cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can Competitive Forces Reinforce Nominal Wage Rigidities

While rigidities in nominal factor costs imply a finite slope in the aggregate supply curve, this paper asks, “Do rigidities increase if there is a more competitive economy?” Several authors claim that real rigidities of monopoly power reinforce nominal rigidities due to price adjustment costs. This paper argues almost the opposite: that “real rigidities” due to competition (i.e., lack of monopoly power) reinforce nominal rigidities when firms are reluctant to raise prices due to competitive pressure. In the model, nominal factor costs are stickier than output prices. Thus risk-averse firms are slower to raise output prices than to lower them.
Rapid Evaluation of Speech Representations for Spoken Term Discovery.

Acoustic front-ends are typically developed for supervised learning tasks and are thus optimized to minimize word error rate, phone error rate, etc. However, in recent efforts to develop zero-resource speech technologies, the goal is not to use transcribed speech to train systems but instead to discover the acoustic structure of the spoken language automatically. For this new setting, we require a framework for evaluating the quality of speech representations without coupling to a particular recognition architecture. Motivated by the spoken term discovery task, we present a dynamic time warping-based framework for quantifying how well a representation can associate words of the same type spoken by different speakers. We benchmark the quality of a wide range of speech representations using multiple frame-level distance metrics and demonstrate that our performance metrics can also accurately predict phone recognition accuracies.
Fitting In or Standing Out? The Arrival of Managers from the New Member States

As we saw in Chapter 4, the goals of those coming in at entry level were to fit in, to master the technical aspects of the job as well as the unwritten norms, and to be accepted and respected, and for the most part they are succeeding in meeting those goals. In contrast, the entry of senior managers was a greater challenge, both for the individuals and for the organization itself. The literature summarized in the introduction helps us to understand why that might be the case and raises questions about organizations’ ability not only to assimilate newcomers but to accommodate to them, that is, to be responsive to their needs and also to learn from them, and to accept proposals for change initiated by them. Some of the specific factors that the literature posits as important are: The level of perceived “differentness” of the newcomers, based on their nationality, gender, age, and prior experience. The level of cultural differences, as reflected in differing communication styles (including direct versus indirect communication) and expectations about formality or informality. The level of perceived power of the new arrivals. The management styles of newcomers, based on prior experience, and the ability and willingness of new managers to adapt their style to that which is customary in the organization or, in contrast, to force or encourage the organization to adapt to them.
Hybrid Materials of the f-Elements Part I: The Lanthanides

Abstract Lanthanide-containing hybrid materials have garnered significant interest due to their rich structural diversity and have proven particularly attractive for a wide array of applications including gas storage, heterogeneous catalysis, magnetism, luminescence, and bioanalyses. Herein, we explore both polymeric and molecular lanthanide hybrid materials with a specific focus on both their covalent and noncovalent means of assembly. Challenges remain with these materials regarding control over Ln3 + nuclearity and the resulting secondary building units in hydro/solvothermally synthesized systems and subsequently the delineation of structure/property relationships and manifestations thereof remains ripe for exploration. After a general introduction of lanthanide hybrid materials, this chapter takes a deeper look at the structures and properties of Ln hybrids featuring aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acid linkers, phosphonate linkers, carboxylic acid linkers accompanied by chelating N-donor ligands, and finally molecular lanthanide materials. Where possible, structural trends and common building units are highlighted and in the molecular lanthanide section, a detailed look at assembly via noncovalent interactions (i.e., hydrogen and halogen bonding) is provided. This chapter concludes with a look at where the field of crystalline lanthanide hybrid materials will go next via new synthesis techniques and optimization and enhanced understanding of material properties.
A neuroeconomic theory of memory retrieval

Abstract We propose a theory of “optimal memory management” that unveils causal relationships between memory systems and the characteristics of the information retrieved. Our model shows that if the declarative memory is more accurate but also more costly than the procedural memory, then it is optimal to retrieve exceptional experiences with the former and average experiences with the latter. The theory provides other testable predictions: (i) decisions are closer to original experiences when the declarative memory is invoked, and (ii) the declarative memory is more likely to be invoked when the importance of recalling information accurately increases.
Operating Endoscopically with “Two Hands” to Remove Calcified Permanent Suture After Pyeloplasty

Abstract We describe a combined percutaneous and endoscopic approach to remove encrusted permanent suture in the renal pelvis that was placed during pyeloplasty repair. Our index patient had a laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty at an outside institution 10 years before presenting with flank pain and nondependent nephrolithiasis. This proved to be an encrusted permanent suture material. There is limited data on incidence of nephrolithiasis after ureteropelvic junction repair, but it is well documented that nonabsorbable suture lines should be avoided in the urinary tract as they may serve as a nidus for stone formation.
Hepatitis C Virus-Genotype 3: Update on Current and Emergent Therapeutic Interventions

