cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells: Development In Vivo and Derivation from Human Embryonic Stem Cells In Vitro for Treatment of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) plays a key role in supporting photoreceptor survival and function, and RPE loss and dysfunction in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leads to photoreceptor death. AMD is one of the leading causes of blindness, yet there is neither a cure nor a way to prevent it. In this chapter, we discuss recent progress in the study of AMD, summarize what is known about RPE development, and review recent progress in deriving RPE from human embryonic stem cells (hESC). The RPE is derived from the optic vesicle, which in turn is derived from the eye field of the anterior neural plate. Multiple extracellular signaling factors and transcriptional regulators have been identified that are crucial to RPE development. Knowledge of these events is guiding efforts to understand how hESC differentiate into RPE cells that might be used therapeutically for AMD. RPE derived from hESC are remarkably similar to fetal RPE with respect to gene expression and cellular function. Future research on these cells will lead to a better understanding of RPE development and the advancement of cellular therapy for AMD.
Measurement of Regional Body Fat in Vivo in Humans by Simultaneous Detection of Regional Carbon and Oxygen, Using Neutron Inelastic Scattering at Low Radiation Exposure

Certain body fat distribution patterns have been associated with increased risk for chronic disease since 1956, when Vauge proposed that specific obesity patterns could determine predisposition to diabetes, atherosclerosis and other disease1. Several investigators have confirmed that the “male-type” fat distribution pattern, characterized by increased abdominal adipose tissue, is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and elevated plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentrations, independently of total body fat2,3. A mechanism has been suggested which relates the “male-type” obesity pattern to certain metabolic alterations. Specifically, lipolysis in the intra-abdominal adipose tissue could expose the liver to a high flux of free fatty acids, due to its anatomic proximity to the hepatic portal vein. As a result, the hepatic insulin and lipid metabolism is significantly altered3. New methods for measuring distribution of adipose tissue were generated for investigating this hypothesis. Indirect techniques, such as the waist-to-hip ratio, have produced results consistent with this theory. The relative importance of genetic factors as well as the role of peripheral fat remain unknown.
Ghrelin transport across the blood-brain barrier can occur independently of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor.

Abstract Objective The blood–brain barrier (BBB) regulates the entry of substrates and peptides into the brain. Ghrelin is mainly produced in the stomach but exerts its actions in the central nervous system (CNS) by crossing the BBB. Once present in the CNS, ghrelin can act in the hypothalamus to regulate food intake, in the hippocampus to regulate neurogenesis, and in the olfactory bulb to regulate food-seeking behavior. The goal of this study was to determine whether the primary signaling receptor for ghrelin, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), mediates the transport of ghrelin from blood to brain. Methods We utilized the sensitive and quantitative multiple-time regression analysis technique to determine the transport rate of mouse and human acyl ghrelin (AG) and desacyl ghrelin (DAG) in wildtype and Ghsr null mice. We also measured the regional distribution of these ghrelin peptides throughout the brain. Lastly, we characterized the transport characteristics of human DAG by measuring the stability in serum and brain, saturability of transport, and the complete transfer across the brain endothelial cell. Results We found the transport rate across the BBB of both forms of ghrelin, AG, and DAG, were not affected by the loss of GHSR. We did find differences in the transport rate between the two isoforms, with DAG being faster than AG; this was dependent on the species of ghrelin, human being faster than mouse. Lastly, based on the ubiquitous properties of ghrelin throughout the CNS, we looked at regional distribution of ghrelin uptake and found the highest levels of uptake in the olfactory bulb. Conclusions The data presented here suggest that ghrelin transport can occur independently of the GHSR, and ghrelin uptake varies regionally throughout the brain. These findings better our understanding of the gut-brain communication and may lead to new understandings of ghrelin physiology.
Validating the test procedures described in UL 1741 SA and IEEE P1547.1

This paper investigates the test procedures specified in UL 1741 SA and the upcoming revision to IEEE P1547.1. A 550 kVA photovoltaic inverter was chosen for the tests. This research reveals some of the key components to consider while doing certification tests for UL 1741 SA and IEEE P1547.1. This paper also identifies some issues requiring consideration for future releases of the standard, i.e. IEEE P1547.1.
Identifying Context-specific Network Features for CRISPR-Cas9 Targeting Efficiency Using Accurate and Interpretable Deep Neural Network

