cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proceedings of the 49th Annual Southeast Regional Conference

Welcome to Kennesaw State University and the 49th annual ACM Southeast Conference, the longest continuously-running computer-science conference. We are very pleased with this year's program, which includes internationally-known keynote speakers Dr. Marco Perez-Cisneros from the Universidad de Guadalajara, MX, and Leon Jololian of Zayed University, U.A.E. We are also fortunate to have a keynote presentation from Dr. Sue Fitzgerald of the National Science Foundation. Our program also includes eight tutorials and a student Game Design Exposition, along with peer-reviewed papers, faculty posters, and student posters. The conference program includes two special tracks or themed areas, one in Robotics and another in Digital Game Design. Each of the two themed areas generated one or more special tutorials and a special paper session.
The Role of Social Computing Technologies in Grassroots Movement Building

Social movement organizing is becoming increasingly dependent on communication technologies. How can Computer-Supported Cooperative Work systems support grassroots organizations in facilitating collective action through democratic participation? In this article, we study Science for the People-Atlanta, a social movement organization dedicated to building a grassroots movement around science activism. We used action research, both participating in the organization and studying it. We use the Freirean model of participatory communication theory to unpack the movement-building process of SftP-Atlanta. The Freirean model provides a three-step, iterative process for sustainable movement building: forming a collective identity, moving toward collective action, and engaging in reflexive dialog. We analyze both the perceived strengths and weaknesses of their sociotechnical practices in supporting the organization as they iteratively go through the phases of the Freirean model. Finally, we identify inclusivity, privacy/security, and social translucence as three values desirable for sociotechnical practices of grassroots organizing.
Development of CRISPR-Cas systems for genome editing and beyond

The development of clustered regularly interspaced short-palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas systems for genome editing has transformed the way life science research is conducted and holds enormous potential for the treatment of disease as well as for many aspects of biotechnology. Here, I provide a personal perspective on the development of CRISPR-Cas9 for genome editing within the broader context of the field and discuss our work to discover novel Cas effectors and develop them into additional molecular tools. The initial demonstration of Cas9-mediated genome editing launched the development of many other technologies, enabled new lines of biological inquiry, and motivated a deeper examination of natural CRISPR-Cas systems, including the discovery of new types of CRISPR-Cas systems. These new discoveries in turn spurred further technological developments. I review these exciting discoveries and technologies as well as provide an overview of the broad array of applications of these technologies in basic research and in the improvement of human health. It is clear that we are only just beginning to unravel the potential within microbial diversity, and it is quite likely that we will continue to discover other exciting phenomena, some of which it may be possible to repurpose as molecular technologies. The transformation of mysterious natural phenomena to powerful tools, however, takes a collective effort to discover, characterize, and engineer them, and it has been a privilege to join the numerous researchers who have contributed to this transformation of CRISPR-Cas systems.
REPLAB: A Reproducible Low-Cost Arm Benchmark for Robotic Learning

Standardized evaluation measures have aided in the progress of machine learning approaches in disciplines such as computer vision and machine translation. In this paper, we make the case that robotic learning would also benefit from benchmarking, and present a template for a vision-based manipulation benchmark. Our benchmark is built on “REPLAB,” a reproducible and self-contained hardware stack (robot arm, camera, and workspace) that costs about 2000 USD and occupies a cuboid of size 70x40x60 cm. Each REPLAB cell may be assembled within a few hours. Through this low-cost, compact design, REPLAB aims to drive wide participation by lowering the barrier to entry into robotics and to enable easy scaling to many robots. We envision REPLAB as a framework for reproducible research across manipulation tasks, and as a step in this direction, we define a grasping benchmark consisting of a task definition, evaluation protocol, performance measures, and a dataset of over 50,000 grasp attempts. We implement, evaluate, and analyze several previously proposed grasping approaches to establish baselines for this benchmark. Project page with assembly instructions, additional details, and videos: https://goo.gl/5F9dP4.
Current practices and attitudes in menstrual management in adolescents with cancer: A national survey of pediatric oncology providers.

e21533Background: Adolescents and young adult (AYA) females with cancer are at risk of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) due to thrombocytopenia, coagulopathy, and/or disruption of the hypothalamic-pi...
Changes in the management of children with brief resolved unexplained events (BRUES)

