cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No evidence for association of the MDM2-309 T/G promoter polymorphism with prostate cancer outcomes

Abstract Objectives Mouse double-minute 2 (MDM2) SNP309 polymorphism (T>G) has been correlated with an increased risk of cancer in multiple tumor types. MDM2 overexpression has shown to be weakly associated with distant tumor metastases, and down-regulation of MDM2 via antisense oligonucleotides in vitro has resulted in the radiosensitization of prostate cancer cell lines. Based on these results, we decided to evaluate the role of MDM2 SNP309 in the context of histopathologic parameters and clinical outcomes in prostate cancer tumors. Materials and methods The population consisted of 212 consecutive prostate cancer patients who underwent radical prostatectomy between 1997 and 1999 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Two hundred eight of the samples were successfully genotyped for the MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism. Correlations between the polymorphism, recurrence, and survival data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate genetic models. Results The only prognostic factor predictive of overall survival in our study was Gleason score (P Conclusions Our study finds no evidence for association of the MDM2 SNP309 polymorphism with clinicopathologic variables, recurrence risk, and overall survival outcome in prostate cancer.
Imide products from photo-oxidation of bilirubin and mesobilirubin.

IN 1958 Cremer et al.1 observed that the concentration of bilirubin (la) in the plasma could be reduced by exposing newborn infants to fluorescent light. Since that time phototherapy has come into wide use to lower elevated bilirubin levels associated with neonatal jaundice (hyperbilirubin-aemia)2, 3. This condition in the newborn has been associated with retarded motor development, irreversible brain damage or even death. Phototherapy lowers bilirubin levels (by conversion of this lipid-soluble pigment to water-soluble products)4 and therefore presumably helps to prevent brain damage. But there are two possible dangers in this treatment: light may have other deleterious effects on the newborn and the photo-products of bilirubin may themselves be toxic. At present neither the structures of the bilirubin photo-products nor their toxicities have been established. Although the photo-destruction of bilirubin has been studied in vivo and in vitro by Ostrow5–7, Schmid4, 7 and others8, 9, these authors investigated principally the visible-ultraviolet spectral changes during the course of bilirubin photo-oxidation and recorded paper chromatographic separations of the photo-products for comparison with the bile or urine of the congenitally jaundiced Gunn rat. More recently McDonagh has shown that singlet oxygen is involved in the self-sensitized photo-oxidation of bilirubin10. In view of the paucity of structural.information on the bilirubin photo-products, we wish to report preliminary findings on the in vitro photo-oxidation products from bilirubin IXa (1a), mesobilirubin IXa (1b) and 5′-oxo-3′,4,4′-triethyl-3,5-dimethyl-l′,5′-dihydro-(2.2′)-dipyrrylmethene (2). We synthesized and carried out our initial studies on 2, which serves as a simplified model for rings I and II of 1a and 1b because it lacks the vinyl group of 1a and the propionic acid β-substituent of 1a and 1b. The visible-ultraviolet spectrum of 2 is quite similar to that of either 1a or 1b11–13.
Antecedents and performance implications of channel integration in foreign markets

This study enhances our understanding of channel integration in foreign markets on two fronts. First, the eclectic approach to foreign entry mode, proposed by Hill, Hwang and Kim [1990] and Kim and Hwang [1992], is used to examine transaction-specific, organizational capability and strategic factors that influence channel choices in foreign markets. Empirical results based on survey of U.S. firms support the combined relevance of these factors in predicting the degree of channel integration. Second, the study empirically examines the performance consequences of channel integration. The results suggest that, although the degree of channel integration does not have a direct influence on channel performance, a contingency model based on the fit between the contextual factors and the actual channel choice is significantly related to performance in foreign markets.
Estrogenic and Antiestrogenic Effects of Enclomiphene and Zuclomiphene on Gonadotropin Secretion by Ovine Pituitary Cells in Culture

17 beta-Estradiol (E2) alters gonadotropin secretions in ovine pituitary cell cultures by 1) augmenting the LH response to LHRH and 2) inhibiting the basal secretion of FSH. These responses were used to study the estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects of enclomiphene, zuclomiphene, and their commercial mixture, Clomid. In terms of the LH response to LHRH, Clomid and enclomiphene (10(-6) M) acted as E2 antagonists because they blocked the action of E2 (10(-10) M). By themselves they did not alter the LHRH response. Previous studies using rat pituitary cultures showed opposite results, since both enclomiphene and Clomid acted as estrogens in rat cultures. Apparently, species differences are involved. One conclusion from these data, therefore, is that it would be unwise to predict how Clomid acts in any species without direct experimentation. Zuclomiphene (10(-7)--10(-5) M) acted as a E2 agonist, in terms of the LH response to LHRH, because it sensitized cultures to LHRH. Surprisingly, all of the clomiphenes, including zuclomiphene, acted primarily as E2 antagonists when FSH secretion was observed. At a concentration of 10(-6) M, they blocked the inhibitory effects of E2 (10(-10 M) on FSH secretion, but enclomiphene and Clomid also exhibited minor estrogenic action when administered alone. The clear but unexpected role of zuclomiphene as both E2 agonist (as measured by LH secretion) and antagonist (as measured by FSH secretion) suggests that zuclomiphene may be an especially useful compound for dissociating the effects of E2 on FSH and LH in vivo, at least in sheep. Of more theoretical interest is the fact that zuclomiphene can affect two E2-responsive systems oppositely. Both systems appear to reside in the same subset of pituitary cells.
The picard iterative approximation to the solution of the integral equation of radiative transfer—part II. Three-dimensional geometry