Purpose of Review Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) have markedly improved the prognosis of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-genotype 3 (GT3), a highly prevalent infection worldwide. However, in patients with hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), GT3 infection presents a treatment challenge compared with other genotypes. The dependence of the HCV life cycle on host lipid metabolism suggests the possible utility of targeting host cellular factors for combination anti-HCV therapy. We discuss current and emergent DAA regimens for HCV-GT3 treatment. We then summarize recent research findings on the reliance of HCV entry, replication, and virion assembly on host lipid metabolism.
His late master's voice: barking for location privacy

Bob died suddenly leaving his treasure to sister Alice. Moriarty will do anything to get it, so Alice hides the treasure together with Nipper, and promptly departs. Nipper is a low-cost RFID device that responds only to Alice's calls--making it possible for Alice to locate the hidden treasure later (she is quite forgetful) when Moriarty is not around. We study the design of Nipper, the cryptographic mechanisms that support its functionality and the security of the application.
Stereocontrolled Synthesis of Left Halves of Halichondrins

A stereocontrolled synthesis of the left halves of halichondrins was reported. An intramolecular oxy-Michael reaction under basic conditions was used to construct the [6,6]-spiroketal in a stereocontrolled manner. With this approach, the left halves of halichondrins, homohalichondrins, and norhalichondrins were synthesized.
Health care system leaders' perspectives on infection preventionist and registered nurse engagement in antibiotic stewardship.

Background Infection preventionists (IPs) and registered nurses (RNs) have an important role to play in antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs). Recent articles highlight their potential roles in practice, research, education, and policy; however, little is known about their actual ASP engagement. Leaders often have early knowledge of emerging trends and evolving health care worker roles. Methods A survey was developed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Core Elements of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs to assess health care system infection prevention and control leaders' perceptions of IP and RN engagement in hospital ASPs. Results Thirty-five leaders representing all regions of the United States completed the survey. Their organizations tended to have significant ASP leadership support, but lacked ASP policies indicating IP and RN roles and responsibilities. IPs were more likely than RNs to be members of the ASP team and have greater ASP knowledge. Neither discipline was conducting patient education related to proper use of antibiotics, but this was identified as a future ASP role. The 2017 Joint Commission Antimicrobial Stewardship Standard was accelerating ASP implementation. Conclusions IPs and RNs are well-positioned to assume greater roles in ASPs, especially in educating patients about the safe and proper use of antibiotics. However, their roles must be clearly identified, defined, and quantified. In so doing, knowledge and skill gaps can be identified and specific educational programs developed to advance their successful engagement in ASPs.
Grain growth and mechanical properties in bulk polycrystalline silicon

The grain structure of bulk polycrystalline silicon has been examined as a function of annealing temperatures and times between 1000 and 1400°C and 6 to 24 hours, respectively. The initial high aspect grain structure decomposes into roughly equiaxed grains at 1000°C over the course of 24 hours. The grains proceed to grow via Oswald ripening with an activation energy for grain growth of 1.49 eV. The hardness increases slightly during annealing and the subsequent transformation to an equiaxed grain structure, from a Vickers hardness of 964 to 1160 kg/mm2. The fracture toughness is 0.8 MPa(m)1/2in the as grown structure, and increases to 1 MPa(m)1/2in annealed samples. The hardness and fracture toughness are independent of grain size for grain diameters between 2.7 and 4 μm.
Pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal cefazolin and ceftazidime coadministered to CAPD patients.

Purpose Guidelines for empiric treatment of PD-related peritonitis published in 2000 recommend concurrent intraperitoneal (IP) cefazolin and ceftazidime. The pharmacokinetics (PK) of these agents combined have not been studied. This study was designed to determine the PK of combined IP cefazolin and ceftazidime in CAPD patients. Design Prospective PK study in seven non-infected CAPD patients. Procedures Patients had a peritoneal equilibration test (PET), then received one IP dose of cefazolin and ceftazidime (15 mg/kg each) co-administered over a 4-hour dwell, then performed three CAPD exchanges over the next 16 hours. Serum and dialysate samples collected over the 20-hour study period were assayed for drug concentrations by HPLC. Outcome measures PK parameters. Statistical methods Correlations were tested between PET and PK parameters using the Pearson-product correlation coefficient. Main findings Serum cefazolin and ceftazidime levels exceeded the minimum inhibitory concentrations for susceptible organisms (8 mg/L) throughout the 20 hour study period. Mean cefazolin and ceftazidime PK parameters included: bioavailability, 71% and 63%; elimination rate constant, 0.031 and 0.045 h -1 ; total clearance, 5.8 and 16.0 ml/min; peritoneal clearance, 1.6 and 3.9 ml/min; renal clearance, 2.3 and 3.9 ml/min, respectively. Predictive equations suggest that 1000 mg IP of cefazolin and of ceftazidime every 24 hours would produce average steady-state trough serum cefazolin and ceftazidime concentrations of 70 +/- 52 mg/L and 17 +/- 7 mg/L, respectively. There was no correlation between PET and PK parameters. Conclusions Co-administration did not adversely affect the PK of either agent. IP cefazolin and ceftazidime (15 mg/kg) produced adequate serum and dialysate concentrations in CAPD patients for 20 hours. PK predictions suggest that most patients would achieve adequate cefazolin and ceftazidime concentrations with 1000 mg IP once-daily. Anuric patients and those with significant residual renal function may require a more individualized approach.
Postoperative Anatrophic Nephrolithotomy Bleeding