BACKGROUND: In May 2016, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a clinical practice guideline for brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs). We evaluated for changes in the management of BRUE after guideline publication. METHODS: Using a pediatric multicenter administrative database, we compared rates of admission, testing, revisits, and diagnoses in patients diagnosed with a BRUE or apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) during 2017 with rates of admission, testing, revisits, and diagnoses in patients diagnosed with ALTE during 2015. We used interrupted time series analysis to test if the guideline was associated with changes in admission rate for all patients with ALTE or BRUE between 2015 and 2017. We stratified analyses by age (0–60 and 61–365 days). RESULTS: A total of 9501 patients were included (5608 in 2015 and 3893 in 2017). The admission rate decreased by 5.7% (95% confidence interval, 3.8% to 7.5%) for infants 0 to 60 days and by 18.0% (95% confidence interval, 15.3% to 20.7%) for infants 61 to 365 days from 2015 to 2017. Patients in 2017 had lower rates of EEG, brain MRI, chest radiography, laboratory testing, and urinalyses compared with patients in 2015. In the interrupted time series analysis model (n = 13 977), guideline publication was associated with decreasing admission rates (0.2% per week) for infants 61 to 365 days (P CONCLUSIONS: Compared with patients evaluated in 2015, patients with BRUE or ALTE in 2017 have lower rate of admissions and testing. Findings may be due to changes in the definition of BRUE and guideline recommendations.
Contemporary Art Practices in Preservice Teacher Education: Using Conflict Kitchen in a College Art Methods Course

Food is not just required for human survival; it is fundamental to identity, culture, and society (Swan & Flowers, 2015). As such, food connects a variety of disciplines—anthropology, arts, educati...
Temperature and pH-Dependent Stability of Mitragyna Alkaloids.

Mitragynine (MG) is the principal psychoactive alkaloid in kratom. The drug produces a variety of dose-dependent effects that appeal to recreational drug users and individuals seeking therapeutic benefits in the absence of medical supervision. In light of documented intoxications, hospitalizations and fatalities, MG and other alkaloids from Mitragyna speciosa are of growing importance to the forensic toxicology community. However, the chemical stability of these compounds has not been thoroughly described. In this report, the stability of MG, 7-hydroxymitragynine (MG-OH), speciociliatine (SC), speciogynine (SG) and paynantheine (PY) are investigated. Short-term stability of the Mitragyna alkaloids was determined over a range of pH (2-10) and temperature (4-80°C) over 8 hours. Liquid chromatography--quadrupole/time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to estimate half-lives and identify degradation products where possible. The stability of MG and other alkaloids was highly dependent on pH and temperature. All of the Mitragyna alkaloids studied were acid labile. Under alkaline conditions, MG undergoes chemical hydrolysis of the methyl ester to produce 16-carboxymitragynine. MG-OH was the most unstable alkaloid studied, with significant drug loss at 8 hours experienced at temperatures of 40°C and above. No significant drug losses were observed for MG in aqueous solution (pH 2-10) at 4, 20 or 40°C. Diastereoisomers of MG (SC and SG) demonstrated even greater stability. These findings are discussed within the context of the identification of Mitragyna alkaloids in toxicological specimens.
Reversible Lesion of the Corpus Callosum in a Patient With Migraine With Aura: A Case Study.

Objective To describe a patient with migraine with aura (MWA) who was found to have a reversible lesion of the corpus callosum. Background Reversible lesions of the splenium of the corpus callosum are well-described clinical-radiographic phenomena, which have been associated with a wide array of disease states, including epilepsy, demyelinating disease, infection, and metabolic derangements. There have been few case reports in the literature to date of these lesions associated with migraine headache. Design/methods A case report. Results A 41 year-old female with a history of migraine with visual aura presented with headache associated with left-sided sensorimotor deficits. Routine laboratory tests were within normal limits. An electroencephlogram was also normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain with and without contrast revealed areas of restricted diffusion in the splenium and the genu of the corpus callosum. The patient's symptoms resolved after 2 days. A follow-up MRI 2 days after the onset of symptoms revealed resolution of the callosal lesions. The patient was diagnosed clinically with migraine with prolonged aura. Conclusion MWA may be associated with reversible lesions of the corpus callosum.
What Is Positron Emission Tomography

The scientific basis of nuclear medicine is the radiotracer, with its union of a pharmaceutical and a radionuclide. There are a number of existing tracers approved for use in the United States and elsewhere, but by far the most commonly used (and the only one used for melanoma and sarcoma) is fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). FDG is a positron emitter, with the emitted positron being annihilated and producing two photons detected by the ring of detectors in the PET scanner. The PET is done together with a CT scan, which is used for both anatomic localization and attenuation correction. FDG is selectively taken up by cancer cells due to their heavy anaerobic metabolism, though other causes such as inflammation can also produce an increase in uptake. Common alterations in biodistribution include elevated glucose levels and/or insulin secretion and brown fat activation. The SUV (standardized uptake value) has been created as a semiquantitative measure of local uptake, correlates with prognosis, and is sometimes used for therapy assessment, but has technical problems resulting in significant variability.
A framework for dynamic matching in weighted graphs

