cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Megapixel and larger readouts and FPAs for visible and infrared astronomy

The desire for larger and larger format arrays for astronomical observatories -- both ground and space based -- has fueled the development of detector, readout, and hybrid Focal Plane Array (FPA) technology that has paved the way for later development of tactical and strategic arrays for military applications. Since 1994, Raytheon has produced megapixel readouts and FPAs for Infrared Astronomy. In 1999 Raytheon demonstrated a revolutionary approach to photolithography called Reticle Image Composition Lithography (RICL) that opened the door to very large format FPAs in state of the art sub-micron CMOS processes. The first readout processed using the patented RICL technique was a 4.2 megapixel readout for astronomy. We present the design and performance of several 4.2 megapixel (2048 x 2048) readout arrays for visible and infrared astronomy applications. The first of these arrays are fabricated in a workhorse 2 μm CMOS process that is optimized for low temperature operation (down to as low as 6 Kelvin). Most recently Raytheon has developed a scaleable 2,048 x 2,048 high density array for several ground based astronomical applications. This array can be manufactured in any m x n multiple of a basic 1024 (V) x 512 (H) pixel array core. The primary design is a 2 x 4 array to yield a 2,048 x 2,048 format array. This same design can be extended to at least a 4,096 x 4,096 format array -- an incredible 16.7 megapixel array! These readouts are compatible with a wide range of detector types including InSb, HgCdTe, and Si detectors. The use of hybrid technology -- even for the visible wavebands -- allows 100% optical fill factors to be achieved. The design and performance of these megapixel class detectors, readouts, and FPAs will be presented.
Tu Felix Austria: Evidence for a de-celerator in financial reform

This paper analyzes some reasons for the apparent success of financial liberalization in Austria. Against the odds, Austria’s ambitious program of deregulation between 1977 and 2000 did not result in a financial crisis, but yielded large and tangible benefits. While the Austrian experience has so far not attracted much attention in the literature, it may contain important lessons on policy best practices, and on the transmission mechanism of monetary policy. Three implications emerge from this study: First, gradualism worked well. The slicing of reforms into manageable pieces avoided a cumulation of risk factors and the emergence of financial bubbles. Second, financial reform was timed in a counter-cyclical manner, which added stability to the economy. Finally, the large banking sector was able to stabilize itself. The predominance of financial networks and non-profit banks in Austria gave rise to a counter-cyclical lending behavior, i.e. a financial decelerator.
Smile, snap, and share? A nuanced approach to privacy and online photo-sharing

Abstract Photo-sharing has become a ubiquitous activity thanks to digital tools both for taking and for disseminating photographs. How selective are people in choosing the audience with which they share their photos of everyday life and friends? Are there systematic differences in people's related privacy choices? Studies tend to take a dichotomous approach to online sharing by either looking at whether people share or not share online, or whether they share publicly or privately. In reality, users’ privacy decisions are more complex. Using survey data representing a diverse group of college students, this paper takes a more granular approach to understanding photo-sharing practices. The results highlight that traditional factors that have long influenced privacy management practices offline continue to shape privacy behaviors online, like gender. However, simultaneously, new factors outside of these traditional frameworks related to users’ digital media experiences also influence people's online privacy management, like their digital experiences during childhood. This more nuanced perspective on privacy brings to light new insights on past counterintuitive and widely understood findings from studies that have conceptualized privacy as a binary construct, and it adds a new understanding of how people reveal and conceal aspects of themselves as they negotiate their social boundaries.
Comparative biochemistry of fatty acid synthesizing enzyme systems: A review

Abstract 1. 1. This article compares the properties and enzyme activities of the fatty acid synthesizing systems obtained from E. coli , yeast, avian and mammalian liver, and mammary glands. 2. 2. The differences and similarities in the organization of these systems, their substrate requirements, and the products they form are tabulated, and the significance of the differences and similarities is discussed. 3. 3. The physicochemical properties (stability, catalytic efficiency, dissociation into subunits, and reassociation to active enzyme complex) of these systems have also been compared. 4. 4. Finally, the multistep reactions in fatty acid synthesis have been probed for an insight into the binding sites of reactants, mechanisms and rates of reaction, stereospecificity of hydrogen transfer, mechanisms of control of the rates of reactions, and the mechanism of chain termination.
Simulating watercolor by modeling diffusion, pigment, and paper fibers

This paper explores a parallel approach to the problem of predicting the actions of pigment and water when applied to paper fibers. This work was done on the Connection Machine II, whose parallel architecture allows one to cast the problem as that of a complex cellular automata. One defines simple rules for the behavior of each cell based on the state of that cell and its immediate neighbors. By repeating the computation for each cell in the paper over many time steps, elaborate and realistic behaviors can be achieved. The simulation takes into account diffusion, surface tension, gravity, humidity, paper absorbency and the molecular weight of each pigment. At each time step a processor associated with each fiber in the paper computes water and pigment gradients, surface tension and gravitational forces, and decides if there should be any movement of material. Pigment and water can be applied and removed (blotting) with masks created from type or scanned images. Use of a parallel processor simplifies the creation and testing of software, and variables can be stored and manipulated at highprecision. The resulting simulation runs at approximately one-tenth real time.
Calibration of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide for Flexible Pavement Design in Arkansas

