cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why Ask Why

There is a strong case to be made that the goal of science is to develop explanatory theories that help us organize our understanding and make predictions about the natural world. What then, is the goal of science education? What is it that we want students to know and be able to do, and how do we achieve these goals? Here, I argue that one overarching goal is to help students construct causal, mechanistic explanations of phenomena. In chemistry this means we are working to help students use their understanding of molecular level interactions to explain and predict macroscopic events. Furthermore, while constructing explanations is an important goal in itself, the very act of constructing explanations helps students develop a deeper understanding, and provides the kind of intellectual satisfaction that memorizing facts cannot. I hope to convince you that our current approaches to assessing student learning are, in fact, all too often counterproductive and almost certainly contribute to students’ inability...
Compression experimental research on warm and ice-rich permafrost on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

In order to investigate the deformation behaviour of warm and ice-rich permafrost on the QinghaiTibet Plateau,compression tests were conducted in laboratory using two methods:(1) a traditional compression test under a constant temperature and a stepped load(CTSL),and(2) a compression test under a constant load and a stepped temperature(CLST).Compression index for warm and ice-rich frozen soil(WIFS) was obtained correspondingly under various temperatures.The test results show that:(1) compression deformation of WIFS is of considerable magnitude,and compressibility index aer all above 0.15;(2) compressibility coefficients are all above 0.2MPa- 1under CTSL.Under CLST,when temperature is at- 1.5℃ and- 0.3℃,the compressibility coefficients are 0.04MPa- 1and 0.29MPa- 1,respectively;(3) in the CTSL and CLST models,the maximum value of strain is as high as 10% and 8%,respectively.It is proposed after discussion that the deformation of the Qinghai-Tibet railway must be dynamically monitored during its operation.
Vasopressin and oxytocin receptors coupled to Ca2+ mobilization in rat inner medullary collecting duct

In renal collecting duct epithelial cells, arginine vasopressin (AVP) at greater than nanomolar concentrations has been reported to transiently increase intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in a manner consistent with activation of the phosphoinositide pathway. To investigate whether any of the known neurohypophysial hormone subtypes are involved, we measured [Ca2+]i in microdissected rat terminal inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) using fura-2. To allow quantitative comparisons of the response under different conditions, we determined the areas under the response curves (in nM.min) over 1.5 min using numerical integration. AVP, the V1b-receptor agonist [deamino1,D-3-(pyridyl)Ala2,Arg8]vasopressin, the V2-receptor agonist 1-desamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin, oxytocin, and the selective oxytocin-receptor agonist [Thr4,Gly7]oxytocin (TG-OXT), each at 10 nM, significantly increased [Ca2+]i (69.52 +/- 10.25, 27.0 +/- 11.7, 24.33 +/- 5.83, 14.75 +/- 2.81, and 14.57 +/- 3.50 nM.min, respectively). In contrast, a V1a-selective agonist ([Phe2,Ile3,Orn8]vasopressin) did not increase [Ca2+]i (0.43 +/- 2.36 nM.min). In desensitization studies, challenge with 10 nM AVP or TG-OXT completely prevented a rise in [Ca2+]i in response to immediate rechallenge with the same agent, but not the other, demonstrating homologous desensitization. The lack of cross-desensitization implies that at least two receptors are present that can trigger a rise in [Ca2+]i in response to neurohypophysial hormones. Antagonists for oxytocin ([des-glycinamide9,d(CH2)5(1),O-Me-Tyr2,Thr4,Orn8]vaso tocin), V2 ([d(CH2)5(1),D-Ile2,Ile4,Arg8]vasopressin), and V1a ([d(CH2)5(1),O-Me-Tyr2,Arg8]vasopressin) receptors partially inhibited the [Ca2+]i response induced by 10 nM AVP (89.5, 81.6, and 51.4% inhibition, respectively). These data are consistent with the view that both an oxytocin receptor and a vasopressin receptor are coupled to a [Ca2+]i mobilization response in rat terminal IMCD. This vasopressin receptor is distinct from both the V1a receptor and the V2 receptor and may be either the V1b receptor or a novel vasopressin receptor subtype.
Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Outcomes Following Spinal Fusion Surgery: A Systematic Review

Background Vitamin D deficiency is a relatively common occurrence in patients presenting for spinal surgery; however, whether this abnormality has any effect on spinal fusion outcomes remains unclear. We performed a systematic review of the available literature relevant to the association between vitamin D deficiency and spinal fusion outcomes. Methods We conducted a systematic and critical review of recent literature following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus. Key search terms were "vitamin D," "spinal surgery outcomes," "spinal fusion," and "pseudarthrosis." Papers included in the review were original research articles in peer-reviewed journals. The articles were thoroughly examined and compared on the basis of study design, outcomes, and results. Results A total of 5 studies were included in the qualitative analysis. In these studies, patients presenting with vitamin D deficiency achieved lower fusion rates and suffered higher rates of recurrent-persistent low back pain compared with patients with normal vitamin D levels. Studies examining the effect of postoperative vitamin D supplementation in deficient patients reported significant improvements in low back pain intensity, patient-reported outcomes scores, and fusion rates compared with baseline as well as with control groups. Conclusions The literature suggests that patients presenting for spinal fusion may benefit from correction of vitamin D deficiency to maximize the chance of a successful arthrodesis and to achieve optimal surgical outcomes. Future prospective studies are needed to determine whether routine preoperative treatment of this metabolic derangement is warranted.
Perceived African American Father’s and Mother’s Involvement on Adult Children’s Mental Health

