cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Review on Algorithms for Probabilistic Load Flow in Power System

Probabilistic load flow is the foundation of solving problems with uncertainties in the power system.With the development of intermittent energy and the raise of randomness of power systems,researches on probabilistic load flow have extensively increased in recent years.This paper is intended to make a brief survey on algorithms for probabilistic load flow by proceeding from the principle of the algorithms and their merits and demerits.Firstly,problems studied by probabilistic load flow are treated including the development of probabilistic load flow,calculating models and evaluating indicators,followed by applications of probabilistic load flow in power systems.The primary coverage is the review of different algorithms of probabilistic load flow classified according to the differences in theory.The main contents involve the principles,advantages and drawbacks and applicability of different algorithms,followed by an overall evaluation and their development trend.Vistas of research are projected into the future.
Zn(II) transport and distribution in rat spermatids

Zn(II) is an essential trace element. In spermatozoa, Zn(II) modulates metabolism and chromatin condensation. The mechanisms of uptake and distribution of this ion in sperm cells have not been explored. In rat spermatids, our results indicate that 1) 65Zn(II) binds with fast kinetics to a labile, presumably extracellular, compartment. This binding is temperature insensitive and not modified by metabolic inhibitors. 2) Entry of 65Zn(II) in the absence of externally added proteins occurs through a mediated transport system that allows exchange to reach steady state in approximately 15 min at 34 degrees C. 3) Upon entering the cells, 65Zn(II) binds tightly to cellular organelles. 4) Exchangeable Zn(II) bound to cytoplasmic proteins plus free intracellular Zn(II) appears to be < 20% of total exchangeable Zn(II). 5) The intracellular exchangeable Zn(II) compartment is decreased by metabolic inhibitors, showing a direct or indirect link between energy metabolism and cellular Zn(II) levels. 6) 65Zn(II) efflux from rat spermatids is a process with a rate constant of 0.16 +/- 0.13 min-1 at 34 degrees C. This exit rate of Zn(II) is likely to be affected by Zn(II) release from cytoplasmic binding sites or organelles.
Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed-Ranks Test

The Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed Ranks Test is a nonparametric test that is often viewed as being similar to Student’s t-Test for Matched Pairs, but it is used for ordinal data or data that seriously violate any semblance of normal distribution. Of course, there are many who would argue that it is simply too convenient to compare the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed Ranks Test to Student’s t-Test for Matched Pairs even though they serve similar purposes. Group differences for when there are two matched pairs are addressed by both tests, but again, the Wilcoxon Matched-Pairs Signed Ranks Test is often used with ordinal data and/or data that are viewed as being nonparametric (with attention to medians) whereas the Student’s t-Test for Matched Pairs is generally used with interval data that rise to the level of parametric distributions (with attention to means). This lesson is interesting in that there is a tied set of values for one of the matched pairs, which introduces some degree of complexity on how values are ranked when there are ties (i.e., for an individual matched pair, there is no difference in the two scores that are being compared).
An Autobiographical Scene in Shadows on the Rock

(1988). An Autobiographical Scene in Shadows on the Rock. ANQ: A Quarterly Journal of Short Articles, Notes and Reviews: Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 103-104.
Describing the Shape of the Relationship Between Gestational Age at Birth and Cognitive Development in a Nationally Representative U.S. Birth Cohort

Background Preterm children face higher risk of cognitive and academic deficits compared with their full-term peers. The objective of this study was to describe early childhood cognitive ability and kindergarten academic achievement across gestational age at birth in a population-based longitudinal cohort. Methods The study population included singletons born at 24–42 weeks gestation enrolled in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort (n = 6150 for 2-year outcome, n = 4450 for kindergarten outcome). Home-based assessments measured cognitive ability at 2 years and reading and mathematics achievement at kindergarten age. Linear regression models estimated the association between gestational age and cognitive and academic scores using four different ways of modelling gestational age: continuous variable in linear and quadratic terms; categories for individual weeks; and clinical categories for early preterm, moderate preterm, late preterm, early term, full term, late term, and post-term. Results Children born at early preterm (24–27 weeks), moderate preterm (28–33 weeks), and late preterm (34–36 weeks) scored significantly worse than full-term (39–40 weeks) peers on 2-year and kindergarten assessments; however, no deficits were observed for early term (37–38 weeks). These categories were a clinically useful and parsimonious approach to stratifying risk of adverse cognitive and academic outcomes. Conclusions This study estimated the relative performance of children born at 24–42 weeks in a population-based birth cohort using multiple approaches to modelling gestational age, providing a more rigorous understanding of the relationships between the full spectrum of gestational age and cognitive and academic outcomes in early childhood and at school age.
Stroke-based rendering by evolutionary algorithm

This paper presents a new method based on evolutionary algorithm for optimizing the rendering quality in stroke-based rendering. The stroke-based rendering problem involves search in a high dimensional space with many local optima, where it Is hard to find an analytic solution. The proposed method produces, for a wide variety of input images, statistically significantly better results than previously published methods such as random descent, and is also seen to scale well.
Dollars and Deadlines: Rule Reforms in Short Time Frames.