AbstractWe reviewed 530 patients treated with anatrophic nephrolithotomy during a 14.5-year period. Significant postoperative renal bleeding occurred in 34 cases (6.4 per cent). The average postoperative blood transfusion requirement in this group was 5,279 cc. Bleeding patients were significantly older and they had worse renal function compared to the nonbleeding group. If bleeding did not begin immediately it usually started 5 to 8 days postoperatively. Bleeding dyscrasias were identified in 6 patients and correction allowed nonoperative management in 4. Epsilon aminocaproic acid was helpful only in the treatment of patients with slow, lower volume bleeding. Eight patients required 9 open renal explorations to control bleeding. Two arteriovenous fistulas and 1 false aneurysm were identified. An attempt at angiographic embolization of an arteriovenous fistula was unsuccessful. Only 1 patient required a nephrectomy (1 of 34 or 2.9 per cent) and there was no mortality. A treatment plan for this complicatio...
On the Verge of a Familistic Interpretation

Some believe that what we are dealing with is a particularistic variant of familism, others that it is a sublimation of the latter, in the form of amoral individualism. However, there is wide agreement that we are now facing a situation in which the family is regaining a central role in social and economic reproduction. What is it that set off the changes, which have led from a scenario of amoral, and solidaristic familism, which lasted so long over time, to the present situation? When did it do so, and why? What explains the prolongation of the trend of the decline in family-oriented choices, over so long a period as to occasion a breaking away from previous models? More in general, if a new system of norms has been formed (favourable to new roles and affecting individual choices), when and how did this come about? Let us attempt to get closer to these important questions, by starting off with a crucial issue emerging from the evidence of many surveys: the proper number of children declared by Italian women remain stable, around two per woman (Goldstein et al. 2003). A similar result emerges from a general survey conducted in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region on a sample of women from three distinct cohorts. The data of the Abacus Social Barometer also display extraordinary stability in the same proper number in all the regions of North Italy and for all the age groups. The 1945-47 cohort (which reaches a peak in its reproductive life span in the mid-seventies) effectively fulfilled this objective, but for the subsequent cohorts, this goal seems further off. How can actual patterns of behaviour be reconciled with declared expectations? And above all, how can these expectations be reconciled with the traditionally recognized mechanisms of their formation? Let us start with four considerations, based on the findings of the Friuli survey.
Privatization without Regulation: The Human Rights Risks of Private Military and Security Companies (Pmscs) in Mexico

The use of private military or security companies is a growing phenomenon in Latin America. In recent years, increased violence and insecurity in Mexico has made the nation an attractive market for PMSCs. The privatization of security has changed how security is provided in ways that can be either positive or negative depending on how the industry is regulated. This note examines how the privatization of security has functioned in Mexico by examining the nation’s two main private security categories —domestic and multinational PMSCs— who work for either private clients or the United States (US) and/or Mexican governments under the Merida Initiative. After discussing how Mexican law attempts to regulate the industry, this note analyzes whether or not existing regulation is sufficient to permit these organizations to act as a “force multiplier” to increase the overall sense of security. In light of evidence suggesting that domestic and multinational PMSCs do not respect Mexican law, it appears that most of the private security market in Mexico fails to be a “force multiplier”. Moreover the presence of a non-state actor authorized to use force and not controlled adequately add greater complexity to an already complicated human rights situation. This note concludes by discussing how Mexico’s failure to implement existing regulations on PMSCs amounts to a failure to respect its obligations under international law.
The four free-operant freedoms

This article reviews early free-operant conditioning laboratory research and applications. The seldom-mentioned four free-operant freedoms are described for the first time in detail. Most current behavior analysts do not realize that the freedom to form responses and the freedom to speed responses were crucial steps in designing free-operant operanda in the 1950s. These four freedoms were known by the laboratory researchers of the 1950s to the point that, along with operanda design, Sidman (1960) did not feel the need to detail them in his classic, Tactics of Scientific Research. The dimensions of freedom in the operant were so well understood and accepted in the 1950s that most thought it redundant to use the term free operant. These issues are reviewed in some detail for younger behavior analysts who did not have the opportunity of learning them firsthand.
Economic Growth and Efficiency

