cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
JURY: Validating Controller Actions in Software-Defined Networks

Software-defined networks (SDNs) only logically centralize the control plane. In reality, SDN controllers are distributed entities, which may exhibit different behavior on event triggers. We identify several classes of faults that afflict an SDN controller cluster and demonstrate them on two enterprise SDN controllers, ONOS and OpenDaylight. We present JURY, a system to validate controller activities in a clustered SDN deployment, involving topological and forwarding state, without imposing any restrictions on the controller behavior. Our evaluation shows that JURY requires minimal changes to the SDN controllers for deployment, and is capable of validating controller actions in near real time with low performance overheads.
The applicability of GMTI MIMO Radar

MIMO Radar has been proposed as a technique for improving the Minimum Detectable Velocity (MDV) performance of airborne radar systems. However, the increased pulse repetition frequency associated with waveform multiplexing techniques used in GMTI MIMO Radar increases the amount of range ambiguous clutter the radar must suppress, reducing the amount of clutter-free Doppler space available to detect targets and often degrading MDV performance. This paper evaluates this effect and quantifies the conditions where MIMO radar is advantageous, and those where it is not. Results show that this form of MIMO radar is often a disadvantage at higher operating frequencies.
Linear systems on graphs

Many interesting ideas relating to signal processing on graphs have evolved in recent years. This paper visits some basic properties in linear system theory that have not been addressed in the context of graphs. In classical discrete-time system theory, a linear system is shift-invariant if and only if it can be described using a “polynomial” transfer function H(z) (albeit of infinite order). For such a system the Fourier transform of the output, Y (ejw), at any frequency ω i does not depend on the Fourier transform of the input X(ejw) at other frequencies ω j ,· ≠ ω i (alias-free property). For a linear system, this alias-free property is equivalent to shift invariance, which in turn is equivalent to the existence of a “polynomial” description (transfer function). For linear systems on graphs, however, these three properties are in general not equivalent. This paper establishes conditions under which such equivalence holds, and also places in evidence some situations where it does not.
TAO: System for Table Detection and Extraction from PDF Documents

Digital documents present knowledge in most areas of study, exchanging and communicating information in a portable way. To better use the knowledge embedded in an ever-growing information source, effective tools for automatic information extraction are needed. Tables are crucial information elements in documents of scientific nature. Most publications use tables to represent and report concrete findings of research. Current methods used to extract table data from PDF documents lack precision in detecting, extracting, and representing data from diverse layouts. We present the system TAble Organization (TAO) to automatically detect, extract and organize information from tables in PDF documents. TAO uses a processing, based on the k-nearest neighbor method and layout heuristics, to detect tables within a document and to extract table information. This system generates an enriched representation of the data extracted from tables in the PDF documents. TAO’s performance is comparable to other table extraction methods, but it overcomes some related work limitations and proves to be more robust in experiments with diverse document layouts.
Invited review: Hispanic-style cheeses and their association with Listeria monocytogenes

The rise in consumption of Hispanic-style cheeses (HSC), due in large part to the increasing Hispanic population in the United States, has not been met with advances in food safety sufficient to prevent the numerous outbreaks and recalls due to Listeria monocytogenes. Hispanic-style cheeses are typically high moisture and have low salt content and low acidity from being subjected to little to no ripening. These conditions necessitate refrigeration to maintain safety and quality, as the majority of traditional extrinsic preservation methods are either ineffective or disrupt the mild sensory attributes of HSC. Unfortunately, the cold-growth of L. monocytogenes presents significant problems from post-pasteurization contamination or insufficient pasteurization. In this review, we discuss the factors affecting listerial contamination and growth in HSC, and present current knowledge of L. monocytogenes incidence in manufacturing settings and commercial prevalence. Furthermore, we differentiate HSC types by processing methods to aid with interpretation of works involving nonstandardized varieties and, finally, summarize research on intervention methods for eliminating listerial contaminants in HSC.
Temporal Trends in the Epidemiology of Biopsy-Proven Glomerular Diseases: An Alarming Increase in Diabetic Glomerulosclerosis

The epidemiology of ESRD has been extensively studied and is well characterized. For example, the US Renal Data System (USRDS) is a national data system that collects and analyzes critical information regarding CKD and ESRD in the United States as a whole, plus information for specific geographic
How Video Games Impact Players: The Pitfalls and Benefits of a Gaming Society

As a straightforward introduction to academic literature on video games appropriate for the undergraduate level and beyond, this book is a success. Rogers introduces How Video Games Impact Players ...
Quantifying the referential function of general extenders in North American English