In “At Last! Aye, and there’s the Rub,” (2017), Capron describes challenges related to the timing for development, adoption, and revision of the Common Rule. Capron argues that the difficulty of making changes over the ten years required before agencies adopted the original Common Rule created an “all or nothing” atmosphere. That is, because of the effort required, agencies were loath to make incremental changes and instead “take up every possible revision at once” with the process that culminated in the recently revised Rule. Here we briefly describe the efforts of one agency -- the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) -- that made interim changes to its human subjects protections within a 180 day time frame, and the opportunities and challenges that such an ambitious goal created.
1,2,3-Triazole Rings as a Disulfide Bond Mimetic in Chimeric AGRP-Melanocortin Peptides: Design, Synthesis, and Functional Characterization

The melanocortin system is involved in the regulation of complex physiological functions, including energy and weight homeostasis, feeding behavior, inflammation, sexual function, pigmentation, and exocrine gland function. The five melanocortin receptors that belong to the superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are regulated by endogenously expressed agonists and antagonists. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of replacing the disulfide bridge in chimeric AGRP-melanocortin peptide Tyr-c[Cys-His-d-Phe-Arg-Trp-Asn-Ala-Phe-Cys]-Tyr-NH2 (1) with 1,2,3-triazole moieties. A series of 1,2,3-triazole-bridged peptidomimetics were designed, synthesized, and pharmacologically evaluated at the mouse melanocortin receptors. The ligands possessed nanomolar to micromolar agonist cAMP signaling potency. A key finding was that the disulfide bond in peptide 1 can be replaced with the monotriazole ring with minimal effect on the functional activity at the melanocortin receptors. The 1,5-disubstit...
Example-Based Super-Resolution Fluorescence Microscopy

Capturing biological dynamics with high spatiotemporal resolution demands the advancement in imaging technologies. Super-resolution fluorescence microscopy offers spatial resolution surpassing the diffraction limit to resolve near-molecular-level details. While various strategies have been reported to improve the temporal resolution of super-resolution imaging, all super-resolution techniques are still fundamentally limited by the trade-off associated with the longer image acquisition time that is needed to achieve higher spatial information. Here, we demonstrated an example-based, computational method that aims to obtain super-resolution images using conventional imaging without increasing the imaging time. With a low-resolution image input, the method provides an estimate of its super-resolution image based on an example database that contains super- and low-resolution image pairs of biological structures of interest. The computational imaging of cellular microtubules agrees approximately with the experimental super-resolution STORM results. This new approach may offer potential improvements in temporal resolution for experimental super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and provide a new path for large-data aided biomedical imaging.
Evaluating Endogenous Program Interventions with Heterogeneous Treatment Intensity Using Bayesian Potential Outcomes Approach

In this paper, we implement Bayesian potential outcomes model to evaluate the impact of program interventions using non-randomized data. The approach jointly addresses selection bias in program placement, heterogeneous treatment intensity among the treated, and heterogeneity in treatment effects. Using data from a non-randomized household survey, we evaluate the impact of Ethiopia's Health Extension Program on fertility and child mortality outcomes. We find that there is significant selection bias in both program placement and intensity of exposure to the program among the treated. On average, the program has significant impact in reducing fertility and child mortality. However, there is notable heterogeneity in the treatment effects ranging from negative impacts for some individuals to positive impacts for the majority in the sample. We recover individual-level treatment effects and present the distributions graphically.
Characteristics of a High-Pressure Pulsed Arc Discharge Environment *

The characteristics and properties of a plasma generated in a pulsed arc discharge are investigated. Arc discharge plasmas are prevalent in the production and treatment of materials. Photodetectors and optical emission spectroscopy (OES) are used to probe the plasmas and characterize their spectral responses. OES allows for species identification and provides information about the state of the plasma, such as the electron temperature. Discharges generated with inert gas such as argon, as well as with nitrogen and air, are studied and compared. In the case of reactive gases, OES also provides information on the possible reactions that took place. Microwave interferometry can be used to measure the electron density to provide spatial information on the discharges. In addition, the measurement is synchronized with the discharge pulse to obtain temporal information, for instance, during the pulse initialization phase to investigate the arc discharge process prior to the availability of optical information. Together, this allows for the characterization of the pre-, during, and post-discharge environment.
Short-Term Assets: Inventories