Because of potential differences between national and local conditions, the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) should be calibrated to a local level. Arkansas has invested heavily in efforts to implement the MEPDG. This paper summarizes the initial local calibration of flexible pavement models in the MEPDG for Arkansas. Data from the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) database and local pavement management system (PMS) were used. The solver function in Microsoft Excel was used to optimize the coefficients for alligator cracking. Iterative runs of the MEPDG by means of discrete calibration coefficients were conducted to optimize rutting models. In general, the alligator cracking and rutting models are improved by calibration. However, a question remains about the suitability of the calibrated models for routine design. Many default values were used in the MEPDG because of a lack of data. It is recommended that additional sites be established and a more robust data collection procedure b...
A versatile apparatus for polyacrylamide and agarose gel electrophoresis in Plexiglas slab gel molds

Abstract A simple vertical slab gel electrophoresis apparatus for analytical, preparative, and two-dimensional electrophoresis is described. The use of permanently sealed Plexiglas acrylic plastic slab gel molds which need to be sealed only at the bottom during gel formation, rather than the glass plate sandwich used in most previous designs, virtually eliminates leakage during gel formation and, in addition, permits the continuous monitoring with ultraviolet light of proteins and nucleic acids labeled with fluorescent dyes during electrophoresis. Results obtainable with this apparatus are equivalent to those achieved in other apparati which are more expensive to fabricate or purchase.
Strategic learning and entry-equilibrium

Abstract This paper describes the nature of equilibrium for a dynamic game between a monopolist and an entrant who adopts a learning strategy for cost reduction. The learning process is characterized as a continuous-time Poisson process where each success reduces a part of the entrant's cost difference with the incumbent. The entrant chooses a stream of expenditure after every success to control the instant probability of the next success. The techniques of semi-Markov decision processes are used to characterize equilibrium learning decisions at every stage, distribution of entry times, and the effects of subsidies, technical progress, etc. on pre-entry and post-entry learning strategies.
On the maslov index

In this paper we give four definitions of Maslov index and show that they all satisfy the same system of axioms and hence are equivalent to each other. Moreover, relationships of several symplectic and differential geometric, analytic, and topological invariants (including triple Maslov indices, eta invariants, spectral flow and signatures of quadratic forms) to the Maslov index are developed and formulae relating them are given. The broad presentation is designed with a view to applications both in geometry and in analysis. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
International school‐based interventions for preventing obesity in children

The purpose of this article was to review international (excluding the United States) school-based interventions for preventing obesity in children published between 1999 and 2005. A total of 21 such interventions were found from Australia (1), Austria (1), Canada (1), Chile (1), France (1), Germany (3), Greece (1), New Zealand (1), Norway (1), Singapore (1) and the United Kingdom (9). The grade range of these interventions was from pre-school to high school with the majority (17) from elementary schools. Nine of these interventions targeted nutrition behaviours followed by seven aiming to modify both physical activity and nutrition behaviours. Only five interventions in international settings were based on any explicit behavioural theory which is different than the interventions developed in the United States. Majority of the interventions (9) were one academic year long. It can be speculated that if the interventions are behavioural theory-based, then the intervention length can be shortened. All interventions that documented parental involvement successfully influenced obesity indices. Most interventions (16) focused on individual-level behaviour change approaches. Most published interventions (16) used experimental designs with at least 1-year follow-up. Recommendations from international settings for enhancing the effectiveness of school-based childhood obesity interventions are presented.
Milk production and plasma gossypol of cows fed cottonseed and oilseed meals with or without rumen-undegradable protein

Twenty-four multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned at calving to treatment diets using a modified split-plot design to determine the effects of protein source on milk production and composition. The treatment diets consisted of an 80:20 combination of corn and alfalfa silages and whole cottonseed at 12% of the dietary dry matter (DM). The treatment diets were formulated to contain 17% crude protein (CP) and 20% acid detergent fiber on a DM basis. One of the following sources of supplemental CP was included in each treatment diet: 1) cottonseed meal, 2) cottonseed meal plus a rumen-undegradable protein (RUP) supplement, 3) soybean meal, and 4) soybean meal plus an RUP supplement. Cows were fed the initial treatment diet for 6 wk and then were switched to the other oilseed meal source but continued to receive the same amount of RUP during the second period of the study. Milk production and composition were not affected by treatment diet. Cows fed treatment diets without RUP supplementation consumed more DM and thus more CP. Supplementation with RUP resulted in greater milk production efficiency per unit of DM consumed. Cows fed treatment diets containing cottonseed meal had higher plasma gossypol concentrations than did cows fed treatment diets containing soybean meal. Plasma gossypol concentrations for all cows in each group were below the recommended upper limit that is considered to be safe. Data suggest that cottonseed meal in the diet can be substituted for soybean meal, resulting in similar milk production and composition.
Ehrenfeucht-Fraïssé Games on Random Structures

