cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
German Film Comedy in the ‘Berlin Republic’: Wildly Successful and a Lot Funnier than You Think

Comedy is currently the most successful domestic film genre in Germany, and twenty-first-century German film comedies display diverse topics and approaches. Twark discusses several major German comedy trends, interpreting the directors’ depiction of contemporary social problems and German history in their films. Many recent German comedies portray the effects of German reunification and the socialist East German past with Ostalgie. Others parody Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich with ‘Hitler humour’. Transcultural comedies made by Turkish German directors and other immigrants and their offspring explore cultural clashes between various groups. Contemporary film comedies focusing on present-day Germany frequently reference past historical events and figures. Taking as her central case study Suck Me Shakespeer (Bora Dagtekin 2013), Twark reflects on these major developments in German comedy and considers why it has become so popular in the past few decades.
Synthesis of the frequency response of a resistive strip with a piecewise constant profile

A new approach is proposed here to synthesize a desired frequency response of a resistive strip with a piecewise constant resistive profile. The strip can be attached at both ends to resistive (with constant resistance) or perfect electric conducting half-planes. The main feature of this method is the use ofutd solutions for the scattered field in a cost function which depends on the desired frequency response. The cost function is minimized by an iterative numerical scheme to determine the piecewise constant resistive profile. The scattered field in the frequency or spatial domains is then calculated usingutd or method of moments techniques. Several examples are shown for a Chebyshev frequency response.
Text Parsing-Based Identification of Patients with Poor Glaucoma Medication Adherence in the Electronic Health Record.

Purpose To assess the feasibility of automated text parsing screening of physician notes in the electronic health record (EHR) to identify glaucoma patients with poor medication compliance. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods An automated EHR extraction identified a cohort of patients at the University of Michigan with a diagnosis of glaucoma, ≥40 years old, taking ≥1 glaucoma medication, and having no cognitive impairment. Self-reported medication adherence was assessed with 2 validated instruments: the Chang scale and the Morisky medication adherence scale. In tandem, a text parsing tool that abstracted data from the EHR was used to search for combinations of the following words in patient visit notes: “not,” “non,” “n't,” “no,” or “poor” accompanied by “adherence,” “adherent, “adhering,” “compliance,” “compliant,” or “complying.” The proportion of patients with self-reported poor adherence was compared between the EHR extraction and text parsing identification using a Fisher exact test. Results Among 736 participants, 20.0% (n = 147) self-reported poor adherence and 6.1% (n = 45) had EHR documentation of poor adherence (P Conclusions Text parsing physician notes to identify patients' noncompliance to their medications identified a larger proportion of patients who then self-reported poor medication adherence than an automated EHR pull alone but was limited by the small number of patients identified. Optimizing the documentation of medication adherence would maximize the utility of this automated approach to identify medication noncompliance.
On Wigner's clock and the detectability of spacetime foam with gravitational-wave interferometers

A recent paper (gr-qc/9909017) criticizes our work on the structure of spacetime foam. Its authors argue that the quantum uncertainty limit for the position of the quantum clock in a gedanken timing experiment, obtained by Wigner and used by us, is based on unrealistic assumptions. Here we point out some flaws in their argument. We also discuss their other comments and some other issues related to our work, including a simple connection to the holographic principle. We see no reason to change our cautious optimism on the detectability of spacetime foam with future refinements of modern gravitational-wave interferometers like LIGO/VIRGO and LISA.
Transcriptional, epigenetic, and functional reprogramming of blood monocytes in non-human primates following chronic alcohol drinking

Chronic heavy drinking (CHD) of alcohol is a known risk factor for increased susceptibility to bacterial and viral infection as well as impaired wound healing. Evidence suggests that these defects are mediated by a dysregulated inflammatory response originating from myeloid cells, notably monocytes and macrophages, but the mechanisms remain poorly understood. Our ability to study CHD is impacted by the complexities of human drinking patterns and behavior as well as comorbidities and confounding risk factors for patients with alcohol use disorders. To overcome these challenges, we utilize a translational rhesus macaque model of voluntary ethanol self-administration that closely recapitulates human drinking patterns and chronicity. In this study, we examined the effects of CHD on blood monocytes and alveolar macrophages in control and CHD female macaques after 12 months of daily ethanol consumption. While monocytes from CHD female macaques generated a hyper-inflammatory response to ex vivo LPS stimulation, their response to E.Coli was dampened. In depth scRNA-Seq analysis of purified monocytes revealed significant shifts in classical monocyte subsets with accumulation of cells expressing markers of hypoxia (HIF1A) and inflammation (NFkB signaling pathway) in CHD macaques. The increased presence of monocyte subsets poised to generate a hyperinflammatory response was confirmed by the epigenetic analysis which revealed higher accessibility of promoter regions that regulate genes involved in cytokine signaling pathways. Finally, alveolar macrophages (AM) from the same animals produced higher levels of inflammatory mediators in response to LPS stimulation, but reduced ability to phagocytose bacteria. Collectively, data presented in this manuscript demonstrate that CHD primes monocytes and tissue-resident macrophages towards a more hyper-inflammatory immune response with compromised functional abilities, which could be used in diagnostic purposes or preventative measures for patients with alcohol use disorders.
Command Fibres in the Circumoesophageal Connectives of Crayfish I. Tonic Fibres

