cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The simultaneous measurement of light and current pulses in liquid dielectrics

It is well established that light pulses are emitted during prebreakdown in liquid dielectrics [1,2,3]. These light pulses have been associated with the growth of negative streamers under divergent field conditions. Several attempts have been made to measure current pulses associated with the streamer growth. In two cases, current and light observations were correlated, however, in the case of Nelson, dc voltages were used[2,4]. Yamashita used transformer oil and 5 mm gaps under impulse conditions. To correlate streamer growth, light emission, and current pulses, it is of interest to use simple liquids to examine, simutaneously, the emission of light and prebreakdown current under non-uniform field conditions. In the following section, the experimental conditions used for this study are described. This is followed by a presentation of the results. In the last section, the significance of these results is discussed.
Renal Cholesterol Accumulation : A Durable Response after Acute and Subacute Renal Insults

Proximal tubular cholesterol levels rise within 18 hours of diverse forms of acute renal tubular injury (eg, myoglobinuria, ischemia/reperfusion, urinary tract obstruction). These increments serve to protect against further bouts of tubular attack (so-called “acquired cytoresistance”). Whether these cholesterol increments are merely transitory, or persist into the maintenance phase of acute renal failure (ARF), has not been previously defined. Furthermore, whether subacute/insidious tubular injury [eg, cyclosporine A (CSA), tacrolimus toxicity], nontubular injury (eg, acute glomerulonephritis), or physiological stress (eg, mild dehydration) impact renal cholesterol homeostasis have not been addressed. This study sought to resolve these issues. Male CD-1 mice were subjected to glycerol-induced ARF. Renal cortical-free cholesterol (FC) and cholesterol ester (CE) levels were determined 3, 5, 7, or 14 days later, and the values contrasted to prevailing blood-urea nitrogen concentrations. The impact of 40 minutes of unilateral renal ischemia plus reflow (3 to 6 days) on mouse cortical FC/CE content was also assessed. Additionally, FC/CE levels were measured in rat renal cortex either 10 days after CSA or tacrolimus therapy, or 48 hours after induction of nephrotoxic serum nephritis. Finally, the impact of overnight dehydration on mouse renal cortical/medullary FC/CE profiles was determined. Compared to sham-treated animals, glycerol, CSA, tacrolimus, ischemia-reperfusion, and nephrotoxic serum each induced dramatic CE ± FC elevations, rising as much as 10× control values. In the glycerol model, striking correlations (r ≤ 0.99) between FC/CE and blood-urea nitrogen levels were observed. The FC/CE increases were specific to damaged kidney (glycerol did not raise hepatic FC/CE; unilateral renal ischemia did not alter contralateral renal FC/CE levels). Overnight dehydration raised renal CE levels, most notably in the medulla. Conclusions: FC/CE accumulation is a hallmark of the maintenance phase of ischemic and nephrotoxic ARF, and can reflect its severity. That cholesterol accumulation can result from glomerular injury and dehydration suggests that it is a generic renal stress response, with potential relevance extending beyond just the phenomenon of acquired cytoresistance.
Disordered N-Terminal Domain of Human Uracil DNA Glycosylase (hUNG2) Enhances DNA Translocation.

Nuclear human uracil–DNA glycosylase (hUNG2) initiates base excision repair (BER) of genomic uracils generated through misincorporation of dUMP or through deamination of cytosines. Like many human DNA glycosylases, hUNG2 contains an unstructured N-terminal domain that encodes a nuclear localization signal, protein binding motifs, and sites for post-translational modifications. Although the N-terminal domain has minimal effects on DNA binding and uracil excision kinetics, we report that this domain enhances the ability of hUNG2 to translocate on DNA chains as compared to the catalytic domain alone. The enhancement is most pronounced when physiological ion concentrations and macromolecular crowding agents are used. These data suggest that crowded conditions in the human cell nucleus promote the interaction of the N-terminus with duplex DNA during translocation. The increased contact time with the DNA chain likely contributes to the ability of hUNG2 to locate densely spaced uracils that arise during somatic ...
Simultaneous Inference of Places, Activities, and Behavioral Classes in Maritime GPS Traces

Abstract : Previous work has shown that activities and places of interest can be extracted from GPS traces of human movements using behavioral models based on conditional random fields (CRFs). In this paper, we adapt and extend this work in two ways. First, we apply the framework to analysis of a vehicle-tracking maritime environment, analyzing GPS data from a 5 day surveillance of merchant marine ships conducting exercises in the English channel. Secondly, we expand the model to perform a broader population analysis segmenting the population into several classes with distinct behavioral models. Empirical results show that our algorithm is successful in inferring locations of interest, but makes only coarse distinction in activity inference. In clustering behaviors, it successfully divides agents with highly localized activities from those servicing distant ports.
Modulators of Redox Metabolism in Head and Neck Cancer.

