cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interval Distribution for Exclusive, Mixed-Use Bicycle Paths

The interval distribution for exclusive, mixed-use bicycle paths that include pedestrians, skaters, and joggers is examined. Interval distributions are used to generate arrivals, an essential input to a traffic simulation model. Different time headway distributions have been fitted for vehicular traffic flow based on the type of facility, traffic composition, and flow rate. However, only one study reports on the arrival patterns of bicycles approaching an intersection, and no studies examine the interval distribution for bicycles on exclusive bicycle paths. Bicycle traffic data collected for two bicycle paths in Denver, Colorado, were analyzed. Two populations were considered to describe arrival patterns on bicycle paths. The first consisted of the combined population of bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, and joggers. The second population consisted of only bicycles, which are considered separately. With bicycles classified as unconstrained and constrained in either a combined population of bicyclists, pedestrians, skaters, and joggers or a separate population of bicyclists only, a Schuhl's composite distribution of negative exponential distribution was found to model interval distributions. The composite distribution's fit was significantly better than a negative exponential distribution, as demonstrated by Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests. The distributions may be used to generate not only the interval between consecutive arrivals but also the type of user.
Output-only cyclo-stationary linear-parameter time-varying stochastic subspace identification method for rotating machinery and spinning structures

Abstract Economical maintenance and operation are critical issues for rotating machinery and spinning structures containing blade elements, especially large slender dynamic beams (e.g., wind turbines). Structural health monitoring systems represent promising instruments to assure reliability and good performance from the dynamics of the mechanical systems. However, such devices have not been completely perfected for spinning structures. These sensing technologies are typically informed by both mechanistic models coupled with data-driven identification techniques in the time and/or frequency domain. Frequency response functions are popular but are difficult to realize autonomously for structures of higher order, especially when overlapping frequency content is present. Instead, time-domain techniques have shown to possess powerful advantages from a practical point of view (i.e. low-order computational effort suitable for real-time or embedded algorithms) and also are more suitable to differentiate closely-related modes. Customarily, time-varying effects are often neglected or dismissed to simplify this analysis, but such cannot be the case for sinusoidally loaded structures containing spinning multi-bodies. A more complex scenario is constituted when dealing with both periodic mechanisms responsible for the vibration shaft of the rotor-blade system and the interaction of the supporting substructure. Transformations of the cyclic effects on the vibrational data can be applied to isolate inertial quantities that are different from rotation-generated forces that are typically non-stationary in nature. After applying these transformations, structural identification can be carried out by stationary techniques via data-correlated eigensystem realizations. In this paper, an exploration of a periodic stationary or cyclo-stationary subspace identification technique is presented here for spinning multi-blade systems by means of a modified Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA) via stochastic subspace identification (SSI) and linear parameter time-varying (LPTV) techniques. Structural response is assumed to be stationary ambient excitation produced by a Gaussian (white) noise within the operative range bandwidth of the machinery or structure in study. ERA-OKID analysis is driven by correlation-function matrices from the stationary ambient response aiming to reduce noise effects. Singular value decomposition (SVD) and eigenvalue analysis are computed in a last stage to identify frequencies and complex-valued mode shapes. Proposed assumptions are carefully weighted to account for the uncertainty of the environment. A numerical example is carried out based a spinning finite element (SFE) model, and verified using ANSYS® Ver. 12. Finally, comments and observations are provided on how this subspace realization technique can be extended to the problem of modal-parameter identification using only ambient vibration data.
1DVAR analysis of temperature and humidity using GPS radio occultation refractivity data

[1] The constellation of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites provides a source of continuous, phase-stable electromagnetic signals available for radio occultation observations of our planet. The atmospheric-induced bending of the transmitted rays observed during each occultation can be converted into a refractivity profile using an Abel transform. Since refractivity is related to temperature and humidity, it may potentially be used in global data assimilation for numerical weather prediction (NWP) and for creating climate data sets. We first compare GPS/Meteorology (GPS/MET) 1995 refractivity with various backgrounds and verify that the best expected background presents generally the best fit with the observed refractivity. We implement here an efficient one-dimensional variational (1DVAR) analysis of GPS refractivity that enables retrieving temperature, humidity, and sea-level pressure using the finite volume data assimilation system background. 1DVAR analyses with GPS/MET 1995 data are compared with collocated radiosondes. They show an excellent capacity of the GPS measurements to resolve the tropopause. In the Northern Hemisphere, we demonstrate a net reduction of temperature bias and standard deviation, as compared with the background. The 1DVAR humidity presents reduced standard deviation as compared to the background between 550 and 400 hPa. However, a refractivity bias between the observations and the background in the lower troposphere systematically shifts the 1DVAR humidity downward. A refractivity bias over the whole profile is transformed into a 1DVAR sea-level pressure bias. This study represents a step toward using the GPS radio occultation data in data assimilation systems to improve NWP forecasts and representation of Earth's climate in models.
The incorporation and release of 12(S)-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid and its major metabolite, 8(S)-hydroxyhexadecatrienoic acid, from rabbit corneal lipids.