1. Several discrete postures have been generated by electrical stimulation at frequencies of 20-75 Hz of command interneurons within the circumoesophageal connectives of the crayfish. The behaviour patterns were recorded by cine photography. The similarity of the patterns in different individuals generated by stimulation of interneurons found in the same positions within the cord, strongly suggested that certain of the interneurons examined in this study were identical. 2. A number of tonic command fibres were found, each of which evoked a specific body geometry. Tonic command units were classified on the basis of evoked cheliped, walking leg, and abdominal positions. The study concentrated on those command fibres which generated spatially distributed behaviour patterns involving both abdomen and appendages, and neglected command elements with more restricted outputs. 3. The types of tonic command fibres characterized include the following: bilateral appendage promotion, ipsilateral appendage promotion, bilateral cheliped lift, ipsilateral appendage lift and flex, general flexion, abdominal extension, and both ipsilateral and contralateral turning. 4. A movement-suppressing command fibre, ultimately termed the ‘statue fibre’ was found twice. Stimulation of this element terminated spontaneous activity by ‘freezing’ the animal, irrespective of position. An additional consequence of stimulation of the statue fibre was the overriding of the excitatory effect of mechanical stimulation which in the absence of the command drive would provoke the animal into activity. 5. It is suggested that a restricted number of tonic command fibres could be functionally operative in the generation of their corresponding behaviour patterns. For the majority of tonic command fibres, however, it is felt that the unit is merely one of a group of elements each of which is activated simultaneously or sequentially for discrete behavioural performances.
Letter from the special issue editors

Over the past year we have labored to curate this special issue of the Journal of Effective Teaching in Higher Education titled In The Along: Curricular and Pedagogical Imperatives for Black Mattering. This process began during a global health pandemic and the already ongoing assault on Black people and lifeways, and we complete the issue in the same, if not more precarious place.
Invasive Candidiasis in Liver Transplant Recipients: A Review

This review summarizes the literature on invasive candidiasis (IC) in liver transplant recipients (LTRs) regarding diagnostic strategies, treatment, and prophylaxis. Recent literature on IC has expanded and refined definitions of risk factors for IC in LTRs. We discuss increasing rates of resistance among candida species and new antifungals. Diagnostic modalities continue to decrease time to initiation of empiric antifungals, which may impact outcomes. A well-documented host of risk factors for IC may allow for targeted prophylaxis, while minimizing exposure to antifungal medications. Further research on minimum effective duration of treatment and prophylaxis is needed to combat resistance.
Land Use and Deforestation in Southeastern Brazil 1753-18401

This article analyzes the pressure of farming on tropical forests in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century Brazil. Making use of GIS technology, it was possible to create a map for the South Central of the Minas Gerais province and geocode historical data for agriculture and livestock production. We have found an association between corn and swine production in areas of forest, and we suggest a correlation of the practices of slash-and-burn agriculture, pig raising, and trade of foodstuff to the clearing of forested land.
Psychological growth in relation to intimate partner violence: A review

Although negative consequences resulting from the experience of traumatic events have been widely studied in the academic literature, only recently have researchers begun to examine positive outcomes associated with trauma. Psychological growth, including posttraumatic growth (PTG), resilience, and positive adjustment, has been found to occur in the aftermath of a variety of stressful circumstances. However, it is unclear how psychological growth specifically relates to intimate partner violence (IPV). The current study provides an empirical review of the literature on psychological growth that is associated with IPV victimization. RESULTS indicate that psychological growth is consistently found among victims of IPV. However, researchers suggest that it may be difficult to determine the exact timing of psychological growth in the aftermath of IPV. Relevant predictors and outcomes of psychological growth are discussed. In addition, limitations of the studies reviewed are summarized and future directions for research and practice are suggested. This review renders a thorough assessment of the relationship between psychological growth and interpersonal violence that may add a new perspective to trauma therapy. Language: en
Acute reductions in PO2 depolarize pulmonary artery endothelial cells and decrease [Ca2+]i

