cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Better Approximate Inference for Partial Likelihood Models with a Latent Structure.

Temporal Point Processes (TPP) with partial likelihoods involving a latent structure often entail an intractable marginalization, thus making inference hard. We propose a novel approach to Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) involving approximate inference over the latent variables by minimizing a tight upper bound on the approximation gap. Given a discrete latent variable $Z$, the proposed approximation reduces inference complexity from $O(|Z|^c)$ to $O(|Z|)$. We use convex conjugates to determine this upper bound in a closed form and show that its addition to the optimization objective results in improved results for models assuming proportional hazards as in Survival Analysis.
Wearable Stories for Children: Embodied Learning Through Pretend and Physical Play

This paper introduces the Wearable Story, an interactive storytelling jacket designed for young children to facilitate their story listening experience while learning through play. The wearable med...
Day-to-day market evaluation of modular autonomous vehicle fleet operations with en-route transfers

This study extends the two-sided day-to-day learning framework to simulate the performance of a mobility service using modular autonomous vehicles (MAVs) capable of en-route passenger transfers. An...
Virtual Radiation Oncology Clerkship During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond.

Purpose We evaluated the impact of a virtual radiation oncology clerkship. Methods and Materials We developed a 2-week virtual radiation oncology clerkship that launched on April 27, 2020. Clerkship components included a virtual clinic with radiation oncology faculty and residents, didactic lectures, student talks, and supplemental sessions such as tumor boards and chart rounds. Medical students completed pre- and post-clerkship self-assessments. Faculty and resident participants also completed surveys on their experience with virtual lectures and clinics. Pre- and post-clerkship results were compared using a 2-sided paired t test. An analysis of variance model was used to analyze the clerkship components. Results Twenty-six medical students, including 4 visiting students, enrolled over 2 clerkship periods (4 weeks). All students completed the pre- and post-clerkship self-assessments and agreed that the clerkship improved their understanding of radiation oncology. Compared with 3 (11.5%) students who agreed that they understood the daily responsibilities of a radiation oncologist before the clerkship, 22 (84.6%) students agreed and 3 (11.5%) strongly agreed that they understood the daily responsibilities of a radiation oncologist after the clerkship (P Conclusions Our virtual clerkship was effective in increasing medical student interest in and knowledge about radiation oncology. These data will help optimize a new paradigm of virtual radiation oncology education for medical students during COVID-19 and beyond.
Smart kills and worthless deaths: eSports analytics for League of Legends

Vast data on eSports should be easily accessible but often is not. League of Legends (LoL) only has rudimentary statistics such as levels, items, gold, and deaths. We present a new way to capture more useful data. We track every champion’s location multiple times every second. We track every ability cast and attack made, all damages caused and avoided, vision, health, mana, and cooldowns. We track continuously, invisibly, remotely, and live. Using a combination of computer vision, dynamic client hooks, machine learning, visualization, logistic regression, large-scale cloud computing, and fast and frugal trees, we generate this new high-frequency data on millions of ranked LoL games, calibrate an in-game win probability model, develop enhanced definitions for standard metrics, introduce dozens more advanced metrics, automate player improvement analysis, and apply a new player-evaluation framework on the basic and advanced stats. How much does an individual contribute to a team’s performance? We find that individual actions conditioned on changes to estimated win probability correlate almost perfectly to team performance: regular kills and deaths do not nearly explain as much as smart kills and worthless deaths. Our approach offers applications for other eSports and traditional sports. All the code is open-sourced.
Data driven estimation of electric vehicle battery state-of-charge informed by automotive simulations and multi-physics modeling

Abstract State-of-charge (SOC) estimation in a lithium-ion battery (LIB) is a crucial task of the battery management system (BMS) in battery electric vehicle (BEV) applications. In this work, we propose a modeling framework for SOC estimation using different machine learning (ML) methods, i.e. support vector regressor (SVR), artificial neural network (ANN), and long-short term memory (LSTM) network. The necessary training data have been developed using Matlab/Simulink automotive simulations of BEV, integrated with an electrochemical Comsol Multiphysics model of LIBs. The developed multi-physics model of BEV and LIBs operation allows to investigate the effect of driving conditions on the electrochemical and degradation (i.e., the solid electrolyte interphase – SEI – formation and decomposition) processes occurring inside batteries of different chemistries adopted in the Tesla S and Nissan Leaf BEVs. Our study remarks also the importance of taking into account the different components of BEV in the development of informative datasets, which are required for the implementation of learning algorithms for SOC evaluation. Thus, the proposed work establishes a basis for the generation of realistic training data based on simulations of BEV and LIBs dynamic response, which allows a more precise SOC estimation based on data-driven approaches.
Macrophytobenthos biomass in the Northwestern Cuban shelf, almost 50 years ago

