cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soluble E-cadherin promotes cell survival by activating epidermal growth factor receptor

High levels of the soluble form of E-cadherin can be found in the serum of cancer patients and are associated with poor prognosis. Despite the possible predictive value of soluble E-cadherin, little is understood concerning its patho-physiological consequences in tumor progression. In this study, we show that soluble E-cadherin facilitates cell survival via functional interaction with cellular E-cadherin. Exposure of cells to a recombinant form of soluble E-cadherin, at a concentration found in cancer patient's serum, prevents apoptosis due to serum/growth factor withdrawal, and inhibits epithelial lumen formation, a process that requires apoptosis. Further, soluble E-cadherin-mediated cell survival involves activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and EGFR-mediated activation of both phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. These results are evidence of a complex functional interplay between EGFR and E-cadherin and also suggest that the presence of soluble E-cadherin in cancer patients' sera might have relevance to cell survival and tumor progression.
Visual-motor efficiency (VME) and the information transmitted in visual-motor tasks

An information theory approach to the analysis of data from visual-motor experiments is suggested here. A solution to the arbitrariness of the information of continuous distributions is proposed so that the amount of information transmitted by movements of the limbs, final position, or even electromyographic activities can be calculated as absolute measures. A new index, visual-motor efficiency, is introduced, which is an absolute measure of performance. Since it is an absolute quantitative index, it can be used to compare different subjects at the same visual-motor task, to compare the same subject’s performance at different tasks, to chart the progress of a subject during training, or to make virtually any absolute comparisons of efficiency.
Microanalysis of Calcium-Aluminosilicate Glass Films Grown on α-Al2O3 By Pulsed-Laser Ablation

Pulsed-laser ablation has been used to deposit amorphous calcium-aluminosilicate films on α-Al2O3 single-crystal substrates. The microstructure and composition of each glass film was characterized using analytical electron microscopy (AEM). Composition was dependent on substrate temperature during deposition and thickness of the deposited glass layer.
Copy Number Variation Accuracy in Genome-Wide Association Studies

Background/Aim: Copy number variations (CNVs) are a major source of alterations among individuals and are a potential risk factor in many diseases. Numerous diseases have been linked to deletions and duplications of these chromosomal segments. Data from genome-wide association studies and other microarrays may be used to identify CNVs by several different computer programs, but the reliability of the results has been questioned. Methods: To help researchers reduce the number of false-positive CNVs that need to be followed up with laboratory testing, we evaluated the relative performance of CNVPartition, PennCNV and QuantiSNP, and developed a statistical method for estimating sensitivity and positive predictive values of CNV calls and tested it on 96 duplicate samples in our dataset. Results: We found that the positive predictive rate increases with the number of probes in the CNV and the size of the CNV, with the highest positive predicted rates in CNVs of at least 500 kb and at least 100 probes. Our analysis also indicates that identifying CNVs reported by multiple programs can greatly improve the reproducibility rate and the positive predicted rate. Conclusion: Our methods can be used by investigators to identify CNVs in genome-wide data with greater reliability.
The Relative Effectiveness of EMDR Versus Relaxation Training With Battered Women Prisoners

Five women prisoners with a history of being battered and who met the DSM-IV criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder were assessed (A phase) and provided with structured relaxation training (RT) (B phase, or placebo treatment), followed by eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy (C phase). Using the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Impact of Events Scale’s avoidance behavior and intrusive thoughts subscales as outcome measures, RT alone did not result in any clinical improvements. The subsequent provision of EMDR did not improve upon this lack of success with 4 of the 5 participants; 1 did improve on anxiety and intrusive thoughts. The apparent ineffectiveness of EMDR with these participants may be attributed to several explanations. Foremost perhaps is the hypothesis that EMDR is not sufficient to ameliorate the effects of chronic abuse.
On the number of memories that can be perfectly stored in a neural net with Hebb weights

Let (w/sub ij/) be the weights of the connections of a neural network with n nodes, calculated from m data vectors v/sup 1/, ..., v/sup m/ in (1,-1)/sup n/, according to the Hebb rule. The author proves that if m is not too large relative to n and the v/sup k/ are random, then the w/sub ij/ constitute, with high probability, a perfect representation of the v/sup k/ in the sense that the v/sup k/ are completely determined by the w/sub ij/ up to their sign. The conditions under which this is established turn out to be less restrictive than those under which it has been shown that the v/sup k/ can actually be recovered by letting the network evolve until equilibrium is attained. In the specific case where the entries of the v/sup k/ are independent and equal to 1 or -1 with probability 1/2, the condition on m is that m should not exceed n/0.7 log n. >
An analytical investigation of the scheduling problem for capacitated re-entrant lines

