cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Likelihood of Smoking Among Cancer Survivors: An Updated Health Information National Trends Survey Analysis.

Introduction Cancer survivors are at high risk for cancer reoccurrence, highlighting the importance of managing behavioral risk factors for cancer. Despite this risk, many cancer survivors continue to smoke cigarettes. This article describes the relationship between smoking behavior and demographic and clinical factors in cancer survivors. Methods Multinomial logistic regression of cross-sectional data from the Health Information National Trends Survey was conducted using combined data from years 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Independent variables included age, cancer history, race, education level, marital status, insurance status, and data year; the dependent variable was smoking status (current vs. former or never). Results Cancer survivors were less likely to be current smokers but more likely to be former smokers than those with no history of cancer. Cancer survivors that currently smoked were more likely to have lower education levels, be divorced, separated, or single, or not have health insurance. Older cancer survivors, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic black survivors were less likely to smoke. Among cancer subgroups, prostate cancer survivors had the lowest rate (8.8%) of current smoking from 2011 to 2014, and cervical cancer survivors had the highest rate (31.1%). Conclusions Although those with no history of cancer had higher rates of current smoking, many subgroups of cancer survivors continued to smoke at higher rates than average cancer survivors. Cancer survivors that were younger, had lower education levels, were any marital status other than married or widowed, were uninsured, or survived cervical cancer were more likely to be smokers than other survivors. Implications It is important to understand which types of cancer survivors are at high risk of continued smoking to better inform tobacco dependence treatment interventions among those at high risk of cancer reoccurrence. Our findings suggest targeted tobacco dependence treatment efforts among cancer survivors should focus on survivors of cervical cancer and survivors that are young, unmarried, uninsured, or have lower education levels.
Measuring the Heterogeneity of Treatment Effects with Multilevel Observational Data

Multilevel latent class analysis and mixture propensity score models have been implemented to account for heterogeneous selection mechanisms and for proper causal inference with observational multilevel data (Kim & Steiner in Quantitative Psychology Research. Springer, Cham, pp. 293–306, 2015). The scenarios imply the existence of multiple selection classes, and if class membership is unknown, homogeneous classes can be usually identified via multilevel logistic latent class models. Although latent class random-effects logistic models are frequently used, linear models and fixed-effects models can be alternatives for identifying multiple selection classes and estimating class-specific treatment effects (Kim & Suk in Specifying Multilevel Mixture Models in Propensity Score Analysis. International Meeting of Psychometric Society, New York, 2018). Using the Korea TIMSS 2015 eighth-grade student data, this study examined the potentially heterogeneous treatment effects of private science lessons by inspecting multiple selection classes (e.g., different motivations to receive the lessons) using four types of selection models: random-effects logistic, random-effects linear, fixed-effects logistic, and fixed-effects linear models. Implications of identifying selection classes in casual inference with multilevel assessment data are discussed.
Nielson Remixed: The Trumpification of Hip Hop

At the end of 2018, rap had become the dominant genre of popular music in the United States. For the first time ever, sales of rap music eclipsed those of rock music.[1][1] Furthermore, rap is becoming institutionalized in ways that historically have been reserved for rock and popular music. Rappers
The Impact of Technology Readiness on the Big Data Adoption Among UAE Organisations

Big Data is an important player in offering a highly competitive advantage, specialty, in contemporary organisations. The theory of technology readiness can be used for measuring the readiness of an organisation to adapt big data. Structural equation modelling is used in this study through AMOS to analyse 381 valid questionnaires to evaluate the proposed model built on the Theory of Technology Readiness to determine the factors that could affect big data adoption. This research concentrates on one of Abu Dhabi’s public organisations (ADPO). In this model, the key independent constructs are comparable to Innovativeness, Optimism, Insecurity and Discomfort pertaining to these organisations’ readiness for exploiting this massive data amounts. The dependent constructs are based on the adopted big data’s readiness in ADPO. The relations between the different constructs are defined in this research. This work has enhanced our insights regarding the online social networking model. The results showed that all four independent variables considerably helped to predict the adoption of big data with different percentages. The model that was put forward explained 50% of the variance occurring in the adoption of big data.
Weight Loss: How Does It Fit in With Liposuction?

BACKGROUNDWeight loss is traditionally viewed as straightforward counting of calories in and calories out, with little regard to the role of the adipocytes tasked with storing said calories. However, the body executes a complex compensatory response to any intervention that depletes its energy store
Dynamics of the Disparity Vergence Fusion Sustain Component.

