cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phyletic evolution in the Globorotalia crassaformis (Galloway and Wissler) lineage; a preliminary report

A preliminary report is presented documenting the evolution of the Globorotalia crassaformis (Galloway and Wissler) lineage from the Early Pliocene G. cibaoensis (Bermudez) in Hydraulic Piston Core 72/516 on the Rio Grande Rise (western South Atlantic). A new technique, eigenshape analysis, is used to describe the gross changes in morphology, and the use of "Raupian" analysis of expansion rates, angular displacement, position relative to coiling axis, and translation rates of chambers is suggested as a useful vehicle for inferring the geometric causes of observed evolutionary changes. These changes include size increase, decrease in the number of chambers per whorl, inflation, reduction of relative height of aperture, and increase in the peripheral angle. The sequence is judged to be an example of phyletic gradualism.
View-aware tile-based adaptations in 360 virtual reality video streaming

We have proposed an adaptive view-aware bandwidth-efficient 360 VR video streaming framework based on the tiling features of MPEG-DASH SRD. We extend MPEG-DASH SRD to the 3D space of 360 VR videos, and showcase a dynamic view-aware adaptation technique to tackle the high bandwidth demands of streaming 360 VR videos to wireless VR headsets. As a part of our contributions, we spatially partition the underlying 3D mesh into multiple 3D sub-meshes, and construct an efficient 3D geometry mesh called hexaface sphere to optimally represent tiled 360 VR videos in the 3D space. We then spatially divide the 360 videos into multiple tiles while encoding and packaging, use MPEG-DASH SRD to describe the spatial relationship of tiles in the 3D space, and prioritize the tiles in the Field of View (FoV) for view-aware adaptation. The initial evaluations that we conducted show that we can save up to 72% of the required bandwidth on 360 VR video streaming with minor negative quality impacts compared to the baseline scenario when no adaptations is applied.
Abstract 5122: Utilizing zebrafish to study the effect strigolactone on breast cancer cells

Strigolactones (SLs) are a novel class of phytohormones that regulates shoot branching patterns and above-ground plant architecture by inhibiting the outgrowth of axillary lateral buds or meristems. The SL analogues (SLAs) inhibit the growth and survival of a wide array of cancer-derived cell lines including: prostate, colon, lung, melanoma, osteosarcoma and leukemic cell lines, while minimally affecting normal cultured cells. Interestingly, cancer cells with high metastatic potential are more sensitive to the inhibitory effect of SLAs than less aggressive cells. Treatment of cancer cells with SLAs leads to the activation of stress-related signaling including p38MAPKs and JNK1/2, and disrupt the microtubule network. Furthermore, a reduction in acetylated-alpha-tubulin was observed in SLA-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Microtubules dynamics has been proposed as one of the mechanisms that regulate cell migration by acting on lamellipodia formation. The ECIS invasion assay data suggests that even at low concentration of SLA and as soon as 6 hours, SLAs suppress MDA-MB-231 cells’ ability to invade the HUVEC monolayer. To further examine the effect of SLAs on the invasive and metastatic behaviors of cancer cells in vivo, fluorescently labeled MDA-MB-231 cells were used as xenograft models in zebrafish. Embryos injected with MDA-MB-231 cells showed 66.6% metastasis in vehicle treated control fishes, as compared to 22.85% in SLAs treated fishes. This suggests that SLAs are potent inhibitors of cancer dissemination and metastasis. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Kira Lin, Christopher Grivas, Elema Boru, Yaron Dayani, Eric Berens, Anna T. Riegel, Eric Glasgow, Ronit I. Yarden. Utilizing zebrafish to study the effect strigolactone on breast cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5122. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5122
Wear Analysis of Highly Cross-Linked Polyethylene in Young and Active Patients at Average Fourteen Years: A Concise Follow-Up of a Previous Report.

Abstract Background Concerns persist regarding the oxidative stability of annealed highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) and hence its wear performance especially long term in young and active patients. The purpose of this study is to assess the wear rates and clinical outcomes of a first-generation annealed HXLPE. Methods Forty-six patients (57 hips) with noncemented fixation, a mean age of 53 years, and a mean University of California Los Angeles activity score of 8 underwent primary total hip arthroplasty. A 28-mm femoral head against HXLPE liner was used in all cases. Linear wear rates were measured by 2 independent observers. Radiological and clinical assessments were recorded. Results At a mean of 14 years (range 10-17), the wear rate was 0.03 mm/y (SD ±0.02). There were no revisions for wear-related complications. Using revision for wear-related complications as an endpoint, the survivorship was 100% and we observed no osteolysis. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, patient administered questionnaire, and Hospital for Special Surgery hip scores were 91/100, 5/100, and 37/40 respectively. Conclusion This study confirms that a first-generation annealed HXLPE shows excellent wear and clinical results at 10-17 years in young and active patients. Oxidative degradation of an annealed HXLPE does not adversely affect wear and shows no other wear-related complications.
The Large Hadron Collider