We introduce a new framework for computing approximate maximum weight matchings. Our primary focus is on the fully dynamic setting, where there is a large gap between the guarantees of the best known algorithms for computing weighted and unweighted matchings. Indeed, almost all current weighted matching algorithms that reduce to the unweighted problem lose a factor of two in the approximation ratio. In contrast, in other sublinear models such as the distributed and streaming models, recent work has largely closed this weighted/unweighted gap. For bipartite graphs, we almost completely settle the gap with a general reduction that converts any algorithm for α-approximate unweighted matching to an algorithm for (1−)α-approximate weighted matching, while only increasing the update time by an O(logn) factor for constant . We also show that our framework leads to significant improvements for non-bipartite graphs, though not in the form of a universal reduction. In particular, we give two algorithms for weighted non-bipartite matching: 1. A randomized (Las Vegas) fully dynamic algorithm that maintains a (1/2−)-approximate maximum weight matching in worst-case update time O(polylog n) with high probability against an adaptive adversary. Our bounds are essentially the same as those of the unweighted algorithm of Wajc [STOC 2020]. 2. A deterministic fully dynamic algorithm that maintains a (2/3−)-approximate maximum weight matching in amortized update time O(m1/4). Our bounds are essentially the same as those of the unweighted algorithm of Bernstein and Stein [SODA 2016]. A key feature of our framework is that it uses existing algorithms for unweighted matching as black-boxes. As a result, our framework is simple and versatile. Moreover, our framework easily translates to other models, and we use it to derive new results for the weighted matching problem in streaming and communication complexity models.
Debt Issues around Mergers & Acquisitions

Abstract We investigate firms’ debt financing choices among bank loans, public bonds and privately placed debt around mergers and acquisitions (M&As). We find that prior to M&As, firms with above-optimal leverage tend to pursue arm’s-length debt financing in lieu of bank debt. We find that three-day CARs for highly levered firms and acquirer’s long-run performance are negatively associated with non-bank financing. This supports a monitoring avoidance hypothesis for highly levered firms’ non-bank debt financing decisions in M&As. As a falsification test, we do not find the same debt financing considerations of acquirer firms during their post-M&A period.
Predicting Bone Metastatic Potential of Prostate Cancer Via Computational Modeling of TGF-Beta Signaling

Abstract : This hypothesis generation project involved the development of a computational model of the TGF-beta signaling pathway and investigating whether such a model can be used to generate hypotheses regarding metastatic potential of prostate cancer (PCa). The primary deliverable of the investigation is a comprehensive quantitative model of TGF-beta signaling that is representative of a wide variety of experimental data collected in different labs worldwide; the primary outcome is the following set of related conclusions: (i) it is possible to use such a model to predict metastatic potential of PCa,; but (ii) to do so appropriately requires a deeper quantitative understanding of the role of TGF- as a regulator of prostate gland function; and in this regard, (iii) that the primary role of TGF- as a tumor suppressor may still be intact so that the observed over-expression in poor prognosis PCa patients is due to changes in the PCa cells and not in the ligand.
Long and Small Fatigue Crack Growth in Aluminum Alloys

Fatigue crack growth (FCG) studies at various stress ratios (R=0.1, 0.5, 0.7) were performed on solution-strengthened (cast A535) and precipitation-strengthened (cast A356, 319, A390 and wrought 6061) aluminum alloys. Microstructures were altered through processing, chemistry, and heat treatment (T4, T6, T7) to shed light on the effects of various intrinsic material characteristic features on FCG (e.g. Si amount/type/morphology, grain size, secondary dendrite arm spacing, precipitate type/size). In this context, mechanisms of long and small fatigue crack growth at the microstructural scale of the studied alloys were identified, and loading-microstructure-damage mechanisms design maps were created. The differences in FCG responses between long, physically-small, and microstructurally-small cracks were systematically evaluated, and an original fracture mechanics — materials science combined model that accounts for these differences was developed, having both material and crack size dependency. Examples of the use of this integrated methodology for design and fatigue life predictions will also be given.
An electrophoretic analysis of Drosophila histones: I. Isolation and identification

Abstract An electrophoretic and chemical analysis of Drosophila histones has indicated: 1. 1. The preparative methods devised for isolating, separating and quantifying the electrophoretic components of Drosophila histone have been found to be rapid and reliable. 2. 2. All five histone fractions similar to those described by Johns [8] are present in Drosophila. 3. 3. These fractions have been identified on the basis of their electrophoretic mobility, specific chemical properties, behavior in organic-aqueous solvents, and by amino acid analysis. 4. 4. Four of the five histone fractions are either identical (F3 and F2a1) or similar (F2a2 and F2b) in electrophoretic mobility when compared with comparable calf thymus histone fractions, only the lysine-rich (F1) fraction is markedly different, primarily due to a difference in charge density, in agreement with the observations of Cohen & Gotchel [16].
The ratio of the length of the unit circle to the area of the unit disc in Minkowski planes

In their paper An Introduction to Finsler Geometry, J. C. Alvarez and C. Duran asked if there are other Minkowski planes besides the Euclidean for which the ratio of the Minkowski length of the unit circle to the Holmes-Thompson area of the unit disc equals 2. In this paper we show that this ratio is greater than 2, and that the ratio 2 is achieved only for Minkowski planes that are affine equivalent to the Euclidean plane. In other words, the ratio is 2 only when the unit circle is an ellipse.
Applications of colorimetric solid-phase extraction with negligible depletion