Whereas pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs) are sensitive to oxygen, neither the effect of an acute reduction in PO2 on PAEC membrane potential nor its effect on intracellular free Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) is known. We hypothesized that in confluent primary cultures of PAECs, an acute decrease in PO2 would depolarize the cell membrane, inhibit Ca2+ influx, and reduce [Ca2+]i. To test this hypothesis, the membrane-sensitive fluorophore bis (1,3-dibutylbarbituric acid) trimethine oxonol (DiBAC4, 1 microM) and [Ca2+]i-sensitive probe fura 2 (3 microM) were used. A decrease in PO2 from 125 to 35 mmHg caused membrane depolarization and a 60 +/- 8% (data are means +/- SE) reduction in Ca2+ influx, estimated by manganese quenching of fura 2 fluorescence. While basal [Ca2+]i was 79 +/- 5 nM in normoxic cells, it decreased to 31 +/- 2 nM after 15 min of hypoxia. Decreasing the electrochemical gradient for Ca2+ entry with either low extracellular Ca2+, the K+ channel blockers tetraethylammonium or charybdotoxin, or blockade of Ca2+ entry with lanthanum decreased [Ca2+]i by 54-71% of that observed during an acute reduction in PO2. These results demonstrate that an acute reduction in PO2 1) depolarizes PAECs, 2) reduces Ca2+ influx, and 3) decreases [Ca2+]i, and that a similar reduction in [Ca2+]i was observed with interventions designed to reduce the electrochemical driving force for Ca2+ entry.
A low jitter digital phase-locked loop with a hybrid analog/digital PI control

This paper presents a novel digital phase-locked loop (DPLL) architecture with a hybrid analog/digital proportional/integral (PI) control to generate a low jitter output clock. The hybrid analog/digital PI control mitigates a time to digital converter (TDC) quantization noise and reduces the deterministic jitter (DJ). In addition, a digital phase accumulator (DPA) based high resolution digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) suppresses a DCO quantization error. To reduce a random jitter (RJ), we propose a closed loop voltage controlled oscillator (CLVCO) which can suppress the random noise of oscillator because of a negative feedback loop. We design the proposed DPLL architecture in 130 nm CMOS technology at 1.2V supply. The proposed low jitter DPLL shows 4.3 psec of the DJ and 12.5 psec of the RJ. This DPLL operates from 256 MHz to 1.024 GHz and consumes 4.1 mW at 1.024 GHz output frequency.
Binet, Alfred (1857–1911)

Alfred Binet's impact on the field of psychology is unequaled, with the possible exception of Sigmund Freud. In retrospect, it appears that quite ironically Alfred Binet's most outstanding contribution is the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale, which owes its popularity (though not its conceptualization) largely to the work of Lewis Terman rather than to Binet himself. The intelligence scale became the tree that hid the forest: Much of Binet's exceptional, and often revolutionary, research was largely ignored on account of the overwhelming visibility that his work on intelligence testing achieved. A thorough review of his bibliography shows that his research interests spread a wide range of topics, including but not limited to anatomy, animal magnetism, audition, chess players, court witnesses, double consciousness, fetishism in love, graphology, intellectual exhaustion, intelligence, intelligence assessment, hallucinations, hysteria, inhibition, language, literary creation, memory, mental alienation, mental images, moral responsibility, movement, pedagogy, perception, phrenology, physiology, reasoning, retardation and academic underachievement, the soul, and suggestibility. Though at first glance these topics may seem unrelated, there really are two consistent threads throughout Binet's life and work. The first is a commitment to experimental psychology. The second is his pursuit to understand the complexities of the human mind in order to establish ‘an individual psychology.’
Finite Deflections of Curved Beams

A theory was developed to predict load-deflection curves for curved beams under loading conditions that produce finite strains. The theory assumed that the curved beam could be approximated by a number of truncated pie-shaped segments with circular arcs for the inner and outer boundaries. The cross section of each segment was assumed to have a plane of symmetry; the centroidal normal force and bending moment acting on the segment were assumed to lie in the plane of symmetry and to remain constant over the included angle of the segment. Using known tension and compression engineering stress-strain diagrams, internal values of centroidal normal force and moment could be calculated for assumed deformations of the segment. An iterative procedure was used to obtain the deformations which would make the internal values of centroidal normal force and moment equal to the applied values. The deformed shapes of the pie-shaped segments were reassembled to give the deformed shape of the curved beam. Good agreement was found between theory and experiment for nine mild steel curved beams and two commercially available crane hooks.
Sexual Behavior in Same-Sexed Nonhuman Primates: Is it Relevant to Understanding Human Homosexuality?

(1997). Sexual Behavior in Same-Sexed Nonhuman Primates: Is it Relevant to Understanding Human Homosexuality? Annual Review of Sex Research: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 195-223.
Nuclear Transfer in Mouse Oocytes and Embryos

Nuclear transfer methods provide an invaluable means of dissecting the genetic and epigenetic control of development, as well as the interactions between ooplasm and nucleus in the oocyte and early embryo. These procedures also provide novel means of manipulating animal genomes (e.g., through cloning with genetically engineered cells), and also have been applied for clinical purposes to treat infertility. This chapter reviews methods employed for a range of nuclear transfer techniques including germinal vesicle transfer, spindle transfer, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, pronuclear transfer, and somatic cell nuclear transfer.
Sub-Grid Filtering Model for Multiphase Heat Transfer With Immersed Tubes

