cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What to track on the Twitter streaming API?: a knapsack bandits approach to dynamically update the search terms

We use Twitter streaming API for many purposes like monitoring brands and discovering events. Because Twitter Streaming API only allows tracking words (commonly called ‘search-terms'), the data collection goal needs to be formulated in terms of search terms. Twitter limits the number of search terms that can be tracked using the API, and the number of tweets retrieved per search-term depends on the terms being tracked. Therefore it's crucial to use a small set of highly relevant terms for tracking. Because social media is very dynamic and conversations evolve fast, the search terms that are relevant now might be less useful in as short of time as an hour. Manual monitoring of such discussions to update the search terms is cumbersome, error-prone and expensive. Can we have an algorithm to update the search terms based on the goals of the dataset collection? Taking inspiration from the knapsack bandits problem that effectively handle exploration (new search terms to explore) and exploitation (keep using useful search terms) when resources (network bandwidth, disk capacity or number of search terms) are constrained, we propose a new approach to dynamically update the search terms based on the goals of the data collection.
Effective Field Theory in AdS: Continuum Regime, Soft Bombs, and IR Emergence

We consider an effective theory of interacting matter fields in a slice of five-dimensional Lorentzian AdS at arbitrary energies. Using dimensional and quantitative arguments, we determine there exists a transition scale at which the IR brane effectively leaves the theory. In the presence of bulk interactions there are thus two qualitatively different regimes: Kaluza-Klein and continuum. Bulk interactions correspond to finite N in the dual gauge theory; we find the transition scale is consistent with the cutoff scale of a large-N EFT of mesons. We then study the cascade decays of a scalar field with cubic self-interactions, with a focus on the continuum regime. We find that the cascade decay progresses slowly towards the IR region and gives rise to soft spherical final states, in accordance with former results from both gravity and CFT. We identify a recursion relation between integrated squared amplitudes of different leg numbers and thus evaluate the total rate. We find that cascade decays in the continuum regime are exponentially suppressed. This feature completes the picture of the IR brane as an emergent sector as seen from the UV brane. We briefly discuss some implications for holographic dark sector models.
An update on ACE2 amplification and its therapeutic potential.

The renin angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of variety of diseases. Targeting the formation and action of angiotensin II (Ang II), the main RAS peptide, has been the key therapeutic target for last three decades. ACE-related carboxypeptidase (ACE2), a monocarboxypeptidase that had been discovered 20 years ago, is one of the catalytically most potent enzymes known to degrade Ang II to Ang-(1-7), a peptide that is increasingly accepted to have organ-protective properties that oppose and counterbalance those of Ang II. In addition to its role as a RAS enzyme ACE2 is the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2. In this review, we discuss various strategies that have been used to achieve amplification of ACE2 activity including the potential therapeutic potential of soluble recombinant ACE2 protein and novel shorter ACE2 variants.
Phonologic error distributions in the Iowa-Nebraska articulation norms project: word-initial consonant clusters

The errors on word-initial consonant clusters made by children in the Iowa-Nebraska Articulation Norms Project (Smit, Hand, Freilinger, Bernthal, & Bird, 1990) were tabulated by age range and frequency. The error data show considerable support for Greenlee's (1974) stages in the acquisition of clusters: the youngest children show cluster reduction, somewhat older children show cluster preservation but with errors on one or more of the cluster elements, and the oldest children generally show correct production. These stages extended to three-element clusters as well. Typical cluster reduction errors were (a) reduction to the obstruent in obstruent-plus-approximant clusters and (b) reduction to the second element in /s/-clusters. When clusters were preserved, but one member was in error, the error was typically the same as for the singleton consonant. Cluster errors are discussed in terms of theories of phonologic development, including open genetic programs and feature geometry. These data are expected to be useful in evaluation and treatment of disorders of phonology.
Do age and gender affect managers’ career progression? Evidence from the careers of movie directors.

This paper considers discrimination in the market for managerial positions by following the career paths of film directors. Film directors manage multi-million projects and are hired on a project by project basis. We gather data on directors’ film projects from the time they enter the profession. We also study their background prior to the first movie they direct. As shown here and in previous work, the economic success of previous film projects is the main determinant of hiring for a new film, thus our null hypothesis is that controlling for career paths, age gender and race should not matter in landing a new project. However, we find that age matters and although directors start directing on average around age 40, there is evidence of age discrimination even for directors under 50. We also find more subtle evidence for gender bias, particularly in allocating budgets for future projects. We also document that on average, only 12% of an entering cohort of new directors are women and they follow a different path than men in the entertainment industry. It is significant that if there is evidence of discrimination in such an industry where career paths are public knowledge.
Slowed canonical progress in large fields of science