The decision to reduce the economic role of the government through privatization should be guided primarily by whether this will lead to an improvement in the economy’s growth potential. The current global enthusiasm for privatization suggests that most governments have concluded that this is indeed the case and that a reduction in government activity will be synonymous with improvements in economic efficiency and growth. Such a view is quite contrary to the one that prevailed only a couple of decades earlier. While today the political and academic discussion centers around the inefficiency of governments in general and public enterprises in particular, in the past the focus was on market failures and the consequent need for governments to participate actively in the marketplace, including in the production of goods and services.
Laparoscopic Splenic-Sparing Distal Pancreatectomy for Pancreatic Transection

Abstract Introduction: Pancreatic injury is a rare occurrence in pediatric trauma, with blunt pancreatic trauma reported in only 0.3% of cases.1 Both operative and conservative management strategie...
Observation of Quantum-defect-assisted Polarization Mode Coupling in a Fiber Amplifier

We have observed, for the first time, quantum-defect-assisted polarization mode coupling in a fiber amplifier, which is a manifestation of stimulated thermal Rayleigh scattering. The frequency-dependent gain/loss is characterized for the first time.
The rights to educational self-determination under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

The United States Senate's unwillingness to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) notwithstanding, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) contains significant safeg...
Transfemoral amputation following total knee arthroplasty: mortality and functional outcomes.

Aims The aim of this study was to characterize the factors leading to transfemoral amputation after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), as well as the rates of mortality and functional independence afte...
Small extrachromosomal circular DNAs, microDNA, produce short regulatory RNAs that suppress gene expression independent of canonical promoters

Interest in extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) molecules has increased recently because of their widespread presence in normal cells across every species ranging from yeast to humans, their increased levels in cancer cells and their overlap with oncogenic and drug-resistant genes. However, the majority of eccDNA (microDNA) in mammalian tissues and cell lines are too small to carry protein coding genes. We have tested functional capabilities of microDNA by creating artificial microDNA molecules mimicking known microDNA sequences and have discovered that they express functional small regulatory RNA including microRNA and novel si-like RNA. MicroDNA are transcribed in vitro and in vivo independent of a canonical promoter sequence. MicroDNA that carry miRNA genes form transcripts that are processed by the endogenous RNA-interference pathway into mature miRNA molecules, which repress a luciferase reporter gene as well as endogenous mRNA targets of the miRNA. Further, microDNA that contain sequences of exons repress the endogenous gene from which the microDNA were derived through the formation of novel si-like RNA. We also show that endogenous microDNA associate with RNA polymerases subunits, POLR2H and POLR3F. Together, these results suggest that microDNA may modulate gene expression through the production of both known and novel regulatory small RNA.
Indigenous social movements and political institutionalization: a comparative case study

Why do some indigenous social movements integrate into political institutions, i.e., political parties, and some do not? This study compares the impact that indigenous social movements have had on ...
Evaluation and Simulation on the Reserve Capacity of Thermal Storage Electric Boiler Clusters

After providing a better service for nearby heating loads, a thermal storage electric boiler system can use the heat storage tank to participate in the peak-shaving and reserve services of the power grid. Current researches focus on its peak-shaving capacity, but ignores the use of its reserve capacity, which is important to the random fluctuations of renewable energy sources. Facing the actual analyzing demands on power system adequacy, this paper starts with the discussion of typical operation modes, and builds the powersystem- adequacy model of a thermal-storage electric boiler based heating system. Based on the presented model, the concept of feasible domain for heat charging and discharging is proposed. By implementing the concept, the quantitative evaluation method to calculate the reserve capacity of a thermal storage electric boiler system is proposed. The verification of the method is also given. Based on the planning data of an actual power grid, the short-term reserve capacity as well as the effect on promoting renewable energy consumption is estimated according to the given size of the provincial thermal storage electric boiler clusters. Finally, the influences of different choices of peak-shaving strategies, heat storage tank capacity on its reserve capacity are simulated and analyzed.
Repositioning the Sm-Binding Site in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Telomerase RNA Reveals RNP Organizational Flexibility and Sm-Directed 3'-End Formation.

Telomerase RNA contains a template for synthesizing telomeric DNA and has been proposed to act as a flexible scaffold for holoenzyme protein subunits in the RNP. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the telomerase RNA, TLC1, is bound by the Sm7 protein complex, which is required for stabilization of the predominant, non-polyadenylated (poly(A)–) TLC1 isoform. However, it remains unclear (1) whether Sm7 retains this function when its binding site is repositioned within TLC1, as has been shown for other TLC1-binding telomerase subunits, and (2) how Sm7 stabilizes poly(A)– TLC1. Here, we first show that Sm7 can stabilize poly(A)– TLC1 even when its binding site is repositioned via circular permutation to several different positions within TLC1, further supporting the conclusion that the telomerase holoenzyme is organizationally flexible. Next, we show that when an Sm site is inserted 5′ of its native position and the native site is mutated, Sm7 stabilizes shorter forms of poly(A)– TLC1 in a manner corresponding to how far upstream the new site was inserted, providing strong evidence that Sm7 binding to TLC1 controls where the mature poly(A)– 3′ is formed by directing a 3′-to-5′ processing mechanism. In summary, our results show that Sm7 and the 3′ end of yeast telomerase RNA comprise an organizationally flexible module within the telomerase RNP and provide insights into the mechanistic role of Sm7 in telomerase RNA biogenesis.
Tejido mamario ectópico activo en vulva en paciente posparto. Reporte de un caso