Abstract CRISPR-Cas9 is a powerful genome editing tool, whose efficiency and safety depends on the selection of single-guide RNA (sgRNA). Machine learning has been applied to optimize sgRNA selection, but several challenges remain. The performance of predictive model is limited by the amount of available data in many cell lines, ignorance of gene network function and its variable effect on phenotype, and elusive biological interpretation of computational models. We develop an accurate and interpretable deep learning model SeqCrispr to address these problems. In benchmark studies, SeqCrispr outperforms state-of-the-art algorithms and improves the prediction accuracy when applied to small sample size cell lines. Furthermore, we find that gene context-specific network properties are critical for the prediction accuracy in addition to the last three nucleotides in sgRNA 3’end. Our findings will bolster developing more accurate predictive models of CRISPR-Cas9 across wide spectrum of biological conditions as well as efficient and safe gene therapy.
Creating hierarchies of noncitizens: race, gender, and visa categories in South Korea

Building on Charles Tilly's theory of categorical inequality, this article examines how the proliferation of visa categories created to accommodate labour shortages in South Korea has led to the de...
LACE+ Index as Predictor of 30-Day Readmission in Brain Tumor Population.

Background The LACE+ index (Length of stay, Acuity of admission, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, and Emergency department [ED] visits in the past 6 months) is a tool used to predict 30-day readmissions. We sought to examine this predictive tool in patients undergoing brain tumor surgery. Methods Admissions and readmissions for patients undergoing craniotomy for supratentorial neoplasm at a single multihospital academic medical center were analyzed. All brain tumor cases for which the patient was alive at 30 days after surgery were included (n = 352). Simple logistic regression analyses were used to assess the ability of the LACE+ index and subsequent single variables to accurately predict the outcome measures of 30-day readmission, reoperation, and ED visit. Analysis of the model's or variable's discrimination was determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve as represented by the C-statistic. Results The sample included admissions for craniotomy for supratentorial neoplasm (n = 352). Assessment of the LACE+ index demonstrates a 1.02× increased odds of 30-day readmission for every 1-unit increase in LACE+ score (P = 0.031, CI = 1.00–1.03). Despite this, analysis of the receiver operating characteristic curve indicates that LACE+ index has poor specificity in predicting 30-day readmission (C-statistic = 0.58). A 1-unit increase in LACE+ score also predicts a 0.98× reduction in odds of home discharge (P Conclusions The results of this study demonstrate that the LACE+ index is not yet suitable as a prediction model for 30-day readmission in a brain tumor population.
(Re)conceptualizing family-school partnerships with and for culturally and linguistically diverse families

Family-school partnerships between special education personnel and culturally and linguistically diverse families can be fraught with disrespect and cross-cultural and linguistic barriers. As a ‘wi...
Towards Transparent Systems: Semantic Characterization of Failure Modes

Today’s computer vision systems are not perfect. They fail frequently. Even worse, they fail abruptly and seemingly inexplicably. We argue that making our systems more transparent via an explicit human understandable characterization of their failure modes is desirable. We propose characterizing the failure modes of a vision system using semantic attributes. For example, a face recognition system may say “If the test image is blurry, or the face is not frontal, or the person to be recognized is a young white woman with heavy make up, I am likely to fail.” This information can be used at training time by researchers to design better features, models or collect more focused training data. It can also be used by a downstream machine or human user at test time to know when to ignore the output of the system, in turn making it more reliable. To generate such a “specification sheet”, we discriminatively cluster incorrectly classified images in the semantic attribute space using L1-regularized weighted logistic regression. We show that our specification sheets can predict oncoming failures for face and animal species recognition better than several strong baselines. We also show that lay people can easily follow our specification sheets.
Predicting slow and fast neuronal dynamics with machine learning.

In this work, we employ reservoir computing, a recently developed machine learning technique, to predict the time evolution of neuronal activity produced by the Hindmarsh-Rose neuronal model. Our results show accurate short- and long-term predictions for periodic (tonic and bursting) neuronal behaviors, but only short-term accurate predictions for chaotic neuronal states. However, after the accuracy of the short-term predictability deteriorates in the chaotic regime, the predicted output continues to display similarities with the actual neuronal behavior. This is reinforced by a striking resemblance between the bifurcation diagrams of the actual and of the predicted outputs. Error analyses of the reservoir’s performance are consistent with standard results previously obtained.
Peer influence on conformity and confidence in a perceptual judgment task

Undergraduate college students were presented with two arrays of dots varying in numerosity on a computer screen and asked to indicate if the arrays differed in number. They also rated their level of confidence in their responses. Trials varied in difficulty based on the size of the arrays. On half of the trials, participants were shown the ostensible responses of confederates to test the effect of peer influence on numerosity judgments and participant confidence. On the other half of the trials, participants received no information about the responses of the confederates to provide a measure of baseline performance. Higher levels of conformity were observed for the difficult trials, on which participants were both less accurate and less confident. However, confidence ratings were influenced by peer judgments for easy trials but not for difficult trials. These data suggest that task difficulty influences conformity when making perceptual judgments.
IoT Architecture Based SDN for Security: A Review

