cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Apportionment of Human Diversity

It has always been obvious that organisms vary, even to those pre-Darwinian idealists who saw most individual variation as distorted shadows of an ideal. It has been equally apparent, even to those post-Darwinians for whom variation between individuals is the central fact of evolutionary dynamics, that variation is nodal, that individuals fall in clusters in the space of phenotypic description, and that those clusters, which we call demes, or races, or species, are the outcome of an evolutionary process acting on the individual variation. What has changed during the evolution of scientific thought, and is still changing, is our perception of the relative importance and extent of intragroup as opposed to intergroup variation. These changes have been in part a reflection of the uncovering of new biological facts, but only in part. They have also reflected general sociopolitical biases derived from human social experience and carried over into “scientific” realms. I have discussed elsewhere (Lewontin, 1968) long-term trends in evolutionary doctrine as a reflection of long-term changes in socioeconomic relations, but even in the present era of Darwinism there is considerable diversity of opinion about the amount or importance of intragroup variation as opposed to the variation between races and species. Muller, for example (1950), maintained that for sexually reproducing species, man in particular, there was very little genetic variation within populations and that most men were homozygous for wild-type genes at virtually all their loci.
Safety evaluation of colesevelam therapy to achieve glycemic and lipid goals in type 2 diabetes

Introduction: Patients with hypercholesterolemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus often require multiple medications to attain their LDL-C and A1C goals. Colesevelam, a bile acid sequestrant (BAS), which was FDA approved 10 years ago for the reduction of LDL-C in patients with dyslipidemia is also the only BAS that is approved for glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes to date. From both the physician and patient standpoint, safety and tolerability are the most important factors when considering initiating pharmacological therapy. Several randomized controlled studies have examined the safety, tolerability and efficacy of colesevelam over the last decade. Areas covered: This manuscript focuses on the safety and tolerability based on the evaluation of data obtained from several human randomized controlled studies. In addition, the pharmacology, pharmacodynamics and key clinical efficacy data are reviewed using research articles accessed through MEDLINE/PubMed (2000 – 2010). Expert opinion: Current dat...
Authors' reply to comments on 'Pole and zero estimation in linear circuits' by P.E. Gray and J.K. Matchett

A comment by P.E. Gray and J.K. Matchett (see ibid., vol.38, p.1404, Nov. 1991) on the above-titled paper (see ibid., vol.36, pp.838-845, June 1989) appeared with an errata for the paper, which was mistitled as a reply to their comment. A response to the comment is given here, supporting the accuracy of the pole-zero estimation method that occasioned the comment. >
Scientific and technical advances in continence recovery following radical prostatectomy.

The advent of prostate-specific antigen screening has changed the global epidemiology of prostate cancer, with men being diagnosed with organ-confined cancer at a younger age. Radical prostatectomy with curative intent for these patients, while delivering excellent long-term survival outcomes, still has significant side effects, chiefly postprostatectomy incontinence. Increasing age, shorter pre- and post-operative membranous urethral length, anastomotic strictures, obesity, low surgeon volume, variations of surgical technique and previous prostate surgery have been reported as negative risk factors for delayed continence recovery and/or permanent incontinence following radical prostatectomy. Significant progress in elucidating the functional anatomy and physiology of the male continence mechanism from cadaveric and videourodynamic studies have enabled surgeons to propose innovative surgical techniques during radical prostatectomy for augmenting continence preservation and early return. These have include...
Cognitive sequelae of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in Parkinson's disease: a meta-analysis

Summary Background Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) is an increasingly common treatment for Parkinson's disease. Qualitative reviews have concluded that diminished verbal fluency is common after STN DBS, but that changes in global cognitive abilities, attention, executive functions, and memory are only inconsistently observed and, when present, often nominal or transient. We did a quantitative meta-analysis to improve understanding of the variability and clinical significance of cognitive dysfunction after STN DBS. Methods We searched MedLine, PsycLIT, and ISI Web of Science electronic databases for articles published between 1990 and 2006, and extracted information about number of patients, exclusion criteria, confirmation of target by microelectrode recording, verification of electrode placement via radiographic means, stimulation parameters, assessment time points, assessment measures, whether patients were on levodopa or dopaminomimetics, and summary statistics needed for computation of effect sizes. We used the random-effects meta-analytical model to assess continuous outcomes before and after STN DBS. Findings Of 40 neuropsychological studies identified, 28 cohort studies (including 612 patients) were eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis. After adjusting for heterogeneity of variance in study effect sizes, the random effects meta-analysis revealed significant, albeit small, declines in executive functions and verbal learning and memory. Moderate declines were only reported in semantic (Cohen's d 0·73) and phonemic verbal fluency (0·51). Changes in verbal fluency were not related to patient age, disease duration, stimulation parameters, or change in dopaminomimetic dose after surgery. Interpretation STN DBS, in selected patients, seems relatively safe from a cognitive standpoint. However, difficulty in identification of factors underlying changes in verbal fluency draws attention to the need for uniform and detailed reporting of patient selection, demographic, disease, treatment, surgical, stimulation, and clinical outcome parameters.
Initiation and Reactivation of Proterozoic Aulacogen, Northern Mexico: ABSTRACT