The stereotypical vergence response to a step stimulus consists of two dynamic components: a high velocity fusion initiating component followed by a slower component that may mediate sustained fusion. The initial component has been well-studied and is thought to be controlled by an open-loop mechanism. Less is known about the slow, or fusion sustaining component except that it must be feedback controlled to achieve the positional precision of sustained fusion. Given the delays in disparity vergence control, a feedback control system is likely to exhibit oscillatory behavior. Vergence responses to 4 deg step changes in target position were recorded in eight subjects. The slow component of each response was isolated manually using interactive graphics and the frequency spectrum determined. The frequency spectra of all isolated slow vergence movements showed a large low frequency peak between 1.0 and 2.0 Hz and one or more higher frequency components. The higher frequency components were found to be harmonics of the low frequency oscillation. A feedback model of the slow component was developed consisting of a time delay, an integral/derivative controller and an oculomotor plant based on Robinson’s model. Model simulations showed that a direction dependent asymmetry in the derivative element was primarily responsible for the higher frequency harmonic components. Simulations also showed that the base frequencies are primarily dependent on the time delay in the feedback control system. The fact that oscillatory behavior was found in all subjects provides strong support that the slow, fusion sustaining component is mediated by a feedback system.
Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis: A Large Database Study.

OBJECTIVES Studies on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in acute pancreatitis (AP) are scarce. We conducted a large database study to evaluate this relationship. METHODS Data were extracted from a large electronic health record (Explorys; IBM Watson Health, Armonk, NY). We identified patients with AP in 2018 and 2019, analyzing VTE incidence at 30 days after diagnosis of AP. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with VTE. RESULTS A total of 25,620 cases of acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) and 155,800 cases of acute nonnecrotizing pancreatitis (ANNP) were identified. The incidence of VTE was 7.1% for ANP, compared with 2.8% in ANNP (P < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, ANP conferred significantly greater odds of VTE (adjusted odds ratio, 2.78; 95% confidence interval, 2.73-2.84; P < 0.001), independent of other variables. In those with ANP, the presence of VTE was associated with a significantly higher mortality (23.5% vs 15.9%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Acute necrotizing pancreatitis carries near 2.5-fold risk of VTE, and a 3-fold risk of PE, compared with those with ANNP. Venous thromboembolism development in ANP is associated with higher mortality.
Traffic Collision Avoidance System: Threat Actor Model and Attack Taxonomy

As air travel increases across the globe, the opportunities for exploiting air communications increase as well. In modern aviation technology, the Traffic Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) is used to deter mid-air collisions between aircraft. With an increase in the air traffic, it is imperative for the safety of passengers that TCAS properly functions. This paper aims to present the first TCAS threat actor model, adapted from a cyber threat model. The determined threat actors include: Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), Insider Threats, Criminal Organizations, and Hobbyists. Additionally, the paper presents the first taxonomy of communication threats against TCAS. Using an Automatic dependent surveillance–broadcast (ADS-B) threat model, the TCAS threats are categorized into passive, eavesdropping and active attacks, ghosting, denial-of-service, and spoofing. Furthermore, the paper presents the requirements necessary to successfully implement a spoofing attack. After the taxonomy of threats are presented, future work is discussed regarding the current TCAS implementation and future versions.
Talent management challenges during COVID-19 and beyond: Performance management to the rescue

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant talent management challenges including (a) hiring freezes and layoffs; (b) salary freezes, canceled bonuses, and pay reductions; (c) how work is do...
«La Inquisición no conoce de nosotros los indios». Fiesta y escándalo en el Corpus Christi

In 1661, during the Corpus Christi festival in the ecclesiastical district of Ambar, a series of episodes classified as idolatrous were carried out by the village’s native inhabitants in the absence of the Catholic priest. These included the celebration of a false mass, a marriage union between two men in costume, and the baptism of the fruit of that union. This paper interprets these incidents with a view to exploring what drove a group of individuals with varying degrees of social status and access to power —the Indian sacristan, the curaca, the falso celebrant— who took advantage of the occasion to undermine the authority of the Catholic priest before the ecclesiastical tribunal, believing they were beyond its reach because of their indigenous condition. However, nothing turned out as they had planned and the events ended very differently.
KIRCLE: An Analysis of Variations in KIR Genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas and UK Biobank

Abstract Background Natural killer (NK) cells represent a critical component of the innate immune system’s response against cancer and viral infections, among other diseases. To distinguish healthy host cells from infected or tumor cells, killer immunoglobulin receptors (KIR) on NK cells bind and recognize Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) complexes on their target cells. Just like the HLAs they bind, these KIRs exhibit high allelic diversity in the human population. Results In order to better understand these immunoreceptors, we have developed KIRCLE, a novel method for genotyping individual KIR genes from whole exome sequencing data, and used it to analyze approximately 60,000 patient samples in The Cancer Genome Atlas and UK Biobank. We were able to assess population frequencies for different KIR alleles and demonstrate that, similar to HLA alleles, individuals’ KIR alleles correlate strongly with their ethnicities. In addition, we observed associations between different KIR alleles and HLA alleles, including HLA-B*53 with KIR3DL2*013 (Fisher’s Exact FDR = 7.64e-51). Finally, we showcased statistically significant associations between KIR alleles and various clinical correlates, including peptic ulcer disease (Fisher’s Exact FDR = 0.0429) and age of onset of atopy and various KIR alleles (Mann-Whitney-U FDR = 0.0751). Conclusions KIR polymorphism and NK cells play a critical role in many diseases, often through their interactions with HLA complexes. Peptic ulcer disease and atopy are just two diseases in which NK cells may play a role beyond their “classical” realm of anti-tumor and anti-viral responses.
Use of the likelihood reduction factor in a path analysis framework to quantify surrogacy in clinical trials.