Discourse markers (like, I don't know, etc.) are known to vary in frequency across English dialects and speech settings. It is difficult to make meaningful generalizations over these differences, since quantitative discourse-pragmatic variation studies ‘lack [a] coherent set of methodological principles’ (Pichler 2010:582). This has often constrained quantitative studies to focus on the form, rather than the function of discourse-pragmatic features. The current article employs a novel method for rigorously identifying and quantifying the referential function (set-extension) of general extenders (GEs), for example, and stuff like that, or whatever. We apply this method to GEs extracted from three corpora of contemporary North American English speech. The results demonstrate that, across varieties, (i) referential GEs occur at a comparable proportional rate in vernacular speech, and (ii) referential GEs are longer than nonreferential GEs. Collectively, these findings represent a step towards comparative quantitative studies of GEs' functions in discourse. (Discourse-pragmatic variation, general extenders, methodological approaches, American English, Canadian English)
Long-term retention of ECM hydrogel after implantation into a sub-acute stroke cavity reduces lesion volume

Abstract Salvaging or functional replacement of damaged tissue caused by stroke in the brain remains a major therapeutic challenge. In situ gelation and retention of a hydrogel bioscaffold composed of 8 mg/mL extracellular matrix (ECM) can induce a robust invasion of cells within 24 h and potentially promote a structural remodeling to replace lost tissue. Herein, we demonstrate a long-term retention of ECM hydrogel within the lesion cavity. A decrease of approximately 32% of ECM volume is observed over 12 weeks. Lesion volume, as measured by magnetic resonance imaging and histology, was reduced by 28%, but a battery of behavioral tests (bilateral asymmetry test; footfault; rotameter) did not reveal a therapeutic or detrimental effect of the hydrogel. Glial scarring and peri-infarct astrocytosis were equivalent between untreated and treated animals, potentially indicating that permeation into host tissue is required to exert therapeutic effects. These results reveal a marked difference of biodegradation of ECM hydrogel in the stroke-damaged brain compared to peripheral soft tissue repair. Further exploration of these structure-function relationships is required to achieve a structural remodeling of the implanted hydrogel, as seen in peripheral tissues, to replace lost tissue and promote behavioral recovery. Statement of Significance In situ gelation of ECM is essential for its retention within a tissue cavity. The brain is a unique environment with restricted access that necessitates image-guided delivery through a thin needle to access tissue cavities caused by stroke, as well as other conditions, such as traumatic brain injury or glioma resection. Knowledge about a brain tissue response to implanted hydrogels remains limited, especially in terms of long-term effects and potential impact on behavioral function. We here address the long-term retention of hydrogel within the brain environment, its impact on behavioral function, as well as its ability to reduce further tissue deformation caused by stroke. This study highlights considerable differences in the brain’s long-term response to an ECM hydrogel compared to peripheral soft tissue. It underlines the importance of understanding the effect of the structural presence of a hydrogel within a cavity upon host brain tissue and behavioral function. As demonstrated herein, ECM hydrogel can fill a cavity long-term to reduce further progression of the cavity, while potentially serving as a reservoir for local drug or cell delivery.
Off-Road Glance Behavior, Response Time to a Forward Collision Hazard, and Engagement Strategy Effects in Automated Driving:

Blommer et al. (2015) reported on a simulator study that investigated a driver engagement (DE) strategy designed to keep the driver-in-the-loop during automated driving in the face of two different...
Hemopressin-Based pH-Sensitive Hydrogel: A Potential Bioactive Platform for Drug Delivery.

Peptides with proper sequences are capable of self-assembling into well-defined nanostructures, which can subsequently grow and entangle into three-dimensional nanomatrices. In this study, hemopressin, a cannabinoid receptor-modulating peptide derived from the α-chain of hemoglobin known to self-assemble into nanofibrils, was examined for its potential applicability as a gelator. The results indicated that hemopressin’s gel formation was dependent on pH and salt concentration. Although hemopressin’s macroscopic states showed differences, its microscopic structure remained largely unchanged in which it consisted mainly of the antiparallel β-sheet conformation as confirmed by FTIR (C=O stretch peaks at 1630 and 1695 cm–1) and CD (β-sheet peak at 195 nm). The major difference between the gel and sol states was displayed in the fibril length in which the gelation at pH 7.4 resulted in 4 μm fibrils, whereas the solution at pH 5.0 showed 800 nm fibrils. The pH-dependent sol–gel phase transition property was the...
Some philosophical aspects of Alzheimer’s discovery: an American perspective

We are here to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the birth of Alois Alzheimer and to convey to him, posthumously, Society’s gratitude for his discovery of the disease that bears his name. At present that disease remains poorly understood and even less well treated. However, the speed with which new insights into its characteristic clinical and pathological findings now arise gives us optimism that afflicted patients will, someday soon, be better served than they can be at present.
Sweet Corn, Zea mays L.