Abstract The present paper presents the Picard Iterative (PI) algorithm for the solution of the 3-D radiative transfer equation (RTE). The method is based on the integral equation form of the RTE. Results presented demonstrate that the PI technique provides a high degree of accuracy, converges in a small number of iterations, accommodates inhomogeneous cloud optical parameters, and naturally incorporates a wide variety of boundary conditions. In particular, periodic boundary conditions facilitate the computation of cloud field radiance patterns involving a repeated array of cells containing one or more clouds. The use of the δ-function approximation significantly reduces the computer memory requirements and associated run times for scattering phase functions which are moderately to highly peaked. Results are obtained and compared with the Discrete Ordinate 1-D homogeneous slab.
The Boston University software engineering graduate program: continuing education through interactive television

Experience menee a l'Universite de Boston concernant l'enseignement video, en differe du genie logiciel
The effect of 1% tropicamide-induced mydriasis and cycloplegia on spherical refraction of the adult horse.

Objectives To determine the effects of tropicamide 1% on the refractive state of the adult equine globe and identify the most appropriate time period (in relation to mydriasis) to perform streak retinoscopy. Animals studied Eight university-owned mares of various ages and breeds. Procedures Topical tropicamide 1% was applied to one randomly selected eye from each of the horses to induce mydriasis and cycloplegia. The contralateral eyes served as controls. Streak retinoscopy and pupillometry were performed prior to, and every 5 min after tropicamide 1% installation for 90 min. Results All values are expressed as mean ± SD. Both horizontal (2.8 ± 0.74 mm) and vertical (7.3 ± 1.29 mm) mean pupil diameters increased significantly (P < 0.04) in the treatment eyes compared with the control eyes (horizontal [0.48 ± 0.85 mm] and vertical [1.06 ± 1.31 mm] pupil diameter). No significant differences in the refractive states of the treatment (horizontal: +0.25 ± 0.43 D and vertical: +0.41 ± 0.37 D) or control (horizontal: +0.34 ± 0.39 D and vertical: +0.41 ± 0.37 D) eyes were identified at any time point. Three of the eight treatment eyes demonstrated blurry or reversing streak reflexes during streak retinoscopy evaluation following the application of topical tropicamide 1%. Conclusions While these reflexes did not significantly influence streak retinoscopy results, their presence may subjectively influence a novice retinoscopist's ability to obtain accurate results. Therefore, optimal streak retinoscopy results may be obtained prior to, or 40- to 45-min following the application of topical tropicamide 1%, once near-maximal dilation has been achieved.
GENERALIZED STREAM INSTABILITIES IN COLD PLASMAS

The classical double-stream theory for electrostatic instabilities in a cold plasma is generalized by a more complete treatment of the electrodynamics, whereby an analysis of electromagnetic instabilities is now afforded. Thus, consideration of wave propagation at arbitrary angles to the stream or drift motion leads to a rather involved sixth-degree algebraic dispersion formula which reflects the possible occurrence of coupled growing longitudinal and transverse waves. It is further evidenced that electromagnetic instabilities may arise even in a single-carrier system such as an electron beam. Like the special alignment where the stream and wave vectors are parallel (U\ensuremath{\parallel}k), the orthogonal case (U \ensuremath{\perp} k) fails to allow growing transverse waves for the single-carrier stream. However, this latter configuration does admit electromagnetic instabilities for the double-stream plasma; likely unstable regimes are indicated. A more plausible basis for interpreting radiowave emission from plasmas emerges, and solar noise, for example, may be viewed as a direct consequence of such electromagnetic-wave instabilities.
Rhetoric and reality in the process of scientific inquiry

(1995). Rhetoric and reality in the process of scientific inquiry. Rhetoric Review: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 106-125.
Molecular dynamics simulation of a model for (one-dimensional) structural phase transitions

Abstract Molecular dynamics computer simulations have been carried out for a structurally unstable 1-D lattice, having a double well local potential and nearest neighbor coupling. The results show pronounced domain structure at low temperature — a feature not to be found in mean field or anharmonic phonon perturbation theories. Quantitative comparison is made with the analysis of Krumhansl and Schrieffer, which predicts this behavior.
A new synthesis of thiazolo[3,2‐a] pyrimidinones