In many academic fields, the number of papers published each year has increased significantly over time. Policy measures aim to increase the quantity of scientists, research funding, and scientific output, which is measured by the number of papers produced. These quantitative metrics determine the career trajectories of scholars and evaluations of academic departments, institutions, and nations. Whether and how these increases in the numbers of scientists and papers translate into advances in knowledge is unclear, however. Here, we first lay out a theoretical argument for why too many papers published each year in a field can lead to stagnation rather than advance. The deluge of new papers may deprive reviewers and readers the cognitive slack required to fully recognize and understand novel ideas. Competition among many new ideas may prevent the gradual accumulation of focused attention on a promising new idea. Then, we show data supporting the predictions of this theory. When the number of papers published per year in a scientific field grows large, citations flow disproportionately to already well-cited papers; the list of most-cited papers ossifies; new papers are unlikely to ever become highly cited, and when they do, it is not through a gradual, cumulative process of attention gathering; and newly published papers become unlikely to disrupt existing work. These findings suggest that the progress of large scientific fields may be slowed, trapped in existing canon. Policy measures shifting how scientific work is produced, disseminated, consumed, and rewarded may be called for to push fields into new, more fertile areas of study.
Effects of Vacuum Impedance Changes on Mitl Flow Using 3D Electromagnetic Pic Simulations

Vacuum impedance changes in Magnetically Insulated Transmission Line (MITL) flow has been shown via simulation to have profound impact on MITL flow patterns. Using 3D Unstructured Time Domain Electromagnetics (UTDEM) Particle-In-Cell (PIC) simulation software (part of the EMPHASIS code suite), the addition of an expansion chamber, an increase and successive decrease of outer anode radius, into an extreme aspect (1) >r) cylindrical MITL geometry causes radially symmetric current vortex formation in the expansion chamber. Characteristics of these vortices have been studied as the transmission line impedance profile changes; specifically, the threshold impedance for vortex formation and vortex dynamics. The impedance change is caused by a radius change, either by step change or a linear transition. The effects of adding only a simple diffuser section (radial A-K gap increases in the direction of flow) and only a simple baffle section (radial A-K gap decreases in the direction of flow) are reported. Once vortex formation is achieved, the threshold radius step and gradient at which steady state flow is eventually attainable is reported. Additionally, the time under constant potential needed to reach steady state flow is reported.
NUTRIENT AND SEDIMENT REMOVAL BY SWITCHGRASS AND COOL-SEASON GRASS FILTER STRIPS IN CENTRAL IOWA, USA

Simulated rainfall and runoff were used to compare the effectiveness of 6 m and 3 m wide filter strips of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) and cool-season filter strips consisting of bromegrass (Bromus inermis), timothy (Phleum pratense) and fescue (Festuca spp.) in reducing sediment, nitrogen and phosphorus in surface runoff from adjacent crop fields. The 6 m and 3 m wide strips represented 20:1 and 40:1 area ratios, respectively. Twelve plots, six each, in the switchgrass and cool-season grass strips, were laid out on Coland soil, having an average slope of 3%. Plots received simulated rainfall of 5.1 cm hr1 intensity and simulated runoff containing known quantities of sediment and nutrients. Three runon samples, each integrated over 15 minutes, and nine runoff samples, each integrated over five minutes, were collected from each plot and analyzed for sediment, total-N, \({\text{NO}}_{\text{3}}^{\text{ - }} \)-N, total-P and \({\text{PO}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{ - }} \)P. The 6 m wide filter strips removed 77% while the 3 m removed 66% of the incoming sediment from surface runoff. The 6 m filter strips removed 46% of total-N, 42% of \({\text{NO}}_{\text{3}}^{\text{ - }} \)-N, 52% of total-P, and 43% of \({\text{PO}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{ - }} \)-P; and the 3 m filter strips removed 28% of total-N, 25% of \({\text{NO}}_{\text{3}}^{\text{ - }} \)-N, 37% of total-P and 34% of \({\text{PO}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{ - }} \)-P. Differences between 6 m and 3 m filter strips were significant (P < 0.05) for sediment and nutrient removal. Switchgrass filter strips removed significantly more total-N, \({\text{NO}}_{\text{3}}^{\text{ - }} \)-N, total-P and \({\text{PO}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{ - }} \)-P than cool-season grass filter strips (P < 0.05).
Effect of incubation temperature on growth and soluble protein profiles of motile Aeromonas strains.

