cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
[bmim]AlCl4 Ionic Liquid for Deep Desulfurization of Real Fuels

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroaluminate ionic liquid (IL) was synthesized and tested for its capability to extract organic sulfur species from real, refinery obtained hydrocarbon fuels. The fuels consisted of sulfur-rich gasoline and diesel as well as pretreated, partially desulfurized gasoline and diesel. The IL-extracted fuels were then analyzed for total sulfur, nitrogen, and chlorine. Total sulfur was significantly lowered in all tested fuels. Nitrogen levels were also significantly reduced mainly due to a pretreatment with molecular sieve. Only traces of chloride originating from the IL could be detected in three of the four samples after all extraction stages. Sulfur-speciation analyses revealed that some sulfur compounds in the feed were converted to new compounds.
Comparing elastographic strain images with modulus images obtained using nanoindentation: preliminary results using phantoms and tissue samples

Conventional elastography involves quasistatic mechanical compression (external or internal) of the tissue under ultrasonic insonification to obtain radiofrequency (RF) A-lines before and after compression. Cross-correlation of the pre- and postcompression A-lines results in displacement images with axial gradients that produce the strain images (strain elastograms). Though the strain elastograms show structural similarities to the modulus images, they are not related in a simple way to the modulus images because the strains depend on both modulus and geometry of the materials being deformed. Therefore, a quantification of the similarities between the strain and modulus images may enhance the interpretation confidence of strain elastograms in depicting tissue structure. To demonstrate similarities between modulus images and strain elastograms, a feasibility study of using nanoindentation to obtain modulus images of thin slices of tissue and tissue-mimicking phantoms (agar-gelatin mixtures) was performed first, with encouraging results. This was followed by a comparison of modulus images and strain elastograms obtained from the same sample slices. The experimental results indicated that, under certain experimental conditions, it is feasible to perform quantitative comparisons between strain images (using elastography) and modulus images. A good visual, as well as quantitative, correspondence between structures in the modulus and strain images could be obtained at a 3-mm scale.
A Study of Factor Effects in Data From Factorial Experiments

This paper documents a meta-analysis of 113 data sets from published factorial experiments. The study quantifies regularities observed among factor effects and multi-factor interactions. Such regularities are known to be critical to efficient planning and analysis of experiments and to robust design of engineering systems. Three previously observed properties are analyzed — effect sparsity, hierarchy, and heredity. A new regularity is introduced and shown to be statistically significant. It is shown that a preponderance of active two-factor interaction effects are synergistic, meaning that when main effects are used to increase the system response, the interaction provides an additional increase. The potential implications for robust design are discussed.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Human Cytomegalovirus Immediate-Early 2 Protein IE86 Blocks Virus-Induced Chemokine Expression

The effect of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene expression on cytokine (beta interferon) and chemokine (RANTES, MIG, MCP-2, MIP-1α, and interleukin-8) expression was examined. We demonstrate that HCMV gene expression is required to suppress the transcriptional induction of these cytokines and that the HCMV immediate-early 2 gene product IE86 can effectively block the expression of cytokines and proinflammatory chemokines during HCMV and Sendai virus infection. Additionally, we present data on viral mutants and ectopic protein expression which demonstrate that pp65, another identified HCMV cytokine antagonist, is not involved in regulating these proinflammatory cytokines. This is the first report to demonstrate that IE86 can act to suppress virus-induced proinflammatory cytokine transcript expression, extending the antiviral properties of this multifunctional viral protein.
Development of ultrahigh energy resolution gamma spectrometers for nuclear safeguards

We are developing superconducting ultrahigh resolution gamma-detectors for non-destructive analysis (NDA) of nuclear materials, and specifically for spent fuel characterization in nuclear safeguards. The detectors offer an energy resolution below 100 eV FWHM at 100 keV, and can therefore significantly increase the precision of NDA at low energies where line overlap affects the errors of the measurement when using germanium detectors. They also increase the peak-to-background ratio and thus improve the detection limits for weak gamma emissions from the fissile Pu and U isotopes at low energy in the presence of an intense Compton background from the fission products in spent fuel. Here we demonstrate high energy resolution and high peak-to-background ratio of our superconducting Gamma detectors, and discuss their relevance for measuring actinides in spent nuclear fuel.
Descriptive characteristics of the electrocardiogram from autopsied men free of cardiopulmonary disease—A basis for evaluating criteria for ventricular hypertrophy

