the 7 had an LAA-EV < 20 cm/s and acute systolic heart failure with LVEF < 30% or active malignancy. In multivariable linear regression analysis controlling for presenting rhythm, anticoagulant use, age, sex, and LVEF, CW morphology appears relatively protective from LAA thrombus (p = .001). CONCLUSION CW LAA morphology appears relatively protective against the formation of LAA thrombus.
3D Printed Mask Frames Improve the Inward Protection Efficiency of a Cloth Mask

Here, we show that improving the fit of a cloth mask using a low-cost 3D-printed frame significantly improves its inward protection efficiency for airborne particles known to transmit SARS-CoV-2. We found that a 3D-printed flexible frame (i.e., brace) increased the inward protection efficiency of a cotton-based cloth mask by 13-43% for particles ranging in size from 0.5-2 mu m relative to the efficiency obtained in the absence of the frame. For example, the use of a flexible form-fitting frame increased the inward protection efficiency for 0.5 and 1 mu m particles by 31 and 40%, respectively. Rapid prototyping of the mask frame geometry and material properties was also highlighted for optimization of the facial contact area and mechanical matching. This work demonstrates the opportunity for leveraging additive manufacturing processes for rapid prototyping of personalized and form-fitting personal protective equipment components at home and at point-of-care settings, such as mask frames.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Dermatology Practice Changes

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on dermatology practice cannot be overstated. At its peak, the pandemic resulted in the temporary closure of ambulatory sites as resources were reallocated towards pandemic response efforts. Many outpatient clinics have since reopened and are beginning to experience a semblance of pre-pandemic routine, albeit with restrictions in place. We provide an overview of how COVID-19 has affected dermatology practice globally beginning with the rise of teledermatology. A summary of expert recommendations that shape the "new normal" in various domains of dermatology practice, namely, dermatology consultation, procedural dermatology, and phototherapy, is also provided.
Delayed-Onset Portal Venous Thrombosis After Ingestion of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide.

Abstract Background: Identification of portal venous gas on radiographic imaging is well documented after the ingestion of hydrogen peroxide, as is its resolution after hyperbaric therapy. Although hyperbaric therapy may resolve the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with the presence of portal venous gas, the principle rationale for performing hyperbaric therapy is to prevent subsequent central nervous system oxygen embolization. Case Report: We describe a patient with portal venous gas identified by computed tomography after the ingestion of 3% hydrogen peroxide, managed without hyperbaric therapy, who subsequently developed portal venous thrombosis. We are not aware of this complication being previously described from hydrogen peroxide ingestion. The case is complicated by the coexistence of a self-inflicted stab wound, leading to exploratory laparotomy in a patient predisposed to arterial vascular occlusion. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Emergency physicians will encounter patients after the ingestion of hydrogen peroxide who, despite not having symptoms of central nervous system emboli, have portal venous gas identified on radiographic imaging. Being aware that the principle rationale for prophylactic utilization of hyperbaric therapy is to prevent subsequent central nervous system emboli, and that in at least one case, delayed-onset portal venous thrombosis has occurred without hyperbaric therapy may help contribute to clinical decision-making.
Outline of trikonic ⊳*k: diagrammatic trichotomic

C. S. Peirce's research into a possible applied science of whatever might be trichotomically analyzed has here been developed as trikonic – that is, diagrammatic trichotomic. Such a science (and its proposed adjunct tool) may have significant implications for the work of testbed collaboratories and other virtual communities concerned with pragmatically directed inquiry and knowledge representation.
Emerging trends in decision making of IT leaders

IT leadership roles are changing in response to emerging trends in IT architectures. Advances in cloud computing, virtualization, software as a service (SaaS), and mobility have dramatically changed IT management models, and therefore has altered the role of IT managers.
The environmental heritage of the Argo Merchant

The history and impact of the January 1977 Navigation Safety Regulations are presented. The statutory authority for USCG vessel control is the Port and Waterways Act of 1972. A series of tankships accidents occurring in late 1976 caused President Jimmy Carter to request the formation of new and more comprehensive operational rules for large oil tank vessels. Federal, public, and international responses to the regulations are discussed. It now appears that improvements in crew competency, vessel design, and overall operation will be made. The prospects for domestically enforceable international standards appear bright, and much has been learned about oil disbursing, ocean currents, and tidal action. (109 references)
An ab initio study of the low-lying electronic states of S3.