Ectopic breast tissue (EBT) occurs in 0.3-6% of females and is typically located in the axilla, but it can also be found in the vulva. Diagnosis often occurs when there are hormonal changes that influence growth and development of the tissue. Due to symptomatology and malignant potential of this ectopic tissue, excision is typically recommended. We present the case of a 31-year-old woman, gravida 1 para 1001, attended four weeks after a normal vaginal delivery for a painless vulvar mass. Incision, drainage and biopsy were performed, revealing ectopic breast tissue with lactational changes. Simple partial vulvectomy revealed fibrocystic and lactational changes in mammary tissue of the vulva without atypia or malignancy. Our case displays a rare finding of aberrant, lactating breast tissue presenting in a postpartum patient.
Do Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Attitudes and Knowledge Predict Men and Women's Adult Sexual Partnerships?

Abstract Purpose Adolescence is a key stage for forming knowledge and attitudes about sex and reproduction that may have long-term implications for adult sexual behaviors. Gender differences in experiences and socialization processes may affect the links between adolescent characteristics and adult behaviors. Methods By following adolescent virgins aged 15 years and older from wave I through wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (n = 4,152), we test whether adolescent boys' and girls' knowledge about, and attitudes toward, sex and reproduction influence the number of lifetime different-sex sexual partners and the likelihood of having concurrent sexual partners in adulthood, using negative binomial regression and logistic regression, respectively. Models are run separately by gender. Results Men and women who reported greater physical benefits of sex as adolescents reported more lifetime different-sex sexual partners and were more likely to have concurrent sexual partners in adulthood. For women, adolescent perceptions of more social costs to sex were linked to fewer lifetime sexual partners, whereas greater birth control confidence was linked to more sexual partners. Women who more strongly felt that avoiding sexually transmitted infections was a hassle during adolescence were less likely to have concurrent sexual partners as adults, and men who were more knowledgeable about condoms during adolescence were more likely to have concurrent sexual partners. Conclusions Adolescent knowledge and attitudes about sex, contraception, and reproduction have implications for adult sexual behavior, but different aspects emerge as salient for men and women.
Same-Day Versus Non-Simultaneous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Although extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is used for hemodynamic support for in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) complicating acute myocardial infarction (AMI), there are limited data on the outcomes stratified by the timing of initiation of this strategy. Methods: Adult (>18 years) AMI admissions with IHCA were identified using the National Inpatient Sample (2000–2017) and the timing of ECMO with relation to IHCA was identified. Same-day vs. non-simultaneous ECMO support for IHCA were compared. Outcomes of interest included in-hospital mortality, temporal trends, hospitalization costs, and length of stay. Results: Of the 11.6 million AMI admissions, IHCA was noted in 1.5% with 914 (<0.01%) receiving ECMO support. The cohort receiving same-day ECMO (N = 795) was on average female, with lower comorbidity, higher rates of ST-segment-elevation AMI, shockable rhythm, and higher rates of complications. Compared to non-simultaneous ECMO, the same-day ECMO cohort had higher rates of coronary angiography (67.5% vs. 51.3%; p = 0.001) and comparable rates of percutaneous coronary intervention (58.9% vs. 63.9%; p = 0.32). The same-day ECMO cohort had higher in-hospital mortality (63.1% vs. 44.5%; adjusted odds ratio 3.98 (95% confidence interval 2.34–6.77); p < 0.001), shorter length of stay, and lower hospitalization costs. Older age, minority race, non-ST-segment elevation AMI, multiorgan failure, and complications independently predicted higher in-hospital mortality in IHCA complicating AMI. Conclusions: Same-day ECMO support for IHCA was associated with higher in-hospital mortality compared to those receiving non-simultaneous ECMO support. Though ECMO-assisted CPR is being increasingly used, careful candidate selection is key to improving outcomes in this population.
Coumarin Partitioning in Model Biological Membranes: Limitations of log P as a Predictor

Time-resolved fluorescence measurements were used to quantify partitioning of three different 7-aminocoumarin derivatives into DPPC vesicle bilayers as a function of temperature. The coumarin deriv...
Sexual and Gender Minority Refugees and Asylum Seekers: An Arduous Journey

A small but growing group of refugees and asylum seekers are members of the LGBTQ+ community. This identity may be separate from their identity as a refugee, or it might be the reason for their refugee status. Many refugees flee countries in which identifying as LGBTQ+ is considered a crime, sometimes punishable by death. The unique challenges of this population concerning forced migration, resettlement, and acculturation to host nations are addressed in the present chapter.
Role of In-Situ Dynamic Splat Sintering on Elastic and Damping Behavior of Cold Sprayed Aluminum Coatings