Motile Aeromonas spp. are said to have an optimal growth temperature of 28 degrees C. We performed growth studies on 24 isolates at 29 and 37 degrees C and found that the optimal growth temperature was not necessarily 28 degrees C. We also detected temperature-dependent differences in soluble protein production in some of these strains. Images
Re-evaluation of Yellowstone grizzly bear population dynamics not supported by empirical data: response to Doak & Cutler

Doak and Cutler critiqued methods used by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Study Team (IGBST) to estimate grizzly bear population size and trend in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Here, we focus on the premise, implementation, and interpretation of simulations they used to support their arguments. They argued that population increases documented by IGBST based on females with cubs-of-the-year were an artifact of increased search effort. However, we demonstrate their simulations were neither reflective of the true observation process nor did their results provide statistical support for their conclusion. They further argued that survival and reproductive senescence should be incorporated into population projections, but we demonstrate their choice of extreme mortality risk beyond age 20 and incompatible baseline fecundity led to erroneous conclusions. The conclusions of Doak and Cutler are unsubstantiated when placed within the context of a thorough understanding of the data, study system, and previous research findings and publications.
AREAS OF CRITICAL STATE CONCERN: FLORIDA'S EXPERIENCE WITH THE GREEN SWAMP

Public concern has been expressed in most states over the adequacy of present allocative mechanisms to guide land and water use effectively. Private land and water use decisions are seen to have effects far beyond those intended by the decision makers. People intuitively recognize that society's natural resources are not being used to the greatest good when these “spillovers” occur. Ervin et al. (p. 4) have described the situation: “… given our (society's) broader viewpoint where impacts are taken into account which do not enter a firm's profit calculations (or a consumer's), the decision may well be socially inefficient.” The concern about these “spillovers” has led to calls for increased government intervention by way of regulation (Healy and Rosenberg). The implicit assumption is that government action can improve the efficiency of land and water use.
The Effects of Biased Self-Perception in Teams

Several finance and economics problems involve a team of agents in which the marginal productivity of any one agent increases with the effort of others on the team. Because the effort of each agent is not observable to any other agents, the performance of the team is negatively affected by a free-rider problem and by a lack of effort coordination across agents. In this context, we show that an agent who mistakenly overestimates her own marginal productivity works harder, thereby increasing the marginal productivity of her teammates who then work harder as well. This not only enhances team performance but may also create a Pareto improvement at the individual level. Indeed, although the biased agent overworks, she benefits from the positive externality that other agents working harder generates. The presence of a team leader improves coordination and team value, but self-perception biases can never be Pareto-improving when they affect the leader. Because self-perception biases naturally make agents work harder, monitoring, even when it is costless, may hurt the team by causing an overinvestment in effort. Interestingly, the benefits of self-perception biases may be long-lived even if agents learn from team performance, as the biased agent attributes the team's success to her own ability, and not to the better coordination of the team.
Genetic characterization of caffeine degradation by bacteria and its potential applications.

The ability of bacteria to grow on caffeine as sole carbon and nitrogen source has been known for over 40 years. Extensive research into this subject has revealed two distinct pathways, N-demethylation and C-8 oxidation, for bacterial caffeine degradation. However, the enzymological and genetic basis for bacterial caffeine degradation has only recently been discovered. This review article discusses the recent discoveries of the genes responsible for both N-demethylation and C-8 oxidation. All of the genes for the N-demethylation pathway, encoding enzymes in the Rieske oxygenase family, reside on 13.2-kb genomic DNA fragment found in Pseudomonas putida CBB5. A nearly identical DNA fragment, with homologous genes in similar orientation, is found in Pseudomonas sp. CES. Similarly, genes for C-8 oxidation of caffeine have been located on a 25.2-kb genomic DNA fragment of Pseudomonas sp. CBB1. The C-8 oxidation genes encode enzymes similar to those found in the uric acid metabolic pathway of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Various biotechnological applications of these genes responsible for bacterial caffeine degradation, including bio-decaffeination, remediation of caffeine-contaminated environments, production of chemical and fuels and development of diagnostic tests have also been demonstrated.
Intelligent Training Systems: Lessons Learned from Building Before It Is Time

I discuss what I learned while developing five generations of intelligent coached apprenticeship systems somewhat earlier than hardware, basic software support, programmers, or users were ready for them. First, it was essential to remain focused on the central instructional principles driving our work. Second, we learned that the social issues in deploying novel systems trump any demonstrations of return on investment or efficacy. People only use what they are comfortable using. Third, we learned that being as free as possible of specific operating system or software commitments was absolutely necessary. Fourth, we learned that the fundamental role of coached apprenticeship systems is to efficiently provide the rare moments from real life that afford the chance to learn deep and transferable skills and knowledge. Fifth, we learned that developing intelligent coached environments affords opportunities for learning by teachers/trainers and designers of work processes as well as by students/trainees. Finally, we learned that capabilities for which we can have complete student models are exactly those destined to be taken over by machines, placing a premium on far transfer as the goal for high-end training/teaching systems.
Structure, viscoelasticity, and interfacial dynamics of a model polymeric bicontinuous microemulsion

