cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Transplantable Metastasizing Cysticercus Plasmoma of the Rat's Liver Associated with Multiple Subcutaneous Benzpyrene Sarcomata

Plasma-cell tumors are comparatively rare in man and so far as we know have not been previously found in rats. With the exception of the plasma-cell myelomas of the bones, the nature of these growths is in doubt, and certain pathologists, being loath to regard them as true blastomas, have consigned them to the class of infectious granulomas. The tumor reported in this paper, I. R. S. No. 6820, qualifies both histologically and biologically as a genuine plasmoma. It was composed of plasma cells, metastasized in the peritoneum of the host, and has been successfully transplanted into rats of the same inbred strain as the host of the primary tumor, being now in the tenth generation. The host in which the tumor arose was a hooded agouti female rat of the tenth brother-by-sister inbred generation from the mating of an August male with a Copenhagen female which originated the strain designated as A × C. This tumor-bearing rat had been fed Taenia eggs at the age of 27 days and was killed for autopsy 452 days (15 mos.) later. The liver contained 6 healthy normal Cysticercus cysts and another imbedded in a tumor which involved the caudal half of the left lateral lobe. It was a pinkish-red nodular mass of soft, mushy consistence, measuring 5.5 × 3.5 × 2.5 cm. On section the growth showed a considerable amount of necrosis, the cyst being located in the necrotic part. The parasite, which was dead and degenerated, was 20 cm. long. There were healthy, well vascularized areas from which tissue was obtained for inoculation and histological diagnosis. The host showed a generalized metastatic involvement of the peritoneum but no ascites.
Mixed finite element methods and higher-order temporal approximations

The accurate numerical approximation of subsurface flow and transport processes in heterogeneous aquifers remains difficult. A necessary step in this task is the accurate representation of fluid velocity fields. In the recent past, mixed finite element methods have been investigated, since they provide velocity approximations that both conserve mass over individual mesh elements and are continuous across element interfaces. But, little work has been done to this point for fully three-dimensional problems. Furthermore, the existing temporal discretizations have been restricted to traditional first- and second-order approximations. In this work, we consider a fully three-dimensional mixed-hybrid finite element spatial discretization together with an adaptive higher-order time discretization applied to single-phase groundwater flow in heterogeneous porous media. We compare the adaptive higher-order temporal approximation, which is robust and provides formal error control, to traditional lower-order methods for accuracy and efficiency for a set of problems. The numerical experiments demonstrate that this approach provides several benefits with negligible computational overhead.
Rate Level Indexed Mortgages: An Evaluation

In this paper, a new and superior alternative mortgage design is presented and evaluated. The mortgage design is motivated by a desire to reduce the exposure of both borrowers and lenders to risks that result from high and variable interest rates, while at the same time providing a mechanism by which changes in the real value of payments and rates of amortization can be controlled. In addition to a theoretical discussion of the merits of this design a simulation of the mortgage's performance is provided that uses market data from the period 1965 to 1983.
The duration of the Q-T interval in myocardial infarction.

Abstract 1.1. The duration of the Q-T interval of the electrocardiogram corrected for the cardiac rate was found to be: (a) 0.397 second in the normal individual; (b) prolonged in acute myocardial infarction (average 0.448 second) and returns toward normal (average 0.411 second) after one month or more; (c) dependent upon the duration of the disease; (d) dependent somewhat upon the electrocardiographic localization of the myocardial damage, and (e) significantly shortened in the presence of digitalis (average 0.386 second). 2.2. The physiological, pathological, and physiochemical factors affecting the duration of systole or Q-T interval are discussed. 3.3. It is suggested that the QT c be made a routine electrocardiographic measurement, but that it not be used synonomously with electrical systole.
Genetic mapping and DNA sequence analysis of mutations in the polA gene of Escherichia coli.

Abstract DNA polymerase I of Escherichia coli provides an excellent model for the study of template-directed enzymatic synthesis of DNA because it is a single subunit enzyme, it can be obtained in large quantities and the three-dimensional structure of the polymerizing domain (the Klenow fragment) has recently been determined (Ollis et al., 1985). One approach to assigning functions to particular portions of the structure is to correlate the altered enzymatic behavior of mutant forms of DNA polymerase I with the change in the primary sequence of the protein. Towards this end we have developed a rapid procedure for mapping any polA mutation to a region no larger than 300 base-pairs within the polA gene. Two series of polA deletion mutants with defined end-points were constructed in vitro and cloned into bacteriophage lambda. These phages can then be used to map precisely E. coli polA mutants. Twelve polA− alleles have been mapped in this way and for nine of them the nature of the mutational change has been determined by DNA sequence analysis. Two of the mutations, polA5 and polA6, which affect the enzyme-DNA interaction, provide evidence for the location of the DNA binding region on the polymerase three-dimensional structure.
The genetics of pancreatic cancer

