cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Political discussion and debate in narrative time: the Florentine Consulte e Pratiche, 1376–1378

Abstract The Florentine Consulte e Pratiche is the oldest recorded series of speech-by-speech policy discussion by political elites in European history, over one hundred and fifty years in length. This article is the first of an extended two-article sequence on political discussion in the Consulte e Pratiche, during the 1376–1378 period of the War of Eight Saints, which led up to the famous Ciompi Revolt. Our interest is in discovering both the semantic-network (article 1) and the factional-network (article 2) mechanics of this unexpected spillover from foreign-policy conflict into domestic revolt. Our central finding at the semantic level, in this first article, is that the spillover from war to revolution was mediated through the ceremonial and political-economy sides of religion. The methodology in this first article is to uncover the evolving narrative-network structures exhibited in Florentine political discussion – namely, changing inter-correlations among keywords about topics, through chapters and subplots. “Narrative-network analysis” for us means (a) uncovering changing topological portraits of how subplots interlink through time, and (b) discovering interlocking linguistic “hinges” through which new historical trajectories of subplot combinations become defined. In our case, the linguistic hinges between foreign policy and domestic revolt were rooted in religion. How the evolving issues and topics discussed in this article express themselves in domestic (and eventually violent) political conflict between the anti-war Parte Guelfa faction and the pro-war Civic ‘faction’ will be the subject of the second of this complementary pair of articles.
Resuming Anticoagulation Following Hospitalization for Gastrointestinal Bleeding Is Associated with Reduced Thromboembolic Events and Improved Mortality: Results from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Systemic anticoagulants are widely prescribed for prevention and treatment of thromboembolism, but are commonly complicated by gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB). Limited data exist on the management of anticoagulation after hospitalization for GIB and the subsequent risks of recurrent GIB, thromboembolism, and mortality. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies to determine risk of recurrent GIB, thromboembolism, and mortality after resuming anticoagulation following GIB. PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus were searched for randomized controlled trials and cohort studies in patients with atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, or valvular heart disease who received long-term warfarin or direct oral anticoagulants before experiencing GIB. Studies were included if data were available on anticoagulation management and outcomes of recurrent GIB, thromboembolism, and mortality following GIB. A total of 5354 studies were reviewed of which 10 were included in the meta-analysis. There were 2080 patients who resumed anticoagulation and 2296 patients who discontinued anticoagulation post-index GIB. Resumption of anticoagulation was associated with a significant increase in recurrent GIB (OR 1.646, 95% CI 1.035–2.617, p = 0.035). There was a significant decrease in thromboembolic events in patients who resumed anticoagulation compared to those who did not (OR 0.340, 95% CI 0.178–0.652, p = 0.001, I2 = 62.7%). Resumption of anticoagulation was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality (OR 0.499, 95% CI 0.419–0.595, p < 0.0001). While resumption of anticoagulation following index GIB was associated with a significant increase in recurrent GIB, it was also associated with a significant decrease in thromboembolic events and all-cause mortality.
Genomic modeling as an approach to identify surrogates for use in experimental validation of SARS-CoV-2 and HuNoVs inactivation by UV-C treatment

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to pose significant public health concerns. While research to deliver vaccines and antivirals are being pursued, various effective technologies to control its environmental spread are also being targeted. Ultraviolet light (UV-C) technologies are effective against a broad spectrum of microorganisms when used even on large surface areas. In this study, we developed a pyrimidine dinucleotide frequency based genomic model to predict the sensitivity of select enveloped and non-enveloped viruses to UV-C treatments in order to identify potential SARS-CoV-2 and human noroviruses surrogates. The results revealed that this model was best fitted using linear regression with r2=0.90. The predicted UV-C sensitivity (D90 - dose for 90% inactivation) for SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV was found to be 21 and 28 J/m2, respectively (with an estimated 18 J/m2 as published for SARS-CoV-1), suggesting that coronaviruses are highly sensitive to UV-C light compared to other ssRNA viruses used in this modeling study. Murine hepatitis virus (MHV) A59 strain with a D90 of 21 J/m2 close to that of SARS-CoV-2 was identified as a suitable surrogate to validate SARS-CoV-2 inactivation by UV-C treatment. Furthermore, the non-enveloped human noroviruses (HuNoVs), had predicted D90 values of 69.1, 89 and 77.6 J/m2 for genogroups GI, GII and GIV, respectively. Murine norovirus (MNV-1) of GV with a D90 = 100 J/m2 was identified as a potential conservative surrogate for UV-C inactivation of these HuNoVs. This study provides useful insights for the identification of potential nonpathogenic surrogates to understand inactivation kinetics and their use in experimental validation of UV-C disinfection systems. This approach can be used to narrow the number of surrogates used in testing UV-C inactivation of other human and animal ssRNA viral pathogens for experimental validation that can save cost, labor and time.
Linear discriminant initialization for feed-forward neural networks.

