cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production, nutrient dynamics and initial decomposition of floating leaves of Nymphaea alba L. and Nuphar lutea (L. ) SM. (Nymphaeaceae) in alkaline and acid waters.

Production, turnover and nutrient dynamics of floating leaves of Nymphaea alba L. and Nuphar lutea (L.) Sm. were studied in four aquatic systems in The Netherlands, differing strongly in water quality. Production was 108–447 g AFDW.m−2 for N. lutea and 319–348 g AFDW.m−2 for N. alba. Turnover ranged from 3.6 to 4.4 without much difference between the sites and the species. During senescence 60–70% of the N and P from the leaves was resorbed by both of the plant species. The nutrient flow from the floating leaves into the detritus food chain differed considerably between the species and sites studied, mainly because of the differences in production. The data suggest that production is strongly influenced by the environment, whereas turnover and nutrient resorption during senescence seem to be plant characteristics. There was little difference in dynamics of the chlorophyll-α concentration in the leaves of the two species, irrespective of the growing site. Floating leaves of both species lost about 70% of their area due to fragmentation in the alkaline waters, whereas in the acid water very little fragmentation was observed.
Rare and common variants: twenty arguments

Genome-wide association studies have greatly improved our understanding of the genetic basis of disease risk. The fact that they tend not to identify more than a fraction of the specific causal loci has led to divergence of opinion over whether most of the variance is hidden as numerous rare variants of large effect or as common variants of very small effect. Here I review 20 arguments for and against each of these models of the genetic basis of complex traits and conclude that both classes of effect can be readily reconciled.
Child and Adolescent Depression: Psychotherapeutic, Ethical, and Related Nonpharmacologic Considerations for General Psychiatrists and Others Who Prescribe

Depression is a common, recurring disorder affecting millions of youth at some point before they reach mature adulthood. Given the shortage of and uneven distribution of psychiatrists who have completed specialized fellowships in child and adolescent psychiatry, a significant number of depressed youth will receive their pharmacotherapy from general psychiatrists and other prescribers with varying degrees of interest, training, and even willingness to treat children and adolescents. For general psychiatrists who will prescribe antidepressants for minors, knowledge of the training and expertise of nonphysician mental health professionals, the psychotherapies they may employ, and familiarity with school services are essential. Physicians who typically work only with adults will also need familiarity with differing ethical, legal, and regulatory issues and standards applicable to pediatric psychopharmacology. General psychiatrists, pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, and others contribute greatly to the care of depressed children, adolescents, and their families, and many find this work to be a very rewarding part of their professional practices.
Mutation and identification of the F plasmid locus determining resistance to acridine orange curing.

Abstract A region in plasmid F responsible for resistance to acridine orange curing has been identified. Insertion of the transposable element for ampicillin resistance Tn 3 at the 45.8- or 46.35-kilobase coordinate in mini-F plasmids results in resistance to curing by acridine orange and also results in increased plasmid copy numbers. In contrast, copy number mutants of mini-F induced by chemical mutagenesis are sensitive to acridine-induced loss of plasmid. Hence, the Tn 3 -induced acridine orange resistance does not represent a suppression of sensitivity because of elevated plasmid copy numbers. General hypotheses to explain our results are presented.
The effect of externally applied oscillating electric fields on the l=1 and l=2 diocotron modes in non‐neutral plasmas

A high‐frequency oscillating electric field can change the properties of diocotron modes in non‐neutral plasmas. The effect depends crucially on the azimuthal mode number, m, of the applied field. For m=0,±1 there is no effect, and for applied standing waves there is also no effect. But if the applied field has the form of a traveling wave with ‖m‖≥2, the frequency of stable diocotron modes can be modified and for ‖m‖≥3, the l=2 instability of hollow density profiles can be stabilized. The analytic results are verified with a nonlinear fluid simulation of an infinitely long non‐neutral plasma.
Approximate techniques for the calculation of heats of explosion using thermochemical computer codes

Abstract Procedures are outlined for calculating the heats of explosion (HEX) of neat energetic materials or propellant/explosive formulations using thermochemical computer codes. The “exact” method and three approximate techniques are described; the approximate techniques either eliminate the need to sum the internal energies of the predicted products, or eliminate the need to specify a freeze-out temperature. The various techniques are illustrated for HMX and a nitrocellulose/nitroglycerine (NC/NG) mixture.
Focal adhesion kinase is involved in type III group B streptococcal invasion of human brain microvascular endothelial cells