Adequately resolving the hydrodynamics and heat transfer in gas-solid flow simulations typically requires computational grids on the order of 1–10 particle diameters. This requirement is not feasible for most full-scale applications. To overcome these impracticalities, we consider a sub-grid filtering approach where the microscopic heat transfer mechanisms are approximated through coarse grid simulations using constitutive relations. Using the open source CFD code Multiphase Flow with Interphase Exchanges (MFIX), we simulate a periodic unit cell domain with immersed horizontal heat transfer cylinders under varying solid-phase fractions and temperatures. The simulation results are averaged over the domain and are used to fit functional forms describing relations between the flow properties and input conditions. The result is a constitutive function that is added as a source term to the solid-phase energy conservation equation to approximate the effective heat transfer between the cylinders and flow with coarse grid simulations.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Economic returns to firms from business-to-business electronic commerce initiatives: an empirical examination

Do firms derive economic returns from business-to-business (B2B) initiatives? How do returns to startup firms compare to those for established firms in B2B initiatives? How do returns to B2B initiatives around digital goods compare to those involving tangible goods? We offer a rigorous definition of B2B then conduct an empirical test of incomplete contract theory to examine the returns to B2B electronic commerce (EC) initiatives focused on digital goods versus tangible goods, and the returns to Internet firms versus brick-and-mortar firms. While there seems to be little difference between digital and tangible initiatives, we find that the returns to Internet firms are significant while the returns to brick-and-mortar firms are not. We propose, based on the application of incomplete contract theory, that this result obtains because the addition of new partners in the EC channel undermines existing relationships in the conventional channel. At the same time, existing relationships in the conventional channel undermine the quality of new relationships in the EC channel. However, Internet firms, with their single channel focus, avoid this difficultly and thus experience significant returns from B2B EC initiatives.
Fracture of Polymer-Coated Nitinol During Gamma Sterilization

After gamma sterilization of a packaged medical device, fractures were discovered in the superelastic nitinol wire used as part of the assembly. The nitinol wire was encased in fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) shrink tube. The only fractures occurred where the encased wire was held under strain during gamma sterilization. A study was conducted to determine the susceptibility of nitinol to this type of failure. The variables studied included wire diameter, wire surface finish, wire oxide layer, quantity of wires encased, type of tubing, and strain level during gamma sterilization. The greatest susceptibility to fracture occurred to single wire samples with a light oxide layer held under high strain in FEP shrink tube. Gamma sterilization experiments were conducted to isolate and confirm this failure mechanism. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the fractured samples. Chemical analysis was performed in an attempt to detect trace elements to determine the root cause of the failures. Stress corrosion cracking caused by the liberation of fluorine due to the degradation of the polymer during gamma sterilization is suspected.
Experimental investigation of the spontaneous wetting of polymers and polymer blends.

The dynamics of polymeric liquids and mixtures spreading on a solid surface have been investigated on completely wetting and partially wetting surfaces. Drops were formed by pushing the test liquid through a hole in the underside of the substrate, and the drop profiles were monitored as the liquid wet the surface. Silicon surfaces coated with diphenyldichlorosilane (DPDCS) and octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) were used as wetting and partial wetting surfaces, respectively, for the fluids we investigated. The response under complete and partial wetting conditions for a series of polypropylene glycols (PPG) with different molecular weights and the same surface tension could be collapsed onto a single curve when scaling time based on the fluid viscosity, the liquid−vapor surface tension, and the radius of a spherical drop with equivalent volume. A poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG300) and a series of poly(ethylene oxide-rand-propylene oxide) copolymers did not show the same viscosity scaling when spread on the partia...
Highlights I Determination of metals in cigarette smoke II On‐site mercury analyzer III Hazardous gas monitoring

I By adding an impaction plate in a graphite furnace it is possible to separate and collect 6µm particles which are found in cigarette smoke. This allows for the quantitative detection of Cd, Cr, Pb and Mn in air in a direct fashion and quasi real time. It is important to monitor not only direct inhalation of cigarette smoke, but also “second‐hand” smoking by innocent by‐standers.
Chemical free energies and the third law of thermodynamics

ABSTRACT At the close of the 19th century, it had become clear that determination of the free energy of chemical reactions was the key to understanding chemical affinity. Yet the available methods for obtaining free energies were unreliable and of limited applicability, and there was no known method for determination of free energies from thermal measurements. Walther Nernst9s 1906 heat theorem, which later became known as the third law of thermodynamics, would prove to be the key to thermometric determinations of free energies. The paper examines the chemical significance of the third law; earlier attempts by le Chatelier, Lewis, Richards, Haber, and van9t Hoff at the problem; and some later clarifications of the third law. The paper then covers the human side of the discovery of the third law, including disputes among Nernst, Lewis, and Richards.
Assessing the underlying economic causes and consequences of obesity

Obesity rates in the United States have doubled for adults and tripled for children since the 1980s. Finding causes for this drastic rise is key in finding possible solutions to reverse this trend. Technological advances and changes in societal norms are environmental shifts that have largely contributed to the epidemic. There are substantial medical consequences to being obese, and in addition, there are considerable social and labor market consequences, particularly for women. There is thus a pressing need for solutions, as costs of being obese are likely societal and not limited to personal ones.
The Role of Adjuvant Therapy After Liver Resection for Colorectal Cancer Metastase