Abstract Significance: Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) is a complex disease characterized by high genetic and metabolic heterogeneity. Radiation therapy (RT) alone or combined with systemic chemotherapy is widely used for treatment of HNSCC as definitive treatment or as adjuvant treatment after surgery. Antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor are used in definitive or palliative treatment. Recent Advances: Emerging targeted therapies against other proteins of interest as well as programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed death-ligand 1 immunotherapies are being explored in clinical trials. Critical Issues: The disease heterogeneity, invasiveness, and resistance to standard of care RT or chemoradiation therapy continue to constitute significant roadblocks for treatment and patients' quality of life (QOL) despite improvements in treatment modality and the emergence of new therapies over the past two decades. Future Directions: As reviewed here, alterations in redox metabolism occu...
Strategic decision making in the quasi-governmental sector: the illinois soybean program operating board

This paper reports on an intervention for improving the strategic decision making and strategic planning in a specific quasi-public organization: the Illinois Soybean Program Operating Board and on how decision support systems can alter perceptions of the decision making environment, which in turn affect strategic planning. The study hypothesis is that if the use of a sophisticated 3-D modeling tool, the Protein Consumption Dynamics (PCD) model, broadens perspectives to include a more global and long-term outlook, then the quality of planning should be enhanced. Before and after questionnaires are used to capture the changes in 121 soy industry decision- makers' perceptions of the decision making environment. The perceptions of soybean industry decision makers change to reflect more long-term thinking about the industry, indicating that the PCD model's visualized presentation of complex information did influence strategic behavior.
Temperature-compensated silicon photomultiplier

Abstract Silicon PhotoMultipliers (SiPM) have significant temperature dependence of important parameters such as gain, photon detection efficiency and optical crosstalk. Special temperature-controlled power supplies and off-line correction are typically used to mitigate this temperature dependence, though these methods are still not optimal for multichannel photodetectors exposed to significant temperature variations. We report on a design concept for a custom SiPM chip with an integrated thermo-compensation circuit that automatically adjusts an applied bias voltage thus maintaining a stable SiPM overvoltage value and gain over a wide range of temperatures. A prototype of the thermo-compensated SiPM chip was built using commercially available discrete components and tested in the temperature range from − 30 to +30 °C. The measured temperature dependence of the thermo-compensated SiPM chip was reduced by factor 38 in comparison with the non-compensated device.
Algorithms for Constructing Optimal on Volume Ellipsoids and Semidefinite Programming

The solution of problems of constructing optimal with respect to the volume circumscribed and inscribed ellipsoids is of great interest due to the broad range of their applications. Primarily these problems can be used to define the “upper” and “lower” approximations of convex sets, for example, the regions of attainability in the theory of control and differential games; to refine regions of localization of possible values of dynamic system parameters, using a priori information and results of measurements [Ch 88]; then in statistics, in planning experiments to determine parameters of regression models [Fed 71], in numerical mathematics to describe sets of possible solutions of linear and nonlinear equations with perturbed coefficients, [FF 60], etc.
Mental Models: Structural Differences and the Role of Experience:

Mental models are mental representations of the external world that humans constantly use when they interact with the environment and systems within it. These mental models are in part constituted ...
Design and Deployment of a Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Surveillance System

Objective. We aimed to increase detection of pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) events and collection of physiologic and performance data for use in quality improvement (QI) efforts. Materials and Methods. We developed a workflow-driven surveillance system that leveraged organizational information technology systems to trigger CPR detection and analysis processes. We characterized detection by notification source, type, location, and year, and compared it to previous methods of detection. Results. From 1/1/2013 through 12/31/2015, there were 2,986 unique notifications associated with 2,145 events, 317 requiring CPR. PICU and PEDS-ED accounted for 65% of CPR events, whereas floor care areas were responsible for only 3% of events. 100% of PEDS-OR and >70% of PICU CPR events would not have been included in QI efforts. Performance data from both defibrillator and bedside monitor increased annually. (2013: 1%; 2014: 18%; 2015: 27%). Discussion. After deployment of this system, detection has increased ∼9-fold and performance data collection increased annually. Had the system not been deployed, 100% of PEDS-OR and 50–70% of PICU, NICU, and PEDS-ED events would have been missed. Conclusion. By leveraging hospital information technology and medical device data, identification of pediatric cardiac arrest with an associated increased capture in the proportion of objective performance data is possible.
Web-Based Video Assessments of Operative Performance for Remote Telementoring.