We have systematically studied the equilibrium structure and dynamics of a polymeric bicontinuous microemulsion (BμE) composed of poly(cyclohexylethylene) (PCHE), poly(ethylene) (PE), and a volumetrically symmetric PCHE–PE diblock copolymer, using dynamic mechanical spectroscopy, small angle X-ray and neutron scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. The BμE was investigated over an 80 °C temperature range, revealing a structural evolution and a rheological response not previously recognized in such systems. As the temperature is reduced below the point associated with the lamellar-disorder transition at compositions adjacent to the microemulsion channel, the interfacial area per chain of the BμE approaches that of the neat (undiluted) lamellar diblock copolymer. With increasing temperature, the diblock-rich interface swells through homopolymer infiltration. Time–temperature-superposed linear dynamic data obtained as a function of frequency show that the viscoelastic response of the BμE is strikingly similar to that of the fluctuating pure diblock copolymer in the disordered state, which we associate with membrane undulations and the breaking and reforming of interfaces. This work provides new insights into the structure and dynamics that characterize thermodynamically stable BμEs in the limits of relatively weak and strong segregation.
Asmodeus Flights: Urban Mysteries and Moving Pictures

In their 1929 surrealist play Le Tresor des Jesuites, Louis Aragon and Andre Breton predicted that the “grand reality of the century” would be found not in history books but rather in the flickerin...
Boundary stabilizability of nonlinear structural acoustic models with thermal effects on the interface

A three-dimensional structural acoustic model is considered. This model consists of a wave equation defined on a 3-dimensional bounded domain Ω coupled with a thermoelastic plate equation defined on Γ0 – a flat surface of the boundary ∂Ω. The main issue studied here is that of uniform stabilizability of the overall interactive model. Since the original (uncontrolled) model is only strongly stable, but not uniformly stable, the question becomes: what is the `minimal amount' of dissipation necessary to obtain uniform decay rates for the energy of the overall system? Our main result states that boundary nonlinear dissipation placed only on a suitable portion of the part of the boundary which is complementary to Γ0, suffices for the stabilization of the entire structure.
First observation of a strongly-coupled band in even-even A ≈ 80 nuclei: 76Kr

Abstract A new ΔI = 1 band has been discovered in 76Kr, the first to be observed in an even-even A ≈ 80 nucleus. The rotational band is built upon a Kπ = 4(+) state at 2844 keV excitation energy which is interpreted as a strongly-coupled two-quasineutron configuration ( [301] 3 2 − ⊗ [303] 5 2 − )4+ at a prolate deformation of π2 ≈ 0.34.
Vein patterning screens and the defectively organized tributaries mutants in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Summary Leaf veins form a closed network that transports essential photosynthates, water and signaling molecules to the developing plant. The formation of the patterns of these networks during leaf ontogeny is an active subject of modeling and computer simulation. To investigate the vein patterning process, we performed screens for defects in juvenile leaf vein patterning in Arabidopsis thaliana lines subjected to mutagenesis via diepoxybutane, activation tagging or the Dissociation/Activator transposon. We identified over 40 vein pattern defective lines, providing a phenotypic resource for the testing of vein patterning models. In addition, we report the chromosomal linkage for 13 of these, eight of which were successfully cloned. We further describe the phenotypes of five of these mutants, which we call the defectively organized tributaries (dot) mutants, and their corresponding molecular identities. The diversity of the individual genes affected in this collection of pattern mutants suggests that vein pattern is highly sensitive to perturbations in many cellular processes. Despite this diversity of causes, the resulting pattern defects fall into a limited number of classes, including parallel, spurred, misaligned, open, midvein gap and irregularly spaced. These classes may represent sensitivities to cellular processes associated with the DOT genes. The ontogeny of common defective patterns should be accommodated into any robust model for the ontogeny and evolution of pattern.
Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Agency Staff Related to Care in Nursing Homes: A Conceptual Model

Data from 3,946 nursing homes (66% response rate) were used to examine the advantages and disadvantages of using agency staff. A conceptual model showing potential reasons for the relationship between agency use and care quality was also developed. Fifty-nine percent of nursing homes used some agency staff (i.e., RNs, licensed practical nurses, nurse aides) in 2006. The conceptual model and empirical analyses show that agency staff likely influence other staff, facility operations, and residents. Administrators listed more disadvantages than advantages of using agency staff.
Summer temperature tolerance of selected species of mississippi river acclimated young of the year fishes

Abstract 1. 1. The temperature tolerance was determined for 8 species of young of the year fish taken from the Mississippi River during periods of high summer temperature. 2. 2. Under the experimental conditions described, LD 50 values were determined as follows: Dorosoma cepedianum , 28.5°C; Lepomis macrochirus , 28.5°C; Esox lucius , 30.8°C; Aplodinotus grunniens , 32.8°C; Morone chrysops , 33.5°C; Carpiodes carpio , 35.2°C; Micropterus salmoides , 35.6°C and Ictalurus melas , 35.7°C.
Attending to Crisis-Based Supervision for Counselors: The CARE Model of Crisis-Based Supervision