Abstract This study presents for the first time a comprehensive review of the macrophytobenthos on the Northwestern Cuban shelf using data collected almost 50 years ago, and can be considered as a baseline for present and future studies. During 1972−1973 the total estimated fresh biomass was 1.88 million tons (686 tons km−2). Compared with seagrasses, seaweeds were 1.40 times more frequent but had a total biomass 2.86 times smaller. Frequency wise, 90 % of all seaweeds were Chlorophyta, while Phaeophyta, and Rhodophyta were 5 % each. Six Bryopsidales genera (Avrainvillea, Caulerpa, Halimeda, Penicillus, Rhipocephalus, and Udotea) comprised 73 % of 16 Chlorophyta species collected, and 80 % of their total fresh biomass. Turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum) leaves fresh weight was 96 % of all seagrasses biomass, and 71 % of the total macrophytobenthos biomass. The combined biomass of five Halimeda species and that of turtle grass leaves were 88 % of the total regional macrophytobenthos fresh biomass. Species presence was greatest on sand substrate, and least on reef rubble, with a total biomass greater at 1 m depth on organic mud mixed with sand. Of all species, only Halimeda spp. showed seasonal changes in biomass. The total biomass of macrophytobenthos was higher in the western larger and deeper Gulf of Guanahacabibes than in the eastern smaller and shallower Buenavista cays to La Mulata Port section of the shelf. The total macrophytobenthos biomass and that of some species showed significant correlations with depth. The eight most frequent macrophytes in the Northwestern Cuba shelf had similar Caribbean presence.
Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids, a mimicker of malignancy: a case report and review of the literature

Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids is a clinically and radiographically distinct inflammatory syndrome affecting multiple structures of the brain, including the cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord. The clinical presentation can be variable, including ataxia, nystagmus, dysarthria, dysphagia, and other subacute brainstem, cranial nerve, or cerebellar symptoms. These symptoms can be subacute to chronic, episodic, and progressive, making the diagnosis challenging. The hallmark radiographic magnetic resonance imaging findings are gadolinium-enhancing punctate lesions predominantly “peppering” the pons in a perivascular pattern. Here, we describe a case and literature review of a 74-year-old Caucasian male who presented with subacute symptoms of ataxia, diplopia, and generalized fatigue. Physical examination was notable for horizontal nystagmus and wide-based gait. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed angiocentric enhancement predominantly in the brainstem and cerebellum, with involvement of the basal ganglia, thalami, and supratentorial white matter. Meanwhile, a screening computed tomography scan demonstrated a right upper lobe mass with biopsy proving primary lung cancer. Biopsy of one of the brain lesions showed perivascular infiltrate primarily composed of CD3+ T cells, scattered CD20+ B cells, and no signs of malignancy. The patient was started on high-dose glucocorticoids followed by a maintenance regimen with rapid improvement clinically and radiographically. Given extensive work-up was negative, these clinical and radiographic findings were consistent with chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids. This case illustrates the difficulty of diagnosing chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids, given its variable presentation, lack of specific laboratory findings, and poorly understood pathogenesis. We demonstrate a case that responded well to oral corticosteroid burst followed by a taper to the lowest corticosteroid dose clinically possible. Failure to recognize this syndrome could result in permanent central nervous system morbidity. Therefore, earlier recognition is crucial for this treatable condition.
Managerial Economics with Past and Present Perspective

I discussed in this paper about the managerial economics. I covered all the aspects of managerial Economics which is useful all students and professionals.
Magnetically altered phase stability in Fe-based alloys: Modeling and database development

Abstract Processing of materials under an externally applied magnetic field could enable exploitation of broader processing spaces, affecting the relative stability of phases. To properly predict how a material will react to an applied field, the magnetic properties must be incorporated into the free energy calculations. Previous works assumed alloy composition played a negligible effect on the magnetization term; however, this assumption is not valid for all systems. Here, we assess twelve binary iron systems to quantify the shifts of magnetic moment and Curie temperature with respect to alloy content. Descriptive magnetic property equations for these binary systems were assessed in conjunction with experimental data and prior descriptions obtained from literature. To showcase the impact of using the compositionally dependent magnetic property predictions, the austenite loops for Fe–Si and Fe–Mo were re-calculated under an applied magnetic field. Further, the magnetic property data summarized herein can also be used for future assessments or re-assessments of the iron alloy systems reported, in addition to the current goal of processing under magnetic fields.
Domestication of poultry

Abstract Domestication of poultry is a continuing process that is very recent in terms of human history. The focus of this chapter is on chickens, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, Japanese quail, ostriches, pigeons, and turkeys. The domestic chicken, which originated in the jungles of Southeast Asia, is found throughout the world. The domestic duck, which originated from the mallard in southeast Asia and China and the Muscovy from Latin America, has seen several domestications as has the turkey, which originated in the Americas during more recent times. Discussed are behaviors that initially favored domestication of poultry that, in several cases, have become redundant due to human intervention. Although the redundancy may have altered the physiological-behavioral interface, chickens, ducks, and turkeys produce fertile young when mated to their wild ancestors.
Doing Family Research at the Jail: Reflections of a Prison Widow