In clinical trials, surrogate endpoints are useful when the endpoint of interest is difficult to measure or requires a long follow-up time. Current methodology for validating surrogate endpoints encounters challenges in the presence of collinearity between the treatment and surrogate endpoint, which is often present in clinical trials. The proposed methods adapt current methodology in the structural framework of path analysis to quantify the validity of a surrogate endpoint. The path analysis framework provides an improved interpretation of treatment effect. Through derivation and simulation we show the proposed path likelihood reduction factor (LRF P ), is less biased and more robust than current methodology in cases of collinearity between the treatment and surrogate endpoint, with notable improvement when surrogacy is weak or moderate. LRF P can be expanded to evaluate multiple correlated surrogate endpoints, which as shown through simulation, is also less biased and more robust than current methodology in the case of collinearity between the treatment and surrogate endpoint.
The Guiasu Method

In this section, we present some of the work of GuiasuGuiasu Guiasu (1994). Due to the importance of this work we present the entire paper to close the book.
Aperiodic Structure in the Magnetoresistance of Very Narrow Metallic Rings and Lines

We report the low-temperature magnetoresistance of very small normal metal (Au and Au60Pd40) rings and lines. The wires composing all of the devices were typically 50 nm in diameter, and the ring diameters were about 350 nm. The resistances of the rings were measured in perpendicular magnetic field at temperatures down to T = 5 mK. For T ≲ 1 K, a reproducible structure appeared in the magnetoresistance, and it grew as the temperature decreased. Similar structure was seen in several Au and Au60Pd40 rings and lines. Although there is some evidence for flux quantization effects in one device, the structure was sample specific, and it is apparently the result of the extremely small device size.
Purification and reconstitution of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the preparation of acetylcholine receptor (AChR)-rich native membranes, solubilized and purified AChR, and AChR reconstituted in liposomes. Triton X-100 efficiently solubilizes the AChR and maintains its snake curarimimetic toxin-binding activity and, with some alteration, its binding of acetylcholine (ACh) and other small ligands. Ligand-gated channel activity of the AChR cannot be recovered once it has been solubilized in Triton X-100, even though the solubilized AChR can be reincorporated into liposomes. Elapid snake venom contains basic polypeptide toxins, which bind to the ACh binding sites with high specificity and affinity. The ligand-gated channel activity of the AChR can be more reproducibly assayed after solubilization and reconstitution into liposomes. For reconstitution and flux assays, ligand-gated channel activity is more effectively reconstituted in a mixture of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylserine (PS), and cholesterol than in asolectin.
Phonons and Electron-Phonon Interactions in III-nitride Bulk and Dimensionally Confined Semiconductors and Their Device Implications

This chapter examines fundamental properties of phonons in III-V nitrides with a view toward understanding processes important in the operation of III-V nitride devices. It describes confined, interface, and propagating modes in wurtzite quantum wells in terms of Loudon's model for uniaxial semiconductors and the dielectric continuum model. It discusses the basic properties of the phonon modes and carrier-phonon interactions on the basis of the treatment of dimensionally confined phonons in both bulk and low dimensional wurtzite structures. A key feature of these phonon modes is their enhanced dispersion and its origin from the non-isotropic nature of the wurtzites. There has been much interest recently on compound semiconductors formed of group III elements and nitrogen. They have significant potential for optoelectronic and electronic devices because of the interesting properties of this system, including the relatively large bandgap, the large piezoelectric field, the relatively strong electron-phonon coupling, and the relatively high polar-optical phonon energy. The phonons in the system of bulk materials as well as the lower dimensional structures are concentrated on in the chapter; moreover, the understanding of how these phonons behave in these structures and their impact in device applications are also focused in the chapter.
3D hand pose reconstruction with ISOSOM

We present an appearance-based 3D hand posture estimation method that determines a ranked set of possible hand posture candidates from an unmarked hand image, based on an analysis by synthesis method and an image retrieval algorithm. We formulate the posture estimation problem as a nonlinear, many-to-many mapping problem in a high dimension space. A general algorithm called ISOSOM is proposed for nonlinear dimension reduction, applied to 3D hand pose reconstruction to establish the mapping relationships between the hand poses and the image features. In order to interpolate the intermediate posture values given the sparse sampling of ground-truth training data, the geometric map structure of the samples’ manifold is generated. The experimental results show that the ISOSOM algorithm performs better than traditional image retrieval algorithms for hand pose estimation.
System Reduction and Solution Algorithms for Singular Linear Difference Systems under Rational Expectations