Group B streptococcus (GBS), the leading cause of neonatal meningitis, has been shown to invade human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC), which constitute the blood-brain barrier. GBS invasion of HBMEC has been shown to require the host cell actin cytoskeleton rearrangements. The present study examined the mechanisms underlying actin cytoskeleton rearrangements that are involved in type III GBS invasion of HBMEC. We showed that type III GBS invasion was inhibited by genistein, a general tyrosine kinase inhibitor (mean 54% invasion decrease at 100 microM), and LY294002, a phosphatidylinositol 3 (PI3) kinase inhibitor (mean 70% invasion decrease at 50 microM), but not by PP2, an inhibitor of the Src family tyrosine kinases. We subsequently showed that the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) was the one of the host proteins tyrosine phosphorylated by type III GBS. Over-expression of a dominant negative form of the FAK C-terminal domain significantly decreased type III GBS invasion of HBMEC (mean 51% invasion decrease). In addition, we showed that FAK phosphorylation correlated with its association of paxillin, an adapter protein of actin filament, and PI3-kinase subunit p85. This is the first demonstration that FAK phosphorylation and its association with paxillin and PI3 kinase play a key role in type III GBS invasion of HBMEC.
Fractures of the clivus: a contemporary series in the computed tomography era.

OBJECTIVE: We report the morbidity and mortality associated with fractures of the clivus and discuss management approaches specific to this unique diagnostic entity. METHODS: We performed a boolean search of our electronic medical record database to identify patients with fractures of the clivus that were diagnosed using computed tomography of the head. A retrospective imaging and chart analysis was completed to further characterize the fractures and to analyze outcomes. RESULTS: Between January 1999 and December 2007, 41 patients were identified with fractures of the clivus. We found a 0.21 % overall incidence among all head-injured patients presenting to our institution and a 2.3% incidence among those patients with a cranial fracture. Ten of 41 patients (24.4%) died, and neurological and vascular complications associated with central cranial base fractures were observed in 19 of 41 patients (46%). Furthermore, associated cranial fractures remote from the central cranial base and associated intracranial hemorrhages were observed in 40 of 41 (97.6%) and 33 of 41 (80.5%) patients, respectively. In terms of outcomes, 26 of 41 patients (63.5%) had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 12 or greater at the time of discharge from the hospital. CONCLUSION: We demonstrate a lower than previously reported mortality rate in patients with clival fractures. Nevertheless, as a result of location, fractures of the clivus were frequently associated with a high rate of complications and neurological sequelae.
Immune gene therapy for kidney cancer: the search for a magic trigger

It is estimated that approximately 30,000 new cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) will be diagnosed in 20021. Approximately 20–30% of patients with RCC present with metastatic disease and their overall median survival is 6–8 months2. One of the most intriguing features of RCC is the dramatically favorable course of the disease in a small subset of patients3. Oliver et al. observed 73 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma without treatment4. In this series, 4% had complete and spontaneous regression of disease and 3% had partial regression of disease. Furthermore, 5% had stable disease with no evidence of progression for more than 12 months. There are also numerous cases of patients who recur with metastatic RCC over 10 years after undergoing a nephrectomy for apparently localized disease. It is presumed that microscopic foci of metastatic disease present at the time of nephrectomy had been held "in check" by the immune system.
Deformation of the erythrocyte cytoskeleton in tank treading motions

By coupling a fluid–structure interaction algorithm with a three-level multiscale structural model, we simulate the tank treading responses of erythrocytes (red blood cells, or RBCs) in shear flows. The focus of this study is on the transient process involving the development of the local area deformation of the protein skeleton due to the slip between the lipid bilayer and the protein skeleton. The fluid motion is depicted within the Stokes-flow framework, and is mathematically formulated with the boundary integral equations. The structural model takes into account the flexible connectivity between the lipid bilayer and the protein skeleton as well as viscoelastic responses. Under the assumption that the natural biconcave configuration of the protein skeleton is its reference state (i.e. the state in which the skeleton has uniform pressure and zero shear stress), we reach the following conclusions: (1) during tank treading motions it takes long relaxation time for significant skeleton area deformations to establish; (2) depending on the initial orientation of the cell with respect to the incoming flow, two responding modes have been identified. One of them is characterized by oscillations in cell geometry (breathing) and orientation (swinging). The other is a steady membrane-circulating motion; (3) the oscillatory motions (breathing and swinging) are closely related to the inequality of the dimples and the rim associated with the shape memory effect. In the first response mode the regions corresponding to the dimples in the original state circulate around the cell, creating unsteadiness in the fluid–structure interaction problem and leading to oscillatory behaviors such as breathing and swinging motions.
Medical therapy for intracerebral hematoma with the gamma-aminobutyric acid-A agonist muscimol.