The primary basis of accounting for inventories is cost, which is the price paid or consideration given to acquire an asset. The valuation of inventory is not a minor issue, because the accounting method used to create a valuation has a direct bearing on the amount of expense charged to the cost of goods sold in an accounting period and therefore on the amount of income earned.
Two-Stage Feature Selection with Unsupervised Second Stage

Feature selection is a common dimensionality reduction technique of fundamental importance in big data. A common approach for reducing the running time of feature selection is to perform it in two ...
Pelvic Incidence in Spines With 4 and 6 Lumbar Vertebrae

Study Design:Anatomical study.Objectives:This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of abnormal lumbar vertebrae (4 and 6) and note any differences in pelvic incidence (PI) between spines...
Limits to the precision of gradient sensing with spatial communication and temporal integration

Gradient sensing requires at least two measurements at different points in space. These measurements must then be communicated to a common location to be compared, which is unavoidably noisy. Although much is known about the limits of measurement precision by cells, the limits placed by the communication are not understood. Motivated by recent experiments, we derive the fundamental limits to the precision of gradient sensing in a multicellular system, accounting for communication and temporal integration. The gradient is estimated by comparing a “local” and a “global” molecular reporter of the external concentration, where the global reporter is exchanged between neighboring cells. Using the fluctuation–dissipation framework, we find, in contrast to the case when communication is ignored, that precision saturates with the number of cells independently of the measurement time duration, because communication establishes a maximum length scale over which sensory information can be reliably conveyed. Surprisingly, we also find that precision is improved if the local reporter is exchanged between cells as well, albeit more slowly than the global reporter. The reason is that whereas exchange of the local reporter weakens the comparison, it decreases the measurement noise. We term such a model “regional excitation–global inhibition.” Our results demonstrate that fundamental sensing limits are necessarily sharpened when the need to communicate information is taken into account.
Meditations on Fanon: A Review Essay on John Edgar Wideman's Fanon: A Novel

John Edgar Wideman, Fanon: A Novel. Boston: Mariner Books, 2008 If one came of political and social age during the Black Liberation Movement and the African Liberation Movement in America, on the continent of Africa, and in the African Diaspora during the 1960s and 1970s, then the Martiniquen born, French colonized, and Algerian psychiatrist and philosopher of revolution Frantz Fanon likely informed one's political and social imagination about the possibilities of African people finding their human authenticity and agency to organize their collective beings against colonial domination, racial domination, and psychological wretchedness. Fanon's corpus of work on how colonized African people had to find their humanity in order to overthrow European settler colonialism provided the template for understanding the psychological dimension of what slavery and colonialism had done to wrench the humanity and the source of inherent ontological being from African people. Concomitantly, Fanon provided a theory of revolution that evolved from the experiences of the Algerian national liberation struggle. While Fanon did not propagate that Africans on the continent and in the diaspora had identical experiences with domination, he did provide meta-analytical conceptual tools in order to grasp the commonalities of the similar experiences. Fanon's books Black Skins, White Masks (1952), A Dying Colonialism (1959), The Wretched of the Earth (1961), and Toward the African Revolution (1964) were required reading for young Black Marxists and Black revolutionary nationalists in the mid-20th century. The Oakland, California based Black Panther Party of Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale held up Fanon as a central philosopher and political theorist of the revolutionary vanguard role of the Black urban lumpen proletariat. Newton, Seale, and other ideologues of Black revolutionary nationalism, believed they had found in Fanon's theories the rationalization for advocating self-defense tactics and violent resistance to racial domination and Gestapo police terrorism that structured life for Black people in America's urban centers. To be sure, Fanon was not decontextualized by Black Marxists and revolutionary nationalists. In The Wretched of Earth, which describes Algerians within a colonial, urban milieu fighting against the France and their own self-marginalization, Fanon tells a story that is similar to the ethos of Black urban life in the United States. The African (native) Manichaean personality, Fanon views and describes through his psychiatric lens, tells of the universal struggle African people in the American diaspora faced since they were brought to the shores of the North American continent as slaves. Fanon has been in the critical consciousness of Black people inside the United States since the mid-20th century. …
Identity and investment in language learning: A case study of heritage Spanish speakers

Abstract Norton (2000) argues that investment in L2 acquisition is also an investment in learner identity, which changes in the context of time and space – a notion that also has relevance for heritage learners. As such, the purpose of this study is to examine investment in language learning among HL Spanish speakers and the role of identity in their learning experiences. This study comprises of ten participants enrolled in an HL Spanish course who completed a background questionnaire, interviews, and writing prompts. Using narrative analysis, this study examines participants’ reflections on their heritage identity, HL exposure, and their investment, experiences and progress in their HL course. Results show that participants demonstrate varying degrees of investment in the HL, and heritage identity plays a role in this variance.
Preventing Infant Maltreatment with Predictive Analytics: Applying Ethical Principles to Evidence-Based Child Welfare Policy