Abstract 12(S)-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12(S)-HETE) is the predominant corneal lipoxygenase metabolite formed after injury. To investigate the metabolic fate of this eicosanoid in the tissue, [3H]12(S)-HETE was injected intracamerally into rabbits. Corneas were removed 1 to 18 hr after labeling. In some experiments, either entire corneas or the constituent tissues (epithelium, endothelium and stroma) were then incubated in oxygenated Ames' medium for different times. Eighteen hours after injection, the radioactivity was mainly incorporated into the membrane phospholipids, phosphatidyl choline (49%) and phosphatidyl ethanolamine (40%). Free 12(S)-HETE represented less than 1% of the total label. Analysis of the products after phospholipase A2 treatment indicated that the label was acylated in the sn-2 position. HPLC analysis of extracts from tissue and medium showed the presence of 12(S)-HETE and a more polar metabolite established as 8(S)-hydroxyhexadecatrienoic acid [8(S)-OH-16:3] by gaschromatography-mass-spectrometry. Within 1 hr of injection, 27% of the tissue label was recovered as 8(S)-OH-16:3 and at 8 hr the ratio of incorporated 8(S)-OH-16:3 to 12(S)-HETE was 2:1, 8(S)-OH-16:3 was released into the medium faster than 12(S)-HETE. Metabolism was highest on the epithelial corneal surface. The mitochondrial β-oxidation inhibitor, 4-pentenoic acid, did not inhibit the formation of 8(S)-OH-16:3 which suggested a peroxisomal β oxidation. We conclude that 12(S)-HETE is rapidly metabolized in the cornea to 8(S)-OH-16:3 and the peroxisomal β-oxidation could function as a mechanism to regulate the amount of 12(S)-HETE produced after injury and/or as a vehicle to generate a bioactive agent to which could be attributed some of the cited activities of 12(S)-HETE.
A Relationship Between CNF and DNF Systems Derivable from Examples

In learning from examples, the main goal is to use a collection of positive examples and a collection of negative examples to derive a Boolean expression which satisfies the requirements imposed by the examples. In order to represent such a Boolean expression, the conjunctive normal form (CNF) and the disjunctive normal form (DNF) have been proposed. This paper makes two contributions. First it shows how to use any DNF algorithm to derive a CNF formula (or vice-versa). Furthermore, it demonstrates how to make efficient use of DNF algorithms which cannot handle a large number of positive (or negative) examples by using them as negative (or positive) examples and deriving CNF (or vice-versa). Therefore, the findings of this paper can be used to solve efficiently large scale learning problems. Two learning algorithms are used to illustrate the above issues. INFORMS Journal on Computing, ISSN 1091-9856, was published as ORSA Journal on Computing from 1989 to 1995 under ISSN 0899-1499.
Tile invariants: new horizons

Let T be a finite set of tiles. The group of invariants G(T), introduced by Pak (Trans. AMS 352 (2000) 5525), is a group of linear relations between the number of copies of tiles in tilings of the same region. We survey known results about G, the height function approach, the local move property, various applications and special cases.
Efficient External Table Reordering

A novel extension to binary-tree table organization suitable for external storage providing successful searches for nearly full tables requiring less than two accesses is presented. The generalizes the "efficient ordering of hash tables" effort presented in 1979. Both the experimental and analytical results demonstrate the reductions possible. This method places no restrictions on the the table configuration parameters and requires no additional space per bucket. The insertion runtime is larger slightly than for ordinary external double hashing.
Hearing Lips and Seeing Voices: How Cortical Areas Supporting Speech Production Mediate Audiovisual Speech Perception

Observing a speaker's mouth profoundly influences speech perception. For example, listeners perceive an "illusory" "ta" when the video of a face producing /ka/ is dubbed onto an audio /pa/. Here, we show how cortical areas supporting speech production mediate this illusory percept and audiovisual (AV) speech perception more generally. Specifically, cortical activity during AV speech perception occurs in many of the same areas that are active during speech production. We find that different perceptions of the same syllable and the perception of different syllables are associated with different distributions of activity in frontal motor areas involved in speech production. Activity patterns in these frontal motor areas resulting from the illusory "ta" percept are more similar to the activity patterns evoked by AV(/ta/) than they are to patterns evoked by AV(/pa/) or AV(/ka/). In contrast to the activity in frontal motor areas, stimulus-evoked activity for the illusory "ta" in auditory and somatosensory areas and visual areas initially resembles activity evoked by AV(/pa/) and AV(/ka/), respectively. Ultimately, though, activity in these regions comes to resemble activity evoked by AV(/ta/). Together, these results suggest that AV speech elicits in the listener a motor plan for the production of the phoneme that the speaker might have been attempting to produce, and that feedback in the form of efference copy from the motor system ultimately influences the phonetic interpretation.
Impact of Varying Levels of Autostereovision upon Telemanipulation