Background and Purpose No therapy has been rigorously proven effective for intracerebral hematoma, although surgery is frequently used for some types of lobar hemorrhages. Since intracerebral mass causes significant ischemia in surrounding brain, we reasoned that anti-ischemia therapy might improve outcome after experimental hematoma. Methods We stereotaxically injected varying doses of bacterial collagenase into the caudate nucleus of rats. Four hours later we administered intravenously 2 mg/kg muscimol, a potent agonist of the γ-aminobutyric acid-A receptor (n=20); 1 mg/kg MK-801, an antagonist of the N -methyl-d-aspartate receptor (n=17); or saline (n=28). Forty-eight hours after collagenase injection we rated each animal using a standard rodent neurological examination. The ratings were compared with the amounts of injected collagenase by the quantal bioassay procedure. Brains were then prepared for histomorphometry and brain volumes estimated. Results We found that the ED50 for collagenase (amount of enzyme that renders 50% of the subjects abnormal) was 0.77±0.09 U in saline-treated subjects. Treatment with muscimol significantly increased the ED50 to 1.2±0.21 U, for a potency ratio of 1.55±0.34 ( t =1.7, P <.05). MK-801 did not affect outcome. Volume of hematoma was significantly correlated with amount of injected collagenase (n=33, r =.64, P <.001). Volumes of basal ganglia and white matter were significantly reduced by hemorrhage, and muscimol partially ameliorated this. Conclusions We conclude that muscimol significantly improves neurological outcome after intracerebral hematoma.
The Three Common Behavioral Patterns of Inhalant/Solvent Abuse: Selected Findings and Research Issues

SUMMARY One of the necessary steps in understanding behavior is to adequately classify the existing patterns associated with that behavior. The literature contains evidence for at least three common subtypes of inhalant users: (a) young inhalant users, (b) adolescent polydrug users who frequently use inhalants and (c) adult users. Several national and regional data sources are examined for the presence of these types and the categorization is generally upheld.
Small‐angle x‐ray scattering study of ionomer deformation

The small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) pattern from a cesium salt of a 6.1 mole % ethylenemethacrylic acid (E-MAA) copolymer is shown to become azimuthally dependent on sample elongation. SAXS was measured using the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) spectrometer with pinhole collimation and a two-dimensional position-sensitive detector. The sample was quenched prior to deformation to avoid crystallization of the ethylene unit which would complicate the interpretation of scattering. The observed SAXS patterns are interpreted in terms of several proposed models for the structure of ionomers. A model in which ionic aggregates are arranged on a paracrystalline lattice is found to be largely in disagreement with the results for undeformed and deformed samples. Spherical and lamellar models incorporating local structure around a central ionic core are capable of predicting the observed SAXS for the undeformed sample. A model of ellipsoidal deformation of the spherical shell-core model fails to predict the correct azimuthal dependence of scattering. However, a deformation scheme involving rotation of the lamellar model is more satisfactory.
Comment on Maxwell and Delaney

Serlin (1991) praises the Maxwell and Delaney (1990) text Designing Experiments and Analyzing Data: A Model Comparison Perspective as an excellent reference work yet expresses the opinion that it is too advanced to be used as a first-year graduate textbook. I must disagree with this opinion. In his review, Serlin begins by highlighting one sentence from the preface of the book concerning the authors' presumption that the reader will have had high school algebra and an undergraduate statistics course. He then uses this criterion to evaluate the content of the book and its appropriateness as a textbook for novice graduate students. In explaining his concerns, Serlin lists several terms that apparently are not accompanied by an explicit definition the first time they appear in the book. He interprets this to mean that the authors must be supposing students will have prior knowledge of these topics and expresses doubt that they could have obtained the necessary background from a single undergraduate statistics course. Serlin does not mention, however, that some of these early references are simply informing readers of the location where these topics are later discussed. He also fails to mention that these later discussions, rather than presuming knowledge from prior coursework, begin by introducing the topics at a basic level. To cite one example, Serlin construes that prior study of within-subjects designs is a prerequisite for the book from one sentence that simply refers to a later treatment of the topic ("However, we will see in Chapter 13 that the Bonferroni approach may be preferable . . . in within-subjects designs . . .", p. 184). In fact, 237 pages of the text are devoted to introducing within-subjects designs and analyses. Clearly Serlin's reasoning falls short of providing a meaningful assessment of the material students must know in advance to understand this book. What is most disconcerting about Serlin's review, however, is the conclusion he draws from his content analysis that the difficulty level of the book may limit its usefulness as a standard graduate statistics textbook. My own experience as a first-year graduate student belies this assessment. I had the opportunity to use this text (in manuscript form) during the second semester of a three-semester grad-
Modulation of Retinoic Acid Receptor-related Orphan Receptor α and γ Activity by 7-Oxygenated Sterol Ligands

The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors α and γ (RORα (NR1F1) and RORγ (NR1F3)) are orphan nuclear receptors and perform critical roles in regulation of development, metabolism, and immune function. Cholesterol and cholesterol sulfate have been suggested to be RORα ligands, but the physiological significance is unclear. To date, no endogenous RORγ ligands have been described. Here, we demonstrate that 7-oxygenated sterols function as high affinity ligands for both RORα and RORγ by directly binding to their ligand-binding domains (Ki ∼20 nm), modulating coactivator binding, and suppressing the transcriptional activity of the receptors. One of the 7-oxygenated sterols, 7α-hydroxycholesterol (7α-OHC), serves as a key intermediate in bile acid metabolism, and we show that 7α-OHC modulates the expression of ROR target genes, including Glc-6-Pase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, in an ROR-dependent manner. Furthermore, glucose output from hepatocytes is suppressed by 7α-OHC functioning as an RORα/γ ligand. Thus, RORα and RORγ are ligand-regulated members of the NR superfamily and may serve as sensors for 7-oxygenated sterols.
A Method for Determining the Activity of Burrowing Mammals