This manuscript explores the impact of clinical supervision on the reduction of stress for professional counselors working with clients that experience crisis on a routine basis. The therapeutic relationship, posttraumatic growth, and vicarious trauma will be outlined to demonstrate the necessity for meaningful, crisis-based supervision. A review of the literature underlining existing models of addressing crisis and clinical supervision is examined. A model of clinical supervision will be proposed that incorporates existing models and the significance of empathy in the counselor-supervisory relationship.
Synthesis and self-assembly properties of a novel [poly(ethylene glycol)]–fluorocarbon–phospholipid triblock copolymer

Abstract The synthesis of a novel poly(ethylene glycol)–fluorocarbon–phospholipid conjugate that self-assembles into hyper-stable micelles characterized by an internal fluorous phase is described. Physical characterization of the micelles formed by this polymer in aqueous solution is included. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements indicate a mean diameter of 15 nm (±3 nm), while pyrene fluorescence studies show a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of only 0.65 μM.
Oscillatory diffusion experiments for solvent diffusion in polymer films

Abstract An oscillatory diffusion experiment has been developed for the study of the diffusive transport of liquid solvents in amorphous polymers. This apparatus can be used not only for the collection of diffusivity data, but also for a controlled study of coupled diffusion—relaxation effects in polymer—solvent systems. Effects of the concentration dependence of diffusion coefficients are examined, and a diffusion Deborah number is used to anticipate non-Fickian diffusion effects. Methods are developed for computing diffusion coefficients from the approach to the periodic steady state as well as from the periodic steady-state data. Diffusivity and solubility data for the chloroform—poly(vinyl acetate) system are presented and compared with data obtained from transient diffusion experiments.
Relationships Between Drug Company Representatives and Medical Students:Medical School Policies and Attitudes of Student Affairs Deans and Third-Year Medical Students

The authors sought to ascertain the details of medical school policies about relationships between drug companies and medical students as well as student affairs deans’ attitudes about these interactions. In 2005, the authors surveyed deans and student affairs deans at all U.S. medical schools and asked whether their schools had a policy about relationships between drug companies and medical students. They asked deans at schools with policies to summarize them, queried student affairs deans regarding their attitudes about gifts, and compared their attitudes with those of students who were studied previously. Independently of each other, 114 out of 126 deans (90.5%) and 114 out of 126 student affairs deans (90.5%) responded (identical numbers are not misprints). Ten schools had a policy regarding relationships between medical students and drug company representatives. Student affairs deans were much more likely than students to perceive that gifts were inappropriate. These 2005 policies show trends meriting review by current medical schools in considering how to comply with the 2008 Association of American Medical Colleges recommendations about relationships between drug companies and medical students or physicians.
Observation of buried interfaces with low energy electron microscopy

In this Letter we show that a coherent low energy electron beam (100 eV) can be used to obtain real space images of structures and defects buried deep below the surface of the sample. The elastic strain fields of such buried structures, extending to the free surface, are found to give rise to localized phase shifts in the reflected electron waves, resulting in excellent image contrast under slight objective lens defocus conditions. We can now image the formation and evolution of buried interfaces and defects in situ, and in real time. Because of the very low electron energies used, this imaging method is nondestructive.
Use of direct angioplasty for treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction in hospitals with and without on-site cardiac surgery. The Myocardial Infarction, Triage, and Intervention Project Investigators.

BACKGROUNDIn the Myocardial Infarction, Triage, and Intervention (MITI) registry of acute myocardial infarction, 441 (12%) of 3750 patients had direct angioplasty as initial treatment. Approximately half (233) were performed in hospitals with no on-site surgery.METHODS AND RESULTSProcedure success rates, use of emergent surgery, and factors influencing outcome were compared in both angioplasty groups as well as with 653 patients treated with thrombolytic therapy in the same hospitals. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between patient groups treated by angioplasty in the two types of hospitals. Patency was established in 88% of patients. Only 1.4% underwent emergent surgery. Overall, survival was 93% but was significantly worse after a failed procedure in all ECG and hemodynamic subsets as well as in those with prior bypass surgery. In a multivariate analysis, age, initial heart rate, blood pressure, and prior bypass surgery but not type of hospital were predictive of survival. Survival r...
The Spinal Cord Research Foundation: Two Decades of Progress

Over the course of the past 24 years, the Paralyzed Veterans of America’s Spinal Cord Research Foundation (SCRF) has provided support for more than 400 research grants in a wide range of areas, from improved wheelchair design to axon pathfinding in Drosophila. The Founders of SCRF, as well as its current trustees, believe that it is imperative to target a broad range of research areas to maximize the quality of life for people, both veterans and nonveterans, with paralysis. This approach has involved the support of basic science and clinical research directed towards repair of the spinal cord, as well as research into improved treatments for complications of spinal cord dysfunction and other projects, including engineering grants and conferences, that may enhance the quality of life for people with paralysis within the immediate future.
Astrolabe: A robust and scalable technology for distributed system monitoring, management, and data mining