A first-order linear difference system under rational expectations is, AEyt+1|It=Byt+C(F)Ext| It , where yt is a vector of endogenous variables; xt is a vector of exogenous variables; Eyt+1|It is the expectation of yt+1 given date t information; and C(F)Ext|It = C0xt+C1Ext+1|It+mdot;s +CnExt+n|It. If the model is solvable, then yt can be decomposed into two sets of variables: dynamic variables dt that evolve according to Edt+1|It = Wdt + ¶si d(F)Ext|It and other variables that obey the dynamic identities ft =−Kdt−¶si f(F)Ext|It. We develop an algorithm for carrying out this decomposition and for constructing the implied dynamic system. We also provide algorithms for (i) computing perfect foresight solutions and Markov decision rules; and (ii) solutions to related models that involve informational subperiods.
Development and validation of Cedars-Sinai Health-Related Quality of Life in rheumatoid arthritis (CSHQ-RA) short form instrument

Objective To develop an abridged version of the 33-item Cedars-Sinai Health-Related Quality of Life in Rheumatoid Arthritis instrument (CSHQ-RA) and test the validity and reliability of the abridged instrument. Methods Items from the original 33-item, 5-domain CSHQ-RA were assessed using psychometric and regression analyses of survey responses from 274 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Items were retained in the final instrument based on statistical analysis and evaluation by an expert panel. Test-retest reliability, internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, and ceiling and floor effects were examined for the shortened CSHQ-RA. Results Statistical analysis and expert assessment yielded an 11-item instrument including questions in 4 domains. Test-retest reliability and internal consistency were high and the instrument showed good convergent and discriminant validity. Conclusion The abridged CSHQ-RA short form is a valid and reliable instrument that can be used to examine the impact of RA on patients' health-related quality of life. Prospective validation in clinical trial settings is warranted.
High-Resolution Measurement-Based Phase-Resolved Prediction of Ocean Wavefields

Abstract : Given remote and direct physical measurements of a realistic ocean wavefield, obtain a high-resolution description of the wavefield by integrating the measurements with direct phase-resolved wave computations including realistic environmental effects such as wind forcing and wave breaking dissipation. Inform and guide the measurements necessary for achieving this reconstruction and address the validity, accuracy and limitations of such wavefield reconstructions.
Why does HOV fail?: The role of technological differences within the EC

Abstract This paper examines the role of international differences in production techniques in explaining the empirical failure of the Heckscher–Ohlin–Vanek (HOV) model. It develops a modified HOV model that relaxes the assumption of identical production techniques across countries and can be estimated using input–output data of individual countries. The contribution of international differences in techniques to net factor trade patterns is then isolated by comparing the performance of the strict and modified HOV models. The paper finds that allowing for international technique differences significantly improves the predictive power of the HOV model.
Feeding the Birds: Divine Intervention by Mary Poppins, a Female Christ Figure

ABSTRACT:Mary Poppins, the film based on the novel by Australian writer P. L. Travers, was one of Walt Disney's greatest successes when it first debuted in 1964, and its five Academy Awards (out of thirteen nominations), its Golden Globe Awards and Grammy Awards, and its astronomical sales at the box office prove it. The character Mary Poppins has received little critical attention in the past fifty years; however, Poppins can be viewed as a female Christ figure who comes to save the family. Through the song “Feed the Birds,” readers receive the powerful message of charity, which serves as the foundational message.
Comparison of Morphologies of Probopyrus Bithynis, P. Floridensis, and P. Pandalicola Larvae Reared in Culture (Isopoda, Epicaridea)

ABSTRACT Larvae of Probopyrus pandalicola, P. floridensis, and P. bithynis were raised experimentally in the laboratory. Development times of larvae (epicaridium to cryptoniscus) and intermediate host selection were the same for all parasite species. We used SEM and LM to obtain both morphological and morphometric data on first and final stage larvae from each species. While P. bithynis larvae are distinct morphologically, P. floridensis and P. pandalicola larvae are similar to one another, but often differ significantly in several body measurements. Furthermore, cryptonisci of P. floridensis and P. pandalicola differ in regard to host specificity, pigmentation, and swimming speed. The authors conclude that P. pandalicola, P. bithynis, and P. floridensis should retain separate species status. Finally, the morphogenetic interrelationships of our observations are discussed and we suggest that P. bithynis is more advanced phylogenetically than either P. pandalicola or P. floridensis.
Bioactivation mechanism of l-thiomorpholine-3-carboxylic acid