Sweet corn, a form of maize, is an important and popular vegetable, especially in the United States where about 250,000 ha are grown annually. North America dominates world sweet corn production. The popularity of sweet corn has greatly increased and an apparent trend is for further expansion of production in European and Asian countries, especially Japan and China.
Putting Theory into Practice: Incorporating a Community Engagement Model into Online Pre-professional Courses in Legal Studies and Human Resources Management

As part of community-engaged educational partnerships, students are paired with community members in instructor-focused activities linked to an academic curriculum. Scholars widely agree that this type of approach can significantly improve the learning experience for students while simultaneously having a positive impact on the community. As faculty in higher education implement this pedagogical tool, it is a natural progression for it to expand into online classrooms. In particular, while there is a growing body of research related to community engagement in online healthcare and science-related fields, less research exists on the incorporation of community engagement in other types of online pre-professional courses. This paper explores student perceptions in online pre-professional undergraduate courses in the legal studies and human resources fields in which community engagement projects were utilized. These experiences should lead to a deeper understanding of the benefits and challenges of community-engaged online classrooms and give guidance for developing future projects.
Physical Limits to Computation

This paper explores the physical limits of computation as determined by the speed of light c, the quantum scale h and the gravitational constant G.
Matrix stiffness induces a tumorigenic phenotype in mammary epithelium through changes in chromatin accessibility.

In breast cancer, the increased stiffness of the extracellular matrix is a key driver of malignancy. Yet little is known about the epigenomic changes that underlie the tumorigenic impact of extracellular matrix mechanics. Here, we show in a three-dimensional culture model of breast cancer that stiff extracellular matrix induces a tumorigenic phenotype through changes in chromatin state. We found that increased stiffness yielded cells with more wrinkled nuclei and with increased lamina-associated chromatin, that cells cultured in stiff matrices displayed more accessible chromatin sites, which exhibited footprints of Sp1 binding, and that this transcription factor acts along with the histone deacetylases 3 and 8 to regulate the induction of stiffness-mediated tumorigenicity. Just as cell culture on soft environments or in them rather than on tissue-culture plastic better recapitulates the acinar morphology observed in mammary epithelium in vivo, mammary epithelial cells cultured on soft microenvironments or in them also more closely replicate the in vivo chromatin state. Our results emphasize the importance of culture conditions for epigenomic studies, and reveal that chromatin state is a critical mediator of mechanotransduction. In a 3D model of breast cancer, a stiff extracellular matrix promotes a tumorigenic phenotype through broad changes in chromatin accessibility and in the activity of histone deacetylases and the transcription factor Sp1.
Urinary tract infection after radical cystectomy: a vexing problem despite prophylactic antibiotics.

Radical cystectomy (RC) with pelvic lymph node dissection, preceded by cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in appropriate patients, remains the standard treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer (1). Despite improvement in perioperative care pathways with an associated trend towards lower mortality, RC remains a complex and often morbid operation with significant risk to patients (2). Early infectious complication rates after RC and urinary diversion based on several large contemporary institutional cohorts ranges from 7–30% and is a significant concern post-procedure (3).
A Novel Learnable Gradient Descent Type Algorithm for Non-convex Non-smooth Inverse Problems

Optimization algorithms for solving nonconvex inverse problem have attracted significant interests recently. However, existing methods require the nonconvex regularization to be smooth or simple to ensure convergence. In this paper, we propose a novel gradient descent type algorithm, by leveraging the idea of residual learning and Nesterov's smoothing technique, to solve inverse problems consisting of general nonconvex and nonsmooth regularization with provable convergence. Moreover, we develop a neural network architecture intimating this algorithm to learn the nonlinear sparsity transformation adaptively from training data, which also inherits the convergence to accommodate the general nonconvex structure of this learned transformation. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed network outperforms the state-of-the-art methods on a variety of different image reconstruction problems in terms of efficiency and accuracy.
DETERMINANTS AND LEVEL OF SMALLHOLDERS’ ANCHOTE MARKET PARTICIPATION IN GIMBI DISTRICT OF SOUTHWESTERN ETHIOPIA: HECKMAN TWO STAGE ANALYSIS

Anchote is one of the root crops grown in southwestern parts of Ethiopia. Even though market participation has got a due attention by government, smallholder farmers’ participation in fair market is still below the requirements. This study aims to identify determinants of smallholder anchote farmers’ market participation decision and their level of participation. Both primary and secondary data were collected from 162 randomly selected anchote farmers. Descriptive statistics and heckman two stage models were used to analyze the data. The econometric model result revealed that decision of anchote market participation were significantly determined by quantity of anchote produced, access to extension service, age of household head, ownership of transportation facilities and lagged price. On the other hand, the extent of anchote market participation were significantly determined by sex of household head, quantity of anchote produced, access to market information, income from other crops and family size. Therefore, enhancing farmers’ access to market information, boosting the production and productivity of anchote through better extension services and infrastructures, awareness creation on gender balanced market engagement and improvement in transportation facilities are the critical points that should get policy attentions in the study area.
Alcohol, Affect, and Aggression: An Investigation of Alcohol's Effects Following Ostracism.

