cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of Accelerants in Fire Residues by Capillary Column Gas Chromatography

Since the early 1960s, gas chromatography has been used as a means of determining the presence of hydrocarbons in fire residues. Early investigators relied on packed columns and thermal conductivity detectors. Their results proved that the hydrocarbons could be detected in fire residue [1]. Later work [2] explored the recovery of many different accelerants from various types of fire residues. The method of Ettling's experiments [2] is questionable, and the equipment lacked the resolving power of capillary columns of the support-coated open-tubular type. The burning conditions and time element were not related to typical arson field investigation conditions. In the conclusions of the 1968 study [2], residues were analyzed by comparing a residue chromatogram to a chromatogram of a blank. The blank was a fire residue from materials not ignited by any accelerant. The chromatographic peaks that appeared on the sample chromatogram but not in the blank were attributed to the accelerant. Accelerants were not detected in several residues that had burned for more than 2 min. This conclusion is not fully supported by the present results. We find that residues from fir are more difficult to identify than those from pine. The heat intensity of burning fir volatilizes more accelerant than is characteristic of burning pine, for example. The present study was designed to expand on previous work, to build a file of representative chromatographs, to explore techniques in hydrocarbon determination, and to develop a rapid means of identifying accelerants in fire residues.
Increasing the Tick: Examining the Impact of the Tick Size Change on Maker-Taker and Taker-Maker Market Models

We investigate the effects of an increase in tick size on order and trading flow across market fee models. Using the pilot firms in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Tick Size Pilot Program, we document that trade and order volume declines on maker‐taker fee models after the tick size implementation. We find that the inverted fee models (taker‐maker) experience an increase in both trade and order volume. Additionally, we find that a tick size adjustment has a substantial influence on market participation in maker‐taker fee models. We also find that measures of both hidden and algorithmic trading decline with an increasing tick size, which is strongly moderated by the differences in the maker‐taker and taker‐maker fee models.
Museums Using Community Dialogue as a Building Block toward Cultural Competence

In 2015–2016, the Levine Museum of the New South in Charlotte, North Carolina, featured iNuevolution! Latinx and the New South, an interactive exhibit that explored the bidirectional ways Latinx an...
MON-688 Emphysematous Gastritis and Diabetes

Background: Emphysematous gastritis (EG) is a rare and severe form of gastritis of infectious origin. Diabetes is an important underlying risk factor as it leads to a systemic predisposition to infections. Other risk factors include long term steroid use, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) use, alcohol use, corrosive ingestion, and pancreatitis, all of which disrupt gastric mucosa. First described in the 1800s, it is characterized by the presence of air in the stomach wall and differentials for these cases include gastric emphysema and cystic pneumatosis both of which are non-infectious in origin. Clinical Case: A 57-year-old male with type 2 diabetes presented with a one-day history of abdominal pain, non-bloody diarrhea, and vomiting. One day prior to presentation, he developed diarrhea which was followed by episodes of projectile vomiting reported as orange-tinged with mucus. On the day of admission, he was afebrile, tachycardic in 120s with stable blood pressure. Laboratory evaluation was significant for leukocytosis at 18.8 k/uL (4.3–11.3 k/uL) and lactic acidosis 2.37 mmol/L (0.7–2.1 mmol/L). Abdominal examination was notable for soft abdomen with diffuse tenderness to deep palpation without rebound or guarding. Further workup with Computed Tomography (CT) was concerning for emphysematous gastritis with air in the gastric vein, splenic vein, and portal vein. Given hemodynamic stability and benign abdominal examination, medical management was initiated. He was started on ceftriaxone and metronidazole which were continued for a total of 10 days with clinical improvement. Discussion: EG results from disruption in gastric mucosa which facilitates translocation of gas-producing bacteria commonly Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter subspecies. Immunosuppression with diabetes is an important underlying factor and patients are at risk even with controlled diabetes. Additionally, patients with diabetic complications like gastroparesis with frequent retching are at increased risk. Considering variable and non-specific symptoms of presentation, a high index of clinical suspicion is required for recognition as it may have a fulminant course with high mortality risk. CT scan is the imaging of choice for diagnosis. Management primarily consists of bowel rest, antibiotics and monitoring for signs of peritonitis. In the absence of complications including rupture or stricture formation, surgery is not recommended. In our case, possible gastroenteritis with subsequent vomiting and retching in the setting of underlying diabetes predisposed to the development of emphysematous gastritis. Although air in the portal venous system is associated with higher mortality, our patient was successfully managed conservatively. As the diagnosis carries a high mortality risk, early recognition is imperative for a successful outcome.
Does Life Satisfaction Vary with Time and Income? Investigating the Relationship Among Free Time, Income, and Life Satisfaction