The Large Hadron Collider (LHC), located at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland, is the largest particle accelerator in the world. With this extraordinary machine, physics at the TeV scale is within human reach. It is a 27 km double ring located 100 m underground.
From a Muddle to a Mudslide: Murr v. Wisconsin

This article analyzes the U.S. Supreme Court's most-recent regulatory takings decision, Murr v. Wisconsin, concluding that the decision further muddies the takings waters and threatens to undermine the already-limited protection of private property provided by the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause.
Trading Utility for Privacy in Shared Spectrum Access Systems

In an effort to meet growing demands on the radio frequency spectrum, regulators are exploring methods to enable band sharing among a diverse set of user devices. Proposed spectrum access systems would dynamically assign spectrum resources to users, maintaining databases of spectrum use information. While these systems are anticipated to increase the efficiency of spectrum sharing, incumbent users have raised concerns about exposing details of their operations and have questioned whether their privacy can be protected. In this paper, we explore whether primary users can retain a critical level of privacy in a spectrum access system setting, where they must reveal some information to enable dynamic access to the spectrum by other users. Under a variety of operational scenarios and user models, we examine adversary techniques to exploit the spectrum access system and obfuscation strategies to protect user privacy. We develop analytical methods to quantify the resulting privacy and validate our results through simulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper that considers inference attacks on primary users in the setting of a highly dynamic spectrum access system. Privacy analysis of this kind will help to enable the adoption of shared spectrum access systems by allowing incumbent users to quantify and mitigate risks to their privacy.
2017 ISTE Standards for Educators: From Teaching With Technology to Using Technology to Empower Learners

In 2008, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)published a set of forward-thinking standards for teachers that focused on using technology to support student learning and crea...
The Role of Ability in the Selection of Majors

The current study examined the extent to which ability provides incremental validity to the prediction of major choice beyond what is predicted by measures of personality, self-efficacy, and intere...
A primer on investigating the role of the microbiome in brain and cognitive development

Incorporating information regarding the gut microbiota into psychobiological research promises to shed new light on how individual differences in brain and cognitive development emerge. However, the investigation of the gut-brain axis in development is still in its infancy and poses several challenges, including data analysis. Considering that the gut microbiome is an eco-system containing millions of bacteria, one needs to utilize a breadth of methodologies and data analytic techniques. The present review serves two purposes. First, this review will inform developmental psychobiology researchers about the emerging study of the gut-brain axis in development and second, this review will propose methodologies and data analytic strategies for integrating microbiome data in developmental research.
Analyzing Twitter and Instagram Social Networks to Trace the Consumer Opinion Regarding Transparency in the Apparel Supply Chain

Heightened demand for apparel supply-chain transparency and increased usage of social media in sustainability campaigns has created new opportunities to understand public’s perspective toward sustainability issues. Through social network analysis, this study aims to utilize large-scale user-generated data on social media to gain a deeper understanding of public’s views concerning apparel supply-chain transparency. Grounded in small-world theory, this study utilizes #whomademyclothes campaign on Twitter and Instagram as research context. The analysis of social networks formed by the hashtags in 17,030 Instagram posts and 4,530 tweets revealed that public associates sustainability with working condition improvements, environmental protection, community development, and transparency enhancement in the apparel supply-chain. The findings revealed that both Twitter and Instagram users considered working condition improvement as the primary duty to fulfill. This study contributes to the literature by providing a foundation for the use of social network analysis to analyze user-generated social-media data.
A mutation in Site-1 Protease is associated with a complex phenotype that includes episodic hyperCKemia and focal myoedema

Background Site-1 Protease (S1P) is a Golgi-resident protein required for the activation of regulatory proteins that drive key cellular functions, including, the unfolded protein response (UPR) and lipid and cholesterol biosynthesis. While disruptions in S1P function have been widely characterized in animal models, to date, the implications of disrupted S1P function in human disease states are not completely known. Methods The patient and both parents underwent whole exome and mitochondrial DNA sequencing, and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the mutation. Western blotting and immunofluorescence studies were performed on either proband-derived fibroblasts or on an established cell line to assess protein expression and cellular localization of the mutated S1P protein. Quantitative real-time PCR and luciferase reporter assays were used to examine activation of S1P target pathways in the context of the S1P mutation. Results We describe a female patient with a de novo heterozygous missense mutation in the transmembrane domain of S1P (p. Pro1003Ser). The patient presented to our neuromuscular clinic with episodic, activity-induced, focal myoedema and myalgias with hyperCKemia. Her clinical phenotype was complex and included gastrointestinal hypomotility, ocular migraines, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Molecular analysis using proband-derived fibroblasts and cell lines harboring the Pro1003Ser mutation demonstrated increased activation of UPR and lipid and cholesterol regulatory pathways and localization of S1P Pro1003Ser in the Golgi. Conclusion These findings suggest a critical function for S1P in several human organ systems and implicate an important role for S1P in various human disease states.
New Dimensions in Liaison Consultation