The current study examined the statistical relations between father’s and mother’s involvement and mental health. In addition, the study explored which parent’s involvement was more strongly correlated with mental health. The impact of parental involvement (i.e., warmth, care, affection and overprotection) on global depression and depressive mood and ideation were of particular importance. Another goal of the study was to use an African American adult child sample to extend the research literature and knowledge about African American parenting and to gauge their involvement from a protective rather than risk perspective. The last goal of the study was to determine through hierarchical regression analysis the unique contribution of each parent’s involvement to the participant’s mental health. The sample included 236 African American participants from a regionally accredited Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Southwest Georgia. Correlation and regression analyses revealed that father’s and mother’s involvement were related to global depression and depressive mood and ideation. Specifically, father’s and mother’s care was related to lower levels of depression but, father’s and mother’s overprotection was related to higher levels of depression. Additional results revealed that ratings of mother’s involvement was usually stronger than ratings of father’s involvement. Findings from this study, however, points to the importance of African American fathers in the development of their children.
Modeling of uncertainty in distribution network reconfiguration using Gaussian Quadrature based approximation method

Distribution feeder reconfiguration is a cost-effective scheme to improve the system operating condition. Making decisions on the status of switches along the feeder with high penetration of renewable resources requires a tractable and accurate input data analysis. This paper presents a method using Gaussian quadrature to approximate probability distribution function of input variables with a probability mass function. The method is applied to Weibull wind speed and Beta solar irradiance probability distribution functions. These approximated input variables are fed into an energy loss minimization problem to find the best configuration of 33-bus Baran test system in a typical summer day. Group search optimizer, a swarm intelligence optimization method, is applied to solve the problem. In order to analyze the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method, Monte Carlo simulation and two other approximation methods- bracket midpoint and bracket mean- are used for comparison. Results show the superiority of the method in computational time and its adequate precision.
Central liver toxicity after SBRT: An expanded analysis and predictive nomogram

Abstract Purpose To further explore the correlation of central biliary tract (cHBT) radiation doses with hepatobiliary toxicity (HBT) after stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in a larger patient dataset. Methods We reviewed the treatment and outcomes of all patients who received SBRT for primary liver cancer (PLC) and metastatic liver tumors between July 2004 and November 2015 at our institution. The cHBT was defined as isotropic expansions (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25mm) from the portal vein (PV). Doses were converted to biologically effective doses by using the standard linear quadratic model with α / β of 10 (BED 10 ). HBT was graded according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03. Results Median follow-up was 13months. Out of the 130 patients with complete follow-up records analyzed, 60 (46.1%) had liver metastases, 40 (30.8%) had hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), 26 (20%) had cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and 4 (3.1%) patients other PLC histologies. Thirty-three (25.4%) grade 2+ and 28 (21.5%) grade 3+ HBT were observed. Grade 3+ HBT was seen in 13 patients (50%) with CCA, 7 patients (17.5%) with HCC and 7 (11.7%) patients with liver metastases. SBRT doses to the cHBT were highly associated with HBT, but only for PLC patients when analyzed by histological subtype. The 15mm expansion from the PV (cHBT 15 ) proved to be an appropriate surrogate for the cHBT. The strongest cHBT 15 dose predictors for G3+ HBT for PLC were the V BED10 40⩾37cc ( p BED10 30⩾45cc ( p Conclusion SBRT doses to the cHBT are associated with occurrence of HBT only in PLC patients. Limiting the dose to the cHBT to V BED10 40 BED10 30
Sirtuins: A Future Perspective

When it comes to biomedical research, Sirtuins have undergone a meteoric rise in popularity and are among the most prominent proteins linked to aging, as well as chronic disease states and metabolism. Interventions targeting human aging and disease are in or on their way to the clinic. Perhaps the most surprising aspect of this is that it all started with yeast aging. Where will it end? One thing seems clear. Our knowledge of mammalian biology has already been enriched from the identification and characterization of Sirtuins, and it seems like we have only scratched the surface.
Communities as Nested Servicescapes

Using a long-duration service experience, this study proposed and tested a servicescape transference effects phenomenon of two nested multidimensional servicescape satisfaction constructs—labeled p...
Interview with Dr. Miraca Gross

(2003). Interview with Dr. Miraca Gross. Gifted and Talented International: Vol. 18, Special Issue Social-Emotional Development of Gifted Students, pp. 101-107.
The Challenges of E-Governance in Public Administration