Introduction Performance-based feedback is critical to surgical skills acquisition. Barriers of geography and time limit trainees' access to expert mentorship. In this study, we hypothesized that telementoring using an asynchronous, web-based video interface would allow trainees to receive systematic feedback from expert mentors despite these barriers. Materials and methods Between October 2014 and October 2016, 18 surgeons in Brazil, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Paraguay underwent in-person training in Lichtenstein for hernioplasty or laparoscopic total extraperitoneal inguinal hernia repair. After initial training, surgeons submitted 6- to 12-month interval operative videos for expert review. Expert surgeons reviewed each video using the Surgus web platform with performance metrics adapted from the Operative Performance Rating Scale (OPRS). The time required to perform video review, number of freeform comments, mean OPRS scores, and variance of OPRS scores among telementors was assessed. Results A total of 18 surgeons submitted 20 operative videos, and three expert surgeons reviewed each video using the Surgus platform. The median time to perform video review was 20 minutes. Median number of freeform verbal comments was eight. Mean OPRS overall performance scores were 3.9 ± 0.9 (scale of five). Mean variance in scoring among telementors for overall performance was 0.25 (maximum 5.29), suggesting a high degree of concordance. Conclusions Video-based assessments had a high degree of concordance among expert raters. Asynchronous performance reviews by telementors offer opportunities for longitudinal feedback that overcome geographical, material, and temporal disparities. This platform offers a means of sharing expertise in surgical training, continuing education, credentialing, and global health.
Contrast-Enhanced Micro-CT Imaging of Soft Tissues

Analyzing the three-dimensional (3D) structure of specimens has become increasingly important in biomedical research fields, and microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) has emerged as an effective method for rapidly and non-destructively quantifying the geometry and morphology of tissues. Though micro-CT was originally designed to assess cortical and trabecular bone microarchitecture, applications for micro-CT now extend to the imaging of soft tissues. In particular, vascular anatomy and articular cartilage degradation are of major interest to investigators in the orthopedic research areas. This chapter outlines processes and results involved in utilizing X-ray contrast agents to enhance micro-CT analyses of vasculature and articular cartilage.
Intermediates in class II HLA antigen biosynthesis.

It has been appreciated for a number of years that the biosynthesis and intracellular transport of class II HLA antigens is unusual compared to that of the majority of membrane glycoproteins studied. The α and β subunits which make up the mature class II antigen dimer are known to be associated with a third glycoprotein, the invariant or I chain, during their intracellular transport (Jones, et al., 1978; Machamer and Cresswell, 1982). The nature of this intracellular complex has been difficult to elucidate because of its transient nature. We have used the sodium ionophore monensin (Tartakoff, 1983) to arrest class II antigen transport in human B-lymphoblastoid cell lines (B-LCL), and have successfully isolated accumulated class II antigen biosynthetic intermediates using monoclonal antibody affinity columns (Reiner and Cresswell, 1986). This report summarizes our current understanding of the nature of these intermediates.
Matrices for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine

Abstract: This chapter provides an overview of the considerations for designing a tissue engineering scaffold and the tools available to create and improve matrices for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The chapter begins by discussing the challenges and goals of designing matrices. It then goes on to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the materials and manufacturing processes available to create matrices.
Analysis of the Effects on Time Between Divorce Decree and Suicide

Background: Divorced individuals carry unique suicide risks, from both acute and chronic exposure to stressors from divorce. Aims: Several statewide data sets were linked to assess the relationship between divorce and suicide. Method: Divorced suicide decedents in the Colorado Violent Death Reporting System, 2004-2015, were matched with divorce decree, using multiple identifiers. Statistically significant differences between the linked cohort and all divorced suicide decedents were assessed using chi-square statistics. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were conducted assessing which demographics and circumstances had a significant effect on the time between divorce and death. Results: The linkage resulted in 381 divorced suicide decedents linked to a divorce decree. Time between divorce and death ranged from less than 1 year to more than 10 years. Age and intimate partner problems both had significant effects on reducing the survival probability at 1 year and beyond. Limitations: Only 14% of divorced suicide decedents were linked to a Colorado divorce decree. There were noted significant differences between the linked cohort and the total divorced suicide population. Conclusion: Better understanding the relationship between divorce and suicide is imperative to design effective prevention programs for this specific population.
COMMENTARY: Dark Pools, Fragmented Markets, and the Quality of Price Discovery: Commentary

This commentary is on a paper published in 2010. Few would wish to roll the markets back to where they were eight years ago, but have the issues that were debated then been adequately resolved? Are today’s markets acceptably efficient? Can we relax about market quality? My answer to each of these is “no.” What I wrote in 2010, I stand by now. Along with revisiting my previous discussion on dark pools, fragmentation, price discovery, and liquidity, this commentary presents my newer thoughts concerning the definition of the term “liquidity,” and the existence of an illiquidity premium.
Design and synthesis of cyclic sialyl Lewis X mimetics: a remarkable enhancement of inhibition by pre-organizing all essential functional groups ☆

Abstract Two rigid macrocyclic glycopeptides 1 and 2 were designed to mimic the tetrasaccharide SLe X as inhibitors of P-selectin. While compound 1 was found to be 1000-fold more potent than SLe X with IC 50 =1 μM, compound 2 was not soluble in water for evaluation of its activity.
Reproductive ecology and postpollination development in the hydrophilous monocot Ruppia maritima