Infant maltreatment is a devastating social and public health problem. Birth Match is an innovative policy solution to prevent infant maltreatment that leverages existing data systems to rapidly predict future risk through linkage of birth certificate and child welfare data then initiate a child protection response. Birth Match is one example of child welfare policy that capitalizes on recent advances in computing technology, predictive analytics, and algorithmic decision making. We apply frameworks from business and computer science as a case study in ethical decision-making in child welfare policy. Current Birth Match policy applications appear to lack key aspects of transparency and accountability identified in the frameworks. Although technology holds promise to help solve intractable social problems such as fatal infant maltreatment, the decision to deploy such policy innovations must consider ethical questions and tradeoffs. Technological advances hold great promise for prevention of fatal infant maltreatment, but numerous ethical considerations are lacking in current implementation and should be considered in future applications.
High-surface area mesoporous carbons from gel templating and inorganic-organic hybrid gel formation

Abstract Mesoporous carbon materials with high surface areas and a high mesoporosity have been prepared using an interpenetrating inorganic-organic hybrid gel with hydrous alumina gel as soft template via two synthetic routes. In the single mix route, the hybrid gel was prepared with all the precursors are mixed at beginning, the inorganic alumina gel forms and then catalyzes the polymerization of a carbon precursor polymer. The final carbon product has the surface area over 1500 m2/g. In the alternative thixotropic mixing route, the hybrid gel was prepared by sequential but separate addition of inorganic and organic precursors. The alumina nanoparticles can reversibly self-assemble to form a three-dimensional gel network structure that ensures an open and connected network of the mesopores in the mesoporous carbon. The highest surface area was observed to be 1138 m2/g based on Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis on the N2 sorption isotherms, while the mesopores have relatively uniform pore sizes around 5 nm in the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) pore size distributions. Only 4% of the surface area was attributed to micropores for the high-surface area mesoporous carbons. Scanning electron microscopic studies reveal smooth surfaces without microscopic cracks in the material, indicating a macroscopic homogeneity of the materials.
Thallus pruning does not enhance survival or growth of a wave-swept kelp

Kelp are ecologically important in wave-swept habitats because their thalli provide food and habitat to many other organisms. Fronds of kelp thalli can be broken off by hydrodynamic forces that exceed frond strength, especially if the fronds are weakened by wounds inflicted by herbivores. Previous studies hypothesized that breaking benefits some kelp by reducing their size and the risk of dislodgement by large hydrodynamic forces, but we know little about the long-term effects of breaking on kelp growth and survival. Here, we used the intertidal kelp Egregia menziesii to study the relationship between the breaking of the kelp’s fronds ("pruning") and the kelp’s growth and survival. By surveying kelp pruning and herbivore wounds on fronds for 24 months at intertidal sites in northern California we found that pruning was positively correlated with herbivory. We also measured growth rates and long-term survival of kelp to determine if they were correlated with kelp pruning or size. For kelp of any size, heavy pruning led to reduced growth rates in every season except autumn. Contrary to suggestions in the literature that pruning enhances kelp survival, we found that heavily pruned kelp were less likely than lightly pruned kelp to survive winter storms, and heavy pruning led to reduced long-term survival. Thus, the reduction in growth rate caused by pruning of E. menziesii, which renders kelp unable to recover from tissue loss, appears to be more important to long-term survival of this strong perennial kelp than is the danger of being swept away by waves.
Examining International Education Research and Practice through a Queer Theory Lens.

In this critical essay, the author explores the pronounced lack of attention to the intersection of LGBTQI+ people and issues in international education. By presenting and then employing a conceptual framework that combines a queer theoretical lens and a multi-level analysis of structural contexts, the author examines the existing body of literature and practice on the nexus of LGBTQI+ inclusion and international education in institutions of higher education. Through the use of this combined conceptual framework, the author introduces a path forward to build a more inclusive field of international education for all by discussing implications for practice and recommendations for future areas of research.
“To Me, He Teaches Like the Child Learns:” Black Maternal Caregivers on the Pedagogies and Schooling Practices of a Black Male Kindergarten Teacher

There is a slow but growing body of literature on the pedagogies and schooling practices of Black male teachers. However, few of these studies elicit the voices of Black maternal caregivers regarding the ways in which pedagogies and schooling practices support Black boys in early childhood classrooms. In this article, the author uses a multidimensional framework—including Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, Critical Race Theory, Critical Race Feminism, and a counterstorytelling methodology—to elicit the voices of two Black maternal caregivers who spoke about the pedagogies and schooling practices of a Black male kindergarten teacher. Findings revealed that these caregivers perceived that this Black male kindergarten teacher addressed the collective and individual needs of Black boys. They also perceived this Black male teacher as minimizing the intergenerational racialized distrust Black maternal caregivers have toward White teachers and other educational professionals.
Protein Intake and Human Health: Implications of Units of Protein Intake.