Certain results in circuit complexity (e.g., the theorem that AC0 functions have low average sensitivity) [5, 17] imply the existence of winning strategies in Ehrenfeucht-Fraisse games on pairs of random structures (e.g., ordered random graphs G = G (n ,1/2) and G + = G *** {random edge }). Standard probabilistic methods in circuit complexity (e.g., the Switching Lemma [11] or Razborov-Smolensky Method [19, 21]), however, give no information about how a winning strategy might look. In this paper, we attempt to identify specific winning strategies in these games (as explicitly as possible). For random structures G and G + , we prove that the composition of minimal strategies in r -round Ehrenfeucht-Fraisse games $\Game_r(G,G)$ and $\Game_r(G^{{+}},G^{{+}})$ is almost surely a winning strategy in the game $\Game_r(G,G^{{+}})$. We also examine a result of [20] that ordered random graphs H = G (n ,p ) and H + = H *** {random k -clique} with p (n ) *** n *** 2/(k *** 1) (below the k -clique threshold) are almost surely indistinguishable by $\lfloor k/4 \rfloor$-variable first-order sentences of any fixed quantifier-rank r . We describe a winning strategy in the corresponding r -round $\lfloor k/4 \rfloor$-pebble game using a technique that combines strategies from several auxiliary games.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL VENUES AND SOCIAL CAPITAL

This study explores African-American (AA) entrepreneurship through the lens of social capital. Using a foundation of social capital theory, this study attempts to validate the hypothesis that social capital is a determinant of whether AA entrepreneurs choose to function in the formal or informal economies. One hundred and sixteen African American entrepreneurs participated in the study, which utilized respondent driven sampling, a technique for studying hidden populations. Although the results for the study failed to confirm the hypothesis, they do offer some insight into the relationship between the informal and formal economies and minority entrepreneurship.
Expression of neuroimmune semaphorins 4A and 4D and their receptors in the lung is enhanced by allergen and vascular endothelial growth factor

Background Semaphorins were originally identified as molecules regulating a functional activity of axons in the nervous system. Sema4A and Sema4D were the first semaphorins found to be expressed on immune cells and were termed "immune semaphorins". It is known that Sema4A and Sema4D bind Tim-2 and CD72 expressed on leukocytes and PlexinD1 and B1 present on non-immune cells. These neuroimmune semaphorins and their receptors have been shown to play critical roles in many physiological and pathological processes including neuronal development, immune response regulation, cancer, autoimmune, cardiovascular, renal, and infectious diseases. However, the expression and regulation of Sema4A, Sema4D, and their receptors in normal and allergic lungs is undefined.
Sequencing deeper to find the genetic mechanism of atrial fibrillation.

The principle of inheritance as originally described by Gregor Mendel through his pea experiments in the 1860s laid the foundation for modern genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Although Mendelian genetics allowed the identification of the first genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis and Duchene muscular dystrophy, “Mendelian” diseases are rare. Many common diseases, such as atrial fibrillation, are inheritable, but have multifaceted genetic components that cannot be determined using Mendelian genetics. The human genome project, completed 10 years ago, made GWAS possible by allowing the identification of specific areas in the human genome that contain variability, which include single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). GWAS scan for markers in the human genome of many individuals to find genetic variations associated with a disease, specifically atrial fibrillation in the article by Lin et al in this issue of HeartRhythm. To further illustrate how GWAS works, take a variable, such as an SNP or in an epidemiological study, sleep apnea, and seek an association with familial atrial fibrillation risk. Since 2005, GWAS has resulted in more than 200 associations with complex diseases. Some of the benefits of GWAS include the identification of biomarkers, disease risk prediction, subclassifying diseases, and tailoring drug treatment, for example, chemotherapy. GWAS have limitations, however. For example, previous studies assessing the risk factors for new-onset familial atrial fibrillation determined that common genetic variants were not an independent risk factor, suggesting causal variants may be less common. That is, most SNPs that have been identified are not the causal variants but are indirectly associated with the disease of interest, and they are often great distances from the protein-coding genes, making it challenging to find the causal variants. The challenge, as the present article in this issue of HeartRhythm illustrates, to find the rarer causal variants involves sequencing much more DNA. An even more complex challenge is to assess the environmental effects on genetic variants. GWAS have identified 9 genetic loci related to atrial fibrillation, with the authors focusing their efforts on 4 of these. Given the immensity of the human genome and limited
Intermediate conductance, Ca 2+ -activated K + channels: a novel target for chronic renal diseases