The basic definition of the re-entrant line ignores completely the effects and complications arising from additional operational issues like the finite buffering capacity of the system workstations/production units. Yet, as the semiconductor industry moves to more extensive modes of automation, the explicit characterization and control of these additional operational features is of paramount importance for the robust and stable operation of the entire system. The work presented undertakes an analytical treatment of the scheduling problem of capacitated re-entrant lines, providing (i) a formal framework for the systematic integrated modeling of the system behavior and the super-imposed operational control logic, (ii) an analytical formulation of the scheduling problem in the context of this framework, and (iii) a qualitative characterization of the structure of the optimal scheduling policy. The proposed methodology is exemplified through application on a small system configuration, and while it suffers from a very high computational complexity, it is expected that the obtained characterizations will provide valuable analytical insights for developing pertinent approximating techniques.
A CFD/CSD interaction methodology for aircraft wings

With advanced subsonic transports and military aircraft operating in the transonic regime, it is becoming important to determine the effects of the coupling between aerodynamic loads and elastic forces. Since aeroelastic effects can contribute significantly to the design of these aircraft, there is a strong need in the aerospace industry to predict these aero-structure interactions computationally. To perform static aeroelastic analysis in the transonic regime, high fidelity computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis tools must be used in conjunction with high fidelity computational structural dynamics (CSD) analysis tools due to the nonlinear behavior of the aerodynamics in the transonic regime. There is also a need to be able to use a wide variety of CFD and CSD tools to predict these aeroelastic effects in the transonic regime. Because source codes are not always available, it is necessary to couple the CFD and CSD codes without alteration of the source codes. In this study, an aeroelastic coupling procedure is developed which will perform static aeroelastic analysis using any CFD and CSD code with little code integration. The aeroelastic coupling procedure is demonstrated on an F/A-18 Stabilator using NASTD (an in-house McDonnell Douglas CFD code) and NASTRAN. In addition, the Aeroelastic Research Wing (ARW-2) is used for demonstration of the aeroelastic coupling procedure by using ENSAERO (NASA Ames Research Center CFD code) and a finite element wing-box code (developed as a part of this research). The results obtained from the present study are compared with those available from an experimental study conducted at NASA Langley Research Center and a study conducted at NASA Ames Research Center using ENSAERO and modal superposition. The results compare well with experimental data. Parallel computing power is used to investigate parallel static aeroelastic analysis because obtaining an aeroelastic solution using CFD/CSD methods is computationally intensive. A parallel finite element wing-box code is developed and coupled with an existing parallel Euler code to perform static aeroelastic analysis. A typical wing-body configuration is used to investigate the applicability of parallel computing to this analysis. Performance of the parallel aeroelastic analysis is shown to be poor; however with advances being made in the arena of parallel computing, there is definitely a need to continue research in this area.
An improved key distribution mechanism for large-scale hierarchical wireless sensor networks

Abstract Wireless sensor networks are often deployed in hostile environments and operated on an unattended mode. In order to protect the sensitive data and the sensor readings, secret keys should be used to encrypt the exchanged messages between communicating nodes. Due to their expensive energy consumption and hardware requirements, asymmetric key based cryptographies are not suitable for resource-constrained wireless sensors. Several symmetric-key pre-distribution protocols have been investigated recently to establish secure links between sensor nodes, but most of them are not scalable due to their linearly increased communication and key storage overheads. Furthermore, existing protocols cannot provide sufficient security when the number of compromised nodes exceeds a critical value. To address these limitations, we propose an improved key distribution mechanism for large-scale wireless sensor networks. Based on a hierarchical network model and bivariate polynomial-key generation mechanism, our scheme guarantees that two communicating parties can establish a unique pairwise key between them. Compared with existing protocols, our scheme can provide sufficient security no matter how many sensors are compromised. Fixed key storage overhead, full network connectivity, and low communication overhead can also be achieved by the proposed scheme.
Convolutional Codes and Their Performance in Communication Systems

This tutorial paper begins with an elementary presentation of the fundamental properties and structure of convolutional codes and proceeds with the development of the maximum likelihood decoder. The powerful tool of generating function analysis is demonstrated to yield for arbitrary codes both the distance properties and upper bounds on the bit error probability for communication over any memoryless channel. Previous results on code ensemble average error probabilities are also derived and extended by these techniques. Finally, practical considerations concerning finite decoding memory, metric representation, and synchronization are discussed.
Identification of direction in gene networks from expression and methylation

Background Reverse-engineering gene regulatory networks from expression data is difficult, especially without temporal measurements or interventional experiments. In particular, the causal direction of an edge is generally not statistically identifiable, i.e., cannot be inferred as a statistical parameter, even from an unlimited amount of non-time series observational mRNA expression data. Some additional evidence is required and high-throughput methylation data can viewed as a natural multifactorial gene perturbation experiment.
A shadow detection and removal algorithm for 2-D images