In an age characterized by increasing use of the Internet and communication technology, public administrators are facing the challenge of how to make public services accessible electronically. People live in a highly interconnected world in which information can be transmitted within seconds from one end of the world to the other. Previous decades have witnessed the proliferation in the use of technology, which also brought about serious challenges for public administrators. Friedman, in his The World is Flat, argues that technology has made the world smaller and flatter by eliminating the political, geographic boundaries as a result of information flow, trade, and collaboration across nations. The proliferation of social media, for example, the Internet, cellular phones, text messages, Facebook and Twitter, has changed the relations between the government and the public. Khan analyzes the benefits and the challenges of e-governance. The chapter analyzes the challenges of privacy, security, and the maintenance of the human element. Finally, the chapter makes a statistical analysis on the linkage between e-governance and globalization.
Positive lean: merging the science of efficiency with the psychology of work

Lean is a powerful management system aimed at improving efficiency and operational effectiveness. Since its emergence in the automotive industry, lean has been adapted for use in almost all manufac...
A REMOTE LIPID MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IMPROVES APPROPRIATE STATIN USE AND CHOLESTEROL LEVELS ACROSS A WIDE POPULATION OF HIGH CARDIOVASCULAR RISK PATIENTS

Statin therapy is safe and effectively reduces cardiovascular events, yet data suggest that more than one half of patients discontinue therapy due to concerns regarding adverse reactions, drug interactions, or cost. We developed a collaborative remote lipid optimization program using an algorithm-
Feeding Preferences of Dogwood Sawfly Larvae Indicate Resistance in Cornus

Abstract Dogwood sawfly (Macremphytus tarsatus Say) is a native, phytophagous insect that relies on Cornus sp. host plants for larval development. Feeding injury by dogwood sawflies is primarily aesthetic and seldom results in host plant death. Still, native and non-native dogwoods have not been evaluated for susceptibility to larval feeding by this aesthetically damaging wasp. Ten species or cultivars of dogwoods that are either naturalized native plants or economically significant landscape plants were assayed for host suitability to dogwood sawfly larvae in no-choice and choice experiments. Flowering, kousa and corneliancherry dogwoods were consistently ranked among the least susceptible host plants while ‘Sibirica’ tatarian, gray, and ‘Flaviramea’ golden-twig dogwoods were highly preferred hosts. Preliminary GC/MS comparisons of foliar metabolite extracts from all 10 species have identified five peaks of interest that varied between resistant and susceptible hosts. These results suggest that certain c...
Rapid Turnover and High Production Rate of Myeloid Cells in Adult Rhesus Macaques with Compensations during Aging

Neutrophils, basophils, and monocytes are continuously produced in bone marrow via myelopoiesis, circulate in blood, and are eventually removed from circulation to maintain homeostasis. To quantitate the kinetics of myeloid cell movement during homeostasis, we applied 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine pulse labeling in healthy rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) followed by hematology and flow cytometry analyses. Results were applied to a mathematical model, and the blood circulating half-life and daily production, respectively, of each cell type from macaques aged 5-10 y old were calculated for neutrophils (1.63 ± 0.16 d, 1.42 × 109 cells/l/d), basophils (1.78 ± 0.30 d, 5.89 × 106 cells/l/d), and CD14+CD16- classical monocytes (1.01 ± 0.15 d, 3.09 × 108 cells/l/d). Classical monocytes were released into the blood circulation as early as 1 d after dividing, whereas neutrophils remained in bone marrow 4-5 d before being released. Among granulocytes, neutrophils and basophils exhibited distinct kinetics in bone marrow maturation time and blood circulation. With increasing chronological age, there was a significant decrease in daily production of neutrophils and basophils, but the half-life of these granulocytes remained unchanged between 3 and 19 y of age. In contrast, daily production of classical monocytes remained stable through 19 y of age but exhibited a significant decline in half-life. These results demonstrated relatively short half-lives and continuous replenishment of neutrophils, basophils, and classical monocytes during homeostasis in adult rhesus macaques with compensations observed during increasing chronological age.
An Attempt to Understand Cyber Security Management Process

Modern businesses are still thriving to achieve to a security level opting for cybersecurity, in the form of a cybersecurity management process (CMP), is detail at three levels. The first level focuses on the architectural and components of this CMP. The second level details the comprehensive view, and finally presents systems and complexity view. This work also proposes a cybersecurity management model, along with some challenging issues.
Guerra e identidad nacional

DURANTE LA SEGUNDA MITAD DEL SIGLO XIX y una parte del presente, la historiografia mexicana sobre la guerra de 1847 no pudo escaparse de las acusasiones partidistas e imputaciones personales. Historiadores liberales y conservadores deslindaron responsabilidades por la derrota y repartieron culpas entre los distintos protagonistas de la guerra. Sin embargo, recientemente, la historiografia de la guerra ha intentado ir mas alla del debate politico interno de aquella epoca. Una linea de investigacion, particularmente prometedora, ha buscado colocar a la guerra de 1847 en el contexto mas amplio del proceso de formacion nacional.1 Y es que la guerra, como ningun otro episodio, evidencio la “debilidad” de Mexico como nacion. Fue un verdadero nadir en el dificil proceso de constituir una identidad nacional propia y de establecer un Estado nacional. En visperas del conflicto con Estados Unidos, Mexico contaba con elementos de union indiscutibles. Antes de la conquista espanola, los mexicas ya habian conformado una red de alianzas locales y regionales que unian a una buena parte del territorio que despues llegaria a ser la Nue-
A perspective on marine wireless sensor networks