Renal failure is a medical condition in which the kidneys are not working properly. There are two types of kidney failure: 1) acute kidney failure, which is sudden and often reversible with adequate treatment; and 2) chronic renal failure, which develops slowly and often is not reversible. The last stage of chronic renal failure is fatal without dialysis or kidney transplant. The treatment for chronic renal failure is focusing on slowing the progression of kidney damage. Several reports have described a promising approach to slow the loss of renal function through inhibition of the basolateral membrane, Ca2+-activated K+ (KCa3.1) channel with a selective and nontoxic blocker TRAM-34. This review summarizes pathophysiological studies that describe the role of KCa3.1 in kidney diseases.
Embryotoxicity induced by diethylstilbestrol in vitro1

The embryotoxic potential of diethylstilbestrol (DES) was examined in a whole embryo culture system containing a P-450-dependent bioactivating system. Sprague-Dawley rat embryos were explanted on day 10 and cultured for 24 hours. Concentration-dependent effects of DES on embryonic growth parameters, viability, and embryotoxicity were observed. Concentrations of DES greater than 0.26 mM (final concentration) produced 100% embryolethality, while those below 0.15 mM were without significant effects. At a final concentration of 0.19 mM, DES produced only a slight increase in embryolethality. The same concentration elicited a marked increase in observed embryotoxicity, including prosencephalic hypoplasia, incomplete axial rotation, and open neural tubes. In addition, reductions in embryonic length, somite number, and protein and DNA content were observed. An exogenous P-450-dependent hepatic biotransforming (catechol-generating) system failed to alter either the incidence of observed toxic effects or measured growth parameters. Likewise, exposure of cultured embryos to 20% carbon monoxide (CO) failed to reduce DES-induced embryotoxicity, indicating a lack of participation of an endogenous P-450-dependent embryonic bioactivating system. Arachidonic acid (0.20 mM) and/or indomethacin (0.50 mM) also had no observable effect on DES-induced embryotoxicity, suggesting that prostaglandin synthase was not involved in the embryotoxic activity of DES, as has been proposed to explain its carcinogenic effect. The antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (1.14 mM) and alpha-tocopherol (0.08 mM) failed to protect against DES-induced embryotoxicity, while the anti-estrogen tamoxifen (up to 0.85 mM) actually enhanced this effect of DES in culture. The DES analogs Z,Z-dienestrol (DIES, 0.10 mM) and hexestrol (HES, 0.48 mM) were both embryotoxic in vitro. The presence of an exogenous P-450-dependent hepatic biotransforming system appeared to protect against HES-induced embryolethality but had little effect upon DIES-induced embryotoxicity. The results were consistent with a direct effect of DES independent of either estrogenicity or exogenously generated metabolites.
Up-regulation of bone morphogenetic proteins in cultured murine bone cells with use of specific electric fields.

Background: Capacitively coupled electric stimulation has been successfully used in the treatment of bone nonunions and to effect spinal fusions. However, the pathway of biologic events whereby this is accomplished has not been fully elucidated. To determine whether bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) could be involved, the effect of electrical stimulation on BMP gene expression was investigated. Methods: Postconfluent cultures of MC3T3-E1 bone cells were exposed to a series of capacitively coupled signals in which the duration, amplitude, frequency, and duty cycle were sequentially and systematically varied. The cellular response was measured by quantifying the mRNA levels of BMP-2 through BMP-8, as well as the BMP antagonists gremlin and noggin, with use of reverse transcription followed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. BMP-2 protein was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and alkaline phosphatase activity was measured by a specific colorimetric assay. Results: The results showed that BMP-2 through BMP-8, gremlin, and noggin were all normally expressed by MC3T3-E1 cells, and could be significantly up-regulated by specific and selective capacitively coupled electric fields (p < 0.05). However, mRNA expression for BMP-2, 4, 5, 6, and 7 was consistently up-regulated several times higher than that for BMP-3 and BMP-8, gremlin, and noggin under identical conditions. Concomitantly, BMP-2 protein production and alkaline phosphatase activity were both significantly increased in the same electrically stimulated cultures (p = 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: These data clearly show that our optimal capacitively coupled signal (60 kHz, 20 mV/cm at a 50% duty cycle for twenty-four hours) can specifically, selectively, and simultaneously up-regulate the expression of a number of osteoinductive BMPs; other BMPs and antagonists are only moderately affected. Clinical Relevance: Electrical stimulation may be a useful treatment modality for in vivo situations where bone induction is required, since it is noninvasive, safe, effective, can be easily targeted to a variety of anatomic sites, can provide a controlled production of BMPs, and can be used repeatedly. The optimal duration (continuous stimulation at 100% duty cycle) and frequency (60 kHz) determined in this in vitro study are the same—and the amplitude (20 mV/cm) is in the same range (12 mV/cm)—as are used clinically.
Undocumented Latin American Immigrants and U.S. Health Services: An Approach to a Political Economy of Utilization