5H-Thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-5-ones (V) have been prepared by S-alkylation of 6-methyl-2-thiouracil (Ib) with bromoacetone or bromoacetophenone followed by cyclization in sulfuric acid. By the same series of reactions, 2-thiouracil (Ia) gave rise to 7H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyrimidin-7-ones (VI). The properties and structures of the intermediates and products are discussed.
Real-time collision avoidance for redundant manipulators

This paper presents a simple and robust approach to achieving collision avoidance for kinematically redundant manipulators at the control-loop level. The proposed scheme represents the obstacle avoidance requirement as inequality constraints in the manipulator workspace, and ensures that these inequalities are satisfied while the end-effector tracks the desired trajectory. The control scheme is the damped-least-squares formulation of the configuration control approach implemented as a kinematic controller. Computer simulation and experimental results are given for a Robotics Research 7 DOF redundant arm and demonstrate the collision avoidance capability for reaching inside a truss structure. These results confirm that the proposed approach provides a simple and effective method for real-time collision avoidance. >
Why “belief” is hard work: Implications of Tanya Luhrmann’s When God talks back

Comment on Luhrmann, Tanya. 2012. When God talks back: Understanding the American Evangelical relationship with God. New York: Alfred E. Knopf.
Honoring Emily Dickinson (1830–1886): A Centennial Review of the Literature

When the first edition of Poems by Emily Dickinson was published in 1890, Samuel G. Ward, a writer for the Dial, commented, “I am with all the world intensely interested in Emily Dickinson. She may become world famous or she may never get out of New England” (Sewall 1974, 26). A century after Emily Dickinson's death, all the world is intensely interested in the full nature of her poetic genius and her commanding presence in American literature. Indeed, if fame belonged to her she could not escape it (JL 265). She was concerned about becoming “great.” Fame intrigued her, but it did not consume her. She preferred “To earn it by disdaining it—”(JP 1427). Critics say that she sensed her genius but could never have envisioned the extent to which others would recognize it. She wrote, “Fame is a bee./It has a song—/It has a sting—/Ah, too, it has a wing” (JP 1763). On 7 May 1984 the names of Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman were inscribed on stone tablets and set into the floor of the newly founded United States Poets' Corner of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, “the first poets elected to this pantheon of American writers” (New York Times 1985). Celebrations in her honor draw a distinguished assemblage of international scholars, renowned authors and poets, biographers, critics, literary historians, and admirers‐at‐large. In May 1986 devoted followers came from places as distant as Germany, Poland, Scandinavia, and Japan to Washington, DC, to participate in the Folger Shakespeare Library's conference, “Emily Dickinson, Letter to the World.”
Severe acute asthma exacerbation in children: a stepwise approach for escalating therapy in a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVES An increasing prevalence of pediatric asthma has led to increasing burdens of critical illness in children with severe acute asthma exacerbations, often leading to respiratory distress, progressive hypoxia, and respiratory failure. We review the definitions, epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of severe acute asthma, with a view to developing an evidence-based, stepwise approach for escalating therapy in these patients. METHODS Subject headings related to asthma, status asthmaticus, critical asthma, and drug therapy were used in a MEDLINE search (1980–2012), supplemented by a manual search of personal files, references cited in the reviewed articles, and treatment algorithms developed within Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. RESULTS Patients with asthma require continuous monitoring of their cardiorespiratory status via noninvasive or invasive devices, with serial clinical examinations, objective scoring of asthma severity (using an objective pediatric asthma score), and ap...
Effect of item length and number of different elements on immediate memory

Six Ss were tested for immediate memory on number and symbol items under conditions representing all possible combinations of 2 through 9 item lengths and 2 through 9 different elements. The items (symbol or number) were presented sequentially on a memory drum (the symbols for 3 sec. and the numbers for 1.5 sec.) and S recorded what he remembered immediately after the item disappeared from view. The results indicated that short-term retention decreases as the item length increases or as the number of different elements in the item increases.
Applying data structures in exams

It is important for students to be able to select and apply the appropriate data structure for the problem to be solved. Testing this knowledge on exams can be difficult, however. We examined 59 data structures final exams and found only 36 that contained questions involving the application of data structures. To promote assessment of this knowledge in the data structures course, we present a framework for classifying apply exam questions, with illustrations from the exams collected. We then show how a number of questions can be developed by varying a single rich apply question along the dimensions of this framework
The Basic Dynamic Energy Budget Model and Some Implications

Dynamic energy budget models are the most ambitious of resource allocation models in biology, with many practitioners claiming that they apply to all organisms with only a few changes in parameters. Because of this generality, they make very broad predictions about how organisms function. There is extensive literature on the topic, but some of the broad implications nevertheless remain largely unexplored. In this paper, we present a careful derivation of the basic version of the model from elementary biological assumptions, and we identify some of the important implications of the model for growth, starvation, maturation, and reproduction.
The Effects of Legislative Term Limits on State Fiscal Conditions