Colorimetric solid-phase extraction (C-SPE) is an integrated technique in which a selected analyte is concentrated onto a disk by SPE and then measured quantitatively by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). Although several C-SPE methods have been tested successfully in microgravity simulations, incorporation of air bubbles often makes it difficult to accurately measure the volume of aqueous sample used for the analysis. This paper investigates the application of negligible depletion (ND) to C-SPE. ND is based on reaching an equilibrium in which the concentration of analyte in the original sample and in the outflow from the disk are equal after a minimum volume of sample has passed through the disk. As a result, the amount of extracted analyte is proportional to the sample concentration but independent of sample volume. With this approach, called C-SPE-ND, the precise measurement of sample volume is no longer necessary. The general principles of this new method and preliminary tests of its potential utility using methyl violet and silver(I), the latter of which is the biocide presently used on ISS, are described.
Total Portfolio Activation: A Framework for Creating Social and Environmental Impact across Asset Classes

Based on case studies of leading, high-impact investors and asset managers, we develop a new framework for portfolio management in pursuit of social and environmental impact: Total Portfolio Activation (TPA). By identifying four key areas of impact investment activity, the framework helps investors to increase their specific "impact opportunity set" across every asset class in their investment portfolios.
Protein modifications induced in mouse epidermis by potent and weak tumor-promoting hyperplasiogenic agents.

Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to compare the changes in mouse epidermal proteins induced by the potent tumor promoter 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), by the moderate promoter mechanical abrasion, and by the weakly promoting hyperplasiogenic agents mezerein and ethyl-phenylpropiolate. Evidence is presented which indicates that TPA caused many changes in the epidermal protein profiles especially related to the keratins which are the major differentiation product of the epidermis. The keratin modification progresses with time after TPA treatment, resulting in a keratin pattern which resembles that of newborn mouse epidermis. The criteria used for the identification of the keratins were extractability, isolelectric points, molecular weights, filament formation in vitro , immunological cross-reactivity, amino acid composition, and peptide mapping. Several other protein changes were evident in the more soluble epidermal proteins which were also prominent in the newborn epidermis. These protein alterations are observed not only early during the TPA induction of hyperplasia and inflammation at 48 and 72 hr but also in 1- and 2-week samples in which the morphology of the epidermis has returned to normal. Mezerein and abrasion produced protein changes similar to those induced by TPA. Ethylphenylpropiolate-induced protein modifications not only occurred at later times compared with either mezerein or TPA but also were less in magnitude. However, although many of the protein modifications induced by TPA appear to be associated with the hyperplasiogenic properties of TPA, the major difference between a potent promoter like TPA and a weak promoter like ethylphenylpropiolate appeared to be related to the magnitude of the response and the time of appearance of the protein changes.
Dynamics of mental activity

Abstract Motivated by neuronal modeling, our development of the mathematical foundations of consciousness in [W. Miranker, G. Zuckerman, Mathematical Foundations of Consciousness, J. Appl. Logic (2009)] (M-Z) was characterized by an axiomatic theory for consciousness operators that acted on the collection of all sets. Consciousness itself was modeled as emanating from the action of such operators on the labeled decoration of a graph, the latter set theoretic construct given the characterization of experience. Since mental activity (conscious and unconscious) is a time dependent process, we herein develop a discrete time dependent version of the theory. Specification of the relevant mental dynamics illuminates and expands the development of the mathematical framework in (M-Z) upon which our study of consciousness rests. This framework is an abstraction of neural net modeling. We review the Aczel theory for decorating labeled graphs, in particular that theory's application to the (M-Z) foundations. The relevant neuronal modeling concepts and terminology are also reviewed. A number of examples are presented. Then an extension of our considerations from graphs to multigraphs is made, since the latter represent a more accurate model of neuronal circuit connectivity. The dynamics are crafted for non-well-founded constructs by development of a hierarchy of systems, starting with the McCulloch–Pitts neuronal voltage input–output relations and building to a dynamics for the cognitive notions of memes and themata; these latter corresponding to aspects of decorations of labeled graphs associated with neural networks. We conclude with a summary and discussion of the semantics of the cognitive features of our development: memes, themata, qualia, consciousness operators, awareness field.
Remarks on the Synthesis of Pure Mesomorphic Compounds

Abstract The effect of impurities in sterol derivatives upon the mesomorphic behavior cannot be estimated or extrapolated from measured data. Therefore, it is imperative to use pure materials for meaningful measurements. All possible sources for impurities in mesomorphic sterol derivatives are assessed, and methods feasible for the detection of contaminents at levels of 1% or less are described. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) is the common method for purity determination of mesomorphic sterol derivatives. Most impurities such as unreacted starting materials and side products can be detected by this method. This technique also allows comparison of identical materials which were synthesized by independent and different reaction paths, and is demonstrated for the homologous series of 5α-cholestanyl n-alkyl carbonates. However, TLC is not sensitive enough to detect small amounts of impurities, which are very similar in structure and behavior to that of the mesomorphic compound. Therefore, a more sensitive an...
Some clinical studies on the psycho-somatic background of peptic ulcer