The genetic basis for invasive and preoneoplastic neoplasms of the exocrine and endocrine pancreas has been the subject of a number of investigations in recent years. The purpose of this paper was to briefly review and summarize the pertinent findings. High frequency changes associated with pancreatic adenocarcinomas include mutations of the k-ras oncogene, and inactivating alterations of the p53, p16, and DPC4 tumor suppressor genes. Hereditary syndromes that have a known predisposition for pancreatic adenocarcinoma development include hereditary pancreatitis, familial atypical multiple mole melanoma (FAMM) syndrome, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, familial breast cancer (BRCA-2), hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndrome (HNPCC), and Li-Fraumeni syndrome. The underlying genetic defects have been identified and are currently being studied. Germline mutations of the men-1 gene are responsible for the MEN-1 syndrome, known to be associated with pancreatic endocrine tumors. It appears that somatic mutations of the gene are present in at least a subset of sporadic tumors. In addition, alterations in the Rb/p16 pathway appear to be commonly associated with pancreatic endocrine tumors. Further characterization of pancreatic tumors will result in a better understanding of the cellular pathways involved in pancreatic tumorigenesis and holds promise to identify targets for novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Hotspots and warm spots: integration specificity of retroelements.

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTh, BETHESDA, MD 20892, USA. The replication cycle of retro- viruses 1 and their retrotransposon relatives involves the insertion of a DNA copy of their RNA genome into a chromosome of the host cell. Although no specific DNA se- quence is required at the site of in- tegration, the distribution of inser- tions is nonrandom. The degree of target site selectivity varies between retroelements2; while some can apparently integrate at essentially any location in the host DNA, others integrate almost exclusively at a limited set of sites. Recent work has begun to reveal how the sites of insertion are determined. The integration machinery Integration of retroviral DNA occurs by a specialized DNA re- combination reaction mediated by the viral integration machinery 3,4 (Fig. 1). An infecting retrovirus carries into the cell a package of tools needed for the subsequent steps of reverse transcription and integration of the resulting linear viral DNA into the host genome. Before integration, the viral DNA exists as part of a large nucleopro- tein complex, the integration com- plex, derived from the viral core. An important component of this integration complex is the viral integrase (IN) protein. This protein alone can carry out the central DNA cutting and joining steps of the integration reaction in vitro. However, the higher order struc- ture of the integration complex, which may contain other proteins in addition to integrase, is likely to be required for the high efficiency and fidelity of integration in vivo. Retrotransposons, such as the Tyl and Ty3 elements of Saccharo- mvces cerevisiae 5, differ from retro- viruses in that there is no extra- cellular phase in their replication cycle. However, like retroviruses, the DNA made by reverse tran- scription forms part of a large nucleoprotein complex 5.6 and the mechanism of DNA integration appears to differ little between these two classes of element. Integration sites in the target
Sport-related concussion: factors associated with prolonged return to play.

OBJECTIVE: To assess predictive value of concussion signs and symptoms based on return-to-play timelines. DESIGN: Physician practice study without diagnosis that includes presentation, initial and subsequent treatment, and management of concussion. SETTING: National multisite primary care sports medicine provider locations. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two providers at 18 sites; 101 athletes (91 men, 10 women in the following sports: 73 football, 8 basketball, 8 soccer, 3 wrestling, 2 lacrosse, 2 skiing, 5 others; 51 college, 44 high school, 4 professional, and 2 recreational). MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Duration of symptoms, presence of clinical signs, and time to return to play following concussion. RESULTS: One hundred one concussions were analyzed. Pearson chi2 analysis of common early and late concussion symptoms revealed statistical significance (P 3 hours, difficulty concentrating >3 hours, any retrograde amnesia or loss of consciousness, and return to play >7 days. There appeared to be a trend in patients with posttraumatic amnesia toward poor outcome, but this was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: When evaluating concussion, symptoms of headache >3 hours, difficulty concentrating >3 hours, retrograde amnesia, or loss of consciousness may indicate a more severe injury or prolonged recovery; great caution should be exercised before returning these athletes to play. Language: en
Molecular filters: pores within pores.

A composite membrane in which the nanoscopic pores of a material are aligned within the larger pores of a matrix brings us a step closer to the realization of molecular filters.
Intelligent email: aiding users with AI

Email occupies a central role in the modern workplace. This has led to a vast increase in the number of email messages that users are expected to handle daily. Furthermore, email is no longer simply a tool for asynchronous online communication-email is now used for task management, personal archiving, as well both synchronous and asynchronous online communication (Whittaker and Sidner 1996). This explosion can lead to .. email overload"-many users are overwhelmed by the large quantity of information in their mailboxes. In the human--computer interaction community, there has been much research on tackling email overload. Recently, similar efforts have emerged in the artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning communities to form an area of research known as intelligent email. In this paper, we take a user-oriented approach to applying AI to email. We identify enhancements to email user interfaces and employ machine learning techniques to support these changes. We focus on three tasks-summary keyword generation, reply prediction and attachment prediction-and summarize recent work in these areas.
Differential tolerance of Pseudomonas putida biofilm and planktonic cells to desiccation