The role of the Liaison Consultation physician and psychiatrist is examined in terms of its change. Not only does the liaison person assess, diagnose, and identify therapeutic processes for the psychosocial aspects of medical and surgical illness, but he or she is frequently requested to participate with family members and nurse-physician teams in decisions relating to medical ethics. Several examples will be presented illustrating this expansion of roles and interactions. These will include: decisions regarding the termination of life support systems; patient’s refusal to accept the amputation of a gangrenous limb or the patient who no longer desires to live.
Flexural Behavior of Concrete Beams with Presence of Opening

In this study, the flexural behavior of reinforced concrete Beams with Openings in the middle have been investigated. Four specimens have been studied. The first beam which does not have an opening called the reference beam (M-R). The other three specimens have openings of dimensions 100 mm in the mid span. Two of the beams have been enhanced with steel tubes at the internal circumference of the openings. The beam that was enhanced with steel tube of 3mm thickness called (M-HS3), while the beam enhanced with steel tube of 2mm thickness called (M-HS2), on the other hand, the fourth beam that has the opening without reinforcing of steel tube called called (M-H). All specimens have dimensions of 250 mm height and 150 mm width and flexural span of 90 cm. Digital Image Correlation method (DIC) was carried out for all specimens to monitor the strain and the crack behavior. The obtained results indicate that the steel tube reinforcing the opening significantly improves the bending behavior of the R.C. beams.
Application and comparison of machine learning models for predicting quality assurance outcomes in radiation therapy treatment planning

Abstract The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate machine learning models for predicting quality assurance (QA) outcomes of volumetric modulated arc radiation therapy (VMAT) treatment plans. A dataset of 500 VMAT treatment plans and diode-array QA measurements were collected for this study. Gamma passing rates (GPRs) were computed using a 3%/3 mm dose difference and distance-to-agreement gamma criterion with local normalization. 241 complexity metrics and plan parameters were extracted from each treatment plan and their relative importance for accurately predicting GPRs was assessed and compared using feature selection methods via forests of Extra-Trees, mutual information, and linear regression. Hyperparameters of different machine learning models – which included linear models, support vector machines (SVMs), tree-based models, and neural networks – were tuned using cross-validation on the training data (80%/20% training/testing split). Features were weakly correlated with GPRs, with the small aperture score (SAS) at 50 mm having the largest absolute Pearson correlation coefficient (0.38; p
Cultivating a Market Like the State: Rural Development and Democratic Decentralization in India:

Global policy organizations, financial institutions, and national governments have emphasized high-value agriculture in the world’s semi-arid areas inhabited by the greatest proportion of its poor,...
Normal Hematopoiesis Is a Balancing Act of Self-Renewal and Regeneration

The hematopoietic system is highly organized to maintain its functional integrity and to meet lifelong organismal demands. Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) must balance self-renewal with differentiation and the regeneration of the blood system. It is a complex balancing act between these competing HSC functions. Although highly quiescent at steady state, HSCs become activated in response to inflammatory cytokines and regenerative challenges. This activation phase leads to many intrinsic stresses such as replicative, metabolic, and oxidative stress, which can cause functional decline, impaired self-renewal, and exhaustion of HSCs. To cope with these insults, HSCs use both built-in and emergency-triggered stress-response mechanisms to maintain homeostasis and to defend against disease development. In this review, we discuss how the hematopoietic system operates in steady state and stress conditions, what strategies are used to maintain functional integrity, and how deregulation in the balance between self-renewal and regeneration can drive malignant transformation.
Spatially Separated Cutaneous Haptic Guidance for Training of a Virtual Sensorimotor Task

Haptic devices enable multi-modal feedback to a user when training to perform novel motor skills in controlled, virtual environments. Haptic feedback has been proposed as a means to provide additional guidance cues that might improve training efficacy; however, recent studies have identified drawbacks to haptic guidance, including reliance on guidance forces and an inability to distinguish between forces that are part of the virtual environment and those that communicate task completion strategies. Recently, we proposed a novel approach to providing haptic guidance that separates task and guidance forces. We used a kinesthetic haptic interface to communicate task forces and a spatially separated tactile skin-stretch device to transmit guidance forces. Our experiments showed that feed-forward control using this paradigm was effective for improving performance in a trajectory following task. In this paper, we explore the potential for spatially separated cutaneous haptic guidance to train a user to optimally control an inverted pendulum system. We present and execute a task and training protocol designed to determine whether error-based haptic feedback provided cutaneously can accelerate learning of a task, and whether participants can retain or transfer task skills even after guidance is no longer present. We found that subject performance improved while spatially separated cutaneous haptic guidance was active. Despite this finding, performance in the pendulum balancing task was not affected once the haptic assistance was removed.
Pulsatile flows in arteries

Recent interest in the hydrodynamic events relating to biomedical problems of the arteries as well as the development of artificial heart-assist devices have prompted one to study the nature of pulsatile flows in arteries. In particular, the problem of atherosclerosis is suspected to be related to the shearing stress developed over the vascular wall. The endothelial cells which normally line the intima of blood vessels can be eroded under high wall shear. It was found by Fry [1] that these cells have an acute yield stress of the order of 350 to 400 dynes/ cm2. Shearing stresses exceeding this limit will cause marked endothelial proliferation and subendothelial lipid deposition. On the other hand, there are problems of keeping the shearing stresses within a range to permit the endothelial cells to establish and to stabilize the newly formed fibrin surfaces over prostheses such as heart valves and heart-assist devices. Basic understanding of these problems could be gained through detailed knowledge of the pulsatile flow fields.
Marked point process representation of oscillatory dynamics underlying working memory.