Advocates of term limits argued that term limits would help reduce out-of-control government spending by removing veteran legislators who became acclimated to the prospending environment in our nat...
An investigation of the dynamics of population growth and control in scyphistomae of the scyphozoanAurelia aurita

Experiments were conducted to determine the effects of various factors on growth by budding ofAurelia aurita scyphistomae populations. Population growth appears to fit a sigmoid model and is reduced in high-density cultures, apparently by some soluble inhibitor of budding produced by the presence of polyps. Low temperature and starvation further inhibit the growth of polyp populations.
Model for growth of bubbles during proofing of viscoelastic dough

A model for growth of bubbles during proofing of bread dough is presented for infinitely dilute as well as finite volume fraction gas dispersions. The model accounts for diffusion of CO2, produced by fermentation, along with the resistance to bubble expansion by the viscoelasticity of the dough as described by Oldroyd-B constitutive equation. The model predicts evolution of bubble size, bubble growth rate and the profiles of CO2 concentration and normal stresses in the vicinity of the gas bubble. The growth of bubbles exhibits a lag time followed by an exponential growth phase. The lag time is found to be smaller for larger dough relaxation time, larger surface tension, smaller dough viscosity, higher temperature, higher gas volume fraction and higher CO2 production rate. The bubble growth rate is larger for smaller bubbles resulting in crossover of bubble size at longer times.
Extrasolar planets: Cloudy with a chance of dustballs

The flat and featureless transmission spectra of two intermediate-sized extrasolar planets, observed during the planets' passage across their host stars, shed light on the properties of their atmospheres. See Letters p.66 & p.69 Two papers in this issue of Nature report Hubble Space Telescope observations of two separate sub-Jupiter-sized extrasolar planets. Heather Knutson et al. observed four transits of the Neptune-mass planet GJ 436b and Laura Kreidberg et al. observed 15 transits of the smaller 'super-Earth' GJ 1214b. The transmission spectra of starlight passing through the atmospheres of these planets should give a good indication of the nature of their respective atmospheres, and for both planets the spectra obtained from Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 are virtually featureless. Knutson et al. argue that their data are consistent with either a high cloud deck at pressures of 0.1–10 mbar or a hydrogen-poor atmosphere on GJ 436b. Kreidberg et al. conclude that their near-infrared spectra are consistent with the presence of high-altitude clouds that obscure the lower layers of GJ 1214b.
Deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis

Although clinicians are generally advised to use prophylactic therapy to reduce the risk for developing deep venous thrombosis in patients after repair of ruptured aneurysms, limited data are available to guide specific therapeutic decisions. An electronic literature search was conducted to identify English-language articles that addressed prophylactic treatment for deep venous thrombosis after subarachnoid hemorrhage published between 1980 and March 2011. A total of 12 articles were included in this review, including seven original research studies and one meta-analysis. The incidence of deep venous thrombosis varied among studies, with the highest incidence reported with prospective ultrasound screening. Poor-grade patients are at highest risk. Mechanical prophylactic methods appear to be modestly effective as monotherapy, without significant risk for the typical patient with subarachnoid hemorrhage. Unfractionated heparin is moderately effective but carries a small risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Low molecular weight heparin has been linked to an increased risk for intracranial hemorrhage. Limited data are available to direct the timing and duration of prophylactic therapies.
Understanding Patenting Decisions: A Classroom Exercise

Although many students have some knowledge of patents, it can be difficult for them to understand the components of an innovator's decision-making process. Key issues, such as whether to patent or to use trade secrecy, how broad a scope to claim, and what to do in the event of patent infringement, can be difficult to grasp from a standard lecture. The authors present a classroom exercise in which students assume the role of an innovator and their decisions at each stage have direct consequences on the profits they earn. Realistic probabilities are used to determine whether patents are infringed or court cases are won. The exercise is additionally useful in providing lessons on behavior under risk and uncertainty and the profit-maximizing goal of firms.
Optically stabilized mercury short-arc lamp as UV light source for microscopy

Susanne Heynen, David A. Gough and Jeffrey H. PriceInstitute for Biomedical Engineering, Department of Bioengineering,Univ. ofCalifornia San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0412ABSTRACTFor certain applications in microscopy, mercury vapor short arc lamps are utilized as UV-light sources because oftheir high intensity and their broad spectrum. Unfortunately, they are also very unstable. Especially for single wavelengthfluorescence image cytometry, there is a need for a stable, high intensity light source. Substantially improved stability wasachieved using optical feedback and fiberoptic scrambling. The system uses a photodiode to monitor the light intensity, andfeeds the readout back to a controller. The controller compares this readout to a preset reference voltage and adjusts the lampsupply current accordingly. The optical fiber scrambles the light to correct the effects of arc wander. Preliminary results ofperformance tests of this system show a coefficient of variation (CV) of less than 0. 1 % over 20 hours at a sample frequency of30 Hz. This CV is a factor of 30 better than a conventional current stabilized mercury vapor short arc lamp. Scrambled opticalfeedback is a necessary addition for systems with mercury short arc lamps, especially for image fluorometry applications.
Changes in the Activity of the Madden–Julian Oscillation during 1958–2004