In connection with life history studies of burrowing rodents it has proven necessary to determine the extent of utilization of burrow systems in ground squirrel colonies. A simple, inexpensive technique was sought to measure which burrows or entrances to burrow systems were being utilized, as well as the time of utilization. The solution of …
Partial delignification of unbleached kraft pulp with ligninolytic fungi

Unbleached kraft pulp is partially delignified on incubation under specified conditions with ligninolytic fungi, thereby decreasing requirements for bleaching chemicals. Studies withPhanerochaete chrysosporium demonstrated important effects of nutrient nitrogen and molecular oxygen concentrations. Possible approaches to rate enhancement are suggested.
Kinetics of dissociation of hydrated cerium(III) sulfate, nitrate and oxalate in air

Abstract Simultaneous thermal analysis curves and X-ray examination were used to determine the intermediate steps for the dissociation of hydrated cerium(III) sulfate and to confirm those for the dissociation of hydrated cerium(III) nitrate and oxalate. Thermogravimetric methods were applied for these steps to determine the operating mechanisms and kinetic parameters. These methods were assessed in view of the present results. Techniques to treat similar results were recommended to overcome the difficulties encountered during this study, such as the variation of activation energies and pre-exponential factors with temperature for the same mechanism as well as the change of the mechanism with temperature. Methods for differentiation between the deduced mechanisms to conclude the operating mechanism are discussed. Techniques to deal with mechanisms having low activation energies or existing over wide temperature ranges are still needed.
Child Welfare and Animal Cruelty: A Survey of Child Welfare Workers

SUMMARY Twenty-two percent of the child welfare workers surveyed indicated they have been assigned child maltreatment cases where there is a subsequent disclosure of animal cruelty. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to understand how the issue of animal cruelty is addressed within the child welfare system. At present there is no standard protocol for inquiring about and addressing the issue of animal cruelty. Some workers have expanded their assessment protocol to include questions about experiences with animal cruelty. Perpetrators include boys, girls, relatives, and caregivers. Challenges for the child welfare system on all system levels are addressed.
Rheological characterization of asphalt binders modified with soybean fatty acids

Abstract This investigation examines rheological properties of asphalts blended with soybean acidulated soapstock, a relatively low-cost and highly concentrated source of soybean fatty acids. Rheological tests indicate that as soybean acidulated soapstock is added, binders become softer, less stiff and their high temperature viscosities are reduced. The addition of 1% soybean acidulated soapstock reduces thermal stress accumulation. These findings suggest that soybean acidulated soapstock could be used as a fluxing agent (i.e., consistency reducer) for stiff, hard and viscous asphalt binders, increasing their workability and may improve low temperature performance of an asphalt binder by reducing thermal stress development.
Selective breeding for high and low levels of opiate-induced analgesia in mice

Beginning with a genetically heterogeneous outbred stock of mice (Binghamton HET), selective breeding was conducted within two selected lines for a high analgesic (antinociceptive) response and a low analgesic response, respectively, to a narcotic analgesic (levorphanol tartrate) using the hot-plate test. A nonselected control line was also maintained concurrently. Four generations of predominantly mass selection have produced a marked divergence between the two oppositely selected lines, yielding a realized heritability (h 2) of 0.32±0.05. The selection response was markedly asymmetrical, with a realizedh 2 in the high direction of 0.45±0.10 and in the low direction of 0.12±0.07. These animals represent potentially useful subject material for research concerning the mechanisms and correlates of opiate-induced analgesia.
SNMP counter for distributed monitoring of MPEG video quality

A method of counting and identifying MPEG frames in an IP packet stream for embodiment in an SNMP counter has been developed. This new SNMP counter allows for distributed monitoring of the quality of streaming video. The SNMP counter is evaluated using software emulation and it is shown that user perceivable video anomalies can be measured.
Characterization of primary reactants in bacterial photosynthesis. I. Comparison of the light-induced EPR signal (g=2.0026) with that of a bacteriochlorophyll radical.