Intrahepatic recurrence is common after major resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases to the liver. In this review, the available data on different adjuvant therapies from systemic chemotherapy to regional approaches by direct perfusion of chemotherapeutic agents via the hepatic artery and portal vein will be discussed. Intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy is another form of regional therapy. Novel approaches with immunotherapy and trials of neoadjuvant therapy in association with resection of CRC hepatic metastases have also been reported. The purpose of this review is to outline these various strategies and their role in combination with resection of CRC liver metastases. Although improved hepatic disease-free survival has been demonstrated with some strategies, overall survival is minimally affected and recurrence of metastatic disease at distant sites is still a major problem. Therefore, future directions should incorporate the use of new systemic agents effective against CRC metastases. Identification of subgroups through clinical features, molecular markers, proteins, or specific tumor properties may also help to individualize treatment.
Labor Markets, Production Strategies, and Wage Bargaining Institutions The Swedish Employer Offensive in Comparative Perspective

Transformed patterns of labor market governance occupy a central place in the study of contemporary West European political economies. Here, detailed analysis of the dramatic decentralization of wa...
Degradation mechanisms and environmental effects on perfluoropolyether, self-assembled monolayers, and diamondlike carbon films.

The degradation mechanisms and durability of selected lubricants and environmental effects on the lubricants which could be used for microelectromechanical/nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS/NEMS) applications were studied in this paper. The degradation of perfluoropolyether (Z-DOL), four self-assembled monolayers (SAMs)hexadecane thiol, perfluoroalkylsilane, and alkylsilane (C8 and C18)and diamondlike carbon (DLC) films was investigated in high vacuum. Gaseous products and friction force were detected using a quadrupole mass spectrometer and strain gauges. It is believed that triboelectrical reaction and mechanical scission cause the degradation of Z-DOL. SAMs are believed to degrade by cleavage at an interfacial bond accompanied with triboelectrical reactions. DLC is believed to degrade by mechanical shear and thermal oxidation. Environmental effects on lubricant films were studied in high vacuum, argon, and air at various humidity levels. It was found that the environment has a significant influence o...
Waterman Award nominations sought

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting nominations for the 2013 Alan T. Waterman Award. The award, established in 1975 to commemorate NSF's first director, is the foundation's highest honor for promising, early-career researchers. Nominees are accepted from all sources, from any field of science and engineering that NSF supports. In addition to receiving a medal, the award recipient will also receive a $1,000,000 grant over 5 years for scientific research or advanced study in any field of science or engineering supported by NSF. Completed nomination packages are due by 31 October. For more information, see http://www.nsf.gov/od/waterman/waterman.jsp.
Synthesis, characterization, and solid-state structures of the 14-electron open metallocenes M[1,5-(Me3Si)2C5H5]2 (M= Ti or Zr)☆

Abstract Reactions of titanium(II) or zirconium(IV) chlorides with two or four equivalents of K[1,5-(Me 3 Si) 2 C 5 H 5 ], respectively, lead to the diamagnetic 14-electron M[1,5-(Me 3 Si) 2 C 5 H 5 ] 2 complexes. Both have been characterized analytically, spectroscopically, and through single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.
Geomagnetic field intensity, excursions, reversals and the 41,000-yr obliquity signal

Abstract The possibility that precession provides power to the geodynamo has been tested by comparing variations in field intensity and the occurrence of excursions and reversals with the obliquity signal. The strongest minima in the paleomagnetic intensity records for the past 800,000 yr correlate with obliquity minima. The distribution of the length of polarity intervals less than 100,000 yr peaks between 30 and 40,000 yr, i.e., marginally shorter than the obliquity period. Reversals preferentially occur when the average amplitude of the obliquity signal is low. The most recent reversals occur close to the point of inflection during the decrease from the maximum of the obliquity signal. These results suggest that precession provides some power to the geodynamo.
Decentralized identification of building models

As energy efficient model-based controllers gain acceptance in the building domain, the problem of identifying accurate building models for control becomes even more important. Current literature provides analysis on the identifiability of building models. However, in practice, building models can be too large and too complex to properly identify parameter estimates. Towards that end, we present a strategy to decompose large building models into smaller building zone models so that these zone models can be individually identified. We find that the identifiability of zone models imply the identifiability of the building model, and we outline a decentralized approach to identify large building models. Finally, we demonstrate this approach with a simulated building example.
Putting evidence into practice: evidence-based interventions for fatigue during and following cancer and its treatment

Cancer-related fatigue has a significant impact on patients' physical and psychosocial functioning, symptom distress, and quality of life, yet it remains under-recognized and undertreated. The Oncology Nursing Society's Putting Evidence Into Practice initiative sought to improve patient outcomes relative to this important problem by critically examining and summarizing the evidence base for interventions to prevent and manage fatigue during and following treatment. This article critically reviews and summarizes the available empirical evidence regarding interventions for cancer-related fatigue. In addition to offering patients and clinicians a tool to facilitate effective management of the distressing symptom, this evidence-based review identifies gaps in knowledge and research opportunities.
Neurohormetic phytochemicals: low-dose toxins that induce adaptive neuronal stress responses

