cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stock price prediction based on Grey Relational Analysis and support vector regression

Stock market data is extremely large and complicated. In stock prediction research, the selection of technical indicators has not a scientific theory as a guide. This paper proposes a novel method based on Grey Relational Analysis to select the technical indicators. Then make predictions by Support Vector Regression that optimized by improved fruit fly optimization algorithm. Firstly, the fruit fly optimization algorithm is improved by decreasing footstep and simulated annealing. Secondly, the improved fruit fly optimization algorithm is adopted to optimize the penalty factor c and the kernel function parameter g of the support vector regression. Finally, modeling and forecasting of the stock price with optimized support vector regression are conducted and some simulation experiments are carried out. The Support Vector Regression is adept at analyzing small size and multi-dimensional samples, so it is suitable for short-term stock prediction. By comparing with other three methods, the one this paper proposed could fast convergence and improve the accuracy of forecasting and is an efficient and feasible method.
New CubeSat observing capabilities for microwave atmospheric sensing

There has been much recent progress with CubeSat-hosted microwave instrumentation for atmospheric sensing. The Microsized Microwave Atmospheric Satellite Version 2a (MicroMAS-2a), launched on January 11, 2018 and has demonstrated temperature sounding using channels near 118 GHz and humidity sounding using channels near 183 GHz. A second MicroMAS-2 flight unit (MicroMAS-2b) will be launched in late 2018 as part of ELANA-XX. The TimeResolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission was selected by NASA in 2016 as part of the Earth Venture–Instrument (EVI-3) program. The overarching goal for TROPICS is to provide nearly all-weather observations of 3-D temperature and humidity, as well as cloud ice and precipitation horizontal structure, at high temporal resolution to conduct high-value science investigations of tropical cyclones. TROPICS will provide rapid-refresh microwave measurements (median refresh rate of approximately 40 minutes for the baseline mission) over the tropics that can be used to observe the thermodynamics of the troposphere and precipitation structure for storm systems at the mesoscale and synoptic scale over the entire storm lifecycle. TROPICS comprises a constellation of six CubeSats in three low-Earth orbital planes. Each CubeSat will host a high performance radiometer to provide temperature profiles using seven channels near the 118.75 GHz oxygen absorption line, water vapor profiles using three channels near the 183 GHz water vapor absorption line, imagery in a single channel near 90 GHz for precipitation measurements (when combined with higher resolution water vapor channels), and a single channel at 206 GHz that is more sensitive to precipitation-sized ice particles. TROPICS spatial resolution and measurement sensitivity is comparable with current state-of-the-art observing platforms. TROPICS flight hardware development is on track for a 2019 delivery.
Utilizing a Narrative Therapy Approach with Couples Who Have Experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury to Increase Intimacy

More individuals within the U.S. suffer from traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than breast cancer or HIV/aids and is one of the leading causes of disability. Due to the prevalence and severity of TBIs, it is essential for couple, marriage, and family therapists to understand TBIs common symptoms and treatment options for couples struggling with intimacy post diagnosis. Despite the need for further discussion and guidance, minimal literature presently exists incorporating a systemic approach for couples where one partner has encountered a TBI. In an effort to address this gap, the present article aims to provide, (1) awareness and contextual understanding on how TBI’s shape couples experiences and (2) a suggested approach for treating couples to enhance their intimacy through a narrative lens. Those who experience a TBI can face many symptoms including increased impulsivity, disinhibition, aggression, lack of communication, depression, and sexual dysfunction. Narrative therapy may be uniquely equipped to assist couples experiencing these symptoms from a TBI by allowing couples to externalize the problem, create new experiences around this problem, and strengthen their new experiences. This suggested approach is delineated, applied to a clinical example, and discussed.
The frontiers of North America’s fossil fuel boom: BP, Tar Sands, and the re-industrialization of the Calumet Region

This article focuses in on the ways in which the North American energy boom is reworking environments and livelihoods in the Great Lakes, focusing in particular on the expansion of BP's Chicago-area refinery as it has pivoted towards processing Canadian tar sands oil. In examining this 're-industrialization', the article contributes to an ongoing discussion about the relationship between fossil fuels, limits to capitalism, and the importance of frontiers in resolving capitalist crises. The first empirical section of the article looks at the early history of the Calumet's development as a hub for fossil fuel distribution and refining and, drawing from Moore's 'world-ecology framework', demonstrates the ways in the appropriation of unpaid work/energy - in particular the appropriation of the wetlands that make up the southern tip of Lake Michigan - serves as the underappreciated condition of possibility for the BP Whiting refinery's existence. Today, this combination of productivity and plunder continues in the region, illustrating urban metabolisms that are not confined to the city. In the second empirical section of the article, I argue that despite predictions of crises arising from declining ecological surpluses, in Calumet today, BP is finding new frontiers of surplus value production, both in the form of producing petcoke and in continued geographic expansion in the region. As a way of understanding the persistence and adaptive capacity of capital, even in degraded landscapes like Calumet, I consider Johnson's concept of 'accumulation by degradation' as an excellent tool for understanding dynamics in the region. The production of both petcoke and pollution – undesirable from a social and ecological perspective – sustain BP's industrial colonialism in the region because they ensure weakened competition and below market rents that allow for expansion and place-based longevity. Keywords: tar sands, oil, refining, appropriation, accumulation by degradation, Chicago
Oilseeds, spices, fruits and flavour in the Indus Civilisation