Abstract We show in this work that the light-induced free radical in Rhodospirillum rubrum arises from a radical of bacteriochlorophyll. The identification is based on the comparison of the EPR characteristics ( g values and line widths) of the light-induced radical with those of a bacteriochlorophyll radical prepared in vitro . The g values are found to be identical ( g = 2.0026 ± 0.0001) within the experimental error. Comparison of the linewidth components of native and deuterated radicals at two microwave frequencies shows identity of several aspects of the electronic structure of the two radical species. The similarity of the line widths of the EPR signals in different bacterial species suggests that these conclusions can be generalized to the other photosynthetic bacteria.
Study of Differences in the Occurrence of Dental Caries in Caucasian and Negro Children

A difference in dental caries experience between Caucasian and Negro children was investigated in relation to differences in recoveries of specific "caries-inducing" and extracellular polysaccharide-producing streptococci from samples of dental plaque; acidogenic potential of dental plaque; and the ingestion of sweet foods either with or in between regular meals.
Special track on the Semantic Web and Applications: editorial message

The technical track "The Semantic Web and Applications (SWA)" focuses on the topics related to Semantic Web Technologies and their Applications. The Semantic Web is a next generation web. The current web content is not easy to be processed by machines. On the other hand, the web content in the Semantic Web can be processed easily by machines. The techniques to realize and/or utilize the Semantic Web are discussed in this track.
Modeling Individual-Level Infection Dynamics Using Social Network Information

Epidemic monitoring systems engaged in accurate discovery of infected individuals enable better understanding of the dynamics of epidemics and thus may promote effective disease mitigation or prevention. Currently, infection discovery systems require either physical participation of potential patients or provision of information from hospitals and health-care services. While social media has emerged as an increasingly important knowledge source that reflects multiple real world events, there is only a small literature examining how social media information can be incorporated into computational epidemic models. In this paper, we demonstrate how social media information can be incorporated into and improve upon traditional techniques used to model the dynamics of infectious diseases. Using flu infection histories and social network data collected from 264 students in a college community, we identify social network signals that can aid identification of infected individuals. Extending the traditional SIRS model, we introduce and illustrate the efficacy of an Online-Interaction-Aware Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Susceptible (OIA-SIRS) model based on four social network signals for modeling infection dynamics. Empirical evaluations of our case study, flu infection within a college community, reveal that the OIA-SIRS model is more accurate than the traditional model, and also closely tracks the real-world infection rates as reported by CDC ILINet and Google Flu Trend.
Iterates of Markov operators

Abstract In this paper we consider iterates of Markov operators of the form Φf(x)= ∑ j=0 m f( j m ϕj(x) where the ϑj's are linearly independent, nonnegative and sum to 1. We define the evaluation matrix of Φ to be Φ ∗ = [ϑ j ( i m )] and prove that the iterates of the operator converge in the operator norm if and only if the powers of the evaluation matrix converge. Utilizing results from the theory of Markov chains we obtain explicit expressions for the limiting operator when it exists. Finally, we apply these results to Bernstein operators and then to B-spline operators.
The temperature dependence of the emission of perchloroethylene from dry cleaned fabrics

A study was conducted to evaluate the emission of perchloroethylene (tetrachloroethylene) from freshly dry cleaned fabrics using small environmental test chambers. The temperature dependence of the release of perchloroethylene was evaluated over a temperature range of 20 to 45°C. A linear relation exists between the logarithm of perchloroethylene retention time (τ) and the reciprocal of the absolute temperature (1/ T ). The temperature dependence of the retention time can be expressed as τ = 2.36 × 10 −16 e 13,892/ T and 8.38 × 10 −9 e 8766/ T sec for 100% wool and 55% polyester/45% wool fabrics, respectively. These results indicate that “airing out” freshly dry cleaned fabrics at temperatures near 20°C for short time periods (e.g., 5 hr) will not appreciably reduce the total emissions of perchloroethylene.
Stray Light Control: An Integral Part Of Optical Design

Stray light rejection characteristics of an optical system need to be carefully evaluated early in the design stage. Efforts to reduce the impacts of stray light can completely alter the optical configuration. The ability to produce acceptable surfaces of a given size is influenced by the required scattering characteristics of the optical elements. Sunshade requirements and associated baffle design also may often determine packaging dimensions. The usefulness of reimaging systems to control diffraction and thermal radiation is discussed. A brief review of the major tools used to determine stray light rejection characteristics of an optical system is presented. Examples illustrate the need to consider stray light characteristics at the first design phase for optical systems. The increased cost in time and complexity to modify a design originally based only on optical imagery is also shown in examples.
Searching for super-WIMPs in leptonic heavy meson decays

Abstract We study constraints on the models of bosonic super-weakly interacting particle (super-WIMP) dark matter (DM) with DM masses m X ∼ O ( 1 – 100 ) keV from leptonic decays M → l ν ¯ l + X , where M = B ± , D ± , D s ± is a heavy meson state. We focus on two cases where X denotes either a light pseudoscalar (axion-like), or a light vector state that couples to the standard model (SM) through kinetic mixing. We note that for a small DM mass these decays are separately sensitive to DM couplings to quarks, but not its mass.
ACTH regulation of the adrenal cortex.