Scalable management and self-organizational capabilities are emerging as central requirements for a generation of large-scale, highly dynamic, distributed applications. We have developed an entirely new distributed information management system called Astrolabe. Astrolabe collects large-scale system state, permitting rapid updates and providing on-the-fly attribute aggregation. This latter capability permits an application to locate a resource, and also offers a scalable way to track system state as it evolves over time. The combination of features makes it possible to solve a wide variety of management and self-configuration problems. This paper describes the design of the system with a focus upon its scalability. After describing the Astrolabe service, we present examples of the use of Astrolabe for locating resources, publish-subscribe, and distributed synchronization in large systems. Astrolabe is implemented using a peer-to-peer protocol, and uses a restricted form of mobile code based on the SQL query language for aggregation. This protocol gives rise to a novel consistency model. Astrolabe addresses several security considerations using a built-in PKI. The scalability of the system is evaluated using both simulation and experiments; these confirm that Astrolabe could scale to thousands and perhaps millions of nodes, with information propagation delays in the tens of seconds.
Nucleophilic synthesis of enantiopure 2-(tributylstannyl)pyrrolidines and piperidines

Abstract trans -Cumylcyclohexanol (TCC) is used as a chiral auxiliary for the stereoselective addition of tributyltinlithium to N -acylpyrrolidinium/piperidinium ion with 70–80% diastereoselectivity at 0 °C. After removal of the minor diastereomer by radial chromatography, enantiopure N -methyl-2-(tributylstannyl)pyrrolidine and piperidine were produced by reductive removal of the auxiliary.
Cooperativity between the polyamine pathway and HER‐2neu in transformation of human mammary epithelial cells in culture: Role of the MAPK pathway

Our experiments were designed to test the cooperativity between the polyamine pathway and HER-2neu in inducing transformation of human mammary epithelial cells in culture. Using the MCF-10A breast epithelial cell line, we observed that induction of overexpression of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) (the first rate-limiting enzyme in polyamine biosynthesis) markedly potentiated the anchorage-independent growth stimulating effect of the beta2 isoform of neu differentiating factor (NDF) known to activate HER-2neu in MCF-10A cells. ODC overexpression, on the other hand, did not enhance growth in liquid culture, thus pointing to a specific effect on transformation rather than proliferation. ODC-overexpressing MCF-10A cells exhibited increased MAPK phosphorylation in response to administration of NDF and/or epidermal growth factor (EGF). In contrast, the phosphorylation of the members of the stress-activated protein kinase cascade p38 and SEK were not affected by ODC overexpression. Of note, in the absence of EGF and NDF, ODC overexpression failed to induce both clonogenicity and MAPK activation. These results suggest that increased polyamine biosynthetic activity critically interacts with HER-2neu in promoting human mammary cell transformation in culture and that the MAPK cascade is an important mediator of this interaction. If confirmed in future in vivo studies, our results may identify important new targets for the chemoprevention of human breast cancer.
Hidden consequences of the group-serving bias: Causal attributions and the quality of group decision making

A long stream of research in attribution theory suggests that groups are biased toward attributing their success to factors that are internal to their group. However, the existing research has confounded two types of attributions that are both internal to the group, but theoretically distinct: (1) attributions that differentiate between the contributions made by each individual group member and (2) attributions that focus on the group as a whole. This dichotomy is important because, drawing on theories of social influence, we predict that different types of attributions will have different consequences for the quality of group decision making. In Experiment 1, individually focused attributions for past success caused groups to consider more divergent alternatives prior to making a shared decision. In Experiment 2, individually focused attributions for past success facilitated the sharing of unique information and improved decision accuracy. These findings suggest that the group-serving tendency to internalize success may have important consequences for group performance that have not yet been considered in current research.
Prescriptivism and Fairness

Contrairement aux apparences, les theories de R. M. Hare et celles de J. Rawls ne fournissent pas les memes solutions aux problemes moraux specifiques et c'est l'ideal de droiture (fairness) de Rawls qui sert a distinguer sa theorie contractuelle du prescriptivisme de Hare.
Role of intracavitary cuff boost after adjuvant external irradiation in early endometrial carcinoma.