An algorithm that detects and removes background shadows from images in which the pattern set occupies the upper-most intensity range of the image and the image is background dominant outside the pattern set is presented. The algorithm will remove background shadows and preserve any remaining texture left behind by the shadow function. A mathematical model of the histogram modification function of the shadow-removal algorithm is developed. An analysis of the sequential nature of the algorithm is included along with simulated results to verify the mathematical model developed and to show the effectiveness of the algorithm in removing background pattern shadows. >
Comparative study of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharide structures of normal and acute-phase rat plasma thiostatin

Rat plasma thiostatin is a 68 kDa glycoprotein with kinin donor and cysteine proteinase inhibitor properties. Thiostatin is an acute-phase plasma protein (APPP) with dramatically elevated plasma levels in response to inflammatory stimuli. APPPs have been shown to possess altered glycan structures in inflammation. This study compares the carbohydrate structure of normal thiostatin with that expressed during the acute-phase response. Thiostatin from both normal and acute-phase plasma was purified by carboxymethyl-papain Sepharose 4B affinity chromatography. Sugar composition analysis by gas chromatography and the Warren method yielded similar mean values for both proteins on a mole sugar per mole protein basis (normal/acute phase): fucose, 2.4/1.7; mannose, 7.5/8.0; galactose, 11.2/10.6; and sialic acid, 14.2/13.0. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot identified a homogeneous 68–70 kDa molecular species for normal and acute-phase thiostatin. Inter-sugar linkage analysis was carried out for permethylated oligosaccharides released by hydrazinolysis. Gas chromatography yielded the following partially methylated alditol acetates relative to 1.0 mole of 1,3,6-tri-O-linked mannose (mean normal/mean acute phase): galactose: 1,3-di-O-, 1.44/1.01; 1,6-di-O-, 1.02/0.68; mannose: 1,2-di-O-, 1.64/1.42; 1,2,4-tri-O-, 0.24/0.13; 1,3,6-tri-O-, 1.0/1.0; 2-deoxy-2-N-methylacetamidoglucose: 1,4-di-O-, 1.42/1.12. These analytical studies indicated that corresponding carbohydrate structures are present in normal and acute-phase thiostatin. Crossed affinoimmunoelectrophoresis (CAIE) further confirmed the structural similarity between the glycan moieties.
Inverting Phase Curves to Map Exoplanets

One of the most exciting results of the Spitzer era has been the ability to construct longitudinal brightness maps from the infrared phase variations of hot Jupiters. We presented the first such map in Knutson et al. (2007), described the mapping theory and some important consequences in Cowan & Agol (2008) and presented the first multi waveband map in Knutson et al. (2008). In these proceedings, we begin by putting these maps in historical context, then briefly describe the mapping formalism. We then summarize the differences between the complementary N-Slice and Sinusoidal models and end with some of the more important and surprising lessons to be learned from a careful analytic study of the mapping problem.
Label Free DNA Detection Using Large Area Graphene-Based FET Biosensors

This work describes the fabrication of highly sensitive graphene-based field effect transistor (FET) biosensors in a cost-effective way and its application in label-free DNA detection. CVD graphene was used to achieve mass production of FET device through photolithography method. Non-covalent functionalization of graphene with 1-Pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester ensures the high conductivity and sensitivity of the device. The present device could reach the low detection limit as low as 3*10-9 M.
Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities at forest edges

Summary 1 Ectomycorrhizal fungi are spatially associated with established ectomycorrhizal vegetation, but the influence of distance from established vegetation on the presence, abundance, diversity and community composition of fungi is not well understood. 2 We examined mycorrhizal communities in two abandoned agricultural fields in Minnesota, USA, using Quercus macrocarpa seedlings as an in situ bioassay for ectomycorrhizal fungi from 0 to 20 m distance from the forest edge. 3 There were marked effects of distance on all aspects of fungal communities. The abundance of mycorrhiza was uniformly high near trees, declined rapidly around 15 m from the base of trees and was uniformly low at 20 m. All seedlings between 0 and 8 m distance from forest edges were ectomycorrhizal, but many seedlings at 16‐20 m were uninfected in one of the two years of the study. Species richness of fungi also declined with distance from trees. 4 Different species of fungi were found at different distances from the edge. ‘Rare’ species (found only once or twice) dominated the community at 0 m, Russula spp. were dominants from 4 to 12 m, and Astraeus sp. and a Pezizalean fungus were abundant at 12 m to 20 m. Cenococcum geophilum , the most dominant species found, was abundant both near trees and distant from trees, with lowest relative abundance at intermediate distances. 5 Our data suggest that seedlings germinating at some distance from established ectomycorrhizal vegetation (15.5 m in the present study) have low levels of infection, at least in the first year of growth. Distance from established vegetation represents an important gradient for ectomycorrhizal fungi, with different species occupying distinct niches along this gradient. This provides support for niche differentiation as a factor contributing to ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity. 6 Ectomycorrhizal infection of seedlings is spatially complex, with high infection and high fungal diversity near trees, high infection but lower diversity at intermediate distances, and low infection and low fungal diversity distant from trees. This spatial complexity should be considered as a factor potentially influencing the establishment of ectomycorrhizal vegetation.
An efficient strategy for rapidly finding an object in a polygonal world