Objective Ostracism is distressing to those who experience it and people are motivated to find ways to cope, including self-medication or aggression. However, we know little about how alcohol intoxication may affect individuals' reactions to ostracism. This study investigates predictions informed by Alcohol Myopia Theory to observe how alcohol influences changes to one's affect, basic needs fulfillment, and aggression following ostracism. Method Participants (N = 97) were randomly assigned to either consume an alcohol, placebo, or nonalcohol beverage, and then participate in a game that simulated ostracism. Following this, participants engaged in a task wherein they were able to aggress against an ostensible ostracizer. Affect and basic psychological needs were measured at baseline, post-ostracism, and post-aggression timepoints. Results Results indicated that all groups reacted adversely to ostracism and experienced partial recovery toward baseline for negative and positive affect and basic psychological needs. Further, alcohol facilitated recovery across these outcomes post-aggression for participants who felt more intoxicated. Alcohol, relative to the control beverages, increased ostracizer-directed aggression intensity for low trait physically aggressive, but not highly aggressive, people. Conclusion This randomized study provides novel preliminary evidence suggesting that alcohol enhances aggressive urges toward ostracizers in those who are not typically aggressive. Those who feel more drunk when intoxicated, compared to those who feel less so, may experience greater recovery from ostracism after aggressing toward an ostracizer hinting at potentially pleasurable effects that must be replicated in future studies.
Service Barriers for Gender Nonbinary Young Adults: Using Photovoice to Understand Support and Stigma:

The social and health care needs of transgender people is a growing focus within social work literature. Attention to social and physical health disparities suggests that transgender-affirming serv...
Soft Sensing Model of Underflow Concentration for Thickener Process based on Data Reconciliation

Measured data in industrial production inevitably contain stochastic errors that are influenced by the environment and equipment, and the stochastic errors will reduce the accuracy of the measured data. Thickeners are widely used in mineral processing and sewage treatment, but the accuracy of the variables of the thickener process cannot meet the requirements, caused by the stochastic errors, and the underflow concentration cannot be real-time detected. So, pressure sensors were installed in the thickener to establish the soft sensing model of the underflow concentration, but the model accuracy is low owing to the stochastic errors of pressure values. This paper presents a soft sensing model of underflow concentration based on data reconciliation. The data reconciliation method is used to improve the accuracy of variables in thickener process, and then the soft sensing model of underflow concentration is established using the reconciled pressure. Applying the data of impact thickener process, the validity of the model is confirmed.
Magical disruption? Alternative protein and the promise of de-materialization:

Along with seeking to eliminate the inhumane conditions and slaughter involved in animal protein production, alternative protein companies aspire to ameliorate its environmental impacts. They claim...
146 Prognostic significance of histologic squamous metaplasia and immunohistochemical staining patterns of β-catenin and p53 in biopsy-proven endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia

Background Endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) is a monoclonal proliferation of endometrial glands that can progress to endometrial carcinoma (EC). Squamous metaplasia (SM) is a common morphologic feature of EIN associated with β-catenin protein alterations. Patients with high-risk endometrial cancer (copy-number high) have frequent TP53 gene mutations and worse outcomes. This study evaluates the prognostic significance of SM, β-catenin, and p53 expression in EIN. Methods This retrospective study included patients with biopsy-proven EIN, subsequent hysterectomy, and evaluable tissue. Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE β-catenin and p53 expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results 88 cases met inclusion criteria. On biopsy specimen, 11.4% (10/88) of patients had associated SM, and 2.3% (2/88) had abnormal p53 staining. 80% (8/10) of patients with SM had positive staining for β-catenin versus 2.6% (2/78) of patients lacking SM (p Conclusions Our findings confirm the association between SM and β-catenin abnormalities. Although rare, abnormal p53 IHC in EIN is concerning and may represent a precursor to copy-number high EC. Although these findings demonstrate molecular abnormalities within EIN, β-catenin and p53 expression do not reliably predict cancer diagnosis on final hysterectomy specimen.
Bamlanivimab use in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 disease: A matched cohort design.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine if bamlanivimab (LY-CoV555; BAM), a monoclonal antibody for mild-to-moderate Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-Co-V-2, prevented emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations for SARS-CoV-2, or death within 60 days of a positive SARS-CoV-2 viral test. DESIGN: Patient propensity matching was performed for BAM administration to get two discrete groups of patients; those who received BAM (N = 117) and those who did not (N = 117). SETTING: Outpatients (N = 2107) eligible to receive BAM from November 1 to December 31, 2020, were identified. PATIENTS: A total of 144 of 2107 patients with mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 received BAM INTERVENTION: Eligible patients had mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 disease, a positive SARS-CoV-2 test, and risk factor(s) for progression to severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients were reviewed for subsequent ED visits, subsequent hospitalization, and death. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients (N = 234) were matched, 117 in each group. Median (interquartile range) age was 72 (65-80) years. Forty-seven percent of patients were male. Twenty-one patients who received BAM were subsequently seen in the ED compared to 34 untreated patients (18.0% vs. 29.1%; p = 0.045). Fourteen BAM-treated patients were subsequently hospitalized post-BAM infusion compared to 27 untreated patients (12.0% vs. 23.1%; p = 0.025). Finally, there were no mortalities in the BAM group, however, eleven patients in the untreated group died (0.0% vs. 9.4%; p < 0.001). The number needed to treat (NNT) is 11 patients to prevent one mortality event. CONCLUSIONS: BAM infusion for mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection in outpatients significantly prevented subsequent ED visits, hospitalizations, and death from SARS-CoV-2.
Intimacy or Integrity: Philosophy and Cultural Difference