Objective Computational models of neural activity at the meso-scale suggest the involvement of discrete oscillatory bursts as constructs of cognitive processing during behavioral tasks. Classical signal processing techniques that attempt to infer neural correlates of behavior from meso-scale activity employ spectral representations of the signal, exploiting power spectral density techniques and time - frequency energy distributions to capture band power features. However, such analyses demand more specialized methods that incorporate explicitly the concepts of neurophysiological signal generation and time resolution in the tens of milliseconds. This paper focuses on working memory (WM), a complex cognitive process involved in encoding, storing and retrieving sensory information, which has been shown to be characterized by oscillatory bursts in the beta and gamma band. Employing a generative model for oscillatory dynamics, we present a Marked Point Process (MPP) representation of bursts during memory creation and readout. We show that the markers of the point process quantify specific neural correlates of WM. Approach We demonstrate our results on field potentials recorded from the prelimbic and secondary motor cortices of 3 rats while performing a WM task. The generative model for single channel, band-passed traces of field potentials characterizes with high - resolution, the timings and amplitudes of transient neuromodulations in the high gamma (80-150 Hz, γ) and beta (10 - 30 Hz, β) bands as an MPP. We use standard hypothesis testing methods on the MPP features to check for significance in encoding of task variables, sensory stimulus and executive control while comparing encoding capabilities of our model with other time - frequency methods. Main results Firstly, the advantages of an MPP approach in deciphering encoding mechanisms at the meso-scale is demonstrated. Secondly, the nature of state encoding by neuromodulatory events is determined. Third, we demonstrate the necessity of a higher time resolution alternative to conventionally employed time - frequency methods. Finally, our results underscore the novelty in interpreting oscillatory dynamics encompassed by the marked features of the point process. Significance An MPP representation of meso-scale activity not just enables a rich, high - resolution parameter space for analysis but also presents a novel tool for diverse neural applications.
The Legacy of Civil Rights and the Opportunity for Transactional Law Clinics

At the end of the historic march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. famously paraphrased abolitionist and Unitarian minister Theodore Parker stating, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” The implication of the phrase is that the social justice goals of the Civil Rights Movement would eventually be achieved. His prayer was that servants of justice would be rewarded in due time. In other words, that the goals of the Civil Rights Movement would be achievable at some point in the future. President Obama resurrected the phrase throughout his presidential campaign and throughout his presidency. The President was so taken with the phrase that he even had the quote woven into the presidential rug in the Oval Office during his tenure in the White House.
Assessment of U.S. Health Care Utilization Patterns Among Recently Resettled Refugees Using Data from the 2016 Annual Survey of Refugees

Purpose: Little is known regarding the health care utilization patterns of refugees resettled in the United States. We analyzed the Annual Survey of Refugees (ASR), a nationally representative survey of recently resettled refugees, to assess these patterns. Methods: Anonymized 2016 ASR data were examined for refugees 16 years old who arrived from 2011 to 2014. Results: Refugees most often used private physicians (34%), health clinics (19%), and emergency rooms (14%). Approximately 15% reported no regular source of care, and 34% had health insurance for 1 month of the prior year. Conclusion: Results indicate differing health care use and coverage, revealing opportunities for educational interventions.
Functional characteristics of glaucoma related arcuate defects seen on OCT en face visualisation of the retinal nerve fibre layer

PURPOSE To assess continuity of perimetric defects corresponding to arcuate defects seen on optical coherence tomography (OCT) en face reflectance images of the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in patients with glaucoma. METHODS Seven patients with glaucoma who had arcuate structural defects on OCT RNFL en face images were recruited. Static suprathreshold stimuli were presented along different meridians to localise perimetric defects in the corresponding hemifield. Then two contrasts, one 6 dB greater than the other, were used with kinetic perimetry to assess the slope of the defect. Findings with kinetic and 24-2 perimetry were compared. RESULTS Static perimetry found that regions of perimetric abnormality spatially corresponded with the regions of en face RNFL hyporeflectivity. Kinetic perimetry found that the slopes of the edges of the defects ranged from 3-12 dB degree-1 , and that the functional abnormalities were continuous with the physiologic blind spot even when the 24-2 protocol only showed paracentral defects. CONCLUSIONS Perimetric abnormalities and arcuate RNFL en face defects were spatially correspondent. Perimetric testing guided by OCT en face reflectance images can reveal greater functional detail of glaucomatous abnormality than 24-2 testing.
Aristotle's Ethics as First Philosophy