Accurate calculations of the low-lying singlet and triplet electronic states of thiozone, S3, have been carried out using large multireference configuration interaction wave functions. Cuts of the full potential energy surfaces along the stretching and bending coordinates have been presented, together with the vertical excitation spectra. The strong experimentally observed absorption around 395nm is assigned to the 1B21 state, which correlates to ground state products. Absorption at wavelengths shorter than 260nm is predicted to lead to singlet excited state products, S2 (aΔg1)+S(D1). The spectroscopic properties of the XΣg−3, aΔg1, and bΣg+1 electronic states of the S2 radical have also been accurately characterized in this work. The investigations of the low-lying electronic states were accompanied by accurate ground state coupled cluster calculations of the thermochemistry of both S2 and S3 using large correlation consistent basis sets with corrections for core-valence correlation, scalar relativity, a...
A GA-based design of electromagnetic bandgap (EBG) structures utilizing frequency selective surfaces for bandwidth enhancement of microstrip antennas

We present a novel approach to improving the bandwidth of microstrip antennas using frequency selective surfaces (FSSs). The genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to derive an optimal FSS element configuration that achieves the zero-phase condition for the reflection coefficient of an artificial surface at the desired frequency band. We show that the use of such a surface, in lieu of the conventional PEC (perfect electrical conductor) ground plane, leads to an improvement in the bandwidth of planar antennas that are placed above the surface.
Mitten‐Line Hyperpigmentation: A Reactive Process Analogous to Sock‐Line Hyperpigmentation

A 3-month-old girl presented with a 6-week history of a curvilinear hyperpigmented patch on the left wrist, which began within a day of using a tight mitten. Mitten-line hyperpigmentation is analogous to the recently described condition known as infantile "sock-line hyperpigmentation," or more generally "sock-line bands." Distinguishing this benign condition from child abuse, amniotic band syndrome, and acquired raised bands of infancy is important but sometimes challenging.
Root structure and function in an ecological context

Ecological theories concerning the relationship of suites of traits with resource supply and plant potential growth rate have concentrated primarily on leaf structure and physiology – much less is known about interspecific patterns of variation in root structure and physiology. In this issue, Wahl & Ryser reduce this knowledge gap by demonstrating important correlations of root structure with potential growth rate and height among a range of perennial temperate grass species adapted to sites of a wide range of fertility (see pp. 459–471).
Characterization of neuroblastoma stem cells

Human neuroblastoma I-type cells have been proposed as a population of malignant neural crest stem cells, based on their high tumorigenic activity, expression of stem cell markers, and ability to differentiate to cells of neural crest lineages, including neuroblastic (N-type) and myoblastic/glial /melanocytic (S-type) cells. My findings demonstrated that some of the I-type cells were cancer stem cells with self-renewal capacity and multipotent differentiation potential, and CD24 was a neuroblatoma stem cell-related marker and could be used to enrich cancer stem cells in the BE(2)-C I-type cell line by cell sorting. This study also showed that expression of neuroblastoma stem cell activities required the polycomb family transcriptional repressor Bmi-1. Bmi-1 expression levels were found to exert an “instructive” influence on lineage commitment by the I-type cells. Differentiation of I-type cells to S-type cells was accompanied by a marked decrease in Bmi-1 expression, and experimental downregulation of Bmi-1 in I- type cells was found to promote their differentiation along the Schwann/glial (S-type) pathway. In contrast, N-type cells derived from I-type cells expressed higher levels of Bmi-1, and experimental upregulation of Bmi-1 was found to induce the I-type cells to differentiate along the neuronal (N-type) pathway. Thus, the results of this study identified the existence of a complex mechanism in these cells that was dependent upon the concentrations of a protein, Bmi-1, for both self-renewal property and for the outcomes of their differentiation programs.
A Transonic Compressor Stage: Part 2 — CFD Simulation

The simulation of a transonic compressor stage is presented. This stage was designed using an Euler CFD code with the intent of minimizing the use of empirical design techniques. The stage has subsequently been built and tested. More recently an existing multi-block Navier-Stokes code with a steady averaging-plane to pass information between the blade rows was used to simulate the flow through the machine. Performance maps of stage pressure ratio and efficiency at 70, 80, 90 and 100% speeds from both the Euler and Navier-Stokes CFD codes are compared with the experimental results. Details of the internal flow from the Navier-Stokes code are presented. Comparison of the design Euler CFD and experimental results showed reasonable agreement and validated its use as a design tool. Agreement between experimental and the current Navier-Stokes CFD results was good, allowing the code to be used in the viewing of the internal flow field. Improvements to the initial design CFD method are discussed in light of the experimental program and more recent simulations.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Generalized APP detection for unknown ISI channels