Abstract The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is the most prominent mode of tropical intraseasonal variability. This study investigates the following questions. Is there statistical evidence of linear trends in MJO activity since the mid-1970s? Does the MJO exhibit changes in regimes of high and low activity? Are there significant seasonal differences in the activity of the MJO on time scales longer than interannual? Positive linear trends are observed in zonal wind anomalies at 200 (U200) and 850 (U850) hPa during summer and winter seasons. Positive trends are also observed in the number of summer MJO events. Resampling statistical tests indicate that positive trends in summer U200 and U850 anomalies are statistically different from random occurrences at a 5% significance level. A methodology based on the number of events is used to characterize low-frequency (LF) changes in MJO activity. Mean winter LF activity was characterized by nearly uniform variability from the early 1960s until the mid-1990s. In c...
Fisher information, stochastic complexity, and universal modeling

The main objective in universal modeling is to construct a process for a class of model processes which for long strings, generated by any of the models in the class, behaves like the data generating one. Hence, such a universal process may be taken as a representation of the entire model class to be used for statistical inference. If f(x/sup n/) denotes the probability or density it assigns to the data string x/sup n/=x/sub 1/,..,x/sub n/, then the negative logarithm - log f(x/sup n/), which may be viewed as the shortest ideal code length for the data obtainable with the model class, is called the stochastic complexity of the string, relative to the considered model class. Unlike in related universal modeling, where the mean code length is sufficient, we also need an explicit asymptotic formula for the stochastic complexity. This is because it permits a comparison of different model classes by their stochastic complexity in accordance with the MDL (minimum description length) principle.
Conserved motifs in both CPSF73 and CPSF100 are required to assemble the active endonuclease for histone mRNA 3'-end maturation.

In eukaryotes, the process of messenger RNA 3′-end formation involves endonucleolytic cleavage of the transcript followed by synthesis of the poly(A) tail. The complex machinery involved in this maturation process contains two proteins of the metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) superfamily, the 73 and 100 kDa subunits of the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF). By using an in vitro system to assess point mutations in these two mammalian proteins, we found that conserved residues from the MBL motifs of both polypeptides are required for assembly of the endonuclease activity that cleaves histone pre-mRNAs. This indicates that CPSF73 and CPSF100 act together in the process of maturation of eukaryotic pre-messenger RNAs, similar to other members of the MBL family, RNases Z and J, which function as homodimers.
Accreditation in Kinesiology: The Process, Criticism and Controversy, and the Future

The question of accreditation has been quite controversial in higher education. Some consider accreditation as a necessary “evil” while others reject it outright. It is a process designed to promote quality assurance and improvement in institutions and programs, yet one mired in various issues. While accreditation is controversial in a number of respects, the major focus of accrediting bodies should be the review of applied professional programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels that are grounded in professional standards and licensure. Basic science programs such as movement, exercise, and sport science should be excluded from accreditation review and subject only to external review by experts within the field of kinesiology. Furthermore, amongst other factors, the association of kinesiology programs with agencies that promote the accreditation of programs that lack professional standards, certifi cation, or licensure should be rejected. Accreditation is here to stay, but how well it serves the a...
The physics of cosmic-ray modulation

The theory of the modulation of galactic cosmic rays by the solar wind is reviewed. The basic transport equation is presented, interpreted and then applied to cosmic-ray transport in a model heliosphere immersed in a constant uniform bath of galactic cosmic rays. The results of numerical modeling are presented and the dominant physical effects analyzed. A variety of observational tests of the model which were reported over the last several years are summarized and shown, generally, to support a model in which particle drifts play an important role. Recent measurements which show that the latitudinal gradient of cosmic rays changed sign in the recent sunspot minimum (relative the last sunspot minimum) are shown to provide additional, strong, support for the model. A new picture of the interplanetary magnetic field is presented, which gives promise of improving considerably the agreement between the theory and observations in the few remaining problem areas.
The Utility of Multiple-Choice Test Formats With Mildly Retarded Adolescents

The major concern of this study was to determine if mildly mentally retarded secondary school students could respond to a verbally presented multiple-choice test of social and personal knowledge. T...
Brief overview of selected approaches in targeting pancreatic adenocarcinoma

Introduction: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the worst prognosis of any major malignancy, with 5-year survival painfully inadequate at under 5%. Investigators have struggled to target and exploit PDAC unique biology, failing to bring meaningful results from bench to bedside. Nonetheless, in recent years, several promising targets have emerged. Areas covered: This review will discuss novel drug approaches in development for use in PDAC. The authors examine the continued efforts to target Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRas), which have recently been successfully abated using novel small interfering RNA (siRNA) eluting devices. The authors also discuss other targets relevant to PDAC including those downstream of mutated KRas, such as MAPK kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Expert opinion: Although studies into novel biomarkers and advanced imaging have highlighted the potential new avenues toward discovering localized tumors earlier, the current therapeutic options highlight the fa...
Control Structures in Religious Organizations Accounting for Organizational Patterns and Individual Perceptions