Understanding the health effects of protein intake is bedeviled by a number of factors, including protein quality and source. In addition, different units, including grams, grams per kilogram body weight (g/kg BW), and percent energy, may contribute to confusion about protein's effects on health, especially BW-based units in increasingly obese populations. We aimed to review the literature and to conduct a modeling demonstration of various units of protein intake in relation to markers of cardiometabolic health. Data from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring (n = 1847; 60.3 y; 62.5% women) and Third Generation (n = 2548; 46.2 y; 55.3% women) cohorts and the NHANES 2003-04 (n = 1625; 46.2 y; 49.7% women) and 2005-06 (n = 1347; 43.7 y; 49.5% women) cycles were used to model cross-sectional associations between 7 protein units (grams, percent energy, g/kg ideal BW, g/kg actual BW, BW-adjusted g/kg actual BW, g/kg lean BW, and g/kg fat-free BW) and 9 cardiometabolic outcomes (fasting glucose, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, BMI, waist circumference, and estimated glomerular filtration rate). The literature review indicated the use of myriad units of protein intake, with differential results on cardiometabolic outcomes. The modeling demonstration showed units expressed in BW were confounded by BW, irrespective of outcome. Units expressed in grams, percent energy, and ideal BW showed similar results, with or without adjustment for body size. After adjusting for BW, results of units expressed in BW aligned with results of grams, percent energy, and ideal BW. In conclusion, protein intake in cardiometabolic health appears to depend on protein's unit of expression. Authors should be specific about the use of WHO (g/kg ideal BW) compared with US (g/kg actual BW) units, and ideally use gram or percent energy in observational studies. In populations where overweight/obesity are prevalent, intake based on actual BW should be reevaluated.
Identifying community physical activity and health resources for treatment of back pain by utilizing members of a physical activity network.

Back pain is one of the leading causes of health care expenditure in the US and is linked to an increased body mass index. Many evidence-based modalities for the prevention and treatment of back pain closely mirror recommendations for weight loss and include physical activity and health maintenance activities (PAHM). The primary aim of this study was to ascertain community assets, and perceptions of the use of PAHM in the treatment of back pain by West Virginia Physical Activity Network (WVPAN) members. Participants for the study were recruited from the West Virginia Physical Activity Network. This grassroots organization is filled with volunteers from various sectors who were recruited from various workshops, conferences, or coalition meetings over a period of several years. This network was purposely selected as the study population because of the statewide reach and their familiarity with resources in their local communities. A brief survey instrument was designed to gather their scaled perceptions about various treatment modalities related to back pain, and to gather their local knowledge related to specific providers in their communities. In addition, participants were given a free text box to list any local assets or resources for the nine treatments listed, and county of residence, and the nature of their connection to the physical activity network. Descriptive analyses were used to describe overall patterns of survey data. The qualitative data were compiled manually by the research team to show themes of specific treatments mentioned across different parts of the state. Participants overwhelmingly supported physical therapy, flexibility training, yoga, and core strengthening as treatments for back pain. The majority of respondents were “undecided” about other treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapies and acupuncture. The implementation of PAHM interventions in communities could help treat patients with back pain, and may reduce reliance on the pharmacological treatment for back pain. The current study’s data support the potential of such approaches in many West Virginia counties. Also, local resources, and context can be gleaned from community leader surveys utilizing previously developed infrastructure for PAHM promotion.
Association of human papillomavirus vaccination with exposure to dental or medical visits

Background Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with oropharyngeal cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that >15,000 new cases of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers are diagnosed in the United States annually. We evaluated an association between HPV vaccination and dental visits in the previous year. Methods Data were analyzed from the 2012, 2014, and 2016 Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (MA-BRFSS) datasets. We created four categories of exposures to healthcare services in the past 12 months: a) both medical and dental visits, b) medical visit only, c) dental visit only, d) neither. Outcomes were HPV vaccination ever or influenza vaccination within the past 12 months. Logistic regression, controlled for race and education, was used to measure the association between medical/dental visits and vaccination status. Separate models were generated by sex. Results Crude and adjusted odds ratio of influenza and HPV vaccination were highest among males and females with both medical and dental visits. Women with both medical and dental provider visits had 3.7 times higher odds of being vaccinated for influenza and 1.7 times higher odds of being vaccinated for HPV. There were no differences in crude or adjusted odds among both males and females if the type of healthcare visits were only medical or only dental. Conclusion No difference in association between vaccination and medical or dental healthcare exposures suggests that oral health professionals might partner in promotion of positive health behaviors, including HPV vaccination. The type of provider did not affect the outcome as per this study.
Optimal partitioning for the proportional hazards model

