cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Executive functioning and risk for Alzheimer's disease in the cognitively intact: Family history predicts Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance.

OBJECTIVE Alzheimer's disease (AD) research typically focuses on memory. However, executive functioning (EF) deficits are also common among AD patients; these deficits are associated with decreased functioning in activities of daily living, an important criterion in diagnosing AD. A classic test of EF ability, the Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST), has demonstrated sensitivity to differentiating individuals with AD from healthy controls, discriminating AD groups based on disease severity, and distinguishing AD from other types of dementia. Such sensitivity to AD raises the possibility that the WCST is also sensitive to very early, preclinical differences between those who have heightened risk for AD and those with lower risks. METHOD The current study, therefore, examined WCST performance in healthy, cognitively intact older adults with a first-degree (i.e., sibling or parent) family history (FH) of AD (n = 18) and those with no such FH of AD (n = 24). RESULTS Results revealed significant group differences for Categories Achieved, Percent Conceptual Level Responses, Total Errors, Perseverative Errors, and Non-Perseverative Errors, with the FH+ group consistently exhibiting poorer performance. Moreover, hierarchical regression analyses indicated that after accounting for age, sex, and education, FH significantly predicted all 5 of these variables. CONCLUSIONS These results speak to the potential role of EF in bolstering the current understanding of early cognitive markers of future decline. Furthering what is known about the relationship between AD and nonmemory specific domains of cognition such as executive functioning may allow for better prediction of cognitive decline and potential progression to AD.
Gelfand-Kirillov Dimension is Exact for Noetherian PI Algebras

If O → A → C → B → O is a short exact sequence of finitely generated modules over a Noetherian Pi-algebra then we show that GK(C) = max{GK(A), GK(B)}.
Optimal Control and Stochastic Synchronization of Phase Oscillators

Abstract Synchronization of oscillations is a phenomenon prevalent in natural, social, and engineering systems, such as neural circuitry in the brain, sleep cycles in biology, semiconductor lasers in physics, and periodic vibrations in mechanical engineering. The ability to control synchronization of oscillating systems then has important research and clinical implications, for example, for the study of brain functions. In this paper, we study optimal control and synchronization of nonlinear oscillators described by the phase model. We consider both deterministic and stochastic cases, in which we derive open-loop controls that create desired synchronization patterns and devise feedback controls that maximize the steady-state synchronization probability of coupled oscillators in the presence of shared and unshared noisy stimuli modeled by the Brownian motion.
Spontaneous Occurrence of Brain Tumors in Animals: Opportunities as Preclinical Model Systems

Naturally occurring neoplasia of the nervous system has been documented in many species in addition to humans, which include dogs, cats, mice, and even zebrafish. Some of the tumors in these species share many features including histopathological appearance, neuroimaging characteristics, tumor genetics, molecular targets, and biological behavior. Based on such similarities, studying the CNS tumors of dogs and mice and the genetics of neuronal neoplasia in Drosophila and zebrafish has been suggested as a valuable pursuit in the field of cancer research which can aid in the following areas: identification of cancer-associated genes, environmental risk factors, tumor biology, and progression and the development of novel therapeutics. This chapter reviews the current knowledge on the types of neoplasia documented to spontaneously affect the nervous system in dogs, mice, Drosophila, and zebrafish and demonstrates the potential utility of these naturally occurring models in cancer research.
Microbiology of Beef, Pork and Lamb Stored in Vacuum or Modified Gas Atmospheres.

Beef, pork and lamb loins were vacuum-packaged as subprimal cuts (controls), reformed subprimal cuts and as retail cuts (steaks or chops). Subprimal cuts, reformed subprimal cuts and one group of retail cuts remained vacuum-packaged. Other groups of retail cuts were injected with atmospheres of either 20% CO2 + 80% N2 or 40% CO2 + 60% N2. Cuts were randomly assigned to storage periods of 0-21 days at 2 ± 1 C. At weekly intervals, steaks or chops were removed from each treatment and examined after storage for 5 days under retail display conditions. Psychrotrophic bacterial counts and lactobacilli counts of steaks and chops stored in CO2-N2 atmospheres usually were lower, though not often statistically significant, than those of comparable vacuum-packaged steaks, chops or loins. Psychrotrophic counts of steaks and pork chops, initially held in CO2,-N2 atmospheres and then subjected to retail display, usually were lower than those of comparable steaks and chops that had been vacuum-packaged (without added CO2-N2) or prepared from vacuum-packaged loins.
Regression Spline Mixed Models for Testing Meaningful Landmarks in Time Series Data

Time series data, particularly biological, are becoming increasingly common as we explore the relationship between biology and behavior. Event-related potentials (ERPs), which are brain responses t...
Onychomycoses Due to Non-dermatophytic Molds