This article contributes to an understanding of the use of health services by undocumented Mexicans and Central Americans who work as manual laborers in the United States. Data collected in San Diego, California, and Dallas, Texas, are analyzed from a political economy perspective. The people in the study had lived in the United States for at least one and a half years and were interviewed in 1986, when laws affecting their future legal status (IRCA) were being debated. The study demonstrates the need for a political economy model more attuned to variations among undocumented populations seeking health care. Coverage by private medical insurance significantly influenced the utilization of health services. The uninsured were much less likely than the insured to have used U.S. health services. There was little evidence that hospital services, including emergency rooms, were overutilized by undocumented interviewees. [migration, health, health insurance, Latin Americans]
Studies of the relationship between isoprene emission rate and CO2 or photon‐flux density using a real‐time isoprene analyser

Abstract. Studies of the isoprene emission rate in response to changes in photon-flux density and CO2 partial pressure were conducted using a recently developed on-line isoprene analyser combined with a gas exchange system and chlorophyll fluorometer. Upon darkening, the isoprene emission rate from leaves of aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux.) began to decline immediately, demonstrating that the internal pool of isoprene, or its precursors, is small and that the instantaneous emission rate is tightly coupled to the rate of synthesis. A post-illumination burst of isoprene was observed within 5 min after darkening and lasted for 15–20 min in four isoprene-emitting species that were examined. In leaves of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.), the magnitude of the post-illumination burst was dependent on the photon-flux density that existed before darkening, but not on ambient CO2 partial pressure. The dependence of the post-illumination burst on photon-flux density paralleled that for the steady-state rate of isoprene emission. A step-wise increase in intercellular CO2 partial pressure from 24.5 to 60 Pa resulted in an immediate decrease in isoprene emission rate and non-photochemical fluorescence quenching, but an increase in CO2 assimilation rate. Given the several recent studies that link isoprene emission to chloroplastic processes, the results of this study indicate that the linkage is not dependent on the rate of CO2 flux through the reductive pentose phosphate pathway, but rather on more complex relationships involving metabolites not appreciably influenced by CO2 partial pressure.
Two-photon "ghost" imaging with thermal light

We report the first experimental demonstration of thermal "ghost" imaging. Similarly to the case of entangled states, a two-photon Gaussian thin lens equation is observed. Differences and similarities to entangled "ghost" imaging are discussed.
Utility-based metaclassification

A technique for accepting or rejecting the output of a Bayesian classifier is presented based on a metalevel Bayesian classifier using features of the probability distribution over the known classes calculated by the lower-level (object-level) classifier. The value of adding the metalevel classifier is determined by user utilities for the possible outcomes of the two-level process.
Power electronics and alternative energy generation

Growth in alterative energy generation technologies and markets will have a major impact on the development of power electronics in the future. The paper discusses some of these implications, and outlines the technological and performance challenges for power electronic systems in alternative energy applications.
Decreased Erythroid Colony-Forming Cell Response of XTfm/Y Mice to Testosterone and 5β-Dihydrotestosterone*

Although certain tissues of XTfm/Y mice are known to be deficient in androgen-binding sites, the defect has not been documented for bone marrow. To study the bone marrow response to testosterone and its metabolites, we compared the responses of the erythroid colony-forming cell (CFUE) in these mice and their wild counter-parts, XTa/Y mice, using an in vitro methyl cellulose system in the presence of erythropoietin. Testosterone or 5β-dihydrotestosterone (5β-DHT) treatment (5 mg/kg) of Ta/Y mice in vivo before femoral bone marrow culture resulted in a significant increase in CFU-E colonies. However, similar in vivo treatment of Tfm/Y mice with testosterone or 5β-DHT had no effect on CFU-E colony formation. 5α-DHT had no significant effect on Ta/Y or Tfm/Y mouse bone marrow. Testosterone or 5β-DHT added directly to Ta/Y marrow cultures caused an enhancement of CFU-E colony numbers compared with erythropoietin alone. 5α-DHT inhibited colony formation at high concentrations. Testosterone had no effect on Tfm/...
Isolation and Characterization of a Soluble NADPH-Dependent Fe(III) Reductase from Geobacter sulfurreducens