Time and income are distinct and critical resources needed in the pursuit of happiness (life satisfaction). Income can be used to purchase market goods and services, and time can be used to spend time with friends and family, rest and sleep, and other activities. Yet little research has examined how different combinations of time and income affect life satisfaction, and if more of both is positively associated with greater levels of life satisfaction. We investigate whether life satisfaction significantly varies with time and income using data from the American Time Use Survey and its well-being module, which is a nationally representative sample of over 5000 US respondents over the age of 15. We plot a three-dimensional space exploring the relationship among time, income, and life satisfaction, finding people with similar incomes with less free time have lower levels of life satisfaction. We also identify different four subpopulations, three of which have low well-being along time and income, and one with high well-being along time and income. These subgroups significantly differ along key characteristics. Respondents with less free time and low income—the doubly poor—are more likely to be female, less educated, and have more than two kids and young children. Those with low income but lots of time, in comparison, are more likely to be black, unemployed, and have some physical or cognitive difficult. We conclude that time provides unique insights into human well-being that income alone cannot capture and should be further incorporated into research and policy on life satisfaction.
Empagliflozin Ameliorates Diastolic Dysfunction and Left Ventricular Fibrosis/Stiffness in Nondiabetic Heart Failure: A Multimodality Study.

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of empagliflozin on diastolic function in a nondiabetic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) scenario and on the pathways causing diastolic dysfunction. Background This group demonstrated that empagliflozin ameliorates adverse cardiac remodeling, enhances myocardial energetics, and improves left ventricular systolic function in a nondiabetic porcine model of HF. Whether empagliflozin also improves diastolic function remains unknown. Hypothetically, empagliflozin would improve diastolic function in HF mediated both by a reduction in interstitial myocardial fibrosis and an improvement in cardiomyocyte stiffness (titin phosphorylation). Methods HF was induced in nondiabetic pigs by 2-h balloon occlusion of proximal left anterior descending artery. Animals were randomized to empagliflozin or placebo for 2 months. Cardiac function was evaluated with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), 3-dimensional echocardiography, and invasive hemodynamics. In vitro relaxation of cardiomyocytes was studied in primary culture. Myocardial samples were obtained for histological and molecular evaluation. Myocardial metabolite consumption was analyzed by simultaneous blood sampling from coronary artery and coronary sinus. Results Despite similar initial ischemic myocardial injury, the empagliflozin group showed significantly improved diastolic function at 2 months, assessed by conventional echocardiography (higher e′ and color M-mode propagation velocity, lower E/e′ ratio, myocardial performance Tei index, isovolumic relaxation time, and left atrial size), echocardiography-derived strain imaging (strain imaging diastolic index, strain rate at isovolumic relaxation time and during early diastole, and untwisting), and CMR (higher peak filling rate, larger first filling volume). Invasive hemodynamics confirmed improved diastolic function with empagliflozin (better peak LV pressure rate of decay (–dP/dt), shorter Tau, lower end-diastolic pressure-volume relationship (EDPVR), and reduced filling pressures). Empagliflozin reduced interstitial myocardial fibrosis at the imaging, histological and molecular level. Empagliflozin improved nitric oxide signaling (endothelial nitric oxide synthetase [eNOS] activity, nitric oxide [NO] availability, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content, protein kinase G [PKG] signaling) and enhanced titin phosphorylation (which is responsible for cardiomyocyte stiffness). Indeed, isolated cardiomyocytes exhibited better relaxation in empagliflozin-treated animals. Myocardial consumption of glucose and ketone bodies negatively and positively correlated with diastolic function, respectively. Conclusions Empagliflozin ameliorates diastolic function in a nondiabetic HF porcine model, mitigates histological and molecular remodeling, and reduces both left ventricle and cardiomyocyte stiffness.
Incentive-Centered Design in Information Security

Humans are smart components in a system, but cannot be directly programmed to perform; rather, their autonomy must be respected as a design constraint and incentives provided to induce desired behavior. Sometimes these incentives are properly aligned, and the humans don't represent a vulnerability. But often, a misalignment of incentives causes a weakness in the system that can be exploited by clever attackers. Incentive-centered design tools help us understand these problems, and provide design principles to alleviate them. We describe incentive-centered design and some tools it provides. We provide a number of examples of security problems for which incentive- centered design might be helpful. We elaborate with a general screening model that offers strong design principles for a class of security problems.
Research challenges in the design and composition of surrogate models for robust CPS: position paper

Data-driven Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)-based models of CPS (also called Digital Twins) are becoming important in the design and control of modern CPS. CPS are a unique class of intelligent system, where the governing process models for the system (or its parts) are available to inform decision making. The governing physics or chemistry models provide an additional source of information, potentially improving the accuracy of CPS modeling, but also increasing the complexity of the information fusion process. The resource constraints of CPS, however, makes it hard to perform the information fusion within the CPS itself. Moreover, building a large, monolithic model of the complete CPS is also infeasible due to model size and training complexity. The hierarchical and compositional structure of CPS calls for distributed model training and composition. Resource constraints and real-time control needs call for rapid and low-cost training of models, which makes surrogate modeling a promising approach. However, when surrogate models are composed, their approximate nature may lead to larger errors. Further, data-driven models are prone to adversarial attacks, whose impacts may be even more pronounced in a federated model. This position paper highlights the key research challenges in this realm and need for new research.
Insurance coverage gap for treatment of melasma compared to rosacea: it pays to be light