The architecture of the Internet of Things (IoT) was estimated to grow into a vertical design. However, it had some issues in continuance due to the massive number of applications that will be associated with IoT in the future. In recent researches, the horizontal design was discovered based on Software Defined Networks architecture (SDN), which can handle the vast applications of IoT. This paper aims to provide a brief description of IoT and SDN. Then, highlights the security challenges of IoT. Thereafter, it points out the IoT architecture based SDN. In addition, this paper demonstrates the SDN security solution for IoT architecture and summarizes its limitations.
Arresting Developments in Biased Signaling

The ability to design 'biased' drugs that selectively activate G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling pathways beneficial in treating a disease, while limiting their side effects, is of broad significance. Lee et al. move us a step closer to this important goal by identifying structural differences in the β1-adrenoceptor in complex with β-arrestin 1 versus a G protein-mimicking nanobody.
Characterization of Aerosol Hygroscopicity Over the Northeast Pacific Ocean: Impacts on Prediction of CCN and Stratocumulus Cloud Droplet Number Concentrations

During the Marine Aerosol Cloud and Wildfire Study (MACAWS) in June and July of 2018, aerosol composition and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) properties were measured over the N.E. Pacific to characterize the influence of aerosol hygroscopicity on predictions of ambient CCN and stratocumulus cloud droplet number concentrations (CDNC). Three vertical regions were characterized, corresponding to the marine boundary layer (MBL), an above‐cloud organic aerosol layer (AC‐OAL), and the free troposphere (FT) above the AC‐OAL. The aerosol hygroscopicity parameter (κ) was calculated from CCN measurements (κ_(CCN)) and bulk aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) measurements (κ_(AMS)). Within the MBL, measured hygroscopicities varied between values typical of both continental environments (~0.2) and remote marine locations (~0.7). For most flights, CCN closure was achieved within 20% in the MBL. For five of the seven flights, assuming a constant aerosol size distribution produced similar or better CCN closure than assuming a constant “marine” hygroscopicity (κ = 0.72). An aerosol‐cloud parcel model was used to characterize the sensitivity of predicted stratocumulus CDNC to aerosol hygroscopicity, size distribution properties, and updraft velocity. Average CDNC sensitivity to accumulation mode aerosol hygroscopicity is 39% as large as the sensitivity to the geometric median diameter in this environment. Simulations suggest CDNC sensitivity to hygroscopicity is largest in marine stratocumulus with low updraft velocities ( 0.6 m s⁻¹), where hygroscopic properties of the Aitken mode dominate hygroscopicity sensitivity.
The future of ferroelectric field-effect transistor technology

The discovery of ferroelectricity in oxides that are compatible with modern semiconductor manufacturing processes, such as hafnium oxide, has led to a re-emergence of the ferroelectric field-effect transistor in advanced microelectronics. A ferroelectric field-effect transistor combines a ferroelectric material with a semiconductor in a transistor structure. In doing so, it merges logic and memory functionalities at the single-device level, delivering some of the most pressing hardware-level demands for emerging computing paradigms. Here, we examine the potential of the ferroelectric field-effect transistor technologies in current embedded non-volatile memory applications and future in-memory, biomimetic and alternative computing models. We highlight the material- and device-level challenges involved in high-volume manufacturing in advanced technology nodes (≤10 nm), which are reminiscent of those encountered in the early days of high-K-metal-gate transistor development. We argue that the ferroelectric field-effect transistors can be a key hardware component in the future of computing, providing a new approach to electronics that we term ferroelectronics. This Perspective examines the use of ferroelectric field-effect transistor technologies in current embedded non-volatile memory applications and future in-memory, biomimetic and alternative computing models, arguing that the devices will be a key component in the development of data-centric computing.
Fast Fourier Transform

As was defined in a previous chapter, the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) is the sampled version of the discrete-time Fourier transform (DTFT), with a finite number of samples taken around the unit circle in the Z-domain. DFT is very useful in the analysis of discrete-time signals and linear time-invariant discrete-time systems. It is, therefore, necessary to determine the computational complexity in performing an N-point DFT of a sequence so that we may be able to come up with a more efficient computational algorithm. To this end, let us first evaluate the computational complexity of computing an N-point DFT using brute-force method. Consider an N-point discrete-time sequence {x[n]}, 0 ≤ n ≤ N − 1, N ∈ Z. Its DFT is given by
Navigating ambiguous negativity: A case study of Twitch.tv live chats:

On Twitch.tv, the gaming-oriented live streaming platform, users interact by sharing and viewing gameplay and participating in live chats. Negativity in online gaming is often explored on a large s...
Changing the price of pork: the impact of local cost sharing on legislators' demands for distributive public goods

Abstract The provision of public services through national legislatures gives legislators the chance to fund locally beneficial public projects using a shared national tax base. Nationally financed and provided local (congestible) public goods will be purchased at a subsidized price below marginal cost and may be inefficiently too large as a consequence. An important assumption behind this inefficiency is that national legislators in fact demand more of the locally beneficial project as the local price for projects declines. This paper provides the first direct test of this important assumption using legislators' project choices following the passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (WRDA'86). We find legislators' chosen water project sizes do fall as the local cost share rises, with a price elasticity of demand ranging from −0.81 for flood control and shoreline protection projects to −2.55 for large navigation projects. The requirement of WRDA'86 that local taxpayers contribute a greater share to the funding of local water projects reduced overall proposed project spending in our sample by 35% and the federal outlay for proposed project spending by 48%.
Long term quality of life amongst pancreatectomy patients with diabetes mellitus.

Abstract Background Pancreatogenic diabetes is common after pancreatectomy, and the impact on quality of life (QOL) is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate QOL between diabetic and non-diabetic patients at least five years after pancreatectomy. Methods Patients were recruited from a prospectively maintained institutional database. Participants were administered the Audit of Diabetes-Dependent Quality of Life (ADDQOL). Quality of life was compared between diabetics and non-diabetics using validated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer questionnaires. Results 80 individuals completed surveys. 55% were female, 80% non-Hispanic white, 44% underwent Whipple, 48% were cystic neoplasms and 39% were adenocarcinoma. Diabetic patients (42.5%) reported comparable EORTC QLQ-C30 and Pan26 scores to non-diabetic patients. Pre-operative diabetic patients reported more dyspnea (p = 0.02) and greater pain (p = 0.02) than new-onset diabetics. Diabetic patients reported an overall ADDQOL quality of life score ‘very good’ (IQR: excellent, good) though felt life would be much better without diabetes (IQR: very much better, little better). While operation type was not influential, patients diagnosed with cystic neoplasms were almost twice as likely as those with other pathologies to report that life would be much better without diabetes (p Conclusion At a median of 9.3 years from pancreatic surgery, ADDQoL scores of patients were similar to cohorts of non-pancreatogenic diabetics in the general population. Patients without cancer were more likely to report that diabetes affected their overall QOL, regardless of operation. This study provides nuanced understanding of long-term QOL to improve the informed consent process and post-operative long-term care.
Sex Differences in Cystic Fibrosis Across the Lifespan

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive multiorgan disease that is caused by mutations in a gene, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). A host of epidemiology has demonstrated a “gender gap” or sex-based disparity in outcomes of people with CF, where females have more pulmonary exacerbations and a shortened life expectancy relative to males. The etiology of this disparity is not fully elucidated but appears to be multifactorial. In this chapter, we will review the sex-based differences in diagnosis of disease, pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations of CF, and host immune response as it relates to puberty, reproductive year, and menopause. We will also review the role of sex hormones on the sex disparity and the proposed mechanisms of how hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone contribute to the differing outcomes.
Significance and limitations of the use of next-generation sequencing technologies for detecting mutational signatures

Next generation sequencing technologies (NGS) have been critical in characterizing the genomic landscape and untangling the genetic heterogeneity of human cancer. Since its advent, NGS has played a pivotal role in identifying the patterns of somatic mutations imprinted on cancer genomes and in deciphering the signatures of the mutational processes that have generated these patterns. Mutational signatures serve as phenotypic molecular footprints of exposures to environmental factors as well as deficiency and infidelity of DNA replication and repair pathways. Since the first roadmap of mutational signatures in human cancer was generated from whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing data, there has been a growing interest to extract mutational signatures from other NGS technologies such as targeted panel sequencing, RNA sequencing, single-cell sequencing, duplex sequencing, reduced representation sequencing, and long-read sequencing. Many of these technologies have their inherent sequencing biases and produce technical artifacts that can confound the extraction of reliable and interpretable mutational signatures. In this review, we highlight the relevance, limitations, and prospects of using different NGS technologies for examining mutational patterns and for deciphering mutational signatures.
Historical change in the large-scale population distribution of the United States