The desiccation tolerance of Pseudomonas putida strain mt-2 cells within intact unsaturated biofilms and cells cultivated in liquid media was examined. Since as soils dry there can be an increase in the solute potential and reductions in nutrient availability, we also assessed the effect of the solute and matric (low-water-content) components of the total water potential, and nutrient availability on cell survival. Biofilms were cultivated in model laboratory systems that can simulate the matric and solute components of the total water potential and the poorly mixed nature of unsaturated habitats. Desiccation stress was imposed by exposing biofilm and planktonic cells to environments with controlled relative humidities. Our results show that biofilm cells are more tolerant to air drying than are planktonic cells, and tolerance is enhanced when there is an adequate supply of nutrients available to the cells. We provide evidence suggesting that a major factor contributing to desiccation sensitivity is the matric stress itself rather than solute stress and that matric stress is inherently more stressful to P. putida than is the thermodynamically equivalent solute stress.
Target mRNA abundance dilutes microRNA and siRNA activity

Post-transcriptional regulation by microRNAs and siRNAs depends not only on characteristics of individual binding sites in target mRNA molecules, but also on system-level properties such as overall molecular concentrations. We hypothesize that an intracellular pool of microRNAs/siRNAs faced with a larger number of available predicted target transcripts will downregulate each individual target gene to a lesser extent. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed mRNA expression change from 178 microRNA and siRNA transfection experiments in two cell lines. Wefind that downregulation of particular genes mediated by microRNAs and siRNAs indeed varies with the total concentration of available target transcripts. We conclude that to interpret and design experiments involving gene regulation bysmall RNAs,global properties,such as target mRNA abundance,need to be considered in addition to local determinants. We propose that analysis of microRNA/siRNA targeting would benefit from a more quantitative definition, rather than simple categorization of genes as ‘target’ or ‘not a target.’ Our results are important for understanding microRNA regulation and may also have implications for siRNA design and small RNA therapeutics. Molecular Systems Biology 6: 363; published online 20 April 2010; doi:10.1038/msb.2010.24 Subject Categories: functional genomics; RNA
Synthesis of the four stereoisomers of 2,3-epoxy-4-hydroxynonanal and their reactivity with deoxyguanosine

2,3-Epoxy-4-hydroxynonanal (EHN) is a potential product of lipid peroxidation that gives rise to genotoxic etheno adducts. We have synthesized all four stereoisomers of EHN and individually reacted them with 2′-deoxyguanosine. In addition to 1,N2-etheno-2′-deoxyguanosine, 12 stereoisomeric products were isolated and characterized by 1H NMR and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The stereochemical assignments were consistent with selective NOE spectra, vicinal coupling constants, and molecular mechanics calculations. Reversed-phase HPLC conditions were developed that could separate most of the adduct mixture.
'Only half the battle’: American intelligence and the Chinese intervention in Korea, 1950

(1990). 'Only half the battle’: American intelligence and the Chinese intervention in Korea, 1950. Intelligence and National Security: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 129-149.
Introduction To The Classic Paper By Marconi

Guglielmo Marconi was born on April 25, 1874, in Bologna, Italy. He contributed significantly to the development of wireless communications technology, demonstrated for the first time a successful setup for radio telegraphy (in 1895), and was a pioneer in the application of electromagnetic waves. Radio communications is one of the most fascinating and perhaps spectacular successes of mankind in advancing science and technology. Few technological developments have had such great and far-reaching consequences as wireless communication. Founded upon the great scientific discoveries of the nineteenth century, it created a spectrum of technologies, each requiring scientific insight of its own, and fostered innovations in many related disciplines. Wireless communication involves technologies with huge potential for aiding world progress, improving the quality of life for every human being on this earth and leading to a better future for mankind. Many persons have contributed to the development of radio communications [1], [2]. The theoretical foundation of electromagnetic waves was laid out brilliantly in 1864 by J. C. Maxwell, the British physicist who introduced the basic equations to relate the electric and magnetic fields and developed the foundation for electromagnetic waves. Maxwell’s ideas, however, had to be confirmed. In 1887, H. Hertz, a physics professor in Karlsruhe, Germany, carried out laboratory experiments and demonstrated the existence of the electromagnetic waves as predicted by Maxwell. Telegraphy, i.e., the transmission of Morse codes representing different characters via wire line, had already been in operation, and the idea of deploying wireless radio for distant sources was clearly present. Furthermore, the importance of using the propagation of electromagnetic waves for radio communication was known and its development had been predicted. For example, W. Crooke in 1892 had written about radio telegraphy at a wavelength of a yard or more [3].
Improved muscular efficiency displayed as Tour de France champion matures

This case describes the physiological maturation from ages 21 to 28 yr of the bicyclist who has now become the six-time consecutive Grand Champion of the Tour de France, at ages 27–32 yr. Maximal o...
Structural phase transitions of HfV2 at low temperatures