A psychiatric examination of 33 young adult males with duodenal or gastric ulcer has been carried out. Space permits only the presentation of 4 illustrative cases in detail. The entire group revealed characteristic psychic backgrounds. These patients are suffering from chronic frustration and inward direction of re-pressed, strong emotional stimuli with strong masochistic and sadistic tendencies. This chronic state of inward tension or drive bears a close relation to the incidence and recurrence of peptic ulcer. While much further work is necessary before one can draw a final conclusion, nevertheless, a review of the observations of others plus our own experience impresses one with the strong probability that peptic ulcer is a psychosomatic disease.
Regulation of glibenclamide receptors in cultured chick cardiomyocytes.

We found that the expression of sulphonylurea receptors which control ATP-dependent potassium channels was up-regulated both by a receptor agonist and by potassium channel activators. Sulphonylurea receptors detected on cell membranes of cultured chick cardiomyocytes by [ 3 H]glibenclamide were increased 2.8-fold following growth of the cells for 1–2 days in the presence of 30 n m glibenclamide. [ 3 H]glibenclamide binding was also increased -2-fold following growth of the cells in the presence of the ATP-dependent potassium channel activators, pinacidil, minoxidil and diazoxide, but was diminished to 75% of control following treatment with depolarizing concentrations of KCI.
CDO Equity: The Benefits of Diversification

Individual CDO equity deals typically have large annual returns, but also can exhibit high return volatility. Using historical cash returns, the authors demonstrate that investors can improve risk-adjusted returns from CDO equity by diversifying into multiple deals, both within and among collateral classes and vintages. A portfolio constructed with even a modest number of CDO equity deals substantially lowers cash return uncertainty over that for a single deal. A 20-deal portfolio decreases the inter-quartile return range by 80%. The marginal impact of CDO equity diversification diminishes rapidly beyond 20 issues in a portfolio. A CDO equity fund-of-funds structure provides an efficient means of accessing a diversified portfolio of CDO equity.
Biology and Clinical Development of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor–Targeted Therapy in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Purpose To review the biology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) leading to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) overexpression and the clinical results of VEGF blockade in metastatic RCC. Methods A review of relevant published literature regarding VEGF, von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) gene inactivation and VEGF overexpression in RCC was performed. Further, a review of the mechanism, toxicity, and clinical development of VEGF-targeted therapy in metastatic RCC was undertaken. Results VEGF is the major proangiogenic protein that exerts a biologic effect through interaction with cellular receptors. The majority of sporadic clear-cell RCC tumors are characterized by VHL tumor suppressor gene inactivation. The resulting VHL gene silencing leads to VEGF overexpression. An antibody to VEGF (bevacizumab) has demonstrated a significant prolongation of time to disease progression compared with placebo in patients with metastatic RCC. Small molecules with inhibitory effects against the VEGF receptor have undergone initial ...
Regulations and Liabilities of Constructed Wetlands for Aquacultural Wastewater Treatment

Treatment and reuse of wastewater is a key constraint to increased aquaculture development worldwide. Constructed treatment wetlands have significant advantages over conventional and other natural systems technologies. The two main types of systems are free water surface and subsurface flow constructed wetlands. There is regulatory oversight at the federal, state, and county levels, with requirements of the Clean Water Act providing the most guidance. Legal liabilities are dominated by the risks associated with bioaccumulation of toxic materials in the wetlands and the effects they may have on migratory birds and endangered species. Technical aspects of water quality discharge are explained and related to regulatory enforcement. The status of existing regulations that affect wetland use are reviewed—the Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Endangered Species Act, Coastal Zone Act, and the Concentrated Aquatic Animal Production regulation. The Hawaii Revised Statutes and Hawaii Administrative Rules are also reviewed for their regulation of wetlands. Major findings of six court cases with application to wetlands are presented. Three case studies, the Kesterson Marsh, the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, and a New Mexico State University study on recirculating wastewater aquaculture are provided, which demonstrate successes and failures that provide lessons to help conform to the regulations in place for water discharge.
An analog programmable multi-dimensional radial basis function based classifier

A compact analog programmable multi-dimensional radial basis function (RBF) based classifier is demonstrated. The probability distribution of each feature in the templates modeled by a Gaussian function is approximately realized by the transfer characteristics of a floating-gate bump circuit. The maximum likelihood, the mean, and the variance can be inde- pendently programmed. By cascading these floating-gate bump circuits, the transfer characteristics approximate a multivariate Gaussian function with a diagonal covariance matrix. An array of these circuits constitute a compact multi-dimensional RBF- based classifier. When followed by a winner-take-all circuit, the RBF-based classifier forms an analog vector quantizer. We use receiver operating characteristic curves and equal error rate to evaluate the performance of our analog classifiers. We show that the analog classifier performance is comparable to that of digital counterparts. The proposed approach can be at least two orders of magnitude more power efficient than the digital microprocessors at the same task.
Perceptual coupling in rhythmic movement coordination: stable perception leads to stable action