Teleroboticists have long argued that improved control and display performance would enhance telepresence and, thereby, telemanipulator performance. This study measured the impact of the DTI autostereo visual display system upon telemanipulation capacity, operator perceptions of system controllability, and perceived fatigue and discomfort, when faced with a wide range of movement amplitudes and end point accuracy in low and moderate variations in illumination levels. With introduction of stereovision, remote manipulation performance materially improved. Improvements were found only in the positioning phases of manipulations; not in rapid ballistic move elements. Improvements were found regardless of the level of illumination present at the remote work site in this study.
Polyaniline with surfactant counterions : conducting polymer materials which are processible in the conducting form

Abstract This short report on the “current status” of conducting polymers is focused on recent progress which demonstrates that the initial promise of the late 1970's has become reality in 1992. Conducting polymers are now available as materials with truly unique properties: the important electronic and optical properties of semiconductors and metals in combination with the attractive mechanical properties and the processing advantages of polymers. The field has progresssed to a level of maturity consistent with a new set of opportunities --- opportunities to develop a wide range of applications based upon conducting polymers as materials for industrial products . In parallel with the progress in conducting polymers as materials for a wide range of applications, there has been equally important progress toward a deeper understanding of the basic physics of the π-electrons in conjugated polymers. These two focal points come together in recent progress in the area of transport studies of high quality polyaniline processed from solution with the help of surfactant counterions.
Early Social-Communicative and Cognitive Development of Younger Siblings of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders

Objective To compare the early social-communicative development of younger siblings of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) with that of younger siblings of children with typical development, using parental report and child-based measures. Design Group comparison. Setting Vanderbilt University, between July 1, 2003, and July 31, 2006. Participants Younger siblings of children with ASD (n = 64) and younger siblings of children with typical development (n = 42) between the ages of 12 and 23 months (mean, 16 months). Main Exposure Having a sibling with an ASD. Outcome Measures Child-based measures included a cognitive assessment; an interactive screening tool assessing play, imitation, and communication; and a rating of autism symptoms. Parental report measures were an interview of social-communicative interactions and a questionnaire assessing language and communication skills. Results Younger siblings of children with ASD demonstrated weaker performance in nonverbal problem solving (mean difference [MD], 5.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.48-9.34), directing attention (MD, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.07-0.97), understanding words (MD, 33.30; 95% CI, 3.11-63.48), understanding phrases (MD, 4.56; 95% CI, 1.85-7.27), gesture use (MD, 1.49; 95% CI, 0.51-2.47), and social-communicative interactions with parents (MD, 1.32; 95% CI, 0.27-2.37), and had increased autism symptoms (MD, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.05-4.03), relative to control siblings. A substantial minority of the ASD sibling group exhibited lower performance relative to controls. Significant correlations between child-based measures and parental reports assessing similar constructs were found ( r = −0.74 to 0.53; P range, .000-.002). Conclusion The weaker performance found for children in the ASD sibling group may represent early-emerging features of the broader autism phenotype, thus highlighting the importance of developmental surveillance for younger siblings.
Do Reasons Matter? The Impact of Opinion Content on Supreme Court Legitimacy:

Is Supreme Court legitimacy affected by the way justices explain their decisions to the public? Existing work shows a link between legitimacy and case outcomes but often overlooks the impact of opinion content. Using a novel experimental design, the author measures the effect of three different types of judicial arguments on public support for the Court. The results suggest that the rationales used by justices in their opinions can affect institutional legitimacy, but to a lesser degree than conventional wisdom suggests. Taken together with other recent legitimacy research, these findings have important implications and set the stage for follow-up research.
An integrated CT-imaging, CAD-based system for orthopedic surgery

A CAD graphics system that analyzes computed tomography (CT) scanned image slices and reconstructs 3-D images of bones for preoperative surgery planning is described. The purpose of this system is to aid an orthopedic surgeon in performing total knee replacement surgery. The first part of the system reads in the CT scan data of the patient's leg and performs image analysis. To interact with the surgeon's examination, CT images can be edited and manipulated on a high-resolution monitor for observation. The output of this image analysis is reconstructed into 3-D solid bones by the second part of the system, a 3-D graphic training system that can emulate the procedures of total knee arthroplasty. This planning system allows a surgeon to simulate the bone alignment, cutting, and implant placement before the operation. >
Temporal patterning of cry and non-cry sounds in the first eight months of life:

Cry and non-cry vocalizations produced by two normal infants in the reflexive, pleasure voicing, and/or expansion periods of vocal develop ment were examined and compared with respect to different aspects of temporal patterning. Overall series duration and number of breath groups per series were significantly greater for cry than later emerging non-cry vocalizations. In spite of this developmental discontinuity, the temporal structure of non-cry resembled that of cry in many respects. The subtle differences in temporal patterning that were also detected may relate to physiological stress factors present only in cry. They suggest a partial reorganization of vocalization at the onset of pleasure voicing, possibly reflecting the maturation of higher level central nervous system nuclei.
Mechanisms regulating the development of the corpus callosum and its agenesis in mouse and human