Soft information is computed in a simple way. In particular, we investigate iterative detection of serially concatenated continuous phase modulation corrupted by unknown intersymbol interference.
Anomalous magnetization in single-crystal κ-[bis(ethylenedithiotetrathiafulvalene)] 2 Cu[N(CN) 2 ]Br superconductors

We report detailed magnetization studies on single-crystal superconductors of {kappa}-[bis(ethylenedithiotetra- thiafulvalene)]{sub 2}Cu[N(CN){sub 2}]Br with the field {ital H} parallel to the {ital b} axis (perpendicular to the conducting plane). At high temperatures, the magnetization, {ital M}, displays a power-law dependence on {ital H} with {ital M}{proportional_to}{ital H}{sup {ital n}} and {ital n}={minus}2/3. The critical current extrapolated from the width of the hysteresis loop depends on {ital H} exponentially. At low temperatures ({ital T}{lt}7 K), an anomalous field dependence with a change of sign in the curvature of {ital M}({ital H}) is observed. The anomalous field dependence is qualitatively similar to the fishtail magnetization reported for the oxide superconductors. Possible mechanisms giving rise to this effect are discussed.
Development of analytical model to a temperature distribution of a first level package With a nonuniformly powered die

Microprocessors continue to grow in capabilities, complexity, and performance. Microprocessors typically integrate functional components such as logic and level two cache memory in their architecture. This functional integration of logic and memory results in improved performance of the microprocessor. However, the integration also introduces a layer of complexity in the thermal design and management of microprocessors. As a direct result of functional integration, the power map on a microprocessor is typically highly nonuniform, and the assumption of a uniform heat flux across the die surface has been shown to be invalid post Pentium II architecture. The active side of the die is divided into several functional blocks with distinct power assigned to each functional block. Previous work (Kaisare et al., 2005, "Thermal Based Optimization of Functional Block Distributions in a Non-Uniformly Powered Die," InterPACK 2005, San Francisco, CA, Jul. 17-22) has been done, which includes numerical analysis and thermal based optimization of a typical package consisting of a nonuniformly powered die, heat spreader, thermal interface materials I and II, and the base of the heat sink. In this paper, an analytical approach to temperature distribution of a first level package with a nonuniformly powered die is carried out for the first time. The analytical model for two-layer bodies developed by Haji-Sheikh et al. (2003, "Steady-State Heat Conduction in Multi-Layer Bodies," Int. J. Heat Mass Transfer, 46(13), pp. 2363-2379) is extended to this typical package, which is a multilayer body. The solution is to begin by designating each surface heat flux as a volumetric heat source. An inverse methodology is applied to solve the equations for various surfaces to calculate the maximum junction temperature for a given multilayer body. Finally validation of the analytical solution is carried out using previously developed numerical model.
Load balancing with migration penalties

Many practical systems perform load balancing. The main aim of load balancing is to utilize the capacity of a system of parallel processors efficiently and to reduce the delay of processing jobs. This paper is concerned with load balancing, or process migration, when there is a penalty associated with migration. We consider the following model: jobs arrive at each of n parallel servers. An arriving job can either be processed in a unit of time, on average, at the server where it arrives, or it can migrate to another server where it creates K ges 1 independent jobs. When K = 1, migrating jobs impose no extra cost and this problem is considered extensively in the literature. We are interested in the situation K > 1. The problem is to decide whether a job should migrate or not. On the one hand migration leads to load balancing and hence reduces backlogs. However, it also leads to the creation of extra work and, hence, to a potential loss of throughput. We ask: do there exist simple migration policies that can reduce backlogs while providing the highest throughput? Somewhat surprisingly, we find that policies like "migrate to the least loaded server" are unstable: they cause a loss of throughput. However, we find that a simple variant of this rule is stable and leads to a reduction of backlogs
Moving beyond the map: automated landmark based pedestrian guidance using street level panoramas

In the past people have used very different forms of directions depending on how those directions were acquired. If a person is giving another person directions in a familiar area, he will frequently use landmarks to describe the route [10]. If the person gets the route from a personal navigation system though, it will be displayed on a map and make use of street names for the directions.In this paper we present a system to automatically give landmark based navigation to pedestrians by using panoramic imagery to both find salient landmarks along a route automatically, and to present those landmarks to a pedestrian navigator in an immersive and intuitive manner. Our system primarily uses automatically detected business signs as landmarks, and currently works in a half dozen cities around the world. We have also evaluated our system and found that people can effectively navigate solely using landmark enhanced panoramas of decision points along the route.
Investigation of thermal gradient effects in the I-35W St. Anthony falls bridge