Informed by the basic geometry underlying feed forward neural networks, we initialize the weights of the first layer of a neural network using the linear discriminants which best distinguish individual classes. Networks initialized in this way take fewer training steps to reach the same level of training, and asymptotically have higher accuracy on training data.
High performance microchannel adsorption heat pumps

Abstract Adsorbent-coated microchannels are used for the design of adsorption heat pumps, based on component-level fluid flow, heat and mass transfer modeling of a representative proof-of-concept unit with a cooling capacity of 300 W at 5 °C. Optimum channel geometry is determined using parametric studies. The use of adsorbent-coated microchannels results in operation with the heating time less than 10% of the total cycle time, opening the possibility for near continuous operation of the heat pump. Cyclic operation of the subject heat pump concept is simulated for the operating conditions used for silica gel-water chillers in the literature, and the results are used to document its benefits over those of existing designs. For a source temperature of 90 °C, cooling temperature of 35 °C, condenser inlet temperature of 42 °C, and evaporator outlet temperature of 5 °C, a Coefficient of Performance (COP) of 0.22 is attainable with a specific cooing capacity (SCC) of 177 W kg−1 without recovering any heat from the heating stage. COP > 0.55 and SCC ~1134 W kg−1 can be achieved for less severe operating conditions typically used in the literature.
Manifold Learning and Nonlinear Homogenization.

We describe an efficient domain decomposition-based framework for nonlinear multiscale PDE problems. The framework is inspired by manifold learning techniques and exploits the tangent spaces spanned by the nearest neighbors to compress local solution manifolds. Our framework is applied to a semilinear elliptic equation with oscillatory media and a nonlinear radiative transfer equation; in both cases, significant improvements in efficacy are observed. This new method does not rely on detailed analytical understanding of the multiscale PDEs, such as their asymptotic limits, and thus is more versatile for general multiscale problems.
Firms as Incubators of Open Source Software

Many successful open source projects have been developed by who were employed by firms but worked on the open source projects on the side due to economic incentives like career improvement benefits. Such side work may be a good thing for the employing firms too if they get some strategic value from the open source software and/ or if the productivity of the programmers on these projects improves due to learning by doing effects. However, the programmers may work more or less on these projects than what is best for the firms. To manage the programmers' effort the firms set appropriate employment policies and incentives. These policies and career concerns then together govern the programmers' effort allocation between the open source and proprietary projects. We examine this relationship using a variant of the principal agent model. We derive and characterize the optimal employment contracts and show that firms either offer a bonus for only one of the two projects or do not offer any bonuses. But if attractive alternate employment opportunities are available, they change their strategy and may offer bonuses for both projects simultaneously.
Correction to: Gauge Invariance for Classical Massless Particles with Spin

A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10701-021-00415-2 .
Dismantling the ‘All-Boys Club’ A Narrative of Contradictions Women Experience in PhD Mathematics Programs: A Freirean Approach

Gender issues in mathematics education received fairly attention several decades ago, mainly because women and men performed differently, with men usually outperforming women. The research on such phenomena originated a series of studies on the so-called ‘achievement-gap.’ After many years of research on the achievement gap, such a gap has shown to have disappeared. However, recent studies have shown that there are fewer women who choose STEM-related fields than male peers. Suppose women are not choosing mathematics, but concomitantly research has pointed out that women and men have similar mathematics capabilities; why are women disproportionately part of the field? Since current statistics show that 90-95% of doctoral mathematics students are men, this study examines why school mathematics is still a male-dominant field. The data presented in this paper was collected using life-story interviews. Freirean methodology was used to analyze the contradictions in women’s PhD student experiences. The findings point to contradictions in women’s experiences in mathematics regarding success and challenges women have faced in mathematics and are discussed in depth in the findings and discussion sections of this paper.
Brittlestars with a bite: a new kind of pedicellaria in echinoderms

Echinoderm pedicellariae are groups of specialized opposable spines (valves) that articulate on a baseplate. The valves of a pedicellaria act together to grasp items for prey capture, surface cleaning, or defense. Pedicellariae have long been known to occur in sea urchins and seastars, and many types for different functions have been described. Here we describe a type of pedicellaria in basketstars and snakestars in the euryalid family Gorgonocephalidae. Valves of gorgonocephalous pedicellariae have been described and illustrated as independent “hooklets” since the 1800s. Aside from one illustration in 1930, baseplates have been illustrated only since the 1980s, after the advent of the scanning electron microscope. The structure, arrangement, and operation of valves on baseplates warrant their recognition as a pedicellaria, analogous to those of sea urchins and seastars. The gorgonocephalous pedicellaria is a multi-valved, unstalked, crossed pedicellaria. It is described and illustrated here with recommended morphological terminology to facilitate future studies on biomechanics, histology, paleontology, and phylogenetics.
Dynamic tunability of phase-change material transition temperatures using ions for thermal energy storage