Non-dermatophytic molds have been increasingly recognized as agents of onychomycosis. Prevalence of non-dermatophytic onychomycosis depends on geographic areas. Molds can cause different types of onychomycosis including proximal subungual, “deep” white superficial, and distal subungual onychomycosis. Diagnosis of mold onychomycosis is more complex than the dermatophytic counterpart and requires microscopic examination and culture on multiple samples. Treatment is difficult and often requires combination of topical antifungals, systemic antifungals, and chemical avulsion.
Effects of Pruning and Staking on Landscape Trees

Pruning and staking can be effectively used to develop structurally stable trees. The growth of young trees can be directed by pruning branches that are in unwanted permanent positions. Staking should be used primarily to protect and anchor young trees; support staking should be used only when plants are not able to stand upright without support.
Investigating the use of multi-point coupling for single-sensor bearing estimation in one direction

Abstract Bearing estimation of radially propagating symmetric waves in solid structures typically requires a minimum of two sensors. As a test specimen, this research investigates the use of multi-point coupling to provide directional inference using a single-sensor. By this provision, the number of sensors required for localization can be reduced. A finite-element model of a beam is constructed with a symmetrically placed bipod that has asymmetric joint-stiffness properties. Impulse loading is applied at different points along the beam, and measurements are taken from the apex of the bipod. A technique is developed to determine the direction-of-arrival of the propagating wave. The accuracy when using the bipod with the developed technique is compared against results gathered without the bipod and measuring from an asymmetric location along the beam. The results show 92% accuracy when the bipod is used, compared to 75% when measuring without the bipod from an asymmetric location. A geometry investigation finds the best accuracy results when one leg of the bipod has a low stiffness and a large diameter relative to the other leg.
Interleukin-6 potentiates FcεRI-induced PGD 2 biosynthesis and induces VEGF from human in situ-matured skin mast cells

Abstract Background Interleukin-6 is a gp130 utilizing cytokine that is consistently associated with allergic diseases like asthma and urticaria in humans where mast cells are known to play a critical role. However, the role of IL-6 in allergic disease in not known. IL-6 was reported to enhance degranulation of in vitro-derived mast cells, but the effect of IL-6 on mediator release from human in situ-matured tissue-isolated mast cells had not been reported. Methods Human mature mast cells were isolated and purified from normal skin tissue from different donors. The expression of surface-expressed IL-6 receptors was demonstrated by flow cytometry. The effect of IL-6 on FceRI-induced degranulation, PGD2 biosynthesis, and cytokine production was determined with β‑hexosaminidase release assay, Western blotting, quantitative real-time PCR, and ELISA. The small molecule inhibitor of STAT-3, C188-9, was used to demonstrate STAT3 dependency. Results: IL-6 significantly potentiated FceRI-induced PGD2 biosynthesis, but had no effect on degranulation. IL-6 also induced VEGF gene expression and protein secretion, and enhanced FceRI-induced IL-8 production. Mechanistically, IL-6 enhanced FceRI-induced COX‑2 expression, PGD2 biosynthesis, and VEGF production in a STAT3 dependent manner. Conclusion Here, we demonstrate that IL-6 is a potentiator of FceRI-induced PGD2 biosynthesis, and can induce or enhance production of pro-angiogenesis factors VEGF and IL-8 from human in situ-matured skin mast cells. General significance These findings from this study indicate that IL-6 contributes to human allergic disease by enhancing the production of inflammatory PGD2 from tissue-resident mast cells. Moreover, the data suggest a novel role for IL-6 in mast cell-mediated angiogenesis.
Paneth Cell Multipotency Induced by Notch Activation following Injury

Summary Paneth cells are post-mitotic intestinal epithelial cells supporting the stem cell niche and mucosal immunity. Paneth cell pathologies are observed in various gastrointestinal diseases, but their plasticity and response to genomic and environmental challenges remain unclear. Using a knockin allele engineered at the mouse Lyz1 locus, we performed detailed Paneth cell-lineage tracing. Irradiation induced a subset of Paneth cells to proliferate and differentiate into villus epithelial cells. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed that Paneth cells sorted from irradiated mice acquired a stem cell-like transcriptome; when cultured in vitro, these individual Paneth cells formed organoids. Irradiation activated Notch signaling, and forced expression of Notch intracellular domain (NICD) in Paneth cells, but not Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation, induced their dedifferentiation. This study documents Paneth cell plasticity, particularly their ability to participate in epithelial replenishment following stem cell loss, adding to a growing body of knowledge detailing the molecular pathways controlling injury-induced regeneration.
An Analysis of Airborne Measurements of Tropospheric Index of Refraction Fluctuations