Abstract The exploitation of plant resources was an important part of the economic and social strategies of the people of the Indus Civilisation (c. 3200–1500 BCE). Research has focused mainly on staples such as cereals and pulses, for understanding these strategies with regards to agricultural systems and reconstructions of diet, with some reference to ‘weeds’ for crop processing models. Other plants that appear less frequently in the archaeobotanical record have often received variable degrees of attention and interpretation. This paper reviews the primary literature and comments on the frequency with which non-staple food plants appear at Indus sites. It argues that this provides an avenue for Indus archaeobotany to continue its ongoing development of models that move beyond agriculture and diet to think about how people considered these plants as part of their daily life, with caveats regarding taphonomy and culturally-contextual notions of function.
SAMPL6 logP challenge: machine learning and quantum mechanical approaches

Two different types of approaches: (a) approaches that combine quantitative structure activity relationships, quantum mechanical electronic structure methods, and machine-learning and, (b) electronic structure vertical solvation approaches, were used to predict the logP coefficients of 11 molecules as part of the SAMPL6 logP blind prediction challenge. Using electronic structures optimized with density functional theory (DFT), several molecular descriptors were calculated for each molecule, including van der Waals areas and volumes, HOMO/LUMO energies, dipole moments, polarizabilities, and electrophilic and nucleophilic superdelocalizabilities. A multilinear regression model and a partial least squares model were used to train a set of 97 molecules. As well, descriptors were generated using the molecular operating environment and used to create additional machine learning models. Electronic structure vertical solvation approaches considered include DFT and the domain-based local pair natural orbital methods combined with the solvated variant of the correlation consistent composite approach.
Cardiovascular Mortality After Type 1 and Type 2 Myocardial Infarction in Young Adults.

Abstract Background Type 2 myocardial infarction (MI) and myocardial injury are associated with increased short-term mortality. However, data regarding long-term mortality are lacking. Objectives This study compared long-term mortality among young adults with type 1 MI, type 2 MI, or myocardial injury. Methods Adults age 50 years or younger who presented with troponin >99th percentile or the International Classification of Diseases code for MI over a 17-year period were identified. All cases were adjudicated as type 1 MI, type 2 MI, or myocardial injury based on the Fourth Universal Definition of MI. Cox proportional hazards models were constructed for survival free from all-cause and cardiovascular death. Results The cohort consisted of 3,829 patients (median age 44 years; 30% women); 55% had type 1 MI, 32% had type 2 MI, and 13% had myocardial injury. Over a median follow-up of 10.2 years, mortality was highest for myocardial injury (45.6%), followed by type 2 MI (34.2%) and type 1 MI (12%) (p Conclusions Young patients who experience a type 2 MI have higher long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality than those who experience type 1 MI, with nearly one-half of patients with myocardial injury and more than one-third of patients with type 2 MI dying within 10 years. These findings emphasize the need to provide more aggressive secondary prevention for patients who experience type 2 MI and myocardial injury.
Optimizing ibuprofen concentration for rapid pharmacokinetics on biocompatible zinc-based MOF-74 and UTSA-74.

Abstract Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have potential as drug carriers on the basis of their surface areas and pore volumes that allow for high loading and fast release. This study investigated two biocompatible MOFs – Zn MOF-74 and UTSA-74 – for ibuprofen delivery. The effect of drug loading was studied by impregnating the MOFs with 30, 50, and 80 wt% ibuprofen. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and N2 physisorption. From SEM, the MOF structures were maintained at 30 wt% ibuprofen, however, became agglomerated at 50–80 wt% loading, as the drug deposited on the surface and adhered the particles to one another. In the physisorption measurements, the Zn MOF-74 samples decreased in surface area with ibuprofen loading, until they became zero at 80 wt%. In UTSA-74, the drug impregnation was less effective, as 35% of the original surface area was retained in the 80 wt% sample. On the basis of our drug release measurements, 50 wt% ibuprofen loading was found to be optimal on Zn MOF-74, as it gave rise to fast kinetics (k = 0.27 h−1/2) and high drug concentrations within the first 10 h. In UTSA-74, the fastest release rate was observed at 30 wt% loading (k = 0.22 h−1/2), as the poor impregnation efficiency blocked diffusion through the MOF pores at higher loading. Color changes of phosphate buffer saline (PBS) solutions at different time intervals also suggested that Zn MOF-74 decomposed during drug release, as it produced yellowing of the PBS solution. On the other hand, UTSA-74 did not discolor the PBS solution, and was concluded to not have dissolved during drug release. From these results, it was concluded that Zn MOF-74 was the superior drug carrier, as it could effectively deliver higher ibuprofen loadings and would dissolve in the process of drug release, thereby reducing its invasiveness in the human body.
Teniae coli extraction in human colon for computed tomographic colonography images

