cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SOx/NOx Removal from Flue Gas Streams by Solid Adsorbents: A Review of Current Challenges and Future Directions

One of the main challenges in the power and chemical industries is to remove generated toxic or environmentally harmful gases before atmospheric emission. To comply with stringent environmental and pollutant emissions control regulations, coal-fired power plants must be equipped with new technologies that are efficient and less energy-intensive than status quo technologies for flue gas cleanup. While conventional sulfur oxide (SOx) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) removal technologies benefit from their large-scale implementation and maturity, they are quite energy-intensive. In view of this, the development of lower-cost, less energy-intensive technologies could offer an advantage. Significant energy and cost savings can potentially be realized by using advanced adsorbent materials. One of the major barriers to the development of such technologies remains the development of materials that are efficient and productive in removing flue gas contaminants. In this review, adsorption-based removal of SOx/NOx impuritie...
Light Scattering from Crystalline Superstructure in Stretched Natural Rubber

Abstract The existence of fibrous structure in stretched crystalline elastomers has recently been reported by Walters. It has been suggested that this structure represents stress crystallinity. The low-angle light scattering from stretched, cured natural rubber has been under study in this laboratory, and it has been reported that the scattering pattern results from crystalline superstructure accompanying the stress-induced crystallization. This structure has a size of the order of microns and is undoubtedly related to the structure reported by Walters. Rubber samples studied were experimental sulfur-cured samples not containing any filler. Light-scattering studies were carried out by the laser photographic technique which has been described. It was found necessary to sandwich the elongated samples between microscope cover glasses using a silicone oil immersion fluid to prevent surface scattering from making an undue contribution. Scattering patterns obtained for stretched samples at room temperature in t...
Optical Trapping Using Planar Silicon Micro-Ring Resonators

We demonstrate optical trapping with a micro-ring resonator, the first experimental demonstration to the best of our knowledge. Optical resonance enhancement effect leads to five-fold optical force increase compared to waveguide trapping.
The Persistence of Culture as a Determinant of Differentiated Attitudes on the Part of American Managers of Japanese Ancestry

A search of the literature led to the formulation of some hypotheses that Japanese-American managers in Hawaii may be influenced in their attitudes by their ancestral culture. Empirical research pr...
Stress-Induced Variation Can Cause Average Mutation and Recombination Rates to Be Positively Correlated with Fitness

Observational and experimental studies have consistently demonstrated that individuals from a wide variety of species exhibit “stress-induced variation” (SIV) – higher rates of mutation and recombination in stressful conditions (see references in Hadany and Beker (2003); Hadany and Otto (2009)). This has been seen as a form of fitness-associated variation (FAV), in which an individual’s mutation and recombination rates are functions of its fitness (Beker and Hadany, 2002). Theoretical studies have shown that on a variety of biologically plausible fitness landscapes, genes coding for negative associations between fitness and mutation and recombination rates (“negative FAV”) are favored by evolution (Redfield, 1988; Gessler and Xu, 2000; Hadany and Beker, 2003; Hadany and Otto, 2007, 2009; Ram and Hadany, 2012); similar effects have also been found for genetic algorithms (Srinivas and Patnaik, 1994; Beker and Hadany, 2002; Rokhlenko and Wexler, 2009), although there are counterexamples (Wexler and Rokhlenko, 2007). Thus, the empirical and theoretical results seem to be consistent: low-fitness individuals tend to have higher rates of variation, and alleles which code for this effect are expected to be favored by evolution. However, there is a potential issue: much of the variation in the amount of stress experienced by individuals may be caused by environmental variation rather than genetic variation, so the link between “individuals experiencing high stress” and “unfit individuals” is not completely clear. To the extent that environmental variation is completely random, with each individual experiencing small-scale fluctuations independently of every other individual, it just adds noise without disrupting the basic correlation between low genotypic fitness and high stress. But environments typically also vary in correlated ways – in particular, there are good and bad generations, where all individuals in the population feel the same decreased or increased stress, (potentially) regardless of their genotypic fitness. In fact, much of the experimental evidence for SIV comes from this kind of environmental variation, in which a population is first kept in a low-stress environment and then exposed to a stressor. Here I show that environmental fluctuations affecting a whole population of individuals exhibiting SIV (or, more generally, population-wide changes to rates of variation) typically induce positive FAV – mutation and recombination rates that are positively correlated with genotypic fitness. The effect on rare genotypes with unusually high or low fitnesses is especially strong, with high-fitness genotypes having effective rates of variation many times that of low-fitness genotypes. This induced FAV can either slow or speed adaptation, depending on whether the population needs variation to occur to individuals with low fitness (to cross fitness valleys) or high fitness (to climb fitness peaks).
Control of Olefin Geometry in Macrocyclic Ring-Closing Metathesis Using a Removable Silyl Group