Abstract Fifteen samples of index of refraction fluctuations in the troposphere have been analyzed statistically, and the results interpreted in terms of current attempts to explain beyond-the-horizon radio transmission as a result of scatter propagation. The samples were obtained over Camp Carson, Colorado, during the afternoons of March 8 and 9, 1955, with an airborne microwave refractometer and at altitudes ranging from 6500 to 20,000 ft above mean sea-level. The analysis yields a power spectrum, an amplitude distribution plot and a running r.m.s. for each sample. A mathematical representation of the variation of the samples' power spectra with frequency and altitude is obtained. This representation emphasizes the importance of local meteorological conditions, supports the universal equilibrium theory rather than the mixing-in-gradient theory for production of the fluctuations by turbulence and questions the validity of correlation functions commonly used to describe the fluctuation field. The measured fluctuation amplitudes are compared with amplitudes calculated from measured transmission losses of fourteen National Bureau of Standards transmission paths with scatter commonvolumes near Camp Carson. The results question whether beyond-the-horizon transmission can be explained in terms of scattering by index of refraction fluctuations, but imcertainties in the comparison will not permit a definite answer to this question.
Taxing Non-Residents: A U.S. Perspective

As globalisation increases, so does the need for understanding multijurisdictional taxation. Which countries will try to tax the international traveller’s income? Treaties can clarify the tax implications, but too many treaties could become overwhelmingly complex. When treaties do not exist, each host country must establish a set of rules for taxing non-citizens. This chapter describes the basic U.S. income tax laws for taxing resident and nonresident aliens who come to the United States. If international visitors meet the criteria for being a ‘resident alien’, then the U.S. tax system will tax them on their worldwide income and allow them the same deductions and credits that U.S. citizens enjoy. On the other hand, ‘non-resident aliens’ are only taxed on their U.S. source income, and they are entitled to fewer deductions and credits. This chapter explains the general concepts along with a few details about how these rules are applied.
Assessing the Performance of the Fast All-sky Radiation Model for Solar Applications with Narrowband Irradiances on Tilted Surfaces (FARMS-NIT)

This study evaluates the performance of a new radiative transfer model, Fast All-sky Radiation Model for Solar Applications with Narrowband Irradiances on Tilted surfaces (FARMS-NIT), that efficiently computes spectral irradiances on inclined photovoltaic (PV) panels. FARMS-NIT numerically solves the spatial distribution of solar radiation in 2,002 wavelength bands, and thereby accurately provides plane-of-array (POA) irradiances by integrating radiances over inclined surfaces. The FARMS-NIT for clear-and cloudy-sky conditions are used to compute POA irradiances for TMY3 sites and compared with the simulation by TMYSPEC. Our results indicate that FARMS-NIT leads to $\sim$ 5% greater spectral irradiances compared to TMYSPEC. The difference in POA irradiance with a latitude tilt angle is slightly larger than global horizonal irradiance (GHI).
School Climate and Academic Achievement in Middle and High School Students

Background Emergent evidence suggests a positive school climate may be a promising population-level intervention to promote academic achievement and student well-being. However, researchers have called for expanding the school climate evidence-base to better describe how the construct is associated with student outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the associations between 10 school climate domains and academic achievement among middle and high school students. Methods ANOVAs were used to analyze survey data from 6-12 grade students in a Mid-Atlantic US state (n = 2405, response rate: middle school = 82.4%, 50.5% female; high school = 62.5%, 56.1% female). Results Significant main effects were found for all school climate domains and varied between middle and high school students apart from academic support. Effect sizes ranged from small to medium, with academic support demonstrating the strongest effects among both middle and high school students. Conclusions Findings suggest school climate is associated with academic achievement for both middle and high school students. Correctly identifying the role of key aspects of school climate by grade-level may provide improved and developmentally appropriate recommendations for the delivery of instruction and school-based interventions that promote positive school well-being and student performance.
Assessing quality and resources during campus-wide simulation integration.

Abstract Introduction Our simulation center, supported by four departments (Surgery, OB/GYN, Urology, and Anesthesiology), is accredited as a comprehensive Accredited Educational Institute (AEI) and is now expanding to accommodate all departments on campus. Methods A 61-point questionnaire was administered to 44 stakeholders, representing all of UME and GME. Data were compared for AEI vs. non-AEI activities. Results Responses were collected from all 44 groups (100% response rate). Overall, 43 simulation activities were hosted within the AEI and 40 were hosted by non-AEI stakeholders. AEI activities were more likely to be mandatory (93% vs. 75%, p = 0.02), have written learning objectives (79% vs 43%, p Conclusion These data suggest that the AEI courses are more robust in terms of structured learning and assessment compared to non-AEI courses. Campus-wide application of uniform quality standards is anticipated to require significant faculty, course, and program development.
Status, Gender, and Nonverbal Behavior in Candid and Posed Photographs: A Study of Conversations Between University Employees