Management of early endometrial carcinoma often consists of surgicopathologic staging followed by adjuvant radiation therapy (RT) for patients at risk of local recurrence. While an intracavitary vaginal cuff boost (VCB) is commonly given after external beam radiation therapy, its effects on local control and complication rates are unknown. To assess these effects, we reviewed 157 patients with FIGO Stage I (n = 134) or incidentally diagnosed (n = 23) endometrial adenocarcinomas. After surgery and external radiation therapy, 103 patients (65.6%) received a vaginal cuff boost of 3000–5000 cGy surface dose (Group I) and 54 (34.4%) did not (Group II). One hundred and two Group I and 52 Group II patients were evaluable for analysis. Median follow-up was 78.0 months for Group I and 60.0 months for Group II. Despite a preponderance of poor prognostic factors in Group II, no significant difference in local failure was seen. A component of local failure was seen in 6 Group I patients (6.0%) and 4 Group II patients (7.7%), p = 0.74. Distant failure, reflecting more advanced disease, was higher in Group II (19.2%) than in Group I(9.0%). Late complications included rectal bleeding/proctitis in 18.6% of Group I patients and 3.8% of Group II patients (p = 0.01). Overall, grade 2 complications occurred in 27.5% and 15.4% of Group I and II patients, respectively (p = 0.09). No difference in frequency of grade 3 complications was evident. Based on this retrospective study, intracavitary vaginal cuff boost after surgery and postoperative external beam radiation therapy does not appear to improve local control in early endometrial adenocarcinoma. Its possible effect on complication rates is uncertain.
Effect of Soy Addition on Microwavable Pocket‐Type Flat Doughs

: Microwavable frozen baked goods are widely used by the food industry. However, the altered heat and mass transfer patterns associated with microwave radiation result in tough and rubbery baked products due to reduced plasticization of the polymers. Ingredients with high water-holding capacity and high content of polar lipids have been shown to enhance gluten plasticization and to improve water retention. Therefore, this study explored the physicochemical changes imparted by microwave baking of pocket-type flat doughs with and without soy added at 10%, 20%, and 26% and compared these to their conventionally baked counterparts. Microwave baking resulted in a soft, rubbery, and tough wheat product with increased “freezable” water. Soy was added to the formulation as a means to improve polymer plasticization. Conventional baking of soy doughs resulted in rubbery and tough products due to changes in water state and mobility (freezable water approximately 15 compared with 7.09 of the control). However, soy reduced the cohesiveness of the microwave baked products reaching the lowest value at 20% soy addition (cohesiveness 0.33 ± 1, comparable to that of the conventionally baked control). These data suggest that reduction of water mobility induced by soy proteins and polar lipids (confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis [TGA] and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance [1H NMR]) possibly plasticized the starch-gluten network of microwave baked soy doughs. Thus, soy was shown to improve the texture of microwave baked pocket-type flat doughs although further formula optimization is warranted. Practical Application: Microwavable pocket-type flat doughs are used frequently by the food industry to enrobe meat, vegetable, and sweet items for convenient meal delivery. Microwave heating of such doughs induces the development of crustless products compared to conventionally baked products, resulting in a tough and rubbery texture. Partial substitution of wheat flour with soy, in the form of soy flour and soy milk powder, prevented the deleterious textural changes associated with microwave heating. These results suggest that soy is a functional ingredient for the textural improvement of microwavable pocket-type flat doughs.
Nanostructured, Solid-State Organic, Chiral Diels−Alder Catalysts via Acid-Induced Liquid Crystal Assembly

Nanostructured, heterogeneous, chiral Diels−Alder catalysts that are entirely organic in nature were prepared by synthesizing a polymerizable chiral imidazolidinone derivative (1). Acidification of 1 simultaneously activates the catalyst and allows the molecule to form different lyotropic liquid crystal phases. Subsequent photo-cross-linking affords nanoporous organic solids with good active site access and high enantioselectivities.
Analysis of the twisting department at Superior Cable Corporation: A case study

Abstract The production of communication cables involves four major serial operations, namely tandem, twisting, stranding, and jacketing. Superior Cable Corporation manufactures such communications cables at the Elizabethtown, Kentucky, plant. The bottleneck operation in this facility is the twisting department. In this paper, we used simulation to analyze the operations in the twisting department and provide several recommendations to improve the production capacity of this department. Several of our recommendations are successfully implemented.
Learning to play Go using recursive neural networks

Go is an ancient board game that poses unique opportunities and challenges for artificial intelligence. Currently, there are no computer Go programs that can play at the level of a good human player. However, the emergence of large repositories of games is opening the door for new machine learning approaches to address this challenge. Here we develop a machine learning approach to Go, and related board games, focusing primarily on the problem of learning a good evaluation function in a scalable way. Scalability is essential at multiple levels, from the library of local tactical patterns, to the integration of patterns across the board, to the size of the board itself. The system we propose is capable of automatically learning the propensity of local patterns from a library of games. Propensity and other local tactical information are fed into recursive neural networks, derived from a probabilistic Bayesian network architecture. The recursive neural networks in turn integrate local information across the board in all four cardinal directions and produce local outputs that represent local territory ownership probabilities. The aggregation of these probabilities provides an effective strategic evaluation function that is an estimate of the expected area at the end, or at various other stages, of the game. Local area targets for training can be derived from datasets of games played by human players. In this approach, while requiring a learning time proportional to N 4 , skills learned on a board of size N 2 can easily be transferred to boards of other sizes. A system trained using only 9i?9 amateur game data performs surprisingly well on a test set derived from 19i?19 professional game data. Possible directions for further improvements are briefly discussed.
Efficacy of a rise in C-reactive protein serum levels as an early indicator of sepsis in burned children.