NADPH is an intermediate in the oxidation of organic compounds coupled to Fe(III) reduction in Geobacter species, but Fe(III) reduction with NADPH as the electron donor has not been studied in these organisms. Crude extracts of Geobacter sulfurreducens catalyzed the NADPH-dependent reduction of Fe(III)-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA). The responsible enzyme, which was recovered in the soluble protein fraction, was purified to apparent homogeneity in a four-step procedure. Its specific activity for Fe(III) reduction was 65 μmol · min−1 · mg−1. The soluble Fe(III) reductase was specific for NADPH and did not utilize NADH as an electron donor. Although the enzyme reduced several forms of Fe(III), Fe(III)-NTA was the preferred electron acceptor. The protein possessed methyl viologen:NADP+ oxidoreductase activity and catalyzed the reduction of NADP+ with reduced methyl viologen as electron donor at a rate of 385 U/mg. The enzyme consisted of two subunits with molecular masses of 87 and 78 kDa and had a native molecular mass of 320 kDa, as determined by gel filtration. The purified enzyme contained 28.9 mol of Fe, 17.4 mol of acid-labile sulfur, and 0.7 mol of flavin adenine dinucleotide per mol of protein. The genes encoding the two subunits were identified in the complete sequence of the G. sulfurreducens genome from the N-terminal amino acid sequences derived from the subunits of the purified protein. The sequences of the two subunits had about 30% amino acid identity to the respective subunits of the formate dehydrogenase from Moorella thermoacetica, but the soluble Fe(III) reductase did not possess formate dehydrogenase activity. This soluble Fe(III) reductase differs significantly from previously characterized dissimilatory and assimilatory Fe(III) reductases in its molecular composition and cofactor content.
Loop quantum cosmology, non-Gaussianity, and CMB power asymmetry

We argue that the anomalous power asymmetry observed in the cosmic microwave background (CMB) may have originated in a cosmic bounce preceding inflation. In loop quantum cosmology (LQC), the big bang singularity is generically replaced by a bounce due to quantum gravitational effects. We compute the spectrum of inflationary non-Gaussianity and show that strong correlation between observable scales and modes with longer (superhorizon) wavelength arise as a consequence of the evolution of perturbations across the LQC bounce. These correlations are strongly scale dependent and induce a dipole-dominated modulation on large angular scales in the CMB, in agreement with observations.
The importance of fit between individual values and organisational culture in the greening of industry

Individual and societal values with respect to environmental protection have been shown to have grown significantly in the past decade and can be expected to continue to grow. As a result, companies that do not materially adopt environmental values into their corporate value systems will find their culture to be incongruent with the personal values of their employees. Under such circumstances, these employees will face the choice of three sub-optimal options: (1) dissatisfied compliance with the corporate values; (2) resolution to change the corporate values; or (3) resignation from the organization. Those companies that are able to achieve a congruent fit between individual and organizational values will benefit from higher worker satisfaction, longer tenure and greater loyalty.
Patient Psoas Muscle Mass as a Predictor of Complications and Survival After Radical Cystectomy

As a treatment for high-risk bladder cancer, radical cystectomy (RC) remains a highly morbid operation with complication rates of 40-60% and mortality rates as high as 9% in the first 90 days after surgery (Aziz et al., Eur Urol 66(1):156-163, 2014; Shabsigh et al., Eur Urol 55(1):164-174, 2009). Many patients suffer from a failure-to-thrive syndrome associated with anorexia, weight loss, dehydration, and immobility. In elderly patients, failure-to-thrive may result in loss of independence and a cascade of events that increases the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality, ultimately resulting in impaired survival. Psoas muscle mass has been used to predict morbidity and mortality after major surgical procedures in vulnerable populations with substantial comorbidities. Increasingly, psoas muscle mass is also being used to predict outcomes after RC. If patients with a high risk of impaired survival are identified preoperatively, prehabilitative interventions can be integrated into their preparation for surgical treatment (Porserud et al., Clin Rehab 28(5):451-459, 2014; Friedman et al., Nutr Clin Pract: Off Publ Am Soc Parenter Enter Nutr 30(2):175-179, 2015). This chapter discusses the role of psoas muscle mass as a predictor of negative surgical outcomes after cystectomy.
Development of Bulk-Titanium-Based MEMS RF Switch for Harsh Environment Applications

This paper presents an investigation into the viability of a new route for the fabrication of titanium-based MEMS RF switches for harsh environment applications. Titanium’s intrinsic toughness and corrosion resistance suggest that it would be highly suitable for such applications and recently developed titanium micromachining technologies now make exploration of this potential possible. Two design generations of electrostatically-actuated Bulk-Titanium MEMS (BTMEMS) switches were fabricated and tested. First generation devices demonstrated that actuation at moderate voltages could be achieved (~60V), however stiction upon contact was common. This stiction was mitigated in the second generation devices through design modification and development of a new Titanium on Insulator (TOI) based process. These devices displayed stiction-free actuation and relatively low contact resistance (~1Ω). These preliminary results therefore demonstrate the potential of this process technology for fabrication of titanium-based RF switches for harsh environment applications.
Mechanism for the Suppression of the Mammalian Stress Response by Genistein, an Anticancer Phytoestrogen From Soy