Based on data from 80 Catholic dioceses, the distribution of control in these organizations is primarily affected by the bishop's progressivism and to a lesser extent by the local religious composition. The size of the diocese and characteristics of its clergy had no effect on the control structure. Based on the responses of almost 3000 Catholic priests, individual differences m the perception of a diocese's control structure are only slightly affected by the priest's rank, theological modernity, professionalism, seniority, or discontent. Organization's control structure as measured by the aggregate report of the organization's members is the best predictor of the individual's perception.
Petrology and tectonics of Phanerozoic continent formation: From island arcs to accretion and continental arc magmatism

Abstract Mesozoic continental arcs in the North American Cordillera were examined here to establish a baseline model for Phanerozoic continent formation. We combine new trace-element data on lower crustal xenoliths from the Mesozoic Sierra Nevada Batholith with an extensive grid-based geochemical map of the Peninsular Ranges Batholith, the southern equivalent of the Sierras. Collectively, these observations give a three-dimensional view of the crust, which permits the petrogenesis and tectonics of Phanerozoic crust formation to be linked in space and time. Subduction of the Farallon plate beneath North America during the Triassic to early Cretaceous was characterized by trench retreat and slab rollback because old and cold oceanic lithosphere was being subducted. This generated an extensional subduction zone, which created fringing island arcs just off the Paleozoic continental margin. However, as the age of the Farallon plate at the time of subduction decreased, the extensional environment waned, allowing the fringing island arc to accrete onto the continental margin. With continued subduction, a continental arc was born and a progressively more compressional environment developed as the age of subducting slab continued to young. Refinement into a felsic crust occurred after accretion, that is, during the continental arc stage, wherein a thickened crustal and lithospheric column permitted a longer differentiation column. New basaltic arc magmas underplate and intrude the accreted terrane, suture, and former continental margin. Interaction of these basaltic magmas with pre-existing crust and lithospheric mantle created garnet pyroxenitic mafic cumulates by fractional crystallization at depth as well as gabbroic and garnet pyroxenitic restites at shallower levels by melting of pre-existing lower crust. The complementary felsic plutons formed by these deep-seated differentiation processes rose into the upper crust, stitching together the accreted terrane, suture and former continental margin. The mafic cumulates and restites, owing to their high densities, eventually foundered into the mantle, leaving behind a more felsic crust. Our grid-based sampling allows us to estimate an unbiased average upper crustal composition for the Peninsular Ranges Batholith. Major and trace-element compositions are very similar to global continental crust averaged over space and time, but in detail, the Peninsular Ranges are slightly lower in compatible to mildly incompatible elements, MgO, Mg#, V, Sc, Co, and Cr. The compositional similarities suggest a strong arc component in global continental crust, but the slight discrepancies suggest that additional crust formation processes are also important in continent formation as a whole. Finally, the delaminated Sierran garnet pyroxenites have some of the lowest U/Pb ratios ever measured for silicate rocks. Such material, if recycled and stored in the deep mantle, would generate a reservoir with very unradiogenic Pb, providing one solution to the global Pb isotope paradox.
Some Uses of Differential Scanning Calorimetry in Biomembrane Research

The application of Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) to biological problems is relatively recent. DSC is proving to be a powerful approach not only for investigating structural problems, but for studies on physiological processes as well. DSC has had its most notable biological successes in studies of lipid containing systems (1,2). The intent of this chapter is to briefly describe some calorimetric approaches our laboratory has used to obtain information on these systems.
Hurricane simulation for Florida utility damage assessment

The 2004-2005 hurricane season caused severe infrastructure damage and economical loss to power systems. A good estimate of hurricane frequency, intensity, and duration is of great importance to emergency planners of utilities in vulnerable coastal areas. However, considerable uncertainty in hurricane characteristics makes the modeling a complicated task. This paper presents a probabilistic model that can simulate a hurricane year for Florida. This model determines the number of hurricanes landed in Florida in a year; and each simulated hurricane is probabilistically assigned landfall information such as location, approach angle, translation velocity, maximum wind speed, and radius to maximum wind. As the hurricane moves across Florida, its inland features including wind speed decay rate, central pressure filling rate, wind field profile, and duration are further simulated. Through Monte Carlo simulation, this hurricane model is able to generate a large number of random hurricane years so as to estimate the long-term risk levels arising from hurricanes and assist associated planning.
Proposed Lease Accounting Changes Implications for the Restaurant and Retail Industries