How can I know something? How can I convince someone of the rightness of my position? How does reality function? What is artistic creativity? What is the role of the state? It is well known that people from various cultures give dissimilar answers to such philosophical questions. After three decades in the cross-cultural study of ideas and values, Thomas Kasulis found that culture influences not only the answers to these questions, but often how one arrives at the answers. In generalizing cultural difference, Kasulis identifies two kinds of orientation: intimacy and integrity. Both determine how we think about relations among people and among things, and each is reasonable, effective, and consistent. Yet the two are so incompatible in their basic assumptions that they cannot successfully engage each other. Cultural difference extends beyond nations. Cultural identities crystallize in relation to religion, occupation, race, gender, class. Rather than attempt to transcend cultural difference, Kasulis urges a deeper awareness of its roots by moving beyond mere cultural relativism toward a cultural bi-orientationality that will allow us to adapt ourselves to different cultural contexts as the situation demands. Wonderfully clear and unburdened by jargon, Intimacy or Integrity is accessible to readers from a variety of perspectives and backgrounds. By analyzing the synergy between thought and culture, it increases our understanding of cultural difference and guides us in developing strategies for dealing with orientations different from our own.
Reaction of dimethyl sodio-3-ketoglutarate with glyoxal and substituted glyoxals: First expeditious preparation of bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione; synthesis and crystal structure of 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxycarbonyl-3-phenyl-1-indanone

Abstract A simple and efficient two-step preparation of bicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione starting from the sodium enolate of dimethyl 3-ketoglutarate and glyoxal is described. This is an unprecedented case in which a condensation reaction of glyoxal is more successful under vigorous conditions (refluxing methanol) than under much milder ones (buffered water at ambient temperature). The major product (after hydrolysis-decarboxylation) from the analogous sequence with phenylglyoxal is 5,7-dihydroxy-4-methoxycarbonyl-3-phenyl-1-indanone, the result of a Dieckmann reaction in addition to the Michael and aldol reactions. Only the latter two occur in aqueous buffers, where the product after hydrolysis-decarboxylation is 1-phenylbicyclo[3.3.0]octane-3,7-dione. The X-ray crystal structure of the indanone reveals a novel hydrogen bonding phenomenon.
THE EFFECTS OF ANESTHESIA ON THE UNBORN FETUS.

Abstract 1. 1. A series of experiments on 30 pregnant ewes at term was carried out. Different anesthetic agents were used on the ewe to observe unusual changes in the intrauterine fetus from which blood samples were drawn sequentially for analysis. 2. 2. The effect of various gas mixtures administered to the ewe was monitored simultaneously in the fetus. It was concluded that although the fetal values could be disturbed by the changing concentrations in the ewe, the withdrawal of the noxious stimulus allowed the fetal values to return to the accepted norms. 3. 3. In contrasting the effects produced by spinal and thiopental anesthesia, it was apparent that the intrauterine fetus did well with either anesthetic. The response to both agents could be recognized since the tracings with thiopental were more symmetrical and showed less fetal response to other agents. 4. 4. The extrauterine survival of the lambs delivered from ewes anesthetized with thiopental was very poor when contrasted to those lambs delivered from ewes subjected to spinal anesthesia.
Attracting Female Candidates to the Field of Orthopaedic Surgery