Summary Thermal energy storage (TES) based on phase-change materials (PCMs) has many current and potential applications, such as climate control in buildings, thermal management for batteries and electronics, thermal textiles, and transportation of pharmaceuticals. Despite its promise, the adoption of TES has been limited, in part due to limited tunability of the transition temperature, which hinders TES performance for varying use temperatures. Transition temperature tuning of a material using an external stimulus, such as pressure or an electric field, typically requires very large stimuli. To circumvent this problem, here, we report on the dynamic transition temperature tunability of a PCM using ions. We achieve a transition temperature tunability up to 6°C in polyethylene glycol (PEG) by using the salt lithium oxalatodifluoroborate at a low voltage of 2.5 V, which may enable simpler and safer devices/system designs. We also explain the thermal properties of the salt/PCM solution using the Flory-Huggins theory.
CHAPTER 26 – Regulation of Gene Expression

This chapter focuses on various mechanisms by which differences in gene expression are achieved. Regulation of gene expression is achieved by regulation of the number of mRNA molecules produced per unit time, regulation of the translation of mRNA, regulation of the number of copies of a gene, and the posttranslational modification. In prokaryotes, mRNA synthesis can be controlled simply by regulating initiation of transcription. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes proceeds primarily by control of transcription as in prokaryotes. Some systems are also regulated at the translational level. Synthesis of mRNA in eukaryotes includes several steps in which the primary transcript is converted to mRNA. Control of these processing steps is also used to regulate gene expression in eukaryotes. Various regulatory mechanisms have evolved to ensure a constant supply of housekeeping genes. In some instances, the amount of each protein may be regulated by the strength of the promoter and ribosomal binding site. However, in housekeeping genes with strong promoters, the gene product functions as a repressor and binds to a site adjacent to the gene, thus regulating the level of transcription. If the gene product is in short supply, transcription is activated, and as the concentration of the product increases, the level of transcription is reduced. Gene expression in human cells is regulated primarily at the level of transcription, as it is in prokaryotic cells. However, it can also be regulated at various stages such as initiation of transcription, processing of the primary transcript, and transport of the processed mRNA from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.
ERG ‘C’-Wave as Elicited Using Fast Random Stimuli

Microprocessors allow the evaluation of responses to fast random stimuli and make such applications as were used in this study feasible for clinical use. Fast random light flashes of near constant intensity were used in eliciting ERG’s from each eye of 20 subjects. One eye of each subject was then dilated using Cyclogel 1%. The major positive wave following the b-wave was evaluated before and after dilation. This wave which we have called the ‘C’-wave showed a significant decrease in implicit time after dilation and a small increase in amplitude. The ERG’s of two patients having been diagnosed as having retinitis pigmentosa are shown. In one, the ‘C’-wave was nearly flat and in the other the ‘C’-wave was present but the negative wave after the b-wave was very small.
Values of physical activity perceived by male university students

Abstract This study investigated the attitude profiles of male university students (N = 699) for the purpose of comparing observed attitudes with the size of high school attended, record of achievements in athletics and non-athletic activities, and the physical activity course elected. Kenyon's Attitude Toward Physical Activity Inventory, which isolates six perceived values held toward physical activity, was completed by each student. Results indicated that students of gymnastics expressed the highest positive mean attitude, with students of badminton, archery, and bowling expressing the lowest. Physical activity as pursuit of vertigo and catharsis were expressed equally as the strongest positive perceived values, while negative responses were advanced for the lowest perceived value, defined as an aesthetic experience. Achievement in athletics was most highly related to the perceived value of physical activity for an ascetic experience. Size of high school and achievement in nonathlelic extracurricular ac...
Hemispherical variations in seismic velocity at the top of the Earth's inner core

Knowledge of the seismic velocity structure at the top of the Earth's inner core is important for deciphering the physical processes responsible for inner-core growth1,2,3. Previous global seismic studies4,5,6,7,8,9 have focused on structures found 100 km or deeper within the inner core, with results for the uppermost 100 km available for only isolated regions10,11,12. Here we present constraints on seismic velocity variations just beneath the inner-core boundary, determined from the difference in travel time between waves reflected at the inner-core boundary and those transmitted through the inner core. We found that these travel-time residuals—observed on both global seismograph stations and several regional seismic networks—are systematically larger, by about 0.8 s, for waves that sample the ‘eastern hemisphere’ of the inner core (40° E to 180° E) compared to those that sample the ‘western hemisphere’ (180° W to 40° E). These residuals show no correlation with the angle at which the waves traverse the inner core; this indicates that seismic anisotropy is not strong in this region and that the isotropic seismic velocity of the eastern hemisphere is about 0.8% higher than that of the western hemisphere.
Normal serum cytotoxicity for P32-labeled smooth Enterobacteriaceae. II. Fate of macromolecular and lipid phosphorus of damaged cells.