Abstract Measures of central tendency and dispersion are the mainstay of statistical description. Their spatial analogues can be used to describe geographic distributions, and here they are employed to describe the historical path of the large-scale spatial distribution of the US population. The azimuthal equidistant projection and a three-dimensional coordinate approach are used to describe centrality, and Bachi's standard distance, and the standard deviational ellipse are used to describe dispersion. Other measures are used to describe demographic features such as differences in population density, and the degree to which the population distribution has become bicoastal. Decennial US Census data for the period 1790–2010 is combined with novel use of several measures. The analysis reveals that both the dispersion of the population and the growth of coastal populations has slowed dramatically during the last few decades. In addition to implications for changes in the demand for services such as housing and health care, the results suggest that the geographic distribution of the US population is reaching, at least temporarily, a mature equilibrium characterized by slower changes.
Nonmonotone Path Following Methods for Nonsmooth Equations and Complementarity Problems

We present a homotopy path following method for nonsmooth equations, which is effective at solving highly nonlinear equations for which the norm of the residual has nonglobal local minima. The method is based on a class of homotopy mappings that are smooth in the interior of their domain. Sufficient conditions are presented that guarantee the existence of well-behaved zero curves of these homotopy mappings, which can be followed to a solution. These zero curves need not be monotonic in the homotopy parameter. The method is specialized to solve complementarity problems through the use of MCP functions and associated smoothers.
Ex Oriente Lux

In my article “Pouchkine et Mickiewicz”1 I wrote: “ ...The Polish poet appears in Evgeny Onegin, where his name is surrounded by the most eulogistic epithets...just as in the “Sonnet” on the sonnet, in his epigrams—always in a laudatory sense,—in The Journey to Erzerum, in The Bronze Horseman....” Referring to The Journey to Erzerum, I had in mind the following: “I rode past Kazbek as indifferently as I had once swum past Chatyr Dagh. In truth, the rainy, foggy weather hindred me from seeing its snowy mass—in the poet’s expression—supporting the firmament.”2
Financial Accounting Research, Practice, and Financial Accountability

Financial accounting is essential to financial accountability, which is essential to a prosperous society. There are many examples of how improvements to financial accounting, supported by research, have enhanced financial accountability. Such research requires a strong relation between accounting academics and practice; this relation has ebbed and flowed during the life of Abacus. The relation seems to ebb when accounting academics embrace related fields and flows when the relevance to accounting practice emerges. Economics and finance have provided new perspectives and meaningful insights about the information investors need to make informed decisions. Regardless, there are many intriguing and open questions awaiting accounting research that can provide insights into how financial accounting—and thus financial accountability—can be improved. The future is bright for financial accounting researchers who do research relevant to accounting practice and want to contribute to a prosperous society.
Young Age and Aggressive Treatment in Colon Cancer

Thedownwardtrend in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidenceandmortality over the past several decades1 has not held true for youngpatients. Currently, CRC incidence in patients younger than 50 years continues to increase,mostmarkedlyamong thoseyounger than35 years by approximately 2% per year. This trend was identified in a recent analysis that estimated patients younger than screening age (ie, age 50 years) will comprise 10.9% of colon and 22.9% of rectal cancers by 2030, compared with 4.8% and 9.5% in 2010, respectively.2 Young-onsetCRC is characterizedbymore advanced stages, poor tumor differentiation,mucinous carcinoma,more distal location, and even a particular profile of biomarkers.3 Although more aggressive disease usually results in worse outcomes, disease-specific and overall survival for patients with young-onset CRC consistently matches or surpasses that of older patients, stage-for-stage.3 Given this seemingly conflicting information, optimal treatment for these young patients remains unclear. In JAMA Surgery, Kneuertz et al4 provided insight into treatment patterns and prognosis in young adults with colon cancer. The authors confirmed that younger age at onset was associated with advanced presentation and worse histologic features. Younger patients—regardless of stage—were significantly more likely to be treated with chemotherapy, often multiagent regimens, than older patients. Not routinely recommended for earlystage disease, adjuvant chemotherapy resulted in little survival gain for these patients compared with the older group. This assessment of care suggests that, despite best intentions, treatment did little to improve the health of this population but rather was associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes and increased cost of care. Improving care for young patients with colon cancer requires that patterns of overtreatment be remedied. In light of these findings, it is important to address (1) overtreatment in young JAMASURGERY
Parent and Community Fire Education: Integrating Awareness in Public Education Programs