Despite the rapid growth of wireless sensor networks in the last few years, research on marine wireless sensor networks has been minimal. Basic and applied research on the development of these unique sensor networks is greatly needed. This paper presents a perspective on the development of marine wireless sensor networks. The current research and development of wireless sensor networks are based on the assumption that these networks are deployed in a land environment. Relevant protocols and design specifications are developed under this condition. This makes the deployment of currently existing wireless sensor networks in marine environments extremely challenging. New techniques and algorithms are needed to achieve this goal. The objective of this paper is to study the unique characteristics and major challenges imposed on the development of novel marine wireless sensor networks. This will open the door for a wide range of applications as well as new areas of relevant research in wireless networks.
Feedback Control for Network-Level Dynamic Traffic Routing

The aim of this chapter is to develop models for network-level traffic systems and, moreover, to design feedback controllers for network-level traffic problems in user-equilibrium as well as system-optimal settings. In order to do so, the chapter develops the network-level traffic dynamics for the traffic assignment problem and also shows the objective functions for the user-equilibrium and the system-optimal cases. Link-based and route-based models are presented from literature. Dynamic traffic assignment problem is formulated in the structure of an \(H_{\infty }\) control problem, so that the solution techniques available for the controller can be applied to the traffic assignment problem. A sample problem is presented and control design steps for that problem are presented.
Tumor Molecular Testing Guides Anti‐PD‐1 Therapy and Provides Evidence for Pathogenicity of Mismatch Repair Variants

Lynch syndrome is characterized by germline abnormalities in mismatch repair (MMR) genes, leading to predisposition to multiple cancers [1]. A second hit to the unaffected allele is required for tumorigenesis. MMR proteins repair incorrectly paired nucleotides and prevent generation of insertions and deletions at microsatellites [2]. Aberrancies in these MMR proteins can be a result of germline mutations or somatic alterations. Defective MMR results in microsatellite instability (MSI) and a high mutational burden [3].The clinical implications of MSI are becoming readily apparent, as presence of MSI leads to the generation of neoantigens, stimulating tumor-associated lymphocytes [4], [5]. This has led to the use of programmed cell death protein 1 blockade for MMR-deficient tumors [6]. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved pembrolizumab for any advanced solid tumor demonstrating MSI and nivolumab for metastatic MSI colorectal cancer. However, the clinical significance of numerous MMR gene variants remains uncertain. The International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumors classification system categorizes 2,360 MMR variants, which can be used to gauge pathogenicity [7]. There are many variants of uncertain significance (VUS; or class 3) for which clinicians are unable to provide recommendations. In this study, we employed the combination of germline testing and tumor mutational assessment to help discern the clinical relevance of VUS and guide immunotherapeutic decisions. KEY POINTS: A clinical dilemma arises when genomic testing yields variants of uncertain significance (VUS).Germline VUS were identified in two patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, but only one patient had a second-hit mutation in a mismatch repair gene leading to mismatch repair deficiency that conferred response to immunotherapy.The combination of germline testing along with tumor mutational assessment can help discern the clinical relevance of VUS and can help guide therapeutic decision-making toward individualized patient care.
Transsphenoidal Surgery for Pituitary Tumors

The transsphenoidal approach to the sella dates back to Schloffer,1 who in 1907 reported the decompression of a growth hormone (GH)-producing tumor via this route. He had modified the operation of Giordano2 by not resecting the frontal sinus or floor of the anterior fossa. Further modifications ensued, including a submucosal dissection,3 a sublabial incision,4 the use of a headlight,5 and image-intensified fluoroscopy.6 Hardy7–10 added the operating microscope and microsurgical techniques to the procedure, so that with minimal morbidity and mortality, both microadenomas and large tumors could be safely removed or decompressed while sparing the pituitary gland.
Leksell Gamma Knife Radiosurgery

Lars Leksell’s conception of stereotactic radiosurgery and the invention of the Gamma Knife as a means to realize his idea was the result of his integration of a many parallel developments in neurosurgery and radiology. Throughout its history, Gamma Knife radiosurgery has continued to evolve in order to take advantage of new imaging modalities, improving computer and hardware technology, and advances in our understanding of high-dose radiobiology. This chapter summarizes the technique of Gamma Knife stereotactic radiosurgery (GKSRS) from both a historical and technical point of view and in the process tries to show how integration of new developments promises a prominent role for GKSRS in the future.
Identification of risk factors in mammographically occult contralateral breast carcinoma detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

614 Background: An analysis of preoperative bilateral breast MRI at our institution suggests that approximately 1/3 of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer may have a mammographically occult...
Sacral insufficiency fractures after lumbosacral arthrodesis: salvage lumbopelvic fixation and a proposed management algorithm