In this article, I reflect on my experience running a small family research project at a local jail. I focus on methodological and policy issues inherent in controversial research, as well as my own personal reactions to the criminal justice system. Implications of insider status are discussed as they apply to researcher stance and responsibilities in corrections settings.
Conversation and the “Best Possible Point of Encounter”: Cavell’s Emersonian Perfectionism and Dewey’s Cultivated Naïveté

In her very thoughtful and provocative essay, Naoko Saito begins by acknowledging her inheritance of “the Deweyan task of creating democracy from within,” including, as a key component, the potential “fertility of Deweyan communication.” Yet there is also an uneasiness here (call it a troubled inheritance) that Saito soon identifies as the “dark side” of Deweyan communication, that is, the possibility for “mystifying” the “inner life” of the other at the “limits of communication.” This is where (a) “disagreement,” (b) “refusal,” or (c) the “untranslatable” or “incommunicable” impede or obstruct conversation, yielding, at times, a “complacent,” detached state of “mutual respect” that can be interpreted as a kind of “denial” or evasion of the “unknown other.” Indeed, Saito claims that (d) the failure of communication with the unknown other due to incommunicability is essentially where John Dewey found himself after his “cross-cultural experience in Japan in 1919 and 1921.”
Penrose Model potential, compared with Coleman- Weinberg Potential for early universe scalar evolution

We present evidence in terms of a D'Alembertain operator acting on a scalar field minus the first derivative of a potential system, with respect to an inflaton scalar field, that the Penrose model as outlined as an alternative to cosmological big crunch models gives us emergent behavior for an inflaton scalar field in early universe cosmological models. This is in contrast to the Coleman-Weinberg potential which in low temperature conditions is always presenting almost non existent emergent scalar fields. This permits us to state that Penrose's cyclic universe model in its initial conditions gives us scalar field dynamics consistent with emergent scalar fields which die out quickly as temperature drops after the onset of inflation. We make no attempt to find the particulars of the conformal mapping which allows the alternative to the big crunch Penrose (2007) lectured upon in the inaugural meeting of the IGC at Penn State..
Concept-based speech translation

As part of the JANUS speech-to-speech translation project, the authors have developed a robust translation system based on the information structures inherent to the task being performed. The basic premise is that the structure of the information to be transmitted is largely independent of the language used to encode it. The system performs no syntactic analysis; speaker utterances are parsed into semantic chunks, which can be strung together without grammatical rules, and passed through a simple template-based translation module. The authors have achieved encouraging coverage rates on English, German and Spanish input with English, German and Spanish output.
Adherence Equivalence Is Decidable for DOL Languages

A procedure is given for deciding whether or not the languages generated by an arbitrary pair of DOL systems have the same adherence.
Geographic accessibility and utilization of orthodontic services among Medicaid children and adolescents

Objectives To describe rates of Medicaid-funded services provided by orthodontists in Iowa to children and adolescents, identify factors associated with utilization, and describe geographic barriers to care. Methods We analyzed enrollment and claims data from the Iowa Medicaid program for a 3-year period, January 2008 through December 2010. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed with utilization of orthodontic services as the main outcome variable. Service areas were identified by small area analysis in order to examine regional variability in utilization. Results The overall rate of orthodontic utilization was 3.1 percent. Medicaid enrollees living in small towns and rural areas were more likely to utilize orthodontic services than those living in urban areas. Children who had an oral evaluation by a primary care provider in the year prior to the study period were more likely to receive orthodontic services. Service areas with lower population density and greater mean travel distance to participating orthodontists had higher utilization rates than smaller, more densely populated areas. Conclusions Rural residency and increased travel distances do not appear to act as barriers to orthodontic care for this population. The wide variability of utilization rates seen across service areas may be related to workforce supply in the form of orthodontists who accept Medicaid-insured patients. Referrals to orthodontists from primary care dentists may improve access to specialty care for Medicaid enrollees.
EVIDENCE FOR ANGULAR MOMENTUM FRACTIONATION IN 86Kr-INDUCED REACTIONS ON 107,109Ag, 165Ho AND 197Au

Gamma-ray multiplicities have been measured as a function of the light-fragment atomic number Z{sub 3} for the above reactions. The events associated with sequential fission of the heavy fragment were distinguished from binary events by means of a triple coincidence. The failure of the measured y-multiplicities for deep-inelastic collisions to rise with decreasing Z{sub 3}, according to the rigid-rotation limit, appears more likely to be associated with a selective population of the low Z fragments by the lower {ell}-waves rather than to an incomplete relaxation of the rotational energy.
Succinct 2D dictionary matching with no slowdown

The dictionary matching problem seeks all locations in a given text that match any of the patterns in a given dictionary. Efficient algorithms for dictionary matching scan the text once, searching for all patterns simultaneously. This paper presents the first 2-dimensional dictionary matching algorithm that operates in small space and linear time. Given d patterns, D = {P1,...,Pd}, each of size m × m, and a text T of size n × n, our algorithm finds all occurrences of Pi, 1 ≤ i ≤ d, in T. The preprocessing stores the dictionary in entropy compressed form, in |D|Hk(D)+O(|D|) bits. Our algorithm uses O(dm log dm) bits of extra space. The time complexity of our algorithm is linear O(|D| + |T|).
Demographic, health-related, and work-related factors associated with body mass index and body fat percentage among workers at six Connecticut manufacturing companies across different age groups: a cohort study.