Introducing a silyl group at one of the internal olefin positions in diolefinic substrates results in E-selective olefin formation in macrocyclic ring-forming metathesis. The application of this method to a range of macrocyclic (E)-alkenylsiloxanes is described. Protodesilylation of alkenylsiloxane products yields novel Z-configured macrocycles.
Synthesis of α-Amino Acid Derivatives and Peptides via Enantioselective Addition of Masked Acyl Cyanides to Imines

A general, asymmetric synthesis of amino acid derivatives is reported. Masked acyl cyanide (MAC) reagents are shown to be effective umpolung synthons for enantioselective additions to N-Boc-aldimines. The reactions are catalyzed by a modified cinchona alkaloid, which can function as a bifunctional, hydrogen bonding catalyst, and afford adducts in excellent yields (90–98%) and high enantioselectivities (up to 97.5:2.5 er). Unmasking the addition products gives acyl cyanide intermediates that are intercepted by a variety of nucleophiles to afford α-amino acid derivatives. Notably, the methodology provides an alternative method for peptide bond formation.
AN ASSESSMENT OF SALIVARY FUNCTION IN HEALTHY PREMENOPAUSAL AND POSTMENOPAUSAL FEMALES

The elderly represent the most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population, and the majority of this group are females. The average woman can anticipate living about a third of her life beyond menopause, and many U.S. women undergo hormonal replacement in an attempt to relieve menopausal symptoms. Little is understood about the relationship between menopause, hormonal replacement therapy, and the oral structures, although oral discomfort, xerostomia, and salivary hypofunction have been associated with postmenopausal women. The effects of menopausal status and estrogen therapy on subjective reports of oral dryness and discomfort and objective measurements of major salivary gland output were assessed in 43 healthy premenopausal and postmenopausal females. No complaints of xerostomia or burning mouth and no alterations in the quantity of saliva occurred in this population. This study suggests that among healthy women salivary gland function is not significantly influenced by menopause or hormonal replacement therapy.
General and mild preparation of 2-aminopyridines.

A general and facile one-pot amination procedure for the synthesis of 2-aminopyridines from the corresponding pyridine-N-oxides is presented as a mild alternative to SNAr chemistry. A variety of amines and heterocyclic-N-oxides participate effectively in this transformation which uses the phosphonium salt, PyBroP, as a means of substrate activation.
D2-Symmetric Dirhodium Catalyst Derived from a 1,2,2-Triarylcyclopropanecarboxylate Ligand: Design, Synthesis and Application

Dirhodium tetrakis-(R)-(1-(4-bromophenyl)-2,2-diphenylcyclopropanecarboxylate) (Rh2(R-BTPCP)4) was found to be an effective chiral catalyst for enantioselective reactions of aryl- and styryldiazoacetates. Highly enantioselective cyclopropanations, tandem cyclopropanation/Cope rearrangements and a combined C–H functionalization/Cope rearrangement were achieved using Rh2(R-BTPCP)4 as catalyst. The advantages of Rh2(R-BTPCP)4 include its ease of synthesis, its tolerance to the size of the ester group in the styryldiazoacetates, and its compatibility with dichloromethane as solvent. Computational studies suggest that the catalyst adopts a D2-symmetric arrangement, but when the carbenoid binds to the catalyst, two of the p-bromophenyl groups on the ligands rotate outward to make room for the carbenoid and the approach of the substrate to the carbenoid.
Recent progress on nanovehicles

Nanovehicles are a new class of molecular machines consisting of a molecular scale chassis, axles, and wheels, that can roll across solid surfaces with structurally defined directions making them of interest to synthetic chemists, surface scientists, chemical engineers, and the general car enthusiast. In this tutorial review, following a brief introduction to the development of nanomachines, our recent progress on the nanovehicle project is presented including the design, synthesis, and testing of a series of nanocars, nanotrucks, and motorized nanocars.
The Technological Imperative: The Relative Impact of Task Unit, Modal Technology, and Hierarchy on Structure

This paper compares the impact of management level and technological groupings on management autonomy structure. A task unit aggregation index of technology was the better predictor, except when th...
Current Management of the Complications of Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension: Variceal Hemorrhage, Ascites, and Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis

Cirrhosis is not a single entity but represents a disease progression across different prognostic stages, with the compensated and decompensated stages being the most important. Variceal hemorrhage (VH) and ascites are complications of cirrhosis that denote the presence of a decompensated stage. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a common bacterial infection unique to patients with cirrhosis that can precipitate the development of recurrent VH and hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), complications that denote the presence of a 'further decompensated' stage of cirrhosis. Main current issues in the management of VH include identification of different prognostic stages that allow for individualized patient care. Management of VH cannot be performed in an isolated manner, and the presence of other complications of cirrhosis (ascites, encephalopathy) should be taken into account both in the management and in the design of clinical trials. Because management of ascites per se has not resulted in significant changes in mortality, main management issues consist of preventing further decompensating events by preventing factors that will lead to worsening vasodilatation and hemodynamic status (infections, vasodilators), preventing volume depletion (overdiuresis, GI hemorrhage) and preventing structural kidney injury (nephrotoxins). Prophylaxis of bacterial infections such as SBP currently consists of the administration of antibiotics. By preventing infections, there is evidence that recurrent VH and HRS can also be prevented. However, response to recommended empirical antibiotics in patients with suspected infection, such as SBP, is currently significantly lower than in the past because of an increase in infections secondary to multidrug resistant (MDR) organisms. One of the main predictors of the development of MDR organisms is antibiotic prophylaxis and unnecessary and prolonged use of antibiotics in hospital. Therefore, appropriate antibiotics should be used in patients with a high suspicion of infection, and antibiotic prophylaxis should be restricted to patients with the highest risk of infection.
THE SUPRACONDYLAR FRACTURE OF THE HUMERUS: HOW DO MEMBERS OF THE BRITISH SOCIETY FOR CHILDREN'S ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY (BSCOS) SKIN THIS PARTICULAR CAT?