Objective Sacral insufficiency fracture after lumbosacral (LS) arthrodesis is an uncommon complication. The objective of this study was to report the authors' operative experience managing this complication, review pertinent literature, and propose a treatment algorithm. Methods The authors analyzed consecutive adult patients treated at their institution from 2009 to 2018. Patients who underwent surgery for sacral insufficiency fractures after posterior instrumented LS arthrodesis were included. PubMed was queried to identify relevant articles detailing management of this complication. Results Nine patients with a minimum 6-month follow-up were included (mean age 73 ± 6 years, BMI 30 ± 6 kg/m2, 56% women, mean follow-up 35 months, range 8-96 months). Six patients had osteopenia/osteoporosis (mean dual energy x-ray absorptiometry hip T-score -1.6 ± 0.5) and 3 received treatment. Index LS arthrodesis was performed for spinal stenosis (n = 6), proximal junctional kyphosis (n = 2), degenerative scoliosis (n = 1), and high-grade spondylolisthesis (n = 1). Presenting symptoms of back/leg pain (n = 9) or lower extremity weakness (n = 3) most commonly occurred within 4 weeks of index LS arthrodesis, which prompted CT for fracture diagnosis at a mean of 6 weeks postoperatively. All sacral fractures were adjacent or involved S1 screws and traversed the spinal canal (Denis zone III). H-, U-, or T-type sacral fracture morphology was identified in 7 patients. Most fractures (n = 8) were Roy-Camille type II (anterior displacement with kyphosis). All patients underwent lumbopelvic fixation via a posterior-only approach; mean operative duration and blood loss were 3.3 hours and 850 ml, respectively. Bilateral dual iliac screws were utilized in 8 patients. Back/leg pain and weakness improved postoperatively. Mean sacral fracture anterolisthesis and kyphotic angulation improved (from 8 mm/11° to 4 mm/5°, respectively) and all fractures were healed on radiographic follow-up (mean duration 29 months, range 8-90 months). Two patients underwent revision for rod fractures at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. A literature review found 17 studies describing 87 cases; potential risk factors were osteoporosis, longer fusions, high pelvic incidence (PI), and postoperative PI-to-lumbar lordosis (LL) mismatch. Conclusions A high index of suspicion is needed to diagnose sacral insufficiency fracture after LS arthrodesis. A trial of conservative management is reasonable for select patients; potential surgical indications include refractory pain, neurological deficit, fracture nonunion with anterolisthesis or kyphotic angulation, L5-S1 pseudarthrosis, and spinopelvic malalignment. Lumbopelvic fixation with iliac screws may be effective salvage treatment to allow fracture healing and symptom improvement. High-risk patients may benefit from prophylactic lumbopelvic fixation at the time of index LS arthrodesis.
Facilitators and barriers to leadership and career opportunities in minority nurses in public health departments.

Objectives Elicit information from minority public health nurses regarding experiences and opportunities for leadership development and career advancement in public health departments (PHDs). Design Qualitative research design to determine minority nurses' experiences of opportunities and barriers influencing leadership development and career advancement in PHDs. Sample Thirty-nine minority nurses from all regions of the United States participated in a telephone interview. Demographics reveal that 46% were African American or Mixed Race, 31% were Hispanic/Latina, 18% were Asian, and 5% were Indian heritage. Measurements Participants completed the researcher-designed, open-ended interview which was audio-recorded. The researcher conducted all interviews. Transcriptions were coded for major concepts and then codes were collapsed into major themes by the researcher and consultant in qualitative research. Results Six themes were identified from the data: commitment to public health, motivation for leadership development, barriers for leadership development, racism: influence on nurses from minority backgrounds, supports for leadership development, and survival skills. Conclusions Participants desired an opportunity for career advancement and leadership development, but encountered entrenched systemic/organizational barriers and obstacles in fulfilling this important role impacting healthcare delivery of minority and underrepresented groups. Public health officials and administrators are challenged to strengthen opportunities for career advancement and leadership development for minority nurses in PHDs.
Convertible bond calls: resolution of the information content puzzle

Abstract This study resolves the puzzling evidence on convertible bonds by documenting that conversion-forcing calls are indeed bad news. We find that the common stocks of calling firms substantially underperform their benchmarks by a median of 64% over the five-year post-call period. In contrast, firms that choose not to call their in-the-money convertibles exhibit no long-run abnormal performance. We show that studies drawing conclusions based on short-term price reversal immediately following the call fail to completely capture the valuation effect that occurs over a longer time horizon. We document that the market condition at the time of the call (issuance volume) and cash flow benefits related to the call (relation between dividend and after tax coupon payment) influence the post-call stock price performance. Our analysis also reveals that the post-call underperformance of high-growth firms is more pronounced than that of low-growth firms, indicating greater market exuberance associated with high-growth firms at the time of the call.
Three-Component Ni-Catalyzed Silylacylation of Alkenes

A Ni-catalyzed silylacylation of alkenes is presented. The reaction combines alkenes, ClZnSiR3, and acid chlorides to provide rapid access to β-silyl ketones. Importantly, the method involves a [Ni...
Synchrotron X-ray diffraction studies of the phase-specific deformation in additively manufactured Ni–CrC composites