Regulators have proposed changes to the existing lease accounting rules that will require the capitalization of all operating leases as assets and liabilities. This study investigated the impact of operating lease capitalization on the financial statements and 11 financial ratios in restaurant and retail firms from 2006 to 2008. Significant absolute and relative differences were found across and within the two industries. All 11 financial ratios related to interest coverage, leverage, and profitability will change significantly and dramatically for both industry sectors. The findings indicate that retail firms will be affected to a greater extent than restaurant firms. Within the restaurant industry, small restaurant firms will face significantly higher debt-related ratios than medium or large restaurant firms. Reconciling previous research, this study found firm size to be an important factor in explaining operating lease usage with small firms likely to use more operating leases than large firms. Restau...
Fuzzy modeling using generalized neural networks and Kalman filter algorithm

We propose a new approach to build a, fuzzy inference system of which the parameters can be updated to achieve a desired input-output mapping. The structure of the proposed fuzzy inference system is called generalized neural networks, and its learning procedure (rules to update parameters) is basically composed of a gradient descent algorithm and Kalman filter algorithm. Specifically, we first introduce the concept of generalized neural networks (GNN's) and develop a gradient-descent-based supervised learning procedure to update the GNN's parameters. Secondly, we observe that if the overall output of a GNN is a linear combination of some of its parameters, then these parameters can be identified by one-time application of Kalman filter algorithm to minimize the squared error, According to the simulation results, it is concluded that the proposedl new fuzzy inference system can not only incorporate prior knowledge about the original system but also fine-tune the membership functions of the fuzzy rules as the training data set varies.
A commentary on theory of mind.

“You don’t know what I’m thinking,” my 3-year-old granddaughter called to me from her car seat. Her out of-the-blue, metacognitive comment confirmed that, despite inconsistent performance on false belief tasks, young children reveal sophisticated mindreading abilities in their spontaneous talk (Shatz, 1994). At the least, she was concerned with knowledge in another’s mind. But her statement suggested more: With no prior conversational context, and serving no communicative or behavioral purpose, it seemed to be in the tradition of philosophy of mind. What kind of theory of mind (TOM) lay behind it?
The use of reactive loading for dual-band circularly polarized characteristics in microstrip antennas

A diagonal-fed rectangular microstrip antenna is reactively loaded to produce a dual-band circularly polarized radiator. The impedance locus demonstrates the dual-band behavior of the radiator. The impedances at the two bands are less than the impedance of the unloaded structure. The axial ratio at broadside for each of the bands is about the same as the variation that resulted from the unloaded radiator (about 2 dB). There is an apparent asymmetry in a radiation pattern. This undesirable effect could be due to the method used to load the radiator, in which case it would be reduced somewhat if true monolithic loads were used. >
Privacy Prediction of Images Shared on Social Media Sites Using Deep Features

Online image sharing in social media sites such as Facebook, Flickr, and Instagram can lead to unwanted disclosure and privacy violations, when privacy settings are used inappropriately. With the exponential increase in the number of images that are shared online every day, the development of effective and efficient prediction methods for image privacy settings are highly needed. The performance of models critically depends on the choice of the feature representation. In this paper, we present an approach to image privacy prediction that uses deep features and deep image tags as feature representations. Specifically, we explore deep features at various neural network layers and use the top layer (probability) as an auto-annotation mechanism. The results of our experiments show that models trained on the proposed deep features and deep image tags substantially outperform baselines such as those based on SIFT and GIST as well as those that use "bag of tags" as features.
Aspectual choice with υerba dicendi in Herodotus' Histories

I discuss the factors that motivate the choice for the aorist versus imperfect tense with υerba dicendi in Ancient Greek. I argue that the textual dimension plays a particularly important role, and that two subdimensions must be taken into account: (a) whether the author wishes to draw explicit attention to what is said ; (b) whether a reaction can be expected by the speaker (and by extension the reader) . I frame my observations within a larger theory of aspect in Ancient Greek, which takes into account —next to the textual dimension— two other major dimensions, called the «ideational» and the «interpersonal» dimension. The analysis concentrates on the eighth book of Herodotus’ Histories .
Locomotion Energetics of the Ghost Crab: I. Metabolic Cost and Endurance