Treatments for many common dermatologic diagnoses are denied insurance coverage due to their arbitrary cosmetic classification. Melasma is one such diagnosis often considered cosmetic by payers, and since it is commonly identified in darker-skinned individuals, its cosmetic classification creates an economic barrier for patients of color. Although dermatologists have previously described insurance coverage gaps for conditions typically seen in patients of color, this coverage gap has never been quantified.1 Thus, we investigated the rate of insurance coverage for first-line topical treatments for rosacea versus melasma. Rosacea and melasma share a number of key features - both are common, chronic, dermatological conditions that are exacerbated by sun exposure, are primarily treated topically, and cause measurably decreased quality of life in affected patients.2,3 Rosacea, however, is often diagnosed in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types I-II, with 91.8% of rosacea diagnoses seen in white patients, while melasma is predominantly diagnosed in patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III-V.4-6.
Weyl semimetal orthorhombic as Td-WTe2 as an electrode material for sodium-and potassium-ion batteries

Alkali metals such as sodium and potassium have become promising candidates for the next generation of monovalent-ion batteries. However, a challenge for these battery technologies lies in the development of electrode materials that deliver high capacity and stable performance even at high cycling currents. Here we study orthorhombic tungsten ditelluride or Td-WTe2 as an electrode material for sodium- (SIB) and potassium-ion batteries (KIB) in propylene carbonate (PC) based electrolyte. Results show that despite larger Shannon's radius of potassium-ions and their sluggish diffusion in Td-WTe2 due to higher overpotential, at 100 mA.g-1 KIB-half cells showed higher cycling stability and low capacity decay of 4% versus 16% compared to SIB-half cells. Likewise, in a rate capability test at 61st cycle (at 50 mA.g-1), the KIB-half cells yielded charge capacity of 172 mAh.g-1 versus 137 mAh.g-1 of SIB-half cells. The superior electrochemical performance of Td-WTe2 electrode material in KIB-half cells is explained based on the concept of Stokes' radius – smaller desolvation activation energy resulted in higher mobility of potassium-ions in PC-based electrolyte. In addition, the likely mechanisms of electrochemical insertion and extraction of Na- and K-ions in Td-WTe2 are also discussed.
Dictionary of Computer Science, Engineering, and Technology

Artificial Intelligence Deductive Learning, Knowledge-Based Systems Decision Trees Neural Networks Genetic Algorithms Natural Language Robotics Cognitive Process Algorithms and Data Structures Algorithm Design Computability and Computational Geometry Complexity Theory Cryptographic Theory and Algorithms Architecture Components Computational Processes and Specifications Busses Input Output Architectures and Devices Memory Processors Programming Languages Imperative, Functional, Object-Oriented Languages Compilers and Interpreters Semantics Standard Terminology Desktop, Mini, and Mainframe Languages Human/Computer Interaction Usability Engineering Input Devices and Techniques Output Devices and Techniques Design Methods and Tools Graphical User-Interfaces Interactive Techniques Collaborative Systems and Groupware Documentation and Training Information Security Access Controls Power Supplies Physical Security Encryption Systems Authentication Biometrics Backup Systems Fault Tolerance Hacking Malicious Code Software Licensing Privacy Computational Science Numerical and Symbolic Computation Computational Electronics Computational Biology Computational Chemistry Computational Mechanics Computational Electromagnetics Practical Computing Software Engineering Desktop Hardware, Architecture Peripherals and Components Computerized Devices Computer Manufacturing and Distribution Chip and Component Fabrication Marketing Channels and Methods Product Cycles and Licensing Computer Ethics and Privacy Software Engineering Formal Models Design Theory Testing Methodology Project Management Tools and Environments Graphics Geometric Modeling Rendering Animation Virtual Environments 3D Systems Charts and Visual Representation of Data Graphic Formats Bitmap and Vector-Graphic Software Graphic Output Devices Database and Information Management Data Models Logical and Physical Database Design Database Theory and Standards Access Methods Concurrency Hypermedia, Hypertext Rule-Based Systems SQL Operating Systems Processes and Threads Real-Time and Embedded Systems Memory Organization Pile and Storage System Management Multitasking Desktop, Mini, and Mainframe Operating Systems Graphical Interfaces Networks Systems and Standards Network Operating Systems Network Architectures, Protocols, Models Distributed Processing Network Management Remote Access, Wireless Systems E-Mail Internetworking Internet World Wide Web Communications Systems and Standards Communications Hardware Communications Software Phones, Cable, Satellite, Cellular, Microwave Voice, Data, Video Systems Regulations and Regulatory Bodies
A model to demonstrate that endotension is a nonvisualized type I endoleak