Thermal gradients were measured through the section of the I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge, a posttensioned concrete box girder bridge in Minneapolis, Minnesota, over the course of 3 years. The magnitudes and shapes of the measured thermal gradients were compared with various design gradients, and a fifth-order curve was found to best approximate the shape of the gradients. The responses of the structure to the largest measured thermal gradients were compared with stresses and deformations predicted by finite-element modeling given applied design gradients. The measured structural response was found to be best predicted when the finite-element model of the bridge was subjected to a fifth-order design thermal gradient scaled to match maximum top surface temperature values proposed by AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications for the region. Stresses and deformations predicted by finite-element modeling using the AASHTO LRFD bilinear design gradients were found to be considerably lower than those derived from measured results. Recommendations for design thermal gradients are proposed.
Hexavalent Chromium Review: Part 1 -Health Effects, Regulations, and Analysis

First of a two-part review summarizing the current state of the science regarding hexavalent chromium, this article addresses health effects, regulations, and analysis; part 2 will cover occurrence, chemistry, and treatment. Although hexavalent chromium—Cr(VI)—is a known human carcinogen when inhaled, its effects when taken orally (e.g., consumed in drinking water) are still being evaluated. The outcome of the ongoing US Environmental Protection Agency toxicologic review will determine whether a new federal maximum contaminant level will be set specifically for Cr(VI). In California, a public health goal of 0.02 µg/L has been established, and the state is proceeding to set a maximum contaminant level for hexavalent chromium. Analytical methods for hexavalent chromium can reliably quantify Cr(VI) at sub-parts-per-billion levels, whereas methods for measuring total chromium are much less sensitive. A new US Environmental Protection Agency method is available for Cr(VI) analysis, with updated requirements for chromium speciation preservation, holding time, and filtration.
Single-step synthesis and characterization of biotinylated nitrilotriacetic acid, a unique reagent for the detection of histidine-tagged proteins immobilized on nitrocellulose.

Abstract Using a one-step reaction, a bifunctional compound was synthesized for detecting histidine-tagged proteins immobilized on nitrocellulose. This compound has a biotin as one functional group and a nitrilotriacetic acid as the other. The nitrilotriacetic acid is used to chelate a Ni(II) ion at four of its six coordination sites. The remaining two sites are available for binding to a histidine tag. The biotin functional group can then be detected using a streptavidin–horseradish peroxidase conjugate and chemiluminescence. Using this biotinylated nitrilotriacetic acid, it is possible to detect less than 0.11 pmol of histidine-tagged Escherichia coli RNA polymerase σ 70 subunit. This reagent is also able to specifically detect His-tagged σ 70 from a whole cell lysate following SDS–PAGE and transfer to nitrocellulose. The reagent can be dissociated from the His-tagged protein at pH 4.8 and the blot can be reprobed with a monoclonal antibody for detection of different proteins on the same blot.
Identification of a cysteine residue in the active site of nitroalkane oxidase by modification with N-ethylmaleimide.

Abstract The flavoprotein nitroalkane oxidase catalyzes the oxidative denitrification of primary or secondary nitroalkanes to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones with production of hydrogen peroxide and nitrite. The enzyme is irreversibly inactivated by treatment with N-ethylmaleimide at pH 7. The inactivation is time-dependent and shows first-order kinetics for three half-lives. The second-order rate constant for inactivation is 3.4 ± 0.06 m − 1min− 1. The competitive inhibitor valerate protects the enzyme from inactivation, indicating an active site-directed modification. Comparison of tryptic maps of enzyme treated withN-[ethyl-1-14C]maleimide in the absence and presence of valerate shows a single radioactive peptide differentially labeled in the unprotected enzyme. The sequence of this peptide was determined to be LLNEVMCYPLFDGGNIGLR using Edman degradation and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The cysteine residue was identified as the site of alkylation by ion trap mass spectrometry.
Effect of cholesterol nanodomains on the targeting of lipid- based gene delivery in cultured cells

Targeted gene delivery offers immense potential for clinical applications. Liposomes decorated with targeting ligands have been extensively used for both in vitro and in vivo gene delivery. Lipoplexes with high cholesterol content that result in cholesterol domain formation within the complexes have been shown to exhibit enhanced transfection in vitro and resistance to serum-induced aggregation. In the present study, folate was employed as a targeting ligand that was conjugated with either cholesterol or a diacyl lipid (DSPE), and these conjugates were incorporated into lipoplexes formulated with DOTAP/cholesterol (wt/wt: 31/69) that are known to possess cholesterol nanodomains. Cellular uptake and transfection of these lipoplexes in the presence of 50% serum were examined when the ligand was located within or excluded from the cholesterol nanodomain. Lipoplexes with folate-cholesterol exhibited a 50-fold increase in transfection compared to those with folate-DSPE, while the cellular uptake level is only 40% of that with folate-DSPE. These results indicate that the presence of the ligand within the cholesterol domain promotes more productive transfection in cultured cells, and intracellular trafficking of the lipoplexes after entry into cells plays a crucial role in gene delivery.
Antimicrobial Properties of the Constituents of Piper aduncum