L-Thiomorpholine-3-carboxylic acid (L-TMC) is a cyclized analog of S-(2-chloroethyl)-L-cysteine, which is cytotoxic in vitro and nephrotoxic in vivo. To determine whether L-TMC may play a role in S-(2-chloroethyl)-L-cysteine-induced toxicity, the cytotoxicity of L-TMC was studied in isolated rat kidney cells. L-TMC produced time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxicity. Probenecid, an inhibitor of the renal anion transport system, and L-alpha-hydroxyisocaproic acid, a substrate for L-amino acid oxidase, inhibited L-TMC-induced cytotoxicity. Rat kidney cytosol catalyzed the metabolism of L-TMC to a product absorbing at 300 nm. The increase in absorbance at 300 nm was accompanied by an increase in oxygen consumption and was inhibited by L-alpha-hydroxyisocaproic acid; moreover, the absorbance of the metabolite was quenched by addition of potassium cyanide or sodium borohydride, which indicated the formation of an imine. When L-TMC was incubated with rat kidney cytosol and sodium borodeuteride was added at the end of the incubation period, analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry of the tert-butyldimethylsilyl ester of L-TMC showed the formation of [2H]TMC, indicating the intermediate formation of the imine 5,6-dihydro-2H-1,4-thiazine-3-carboxylic acid; chemically synthesized TMC imine showed similar behavior. The enzyme responsible for the metabolism of L-TMC was purified from rat kidney and was identified as L-amino acid oxidase. These observations indicate a role for L-amino acid oxidase in the bioactivation and cytotoxicity of L-TMC.
HGF and ligation of αvβ5 integrin induce a novel, cancer cell-specific gene expression required for cell scattering

Abstract Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), a cytokine involved in tumorigenesis and most metastases, initiates cell migration by binding to the protooncogene c-Met receptor. In epithelial carcinoma cells, c-Met activation causes the breakdown of E-cadherin cell–cell contacts leading to cell spreading. While the breakdown of E-cadherin contacts is immediate, HGF-induced migration requires transcription. To test the hypothesis that this de novo mRNA synthesis includes cancer cell-specific transcripts, we performed subtraction hybridization to isolate HGF-induced transcripts from an endometrial epithelial carcinoma cell line, RL95-2 (RL95), known to migrate but not to proliferate with HGF treatment. One novel cDNA we call Mig-7 is induced by HGF in endometrial epithelial carcinoma cell lines RL95 and HEC-1A before migration ensues. Ovarian, oral squamous cell, and colon metastatic tumors but not normal tissues express Mig-7. HGF did not induce Mig-7 in normal primary endometrial epithelial cells. In addition, blocking antibodies to αvβ5 integrin inhibited HGF induction of Mig-7 in RL95 cells. Most importantly, Mig-7-specific antisense oligonucleotides inhibited scattering of RL95 cells in vitro. These results are the first to demonstrate that Mig-7 expression may be used as a cancer cell-specific target to inhibit cell scattering.
Thin Film Solid State Sodium Batteries for Electric Vehicles

Research from this laboratory on the sodium/solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) battery is described. Recent results show a performance level that equals or exceeds that of the better-known lithium analogs in terms of rate capability, cycle life and specific power, but at a lower projected cost per kilowatt hour, making sodium/SPE systems attractive for applications such as electric vehicles. Optimization of electrolyte composition and cathodes, using solid redox polymerization electrodes, sodium cobalt oxide or a new manganese oxide, is discussed, and areas for further study are suggested.
A phase II study of interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha in head and neck cancer

The capacity to modulate host response against metastatic head and neck cancer may eventually lead to improved survival. This phase II study in patients with advanced head and neck cancer evaluated the efficacy of combination systemic recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-alpha (INF-a) and evaluated laboratory correlates between tumor response and a) tumor differentiation and b) NK cell activation. Five of fourteen patients responded; two had partial responses and three had transient responses (one complete and two partial, each lasting less than four weeks). Patients that responded had relatively lesser tumor burden and poorly-differentiated metastases. No response was observed in those few individuals in whom natural immune function was only minimally enhanced by therapy. Major toxicity, including but not limited to fever, fatigue and pulmonary compromise, allowed only 3 of 14 patients to complete three cycles of therapy. This preliminary phase II study shows that combination IL-2/INF-a therapy has clinical anti-tumor activity and that the level of NK cell activation and the degree of tumor differentiation may correlate with response.
Structural Realism and the Social Sciences

After sorting different structuralist claims, I argue that structural realist ideas are instantiated in the social sciences, providing both clarification of social science research and support for some components of structural realism. My main focus is on three distinct ways that the social sciences can be about structural relations—exemplified by claims about social structure, reduced form structures in causal modeling, and equilibrium explanations—and on the implication of structuralist ideas for thinking about issues concerning causal explanation and nonreductive pictures of the unity of the science.
Chronic Cavitary Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in a Patient with AIDS

A 39-year-old man with AIDS presented with cough, chest pain, dyspnea on exertion, fever, and a cavitary lesion in the upper lobe of the left lung. The cavity increased in size over the next five months with disease involvement limited to the left upper lobe. Pneumocystis carinii infection was then diagnosed. Symptoms and cavity resolved with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole therapy.
Design and analysis of a novel earpiece‐less eyeglass frame