Aim Differing reports about the surgical management of the supracondylar humeral fracture make evidence-based practice very difficult, so knowledge of the contemporary practices and opinions of an expert body can provide a useful benchmark for appraisal; the aim of this study was to obtain this information. Methods An electronic 18 item, single response multiple-choice questionnaire was designed to investigate various aspects of the surgical management of supracondylar fractures, with particular focus on areas that remain controversial in the literature. Members of BSCOS were invited by email, on three occasions, to complete the questionnaire, which was posted on the web-based SurveyMonkey™ platform (www.surveymonkey.com, California, USA). The survey was available for completion for a period of 10 weeks. Results 102 responses were received (response rate 56.7%); all respondents completed the entire questionnaire. There was almost complete agreement (>90%) in only three areas: -The preferred management of Gartland 3 fractures; The management of the fracture with an absent radial pulse and impaired digital perfusion; An ulnar nerve palsy detected four weeks post-operatively. Majority agreement (>60%) was found regarding: - Possible consequences of delay in performing closed reduction; Management of the pink, perfused hand with an absent radial pulse; Necessity of anatomical reduction. There was no consensus regarding: - K-wiring of Gartland 2 fractures; Management of ulnar nerve palsy detected one week post-operatively; Open insertion of the medial K-wire. Conclusion Reflecting current trends and attitudes, this survey provides information against which an individual surgeon can appraise their own practice. Strong consensus existed in areas in which clear evidence is available to inform practice. This highlights the importance of good-quality research, and identifies areas requiring further investigation.
Crystal Growth, Structures, and Properties of the Complex Borides, LaOs2Al2B and La2Os2AlB2.

Single crystals of two novel quaternary metal borides, LaOs2Al2B and La2Os2AlB2, have been grown from La/Ni eutectic fluxes. LaOs2Al2B crystallizes in tetragonal space group P4/mmm with the CeCr2Si2C-type structure, and lattice parameters a = 4.2075(6) A and c = 5.634(1) A. La2Os2AlB2 exhibits a new crystal structure in monoclinic space group C2/c with lattice parameters a = 16.629(3) A, b = 6.048(1) A, c = 10.393(2) A, and β = 113.96(3)°. Both structures are three-dimensional frameworks with unusual coordination (for solid-state compounds) of the boron atoms by transition metal atoms. The boron atom is square planar in LaOs2Al2B, whereas it exhibits linear and T-shaped geometries in La2Os2AlB2. Electrical resistivity measurements reveal poor metal behavior (ρ300 K ∼ 900 μΩ cm) for La2Os2AlB2, consistent with the electronic band structure calculations, which also predict a metallic character for LaOs2Al2B.
Leveraging Worker Safety Perceptions to Promote Safe Performance in Airports: Investigating the Framing of Safety Standards and Worker Safety Construal

Airports are complex systems characterized by unique and unpredictable safety challenges. Analyses of safety policies and practices focusing on organizational level (e.g., safety culture and climate) may overlook the importance of individual workers’ safety perceptions. The current research highlights two factors that play important roles in shaping these perceptions: the framing of safety standards and the level of abstraction with which workers conceptualize safety. From the perspective of the individual worker, operational safety is one of many workplace goals that must be balanced and prioritized. Workers are more likely to prioritize safety when safety standards are framed in negative (proscriptive) rather than positive (prescriptive) terms. Workers who tend to conceptualize safety in more abstract terms may prioritize safety appropriately when planning future behavior (i.e., during training) but give way to other considerations (e.g., schedule, cost) when faced with pressing decisions. Workers who v...
Host defenses in the human neonate

Four major aspects of the immune-inflammatory response are considered, including humoral immunity, cell-mediated immunity, phagocytic function and humoral mediators, particularly complement. This is followed by a discussion of the role of human milk in enhancement of neonatal host defenses (an extremely active area of current immunologic research) and a clinical summary.
Campus Leadership and the Entrepreneurial University: A Dynamic Capabilities Perspective