Geochemical and petrologic affinities of late Proterozoic (~ 1Ga) bimodal igneous rocks of the Franklin Mountains, west Texas, suggest a rift origin. Scattered occurrences of similar rocks southward into the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, indicate a southerly trend for the feature. The feature is bounded by stable blocks: the stable craton of west Texas to the east and northeast, and the Sierra del Nido block to the west and southwest. Separation of the Sierra del Nido block from the craton occurred about 1 Ga. Gravity gradients mark the boundaries of the blocks, and a northwest-trending Bouger gravity high may mark the axis of the aulacogen. The aulacogen and the Sierra del Nido block are truncated to the south by the Mesozoic Mojave-Sonora discontinuity. The aulacogen was reactivated, at least in part, in the late Paleozoic as the Pedregosa basin and in the Mesozoic as the Chihuahua trough. These reactivations were apparently not full-fledged rifting events, but did result in basin development. The Sierra del Nido block was a paleographic high throughout the Paleozoic, and the Aldama platform developed on this block during the Cretaceous. The most recent reactivation of the aulacogen is as the southern extension of the Rio Grande rift, as evidenced by trends of high heat flow, recent mafic magmatism, and regional extensional faulting. End_of_Article - Last_Page 258------------
Apparent Trends of Amino Acid Gain and Loss in Protein Evolution Due to Nearly Neutral Variation

It has recently been claimed that certain amino acids have been increasing in frequency in all living organisms for most of the history of life on earth, while other amino acids have been decreasing in frequency. Three lines of evidence have been offered for this assertion, but each has a more plausible alternative interpretation. Here I show that unequal patterns of gains and losses for particular pairs of amino acids (such as more leucine --> phenylalanine than phenylalanine --> leucine substitutions in humans and chimpanzees since they split from a common ancestor) are consistent with a simple neutral model at equilibrium amino acid frequencies. Unequal numbers of gains and losses for particular amino acids (such as more gains than losses of cysteine) are shown by simulations to be consistent with a model of nearly neutral evolution. Unequal numbers of gains and losses for particular amino acids in human polymorphism data are shown by simulations to be explainable by the nearly neutral model as well. In a comparison of protein sequences from four strains of Escherichia coli, polarized by one outgroup strain of Salmonella, the disparity in number of gains and losses for particular amino acids is strong in terminal branches but weaker or nonexistent in internal branches, which is inconsistent with the universal trend model but as expected under the nearly neutral model.
Integrated power control for circuit & packet switched traffic in wireless networks

We investigate a set of novel distributed channel access schemes for wireless networks supporting both circuit-switched and packet-switched traffic. The dissimilar nature of each traffic type calls for differentiated treatment by the network: circuit-switched or streamed traffic requires constant rate bit flows across the wireless links, hence the network shall maintain the effective traffic rate of operational/active links at all times (link protection)., packet-switched or elastic traffic is intermittent and delay-tolerant. Hence, it is more efficient to buffer the incoming packets, and transmit them when appropriate, rather than reserving wireless resources for each individual flow. Past research in power-control looked at the problem of supporting each traffic type in isolated, separate networks, and has come up with the distributed algorithms of DPC/ALP (N. Bambos et al., 2000) and PCMA (N. Bambos et al., 2002) [S. Kandukuri et al., 2001], respectively. In this work, we propose a framework which integrates these two algorithms into a single set of access schemes to allow the sharing of the wireless resources to both traffic types and to new hybrid schemes.
The effect of female student participation in the Society of Women Engineers on retention-a study at Baylor University

In September of 1999, female students in the School of Engineering & Computer Science at Baylor University decided to start a student section of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Their main purpose in doing this was to foster a sense of community among female students in the School, especially in disciplines where the ratio of female to male students is very low. Over the past two and a half years, the Baylor student section of SWE has thrived. They have been recognized not only in the region, but are currently the "Best New Student Section" in the nation (SWE National Conference, Denver, Colorado, June 2001). A major benefit of this participation has been an apparent increase in the retention of female engineering and computer science students in the school. This paper documents the approach of the SWE officers to the growth and development of the student section, and includes data on the effects of the student chapter of SWE on retention of female students in the School of Engineering & Computer Science at Baylor University.
A functional role for complex gangliosides: motor deficits in GM2/GD2 synthase knockout mice.