Effective workplace interventions that consider the multifactorial nature of obesity are needed to reduce and prevent obesity among adults. Furthermore, the factors associated with obesity may differ for workers across age groups. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify demographic, health-related, and work-related factors associated with baseline and changes in body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BFP) and among Connecticut manufacturing workers acrossage groups. BMI and BFPof 758 workers from six Connecticut manufacturing companies were objectively measuredat two time points approximately 36 months apart. Demographic, health-related, and work-related factors wereassessed via questionnaire. All variables were included in linear regression models to identify factors associated with baseline and changes in BMI and BFP for workers in 3 age groups: 55 years (28 %). There were differences in baseline and changes in BMI and BFP among manufacturing workers across age groups. Being interested in changing weight was significantly (p 55 year age category. Few factors were associated with change in BMI or BFP across any age category. Among manufacturing workers, we identified associations between individual, health-related, and work-related factors and baseline BMIand BFP that differed by age. Such results support the use of strategies tailored to the challenges faced by workers in specific age groups rather than adopting a one size fits all approach. Effective interventions should consider a full range of individual, health-related, and work-related factors. More work must be done to identify factors or strategies associated with changes in obesity over time.
Potential arthropod vectors of African swine fever virus in North America and the Caribbean basin

In an effort to identify arthropods that might serve as vectors and perhaps reservoirs of African swine fever virus (ASFV) if it were to enter the U.S.A., the blood-sucking insect Triatoma gerstaeckeri and four species of ticks of the genus Ornithodoros were established in colonies capable of reproducing in numbers sufficient to enable thorough studies to be made of their ASFV vector potentials. A nymphal stage of T. gerstaeckeri carried the virus for 41 days and retained it through one molt, but was unable to transmit it to susceptible pigs. Studies on O. coriaceus revealed that the species is able to harbor and transmit the virus for greater than 440 days, passing it trans-stadially from the first nymphal stage to the adult, sustaining it through at least four molts. Trans-ovarial passage was not demonstrated and nearly 40% of the ticks died, apparently, of the ASFV infection. O. turicata collected in Florida was also found to be capable of becoming infected with ASFV and transmitting it by bite to susceptible pigs. O. puertoricensis collected during the ASF eradication programs in the Dominican Republic and Haiti was not only readily infected experimentally, but it was also able to transmit the virus trans-stadially and trans-ovarially. However, ASFV was not isolated from any of the 350 O. puertoricensis collected in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. O. parkeri from a long-established laboratory colony were able to carry the virus through at least one molt, but they were unable to transmit it to susceptible pigs.
Cyclotron resonance in a pure electron plasma column.

We demonstrate experimentally the effects of plasma rotation and particle thermal velocities on cyclotron resonance in a long cylindrical pure electron plasma column of low density (ωp2≪ωc2). A single m=1 mode (eimθ-iωt) is found whose frequency ω is down-shifted from ωc=eB/me by an amount equal to the low-frequency diocotron mode frequency (〈ωp2〉/2ωc). For m=2,3,4,. . . sets of modes are found which are Doppler shifted upward from ωc. We explain these as radially trapped and azimuthally propagating Bernstein modes.
On the processes controlling shelf-basin exchange and outer shelf dynamics in the Bering Sea

Abstract We use a 9-km pan-Arctic ice–ocean model to better understand the circulation and exchanges in the Bering Sea, particularly near the shelf break. This region has, historically, been undersampled for physical, chemical, and biological properties. Very little is known about how water from the deep basin reaches the large, shallow Bering Sea shelf. To address this, we examine here the relationship between the Bering Slope Current and exchange across the shelf break and resulting mass and property fluxes onto the shelf. This understanding is critical to gain insight into the effects that the Bering Sea has on the Arctic Ocean, especially in regard to recent indications of a warming climate in this region. The Bering Sea shelf break region is characterized by the northwestward-flowing Bering Slope Current. Previously, it was thought that once this current neared the Siberian coast, a portion of it made a sharp turn northward and encircled the Gulf of Anadyr in an anticyclonic fashion. Our model results indicate a significantly different circulation scheme whereby water from the deep basin is periodically moved northward onto the shelf by mesoscale processes along the shelf break. Canyons along the shelf break appear to be more prone to eddy activity and, therefore, are associated with higher rates of on-shelf transport. The horizontal resolution configured in this model now allows for the representation of eddies with diameters greater than 36 km; however, we are unable to resolve the smaller eddies.
Establishment of a Syngeneic Model of Hepatic Colorectal Oligometastases