Introduction Part I. Prelude: Before Ethics: Metaphysics A and Posterior Analytics B 1. Metaphysics A: on 'metaphysics' and desire 2. Posterior analytics: on Nous and Aisthesis 3. Architecture as first philosophy Part II. Main Section: Ethikon Nikomakheion Alpha-Eta: 4. Human initiative and its orientation to the good 5. On happiness 6. On the soul 7. On justice 8. The virtues of the intellect Part III. Interlude: Metaphysics Gamma: 9. Aporiai of the science of 'being qua being' 10. The principle 'by nature' 11. Reiterations 12. Teleology, indefinable and indubitable 13. The phenomenon of truth and the action of thinking Part IV. Concluding Section: Ethikon Nikomakheion Theta-Kappa 14. Friendship and justice: inceptive remarks 15. Perfection and friendship 16. Again on friendship and justice 17. On happiness or the good 18. Again on Logos and Praxis Part V. Kolophon.
Under the Scrub Oak, a Red Shoe

bruises, so we would have had no fear of any we might add, earUer, when we stood smoking by the waU, cat-calUng Ughtly. It would have been one of those nights the breath aches it is so pleased with itself, then she appeared in that red Uke the first cactus buds, something clearly wrong with her but that, by God, no concern of any red-blooded buck she might want. In the junk car someone squealed, some rose and fell. There were no names. I did not mean
A robust complex FastICA algorithm using the huber M-estimator cost function

In this paper, we propose to use the Huber M-estimator cost function as a contrast function within the complex FastICA algorithm of Bingham and Hyvarinen for the blind separation of mixtures of independent, non-Gaussian, and proper complex-valued signals. Sufficient and necessary conditions for the local stability of the complex-circular FastICA algorithm for an arbitrary cost are provided. A local stability analysis shows that the algorithm based on the Huber M-estimator cost has behavior that is largely independent of the cost function's threshold parameter for mixtures of non-Gaussian signals. Simulations demonstrate the ability of the proposed algorithm to separate mixtures of various complex-valued sources with performance that meets or exceeds that obtained by the FastICA algorithm using kurtosis-based and other contrast functions.
Factors Governing the pH, Availability of H+, and Oxidation Capacity of Rain

The acidity of rain is coupled to redox reactions in air and in atmospheric water. The pH, an intensive quantity, needs to be distinguished from the base neutralizing capacity. For acidic rain observed at most locations, H2SO4, HNO3, NH3, and CaCO3 are dominant components. Their local availability or production rates govern net acidity. pH is thus almost entirely determined by these major “strong” components imposed on a CO2 background, with some influence by SO2(aq), smaller concentrations of HNO2 and weak organic acids and minor bases, e.g., Fe2O3, yielding acid aquo metal ions. Total global emissions to the atmosphere of H2SO4 precursors outweigh those of HNO3 by a factor of 2–3 on an equivalent basis. In specific settings HNO3 may be comparable to H2SO4 in rain. Total atmospheric acidity appears to be a useful quantity for estimating potential acidity of rain at different locations. There are indications in photochemical models of HNO3 and H2SO4 that feedback among S and N species may be important. Heterogeneous oxidations of SO2 in cloud, fog, and rain play important roles in the acidification process. “Background” acidities of rain appear to be highly variable; pH values are expected to range from below 5 to above 6. Present-day SO2 and NOx fluxes account for a pH lowering of ∼ 0.5 to 1.5, depending upon source location and transport-conversion rates.
An evaluation of Monte Carlo for nonlinear initial uncertainty propagation in Keplerian mechanics

This paper evaluates the performance of traditional Monte Carlo (FMC) for the nonlinear propagation of initial uncertainty in the two-body problem: an essential task in space situational awareness. This is done in light of a newly developed Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) based particle approach that combines the benefits of MCMC sampling with the method of characteristics (MOC) for solving first order partial differential equations — in this case, the stochastic Liouville equation (SLE). The resulting MCMC-MOC ensemble is by construction, equivalent in measure to the true state probability density. Our recent results on the MCMC-MOC approach indicate that for systems with divergence-free dynamics, the FMC and MCMC-MOC ensembles are statistically consistent. Unfortunately, the unperturbed two-body problem (Keplerian motion) is one such system. In this paper, we demonstrate through simulation that the traditional MC propagated ensemble is indeed equivalent in measure to MCMC-MOC ensemble, which in turn is the true system measure by construction. As a result, it is not possible to improve upon FMC and its slow convergence rate for this problem.
Predictive Genetic Testing: Emotional and Behavioural Impact

Genetic tests are becoming increasingly available both clinically and commercially. It is important that the psychological impact (e.g. emotional and behavioural impact) of this emerging class of tests is understood. The evidence suggests genetic testing may have fewer adverse emotional effects than anticipated. A clear picture has not yet emerged regarding behavioural impact. However, this field is in its infancy, and there is much work still to be done. The hope is that genetic testing will be applied and communicated in effective and responsible ways that have minimal adverse emotional yet maximal positive behavioural effects, and will ultimately have a significant beneficial impact on human health. Keywords: genetic testing; psychological impact; behaviour
LIF density measurement calibration using a reference cell