We report a high-resolution synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction study on HfV2, hafnium divanadium, at low temperatures. In this work we show, for the first time, a complete sequence of structural phase transitions of HfV2 from cubic (Fd3m) to tetragonal (I41/amd) to orthorhombic (Imma) in succession as temperature decreases. Peak splitting and extra diffraction peaks owing to lattice distortion can be clearly distinguished for the low-symmetry phases. The atomic positions and lattice parameters were obtained by Rietveld refinement. The bond lengths and angles of the HfV2 crystal structure at the low-symmetry phases were correctly determined from the structure refinement. The face-centered cubic (Fd3m) unit cell (Z = 24) transforms to a body-centered tetragonal (I41/amd) phase with a 45° rotation relative to the cubic cell and with a reduced number of atoms (Z = 12) in the unit cell at a temperature of T = 112 K. The orthorhombic phase occurs at T = 102 K and it keeps the body-centered symmetry (Imma) and Z = 12 in the unit cell. The refinement results indicate that there may be a small amount of untransformed cubic phase left over in the lower symmetry phases. The abnormal thermal contraction of both tetragonal phase and orthorhombic phase marks the significance of structural change in HfV2.
In vivo microwave‐induced porcine kidney thermoablation: results and perspectives from a pilot study of a new probe

OBJECTIVE To test the in vivo effects (toxicity, completeness of necrosis, dimensions of the lesion) of microwave thermoablation on porcine kidneys, using the Amica Probe v3 (Hospital Service SpA, Aprilia, Italy), in a refrigerated 17-G microwave applicator, that can be used to induce a spherical necrotic area. PATIENTS AND METHODS Six pigs were used; each kidney was treated, with no kidney pedicle clamping, by microwave thermoablation at least in three different zones with different exposure times and power, during open surgery. Twelve kidneys had 32 microwave thermoablations overall. The kidneys were then surgically removed, and necrotic lesions measured and evaluated microscopically. The sphericity index (SI) was also calculated to evaluate lesion reproducibility. Areas of renal tissue that were missed were then microscopically evaluated by NADH in vivo staining. RESULTS In all, 32 thermoablations were applied; the mean (sd) lesion diameter ranged from 1.2 (0.3) to 4.2 (0.1) cm and changed in relation to both power and time of exposure. The 50-W power particularly induced necrotic renal lesions ranging from 1.9 (0.2) to 4.2 (0.1) cm as a function of the time of exposure and the optimal SI (1.04). Pathological evaluation showed no skipped areas in the context of the lesion, or healthy kidney tissue damage close to necrotic lesions. CONCLUSIONS Thermoablation with the Amica probe is safe and showed excellent in vivo effects in this porcine model. Increasing the exposure time at 50 W power could be a useful percutaneous minimally invasive treatment for small solid masses (<4.2 cm), avoiding the risk of missing tumour areas or kidney parenchymal damage from microwave treatment.
Neodymium:YAG Laser Trabeculopuncture in Open-angle Glaucoma

Abstract Ten eyes of eight patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) had neodymium (Nd):YAG trabeculopuncture performed in an investigational protocol as an alternative to surgical intervention. In each, at four to six sites in the mid-trabecular meshwork, three to six superimposed applications were made (2 to 6 mJ). In four of six patients with adult OAG, a small decrease in intraocular pressure (IOP) was noted (from a mean of 25.5 to 20.0 mmHg after 3–4 weeks in the treated eyes, compared to no change at 21 mmHg in the fellow eyes). There appeared to be further attenuation of this IOP effect over the subsequent 2 to 11 months, and all patients demonstrated gonioscopic closure of all the puncture sites with time. One patient demonstrated an acute IOP elevation to 58 mmHg after the procedure, necessitating emergency filtration surgery. In contrast, in four eyes of two patients with juvenile open angle glaucoma, a dramatic lowering of IOP and improvement in tonographic outflow facility was demonstrated, although the effects were only temporary in one patient. YAG laser treatment to the trabecular meshwork may have its greatest potential usefulness when abnormalities in the uveal meshwork are involved, such as in certain cases of juvenile or congenital glaucoma, and may help identify the need for a surgical goniotomy. With more usual forms of OAG, however, widespread use of this technique should be avoided until greater efficacy can be achieved.
Double orifice tricuspid valve with left atrioventricular valve atresia and univentricular connexion to a dominant left ventricle

We present a case of univentricular connexion to a dominant left ventricle with double orifice tricuspid valve, left atrioventricular valvar atresia, discordant ventriculo-arterial connexion and aortic arch hypoplasia. Diagnosis was made by cross-sectional echocardiography and angiocardiography. This case is exceedingly rare.
Species-specific Differences among KCNMB3 BK β3 Auxiliary Subunits: Some β3 N-terminal Variants May Be Primate-specific Subunits