This paper discusses methods for clustering a continuous covariate in a survival analysis model. The advantages of using a categorical covariate defined from discretizing a continuous covariate (vi...
miR-31 Displays Subtype Specificity in Lung Cancer.

miRNA rarely possess pan-oncogenic or tumor-suppressive properties. Most miRNAs function under tissue-specific contexts, acting as either tumor suppressors in one tissue, promoting oncogenesis in another, or having no apparent role in the regulation of processes associated with the hallmarks of cancer. What has been less clear is the role of miRNAs within cell types of the same tissue and the ability within each cell type to contribute to oncogenesis. In this study, we characterize the role of one such tissue-specific miRNA, miR-31, recently identified as the most oncogenic miRNA in lung adenocarcinoma, across the histologic spectrum of human lung cancer. Compared with normal lung tissue, miR-31 was overexpressed in patient lung adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and large-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, but not small-cell carcinoma or carcinoids. miR-31 promoted tumor growth in mice of xenografted human adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, but not in large- or small-cell carcinoma lines. While miR-31 did not promote primary tumor growth of large- and small-cell carcinoma, it did promote spontaneous metastasis. Mechanistically, miR-31 altered distinct cellular signaling programs within each histologic subtype, resulting in distinct phenotypic differences. This is the first report distinguishing diverse functional roles for this miRNA across the spectrum of lung cancers and suggests that miR-31 has broad clinical value in human lung malignancy. Significance: These findings demonstrate the oncogenic properties of miR-31 in specific subtypes of lung cancer and highlight it as a potential therapeutic target in these subtypes. Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/81/8/1942/F1.large.jpg.
Oceanapiside, a Marine Natural Product, Targets the Sphingolipid Pathway of Fluconazole-Resistant Candida glabrata .

Oceanapiside (OPS), a marine natural product with a novel bifunctional sphingolipid structure, is fungicidal against fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata at 10 μg/mL (15.4 μM). The fungicidal effect was observed at 3 to 4 h after exposure to cells. Cytological and morphological studies revealed that OPS affects the budding patterns of treated yeast cells with a significant increase in the number of cells with single small buds. In addition, this budding morphology was found to be sensitive in the presence of OPS. Moreover, the number of cells with single medium-sized buds and cells with single large buds were decreased significantly, indicating that fewer cells were transformed to these budding patterns, suggestive of inhibition of polarized growth. OPS was also observed to disrupt the organized actin assembly in C. glabrata, which correlates with inhibition of budding and polarized growth. It was also demonstrated that phytosphingosine (PHS) reversed the antifungal activity of oceanapiside. We quantified the amount of long chain-bases (LCBs) and phytoceramide from the crude extracts of treated cells using LC-ESI-MS. PHS concentration was elevated in extracts of cells treated with OPS when compared with cells treated with miconazole and amphotericin B. Elevated levels of PHS in OPS-treated cells confirms that OPS affects the pathway at a step downstream of PHS synthesis. These results also demonstrated that OPS has a mechanism of action different to those of miconazole and amphotericin B and interdicts fungal sphingolipid metabolism by specifically inhibiting the step converting PHS to phytoceramide.
Producers, production, marketing, and sales of non-timber forest products in the United States: a review and synthesis

Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are derived from natural populations of plants or fungi, or farmed in forests. Harvesters and producers often benefit from NTFPs by selling them to generate income. This article explores research on the producers, production, marketing, and sales of NTFPs in the United States, including the continuum of production from wild-harvesting to forest farming of NTFPs, and their costs and benefits. Specific examples are presented, but the concepts and generalizations are broadly applicable to many NTFPs throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world. Integrating NTFPs into forest management can enhance economic opportunities but also will increase complexity, and will entail balancing multiple and potentially conflicting objectives among a diverse community of stakeholders. We identify information gaps including the need for inventories and yield models of NTFPs, understanding the effect of silvicultural activities on NTFP survival and yield, time series and trends in collection of NTFPs by U.S. households, identification of vulnerable and marginalized communities associated with NTFP harvest, and harvesters’ motivations and drivers.
Conduction Properties and Thermal Expansion

In the theory of solids the thermal expansion and the conduction properties are topics which impinge on each other. A major component of the thermal expansion can be attributed to the anharmonic components of the interatomic forces. This anharmonicity gives rise also to the interchange of energy amongst the normal modes. The strength of this interaction enters explicitly into the conduction processes involving lattice waves, and some of the information needed to estimate anharmonic interaction rates is obtained from thermal expansion.
TU‐CD‐BRA‐07: A Comparison of Demons Image Registration Algorithms to Monitor Longitudinal Changes in Knee Cartilage: Data From the OsteoArthritis Initiative (OAI)