The dynamic elastic behavior of cold sprayed aluminum 6061 coatings is analyzed to understand the inherent role of in-situ splat sintering from ambient to 400 oC for air and helium sprayed coatings. Higher surface energy and lower flattening ratio of air sprayed coating in as-sprayed condition result in 28% densification during splat sintering compared to 15% in heat-treated helium sprayed ones. Elastic modulus and damping behavior can be divided into three distinct temperature regimes based on dynamic sintering and progressive intersplat structure. A theoretical analysis is established, which shows that normalized elastic modulus is an exponential function of the inter-splat porosity. This study establishes the correlation between inter-splat thermal phenomena and coating’s dynamic mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.
Applying design principles to improve hydrogen storage capacity in nanoporous materials

Hydrogen is an attractive option for energy storage because it can be produced from renewable sources and produces environmentally benign byproducts. However, the volumetric energy density of molecular hydrogen at ambient conditions is low compared to other storage methods like batteries, so it must be compressed to attain a viable energy density for applications such as transportation. Nanoporous materials have attracted significant interest for gas storage because they can attain high storage density at lower pressure than conventional compression. In this work, we examine how to improve the cryogenic hydrogen storage capacity of a series of porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) by controlling the pore size and increasing the surface area by adding functional groups. We also explore tradeoffs in gravimetric and volumetric measures of the hydrogen storage capacity and the effects of temperature swings using grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. We also consider the effects of adding functional groups to the metal–organic framework NU-1000 to improve its hydrogen storage capacity. We find that highly flexible alkane chains do not improve the hydrogen storage capacity in NU-1000 because they do not extend into the pores; however, rigid chains containing alkyne groups do increase the surface area and hydrogen storage capacity. Finally, we demonstrate that the deliverable capacity of hydrogen in NU-1000 can be increased from 40.0 to 45.3 g/L (at storage conditions of 100 bar and 77 K and desorption conditions of 5 bar and 160 K) by adding long, rigid alkyne chains into the pores.
The Association Between Testis Cancer and Semen Abnormalities Before Orchiectomy: A Systematic Review

Purpose: Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) are the most common solid organ malignancy in young men. It is a largely curable disease, so the extent to which it affects quality of life—including male fertility—is important. Abnormal semen analysis is highly predictive of male infertility. We conducted a systematic review of published studies that reported pre-orchiectomy semen parameters (as a surrogate for fertility) in TGCT patients to evaluate the association between TGCT and semen abnormalities before orchiectomy. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of peer-reviewed publications reporting semen parameters before orchiectomy in adult patients diagnosed with TGCT. Further, we assessed the association between TGCT and semen abnormalities that may lead to infertility. Results: We applied MeSH search terms to four online databases (PubMed, Cochrane Reviews, Web of Science, and Ovid), resulting in 701 potentially relevant citations. After conducting a three-stage screening process, six articles were in...
Beiträge zur Analyse des Gewebewachstums

Es finden sich in einer gewissen Anzahl von Meerschweinchen Gebilde, die jungen, unter abnormen Bedingungen gebildeten Embryonen gleichen; es uberwiegen hierbei Teile der embryonalen Placenta oder dieser gleichende Gebilde, uber die eigentlichen embryonalen Gebilde. Der embryonalen Placenta ahnliche Gebilde konnen sich auch bei Abwesenheit der Decidua durch Differenzierung, Teilung und Wanderung einer einzigen Zellart bilden. Beruhrung mit den Gefasen oder der Einflus des im Gefaslumen circulierenden Blutes fuhrt zur Bildung der Syncytien, wahrend das Herunterrucken von Zellen aus dem inneren epithelahnlichen Zellverband in das Stroma des Wirtsgewebes zur Bildung von Riesenzellen fuhrt. Der Kontakt mit dem umgebenden Gewebe des Wirtes bewirkt wahrscheinlich die Umbildung einer embryonalen Zelle in Teile der embryonalen Placenta. Unsre Befunde machen es auserordentlich wahrscheinlich, das unregelmasige parthenogenetische Entwicklung von Eiern zu embryonalen, mehr oder weniger pathologischen Gebilden in dem Ovarium von Saugetieren ein nicht seltener Vorgang ist.
Human Androgen Receptor Binding to the Androgen Response Element of Prostate Specific Antigen