Abstract Although gangliosides are abundant molecular determinants on all vertebrate nerve cells (comprising ≈1.5% of brain dry weight) their functions have remained obscure. We report that mice engineered to lack a key enzyme in complex ganglioside biosynthesis (GM2/GD2 synthase), and which express only the simple ganglioside molecular species GM3 and GD3, develop significant and progressive behavioral neuropathies, including deficits in reflexes, strength, coordination, and balance. Quantitative indices of motor abilities, applied at 8 and 12 months of age, also revealed progressive gait disorders in complex ganglioside knockout mice compared to controls, including reduced stride length, stride width, and increased hindpaw print length as well as a marked reduction in rearing. Compared to controls, null mutant mice tended to walk in small labored movements. Twelve-month-old complex ganglioside knockout mice also displayed significant incidence of tremor and catalepsy. These comprehensive neurobehavioral studies establish an essential role for complex gangliosides in the maintenance of normal neural physiology in mice, consistent with a role in maintaining axons and myelin (Sheikh, K. A., J. Sun, Y. Liu, H. Kawai, T. O. Crawford, R. L. Proia, J. W. Griffin, and R. L. Schnaar. 1999. Mice lacking complex gangliosides develop Wallerian degeneration and myelination defects. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 96: 7532–7537), and may provide insights into the mechanisms underlying certain neural degenerative diseases.
Spectrum of kidney transplant complications: A multidisciplinary overview

1290 Learning Objectives 1. Review the usual surgical approach to kidney transplantation. 2. Review what factors (donor and recipient) can increase the complication rate. 3. Review the various complications of kidney transplantation and their scintigraphic appearance. 4. Learn the time course of various complications. 5. Learn when SPECT/CT can be useful. 6. Understand the nephrology and transplant surgeon perspective. This multidisciplinary educational exhibit with specialists in transplant surgery, nephrology and nuclear medicine explores the spectrum of kidney transplant complications and their expected time course. A few illustrative cases from our institution will help to solidify knowledge of transplant complications and improve differential diagnoses. Utility of SPECT/CT is also reviewed. Clinical pearls and pitfalls from the involved specialties will also be shared.
Psychological issues in head and neck cancer

Head and neck cancer (HNC) brings a host of issues of importance to patients, families, and treatment providers. Beginning at the time of initial diagnosis, individuals often struggle with fear and guilt due to concerns that they bear some responsibility for the diagnosis. Once treatment is underway, patients frequently must cope with disfiguring consequences, with changes in communication, eating, and body image. Over time, expected adjustment issues can develop into depression and other serious psychological problems. Even several years after treatment is over, patients may need to deal with ongoing pain, communication, and substance use problems, as well as anxieties about disease recurrence. Individuals may report some psychological benefit as a result of the diagnosis and treatment of HNC, even though some ultimately face the end of their lives. Suggestions as to how providers can help patients manage these issues are provided, as well as resources for patients.
The Rise of Black Voices on Radio in New Orleans: The O.C.W. Taylor Effect, 1946–1948

Broadcast historiography is inadequate without discussion of relevant Black experiences. This study explores the emergence in 1946 of O.C.W. Taylor, a Black announcer who integrated radio in New Orleans. Taylor opened radio to the voices of local Blacks, allowing them to widely disseminate their progressive stories through the WNOE talk show Negro Forum. African-Americans' voices were no longer limited to Black newspapers. As a result, listeners learned of the challenges and activities Blacks engaged in as they coped with life in the South before the rise of the civil rights movement.
Temporal partial unmixing of exotic salt cedar using Landsat time series

ABSTRACTIn the south-western United States, the rapid colonization of exotic salt cedar (Tamarix spp.) along the riparian corridors poses a serious threat to the native plant diversity. Monitoring the salt cedar abundance in diversified riparian ecosystems is critically essential for evaluating the biodiversity loss and developing corresponding restoration strategies. To date, it still remains a significant challenge to estimate the abundance of plant species within a pixel, as many plants share similar spectral signatures. This challenge is even more daunting in species diverse ecosystems due to the difficulty of securing all the endmembers (e.g. plant species) in unmixing procedures. The objective of this study is to introduce a new concept, temporal partial unmixing, to estimate the relative abundance of plant species using Landsat time series. Temporal partial unmixing only requires the signature of the target endmember, but it emphasizes the importance of the temporal dimension of the target signatur...
Intradermal Venom Reaction. A New Method of Determining Capillary Fragility

SummaryA new capillary fragility test based on intraderimal injections of titrated moccasin snake venom is described. This test was found helpful in the niaiiagement of thrombocytopenic purpura heniorrhagica. Its applicability as a guide to local, general and toxic capillary changes is discussed.
THE ECONOMIC PAMPHLETEER: Multifunctionality: A New Future for Family Farms