Publisher Summary The task of integrating awareness of juvenile firesetting issues into public education programs requires an interdisciplinary effort that recognizes how fire is both used and abused in our culture. There is an obvious need for more systematic instruction by family and school to help prevent the many naive fires that cause injury, death, and property loss. There is also a need to better recognize the complicating factors associated with fire usage by some significant portions of the child population. These factors may include the level of cognitive development, socioeconomic status, or the effects of child abuse, neglect, substance abuse, or domestic violence. The issue of juvenile firesetting is not a stand-alone phenomenon. In considering how awareness of the issue of juvenile fireplay and firesetting could be better integrated into public education programs, one therefore needs to recognize that there are varying degrees of both child fire usage and community awareness of the same. Characterization of child firesetters as curious, crisis, delinquent, or pathological has helped parents and fire and counseling personnel develop a clearer understanding of children's motives and life circumstances in relation to fireplay or firesetting behaviors.
Determinants of Contributions to Religious Organizations

. A model of contributions to one's religious congregation suggests that since the operations of the congregation rely upon voluntary contributions from members, congregation members will contribute less as congregation size increases. This type of behavior, known as free riding is supported by the empirical results. Furthermore, income, race, congregation expenses and denomination are key determinants of contributions.
Equivalent Static Wind Loads for Tall Building Design

Certain shortcomings of current procedures for computing alongwind structural response have been shown to result in unrealistic estimates of tall building behavior under the action of strong winds. Differences between predictions of fluctuating response based on various such procedures have been shown to be in certain cases as high as 200%. The purpose of the present work is to present a procedure for calculating alongwind response, including deflections and accelerations, which incorporates these advances. The meteorological and aerodynamic models on which the procedure is based are described in brief. The practical use of the procedure is illustrated in a numerical example. Estimates are provided of errors inherent in the models employed. The range of applicability of the procedure is defined, and it is indicated that for structures with unusual modal shapes or for which the influence of higher vibration modes is significant, a recently developed computer program should be employed in lieu of the procedure presented herein.
A proposed analysis of saturation-dependent anisotropy for US Department of Energy (DOE) Hanford site soils

Technetium (99Tc) spreads predominantly laterally through US Department of Energy Hanford site sediments. Lateral transport implies that at higher tensions, h, in the unsaturated zone, the effective hydraulic conductivity, K, may be strongly anisotropic. A modeling procedure has been developed to predict characteristics of the Tc plumes. The procedure consists of: (1) Adapting existing numerical techniques based on critical path analysis to calculate K(h), (2) Statistically correlating predicted K at various h values with texture, (3) Seeking value of h, for which anisotropy and horizontal K values are both sufficiently large to accommodate multi-kilometer horizontal spreading, (4) Predicting the distribution of K values for vertical flow as a function of system support volume, (5) Comparing the largest likely K value in the vertical direction with the expected K in the horizontal direction, (6) Finding the length scale at which the two K values are roughly equal, and (7) Comparing that length scale with horizontal spreading of the plume. Predictions of the typical value of h at which spreading is occurring compares well with inference. However, the length scale at which Tc transport in the unsaturated zone changes from predominantly horizontal to more nearly vertical appears underestimated.
Contemporary Forms of Occult Theatre

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City held an exhibition between September 27 and December 31, 2005, entitled The Perfect Medium: Photography and the Occult, in which more than 120 photographs taken between the 1860s and World War II were displayed. Most of the photos in the exhibition were taken to either support or debunk spiritualists who claimed to be able to communicate with spirits, levitate, or use their bodies as a passageway for objects sent from the spiritual realm into the physical realm. Among the photos depicting mediums in the process of allegedly contacting the dead or expelling otherworldly substances from various orifices were photos showing performance spaces and audiences. The Perfect Medium therefore shed some light on performances associated with Spiritualism, one of many occult movements to have emerged during the Occult Revival.
Adapting objective video quality metrics to ambient lighting

The limitations of objective metrics such as PSNR in evaluating video quality are well known to experts but less known to many users. A video tool which exploits perceptual phenomena may give improved subjective quality but lower objective performance when evaluated by such metrics. This presents a problem when describing the performance of perceptually motivated algorithms to general users. We propose and evaluate a method of extending existing objective metrics to account for perceptual factors such as viewing distance and ambient contrast. After describing the proposed algorithm we examine the variation with ambient lighting of the proposed modification. Subjective viewing tests are used to confirm the behavior of the extended objective metrics.
Reliable software development: analysis-aware design

The application of formal methods in software development does not have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. Progress can be made with the introduction of relatively unobtrusive techniques that simplify analysis. This approach is meant replace traditional analysis-agnostic coding with an analysis-aware style of software development.
Management of Systemic and Pulmonary Hypertension