Most measurements establishing standard values for the normal electrocardiogram have been derived from a healthy population, whereas many electrocardiographic interpretations are necessary in hospitalized or seriously ill patients. Therefore, the characteristics of the electrocardiogram were described from 48 autopsied men known to be free of cardiopulmonary disease by clinical assessment and by a special cardiac examination using postmortem coronary angiography and a chamber partition technique. Highest values, mean and standard deviation, and the upper 97.5 percentile or lower 2.5 percentile when appropriate were noted for QRS voltage, QRS axis and duration, and intrinsicoid deflection in V5 or V6. Any ST-segment and T-wave changes were noted as well as left and right atrial abnormalities. Twenty-eight electrocardiographic criteria recommended to detect left ventricular hypertrophy and 10 recommended to detect right ventricular hypertrophy were evaluated for percentage of false-positive results and the 97.5 percentile value for each criterion was developed from the present data base. The data in this study can be used as a standard for comparing electrocardiographic variation in middle-aged men with specific relevance for electrocardiographic criteria of ventricular hypertrophy.
Blending cultures, shifting homes: Emir Kusturica's Time of the Gypsies

AbstractThis article explores the representation of and the role played by Italy in Emir Kusturica's Time of the Gypsies (1989), which is centred on Perhan, a Gypsy boy who goes to Milan with the prospect of becoming rich and then returning to his homeland. Italy provides more than just the setting of the film, as its multifacetedness and complexity are instrumental for delving into Perhan's different forms of displacement. Through a dialogue with Italian locations that are repositories of a certain Italianness, Perhan's notions of ‘culture’ and ‘home’ are drastically contaminated, which also triggers a renegotiation of the terms in which Italian identity is narrated. On the one hand, Kusturica challenges Perhan's vision of his Gypsy culture and ‘home’ by bringing to the fore their inner contradictions and fragmentations. On the other hand, he engages Italian collective identity by focusing on a few, key Italian monuments and showing their permeability to the Other, here embodied by the Gypsies. In this w...
Describing Remote Electronic Documents in the Online Catalog: Current Issues

ABSTRACT The relationship between the library catalog and electronic resources is different than that between the catalog and physical materials. Cataloging rules were originally designed to help patrons use a manual card catalog to find physical works on a shelf. However, these rules apply awkwardly to electronic resources because functionally different electronic works raise special cataloging issues. This article discusses the problems of describing remote electronic resources in the online catalog. It concludes that descriptive information helps the user identify the work s/he needs, but that it is practical to provide only minimal descriptive information for remote electronic resources in the catalog record. To a limited extent, the access lost from less description can be replaced with new cataloging techniques designed to stabilize the catalog record.
Antibiotic cycling to decrease bacterial antibiotic resistance: a 5-year experience on a bone marrow transplant unit

Multidrug-resistant pathogens have important effects on clinical outcomes. Antibiotic cycling is one approach to control anti-microbial resistance, but few studies have examined cycling in hematology-oncology units. Antibiotic cycling was implemented in January 1999 at our hematology-oncology unit, alternating piperacillin-tazobactam (pip-tazo) and cefepime in 3 months periods, until June 2004. Clinical isolates were compared in post- and pre-intervention periods and with the susceptibility among the solid organ transplant intensive care unit (TICU) isolates. The rate of Gram-negative isolates remained stable. Among Gram-negatives, susceptibility to cefepime and pip-tazo remained stable. There was an increase in Enterococcus spp. (P=0.007), and susceptibility to ampicillin and vancomycin decreased (odds ratio (OR): 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.17-0.89 and OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.09-0.58). Compared with the TICU, there was increased susceptibility to pip-tazo and cefepime among enterics (OR: 7.32, 95% CI: 4.44-12.07 and OR: 8.82, 95% CI: 2.1-37.13) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (OR: 4.27, 95% CI: 1.47-12.4 and OR: 4.61, 95% CI: 1.75-12.1) and decreased susceptibility to ampicillin and vancomycin among enterococci (OR: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.30-0.63 and OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.26-0.56). Cycling was associated with preserved antibiotic susceptibility among Gram-negatives, but with an increase in Enterococcus spp. and vancomycin and ampicillin resistance among enterococci.
A note on Bertrand competition with asymmetric fixed costs

Abstract We consider a model of Bertrand competition with fixed costs of entry or production. We show that, contrary to most of the existing literature that focuses on symmetric firms and hence symmetric equilibria, if we allow these fixed costs to be different for each firm, competition may prevent higher cost firms from entering this market, even if the differences in cost are small. Specifically, all firms except for the two with the lowest fixed cost find entry blockaded, and the two firms with the lowest fixed costs compete ignoring the threat of potential entry.
Effects of hydrogenation on the thermopowers of PdNi and PdCo alloys

Abstract The first thermopower data for Ni and Co impurities in β-PdH are reported. A contrast in the behavior for these impurities in Pd with their behavior in β-PdH is shown to provide a valuable measure of both the complexity and the extent of the ferromagnetic to dilute-magnetic-alloy conversion which occurs in these alloys as the H concentration increases.
Governing Art Districts: State Control and Cultural Production in Contemporary China