Premise Water-pollination (hydrophily) is a rare but important pollination mechanism that has allowed angiosperms to colonize marine and aquatic habitats. Hydrophilous plants face unique reproductive challenges, and many have evolved characteristic pollen traits and pollination strategies that may have downstream consequences for pollen performance. However, little is known about reproductive development in the life history stage between pollination and fertilization (the progamic phase) in hydrophilous plants. The purpose of this study was to characterize reproductive ecology and postpollination development in water-pollinated Ruppia maritima L. Methods Naturally pollinated inflorescences of R. maritima were collected from the field. Experimental pollinations using both putatively outcross and self pollen were conducted in the greenhouse and inflorescences were collected at appropriate intervals after pollination. Pollen reception, pollen germination, pollen tube growth, and carpel morphology were characterized. Results Ruppia maritima exhibits incomplete protogyny, allowing for delayed selfing. Pollen germinated within 15 min after pollination. The average shortest possible pollen tube pathway was 425 μm and pollen tubes first reached the ovule at 45 min after pollination. The mean adjusted pollen tube growth rate was 551 μm/h. Conclusions Ruppia pollen is adapted for rapid pollen germination, which is likely advantageous in an aquatic habitat. Small effective pollen loads suggest that pollen competition intensity is low. Selection for traits such as a long period of stigma receptivity, fast pollen germination, and carpel morphology likely played a larger role in shaping postpollination reproductive development in Ruppia than evolution in pollen tube growth rates.
U.S.-Mexico Borderlands Instructional Leadership Reflections

This research contributes to the field of Educational Administration by presenting the instructional leadership practices used by three borderlands school principals to develop Hispanic students' p...
A new and complete proof of the Landau condition for pinch singularities of Feynman graphs and other integrals

The Landau equations give a physically useful criterion for how singularities arise in Feynman amplitudes. Furthermore, they are fundamental to the uses of perturbative QCD, by determining the important regions of momentum space in asymptotic problems. Generalizations are also useful. We will show that in existing treatments there are significant gaps in derivations, and in some cases implicit assumptions that will be shown here to be false in important cases like the massless Feynman graphs ubiquitous in QCD applications. In this paper is given a new proof that the Landau condition is both necessary and sufficient for physical-region pinches in the kinds of integral typified by Feynman graphs. The proof's range is broad enough to include the modified Feynman graphs that are used in QCD applications. Unlike many existing derivations, there is no need to use the Feynman parameter method. Some possible further applications of the new proof and its subsidiary results are proposed.
Bounds on heat transport in rapidly rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection

The heat transport in rotating Rayleigh–Benard convection is considered in the limit of rapid rotation (small Ekman number E) and strong thermal forcing (large Rayleigh number Ra). The analysis proceeds from a set of asymptotically reduced equations appropriate for rotationally constrained dynamics; the conjectured range of validity for these equations is Ra E−8/5. A rigorous bound on heat transport of Nu ≤ 20.56Ra3E4 is derived in the limit of infinite Prandtl number using the background method. We demonstrate that the exponent in this bound cannot be improved on using a piece-wise monotonic background temperature profile like the one used here. This is true for finite Prandtl numbers as well, i.e. Nu Ra3 is the best upper bound for this particular setup of the background method. The feature that obstructs the availability of a better bound in this case is the appearance of small-scale thermal plumes emanating from (or entering) the thermal boundary layer. The derived upper bound is consistent with, although significantly higher than the observed behaviour in simulations of the reduced equations, which find at most Nu ~ Ra2E8/3.
Frontiers of Legal Information: U.S. Law Librarians of the Future

History and tradition confirms law librarians as formal sources of legal information in the U.S. legal society. Legal researchers in the U.S. refer heavily to and rely on law librarians as well as other traditional sources of information such as print sources and databases. This is because law librarians are approachable and visibly institutionalized within a law library in a legal organization. Law librarians are located at a reference/public services department of a law library in a legal organization such as a law school, a law firm, a court, and a state bar association or in a non-legal organization, and are generally highly approachable by walk-in, appointment, phone, online chatting tools, and emails. This paper argues that legal research and instruction as well as collection development, which has been primarily run by the law librarians, are cornerstones that will sustainably support the existence of law libraries in the future. For novice researchers and new associates, the law librarians, especially reference/research librarians, are the best research starting points for any legal research. This is even more true when new graduates from law schools realize the extent to which they were not ready to practice, especially in terms of research skills. As of 2012, new associates spend about 31% of their time doing legal research. In a recent survey, 18% of attorneys who have worked with recent graduates believe that research is the most important skill, while 41% of attorneys believe that writing is the most important skill. Given the formal status of law librarians in the U.S. legal society and realizing the complexity and importance of legal research, why did outsiders and insiders at the same time begin to discuss our future again? Did technological developments or contemporary critiques of law schools and legal education cause this future discussion?This paper argues that part of the reason for discussions about the future of law libraries is that outsiders do not fully understand the functions of law libraries and law librarians. The first part of the paper is dedicated to introducing and emphasizing the role of law librarians. The paper then introduces who U.S. law librarians are and how they have been uniquely defined and differentiated in the U.S. legal system. A wide variety of law librarians in different legal settings are introduced. The paper also discusses the required qualifications and training to become a law librarian and how they are keeping current with cutting-edge legal and research issues. The second part of the paper discusses what destabilized the current status of law libraries and librarians in the U.S. and what their future will look like. In conclusion, the paper offers the author’s insight on how to cope with the new ‘normal.’
Examining the Relationship Between the Use of a Mobile Peer-Support App and Self-Injury Outcomes: Longitudinal Mixed Methods Study

