cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Community-Based Housing Programs: Overview, Assessment, and Agenda for the Future

This paper reviews three broad types of community-based housing programs and assesses their contributions toward providing decent, affordable housing to low- and moderate-income households. Despite some significant weaknesses in the overall approach, community-based housing offers many benefits and provides real options for people who are struggling with the frustration and despair of poor housing. Based upon a generally positive evaluation, the paper concludes by outlining a coordinated public support system for community-based housing activities.
Effects of Participating in an Asset-Building Intervention on Social Inclusion

ABSTRACT The United States is arguably one of the richest countries in the world. However, poverty is still an issue of great concern. This observation suggests the need for more innovative interventions to reduce severe need and create terms for meaningful participation of vulnerable individuals in economic, political, and social exchange. Using a sample of Individual Development Account (IDA) program participants (N = 840) randomly assigned to a control and experimental group, we explore the relationship between participating in an IDA program and social inclusion. Findings reveal a significant relationship between the two variables. Although modest, these results provide a useful framework for examining factors that may affect an individual's capacity to move from vulnerability into enhanced economic, political, and social participation. They also point to a role for asset-building programs in an effort to empower vulnerable individuals.
Resonant inverse photoemission via plasmons.

A large enhancement, up to a factor of 30, of the photon intensity is observed in inverse photoemission when the emitted photon energy equals the plasmon energy. The effect is explained as a resonance between a discrete channel, i.e., radiative decay of a plasmon, and the inverse photoemission continuum. Examples are shown for various structures of antimony films.
Volumetric quantification of in vitro sonothrombolysis with microbubbles using high-resolution optical coherence tomography

Several in vitro and in vivo studies have established accelerated thrombolysis using ultrasound (US) induced microbubble (MB) cavitation. However, the mechanisms underlying MB mediated sonothrombolysis are still not completely elucidated. We performed three-dimensional (3-D) volumetric optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging before and after the application of contrast US to thrombus. The most dramatic reduction in clot volume was observed with US + MB + recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Thrombus surface erosion in this group on the side of the thrombus exposed to MB and ultrasound was evident on the OCT images. This technique may assist in clarifying the mechanisms underlying sonothrombolysis, especially regarding the importance of US transducer orientation on lytic efficacy and the effects of MB cavitation on thrombus structure.
Two distinct forms of USF in the Lytechinus sea urchin embryo do not play a role in LpS1 gene inactivation upon disruption of the extracellular matrix

Recent studies in our laboratory indicated that the upstream stimulatory factor (USF) in the sea urchin embryo of Lytechinus acts as a transcriptional repressor for the aboral ectoderm-specific expression of the LpS1 genes. Disruption of the extracellular matrix (ECM) arrests development prior to gastrulation and inactivates the LpS1 genes. We wanted to determine whether the inactivation of the LpS1 genes by ECM disruption may be due to an increase in USF expression. In the course of the investigation, a second L, variegatus USF cDNA clone (LvUSF2) was isolated and sequenced. The deduced amino acid sequence of LvUSF2 is nearly identical to LvUSF1 except at the amino end, where they are sharply divergent. Like LvUSF1, LvUSF2 has a USF-specific, a basic/hefixloop-helix, and a leucine zipper domain. Genomic DNA blots indicated that the two cDNA clones are derived from one gene, which suggested that the Lytechinus USF1 and USF2 mRNAs, of approximately 6.0 and 4.0 kb, respectively, are the result of differential RNA splicing. ECM disruption in Lytechinus embryos caused a relative drop in USF RNA accumulation levels to approximately 60% of control embryos, while LpS1 RNA accumulation levels dropped to less than 5%. USF protein levels and DNA binding activities in ECM-disrupted embryos also dropped to approximately 60% to that of control embryos. A mutation at the USF binding site in an LpS1 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) fusion DNA construct did not cause a relative increase in CAT activity in ECM disrupted embryos. These results suggest that the induced drop in LpS1 gene expression by ECM disruption is not due to an increase in the repressive activity of USF.
Effectiveness of a Fenofibrate 145-mg Nanoparticle Tablet Formulation Compared with the Standard 160-mg Tablet in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Dyslipidemia