Ninety-six male and female university employees (93% White, 6% African American, 1% Asian) were photographed in dyads while they conversed about working at their university (candid photographs) and again while they deliberately faced the camera (posed photographs). Eight nonverbal behaviors were coded from the photographs, and relative status was ascertained from a postexperimental questionnaire. Status differences were found for upward (chin-up) head tilt and for resting elbows on leg or furniture; candid versus posed differences were found for upward head tilt, smiling, and raising the eyebrows; and gender differences were found for smiling, erect posture, forward lean, and touching self. Interactions involving gender, candid/posed photographs, and/or status suggested limitations to generalizations about main effects.
Global Convergence of Stochastic Gradient Descent for Some Non-convex Matrix Problems

Stochastic gradient descent (SGD) on a low-rank factorization (Burer & Monteiro, 2003) is commonly employed to speed up matrix problems including matrix completion, subspace tracking, and SDP relaxation. In this paper, we exhibit a step size scheme for SGD on a low-rank least-squares problem, and we prove that, under broad sampling conditions, our method converges globally from a random starting point within O(e-1nlog n) steps with constant probability for constant-rank problems. Our modification of SGD relates it to stochastic power iteration. We also show experiments to illustrate the runtime and convergence of the algorithm.
Hypoglossal Nerve (Cranial Nerve XII) Stimulation

Hypoglossal nerve stimulation is a novel strategy for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Its anatomy allows for easy surgical access, and its function as a motor nerve allows for tolerable neurostimulation. It has shown success as a therapy for the treatment of OSA with a greater than 80% success rate. Patients who use the device not only show improvement in symptoms but also tolerate the device well with high rates of adherence to therapy as well as a high majority preferring it over continuous positive airway pressure therapy.
Impacts of Tiled Land Cover Characterization on Global Meteorological Predictions Using the MPAS-A

Parameterization of subgrid-scale variability of land cover characterization (LCC) is an active area of research, and can improve model performance compared to the dominant (i.e., most abundant tile) approach. The "Noah" land surface model implementation in the global Model for Predictions Across Scales-Atmosphere (MPAS-A), however, only uses the dominant LCC approach that leads to oversimplification in regions of highly heterogeneous LCC (e.g., urban/suburban settings). Thus, in this work we implement a subgrid tiled approach as an option in MPAS-A, version 6.0, and assess the impacts of tiled LCC on meteorological predictions for two gradually refining meshes (92-25 and 46-12 km) focused on the conterminous U.S for January and July 2016. Compared to the dominant approach, results show that using the tiled LCC leads to pronounced global changes in 2-m temperature (July global average change ~ -0.4 K), 2-m moisture, and 10-m wind speed for the 92-25 km mesh. The tiled LCC reduces mean biases in 2-m temperature (July U.S. average bias reduction ~ factor of 4) and specific humidity in the central and western U.S. for the 92-25 km mesh, improves the agreement of vertical profiles (e.g., temperature, humidity, and wind speed) with observed radiosondes; however, there is increased bias and error for incoming solar radiation at the surface. The inclusion of subgrid LCC has implications for reducing systematic temperature biases found in numerical weather prediction models, particularly those that employ a dominant LCC approach.
Magnonic Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model in honeycomb ferromagnets

Topological electronics has extended its richness to nonelectronic systems where bosonic quasiparticles can play the role of spin and heat carriers. In particular, topological magnons can be enabled by the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI) which acts as an effective spin-orbit coupling. We show that, besides DMI, an alternating arrangement of Heisenberg exchange interactions critically determines the magnon band topology, realizing a magnonic analog of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. On a honeycomb ferromagnet with perpendicular anisotropy, we calculate the topological phase diagram, the chiral edge states, and the associated magnon Hall effect with tunable relative strength of exchange interactions on different links. Including weak phonon-magnon hybridization does not change the result. Candidate materials are discussed.
An Economic Perspective

An analysis of contemporary reports and my interviews indicate that there is a significant economic advantage to a Moon mission versus a Mars mission. First, the estimated budget of a round trip to the Moon is substantially less than a trip to Mars. Second, a mission to the Moon is more in line with the current budgetary abilities of the US government and NASA’s international partners. Also, the Moon potentially has rich raw resources that might counter-balance the expense by bringing those resources to Earth.
No Pain, No Gain: An Affect-Based Model of Developmental Job Experience and the Buffering Effects of Emotional Intelligence

Drawing on an overarching framework of transactional stress theory, this study develops and tests an affect-based model of developmental job experience (DJE) that explicates the affective mechanisms through which DJE is associated with both positive and negative individual outcomes — advancement potential and turnover intention — and the buffering role of emotional intelligence (EI) in the affective processes. In a sample of 214 early-career managers, we found DJE to be related to increased advancement potential by boosting employees’ pleasant feelings, but also that it can fail in this regard by increasing their unpleasant feelings. Moreover, whereas it is not surprising that there was a negative relationship between DJE and turnover intention mediated by pleasant feelings, our results also demonstrated a positive relationship via unpleasant feelings, depending on employees’ levels of EI. Specifically, they suggested that DJE was positively related to turnover intention for only low-EI employees, but not for high-EI employees.
Democracy and Authenticity: Toward A Theory Of Public Justification