Teniae coli are three bands of longitudinal smooth muscle on the surface of the colon, serving as anatomically meaningful landmarks for guiding virtual colonoscopic navigation and registration. This paper presents a novel method for teniae coli extraction for CT colonography. Because teniae coli are muscles running between haustral folds, they can be extracted by analysis of fold information. In our method, the 3D colon surface is first preprocessed into a 2D flattened colon. Then a 2D Gabor filter is employed to extract the feature of haustral folds, following by a Sobel operator to enhance the fold edge. The fold center is then detected by thresholding. A path of the fold can be obtained by connecting the fold center. Teniae coli are then extracted as lines in the middle of a pair of fold paths. Experiments were carried out on 5 cases, and the normalized RMSE was 5.01% with a 4.13% standard deviation.
The Contested Discourses of Yoga, Youth, and Urban Schooling: Paradox and Possibility

Background/ContextYoga, as a recent cultural phenomenon in the United States, is often marketed as a way to relieve stress and anxiety. This has led to yoga becoming widespread in schools, particul...
Transactive Energy Rationing in an Islanded Electric Power System

A battery energy storage system (BESS) has been installed on Nantucket Island to provide service continuity during the N-1 contingency of partial electricity supply interruption from the mainland. During the N-2 contingency of complete interruption from the mainland, most of the loads will have to be disconnected so that a combustion gas turbine (CTG) can supply critical facilities. This work proposes an alternative transactive rationing mechanism that would provide some service to all of the loads, and still fully serve the critical loads, through market-based control during the N-2 contingency. A BESS operating strategy is proposed that would enhance the transactive rationing mechanism. The necessary enabling changes to communication systems, controls and utility tariffs are discussed, along with some ancillary benefits.
Daily Cannabis Use is Associated With Lower CNS Inflammation in People With HIV.

Objective: Recent cannabis exposure has been associated with lower rates of neurocognitive impairment in people with HIV (PWH). Cannabis’s anti-inflammatory properties may underlie this relationship by reducing chronic neuroinflammation in PWH. This study examined relations between cannabis use and inflammatory biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma, and cognitive correlates of these biomarkers within a community-based sample of PWH. Methods: 263 individuals were categorized into four groups: HIV− non-cannabis users (n = 65), HIV+ non-cannabis users (n = 105), HIV+ moderate cannabis users (n = 62), and HIV+ daily cannabis users (n = 31). Differences in pro-inflammatory biomarkers (IL-6, MCP-1/CCL2, IP-10/CXCL10, sCD14, sTNFR-II, TNF-α) by study group were determined by Kruskal–Wallis tests. Multivariable linear regressions examined relationships between biomarkers and seven cognitive domains, adjusting for age, sex/gender, race, education, and current CD4 count. Results: HIV+ daily cannabis users showed lower MCP-1 and IP-10 levels in CSF compared to HIV+ non-cannabis users (p = .015; p = .039) and were similar to HIV− non-cannabis users. Plasma biomarkers showed no differences by cannabis use. Among PWH, lower CSF MCP-1 and lower CSF IP-10 were associated with better learning performance (all ps < .05). Conclusions: Current daily cannabis use was associated with lower levels of pro-inflammatory chemokines implicated in HIV pathogenesis and these chemokines were linked to the cognitive domain of learning which is commonly impaired in PWH. Cannabinoid-related reductions of MCP-1 and IP-10, if confirmed, suggest a role for medicinal cannabis in the mitigation of persistent inflammation and cognitive impacts of HIV.
Transient and steady shear rheology of particle-laden viscoelastic suspensions

We study the transient and steady shear rheology of rigid particle suspensions in Boger fluids via complete 3D numerical simulations and experiments. We calculate the transient per-particle extra viscosity and primary stress coefficients for suspensions at different particle volume fractions ϕ for a range of Weissenberg numbers (Wi). The per-particle viscosity ( ηp) and the primary normal coefficient ( ψ1p) increase monotonically to steady state in body-fitted (BF) simulations (for dilute suspensions) and immersed boundary (IB) simulations (for nondilute suspensions). We also present experimental measurements including small amplitude oscillatory shear, steady shear, and transient shear measurements at different particle volume fraction suspensions in a Boger fluid. The simulations and experiments suggest that longer strains are needed to achieve steady state at higher ϕ and Wi. We also show the comparison of the BF and the IB simulations with experimental data for the per-particle viscosity and find excellent quantitative agreement between simulations and experiments at Wi=3 but the IB simulations underpredict the steady values at higher Wi=6. Nevertheless, the IB simulations show an increase in the per-particle viscosity with ϕ as witnessed in the experiments. To understand this behavior, we examine the particle-induced fluid stress (PIFS) and the stresslet contributions using a novel method developed for the IB simulations in this work. We find that the PIFS is independent of ϕ but the stresslet values increase with ϕ. Thus, the particle-particle hydrodynamic interactions in nondilute suspensions affect the stresslet and, in turn, the per-particle viscosity at a given Wi.
Consumer Demand for Fair Labor Standards: Evidence from a Field Experiment on eBay