Background Regional and systemic therapies aimed at improving the outcome for patients with colorectal hepatic metastases have met with modest yet tangible success. Currently, liver resection remains the only curative treatment, but only a minority of patients are candidates for surgery. Animal models are an ideal way to study new treatments for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. We propose a syngeneic animal model of hepatic colorectal metastases that simulates oligometastases, which is a clinical state considered amenable to regional therapeutic strategies. Materials and methods BDIX (BD-9) rats underwent intrasplenic injection of DHD/K12/TRb (Prob/K12) cells to create hepatic metastases via the portal system. After injection of 5 × 10 6 cells, rats underwent laparotomy to determine metastatic burden. Histological analysis confirmed the presence of metastases from resected tumors. Results Fifty-three animals were prospectively treated and observed for the development of oligometastases defined as between 1 and 10 hepatic lesions. Thirty-six (68%) of the animals developed detectable metastases while 32 (60%) developed oligometastases (average = 4.40 ± 2.67). Four animals had overwhelming metastatic liver and peritoneal disease. All animals underwent peritoneal examination and thoracotomy to ensure localized disease. Histological analysis of five hepatectomy specimens confirmed the presence of metastatic cancer. Animals with oligometastases were healthy as evidenced by normal feeding and grooming behavior. Conclusions An animal model of oligometastatic colorectal cancer to the liver can reproducibly mimic the stage IV state in humans conducive to regional therapy and can be used reliably to test novel treatments and mechanisms of metastatic colorectal cancer.
Norming operators for generalized domains of attraction

A sequence of independent and identically distributed random vectorsXn on Rk is said to belong to the generalized domain of attraction of a nondegenerate random vectorY on Rk provided that there exist linear operatorsAn on Rk and nonrandom constantsbn ? Rk such that the centered and normalized partial sumsAn(X1+⋯+Xn−bn converge in distribution toY. In this paper we show that the sequence of norming operatorsAn can always be chosen to vary regularly.
Smoking Expectancies and Intention to Quit in Smokers with Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder and Non-Psychiatric Controls

Cigarette smoking expectancies are systematically related to intention to quit smoking in adult smokers without psychiatric illness, but little is known about these relationships in smokers with serious mental illness. In this study, we compared positive and negative smoking expectancies, and examined relationships between expectancies and intention to quit smoking, in smokers with schizophrenia (n=46), smokers with schizoaffective disorder (n=35), and smokers without psychiatric illness (n=71). In all three groups, reduction of negative affect was rated as the most important smoking expectancy and intention to quit smoking was systematically related to concerns about the health effects and social consequences of smoking. Compared to the other groups of smokers, those with schizoaffective disorder were more concerned with social expectancies and with the immediate negative physical effects of smoking. Results of this study suggest that challenging positive smoking expectancies and providing more tailored information about the negative consequences of smoking might increase motivation to quit smoking in smokers with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder, as has been found with non-psychiatric smokers.
A fresh look at management by objectives

Abstract The author takes a new approach to management by objectives so that the organization, not only the workers, will benefit. The over-all goals o f the organization are set by management and disseminated throughout the company. In turn, each individual formulates his objectives, which are submitted to his subunit, then communicated upward through the hierarchical structure. This vertical movement ensures that all members of the organization feel that they are participating in its operation. Lateral trade-offs are brought about by peer groups reviewing the objectives o f their fellow employees—even at the top management level. Top management must then integrate and direct the carrying out of the objectives. The entire cycle takes about four months, but the improved communications result in a better understanding o f the company's purposes.
Physical properties of polymer/clay nanocomposites

Abstract Interest in polymer/clay nanocomposites began in 1989 with the publication of a paper by the Toyota Central Research group detailing very unusual physical property improvements in a nylon 6/clay nanocomposite. This sparked a very large worldwide effort of research on these type of composites. This paper looks at the state of knowledge about polymer/clay nanocomposites and the general trends seen in selected physical properties and the theoretical basis if know for the observed changes. The paper is not meant to be an exhaustive review of the thousands of papers currently published on the subject. Particular emphasis is given to the ability of modified Halpin–Tsai and Mori–Tanaka re-enforcement theories to predict the modulus of a true exfoliated nanocomposite. Data indicates that the level of exfoliation in these composites is one of the critical parameters in determining changes in properties. In addition to physical properties such as modulus and impact strength other phenomena such as improved flame retardancy and gas barrier properties are discussed.
Effects of clock skew in iterative neural network and optical feedback processors

The authors show that in the absence of temporal dispersion, certain iterative algorithms have steady-state solutions that are independent of clock skew. Examples include stable linear feedback and feedback using soft (slowly varying) nonlinearities. Both are special cases of using a contractive mapping in the feedback path. Feedback using hard nonlinearities, on the other hand, can result in a steady-state solution that depends on the clock skew. >
“Almost Delocalized” Intervalence Compounds

Interest is high in +M-bridge-M systems that have very low barriers to intramolecular electron transfer giving M-bridge-M+ ("almost delocalized" systems). Hush showed how to evaluate the electronic coupling across the bridge (H) from the M-to-M charge-transfer optical absorption band, but did not point out that his classical model causes the extinction coefficient to suddenly drop to zero at a photon energy of 2 H. Ignoring this band cutoff leads to a low estimation of H.
Lupeol triterpene, a novel diet-based microtubule targeting agent: disrupts survivin/cFLIP activation in prostate cancer cells.