Objective Unexplained aneurysm growth despite multimodality imaging after endovascular aneurysm repair is often attributed to endotension. We tested a hypothesis that endotension may be from a type Ia endoleak pressurizing the aneurysm sac, without net forward flow, not visualized on standard angiographic imaging. Methods A patient-specific aortic aneurysm phantom was constructed of polyvinyl alcohol using three-dimensional molding techniques. A bifurcated stent graft was implanted, and the phantom was connected to a hemodynamic simulator for testing. Type Ia endoleaks were created using 7F catheters. Three scenarios were studied: complete exclusion (no endoleak), inflow with no sac outflow, and inflow with sac outflow. Imaging with digital subtraction angiography was performed at 48 kVp at 5 frames/s, followed by delayed imaging at 1 frame/min for 30 minutes. Results With no endoleak, the systemic pressure averaged 113 mm Hg and aneurysm sac pressure averaged 101 mm Hg. With an endoleak present without outflow, the systemic pressure averaged 116 mm Hg, the aneurysm sac pressure averaged 120 mm Hg, and endoleak flow was bidirectional with no net forward flow. With endoleak present with aneurysm sac outflow, the systemic pressure averaged 119 mm Hg, aneurysm sac pressure averaged 105.5 mm Hg, and net endoleak flow into the aneurysm sac was 21 mL/min across the endoleak channel. With digital subtraction imaging, the endoleak with no outflow was noted after >9 minutes of delayed imaging. Conclusions In our model, the creation of a type Ia endoleak in the absence of sac outflow resulted in a mean pressure higher than the systemic mean pressure with zero net flow into the aneurysm sac. Consequently, the endoleak could only be visualized with markedly delayed imaging and not with standard contrast digital subtraction angiography like that used in clinical practice. Our findings suggest that endotension may in fact be the result of undetected endoleaks secondary to the limitations of present iodinated contrast imaging modalities.
Property Rights, Firm Boundaries, and R&D Inputs

This Article offers an explanation of the role of intellectual property rights (IPRs) in information-intensive vertical supply relationships. In particular, we explore the connection between stronger property rights and the enhanced viability of independent (versus vertically integrated) input supply firms when contracts are incomplete. We start by modeling a tradeoff between two types of information transfer in buyer-supplier relationships: "synergies," in which joint efforts reveal new applications of existing technology; and "leakage," or disclosure of existing information. We show that property rights in the hands of an independent input supplier can create the potential for greater inter-firm synergy, outweighing the risk of leakage. Greater synergies arise due to the supplier's greater effort to adapt its generalized technology to the specific needs of the buyer. Property rights play a crucial role: they reduce the risk of buyer firm opportunism, in effect raising the cost of the buyer's "outside option" in the event the supplier-buyer contract is terminated. The "residual" nature of property rights as described for example by Hart (1995) makes them more effective in this regard than contracts alone. We extend our basic results to analysis of buyouts and spinoffs, and assay an extensive body of empirical evidence. Broad support is found for our approach, pointing the way to future exploration of the relationship between property rights specifications and the opening up of new contracting horizons.
Use of Students to Teach Interviewing Skills: An Empirical Evaluation

This study evaluated the immediate and sustained impact that serving as trainers of entry level students had on advanced students' use of interpersonal helping skills with clients. The effect on the use of skills by entry level students who participated in a modified microtraining program in which advanced students served as trainers was also assessed. Interviews with students were audiotaped prior to, immediately after, and 14 weeks following training, and rated by trained independent judges in terms of behavioral criteria derived from Danish et al. (1974). Students also completed the Discrimination Index. The findings reveal that the training experience facilitated advanced students' use of attending skills while not interfering with their acquisition of influencing and self disclosure skills. The training program also significantly modified entry level students' use of interpersonal skills. The results suggest that advanced students can serve effectively as skill trainers and simultaneously enhance the...
An Economic Prefeasibility Study of Geothermal Energy Development at Platanares, Honduras

The expected economic benefits from development of a geothermal power plant at Platanares in the Department of Copan, Honduras, are evaluated in this report. The economic benefits of geothermal plants ranging in size from a 10-MW plant in the shallow reservoir to a 20-, 30-, 55-, or 110-MW plant in the assumed deeper reservoir were measured by computing optimal expansion plans for each size of geothermal plant. Savings are computed as the difference in present value cost between a plan that must rely on other alternatives and one that contains a geothermal plant. Present value savings in 1987 dollars range from $25 million for the 10-MW plant to $110 million for the 110-MW plant—savings of 6 percent to 25 percent over the time period 1988 through 2008.
Charity, Truth and Corporate Governance