Study Objective. To compare the effectiveness of a fenofibrate 145-mg nanoparticle tablet formulation with the standard 160-mg tablet in patients with dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease. Design. Retrospective medical record review. Setting. Outpatient university-affiliated cardiology clinic. Patients. One hundred thirty patients with dyslipidemia and coronary heart disease treated for a minimum of 6 months with fenofibrate 160 mg/day (with or without 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor [statin] therapy) who were then switched to a minimum of 3 months of treatment with fenofibrate 145 mg/day. Measurements and Main Results. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triglyceride levels were compared during treatment with each formulation. In patients not taking statins, statistically significant reductions of 4.6% and 2.3%, respectively, were noted in mean triglyceride and LDL levels after the switch to fenofibrate 145 mg/day. In patients taking statins, statistically significant reductions of 5.1% and 2.8%, respectively, were observed in mean triglyceride and LDL levels. In total, a larger proportion of patients had 10% or greater improvement in LDL (14/130 [11%]) and triglyceride (32/130 [25%]) levels compared with the proportion of patients who had 10% or greater worsening in LDL (3/130 [2%]) and triglyceride (9/130 [7%]) levels, and a net additional 14 patients (11%) achieved National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) lipid panel targets after the switch to fenofibrate 145 mg/day. Mean HDL level was not significantly different after the switch to fenofibrate 145 mg/day. Safety parameters of fenofibrate 145-mg/day therapy were not examined, although fenofibrate 160 mg/day is generally well tolerated. Conclusion. Eleven percent of the patients in our study had improvements in their lipid profiles that resulted in achievement of NCEP lipid panel targets after treatment with the 145-mg nanoparticle formulation of fenofibrate. This improvement in lipid levels may have been related to increased bioavailability of the 145-mg formulation. However, the exact mechanism of the improvement in lipid levels is unknown.
Rôle des polyamines dans l'agression

Resume Les polyamines jouent un role important dans la proliferation et la croissance cellulaire, dans la synthese des proteines et des acides nucleiques. Toutes les cellules contiennent une quantite importante de polyamines ; leurs concentrations sont soumises a une regulation. Nous exposons succinctement les voies de synthese et de degradation des polyamines et leur role dans les fonctions physiologiques de differents organes (poumons, cerveau, foie), differents tissus (musculaires, nerveux) et dans l'organisme entier apres des infections virales ou parasitaires et lors de traumatismes. Puis nous rapportons les donnees biologiques suggerant l'existence de relations entre metabolisme des polyamines et pathologie. Les concentrations extracellulaires des polyamines dans differents milieux refletent les concentrations intracellulaires. Elles sont utilisees comme marqueur therapeutique dans les maladies entrainant des alterations de la croissance et de la degradation cellulaire. La mesure quotidienne des concentrations plasmatiques et urinaires des polyamines dans differents etats pathologiques, tels que les traumatismes severes, est un bon marqueur biochimique non invasif pour suivre l'evolution de la maladie ou la reponse aux therapeutiques. Une des approches therapeutiques pour le traitement d'un grand nombre de maladies comme les cancers, les infections virales et les maladies d'origine parasitaire est la modulation de la biosynthese des polyamines. Ainsi, la connaissance du metabolisme des polyamines devrait conduire les cliniciens a considerer les polyamines, leurs metabolites et anti-metabolites comme sources d'une therapeutique efficace.
Differential regulation of IL-1α and TNFα release from immortalized murine microglia (BV-2)

Abstract Microglia, the resident macrophages of the brain, secrete a number of mediators involved in neural-immune function. The cytokines, IL-1α and TNFα, are two such factors which are stored as inactive precursor molecules requiring post-translational preteolytic processing prior to release. From investigations of second messenger pathways involved in regulating the secretion of these cytokines, we have demonstrated that the PKC inhibitor, H-7, blocks the induction of TNFα secretion induced by LPS. In contrast, H-89 and HA-1077, inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide-dependent protein kinases (PKA and PKG), did not alter LPS-stimulation of TNFα release. Consistent with these observations, the weak PKC activator, mezerein, induced TNFα secretion in an H-7-reversible manner. In marked contrast, PKC activation did not induce IL-1α secretion and H-7 potentiated IL-1α release. In the case of the protein phosphatase inhibitor, okadaic acid, secretion of both cytokines was induced, indicating that protein phosphorylation is important for the induction of cytokine secretion but only in the case of TNFα is PKC involved. In the case of IL-1α, a tonic inhibitory regulation involving PKC activation may be present. We therefore conclude that alterations in phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycles may be important triggers in the switching of microglial cellular function from a resting to an activated state.
Exploring RNA Structural Codes with SHAPE Chemistry

RNA is the central conduit for gene expression. This role depends on an ability to encode information at two levels: in its linear sequence and in the complex structures RNA can form by folding back on itself. Understanding the global structure–function interrelationships mediated by RNA remains a great challenge in molecular and structural biology. In this Account, we discuss evolving work in our laboratory focused on creating facile, generic, quantitative, accurate, and highly informative approaches for understanding RNA structure in biologically important environments.The core innovation derives from our discovery that the nucleophilic reactivity of the ribose 2'-hydroxyl in RNA is gated by local nucleotide flexibility. The 2'-hydroxyl is reactive at conformationally flexible positions but is unreactive at nucleotides constrained by base pairing. Sites of modification in RNA can be detected efficiently either using primer extension or by protection from exoribonucleolytic degradation. This technology i...
Leandra heteroporata: A New Species from Tocantins, Brazil (Melastomataceae, Miconieae)

Abstract A new species of Leandra from the state of Tocantins, Brazil, is described and illustrated here. Leandra heteroporata can be recognized by the slightly anisophyllous leaves covered by simple glandular trichomes (1–6 mm long), two to four lateral and terminal inflorescences per node and the stamens with linear-subulate anthers slightly different in size and shape, which are basally bifurcated in the larger stamens. The morphology and geographical distribution of the new species are compared with its closest related taxa. Leandra heteroporata is the first record of the Leandra sensu stricto clade from the state of Tocantins.
Optimal inflation technique in gradient estimation of parametric yield of electronic circuits