Surveys indicate that a majority of consumers would prefer to buy products made in workplaces with fair labor standards rather than alternatives and would be willing to pay a higher price for such products. There is no clear evidence, however, that many people would actually behave in this fashion when shopping. We provide new evidence on consumer behavior from experiments conducted on eBay. We find that labels with information about certified fair labor standards in factories making polo shirts had a substantial positive effect on bidding. On average, shoppers paid a 45% premium for ethically labeled versus unlabeled shirts.
Adaptive error-cancellation for low-power digital filtering

This paper presents a low-power digital filtering technique derived via algorithmic noise-tolerance (ANT). The proposed technique achieves substantial energy savings via voltage overscaling (VOS), where the supply voltage is scaled beyond the minimum (referred to as V/sub dd-crit/) necessary for correct operation. The resulting performance degradation is compensated for via an adaptive error-cancellation (AEC) algorithm. In particular, we employ an energy optimum AEC to optimize the energy-performance trade-off and reduce the overhead due to ANT. It is shown that the proposed AEC technique is well-suited for designing low-power broadband signal processing and communication systems. Up to 71% energy savings over optimally voltage-scaled conventional systems can be obtained in the context of frequency-division multiplexed (FDM) communications without incurring any performance loss.
Classifying Turn-Level Uncertainty Using Word-Level Prosody

Spoken dialogue researchers often use supervised machine learning to classify turn-level user affect from a set of tur n-level features. The utility of sub-turn features has been less exp lored, due to the complications introduced by associating a variable number of sub-turn units with a single turn-level classifica tion. We present and evaluate several voting methods for using word- level pitch and energy features to classify turn-level user un- certainty in spoken dialogue data. Our results show that when linguistic knowledge regarding prosody and word position is in- troduced into a word-level voting model, classification acc uracy is significantly improved compared to the use of both turn-le vel and uninformed word-level models. Index Terms: emotion recognition, speech dialogue systems.
Communism vs. Nationalism: The Chinese Communist Party and Soviet Regimes (1921–1945)

The Russian Revolution and the sympathetic attitude of the Soviet Union toward China created a favorable impression among the Chinese intellectuals, who, thoroughly dissatisfied with the existing conditions of the country, had searched diligently for new principles and programs for national salvation. While the Nationalist Party under the leadership of Dr. Sun Yat-sen had a large following, it did not attract many radicals to its camp. Amojig the radicals, Ch’en Tu-hsiu, a professor at Peking University, was the leading figure. In 1915, he had issued a periodical under the name New Youth (Hsin Ch’ing Nien), in which he advocated cultural re-evaluation. This re-evaluation would be a critical testing of both the traditional standards of the Chinese and the new ideas of the West. His colleague, Li Ta-tsao (Li Ta-chao), was one of his chief contributors. It was under Li’s guidance that Marxist study groups were formed at Peking University in the spring of 1918. This was about a year before the meeting of the First World Congress of the Communist International in Moscow and the May Fourth demonstrations, which were led by the patriotic and progressive students in Peking. While this student movement was not organized by the Communists, it had accelerated the spread of revolutionary ideas in China.
Helicopter Response to an Airplane's Trailing Vortex

A flight investigation was conducted to determine quantitatively the response of a medium-weight helicopter to the trailing-vortex system of a fixed-wing aircraft. Both flight tests and analytical tools were utilized in the investigation. The flight tests involved an extensively instrumented UH-1H helicopter and a C-54 aircraft. Penetrations of the vortex system by the UH-1H were made at the following nominal conditions: the C-54 flew at 5500-ft alt at a nominal gross weight of 58,000 Ib and an indicated airspeed of 115 knots in a cruise configuration; the UH-1H, nominally 7200-lb gross weight, flew at 60-knots indicated airspeed during the penetrations at separation distances of 6.64 naut miles to 0.42 naut mile between aircraft. In general, the data analyzed for these tests indicated that no unsafe penetration occurred. Further, penetrating vehicle attitude changes and structural loads were nominal. In addition, the response of the helicopter did not change appreciably with decreased separation distance. lxx lyy fzz Kc RE RIN
Effect of Phytic Acid on the Absorption, Distribution, and Endogenous Excretion of Zinc in Rats