Diets rich in vegetables and fruits are associated with reduced risk of several major diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders. Although some beneficial phytochemicals might function solely as antioxidants, it is becoming clear that many of the beneficial chemicals in vegetables and fruits evolved as toxins (to dissuade insects and other predators) that, at subtoxic doses, activate adaptive cellular stress-response pathways in a variety of cells including neurons. Examples of such ‘preconditioning’ or ‘neurohormesis’ pathways include those involving cell-survival signaling kinases, the transcription factors NRF2 and CREB, and histone deacetylases of the sirtuin family. In these ways, neurohormetic phytochemicals such as resveratrol, sulforaphanes and curcumin might protect neurons against injury and disease by stimulating the production of antioxidant enzymes, neurotrophic factors, protein chaperones and other proteins that help cells to withstand stress. Thus, as we discuss in this review, highly conserved longevity and survival pathways in neurons are the targets of many phytochemicals.
Seasonal and daily cycles in sound production associated with spawning in the weakfish,Cynoscion regalis

Hydrophone recordings were made to document the daily and seasonal cycles of weakfish,Cynoscion regalis (Sciaenidae), sound production in the Delaware Bay. Recordings were made at three stations perpendicular to the shore and rated qualitatively on a scale of 0–4. ‚Drumming’ (sonic muscles, males only) and ‚chattering’ (pharyngeal stridulation, both sexes) were tallied separately. Weakfish were collected from the field throughout the spring and summer to monitor the reproductive status of the population. A clear seasonal trend was noted in both drumming and chattering activities. Drumming activity rose abruptly in mid-May to maximal levels, which were maintained through late June, then dropped off in July and ceased in August. Chattering activity began abruptly in late June, then rose through July and remained high in August. Seasonal drumming activity was more intense at the inshore station. On a daily scale, drumming activity was at its lowest level during the early to mid-morning, then increased to maximal levels in the early evening and remained high until the following morning. There was no daily trend in chattering activity. Daily drumming activity was also most intense at the inshore station. Male and female reproductive readiness, determined by gonadosomatic indices, sperm motility and plasma androgen levels, peaked within the period of maximal seasonal drumming activity.
Problematic Progress: Reading Environmental and Social Change in the Mekong Delta

Colonial engineers and administrators often referred to the pre-colonial Mekong Delta landscape as a vast solitude yet to be reorganised through their hydraulic technology. However, the environmental history of the Delta's waterways is more complex, suggesting that colonial projects were to some extent embedded within an existing infrastructure. This problematises the rhetorical concept of Progress within a colonial context and its value as a metaphor to understand human changes to the landscape.
Optimization of p-silicon surface by etching and electrodeposition of Pt and Ni for photosplitting of water

Abstract The surface condition of a p-Si semiconductor was used to attempt to optimize for the best photoresponse in terms of etching time and the time of electrodeposition of Pt and Ni electrocatalysts. The bare p-Si semiconductor surface etched with aqua regia-HF for 4 min and the subsequent treatment with HF for 3 min gave rise to better active sites towards the photoelectrochemical splitting of water. Platinization for 3 s and nickelization for 1 s on bare p-Si at a current pulse of 250 μA cm−2 and light intensity of 100 mW cm−2 showed the most efficient surface conditions of this semiconductor. Platinum exhibited a better photoelectrocatalytic effect on the p-Si surface compared to that of nickel both in terms of the limiting photocurrent and the potential shift, ΔV. The electrocatalytic effect was found to be dominant over the Schottky junction effect. Conventional equations were used to calculate the efficiency of the photoresponse on the semiconductor surface, with some necessary modifications. It has been suggested that it is essential to optimize each p-Si semiconductor surface in terms of etching time, the time of electrodeposition and the strength of current pulse prior to its use in a photoelectrochemical cell for efficient water splitting.
A tunable high-performance architecture for enhancement of stream video captured under non-uniform lighting conditions