Rhythmic movement coordination exhibits characteristic patterns of stability, specifically that movements at 0° mean relative phase are maximally stable, 180° is stable but less so than 0°, and other coordinations are unstable without training. Recent research has demonstrated a role for perception in creating this pattern; perceptual variability judgments covary with movement variability results. This suggests that the movement results could be due in part to differential perceptual resolution of the target movement coordinations. The current study used a paradigm that enabled simultaneous access to both perception (between-trial) and movement (within-trial) stability measures. A visually specified 0° target mean relative phase enabled participants to produce stable movements when the movements were at a non-0° relationship to the target being tracked. Strong relationships were found between within-trial stability (the traditional movement measure) and between-trial stability (the traditional perceptual judgment measure), suggestive of a role for perception in producing coordination stability phenomena. The stabilization was incomplete, however, indicating that visual perception was not the sole determinant of movement stability. Rhythmic movement coordination is intrinsically a perception/action system.
DETRUSOR APRON, ASSOCIATED VASCULAR PLEXUS, AND AVASCULAR PLANE: RELEVANCE TO RADICAL RETROPUBIC PROSTATECTOMY—ANATOMIC AND SURGICAL COMMENTARY

Traditional descriptions of radical retropubic prostatectomy (retropubic operation) draw attention to the control of the dorsal vein complex of the penis and transection of the puboprostatic ligaments. Nothing is said about the tissue obscuring the prostate after the retropubic fat has been removed. The prostate cannot be visualized in radical retropubic prostatectomy until the endopelvic fascia has been opened laterally, and even then only the lateral surfaces of the prostate can be appreciated because of overlying tissue. In pictorial review of his operation, Walsh 1 clearly demonstrated the existence of the obscuring tissue proximal to an underlying right-angle clamp and a single silk ligature to secure the dorsal vein complex.
Palaeoanthropology: Homo floresiensis from head to toe

Fossils of tiny ancient humans, found on the island of Flores, have provoked much debate and speculation. Evidence that they are a real species comes from analyses of the foot and also — more surprisingly — of dwarf hippos. The diminutive hominin Homo floresiensis, first described in Nature in 2004, lived on the island of Flores in Indonesia until about 14,000 years ago. The cover shows the partial skeleton of the type specimen, LB1. It preserves enough material to permit partial assembly of the foot, and that assembly is now reported by Jungers et al. LB1's foot had human-like fully adducted big toes, but they were longer relative to the rest of the lower limb than in modern humans, instead resembling some apes. The idea that H. floresiensis was a diminutive hominin met with some scepticism, in particular its small brain size was attributed by some to pathology. New work by Eleanor Weston and Adrian Lister shows that the brains of extinct dwarf hippos from Madagascar were disproportionately a lot smaller than those of their mainland relatives. This supports suggestions that island dwarfism breaks the 'rule' that body size reduction in mammals is accompanied by only a moderate reduction in brain size. In News & Views, Daniel Lieberman discusses these papers and a special issue of The Journal of Human Evolution, and concludes that H. floresiensis probably is a bone fide — and very interesting — species of hominin.
Efficient Planarity Testing

This paper describes an efficient algorithm to determine whether an arbitrary graph G can be embedded in the plane. The algorithm may be viewed as an iterative version of a method originally proposed by Auslander and Parter and correctly formulated by Goldstein. The algorithm used depth-first search and has O(V) time and space bounds, where V is the number of vertices in G. An ALGOL implementation of the algorithm succesfully tested graphs with as many as 900 vertices in less than 12 seconds.
Pharynx symbolism and Rengao phonology

Abstract Rengao, a language of Vietnam exhibits phonological effects characteristic of Mon-Khmer ‘register’ languages generally. It is claimed that the basis of register is tongue-root position (pharynx width). After a brief discussion of pharyngeal effects in the phonology, those effects are further traced in the sound symbolism of Rengao expressives (ideophones). A magnitude symbolism principle is identified which is expressed as a diminutive-augmentative opposition involving both consonants and vowels. Though oral cavity symbolism has been broadly documented. Rengao demonstrates the importance of pharyngeal cavity symbolism also. The two cavity effects are shown to interlock forming one integrated symbolic system.
Do lesser pleas pay?: Accommodations in the sentencing and parole processes

Abstract One of the important questions in the discussion of plea negotiation is whether a person who has received a labeling break by exchanging a plea of guilty for a reduced charge, really benefits in terms of the sentence he receives or the time he serves. The present study analyzes differences in sentence lengths or in actual periods of incarceration according to such variables as original charge, type of plea, conviction charge, and magnitude of charge reductions. The study shows that charge reduction may have pay-offs to the extent of directly reducing the maximum sentence possible and indirectly reducing the actual amount of time served. There are indications, however, that the parole process tends to neutralize the sentence differentials associated with charge reduction. The ratio between the time served and the sentence imposed tends to get higher as the magnitude of charge reduction increases.
Impairment and partial recovery of medical decision-making capacity in traumatic brain injury: a 6-month longitudinal study.