An ethanol extract of the leaves of Piper aduncum demonstrated good antimicrobial activity. Bioassay-directed fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of 4-methoxy-3,5-bis(3′-methylbenzoic acid) 1, 2,6-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-chalcone 2, nervogenic acid 3 and 2,2-dimethoxy-8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-2H-chromene-6-carboxylic acid 4. These compounds showed considerable in vitro antifungal and antibacterial activity. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Negative refractive index in doped semiconductors via electromagnetically induced mixed-parity transitions

The existing Quantum Optics- based models of negative refractive index in atomic-vapor medium (e.g. Ne, Na) require unrealistically strong magnetic response of atoms combined with high atomic density. In contrast to these gas-based models, our approach explores solid-state n-type semiconductor with well-defined hydrogen-like donor atomic states within the band gap. Based on methods of Quantum Optics, we have found that optically transparent indium oxide is negative refractive index material if doped with tin and zinc (In 2-x Sn x/2 Zn x/2 O 3 (zinc-doped ITO)). The desirable negative refractive index effect is due to coherent coupling an electric dipole transition with magnetic transition with proper detunings of the probe and support laser beams (A.-G. Kussow and A. Akyurtlu, Int. J. Mod. Physics (2010)). The calculations demonstrate the feasibility of the effect at ~ 10 THz with extremely high figure of merit FOM >> 10.
Electrical conductivity of river, rain and snow water.

“THE DATA OF GEOCHEMISTRY”, by the late F. W. Clarke, is a mine of information on river waters, their variation with geological formation and Joly's 'cyclic sodium' transported in the air and brought down by rain. These phenomena are simply studied by measurements of electrical conductivity at 0° C. Thus C × 106 for Plymouth tap-water varied during 1923–24 from 25 to 28 ; the values found on July 7, 1923, and September 26, 1923, were 27 and 28—identical respectively with those of July 5, 1945, and September 19, 1945. The pH varied from 6·4 to 6·8 during the year. It was with some surprise that I found rain-water, collected at Downderry on the Cornish coast during a downpour on March 12, 1946, to have a conductivity 24, with pH. 6·6. Rain at Plymouth on March 13, 1946, had conductivity 55 and pH 4·0. During the night of September 19–20, 1946, rain at Antony, Cornwall, had conductivity 28, the typical September figure for Dartmoor water. Clean snow at Downderry on January 24, 1947, gave 44, and a Plymouth sample of January 25, 1947, gave 72 for conductivity. The latter was taken from the middle of the snow blanket and was, on thawing, surprisingly sooty. Plymouth rain of January 8, 1947, had conductivity 70, close to that of snow.
A system for gene cloning and manipulation in the yeast Candida glabrata

The opportunistic pathogenic yeast, Candida (Torulopsis) glabrata, is an asexual imperfect fungus that exists largely as a haploid. Besides being a clinically important pathogen, this yeast also provides a model system for understanding basic biological mechanisms such as metal-activated metallothionein-encoding gene transcription. To facilitate molecular genetic studies in C. glabrata, we isolated a strain auxotrophic for uracil biosynthesis. The ura- mutation could be functionally complemented by the URA3 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, consistent with a defect in the C. glabrata URA3 gene in this strain. We also found that the centromere-based S. cerevisiae plasmid pRS316 could stably transform and replicate in multiple copies in C. glabrata. In contrast, high-copy-number S. cerevisiae plasmids containing the 2 mu circle autonomous replication sequence were not able to replicate productively in C. glabrata. We cloned the C. glabrata URA3 gene, encoding orotidine-5'-phosphate decarboxylase, by complementation of a ura3- strain of S. cerevisiae. The deduced amino-acid sequence is highly similar to that of the URA3 protein from S. cerevisiae. C. glabrata URA3 provides a genetic locus for targeted gene integration in C. glabrata. Integrative plasmids were constructed based on the cloned C. glabrata URA3 and are applicable for directed insertions of genes of interest at the ura3 locus through homologous recombination.
On the Convergence of Newton’s Method for Polynomial Equations and Applications in Radiative Transfer