This study examined the in vitro interaction of the human androgen receptor with a putative androgen response ele- ment (ARE) in the promoter region of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) gene. To characterize the androgen receptor's interactions with its DNA response elements we expressed the full length human androgen receptor protein in a baculovirus expression system. The receptor was shown to be 110 kDa by sodium dodecyl sulfate poly- acrylamide gel electrophoresis (SOS-PAGE) and was purified using ion-exchange column chromatography. Binding of the synthetic an- drogen Ri 881 to the unpurified recombinant receptor exhibited a k. of 7.6 nM by Scatchard analysis. In DNA gel electromobility shift assays the promoter region from PSA (a 313-bp fragment) was bound by the unpurified recombinant androgen receptor in a se- quence-specific manner. An ARE-containing sequence from the pro- moter region of the PSA gene was synthesized as a 30-bp oligo- nucleotide and was shown to bind specifically to the human androgen receptor in gel electromobility shift assays by DNA competition and by antibody supershifts of the receptor-ARE complex. The specific binding of the insect cell expressed androgen receptor to its ARE was shown to occur even in the absence of androgen. Androgen receptors purified by ion-exchange chromatography were unable to bind to ARE, suggesting the presence of other factors required for DNA binding.
Abnormalities in Renal Tubular Phosphate Handling in Children With Sickle Cell Disease

Background The mechanisms responsible for the hyperphosphatemia in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and preserved glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are not fully understood. The role of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), a phosphaturic hormone has not been investigated in SCD. Hence, we evaluated parameters of renal tubular phosphorus handling and their relation to prevailing FGF23 levels in a cohort of young SCD patients. Methods Renal tubular phosphate handling and circulating levels of various analytes including FGF23 and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were measured in 24 children with SCD and normal estimated GFR in a cross sectional study. Correlation and regression analysis were employed to derive relationships between serum phosphorus and several variables. Results Most children showed elevated age- adjusted serum phosphorus (5.1 ± 0.7 mg/dl) levels. Tubular re-absorption of phosphorus(TRP) (96.3 ± 2.1%) and tubular maximum re-absorption of phosphorus per unit volume of GFR (TMP/GFR) (4.9 ± 0.6 mg/dl) were both elevated. Plasma intact FGF23 concentrations were elevated (81 ± 38 pg/ml) while the average PTH values were normal in most patients (50 ± 27 pg/ml). Univariate analysis showed significant correlations of serum phosphorus with TMP/GFR, alkaline phosphatase, age, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and log intact FGF23. TMP/GFR correlated with log intact FGF23 (r = 0.5, P< or = 0.01) but not with PTH. Multiple regression analysis yielded an independent relationship of serum phosphorus with TMP/GFR. Conclusion The elevated serum phosphorus concentrations with simultaneously increased TMP/GFR and elevated FGF23 levels collectively suggest that patients with SCD display proximal tubular resistance to the action of FGF23 before any decline in GFR. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:2267–2270. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dendritic D-type potassium currents inhibit the spike afterdepolarization in rat hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons.

In CA1 pyramidal neurons, burst firing is correlated with hippocampally dependent behaviours and modulation of synaptic strength. One of the mechanisms underlying burst firing in these cells is the afterdepolarization (ADP) that follows each action potential. Previous work has shown that the ADP results from the interaction of several depolarizing and hyperpolarizing conductances located in the soma and the dendrites. By using patch-clamp recordings from acute rat hippocampal slices we show that D-type potassium current modulates the size of the ADP and the bursting of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Sensitivity to α-dendrotoxin suggests that Kv1-containing potassium channels mediate this current. Dual somato-dendritic recording, outside-out dendritic recordings, and focal application of dendrotoxin together indicate that the channels mediating this current are located in the apical dendrites. Thus, our data present evidence for a dendritic segregation of Kv1-like channels in CA1 pyramidal neurons and identify a novel action for these channels, showing that they inhibit action potential bursting by restricting the size of the ADP.
Continued Computational Investigation into Circulation Control for the V-22 Osprey Download Reduction

The commercially available RNG k-e turbulence model with enhanced wall treatment found in Fluent 6.1 was used to solve the flow over a V-22 Osprey wing equipped with blowing slots. The solutions were then compared to experimental data. Good correlation between the computational and experimental data was found. Download on the wing from the rotors while the aircraft is operating in vertical take-off and landing mode was found to be reduced by the blowing slots.
Standing Uncertainty: An Expected-Value Standard for Fear-Based Injury in Clapper v. Amnesty International USA

The Supreme Court has held that a plaintiff can have Article III standing based on a fear of future harm, or fear-based injury. The Court’s approach to fear-based injury, however, has been unclear and inconsistent. This Note seeks to clarify the Court’s doctrine using principles from probability theory. It contends that fear-based injury should be governed by a substantial-risk standard that encapsulates the probability concept of expected value. This standard appears in footnote 5 of Clapper v. Amnesty International USA, a recent case in which the Court held that a group of plaintiffs lacked standing to challenge the constitutionality of a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978. This Note begins by tracing three competing lines of doctrine within the Court’s jurisprudence on fear-based injury and analyzes them using probability theory, arriving at a tripartite framework. After applying this framework to Clapper, this Note concludes that footnote 5’s substantial-risk standard should govern fear-based injury. Finally, this Note argues that the substantial-risk standard should be informed by an expected-value inquiry and justifies this proposal through precedent, probability principles, and practical concerns.
The Joint Venture (JV) Handbook