The KCNMB3 gene encodes one of a family of four auxiliary β subunits found in the mammalian genome that associate with Slo1 α subunits and regulate BK channel function. In humans, the KCNMB3 gene contains four N-terminal alternative exons that produce four functionally distinct β3 subunits, β3a–d. Three variants, β3a–c, exhibit kinetically distinct inactivation behaviors. Since investigation of the physiological roles of BK auxiliary subunits will depend on studies in rodents, here we have determined the identity and functional properties of mouse β3 variants. Whereas β1, β2, and β4 subunits exhibit 83.2%, 95.3%, and 93.8% identity between mouse and human, the mouse β3 subunit, excluding N-terminal splice variants, shares only 62.8% amino acid identity with its human counterpart. Based on an examination of the mouse genome and screening of mouse cDNA libraries, here we have identified only two N-terminal candidates, β3a and β3b, of the four found in humans. Both human and mouse β3a subunits produce a characteristic use-dependent inactivation. Surprisingly, whereas the hβ3b exhibits rapid inactivation, the putative mβ3b does not inactivate. Furthermore, unlike hβ3, the mβ3 subunit, irrespective of the N terminus, mediates a shift in gating to more negative potentials at a given Ca2+ concentration. The shift in gating gradually is lost following patch excision, suggesting that the gating shift involves some regulatory process dependent on the cytosolic milieu. Examination of additional genomes to assess conservation among splice variants suggests that the putative mβ3b N terminus may not be a true orthologue of the hβ3b N terminus and that both β3c and β3d appear likely to be primate-specific N-terminal variants. These results have three key implications: first, functional properties of homologous β3 subunits may differ among mammalian species; second, the specific physiological roles of homologous β3 subunits may differ among mammalian species; and, third, some β3 variants may be primate-specific ion channel subunits.
Measurement of the velocity-field characteristic of indium phosphide by the microwave absorption technique

The electron velocity-field characteristic has been determined for a large number of samples of InP by the microwave absorption technique. The values obtained for the electric field at the peak of the velocity-field curve are corrected for relaxation effects by comparison with a computer simulation, and the resulting values lie in the range 7.2-9.8 kV/cm-1. The corrected negative dynamic mobility just beyond the peak velocity varied between 0.3 and 0.5 of the low-field mobility.
Rabbit Model of Tuberculosis

The susceptible rabbit families developed hematogenously spread tuberculosis resembling that found in infants and immunocompromised individuals. The resistance to tuberculosis of some of the American rabbit breeds may be more uniform than that of the New Zealand White rabbits on the market today, and among such breeds, new resistant or susceptible strains may be discovered. Two factors influence resistance to the establishment of tuberculosis: (i) the trapping of tubercle bacilli in the lung and (ii) the initial inactivation of these bacilli. The trapping is partly dependent on the ability of the alveolar macrophages to phagocytize the bacilli. The severity of tuberculosis was determined by both the susceptibility of the host and the virulence of the infecting bacilli. Human strains of tubercle bacilli are less virulent for rabbits than the bovine strains. Recovery from infection with them is the rule, even in genetically susceptible rabbits. The use of these strains of bacilli has made possible the development of one of the most precise tests available for native and acquired resistance to tuberculosis. BCG is usually given intradermally, so the response of Lurie’s resistant and susceptible rabbits to this route of infection is described in this chapter. The acquired immunity from BCG vaccination was higher in resistant than susceptible animals. Lurie obtained a hybrid strain of rabbits (F1) by crossing one of his highly resistant strains with one of his highly susceptible strains. The degree of resistance to tuberculosis of this F1 generation was intermediate between that of the two parent strains.
Latency can kill: precision and deadline in online games

The growth in network capacities and availability has been accompanied by a proliferation of online games. While online games perform well under many network conditions, Internet delays can often degrade online game performance. The precise impact that latency has on online gameplay depends upon the game type and the actions within the game. While the effects of latency on specific games has been studied, knowledge about the effects of latency on classes of games and about the effects of latency on different player actions is lacking. This paper presents a broad, perspective-based classification of games based on player control and camera view. The foundation of the game classification are player actions, each of which is defined by its precision and deadline requirements. Experiments with controlled amount of precision, deadline and latency support the classification. This classification of games should prove useful for game designers, network engineers and game players themselves as they build and play on tomorrow's networks.
Effects of Pt Particle Size on Hydrogen Storage on Pt-Doped Metal―Organic Framework IRMOF-8

A series of Pt-doped IRMOF-8 samples with different Pt catalyst sizes have been prepared via organometallic chemical-vapor deposition (CVD). The Pt catalyst size effects on the spillover storage on IRMOF-8 (or any MOF) were studied for the first time. Our studies showed that the Pt catalyst size is a crucial factor determining whether a significant enhancement in storage can be achieved in the hydrogen spillover system at ambient temperature. Compared to undoped IRMOF-8, the spillover storage capacities on Pt-doped IRMOF-8 samples were enhanced by factors ranging from 1.1 to 1.9 because of different Pt catalyst sizes. The doped Pt size was controlled by varying the CVD conditions to yield mean sizes of 2.2, 3.9, and 9.1 nm, and the results showed that smaller sizes were needed for spillover. Temperature-programmed desorption of dosed H2/D2 further shed light on the mechanism of spillover and reverse spillover, confirming undercoordinated sites on the particle-enhanced spillover.
A MODIS-Based Global 1-km Maximum Green Vegetation Fraction Dataset