C-Reactive protein serum levels were measured in 57 pediatric patients with 3% to 92% total body surface area burns to determine whether a defined rise in C-reactive protein serum levels could indicate sepsis earlier in burn patients. A rise in C-reactive protein serum levels was defined as an increase of at least 3 mg/dL for 2 days or 10 mg for 1 day. Increases the first 2 days after the burn or the day after surgery were excluded, since these injuries increase C-reactive protein serum levels. Patients were defined as septic when they were on systemic antibiotics and exhibited at least two of 16 specific clinical parameters. C-Reactive protein serum levels correctly predicted sepsis 82% of the time (efficiency = 82%). Nonseptic patients generally did not show increased C-reactive protein serum levels (specificity = 69%). When sepsis did occur, it always was preceded by increased C-reactive protein (sensitivity = 100%), and the increased C-reactive protein occurred 2.3 ± 0.5 days before the patient was deemed septic clinically. Hence, a defined rise in C-reactive protein serum levels can predict sepsis sooner in burned children.
Giving parks back to people: a transportation study of New Orleans City Park with implications for improving public health

Park planning, once at the root of the profession during the nineteenth century, can again provide cities with a means to improve public health through restricting access to automobiles. This intercept study, conducted in New Orleans City Park, found that two-thirds of users support weekend street closures to automobiles. Widespread support (63%) exists even among the 72% of people who arrived by automobile. This study also found measurable stated benefits from restricting car access. For more than 53% of the sample that stated that they would walk more in a car-free zone, respondents noted that they would walk nearly 30 min more per month. These findings suggest that planners and policy-makers have a cost-effective option to improve cities and public health – taming the automobile in urban parks.
Harvesting potatoes into water in a water-tight truck bed

This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of harvesting potatoes into water on tuber injury and to determine if the operation was commercially feasible. It was found that tubers harvested into water had fewer and lighter colored blackspots than tubers harvested into conventional flat-bed or chain-conveyor bulk potato trucks. Harvesting into water also reduced external tuber injury demonstrating that truck beds may not need elaborate padding. Some problems of operation in the field were minimized, particularly the need to closely synchronize tractor and truck speeds when building loads, and the close control of the loading boom with respect to the truck bed as the truck or harvester bounced over unavoidable obstacles in the field. Potatoes were partially pre-washed during the handling operation. Unloading potatoes with water at the packing house, in addition to reducing injury, eliminated the need for moving parts such as conveyors or hoists for discharging tubers, indicating that initial purchase costs of truck beds as well as maintenance costs would be reduced.
Evaluation of a multi-element treatment center for early psychosis in the United States

A growing body of research has demonstrated the potential for comprehensive, phase-specific care to improve clinical and functional outcomes in early psychosis. However, there have been no evaluations of such treatment models in the United States (US). This study is a naturalistic, prospective 1-year follow-up of an early psychosis cohort treated in one of the first US-based multi-element treatment centers. Participants were 163 individuals treated at the Outreach and Support Intervention Services (OASIS) clinic, a multi-element treatment center for early psychosis. Data were collected as part of routine care at 6-month intervals. Primary outcomes included role functioning and involvement in work or school. Over the course of 1 year of treatment, individuals experienced significant improvements in positive and negative symptoms, role functioning, and global functioning. The proportion of individuals meeting symptom remission and functional remission criteria increased significantly from baseline to 1 year, as did the proportion of individuals attending school. There were also trend-level reductions in substance abuse. This study provides preliminary support for the efficacy of comprehensive early intervention services in the US.
The clinical significance of the blood iodine; a review.

THE past decade is replete with discoveries which have added to our understanding of the nature of thyroid disease, as well as to our concepts of the metabolism of iodine, the element so intimately involved in the cellular physiology of the thyroid gland. A number of these have developed directly from experiments concerned with determinations of the blood iodine. Until recently blood iodine determinations, because of tedious, complicated, and time-consuming methods, have been restricted to the research laboratory. However, simplified methods which will enable any good clinical laboratory easily to determine blood iodine levels have become available. As a consequence the blood iodine is now assuming a significant position in the armamentarium of the clinician, to be used in the diagnosis of thyroid diseases as well as to aid in differentiating disorders of the thyroid gland from the many pathologic conditions which may simulate them. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND It was a fortunate empiricism which prompted the an...