The development of the corpus callosum depends on a large number of different cellular and molecular mechanisms. These include the formation of midline glial populations, and the expression of specific molecules required to guide callosal axons as they cross the midline. An additional mechanism used by callosal axons from neurons in the neocortex is to grow within the pathway formed by pioneering axons derived from neurons in the cingulate cortex. Data in humans and in mice suggest the possibility that different mechanisms may regulate the development of the corpus callosum across its rostrocaudal and dorsoventral axes. The complex developmental processes required for formation of the corpus callosum may provide some insight into why such a large number of human congenital syndromes are associated with agenesis of this structure.
Effects of exercise training in the elderly: impact of progressive-resistance training on skeletal muscle and whole-body protein metabolism

The declines in functional capacity and muscle function with advancing age are well-documented. In addition, it appears that the age-related changes in body composition have profound effects on functional capacity and nutrient requirements. The overwhelming evidence presented in the present review suggests that the loss of muscle strength and function observed with advancing age is reversible even in the frail elderly. Along with the profound functional improvement in older individuals in response to progressive-resistance training, several studies have reported increases in resting energy expenditure and increased requirements for dietary protein. Exercise programmes designed to improve muscle strength be recommended for older individuals as an effective countermeasure to the sarcopenia of old age.
S‐Methyl Dithioformate

[59065-19-9] C2H4S2 (MW 92.17) InChI = 1S/C2H4S2/c1-4-2-3/h2H,1H3 InChIKey = MAIYBVDNQKEVTJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N (reagent used as a 1,3-dipolarphile) Alternate Name: methyl dithioformate; dithioformic acid methyl ester. Solubility: soluble in organic solvents. Form Supplied in: not commercially available. Preparative Methods: synthesized from carbon disulfide by treatment with lithium triethylborohydride and methyl iodide; 2 can be liberated from ruthenium complexes;3 can be generated by thermal decomposition of S-(trimethylsilyl)methyl methanesulfinothioate.4 Handling, Storage, and Precaution: volatile; commonly stored as a cycloadduct.
Revisiting Curriculum Integration: A Fresh Look at an Old Idea

ELIZABETH R. HINDEocial studies as a content area strug-gles to attain a place of prominencein the elementary curriculum. Readingand math continue to reign supreme inelementary classrooms. Despite the factthat the historic national goal of educa-tion in the United States has been toeducate youth for the purpose of demo-cratic citizenship, social studies, whoseprimary purpose is education for citi-zenship, is often relegated to a place ofminor importance in the elementary cur-riculum. Many teachers report that theysimply do not have time to teach socialstudies. Their argument is indeed acredible one. Marzano (2003) calculatesthat there is an average of 200 standardsand 3,093 benchmarks in fourteen dif-ferent content areas that teachers areexpected to teach in a school year. Hefurther estimates that teachers needapproximately 15,465 hours to addressthe content articulated in the standardsadequately. The problem is, accordingto Marzano, that, at the most, teachershave only 9,042 hours of actual instruc-tional time in a typical school year.
Zinc-vitamin A interaction in pregnant and fetal rats: supplemental vitamin A does not prevent zinc-deficiency-induced teratogenesis.

The influence of a higher-than-normal intake of vitamin A on the detrimental effects of zinc deficiency on vitamin A metabolism was investigated in pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats. At mating, rats were fed diets containing 100 (con trol), 4.5, or 0.5 uglg zinc combined with 4 (control) or 8 fig retinyl acetate/g. Low intake of zinc, but not of vitamin A, caused food intake, total body weight change, fetal weight and placental weight to be low. Incidence of teratogenic effects was more pronounced in low zinc groups than in controls. Concentrations of vitamin A in maternal plasma and liver were affected by the amount of zinc in the diet. Dietary vitamin A, however, did not affect either of these parameters. Maternal plasma zinc concentration was affected only by low dietary zinc, whereas plasma copper and iron were unaffected by the dietary treatments. Maternal liver iron was higher in zinc- deficient rats than in controls; however, maternal liver zinc and copper concentrations were not altered by dietary treatments. No significant differences in vitamin A con centration of fetal liver, fetal plasma, or placenta were seen among the groups. Fetuses from zinc-deficient dams had significantly lower levels of liver vitamin A and liver zinc than did controls. Fetal liver iron was higher in zinc-deficient fetuses than in con trols, whereas fetal liver copper was not affected by dietary treatment. These data suggest that supplemental dietary vitamin A does not ameliorate the effect of zinc deficiency on vitamin A metabolism during pregnancy. J. Nutr. 116: 1765-1771,
Lactomethylation of Activated Aromatic Carboxylic Acids

