cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Searching for Thomas Mann: A parable of myth and truth

Etude de la position ambigue de T. Mann face a la decadence morale et politique de l'Allemagne dans les annees 1920-30. Se referant a une lettre adressee a W. Opiz le 20 janvier 1933, ou T. Mann croit a l'existence de l'amour de la liberte et de la rationalite dans son pays, l'A. etudie le passage de l'esthetisme romantique de la conference de Vienne du 9 mai 1936 intitulee «Freud et l'avenir», veritable apologie du mythe, a la denonciation de la mentalite demoniaque qui alimente la barbarie nazie et detruit la reclerche socratique de la verite dans le «Docteur Faustus» ecrit en 1943 en exil
Everyday Market Helping Behavior

Research in marketing includes many examples of consumers helping other consumers. However, most research has studied helping behavior from the recipients’ perspective by examining the use of perso...
Meaningfulness as a Predictor of Work-Family Balance, Enrichment, and Conflict

There are arguably great benefits when employees experience a sense of meaning across life domains. The current study examined whether meaningfulness of work and family predicts one’s tendency to manage work/life outcomes. A total of 386 participants reported the sense of meaningfulness they derived from work and family responsibilities. Analyses explored how individuals’ relative ratings of work and family meaningfulness, as well as the similarity of these perceptions with those of their partners, affect work-family conflict, balance, and enrichment. Results showed that meaningfulness of work influences all work-family outcomes while intra-personal congruence in work and home predicts more work enrichment of family and less strain-based work-family conflict. Congruence between partners work meaning further predicted less strain and behavior based work-family conflict and less work-family balance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed, and future directions offered.
Original contributionMixed beam radiation therapy for unresectable squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck: the results of a randomized RTOG study

Three hundred and twenty-two patients with inoperable squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck were entered on a randomized study comparing “mixed beam”f radiation therapy with photon radiation therapy. Patients with histologically proven tumors of T-stage T2, T3, or T4 and any N-stage originating in the oral cavity, oropharynx, supraglottic larynx, or hypopharynx were eligible. One hundred forty-five patients were randomized to photon treatment and 177 were randomized to mixed beam treatment. No significant differences could be demonstrated between the experimental and control groups for primary tumor control or overall survival, although there was an advantage for mixed beam treatment over photon treatment for patients with metastatic cervical adenopathy (69 vs. 55% complete response rate in the nods, p = .024). It is concluded that mixed beam radiation therapy does not offer a significant advantage over photon radiation therapy for patients with advanced squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
CD34+CD146+ adipose-derived stromal cells enhance engraftment of transplanted fat.

Fat grafting is a surgical technique able to reconstruct and regenerate soft tissue. The adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) within the stromal vascular fraction are believed to drive these beneficial effects. ASCs are increasingly recognized to be a heterogeneous group, comprised of multiple stem and progenitor subpopulations with distinct functions. We hypothesized the existence of an ASC subpopulation with enhanced angiogenic potential. Human ASCs that were CD34+CD146+, CD34+CD146-, or CD34+ unfractionated (UF) were isolated by flow cytometry for comparison of expression of proangiogenic factors and endothelial tube-forming potential. Next, lipoaspirate was enriched with either CD34+CD146+, CD34+CD146-, CD34+ UF ASCs, or was not enriched, and grafted beneath the scalp skin of immunodeficient CD-1 Nude mice (10 000 cells/200 μL/graft). Fat retention was monitored radiographically more than 8 weeks and fat grafts were harvested for histological assessment of quality and vascularization. The CD34+CD146+ subpopulation comprised ~30% of ASCs, and exhibited increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and angiopoietin-1 compared to CD34+CD146- and CD34+ UF ASCs, and increased expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 compared to CD34+CD146- ASCs. The CD34+CD146+ subpopulation exhibited enhanced induction of tube-formation compared to CD34+CD146- ASCs. Upon transplantation, fat enriched CD34+CD146+ ASCs underwent less resorption and had improved histologic quality and vascularization. We have identified a subpopulation of CD34+ ASCs with enhanced angiogenic effects in vitro and in vivo, likely mediated by increased expression of potent proangiogenic factors. These findings suggest that enriching lipoaspirate with CD34+CD146+ ASCs may enhance fat graft vascularization and retention in the clinical setting.
An Online Calculator for Predicting Academic Career Trajectory in Neurosurgery in the United States.