Introduction: consensus liberalism and the challenge of pluralism Part I. The Case for Constraint: 1. Three cases for constraint: Audi, Rawls, and Larmore 2. Subjective standards and the problem of deliberative perfectionism 3. Liberalism and the problem of authenticity 4. Further reflections on authenticity 5. The scope of constraint Part II. Responding to the Case for Inclusion: 6. Arguments from consequences: pluralism and the role of culture 7. The arguments from consequences: agnostic democracy and republican virtue 8. Fairness as equality 9. Fairness as recognition 10. The argument from epistemology: claims of equivalence 11. Empiricism and public justification 12. Toward a theory of public justification.
The Production of Historical “Facts”: How the Wrong Number of Participants in the Leipzig Monday Demonstration on October 9, 1989 Became a Convention

This paper deals with the demonstration in Leipzig on October 9, 1989, an important episode in the history of the East German Revolution. It is generally held that 70,000 demonstrators participated. This paper shows that this number is clearly wrong. The paper describes briefly the results of a survey that were inconsistent with this number and how the authors of the study proceeded to make a new estimate. The paper further outlines how the original estimate was made and found its way into the media and historical accounts. Finally, some general lessons are drawn from the case. The case study this paper focuses on is not an example of the faking of data, but rather of negligent data handling. However, it is argued that the lessons from this case discussed in the final section hold for faked data as well.
AreWeThereYet?: a temporally aware media player

In this paper we describe the design and implementation of the AreWeThereYet? (AWTY) Player - a (digital) audio player that composes a program of audio media that is extremely likely to fit within the user's available listening time. AWTY uses time compression and track selection techniques to help the listener make more efficient use of their time. More importantly, it possesses an awareness of the listener's temporal context. It forms an estimate of the available listening time and uses this prediction to compose a playlist of a suitable length. We hope that this research prototype will inspire others to further investigate the ways in which temporally aware computing might be employed.
Computer Modeling of Crack Propagation Using Fractal Geometry

A model of the propagation of two-dimension traveling cracks in a biaxially-stressed glass disk was derived using concepts of fractal geometry. A computer program employing this model was written using known fractographic equations, empirical observations and generic algorithms for generating fractals. Inputs include material property data, fracture load, disk size and the sizes of the load-bearing rings. The outputs include fracture stress, initial crack size before branching, and a prediction of the expected number of radial cracks. A typical image of a fractured disk with the input conditions is also produced. The image incorporates empirically-determined randomness and a degree of crack curvature dependent on the stress state. The program is user-friendly, and may be easily adapted for other materials and conditions.
Distributed restoration in an ATM test bed network

Network resilience is a crucial area of concern for telecommunications network operators who aim to provide high availability services supported by a broadband platform based on ATM technology. This paper describes the development of an ATM test bed network which incorporates resilience by executing distributed restoration in the event of failures. Since the work originated from collaborative research between BT Laboratories and Alcatel Telecom of Belgium, the paper highlights challenges faced in developing a restorable network, both by a network operator, and a switch manufacturer.
Emergent Awake tracheostomy--The five-year experience at an urban tertiary care center.

Objectives/Hypothesis There are few studies that discuss the issues surrounding emergent awake tracheostomy. We aim to review the indications, anesthesia used, complications, and outcomes of patients undergoing urgent awake tracheostomy. Study Design Chart review. Methods Medical charts of patients who underwent an emergent awake tracheostomy at our institution-affiliated tertiary care center over a 5-year period from 2009 to 2014 were reviewed. Data were collected from inpatient, outpatient, and operative records. Results Sixty-eight patients underwent emergent awake tracheostomy. Over half presented with hoarseness (n = 37, 54.4%) and/or stridor (n = 37, 54.4%). Acute upper airway obstruction secondary to malignancy was the most common indication and accounted for 58 cases (85.3%). Thirty-nine (70.1%) of the 55 patients with squamous cell carcinoma presented with advanced disease (stage III or IV). Other indications included glottic or subglottic stenosis (4.4%), failure to intubate (2.9%), and other (7.4%). Local anesthesia was used alone in 35.3% of cases and in combination with conscious sedation in 64.7% of cases. Mild bleeding occurred postoperatively in five patients (7.4%). There were no other postoperative complications. Nineteen patients were lost to follow-up. The mean follow-up of 49 patients was 7.2 weeks, ranging from 2 to 261 weeks. Long-term complications occurred in three patients and included tracheitis 7.4% and suprastomal granuloma 2.9%. Eleven patients (22%) were decannulated at a mean of 11.8 months following tracheostomy. Conclusions Emergent awake tracheostomy should be considered in patients with impeding airway obstruction and is a safe and effective method to secure an airway in these patients. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 125:2476–2479, 2015
Applications of signal processing to optical fiber communications

We review the main signal processing techniques for mitigation of physical impairments in optical systems (e.g. chromatic dispersion, fiber nonlinearities, polarization effects, and amplified spontaneous emission noise) and discuss some of the important issues in their design and application in the optical domain. In particular, we describe approaches based on adaptive filtering, including applications in system identification and equalization, and adaptive filter performance.
Oligothymidylates: formation by thermal condensation of O 2 ,5'-cyclothymidine 3'-phosphate.