Charity and truth seem very foreign to corporate governance. Yet, both are absolutely necessary to answer fundamental questions – even those that arise in corporate law. Corporate law scholars long have debated whether managers, in making decisions for a corporation, should employ a shareholder wealth maximization norm or a norm that emphasizes social responsibility. That debate continues. Its resolution rests in discovery of the truth about corporate governance. About a decade or so ago, scholars began using the lens of Catholic Social Thought to search for this truth. Since then, two differing schools of thought have emerged. One emphasizes the fundamental importance of human freedom in Catholic Social Thought; the other emphasizes Catholic Social Thought’s long-standing adherence to communitarian principles. In June 2009, Pope Benedict XVI issued Caritas in Veritate, a social encyclical that clearly articulates what Catholic Social Thought requires of corporate governance. This Article considers what Caritas in Veritate offers the debate about the appropriate norm for corporate governance. It begins with a description of the fundamental principles of Catholic Social Thought and a discussion of how modern popes before Pope Benedict XVI have explained those principles in addressing matters important to corporate governance. It then discusses the focus of Caritas in Veritate and its explanation of principles of Catholic Social Thought relevant to corporate governance. The Article then examines how scholars applied Catholic Social Thought to the corporate governance debate before Caritas in Veritate was issued and how Caritas in Veritate informs the debate. Finally, this Article concludes that Caritas in Veritate offers important lessons to those on both sides of the corporate governance debate by stressing that shareholder wealth maximization must be tempered by charity and that corporate social responsibility must be grounded in truth.
Mechanics and full-field deformation study of the Ring Hoop Tension Test

Abstract We investigate the mechanics of the Ring Hoop Tension Test (RHTT), as a means to assess the properties of anisotropic tubes in the hoop direction. This test involves placing a ring extracted from the tube over two close-fitting D-shaped mandrels that are then parted using a universal testing machine. Since the curvature of the ring does not change during loading, the ring undergoes only stretching. We determine the effects of contact pressure, radial stress, and friction between the tube and mandrels using FEA simulations. The effects of the pre-existing thickness eccentricity and of the specimen-making procedure on the recorded RHTT response are also assessed with a combination of experiments and analysis. We tested tubes from Al-6061-T4 with a diameter/thickness ratio of 20. We found that as the friction increases beyond 0.1–0.15, the state of uniaxial tension is deteriorated, indicating that care must be taken to minimize the tube-mandrel friction. We determined that although these tubes have a relatively large thickness eccentricity (±4% of the nominal thickness), this had no effect on the recorded results. We showed that the tubes should not be turned to remove that eccentricity, as the machining process induces damage that is noticeable in the results. We found that the contact pressure and the contact-induced radial stress cause limited deviations from uniaxial tension, comparable to the case of a tube under axial load and internal pressure which is often used for assessing the material properties in the hoop direction. Central in our analyses is the knowledge of the hoop strain field, which was assessed using 3D Digital Image Correlation. We propose a data reduction procedure for RHTT that accounts for all the above effects. Finally, with all effects accounted for, we establish the anisotropy of the extruded Al-6061-T4 tubes studied.
A software-hardware architecture for self-protecting data

We propose a software-hardware architecture, DataSafe, that realizes the concept of self-protecting data: data that is protected by a given policy whenever it is accessed by any application -- including unvetted third-party applications. Our architecture provides dynamic instantiations of secure data compartments (SDCs), with hardware monitoring of the information flows from the compartment using hardware policy tags associated with the data at runtime. Unbypassable hardware output control prevents confidential information from being leaked out. Unlike previous hardware information flow tracking systems, DataSafe software architecture bridges the semantic gap by supporting flexible, high-level software policies for the data, seamlessly translating these policies to efficient hardware tags at runtime. Applications need not be modified to interface to these software-hardware mechanisms. DataSafe architecture is designed to prevent illegitimate secondary dissemination of protected plaintext data by authorized recipients, to track and protect data derived from sensitive data, and to provide lifetime enforcement of the confidentiality policies associated with the sensitive data.
Spectral changes arising from the action of spinach chloroplast ribosephosphate isomerase on ribose 5-phosphate

Abstract Following addition of spinach chloroplast ribosephosphate isomerase (RPI) to ribose 5-phosphate (R5P) buffered with neutral phosphate, the sequential appearance of compounds absorbing at 280, 308.5, and 285 nm was observed. The 280-nm absorbing compound has previously been identified as ribulose 5-phosphate (Ru5P). The 308.5-nm absorbing compound has a high molar extinction coefficient and was a transient species, appearing only after production of Ru5P and preceding the accumulation of the 285-nm absorbing compound. The 285-nm absorbing compound has been identified as 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2 H )-furanone ( I ). Following addition of rabbit skeleton muscle RPI to R5P buffered with phosphate only the 280-nm absorbing compound, Ru5P, could be observed. Preparations of RPI from photosynthetic tissues have invariably led to the rapid accumulation of I whereas preparations of RPI from nonphotosynthetic tissues produce only Ru5P. In solutions of R5P buffered with citrate, the transient band at 308.5 nm was not observed although I accumulates in solution in the presence of spinach chloroplast RPI. Prior to formation of I a compound with a low molar extinction coefficient and wavelength of maximum absorption at approximately 310 nm can be detected. These results suggest that purified preparations of RPI from spinach chloroplasts and other photosynthetic tissues possess an enzymatic activity not present in crude extracts obtained from non-photosynthetic tissues. This activity is in addition to the aldol-ketol activity. The product of this heretofore unrecognized enzymic activity is postulated to be 3,4-epoxy-Ru5P and could be derived from Ru5P by removing the elements of water from the hydroxyl groups at C-3 and C-4.
The Spatial Determinants Of Wage Inequality: Evidence From Recent Latina Immigrants In Southern California