Background: Many individuals who self-injure seek support and information through online communities and mobile peer-support apps. Although researchers have identified risks and benefits of participation, empirical work linking participation in these web-based spaces to self-injury behaviors and thoughts is limited. Objective: This study aims to investigate the relationship between behavioral and linguistic traces on a mobile peer support app and self-injury outcomes. Methods: Natural use data and web-based surveys (N=697) assessing self-injury outcomes were collected from 268 users (aged 13-38 years; median 19; 149/268, 55.6% female) of a mobile peer-support app for 4 months. Participants were identified as having posted self-injury content using an internal classifier. Natural log data was used to predict self-injury outcomes in a series of multilevel logistic and linear regressions. Results: Greater engagement on a mobile peer-support app was associated with a decreased likelihood of self-injury thoughts (odds ratio [OR] 0.25, 95% CI 0.09-0.73) and fewer intentions to self-injure (b=−0.37, SE 0.09), whereas posting triggering content was associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in behaviors (OR 5.37, 95% CI 1.25-23.05) and having self-injury thoughts (OR 17.87, 95% CI 1.64-194.15). Moreover, viewing triggering content was related to both a greater ability to resist (b=1.39, SE 0.66) and a greater intention to self-injure (b=1.50, SE 0.06). Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first study to connect naturally occurring log data to survey data assessing self-injury outcomes over time. This work provides empirical support for the relationship between participation in online forums and self-injury outcomes, and it articulates mechanisms contributing to this relationship. Trial Registration:
A new search pattern for emergency breast exams: the clinical picture

Distinct breast diseases are readily diagnosed by clinical and ultrasound appearance that radiologists and sonographers may encounter in emergency room and urgent care patient presentations. While it may be impractical or impossible for the on-call emergency radiologist to examine a patient with breast complaints, radiologists can and should adopt the practice pattern to routinely seek out the clinical photographs in the patient's medical record while interpreting breast examinations. Imaging should be interpreted in the context of both the history and the physical findings. Sonographers play important roles in the documentation of visual inspection findings, in addition to performing high quality targeted ultrasound where applicable. This pictorial offers resources to emergency radiologists and sonographers that facilitate rapid accurate diagnosis of ten distinct breast diseases.
Structure and magnetic properties of the REAuBi2 (RE=La–Nd, Sm) phases

Abstract We present the crystal structures and basic magnetic properties of the REAuBi2 (RE=La–Nd, Sm) compounds. This isostructural family crystallizes in the tetragonal P4/nmm (no. 129) HfCuSi2-type, as determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Three distinct substructures are present: an RE layer, a tetrahedral AuBi layer, and a Bi square net layer. Electronic structure calculations indicate that these compounds display bands which cross the Fermi level, derived from both the Bi square net and the covalent AuBi layer. The small size of LaAuBi2 crystals precluded detailed physical property measurements, whereas large single crystals could be grown for all other phases investigated here. Single crystal measurements of CeAuBi2, PrAuBi2, and NdAuBi2 show overall antiferromagnetic ordering and decreasing magnetic anisotropy with decreasing rare earth size. SmAuBi2 also shows signatures of magnetic ordering.
Serving Diverse Student Populations in College Unions

College union professionals have always sought to create welcoming and comfortable environments, and when student populations were more homogenous than today, this task was easier to accomplish. Students whowere once considered the minority are fast becoming the majority. New, emergent populations are redefining what is meant by campus diversity. Indeed, diversity as used in this chapter refers to higher education’s multicultural student population that represents a variety of races/ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, immigrant statuses, gender representations, religions, and life experiences. College unions are in a position to be a central point where institutions can promote inclusion and be a welcoming place for numerous student populations. The aim of this chapter is to provide advice for creating intentional inclusivity. First, we describe the changing demographics of students enrolled in higher education. Then, through the lens of a multicultural organization, we examine four key areas of college unions: (a) physical space, (b) mission statements and diversity statements that promote values of inclusivity, (c) programming, and (d) staffing.
Roaming-mediated ultrafast isomerization of geminal tri-bromides in the gas and liquid phases