Purpose: To develop accurate tools to quantify small and localized changes in cartilage morphology to facilitate comparisons between patient cohorts with varying degrees of osteoarthritis (OA) as well as to track longitudinal changes(normal progression and response to treatment). Methods: We implemented and compared the registration accuracy of four variants of the demons algorithm on magnetic resonance cartilage image volumes. The algorithms are four variants of the Demon’s algorithm: symmetric simple demons (SMSD), symmetric evolved demons (SMED), inverse-consistent simple demons (ICSD), and inverse-consistent evolved demons (ICED). The registration algorithms were also evaluated for the accuracy of the average Jacobians. The average Jacobian of the cartilage was compared to the ratio of volume change for validation. Evaluation was performed on 36 subjects using the baseline and later time point images acquired after 12 months. Results: The symmetric evolved demons algorithm provided the best in registration accuracy evaluated using quantitative metrics of mean squared error and voxel overlap. The symmetric simple demons and symmetric evolved demons performed equally well in terms of the Jacobians. Conclusion: Approximately 27 millions adults age 25 and older diagnosed with OA; however, cartilage loss with disease progression is small and localized to sub-regions of the cartilage. It is desirable to develop accurate methods that can automatically extract measures of cartilage volume and thickness (global and local). The techniques developed here will be used, in future studies, to explore differences in cohorts segregated by disease severity and correlation of local changes to clinical variables.
Introduction—What These Papers Are About

Men ought to know that from nothing else but the brain come joys, delights, laughter and sports, and sorrows, griefs, despondency, and lamentations. And by this, in an especial manner, we acquire wisdom and knowledge, and see and hear, and know what are foul and what are fair, what are bad and what are good, what are sweet, and what unsavory; some we discriminate by habit, and some we perceive by their utility. Hippocrates (∼400 BC)
Justice, Gender, and the Politics of Multiculturalism

Justice, Gender and the Politics of Multiculturalism explores the tensions that arise when culturally diverse democratic states pursue both justice for religious and cultural minorities and justice for women. Sarah Song provides a distinctive argument about the circumstances under which egalitarian justice requires special accommodations for cultural minorities while emphasizing the value of gender equality as an important limit on cultural accommodation. Drawing on detailed case studies of gendered cultural conflicts, including conflicts over the 'cultural defense' in criminal law, aboriginal membership rules and polygamy, Song offers a fresh perspective on multicultural politics by examining the role of intercultural interactions in shaping such conflicts. In particular, she demonstrates the different ways that majority institutions have reinforced gender inequality in minority communities and, in light of this, argues in favour of resolving gendered cultural dilemmas through intercultural democratic dialogue.
Correlation effects in metal ammonia systems

The recent structural and electrochemical measurements of the alkali metal-ammonia systems are reconciled in a model where the correlation energy leads to the formation of bound states. This is evident in the X-ray absorption of Rbx(NH3)1−x near the Rb K-edge as a white peak which appears only when the metal mole fraction is reduced below xc = 0.04. These transitions must be associated with the correlation effects which lead to the formation of sodium anions predicted by electrochemical measurements. If the anions act as impurity centers with a minus two valence change from the uniformly charged positive background, Friedel oscillations in the electron density must be taken into account in a statistical description of the system. The deviations of the activity coefficients from the usual Debye-Huckel expression are discussed.
A geometric approach to strategic conflict detection and resolution [ATC]

Conflict detection and resolution (CD and R) systems predict loss of separation between aircraft and propose conflict avoidance maneuvers for the aircraft involved in the conflict. Given a pair of aircraft in conflict, the ownship and the intruder, the resolution system diverts the ownship from its original trajectory. In this paper, we introduce the concept of recovery course. A recovery course redirects the ownship to its original target waypoint without introducing new conflicts, in a geometric optimal way. Based on resolution and recovery concepts, we also develop a strategic CD and R approach that produces conflict-free flight plans for the ownship and the intruder aircraft. The resolution and recovery algorithm is computationally efficient and amenable to formal verification. We provide a rigorous analysis of the problem and the basis of the correctness proof of our approach.
A homogenization analysis of the field theoretic approach to the quasi-continuum method

Abstract Using the orbital-free density functional theory as a model theory, we present an analysis of the field theoretic approach to quasi-continuum method. In particular, by perturbation method and multiple scale analysis, we provide a formal justification for the validity of numerical coarse-graining of various fields in the quasi-continuum reduction of field theories by taking the homogenization limit. Further, we derive the homogenized equations that govern the behavior of electronic fields in regions of smooth deformations. Using Fourier analysis, we determine the far-field solutions for these fields in the presence of local defects, and subsequently estimate cell-size effects in computed defect energies.
Quantifying soil carbon loss and uncertainty from a peatland wildfire using multi-temporal LiDAR