In this paper, we propose an approach to solve the problem of finding an object in a polygon which may contain holes. We define an optimal solution as the route that minimizes the expected time it takes to find said object. The object search problem is shown to be NP-hard by reduction, therefore, we propose the heuristic of an utility function, defined as the ratio of a gain over a cost and a greedy algorithm in a reduced search space that is able to explore several steps ahead without incurring in too high computational cost. This approach was implemented and simulation results are shown.
Activation Volume as a Clue to Transition State Structure

The relationship of molar volume to molecular structure and properties is not discussed to any extent in physical chemistry textbooks. One such neglected principle is the additivity of molar volume which was first noted by H. Kopp in 1842. Although it holds best for corresponding states, as for example the boiling points, it is surprisingly reliable for room temperature as shown in Table I. Strong forces of association such as hydrogen bonding cause a slight decrement at temperatures well below the boiling point. Accurate estimates of density can be derived from the additivity principle.
Mathematical modeling and cycle time reduction of deposit removal from stainless steel pipeline during cleaning-in-place of milking system with electrolyzed oxidizing water

The safety of raw milk largely depends on using a clean milking system during the milk production. The milking system cleaning process widely used on dairy farms is a highly automated process called cleaning-in-place (CIP), which comprises of four cycles: i) warm water rinse; ii) alkaline wash; iii) acid wash; and iv) sanitizing rinse before the next milking event. Electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water is an emerging technology, which consists of acidic and alkaline solutions by the electrodialysis of dilute sodium chloride solution. Previous studies in our lab showed that EO water can be an alternative for milking system CIP. Despite the progress made to enhance the CIP performance and evaluate alternative CIPs, the mechanisms behind the cleaning processes were still largely unclear. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate the deposit removal rate during the EO water CIP process using a stainless steel surface evaluation simulator. Deposit removal data from the simulator formed the basis for developing mathematical models to describe the deposit removal process during the CIP process with EO water. Stainless steel straight pipe specimens were placed at the end of undisturbed entrance length along the simulator pipeline. The mass of milk deposits on the inner surfaces of the specimens were measured using a high precision balance after the initial soiling, and then after certain time durations within the warm water rinse, alkaline wash, and acid wash cycles. A unified first order deposit removal rate model dependent on nth power of remaining deposit mass was used for all three cycles. ATP bioluminescence method was also used as a validation approach at the end of each CIP cycle. Experimental results showed that the milk deposit on the inner surfaces of the specimens was removed rapidly by the warm water rinse within 10 s of rinse time. For the alkaline and acid wash cycles, the co-existence of a fast deposit removal at the beginning of the wash cycle and a slow deposit removal throughout the entire wash cycle was inferred. The proposed models matched the experimental data with small root mean square errors (0.23 mg/[(mg) (m2)] and 0.07 mg/[(mg) (m2)] for the upstream and downstream locations, respectively) and satisfactory percent error differences (3.67% and 0.93% for the upstream and downstream locations, respectively). Based on the experimental data and the proposed models, the time duration of the CIP process was shortened by 55% (10 s warm water rinse, 3 min alkaline wash and 6 min acid wash) and validated, which yielded an average deposit of 0.28 mg/[(mg) (m2)] at the end of the CIP as compared with that of 0.29 mg/[(mg) (m2)] at the end of the original CIP, to achieve a satisfactory CIP performance for the simulator.
FUNCTIONAL SEX-REVERSAL IN GENETIC FEMALES OF XENOPUS LAEVIS, INDUCED BY IMPLANTED TESTES

IN his thesis, CHANG (1953) reports that testes implanted into female larvae of the frog Xenopus suppress ovarian development, and that initial cortical inhibition sometimes is followed by testicular differentiation of one or several gonomeres. These experiments have been taken up again with the aim of studying the morphologic effects induced by testicular implants, the sexual behavior of converts, their reproductive capacity, and their genetic constitution. Regarding the last point, it is already known that ordinary female larvae are heterozygous with respect to sex-determining genes. Proof of this has been obtained from breeding experiments (CHANG and WITSCHI 1955a, 1956; GALLIEN 1955,1956). Recently reported cytologic evidence confirms that Xenopus belongs to the ZZ = male and ZW = female chromosomal type ( WEILER and OHNO 1962). Foremost remains the question whether the testicular nodes of sex-reversed females retain the ZW constitution, or assume a new one. The latter alternative could conceivably arise through migration of germ cells from the implant to the larval gonads or by chromosomal modifications. The observational material is not yet large enough to certify statistically that sex-reversal through testis implantation has occurred in CHANG’S or in our own experiments. Obviously, unequivocal evidence can be obtained only by breeding tests, such as will be described in the following pages. By raising experimental animals to the age of maturity, mating behavior and fertility of sex-reversed animals may also be studied.
Physiological activation of presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptors increases intracellular calcium and glutamate release.

Activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) has diverse effects on the functioning of vertebrate synapses. The cellular mechanisms that underlie these changes, however, are largely unkn...
Action of the kallikreins on synthetic ester substrates.

SummaryEvidence is presented which suggests that the kallikreins derived from hog pancreas, human pancreas, human urine and human plasma are capable of digesting those synthetic esters which contain arginine as the specific amino acid residue. Highly purified hog pancreatic kallikrein also digests acetyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester. Arginine esters and benzoyl-L-arginine amide prevented both inhibition of human urinary and pancreatic kallikreins by human plasma and inhibition of human plasma kallikrein by diisopropyl-fluorophosphate. Acetone activates not only plasma kallikrein but another proteolytic enzyme(s) which attack arginine esters and are not inhibited by SBTI.
Power-law subordinacy and singular spectra I. Half-line operators

We study Hausdorff-dimensional spectral properties of certain “whole-line” quasiperiodic discrete Schrodinger operators by using the extension of the Gilbert–Pearson subordinacy theory that we previously developed in [19].
Adaptive Transfer Adjustment in Efficient Bulk Data Transfer Management for Climate Datasets

Many scientific applications and experiments, such as high energy and nuclear physics, astrophysics, climate observation and modeling, combustion, nano-scale material sciences, and computational biology, generate extreme volumes of data with a large number of files. These data sources are distributed among national and international data repositories, and are shared by large numbers of geographically distributed scientists. A large portion of the data is frequently accessed, and a large volume of data is moved from one place to another for analysis and storage. A challenging issue in such efforts is the limited network capacity for moving large datasets. A tool that addresses this challenge is the Bulk Data Mover (BDM), a data transfer management tool used in the Earth System Grid (ESG) community. It has been managing massive dataset transfers efficiently in the environment where the network bandwidth is limited. Adaptive transfer adjustment was studied to enhance the BDM to handle significant end-to-end performance changes in the dynamic network environments as well as to control the data transfers for the desired transfer performance. We describe the results from our hands-on data transfer management experience in the climate research community. We study a practical transfer estimation model and state our initial results from the adaptive transfer adjustment methodology.
Idea Innovation and Promotion of Development of Rural Industries with Local Characteristics——Case Study of "One Village,One Product"

The paper explains the idea innovation of "one village,one product" in promoting the development of modern agriculture and building a new socialist countryside in China,and analyzes the effective ways to develop "one village,one product" from the aspects of finding out government's role,highlighting farmers' subject position and optimizing external development environment.Furthermore,the paper puts forward some suggestions about how to further the development of "one village,one product" based on modern agricultural organization.
Topographic and subcellular anatomy of the guinea pig gallbladder.

The normal guinea pig gallbladder was fixed in the filled and empty state, and examined with scanning and transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. Striking differences in the epithelial morphology were noted and found to be dependent on the state of filling of the gallbladder. "Folds," "crests," and "bays," previously described, disappear when the gallbladder is fixed in its usual filled state. Fixation of the gallbladder in the filled state allowed the detection of cryptlike glands not easily appreciated in the empty, relaxed state. These glands contained cells which resembled intestinal goblet cells, were periodic acid-Schiff positive, and, with scanning electron microscopy, appeared to be discharging material. The lateral epithelial cell membrane, thought to be the site of active sodium chloride transport, contains microfolds which do not resemble microvilli as has been previously thought. With scanning electron microscopy, the labyrinthine canals that exist between the epithelial cells can be fully appreciated. This correlative approach to morphologic studies offers new insight into the structure of the gallbladder.
A Sensory Approach to Exotica, Ritual Practice, and Cosmology at Chaco Canyon†

The “Chaco Phenomenon” has been a major research focus within Ancestral Puebloan archaeology, yet while most scholars agree that some kind of shared ideology and ritual permitted the creation of this distinctive network of pueblo villages throughout a vast region of the American Southwest, few have attempted to explain the specifics of Chacoan ritual practice. This paper uses a phenomenological approach to examine exotic imports in Chaco Canyon including turquoise, shell, cacao, copper bells, and macaws and argues for the importance of these objects’ unique sensory characteristics in crafting Chaco's compelling ritual environment. By skillfully employing striking new colors, sounds, and tastes in both “concealed” and “conspicuous” practices of ritual deposition and public performances, Chacoan religious personnel would have not only have demonstrated their spiritual prestige by having acquired such items, but also allowed ritual participants to hear, see, and taste a paradisiacal realm akin to the shared ...
Explaining Post-Soviet Regime Dynamics