Zinc metabolism in male rats was studied by combining nutritional balance methods with an analysis of 65Zn kinetics. The rats, two groups of 84 each, were fed zinc-adequate diets (33 ppm Zn) with either 0 (basal) or 2% phytic acid added as sodium phytate. A fourth-order exponential function described the time-course of 65Zn in plasma, and compartmental models were developed accordingly. Plasma zinc exchanged more rapidly with zinc in liver and kidneys than it did with zinc in testes, skeletal muscle, or bone. Total body zinc content (2.6 mg/100 g live body weight) measured chemically was about 9 times higher than estimates of exchangeable zinc in the body. Whole-body retention of 65Zn was higher and endogenous fecal zinc excretion was lower in rats fed phytate than in those fed the basal diet; these responses to phytate may reflect a homeostatic adjustment to decreased absorption of zinc. Respective values for apparent absorption and true absorption of zinc were 13 and 32% of zinc intake in rats fed phytate, and 19 and 46% of zinc intake in rats fed the basal diet. When whole grains or mature seeds constitute a major portion of the diet, the phytate: zinc molar ratio may approach that (60:1) used in our study. Whether or not phytic acid occurring naturally in foods affects zinc metabolism to the same extent as sodium phytate can not be determined from our study.
Chapter 17. Host Modulation of Resistance to Infection and Neoplasia

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of some studies that analyze host modulation of resistance to infection and neoplasia. Clinical trial of cinanserin showed it to be potentially useful in the treatment of a polyserositis related to lupus in one patient and there were suggestive reports of its value in rheumatoid arthritis. When given alone or in conjunction with hydroxyurea, cinanserin improves survival time of Fischer rats with a methylcholantherene-induced transplanted mammary tumor. It possesses activity against Friend leukemia virus splenomegaly. Chlorphenesin was shown to (1) prolong survival in Rauscher virus leukemia and the L1210 leukemia, (2) to produce regression of the established L1210, the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma, and (3) the plasma cell tumor MOPC21. It was shown to have some clinical value in the treatment of selected epidermoid cancers in man, although it did not have clinical value on limited trial in acute leukemia. Like cinanserin, this compound is of interest because of immunologic effects. In another study, tilorone HC1 and five antiviral congeners were analyzed for reticuloendothelial (RES), antitumor, immunologic adjuvant and in vivo antibacterial activities.
Receptor-Binding Properties of a Soluble Form of Human Cytomegalovirus Glycoprotein B

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) glycoprotein B (gB) (also known as gpUL55) homolog is an important mediator of virus entry and cell-to-cell dissemination of infection. To examine the potential ligand-binding properties of gB, a soluble form of gB (gB-S) was radiolabeled, purified, and tested in cell-binding experiments. Binding of gB-S to human fibroblast cells was found to occur in a dose-dependent, saturable, and specific manner. Scatchard analysis demonstrated a biphasic plot with the following estimated dissociation constants (Kd): Kd1, 4.96 x 10(-6) M; Kd2, 3.07 x 10(-7) M. Cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) were determined to serve as one class of receptors able to facilitate gB-S binding. Both HSPG-deficient Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and fibroblast cells with enzymatically removed HSPGs had 40% reductions in gB-S binding, whereas removal of chondroitin sulfate had no effect. However, a significant proportion of gB-S was able to associate with the cell surface in the absence of HSPGs via an undefined nonheparin component. Binding affinity analysis of gB-S binding to wild-type CHO-K1 cells demonstrated biphasic binding kinetics (Kd1, 9.85 x 10(-6) M; Kd2, 4.03 x 10(-8) M), whereas gB-S binding to HSPG-deficient CHO-677 cells exhibited single-component binding kinetics (Kd, 7.46 x 10(-6) M). Together, these data suggest that gB-S associates with two classes of cellular receptors. The interaction of gB with its receptors is physiologically relevant, as evidenced by an inhibitory effect on HCMV entry when cells were pretreated with purified gB-S. This inhibition was determined to be manifested at the level of virus attachment. We conclude that gB is a ligand for HCMV that mediates an interaction with a cellular receptor(s) during HCMV infection.
Application Guide for Shunt Capacitors on Industrial Distribution Systems at Medium Voltage Levels

Increased emphasis on energy conservation and reduction of purchased electric power bills have resulted in an increased awareness of the importance of capacitors on industrial systems. Larger banks of capacitors are being considered for installation and many questions relating to the application must be answered. Most of the commonly encountered factors relating to equipment selection, location on the system, protection, and switching criteria are reviewed. Motor terminal capacitor applications are also discussed. Economic justification for the purchase of the capacitors and harmonic resonance, as it relates to capacitor selection and application, are not included.
Early neurovascular abnormalities underlying 6‐aminonicotinamide (6‐AN)‐induced congenital hydrocephalus in rats

Defects in the rat central nervous system during retarded brain development and congenital hydrocephalus were studied following single maternal injections of the niacinamide antimetabolite 6-aminonicotinamide (6-N) late in development. Histological and histochemical analyses indicated CNS hemorrhage and growth retardation of fetal brains 24 hours after treatment; fluid movement into cerebral ventricles was evidenced by secretionlike, circular “blebs” along the ependymal lining. There was transitorily increased glycogen in hypoplastic choroid plexuses with disruption of cerebral layering of neuroblasts. Despite thinned cerebral cortex and increased ventricular surface area, associated with cranial distortion and communicating, compensatory ventricular enlargement, normal intracranial pressure was recorded by day 21 of gestation. During the pathogenetic process macrophagic cells removed cellular debris and RBC's so that by term little evidence of early hemorrhage was apparent.
Structural characterization of colored human iridal melanosomes by photo emission electron microscopy