Thermal activation of O 2 ,59-cyclothymidine 39-phosphate in solution and in the solid state led to the formation of thymidine oligonucleotides containing up to approximately 12 nucleotide units. Only the 39,59 internucleotide diester bonds were formed. This polymerization occurs without the addition of any activating agent or catalyst.
The effect of inhibitors of plasma membrane redox reactions on proton excretion by plant cells

Plant cells excrete protons via an electrogenic proton pump, the K+-stimulated, Mg2+-dependent H+-ATPasc, located on the cytoplasmic side of the plasma membrane. Plasma membrane redox reactions are also coupled to proton excretion. Various inhibitors were used on carrot (Daucus carola L.) cells in an attempt to distinguish between the two processes. Inhibitors of electron transport reactions in the plasma membrane (chloroquine, 8-hydroxyquinolinc, 4,7-dichloroquinolinc and retinoic acid) inhibited ferricyanide-induced proton excretion by 37–100%, while they inhibited potassium ferricyanide reduction, a measure of plasma membrane redox activity, by 42–100%. The above-mentioned quinolines and retinoic acid inhibited cell growth by 49–98%, with the exception of chloroquine, which stimulated carrot cell growth by 36%.
A Systematic Review of Hepatic Artery Chemotherapy After Hepatic Resection of Colorectal Cancer Metastatic to the Liver

Colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver, when technically feasible, is resected with a moderate chance of cure. The most common site of failure after resection is in the remaining liver. To enhance survival, chemotherapy has been delivered directly to the liver postresection via the hepatic artery. This study was designed to assess the effect of posthepatic resection, hepatic artery chemotherapy on overall survival. Trials were sought in Medline, the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, The Cochrane Hepatobiliary Group Trials Register, and through contact of trial authors and reference lists using key words: colorectal, cancer, hepatic metastases, hepatic artery, chemotherapy, and randomized. Trials were chosen in which patients having resection of colorectal cancer metastatic to the liver were randomized to hepatic artery chemotherapy or any alternative treatment. Survival data were obtained principally from abstraction from survival curves in published studies using the method of Parmar to calculate a study-specific, log-hazard ratio and then combined-effect, log-hazard ratio, as well as a combined Kaplan-Meier survival probability curve. Overall survival at five years in the hepatic artery group was 45 percent and 40 percent in the control group. Forty-three individuals developed recurrent liver metastases in the hepatic artery chemotherapy group, and 97 developed liver recurrence in the control group. However, no significant advantage was found in the meta-analysis for hepatic artery chemotherapy measuring overall survival and calculating survival based on “intention to treat” (log-hazard ratio = 0.0848, favoring the control group; 95 percent confidence interval = ±0.2037). Adverse events related to hepatic artery therapy were common, including five therapy-related deaths. Although recurrence in the remaining liver happened less frequently in the hepatic artery chemotherapy group, overall survival was not improved. The log-hazard ratio even favored the control group, although not significantly. This added intervention for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer cannot be recommended at this time.
Two-year toxicity/carcinogenicity study of fresh-brewed coffee in rats initially exposed in utero.

Abstract Fresh-brewed regular coffee at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100% was consumed ad libitum as the sole fluid intake of F 1 Sprague-Dawley rats (55♂ and 55♀/group), derived from P 0 -treated females which were provided 50% coffee for about 5 weeks prior to copulation and throughout gestation and lactation. P 0 males, P 0 control females, and two groups of F 1 control rats received tap water. Ten rats/sex/level were killed and examined after 1 year; survivors were killed after 2 years. Smaller mean body weights (50 and 100% coffee concentrations) occurred with increased feed and liquid consumption. Mean serum alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, BUN, and calcium values occasionally were elevated. Serum cholesterol levels at 2 years were elevated in males (25 and 100%) and at 1 and 2 years in females (100%). Bone calcium was slightly reduced in females consuming 25 or 100% coffee for 1 year, but not after 2 years. Treatment-related increases in relative weights of lungs, kidneys, liver, and epididymides were recorded. Significantly increased mortality was observed in females receiving 50 or 100% coffee. There also was some evidence of a relationship between coffee consumption and the number of primary tumor-bearing animals; however, this finding appeared ambiguous, dependent on the assumption that tumors were the probable cause of death.
Considerations for selective-fidelity simulation