Summary form only given. Flight qualification of ion thrusters typically requires testing on the order of 10,000 hours. Extensive knowledge of wear mechanisms and rates is necessary to establish design confidence prior to long duration tests. Consequently, real-time erosion rate measurements offer the potential both to reduce development costs and to enhance knowledge of the dependency of component wear on operating conditions. Several previous studies have used laser-induced fluorescence (LIEF) to measure real-time, in situ erosion rates of ion thruster accelerator grids. Those studies provided only relative measurements of the erosion rate. In the present investigation, a molybdenum tube was resistively heated such that the evaporation rate yielded densities within the tube on the order of those expected from accelerator grid erosion. A pulsed UV laser was used to pump the ground state molybdenum at 345.64-nm, and the non-resonant fluorescence at 550-nm was collected using a bandpass filter and a photomultiplier tube or intensified CCD array. The sensitivity of the fluorescence was evaluated to determine the limitations of the calibration technique. The suitability of the diagnostic calibration technique was assessed for application to ion engine erosion rate measurements.
The Terminal Phase

It has been stated generally that termination of psychotherapy gives rise to feelings of loss, grief, and even guilt and anger, and that the way in which the therapist handles these feelings will determine the patient’s ability to function independently after its ending. Such observations may be true in patients who face the termination of their analysis or long-term dynamic psychotherapy as well as in those patients receiving time-limited psychotherapy where the central issues, according to Mann (1973), involve loss and separations.
Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Nanospheres Obtained by Hydrothermal Carbonization of Wood- derived and Other Saccharides

Carbon nanospheres were synthesized by hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of four different carbon sources: xylose, glucose, sucrose, and pine wood derived saccharides. The obtained carbon nanospheres were characterized for particle morphology and size, and surface functional groups. Morphological and structural differences among these saccharides derived HTC carbons were clearly observed. Scanning electron microscopy images of carbon nanospheres from HTC of xylose showed uniform spherical particles with diameters around 80 nm, while carbon nanospheres obtained from glucose, sucrose, and pine-derived saccharides had particle size in the range of 100-150 nm, 300-400 nm, and 50-100 nm, respectively. Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide were primary gaseous phase products during the HTC process. In addition, methane, propane, hydrogen, and benzene were detected in the gas phase. Citation: Yan, Q., Li, R., Toghiani, H., Cai, Z., and Zhang, J. (2015). Synthesis and Characterization of Carbon Nanospheres Obtained by Hydrothermal Carbonization of Wood-derived and Other Saccharides. Trends in Renewable Energy, 1(2), 119-128. DOI: 10.17737/tre.2015.1.2.0012
The influence of hydrogen sulfide-to-hydrogen partial pressure ratio on the sulfidization of Pd and 70 mol% Pd–Cu membranes

The influence of H2S-to-H2 partial pressure ratio on the sulfidization of Pd and 70 mol% Pd–Cu membrane alloys was studied using various H2S-containing gas mixtures. The Pd membranes exposed to various H2S mixtures were in very good agreement with the thermodynamic calculations used in this study, resisting sulfidization when exposed to H2S-to-H2 ratios below the equilibrium value predicted for Pd4S formation, and experiencing sulfidization when exposed to ratios above the equilibrium values. The 70 mol% Pd–Cu membranes, however, exhibited deviations from the predicted values, resisting sulfidization at some conditions close to the equilibrium values at which sulfidization was expected, and experiencing sulfidization at some conditions at which resistance was expected. This phenomenon was attributed to deviations of the Pd–Cu alloy from ideality, probably due to Cu segregation at the membrane surface.
Mean platelet volume and prevalence of peripheral artery disease, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999–2004

Objectives We sought to determine whether mean platelet volume (MPV) is associated with the prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD).
Propagation of epileptiform activity in the brain examined by frequency-wavenumber analysis.

SUMMARY Penicillin-induced focal epileptic activity in the rat neocortex was analyzed via the frequency-wavenumber method to demonstrate the application of the technique to these data. Although definite interpretation of the results appears premature at this time, the preliminary results indicate the usefulness of the frequency-wavenumber approach to the study of epileptic phenomena. RESUME Ľactiviteepileptique focale induite par la penicilline dans-le neocortex du rat a ete etudiee avec la methode de frequence-nombre ďondes pour demontrer les possibilites ďapplication de cette technique dans ľanalyse de ces donnees. Bien qu'il soit premature pour le moment ďen tirer des conclusions definitives, les r&ultats indiquent Putilite ďutiliser la methode de frequence-nombre ďondes dans ľetude des pheno-menes epileptiques. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Penicillin-induzierte fokale Krampfaktivitat im Rattenneocortex wurde mit Hilfe der Frequenz-Wellen zahl analysiert, um die Anwendung der Methode auf diese Frage-stellung zu demonstrieren. Obgleich es fur eine endgiiltige Interpretation der Resultate zu fruh ist, weisen die vorlaufigen Ergebnisse darauf hin, daB die Anwendung dieser Methode fur die Untersuchung epileptischer Phanomene niitzlich ist. RESUME La actividad epileptica focal inducida por penicilina en el neocortex de la rata se estudia mediante el metodo de analisis de frecuencias, con objeto de demostrar el interes de dicha tecnica en este problema. Aun cuando es prematuro llegar a conclu-siones al respecto, los resultados preliminares muestran la utilidad de dicha tecnica en el estudio del fenomeno epileptico.
Initial- and lagging-state observers☆

Abstract Two new types of observers, termed initial- and lagging-state observers, are introduced and their performance characteristics analyzed. The first of these permits exact reconstruction of the initial state via sequential processing of measurement data. The second provides sequential state reconstruction where the estimate is permitted to lag the most recent measurement by a fixed time interval. Both observer types are useful for exact state reconstruction during the transient period of an identity observer where the latter is not able to accurately reconstruct the state. Conditions for asymptotic stability are developed, and extensions are indicated.
Resorbable anterior cervical plates for single-level degenerative disc disease.