Summary Though significant advances in understanding ACTH regulation of the adrenal cortex have occurred, many questions concerning hormonal regulation of the adrenal cortical cell remain. Knowledge of the steroid biosynthetic pathway, the substrates, enzymes, co-factors, and subcellular compartmentalization involved provides a framework for understanding regulatory control of differentiated function in both health and disease. It is likely that precise regulatory control points and the mechanisms involved will shortly be forthcoming to complete many years of careful work by many investigators. Knowledge of regulation of growth and replication remains with a more incomplete framework. This aspect of hormonal regulation has assumed increasing importance in the broad area of growth control in normal and neoplastic cells. While it is clear that regulatory mechanisms involving cAMP are central to control of differentiated function and of growth, it is equally clear that ACTH regulation of growth is not directly correlated with activation of adenyl cyclase and elevated cAMP levels. Much additional work is needed to understand growth regulation and the ways in which this is deranged in the neoplastic state.
Extracting a series resistance from In[J sc ]-V oc and FF-V oc characteristics

Solar concentrator systems often employ complex optical and electrical components such as lenses, dichroic mirrors, and inverters. Embedding solar cell models into a system analysis tool, such as an optical modeling tool, facilitates system optimization. Polynomial curve-fit based models are useful for this purpose, as they accurately and reliably predict measured cell performance over a wide range of intensity. In this paper, it is shown that the curve-fit model allows for the extraction of an intensity-dependent ideality factor and effective series resistance. A case study is performed on a published GaAs concentrator solar cell. The series resistance extracted from the model is within 10% of the expected value.
Maíz, papas y carrofla: la “identidad” alimenticia del “indio” de Huasipungo

La critica considera que Huasipungo de Jorge Icaza es un texto fundacional para la narrativa social latinoamericana porque denuncia la explotacion del indigena andino ecuatoriano. Este juicio, empero, ignora descripciones que muestran un "indio" degradado, bestial y carente de cultura, en especial a la hora de "devorar" los "alimentos" que le atribuyen: maiz, papas de la peor calidad y carrona. Estas ambiguedades textuales entran en conflicto con los objetivos sociales de Huasipungo, ya que prolongan la vision de un "indio" inferior, carente de derechos y, por tanto, objeto de explotacion y exterminio "natural" por parte de la oligarquia latifundista comprometida con el "progreso" de la patria.
Bilateral transversus abdominis plane block does not decrease postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared with local anesthetic infiltration of trocar insertion sites.

Background and Objectives Transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block has been shown to reduce pain and analgesic requirements after abdominal surgery. Our hypothesis was that bilateral TAP blocks decrease pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared with local anesthetic infiltration of trocar insertion sites. Methods Eighty patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to receive either bilateral TAP blocks or local anesthetic infiltration of trocar insertion sites with ropivacaine 0.5%. Postoperative pain scores and analgesic use for the first 24 hrs were recorded. Results Eighty patients were enrolled in the study. After exclusions, data were analyzed on 39 patients in group T (bilateral TAP block) and 35 patients in group I (infiltration). There was no statistically significant difference in pain scores on the numeric analog scale (0–10) between the groups at 4 hrs after surgery (P = 0.18) or during the 24 hrs after surgery (P = 0.23). The time interval from anesthesia start to surgery start was greater in group T than group I (48 vs 35 mins, P Conclusions Bilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block is equivalent to local anesthetic infiltration of trocar insertion sites for overall postoperative pain in a heterogeneous group of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Max Weber's methodological strategy and comparative lifeworld phenomenology

Max Weber took his position in the Methodenstreit of his day largely in a polemic against what he regarded as invalid methodologies of psychological reductionism, social organizism, evolutionism, and both idealist and materialist teleologies. Because he was far more interested in empirical studies, Weber never developed his own position in any comprehensive and formal treatment. It was Alfred Schutz who sought to provide this "underlaborer" philosophy for verstehende Soziologie, grounding an examination of subjective meaning in the lifeworld?the world of everyday activity?and in the phenomenology of Edmund Husserl. Yet Schutz never really used his methodological critique as a basis of substantive investigation. Thus, there has been a hiatus between the interpretive sociology of Weber and the sociological implications of the analysis of the lifeworld developed by Schutz. What I term "comparative lifeworld phenomenology" is proposed here as a methodological strategy which parallels Weber's investigative strategy, at the same time that it draws on Schutz's insights regarding the nature of meaning and the structures of the lifeworld. In the same way that Schutz's critique demonstrates the philosophical basis of verstehende Soziologie, it is proposed here that comparative lifeworld phenomenology can be used to enrich and clarify the method of substantive analysis of a verstehende Soziologie.
A reconfigurable, radiation tolerant S-Band radio for space use