Abstract Recent Latina immigrants to the United States earn lower hourly wages than any other broad demographic group. This paper investigates the role space and scale play in shaping the employment opportunities and wages this group receives in Southern California relative to others there. Results suggest that, although individual factors such as education, experience, and ability to speak English are important, spatial forces also influence wages. Access to jobs, particularly low-skilled jobs and those held by Latinos, as well as ethnic neighborhood networks, explain a large share of the variation in hourly wages. The paper provides evidence that labor-market scales differ across groups within US metropolitan areas, with recent Latina immigrants being more geographically constrained and hence more dependent on local opportunities and resources than other workers, with the exception of black women.
Selecting peers for execution comparison

Execution comparison is becoming more common as a means of debugging faulty programs or simply explaining program behavior. Often, such as when debugging, the goal is to understand particular aspects of a single execution, and it is not immediately clear against what we should compare this execution. Prior work has led to approaches for acquiring a second execution, or peer, with which to compare the first. The earliest of these searched test suites for suitable candidates. More recent work focuses on synthesizing a new execution, either by generating new input for the program or by directly mutating the execution itself. In spite of these proposals, it is unclear what advantages these different techniques for finding peers might have over each other. In this paper, we implement five different existing techniques and examine their impact on 20 real bugs. These bugs represent the full set of reported bugs for three programs during one year. We present a metric to evaluate the quality of the peers. It is based on the similarity of the peers to the executions of the patched programs. We also discuss in detail the different scenarios where these techniques hold advantages.
Production of extracellular and cell-associated biopolymers byPseudomonas atlantica

Pseudomonas atlantica is shown to produce both cell-associated and free forms of polymer in a partially growth associated manner. The gross characteristics of the polymer were independent of the physiological state of the culture.
Separatist insurgency, objective referents and autonomy

In certain separatist conflicts there is a greater likelihood of external mediation if the political ‘redefinition’ of the state insisted upon by the insurgents undergoes a revision, from secession to self-determination, understood as a variant of autonomy. In the same vein, although it may not happen concurrently, insurgent movements become more amenable to external mediation if and when opposing governments revise the preferred conflict outcome from a military defeat of the insurgents to a ‘containment’ of the movement. These two developments — a revised demand from the insurgents for how the state should be defined and an altered military strategy adopted by the government — can serve as ‘objective referents’ helping external parties to identify a ripe moment in the conflict and initiate mediation.
Optimum Moving Averages For The Estimation Of Median Effective Dose In Bioassay

Optimum forms of moving averages are derived for the estimation of LD 50 in the situation where no assumptions are made about the form of the dose-response distribution. The theory is also applied to uses of moving averages based on the angular transformation of the percentage response. A numerical example illustrates this application, and its results are compared with the corresponding probit and logit estimates.
Corrosion protection of cold-rolled steel by low temperature plasma interface engineering II. Effects of oxides on corrosion performance of E-coated steels

Abstract The effects of oxides on the interfacial chemistry and on the corrosion performance of cathodic E-coat/cathodic plasma polymer of trimethylsilane (TMS)/cathodic plasma treated cold-rolled steel (CRS) systems were investigated. The depth profile analysis by sputtered neutral mass spectroscopy (SNMS) revealed that the nature of the chemical bonds in the plasma polymer/steel interface depends on the presence or the absence of oxides. The cathodic plasma treatment of CRS surface by (Ar + H2) plasma removes oxides, and the subsequent in situ cathodic polymerization of TMS provides the plasma polymer of TMS/(oxide-free) steel system, in which Fe-C bonds, but no Fe-O bond, are found. The deposition of the same plasma polymer on O2 plasma pretreated CRS provides the plasma polymer/oxides/steel system, in which Fe-O, but no Fe-C, bonds are found. During the cathodic E-coat deposition, the reducible moieties which exist in the surface state of CRS (including plasma polymer layer and oxides, etc.) are subjected to cathodic reduction. The cathodic reduction could create a weak boundary or defective spots in the interface, which adversely affect the corrosion protecting ability of the coated system. The cathodic E-coat applied directly on the oxide-removed surface of CRS (without Zn phosphate or plasma polymer) showed a better corrosion performance than that applied on the Zn phosphate-chromate CRS, whereas the direct application on the surface with oxides delaminated in the corrosion (GM scab) test. The best result (better than E-coat/Zn phosphate-chromate/EGS) was obtained for E-coat/cathodic polymer of TMS/oxide-free CRS. The corrosion performance of this system was not adversely affected when lead was removed from the E-coat. A cathodic E-coat performs best when the adverse effect of cathodic reduction is minimized.
Neurobehavioral effects of power-frequency electromagnetic fields