Roaming — a new and unusual reaction mechanism in gas-phase chemical transformations — is now shown to occur in solution. Following ultraviolet excitation of geminal tribromides, what initially seems to be the simple fission of a bond is in fact isomerization occurring through the roaming of molecular fragments.
Can Future Events Influence the Present

Widom, Srivastava, and Sassaroli have published [Phys. Lett. A 203, 255 (1995)] a calculation which purports to show that "future events can affect present events". In this note an error in their calculation is identified.
Evolving predator control programs for a hexapod robot pursuing a prey

Control program learning systems for autonomous robots are important to assist in their development and to allow them to adapt to changes in their capabilities and/or the environment. A common method for learning in robotics is evolutionary computation (EC) and a good problem to demonstrate the effectiveness of a learning system is the predator/prey problem. In previous research, we used a cyclic genetic algorithm (CGA), a form of EC, to evolve the control program for a predator robot with a simple sensor configuration of 4 binary sensors, which yielded 16 possible sensor states. In this paper, we present the use of a CGA to learn control for a predator robot with a more complicated sensor setup, which yields 64 sensor states. The learning system successfully evolved a control program that produced search, chase, and capture behavior in the simulated predator robot.
Teaching International Business via Social Media Projects

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of an experiential learning technique coupled with social media in an international marketing course. It was conducted among 155 students placed in groups that were assigned to develop a YouTube video for use as a country branding marketing tool. Measured evaluations of the students’ perceptions of the experience reveal that it was both beneficial and positive, and it helped to promote an understanding of the importance of teamwork and the uses of technology. Factor analysis grouped the perceptions and attitudes regarding the exercise into four categories.The differences in perception are evaluated based on gender, country of study, and level of education. The study highlights the importance of incorporating experiential learning pedagogies with social media to teach country branding.
Hot-carrier induced series resistance enhancement model (HISREM) of nMOSFET's for circuit simulations and reliability projections

Abstract This paper proposes a physically realizable reliability model of nMOSFET's that is applicable for reliability projections in IC design. We have devised a hot-carrier induced series (drain) resistance enhancement model (HISREM) which is based on the increase of the interface trapped charge (ΔNit) near the drain region and is physically realizable in circuit simulations of the hot-carrier induced degradation under operating conditions. The proposed HISREM requires only one parameter (ΔNit) for reliability projections in IC design without extraction of a set of stressed parameter files. The proposed HISREM s shows a good agreement between the simulation results from SPICE and experiment data of the hot-carrier induced degradation of device characteristics. The HISREM has been demonstrated by employing a NMOS inverter and a conventional CMOS operational amplifier. The HISREM is shown to be much simpler and more efficient for reliability projections in both digital and analog IC design rather than the commercial reliability simulator with parameter degradation models which require extraction of a set of stressed parameter files (i.e., Vto, γ, μo, θ, Vmax, K ).
Chondromyxoid fibroma of bone: A clinicopathologic review of 278 cases

In a study of the clinical, radiographic, and pathological features of chondromyxoid fibroma, the tumor was slightly more common in men, usually in the second decade of life. Almost half of the tumors involved the long bones, although the ilium and the small bones were also common sites. Roentgenograms showed a sharply marginated, lobulated, lucent defect in the metaphysis. The tumor involved the medullary bone in an eccentric fashion, and the cortex was thinned and expanded. Periosteal reaction and soft tissue extension were uncommon. Mineralization was identified in 13% of the lesions. Histologically, the tumors were almost always arranged in lobules, which were prominent (macrolobular) or somewhat indistinct (microlobular). The tumor cells were spindle-shaped or stellate and arranged in a myxoid matrix. Calcification was seen in more than one third of the cases but was rarely prominent. Hyaline cartilage and chondroblastoma-like areas were not uncommon. Approximately 18% of tumors showed bizarre nuclei. Permeation of bony trabeculae was uncommon. Treatment was conservative surgical removal; approximately one fourth of the patients had recurrence.
Error analysis of homogeneous mean queue and response time estimators

Flow balance and homogeneity assumptions are needed to derive operational counterparts of M/M/1 queue length and response time formulas. This paper presents relationships between the assumption errors and the errors in the queue length and response time estimates. A simpler set of assumption error measures is used to derive bounds on the error in the response time estimate. An empirical study compares actual errors with their bounds.
Expression of interleukin-22 in decidua of patients with early pregnancy and unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss

Researchers have hypothesized that an imbalance of immune cells in the uterine decidua and a dysfunction in cytokines they produce may contribute to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). The objective of this study was to determine if IL-22, IL-23 and IL-17 are expressed abnormally in the decidua of patients with RPL compared to those women with a normal pregnancy. We also sought to confirm that uterine natural killer (uNK) cells are lower in the decidua of patients with RPL, as well as identify IL-22 expression by uNK cells. After meeting strict inclusion criteria, maternal decidua of nine patients with unexplained RPL and a confirmed euploid fetal loss, and 11 gestational age-matched patients undergoing elective pregnancy termination were included in our analysis. Quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to quantify RNA expression, Western blot was performed to quantify protein expression and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to identify IL-22 and uNK cells. We found that women with unexplained RPL and a euploid fetal loss had significantly less gene and protein expression of IL-22 in the decidua. Additionally, we found that IL-22 is primarily expressed by uNK cells in the decidua. In conclusion, our results suggest that lower levels of IL-22 in the uterine decidua in patients with unexplained RPL may contribute to a disruption of decidual homeostasis and ultimately lead to early pregnancy loss.
Intravesical interferon treatment of superficial bladder cancer.

Superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder and carcinoma in situ (CIS) have a high recurrence rate and a variable incidence of progressive disease. Conventional intravesical agents used to treat these carcinomas have achieved only a variable degree of success, and have adverse side effects. Recently, intravesical interferon has been explored as a treatment for TCC and CIS. In a randomized, controlled trial, patients with CIS exhibited a significantly higher rate of complete response (CR) to high-dose (100 × 106 IU) than to low-dose (10 × 106 IU) interferon (45 % vs 6 %, respectively, p < 0.0001). To date, 9119 patients in the high-dose CR group have maintained a CR for at least six months. Five patients receiving high-dose therapy and 5 receiving low-dose therapy subsequently underwent cystectomy, but median time to surgery was 33.5 weeks for the high-dose group vs eighteen weeks for the low-dose group. Intravesical interferon was generally well tolerated. These results suggest that randomized clinical trials are warranted to assess the efficacy of intravesical interferon, as compared to BCG, for the treatment of CIS.
Populists, Outsiders and Anti-Establishment Politics

In this article, I attempt to clarify the relationships among three contemporary concepts that are often used interchangeably or conflated in the literature: anti-establishment politics, political ...
Laser-induced third-harmonic generation in forbidden regions.

New observations are reported of tunable vacuum ultraviolet light generated in the forbidden region to the red of the xenon 6s'((1/2))/sub 1//sup 0/ state due to the introduction of a second, resonant laser field. Striking observations of double-resonant ionization signals on the blue side of the xenon 6s' level are also reported. Both sets of data are interpreted in terms of the changes in phase matching and the nonlinear susceptibility induced in the medium by the second laser. These changes are successfully analyzed in terms of the ac Stark effect in the three-photon level due to the second laser field.
Replicon sizes in non-transformed and SV40-transformed cells, as estimated by a bromodeoxyuridine photolysis method

Abstract Replicon sizes were measured in Simian Virus 40 (SV40)-transformed and untransformed normal human, xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), and mouse 3T3 cells with an X-ray plus bromodeoxyuridine (BUdR) photolysis method. Replicon sizes in SV40-transformed cells were at least twice those in untransformed counterparts, but DNA fork displacement rates were only slightly increased.
Properties and Microstructure of Plasticized Zein Films

ABSTRACT A new method for preparation of zein films involving plasticization of zein with oleic acid to form an intermediate moldable resin was presented. The resin was stretched over rigid frames to form thin membranes that were set in flexible films. The objective of the study was to investigate the effect of film preparation method on film properties. Tensile properties, microstructure, and thermal behavior of zein films plasticized with oleic acid were investigated for films prepared by conventional casting from ethanol solutions and by stretching of plasticized resins. Cast films were stiff and brittle, whereas resin films showed more flexibility and toughness. Differential scanning calorimetry thermograms of cast films indicated phase separations were generated when heated that were not observed for resin films. Microstructure images showed a higher degree of structure development and orientation in resin than in cast films. Glass-transition temperatures of resin films were measured at -94 and 104.4...
Interaction with the Membrane Uncovers Essential Differences Between Highly Homologous GPCRs

The lipid membrane environment has been shown to play a significant role in the function and organization of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and other transmembrane proteins. We now show quantitatively how small sequence differences between otherwise highly homologous GPCRs can result in strikingly different membrane interaction characteristics. This is evidenced by comparing the membrane interactions of two pairs of functionally related family A GPCRs - (1) the beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptors; and, (2) the kappa- and delta- opioid receptors, embedded in a lipid bilayer composed of a 16:0-18:1 PC (POPC) /10% Cholesterol mixture. We used the recently described 3D Continuum-Molecular dynamics (3D-CTMD) approach (Mondal et al., BJ (in press)) to quantify the membrane deformation profile and corresponding energy costs due to the protein/membrane hydrophobic mismatch. The novel computational method accounts for the irregular hydrophobic surface of the protein and the hydrophobic mismatch at particular TMs that is not alleviated by membrane deformations. A description of the irregular membrane-protein interface from MD simulations of protomeric receptors with the coarse-grained Martini force field provided the information on the membrane-protein boundary needed to quantify with 3D-CTMD the energetics of membrane deformation for each system. The specific residues involved in unfavorable polar-to-hydrophobic interactions not alleviated by membrane deformations at each TM were identified from solvent accessibilities in the MD trajectories. We found strikingly different energy costs of hydrophobic mismatch at TMs 4,5 between the beta1 and beta2 adrenergic receptors. In contrast, both kappa and delta opioid receptors exhibited a similar pattern of (small) energy cost around the protein with slightly more pronounced residual mismatch at TM4. These distinct patterns of energy differences indicate how small sequence differences in otherwise homologous GPCRs can affect the mechanisms driving their organization in the cell membrane.
The joy of sex