Abstract Lactone 1 was an important intermediate for one phase of a camptothecin (2) synthesis1 and the formation of 1 proved to be a convenient model in one of the final steps of a total synthesis of 2.2 The incorporation of the elements of formaldehyde into the readily available m-methoxyphenyl acetic acid system (3 and 4) appeared to be the logical starting point for a direct and high yield source of 1. Experiments with acid 3 and formaldehyde (or its equivalent, Table 1) using mild reaction conditions conveniently afforded 1 in moderate yield.3 However, ester 4 with formaldehyde (formalin, chlormethyl methyl ether, or paraformaldehyde) and acid (HCl, AlCl3, or ZnCl2) in various solvents (H2 O with and without a cosolvent, chlorocarbons, ethers) afforded only high molecular weight material and none of the desired lactone (1).5 Milder reaction conditions, ester 4 with chloromethyl methyl ether in acetic acid, resulted in only recovered starting material.
Family feuds: social competition and sexual conflict in complex societies

Darwin was initially puzzled by the processes that led to ornamentation in males—what he termed sexual selection—and those that led to extreme cooperation and altruism in complex animal societies—what was later termed kin selection. Here, I explore the relationships between sexual and kin selection theory by examining how social competition for reproductive opportunities—particularly in females—and sexual conflict over mating partners are inherent and critical parts of complex altruistic societies. I argue that (i) patterns of reproductive sharing within complex societies can drive levels of social competition and reproductive conflict not only in males but also in females living in social groups, and ultimately the evolution of female traits such as ornaments and armaments; (ii) mating conflict over female choice of sexual partners can influence kin structure within groups and drive the evolution of complex societies; and (iii) patterns of reproductive sharing and conflict among females may also drive the evolution of complex societies by influencing kin structure within groups. Ultimately, complex societies exhibiting altruistic behaviour appear to have only arisen in taxa where social competition over reproductive opportunities and sexual conflict over mating partners were low. Once such societies evolved, there were important selective feedbacks on traits used to regulate and mediate intra-sexual competition over reproductive opportunities, particularly in females.
TGF-beta signals and a pattern in Xenopus laevis endodermal development

We have analyzed two gene products expressed in the early endoderm of Xenopus laevis: Xlhbox-8, a pancreas-specific transcription factor and intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP), a marker of small intestinal epithelium. Expression of the pancreas marker relies on cell signaling mediated by both the TGF-beta and FGF classes of secreted peptide growth factors, whereas, expression of the more posterior small intestinal marker does not. Endodermal explants devoid of mesoderm express both markers in a regionalized manner. Cortical rotation is required for the expression of the more anterior marker, Xlhbox-8, but not for the small intestinal marker, IFABP. These findings suggest that endodermal patterning is dependent, in part, on the same events and signals known to play important roles in mesodermal development. Furthermore, inhibition of TGF-beta signaling in the endoderm leads to ectopic expression of both mesodermal and ectodermal markers, suggesting the TGF-beta signaling may play a general role in the segregation of the three embryonic germ layers.
On the Synergistic Use of SAR Constellations’ Data Exploitation for Earth Science and Natural Hazard Response

Several current and expected future SAR satellites missions (e.g., TanDEM-X (TDX)/PAZ, COSMO-SkyMed (CSK), and Sentinel-1A/B) are designed as constellations of SAR sensors. Relative to single satellite systems, such constellations can provide greater spatial coverage and temporal sampling, thereby enabling better control on interferometric decorrelation and lower latency data access. These improvements lead to more effective near real-time disaster monitoring, assessment and response, and a greater ability to constrain dynamically changing physical processes. Using observations from the CSK system, we highlight examples of the potential for such imaging capabilities to enable advances in Earth science and natural hazards response.
BRAF mutation predicts MEK-dependence in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

C210 Constitutive ERK signaling is common in human cancer and is often the result of activating mutations of BRAF, RAS and upstream receptor tyrosine kinases. Missense BRAF kinase domain mutations are frequently observed in melanoma, colon and thyroid cancers and less frequently in lung and other cancer types. The vast majority (>90%) involve a glutamic acid for valine substitution at codon 600 (V600E), which results in elevated BRAF kinase activity. BRAF kinase domain mutations with intermediate and impaired kinase activity have also been identified, most frequently in NSCLC. We have previously reported that tumors with V600E BRAF mutation are selectively sensitive to MEK inhibition. Using the potent and selective MEK1/2 inhibitor PD0325901 (Pfizer), we examined a panel of NSCLC cell lines with mutant EGFR, KRAS, and/or low, intermediate and high-activity BRAF kinase domain mutations, with regard to MEK dependence. In all but one case, EGFR, KRAS and BRAF mutations were mutually exclusive. Consistent with our prior results, NSCLC cells with V600E BRAF mutation were exquisitely sensitive to MEK inhibition (PD0325901 IC50 of 2nM). The proliferation of cells with non-V600E mutations, including those with high (G469A), intermediate (L597V) and impaired (G466V) kinase activities, was also MEK dependent with IC50’s ranging between 2.7 and 24 nM. Inhibition of MEK in these cells resulted in downregulation of cyclin D1 and G1 growth arrest, with variable induction of apoptosis. Despite high basal ERK activity, NSCLC tumor cells with EGFR mutation were uniformly resistant to MEK inhibition (at doses of up to 500nM), despite effective and prolonged inhibition of ERK phosphorylation. Tumor cells with RAS mutation had a more variable response, with some cell lines demonstrating sensitivity, while others were completely resistant. There was no correlation between basal ERK activity and sensitivity to MEK inhibition. A strong inverse correlation between AKT phosphorylation/ activity and PD0325901 sensitivity was observed. These results suggest that MEK inhibition may be useful therapeutically in tumors with V600E and non-V600E BRAF kinase domain mutations. The results also suggest that inhibition of both MEK and AKT signaling may be required in NSCLC tumors with high basal AKT activity.
Alternative scaling hypothesis forSU(2) andSU(3) lattice gauge theories