ABSTRACT Ocular uveal melanosomes contain both eumelanin and pheomelanin. The ratio of these two melanins has been discussed in relation to the epidemiological data for skin cancer rates, with increased incidence observed for increased relative concentrations of pheomelanin. Recent st udies suggest that a simila r trend exists underlying the epidemiology of uveal melanomas. In the present study, the biomolecular organization of human iridal melanosomes from different colored irises were examined to determine if the photoreactivity changes with the altered eumelanin:pheomelanin ratio, and whether such changes can account for epidemiological results. Specifically, photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), a unique surface-sensitive, direct-imaging technique capable of providing chemical information not obtained by other electron microscopies, was used in combination with Duke Universitys tunable UV free electron laser (FEL) to determine the surface electrochemical properties of melanosomes from blue and dark brown irides. The results demonstrate that the melanins are organized such that pheomelanin is encased by eumelanin. This casing model is consistent with kinetic information available on the early steps of melanogenesis and provides new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying the epidemiology of uveal melanoma. Keywords: Uveal melanoma, photoelectron imaging, melanosomes
Convergence of shock capturing schemes for the compressible Euler-Poisson equations

We are concerned with approximate methods to construct global solutions with geometrical structure to the compressible Euler-Poisson equations in several space variables. A shock capturing numerical scheme is introduced to overcome the new difficulties from the nonlinear resonance of the system and the nonlocal behavior of the source terms. The convergence and consistency of the shock capturing scheme for the equations is proved with the aid of the compensated compactness method. Then new existence results of the global solutions with geometrical structure are obtained. The traces of the weak solutions are defined and then the weak solutions are proved to satisfy the boundary conditions. The initial data are arbitrarily large withL∞ bounds.
Searching for Worlds beyond the Canon: Narrative, Rhetoric, and Legal Change

Anthony Amsterdam and Jerome Bruner set out, in Minding the Law, to "make the already familiar strange again" (p. 1). This phrase captures one central goal of interdisciplinary inquiry: to allow those steeped in a field to step outside its closed, often self-referential world and view it from another vantage point. For legal scholars, studying a field that styles itself as autonomous, and that is rife with "canonical ways of proceeding" (p. 1), the turn to other disciplines has not been easy. The rewards of crossing disciplinary boundaries are palpable: the infusion of information, the jolt to our complacency, the enlarged frame of reference. Yet for the study of law, grounded in practice as well as theory, in real world consequences as well as the love of knowledge, it is worth asking: What exactly should we seek from the interdisciplinary endeavor? Is it a way to see the legal world afresh, or more than that: a source of principles for remaking it? Amsterdam and Bruner share a conviction, which grew in part from a highly rewarding seminar they have co-taught over the past decade, that it is possible to "[e]xperience fresh ways of looking at ... [the works that lawyers do] as the ceaseless works-in-progress of a culture that, while binding its members in a common canon, leaves them free to some extent to visualize and even realize possible worlds beyond the canon" (p. 5). They found that the students' most vivid insights into the workings of
Trapped Xe and I-Xe ages in aqueously altered CV3 meteorites

Abstract Twenty-two dark inclusions (DIs) from Allende (18), Leoville (2), Vigarano (1) and Efremovka (1) were studied by the I-Xe method. All except two of these DIs (Vigarano 2226 and Leoville LV2) produce well-defined isochrons, and precise I-Xe ages. The Allende DIs formed a tight group about 1.6 Ma older than Shallowater (4.566 ± 0.002 Ga), about 5 Ma older than four previously studied Allende CAIs. Most of the dark inclusions require trapped Xe with less 129Xe (or more 128Xe) than conventional planetary Xe (well restricted in composition by Q-Xe or OC-Xe). Studies of an irradiated/unirradiated DI pair from Allende demonstrate that the 128Xe/132Xe ratio in trapped is normal planetary, so that a 129Xe/132Xe ratio below planetary seems to be required. Yet, this is not possible given constraints on 129Xe evolution in the early solar system. Trends among all of the Allende DIs suggest that an intimate mixture of partially decayed iodine and Xe formed a pseudo trapped Xe component enriched in both 129Xe and 127I, and subsequently in 128Xe after n-capture during reactor irradiation. Enrichment in radiogenic 129Xe, but with a 129Xe/127I ratio less than that observed in the iodine host phase, places closure of this trapped mixture ≥13 Ma after precipitation of the major iodine-bearing phase. Because the I-Xe isochron is a mixing line between iodine-derived and trapped Xe (pseudo or not), I-Xe ages, given by the slope of this mixing line, are not compromised by the presence of pseudo trapped Xe, and the precision of the I-Xe ages is given by the statistics of the line fit.
Development of Gold Nanoparticle-Enhanced Fluorescent Nanocomposites