Background: Soy products contain high levels of genistein, a phytoestrogen that is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Genistein has been found to inhibit the growth of carcinogen-induced cancers in rats and human leukemia cells transplanted into mice. The induction of stress proteins (e.g., glucose-related proteins and heat shock proteins) in tumor cells has been shown to protect them against programmed cell death; this stress response is inhibited by genistein. The mechanism(s) by which genistein affects certain stress response genes was explored in this study. Methods: Mammalian cell cultures were treated with azetidine, a proline analog, which elicits a stress response that includes the induction of the expression of glucose-regulated protein GRP78 and heat shock protein HSP70. The effects of azetidine and/or genistein treatment on cellular levels of grp78 and hsp70 messenger RNAs and proteins were measured by northern blot hybridization and western blot analyses, respectively, and the binding of nuclear factors to sequence motifs in the upstream (promoter) regions of these two genes were examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assays. Results: Genistein antagonized the binding of a specific transcription factor, nuclear factor-Y/CCAAT binding factor (NF-Y/CBF), to the CCAAT sequence element most proximal to the transcription start sites in the hsp70 and grp78 promoters; this CCAAT element was previously shown to be necessary for full-stress inducibility of both genes. Treatment of cells with genistein converted NF-Y/CBF into a nonbinding, transcriptionally inactive form. Implication: The anticancer effects of genistein may be related to its ability to reduce the expression of stress response-related genes. [J Natl Cancer Inst 1998;90:381‐8]
New developments in antibiotic interference thresholds of microbial assays

Interference thresholds have been determined for a number of antibiotics in the microbial assays of specific antibiotics. Two aspects were considered in order to facilitate the quantitative analysis of mixtures of antibiotics: the “interference threshold,” which is the concentration of an antibiotic causing a significant interference in the presence of another antibiotic in a given assay, and the “sensitivity threshold,” which is the concentration of an antibiotic causing a response in the assay for a different antibiotic.
The biomechanical consequences of rod reduction on pedicle screws: should it be avoided?

Abstract Background context Rod contouring is frequently required to allow for appropriate alignment of pedicle screw-rod constructs. When residual mismatch is still present, a rod persuasion device is often used to achieve further rod reduction. Despite its popularity and widespread use, the biomechanical consequences of this technique have not been evaluated. Purpose To evaluate the biomechanical fixation strength of pedicle screws after attempted reduction of a rod-pedicle screw mismatch using a rod persuasion device. Methods Fifteen 3-level, human cadaveric thoracic specimens were prepared and scanned for bone mineral density. Osteoporotic (n=6) and normal (n=9) specimens were instrumented with 5.0-mm–diameter pedicle screws; for each pair of comparison level tested, the bilateral screws were equal in length, and the screw length was determined by the thoracic level and size of the vertebra (35 to 45 mm). Titanium 5.5-mm rods were contoured and secured to the pedicle screws at the proximal and distal levels. For the middle segment, the rod on the right side was intentionally contoured to create a 5-mm residual gap between the inner bushing of the pedicle screw and the rod. A rod persuasion device was then used to engage the setscrew. The left side served as a control with perfect screw/rod alignment. After 30 minutes, constructs were disassembled and vertebrae individually potted. The implants were pulled in-line with the screw axis with peak pullout strength (POS) measured in Newton (N). For the proximal and distal segments, pedicle screws on the right side were taken out and reinserted through the same trajectory to simulate screw depth adjustment as an alternative to rod reduction. Results Pedicle screws reduced to the rod generated a 48% lower mean POS (495±379 N) relative to the controls (954±237 N) (p .05). Conclusions In circumstances where a rod is not fully seated within the pedicle screw, the use of a rod persuasion device decreases the overall POS and work energy to failure of the screw or results in outright failure. Further rod contouring or correction of pedicle screw depth of insertion may be warranted to allow for appropriate alignment of the longitudinal rods.
Analysis of flexible microchannel heat sink systems

Abstract In this work, single layered (SL) and double layered (DL) flexible microchannel heat sinks are analyzed. The deformation of the supporting seals is related to the average internal pressure by theory of elasticity. It is found that sufficient cooling can be achieved using SL flexible microchannel heat sinks at lower pressure drop values for softer seals. Double layered flexible microchannel heat sinks provide higher rate of cooling over SL flexible microchannel heat sinks at the lower range of pressure drops. Single layered flexible microchannel heat sinks are preferred for large pressure drop applications while DL flexible microchannel heat sinks are preferred for applications involving low pressure drops.
A message segmentation technique to minimize task completion time

Optimal partitioning of multiprocessor programs is a trade-off: as the granularity of subtasks of a parallel task increases, the communication overhead decreases but so does the total parallelism. The authors propose a new technique to determine the optimal segment size of messages between a producer and a consumer to minimize the overall execution time, and apply it to allocation of DOACROSS loops. >
Theory of nonlinear light scattering from phonons in crystals