This study explores relationships between campus leadership and the organizational-level dynamic capabilities that underpin the management of research universities. Our observations suggest that the presence of leaders who marry strategic thinking and capabilities development enhance the likelihood of a university’s competitive fitness and long-term survival. We compare and contrast strategic decisions and leadership propensities of chancellors at UC Berkeley and presidents at Stanford University. Our findings help explain why Stanford has advanced in relation to Berkeley and hint at the challenges and opportunities facing Berkeley chancellors. We also suggest that it is timely for university presidents to begin to manage proactively the university and, to the extent possible, its innovation ecosystem to increase the chances that their institutions will continue to prosper in an increasingly competitive environment that is also exposed to uncertainty and change.
Development of a Coastal Drought Index Using Salinity Data

AbstractA critical aspect of the uniqueness of coastal drought is the effects on the salinity dynamics of creeks, rivers, and estuaries. The location of the freshwater–saltwater interface along the coast is an important factor in the ecological and socioeconomic dynamics of coastal communities. Salinity is a critical response variable that integrates hydrologic and coastal dynamics including sea level, tides, winds, precipitation, streamflow, and tropical storms. The position of the interface determines the composition of freshwater and saltwater aquatic communities as well as the freshwater availability for water intakes. Many definitions of drought have been proposed, with most describing a decline in precipitation having negative impacts on the water supply. Indices have been developed incorporating data such as rainfall, streamflow, soil moisture, and groundwater levels. These water-availability drought indices were developed for upland areas and may not be ideal for characterizing coastal drought. Th...
Precipitation changes in the western tropical Pacific over the past millennium

Modern seasonal and inter-annual precipitation variability in Palau is linked to both meridional movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and changes in the Pacific Walker Circulation (PWC) associated with the El Nino–Southern Oscillation. Thus, Palau’s hydroclimate should be sensitive to mean shifts in the ITCZ and PWC on decadal to centennial time scales. Using compound-specific hydrogen isotope ratios (δ2H) of dinosterol in lake sediments, we generated a decadal-resolution proxy record of hydroclimatic variability in Palau spanning the past 800 yr. Results indicate a drying trend during the Little Ice Age in Palau, consistent with a southward displacement of the ITCZ. In addition to the secular drying trend, there are persistent large (∼20‰) multi-decadal to centennial oscillations in the δ2H record, the most recent of which indicates an abrupt shift to drier conditions in the mid-1970s that coincides with a decadal-scale negative shift in the Southern Oscillation Index.
CX3CR1 deficiency accelerates the development of retinopathy in a rodent model of type 1 diabetes.

In this study, the role of CX3CR1 in the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was investigated. The retinas of wild-type (WT), CX3CR1 null (CX3CR1gfp/gfp, KO), and heterozygous (CX3CR1+/gfp, Het) mice were compared in the presence and absence of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. CX3CR1 deficiency in STZ-KO increased vascular pathology at 4 months of diabetes, as a significant increase in acellular capillaries was observed only in the STZ-KO group. CX3CR1 deficiency and diabetes had similar effects on retinal neurodegeneration measured by an increase in DNA fragmentation. Retinal vascular pathology in STZ-KO mice was associated with increased numbers of monocyte-derived macrophages in the retina. Furthermore, compared to STZ-WT, STZ-KO mice exhibited increased numbers of inflammatory monocytes in the bone marrow and impaired homing of monocytes to the spleen. The induction of retinal IL-10 expression by diabetes was significantly less in KO mice, and when bone marrow-derived macrophages from KO mice were maintained in high glucose, they expressed significantly less IL-10 and more TNF-α in response to LPS stimulation. These findings support that CX3CR1 deficiency accelerates the development of vascular pathology in DR through increased recruitment of proinflammatory myeloid cells that demonstrate reduced expression of anti-inflammatory IL-10. • CX3CR1 deletion in STZ-diabetic mice accelerated the onset of diabetic retinopathy (DR). • The early onset of DR was associated with increased retinal cell apoptosis. • The early onset of DR was associated with increased recruitment of bone marrow-derived macrophages to the retina. • Bone marrow-derived macrophages from CX3CR1 KO diabetic mice expressed more TNF-α and less IL-10. • The role of IL-10 in protection from progression of DR is highlighted.
Shoaling of the Lower Hudson River

Investigation on sources of sedimentation, characteristics of fresh and salt water components of flow within estuary, quantity of shoaling which occurs, and fundamental principles affecting sedimentation process; 2 hydraulic models are being used to prove possible solutions; first model reproduces entire New York Harbor and Hudson River up to limit of saltwater intrusion; second model reproduces 9 mi section between Battery and George Washington Bridge; interim conclusions.
Macroeconomic Accounts: The Structure of Demand