To The Editor: I am writing with regard to the article “Initial Review of Electronic Residency Application Service Charts by Orthopaedic Residency Faculty Members. Does Applicant Gender Matter?” (83-A: 65-70, Jan. 2001), by Scherl et al. I feel that the authors’ efforts are misdirected in this study. The issue is not that female applicants are not being accepted into orthopaedic residencies. The issue is that women are not choosing to be orthopaedic surgeons. One of the most obvious reasons why women do not choose to specialize in orthopaedic surgery is that it requires a physically demanding, call‐intensive, five‐year residency. For women, the years between age twenty‐five and thirty‐five are prime childbearing years. There is very little leeway in either the schedules or the policies of most …
Mitotic Delay and Chromosomal Aberrations Induced by X Rays in Synchronized Chinese Hamster Cells In Vitro

Synchronized Chinese hamster cell populations in vitro were X-irradiated at different stages of the cell cycle and examined at the next metaphase. Mitotic delay varied according to the stage of the cell cycle at the time of irradiation. It was greatest for cells irradiated in middle to late S, moderate for cells irradiated in G2, and least for cells irradiated in G1. It increased approximately linearly with dose (0.7 hr./100 rad for S cells and 0.3 hr./100 rad for G1 cells). Chromosomal aberration rates also depended on the stage of the cell cycle at which the cells were irradiated. Chromatid aberrations were induced mostly during G2 and S (more in early S than late S), while chromosome aberrations were induced mainly in G1. Total breaks after 500 or 750 R showed a minimum frequency in late S and a maximum frequency in G2. This form of response correlates, but only in a general qualitative way, with the dependence of survival on cell cycle stage previously reported. Mitotic delay has a dependence on cell cycle stage quite different from either chromosomal aberrations or survival.
Effectiveness of in‐store supermarket food demonstration

Customer interviews and evaluation observations of in-store supermarket food product demonstrations produced data to test hypotheses about the relationship between aspects of the demonstration, the demonstrator, buyers and non-buying observers, and increased net sales of the demonstrated product. Findings showed that certain demonstration personal characteristics, professional qualifications, source of employment and demonstrator techniques were significantly related to sales increases. Certain aspects of consumer responses were also significant. Results indicate a need for educators to emphasize the sampling and interaction aspects of demonstrations and for marketers to pay more attention to training demonstrators.
Effect of sulfur removal by H2-annealing on the oxidation behavior of a Ni-25Cr alloy

High temperature H{sub 2}-annealing of Ni-25Cr specimens reduced the average sulfur content in the alloy to less than 0.05 ppmwt, but resulted in a sulfur gradient in the treated samples, where a 10-fold higher concentration exists in the bulk of the sample than in the near-surface region. Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} scales that developed in the H{sub 2}-annealed samples ere initially more adherent than those formed on the untreated alloy. However, due to the presence of the sulfur gradient, small amounts of sulfur slowly diffused to the scale/alloy interface via alloy grain boundaries. This caused the first-formed chromia scale to detach and buckle above these boundaries, and the scale eventually failed by localized spallation. The growth rate of the chromia scale was not affected by the removal of sulfur, but the formation of Ni-rich nodules through the Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer was eliminated. As sulfur from the bulk diffused towards the scale/alloy interface, Ni-rich nodules also began to develop. The growth of these nodules is believed to be associated with Ni outward diffusion through defects in the first-formed chromia layer. A more defect-free scale seems to have developed by eliminating impurities in the alloy.
A trapped-hole center displaying orthorhombic symmetry in MgO

A trapped-hole center induced in MgO by ionizing radiation is shown to be consistent with a hole trapped at a cation vacancy (V− center) with a nearby perturbing defect which lowers its symmetry from tetragonal to orthorhombic. For brevity, it is referred to as the VOR center. ESR spectra at X band (∼9.5 GHz) and at Ku band (∼17.5 GHz) which characterize the center are presented. Principal values of the g tensor of the VOR center are: gxx = 2.03960, gyy = 2.03668, gzz = 2.00328. The principal axes are slightly displaced with respect to the crystal axes but the g components are close to the V− center values of g⊥ = 2.03859 and g⊥ = 2.00327. These suggest a trapped-hole center modified by an impurity also trapped by the cation vacancy. The simplest model displaying such behavior is an OH ion at a tenth-nearest neighbor position with respect to the trapped hole; the OH bond is directed more or less toward the cation vacancy; because of its interstitial location it is incapable of lying in the (001) plane.
Bioelectric action potentials of Procambarus acutus acutus (Girrard) in serially diluted solutions of selected C6 hydrocarbons in water