Objective Determining factors that predict a career in academic neurosurgery can help to improve neurosurgical training and faculty mentoring efforts. Although many academic career predictors have been established in the literature, no method has yet been developed to allow for individualized predictions of an academic career trajectory. The objective of the present study was to develop a Web-based calculator for predicting the probability of a career in academic neurosurgery. Methods The present study used data from neurosurgeons listed in the American Association of Neurological Surgeons database. A logistic regression model was used to predict probability of an academic career, and bootstrapping with 2000 samples was used to calculate an optimism-corrected C-statistic. P Results A total of 1818 neurosurgeons were included in our analysis. Most surgeons were male (89.7%) and employed in nonacademic positions (60.2%). Factors independently associated with an academic career were female sex, attending a residency program affiliated with a top 10 U.S. News medical school, attaining a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree, attaining a Master of Science (MS) degree, higher h-index during residency, more months of protected research time during residency, and completing a clinical fellowship. Our final model had an optimism-corrected C-statistic of 0.74. This model was incorporated into a Web-based calculator ( https://neurooncsurgery.shinyapps.io/academic_calculator/ ). Conclusions The present study consolidates previous research investigating neurosurgery career predictors into a simple, open-access tool. Our work may serve to better clarify the many factors influencing trainees' likelihood of pursuing a career in academic neurosurgery.
Improving the service quality of telecommunication companies using online customer and employee review analysis

Proliferation of telecommunication companies has contributed to nearly 7 percent of the US gross domestic product and while employing over five million people. Despite offering new services and pro...
Spontaneous emission of matter waves from a tunable open quantum system

The decay of an excited atom undergoing spontaneous photon emission into the fluctuating quantum-electrodynamic vacuum is an emblematic example of the dynamics of an open quantum system. Recent experiments have demonstrated that the gapped photon dispersion in periodic structures, which prevents photons in certain frequency ranges from propagating, can give rise to unusual spontaneous-decay behaviour, including the formation of dissipative bound states1–3. So far, these effects have been restricted to the optical domain. Here we demonstrate similar behaviour in a system of artificial emitters, realized using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice, which decay by emitting matter-wave, rather than optical, radiation into free space. By controlling vacuum coupling and the excitation energy, we directly observe exponential and partly reversible non-Markovian dynamics and detect a tunable bound state that contains evanescent matter waves. Our system provides a flexible platform for simulating open-system quantum electrodynamics and for studying dissipative many-body physics with ultracold atoms4–6. An open quantum system containing ultracold rubidium atoms trapped in an optical lattice undergoes spontaneous emission of matter waves into free space.
Oncoplastic Breast-Conserving Surgery Reduces Mastectomy and Postoperative Re-excision Rates.

Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (BCS) integrates partial mastectomy with plastic surgery techniques to facilitate breast cancer resection with clear surgical margins and preservation of breast cosmesis. In 2011, oncoplastic BCS was adopted as standard surgical treatment for breast cancer patients at Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. This single-institution retrospective review evaluates the mastectomy and postoperative re-excision rates before and after adoption of oncoplastic BCS. All patients undergoing surgical treatment of breast cancer were identified from institutional databases for the periods January 2009 through December 2010 [standard surgery group (SS)] and January 2013 through September 2014 [oncoplastic surgery group (OS)]. A total of 812 patients were evaluated; 425 patients were treated in the SS group compared with 387 patients in the OS group. The mastectomy rate in the SS group was 34 % compared with 15 % in the OS group (p < 0.001), and the average tumor size for patients undergoing BCS was 12.7 mm in the SS group compared with 15.4 mm in the OS group (p = 0.04). Despite the larger average tumor size, the postoperative re-excision rate for patients undergoing BCS in the SS group was 32 % as opposed to 18 % in the OS group (p < 0.001). Oncoplastic BCS significantly reduced the rates of mastectomy and postoperative re-excision in breast cancer patients while treating larger cancers. This study suggests that use of OS techniques can effectively treat larger cancers while maximizing breast cosmesis and minimizing the need to resort to mastectomy.
Behavioral Studies in Animals: Past and Potential Contribution to the Understanding of the Relationship between Aluminum and Alzheimer’s Disease

Only a small portion of research directed at the Al-AD link has been undertaken in animal models using behavioral endpoints. Neurotoxicology studies of Al using drinking water administration, long term treatment duration, and animal models that develop NFT provide some additional relevant information. Functional CNS studies need to be integrated with neuropathological, genetic and biochemical approaches to adequately assess the Al-AD link. Such studies should test a set of behavioral endpoints specific to AD cognitive deficits and use Al exposure forms, routes and durations relevant to humans.
Encountering the world: Toward an ecological psychology.