Abstract Marson DC, Dreer LE, Krzywanski S, Huthwaite JS, DeVivo MJ, Novack TA. Impairment and partial recovery of medical decision-making capacity in traumatic brain injury: a 6-month longitudinal study. Objective To investigate empirically change in medical decision-making capacity (MDC) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design Longitudinal study comparing control and TBI groups at hospitalization and at 6 months postinjury. Setting Inpatient brain injury rehabilitation unit. Participants Twenty healthy controls and 24 patients with moderate to severe TBI. Interventions Not applicable. Main outcome measures MDC was measured by using the Capacity to Consent to Treatment Instrument (CCTI). The CCTI evaluates performance on a series of 4 accepted consent abilities, or standards: S1 (evidencing/communicating choice), S3 (appreciating consequences), S4 (reasoning about treatment), and S5 (understanding the treatment situation and choices), and 1 experimental standard [S2] (making the reasonable treatment choice when the alternative choice is unreasonable). In addition, TBI patients were assigned 1 of 3 capacity outcomes (capable, marginally capable, incapable) for each standard. Results At hospitalization, TBI patients performed equivalently with controls on standards S1 and [S2] but significantly below controls on S3 ( P P P P P P Conclusions Patients with TBI showed initial impairment and subsequent partial recovery of MDC over a 6-month period. Complex consent abilities of appreciation, reasoning, and understanding were significantly impaired in hospitalized acute TBI patients. At follow-up, TBI patients showed substantial recovery of reasoning and partial recovery of appreciation and understanding consent abilities. The study suggests the importance in the rehabilitation setting of serial evaluations of MDC in patients with TBI.
Free radicals, kinetics and phase changes in the pyrolysis of eight american coals

Abstract Pyrolysis of eight American coals with atomic H/C ratio between 0.55 and 0.81 were investigated using in-situ electron spin resonance of free radicals in the range 25–650°C. The temperature variation of the free radical density, Ns, in all coals shows four distinct stages. In stage 1 (25–250°C) and stage 3 (400–600°C) Ns increases with increasing temperature T, whereas in stage 2 (250–400°C) and stage 4 ( > 600°C), Ns decreases. The derived time (t) dependence of Ns(T,t)=Ns(T, 0)+ C0(1−e−kt) fits the data in stage 3 well whereas for kt ⪡ 1 (k = rate constant), the data are fit to the equation Ns(T, t) ≈ A exp(− Ea/RT). The apparent activation energies Ea are determined (Ea≈10 kcal/mole) and are found to increase nearly linearly with H/C ratio of coals. The room temperature Ns values however decrease with increasing H/C ratio.
Electrostatic powder coating of sodium erythorbate and GDL to improve color and decrease microbial counts on meat

Abstract Powdered sodium erythorbate (SE) and a 3:1 mixture of glucono-delta-lactone and sodium erythorbate (GDL:SE) were coated electrostatically onto the surface of meats to extend the shelf life. The total number of microorganisms after refrigerated storage was reduced an average of 2 logs, with little difference by type of powder. Coliforms, mesophiles and psychrotrophs showed equivalent reductions. The color, as measured by the a value, was better for the treated samples than the control. GDL:SE samples were redder than SE. Electrostatic coating produced better results than nonelectrostatic coating due to the increased transfer efficiency of the process. Electrostatic coating also reduced the dust that is produced when powder is coated nonelectrostatically. Industrial relevance Sodium erythorbate and glucano-delta-lacton have been shown to extend the shelf life of meat products. This paper offers an interesting processing variable via electrostatic surface application of the powder. Electrostatic coating proved effective likely due to increased transfer efficiency and evenness of the process.
Effects of low back disability status on lower back discomfort during sustained and cyclical trunk flexion.

A laboratory study was conducted to determine the effects of back disability status on endurance time and perceived discomfort during trunk flexion. Eighty participants (40 with chronic or recurrent low back pain (CRLBP), 40 pain-free) were tested. The trunk was flexed to 15°, 30°, 45° and 60° under three conditions: 1) continuous static flexion; 2) cyclical flexion with 20% rest; and 3) cyclical flexion with 40% rest. Each condition was performed for up to 600 s or until the participant reached his/her pain tolerance limit. Dependent variables included time to distracting discomfort (TDD), total endurance time (TET) and perceived discomfort. For continuous exertions, CRLBP participants had lower TDD (p < 0.001), lower TET (p < 0.001) and greater discomfort (p < 0.001) compared to pain-free controls. In both groups, TDD and TET decreased and perceived discomfort increased as the flexion angle increased. For intermittent exertions, CRLBP participants reported greater discomfort than pain-free participants ...
The effect of ascorbic acid and ferric ammonium citrate on iron uptake and storage in lens epithelial cells.