The major therapeutic approach to systemic and pulmonary hypertension and vasospasm in cardiac surgery patients involves the use of parenteral agents that reverse systemic vasoconstriction and produce vasodilation. Potential pharmacologic approaches include 1) α1-adrenergic receptor blockers, ganglionic blockers, and calcium channel blockers; 2) central α2-adrenergic receptor agonists, dopamine1-adrenergic receptor agonists, potassium channel modulators, and vascular cyclic nucleotide stimulators; 3) phosphodiesterase enzyme inhibitors, and 4) angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Of the currently available intravenous vasoactive therapies, the mainstay agents are the nitrovasodilators and the dihydropyridine-type calcium channel blockers. The nitrovasodilators, a diverse group of drugs that achieve vascular relaxation by stimulating cyclic nucleotides and thereby releasing nitric oxide, include nitroglycerin and sodium nitroprusside. Although these drugs are useful, rapid development of tolerance is a drawback to nitroglycerin, while nitroprusside can cause coronary steal and increase intracranial pressure. Intravenous dihydropyridine-type calcium channel blockers inhibit mechanical responses of cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle by blocking inward calcium currents. Nicardipine is an arterial specific vasodilator. Treatment for vasospasm is usually empiric; pharmacologic options include nitroglycerin, but dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers and phosphodiesterase inhibitors should also be considered.
Composition of gum turpentine of pines XXX. A report on pinus serotina, pinus tenuifolia, and pinus yunnanensis

Pinus serotina turpentine was found to consist of l -α-pinene, 5 per cent; l -limonene, 90 per cent; methyl chavicol, 1 per cent; and 2 or 3 per cent of unidentified sesquiterpenes. P. tenuifolia turpentine contained: d -α-pinene, 77 per cent; l -β-pinene, 6 to 7 per cent; Δ 3 -carene, 8 per cent; terpinolene, 1 to 2 per cent; methyl chavicol (possibly) less than 1 per cent; linalool, about 1 per cent; sesquiterpene fraction, 1 per cent. P. yunnanensis turpentine contained l -α-pinene, 87 per cent; possibly small amounts of l -β-pinene; oxygenated terpene compounds, 5 or 6 per cent. Apparently there were no sesquiterpenes.
Representations of self and parents across the life span

This study extended earlier research on representations of self by comparing representations across multiple targets (self, mother, father). Levels of self- and other-representation were scored within a developmental level scheme indicating movement from undifferentiated and static descriptions to ones that place an emphasis on process and transformation. The results showed a significant progression from youth to midlife, but lower scores in late adulthood. In middle adulthood, a greater proportion of individuals described themselves as dynamic, complex, and integrated rather than as simple, static, and conventional-institutional. This same pattern held true for parental targets. Thus, at midlife, parents were more likely to be understood as individuals with their own unique personalities, motivations, and histories independent of the self. Finally, self- and parent-representations showed a different pattern of correlates for younger versus older individuals and for men versus women. For women and older individuals but not for men and younger participants, coping and defense strategies predicted self- and parent-representation level.
Sympathetic Current Pulses in Atmospheric Pressure Weakly Ionized Acetylene/Argon Plasma

It has been observed that current pulses in corona-based atmospheric-pressure weakly ionized plasma can be synchronized between needles, dependent on the gap between the needles. This observation was made via a series of experiments utilizing a statistically significant number of current pulses at varying spacing between needles.
Solid 3 He magnetism in the classical approximation

The classical analog of the Hamiltonian proposed for3He spins by Stipdonk and Hetherington is studied. First- and second-order phase transitions similar to those found experimentally are obtained. This paper introduces the use of a Gaussian ensemble rather than a canonical ensemble in the Monte Carlo method. This ensemble is equivalent to the canonical ensemble in the limit of large systems except in the energy range inside of a first-order transition. This new method has general applicability, but is especially useful for studying first-order transitions, since it can eliminate the problem of hysteresis associated with them.
Physiological and subjective anxiety responses to caffeine and stress in nonclinical panic

Physiological and subjective anxiety responses to the combination of caffeine and film, cold pressor, and mental arithmetic stressors were examined in 24 healthy females with and without nonclinical panic. Caffeine (3.3 mg/kg) and placebo were administered in a within-subject, double-blind, counterbalanced design on two consecutive days. Repeated measurements of blood pressure, cardiac interbeat interval, skin conductance, and subjective anxiety were obtained during a predrug resting baseline, a postdrug resting baseline, stressor tasks, and a recovery baseline. Panic subjects in the caffeine/placebo drug order exhibited a significantly greater anxiety response on the caffeine day, which combined additively with increases produced by stress. Caffeine and stress also produced additive increases in physiological arousal, although no significant group differences were observed.
Afterword: “ ‘Where are you going and what do you wish?’ the Old Moon asked the three.”