The concept of fidelity in a simulation model has become one of great contention among simulation researchers. While there is some agreement regarding the definition of fidelity in a model, there appears to be little accord about how the fidelity of a model might be measured - or even whether it is measurable at all. Because of the abstract nature of both reality and the representations of reality used for simulation systems, some argue that fidelity is also abstract in nature and can not be measured. Research conducted at IST, however, has yielded a method not only for measuring fidelity in a model, but also comparing the fidelity of different models to be used in a simulation. This ability to compare the fidelity of different models can be used in a practical manner to decide which models would be most appropriate for a new application. Further research at IST has explored the idea of using this ability to compare the fidelity of models to give a simulation system the ability to select the models that it should use based on outside factors such as the computational load on the system. This concept is called Selective-Fidelity Simulation, and is documented in this paper.
Marital dissolution and self-rated health: Age trajectories and birth cohort variations

Abstract A life course perspective is used to explore the effects of divorce and widowhood on self-rated health across age and birth cohorts. Growth curve analysis of a fifteen-year longitudinal survey – Americans’ Changing Lives (ACL), conducted by the Institute for Social Research in the United States between 1986 and 2001 ( House, 2002 ) suggests that although the continuously divorced and widowed exhibit similar health trajectories as the continuously married across age and birth cohorts, there are significant age and birth cohort differences in the effects of transitions to divorce and widowhood on self-rated health. Specifically, the health penalty of the transition to divorce is more apparent for the 1950s than the 1940s birth cohort; and it is stronger at younger than older adulthood especially in the more recent birth cohort. The health penalty of the transition to widowhood is more apparent for the 1910s than the 1920s birth cohort; and it is stronger at older than younger adulthood especially for the earlier birth cohort. These results reflect birth cohort differences in the process of aging and/or in the experience of marital dissolution.
Chapter 2 Gender, mathematics performance, and mathematics-related attitudes and affect: A meta-analytic synthesis

Abstract Meta-analyses were performed on 100 studies of gender differences in mathematics performance and 70 studies of gender differences in mathematics-related attitudes and affect. For mathematics performance, the average effect size across all studies was 0.15, indicating a slightly better performance by males. For mathematics-related attitudes and affect, the average effect sizes tended to be small, with females reporting more negative attitudes and affect. The one exception to this pattern was the stereotyping of math as a male domain, for which the average effect size was −0.90, indicating that males hold a much more stereotyped attitude. Gender differences in mathematics performance, attitudes, and affect appear to be only small to moderate. Consequently, we must look beyond abilities and attitudes to explain the substantial underrepresentation of females in advanced mathematics classrooms and mathematics-related careers.
Fault tolerant control of a quadrotor UAV using sliding mode control

In this paper, the sliding mode approach is used to control of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the presence of external disturbance and actuator fault. Fault detection unit can detect the actuator fault using a state estimator. Then it reconfigures the structure of controller such that some control performance is achieved. The proposed control structure has the advantage of disturbance rejection in the fault-free condition. Moreover it can recover some of control performances when a fault occurs. Different simulations have been carried out to show the performance and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Geometric tolerances: A new application for line geometry and screws:

AbstractA new mathematical model is introduced for the tolerances of cylindrical surfaces. The model is compatible with the ISO/ANSI/ASME standard for geometric tolerances. Central to the new model is a Tolerance-Map®†, a hypothetical volume of points that corresponds to all possible locations and variations of a segment of a line (the axis) that can arise from tolerances on size, location and orientation of the cylindrical surface. Each axis in a tolerance zone will be represented with the six Plucker coordinates. Cylindrical surfaces in a tolerance zone for the same hole can then be treated by attaching a size tolerance to each of the lines, thereby forming a screw. Relationships for the content of line solids for a tolerance zone are developed to correspond to the variations of locations. These are then used to obtain a measure for the increment in cost when a more refined tolerance is specified. This model is one part of a bilevel model that is under development for geometric tolerances.
The effect of synthetic driving force on the atomic mechanisms associated with grain boundary motion below the interface roughening temperature

Abstract The mechanisms associated with grain boundary motion induced by synthetic, crystal-orientation-dependent driving forces are investigated for a large-angle [0 0 1] Ni symmetric tilt grain boundary. The application of non-physical forces by this method brings legitimate concern that it could lead to non-physical results. This concern is especially relevant below the interface roughening transition temperature where there is a substantial drop in grain boundary mobility and large driving force dependence. Using slip-vector analysis and examining continuum metrics for microrotation and strain, this work shows that the application of synthetic-driving forces does not alter the fundamental mechanisms leading to grain boundary motion. Results in this work are compared directly to shear driven simulations which reveal that the path and deformation history of grain boundary motion is unbiased by the non-physical nature of the driving force acting on the boundary. Nudged elastic band calculations show that the transition path for grain boundary motion is independent of the driving force magnitude and the energy barriers for motion are not appreciably altered by the application of the synthetic driving force.
On the optimization of superplastic blow-forming processes