AbstractGlobal land-cover data are widely used in regional and global models because land cover influences land–atmosphere exchanges of water, energy, momentum, and carbon. Many models use data of maximum green vegetation fraction (MGVF) to describe vegetation abundance. MGVF products have been created in the past using different methods, but their validation with ground sites is difficult. Furthermore, uncertainty is introduced because many products use a single year of satellite data. In this study, a global 1-km MGVF product is developed on the basis of a “climatology” of data of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) normalized difference vegetation index and land-cover type, which removes biases associated with unusual greenness and inaccurate land-cover classification for individual years. MGVF shows maximum annual variability from 2001 to 2012 for intermediate values of average MGVF, and the standard deviation of MGVF normalized by its mean value decreases nearly monotonically as MGV...
Determinanten des Innovationsprozesses

Innovationen, entweder durch neue Produktentwicklungen oder durch Verbesserungen der technischen Ausrustung der Firmen hervorgerufen, werden von Okonomen als die wesentlichen Quellen der strukturellen Veranderung. des Wachstums und der internationalen Wettbewerbsfahigkeit angesehen. Wahrend die wirtschaftswissenschaftliche Forschung und Lehre bisher eindeutig von den Ideen J.M. Keynes dominiert wurde, bietet die Fulle der neueren Literatur uber wirtschaftliche Entwicklung, Innovation und Invention erste Anzeichen dafur, das dieses Jahrhundert der okonomischen Forschung dennoch das Jahrhundert Schumpeters werden konnte. Immer noch bilden Schumpeters Thesen in mehr oder weniger modifizierter Form den Ansatzpunkt vieler empirischer Studien uber die Determinanten des Innovationsprozesses. Ubersichten uber die jungere Innovationsforschung bieten die Arbeiten von Scherer (1980, 1984), Kamien und Schwartz (1982) und Griliches (1984). Coombs et al. (1987, Kap.7) geben einen umfassenden Uberblick uber die empirische Innovationsforschung.
Optimal design of active spreading systems to remediate sorbing groundwater contaminants in situ

Abstract The effectiveness of in situ remediation to treat contaminated aquifers is limited by the degree of contact between the injected treatment chemical and the groundwater contaminant. In this study, candidate designs that actively spread the treatment chemical into the contaminant are generated using a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm. Design parameters pertaining to the amount of treatment chemical and the duration and rate of its injection are optimized according to objectives established for the remediation – maximizing contaminant degradation while minimizing energy and material requirements. Because groundwater contaminants have different reaction and sorption properties that influence their ability to be degraded with in situ remediation, optimization was conducted for six different combinations of reaction rate coefficients and sorption rates constants to represent remediation of the common groundwater contaminants, trichloroethene, tetrachloroethene, and toluene, using the treatment chemical, permanganate. Results indicate that active spreading for contaminants with low reaction rate coefficients should be conducted by using greater amounts of treatment chemical mass and longer injection durations relative to contaminants with high reaction rate coefficients. For contaminants with slow sorption or contaminants in heterogeneous aquifers, two different design strategies are acceptable — one that injects high concentrations of treatment chemical mass over a short duration or one that injects lower concentrations of treatment chemical mass over a long duration. Thus, decision-makers can select a strategy according to their preference for material or energy use. Finally, for scenarios with high ambient groundwater velocities, the injection rate used for active spreading should be high enough for the groundwater divide to encompass the entire contaminant plume.
Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis: Letter to the "How I do it" article by Y.-H. Ho, Tech Coloproctol (2010) 14:359-363.