Now that the discussion of the details of every highly patronalistic post-Soviet polity is complete, it is appropriate to step back and consider the cumulative findings in light of other factors that have frequently been invoked by observers to explain regime dynamics in Eurasia. This penultimate chapter thus takes on several important tasks. It begins by identifying some of the main lessons learned in this volume’s analysis, starting with the need to think differently about formal institutions, less about “regime change,” and more in terms of extended patronalistic networks and regime dynamics that primarily consist of patterns over time in how these networks come to be arranged and rearranged, constituted and reconstituted. Formal institutions like constitutions and elections matter, but in different ways that are not always obvious from a Western perspective. Often they produce cyclic patterns of politics that a focus on “transition” or “regime change” can misdiagnose. After summing up these conclusions and the evidence for them, the chapter seeks to identify clearly what this book is not about, including explaining important variation in types of single-pyramid and competing-pyramid systems as well as in the particular characteristics of the networks that they comprise. Such questions constitute a fecund agenda for future research. The chapter also directly addresses factors that astute readers are sure to notice are deemphasized as explanations of regime dynamics, factors that feature prominently in many other accounts, such as international actors, transnational diffusion processes, leadership characteristics, patterns of private ownership, the spread of social media, and even state strength and weakness.
Introduction: Rethinking the Political Economy of Post-Socialism

By the end of 1991, the West’s significant other was replaced by fifteen independent countries undergoing experiments of remaking complex social structures, what one group of scholars called a “quadruple transition” (D’Anieri, Kravchuk, and Kuzio 1999): transforming economies (marketization), polities (democratization), state structures, and political identities and communities (nations and ethnicities). This event, whose echoes reverberate, is among the most important events for the social sciences, as these experiences provide social laboratories to study theories of economics and politics (unfortunately for those enduring the experiments). Yet social science failed to address adequately the massively complex process unfolding there. On the economic front, early predictions, hopes, and analyses growing out of the neoliberal model (Lipton et al 1990; Lipton, Sachs, and Summers 1990; Fisher and Gelb 1991; Aslund 1995) could not adequately account for confusion, conflict, and multiple trajectories in their overly simplistic and normative accounts of economic and political life.
COMPREHENSION OF NATURAL LANGUAGE

This chapter discusses comprehension of natural language. Most of one's present computing equipment is used below capacity, because it is too hard to write adequate programs for tasks that are well within the machines' physical capabilities. If one write programs that are very closely tied to the order code of a specific machine, the machine's capacities are retained but the programs become so complex that they are difficult to understand. Much effort has been devoted to the design of languages for abstract machines that can be realized on actual computers, an approach which should allow the programmer to retain control over the details of the computation but not require him to be concerned with engineering; ALGOL and ALGOL 68 are the most conspicuous examples of this development. These languages seem to be difficult to learn and, in fact, they give a programmer a capability that can be used only if he knows a good deal about computers. The chapter also discusses a quite different approach. Perhaps the biggest obstacle to the extension of computing beyond conventional applied mathematics and book-keeping is not one's inability to produce a language which displays the power of the computer to man, but one's inability to move from man's natural language to the internal operations of the computer.
The Temperature and Electric Field Dependence of Hopping Conduction in a Two Dimensional Impurity Band

For electric fields in which the current-field characteristic is ohmic (F ≃ 0.4 V/cm), the d.c. conductivity associated with a sodium impurity band in a silicon MOSFET has been found1,2 experimentally to be consistent with the formula $$l\,n\left( {\frac{\sigma }{{\sigma _0 }}} \right)\, = \, - \,\xi _c \, = \, - \,\left( {\frac{{\text{T}_\text{0} }}{\text{T}}} \right)^\text{x} \,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\,\text{x}\,\text{ = }\,\text{1/3}$$ (1) where To(~10,000K) is proportional to the the reciprocal of the density of states.
State, Party and Society in a Post-Colonial Plantation-Mineral Enclave Economy

The title of the chapter characterizes the Jamaican economy and society well. If we add to the legacy of British colonial rule and of the slave plantation the recently developed bauxite mineral enclave and a few other elements, namely, the independent peasant economy, tourism, and two multi-class party-union complexes, we have a skeletal picture of the Jamaican economy and society in the late 1960s, shortly before the PNP government took power. In this chapter, as a background for the events of the Manley years, we will flesh out this skeleton and outline the impending crisis of the dependent capitalist development path pursued during the 1950s and 1960s.
Effect of Environmental Factors on the Post-Infection Behavior of Gremmeniella abietina

Conidial production by Gremmeniella abietina was enhanced by growing the fungus in 8-oz. jars containing V-8 agar and a red pine twig. Survival of G. abietina at temperatures of 12 to 34C was closely related to average temperature and duration of exposure. The fungus survived 27 months in vivo without causing extensive necrosis of the host. Symptom development was more frequent among trees placed outdoors than among trees placed in a coldroom or greenhouse.
A global study of GPP focusing on light-use efficiency in a random forest regression model