OBJECTIVE: Resorbable spinal implants have generated increasing interest. There are minimal data in the literature on the use of resorbable anterior cervical plates. The purpose of this study is twofold. First, we present clinical outcomes of anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) for single-level degenerative disease using the first commercially available resorbable cervical plate. Second, we compare x-ray outcomes, including pseudarthrosis rates and angulation of healing, between patients receiving resorbable plates and a control group of patients receiving titanium plates. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive patients treated with single-level ACDF using a resorbable anterior cervical plate were prospectively evaluated with minimum 12-month follow-up (mean, 15 mo). As a control group, 93 consecutive patients treated with single-level ACDF using a titanium plate with minimum 1 -year follow-up were assessed. RESULTS: Overall outcomes were good in the resorbable plate group at a mean 15 months follow-up. Neck Disability Index scores decreased from a mean of 64.0 to 20.1% at follow-up (P < 0.001). Numerical Rating Scale pain scores decreased from a mean of 8.0 preoperatively to 2.9 at follow-up (P < 0.001). Three cases of pseudarthrosis [three of 24 (12.5%)] were identified in the resorbable plate group compared with two cases in the control group [two of 93 (2.2%)]. This difference was significant (P = 0.047). Angulation was measured on final x-rays using Cobb angles. Patients in the resorbable plate group healed with a mean 4.52-degree kyphosis, whereas patients in the titanium plate group healed with a mean 2.41 -degree lordosis (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This report describes, to our knowledge, the first series of patients to undergo ACDF with the first commercially available resorbable cervical plate. Healing in kyphosis and pseudarthrosis was significantly more likely with resorbable implants as compared with the use of titanium plating. Although ultimate clinical outcomes were good, x-ray outcomes may be better with the use of titanium plating.
Evolution of the tan Locus Contributed to Pigment Loss in Drosophila santomea: A Response to Matute et al.

We have shown previously that the loss of abdominal pigmentation in D. santomea relative to its sister species D. yakuba resulted, in part, from cis-regulatory mutations at the tan locus. Matute et al. claim, based solely upon extrapolation from genetic crosses of D. santomea and D. melanogaster, a much more divergent species, that at least four X chromosome regions but not tan are responsible for pigmentation differences. Here, we provide additional evidence from introgressions of D. yakuba genes into D. santomea that support a causative role for tan in the loss of pigmentation and present analyses that contradict Matute et al.'s claims. We discuss how the choice of parental species and other factors affect the ability to identify loci responsible for species divergence, and we affirm that all of our previously reported results and conclusions stand.
Hydrocarbon Liquid Production from Biomass via Hot-Vapor-Filtered Fast Pyrolysis and Catalytic Hydroprocessing of the Bio-oil

Hot-vapor-filtered bio-oils were produced from two different biomass feedstocks, oak and switchgrass, and the oils were evaluated in hydroprocessing tests for the production of liquid hydrocarbon products. Hot-vapor filtering reduced bio-oil yields and increased gas yields. The yields of fuel carbon as bio-oil were reduced by 10% by hot-vapor filtering for both feedstocks. The unfiltered bio-oils were evaluated alongside the filtered bio-oils using a fixed-bed catalytic hydrotreating test. These tests showed good processing results using a two-stage catalytic hydroprocessing strategy. Equal-sized catalyst beds, sulfided Ru on a C catalyst bed operated at 220 °C and sulfided CoMo on an Al2O3 catalyst bed operated at 400 °C were used with the entire reactor at 10 MPa operating pressure. The products from the four tests were similar. The light-oil-phase product was fully hydrotreated, so that nitrogen and sulfur were below the level of detection, while the residual oxygen ranged from 0.3 to 2.0%. The density...
The thermal analysis of energy storage materials by differential scanning calorimetry

Energy storage materials (ESM) have shown some utility in passive supplemental heating applications. This investigation was undertaken to ascertain the value in passive cooling applications of some known and new ESM using differential scanning calorimetry. The method works extremely well in all cases tested both for single heating and cooling runs and for continuous heating and cooling cycles. The scale-up full room tests give the same results as DSC, further validating this method. Though the materials studied all have some desirable properties, none was deemed of general use. From this investigation the necessary parameters for the discovery of new ESM have become clear, and this study is underway.
Smalltalk scaffolding: a case study of minimalist instruction