Until at least the turn of the century, Bangladesh was universally perceived as a country too poor to save at a decent rate and overly dependent on the inflow of foreign assistance for its modest rate of investment.1 In the past decade or thereabout any serious observer using the official data, including those published by international agencies, had to recognize that Bangladesh had become a nation with high rates of saving. Indeed, on the basis of official data on the expenditure account of GDP and external balance, one had to conclude that Bangladesh had become independent of foreign capital inflow and that this transformation occurred quite early in the 1990s. The continuing puzzle is that the economy by all accounts still seems to have substantial dependence on external assistance. Scarcely a day goes by without some news of negotiations with foreign bilateral and multilateral donors on the financing of some domestic development project. Government budget continues to depend heavily on foreign assistance. Large infrastructural projects are rarely, if ever, conceived without foreign finance. The vast NGO sector is also reported to be dependent on foreign assistance for much of its activities. How can this be reconciled with the macroeconomic data which show that the country now saves at a higher rate than the respectable domestic investment rate? This chapter tries to analyze and untangle these issues and puzzles.
Aggregate Demand, Functional Finance and Secular Stagnation

This paper makes three main points. Fiscal policy, first, may be needed in the long run to maintain full employment and avoid secular stagnation. If fiscal policy is used in this way, second, the long-run debt ratio depends (i) inversely on the rate of growth, (ii) inversely on government consumption, and (iii) directly on the degree of inequality. The analysis, third, suggests that policies and policy debates have been misguided. The recent rediscovery of â€˜secular stagnationâ€™ by Summers and others should be welcomed, but the suggested theoretical redirection is unclear and does not go far enough.
Palliation of Ulcerative Breast Lesions with Radiation

Background/Aim: Patients with advanced breast cancer may experience ulcerative breast lesions. Breast cancer with ulcerative lesions has been shown to severely affect a patient's quality of life (QoL). The role of palliative radiation therapy (RT) in the management of ulcerative breast lesions needs to be further explored. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the RT records for all patients who underwent palliative RT for breast cancer at our urban academic medical center. A total of 13 patients were identified, and we herein report their demographics, treatment characteristics, and clinical outcomes. Results: The mean age of the patients receiving palliative RT for ulcerative breast cancer was 64 years. All patients had stage IV disease when they were evaluated for RT. The mean radiation dose received for palliative RT was 27.54 Gy in 11 fractions, with a median dose of 30 Gy in 15 fractions. Six (46%) patients had received prior RT to the same breast, with a median dose of 59.5 Gy in 31 fractions. Among these six patients, the average interval between initial RT and ulceration was 69.5 months. The median overall survival for the whole patient cohort since ulceration was 5 months and the mean survival did not differ between patients with previous history of RT and RT-naive patients (4.50 vs. 4.57; p=0.95). Six out of the nine (69%) patients who received 30 Gy or more reported clinical improvement, whereas none of the four patients who received less than 30 Gy reported any benefit. There were no radiation-associated toxicities reported by patients. Conclusion: These data suggest that palliative RT (≥30 Gy) is an efficacious treatment for ulcerative breast cancer with minimal toxicity. Prior RT should not be a contraindication, as patients with previous history of RT have similar low toxicity rates compared to RT-naive patients.
Recent Results on Fault-Tolerant Consensus in Message-Passing Networks

Fault-tolerant consensus has been studied extensively in the literature, because it is one of the important distributed primitives and has wide applications in practice. This paper surveys important works on fault-tolerant consensus in message-passing networks, and the focus is on results from the past decade. Particularly, we categorize the results into two groups: new problem formulations and practical applications. In the first part, we discuss new ways to define the consensus problem, which include larger input domains, enriched correctness properties, different network models, etc. In the second part, we focus on real-world systems that use Paxos or Raft to reach consensus, and Byzantine Fault-Tolerant (BFT) systems. We also discuss Bitcoin, which can be related to solving Byzantine consensus in anonymous systems, and compare Bitcoin with BFT systems and Byzantine consensus algorithms.
The Short Sale Stigma

Despite a recent upturn, housing prices remain in flux in most cities nationwide. Lenders are still left dealing with a glut of distressed properties. They can choose to foreclose on the property or allow the owner/mortgagor to attempt to sell the property for less than the outstanding balance of the mortgage in a short sale agreement. The best way to clear the market of distressed properties is an important policy question. This is the first study to examine not only the price and time on market effect of being a short sale but also whether the short sale process itself creates a market stigma.
Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children and Adolescents with Abdominal Pain: Comparison with EoE-Dysphagia and Functional Abdominal Pain

Aim. Compare EoE-AP with EoE-D for clinical, endoscopy (EGD), histology and outcomes and also with FAP-N. Method. Symptoms, physical findings, EGD, histology, symptom scores, and treatments were recorded for the three groups. Cluster analysis was done. Results. Dysphagia and abdominal pain were different in numbers but not statistically significant between EoE-AP and EoE-D. EGD, linear furrows, white exudates were more in the EoE-D and both combined were significant ( ). EoE-D, peak and mean eosinophils ( ) and eosinophilic micro abscesses ( ) were higher. Follow-Up. Based on single symptom, EoE-AP had 30% ( ) improvement, EoE-D 86% ( ) and similar with composite score ( and ) and from 43.6/40.8 to 25.2/22.8 ( ), respectively. FAP-N patients had similar symptom improvement like EoE-D. Cluster Analysis. EoE-AP and FAP-N were similar in clinical features and response to treatment, but EoE-D was distinctly different from EoE-AP and FAP-N. Conclusion. Our study demonstrates that EoE-AP and EoE-D have different histology and outcomes. In addition, EoE-AP has clinical features similar to the FAP-N group.
Monopoly Power with a Short Selling Constraint