A gold nanoparticle-enhanced fluorescent nanocomposite was developed. The designed nanocomposite contained a spherical gold nanoparticle core, a thin PVP coating layer, a silica spacer, and a fluorescent dye layer in the silica matrix. The dye molecules were conjugated to a polymer to be effectively doped in the nanocomposites. Different sized gold nanoparticle cores were used while the spacer thickness was varied. The function of the PVP layer in the fabrication of the nanocomposites was discussed. The fluorescence enhancement effects of the metal core size (gold nanoparticles) and the distance between the fluorescent molecules and the metal core were systematically studied. A series of control experiments were conducted to ensure the accuracy of the fluorescence enhancement measurement. The results showed that the developed nanocomposite can effectively enhance the fluorescence signal of the doped dye conjugates. An enhancement factor of 9.2 was obtained when the nanocomposite contained a 13.7 ± 1.3 nm gold nanoparticle core and a 36.6 ± 4.4 nm silica spacer. It is expected that the developed nanocomposite could be an effective model for studying various effects and the mechanism of metal-enhanced fluorescence at the nanoscale.
Effects of N6-benzyladenine on glycoalkaloids in potatoes as determined by thin layer chromatography

Behandlung der Sprossknollen mit Benzyladenin fordert die Glykoalkaloidbildung der Solanaceen. Je nach Extraktionsmethode konnen unidentifizierte Alkaloide nachgewiesen werden.
Preoperative assessment of aortic regurgitation in patients with mitral valve disease

Abstract When open operations are performed for the repair of malformations of the mitral valve, the associated aortic regurgitation may prove a serious technical handicap. It is desirable, therefore, to determine as precisely as possible before operation, the presence and severity of any aortic reflux which may be encountered when the left atrium is opened. Accordingly, aortic regurgitation assessed by the commonly employed clinical, hemodynamic and angiographie features was compared with the degree of aortic reflux encountered during operation in 156 patients in whom open operations on the mitral valve were performed. The intensity of the murmur of aortic regurgitation, the level of the arterial diastolic blood pressure, and the arterial pulse pressure were found not to correlate accurately with the amount of aortic reflux encountered at operation. However, the absence of the murmur usually precluded troublesome aortic reflux, and the combination of a diastolic blood pressure greater than 70 mm. Hg and an arterial pulse pressure less than 40 mm. Hg excluded the presence of more than trivial aortic regurgitation at operation. Cineaortographic data provided the most precise means for the prediction of operative aortic reflux. Patients without cine evidence of aortic regurgitation had none at operation; those with mild aortic regurgitation rarely had troublesome reflux during bypass; half of the patients with moderate aortic regurgitation had bothersome operative aortic reflux, while nearly all of those with marked aortic regurgitation on cine study exhibited severe reflux during bypass and required aortic valve replacement. On the basis of these findings, it is our policy to perform preoperative cineaortographic studies in all patients with mitral valve disease who exhibit decrescendo diastolic murmurs along the sternal border.
A Factor Analysis of Self‐Report Measures of Family Functioning

Four well-known, self-report measures of family functioning were serially examined in order to identify a limited set of reliable concepts for describing families. Following the completion of four separate data collection procedures, a 75-item scale comprising 15 dimensions of family functioning was constructed. The dimensions appear reasonably independent of each other and have satisfactory psychometric properties. An initial effort to validate the scales was undertaken by contrasting scale scores obtained from descriptions of intact families with those obtained from descriptions of families that subsequently were disrupted by separation and divorce. Significant differences in scale scores were obtained on 12 of the 15 dimensions of family functioning. The 15 dimensions of family functioning could be subsumed under the three general headings suggested by Moos, Insel, and Humphrey (14)--relationship dimensions, personal growth or value dimensions, and system maintenance dimensions.
Rapid synthesis of 123I-labeled iodinated contrast media by “kit”-type labeling procedure

Abstract A convenient method for the synthesis and purification of radioiodine-labeled diatrizoate and its derivatives is reported. The reaction conditions are well-suited for preparation of [ 123 I]diatrizoate in “kit” form for routine use in nuclear medicine. Its use for clinical assessment of GFR will result in a major reduction in the radiation dose over standard urography and provide accurate diagnostic information not obtainable with other radiopharmaceuticals. Simultaneous determinations of GFR and ERPF are possible when [ 123 I]diatrizoate is used in conjunction with [ 131 I]orthoiodohippuran.
Ciclesonide and the treatment of asthma

Importance of the field: Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) constitute the guideline-recommended first-line therapy for persistent asthma. However, concerns regarding ICS-related adverse events may contribute to their underutilization by physicians and patients.Areas covered in this review: The currently available published data on the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, safety and efficacy of the ICS, ciclesonide, is described. Peer-reviewed publications (1996 – 2009) on the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic profile, safety and efficacy of ciclesonide were reviewed.What the reader will gain: Ciclesonide is delivered as an inactive prodrug, which is cleaved to the active molecule by intracellular esterases located in the lungs. This and other pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties may limit the amount of active molecule outside the lung and may reduce the incidence of side effects. Randomized place...
Approximation of partial distribution in renewal function calculation