Arthropods possess spectacular diversity in locomotor design. Yet it is not clear what unique constraints, if any, variation in design imposes on mechanics, metabolic energy cost or endurance during terrestrial locomotion. In the present study metabolic energy cost and endurance on a treadmill are measured for an arthropod, the eight-legged sideways travelling ghost crab, Ocypode quadrata (Fabricius). In a second paper the mechanics of locomotion are determined during walking and running over a force plate. Severe limitations in O 2 uptake during exercise are not inherent in the design of a crab9s O 2 transport system, which consists of gills and an open circulatory system. The ghost crab9s capacity to elevate oxygen consumption (V O O2 ) rapidly is correlated with a lesser dependence on anaerobic sources than observed in other crab species. Accelerated glycolysis contributed at the onset of submaximal exercise, before O 2 uptake adjustments were completed, but played only a minor role during steady-state exercise. O. quadrata elevated V O O2 6–4- to 8-fold above resting rates. The ghost crab9s maximal oxygen consumption (V O O2 max ) was not different from that of an ectothermic vertebrate of the same body mass and temperature, such as a lizard, that uses lungs and a closed circulatory system. The minimum metabolic energy necessary to move 1 g of crab 1 km (C min ) decreased as a function of body mass and age. C min was comparable to that predicted for vertebrates of a similar body mass and, therefore, appears to be relatively independent of locomotor design. This is consistent with the hypothesis that a similarity in the energetic properties of muscle and elastic structures may result in similar metabolic costs of locomotion. Endurance capacity did not increase with body mass, as predicted from interspecific comparisons of mammals and lizards. Instead, endurance capacity correlated with the speed at which oxygen consumption was maximal. Mean endurance capacity for ghost crabs was similar to that found for lizards, but was far less than the values predicted for mammals. Ghost crabs could only sustain a slow walk. Running at speeds 20 times faster is possible for short periods, but not without the aid of anaerobic metabolism.
From Blank Slate to Flight Ready New Small Research UAVs in Twenty Weeks - Undergraduate Airplane Design at the University of Washington

The capstone airplane design course at the University of Washington, two academic quarters long, has evolved in recent years to cover the airplane design experience from market and needs studies through conceptual design, preliminary design, and detail design, and up to the construction, ground testing, and flight testing of complex research-type small UAVs. Significant engineering resources are devoted to this effort including substantial CAD, CFD-based aerodynamics, NASTRAN-based structural analysis, as well as performance, and stability and control simulations. Wind tunnel tests of commercial quality models at the University of Washington’s Kirsten wind tunnel are carried out, plus structural static and modal tests, airframe / propulsion system integration tests, together with systems and system integration testing. An emphasis is placed on test / simulation correlation assessment and the development in students of the appreciation of alternative numerical / analytic modeling methods, their strengths and limitations, advantages and disadvantages. The course emphasizes team work, communication skills, leadership, initiative, and innovation. It runs with tight budget and schedule constraints which the students must meet. Each year a new design challenge is pursued leading to new and unique research UAVs. The program leverages the University’s own wind tunnel labs, local flight test locations, and the availability of experienced mentors. Significant support from the Boeing Company and from Aeronautical Testing Service, Inc. (Arlington, Washington), allows the students access to, and interaction with, world class experts in the various areas airplane design has to cover.
“The Superhero in Our Hearts Is Chairman Mao”: The Structurating of Chinese Sojourners' Conceptualizations of (Super)Hero Identities

ABSTRACTForces of globalization pose challenges and opportunities for understanding the impact of global media, especially discourses of superheroes at the intersection of the global and the local. Using the lens of Structuration Theory, the authors examine how Chinese sojourners make sense of media constructions of superheroes. A focus group interview method and thematic analysis of the interview texts were conducted. Findings in this study revealed both culturally universal constructions of prototypical superheroes and culturally specific, localized Chinese (super)heroes. Besides confirming the dominance of Western-centric superhero structures as gendered male and raced White, the results also suggest an emerging hybrid (super)hero archetype that is both real and imagined and embodies both Eastern and Western cultural values and orientations.
Resolvin D3 and Aspirin-Triggered Resolvin D3 Are Protective for Injured Epithelia.

Acute lung injury is a life-threatening condition caused by disruption of the alveolar-capillary barrier leading to edema, influx of inflammatory leukocytes, and impaired gas exchange. Specialized proresolving mediators biosynthesized from essential fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid, have tissue protective effects in acute inflammation. Herein, we found that the docosahexaenoic acid–derived mediator resolvin D3 (RvD3): 4 S ,11 R ,17 S -trihydroxydocosa-5 Z ,7 E ,9 E ,13 Z ,15 E ,19 Z -hexaenoic acid was present in uninjured lungs, and increased significantly 24 to 72 hours after hydrochloric acid–initiated injury. Because of its delayed enzymatic degradation, we used aspirin-triggered (AT)-RvD3: 4 S ,11 R ,17 R -trihydroxydocosa-5 Z ,7 E ,9 E ,13 Z ,15 E ,19 Z -hexaenoic acid, a 17 R -epimer of RvD3, for in vivo experiments. Histopathological correlates of acid injury (alveolar wall thickening, edema, and leukocyte infiltration) were reduced in mice receiving AT-RvD3 1 hour after injury. AT-RvD3–treated mice had significantly reduced edema, as demonstrated by lower wet/dry weight ratios, increased epithelial sodium channel γ expression, and more lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1-positive vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3-positive lymphatic vessels. Evidence for counterregulation of NF-κB by RvD3 and AT-RvD3 was seen in vitro and by AT-RvD3 in vivo . Increases in lung epithelial cell proliferation and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid levels of keratinocyte growth factor were observed with AT-RvD3, which also promoted cutaneous re-epithelialization. Together, these data demonstrate protective actions of RvD3 and AT-RvD3 for injured mucosa that accelerated restoration of epithelial barrier and function.