Contemporary Chinese artists have long been marginalized in China as their ideas conflict with the mainstream political ideology. In Beijing, artists often live on the fringe of society in “artist villages,” where they almost always face the threat of being displaced owing to political decisions or urban renewal. However, in the past decade, the Chinese government began to foster the growth of contemporary Chinese arts and designated underground artist villages as art districts. This article explores the profound change in the political decisions about the art community. It argues that, despite the pluralization of Chinese society and the inroads of globalization, the government maintains control over the art community through a series of innovative mechanisms. These mechanisms create a globalization firewall, which facilitates the Chinese state in global image-building and simultaneously mitigates the impact of global forces on domestic governance. The article illuminates how the authoritarian state has adopted more sophisticated methods of governance in response to the challenges of a more sophisticated society.
Chamber propagation physics for heavy ion fusion

Chamber transport is an important area of study for heavy ion fusion. Final focus and chamber-transport are high leverage areas providing opportunities to significantly decrease the cost of electricity from a heavy ion fusion power plant. Chamber transport in two basic regimes is under consideration. In the low chamber density regime ({approx_lt}0.003 torr), ballistic or nearly-ballistic transport is used. Partial beam neutralization has been studied to offset the effects of beam stripping. In the high chamber density regime ({approx_gt}.1 torr), two transport modes (pinched transport and channel transport) are under investigation. Both involve focusing the beam outside the chamber then transporting it at small radius ({approx} 2 mm). Both high chamber density modes relax the constraints on the beam quality needed from the accelerator which will reduce the driver cost and the cost of electricity.
Analyzing Taliban taranas (Chants): An Effective Afghan Propaganda Artifact

This article describes and analyzes a little understood Afghan Taliban propaganda tool: chants or taranas. These melodic refrains effectively use historical narratives, symbology, and iconic portraits. The chants are engendered in emotions of sorrow, pride, desperation, hope, and complaints to mobilize and convince the Afghan population of the Taliban’s worldview. The chants represent culturally relevant and simple messages that are communicated in a narrative and poetic form that is familiar to and resonates with the local people. They are virtually impossible for the United States and NATO to counter because of Western sensitivities concerning religious themes that dominate the Taliban narrative space, not to mention the lack of Western linguistic capabilities, including the understanding and mastering the poetic nature of local dialects.
Population size, density, spatial distribution and dispersal in an Austrian population of the land snail Arianta arbustorum styriaca (Gastropoda: Helicidae)

One population of the land snail Arianta arbustorum styriaca (Frauenfeld, 1868), endemic in the Northeastern Alps in Austria, was investigated with regard to population size and density, spatial distribution and movement patterns of the individuals in order to obtain basic information on their population biology. The study was carried out at a site situated about 880 m above sea level in Styria, in the Gesause mountains over two years, using the capture-recapture technique. Population density based on the JollySeber model showed variation ranging from 0.12‐4.03 individuals/m 2 over the whole study period. The recapture rate after one year was generally high (up to 85% per sampling date). In most cases individuals were aggregated. The snails showed a high site fidelity; average calculated minimum areas were 0.115 m 2 /day. The sum vector of all individual dispersal observations over the entire study period did not indicate a significant preference for any direction. Only during winter was a significant downhill displacement (possibly passive) detected.
Studying Performance and Learning With ABIR The Effects of Knowledge, Mobilizing Agents, and Predictability

This study uses the Agent-Based Identity Repertoire model to investigate the ability of populations to adapt and learn in an unpredictable environment. The authors’ findings highlight the trade-off between adaptation and diversity in the pursuit of performance but also show that this trade-off is far from straightforward. Increasing sophistication improves the ability to adapt but reduces diversity, imposing high costs down the line. However, high levels of sophistication also produce small, stable homogeneous clusters of agents, which slow down declines in diversity. Innovative or entrepreneurial agents reacting more rapidly to environmental signals increase the prevalence of such clusters, helping diversity but hampering adaptability. The authors also show that more predictable environments facilitate successful adaptation, especially for populations of intermediate sophistication. Finally, the authors conclude that the trade-off between adaptation and diversity is such that in the present model, long-term learning is difficult to achieve.
Co-deleting Pten with Rb in retinal progenitor cells in mice results in fully penetrant bilateral retinoblastomas

Background Rb1 is the most frequently mutated gene in the pediatric cancer retinoblastoma, and its loss causes E2F transcription factors to induce proliferation related genes. However, high E2F levels following pRB loss also induce apoptosis-promoting genes as a safeguard mechanism to suppress emergent tumors. Although p53 accumulation and apoptosis induction is believed to be a primary mechanism to eliminate cells with excess E2F activity, p53 deletion doesn’t suppress RB/E2F induced apoptosis in vivo in the retina. This prompted us to test the PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway on RB/E2F apoptosis suppression in vivo, to ascertain if the PI3K pathway may provide a potential avenue for retinoblastoma therapy.
Race and Plea Bargained Outcomes: A Research Note