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present design and analysis of a novel earpiece‐less eyeglass frame.Design/methodology/approach – A virtual assembly process was used to test the part design and finally a prototype was built to check the design.Findings – Earpiece‐less eyeglasses are easier to adjust for higher comfort levels and do not incorporate leg hinges compared to traditional eye‐glasses. This novel design is unique and will be in mass production.Originality/value – This paper presents a novel earpiece‐less eyeglasses frame design and will have significant impact to the market.
Noncontact no-moving parts surface height measurement sensor using liquid crystal-based axial scanning confocal optical microscopy

An analog liquid crystal lens-based axial scanning confocal microscope is demonstrated as a 48 mm continuous range optical height measurement sensor used to characterize a 2.3 mm height Indium Phosphide twin square optical waveguide chip.
Ionization phenomena in high-energy atomic collisions☆

Abstract The statistical theory of ionization produced by atomic collisions is here improved and extended, in line with the concept that the observed ionization is due to quasimolecular excitation followed by auto-ionization transitions in each of the colliding atoms after the collision is completed. The assumptions of the statistical theory are recast in the form of assumptions regarding the relative sizes of matrix elements in the quantum theory of transition rates, generalized to treat multiple ionization processes occuring in a single transition. The relation of the statistical theory with the Fano-Lichten model is discussed. In addition to calculating the probabilities that the colliding atoms will be found in each of the possible states of ionization, an expression for the energy spectrum of the ejected electrons is also obtained. It is also demonstrated that multiple excitation of the outer shell, as occurs in atom-atom collisions, plays a crucial role in determining the probability that a given state of ionization will result from the de-excitation process. The theory permits the comparison of the matrix elements for multiple ionization from those auto-ionizing states in which the outer shell is highly excited (as arises in atomic collisions) with the matrix elements for multiple ionization from those auto-ionization states in which the outer shell is unexcited (as arises from photo-ionization of an inner shell).
THE ROLE OF THE FIELD‐DEPENDENT AND FIELD‐INDEPENDENT COGNITIVE STYLES IN ACADEMIC EVOLUTION: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY

To assess hypotheses derived from field-dependence theory about the role of cognitive style in students' academic choices, stability of choices, and achievement, a large group of students was followed longitudinally from college entry, through college graduation and into graduate/professional school. As predicted, in their preliminary preferences at college entry, final college majors and graduate/professional school specialties, relatively field-independent students favored impersonal domains which require cognitive restructuring skills (e.g., mathematics and the natural sciences) and relatively field-dependent students favored interpersonal domains which do not emphasize such skills (e.g., elementary and early childhood education). Cognitive style related more strongly to final college majors and graduate/professional school specialties than to preliminary preferences at college entry. This outcome was in part a result of the tendencies of students whose preliminary choices were incongruent with their cognitive styles to shift to more compatible domains and of students with initially congruent choices to remain with those choices. In most analyses cognitive style contributed to prediction of academic choices and stability of choices beyond the contribution made by scholastic aptitude measures. Some tendency was found for students to do better in domains compatible with their cognitive styles, though field-dependence-independence was unrelated to such general achievement indicators as high school and college grade-point averages.
Estimation of Mode Using Two-phase Sampling

In this article, we consider the problem of estimation of mode using two-phase sampling. Ratio- and difference-type estimators in two-phase sampling are proposed. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are studied analytically as well as empirically for different situations for the given cost of surveys. The use of two-phase sampling has been found to be cost saving design while estimating mode by making a proper use of auxiliary information.
Part-Time Faculty and Community College Student Success.

With the Completion Agenda taking such political prominence, community colleges are experiencing even more pressure to find ways to promote and improve student success. One way that has been suggested is to limit the reliance on part-time faculty under the premise that the employment status of faculty has a direct influence on student success. The tacit assumption is that full-time faculty are more engaged with their home institution, and this engagement translates into the engagement of the students taught. The present study examined employment status of faculty on the success of students enrolled in four, two-course sequences. Using Pearson chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses, it was concluded that employment status of the faculty has no statistical influence on student success as has been previously claimed. These results suggest that community colleges should not assume that hiring more full-time faculty will improve student success and, instead, should possibly consider utilizing funds...
Is equality essentially comparative

Larry Temkin has shown that Derek Parfit’s well-known Mere Addition Paradox suggests a powerful argument for the intransitivity of the relation “better than.” The crux of the argument is the view that equality is essentially comparative, according to which the same inequality can be evaluated differently depending on what it is being compared to. The comparative view of equality should be rejected, I argue, and hence so too this argument for intransitivity.
On meromorphic solutions of f 3 + g 3 = 1

We show that meromorphic solutions f, g of f3 + g3 = 1 in \({\mathbb{C}}^{2}\) must be constant, if \(f_{z_{2}}\) and \(g_{z_{1}}\) have the same zeros (counting multiplicities).
Effects of chronic ethanol treatment on mitochondrial functions damage to coupling site I