First paragraphs: I was surprised to have been asked recently by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations to write a policy paper on family farming in North America in recognition of the International Year of the Family Farm (Ikerd, 2014). I questioned whether the FAO actually wanted me to write the paper, because of my nonconventional views of American agriculture. In the process, however, I discovered that much of the rest of the world is awakening to the realization that the values of traditional family farming are essential to ensure global food security. The U.S., Canada, and Australia have found few allies in their championing of industrial agriculture as being necessary to avoid massive hunger in the future. The concept of multifunctional agriculture, as commonly used in international trade and policy discussions, refers to the multiple potential benefits of agriculture, emphasizing the importance of non-economic benefits of agriculture. Farms in this context are inherently multifunctional in that they have multiple ecological, social, and economic impacts on nature and society. A global report, Agriculture at a Crossroads, points out that multifunctional agriculture "provides food, feed, fiber, fuel and other goods...has a major influence on other essential ecosystem services such as water supply and carbon sequestration or release...plays an important social role, providing employment and a way of life...is a medium of cultural transmission and cultural practices worldwide...[and] provide[s] a foundation for local economies" (International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science, and Technology for Development [IAASTD], p. 6)....
The Power of Nonprofits: Mechanisms for Nonprofit Policy Influence

The dramatic increase in public funding for nonprofit organizations has raised concerns about the potential disadvantages of a nonprofit sector that is too reliant on government funding. Using nonprofits to deliver public programs also presents risks for the public sector, but the question of nonprofit policy influence is largely absent from discussions of public–nonprofit service collaborations. The motivation for this article stems from the contradiction between the perceived weakness of publicly funded nonprofits and their potential for policy influence. This research asks, how do nonprofits exert policy influence? Using a grounded theory approach, the research draws on the attitudes and experiences of professionals and elected officials involved in policy making and policy implementation in the area of low-income housing. The findings indicate a variety of mechanisms through which the government–nonprofit relationship can strengthen the power of nonprofit organizations, sometimes while weakening their government counterparts.
Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EndoMT) in the Pathogenesis of Human Fibrotic Diseases.

Fibrotic diseases encompass a wide spectrum of clinical entities including systemic fibrotic diseases such as systemic sclerosis, sclerodermatous graft versus host disease, nephrogenic systemic fibrosis, and IgG4-associated sclerosing disease, as well as numerous organ-specific disorders including radiation-induced fibrosis, and cardiac, pulmonary, liver, and kidney fibrosis. Although their causative mechanisms are quite diverse, these diseases share the common feature of an uncontrolled and progressive accumulation of fibrous tissue macromolecules in affected organs leading to their dysfunction and ultimate failure. The pathogenesis of fibrotic diseases is complex and despite extensive investigation has remained elusive. Numerous studies have identified myofibroblasts as the cells responsible for the establishment and progression of the fibrotic process. Tissue myofibroblasts in fibrotic diseases originate from several sources including quiescent tissue fibroblasts, circulating CD34+ fibrocytes, and the phenotypic conversion of various cell types including epithelial and endothelial cells into activated myofibroblasts. However, the role of the phenotypic transition of endothelial cells into mesenchymal cells (Endothelial to Mesenchymal Transition or EndoMT) in the pathogenesis of fibrotic disorders has not been fully elucidated. Here, we review the evidence supporting EndoMT’s contribution to human fibrotic disease pathogenesis.
Predicting Age of Sexual Initiation Family-Level Antecedents in Three Ethnic Groups

We investigated how family characteristics and experiences during early adolescence predicted timing of sexual initiation. In addition, we investigated adolescent sex and race/ethnicity as potentia...
Long-term effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogue (buserelin) on cryptorchid testes.

AbstractWe studied 48 prepubertal boys with cryptorchidism between 1 year 3 months and 11 years old who were treated with buserelin every other day for 6 months. Urinary luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones, and testosterone remained unchanged during the entire treatment period. In boys older than 7 years a slight but significant increase in testosterone was noted in the first morning voided urine at the end of treatment. Testicular biopsies were obtained at orchiopexy in all patients in whom testicular descent was not complete (83 per cent). A significant increase in the number of germ cells was observed in patients with unilateral and those with bilateral cryptorchidism, indicating that 6 months of buserelin therapy improved the fertility status even when testes were in an undescended position during treatment
Exchangeable cations in deep forest soils: Separating climate and chemical controls on spatial and vertical distribution and cycling