Peterson and Hagan (1984) argue that the influence of race on criminal sentencing must be considered within specific contexts and in varying social settings. The adjudication of male burglary defendants is analyzed within the context of plea negotiations and between southern and nonsouthern judicial jurisdictions. In the southern jurisdictions, the odds of imprisonment markedly increase among defendants who are: (1) racial minorities or (2) have been previously convicted of a felony. Support is given to Peterson and Hagan's contention that the effect of race on criminal sentencing is context specific. Considerable controversy surrounds the understanding of the effect of race on criminal sentencing. Analyses of the race-sentencing link find that harsher sentences are typically imposed on minority defendants (Petersilia 1985; Unnever 1982; Welch, Spohn & Gruhl 1985). However, the impact of the defendant's race on sentencing outcomes is shown to be diminished by: (a) the nondiscriminatory attitude of the judge (Gibson 1978); (b) the victim's race (LaFree 1980; Paternoster 1984; Radelet 1981); (c) the probation officer's recommendation (Myers 1979; Unnever, Frazier & Henretta 1980); (d) urban-rural court setting (Hagan 1977); (e) region of the United States (Kleck 1981); and (f) pretrial release status (Clarke & Kurtz 1983). *This is a revision of a paper read at the 1985 meetings of the American Sociological Association. The data were made available by the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Reseach. The data for the study "Plea Bargaining in the United States, 1978" were originally collected by Herbert S. Miller, William McDonald, and James A. Cramer. Neither the collector of the original data nor the Consortium bear any responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here. We thank Colin Loftin and the anonymous referees for their insightful critiques of an earlier version of this paper. Address correspondence to John A. Humphrey, Department of Sociology, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC 27412. ? 1987 The University of North Carolina Press
Lys66 residue as a determinant of high mismatch extension and misinsertion rates of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase.

A major factor contributing to the high mutation rate of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) is its high propensity for misincorporation. Misincorporation requires both deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) misinsertion and the subsequent extension of the mismatched terminus thus formed. We hypothesized that Lys66 is a determinant of mismatch extension based on its position near the primer terminus. This hypothesis was tested by steady-state kinetic studies using wild-type HIV-1 RT and four Lys66 substitution mutants: Lys66Arg, Lys66Ala, Lys66Asn and Lys66Thr. The mismatch extension efficiency was reduced for all mutants, with Lys66Ala, Lys66Asn and Lys66Thr showing a four- to six-fold reduction compared with wild-type HIV-1 RT. Surprisingly, the nonconservative substitutions also led to large decreases in misinsertion efficiency, ranging from as low as three-fold to values much higher than 23-fold. Thus, the Lys66Arg mutant was akin to wild-type HIV-1 RT, whereas all nonconservative mutants displayed significantly decreased efficiency for both events. Our results suggest that Lys66, much like Lys65, is a determinant of both dNTP misinsertion and mismatch extension efficiency. While Lys65 is known to contact the γ-phosphate of incoming dNTP, the Lys66 side chain is in the vicinity of the primer terminus. However, our results suggest that both residues have a similar influence on dNTP misinsertion and mispair extension efficiencies of HIV-1 RT. When we tested the mutants for susceptibility to selected nucleoside analog and non-nucleoside analog drugs, similarly to Lys65Arg, the Lys66Ala and Lys66Asn mutants displayed mild resistance to the nucleoside analog drug 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine-5′-triphosphate (AZTTP). Database EC 2.7.7.49, EC 2.7.7.7
Use of preoperative MR to predict dural, perineural, and venous sinus invasion of skull base tumors.

PURPOSE To assess the accuracy of MR imaging in predicting dural, venous sinus, and perineural invasion by skull base tumors. METHODS The preoperative MR images of 22 patients who had resection of skull base neoplasms were evaluated for the following characteristics: dural enhancement, pial enhancement, local perineural invasion by adjacent tumor, and venous sinus invasion by tumor. The greatest width of dural enhancement was measured, and the character of dural enhancement was noted. The pathologic and surgical reports were reviewed retrospectively with specific attention to dural, venous, and local perineural invasion. RESULTS Of the 22 patients studied, dural invasion by tumor was confirmed in eight patients, vascular invasion in six patients, and perineural invasion in four patients. The sensitivity of dural enhancement in predicting invasion was 88%, the specificity 50%, and the accuracy 64%. When enhancement and focal nodularity were present, the sensitivity remained at 88%; however, specificity was 100% and accuracy 95%. If the dural enhancement was more than 5 mm thick, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 75%, 100%, and 91%, respectively. Predicting tumor invasion of the dura by the presence of pial enhancement was 50% sensitive and 100% specific. Venous sinus/jugular vein invasion was predicted with 100% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and 95% accuracy. Local perineural invasion was predicted with 100% sensitivity, 50% specificity, and 59% accuracy. CONCLUSIONS The presence of pial enhancement, focal dural nodules, or dural thickening of more than 5 mm is highly accurate in predicting the presence of neoplastic dural invasion. Linear enhancement of dura does not imply dural infiltration by tumor. Venous invasion by tumor can be predicted accurately with preoperative MR imaging.
Mutations in the 8 kDa dynein light chain gene disrupt sensory axon projections in the Drosophila imaginal CNS