Newton’s method is used to approximate a locally unique zero of a polynomial operator F of degree in Banach space. So far, convergence conditions have been found for Newton’s method based on the Newton-Kantorovich hypothesis that uses Lipschitz-type conditions and information only on the first Frechet-derivative of F. Here we provide a new semilocal convergence theorem for Newton’s method that uses information on all Frechet-derivatives of F except the first. This way, we obtain sufficient convergence conditions different from the Newton-Kantorovich hypothesis. Our results are extended to include the case when F is a nonlinear operator whose kth Frechet-derivative satisfies a Holder continuity condition. An example is provided to show that our conditions hold where all previous ones fail. Moreover, some applications of our results to the solution of polynomial systems and differential equations are suggested. Furthermore, our results apply to solve a nonlinear integral equation appearing in radiative transfer in connection with the problem of determination of the angular distribution of the radiant-flux emerging from a plane radiation field.
Single crystal growth and structure refinements of CsMxTe2−xO6 (M=Al, Ga, Ge, In) pyrochlores

Abstract Single crystals of CsMxTe2−xO6 pyrochlores with M = Al, Ga, Ge, and In have been grown from a TeO2 flux. Structure refinements from single crystal X-ray diffraction data are reported. These results are used to discuss deviations from ideal stoichiometry that result in electronic conductivity presumably related to mixed valency of tellurium.
Appendix C—Geologic investigations at Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

Field-work on the areal geology and the geologic structure of the proposed Mammoth Cave National Park has been in progress for some months. To date, a little more than two-thirds of the 75,000 acres included in the proposed maximum boundaries has been mapped. The remainder of the area is to be completed this fall. It is contemplated that the map will be published by the United States Geological Survey upon submission and acceptance.
Measurement of Torsion from Multitemporal Images of the Eye Using Digital Signal Processing Techniques

Two methods of measuring ocular torsion from digital images of the eyes were developed and tested. One method measures torsion from the translation of two landmarks using a rectilinear coordinate system. The second method measures torsion from the translation of two landmarks using a polar coordinate system. The center for the polar sampling is the center of the pupil. After thresholding and filtering the images, landmark translation is measured from the interpolated peak in the normalized cross correlation of the reference landmark with the image.
Application of Polymer Science to Properties of Gluten

Abstract Much of the knowledge from polymer science studies can be usefully applied to increase understanding of the properties of gluten and how they are related to composition. Low solubility of gluten proteins compared to many other proteins that have been studied evidently arises from the low entropy of mixing of the largest-sized glutenins and a relatively high value for the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter mainly due to a low concentration of ionisable groups. Grain hardness is a property that appears to depend on the proteins that are concentrated at the starch/matrix interface and how they control adhesion. Dough mixing properties, dough strength and extensibility can be understood in terms of the extension of large glutenin molecules giving rise to rubber elasticity and to the presence of molecular entanglements which contribute strength and extensibility to dough systems.
On the relative worth of recent macroeconomic forecasts

Abstract The accuracy of recent forecasts of key macroeconomic variables by a variety of forecasters is analyzed over the period 1980II to 1985I. With the exception of the Bayesian VAR forecasts of cumulative growth rates in some real variables, most of these forecasts are so inaccurate that the forecast MSE exceeds the variance of the variable being forecast. This implies that substituting such a projection into a forecasting model estimated using one of these variables as an explanatory variable will provide inferior forecasts relative to a naive model (incorrectly) dropping the explanatory variable altogether. Put another way: most of these forecasts are so inaccurate that simple extrapolation of historical trends is superior for forecasts more than a couple of quarters ahead.
Pregnancy and cirrhosis: management of hematemesis by Warren shunt during third trimester gestation

Considerable pathophysiologic changes accompany cirrhosis. Elevation of portal venous pressure predisposes to esophageal varices and hematemesis. The physiologic changes associated with pregnancy may exacerbate these conditions. Medical management of cirrhosis-associated problems may fail, necessitating surgical intervention. The anesthetic management of a pregnant cirrhotic patient for a Warren shunt is complicated by concerns for pre-existing hepatic dysfunction and pregnancy-induced physiologic changes as well as fetal well-being. The management of such a case is reviewed and relevant pathophysiology discussed.
Tautomerism and Regioselectivity of Acylation of 4-Hydroxy-2-mercaptopyridine-N-oxide and 2,4-Dimercaptopyridine-N-oxide: A Computational Study