Abstract Recently we showed Lupeol, a triterpene, found in fruits and vegetables inhibits the growth of tumors originated from human androgen-sensitive prostate cancer (CaP) cells and decreases the serum-PSA levels in a mouse model. Here, we provide evidence that Lupeol inhibits the growth of androgen-sensitive as well as androgen-insensitive CaP cells by inducing G2/M cell cycle arrest without exhibiting any toxicity to normal human prostate epithelial cells (PrEC) at the doses at which it kills cancer cells. We observed that Lupeol treatment to LNCaP and DU145 cells resulted in a dose-dependent (i) decrease in the protein levels of Cyclins-A, -B1, -D1, -D2, -E2, cyclin-dependent kinase (cdk)-2 and (ii) increase in the protein level of CDK-inhibitor p21. Since G2/M cell cycle phase is regulated by microtubule assembly, we investigated effect of Lupeol on microtubule assembly, its regulation and down-stream targets in CaP cells. Lupeol treatment significantly modulated the level of (i) microtubule components α-tubulin and β-tubulin, (ii) microtubule-regulatory protein stathmin, and (iii) microtubule-regulatory down-stream target/pro-survival protein survivin. Lupeol treatment also decreased the level of anti-apoptotic protein cFLIP. Finally, Lupeol was observed to significantly decrease the transcriptional activation of survivin and cFLIP genes in CaP cells. We conclude that the Lupeol-induced growth inhibition of CaP cells is a net outcome of simultaneous effects on stathmin, cFLIP, and survivin which results in the disruption of microtubule assembly. We suggest that Lupeol alone or as an adjuvant to other microtubule agents could be developed as a potential agent for the treatment of human CaP.
A New Approach to Study Vacancy Defects in High-Temperature Intermetallic Compounds

Perturbed angular correlations of gamma rays (PAC) is being applied to study defects in ordered intermetallic alloys. Vacancies on both Pd and In sublattices in the B2 system PdIn were detected after quenching through quadrupole interactions induced at nearby {sup 111}In probe atoms. Fractions of probe atoms having each type of neighboring defect were observed to increase monotonically with quenching temperature over the range 825--1,500 K. For compositions close to 50.15 at.% Pd, nearly equal site fractions were observed for Pd and In vacancies, indicating that the Schottky vacancy-pair defect is the thermal defect at high temperature. The formation enthalpy of the Schottky defect was determined to be 1.3(2) eV through analysis of quenching data from in the range 825--1,200 K. Above 1200 K, however, the vacancy concentration was observed to saturate at a value of 1.4(2) atomic percent, perhaps due to breakdown of the law of mass action for high defect concentrations.
New consistency theorem of motion contaminated projection data and applications in motion artifacts correction

In recent years, iterative image reconstruction algorithms have received much interest in x-ray CT imaging. Images reconstructed by the conventional filtered backprojection algorithm are often used as seed images to start the iterations. This paper presents a new consistency property of the measured CT projection data and the forward projected data from a motion contaminated image reconstructed using an analytical image reconstruction algorithm. It is theoretically proven and numerically validated that, when the measured projection data is not redundant, the measured projection data is consistent with the forward projected data of a reconstructed image using analytical image reconstruction algorithms, no matter whether motion artifacts are present in the image or not. However, when there is redundancy in the measured projection data, the consistency depends on the choice of weighting function used for the redundant data. The forward projected data is always consistent with those measured projections with the weight 1.0, no matter what weighting schemes are used. For the measured projection data with a weight smaller than 1.0, the forward projected data is consistent with the weighted sum of redundantly measured projection data. With this new property, some potential issues of directly using FBP images as seed images for iterative algorithms are discussed.
Independent migration of cell populations in the early gastrulation of the amphipod crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis

Cells are the principal component of tissues and can drive morphogenesis through dynamic changes in structure and interaction. During gastrulation, the primary morphogenetic event of early development, cells change shape, exchange neighbors, and migrate long distances to establish cell layers that will form the tissues of the adult animal. Outside of Drosophila, little is known about how changes in cell behavior might drive gastrulation among arthropods. Here, we focus on three cell populations that form two aggregations during early gastrulation in the crustacean Parhyale hawaiensis. Using cytoskeletal markers and lineage tracing we observe bottle cells in anterior and visceral mesoderm precursors as gastrulation commences, and find that both Cytochalasin D, an inhibitor of actin polymerization, and ROCKOUT, an inhibitor of Rho-kinase activity, prevent gastrulation. Furthermore, by ablating specific cells, we show that each of the three populations acts independently during gastrulation, confirming previous hypotheses that cell behavior during Parhyale gastrulation relies on intrinsic signals instead of an inductive mechanism.
From sockets and RMI to web services

Traditional coverage of network programming techniques in a computer networking course addresses sockets, remote procedure call, and object-oriented remote procedure call. We propose two innovations to that coverage. The first is to emphasize the historical development of those techniques as a sequence with each technique evolving from the previous one. The second innovation is to extend the historical development and the techniques to the important current technique of web services.
Transnational Television in Europe: The Role of Pan-European Channels

j This article analyses the pan-European television industry in the context of the debate on globalization. Pan-European channels are a minority of transnational channels that broadcast across Europe. Their emergence over the last two decades has been made possible by a mix of commercial, regulatory and technological factors. Pan-European television channels can be distinguished by their content, type of ownership and market strategy. Since the mid-1990s, many pan-European channels have operated a shift in strategy and have begun to localize their pan-European feed. This article identifies four types of localization: local advertising, dubbing or subtitling, local programming and the local opt-out. Taking Eurosport and MTV as examples, I have illustrated the practices of localization and explain why some channels engage more in this than others. Localization can be seen as evidence of the vast differences that persist between national cultures. However, I have argued that localization facilitates the process of globalization because it allows transnational media players to overcome cultural diversity and operate efficiently in a multinational environment. j
Purification of synthetic analogues of yeast mating hormone by reversed-phase chromatography

Abstract The α-type cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae secrete low-molecular-weight peptides, termed α-factors, which affect the sexual conjugation between α- and a-mating types of this yeast. We have synthesized the tridecapeptide α-factor (Trp-His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Met-Tyr) and the dodecapeptide α-factor (His-Trp-Leu-Gln-Leu-Lys-Pro-Gly-Gln-Pro-Met-Tyr) and a series of eight analogues, without purification of intermediates, using standard solution phase techniques of peptide synthesis. Crude peptides (125–500 mg) were loaded on to a preparative μBondapak C 18 column (Waters Prep LC/System 500) and eluted with methanol-water-trifluoroacetic acid mixtures. The recovery of purified peptide was as high as 93%. Mating factor analogues had biological activity similar to that of the natural peptides. The incorporation of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) (⩽0.025%) in the mobile phase provides excellent conditions for the separation and purification of peptides. TFA has a significant effect on both peak shape and retention time in the concentration range 0–0.25%.
Characterization of the csmD and csmE genes from Chlorobium tepidum. The CsmA, CsmC, CsmD, and CsmE proteins are components of the chlorosome envelope.

The csmD and csmE genes, encoding two proteins of the chlorosome envelope, have been cloned and sequenced from the green sulfur bacterium Chlorobium tepidum. The csmD gene predicts a hydrophobic protein of 113 amino acids with a molecular mass of 11.1 kDa. The csmE gene was identified immediately upstream from csmD; the csmE gene predicts a protein of 82 amino acids (9.0 kDa) which is 49% identical to CsmA (Chung et al. (1994) Photosynthesis Res 41: 261–275). The CsmE protein is post-translationally processed, most likely in a manner similar to CsmA. The csmE and csmD genes are cotranscribed as a dicistronic mRNA but can also be cotranscribed with an open reading frame upstream from csmE that predicts a protein with sequence similarity to the CheY and SpoOF subclass of regulatory proteins. The CsmA, CsmC, CsmD, and CsmE proteins were overproduced in Escherichia coli, purified, and used to raise polyclonal antibodies in rabbits. Protease susceptibility mapping and agglutination experiments using these antibodies indicate that all four proteins are exposed at the surface of isolated chlorosomes and hence are probably components of the chlorosome envelope. Additionally, antigalactose antibodies were used to confirm that the galactosyl moiety of monogalactosyl diglycerol is exposed at the chlorosome surface; this is consistent with the notion that these lipids are components of the chlorosome envelope.
Integration of Nanoparticle-Based Paper Sensors into the Classroom: An Example of Application for Rapid Colorimetric Analysis of Antioxidants

We describe a laboratory experiment that employs the Nanoceria Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (or NanoCerac) Assay to introduce students to portable nanoparticle-based paper sensors for rapid analysis and field detection of polyphenol antioxidants. The experiment gives students a hands-on opportunity to utilize nanoparticle chemistry to develop their own devices to test antioxidant-containing solutions, such as tea and other beverages, for polyphenolic content, a characteristic likely correlated with health benefits. The method utilizes sensing nanoparticles of cerium oxide that respond visually to antioxidant compounds. Due to ease of use of these sensors, inexpensive materials, and short time requirement (∼1 h), this lab is appropriate for primary, secondary, and undergraduate courses. The lab and lesson expose students to the fields of nanotechnology, analytical chemistry, antioxidant chemistry, and antioxidant characteristics of botanicals and food constituents.
Ridge Width Alteration After Implant Placement Into the Fresh Extraction Socket With Deproteinized Bovine Bone Mineral and Acellular Dermal Matrix.