A renewal process with waiting time being the life span of a product is widely used as a statistical model in the analysis of product failures. The renewal function is often the expected number of warranty services for the product. This paper proposes approximation of partial distribution method in renewal function computations. The feasibility of the approach and the use of applets that can draw graphics and do calculations are explored. It is demonstrated in a case study that a partial gamma approximation achieves remarkable accuracy for k-out-of-n product system with exponential component life.
A pilot study of interictal cognitive changes in elderly patients during ECT

Ten elderly patients were evaluated serially for interictal cognitive changes during the course of ECT using the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) and a modification of the Digit Symbol Substitution task (M-DSS), an assessment of attention that measures the speed of mental processing. Performance decrease on the M-DSS and MMSE correlated with both the number of seizures and cumulative seizure duration. The M-DSS correlated with the MMSE items of ‘orientation’ and ‘attention’, but not with the ‘recall’ item, suggesting that the interictal memory and attentional changes induced by ECT may occur independently. For most patients, the serial performance on both the MMSE and M-DSS decreased significantly during the course of ECT; however, the increase in the M-DSS (indicating a performance decrement) was greater than 100%, compared to a decrease in MMSE score of less than 10%. These data are preliminary and replication with more patients and extension of the assessment for several weeks following cessation of treatment is needed.
Excretion of DDT compounds in rat milk.

Abstract The concentrations of p,p′ -DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis( p -chlorophenyl)-ethane), o,p -DDT (1,1,1-trichloro-2-( o -chlorophenyl)-2-( p -chlorophenyl)-ethane), p,p′ -DDE (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis( p -chlorophenyl)ethylene, and p,p′ -TDE (DDD) (1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis( p -chlorophenyl)ethane) in milk, liver, and perirenal fat lipids of 4 female Sprague-Dawley-derived rats orally exposed to 20 or 200 ppm of technical DDT from weaning to sacrifice are presented. Milk samples were obtained from stomachs of suckling pups. One suckling was selected from each litter of 2 dams in the 20 ppm DDT diet group and 2 dams in the 200 ppm DDT diet group on days 1, 3, 6, and 10 of first lactation periods and days 1 and 10 of second lactation periods. Four milk samples collected in the same manner from the first lactation period of a control dam were also analyzed. Perirenal fat and livers were obtained from dams at weaning of second litters. With the exception of o,p -DDT, the concentrations of DDT compounds are greater in early milk than in later milk. The relative concentration of o,p -DDT in biological samples is considerably less than that in the DDT diets. Milk and perirenal fat lipids in each dam are very similar in pattern of distribution of DDT compounds. Liver lipids contain larger concentrations of p,p′ -TDE and smaller concentrations of p,p′ -DDT than milk or perirenal fat. The milk lipid: feed DDT ratio is considerably greater than 1 in the rat.
Improving Employee Acceptance Toward Performance Appraisal and Merit Pay Systems The Role of Leadership Credibility

This paper reports the attitudinal findings of an ongoing study of county government professionals regarding a newly implemented performance appraisal and merit pay system More specifically, the study explores whether these attitudes change from before to after implementation ofthese systems Finally, the study examines whether leadership credibility and other variables in any way enhance the chances for success in implementing these human resource technologies The findings indicate, for example, that leader credibility and motivation to change on the part of the leader signifi cantly increases employee acceptance toward performance appraisal and merit pay
Interaction of Transient Waves With a Circular Surface-Piercing Body

A pseudo-spectral formulation for solving unsteady, three-dimensional fluid motion with a free surface in cylindrical coordinates is presented. An effective method for treating the Laplace equation, as a special application of a generalized Poisson solver, is developed. This approach is demonstrated by studying the evolution of transient surface waves near a vertical circular cylinder enclosed in open or closed domains. Results are observed to have a high degree of precision and spatial resolution even at large time. Potential applications of this method to other problems are discussed.
Use of the O-arm® for skull base resection in a sphenoorbital meningioma

Intraoperative imaging during skull base surgery allows the surgeon to evaluate surgical results and direct further bone resection prior to closure, avoiding the potential morbidity of inadequate surgical therapy or reoperation. Intraoperative CT (iCT) scanning has become widely available in recent years, but its neurosurgical applications have been limited mostly to spinal and functional operations. We report a patient with a sphenoorbital meningioma with adjacent hyperostosis causing proptosis and optic canal stenosis in which a portable iCT scanner (O-arm(®); Medtronic, Fridley, MN, USA) was used to guide further resection. Postoperatively, the patient experienced resolution of her proptosis, and her vision remains clinically normal. The O-arm(®) can be easily incorporated into standard operating rooms and is useful in tailoring bony skull base resections.