Nonlinear light scattering from phonons opens up new possibilities in the study of ionic motion. A theory of nonlinear inelastic light scattering in solids involving two incident photons of frequencies ω(in1) and ω(in2), a phonon of frequency ω(in0), and the scattered photon of frequencyω3=ω1+ω2±ω0 is developed. When both the incident light waves are the same, it reduces to the intensity-dependent light scattering from phonons in crystals. It is shown that the cross-section for the nonlinear scattering is smaller by a factor |E(inL)|(su2)/{|E(ina)|}(su2) as compared to the corresponding linear scattering with only one incident photon, where |EL| is the amplitude of the electric field of the additional incident wave andEais of the order of (106÷107) e.s.u. at optical frequencies. A nonlinear polarizability theory for the scattering based on the linear polarizability theory of Born and Bradburn of the first-order linear Raman effect is also considered and shown to be equivalent to the general theory in the limit of zero phonon frequency. Symmetries of the scattering tensor and selection rules for long-wavelength nonpolar optical phonons are derived for all the cubic point groups. These selection rules are different from those for the first-order Raman effect and the intra-red absorption. The rate of photon production in the stimulated nonlinear process is discussed.
Ethical Responsibilities: An Empirical Analysis Of The Ethical Codes Of The Top 100 Companies In The United Kingdom

In response to ethical dilemmas faced by companies around the globe, companies are developing or refining their ethical codes. Many of these companies communicate these codes to their stakeholders through the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) report. This paper examines the ethics’ codes of the top 100 companies (based on market capitalization) in the United Kingdom. A sample of CSR reports for these companies is examined to determine if the company includes its ethical code in the CSR report, if it reports its ethical code in a separate document, or if it does not disclose the code. n response to ethical dilemmas faced by companies around the globe, companies are developing or refining their ethical codes. Many of these companies communicate these codes to their stakeholders through the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) report. This paper examines the ethics’ codes of the top 100 companies (based on market capitalization) in the United Kingdom. A sample of CSR reports for these companies is examined to determine if the company includes its ethical code in the CSR report, if it reports its ethical code in a separate document, or if it does not disclose the code. Then, the ethical code’s content is examined based on criteria described in the publication by Deloitte & Touche LLP, “Suggested Guidelines for Writing a Code of Ethics/Conduct” 1 . Each code is examined based on the five components of the guidelines: 1. Code Basics (e.g., apply to all employees) 2. Recommended Elements (e.g., ethical decision framework) 3. Areas of Risk 4. Potential Code Topics (e.g., customer relations) and 5. Implementation (e.g., communicate to all employees). The results of this study will be useful to academics and practitioners who are attempting to understand the development of ethical codes. A code of ethics can be defined as any written document whose purpose is to identify to its employees behavior that is considered acceptable and unacceptable. The role of the code of ethics is to present both the positive aspects of having a strong ethical commitment (a values based approach) as well as highlight the consequences of unacceptable behavior (compliance based approach). There could three types of statements that would incorporate the description of expected behavior of the employees. Those three statements are called value statement, corporate credo and code of ethics. Why do companies need codes of ethics?
Presidential Address: Tropical Medicine in War and Peace.

Each of us—each of you—sitting here tonight is working hard every day to make the world a better—and a healthier—place. Whether you dispense pretravel advice and vaccines or splice trypanosome genes, whether you are responding to the Ebola epidemic or designing a malaria-refractory mosquito, the spirit that animates your work is one of beneficence, generosity, and peace.
Multiple Personality and Child Abuse: An Overview

Childhood abuses take various forms including emotional and physical neglect, psychologic and physical brutalization, and sexual violation. This cogent overview outlines these abuses and demonstrates their genesis into multiple personality disorder.
Operation of an Ecological Survey for Florida Citrus Pests

A comprehensive survey of insects, mites, diseases, injuries, And disorders in Florida citrus grows was begun by the Agricultural Experiment Station in 1951 and has been operated continuously for 10 year. Monthly observations are made in 130 commercial groves representative of the varieties, areas, and grove practices throughout the citrus belt. Five trained field men, using standardized methods, record on marginal-punched cards detailed information about pest populations, abundance of injuries, spray applications, natural control activity, and numerous other conditions of ecological significance. Survey data possess a high degree of reliability which permits their use in evaluating current grove conditions both statewide and local and in accurately forecasting impending troubles. The data also have been used for portraying phonological cycles of pest abundance, establishing relationships of weather to population size, and in studying effects of chemical sprays on biological control. Cost of the survey approximates $47,000 per year, equivalent to 0.156% of statewide cost for pest control, or 7.2 cents per acre. It is estimated that more than 80% of the 350 million dollar Florida citrus crop is produced under the supervision of persons who request the pest forecasts issued twice each month.
DO PATIENTS WHO MEET CLASS IIA INDICATIONS FOR CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY ATTAIN A THERAPEUTIC BENEFIT

Per the 2012 ACC guidelines, Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) is a Class IIa recommendation for low EF patients with: 1) left bundle branch block (LBBB) pattern, QRS of 120-149 ms, and NYHA class II-IV symptoms and 2) non-LBBB pattern, QRS > 150 ms, and NYHA class III/IV symptoms, however the