Abstract The vertical distribution of soil exchangeable cations (Ca 2 + , Mg 2 + , K + , and Na + ) results from the integration of multiple processes: weathering of primary minerals, atmospheric input, leaching, and biological cycling. While weathering and atmospheric input affect the location of cation inputs to the soil system, leaching and biological cycling translocate cations in opposing directions within the profile. Little research has been conducted on deep soil relative to surface soil, and thus attempts to verify hypotheses about the drivers of exchangeable cation vertical distributions have not been possible on a broad scale. This study excavated soils down to 2.5 or 3 m at 22 sites across the coastal Pacific Northwest ranging from northern Washington to southern Oregon. Samples were analyzed for soil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and exchangeable cations. PERMANOVA was used to evaluate the effect of soil chemical (C, N, and pH), environmental (climate, parent material, elevation), physical (texture) and spatial (horizon, depth) gradients on the distribution of exchangeable cation contents and stocks. The majority of exchangeable cation stocks are located in deeper soil horizons. On average, 66% of Ca 2 + , 76% of Mg 2 + , 57% of K + , and 63% of Na + stocks were below 1.0 m. Master soil horizon was the most significant predictor of the distribution of cations within the soil profile with substantial separation between A horizon samples and B and C horizon samples. There was a significant interaction between horizon and soil C, with higher soil C concentrations and stocks corresponding with lower Ca 2 + and Mg 2 + contents and stocks in horizons of the same type. Between sites, climate and cumulative carbon stocks were the dominant controls over cation distribution, with high C stocks and wet, cool climate leading to low exchangeable Ca 2 + and Mg 2 + . These results suggest that leaching with dissolved organic matter could be a driver of exchangeable Ca 2 + and Mg 2 + distributions in the Pacific Northwest. On the other hand, K + and Na + were largely uncorrelated with these environmental gradients. Biological uptake is a more important control over the distribution of exchangeable K + , while atmospheric deposition drives the relatively uniform distribution of Na + both between sites and within profiles.
Observation of cooling-assisted velocity- selective coherent population trapping

In recent years, there has been a great deal of interest in velocity selective coherent population trapping (VSCPT).1 However, since VSCPT occurs via a random walk in momentum space, in order to achieve significant VSCPT in three dimensions, it is necessary to precool and confine atoms dose to the recoil momentum. Shahriar et al.2 recently predicted that this type of cooling and velocity confinement assisted VSCPT can be achieved in one, two, or three dimensions when a Λ-system atom is excited by a pair of blue detuned Raman resonant standing waves, with a phase difference of θ = π/4.
The impact of surgeon choices on costs associated with uncomplicated minimally invasive colectomy: you are not as important as you think

Background There is increasing public discussion about the escalating cost of healthcare in America. There are no published data regarding the contribution of individual surgeons' choices on the cost of uncomplicated minimally invasive colectomy. Methods A review of a hospital cost-accounting database of the direct costs related to the index operation and post-operative care of all patients who underwent elective minimally invasive segmental colectomy over a 1-year period was performed. Results A total of 111 cases were enrolled in this study, 18 of which were performed robotically. The average direct cost after minimally invasive colectomy was $5536. The cost of robotic colectomy was 53% greater than laparoscopic ($7806 vs $5096, p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in overall costs among laparoscopic cases performed by three surgeons ($5099 vs $5108 vs $5055, p = 0.987). Average operating room supply costs among the three surgeons were $1236, $1105 and $1030, respectively (p = 0.067), with a standard deviation of $328 (6.4% of overall cost). Conclusions No significant difference in overall costs between surgeons was demonstrated despite varied training, experience levels and operative techniques. Total costs are relatively institutionally fixed and minimally influenced by variations in individual surgeon preferences.
A Public Health Perspective on Paying for Dentistry, the Affordable Care Act, and Looking to the Future

Health care costs have traditionally been provider generated whereas payment has been split between public and private sources. There has been little pressure on health care providers to demonstrate value. The quest for value in health care financing is now widely evident as demonstrated by governmental and private sector pursuits of a 3-part aim: better health outcomes at lower cost with improved patient and population experience. Value-based approaches involve payment innovation with its attendant constraints and opportunities for innovation. This contribution posits a growing role for dental public health by exploring interfaces with these forces within the contexts of US dental care financing.
Freeze Drying of Foodstuffs

This chapter discusses the freeze drying of foodstuffs. Microbiological specifications of freezed dried foods are extremely important as one is dealing with completely unknown entities, in respect to the ability of freeze dried foods to support the growth of bacteria on rehydration and storage at refrigerated temperatures. Specification and standards must be tailored to fit each specific food product. No single set of any type of standard can be made to fit each foodstuff. It is found that since freeze dehydration occurs with foods which are in the frozen state, there is no loss in size or shrinkage. As a result, these foods are extremely porous with a great deal of surface area in the dried matrix. This offers a large surface for oxidation and other types of reactions to occur. As a result, such simple routine procedures as breaking the vacuum in the chamber with nitrogen, and packaging under nitrogen with a maximum arbitrary oxygen content of the headspace gas of less than 2% has proven efficacious.
SimCalc at Scale: Three Studies Examine the Integration of Technology, Curriculum, and Professional Development for Advancing Middle School Mathematics