Dear Editor, Dr. Ho may have planned to write a scientific paper on an innovative surgical technique. I applaud Dr. Ho’s decision, as section editor, to invite Dr. Yamaguchi’s comment, which elevates the debate to a scientific level [1]. However, there are a number of methodological aspects of Dr. Ho’s publication that can give the wrong take-home message. These aspects, outlined below, may not be readily understood by inexperienced readers. Although there is certainly a need for innovation in surgery, it is beneficial to the patients that innovation happens in accordance with the rules of evidence [2]. As Dr. Ho’s technique is performed by a single surgeon, the reproducibility of his results is debatable, or at best, unknown. Other authors have previously emphasized how standardization and sequential execution are essential to outcomes and safety in surgical technique [3]. Ho sends a different message; he does it his way: lateral-to-medial! medial-to-lateral! It is dangerous as readers can get the wrong message. Laparoscopic right colectomy with intracorporeal anastomosis is no news to the well-informed reader. I agree with Dr. Ho that intracorporeal anastomosis is advantageous compared with extracorporeal. Potential advantages of intracorporeal anastomosis include: (1) anastomosing away from the abdominal wall could reduce surgical-site infection rates; (2) no manipulation of abdominal cavity by the surgeon could reduce creation of adhesions and possibly rates of adhesive small bowel obstruction; (3) a 50% reduction in the abdominal wall incision for specimen extraction could lead to clinically relevant benefits; and (4) laparoscopic visualization during the creation of the anastomosis could reduce unrecognized twisting of the terminal ileum mesentery. Nevertheless, I have the following concerns regarding Dr. Ho’s choice to promote totally stapled intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis. Potential disadvantages of totally stapled intracorporeal ileocolic anastomoses include: (1) leads to an everted anastomosis with potential for increased risk of complications as opposed to its handsewn inverted counterpart; (2) requires usage of 60 mm long cartridge for side-to-side ileocolic stapling as it inevitably excises tissue and thereby potentially reduces the size of the anastomosis; (3) most likely requires an additional port if performed on the transverse colon; (4) does not obviate the need for intracorporeal suturing as stay stitches are required to ensure safe stapler application on the enterocolotomy; (5) may require multiple firings depending on the size of the enterocolotomy or whether the previous stapled line is being excised; and (6) leads to higher costs due to additional cartridges. An alternative option to totally stapled intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis is to handsew the enterocolotomy [4]. Without standardization of a surgical technique and proof of reproducibility by others, Dr. Ho’s ‘‘How I do it’’ paper lacks external validity.
The Development and Initial Validation of the Student Measure of Culturally Responsive Teaching.

This article describes the development and initial validation of a measure of middle school students’ perspectives of culturally responsive teaching practices. The Student Measure of Culturally Responsive Teaching (SMCRT) was developed by modifying items on the Culturally Responsive Teaching Self-Efficacy (CRTSE), which measures teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs regarding their culturally responsive teaching practices. Data obtained from a sample of 748 seventh-grade students (63.9% Latino/as) were used to conduct exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses that yielded three factors: Diverse Teaching Practice, Cultural Engagement, and Diverse Language Affirmation. The three-factor model was compared with two competing models, yielding a second-order factor model as the final model. Initial validity of the SMCRT was demonstrated through tests of measurement invariance across subgroups of gender, immigrants, and Latino/as versus non-Latino/as and correlational analyses with SMCRT, teacher support, and schoo...
Re-evaluating energy efficiency in China

Energy efficiency is a sensible scheme for saving money, conserving natural resources and reducing CO2 emissions. However, incentives for energy conservation vary greatly between different nations. Energy prices are the key to energy conservation, many observers argue. This paper focuses on one of the world's most rapidly developing energy consumers -- China -- and contemplates the current and future impact of energy prices on China's energy-efficient behaviour.
Surface phase diagram and stability of (001) and (111) LiM n 2 O 4 spinel oxides

The (001) and (111) surface structures of the $\mathrm{LiM}{\mathrm{n}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ (LMO) spinel are examined using density functional theory (DFT) calculations within the generalized gradient approximation $(\mathrm{GGA})+U$ approach. In order to clarify discrepancies in the literature for previous DFT calculations of these surfaces, we first carefully study the effects of surface termination/reconstruction, slab construction, and relaxation schemes, as well as magnetic ordering and $U$ values for Mn on the calculated surface energies of LMO. We explain these discrepancies and show that the relaxation scheme and surface reconstruction play the key role in determining the relative stability of (001) and (111) surfaces. We have further analyzed the thermodynamic stability of LMO surfaces as a function of oxygen and lithium chemical potentials. We have found that the ratio of (001) to (111) surface energies is $\ensuremath{\sim}1.09$ up to the oxygen chemical potential corresponding to $\ensuremath{\sim}800\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. This ratio favors the formation of truncated-octahedron shaped LMO particles dominated by Li-terminated reconstructed (111) facets with no surface Mn, which can help suppress Mn dissolution. Higher temperatures or closed systems (with no exchange of material with surroundings) favor the formation of (001) dominated particles. The observation of a wide spectrum of polyhedral shapes between (001)- and (111)-dominated LMO particles in experiments can be explained by the narrow range of surface energies and their sensitivity to synthesis conditions.
‘Straight with a pinch of bi’: The construction of heterosexuality as an elastic category among adult US men:

The sexualities of men who have same-sex desires yet identify as straight have attracted significant attention in recent years. We present findings from interviews with 100 such men, whom we recrui...
A Bayesian mixture model for clustering and selection of feature occurrence rates under mean constraints

In this paper, we consider the problem of modeling a matrix of count data, where multiple features are observed as counts over a number of samples. Due to the nature of the data generating mechanism, such data are often characterized by a high number of zeros and overdispersion. In order to take into account the skewness and heterogeneity of the data, some type of normalization and regularization is necessary for conducting inference on the occurrences of features across samples. We propose a zero-inflated Poisson mixture modeling framework that incorporates a model-based normalization through prior distributions with mean constraints, as well as a feature selection mechanism, which allows us to identify a parsimonious set of discriminatory features, and simultaneously cluster the samples into homogenous groups. We show how our approach improves on the accuracy of the clustering with respect to more standard approaches for the analysis of count data, by means of a simulation study and an application to a bag-of-words benchmark data set, where the features are represented by the frequencies of occurrence of each word.
The Secular Problem of Evil