Introduction: Immediate implant placement into a fresh extraction socket in an esthetic zone can be challenging because a reduction in ridge width after healing will result in gingival asymmetry.Case Series: In this case series, 17 consecutively treated patients with 19 immediately placed implants between maxillary second bicuspids were included. Only sites with an intact facial plate were included. If dehiscence or fenestration was found on the facial plate during extraction, the site was excluded. The implant was placed toward the palatal side, allowing a ≥2 mm gap between the implant body and the facial plate. This gap was grafted with deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM). Sharp dissection and grafting using acellular dermal matrix (ADM) were performed on the facial side. A custom-made healing abutment was connected to the implant and allowed to heal for 3 months. Preoperative and 3-month postoperative models were used to measure the alteration in the ridge width at 2 and 5 mm from the preoperative...
Role of glutathione redox cycle in TNF-α-mediated endothelial cell dysfunction

Modulation of the glutathione redox cycle may influence tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF)-mediated disturbances of endothelial integrity. To test this hypothesis, normal endothelial cells or cells with either increased or decreased glutathione levels were exposed to 100 ng (500 U) TNF/ml. Increased glutathione levels were achieved by exposure to 0.2 mM N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and decreased glutathione levels by exposure to 25 μM buthionine sulfoximine (BSO). Several components of the glutathione redox cycle as well as markers of endothelial integrity, such as cytoplasmic free calcium and transendothelial albumin transfer, were measured in the treated cells. Exposure to TNF for 3 and 6 h decreased total glutathione levels, which was followed by an increase at later time points. Moreover, treatment with TNF resulted in an increase in the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione, intracellular free calcium, albumin transfer across endothelial monolayers and lipid hydroperoxides. However, an increase in lipid hydroperoxides was seen only when endothelial cell cultures were supplemented with iron. BSO treatment increased susceptibility of endothelial cells to TNF-mediated metabolic disturbances. On the other hand, NAC partially protected against TNF-induced injury to endothelial monolayers. Our results demonstrate the important role of the glutathione redox cycle in TNF-mediated disturbances of the vascular endothelium and indicate that modulation of glutathione levels may potentiate the injurious effects of this inflammatory cytokine.
Organization of the nuclear pore complex in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract Fractions enriched for nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) have been isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae . The sequential extraction of nuclei with detergent, nucleases, and salt reveals an organization of the yeast NPC similar to other eukaryotes. Yeast NPCs contain a 30-nm “ring” structure not previously described in other organisms. This structure appears to organize 10-nm filaments into an assembly which exhibits an eight-fold rotational symmetry. Some proteins in the NPC fraction are capable of forming intermediate-sized filaments. These studies suggest that some component of the nuclear pore complex organizes an interaction between nuclear and cytoplasmic networks of intermediate filaments.
A smart grid simulation testbed using Matlab/Simulink

The smart grid is the integration of computing and communication technologies into a power grid with a goal of enabling real time control, and a reliable, secure, and efficient energy system [1]. With the increased interest of the research community and stakeholders towards the smart grid, a number of solutions and algorithms have been developed and proposed to address issues related to smart grid operations and functions. Those technologies and solutions need to be tested and validated before implementation using software simulators. In this paper, we developed a general smart grid simulation model in the MATLAB/Simulink environment, which integrates renewable energy resources, energy storage technology, load monitoring and control capability. To demonstrate and validate the effectiveness of our simulation model, we created simulation scenarios and performed simulations using a real-world data set provided by the Pecan Street Research Institute.
Bismuth-Coated Fabry-Perot Etalon for Use in the 2.5–10-μ Region

A Fabry-Perot etalon, employing bismuth-coated CaF2 plates, has been constructed for measuring the dispersion of liquids in the infrared region. The reflectivity of bismuth is sufficiently high to give fringes of high contrast. In order to take advantage of this improved fringe sharpness, a grating spectrometer was used to measure the wavelength of the maxima. Because of a nonideal phase shift, it was necessary to apply an empirically determined correction to the normal integral orders of interference. By using this approach it has been possible to measure the refractive index of CS2 with a relative accuracy of about ±0.001.
Adenovirus antibody and antibody to 'T' antigen (neoantigen) location in gamma-globulin.

THE properties and possible functions of the complement-fixing tumour and ‘T’ antigens (neoantigens) of adenoviruses and papovaviruses as related to virus infection and transformation have already been described1–6. The present communication reports the first of a series of investigations dealing with the location of antibodies to the ‘T’ antigen and to the virion of various adenoviruses.