JVs were once the domain of international market entry – a “necessary evil” to comply with restrictions on foreign ownership. In so doing, they also afforded access to local expertise and enabled companies to effectively “trial” a foreign market entry with a smaller commitment of resources – and with a natural exit option in the event that the trial failed. However, the nature of JVs has changed. Previously in decline, we have seen a new surge in collaborative deals in many sectors and countries, with the primary impetus being to gain access to positional assets, organizational capabilities and technologies, to gain scale, or to syndicate risk and capital. JV success is as much about creating an attractive opportunity as it is about finding an attractive opportunity – deal design, design of the operating model and implementation. Our perspectives are based on our research, empirical data and field experience.
Electromechanical Interactions in Cell Walls of Gram-Positive Cocci

Isolated cell walls of Staphylococcus aureus and Micrococcus lysodeikticus were found to expand and contract in response to changes in environmental pH and ionic strength. These volume changes, which could amount to as much as a doubling of wall dextran-impermeable volume, were related to changes in electrostatic interactions among fixed, ionized groups in wall polymers, including peptidoglycans. S. aureus walls were structurally more compact in the hydrated state and had a higher maximum charge density than M. lysodeikticus walls. However, they were less responsive to changes in electrostatic interactions, apparently because of less mechanical compliance. In media of nearly neutral pH, S. aureus walls had a net positive charge whereas M. lysodeikticus walls had a net negative charge. These charge differences were reflected in Donnan distributions of mobile ions between wall phases and bulk medium phases. Cell walls of unfractionated cocci also could be made to swell and contract, and wall tonus in intact cells appeared to be set partly by electrostatic interactions and partly by mechanical tension in the elastic structures due to cell turgor pressure. The experimental results led to the conclusions that bacterial cell walls have many of the properties of polyelectrolyte gels and that peptidoglycans are flexible polymers. A reasonable mechanical model for peptidoglycan structure might be a sort of three-dimensional rope ladder with relatively rigid, polysaccharide rungs and relatively flexible polypeptide ropes. Thus, the peptidoglycan network surrounding cocci appeared to be predominantly an elastic restraining structure rather than a rigid shell.
Efficacy Outcome Selection in the Therapeutic Hypothermia After Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Trials

Objectives The THAPCA trials will determine if therapeutic hypothermia improves survival with good neurobehavioral outcome, as assessed by the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Second Edition (VABS-II), in children resuscitated after cardiac arrest in the in-hospital and out-of-hospital settings. We describe the innovative efficacy outcome selection process during THAPCA protocol development.
Comparison of antifreeze glycopeptides from several Antarctic fishes

Antifreeze glycopeptides have been isolated from eight species of antarctic fish representing the families Nototheniidae, Channichthyidae, and Bathydraconidae. Amino acid analysis indicates that the glycopeptides have amino acid compositions identical to previously studied antarctic nototheniids. The sizes of the glycopeptides show some heterogeneity although they all span the molecular weight range of approximately 34,000 to 2,500 daltons. The species studied here are representative of most of the ecological habitats of the Antarctic Ocean.
Does Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Induce a Higher Incidence of Complications after Prophylactic Greenfield Inferior Vena Cava Filter Usage

Purpose To determine whether acute cervical spine injury represents a risk factor for complications from prophylactic placement of current generation Greenfield inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. Materials and Methods A retrospective chart review performed during a 7-year period identified 11 patients with acute cervical spinal cord injuries who underwent prophylactic Greenfield IVC filter insertion. Specific complications evaluated included symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE), migration, filter base diameter changes, caval perforation, and thrombosis. The amount of migration and changes in filter base dimension were compared statistically with a control population of IVC filter patients ( n = 16) without cervical spine injuries. Results Filter migration (>10 mm) was the most common complication (46%). Migration usually is caudally directed (64%), may occur early (36% moved >10 mm within a 30-day period), and is often asymptomatic. The prevalence of filter migration greater than 30 mm was 27%. The average amount of migration for the subpopulation under study was greater than that seen with the control population ( P Conclusions Acute cervical spinal cord injury and the associated supportive care may be associated with an increased risk for caudal IVC filter migration, IVC perforation, caval thrombosis, and PE.
One size does not fit all: Entrepreneurial expectancies and growth intentions of US women and men nascent entrepreneurs

Women are the majority owners of 30% (6.7 million) of all privately held firms in the US. The vast majority of these firms, however, are smaller than average with only 16% achieving annual revenues of more than $500,000. This suggests that women may have different expectations for the growth of their ventures than men. Using the US Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics dataset, this paper utilizes an expectancy theory perspective to propose differences in growth expectancies of nascent men and women entrepreneurs. Specifically, we conceptualize new venture creation as a process based on the effort–performance–outcome model of entrepreneurial expectancies and propose that differences in motivations towards growth may mediate those relationships. Our findings indicate that while men want to grow their new ventures to achieve financial success, for women, financial success is just one of many reasons to achieve growth. Implications are discussed.