It is an honor and a pleasure to join in the celebration of Agassi’s 90th birthday. He is a philosopher who in the work of a lifetime has continued in the long, noble, and always unpopular tradition in which philosophers question the shibboleths of their age. Reading and conversing with him is a bracing experience that is never boring and always challenging. He goes to the core of whatever problem he discusses, articulates the assumptions on which it rests, considers the alternatives to them, and ever so innocently inquires why we should accept one of these assumptions rather than contrary ones. May he long continue his subversive work. I offer the discussion of evil that follows in the same spirit.
Distributed dynamic lane reversal and rerouting for traffic delay reduction

ABSTRACTTraffic congestion is a major source of delays in modern road networks. Motivated by this, we propose two distributed algorithms to reduce delays: a dynamic lane reversal algorithm and a rerouting algorithm. When there is a density imbalance on a road, time can be saved by reallocating lanes from the less dense side to the more dense side, which motivates dynamic lane reversal. When a road has greater density than nearby roads, time can be saved by redirecting flow into the least congested roads, this motivates dynamic rerouting. Given a communication system between infrastructure and vehicles on the road, the local state of the network can be approximated and utilised by the algorithms to minimise travel time. In order to provide a better fundamental understanding of the system dynamics, we analyse equilibrium conditions for the system and prove convergence of the lane reversal algorithm to a critical point. Overall performance is also examined in simulation.
Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection of the Modified cry1Ac Gene in Transgenic Bt (Bollgard®) Cotton

Transgenic cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) containing a modified cry1Ac gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner has been widely adopted for suppression of lepidopterous pests. A...
Getting More Bang for Your Buck: Teaching Nineteenth-Century Literature and Gender in a Survey Course

This chapter describes the organizational options for an undergraduate course on Victorian Literature or a British Survey course with only a few class sessions to devote to Victorian literature. Focusing on the decisions facing an instructor about the inclusion of women writers and the “Woman Question,” the chapter highlights changes in trends over the last few decades. Changes over this time are described in terms of both text selection and assignments. The chapter offers assignments assessing student outcomes focused on application and analysis which move students beyond the reductionist task of restating women’s historical position as a single position without regard to class and race as well as boxing women writers into labels such as “social problem novelist” or “New Woman writer.” Finally, the chapter describes trending areas of gender studies not necessarily confined to women or women writers.
Age of onset or age at assessment-that is the question: Estimating newly incident alcohol drinking and rapid transition to heavy drinking in the United States, 2002-2014.

Age-specific incidence estimates are important and useful facts in psychiatric epidemiology, but incidence estimation can be challenging. Methods artifacts are possible. In the United States, where the minimum legal drinking age is 21 years, recent cross-sectional field research on 12- to 25-year-olds applied conventional "age-at-assessment" approaches (AAA) for incidence estimation based on 12-month recall. Estimates disclosed unexpected nonlinear patterns in age-specific incidence estimates for both drinking onset and for transitioning from first drink to heavy drinking. Here, our aim is to draw attention to an "age of onset" (AOO) alternative to AAA approaches and to verify whether the AOO approach also discloses nonlinearity. Yearly data are from U.S. nationally representative samples drawn and assessed for National Surveys on Drug Use and Health, 2002-2014, with standardized audio computer-assisted self-interview assessments for drinking outcomes. Both AAA and AOO approaches show nonlinearities, with an unexpected dip in drinking incidence rates after age 18 and before the age 21 minimum legal drinking age. The AOO and the AAA approaches disclosed similar age-specific patterns. We discuss advantages of the AOO approach when nonlinear incidence patterns can be anticipated, but we conclude that the AAA approach has not created an artifactual nonlinear pattern.
GPU acceleration of Eulerian–Lagrangian particle-laden turbulent flow simulations

Abstract Acceleration of an existing MPI-based, particle-laden turbulent flow simulation code is achieved using up to four NVIDIA GPU devices. The overall design is to transfer the entire flow velocity, temperature, and humidity fields to each device, and compute particle trajectories entirely on the GPU hardware. For one-way coupled turbulent flow simulations, accurate simulations can be achieved for less computational cost than the original CPU implementation for particle numbers above 106. Above 107 particles, the GPU version is roughly 14 times faster than the original CPU implementation. The effects of interpolation order, precision of the transferred Eulerian fields, and sub-time-stepping for fast particle dynamics are discussed.
Congenital Myopathy with Early-Onset Scoliosis

Neuromuscular scolioses in patients with myopathy span a spectrum of clinical presentations but are typically characterized by a collapsing deformity in a hypotonic patient. The case of a 7-year-old girl with nemaline myopathy and an 80 degree progressive, thoracolumbar scoliosis is presented. The patient was managed uneventfully with a pelvis-to-rib manual distraction construct (“Eiffel Tower”) and underwent two lengthenings over 2 years of follow-up.