Abstract We show if a speculator can benefit from reducing a monopoly's rents through short selling, then a speculator may take a short position in a monopoly, overcome the barriers to entry, and compete with the monopoly. The competition drives down the monopoly's rents, and as a result, the short position becomes profitable and covers the cost of entry. If entry is impossible, then the speculator may coordinate and pay the firm's counter-parties to stop trading with the monopoly rather than entering. In either case, increasing a speculator's ability to short a firm's rents results in a constraint on the monopoly and forces it to act more like a price taker. Although we are unaware of such a mechanism being attempted in practice, it does provide a potential market based approach to antitrust regulation.
Sovereign risk and deposit dynamics: evidence from Europe

ABSTRACTThe unprecedented expansion of sovereign balance sheets since the beginning of the global crisis has given a new meaning to the term sovereign risk. Developments in Europe since early 2010 revealed new challenges for the functioning of private banks in an environment of heightened sovereign risk and may have contributed to deleveraging. The article uses an innovative way of measuring the perception of sovereign risk and its impact. Using an extension of a common market discipline framework, it shows that exposure to sovereign risk may have limited the ability of banks in Europe to collect deposits. Potential identification issues between deposits and bank efficiency are controlled by using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The results are robust to inclusion of conventional measures of bank performance and the sector-wide holdings of foreign sovereign debt.
Triple Antibiotic Polymer Nanofibers for Intracanal Drug Delivery: Effects on Dual Species Biofilm and Cell Function

Abstract Introduction Root canal disinfection and the establishment of an intracanal microenvironment conducive to the proliferation/differentiation of stem cells play a significant role in regenerative endodontics. This study was designed to (1) investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of triple antibiotic–containing nanofibers against a dual-species biofilm and (2) evaluate the ability of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) to adhere to and proliferate on dentin upon nanofiber exposure. Methods Seven-day-old dual-species biofilm established on dentin specimens was exposed for 3 days to the following: saline (control), antibiotic-free nanofibers (control), and triple antibiotic–containing nanofibers or a saturated triple antibiotic paste (TAP) solution (50 mg/mL in phosphate buffer solution). Bacterial viability was assessed using the LIVE/DEAD assay (Molecular Probes, Inc, Eugene, OR) and confocal laser scanning microscopy. For cytocompatibility studies, dentin specimens after nanofiber or TAP (1 g/mL in phosphate buffer solution) exposure were evaluated for cell adhesion and spreading by actin-phalloidin staining. DPSC proliferation was assessed on days 1, 3, and 7. Statistics were performed, and significance was set at the 5% level. Results Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed significant bacterial death upon antibiotic-containing nanofiber exposure, differing significantly (P Conclusions Triple antibiotic–containing polymer nanofibers led to significant bacterial death, whereas they did not affect DPSC attachment and proliferation on dentin.
Global macro risks in currency excess returns

Abstract We study the cross-sectional variation of carry-trade-generated currency excess returns in terms of their exposure to global macroeconomic fundamental risk. The risk factor is the cross-country high-minus-low conditional skewness of the unemployment rate gap. It gives a measure of global macroeconomic uncertainty and is robustly priced in currency excess returns. A widening of the high-minus-low skewness of the unemployment rate gap signifies increasing divergence, disparity, and inequality of economic performance across countries.
Catalytic Wet Gasification of Municipal and Animal Wastes

Currently there is worldwide interest in deriving energy from bio-based materials via gasification. Our objective was to assess the feasibility of wet gasification for treatment/energy conversion of both animal and municipal wastes. Wet wastes such as swine manure and raw sewage sludge could be processed directly via current wet gasification technology. Furthermore, these wastes generated high amounts of net energy based on reaction material and energy balances. Without use of an efficient heat recovery system, municipal solid wastes and unpaved feedlot manure would not generate positive energy return from wet gasification. Due to high sulfur content of the wastes, pretreatment to prevent the poisoning of catalysts is essential. The costs of a conceptual first generation wet gasification manure management system for a model swine farm were significantly higher than that of the anaerobic lagoon system. However, there are many significant environmental advantages of the wet gasification, e.g., BOD removal, odor elimination, and pathogen kill.
Managers' Cultural Background and Disclosure Attributes

ABSTRACT We examine how managers' ethnic cultural background affects their communication with investors. Using earnings conference calls with executives from 42 countries, we find that managers fro...
The effect of shallow vs. deep level doping on the performance of thermoelectric materials