In this paper, the theoretical bases of the inflation technique in parametric yield gradient estimation are developed and the optimal inflation factor is obtained. The inflation technique simply consists of inflating the tolerance region of circuit parameters by a given factor. The quality of parametric yield optimization algorithms depends on the effectiveness of estimation of the yield gradient or the direction of movement in the space of designable parameters. In this study, we use the theory of circuit class, which allows evaluating the performance of inflation technique over a large number of realistic circuits. The optimal range of the inflation factor is analytically obtained for practical applications. The presented theoretical results confirm the application results reported in the related literature.
Substructure condensation using modified decomposition

A new method for static condensation is presented. This method utilizes Choleski decomposition with some modification to obtain the effective stiffness matrix and the effective load vector. A comparison between this modified decomposition method and the usual matrix decomposition method shows that the former is more efficient than the latter.
Effect of Hypothalamic Extracts on Protein Synthesis in Rat Anterior Pituitary Tissue

Summary1. Evidence obtained by radio-autography and sucrose density gradient centrifugation indicated that macromolecular RNA was synthesized in explants of rat anterior pituitary tissue in vitro. 2. The rapidly labeled RNA was, in part, heavier than 28S. 3. After 4 hours of incubation, label was observed in cytoplasmic ribosomal RNA. 4. The rate of RNA synthesis in glands treated with hypothalamic or cerebral cortex extracts in vitro was found to be similar. 5. The decreased rate of RNA synthesis in pituitaries treated with hypothalamic extracts in vitro (vs. corresponding controls treated with 0.1 N HCl) could be partially overcome by preincubating the glands in radioactive Medium 199 prior to addition of the extracts. 6. The in vitro rates of RNA synthesis in pituitaries taken from animals previously injected with hypothalamic extracts or 0.1 N HCl were similar, although an initial lag in uptake of uridine-H3 into the glands of the experimental group was observed.
The Perceived Credibility of Online Encyclopedias Among Children

This study examined young people’s trust of Wikipedia as an information resource. A large scale probability based survey with embedded quasi experiments was conducted with 2,747 children in the U.S. ranging from 11 to 18 years old. Results show that young people find Wikipedia to be fairly credible, but also exhibit an awareness of potential problems with non expert, user generated content in anonymous environments. Children tend to evaluate the credibility of online encyclopedia information with this in mind, at times with what appears to be an unwarranted de valuation of this information.
Peacocks and penguins: the political economy of European cloth and colors

This paper relates color symbolism in European dress to the historical geography of textile manufacturing and dyeing, dating back to the Middle Ages. Its central concern is the widespread use of black, not only as a color of mourning, but also as a mode for communicating religious and political goals. Black clothing, it is argued, constituted both a practical and a symbolic means of resisting the luxury, polychrome fabrics that older and more developed civilizations of the eastern Mediterranean exported. Although beautiful and tempting, these textiles were instruments of hegemony, for they were produced under monopoly conditions furthered by the highly uneven world distribution of dyestuffs. In Europe they commanded basic resources — slaves and bullion — in exchange and thus created an unequal balance of trade. Black cloth, which contributed in many different ways first to arrest and then to reverse this imbalance, was a totally indigenous product that native craftsmen manufactured and brought to perfection using native raw materials. As such, it had something in common with contemporary symbols of national liberation, perhaps even when it called attention to death.
Ultrasound Guidance For Interventional and Intraoperative Techniques in Infants and Children

Since the advent of improved realtime ultrasound (US) imaging and the availability of the needle biopsy attachment, US-guided percutaneous biopsy and the drainage procedure can be performed safely in the pediatric patient. The authors review their experience over 3 years using US-guided interventional techniques in 96 children aged 5 days to 21 years. A wide variety of procedures were performed and included renal biopsy, nephrostomy tube placement, renal mass biopsy, puncture of bladder sinus tract and pancreatic pseudocyst, ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement and intraoperative localization of brain or renal tumor and renal calculi. No complication occurred.US can be safely and accurately used as guide for interventional procedures in children as long as the area of interest can be clearly demonstrated and the depth and necessary angle of needle insertion can be predetermined as feasible.
Distributed Automatic Modulation Classification With Multiple Sensors

Automatic modulation classification (AMC) has been intensively studied to enhance the successful classification rate, particularly for overcoming the physical limit that deals with weak signals received in a noncooperative communication environment. A wireless sensor network (WSN) has multiple geometrically distributed sensors to work cooperatively. The distributed signal sensing and classification performed by collaborated sensors is proven to be beneficial to increasing the modulation classification reliability. In this paper, we apply the likelihood ratio-based distributed detection fusion technique to address the issues of general binary modulation classifications. The data fusion algorithm performed in the primary node is presented. Its numerical performance with simulation results is demonstrated.
Robust web services via interaction contracts