We discuss three large-scale studies—two randomized controlled experiments and one embedded quasi-experiment—designed to evaluate the impact of SimCalc replacement units targeting student learning of advanced middle school mathematics. Each study addressed both replicability of findings and robustness across Texas settings, with varied teacher characteristics—backgrounds, knowledge, attitudes—and student characteristics—demographics, levels of prior mathematics knowledge. Analyses revealed statistically significant main effects, with student-level effect sizes of 0.63, 0.50, and 0.56. These consistent gains support the conclusion that SimCalc is effective in enabling a wide variety of teachers in a diversity of settings to extend student learning to more advanced mathematics.
Multispeciality Applications of Robotic Technology

A paradigm change in the approach to the surgical patient began in 1987 when Mouret performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy.1 Since then, laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery has been utilized to perform a wide variety of procedures that encompass many surgical specialties. However, limitations in the instrumentation prevented the widespread application of laparoscopic techniques for more complex and reconstructive procedures. Intuitive Surgical Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA) and Computer Motion (Santa Barbara, CA) were the initial companies that developed the technology for robot-assisted surgery, attempting to overcome the limitations of traditional laparoscopic techniques. The first robots were utilized merely as laparoscopic assistants; however, with advancing technology, robots became more widely utilized as critical components of minimally invasive procedures. Contemporary robotic systems offer unparalleled magnified three-dimensional (3D) vision and the robotic instruments are more precise and dexterous than the human hand.
Solving the Equations of Compressible Viscous Flow about Aerospace Configurations

The development of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) procedures has progressed extremely rapidly during the past two decades. The parallel rapid development in computer hardware resources and architectures has not only matched the explosive algorithm development but has indeed provided and continues to provide its impetus. Together the resources are now available for the numerical simulation of the flow about complex three-dimensional aerospace configurations (see Fig. 1). Yet, in many ways the discipline of CFD is still in its infancy. Major decisions concerning its future direction need to be taken and many impeding obstacles must be overcome before its evolution into a mature discipline for solving the equations of compressible viscous flow.
SOME PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE ENCODING OF PREFIX CODES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some problems related to the encoding of prefix codes to wreath product decompositions of their syntactic transformation monoids. In terms of the decidability of the function #, this means that it suffices to establish whether or not complexity is decidable for semigroups of the type S(C+). The chapter discusses those codes whose transformation monoids divide a wreath product. The chapter also presents the relationship between encodings and decompositions of transformation monoids of codes. Division of the wreath product can be obtained even if the encoding is not coherent.
Multi-electron beam generation using co-propagating, parallel laser beams

High intensity short pulse laser plasma interaction experiments were performed to investigate laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA) in the 'bubble' regime. Using a specially designed phase plate, two high intensity laser focal spots were generated adjacent to each other with a transverse spacing of 70 μm and were focused onto a low density plasma target. We found that this configuration generated two simultaneous relativistic electron beams from LWFA (with low divergence) and that these beams often interact strongly with each other for longer propagation distances in the plasma thus reducing beam quality. In addition, it was observed that the existence of an adjacent laser driven wakefield significantly reduced the self-trapping threshold for injection of electrons. Numerical modeling of these interactions demonstrated similar phenomena and also showed that electron beam properties can be affected through precise control of the phase and polarization of the incident laser beam.
Role of skeletal muscle on chest computed tomography for risk stratification of lung cancer patients

In his editorial “ Sarcopenia is a potential factor for optimized treatment selection for elderly patients with early stage non-small-cell lung cancer recent retrospective analysis” Dr. Matsuo comments on our study “Thoracic Skeletal Muscle Is Associated With Adverse Outcomes After Lobectomy for Lung Cancer ” (1). We appreciate the opportunity to reply to his comments and discuss how body composition metrics derived from routine computed tomography (CT) images of the thorax could improve lung cancer care.
Ex Ante Conservatism: A Mechanism to Balance Agency Costs and Investment Efficiency

While ex post conservatism has attracted lots of attention in the literature, very little is known about the role of ex ante conservatism in a contracting setting. I develop a principal-agent model in which an investor funds a risky project owned by an entrepreneur who can exert costly effort to improve its prospects. An auditor observes an ex ante accounting signal correlated with future unrealized project profitability. Following an accounting policy mandated by a regulator, the auditor determines when the investment expenditure should be capitalized or expensed. I find that ex ante conservatism may serve as a two-edged sword: it balances the ex ante incentive of inducing the entrepreneur's effort against the ex post investment efficiency. The higher the value of the project, the less the regulator prefers to conservative reporting. In contrast, when agency costs increase, accounting policy becomes more conservative.
The role of glutathione reductase in maintaining human granulocyte function and sensitivity to exogenous H2O2