A novel architecture for performing hue-saturation-value (HSV) domain enhancement of digital color images captured under non-uniform lighting conditions is proposed in this paper for video streaming applications. The approach promotes log-domain computation to eliminate all multiplications, divisions and exponentiations utilizing the compact high-speed logarithmic estimation modules. An optimized quadrant symmetric architecture is incorporated into the design of homomorphic filter for the enhancement of intensity value. Efficient modules are also presented for conversion between RGB and HSV color spaces with tunable H and S components in HSV for more flexible color rendering. The design is able to bring out details hidden in shadow regions of the image and preserve the bright parts with adjustable vividness and color shift for improvement of visual quality while maintaining its consistency. It is capable of producing 187.86 million outputs per second (MOPs) on Xilinx's Virtex II XC2V2000-4ff896 field programmable gate array (FPGA) at a clock frequency of 187.86MHz. It can process over 179.1 (1024x1024) frames per second, which is very suitable for high definition videos, and consumes approximately 70.7% and 76.8% less hardware resource with 127% and 280% performance boost when compared to the designs with machine learning algorithm in [M.Z. Zhang, M.J. Seow, V.K. Asari, A high performance architecture for color image enhancement using a machine learning approach, International Journal of Computational Intelligence Research - Special Issue on Advances in Neural Networks 2(1) (2006) 40-47], and with separated dynamic and contrast enhancements in [H.T. Ngo, M.Z. Zhang, L. Tao, V.K. Asari, Design of a high performance architecture for real-time enhancement of video stream captured in extremely low lighting environment, International Journal of Embedded Systems: Special Issue on Media and Stream Processing, in press], respectively. This approach also provide 83.4 times performance gain with more consistent fidelity in the results compared to some DSP based implementations (256x256 frame size) [G.D. Hines, Z. Rahman, D.J. Jobson, G.A. Woodell, DSP implementation of the retinex image enhancement algorithm, visual information processing XIII, in: Proceedings of the SPIE, vol. 5438, 2004, pp. 13-24; G.D. Hines, Z. Rahman, D.J. Jobson, G.A. Woodell, Single-scale retinex using digital signal processors, in: Proceedings of the Global Signal Processing Conference, September 2004, pp. 1-6] under the reflectance-illuminance category of image enhancement models.
Age dissimilar marriages: Review and assessment

Abstract The empirical literature on age dissimilar marriages (ADMs) over the past six decades was analyzed in terms data sources, theoretical perspectives, findings, and controversial issues. There has been a significant increase in research on ADMs. Greater use of large data sets, especially census data is evident. Few studies utilize original samples of age-discrepant couples. Most studies are atheoretical and descriptive, and lack explicit hypotheses, although recent research has begun to overcome these deficits. The most consistent findings include: ADMs increase with age and with remarriages; older man-younger woman marriages continue as the most prevalent form of ADMs; nonwhites show higher probabilities of age heterogamous marriages; ADMs are most prevalent among lower socioeconomic groups; age disparities differentially affect the sexes with respect to mortality; ADMs appear to be more alike than dissimilar from coeval marriages. Findings regarding ADMs and marital stability remain contradictory. Definitions of ADMs are arbitrary, show wide variation, and pose an impediment to definitive conclusions.
Interactionism's Place

The preservation of interactionism is now guaranteed to the extent that general sociology shows clear signs of becoming interactionist in its conceptual makeup. Accordingly interactionist promoters might want to enter into a more concerted dialogue with the unaware interactionists to make the disciplinary shift toward interactionism more overt and systematic. My treatment of these matters begins in a respectable but somewhat tiring manner, after which I express some long-standing irritations and areas of confusion regarding interactionism and sociology as a way of suggesting a few areas of needed interactionist work.
Porcine wet lab improves surgical skills in third year medical students

Abstract Background Medical students desire to become proficient in surgical techniques and believe their acquisition is important. However, the operating room is a challenging learning environment. Small group procedural workshops can improve confidence, participation, and performance. The use of fresh animal tissues has been rated highly among students and improves their surgical technique. Greater exposure to surgical procedures and staff could positively influence students' interest in surgical careers. We hypothesized that a porcine “wet lab” course for third year medical students would improve their surgical skills. Methods Two skills labs were conducted for third year medical students during surgery clerkships in the fall of 2011. The students' surgical skills were first evaluated in the operating room across nine dimensions. Next, the students performed the following procedures during the skills lab: (1) laparotomy; (2) small bowel resection; (3) splenectomy; (4) partial hepatectomy; (5) cholecystectomy; (6) interrupted abdominal wall closure; (7) running abdominal wall closure; and (8) skin closure. After the skills lab, the students were re-evaluated in the operating room across the same nine dimensions. Student feedback was also recorded. Fifty-one participants provided pre- and post-lab data for use in the final analysis. Results The mean scores for all nine surgical skills improved significantly after participation in the skills lab (P ≤ 0.002). Cumulative post-test scores also showed significant improvement (P = 0.002). Finally, the student feedback was largely positive. Conclusions The surgical skills of third year medical students improved significantly after participation in a porcine wet lab, and the students rated the experience as highly educational. Integration into the surgery clerkship curriculum would promote surgical skill proficiency and could elicit interest in surgical careers.
Transfer of Rodlike Aggregate Phthalocyanines to Hydrophobized Gold and Silicon Surfaces: Effect of Phenyl-Terminated Surface Modifiers on Thin Film Transfer Efficiency and Molecular Orientation