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is developing a reconfigurable, radiation tolerant, communication system that addresses the needs for low-cost, quick turn spacecraft, as well as the reliability and connectivity required in harsh radiation environments of higher orbit systems. The core of such a Flexible Communication Platform (FCP) centers on a Software Defined Radio (SDR) architecture providing S-Band (2 GHz) communications. The Digital Processing Unit (DPU) fits in a 1U form factor and forms half of a two-slice approach (RF front-end is on a separate slice). The architecture of the DPU is based on the Virtex-4, an SRAM-based FPGA from Xilinx. SRAM-based FPGAs, however, have significant limitations in spacecraft systems due to radiation susceptibility of the FPGA programming cells. SwRI chose to implement a combination of triplicated logic (TMR) and Configuration Memory Scrubbing, specifically in an external RAD-Hard device, to mitigate radiation effects on the system. The flexible design of the DPU allows rapid integration into multiple target mission architectures. When coupled with the RF front-end, the FCP is capable of communicating from LEO and MEO orbits using a variety of wideband signals and protocols.
Heat transfer augmentation along the tube wall of a louvered fin heat exchanger using practical delta winglets

Abstract Delta winglets are known to induce the formation of streamwise vortices and increase heat transfer between a working fluid and the surface on which the winglets are placed. This study investigates the use of delta winglets to augment heat transfer on the tube surface of louvered fin heat exchangers. It is shown that delta winglets placed on louvered fins produce augmentations in heat transfer along the tube wall as high as 47% with a corresponding increase of 19% in pressure losses. Manufacturing constraints are considered in this study whereby piercings in the louvered fins resulting from stamping the winglets into the louvered fins are simulated. Comparisons of measured heat transfer coefficients with and without piercings indicate that piercings reduce average heat transfer augmentations, but significant increases still occur with respect to no winglets present.
Targeting mitochondrial biogenesis for promoting health

Mitochondrial biogenesis is a key physiological process that is required for normal growth and development and for maintenance of ongoing cellular energy requirements during aging. Of equivalent and/or greater importance is the regulated enhancement of mitochondrial biogenesis upon physiological demand coupled to multiple cellular insults. Basically, cellular survival mechanisms following a variety of disease-related pathophysiological insults are entrained by convergent mechanisms designed to regain homeostatic control of mitochondrial biogenesis. Recent molecular studies represent a clearly defined approach to maximize normative cellular expression of mitochondrial biogenesis for maintenance of cellular energy requirements and as an anti-aging strategy in healthy human populations. This report focuses on mitochondrial transcription factor A, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha, PINK1 and Parkin. Designing agents to target mitochondrial function represents a compelling therapeutic strategy for enhancement of cellular expression of mitochondrial biogenesis in diverse human populations afflicted with metabolic, degenerative, neurodegenerative, and metastatic diseases.
Venture Capital in the Restaurant Industry

Abstract Venture capital is an available and desirable form of growth financing for the restaurant industry. This article provides an introduction to venture-capital terms and practices, an overview of the history and structure of the venture community, and a summary of venture-capital activity and performance.
The free energy of the crystal-melt interface from the radial distribution function

Abstract A model of the crystal-melt interface is proposed which specifically accounts for a reduced liquid entropy in the region of the interface. An expression is derived which relates interfacial free energy to the distribution function in the normal direction at the crystal surface. Assuming this distribution function to be identical to the radial distribution function of the melt, the interfacial free energy of gold is calculated, and the value thus determined, 148 erg/cm2, is in agreement with Turnbull's experimental value, 132 erg/cm2.
Growth and differentiation in the drosophila eye coordinated by hedgehog

DIFFERENTIATION of the Drosophila retina is asynchronous: it starts at the posterior margin of the eye imaginal disc and progresses anteriorly over two days. During this time the disc continues to grow, increasing in size by approximately eightfold. An indentation in the epithelium, the morphogenetic furrow1, marks the front edge of the differentiation wave. Anterior progression of the furrow is thought to be driven by signals emanating from differentiating photoreceptor cells in the posterior eye disc2,3. A good candidate for such a signal is the product of the hedgehog (hh) gene4–7; it is expressed, and presumably secreted, by differentiating photoreceptors and its function is required for continued furrow movement2,3. Here we show that ectopic expression of hedgehog sets in motion ectopic furrows in the anterior eye disc. In addition to changes in cell shape, these ectopic furrows are associated with a tightly orchestrated series of events, including proliferation, cell cycle synchronization and pattern formation, that parallel normal furrow progression. We propose that the morphogenetic furrow coincides with a transient boundary that coordinates growth and differentiation of the eye disc, and that hedgehog is necessary and sufficient to propagate this boundary across the epithelium.
Calculation and Interpretation of Hadron Correlation Functions in Lattice QCD

Abstract Several new developments in the calculation and interpretation of hadron density-density correlation functions are presented. The asymptotic behavior of correlation functions is determined from a tree diagram path integral. A method is developed to use this behavior to correct for leading image contributions on a finite periodic spatial lattice and to correct for the finite temporal extent of the lattice. Equal time correlation functions are shown to determine a sum of the ground state rms radius plus a polarization correction, and it is shown how to extract the hadron polarizability from unequal time correlation functions. Image-corrected correlation functions calculated in quenched lattice QCD are presented and used to determine the size of the pion and nucleon.
Inconsistency in filling in the bottom of the spine bone map affects reported spine bone mineral density.

OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that variability from year to year in how much of the bone map was filled in at the bottom of the spine region of interest (ROI) contributes substantially to variability in measurement of spine bone mineral density (BMD). METHODS A total of 110 spine BMDs with defects in the bone mapping at the bottom were reanalyzed, with the only change being manually drawing a straight line across the bottom of the ROI and filling in the bone map. RESULTS The mean (SD) change in area, bone mineral content, and BMD for total spine when the bottom of the bone map was filled in was 0.919 (0.411) cm2, 0.201 (0.121) g, and -0.0098 (0.0043) g/cm2, respectively, and all changes were significant (P<.0001). The largest individual change in total spine BMD with reanalysis was 0.0238 g/cm2, close to the least significant change (LSC) of 0.026 g/cm2 in our center. To quantify variability due to this change in analysis, we calculated an LSC(fill), in which the pairs of scans consisted of the same scan before and after filling in the bottom of the spine bone map, without any other change. The LSC(fill) attributable just to the reanalysis of missing bone map at the bottom of the spine was 0.021 g/cm2, suggesting substantial variance due to variability in mapping the bottom of the spine. CONCLUSION When there is a noticeable defect in the bottom of the spine bone map, filling this defect in consistently eliminates a significant source of variability in analysis of spine BMDs and might allow us to achieve smaller LSCs.
MRI/MRS in neuroinflammation: methodology and applications

Neuroinflammation encompasses a wide range of humoral and cellular responses, not only enabling the CNS to fight various noxious events, including infections and trauma, but also playing a critical role in autoimmune as well as in neurodegenerative diseases. The complex interactions of immune, endothelial, and neuronal cells that take place during inflammation require an equivalent complexity of imaging approaches to be appropriately explored in vivo. Magnetic Resonance provides several complementary techniques that allow to study most mechanisms underlying the brain/immune interaction. In this review, we discuss the MR approaches to the study of endothelial activation, blood–brain barrier permeability alterations, intercellular compartment modifications, immune cell trafficking, and of metabolic alterations linked to immune cell activity. The main advantages and limitations of these techniques are assessed, in view of their exploitation in the clinical arena, where the complementarity of the information that can be obtained has the potential to change our way of studying neuroinflammation, with implications for the management of several CNS diseases.
The Brief RCOPE: Current psychometric status of a short measure of religious coping.

The Brief RCOPE is a 14-item measure of religious coping with major life stressors. As the most commonly used measure of religious coping in the literature, it has helped contribute to the growth of knowledge about the roles religion serves in the process of dealing with crisis, trauma, and transition. This paper reports on the development of the Brief RCOPE and its psychometric status. The scale developed out of Pargament’s (1997) program of theory and research on religious coping. The items themselves were generated through interviews with people experiencing major life stressors. Two overarching forms of religious coping, positive and negative, were articulated through factor analysis of the full RCOPE. Positive religious coping methods reflect a secure relationship with a transcendent force, a sense of spiritual connectedness with others, and a benevolent world view. Negative religious coping methods reflect underlying spiritual tensions and struggles within oneself, with others, and with the divine. Empirical studies document the internal consistency of the positive and negative subscales of the Brief RCOPE. Moreover, empirical studies provide support for the construct validity, predictive validity, and incremental validity of the subscales. The Negative Religious Coping subscale, in particular, has emerged as a robust predictor of health-related outcomes. Initial evidence suggests that the Brief RCOPE may be useful as an evaluative tool that is sensitive to the effects of psychological interventions. In short, the Brief RCOPE has demonstrated its utility as an instrument for research and practice in the psychology of religion and spirituality.
Allowing Finer Control Over Privacy Using Trust as a Benchmark

Every time a user conducts an electronic transaction over the Internet a wealth of personal information is revealed, either voluntarily or involuntarily. This causes serious breach of privacy for the user, in particular, if the personally identifying information is misused by the other users present in the network. Ideally, therefore, the user would like to have a considerable degree of control over what personal information to reveal and to whom. Researchers have proposed models to allow a user to determine what personal information to reveal while doing a transaction over the Internet. However, these models do not help the user in determining who to trust, how much to trust and why to trust them with the personal information. The models fail to address loss of privacy through the misuse of information. In this paper we propose a privacy enhancing trust model to measure the degree of confidence that a user can have in the context of preservation of her privacy during a transaction. The model considers several factor while computing trust which include a user's own experience and knowledge about the target user and feedback obtained from groups of peer users called 'trusted neighbors' and 'friends'. The proposed scheme provides a flexible and powerful approach for the secure handling of private data and offers a user considerable control over how she wishes to disseminate her personal data