Abstract Gross muscle action potentials and spontaneous nerve action potentials from moving animals inside experimental chambers or aquaria containing a sufficient depth of water can be recorded by means of remote electrodes. The myogenic biopotentials generally overshadow the neurogenic ones, particularly when the muscles contract vigorously as in voluntary movements and during escape activities. Both neurogenic and myogenic biopotentials diminish progressively under the influence of metabolically deleterious stresses (such as the effects of some water-soluble petroleum hydrocarbons) or vary spontaneously and directly according to the degree of normal activity or quiescence of the test organism. The principle of recording the complex action potentials from both neurogenic and myogenic sources by remote electrodes in water is explored in a bioassay assessing the external concentrations of selected water-soluble petroleum hydrocarbons. These petroleum hydrocarbons could bring about the ultimate cessation of impulse generation and propagation in short term exposures. Long before the harsh threshold of the ‘death response’ itself is reached, a progressive diminution or irregularity of the biopotentials can indicate proximity to the ‘point of no return’. This is particularly so in the locomotor system, which begins to function less and less effectively in decapod Crustacea, commonly known as very active animals. It is suggested that lethal thresholds of water pollution can be established in a systematic manner using selected test organisms, especially those of commercial importance, by such electrophysiological methods, with minimum destruction of experimental animals. The technique can be adapted or refined for use in regulatory laboratories and similar establishments, particularly in developing countries with few environmental indices or water quality criteria, to build up data that would justify at least interim regulatory limits for selected water-soluble pollutants.
Holomorphic curves and metrics of negative curvature

In this paper we shall prove some of the basic results in the theory of holomorphic curves using the method of negative curvature which has recently been fruitful in the study of equidimensional holomorphic mappings. The eventual goal of the theory is to understand the position of holomorphic curves in general algebraic varieties: and it seemed to us that substantial progress on this problem necessitated finding new proofs of the classical results. To explain this a little better, it may be useful to give a historical sketch of the subject. The classical theory deals with a non-degenerate holomorphic mapping f:C---~P", which we shall call a hofomorphic curve, and in brief outline developed as follows:
Public Views on Family and Corporate Farms

ABSTRACT Contemporary agricultural practices and the public's understanding of the same are not necessarily in synchrony. Beliefs about the economic contribution of agriculture, farming practices, and their impacts on the environment and community, and the motivations of farmers were explored via a mail survey of Illinois residents. Respondents were asked to consider farms by structure and describe what they perceive to be attributes or behaviors differentiating family or corporate farms. Respondents recognized the value of agriculture to the state. Overall, agriculture was ranked among the seven standard industry categories as that with the most important economic impact. However, this sector was ranked lower by residents in counties with or adjacent to population centers of a hundred thousand residents or more and by the non farm population. Although perceived distinctions between crop and livestock operations were not substantial, strong differences were perceived between corporate and family farms. Pe...
Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Model of NO Metabolome and Methemoglobin Following Long‐Term Infusion of Sodium Nitrite in Humans

A long-term sodium nitrite infusion is intended for the treatment of vascular disorders. Phase I data demonstrated a significant nonlinear dose-exposure-toxicity relationship within the therapeutic dosage range. This study aims to develop a quantitative systems pharmacology model characterizing nitric oxide (NO) metabolome and methemoglobin after sodium nitrite infusion. Nitrite, nitrate, and methemoglobin concentration–time profiles in plasma and RBC were used for model development. Following intravenous sodium nitrite administration, nitrite undergoes conversion in RBC and tissue. Nitrite sequestered by RBC interacts more extensively with deoxyhemoglobin, which contributes greatly to methemoglobin formation. Methemoglobin is formed less-than-proportionally at higher nitrite doses as characterized with facilitated methemoglobin removal. Nitrate-to-nitrite reduction occurs in tissue and via entero-salivary recirculation. The less-than-proportional increase in nitrite and nitrate exposure at higher nitrite doses is modeled with a dose-dependent increase in clearance. The model provides direct insight into NO metabolome disposition and is valuable for nitrite dosing selection in clinical trials.
A role for simulations in public policy disputes: the case of national energy policy

Consensus-building techniques have been used successfully to resolve many public policy disputes. A major obstacle to consensus building, however, is the unwillingness of disputing parties to come to the negotiating table. A relatively new method of accomplishing this is to invite the parties to participate in a simulation of the conflict they want to resolve. Such simulations are designed to show that policy deadlocks can be overcome if the disputants change the way they negotiate. In November 1988, the MIT-Harvard Public Disputes Program, in association with the American Energy Assurance Council (AEAC), ran the National Energy Policy Simulation. This 23-hour crisis simulation brought together many of the stakeholders involved in the national energy policy debate in the United States. Partly as a result of the simulation, the parties agreed to sponsor afar reaching effort to forge a consensus on a national energy strategy for America. The energy policy experience is evidence that simulations can help bri...
Syngas Redox (SGR) Process to Produce Hydrogen from Coal Derived Syngas

The syngas redox (SGR) process to produce hydrogen from coal derived syngas is described. The process involves reduction of a metal oxide to metallic form with syngas and subsequent regeneration wi...
Shanidar IV, a Neanderthal Flower Burial in Northern Iraq