Abstract Chronic ethanol feeding to rats produces changes in hepatic mitochondria which persist in the absence of ethanol metabolism. The integrity of isolated mitochondria is well preserved, as evidenced by unchanged activities of latent, Mg 2+ - and dinitrophenol-stimulated ATPase activity, and unaltered permeability to NADH. With succinate or ascorbate as substrates, oxygen uptake by mitochondria from ethanol-fed rats was decreased compared to pair-fed controls. The decrease was comparable under state 4 or state 3 conditions, or in the presence of an uncoupler. However, with the NAD + -dependent substrates, ADP-stimulated oxygen consumption (state 3) was decreased to a greater extent than state 4 or uncoupler-stimulated oxygen consumption in mitochondria from ethanol-fed rats. This suggests that the decrease in energy-dependent oxygen consumption at site I may be superimposed upon damage to the respiratory chain. Using NAD + -dependent substrates (glutamate, α-ketoglutarate or β-hydroxybutyrate) the respiratory control ratio and the P O ratio of oxidative phosphorylation were significantly decreased in mitochondria isolated from the livers of rats fed ethanol. By contrast, when succinate or ascorbate served as the electron donor these functions were unchanged. The rate of phosphorylation is decreased 70% with the NAD + -dependent substrates because of a decreased flux of electrons, as well as a lower efficiency of oxidative phosphorylation. With succinate and ascorbate as substrates, the rate of phosphorylation is decreased 20–30%, owing to a decreased flux of electrons. These data suggest the possibility that, in addition to effects on the respiratory chain, energy-coupling site I may be damaged by ethanol feeding. Energy-dependent Ca 2+ uptake, supported by either substrate oxidation or ATP hydrolysis, was inhibited by chronic ethanol feeding. Concentrations of acetaldehyde (1–3 m m ) which inhibited phosphorylation associated with the oxidation of NAD + -dependent substrates had no effect on that of succinate or ascorbate. Many of the effects of chronic ethanol feeding on mitochondrial functions are similar to those produced by acetaldehyde in vitro .
Hydrothermal reactions of simple molecules by real-time infrared spectroscopy

Abstract The relative roles of the materials of construction of the reactor (stainless steel or titanium) and the effects of Group 1 cations are discussed in terms of their effect on the rate of decarboxylation of acetic acid derivatives, RCO2H. Past work indicates that the reaction container composition has a very large effect when R is CH3—. A smaller but significant effect is seen when R is electron neutral (i.e., R=H). When R is electron Withdrawing the rate depends less on the reactor type than the nature of R. The effect of the counter ion M on the rate of decarboxylation of monovalent malonate salts, HC&CHzC02M, is discussed for M=Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+. The rate generally increases with the ionic radius except that the Rb+ salt exhibits the fastest rate. Preliminary explanations are given.
Cardiac teratogenicity of trichloroethylene metabolites

Abstract Objectives. The hypothesis of this study was that metabolites of trichloroethylene (TCE), dichloroethylene (DCE) and related compounds were responsible for fetal cardiac teratogenic effects seen when TCE or DCE is consumed by pregnant rats during organogenesis. Identification of teratogenic metabolites would allow more accurate assessment of environmental contaminants and public health risks from contaminated water or possibly municipal water supplies which, when chlorinated, may produce these potentially dangerous chemicals. Background. Human epidemiologic studies and previous teratogenic studies using chick embryos and fetal rats have shown an increased incidence of congenital cardiac lesions in animals exposed to TCE and DCE. Methods. Metabolites and compounds studied in drinking water exposure included: trichloroacetic acid (TCAA), monochloroacetic acid (MCAA), trichloroethanol (TCEth), carboxy methylcystine (CMC), trichloroacetaldehyde (TCAld), dichloroacetaldehyde (DCAld), and dichlorovinyl cystine (DCVC). Compounds were administered to pregnant rats during fetal heart development. Results. Fetuses of rats receiving 2,730 ppm TCAA in drinking water were the only group that demonstrated a significant increase in cardiac defects (10.53%) compared with controls (2.15%) on a per fetus basis (p = 0.0001, Fischer’s exact test), and a per litter basis (p = 0.0004, Wilcoxon and p = 0.0015, exact permutation tests). Trichloroacetic acid also demonstrated an increased number of implantation and resorption sites (p Conclusions. Of the metabolites tested, only TCAA appeared to be a specific cardiac teratogen in the fetus when imbibed by the maternal rat.
A new benthic aqueous flux meter for very low to moderate discharge rates