It is well known that the efficiency of a good thermoelectric material should be optimized with respect to doping concentration. However, much less attention has been paid to the optimization of the dopant's energy level. Thermoelectric materials doped with shallow levels may experience a dramatic reduction in their figures of merit at high temperatures due to the excitation of minority carriers that reduces the Seebeck coefficient and increases bipolar heat conduction. Doping with deep level impurities can delay the excitation of minority carriers as it requires a higher temperature to ionize all dopants. We find through modeling that, depending on the material type and temperature range of operation, different impurity levels (shallow or deep) will be desired to optimize the efficiency of a thermoelectric material. For different materials, we further clarify where the most preferable position of the impurity level within the bandgap falls. Our research provides insight on why different dopants often aff...
Public re-release of going-concern opinions and market reaction

This paper examines the market reaction to the public announcement of going-concern (GC) opinions through the news media. In the early 2000s, NASDAQ and AMEX required firms listed on their exchanges to publicly announce previously disclosed information, such as the issuance of a GC opinion, through a press release or the news media. We examine the stock market reaction to the re-release of GC opinions. We find significant abnormal stock return volatility and trading volume at the re-release of this information. Further, based on an analysis of intraday transactions, we find higher abnormal trading activity in small trades around the re-release of the GC opinion, but largely no changes in large trades during the same period. In this respect, the investors that initiate the small trades act as if they are surprised by the information contained in the press release of GC opinions. Such an action, in turn, can be viewed as evidence of a delayed response to the information in GC opinions by a section of investors.
TWO-STAGE DATA ENVELOPMENT ANALYSIS OF SPANISH REGIONS: EFFICIENCY DETERMINANTS AND STABILITY ANALYSIS

The purpose of this paper is to examine the hypothesis that the efficiency of Spanish tourism regions for the period 2005-2013 is determined by a group of contextual variables. In contrast with monitoring reports based on descriptive methods, this paper uses the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) bootstrap semiparametric procedure to investigate efficiency determinants. An innovative analysis addresses the problem of the stability of efficiency estimates of random changes in the isolated exogenous variables. The statistical significance of the potential attractors can offer a tool for strategic decisions, and no previous work compares the stability analysis results to the estimates derived from the two-stage algorithm. The model appropriately fits the data, with all the coefficients being of the correct sign and statistically significant. Hence, the fact that the exogenous variables influence the hypothesis is confirmed by the results, and the stability analysis helps to verify the significance of each variable. We also extend the traditional DEA analysis by exploring efficiency and productivity changes using the slacks-based measure (SBM) model and the bootstrapped Malmquist index approach to obtain total productivity growth estimates.
Experiential Activities in Mediation‐Based Training: Cyprus, 1997–2013

Interactive experiential activities were used in a series of mediation-based and interpersonal relationship training programs in Cyprus to raise sensitivity and awareness when responding to the multiple, interweaving issues and complex perspectives that arise in an interpersonal, intercultural, interethnic, identity-based, and political conflict based on the respective histories of the two disputing communities. This approach oriented participants to the underlying nature of the mediation process and produced improved interpersonal relationships between civil society members of the historically divided Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities, who in most instances have held differing views on reunification of the island. In view of the apparent current improved climate for reunification and the potential 2016 efforts for another referendum to accomplish that goal, possible attempts to use this approach to positively engage people bicommunally on the ground bear close consideration as an indispensable auxiliary to the political process.
The Economic Contribution of Unauthorized Workers: An Industry Analysis

Abstract This paper provides a quantitative assessment of the economic contribution of unauthorized workers to the U.S. economy, and the potential gains from legalization. We employ a theoretical framework that allows for multiple industries and a heterogeneous workforce. Capital and labor are the inputs in production and the different types of labor are combined in a multi-nest CES framework that builds on Borjas (2003) and Ottaviano and Peri (2012). The model is calibrated using data on the characteristics of the workforce, including an indicator for imputed unauthorized status (Center for Migration Studies, 2014), and industry output from the BEA. Our results show that the economic contribution of unauthorized workers to the U.S. economy is substantial, at approximately 3.1% of GDP annually, which amounts to roughly $6 trillion over a 10-year period. These effects on production are smaller than the share of unauthorized workers in employment, which is close to 5%. The reason is that unauthorized workers are less skilled and appear to be less productive, on average, than natives and legal immigrants with the same observable skills. We also find that legalization of unauthorized workers would increase their contribution to 4.8% of private-sector GDP. The source of these gains stems from the productivity increase arising from the expanded labor market opportunities for these workers which, in turn, would lead to an increase in capital investment by employers.
Monotone Dynamical Systems with Polyhedral Order Cones and Dense Periodic Points

Let $X\subset \mathbb{R}^{n}$ be a set whose interior is connected and dense in $X$, ordered by a closed convex cone $K\subset \mathbb{R}^{n}$ having nonempty interior. Let $T: X\approx X$ be an order-preserving homeomorphism. The following result is proved: Assume the set of periodic points of $T$ is dense in $X$, and $K$ is a polyhedron. Then $T$ is periodic.
Redox Switch for the Inhibited State of Yeast Glycogen Synthase Mimics Regulation by Phosphorylation.