The discovery of pollen clusters of different kinds of flowers in the grave of one of the Neanderthals, No. IV. at Shanidar cave, Iraq. furthers our acceptance of the Neanderthals in our line of ev...
Emergence agitation in paediatric patients after sevoflurane anaesthesia and no surgery: a comparison with halothane

This study was designed to compare the emergence characteristics of sevoflurane with halothane anaesthesia in paediatric patients having no surgical intervention. We randomized 32 ASA I or II paediatric outpatients scheduled for magnetic resonance imaging scans to receive either halothane or sevoflurane anaesthesia. The primary outcome measure was the percentage of patients with emergence agitation, as defined by two different criteria. Time to discharge from the postanaesthesia care unit (PACU) and the secondary recovery unit (SRU) were compared. Sevoflurane patients had a greater incidence of emergence delirium when a high threshold for agitation was defined (33% vs. 0%, P = 0.010) and a lower threshold for agitation was applied (80% vs. 12%, P < 0.0001). Discharge times from the PACU and the SRU were not different. We conclude that there is an increased incidence of emergence agitation with sevoflurane anaesthesia compared to halothane independent of any painful stimulus.
Pattern replication of 100nm to millimeter-scale features by thermal nanoimprint lithography

The aim of this work is to demonstrate the ability of nanoimprint lithography (NIL) to replicate patterns having feature sizes ranging from nanoscale to millimeter scale. The pattern replication process includes NIL on PMMA, PMMA RIE, metal liftoff and then silicon RIE for final pattern transfer. A tri-layer resist scheme was employed to facilitate the liftoff. We studied systematically the dependence of the maximum duplicable feature size on imprint temperature, pressure and time, which shows good agreement with a simple squeeze flow model. The maximum duplicable feature size also depends on PMMA molecular weight and the amount of PMMA RIE. For example, with NIL at 200^oC and 20bar for 20min and PMMA etching of 180nm, we duplicated 1.3mm square pattern without defects using 12kg/mol PMMA. Such amount of PMMA RIE leads to the nanoscale grating line-width increase of 18nm.
Comparison of the combinations of fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine and loratadine-montelukast in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis

Background Antihistamine-decongestant combinations are used routinely for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Recently, the combination of an antihistamine and a leukotriene receptor antagonist has been shown to be efficacious. Objective To compare the 2 combinations in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel study in which patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis received either fexofenadine, 60 mg, and pseudoephedrine, 120 mg, twice daily, or loratadine, 10 mg, and montelukast, 10 mg, once daily, for 2 weeks. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) was completed at the beginning and end of the study. Patients recorded nasal symptoms and measured nasal peak inspiratory flow (NPIF) twice daily. Baseline measurements were obtained before initiation of treatment. Results Compared with baseline, both treatments resulted in statistically and clinically meaningful reductions of overall and individual RQLQ domain scores ( P P ≤ .05) compared with baseline on most treatment days in patients receiving both combinations. When the change from baseline was analyzed, there were no statistically significant differences in total symptoms between fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine and loratadine-montelukast (median, −28.5 vs −22.5; P = .33). There was a significant improvement in NPIF from baseline on all treatment days in both groups ( P Conclusions Fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine and loratadine-montelukast have comparable efficacy in improving symptoms, RQLQ scores, and nasal obstruction in seasonal allergic rhinitis. The lack of improvement in sleep in the fexofenadine-pseudoephedrine group is probably related to insomnia, a known adverse effect of pseudoephedrine.
Limbform: a functional ontology-based database of limb regeneration experiments.

Summary: The ability of certain organisms to completely regenerate lost limbs is a fascinating process, far from solved. Despite the extraordinary published efforts during the past centuries of scientists performing amputations, transplantations and molecular experiments, no mechanistic model exists yet that can completely explain patterning during the limb regeneration process. The lack of a centralized repository to enable the efficient mining of this huge dataset is hindering the discovery of comprehensive models of limb regeneration. Here, we introduce Limbform (Limb formalization), a centralized database of published limb regeneration experiments. In contrast to natural language or text-based ontologies, Limbform is based on a functional ontology using mathematical graphs to represent unambiguously limb phenotypes and manipulation procedures. The centralized database currently contains >800 published limb regeneration experiments comprising many model organisms, including salamanders, frogs, insects, crustaceans and arachnids. The database represents an extraordinary resource for mining the existing knowledge of functional data in this field; furthermore, its mathematical nature based on a functional ontology will pave the way for artificial intelligence tools applied to the discovery of the sought-after comprehensive limb regeneration models. Availability and implementaion: The Limbform database is freely available at http://limbform.daniel-lobo.com. Contact: ude.stfut@nivel.leahcim