Some laboratory experiments have suggested that power-frequency electric and magnetic fields (EMF) may be capable of influencing calcium efflux from cell membranes, pineal function, and circadian rhythms. As yet, however, no consistent, replicable laboratory model has been developed for any of these effects. Most assessments of human volunteers exposed to EMF have been negative, but occasional effects on vigilance or alertness and some modest effects on circadian rhythmicity have been reported. Several carefully performed studies of workers occupationally exposed to high electric-field strengths have failed to find effects on behavior or cognitive functioning. Although the bulk of human research on the effects of EMF on cognitive performance is negative, there has been less assessment of behavior and psychiatric symptomatology. Because some studies, in both humans and animals, have described effects of EMF on circadian rhythms, future research might concentrate profitably on the assessment of EMF in relation to depression and other cyclically mediated psychiatric disorders.
The K-theory and the invertibility of almost periodic Toeplitz operators

We use K-theory to study the invertibility of systems of almost periodic Toeplitz operators.
Intraoperative Catheterization of the Left Internal Mammary Artery via the Left Radial Artery

Minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting involving anastomosis of the left internal mammary artery to the left anterior descending coronary artery has become popular in the last year. Critics of this technique infer lower graft patency rates and increased cardiac morbidity. Therefore a technique is described that allows intraoperative selective left internal mammary arteriography to be performed by the surgeon to ensure graft patency before leaving the operating room.
Growth and differentiation of primary tracheal epithelial cells in culture: Regulation by extracellular calcium

Growth and differentiation of primary monkey tracheal epithelial (MTE) cells maintained on collagen gel substrata were studied in a defined serum-free culture medium containing 0.03 to 3.0 mM extracellular calcium. Cell attachment efficiency (40-60%) was not altered by different calcium levels. Growth of primary MTE cells on collagen gel substrata, which was vitamin A dependent, was enhanced 50% in the medium supplemented with high calcium (greater than 0.3 mM). High calcium medium also increased cell-cell interactions, formation of desmosomes, and multi-cell layering. The relative content of mucous cells, which were identified by a mucin-specific monoclonal antibody and the presence of mucus-secreting granules at the ultrastructural level, was greater in the high-calcium medium. Furthermore, the secretion of mucin into the medium, determined either by an ELISA or by the incorporation of 3H-glucosamine into mucous glycoprotein fractions, was also increased more than 5-fold in media containing high calcium content (greater than 0.6 mM). In contrast, MTE cells cultured in low calcium medium (less than 0.15 mM) were squamous-like with prominent tonofilaments, and their secretory product was mainly hyaluronate. These results demonstrate that media containing a high calcium content promote conducting airway epithelium to express mucous cell differentiation, while media with low calcium content promote squamous cell differentiation.
Cell Division: Righting the Check

Studies in fission and budding yeast have continuously led the way for analyzing pathways of cell division. Two elegant studies, one from each yeast species, are opening the gates to study one of the final steps of mitosis--silencing the spindle checkpoint.
fac-Tricarbonyl(4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine)triphenyltin(II)rhenium(I).

The title organometallic compound, fac-tricarbonyl-2κ 3 C-(4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine)-2κ 2 N,N'-triphenyl-1κ 3 C 1 -tin(II)-rhenium(I)(Sn-Re), [ReSn(C 6 H 5 ) 3 (C 12 H 12 N 2 )(CO) 3 ], contains three unique π-π stacking interactions. The result is an infinite chain of uninterrupted alternating intra- and intermolecular offset π-π stacking interactions throughout the crystal lattice. This extended π-π stacking arrangement, and an additional isolated intramolecular π-π interaction between the remaining 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine ring and a second phenyl group, impose geometric constraints on the Re and Sn atoms, yielding distorted octahedral and tetrahedral coordinations, respectively, for the metal centers.
Proliferation and the Monoclonal Origins of Atherosclerotic Lesions

Benditt's observation of the monoclonal origin of the atherosclerotic lesion has been controversial because it appeared to conflict with conventional wisdom. A new method based on a polymerase chain reaction amplification of the DNA of an X-inactivated gene from microdissected tissue confirms that Benditt was correct. However, this monoclonal expansion can also be found in nonatherosclerotic intima and media. These new data suggest that plaque clonality may represent expansion of preexisting patches of cells arising during development of the media. This developmental view does not conflict with other recent evidence that plaque expansion is associated with mutation or viral events. However, if plaques arise from patches, then early developmental mechanisms may be critical to the later evolution of the lesions.
The possible association of decreased total cholesterol and severity of disease in elderly hospitalized patients.