Glycogen synthase (GS) is the rate limiting enzyme in the synthesis of glycogen. Eukaryotic GS is negatively regulated by covalent phosphorylation and allosterically activated by glucose-6-phosphate (G-6-P). To gain structural insights into the inhibited state of the enzyme, we solved the crystal structure of yGsy2-R589A/R592A to a resolution of 3.3 A. The double mutant has an activity ratio similar to the phosphorylated enzyme and also retains the ability to be activated by G-6-P. When compared to the 2.88 A structure of the wild-type G-6-P activated enzyme, the crystal structure of the low-activity mutant showed that the N-terminal domain of the inhibited state is tightly held against the dimer-related interface thereby hindering acceptor access to the catalytic cleft. On the basis of these two structural observations, we developed a reversible redox regulatory feature in yeast GS by substituting cysteine residues for two highly conserved arginine residues. When oxidized, the cysteine mutant enzyme exhibits activity levels similar to the phosphorylated enzyme but cannot be activated by G-6-P. Upon reduction, the cysteine mutant enzyme regains normal activity levels and regulatory response to G-6-P activation.
Evaporation-Enhanced, Dynamically Adaptive Air (Gas)-Cooled Heat Sink for Thermal Management of High Heat Dissipation Devices

To address the thermal management challenges associated with high power dissipation devices, we describe a novel hybrid thermal management device that enables significant enhancement of conventional air-cooled heat sinks using on-demand and spatially controlled droplet/jet impingement evaporative cooling. The device architecture modifies an air (gas)-cooled heat sink by adding a multiplexed, planar microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based droplet ejector array as a capping surface of the finned structure of a conventional heat sink. Such a minimal modification of the heat sink allows one to exploit high heat flux evaporative cooling by virtue of delivering streams of liquid droplets or jets to the highly thermally conducting heat-spreading surface of the heat sink fins. The phase change associated with liquid droplet evaporation results in significant (~ 50%) enhancement of the dissipated thermal load, beyond what could be achieved by using air (gas) cooling alone. Finally, among the additional key attractive features of the described technology is its ease of implementation (i.e., modification of commercially available heat sinks), paving the way to power-efficient, low-cost thermal management of high power dissipation devices.
Sounding The Great Vacio: The Abyss in the Poetry of Rubén Darío and Amado Nervo

As followers of Spanish-American Modernism are aware, the focus of "Modernista" criticism has sharply shifted in recent years, moving away from an emphasis on form and technical innovations towards a greater concentration on metaphysical themes, in some cases connecting the literary movement with the so-called "Generation of 1898." What has been lacking, however, is a serious study of some of the most important Modernist imagery and how this aspect of poetic technique is actually inseparable from the philosophical themes. This paper examines the use of the image of the abyss in the poetry of Ruben Dario and Amado Nervo, tracing the development of the image into a signifier for the existential anguish suffered by both poets and its eventual shift in meaning accompanying Nervo's renewal of religious faith. In Dario's earliest poetry the image tends to be rather straightforward, associated in some cases with erotic love and in others with the seas and the heavens. However, as the poet matures, the abyss comes to represent an internal void created by a loss of faith, as one sees in such poems as "La fuente," "Yo soy aquel... ," and "Venus." In Nervo's poetry the "abismo" is used to represent the same doubt and anguish, as is the case in "A Felipe II," "Yo no naci para reir," and "La sombra del ala," though it eventually becomes a metaphor for death or what may await us after death, especially in the collection La amada inmovil. Later in life, after Nervo regains his faith, the image comes to represent God, as exemplified by the poems "Inaccesible" and "La leccion," thus bringing the cycle of an image that was originally associated with doubt to a tidy close.
Divergence spectra and Morse boundaries of relatively hyperbolic groups

We introduce a new quasi-isometry invariant, called the divergence spectrum, to study finitely generated groups. We compare the concept of divergence spectrum with the other classical notions of divergence and we examine the divergence spectra of relatively hyperbolic groups. We show the existence of an infinite collection of right-angled Coxeter groups which all have exponential divergence but they all have different divergence spectra. We also study Morse boundaries of relatively hyperbolic groups and examine their connection with Bowditch boundaries.
Passive night vision sensor comparison for unmanned ground vehicle stereo vision navigation

One goal of the "Demo III" unmanned ground vehicle program is to enable autonomous nighttime navigation at speeds of up to 10 m.p.h. To perform obstacle detection at night with stereo vision will require night vision cameras that produce adequate image quality for the driving speeds, vehicle dynamics, obstacle sizes, and scene conditions that will be encountered. This paper analyzes the suitability of four classes of night vision cameras (3-5 /spl mu/m cooled FLIR, 8-12 /spl mu/m cooled FLIR, 8-12 /spl mu/m uncooled FLIR, and image intensifiers) for night stereo vision, using criteria based on stereo night matching quality, image signal to noise ratio, motion blur, and synchronization capability. We find that only cooled FLIRs will enable stereo vision performance that meets the goals of the Demo III program for nighttime autonomous mobility.