High precision data from a variety of sources forSU(2) andSU(3) Wilson action lattice gauge theory are analyzed with respect to the hypothesis of the possible existence of a zero temperature deconfining phase transition, in analogy with theU(1) theory. The internal energy, specific heat, string tension, and Wilson line, fit well to correlation length scaling laws associated with a finite order transition occurring at the weak coupling end of the crossover region for both theories. TheSU(2) theory is consistent with a correlation length exponent ν=2/3 and critical pointβc≈2.47. ForSU(3) the data fit well to ν=1 andβc≈6.69. Additional indirect evidence for the existence of such phase transitions is discussed, as is the possible crucial role of light dynamical fermions in the confinement mechanism.
Theory of Localization and Activated Hopping of Nanoparticles in Cross-Linked Networks and Entangled Polymer Melts

We develop a microscopic, force-level statistical dynamical theory for the localization and activated hopping dynamics of dilute spherical particles, both hard and soft, in polymer networks and entangled melts. The main factor controlling localization is the confinement a particle experiences from polymer entanglements and/or chemical cross-links as characterized by the ratio of the effective nanoparticle diameter to the mechanical mesh length, 2Reff/dT. Dynamical localization occurs when the latter ratio is of order unity, and the activated hopping mobility drastically decreases as the confinement parameter even modestly increases past threshold. Local packing correlations slightly enhance the tendency to localize for hard particles and dramatically enhance mobility for soft repulsive particles. The concept of an effective nanoparticle size largely, but not completely, collapses the diverse dynamical results for hard and soft repulsive particles. For hard spheres in entangled polymer melts we find the ex...
Research on Joint Properties of TA2/Q345R Welded by AgCuMnNiSiB Solder

The joint properties of TA2/Q345R welded by AgCuMnNiSiB solder were investigated.The metallurgy,SEM-EDS analysis,strength of welded joint and microhardness of the welded gap were characterized.The results indicate that the quality of welded joints is good,and there is no crack on steel and titanium sides,no carbides and other brittle compounds.Moreover,there is diffusion between solder and basic matter,and the strength of the joint meets the I-level of JB/T4730.5-2005.
Regulation of Igh Recombination and Allelic Exclusion

V(D)J recombination occurs during lymphocyte development to generate antigen receptor diversity. This process is important because lymphocytes require a set of receptors that can recognize and respond to a wide variety of foreign antigens as part of the adaptive immune response. There are three immunoglobulin loci and four T cell receptor loci, which are rearranged in developing B and T cells in the bone marrow and thymus, respectively. The mechanism underlying this process and the recombination machinery itself, consisting of the RAG recombinase, are common to all antigen receptor loci. Thus, the process has to be tightly regulated in order to ensure stage and lineage-specific targeting of the individual loci. Here, we describe the processes involved in the regulation of Igh recombination.
CNS stimulants and the look-alike drugs.

Abuse of amphetamine and especially the stimulant lookalikes represents a serious problem in the United States. The danger of amphetamine lies in its ability to produce tolerance, psychological addiction, psychosis, hypertensive crisis, and major depression following withdrawal after long-term use. The danger of the look-alikes is of a psychosocial nature and has less to do with the physical properties of the drugs. The authors discuss these CNS stimulants in terms of their history of use, structures, effects, and mechanisms of action.
Targeting Glycolytic Adaptations of Cancer Cells: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities

Metabolic reprogramming is one of the biochemical signatures of cancer cells. Particularly, aerobic glycolysis (i.e. the process of conversion of glucose into pyruvate followed by fermentation into lactate even in the presence of oxygen) has been of immense interest due to its impact not only on cancer cells but on the tumor microenvironment as well. Conceptual advancement in understanding the oncogenic regulation of glycolysis and multifunctional properties of glycolytic enzymes underscore the relevance and significance of targeting glycolysis in cancer cells. This chapter will discuss, in the light of recent research the intricacies of glycolytic adaptation in cancer cells, and the rationale for exploiting it for therapeutic intervention.
Public Access to Scientific Information: Are 22,700 Scientists Wrong?