Human granulocytes (polymorphonuclear leukocytes, PMN) produce H2O2 and other reactive oxygen species while undergoing phagocytosis. To examine the role of the glutathione cycle in metabolizing H2O2, we incubated PMN with 1,3-bis (2-chloroethyl) nitrosourea (BCNU). Incubation of PMN with BCNU results in a dose-dependent inhibition of PMN glutathione reductase (GRED), with 50% inhibition occurring at approximately 2 micrograms/mL BCNU. PMN hexose monophosphate shunt activity stimulated with an exogenous H2O2-generating system was inhibited only when the GRED activity was reduced to less than 30% of control. BCNU-treated cells contained lower levels of reduced sulfhydryls and reduced glutathione, which decreased even more in the presence of an exogenous H2O2-generating system. The effect of BCNU and exogenous H2O2 on various aspects of phagocytosis were examined. Exposure of BCNU-treated PMN to an H2O2-generating system resulted in an inhibition of chemotactic peptide-induced shape changes and degranulation. The ability of BCNU-treated cells to produce O2- was diminished only when the PMN were incubated with an H2O2-generating system in the presence of cyanide. Ingestion of opsonized bacteria by BCNU-treated PMN was unaffected by incubation in an H2O2-generating system even in the presence of cyanide. We conclude that PMN GRED is inhibited by BCNU, the ability of PMN to metabolize H2O2 is affected only when GRED is reduced more than 70%, this inhibition affects the glutathione content of these cells, and some, but not all of the phagocytic functions of GRED-inhibited PMN are inhibited after exposure to an H2O2-generating system.
Phenology-dependent cold exposure and thermal performance of Ostrinia nubilalis ecotypes

Understanding adaptation involves establishing connections between selective agents and beneficial population responses. However, relatively little attention has been paid to seasonal adaptation, in part, because it requires complex and integrative knowledge about seasonally fluctuating environmental factors, the effects of variable phenology on exposure to those factors, and evidence for temporal specialization. In the European corn borer moth, Ostrinia nubilalis, sympatric pheromone strains exploit the same host plant (Zea mays) but may genetically differ in phenology and be reproductively “isolated by time.” Z strain populations in eastern North America have been shown to have a prolonged larval diapause and produce one annual mating flight (July), whereas E strain populations complete an earlier (June) and a later (August) mating flight by shortening diapause duration. Here, we find evidence consistent with seasonal “adaptation by time” between these ecotypes. We use 12 years of field observation of adult seasonal abundance to estimate phenology of ecotype life cycles and to quantify life-stage specific climatic conditions. We find that the observed reduction of diapause duration in the E strain leads their non-diapausing, active life stages to experience a ~ 4 °C colder environment compared to the equivalent life stages in the Z strain. For a representative pair of populations under controlled laboratory conditions, we compare life-stage specific cold tolerance and find non-diapausing, active life stages in the E strain have as much as a 60% greater capacity to survive rapid cold shock. Enhanced cold hardiness appears unrelated to life-stage specific changes in the temperature at which tissues freeze. Our results suggest that isolation by time and adaptation by time may both contribute to population divergence, and they argue for expanded study in this species of allochronic populations in nature experiencing the full spectrum of seasonal environments. Cyclical selective pressures are inherent properties of seasonal habitats. Diverse fluctuating selective agents across each year (temperature, predation, competition, precipitation, etc.) may therefore be underappreciated drivers of biological diversity.
Fabrication and characterization of biodegradable oxygen-releasing micromaterials for treatment of hypoxic environmental waters

Abstract Micromaterials were fabricated and structurally characterized from naturally occurring biodegradable substrates and encapsulated to provide a sustainable oxygen release mechanism for the treatment of environmental anoxic water systems. In this study, micromaterials composed of collagen and whey protein concentrate (WPC) polypeptides were fabricated by electrospraying, and the micromaterials encapsulated oxygen-producing calcium peroxide (CaO2). Electrospraying, or electrospinning, allows for direct encapsulation of materials within a polymer matrix when a high voltage is applied. As collagen and WPC are water soluble, when placed in water the fabricated micromaterials gradually dissolved; and thereby, released the encapsulated peroxide that combined with water and produced oxygen. The oxygen released by the micromaterials was monitored and dissolved oxygen production rates were determined. As collagen and WPC have different dissolution rates, the oxygen release rate was controlled by the composition of the micromaterial. Oxygen release rate constants ranged from 9.8 × 10−3 h-1 to 5.8 × 10-2 h-1 and corresponded to the materials as follows from slowest to fastest: WPC micromaterial
A study on the determination of iodine in water by flow injection analysis without arsenic