Relative thermodynamic stability and dipole moments of tautomers of 2-mercapto- (1), 4-hydroxy-2-mercapto- (2), 2,4-dimercapto- (3), 4-hydroxy- (4), and 4-mercapto- (5) pyridine-N-oxides were calculated in gas phase at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. According to the calculations, the general trend in stability of the tautomers follows 2-thiono > 4-thiono/keto > N-oxide. A similar trend is observed in monoacetyl (6 and 7) and diacetyl (8 and 9) derivatives of 2 and 3. Therefore, monoacetylation of 2 or 3 is expected to give the 4-acetyl derivatives and diacetylation the 1,4-diacetyl isomers as the thermodynamic products.
An approximation to the finite time ruin function, part II

Abstract Let X 1, X 2,... be a sequence of independent, identically distributed random variables with P(X⩽0)=0, and such that pκ = ƒ0 ∞ x κ dP(x) u) for u⩾0. An alternate method of approximating Ψ(u, T) was presented in [10] by Olof Thorin and exemplified in [11] by Nils Wikstad. One of the purposes of this paper is to compare the two methods for two distributions of claims where the number of claims is a Poisson variate. The paper will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the two methods. We will also present a comparison of our approximate figures with the exact figures for the claim distribution
Immunoreactive interleukin-1 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of high-risk patients and patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by increased neutrophils and macrophages in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), an inflammatory mediator produced by macrophages, has been shown to be chemotactic for neutrophils and to stimulate lymphocyte activation and proliferation of fibroblasts. BAL was performed in patients with ARDS, patients at high risk to develop ARDS, and in normal nonsmokers. After removal of cells and surfactant-complexed lipids by centrifugation, the remaining supernatant was concentrated by ultrafiltration utilizing membranes retaining substances greater than 5000 daltons. The concentrate was assayed for immunoreactive IL-1 beta by a radioimmunoassay method. Patients with ARDS (n = 9) had an IL-1 level of 184 +/- 67 pg/ml, high-risk patients (n = 9) had 172 +/- 62 pg/ml, and normals (n = 10) had 4 +/- 1 pg/ml. There was a significant (p less than or equal to .05) increase in IL-1 in the ARDS and risk groups compared to normals. IL-1 was detected in serum from patients with ARDS (n = 19), high risk (n = 19), and normals (n = 8), but no difference was noted among the three groups. BAL cell differentials revealed that neutrophils were increased (p less than .05) in both the ARDS (59 +/- 10%) and high-risk (65 +/- 8%) groups compared to normals (2 +/- 1%). There was a correlation (r = 0.64, p less than .001) between IL-1 levels and BAL protein concentration. BAL IL-1 levels were highest in patients with the fully developed syndrome but were also elevated in patients at high risk. The absence of significant amounts of IL-1 in serum suggests that it may be produced within the lung.
Thermodynamic influences on the growth of one-dimensional shock waves in materials with memory

In this paper we study one-dimensional shock waves in materials with memory, including thermodynamic influences. In particular, we derive a differential equation relating the strain and strain gradient behind the shock, and give criteria under which the wave will grow or decay.
Flame liftoff height dependence on geometrically modified bluffbodies in a vitiated flow

In this study, the improvement of liftoff height of bluffbody-stabilized, partially premixed methane flames and the change of flow field in the recirculation zone of bluffbodies, of variously modified base geometries, are investigated in a high temperature (~1,315 K) vitiated flow. The basic geometry of the bluffbody consists of a two-dimensional rectangular body with a rounded nose with fuel jets being discharged from the body at several locations upstream of the base. Flame liftoff height measurements are characterized by CH chemiluminescence, while the three-dimensional flow field is determined using stereo particle image velocimetry (PIV). The lowest liftoff height is observed when the geometric modifications from the original rectangular bluffbody base are carried out such that the base has three-dimensional local cavities together with two-dimensionally modified geometries. PIV measurements show that the improvement of liftoff height is primarily attributed to an intense recirculation induced by multi-dimensional vortex structures in the presence of the two- and three-dimensionally modified base.
Characterization of a 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene-induced BALB/c mouse mammary tumor epithelial cell line

Characterization of numerous independently derived cell lines is necessary in order to establish reliable biological criteria applicable to transformed mammary epithelial cells. A mammary tumor cell line (DMBA-2/BALB) and clonal derivatives have been established from an adenocarcinoma induced in vivo in a BALB/c mouse by the administration of the chemical, 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene. The parental and clonal lines in vitro, as well as tumors derived from them in vivo, maintained an epithelial morphology at the light microscope level. Electron microscopic observations demonstrated the presence of desmosomes and numerous microtubules and microfilaments, but low levels of rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Growth characteristics were examined, including saturation density levels and colony-forming ability on plastic and in suspension. None of the in vitro growth parameters was found to correlate with the tumorigenicity of the lines in syngeneic mice or with their ability to produce C- or B-type virions by reverse transcriptase assay. Peroxidase/antiperoxidase (PAP) immunological staining failed to detect virus-specified antigens, MuMTV gp52, Rauscher MuLV gp69/71, or BALB virus-2 gp70, in the cells. Although epithelial in appearance, the parental cell line did not appear to be functionally differentiated in culture as evidenced by a very low level of casein messenger RNA. Passage of the parental cell line in vivo in a lactating mouse failed to activate virus expression, but a few cells in scattered focal areas in the tumor did synthesize casein detect-able by PAP staining.
Geometry and respiratory-induced deformation of abdominal branch vessels and stents after complex endovascular aneurysm repair