Abstract Significant quantities of fluids and dissolved geochemical components are expelled through the sediment surface in ocean margin and sedimented ridge environments. Recently, significant interest has been generated in constraining hydrological processes in these environments, but direct measurement of fluid flow in the marine environment has proven to be difficult and many aspects of marine hydrogeology remain poorly understood. To address the need for a means to make a significant number of direct measurements in a wide range of low to moderate flow environments, we have developed a new type of benthic aqueous flux meter that is capable of measuring diffuse fluid flow through the sediment surface on the order of 0.1 mm yr −1 –15 m yr −1 when the flow is through sediments with permeabilities of less than 10 −8 cm 2 (typical seafloor sediments). The instrument measures fluid flow by determining the degree of dilution of a chemical tracer that is injected by an osmotic pump at a known rate into the fluids venting into or out of a collection chamber situated on the sea bed. The pump also withdraws a subsample of this tracer/fluid mix into sample coils allowing a serial record of the flow rates to be determined. Both upward and downward flow can be measured and, when flux rates are high enough to effectively flush the collecting chamber, the instruments also act as geochemical samplers. Three years of laboratory testing and field use have constrained the effects of (1) temperature, pressure, and deployment duration on osmotic pump performance, (2) dispersion/diffusion in the sample coils, and (3) deflection of flow under a range of sediment permeabilities. Recent deployments on the Kodiak and Cascadia accretionary prisms document the range and capabilities of the instrument in the field.
Multiple roles of Leu-8/MEL-14 in leukocyte adhesion and function.

Leu-8 and its murine homologue MEL-14 are members of a new family of adhesion molecules encoded on chromosome-1 that share common structural features, including lectin-like domains and tandem repeats homologous to complement binding proteins. The expression of Leu-8 is rapidly down-regulated during cell activation, both at the transcriptional level, and by a rapid post-translational event at the cell membrane, probably involving direct cleavage of the molecule from the cell surface. Lymphocytes that express Leu-8/MEL-14 bind selectively to HEVs in peripheral lymph nodes, and MEL-14 on neutrophils is thought to be important in the initial localization of neutrophils to sites of inflammation. In addition to its role in leukocyte adhesion, there is evidence that the Leu-8 molecule plays a role in cell function. Anti-Leu-8 monoclonal antibody increases suppressor activity of CD4+, Leu-8+T cells for immunoglobulin synthesis, and anti-Leu-8 directly inhibits differentiation of Leu-8+ B cells. Together these findings indicate that the Leu-8 molecule in common with other cellular adhesion molecules is important not only in cellular adhesion, but also in modification of cell function.
The buckling of plates and beams by the method of zero Lagrangian multipliers and zero divisors

Abstract It is shown on a simple buckling problem, that the method of Lagrangian multipliers, which was assumed to be a simplification of the method of intermediate problems, actually yields incorrect numerical results.
Multiperiod reactor network synthesis

Abstract We present a hybrid approach using both mathematical programming methods and attainable region (AR) concepts to extend reactor network synthesis techniques to include model parameter uncertainty. First, a revised mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) reactor network synthesis model is presented that allows for more general reactor networks to be constructed. A complicated reactor network synthesis problem is solved using the revised formulation. Next, we combine AR theory with multiperiod optimization concepts to extend the MINLP model to include model parameter uncertainty. By examining the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker optimality conditions together with AR theory, we show that reactor networks designed under uncertainty, in general do not follow AR properties. Thus, more general reactor types may be needed to solve the reactor network synthesis problem under uncertainty. However, AR theory, can be used to find performance bounds on multiperiod reactor network synthesis problems. These bounds are very useful for screening candidate reactor networks and to initialize the ‘MINLP problem. Two example problems are presented to demonstrate the proposed multiperiod approach.
Emotional expression and depth processing of trauma and their relation to long-term survival in patients with HIV/AIDS

Abstract Objective: This study examined the relationship between emotional expression and depth processing of trauma and long-term survival of patients living with AIDS. A further purpose was to examine the immune, health behavior and psychosocial correlates of emotional disclosure and depth processing. Method: Subjects wrote essays describing their reactions to past traumas; these were scored for emotional expression and depth processing (positive cognitive appraisal change, experiential involvement, self-esteem enhancement and adaptive coping strategies). Two HIV-seropositive groups were recruited for this study; long-term survivors (LTS; n =46) patients who had survived at least 4 years past a Category C (AIDS defining) symptom prior to starting protease inhibitors and an equivalent HIV-seropositive comparison group (ECOMP LTS ; n =89) who had CD4+ cells between 150 and 500, and had no history of Category C symptoms. The groups were equivalent on age, gender, ethnicity, education, employment, income, sexual orientation and route of infection. Results: The group LTS were significantly higher than the ECOMP LTS group on emotional expression and depth processing. Depth processing mediated the relationship between emotional expression and long-term survival status. Depth processing was positively related to CD4+ cell number for women. Emotional expression was also significantly related to viral load (negatively) and to CD4+ cell number (positively) for women only. Interestingly, only depth processing (and not emotional expression) was related to medication adherence and to psychosocial variables (perceived stress and social support). Conclusions: Emotional expression and depth processing were related to long-term survival, however, depth processing was the mediator for this relationship and only depth processing was associated with medication adherence, perceived stress and social support. Our results underscore the importance of depth processing (and not just emotional expression) of traumatic experiences for people living with HIV/AIDS.