1. regulation vs. Construction 2. An Evolutionary Psychology 3. Affordances: A New Ecology for Psychology 4. The Importance of Information 5. Functional Systems and the Mechanisms of Behavior 6. Varieties of Action Systems 7. The Effort After Value and Meaning 8. The Human Environment 9. Becoming a Person 10. The Daily Life of the Mind 11. Entering the Linguistic Environment 12. Streams of Thought
Overcoming ‘Simply Being’: Straight Sex, Masculinity and Physical Culture in Modern Egypt

This article considers the specific deployment of gender and sexuality in interwar Egypt against the general backdrop of a universalising colonial modernity, which since around the middle of the nineteenth century aimed at producing a repeatable subject everywhere. It examines the magazine Physical Culture as an artefact of that colonial modernity and as a watermark of an ineffable style of performing gender and sexuality – a culmination of nearly five decades of historicising Egypt and of exercising Egyptians. That the cultivation of healthy and desirable bodies was constrained by Egypt's asymmetrical location in a global economic and political order constituted by colonialism was a well-established fact of social life by the end of the 1920s; consequently, the problem of the modern subject in Egypt was posed in terms that were not exclusively nationalist and examined in terms that were keenly attuned to circulations of global cultural forms and discursive practices. In the resulting process of subject formation, a gendered and sexualised other was also produced, as a de-formation, wherein the terms of its prior being would no longer be intelligible.
A Desktop VR-based HCI framework for programming instruction

Programming skills are becoming increasingly important in both academia and industry. While this signifies numerous opportunities for students, it also inherently involves the challenge of preparing students suitably for these opportunities. Students, especially those at the beginner level, encounter difficulties when learning to program and the lack of efficient tools to overcome such difficulties can affect students' motivation. Over time, this creates to a drastic and negative impact in their attitude towards ‘learning programming’, which is undesirable for student success in engineering education. To rectify this, a suitable approach that can motivate students needs to be developed to change students' mindset towards learning programming. To this end, to facilitate interactive and fun-filled learning, this research employs a learner-centric, user-friendly Virtual Environment (VE) to teach programming concepts. The impact of this research extends beyond engineering and technology education as this framework can serve as a tool to strengthen STEM education and enhance general programming literacy.
Cloning and characterization of two related serotonergic receptors from the brain and the reproductive system of Aplysia that activate phospholipase C

Serotonin (5-HT) plays important roles in various behavioral and physiological processes in Aplysia californica. These include feeding, locomotion, circadian rhythm, learning and memory, synaptic plasticity, and synaptic growth. Serotonin modulates these various functions by interacting with different 5-HT receptor subtypes that are coupled to various second-messenger systems. We report here the isolation and characterization of the first two serotonergic receptors from Aplysia californica, Ap5-HTB1 and Ap5-HTB2, using a strategy based on the amino acid sequence homology among G-protein-coupled biogenic amine receptors. Ap5-HTB1 and Ap5-HTB2 are both intronless and highly homologous to each other, sharing 79.5% sequence identity at the amino acid level. Sequence comparison reveals that these receptors are 33.1 to 23.3% identical to the following 5-HT receptors: 5-HTdro1 > 5-HT6 > 5-HTlym > mouse 5-HT1B > 5-HTdro2A > mouse 5-HT7 > rat 5-HT2A. Both Ap5-HTB1 and Ap5-HTB2 encode functional 5-HT receptors. When expressed in cultured cells, these receptors stimulate phospholipase C in response to 5-HT in a dose-dependent manner. This stimulation can be blocked by specific 5-HT receptor antagonists. Using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, we have detected these receptors in the CNS (Ap5-HTB2) and in the reproductive system (Ap5-HTB1). The nucleotide sequences of Ap5-HTB1 and Ap5-HTB2 were submitted to GenBank; the accession numbers are L43557 and L43558, respectively.
Systemic and renal hemodynamic changes in the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle mimic early pregnancy

Blood pressure decreases during early pregnancy in association with a decrease in peripheral vascular resistance and increases in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. These early chang...
Spatio-temporal characterization of airborne radio frequency environments

This paper presents a nonparametric model for learning the radio frequency signal propagation in airborne environments. Spatio-temporal Gaussian processes are used to capture variations from the empirical path loss model. The Gaussian process is constructed using signal strength measurements from a known emitter. We show how this model can be used for improving the localization of an unknown emitter in the same environment.
Sex-typed play of toddlers in a day care center☆

Abstract By the age of 3, boys prefer gross motor and vehicle play and girls prefer doll and housekeeping play. The present study was an attempt to define the age at which these sex differences first appear by observing the play behavior of one- and two-year-olds in a day care center. We observed use of stereotyped toys in children 15 to 35 months old during free play. Boys played more with the masculine toys than with either of the other types, whereas girls showed almost equal use of all three types. Choice of sex-typed toys was more prevalent among older boys, while older girls showed less play with feminine toys than younger girls.
Treatment of Diffuse Long Coronary Artery Disease with Overlapping Drug-Eluting Stents is Effective?