Web services represent the latest effort of the information technology industry to provide a framework for cross enterprise automation. One principal characteristic of this framework is information hiding, where only the message protocol is visible to other services or client software. This environment makes it difficult to provide robust behavior for applications. Traditional transaction processing uses distributed transactions. But these involve inter-site dependencies that enterprises are likely to resist so as to preserve site autonomy. We propose a web services interaction contract (WSIC), a unilateral pledge by a web service. A WSIC avoids dependencies while enabling, but not requiring, an application to be written so that it can provide exactly once execution semantics, even in the presence of failures. And exactly once semantics is essential whenever commercial interactions involve money.
UNESCO, URI, and Archaeology in the Deep Blue Sea: Archaeological Ethics and Archaeological Oceanography

Multiple groups have interests that intersect within the field of deep submergence (beyond the 50 meter range of SCUBA) archaeology. These groups’ differing priorities present challenges for interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly as there are no established guidelines for best practices in such scenarios. Associating the term ‘archaeology’ with projects directed at underwater cultural heritage that are guided by archaeologists poses a real risk to that heritage. Recognizing that the relevant professional organizations, local laws, and conventions currently have little ability to protect pieces of cultural heritage across disciplines and international boundaries, the authors propose institution-specific mechanisms, called Archaeology Review Boards, guided by local and international laws and conventions concerning cultural heritage, as the best means to provide oversight for academically centered archaeological activities at the local level.
Universal Mechanisms for Concurrency

We propose a machine model consisting of a set of primitive mechanisms for communication, synchronization, and naming. These mechanisms have been selected as a compromise between what can easily be implemented in hardware and what is required to support parallel models of computation. Implementations of three models of parallel computation: actors, dataflow, and shared-memory using this model are sketched. The costs of the mechanisms on a particular parallel machine are presented and issues involved in implementing the model are discussed. Identifying a primitive set of mechanisms separates issues of programming models from issues of machine organization. Problems are partitioned into those involving implementation of the primitive mechanisms and those involving implementation of programming models and systems using the mechanisms.
A randomized clinical trial of the efficacy of extended smoking cessation treatment for adolescent smokers.

Introduction: Relatively few well-designed smoking cessation studies have been conducted with teen smokers. This study examined the efficacy of extended cognitive–behavioral treatment in promoting longer term smoking cessation among adolescents.
Evaluation of physical exercise using photoplethsysmography

A photoplethsysmographic sensor has been applied to the finger pad to derive the blood volume pulse. This has been carried out during physical exercise by the subject, and the waveforms have been processed in order to extract indexes which correlate with the physiological effects of the exercise. The amplitude probability density function appears most promising for this index. >
Quantifying Metabolic Heterogeneity in Head and Neck Tumors in Real Time: 2-DG Uptake Is Highest in Hypoxic Tumor Regions

Purpose: Intratumoral metabolic heterogeneity may increase the likelihood of treatment failure due to the presence of a subset of resistant tumor cells. Using a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) xenograft model and a real-time fluorescence imaging approach, we tested the hypothesis that tumors are metabolically heterogeneous, and that tumor hypoxia alters patterns of glucose uptake within the tumor. Experimental Design: Cal33 cells were grown as xenograft tumors (n=16) in nude mice after identification of this cell line’s metabolic response to hypoxia. Tumor uptake of fluorescent markers identifying hypoxia, glucose import, or vascularity was imaged simultaneously using fluorescent molecular tomography. The variability of intratumoral 2-deoxyglucose (IR800-2DG) concentration was used to assess tumor metabolic heterogeneity, which was further investigated using immunohistochemistry for expression of key metabolic enzymes. HNSCC tumors in patients were assessed for intratumoral variability of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose ( 18 F-FDG) uptake in clinical PET scans. Results: IR800-2-DG uptake in hypoxic regions of Cal33 tumors was 2.04 times higher compared to the whole tumor (p=0.0001). IR800-2-DG uptake in tumors containing hypoxic regions was more heterogeneous as compared to tumors lacking a hypoxic signal. Immunohistochemistry staining for HIF-1a, carbonic anhydrase 9, and ATP synthase subunit 5b confirmed xenograft metabolic heterogeneity. We detected heterogeneous 18 F-FDG uptake within patient HNSCC tumors, and the degree of heterogeneity varied amongst tumors. Conclusion: Hypoxia is associated with increased intratumoral metabolic heterogeneity. 18 F-FDG PET scans may be used to stratify patients according to the metabolic heterogeneity within their tumors, which could be an indicator of prognosis. Citation: Nakajima EC, Laymon C, Oborski M, Hou W, Wang L, et al. (2014) Quantifying Metabolic Heterogeneity in Head and Neck Tumors in Real Time: 2-DG
IL-4 abrogates osteoclastogenesis through STAT6-dependent inhibition of NF-κB