In this afterword I will briefly summarize what has been achieved in our understanding of the urban residential environment, as demonstrated by the six articles in this two-part special issue, and perhaps more importantly, contemplate future research directions. Given what we have achieved, what are the important steps that lie ahead? Do we have the theories and tools to tackle these important, upcoming issues?
Using perpendicular electron cyclotron emission to diagnose the thermal-barrier electrons in a tandem mirror

Possibilities are explored for diagnosing the hot-electron distribution function of the thermal barriers of tandem mirrors, using perpendicular electron cyclotron emission. Emission from a relativistic bi-Maxwellian with a loss cone is calculated in the single-particle limit. Formulae are derived for finding T⊥ by measuring frequencies of the harmonio intensity maxima at optically thin frequencies, or the intensity at optically thick frequencies. A positive δf/δp⊥ in the distribution function is shown to lead to decreased absorption and instability for low T⊥. Finally, the perpendicular source function is calculated in the single-particle limit for this distribution function.
OVERUSE SYNDROMES IN ADULT ATHLETES

Approximately 50% of all sports participants will be injured at some point, and at least half of these injuries will be attributed to overuse. This article provides an in-depth review of the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of the most common overuse injuries encountered in the adult population: epicondylitis, shoulder impingement/rotator cuff tears, patello-femoral dysfunction, and Achilles tendinitis. Stress fractures, the "ultimate" overuse injuries, are also discussed.
On specific optimal control of systems with difference information sets

The problem of reduced-order, observer-based control of systems with controllers having different information about the system is considered. The set of necessary conditions for optimality is obtained, and then the breakdown of the separation principle is demonstrated. The necessary conditions are simplified, and it is shown that a suboptimal control law based on separation can be obtained to satisfy the necessary conditions.
Warm Springs, Early Lay Dates, and Double Brooding in a North American Migratory Songbird, the Black-Throated Blue Warbler

Numerous studies have correlated the advancement of lay date in birds with warming climate trends, yet the fitness effects associated with this phenological response have been examined in only a small number of species. Most of these species–primarily insectivorous cavity nesters in Europe–exhibit fitness declines associated with increasing asynchrony with prey. Here, we use 25 years of demographic data, collected from 1986 to 2010, to examine the effects of spring temperature on breeding initiation date, double brooding, and annual fecundity in a Nearctic - Neotropical migratory songbird, the black-throated blue warbler (Setophaga caerulescens). Data were collected from birds breeding at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA, where long-term trends toward warmer springs have been recorded. We found that black-throated blue warblers initiated breeding earlier in warmer springs, that early breeders were more likely to attempt a second brood than those starting later in the season, and that double brooding and lay date were linked to higher annual fecundity. Accordingly, we found selection favored earlier breeding in most years. However, in contrast to studies of several other long-distance migratory species in Europe, this selection pressure was not stronger in warmer springs, indicating that these warblers were able to adjust mean lay date appropriately to substantial inter-annual variation in spring temperature. Our results suggest that this North American migratory songbird might not experience the same fecundity declines as songbirds that are unable to adjust their timing of breeding in pace with spring temperatures.
Student Self-Screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) Nasal Colonization in Hand Hygiene Education

Objective. To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of adding a hand hygiene exercise in self-screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization to a health care delivery course for first-year pharmacy (P1) students. Design. About one month after students were trained in hand hygiene technique and indications, faculty members demonstrated how to self-screen for MRSA nasal colonization. Students were then asked to screen themselves during the required class time. Aggregated class results were shared and compared to prevalence estimates for the general population and health care providers. Assessment. The 71 students present in class on the day of the self-screening exercise chose to participate. A survey comparing presecreening and postscreening responses indicated incremental improvements in student knowledge and awareness of health care associated infections and motivation to perform hand hygiene. On the written exam, student performance demonstrated improved knowledge compared to previous class years. Conclusion. Self-screening for MRSA nasal colonization in a health care delivery course for P1 students increased students’ motivation to perform hand hygiene techniques and follow indications promulgated by the World Health Organization.
Opportunities for targeted therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular cancer (HCC) is the fifth most common solid tumor worldwide, accounting for 500,000 new cases annually. Although less common in the United States, HCC is expected to increase in incidence over the next two decades largely because of the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection. A majority of patients present with advanced disease and are not candidates for liver transplantation, surgical resection, or regional therapy. In 60% to 80% of patients with HCC, treatment is complicated by underlying liver cirrhosis and hepatic dysfunction. Systemic treatments are minimally effective, can have significant toxicity, and have not been shown to improve patient survival. New approaches targeting molecular abnormalities specific to HCC are needed to improve patient outcome. This review summarizes the state of knowledge of those key aspects of the molecular pathogenesis of HCC that may represent rational therapeutic targets in this disease. Relevant preclinical and clinical information on novel compound...