Mutations in an 8 kDa (8x10(3) Mr) cytoplasmic dynein light chain disrupt sensory axon trajectories in the imaginal nervous system of Drosophila. Weak alleles are behaviorally mutant, female-sterile and exhibit bristle thinning and bristle loss. Null alleles are lethal in late pupal stages and alter neuronal anatomy within the imaginal CNS. We utilized P[Gal4] inserts to examine the axon projections of stretch receptor neurons and an engrailed-lacZ construct to characterize the anatomy of tactile neurons. In mutant animals both types of sensory neurons exhibited altered axon trajectories within the CNS, suggesting a defect in axon pathfinding. However, the alterations in axon trajectory did not prevent these axons from reaching their normal termination regions. In the alleles producing these neuronal phenotypes, expression of the cytoplasmic dynein 8 kDa light chain gene is completely absent. These results demonstrate a new function for the cytoplasmic dynein light chain in the regulation of axonogenesis and may provide a point of entry for studies of the role of cellular motors in growth cone guidance.
TWIN-SCREW EXTRUSION of RICE FLOUR: EFFECT of EXTRUDER LENGTH-TO-DIAMETER RATIO and BARREL TEMPERATURE ON EXTRUSION PARAMETERS and PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

The effects of extruder length-to-diameter (L/D) ratio and barrel temperature on extrusion system parameters and extrudate characteristics during twin-screw extrusion of rice flour were studied. the L/D ratio and barrel temperature were varied between 16–24 and 75–185C, respectively. the extrusion system parameters studied were thrust bearing pressure and specific mechanical energy. the expansion ratio, bulk density and maximum force of the extruded product, as affected by the L/D ratio and barrel temperature, were investigated. Experimental data on system parameters and extrudate characteristics were fitted to a second degree polynomial. The linear as well as the quadratic effect of L/D ratio, and the quadratic effect of temperature were significant (p < 0.10) in most cases. the significant (p < 0.10) interaction term (L/D ratio *temperature) for most of the response functions revealed that a change in the L/D ratio can affect the influence of temperature on system parameters and extrudate attributes. the hardness of the extrudates increased with increasing L/D ratio. Microstructure of the extrudates suggested that a barrel temperature above 150C is desirable to get an expanded product.
Discovering rare behaviours in stochastic differential equations using decision procedures: applications to a minimal cell cycle model

Stochastic Differential Equation SDE models are used to describe the dynamics of complex systems with inherent randomness. The primary purpose of these models is to study rare but interesting or important behaviours, such as the formation of a tumour. Stochastic simulations are the most common means for estimating or bounding the probability of rare behaviours, but the cost of simulations increases with the rarity of events. To address this problem, we introduce a new algorithm specifically designed to quantify the likelihood of rare behaviours in SDE models. Our approach relies on temporal logics for specifying rare behaviours of interest, and on the ability of bit-vector decision procedures to reason exhaustively about fixed-precision arithmetic. We apply our algorithm to a minimal parameterised model of the cell cycle, and take Brownian noise into account while investigating the likelihood of irregularities in cell size and time between cell divisions.
The Occurrence of Rare Cancers in U.S. Adults, 1995-2004

Objective.Rare cancers have been traditionally understudied, reducing the progress of research and hindering decisions for patients, physicians, and policy makers. We evaluated the descriptive epid...
Soluble adhesion molecules and the search for biomarkers for atherosclerosis.

Advances in the understanding of the molecular basis of inflammation, atherogenesis, and plaque instability have led to the identification of a number of molecules that are posited to play a critical role in various aspects of atherosclerotic lesions and/or their lability, which can be measured quantitatively in plasma. Intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) are two important members of the immunoglobulin gene superfamily that play important but different roles in the adhesion of leukocytes to the vascular endothelium. VCAM-1, which is the endothelial ligand for α4β 1 (very late antigen 4 [VLA-4]), has been postulated to play the more critical role in monocyte adherence to endothelial cells under flow conditions. ICAM-1 ligands include CD11a/CD18 (LFA-1) and CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1), which are present on monocytes, lymphocytes, and neutrophils. Increased expression of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 is observed in atherosclerotic lesions, and mice deficient in either ICAM-1 or VCAM-1 have reduced response to experimental atherosclerotic stimuli (eg, apolipoprotein E deletion). In the mouse, a deficiency of VCAM-1 seems to play a more important role in the initiation of atherosclerosis than does a deficiency of ICAM-1.1 Although membrane-bound forms of either adhesion molecule are difficult to measure in vivo, soluble forms can be detected in the serum or plasma and are increased in many conditions with an inflammatory component.2 The levels of soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice increases over time in parallel with the progression of atherosclerosis, providing evidence in a murine model that sICAM-1 may correlate with the burden of atherosclerosis.3 See p 820 On the basis of this information, a number of clinical investigators have measured levels of sICAM-1 …
Interest and deprivation factors of epistemic curiosity