Spitznagel, John K. (University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill). Normal serum cytotoxicity for P32-labeled smooth Enterobacteriaceae. II. Fate of macromolecular and lipid phosphorus of damaged cells. J. Bacteriol. 91:148–152. 1966.—Fresh, normal adult guinea pig serum released micro- and macromolecular forms of metabolically incorporated P32 from smooth Escherichia coli. A significant amount of P32-labeled phospholipid was also released. The overall acid solubility distribution of the P32 label in bacterial suspensions was very little affected in fresh serum, although P32-labeled cytoplasmic contents and cell walls of E. coli lost some P32 when they were suspended in fresh or heat-inactivated normal serum. These findings confirmed and extended earlier evidence that the peripheral wall and membrane structures of smooth E. coli are extensively damaged by factors in fresh normal serum.
Analyses related to the development of DSM-5 criteria for substance use related disorders: 1. Toward amphetamine, cocaine and prescription drug use disorder continua using Item Response Theory

Background Prior research has demonstrated the dimensionality of alcohol, nicotine and cannabis use disorders criteria. The purpose of this study was to examine the unidimensionality of DSM-IV cocaine, amphetamine and prescription drug abuse and dependence criteria and to determine the impact of elimination of the legal problems criterion on the information value of the aggregate criteria.
Stacks of Ann-Categories and their morphisms

We show that $\mathit{ann}$-categories admit a presentation by crossed bimodules, and prove that morphisms between them can be expressed by special kinds spans between the presentations. More precisely, we prove the groupoid of morphisms between two $\mathit{ann}$-categories is equivalent to that of bimodule butterflies between the presentations. A bimodule butterfly is a specialization of a butterfly, i.e. a special kind of span or fraction, between the underlying complexes
Teaching Social Work Students to use Advocacy Skills Through the Mass Media

Teaching social work students and practitioners to work effectively with the media is a valuable component of efforts to provide skills to influence the development of social policies and services addressed to vulnerable populations. The author focuses on mass media communications research, examples drawn from social work and other human service professions, and instructional activities in social work education to examine and illustrate how participation in the mass communication network can further the social policy goals of the social work profession.
Pseudo-Anosov homeomorphisms with quadratic expansion

We show that if f : M -M is a pseudo-Anosov homeomorphism on an orientable surface with oriented unstable manifolds and a quadratic expanding factor, then there is a hyperbolic toral automorphism on T2 and a map h : M -+ T2 such that h is a semi-conjugacy and (M, h) is a branched covering space of T2. We also give another characterization of pseudo-Anosov homeomorphisms with quadratic expansion in terms of the kinds of Euclidean foliations they admit which are compatible with the affine structure associated to f.
Technology, Networks, and the Library of the Year 2000

An under-appreciated revolution in the technology of on-line storage, display, and communications will, by the year 2000, make it economically possible to place the entire contents of a library on-line, in image form, accessible from computer workstations located anywhere, with a hardware storage cost comparable to one year's operational budget of that library. In this paper we describe a vision in which one can look at any book, journal, paper, thesis, or report in the library without leaving the office, and can follow citations by pointing; the item selected pops up immediately in an adjacent window. To bring this vision to reality, research with special attention to issues of modularity and scale will be needed, on applying the client/server model, on linking data, and on the implications of storage that must persist for decades.
Towards a Framework for Understanding Electronic Educational Gaming

Games and gaming have always been an infl uential part of society and culture. Within the last 35 years, due to numerous technology innovations, electronic games in many formats have become ubiquitous in everyday life. This ubiquity has meant that games and gaming have permeated into many fi elds and disciplines for multiple purposes including teaching and learning. Past research has examined the use of both electronic and non-electronic games, but the fi eld of education still lacks a comprehensive framework for exploring the role of the games for teaching and learning, the relationship of educational games to other fi elds, and a synthesis of best practice for current and future design, implementation, and research. The purpose of this article is to set a framework for understanding past, current, and future research in educational gaming. In doing so, we also hope to continue a conversation within education as well as with other fi elds that advance research, development and practice within a common framework.
Using geographic information system analyses to monitor large-scale distribution of nicotine replacement therapy in New York City.