Objective This study quantified the geometry and respiration-induced deformation of abdominal branch vessels and stents after fenestrated (F-) and snorkel (Sn-) endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods Twenty patients (80% male; mean age, 75.2 ± 7.4 years; mean aneurysm diameter, 6.2 ± 1.8 cm) underwent computed tomography angiography during inspiratory and expiratory breath hold protocols after F-EVAR (n = 11) or Sn-EVAR (n = 9). Centerlines for the aorta and visceral vessels were extracted from three-dimensional models. Branch angles were computed relative to the orthogonal plane at the branch ostia, and end-stent angles of the left renal artery (LRA) and right renal artery (RRA) were computed relative to the distal stent orientation. The radius of peak curvature was defined by the circumscribed circle at the highest curvature. Results Sn-renal branches were more downward-angled than F-renal branches ( P P P P P P P P P Conclusions Sn-renals were angled more inferiorly at the branch and more angulated at the stent end than F-renals due to stent placement strategies. Sn-LRAs exhibited a significant change in end-stent angle and curvature during respiration, a finding that may compromise long-term durability for parallel stent graft configurations. Further investigation is warranted to better optimize anatomic, patient, and branch vessel stent selection between fenestrated and snorkel strategies and their relationship to long-term patency.
Critical time distribution of the mixture inverse Gaussian hazard rate

We have examined the maximum likelihood estimation of the critical time of the hazard rate for the mixture inverse Gaussian (MIG) model. We have obtained the limiting distribution, and showed the consistency of the estimator.
Shear-Wave Velocity Profiling of Strong Motion Sites That Recorded the 2001 Nisqually, Washington, Earthquake

The 2001 M 6.8 Nisqually, Washington, earthquake was recorded by more than 70 strong motion sites in and around the Puget Sound region. We have characterized the shear-wave velocity (VS) structure ...
The Impact of Screening on Colorectal Cancer Mortality and Incidence: Has It Really Made a Difference?

About sixty percent of the US population of those age fifty and older are currently up to date with colorectal cancer screening recommendations. Has this level of screening made a difference for reducing colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and/or mortality? Randomized controlled trials of guaiac-based fecal occult blood tests, which have relatively low sensitivity but high specificity for CRC, have shown a modest effect but with a long-term reduction in CRC mortality. Newer fecal immunochemical tests are expected to have a greater effect. Randomized controlled trials of flexible sigmoidoscopy have also demonstrated a reduction in CRC mortality. Observational studies of screening colonoscopy suggest an effect of greater than fifty percent reduction in CRC mortality. We have assessed past trends of colorectal cancer screening in the US population which suggest that more than fifty percent of the decline in colorectal cancer mortality can be attributed to the increased acceptance and uptake in colorectal cancer screening. Current and future levels of increased screening could provide for even larger reductions for the USA. Colorectal cancer screening has and will continue to make a significant impact on reducing colorectal cancer mortality.
Oil Exchange between Ball Bearings and Porous Polyimide Ball Bearing Retainers

The kinetics of the absorption of lubricating oils and moisture from air into porous polyimide, as well as the exchange of oil between porous polyimide retainers and oil baths or operating bearings, have been measured. Oil absorption into porous polyimide is much faster than into cotton-phenotic. Water is absorbed by oil-impregnated polyimide, but little or no oil is lost during the process. Oil is absorbed by air-equilibrated polyimide at a slower rate than by dry polyimide. Porous polyimide is much easier to impregnate with oil than cotton-phenolic, and is also much more tolerant, of storage in air once impregnated. Oil within a porous polyimide ball bearing retainer exchanges slowly with oil in a bath in which the retainer is placed. The exchange is due to diffusion of the oils, and the diffusion coefficient is determined to be 3 × 10−9 cm2/s for the oils used in these experiments. Oil is exchanged quickly between polyimide retainers and well-lubricated operating bearings. The exchange is faster than a...