SCHOLARLY COMMUNICATION: Public access to scientific information: Are 22,700 scientists wrong?
Diagnostic Occlusal Adjustment: Case Presentation for Dental Students

Abstract Introduction The concept of occlusal therapy as an aspect of overall patient care can be difficult for a dental student to grasp. A clear understanding of the position of the teeth, tempor...
Reproductive Health: Sexually Transmitted Infections – Overview

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) exert a major toll on human communities worldwide. Bacterial and protozoan infections are curable with antimicrobial therapy, while viral infections are treatable but not curable in the classic sense. STIs can cause immediate pain and suffering, profound psychosocial stress, and serious long-term health consequences. Many STIs are asymptomatic, and surveillance systems to track STIs are incomplete in developed and developing countries. STIs have been shown to be important cofactors in HIV transmission. New approaches to STI control and prevention are needed to reduce the spread of infection and minimize associated suffering.
Technical Considerations: Best Practices for MR Imaging of the Foot and Ankle

There are many challenges involved in obtaining diagnostic MR images of the foot and ankle. The complex anatomy and morphology, with curved and angular structures localized to the periphery of the body, make for an inherent challenge, let alone if an added level of complexity, such as orthopedic instrumentation, is added. This review outlines the technical considerations best designed to produce diagnostic images of the foot and ankle, with an emphasis on the postoperative state, including imaging in the presence of metal.
Practical Solutions for Challenging Robotic Prostatectomy Cases

Robot Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy (RALP) has gained widespread uptake as the most common technique in the surgical management of Prostate Cancer (PCa). RALP is currently applied to a broad range of patient phenotypes, and one may encounter challenging variants in normal anatomy but also past surgical scenarios that pose technical challenges. As the indications for RALP have also become broadened to the inclusion of high-risk disease and salvage scenarios, so too is the requirement for technical adaptation of the robotic surgeon. Herein we present challenging scenarios and practical solutions related to variations in normal anatomy, prior surgery, high risk prostate cancer and salvage RALP.
Sarah Palin's Portrayals in New Media

This paper analyzes the portrayals of former Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin in “new media.” Since the 2008 election, Palin has remained a fixture in American politics in her capacity as a contributor to FOX News, a leader of the TEA Party movement, a regular on the lecture circuit, and as a best-selling author. Additionally, Palin has remained active in electoral politics through endorsements and fundraisers. In this study, coverage of Palin is compared across two “new media” platforms: YouTube videos and photographic commentary. Content is coded for relative masculine and negative portrayals of Palin’s personality as well as her attachment to “men’s” and “women’s” issues. The results are addressed by comparison to other political figures as well as “old media” content in the form of newspaper articles (for the study, total n = 249 across all media). Results are analyzed in light of the role of women in electoral politics, trends in mass media, and wider expectations for democratic discourse.
Heavy metal content in urban residential and park soils: A case study in Spokane, Washington, USA

Abstract Urban soils may be contaminated with heavy metals due to historical and current use of fertilizers, pesticides, wood preservatives, and construction materials. To examine the amount of trace metals from natural and anthropogenic sources, we focused on a middle-to-upper income, residential area in Spokane, Washington which was developed in the late 1800s but has not experienced heavy industrial activity. Surface soil was collected from thirty sites (including residential lawns, gardens, and city parks), and digested using EPA Method 3050B. The average As, Pb, and Zn concentrations in residential soils (11 mg kg−1, 59 mg kg−1, and 107 mg kg−1, respectively) exceeded those in below surface rural soils (9 mg kg−1, 15 mg kg−1, and 66 mg kg−1) indicating sources of contamination in this urban environment. Four sites had As or Pb concentrations above Washington State Department of Ecology levels for unrestricted land use (20 mg kg−1 and 250 mg kg−1, respectively). At one of these sites, Pb exceeded 1200 mg kg−1, the USEPA threshold for residential soil with unrestricted use, and an additional site had Pb concentrations above the 400 mg kg−1, the limit for children's play areas. The Pb:As ratio in soils with elevated As concentrations suggest that the likely source is arsenical pesticide or an As-bearing fertilizer. In soils with elevated Pb concentrations, Ba, Pb, and Zn were correlated which suggests ─ along with the soils' proximity to structures ─ that lead-based paint is likely the source. Although vehicle emissions also add these metals to soils near roadways, traffic density near our study sites was low.
Silicon Nitride Ceramics—Alloy Design

Properties of silicon nitride ceramics depend on the phases present and their microstructure. In order to obtain ceramics with optimum properties, knowledge of phase relationships in silicon nitride-metal oxides systems and the mechanism and kinetics of microstructure development are necessary. There are four major stable silicon nitride phases in the Si3N4-metal oxides systems: β-Si3N4, α’-SiAlON, AlN-polytypoids and silicon oxynitride. The morphologies of these phases are different. The β-Si3N4 grains are elongated hexagonal rods; the α’-SiAlON grains are equiaxed; the AlN-polytypoids are platelets; and the silicon oxynitride are equiaxed. Ceramics with combinations of these phases would have different microstructures and properties. The system Si3N4-SiO2-AlN-Al2O3-YN-Y2O3 will be used to demonstrate the concept of the alloy design. Kinetics of microstructural development will also be discussed.
Meta-analysis of Risk of Ventricular Arrhythmias After Improvement in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction During Follow-Up in Patients With Primary Prevention Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators.