Abstract The object of our study was to determine if any association exists between low serum cholesterol ( 60 years. Patients with low serum cholesterol were compared to a patient population with high serum cholesterol (>6.22 mmol/l) and normal cholesterol (≥4.14 to ≤6.22 mmol/l). Only hospitalized patients >60 years, who were not on cholesterol lowering drugs, and did not have cardiovascular or liver disease were included in this study. The study group was 157 patients (79 with low, 78 with high, and 23 with normal cholesterol concentrations). Using the Kruskal–Wallis tests, the low cholesterol group was found to have statistically (p 11.1 days), higher hospital re-admission rate over a 1-year period (average difference of >0.4 re-admissions), greater use of acute care services (average difference of >0.6 days), and more emergency room (ER) visits over 1 year (average difference of >0.5 admissions).
An activity measure of sleeping and waking behavior

This report (1) describes a movement-sensing device for discriminating between the sleeping and waking states in small mammals and, (2) presents data on the correlation between a criterion of motionlessness and EEG measured sleep cycle for the rat.
Alcohol: lipid metabolism and cardioprotection

The decision to consume alcohol is associated with risks and benefits that vary according to family history (genes) and environment. The risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) is reduced in populations that regularly consume moderate amounts of alcohol. The risk reduction is associated with increased plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Predisposing factors may make some individuals more vulnerable to alcohol-related risks than others. For example, individuals with hypertriglyceridemia and a personal or family history of pancreatitis might consider the benefits of alcohol consumption not worth the health risks. The risks might be more acceptable to someone with a family history of CHD, normal plasma triglyceride levels, low HDL cholesterol, and no personal or family history of addictive behavior or pancreatitis. An understanding of the metabolic effects of alcohol and a careful study of personal and family histories should permit physicians and their patients to make informed decisions about the risks and benefits of alcohol consumption.
A unified approach to incorporating demographic or other effects into demand systems.

A general method of introducing demographic effects into any demand system using modifying functions is described which permits complicated interactions of demographic variables with prices and expeditures. Theorems give properties the modifying functions must have to ensure integrability of the resulting system. Demand equations of the new system are given explicitly as functions of the original demand equations and the modifying functions. The procedure is interpreted as altering a households technology and is shown to encompass adult equivalent scales and related methods. Examples of modifying functions are derived and applications of the technique to uses other than demographic variation are considered. (EXCERPT)
Hybrid design of an application-specific integrated chip for frequency-to-digital conversion

Though the frequency measurement technique is well established, converting frequency to a digital world for real time systems is not an easy task. The task is further complicated by the absence of any standard peripheral integrated circuit chip for this application. The existing techniques of frequency measurement like direct frequency measurement and period measurement are not accurate at low and high frequencies respectively. This talk will elaborate the effort involved to realize a successful Frequency to Digital Converter (FDC) as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The chip adopts an innovative frequency measurement technique called the hybrid technique. The hybrid technique has the advantage of both the direct frequency and period measurement techniques and is found to be very accurate at both low and high frequencies. The chip was designed and fabricated with stringent specifications to meet military applications. Extensive software simulations were done to ensure the proper functioning of the chip. The chip was then tested extensively over all frequencies and was found to operate successfully meeting all the specifications.
Larval structures of oxytorines and their significance for the higher classification of some Ichneumonidae (Hymenoptera)

The phylogenetic relationships of the Acaenitinae, Oxy-torinae, and some of their component taxa, especially Cylloceria and Microleptes, are considered in light of new data from larval morphology. The Acaenitinae and Oxytorinae are sister-groups; the enigmatic oxytorine genus Microleptes is analysed with regard to its larval characters and is placed in to its own subfamily, the Microleptinae. The possibility that the Oxytorinae may be paraphyletic with respect to the Orthocentrinae is discussed. Re-examination of original slide mounts of last-instar larval remains has revealed errors in past studies; all previously published material, and several taxa whose larvae were hitherto unknown, are figured.
THE GENDERED NATURE OF (MALE) LEADERSHIP: EXPRESSIVE IDENTITY SALIENCE AND COOPERATION

In an experiment with 88 groups from twenty organizations, we examined the gendered construction of leadership and its effects on cooperation. We tested how a male leadership role model displaying expressive traits, as compared with a more stereotypically masculine referent, stimulates cooperation by rendering stereotypically feminine aspects of identity salient. Sex composition of groups moderated this mediated relationship such that the influence of the leadership role model was stronger the higher the proportion of men in the group. Results are discussed among others in terms of how stereotypically masculine constructions of leadership may create barriers to effective leadership.