Abstract Objective Since 2003, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has distributed nicotine replacement therapy nicotine replacement therapy to adult smokers through annual large-scale distribution programs. Methods In 2008, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene formally integrated geographic information system analyses to track program enrollment, map the geographic density of enrollees, and assess the effects of outreach strategies. Results Geographic information system analyses provided a unique, near real-time visual method of assessing participation patterns as well as the impact of media and outreach strategies. Among neighborhoods with high smoking prevalence, lower income neighborhoods had higher enrollment compared to higher income neighborhoods. Mapping before and after a press release demonstrated that program interest increased over 700% in one area. Conclusion Although geographic information system analysis is traditionally utilized for large-scale infectious disease surveillance, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene used GIS to inform and improve an annual large-scale smoking cessation program. These analyses provide unique feedback that can aid public health program planners in improving efficiency and efficacy of service delivery.
Immunochemical analyses of C57BL/6J monoclonal anti-α(1 → 3) dextran antibodies☆

Abstract Twelve C57BL/6J anti-B-1355S monoclonal antibodies (five IgMλ and seven IgMκ) were characterized immunochemically by binding and inhibition ELISA. All 12 were negative for the expression of the cross-reactive idiotype (IdX) of BALB/c mice, as expected from previous work; no κ IdX+ antibodies have been reported and IdX− λ class antibodies were observed in B-1355-Con A induced immune sera [Geckeler W., Blomberg B., dePreval D. and Cohn M. (1977) Cold Spring Harb. Symp. quant. Biol.41, 743–748]. The antibodies studied bind to B-1355 coated plates and this binding is inhibited by B-1355 but not by dextrans B-512 (F) or B-742S; the latter two have no linear α(1 → 3; 1) linkages. The nomenclature of Jeanes is used [Jeanes A. (1986) Molec. Immun.23, 999–1028]; α(1 → 3; 1) refers to glucosyl diose residues linked α(1 → 3) linearly. In the case of B-1355 these linear stretches alternate with α(1, 6) linkages and are non-contiguous; α(1 → 3; b) refers to the linkage at a branching residue, e.g., a 1,3,6 linked moiety. The IgM κ class antibodies are not inhibited by nigerose or nigerantetraose, suggesting that they have binding site sizes which are unusually large for B-1355 specific antibodies. The five IgMλ antibodies are inhibited identically by equimolar amounts of nigerose and nigerantetraose, suggesting that their binding sites accommodate a disaccharide epitope. These antibodies are also inhibited by the α(1 → 6), α(1 → 4) triose, panose. The k class antibodies do not bind to α(1→ 3)-diglucosyl(nigerosyl; N)-BSA. Four of the five λ class antibodies show weak binding to N-BSA, while the fifth binds N-BSA better but less well than MOPC 104E (the BALB/c myeloma protein). All 12 antibodies are unique when compared to BALB/c antibodies derived from B-1355 immunization. The primary response of 15 C57BL/6J mice to B-1355 was re-assessed for κ and λ class antibody contribution. A patchy λ class response was observed suggesting that previous λ class responses may have been overlooked.
Development of Highly Robust, Volume-Manufacturable Metal-Supported SOFCs for Operation Below 600°

Ceres Power has been developing fuel cell stacks and mCHP systems based on its unique metal-supported SOFC design incorporating a Gadolinia-doped ceria (CGO) electrolyte operating in the 450-600°C temperature range. The present generation of cells being manufactured are designed to meet the commercial requirements for a wall mounted, natural gas fuelled mCHP product, producing an average of 140mWcm-2 at 0.75V/cell at 570°C and 60% fuel utilization, operating on steam-reformed natural gas. Open-circuit voltages are around 1.10V operating on hydrogen/nitrogen; close to theoretical values indicating the effective suppression of internal short-circuits. The unique metal supported design facilitates simple and robust hermetic sealing of the cell to the interconnect by welding, and layer-to layer sealing and isolation is achieved using a commercial gasket material, thus largely eliminating degradation due to thermal stress induced seal leakage found in conventional planar SOFC designs.
Tracing dissociation dynamics of CH3Br in the 3Q0 state with femtosecond extreme ultraviolet ionization

Abstract The ultrafast photodissociation dynamics of gas phase CH 3 Br molecules in the red wing of the A-band, i.e. the first molecular adsorption continuum, is investigated by pump–probe spectroscopy. The experiment employs femtosecond laser pulses at 266 nm in the ultraviolet to dissociate the molecule and high order harmonic extreme ultraviolet pulses in conjunction with time-of-flight mass spectrometry to ionize and detect the fragments. A dissociation time of 116 ± 25 fs is obtained from the pump–probe risetime of the Br + ion signal, which originates from formation of either or both Br( 2 P 3/2 ) or Br ∗ ( 2 P 1/2 ). The timescale is in a good agreement with the previously calculated A-band dissociation time of CH 3 Br using the anisotropy parameter β deduced from angular photodissociation experiments. Based on classical molecular dynamics simulations and previous spectroscopic information, the most likely pathway is dissociation of the CH 3 Br molecule via the 3 Q 0 state of the A-band, which correlates with the formation of the spin–orbit excited bromine fragment.
Elevated Temperature Enhances Release of Nitric Oxide from S-Nitroso-glutathione (GSNO) 351

Elevated Temperature Enhances Release of Nitric Oxide from S-Nitroso-glutathione (GSNO) 351
Distributed MAC protocols and priority oriented scheduling for a PLC access network