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients with impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). However, there are limited data on the long-term benefit of ICD therapy in patients whose LVEF subsequently improves. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of LVEF improvement on ICD therapy during follow-up. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects modeling. Sixteen studies with 3,959 patients were included in our analysis. Study arms were defined by LVEF improvement at follow-up (improved LVEF [>35%]: 1,622; low LVEF [≤35%] 2,337). Mean age (64.8 vs 64.9 years, p = 0.97) was similar, whereas men were overrepresented in the persistent low LVEF group (79% vs 72%, p 45%]: IRR 0.53; p = 0.002). Inappropriate ICD therapy rates were, however, similar in both groups (3.01% vs 2.56% per year IRR 0.76; CI 0.43 to 1.36; p = 0.35). All-cause mortality rates in our meta-analysis favored (3.63% vs 8.23% per year IRR 0.49; CI 0.35 to 0.69; p <0.001) the improved LVEF group. In conclusion, our meta-analysis demonstrates that an improvement in LVEF is associated with a significantly reduced risk of ventricular arrhythmia and mortality. However, inappropriate ICD therapy rates remain similar.
Numerical Simulation Study of Factors Affecting Relative Permeability Modification for Water-Shutoff Treatments

Abstract Polymer solutions and gels are frequently used to control excessive water production in oil and gas wells by reducing the permeability to water flow to a greater extent than to oil or gas flow (Relative Permeability Modifiers, RPM, or disproportionate permeability reduction, DPR). RPM and DPR can be used as synonymous in this study; however, specialists use RPM term for the cases in which permeability reduction is less compare to DPR. The significance of RPM agents, chemicals using in water-shutoff treatments, is that their placement does not require mechanical isolation. However, the performance of RPM treatment is still poor in field applications. This study applied numerical simulation methods to investigate the factors impacting RPM treatments on reservoir (Macroscopic) level. Furthermore, Design of Experiments (DOE) was used to rank these factors based on their influence on RPM performance (water cut reduction and oil recovery improvement). The results indicated that there are nine parameters which can enhance or downgrade the success of DPR treatments, treatments at oil/gas wells when use of DPR polymer or gel results in Disproportionate Permeability Reduction of treated formation. The performance of DPR treatment was more pronounced at low oil density, low oil viscosity, high gel penetration depth, and at high permeability heterogeneity among layers (linear flow is more dominated). However, the performance of DPR treatments was downgraded if the treatments were applied at high production flowrate, low ratio of residual resistance factor for water (Frrw) to residual resistance factor for oil (Frro), and high G-shape (crossflow indicator) values. Moreover, when the capillary forces dominate the flow (capillary-viscous number > 10), RPM results were not largely encouraging due to water blocking effect. On the other side, in the viscous dominated flow, RPM performance was more pronounced. These factors which were studied in this work can promote a short-term successful remedy, a long-term successful treatment, or even a failed treatment. Some of these factors can be controlled; the operator can choose the optimum level of the parameter, like production flowrate. However, other factors cannot be controlled, but the value of this study is still increase probability of success the treatment prior to field application.
What is the optimal management of older CLL patients

CLL is the most common leukemia in older adults with a median age at diagnosis of 71. Therefore, management of patients with this disease must take into account the older age of most patients and consequences of this in terms of functional status and organ function. This review will discuss the management of CLL with regards to observation prior to the initiation of therapy, functional status, and initial treatment. We will discuss criteria for the initiation of therapy, and how initial therapy is different between older and younger patients. Finally, we will discuss specific therapies including chemoimmunotherapy and newer targeted therapies that are being used widely in the older patient population.
Extending the social justice mindset: Implications for scholarly communication

In 2016, the Collections Directorate of the MIT Libraries convened a Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DISJ) Task Force to explore ways to manifest DISJ values in our daily work. Eight staff from archives, technical services, preservation, scholarly communication, and collections strategy focused on this question: How can we operationalize the values of diversity, inclusion, and social justice in our policies, routines, and processes?
Continuous State Power-Down Systems for Renewable Energy Management

In the continuous power-down problem one considers a device, which has states OFF, ON, and an infinite number of intermediate states. The state of the device can be switched at any time. In the OFF state the device consumes zero energy and in the ON state it works at its full power consumption. The intermediate states consume only some fraction of energy proportional to usage time but switching back to the ON state has various switch up cost depending on the state. Requests for service, i.e. for when the device has to be in the ON state, are not known in advance; power-down problems are thus studied in the framework of online competitive analysis. Power-down can be used to model the control of traditional power generation in an electrical grid predominantly supplied by renewable energy. We analyze a number of systems, namely “linear”, “optimal-following”, “progressive”, “logarithmic” as well as “exponential”, and give competitive ratios for these systems. We show that highly competitive systems must have schedules which are accelerated from the offline solution.