IL-4, an anti-inflammatory cytokine, inhibits osteoclast differentiation, but the basis of this effect has been unclear. Osteoclastogenesis requires activation of RANK, which exerts its biologic effect via activation of NF-kappaB. NF-kappaB activation is manifested by nuclear translocation and binding to DNA, events secondary to phosphorylation and dissociation of IkappaBalpha. It is shown here that IL-4 reduces NF-kappaB nuclear translocation by inhibiting IkappaB phosphorylation, thus markedly inhibiting NF-kappaB DNA binding activity and blocking osteoclastogenesis entirely. Residual translocation of NF-kappaB in the presence of IL-4, however, suggests that nuclear mechanisms must primarily account for inhibition of NF-kappaB DNA binding and blockade of osteoclastogenesis. To address this issue, this study examined whether IL-4-induced STAT6 transcription factor blocks NF-kappaB transactivation. The results show that excess unlabeled consensus sequence STAT6, but not its mutated form, inhibits NF-kappaB binding. Furthermore, exogenously added STAT6 protein inhibits NF-kappaB/DNA interaction. Further supporting a role for STAT6 in this process are the findings that IL-4 fails to block osteoclastogenesis in STAT6(-/-) mice but that this blockade can be restored with addition of exogenous STAT6. Thus, IL-4 obliterates osteoclast differentiation by antagonizing NF-kappaB activation in a STAT6-dependent manner.
Elements of Signal Estimation

In Chapter IV we discussed methods for designing estimators for static parameters, that is, for parameters that are not changing with time. In many applications we are interested in the related problem of estimating dynamic or time-varying parameters. In the traditional terminology, a dynamic parameter is usually called a signal, so the latter problem is known as signal estimation or tracking.
Death don't have no mercy and neither does calcium: Arabidopsis CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE GATED CHANNEL2 and innate immunity

Plant innate immune response to pathogen infection includes an elegant signaling pathway leading to reactive oxygen species generation and resulting hypersensitive response (HR); localized programmed cell death in tissue surrounding the initial infection site limits pathogen spread. A veritable symphony of cytosolic signaling molecules (including Ca2+, nitric oxide [NO], cyclic nucleotides, and calmodulin) have been suggested as early components of HR signaling. However, specific interactions among these cytosolic secondary messengers and their roles in the signal cascade are still unclear. Here, we report some aspects of how plants translate perception of a pathogen into a signal cascade leading to an innate immune response. We show that Arabidopsis thaliana CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE GATED CHANNEL2 (CNGC2/DND1) conducts Ca2+ into cells and provide a model linking this Ca2+ current to downstream NO production. NO is a critical signaling molecule invoking plant innate immune response to pathogens. Plants without functional CNGC2 lack this cell membrane Ca2+ current and do not display HR; providing the mutant with NO complements this phenotype. The bacterial pathogen–associated molecular pattern elicitor lipopolysaccharide activates a CNGC Ca2+ current, which may be linked to NO generation due to buildup of cytosolic Ca2+/calmodulin.
Minimal Sequence and Structural Requirements of a Subgenomic RNA Promoter for Turnip Crinkle Virus

Infection of plants or protoplasts with turnip crinkle virus (TCV) results in the synthesis of the genomic RNA and two subgenomic (sg) RNAs of 1.7 kb and 1.45 kb, respectively. Both of the sgRNA promoters were characterized previously and their secondary structures predicted by computer analysis [J. Wang and A. E. Simon (1997). Virology 232, 174‐186]. Secondary structure-sensitive chemical and enzymatic probes have now been used to determine the structure of the promoter directing synthesis of the 1.45-kb sgRNA, namely the 1.45-kb sgRNA promoter, in solution. The newly obtained structure conforms with the previously predicted hairpin structure except for the hairpin base: four CG base pairs and a CA bulge are present instead of an A bulge. Studies of deletions within the 96-nucleotide (nt) 1.45-kb sgRNA promoter defined a minimal 30-nt core sequence as essential for promoter activity: a 21-nt hairpin and a 9-nt flanking single-stranded sequence. Mutational analysis in the stem section of the core promoter supported a role for the primary sequence and secondary structure in promoter activity. Sequence alterations in the flanking single-stranded region further suggest that the sequence CCCAUUA, encompassing the transcription start site, is required for efficient transcription of the 1.45-kb sgRNA by the TCV RNA-dependent RNA polymerase in vivo. © 1999 Academic Press
Container based framework for self-healing software system

Software "self-healing" is an approach to detect improper operations of software applications, transactions and business processes, and then to initiate corrective action without disrupting users. The software engineering literature contains many studies on software error detection and error correction. In this paper, we introduce a "container based self-healing" framework and provide an outline on how the framework can help in evolving a self-healing system for a complex distributed system.
α-Adrenergic vasoreactivity of canine intrapulmonary bronchial arteries in pacing-induced heart failure

We hypothesized that pacing-induced congestive heart failure alters α-adrenergic constriction in intrapulmonary bronchial arteries. Cumulative dose responses to norepinephrine (NE), phenylephrine (...
Surface expression of buried geologic features in Kansas: or A practical example of the metaphor: The princess and the pea