Objective To establish a method for automatic determination of iodine content in drinking water by flow injection analysis (FIA) without arsenic. Methods In the dilute nitric acid solution, iodide ion in appropriate amount of nitrous acid solution could catalyze the orange red iron thiocyanate complex fade, and the use of this method combined with flow injection analysis technology formulated a flow injection method, and experimental conditions of the method were optimized. The linear relationship and linear range of the standard curve, the detection limit, the precision and the accuracy of the sample determination were implemented under the optimized conditions. Results The optimum concentration of potassium thiocyanate solution (0.15 mol/L) and sodium nitrite was 27.30 ml and 8.00 g/L, respectively, by series of experimental studies. Under the condition, the linear range of the standard curve was 0-500 μg/L, the standard curve linear relationship coefficient ≥0.999 0; method detection limit was 5.94 μg/L; in precision experiment of low, medium and high concentrations of iodine, the coefficients of variation were 1.19%, 1.92% and 2.06%; in accuracy test, recovery rates were 100.49%-107.84%, and the total recovery rate was 103.15%. Conclusions The flow injection analysis method can be used to replace arsenic cerium catalyzed spectrophotometric detection of iodide in water; when the method is used in detection of the sample water iodide content of 0-500 μg/L, it has good precision and accuracy, automatic injection, automatic filling reagents and automatic detection system to reduce the burden on the staff, with arsenic-free reagents and reduced environmental pollution and the health hazards of the inspectors, which is suitable for iodine screening in high iodine areas. Key words: Drinking water; Iodine; Arsenic; Flow injection analysis
6,7-Di­hydro-5H-pyrrolo­[1,2-a]imidazole

The crystal structure of 6,7-di­hydro-5H-pyrrolo­[1,2-a]imidazole, C6H8N2, at 100 K has monoclinic (P21/n) symmetry. The mol­ecule adopts an envelope conformation of the pyrrolidine ring, which might help for the relief torsion tension. The crystal cohesion is achieved by C—H⋯N hydrogen bonds. Inter­estingly, this fused ring system provides protection of the α-C atom (attached to the non-bridging N atom of the imidazole ring), which provides stability that is of inter­est with respect to electrochemical properties as electrolytes for fuel cells and batteries, and electrodeposition.
Continuing Social Constraints in Education Agency: The School Choices and Experiences of Middle- Class African American Families in Albany, NY

This paper explores the experiences of middle-class African American parents who have enrolled their children in a central-city public school district and the factors that inform and contribute to their school enrollment decisions. Data come from nineteen in-depth interviews with middle-class African American parents in Albany, New York. The paper uses the conceptual framework of empowerment and agency to explore and analyze the findings. Findings suggest that middle-class African American parents possess some measure of empowerment based on their human capital and positive childhood experiences in public schools. The latter denotes the salience of emotions in intergenerational education transmission. Parents’ empowerment, however, does not fully extend to agency. Most parents’ school choices have been structured and narrowed by racial segregation in residence and by the real and perceived racial exclusion in private school settings. Therefore, even for highly-educated, middle-income African Americans, anxieties over racial exclusion act as a strong social constraint on parents’ community and school choices.
Men, Militarism, and Disruption

This chapter reconsiders the linguistic and discursive enlanguaging of Alpha and other dominant masculinities, taking a critical turn and reframing these hegemonic configurations as toxic and harmful. Building upon a reading of Larry Mitchellskampsk#x2019;s The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions, examples of dominant and exaggerated masculinity are brought into contiguity with militarism, arguing that Alpha and other manifestations of contemporary masculinity rearticulate the gendered order as an existential crisis and a perpetual combat, also making connections to neoliberal frames of individualism and consumerism. In closing, attention is turned to alternative discourse formations that eschew the leader-dominator ideal so intimately associated with Alpha. This anticipates counter-enlanguaging to disrupt masocentrism and hegemonic masculinity, as well as a call to antisexism and antimasocentrism.
Studies on the mechanism of action of tiazofurin (2-β-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide). VI: Biochemical and pharmacological studies on the degradation of thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide (TAD)

In order to exert its antitumor effects, the C-nucleoside tiazofurin (2-beta-D-ribofuranosylthiazole-4-carboxamide) is converted to the dinucleotide TAD (thiazole-4-carboxamide adenine dinucleotide), an inhibitor of IMP dehydrogenase (IMPD). With few exceptions, sensitive tumors (such as the P388 leukemia) have been found to accumulate substantially more of this inhibitory dinucleotide than resistant strains (exemplified by the colon 38 carcinoma). Previous studies have attributed this difference to a depressed capacity to synthesize TAD on the part of tumors refractory to tiazofurin. In the present study, a second contributory factor has been identified, viz. an enhanced ability to degrade preformed TAD. This degradation has been traced to a soluble phosphodiesterase present at high levels in tumors naturally resistant to tiazofurin. Using standard techniques, this TAD-phosphodiesterase has been purified 200-fold from the colon 38 carcinoma. The activity so purified readily hydrolyzed TAD and ADP-ribose, but exhibited a comparatively weak activity toward NAD and thymidine-5'-monophosphate-nitrophenyl ester. ADP-Ribose was also an excellent inhibitor of the hydrolysis of TAD. It is concluded, on the basis of these results, that TAD-phosphodiesterase plays an important role in the expression of the oncolytic activity of tiazofurin. The suggestion is also made that ADP-ribose may be the natural substrate for this enzyme.