Human Sperm Competition: Copulation, Masturbation and Infidelity. By R. Robin Baker and Mark A. Bellis Chapman and Hall: 1994. Pp. 353. £45, $60.. The Difference Between the Sexes. Edited byR. V. Short and E. Balaban Cambridge University Press: 1994. Pp. 479. £55, $100 (hbk); £19.95, $29.95.
Antecedents and Outcomes of Corporate Refocusing

During the 1980s a large number of firms refocused or down-scoped using multiple divestitures. This paper reviews recent empirical research (1983-1996) to isolate and identify the antecedent conditions that lead to downscoping and its outcomes. Antecedent conditions include changing environmental conditions, firm governance, ineffective strategy, poor performance, and financial restructuring. Outcomes of the process examine how firm strategy has changed and its effect on employees and firm performance. I develop a model to classify research into topic areas and discuss future research directions and related issues.
Structure–property relationships and residual stress quantification of a friction stir spot welded magnesium alloy

Structure–property relationships and spatial residual stress distribution in a friction stir spot welded magnesium alloy (AZ31) sheet was investigated to elucidate the incipient deformation mechanisms and welding process parameters. Experimental results revealed a decrease in the tensile and compressive yield strengths, as well as an increase in ductility and grain size, as the tool rotational speed and shoulder depth increased. Residual stresses were measured using neutron diffraction, and a strong dependency was found between the grain size, residual stress and the welding parameters.
Extreme rainfall and hydrologic design

In the past few years there has been considerable research on the modeling of rainfall and runoff in space and time. At the same time, there have been a number of technical innovations which have the potential to greatly facilitate modeling. These include hardware and software developments in radar estimation of rainfall, digital topography, geographic information systems, remote sensing, and flow and water-level instrumentation. It is apparent, however, that very little of this new capability is currently utilized in hydrologic design. This special session, sponsored by the Precipitation Committee of the Hydrology Section at the 1989 Fall AGU meeting, explored various facets of this issue. Participants included representatives of county, state and federal agencies, engineering consultants, and university researchers.
Microphthalmia transcription factor and NKI/ C3 expression in cellular neurothekeoma

While the usual or myxoid-type neurothekeoma has been reasonably well established as being a tumor of neural origin, the cellular neurothekeoma remains in disputed histogenesis. We studied a series of 11 cellular neurothekeomas using paraffin immunoperoxidase staining with microphthalmia transcription factor (Mitf), NKI/C3, and S-100. The majority of the tumors in our series stained with NKI/C3 (9/11) and Mitf (9/11). All failed to stain with S-100. Furthermore, we divided our series of cellular neurothekeomas according to cytomorphology; tumors demonstrating predominantly spindled morphology, predominantly epithelioid morphology, and mixed spindle and epithelioid morphology. The two tumors that failed to stain with NKI/C3 both demonstrated predominantly spindled morphology. One of the tumors that failed to stain with Mitf showed exclusive spindled morphology, while the other showed mixed morphology (spindle and epithelioid). Two of the tumors, which stained strongly with Mitf, however, showed exclusive epithelioid morphology. This current study furthers the concept that cellular neurothekeoma is a tumor of neuroectodermal origin, and further suggests that it may express some component of melanocytic differentiation.
Chemi-mechanical pulping of hardwoods using ammonia vapor

Previous investigations have shown that treatment with gaseous ammonia makes wood into an easily deformable material while in a plasticized condition. In many ways the action of ammonia is similar to water or steam except that it is a more efficient plasticizer. Thus at sufficiently high pressures (100-150 psig) ammonia not only solvates the lignin, hemi-cellulose, and amorphous cellulose but enters the crystalline cellulose region as well. Much effort has been devoted to studying the overall plasticization of wood and treated wood properties for whole wood forming applications. The concept of defibering wood while in an ammonia plasticized condition has not been investigated. Conventional wood chips treated with ammonia vapor were fiberized in an Asplund pressurized refiner to produce chemi-mechanical pulps with properties similar to the conven-tional cold soda process. When ammonia is used alone the pulps are relatively dark colored. Pretreatment with SO2 vapor improves both the brightness and physical properties of the pulp. The possible implications of this novel processing technique to both high yield and conventional pulping are discussed.