Abstract Now they knew that she was a real princess [geologist] because she had felt [mapped] the pea [structure] right through the twenty mattresses [two thousand feet of sediment] and the twenty … beds [limestones]. Nobody but a real princess [geologist] could be as sensitive as that. Apologies to Hans Christian Andersen, The Princess and the Pea, 1835. Topographic features, under certain circumstances, may reveal information about what is hidden beneath. By studying the configuration of the surface, information can be gained as to what might be below, and visa versa the configuration of subsurface features can give insight as to what may be expected on the surface. Thus, surficial topographic features may be indicators of buried folds, faults, igneous intrusives, and other subsurface geologic features. The Big Springs (Shawnee/Douglas counties) and Beagle (Miami County) anomalies in eastern Kansas are given as examples.
Attitudes and Training Needs of New England HIV Care and Addiction Treatment Providers: Opportunities for Better Integration of HIV and Alcohol Treatment Services.

Objectives:Unhealthy alcohol use is common among HIV-infected patients and contributes to comorbidities, cognitive decline, unprotected sex, and poor medication adherence. Studies consistently show missed opportunities to address unhealthy alcohol use as part of care. Although treatment of other dru
Extreme Light Absorption by Multiple Plasmonic Layers on Upgraded Metallurgical Grade Silicon Solar Cells

We fabricate high-efficiency, ultrathin (∼12 μm), flexible, upgraded metallurgical-grade polycrystalline silicon solar cells with multiple plasmonic layers precisely positioned on top of the cell to dramatically increase light absorption. This scalable approach increases the optical absorptivity of our solar cells over a broad range of wavelengths, and they achieve efficiencies η ≈ 11%. Detailed studies on the electrical and optical properties of the developed solar cells elucidate the light absorption contribution of each individual plasmonic layer. Finite-difference time-domain simulations were also performed to yield further insights into the obtained results. We anticipate that the findings from this work will provide useful design considerations for fabricating a range of different solar cell systems.
The 2H and 3R polytypes of sabieite, NH4Fe3+(SO4)2, from a natural fire in an oil-bearing shale near Milan, Ohio

The mineral sabieite, NH 4 Fe 3+ (SO 4 ) 2 , was found in 2011 along the banks of the Huron River near Milan, Ohio, where it formed as the result of a natural fire in an oil-bearing shale. The mineral is directly associated with pyracmonite, tschermigite, and voltaite and occurs as colorless, pale pink, tan, and yellow hexagonal tablets. The streak is white. Crystals are transparent with vitreous luster. Mohs hardness is 2½, tenacity is brittle, fracture is irregular, and cleavage is perfect on {001}. The measured density is 2.65(2) g/cm 3 . The mineral is optically uniaxial (–) with indices of refraction ω = 1.657(3) and ɛ = 1.621(5) (white light). The empirical formula (based on 2 S apfu) is [(NH 4 ) 0.73 (H 3 O) 0.22 K 0.04 Na 0.01 ] ∑1.00 (Fe 3+ 0.95 Al 0.02 Mg 0.01 ) ∑0.98 (SO 4 ) 2 . Powder diffraction showed crystals to be combinations of the 2 H and 3 R polytypes. The structure of the 2 H polytype was solved and refined from single-crystal data yielding R 1 = 0.0694 for 509 F o > 4σ( F ) reflections. The 2 H polytype has space group P 6 3 and cell parameters a = 4.83380(17), c = 16.4362(9) A, V = 332.59(2) A 3 , and Z = 2 and the 3 R polytype has space group R 3 and cell parameters a = 4.835(2), c = 24.496(15) A, V = 495.9(5) A 3 , and Z = 3. The sabieite polytypes (including the original sabieite from Sabie, South Africa, which is the 1 T polytype) have glaserite-like structures with layers consisting of Fe 3+ O 6 octahedra that share each of their vertices with SO 4 tetrahedra. NH 4 groups occupy 12-coordinated sites in the interlayer region, bonding to 6 O atoms in each of the adjacent layers. In the 1 T polytype, successive layers have identical configuration and orientation, providing a one-layer repeat sequence. In the 2 H polytype, alternate layers are flipped (or rotated), in a two-layer repeat sequence. In the 3 R polytype, successive layers are shifted relative to one another, in a three-layer repeat sequence. The different orientations of adjacent layers in the structures of the 2 H and 3 R polytypes result in significant changes in the linkages between the (NH 4 )O 12 and Fe 3+ O 6 polyhedra.
Content and composition of dietary fiber in 117 frequently consumed foods