Abstract The extent to which two measures of epistemic curiosity (EC), the Epistemic Curiosity Scale (ECS; Litman & Spielberger, 2003 ) and the curiosity as a Feeling-of-Deprivation Scale (CFDS; Litman & Jimerson, 2004 ), differentiated between interest (I) and deprivation (D) type curiosity was examined in four studies. In studies 1 (N = 725) and 2 (N = 658), exploratory factor analyses of the ECS and CFDS subscales yielded two factors; the first (I-type) involved pleasure associated with discovering new ideas, while the second (D-type) emphasized spending time and effort to acquire a specific answer or solution. In study 3 (N = 762), confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that a 2-factor model comprised of the I- and D-type curiosity items identified in study 2 had the best fit. In study 4 (N = 515), correlations between revised I- and D-type measures and different learning goals were evaluated. As hypothesized, the I-EC scale correlated with mastery-oriented learning, whereas the D-EC scale was related to failure-avoidance and success-orientation. The results suggest that I-EC is concerned with stimulating positive affect, diversive exploration, learning something completely new and mastery-oriented learning; D-EC involves the reduction of uncertainty, specific exploration, acquiring information that is missing from an existing knowledge-set and performance-oriented learning.
Elective neck dissection for second primary after previous definitive radiotherapy.

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to define the role of neck dissection during surgery for patients who have received elective nodal irradiation in the course of treatment for a prior squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and are subsequently diagnosed with a second primary SCCHN. Materials and methods We reviewed the medical records of 13 patients who received both definitive radiotherapy and elective nodal irradiation for T1-4 N0 M0 SCCHN of the oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx, or larynx who then subsequently developed a metachronous T1-4 N0 M0 SCCHN primary at a new site. All second primary tumors were treated with surgery. Ten of the 13 patients also received an elective neck dissection (END) at that time: 7 unilateral and 3 bilateral. We report the outcomes for the patients in this series. Results One (8%) of 13 neck dissection specimens was positive in 1 (10%) of 10 patients. The 5-year outcomes were the following: local-regional control, 67%; local control, 77%; disease-free survival, 62%; overall survival, 38%; and cause-specific survival rate, 77%. Six patients experienced treatment-related complications of grade 2 or higher (per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 4). Complications occurred exclusively in patients who received an END. Conclusions The risk of occult nodal disease may be low enough to justify omitting an END for a second primary SCCHN in selected patients while maintaining treatment efficacy and reducing patient morbidity. Larger studies on this subject are needed to further address this question.
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy Characterization of the Electrical Properties of Wrinkles in Exfoliated Graphene Monolayers

We report on the scanning tunneling microscopy study of a new class of corrugations in exfoliated monolayer graphene sheets, that is, wrinkles ∼10 nm in width and ∼3 nm in height. We found such corrugations to be ubiquitous in graphene and have distinctly different properties when compared to other regions of graphene. In particular, a “three-for-six” triangular pattern of atoms is exclusively and consistently observed on wrinkles, suggesting the local curvature of the wrinkle provides a sufficient perturbation to break the 6-fold symmetry of the graphene lattice. Through scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we further demonstrate that the wrinkles have lower electrical conductance and are characterized by the presence of midgap states, which is in agreement with recent theoretical predictions. The observed wrinkles are likely important for understanding the electrical properties of graphene.
Progress on Hypervelocity Railgun Research for Launch to Space

The Universities of Texas, Minnesota, and New Orleans, and Texas Tech University are undertaking research supported by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research on critical issues for a launch to space from a railgun carried on an airborne platform. The University of Texas at Austin is studying techniques to achieve hypervelocity with a goal of 7 km/s: So far, 5.2 km/s has been achieved in a 7-m augmented railgun using a preinjected plasma armature. Texas Tech University is studying distributed power feed concepts that will improve the efficiency of launch for a long railgun: So far, 11 km/s has been achieved with a plasma arc in a five-stage system. The Universities of Minnesota and New Orleans are investigating the aerothermal behavior of a 10-kg projectile for flight from a high-altitude launch into orbit: So far, the results show that an acceptable amount (~ 15 mm) of nosetip ablation will occur. This paper provides an overview of progress in these areas; more details on specific topics are provided in companion papers.
EXPERIMENTAL ECOLOGICAL GENETICS IN PLANTAGO