In this paper, we propose a distributed channel allocation scheme for the uplink data traffic and implement a priority oriented scheduling for the downlink data traffic for a powerline access type network. We study the performance of the uplink and downlink protocols in terms of the buffering probability, mean delay, statistical dropping probability and the number of subscriber stations supported. The distributed channel allocation scheme uses a modified carrier sensing mechanism and a centralized collision resolution scheme. We model the channel occupancy of uplink data calls using a continuous time Markov chain (CTMC). We derive the expressions for mean delay, statistical dropping probability, and utilization by solving the CTMC. We also perform extensive simulations to complement our analytical results. Our results indicate that, the distributed channel allocation approach achieves 10% improvement in spectrum utilization compared to a centralized reservation protocol. We also implement a priority oriented scheduling policy for the downlink data traffic. In the system we consider, the downlink channels are adaptively modulated based on their signal strength. We maximize the instantaneous link utilization by using MaxFlow algorithm. Simulation results for downlink scheduling show that the mean buffering delay for the real-time variable bit rate traffic is zero and that the system supports 170 access stations. We also show that system with adaptive modulation achieves 26% savings in transmitted power compared to the system without adaptive modulation. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urban carrying capacity and steady state considerations in planning for the Mekong Valley region

Abstract Virtually all valley development projects should be concerned about population growth. The modernized rural technologies that follow completion will encourage the formation of large urban settlements — even though that is not desired by the present leadership. The future steady state for “empty” regions, such as the Mekong Valley, must now be projected to be 85–95% urban instead of the 40–60% so often implicit in the published reports. With greatly increased water and foodstuffs storage, and rationalization of distribution, the carrying capacity of a watershed is raised from the low level allowed by the worst crop years experienced over the period of a generation or so up to a level approaching the average for all years. The Mekong does not support its present 33 x 10 6 –;35 x 10 6 (1975 estimate) population very well but, with food production efficiencies for the various soil types already achieved elsewhere (e.g. Taiwan, Egypt), its water could support about 120 x 10 6 adequately. Improved development policies are elaborated: (1) constructing dams by procedures calculated to spread the acceptance of family planning, (2) dramatic demonstration of techniques of efficient modern agriculture and reinforcing them with appropriate land tenure and water allocation policies, (3) allowing displaced bottom land farmers to urbanize as an alternative to unfamiliar upland agriculture, and (4) designing electrification programs to accelerate learning about urban opportunities. Non-Western patterns of settlement reinforcing efficient human consumption should dominate the planning for the cities. An appropriate set of technologies is described, and priorities for information gathering and management of urban regions at steady state in this part of Asia are specified.
Voter Mobilization and the Obama Victory

As with the other presidential elections from this decade, the 2008 election was followed by considerable speculation as to how new efforts to mobilize voters affected the eventual outcome. Although the conventional wisdom implies that “Democrats benefit from higher turnout,” previous research in political science demonstrates that such a conclusion applies to actual election results inconsistently. In this article, we outline the difficulties involved with assessing turnout effects within a particular election and proceed to test the hypothesis that the Obama campaign benefited from higher turnout using three different methods. The evidence suggests that the Obama campaign benefited substantially from voter turnout, particularly in comparison with the Kerry campaign in 2004, yet they also were successful in changing the minds of already mobilized voters. Although various data difficulties suggest the presence of some bias in our estimates, the consistency of the results across tests supports the general ...
Anisoplanatism in airborne laser communication

Airborne laser-communication systems require special considerations in size, complexity, power, and weight. We reduce the variability of the received signal by implementing optimized multiple-transmitter systems to average out the deleterious effects of turbulence. We derive the angular laser-beam separation for various isoplanatic and uncorrelated (anisoplanatic) conditions for the phase and amplitude effects. In most cases and geometries, the angles ordered from largest to smallest are: phase uncorrelated angle (equivalent to the tilt uncorrelated angle), tilt isoplanatic angle, phase isoplanatic angle, scintillation uncorrelated angle, and scintillation correlation angle (θψind>θTA>θ0>θχind>θχc) . Multiple beams with angular separations beyond θχc tend to reduce scintillation variations. Larger separations such as θTA reduce higher-order phase and scintillation variations and still larger separations beyond θψind tend to reduce the higher and lower-order (e.g. tilt) phase and scintillation effects. Simulations show two-transmitter systems reduce bit error rates for ground-to-air, air-to-air, and ground-to-ground scenarios.
Quantifying receptor density in vivo using a dual-probe approach with fluorescence molecular imaging