Abstract Cold spray is a promising solid-state additive manufacturing process for the fabrication of metal matrix composites in the forms of coatings, and more recently, bulk materials, particularly when deposition of two phases is needed with minimal alterations of the chemistry and phase composition. While prior studies have reported improved mechanical performance in cold sprayed composites, a fundamental understanding of the response and contribution of individual constituent phases to the collective mechanical properties of the composite is yet to be developed. In this work, we use in-situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction to study the strain partitioning between the soft and hard phases in cold sprayed Ni–CrC bulk composites. We conduct stepwise uniaxial tensile loading experiments and use high energy X-ray diffraction at multiple load steps to measure phase-specific strains and stresses upon loading. We find neither plasticity in the Ni phase nor a significant load transfer or redistribution between Ni and CrC phases during the loading process and attribute them to a premature failure governed by the presence of defects.
Questions and Conundrums: How Qualitative Methods Can Help Us Understand the Health Needs of the Elderly

In this essay, I wish to highlight a few health-related arenas that are fertile ground for researching elderly Mexican or Mexican-origin populations. I also wish to use this opportunity to speak to the ways in which qualitative methods may be particularly useful for researchers in the field. Mexican migration to the United States has transformed the social landscape of both countries (Suarez Orozco, 1998). Hispanics are the most rapidly aging minority population in the United States (Garcia, Downer, Crowe, & Markides, 2017). While approximately 11% of native-born Mexicans now reside in the United States, the Latino community in the United States has grown to nearly 60 million residents, with Mexicans representing by far the largest proportion of these (Noe-Bustamante, 2019). The cohorts that have formed the bulk of the Mexican migratory experience during the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s are now part of the aging population in the United States. At the same time, Mexico’s population is rapidly aging (Angel, Vega, & Lopez-Ortega, 2017). This social phenomenon has created a unique opportunity in our efforts to understand the impact of socio-cultural context on the experience of aging in the Latino community.
Development of Magnetic Inspection Techniques for Evaluation of Fatigue Damage and Stress in Low Alloy Steels

It is known that the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic materials change under fatigue and applied loads (1,2,3). These changes in the magnetic properties could be used as indicators of the stress state of the material, or possibly for predicting the remaining fatigue life. Previous reports have shown successful implementation of this magnetic measurement technique for NDE of steel samples in a laboratory enviroment. However, for this technique to be practical, a field-usable instrument must be developed. This paper will describe measurements using one such instrument, the Magnescope. It will also discuss the techniques used to evaluate the effects of applied loads, both tensile and compressive, and low cycle fatigue on a variety of materials.
Protein Kinase CK2 and Dysregulated Oncogenic Inflammatory Signaling Pathways

Near simultaneously with the explosive expansion in the understanding of CK2’s prodigious promiscuity, the kinase was and has been implicated in a large number of cancers through a variety of mechanisms. Over the past few years, tremendous progress has been made in describing the diverse ways in which CK2 signaling promotes tumorigenesis, tumor maintenance, and progression. In this chapter, we address CK2’s role in cancer generally and then provide a detailed overview of CK2’s ability to regulate two oncogenic signaling pathways, NF-κB and JAK/STAT, in myriad contexts.
A Simple Option Pricing Formula (New Version)

A simple option-pricing formula based on the Weibull distribution of the underlying price at maturity is introduced. The simplicity of the algebraic form and ease of the model's implementation are comparable to those of Black-Scholes. Application to the S&P 500 index options shows that the pricing biases present in the Black-Scholes model are eliminated when the Weibull formula is used. Option prices produced by the presented model generally lie within or close to the actual bid-ask spread for all strike prices. When long term options (with maturities of more than one year) are priced, the Weibull formula exhibits significantly higher precision than the Black-Scholes formula does. While a rigorous comparison of all available models is necessary, the simplicity and precision of the proposed model are its main advantages over the pre-existing models.
The Effects of Alcohol Fuels and Fully Formulated Lubricants on Engine Wear

An investigation of the effects of alcohol fuels and lubricant formulations on spark ignition engine wear and deposition was made. Tests were conducted using near methanol, anhydrous ethanol, and alcohol blends as fuel in a 2.3-liter engine using a modified ASTM Sequence V-D test procedure.
The Interdependence of Substrate and Protein Transformations in Rhodanese Catalysis III. ENZYME CHANGES OUTSIDE THE CATALYTIC CYCLE