A curriculum was developed to introduce users to the Smalltalk object-oriented programming language. Applying the Minimalist model of instruction [3], we developed a set of example-based learning scenarios aimed at supporting real work, getting started fast, reasoning and improvising, coordinating system and text, supporting error recognition and recovery, and exploiting prior knowledge. We describe our initial curriculum design as well as the significant changes that have taken place as we have observed it in use.
Mo1667 Comparison of I-SCAN Imaging Technology to High Definition Imaging in the Detection of Adenomatous Polyps

as controls. There were no significant differences in the demographics and colonoscopy quality indicators such as bowel prep and cecal intubation rates amongst the study group. There was a significantly higher Adenoma Detection Rate (ADR) in the HDW group 29.2% in comparison to SC group 23.1% (p 0.05). There were a higher proportion of left sided lesions in HDW group 40.5% in comparison to SC group 34.3% but the differences were not significant. There also was a higher advanced adenoma detection rate (AaDR) in HDW group 17.3% vs. SC group 10.5% (p 0.01). No colonic segmental distribution differences were seen amongst groups. Conclusions: HDW colonoscopes appear to improve outcome of colonoscopy with improved ADR and AaDR in clinical practice. Widespread use of HDW technology may result in improving the benefit of colonoscopy in colorectal cancer prevention.
A probabilistic approach to one class of nonlinear differential equations

We establish connections between positive solutions of one class of nonlinear partial differential equations and hitting probabilities and additive functionals of superdiffusion processes. As an application, we improve results on superprocesses by using the recent progress in the theory of removable singularities for differential equations.
Conformations of side chains of somatostatin very high field proton NMR studies

The high field proton NMR spectra (500 and 600 MHz) of the peptide hormone somatostatin in D2O are reported. The results obtained are used to derive values of the couplings and chemical shifts related to the solution conformation of several of the side chains. This work resolves a discrepancy in the literature concerning the assignments of resonances in the spectrum. It also provides a means of testing the accuracy of obtaining values for these couplings and shifts in previous 2D NMR studies at lower field from strongly coupled multiplets in spectra of this complexity.
A unified theory of formation of downbursts and tornadoes

Abstract A unified theory of the formation of downbursts and tornadoes is formulated that all such natural hazards are caused by the temporal interaction of a cyclone vortex at mid-level with the surface of the earth. The theory is demonstrated numerically by obtaining time-dependent solutions for the Navier-Stokes equations in an initially stationary flow region of large lateral extent. There a general vortex is instantly applied and continuously maintained at its top boundary, and the lower boundary is a surface. The results show that in the initial interaction stage, a two-celled downburst flow develops immediatly in the central region. The downburst quickly diminishes because of the intrusion of surrounding inflows and upflows and then changes to a one-celled vortex with upflow only. The mechanism of downburst formation is explained. Secular interaction of the vortex and surface may produce a tornado-like flow, which is illustrated by laboratory simulations.
Endogenous respiration and regulation in a primitive marine fungus

The relationship between the respiration and the presence and utilization of endogenous and exogenous substrates was studied in the non-filamentous obligately marine fungus Thraustochytrium aureum. Using isotopic and manometric methods, it was shown that almost all exogenous glucose is assimilated, whilst almost all the oxygen consumption in the presence of exogenous glucose was due to oxidation of endogenous reserves. In contrast, exogenous glutamate, which cannot serve as the sole carbon source for growth, inhibits respiration of endogenous materials, and is itself rapidly oxidized. The uncoupler 2,4-dinitrophenol stimulates the oxidation of endogenous reserves without affecting the uptake and use of exogenous glucose. These data strongly support the idea of physiologic compartmentation in this organism.
Metal-Alkyl Group Effects on the Thermodynamic Stability and Stereochemical Mobility of B(C6F5)3-Derived Zr and Hf Metallocenium Ion-Pairs

This paper reports significant dependence of ion-pair formation energetics and stereomutation rates upon the metal-bound alkyl substituent (R) and the solvent dielectric constant in the metallocenium series (1,2-Me2Cp)2MR+ MeB(C6F5)3- where R = Me, CH2tBu, CH2TMS, CH(TMS)2, and M = Zr and Hf, as determined by reaction titration calorimetry and dynamic NMR spectroscopy. For the ion-pair forming reaction, (1,2-Me2Cp)2M(R)Me + B(C6F5)3 → (1,2-Me2Cp)2MR+ MeB(C6F5)3-, enthalpies in toluene solution at 25 °C for M = Zr and R = Me, CH2TMS, and CH(TMS)2 are −24.6(0.8), −22.6(1.0), and −59.2(1.4) kcal/mol, respectively. Corresponding values for M = Hf and R = Me and CH2TMS are −20.8(0.5) and −31.1(1.6) kcal/mol, respectively. ΔH‡reorg values for the reorganization process that interchanges the ion-pair enantiotopic sites for M = Zr and R = Me, CH2tBu, CH2TMS, and CH(TMS)2 are 22(1), 18(1), 17(1), and 9(2) kcal/mol, respectively. Corresponding ΔH‡reorg values for M = Hf and R = Me, CH2tBu, and CH2TMS are >24, 12(3)...