Light-use efficiency (LUE) is at the core of mechanistic modeling of global gross primary production (GPP). However, most LUE estimates in global models are satellite based and coarsely measured with emphasis on environmental variables. Others are from eddy covariance towers with much greater spatial and temporal data quality and emphasis on mechanistic processes, but in a limited number of sites. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive global study of tower-based LUE from 237 FLUXNET towers, and scaled up LUEs from in situ tower level to global biome level. We integrated the tower-based LUE estimates with key environmental and biological variables at 0.5° × 0.5° grid-cell resolutions, using a random forest regression (RFR) approach. Then, we developed a RFR-LUE-GPP model using the grid-cell LUE data. In order to calibrate the LUE model, we developed a data-driven RFR-GPP model using RFR method only. Our results showed LUE varies largely with latitude. We estimated a global area-weighted average of LUE at 1.23 ± 0.03 g C·m−2·MJ−1 APAR, which led to an estimate of global GPP of 107.5 ± 2.5 Gt C/yr from 2001 to 2005. Large uncertainties existed in GPP estimations over sparsely vegetated areas covered by savannas and woody savannas at middle to low latitude (i.e., 20° S–40° S and 5° N–40° N) due to the lack of available data. Model results were improved by incorporating Koppen climate types to represent climate/meteorological information in machine-learning modeling. This brought a new understanding to the recognized problem of climate dependence of spring onset of photosynthesis and the challenges in accurately modeling the biome GPP of evergreen broadleaf forests (EBF). The divergent responses of GPP to temperature and precipitation at middle to high latitudes and at middle to low latitudes echo the necessity of modeling GPP separately by latitudes.
Dissecting Professor Wu and Yelp's Local Search Study: An Antitrust Law Analysis of The ‘Experimental Evidence’

In a 2015 article co-authored with three Yelp employees, Professor Wu purports to examine evidence from one experiment allegedly relevant to the question whether Google’s display of local search results in a defined space on the search results page violates the antitrust laws. The authors rely entirely upon this single experiment to support two central claims: that Google’s local results harm consumers and that this innovation violates the antitrust laws. A closer look at the authors’ experiment, however, makes clear it is does not substantiate either of these claims. I describe the methodological flaws in the authors’ approach in some detail, including their mistaken claim that the single experiment amounts to an “RCT,” or “randomized controlled trial.” I also identify the mistaken premise underlying their provocative legal claim – that is, that a firm can face antitrust liability for innovation that improves consumer welfare on the grounds that one can imagine an innovation that would have generated greater welfare improvements. Antitrust law has repeatedly considered and rejected this notion. Professor Wu and his co-authors draw even more provocative conclusions from this experiment, but ignore the fact that in the 5 years following Yelp’s initial complaints regarding local search, Yelp’s annual revenues grew from $83 to $713 million. In response to the common refrain of antitrust complainants that they could have performed even better but for the allegedly unlawful conduct, I explain the relevance of a rival’s economic success in the context of Section 2 claims involving exclusionary conduct. Professor Wu and his Yelp co-authors’ theory thus ultimately fails as a matter of economics, law, and data.
Presentation, Treatment, and Long-Term Outcome of Intrasellar Chordoma: A Pooled Analysis of Institutional, SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results), and Published Data.

Background Chordoma that occurs primarily in the sella turcica is rare and presents unique treatment challenges. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine common features, treatment approaches, and survival characteristics of intrasellar chordoma. Methods Institutional databases, the SEER (Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results) database, and PubMed/EMBASE were queried for chordoma with a primarily intrasellar component. The SEER database was also queried for adult skull base chordoma. Patient-level data were extracted where available. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were conducted. Results Among 80 cases, the mean age at presentation was 55.6 (standard deviation, 15.9), with a female predominance (1.16:1.00). Patients experienced symptoms for a mean duration of 19.0 months, including cranial nerve deficits, hypopituitarism, and hyperprolactinemia. Among patients receiving treatment, 77.5% underwent surgery. In addition, less than half of the patients (n = 34, 47.3%) received adjuvant radiation therapy. The 5-year overall survival (OS) of intrasellar chordoma was 60.0% (standard error [SE], 6.9). Patients aged 40 years and younger had a 5-year OS of 80.8% (SE, 12.2), compared with patients older than 40 years, who had an OS of 55.4% (SE, 7.7) (Mantel-Cox, P = 0.044). Males experienced a lower 5-year OS (44.0; SE, 9.7) than did females (76.8; SE, 8.5), (Mantel-Cox, P = 0.003). Median OS was greater in patients with skull base chordoma than in patients with intrasellar chordoma (Mantel-Cox, P = 0.046). Conclusions Intrasellar chordoma presents frequently with visual disturbances and hyperprolactinemia and has a slightly higher incidence in females. Young age predicts a better prognosis. Intrasellar chordoma has a lower overall survival than has skull base chordoma.
Predictors of dysphagia in critically injured patients with neck trauma.