Two catalytically inert conformers of rhodanese have been observed. One arises from a slow autoconversion of the free enzyme and can be induced to a catalytically active form by the substrate, thiosulfate ion. The other results upon reaction of the free enzyme with the inhibitors, iodoacetate and sulfite ions. The inert conformers can be related to dimeric forms of the enzyme protein. Release of the bound sulfur atom from the sulfur-substituted enzyme intermediate has been detected in the absence of the cyanide ion acceptor substrate.
FCR and bevacizumab treatment in patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Patients with relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) often achieve response with chemoimmunotherapy but have short remission durations. Studies have shown that patients with CLL have increased angiogenesis in the microenvironment; levels of pro-angiogenic growth factors such as VEGF and/or angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) are also elevated. Increased angiogenesis correlates with poor outcome in CLL. Bevacizumab (B) is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF-A. In this study, we analysed whether a combination of bevacizumab (B) with FCR chemoimmunotherapy (FCR-B) could improve outcomes in patients with relapsed CLL. Sixty-two patients were enrolled. The median age of the patients was 60 years (range, 31–84 years) and 40% had received >1 prior therapy for CLL. Sixty-one patients were evaluable for toxicity and 57 were evaluable for response. Six cycles were planned; 36 (59%) patients completed ≥ 4–6 cycles of the regimen. The overall response rate (ORR) was 79% with 13 (23%) complete remissions (CR), 8 (14%) nodular partial remissions (nPR) and 24 (43%) partial remissions (PR). The median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 13.5 and 45 months, respectively. Grade 3 or 4 toxicities included febrile neutropenia (n=40), infections (n=21), thrombocytopenia (n=18) and anemia (n=9). Results with FCR-B were similar to those observed with an historical cohort of relapsed patients treated with FCR.
Magnetic intra ocular foreign bodies in the posterior segment.

Twelve cases of magnetic intra ocular foreign bodies in the posterior segment extracted through the pars plana during 1984 to 1985 have been analysed in detail. Besides removal of the intra ocular foreign bodies, some cases required multiple procedures like lensectomy, vitrectomy and laser photocoagulation to regain and retain useful vision. Of the 12 patients 8 regained good and useful vision.
Urinary Cystatin C and NGAL as Early Biomarkers for Assessment of Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Serum Marker to Replace Creatinine?

Abstract Purpose: To assess application of cystatin C and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) as biomarkers for renal ischemic injury. We also evaluated the use of allopurinol as a renoprotective agent. A second goal was to assess cystatin C as a biomarker in patients undergoing partial nephrectomy. Methods: Using 58 Sprague-Dawley rats, we evaluated urinary cystatin C (n=26) and NGAL (n=32) as a biomarker for renal ischemia injury. Half of the rats were pretreated with allopurinol; the other cohort served as a control. The right renal hilum was ligated in all rats, thereby creating a solitary kidney model. After a 30-minute stabilization period, the left hilum was clamped for time periods of 15, 30, and 60 minutes. Urinary levels of cystatin C and NGAL were then measured at the following time points: Preclamp (after the 30-minute stabilization period) and postclamp (30, 45, and 60 minute periods after unclamping). For our clinical subjects, serum cystatin C levels (n=17) were obtained preop...
Exploring Unseen Depths of the Sun

To understand what makes the Sun shine, we must first describe the star’s physical characteristics. The entire Sun is nothing but a big luminous ball of gas, hot and concentrated at the center and cooler and more tenuous further out. It is the most massive and largest object in our solar system. The Sun’s mass, which is 333,000 times Earth’s mass, can be inferred from Kepler’s third law and the Earth’s orbital period and mean distance from the Sun. And the Sun’s size, at 109 times the diameter of the Earth, can be inferred from the Sun’s distance and angular extent.
Capillary filtration during acute inflammation: role of adherent neutrophils

Fluid filtration rate with respect to surface area (Jv/S) was measured in capillaries of rat mesentery by a micro-occlusion technique. Superfusion of the mesentery with 100 nM platelet-activating factor (PAF) caused a fivefold increase in Jv/S (control, mean +/- SE = 0.016 +/- 0.002 micron/s, n = 44 rats; PAF, 0.078 +/- 0.010, n = 10), whereas 20 nM leukotriene B4 (LTB4) had no effect (0.010 +/- 0.003, n = 8). These doses of PAF and LTB4 induced a similar level of leukocyte adherence to venular endothelium. Neutrophils play a role in PAF-mediated increases in Jv/S, since a significantly lower Jv/S was elicited by PAF superfusion in neutropenic rats (0.024 +/- 0.006, n = 7). Monoclonal antibodies (MAb) directed against either the leukocyte adhesion glycoprotein CD11/CD18 (0.037 +/- 0.006, n = 8) or the endothelial cell adhesion molecule P-selectin (0.025 +/- 0.004, n = 8) also attenuated PAF-induced capillary filtration, whereas a nonbinding form of the P-selection MAb had no inhibitory effect (0.066 +/- 0.024, n = 3). These results indicate that PAF, but not LTB4, enhances capillary fluid filtration rate. While neutrophils do not adhere to endothelium in capillaries exposed to PAF, they do appear to contribute significantly to the PAF-induced capillary fluid filtration.
The Drosophila fish-hook gene encodes a HMG domain protein essential for segmentation and CNS development