Ferritin is the major intracellular iron storage protein which has been shown to protect cells against oxidative damage. Recent reports that an inherited abnormality in human ferritin synthesis is associated with early bilateral cataracts underscore the importance of understanding ferritin synthesis and iron storage in lens epithelial cells. We previously demonstrated that ascorbic acid greatly increases de novo synthesis of ferritin in lens epithelial cells. The objectives of the present study were to determine: (1) the effects of ascorbic acid and ferric ammonium citrate on iron uptake by canine lens epithelial cells from iron bound to transferrin and from ferric chloride and (2) the incorporation of this element into ferritin. Iron uptake by lens epithelial cells from 59ferric chloride was 20 times higher than from 59iron-transferrin and iron deposition into ferritin was 8-fold higher when 59ferric chloride was the source. Ascorbic acid had a stimulatory effect on iron uptake from transferrin and on incorporation of this element into ferritin. The ascorbic acid-induced increase of iron uptake required de novo protein synthesis but not specifically de novo ferritin biosynthesis. Although ferritin is not directly involved in iron uptake, the level of ferritin protein could control the pool of intracellular iron. The present results indicate that iron homeostasis in lens epithelial cells is affected mainly by changes in apoferritin synthesis, which is greatly stimulated by ascorbic acid, rather than by altering the rate of protein degradation, which is very slow in these cells under all circumstances. Ferric ammonium citrate activates iron uptake from transferrin in a wide range of cell lines by generation of free radicals. Ferric ammonium citrate also increased iron uptake from Tf in lens epithelial cells. Ferric ammonium citrate treated cells incorporated 5 times more iron and deposited 2 times more iron into ferritin than control cells. Increased incorporation of iron into ferritin was due to ferric ammonium citrate-induced stimulation of de novo ferritin synthesis rather than an increased rate of iron deposition into pre-existing ferritin. Ferric ammonium citrate had a different effect on iron uptake from ferric chloride; total iron uptake was not significantly increased while deposition into ferritin was significantly decreased. These results demonstrate that iron homeostasis in lens epithelial cells is regulated by ascorbic acid and by changes in the rate of de novo ferritin synthesis. In addition, the differences in iron uptake from transferrin and ferric chloride and its subsequent incorporation into ferritin suggests that the mechanisms by which iron is incorporated into ferritin are source dependent.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS NEEDS ATTENTION IN IRAN

Copyright © 2013, Kowsar Corp.; Published by Kowsar Corp. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The purpose of this editorial is to raise awareness of the care of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients in Iran. The outlook for patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis internationally has improved substantially in the past 30 years, but the same does not hold true for a child born with cystic fibrosis in Iran. Numerous therapies such as antibiotics (1, 2), anti-inflammatory agents (3), mucolytics (4, 5), airway (6) and mucous (7) clearance, nutritional support (8), and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) potentiators (9) have proven effective in select CF patients, and allowed the United States, Australia and Europe to make great strides in the treatment of CF. Other therapeutic approaches such as gene therapy have dealt with more difficulty than originally anticipated (10). The barriers to accessing quality health care for CF patients in Iran are multifaceted including access to medication, implementation of recognized CF standard adopted guidelines by providers, and lack of early diagnosis (11), management and treatments of such patients across the country. These difficulties were compounded by lack of pediatric Pulmonology subspecialty until 2010 that would have been an advocate for this disease. Throughout the world there are intensive efforts to find cure for patients with CF in the near future. CF patients in Iran can leap forward past decades of stagnation in their disease management and make the dream of cure into reality. This can be achieved through a systematic team approach with the goal of improving the life of CF patients and their families. This team effort can be initiated by education about the disease and training of team members to manage CF until a cure is found for all. Cystic fibrosis is a systemic autosomal recessive heritable disorder. A defective gene on chromosome 7 produces a defective protein (CFTR) that results in decreased chloride secretion and hyperabsorption of sodium. This produces dehydrated mucous within the airway and thick secretions in the pancreatic ducts leading to pathogenic colonization and chronic infection in the respiratory tract and destruction of pancreatic ducts. Thereby, producing the clinical symptoms of cough, chronic respiratory symptoms and infection, recurrent exacerbations, malnutrition and failure to thrive. Infection control measures (12) should be one of the early educational and quality improvement measures in the clinics and hospitals. Iran has improved substantially
SOFC cathodes prepared by infiltration with various LSM precursors

Composites of Sr-doped LaMnO 3 (LSM) and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) were prepared by infiltration of LSM nanoparticles, of aqueous salt solutions, and of molten salts into porous YSZ and tested as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) cathodes at 973 K. All of the composites showed essentially identical performance, with a current-independent impedance of ∼0.4 Ω cm 2 . Atomic force microscopy images of LSM particles on YSZ(100) suggest that LSM wets YSZ after calcination, implying that the structures of the LSM-YSZ composites are similar because of LSM mobility.