Abstract Peatlands are a major reservoir of global soil carbon, yet account for just 3% of global land cover. Human impacts like draining can hinder the ability of peatlands to sequester carbon and expose their soils to fire under dry conditions. Estimating soil carbon loss from peat fires can be challenging due to uncertainty about pre-fire surface elevations. This study uses multi-temporal LiDAR to obtain pre- and post-fire elevations and estimate soil carbon loss caused by the 2011 Lateral West fire in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, VA, USA. We also determine how LiDAR elevation error affects uncertainty in our carbon loss estimate by randomly perturbing the LiDAR point elevations and recalculating elevation change and carbon loss, iterating this process 1000 times. We calculated a total loss using LiDAR of 1.10 Tg C across the 25 km 2 burned area. The fire burned an average of 47 cm deep, equivalent to 44 kg C/m 2 , a value larger than the 1997 Indonesian peat fires (29 kg C/m 2 ). Carbon loss via the First-Order Fire Effects Model (FOFEM) was estimated to be 0.06 Tg C. Propagating the LiDAR elevation error to the carbon loss estimates, we calculated a standard deviation of 0.00009 Tg C, equivalent to 0.008% of total carbon loss. We conclude that LiDAR elevation error is not a significant contributor to uncertainty in soil carbon loss under severe fire conditions with substantial peat consumption. However, uncertainties may be more substantial when soil elevation loss is of a similar or smaller magnitude than the reported LiDAR error.
The use of animal fats in poultry feeds

White grease, prime tallow, and soybean oil have been fed to chicks and to turkey poults at the levels of 2.2 to 5.0%. No consistent improvement in growth has been observed with chickens. A slight improvement was noted with turkeys with prime tallow. However feed utilization was improved when the various levels of fat were fed to either chickens or turkey poults. The addition of fat to poultry feeds reduces the amount of dust and improves the texture and color of the feed.
Differences in the Morale of Older, Rural Widows and Widowers:

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of sex differences on the morale of older widowed individuals. It was hypothesized that when the direct and indirect effects of several background and intervening variables were isolated, sex would have a significant association with morale and that widowers would be more adversely affected. The sample (N = 257) included rural widows and widowers aged sixty-five to ninety-four years who were selected by a compact cluster sampling technique. Sex of respondent was not found to affect morale; however, perceived financial status and self-rated health had significant direct effects. Widows and widowers reporting higher morale were those who had higher perceived financial status and rated their health as good. Education had a significant positive effect on morale via health and financial status. Economic and physical resources appear to be more influential determinants of the widowed older adults' morale than sex differences.
Writing courses in American medical schools

U.S. medical schools were surveyed to determine the extent and nature of instruction in medical writing. Of the 101 schools responding, only 15 offered writing courses. Seven of the 15 offered only brief seminars or workshops. The other eight offered full-term courses (greater than eight weeks or more than 15 hours of instruction). Those not offering courses indicated a need but claimed lack of time, lack of interest on the part of those needing instruction, or lack of qualified faculty members as major reasons for not having the courses. These obstacles can be overcome by designing the writing course to complement existing elements of the curriculum and by soliciting the help of writing specialists on campus.
Simple solar dynamo models with variable α and ω effects

We examine a pair of radially averaged, pseudo-Cartesian dynamo models, one with a dynamically variable a effect, and the other with a dynamically variable w effect. Our models are kept deliberately minimal in order to permit extensive numerical analysis, including in particular direct solution of periodic orbits and continuation of unstable branches. Despite some differences in the formulations used, the bifurcation structure of the variable-w model is found to resemble closely that computed by Jennings & Weiss, whereas that of the variable-a model matches the structure computed by Schmalz & Stix somewhat less well. Our two systems, however, resemble each other not at all, despite having the same linearized form. Quenching of the a and w effects is confirmed to have dramatically different effects, with w-quenching perhaps producing better resemblance to the Sun. Also, we find the variable-a model to contain periodic solutions for positive dynamo number that do not show poleward propagation, contrary to conventional wisdom.
A note on the treatment of diaper rash with alkyl-dimethyl-benzyl-ammonium chlorides (roccal).

Summary 1. A solution of alkyl-dimethyl-benzyl-ammonium chlorides (Roccal) has been effective in curing ammoniacal diaper dermatitis in 62 out of 64 cases, when used in a 1:5,000 dilution to impregnate the diaper after washing. 2. Reasons are presented for the belief that under usual circumstances Roccal would be equally effective for prophylaxis of this condition. 3. Roccal is nontoxic, nonirritating to the skin in recommended dilutions, is readily available and is of relatively low cost.