Twenty-three fruits, 33 vegetables, 41 grain products, 7 legumes, 4 nuts, and 9 miscellaneous foods were analyzed by an accurate chemical method to determine their dietary fiber content and composition. The mean ( ± standard deviation) dietary fiber content of fruits was 1.4 ± 0.7 g/100 g (fresh weight); of vegetables, 2.0 ± 0.8 g; of 32 refined grains ( 5%) was variable. The soluble fiber fraction averaged 23% of the total fiber in refined grains, 3% in nuts, and 13% to 20% in the other food groups. Dietary fiber composition of every food group was heterogeneous. Pectin, which was negligible in grains, constituted approximately 15% to 30% of the fiber in fruits, vegetables, legumes, and nuts. Hemicelluloses composed about half of the total fiber in grains, and approximately 25% to 35% of total fiber in other foods. Cellulose was one third or less of the total fiber in most foods, except for legumes, in which it was about one half. Values for total dietary fiber content generally agree with those reported previously. The soluble fiber fraction was lower than what has been reported because the distribution of total fiber between the soluble and insoluble fractions is determined by the method of analysis. The analyses used in this study demonstrated that the concentration of dietary fiber in many frequently consumed foods is 1% to 3%. The generally similar fiber concentrations of foods within a group—fruits, vegetables, refined grains, and legumes— suggest that an average value for the fiber concentration in that group can be used to rank food intakes and histories into low, medium, or high dietary fiber contents.
Periurethral Polytetrafluoroethylene Injection Following Urethral Reconstruction in Female Patients with Urinary Incontinence

AbstractWe present our results with periurethral polytetrafluoroethylene (Polytef) injection after urethral reconstruction in 20 female patients with urinary incontinence. These patients have failed previous urethral reconstructive procedures to cure incontinence, including Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction, transvaginal urethroplasty, transvaginal urethral plication and vesical flap urethroplasty. Of the patients 4 also underwent a bladder augmentation procedure. After polytetrafluoroethylene injection 10 patients (50 per cent) were cured of the incontinence, 2 (10 per cent) had marked improvement from the preoperative condition, 5 (25 per cent) had definite improvement but still wear pads for protection and 3 (15 per cent) had no change from the preoperative condition. Bladder pressure recordings did not demonstrate a difference in results among patients with detrusor stability or instability. Periurethral polytetrafluoroethylene injection remains a valuable procedure in the management o...
Group Argument Structure

Group argument involves patterns of interaction reflecting members’ efforts to influence each other through argument acts that cohere as structures. These argument structures are produced through group members’ more or less conscious appropriation of rules and resources for argumentation and arguing, and they are reproduced in members’ single or joint efforts at influencing others toward group choices and preferred outcomes. The study of group argument is centered in communication and is relatively recent. Much of that work has been in the tradition of Structuration Argument Theory. Findings reveal descriptions of group argument acts, structures and strategies in face-to-face and computer-mediated groups, as well as the power of features of group argument to predict group decision-making outcomes. Keywords: argument and persuasion; cognitive processes; computer-mediated communication; conflict; content analysis; decision-making; group communication; social influence
Emerging micro and nanomanufacturing processes for electrical and electronic engineering applications

There is a plethora of micro and nanofabrication processes that have been developed over the past twenty years for use in the electrical and electronic sectors. Processes such as optical lithography, X-ray lithography, LiGA, selective laser sintering, laser micromachining, wet and dry plasma etching, casting, molding etc are already well established. However, newly emerging processes such as laser nanofabrication, atomic force microscopy, dip pen nanolithography, diamond nanogrinding etc, have yet to realize their potential. The future of micro and nanomanufacturing lies in the ability to convert micro and nanofabrication techniques into mass production manufacturing processes where small-scale products can be economically manufactured in a short period of time. This may be achieved by combining micro and nanoscale processes, or by combining 'top down' and 'bottom up' manufacturing techniques. The development of so-called hybrid manufacturing processes is set to take center stage in the future development of micro and nanomanufacturing processes. This paper will focus on current developments in the field of micro and nanomanufacturing for electrical and electronic manufacturing industries
Putting Kelo in Perspective

Kelo v. City of New London was in line with precedent, and within the “mainstream” of legal thought. But that is not enough to justify it. Like many of the Supreme Court’s worst decisions, it highlights the ways in which the mainstream can go disastrously wrong. Going forward, the best way to rectify Kelo’s errors is to overrule it completely, rather than rely on half-measures, such as building on Justice Anthony Kennedy’s hard to interpret concurring opinion.
Assessing the evidence for a cue-induced trade-off between capacity and precision in visual working memory using mixture modelling and Bayesian model comparison.

ABSTRACTThere is considerable debate regarding the ability to trade mnemonic precision for capacity in working memory (WM), with some studies reporting evidence consistent with such a trade-off and others suggesting it may not be possible. The majority of studies addressing this question have utilized a standard approach to analysing continuous recall data in which individual-subject data from each experimental condition is fitted with a probabilistic model of choice. Estimated parameter values related to different aspects of WM (e.g., the capacity and precision of stored items) are then compared using statistical tests to determine the presence of hypothesized differences between experimental conditions. However, recent research has suggested that the standard approach is flawed in several respects. In this study, we presented participants with behavioural pre-cues informing them about the upcoming number of to-be-remembered items (high- vs. low-load) with the goal of inducing a trade-off between capacit...
A Simulation-Based Algorithm for the Probabilistic Traveling Salesman Problem