The superplastic blow-forming process of thin sheets is analyzed, and an optimal stable deformation path that reduces production time is obtained. The analysis is based on an analytical model for the superplastic forming (SPF) of a long rectangular box made of Ti-6Al-4V alloy at 900 °C use of a microstructure-based constitutive equation for the strain rate and grain growth, a stability criterion, and a variable strain rate control. It is shown that by imposing a variable strain rate control scheme derived from the stability analysis, an optimal forming time can be developed while maintaining a stable deformation path. Some other control schemes also show effectiveness in either reducing the localized thinning in the formed sheet or reducing the required forming time. Effects of friction and initial grain sizes on the forming pressure profile and the thickness distribution of the formed sheet are also investigated.
The Right to Rebel: Social Movements and Civil Disobedience

A fundamental dimension of contemporary social movements is the use of civil disobedience, as means of both exerting mass pressure on the political system and as a process through which the participants of a social movement perceive and construct an alternative and autonomous democratic power. This article attempts to develop a political and ethical reflection about the transformative dimension and collective potential of civil disobedience drawing on the notions of the right to rebel and the performative.
Unstable resonator with multiple outputs

Two or more unstable optical resonators can be coupled together by sharing optical elements. The result is then a single compound resonator with multiple outputs. For identical coupled cavities, the transverse structure of the outputs would be identical. In general, there will be misalignments and other aberrations that will vary from cavity to cavity. The cumulative effects of such aberrations are treated using both analytical and numerical approaches. It is shown that the average output of a multioutput resonator is the same as the output of a single uncoupled resonator with aberrations equal to the average of those contained in the multioutput resonator.
How Expert are “Expert” Wine Judges?*

Recent papers by Hodgson (2008) and Gawel and Godden (2008) have questioned the consistency of expert wine judges in a wine competition setting. In the latter paper, a methodology introduced in psychometric research to measure judge reliability corrected for chance was used to quantify judge consistency (Cohen, 1968). This paper extends that notion, suggesting a value of 0.7 for Cohen's weighted kappa might be used to define an expert wine judge. With that criterion, less than 30% of judges who participated in either of the two studies would be considered “expert.” (JEL Classification: C1, L15)
The mitochondrial genome of Onchocerca volvulus: Sequence, structure and phylogenetic analysis

The complete DNA sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Onchocerca volvulus is described. The O. volvulus mitochondrial genome is 13747 bp, slightly smaller than the mitochondrial genomes of the nematodes Ascaris suum and Caenorhabditis elegans, and the smallest metazoan mitochondrial DNA molecule reported to date. The O. volvulus mitochondrial genome contains genes for two ribosomal RNAs, 22 transfer RNAs and 12 proteins. Consistent with the small size of the genome, four gene pairs overlap and eight contain no intergenic regions. Only 17 intergenic regions are found, ranging in size from 1 to 46 bp. As in C. elegans and A. suum, the O. volvulus mitochondrial genome lacks an open reading frame encoding ATPase subunit 8, and all genes are apparently transcribed in the same direction. However, the mitochondrial gene order of O. volvulus differs from that of A. suum, C. elegans and other metazoan mitochondrial genomes. A total of 20 of the 22 transfer RNAs encoded in the O. volvulus mitochondrial genome have the potential to fold into secondary structures lacking the TpsiC arm, as has been reported in other nematodes. The genome exhibits a striking codon bias, with 15/20 amino acids having a single codon preference of > 70%.
Kaposi's sarcoma/AIDS cofactors.

This article examines a number of cofactors in view to explain why Kaposis sarcoma develops in some HIV infected individuals and not others
Hydrodynamics of sinusoidal spacers for improved reverse osmosis performance

Abstract A key to maximizing flux and decreasing fouling in reverse osmosis (RO) is to decrease concentration polarization. This is currently partially accomplished by mesh feed spacers, but mesh spacers increase the longitudinal pressure drop and form dead zones where foulants accumulate. Alternative spacer geometry is presented here where sinusoidal flow patterns are created. Several models of RO spacer channels with varying amplitude and wavelength in their sinusoids were created for evaluation by three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations (COMSOL Multiphysics software) that included predictions of concentration polarization and flux. Results over a range of pressures and salt concentrations indicated that the more tortuous geometries (higher amplitude and shorter wavelength) induced greater local fluid velocity and decreased concentration polarization, which led to greater flux. Taylor–Goertler vortices generated in the peaks and valleys of the channels aided in mass transfer. The drawback to the sinusoidal geometry was an increased pressure drop, but one of the sinusoidal geometries tested had both a lower pressure drop and higher flux than a conventional mesh spacer. A subset of the spacer geometries was built and tested experimentally in a bench-scale RO unit. Experimental and modeling data were in good agreement, confirming the benefits of the sinusoidal spacer geometries and suggesting that CFD is an effective tool for predicting performance.