SUMMARY Induction of roots and shoots from leaves of Plantago lanceolata L. using IAA is a very effective technique which could be extended to large scale cloning for vegetative propagation and assay procedures in genecological studies on this and other species. In P. lanceolata, there were no differences between populations from contrasting habitats with regard to proportion of leaves producing roots and shoots. There was a high correlation between zinc tolerance measured on rooted leaves and on equivalent rooted tillers.
Legendre wavelet method for numerical solutions of partial differential equations

We introduce an orthogonal basis on the square [−1, 1] × [-1, 1] generated by Legendre polynomials on [−1, 1], and define an associated expression for the expansion of a Riemann integrable function. We describe some properties and derive a uniform convergence theorem. We then present several numerical experiments that indicate that our methods are more efficient and have better convergence results than some other methods. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2010
Motion detection using fiber-based networks

A fiber-based surveillance network overcomes the distance barrier. We are proposing a high performance, very flexible fiber-based real time visual surveillance network system that can be easily customized to the needs of the application. The system employs an FPGA-based DSP processor at the central processing unit to process and analyze video data from a network of cameras transmitted through an optical fiber network. The system is capable of handling various types of cameras including the reuse of existing cameras. This paper will show a proof of concept of certain functionalities of the system including the tracking of objects in a three-dimensional space using a stereo pair of cameras.
Effect of moderate electric fields on inactivation kinetics of pectin methylesterase in tomatoes: The roles of electric field strength and temperature

Abstract The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of Moderate Electric Fields (MEF) on pectin methylesterase (PME) activity in tomatoes. Inactivation kinetics parameters of MEF and conventional thermal treatments were determined for samples of identical prior source and pretreatment history, subjected to nearly identical linearly increasing temperature histories. The presence of electric field (60 Hz, sine wave) resulted in activation of PME at 70 (±1) °C, and accelerated inactivation at higher temperatures. This effect increased with field strength. The results may be interpreted in light of molecular motion calculations for PME, which suggest that enzyme molecules subjected to an oscillating electric field experience electrophoretic motion, and behave as if at a slightly higher temperature than that of the bulk, resulting in an activating effect at lower temperatures, but an inactivation effect at higher temperatures.
Presumptive evidence of cardiac rheumatoid nodules assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography. A preliminary report.

Three patients with nodular rheumatoid arthritis underwent two-dimensional echocardiography for evaluation of cardiac murmurs of undefined etiology. Each patient had long-standing rheumatoid arthritis with palpable and visible extensor surface nodules. Discretely identifiable, nodular-appearing, echodense masses involving various cardiac structures were visualized in each of the patients examined. These echodense masses may represent cardiac rheumatoid nodules—the unique cardiac manifestation of rheumatoid heart disease.
Work in Progress: Student Behaviors Using Feedback in a Blended Physics Undergraduate Classroom

Two major benefits of Massive Open Online Course platforms are their collection of fine grain data on student interactions with the course website and their capacity to give students immediate feedback on their work. We study the patterns of students' usage of immediate feedback in an undergraduate physics course that uses blended learning, and we present informative aggre-gate descriptives from this 474-student class. We find that overall student study strategies mirror those in "traditional" courses, that students strategically use the auto-checking feature of the platform, and that they extensively use the other content resources available to them on the platform. Several of these findings support educational research that has not had the benefit of the data MOOC platforms give us access to. Better understanding of how students engage with blended learning will aid residential instructors in tailoring in-class time and providing their students with recommendations for approaches to studying.
Health care utilization following diagnosis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

Abstract Objectives The long-term outcome of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) is of importance given the disabling symptoms and tendency to affect patients early in their productive years. Health care utilization (HCU) is an important outcome measure reflecting overall health status and costs. There is little information regarding long-term HCU following diagnosis of PNES. Methods We retrospectively reviewed records of Veterans diagnosed with PNES during epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) evaluation. For the three-year period following diagnosis of PNES, we reviewed emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, outpatient clinic visits, and radiology procedures. We compared the three years following PNES diagnosis with the three years preceding diagnosis. We also compared patients with PNES and patients with epileptic seizures (ES). Results Emergency department visits and hospitalizations were more frequent in patients with PNES compared with those in patients with ES ( p = 0.01). There was no overall improvement in HCU during the three-year interval following diagnosis of PNES. A transient decrease during the year following diagnosis was not sustained over three-year follow-up. Pain complaints rather than seizures were the most common reason for presentation, whereas the opposite was true for patients with ES ( p p p Conclusions Overall HCU did not improve during the three years following diagnosis of PNES, compared with three years preceding diagnosis. The results add to studies documenting poor seizure outcomes following diagnosis of PNES and underscore the need for more effective and comprehensive treatments, addressing comorbid symptoms.
Genomic and Epigenomic Alterations in Cancer.