The probabilistic traveling salesman problem (PTSP) is a variation of the classic TSP and one of the most significant stochastic network and routing problems. Designing effective and efficient algorithms for solving PTSP is a really challenging task, since in PTSP, the computational complexity associated with the combinatorial explosion of potential solution is exacerbated by the stochastic element in the data. In general, researchers use two types of techniques in their search algorithms for PTSP: analytical computation and empirical estimation. The analytical computation approach computes the cost f(\(\pi \)) of an a priori tour \(\pi \) using a closed-form expression. Empirical estimation simply estimates the cost through Monte Carlo simulation. This paper describes a simulation-based algorithm that constructs the solution attractor of local search for the PTSP and then finds the best a priori tour within the solution attractor. More specifically, our algorithm first uses a simple multi-start local search process to find a set of locally optimal a priori tours through Monte Carlo simulation and stores these tours in a matrix. Then, the algorithm uses an exhausted search process to find all tours contained in the solution attractor and identifies a globally optimal a priori tour \(\pi \) through Monte Carlo simulation.
Impact of High Asphalt Binder Replacement on Level Binder Properties for Controlling Reflective Cracking

A thin hot-mix asphalt (HMA) level binder (LB) course or interlayer has been used for decades in Illinois. Originally, the LB was simply a layer to provide a working platform that corrected minor variations in the profile of the pavement before HMA overlay. The performance of LB has become of increasing concern with respect to whether high asphalt binder replacement (ABR) could be incorporated into the LB mixes to reduce costs by adding reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS). This study investigated three LB courses with varying ABRs and sources that had been used in five field HMA overlay rehabilitation projects in Illinois. The performances were characterized by a comprehensive testing suite that consisted of tests for dynamic modulus, rutting (flow number and Hamburg wheel tracking tests), moisture susceptibility (tensile strength ratio), fracture resistance [Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT) overlay tester, and four-point beam fatigue]. The role that these LB mixes ...
Nicotine: A Unique Psychoactive Drug

Nicotine is a unique psychoactive drug which produces arousal, relaxation, promotion of REM sleep and skeletal muscle relaxation in both animals and humans in tobacco smoking concentrations. Normal tobacco smokers, deprived of tobacco for 12 hr show a decrease in alpha 1, an increase in alpha 2 EEG power, and a decrease in the recovery cycle of the Hoffmann reflex after smoking cigarettes containing nicotine.
Effects of Cold Plasma on Food Quality: A Review

Cold plasma (CP) technology has proven very effective as an alternative tool for food decontamination and shelf-life extension. The impact of CP on food quality is very crucial for its acceptance as an alternative food processing technology. Due to the non-thermal nature, CP treatments have shown no or minimal impacts on the physical, chemical, nutritional and sensory attributes of various products. This review also discusses the negative impacts and limitations posed by CP technology for food products. The limited studies on interactions of CP species with food components at the molecular level offers future research opportunities. It also highlights the need for optimization studies to mitigate the negative impacts on visual, chemical, nutritional and functional properties of food products. The design versatility, non-thermal, economical and environmentally friendly nature of CP offers unique advantages over traditional processing technologies. However, CP processing is still in its nascent form and needs further research to reach its potential.
Vaginal cuff recurrence after radical cystectomy: an under - studied site of bladder cancer relapse.

Introduction Vaginal cuff recurrence of tumor following radical cystectomy is a rare site of disease recurrence, however it has never been specifically studied. The aim of the study is to evaluate incidence, risk factors, and long-term oncologic outcomes of vaginal cuff recurrence in a cohort of female patients treated with radical cystectomy for invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Materials and methods From 1985 to 2012, a prospectively maintained institutional bladder cancer registry was queried for vaginal cuff recurrence post radical cystectomy. Overall mortality and cancer-specific mortality were reported using the Kaplan-Meier method for patients with vaginal cuff recurrence, recurrence at another local or distant site, and those without evidence of recurrence. Comparisons were performed using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards regression model was performed to assess predictors of vaginal cuff recurrence. Results From 469 women treated with radical cystectomy for bladder cancer, 34 patients (7.3%) developed vaginal cuff recurrence, 130 patients (27.7%) had recurrence involving either a local or distant site, and 305 patients (65%) had no evidence of recurrence. The 5-year overall mortality-free survival rate was 32.4% for vaginal cuff recurrence, but 25.0% for other sites of recurrence. Cancer-specific mortality-free survival rate was 32.4% for vaginal cuff recurrence, and 30.3% for the other sites of recurrence. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of tumor in posterior location at radical cystectomy (Hazard Ratio [HR], 0.353 [95% CI, 0.159-0.783]) and anterior vaginectomy, compared to no vaginectomy (HR, 2.595 [95% CI, 1.077-6.249]) were independently associated with vaginal cuff recurrence. Conclusion Anterior vaginectomy, despite our best attempts, is perhaps not sufficient to prevent vaginal cuff recurrence. Therefore, follow-up evaluation is essential, and further studies are necessary to address the optimal approach for initial management. Patient Summary: Although vaginal cuff recurrence is an unusual site of recurrence, careful evaluation is needed before cystectomy and during follow-up to identify patients at risk.