Molecular imaging technologies are advancing rapidly and optical techniques in particular are set to play a large role in preclinical pharmaceutical testing. These approaches, however, are generally unable to quantify the level of expression of imaging probe reporters. In this study a novel method of quantification is presented using dual-probe fluorescence imaging, where an endothelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) fluorescent probe was paired with a non-targeted probe before being injected, and tracer kinetic compartmental modeling was used to determine EGFR expression in a region of interest from the uptake curves of the two drugs in that region. The approach was tested out in a simulation experiment and then applied in an in vivo study in one mouse to investigate EGFR expression in various tissue types (pancreas, pancreas tumor, and leg). The binding potentials (a unitless correlate of target availability) of EGFR expression in the various tissue types were 8.57, 25.64, and 0.11 for the pancreas, pancreas tumor, respectively. For the pancreas and leg, these results correlate well with expected levels of EGFR expression, with the pancreas demonstrating a much higher expression than the skin and also as expected, the tumor expressed much more EGFR than either healthy tissue.
Quantifying the CDK inhibitor VMY-1-103’s activity and tissue levels in an in vivo tumor model by LC-MS/MS and by MRI

The development of new small molecule-based therapeutic drugs requires accurate quantification of drug bioavailability, biological activity and treatment efficacy. Rapidly measuring these endpoints is often hampered by the lack of efficient assay platforms with high sensitivity and specificity. Using an in vivo model system, we report a simple and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay to quantify the bioavailability of a recently developed novel cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor VMY-1-103, a purvalanol B-based analog whose biological activity is enhanced via dansylation. We developed a rapid organic phase extraction technique and validated wide and functional VMY-1-103 distribution in various mouse tissues, consistent with its enhanced potency previously observed in a variety of human cancer cell lines. More importantly, in vivo MRI and single voxel proton MR-Spectroscopy further established that VMY-1-103 inhibited disease progression and affected key metabolites in a mouse model of hedgehog-driven medulloblastoma.
Does Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Interact With Known Factors to Increase Risk of Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: We and other investigators have previously shown that postmenopausal combined estrogen and progestin replacement therapy (EPRT) increases the risk of breast cancer and that the risk associated with EPRT is substantially higher than for estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) alone. The present study was conducted to determine whether any particular subgroup of women are at particularly high risk of breast cancer if they use EPRT and whether tumor characteristics in women who develop cancer while on ERT or EPRT are different from those in women not using ERT or EPRT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study in Los Angeles, CA, with patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Control subjects were matched to patients on age, ethnicity, and neighborhood of residence. We present data on 1,897 postmenopausal patients and 1,637 controls aged 55 to 72 years who had not undergone a simple hysterectomy. RESULTS: Relative risk of breast cancer associa...
Semiclassical eigenvalue distribution of the Zakharov-Shabat eigenvalue problem

Abstract In this paper we consider the semi-classical limit of the non-self-adjoint Zakharov-Shabat eigenvalue problem. We conduct a series of careful numerical experiments which provide strong evidence that the number of eigenvalues scales like ϵ −1 , just as in the self-adjoint case, and that the eigenvalues appear to approach a limiting curve. One general choice of potential functions produces a Y-shaped spectrum. We give an asymptotic argument which predicts a critical value for the phase for which the straight line spectra bifurcates to produce the Y-shaped spectra. This asymptotic prediction agrees quite well with numerical experiments. The asymptotic argument also predicts a symmetry breaking in the eigenfunctions, which we are able to observe numerically. We also show that the number of eigenvalues living away from the real axis for a restricted class of potentials is bounded by cϵ −1 , where c is an explicit constant. A complete theory of the shape of the eigenvalue curve and a general bound on the number of eigenvalues is still lacking.
Collaborative learning and positive experiences: does letting students choose their own groups matter?

This study used self‐determination theory as a framework to examine the relationship between choice regarding group membership and student motivation within classrooms that use collaborative learning as an instructional tool. Data were collected from over 500 students across seven classrooms from a large university in the Midwestern United States. In three of the seven classrooms, students were allowed to choose with whom they worked; in the remaining four classes the professor formed the groups. Using hierarchical linear modelling, the choice condition was a positive and significant predictor of students’ intrinsic motivation and classroom community, even when accounting for autonomy support and class size. The practical implications of affording choice during collaborative learning are discussed.
Students' Conceptions as Dynamically Emergent Structures.

There is wide consensus that learning in science must be considered a process of conceptual change rather than simply information accrual. There are three perspectives on students’ conceptions and conceptual change in science that have significant presence in the science education literature: students’ ideas as misconceptions, as coherent systems of conceptual elements, and as fragmented knowledge elements. If misconceptions, systems of elements, or fragments are viewed implicitly as “regular things”, these perspectives are in opposition. However, from a complex dynamic systems perspective, in which students’ conceptions are viewed as dynamically emergent structures, the oppositions are lessened, and the integrated view has significant implications for theory and practice.
Health-related quality of life and weight loss among overweight and obese U.S. adults, 2001 to 2002.