Abstract Purpose Trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) are at heightened risk for oropharyngeal dysphagia and pulmonary aspiration. Timely and appropriate referrals for dysphagia may reduce mortality rates and hospital readmissions. This study sought to identify predictors of dysphagia in a large cohort of patients with multiple traumatic injuries. Methods The Trauma Registry Database was queried for admissions at a level 1 trauma center from 2012 to 2016 who underwent instrumental swallowing evaluations. Relevant demographics, injuries, and interventions known to be associated with dysphagia were collected. The Dysphagia Outcome and Severity Scale (DOSS) was utilized to define severity of dysphagia. Regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of dysphagia. Results Two hundred and sixty two patients met criteria. Multivariate analyses found injury severity (p Conclusions Oropharyngeal dysphagia is a common complication in trauma patients. Our results propose a set of predictors that should be considered when identifying critically injured patients at risk for dysphagia.
Reprogramming the metabolome rescues retinal degeneration

Metabolomics studies in the context of ophthalmology have largely focused on identifying metabolite concentrations that characterize specific retinal diseases. Studies involving mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have shown that individuals suffering from retinal diseases exhibit metabolic profiles that markedly differ from those of control individuals, supporting the notion that metabolites may serve as easily identifiable biomarkers for specific conditions. An emerging branch of metabolomics resulting from biomarker studies, however, involves the study of retinal metabolic dysfunction as causes of degeneration. Recent publications have identified a number of metabolic processes-including but not limited to glucose and oxygen metabolism-that, when perturbed, play a role in the degeneration of photoreceptor cells. As a result, such studies have led to further research elucidating methods for prolonging photoreceptor survival in an effort to halt degeneration in its early stages. This review will explore the ways in which metabolomics has deepened our understanding of the causes of retinal degeneration and discuss how metabolomics can be used to prevent retinal degeneration from progressing to its later disease stages.
Oral preneoplasia and chemoprevention of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Micronutrients and phytochemicals modulate genetic pathways of carcinogenesis and inhibit the initiation and progression of SCCHN. These compounds may have a role in the prevention of cancer in high-risk populations, such as tobacco smokers, as well as in the prevention of disease progression or relapse. Clinical studies investigating the use of these agents in the prevention ofSCCHN should be a high priority.
Injury of the Kidney, Ureter, and Bladder

Including both blunt and penetrating trauma, renal injuries occur in 1.2 % of all trauma patients, and 15–25 % of patients with pelvic fracture incur urologic injury [21]. The American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) Injury Criteria are used to characterize severity of renal and urologic injury (Tables 50.1, 50.2, 50.3, and 50.4). Repair of injury to the kidney, ureter, urethra, or bladder whenever possible is essential to preserve long-term function.
Six-Minute Walk Distance Under 135 Meters Predicts Early and Frequent 30-day Heart Failure Readmissions in Patients with Stage C and D Heart Failure

Introduction With a 30-day all cause readmission rate around 23%, individuals with heart failure (HF) are a medically high risk and costly patient population. Though predictive models have been developed for readmission based on descriptive variables, many of these tools are cumbersome and limited in prognosticative capacity. A few studies have examined the role of the six-minute walk test (6MWT) and found good predictive ability for both 30-day and 1-3-year readmission rates. The goal of this study was to further elucidate the prognostic ability of the 6MWT in stage C/D HF patients with NYHA class IIIb-VI symptoms. Methods We prospectively enrolled 97 patients who from our step-down units with a primary diagnosis of heart failure between October 2016 and March 2017. Every patient who was enrolled had a standardized 6MWT prior to discharge. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was constructed to determine relationships between 6MW distance and 30-day survival free of readmission. Results Baseline characteristics were compared between the 6-minute walk test distance groups using Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables and Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables, and no significant differences were found between the patients. The 135-meter cut-point was selected as the threshold which maximizes the sum of sensitivity and specificity of a logistic regression model for 30-day readmission with 6-minute walk test distance as a continuous predictor. Approximately 25.7% of the patients walked less than 135 meters. Out of these about 32% were admitted within 30 days [p= .026]. Among the patients who walked > 135 meters, 11.1% were admitted within 30 days [p= 0.026]. Furthermore, patients who walked Conclusions 6MWT distance less than 135m was associated with not only increased risk of 30 day readmission but also correlated with increased frequency of admissions in patients admitted with stage C/D heart failure.
Synthesis of doped, ternary, and quaternary materials by atomic layer deposition: a review

In the past decade, atomic layer deposition (ALD) has become an important thin film deposition technique for applications in nanoelectronics, catalysis, and other areas due to its high conformality...