We present here a study of the effects of surface modification on the efficiency of transfer of ultrathin Langmuir−Blodgett films of rodlike aggregates of the phthalocyanine (Pc) (2,3,9,10,16,17,23,24-octakis((2-benzyloxy)ethoxy)phthalocyaninato)copper (1) to gold and silicon substrates. These surface modifications impact on (i) the molecular orientation of the individual Pcs within the rodlike aggregates, (ii) the coherence of the aggregates (providing for coherence lengths of some Pc rods of over 100 nm), and (iii) the optical anisotropy and the overall uniformity and lack of pinholes in Pc bilayer films, on the 100 μm distance scale. Methyl-terminated and phenyl-terminated surface modifiers were added to both Au and Si surfaces through thiol and silane chemistries, respectively. The phenyl-terminated modifier for Au surfaces, benzyloxyethanethiol, 2, mimics the side chain composition of Pc 1. Both methyl- and phenyl-terminated modifiers produced hydrophobic surfaces, as revealed by high water contact a...
Influence of light and temperature on photosynthesis and respiration by Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittr. (Chlorophyceae)

Abstract Rates of net photosynthesis and respiration were determined for Pithophora oedogonia (Mont.) Wittr. acclimatized to 56 combinations of light (7–1200 μE m −2 s −1 ) and temperature (5–35°C). Conditions for maximum net photosynthesis were estimated to be 26°C and 970 μE m −2 s −1 . The rate of net photosyntheses varied considerably with temperature, with the maximum measured value (9.67 mg O 2 h −1 g dry wt. −1 ) occurring at 25°C. Respiration rate increased with temperature and the light received just prior to measurement. The maximum respiration rate (7.05 mg O 2 g −1 h −1 ) occurred at 30°C and 1200 μE m −2 s −1 . Exposure of Pithophora to light levels of 600 or 1200 μE m −2 s −1 prior to determination of the respiration rate resulted in significantly elevated levels of oxygen consumption at temperatures ≥ 15°C. The relationship between light, temperature and photosynthesis and respiration were summarized as three-dimensional response surfaces.
Understanding Morocco's ‘sanitisation campaign’ (December 1995 to may 1996)

The sanitisation campaign in Morocco was, in reality, a device to stabilise the existing political order and to prepare the ground for ‘alternance’. As such it was orchestrated by the established political authorities who ensured that it could not threaten the overall political order. Although it was a brilliant gambit in this respect, it also demonstrated the weakness of the Moroccan media and of civil society. It was, however, an essential preparation for the government that was brought to power in early 1998.
Luminescence decays of N-bound excitons in Gs As 1 − x P x

We report photoluminescence-lifetime studies of nitrogen-bound excitons in $\mathrm{Gs}{\mathrm{As}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{P}}_{x}$:N at low excitation power for $0.22lx\ensuremath{\le}1.0$. Temperature was varied from $T=1.8 \mathrm{to} 200$ K. A time resolution of 400 psec was obtained with the use of time-correlated single-photon counting. At low temperatures, a short (10 nsec) nonexponential decay and a longer matrix-element-determined exponential decay are observed. Results prove that earlier 77-K phase-shift measurements gave information regarding only the nonexponential component. We report here on the true exponential luminescence lifetime. Luminescence-lifetime quenching as the temperature is raised from 1.8 to 40 K demonstrates that both $A(J=1)$ and $B(J=2)$ bound-exciton states exist in alloys with minimal strain mixing. Radiative lifetimes of both exciton spin states are obtained across the alloy for the first time and are compared with earlier theories. Both lifetimes show a bandstructure enhancement of 2 orders of magnitude, with $A$-state radiative lifetimes varying from about 100 nsec in GaP to 1 nsec for $x=0.23$. When the bound exciton is near resonance with the direct edge (for $x\ensuremath{\cong}0.22$), the radiative lifetime approaches but does not fall below the direct-edge luminescence lifetime, thus showing that the recombination rate does not diverge with resonance. For $T40$ K, two distinct thermal processes occur, one of which (hole release) increases the luminescence lifetime, while the other (electron detrapping) decreases the lifetime and quenches the luminescence intensity. Observation of hole release confirms the Hopfield-Thomas-Lynch model of N isoelectronic traps, and proves for the first time that isolated N binds a bare electron.
Are contact hypersensitivity cells cytotoxic

THYMUS-DERIVED lymphocytes (T cells), which participate in many regulatory and effector functions of the immune system, are divided into distinct subpopulations. Thus, T cells causing cell-mediated cytotoxicity can be distinguished from those cooperating with bone marrow-derived lymphocytes (B cells) in the humoral response1–3. Cytotoxic T cells also seem to be distinct from the cells responsible for the mixed lymphocyte and graft versus host reactions4,5. Furthermore, T-cell subpopulations can interact with each other to augment various cell-mediated immune responses6–8. We have investigated whether the T cells causing contact sensitivity belong to a different subset from those causing cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Our studies were based on two observations: first, that in mice contact sensitivity to the trinitrophenyl group (TNP) can be transferred adoptively by spleen or lymph node cells of sensitised animals; and, second, that cytotoxic T cells able to lyse TNP-coupled target cells can be induced in vitro11–13. We have found that contact sensitivity cells fail to display cytotoxicity, while cytotoxic cells fail to transfer contact sensitivity. From this we conclude that these two functions are performed by distinct T cell subpopulations.