Objective: To examine the prevalence and association of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) with trying to lose weight and with weight loss practices (eating fewer calories, physical activity, and both) among overweight and obese U.S. adults ≥ 20 years of age. Research Methods and Procedures: This study used data from the 2001 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a continuous annual survey of the civilian non-institutionalized U.S. population. This analysis included those ≥ 20 years of age with BMI ≥ 25 (n = 2578) who responded to four standard HRQOL measures that assessed general health status and recent physical health, mental health, and activity limitation. Results: Among obese men, but not women, there were significant increasing linear trends in the adjusted prevalence of trying to lose weight as physically unhealthy and activity limitation days increased. Regardless of BMI or HRQOL, reducing calories was a common weight loss practice (66% to 86%). Except for recent activity limitation, respondents with BMI ≥ 35 did not generally differ by HRQOL level in the attainment of recommended physical activity either alone or in combination with reduced calories, whereas those in the BMI 25 to 34.9 groups often differed significantly by HRQOL level. Specifically, increased unhealthy or activity limitation days were associated with reduced prevalence of attained physical activity. Discussion: Our findings indicate an association between trying to lose weight and a greater number of unhealthy days reported by obese men, suggesting that these men may be influenced by traditional clinical weight-loss counseling that is prompted by weight and comorbidity, whereas women had a high prevalence of trying to lose weight irrespective of weight and HRQOL. Assessment of HRQOL, especially measures that evaluate physical domains, could provide subjective information to assist with weight counseling.
3-D CT for cranial facial and laryngeal surgery.

Three-dimensional imaging is a new digital technology which interpolates two-dimensional computer tomography information to render a “life-like” anatomic display of the diagnostic information. We have found that this new methodology significantly improves the assessment and therapy of patients undergoing surgical procedures of the head and neck. The technique has been used in cranial-facial and laryngeal pathology, and in preoperative planning of tumor resection, particularly skull-base neoplasms. The use of three-dimensional computer tomography improves the display of the location and volume of pathology and affords accurate therapeutic and surgical planning. The choice and extent of surgery is better defined, and precise bone removal can be performed. In reconstructive surgery, an accurate prefabricated model of the bony defect can be made to aid reconstruction. Representative cases demonstrating the use of three-dimensional computer tomography in head and neck surgery, and its benefits in saving operative time and improving the postoperative result, will be discussed.
Interrelationship of plasma cortisol and other activation indices during EMG biofeedback training.

Plasma cortisol, cephalic electromyography (EMG), heart rate, fingertip vasoconstriction/dilation, respiration rate, self-reported anxiety, and target symptom severity were monitored in 24 human outpatients who volunteered to undergo the novel experience of an eight-session EMG biofeedback-based relaxation training program. Acute cortisol levels were generally found to be positively related to heart rate, degree of vasoconstriction, and self-reported anxiety but independent of cephalic EMG level and respiration rate. For the 12 participants above the median in initial trait anxiety, the mean reductions in cortisol were 22, 19, and 31% (relative to baseline) at the fourth, eighth, and 1-month follow-up sessions, respectively. Although there was some indication of the presence of a centrally integrated state of lowered neurophysiological arousal, the multiple dependent measures suggest that “relaxation” in this situation is not necessarily a simple unitary physiological and psychological event.
Thermocell with Ion-exchange Polymer Electrolyte

RECENT communications1,2 have described some thermocells in which two electrolyte solutions in contact with reversible electrodes are separated by an ion-exchange resin barrier. The ion-exchange resin in our apparatus is the sole electrolyte in physical contact with two identical copper electrodes and behaves as a solid electrolyte. The theoretical development of thermocells3 is then applicable in an especially simple form.
Biology and mechanisms of action of synergistically stimulated myeloid progenitor cell proliferation and suppression by chemokines

A number of cytokines can act together to stimulate/enhance the proliferation of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in a greater than additive fashion. An example of this is the combination of a colony-stimulating factor with a potent costimulating molecule such as steel factor. Certain members of the chemokine family of cytokines can suppress this synergistically enhanced proliferation. This review focuses on cytokines involved in these stimulating/enhancing/suppressing effects with regard to biological activity and what is beginning to be learned about the intracellular signal transduction events that may be mediating these effects. Examples of intracellular mediators involved include, but are not limited to, the Raf-1/ MAP kinase pathway and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21cip−1 and p27kip−1 for cell proliferation, and eukaryotic initiation factor-4E and 4E binding protein 1 for protein synthesis. Stem Cells 1997; 15 (suppl 1): 69–78
Stimulation of Rat Liver RNA Synthesis by Borate.

SummaryYoung rats on a diet containing not more than 0.001 ppm boron were used to study the effect of administered boric acid on the synthesis of nuclear liver RNA. A 30-min pulse of [6-14C]-orotic acid resulted in a higher incorporation of 14C in liver RNA when borate was given intraperitoneally. This increased incorporation was diminished when the diet contained 1 ppm boron as boric acid. An attempt to determine the effect of borate on the synthesis of liver DNA, using [6-3H]-thymidine, gave unsatisfactory results. It is apparent that borate increases the rate of synthesis of nuclear liver RNA.