Multiple genetic and epigenetic events characterize tumor progression and define the identity of the tumors. Advances in high-throughput technologies, like gene expression profiling, next-generation sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics, have enabled detailed molecular characterization of various tumors. The integration and analyses of these high-throughput data have unraveled many novel molecular aberrations and network alterations in tumors. These molecular alterations include multiple cancer-driving mutations, gene fusions, amplification, deletion, and post-translational modifications, among others. Many of these genomic events are being used in cancer diagnosis, whereas others are therapeutically targeted with small-molecule inhibitors. Multiple genes/enzymes that play a role in DNA and histone modifications are also altered in various cancers, changing the epigenomic landscape during cancer initiation and progression. Apart from protein-coding genes, studies are uncovering the critical regulatory roles played by noncoding RNAs and noncoding regions of the genome during cancer progression. Many of these genomic and epigenetic events function in tandem to drive tumor development and metastasis. Concurrent advances in genome-modulating technologies, like gene silencing and genome editing, are providing ability to understand in detail the process of cancer initiation, progression, and signaling as well as opening up avenues for therapeutic targeting. In this review, we discuss some of the recent advances in cancer genomic and epigenomic research.
Global Ledger - The Next Step for XBRL: Leveraging the Potential Throughout the Accounting Cycle

XBRL for U.S. GAAP is now a requirement for all publicly traded companies. But the full potential of XBRL will not be realized until the tagging of financial data takes place in the beginning of the accounting cycle, not the end as in current practice. This change will make way for new applications of software for managerial decision making and continuous auditing throughout the entire accounting information system. Although it may be overly optimistic to expect full XBRL GL tagging right away, a realistic next step is for management to require subsidiaries to transmit their closing accounting information with XBRL tags. The parent company’s home office can then employ open source systems to consolidate the XBRL data. Those consolidated XBRL data would then be used to prepare the traditional “paper” statements, including the auditor’s opinion.
Exploring the Challenges Former Prisoners Face Finding Work

In their chapter, “Families, Prisoner Reentry, and Reintegration,” Harding and colleagues speak powerfully to the role that the family plays in shaping former prisoners’ life chances immediately post-release. The authors could do more, however, to deepen our understanding of the challenges the formerly incarcerated face upon exit from prison and of families’ responses to these challenges. Because Harding and colleagues do not engage the growing body of research linking former prisoners’ employment problems to their lack of engagement in a job search, resulting from a whole host of challenges structural in nature, these issues largely go unexamined, as do the family’s response. The authors also seek to make sense of the ways in which the family helps and hinders without directly studying the families involved in the process. In this chapter, I complicate both our understanding of the labor market challenges faced by prisoners and also the family’s role in facilitating and hindering their reintegration, given these challenges.
Use of a midline mandibular osteotomy to improve surgical access for transoral robotic resection of the base of tongue in a patient with trismus.

Background The utilization of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in patients with trismus is limited because of poor surgical exposure. Methods This report is about a 46-year-old man with a recurrent right base of tongue cancer who had severe postradiation trismus. We performed a midline mandibular osteotomy without a lip split and this resulted in a markedly improved surgical exposure. He underwent a TORS resection of the right base of the tongue with no significant complications. Results The midline mandibular osteotomy significantly improved the surgical exposure and facilitated exposure for TORS in a patient who otherwise would not be able to undergo TORS. Conclusion Utilization of a midline mandibular osteotomy allowed for increased exposure for TORS in a patient with limited mouth opening from postradiation trismus. Postoperative hemorrhage remains a significant concern and appropriate measures to mitigate the catastrophic consequences of this should be considered.
Community reactions to tourism development: how does governmental fairness work?

Based on the elements of social exchange and organizational justice theories, a conceptual model and associated hypotheses were formulated to examine the relationship among community residents and their perceptions of governmental fairness (i.e., distributive, procedural, interpersonal, and informational dimensions), social capital (i.e., cognitive and structural dimensions), and support for government and environmental development. Data were collected from 496 residents in four Korean cities: Busan, Gyeongju, Pohang, and Ulsan. Empirical testing resulted in support for multiple hypotheses. More specifically, cognitive social capital was significantly influenced by distributive, interpersonal, and informational fairness. Structural social capital was significantly affected by distributive and informational fairness. Subsequently, two dimensions of social capital positively influenced two types of support. Overall, the results suggest that the interplay of governmental fairness and social capital is import...
Children’s Use of “I Don’t Know” During Clinical Evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Responses to Emotion Questions

This study investigated ways children with autism spectrum disorder respond to questions about emotions on the ADOS-II (Autism Diagnostic and Observation Schedule). Specifically, Stickle et al. examined the children’s I don’t know (IDK) utterances as responsive to these questions, questions designed to tap into the children’s capacity for abstract thinking. Findings revealed that the children’s use of IDK was not haphazard but rather revealed four distinct interactional patterns. Stickle et al. also documented clinicians’ formulations of questions that seem to create difficulty for children to respond to and clinicians’ practice that works to encourage the production of valid responses from children. Overall, this research broadens our understanding of the abilities of children given the diagnosis of autism that lies outside of what is officially being tested.