We describe the isolation and analysis of the Drosophila fish-hook (fish) gene, which encodes a novel member of the SOX subgroup of High Mobility Group (HMG) domain proteins that exhibit similarity to the mammalian testis determining factor, SRY. The fish gene is initially expressed in a pair-rule-like pattern which is rapidly replaced by strong neuroectoderm expression. fish null mutants exhibit severe segmentation defects, including loss and/or fusion of abdominal denticle belts and stripe-specific defects in pair-rule and segment polarity gene expression.fish mutant embryos also exhibit loss of specific neurons, fusion of adjacent ventral nerve cord ganglia and aberrant axon scaffold organization. These results indicate an essential role for fish in anterior/posterior pattern formation and nervous system development, and suggest a potential function in modulating the activities of gap and pair-rule proteins.
Pathogenesis of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strain 86-24 Following Oral Infection of BALB/c Mice with an Intact Commensal Flora

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a food-borne pathogen that can cause hemorrhagic colitis and, occasionally, hemolytic uremic syndrome, a sequela of infection that can result in renal failure and death. Here we sought to model the pathogenesis of orally-administered E. coli O157:H7 in BALB/c mice with an intact intestinal flora. First, we defined the optimal dose that permitted sustained fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 over 7 days ( approximately 10(9) colony forming units). Next, we monitored the load of E. coli O157:H7 in intestinal sections over time and observed that the cecum was consistently the tissue with the highest E. coli O157:H7 recovery. We then followed the expression of two key E. coli O157:H7 virulence factors, the adhesin intimin and Shiga toxin type 2, and detected both proteins early in infection when bacterial burdens were highest. Additionally, we noted that during infection, animals lost weight and approximately 30% died. Moribund animals also exhibited elevated levels of blood urea nitrogen, and, on necropsy, showed evidence of renal tubular damage. We conclude that conventional mice inoculated orally with high doses of E. coli O157:H7 can be used to model both intestinal colonization and subsequent development of certain extraintestinal manifestations of E. coli O157:H7 disease.
LXXI. A null instrument for measuring ionization

(1907). LXXI. A null instrument for measuring ionization. The London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine and Journal of Science: Vol. 14, No. 84, pp. 712-723.
How Are Scientists Portrayed in Children’s Science Biographies?

The goal of this study is to analyze the images of science and scientists in science biographies written for children. We examined 12 biographies of historic and contemporary scientists written for primary/middle school children in relation to three dimensions: characteristics of scientists, nature and process of scientific knowledge, and social processes of science. Biographies of historic scientists were characterized by a relative absence of description of how scientists arrived at their knowledge especially in books addressing younger readers. Biographies of contemporary scientists showed richer descriptions of experimental science with limited attention to connections between evidence and theory. Findings reinforce the need for teachers to guide students in their critical reading of biographies and provide additional resources to help them construct a richer understanding of the nature of science
A fracture criterion for three-dimensional crack problems

Abstract A criterion for predicting the growth of three-dimensional cracks is developed on the basis of the strain energy density concept which has been used successfully for treating two-dimensional crack problems. Fracture is assumed to initiate from the nearest neighbor element located by a set of spherical coordinates (r, θ, φ) attached to the crack border. The new fracture surface is described by a locus of these elements whose locations correspond to the strain energy function, dW dV , being a minimum. The function dW/dV is found to be singular of the type 1 r and is of quadratic form in the three stress intensity factors k1, k2 and k3 expressed through the strain energy density factor S. It is postulated that unstable crack propagation initiates from a region where S reaches a critical value S cr = r 0 ( dW dV ) cr . The locations of failure lying on the fracture surface is determined by holding ( dW dV ) cr = S min r 0 constant. The quantity Smin stands for the value of S minimized with respect to θ and φ and r0 is a radial distance measured from the crack border. An example of failure prediction for an embedded elliptical crack subjected to both normal and shear loads is presented. According to the S-criterion, fracture initiation takes place at the ends of the minor axis. An unexpected result is that for a narrow elliptical crack and Poisson's ratio of 1 3 the lowest failure load occurs when the uniaxial tensile load makes an angle of approximately 60° with the crack surface and is in the plane of the major axis. This is in contrast to the expectation that the lowest critical load occurs when the uniaxial tension is perpendicular to the crack surface. In the limit as the elliptical crack becomes increasingly narrower, the result reduces to the two dimensional line crack case of Mode I and III loading. The S-criterion is also applied to the failure prediction of three dimensional cracks under compressive loads.
A Zincke aldehyde approach to gelsemine

We have developed a Zincke-aldehyde-based approach to the complex alkaloid gelsemine. It features a key thermal pericyclic cascade that converts a Zincke aldehyde bearing a pendant alkene into a hydroisoindolone product that shares many structural features with the target molecule. Our efforts to convert these intermediates to gelsemine are also discussed.
Walras's models of the barter of stocks of commodities

Abstract The models are described in regard to their features that determine and express the pricing and exchange processes, namely, their physical characteristics, participants, institutions, procedures, rules, and behavioral patterns. It is shown that Walras's arbitrage model is defective and Walrasian arbitrage is not an equilibriating mechanism in the models, that the other barter models are complete functioning systems, that the numeraire does not simplify pricing in the models, that the characteristics of the pricing process in the models do not involve a central or particular-market authority, and that they do not use or logically depend on the assumption of large numbers of traders.