관동맥 중재술 분야에서 많은 기술적인 발전이 있었음에 도 불구하고 미만성 긴 관동맥 병변에 대한 효과적인 치료 방법은 아직까지 만족할 만한 결과를 얻지 못하고 있다. 관 동맥 중재술시 관동맥 병변의 길이는 시술 후 장, 단기 성 적에 중요한 영향을 미치게 되는데, 초기 풍선 도자를 이용 한 관동맥 중재술 후에는 병변의 길이가 혈관 박리나 혈전 형성 등 초기 합병증을 예측하는 중요한 인자였고, 또한 병 변의 길이가 길수록 재협착 발생률이 높은 것으로 알려져 있다. 1) 관동맥 중재술 분야에서 금속 스텐트의 도입은 풍선 도자를 이용한 관동맥 중재술의 초기 합병증 예방에는 효 과적이었으나 재협착율은 여전히 높게 보고 되고 왔고 특히 스텐트 길이가 길수록 재협착률이 높아져 미만성 긴 관동 맥 병변에서는 금속 스텐트를 이용한 관동맥 중재술도 효
Conversion of methane to methanol by catalytic supercritical water oxidation

Abstract Selective conversion of methane to methanol has been accomplished by catalytic partial oxidation over Cr2O3 in supercritical water (SCW). The presence of water in high concentration inhibits the methane conversion but promotes the yield of methanol. The methane oxidation reaction was observed to be slightly negative order in oxygen concentration; increasing oxygen concentration produced a small decrease in methane conversion. Methanol oxidation was positive order in oxygen concentration; thus, increasing oxygen concentration dramatically reduced the yield of methanol. A consistent set of reaction pathways are developed and rate constants, which accurately model the experimental results, are calculated.
Human lung anaphylaxis results in rapid release of interleukin-4

Background Interleukin-4 has been implicated as having numerous roles in the inflammatory responses characteristic of allergic asthma. Interleukin-4 has been shown to be involved in IgE synthesis, upregulation of VCAM-1 on endothelium, and promotion of inflammatory cell infiltration into the airways. Objective We therefore examined whether IL-4 was produced after an IgE-mediated response in human lung samples. Results Anti-IgE treatment of 12 human lungs resulted in the significant release of IL-4 within 30 minutes. Conclusions Although the source of released IL-4 is unknown, the rapid release of IL-4 suggests that cells with performed stores, such as mast cells and eosinophils, are involved. Once released, IL-4 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma.
Response to Horowitz: research issues in early childhood caries.

— Interest in early childhood caries (ECC) remains strong internationally, yet a name remains elusive. Baby bottle tooth decay (BBTD) was widely recognized by non-dental health professionals — a factor to consider in choosing a more appropriate name. Due to limits in historic data, progress against the disease remains difficult to determine. As reflected by Dr Horowitz's list of recommendations, a focused agenda is not at hand on research leading to specific interventions. We also struggle to develop a specific set of interventions suitable for public health settings. In the absence of research-based effective interventions, I hope we do not withdraw from efforts to reduce ECC.
Stress Vulnerability, Coping and Risk-Taking Behaviors during Simulated Driving

112 college students participated in a study of simulated driving. The aim of the study was to investigate how coping related to both subjective stress responses and objective indices of risk-taking behavior. Dispositional coping (i.e., typical coping style) predicted task-induced stress responses, including increased distress and loss of task engagement. Consistent with the transactional model of driver stress, the effect of dispositional coping was mediated by the situational strategies adopted in response to the specific situation. Task-focused coping appeared to be more adaptive than emotion-focused coping. Drivers were afforded opportunities to pass other traffic in risky circumstances. Dispositional coping factors, especially a confrontive coping dimension, predicted risk-taking behaviors, such as frequent passing. These effects were not mediated by situational coping, suggesting that emotions during driving may shape habitual behavioral styles that operate irrespective of current mood and coping st...
Color Doppler sonography of the hepatic artery and portal venous system.

Color Doppler sonography is an important noninvasive diagnostic tool for detecting abnormalities of the hepatic vasculature in patients with diffuse liver disease. To study its usefulness in these cases, we retrospectively reviewed the findings in 147 patients with abnormal portal venous color Doppler sonograms. This group comprised all patients with abnormal portal venous color Doppler sonograms studied from February 1987 to July 1989. Correlative imaging was not available in all cases. The sonographic diagnoses included (1) portal venous thrombosis (50 patients, 93 vessels); (2) portal-systemic or portal-portal collaterals (80 patients, 95 collaterals); (3) reversed, bidirectional, or other abnormal portal venous flow patterns (36 patients); and (4) abnormal hepatic arterial flow (20 patients). Since the results reported derive from a retrospective review without consistent correlation with other imaging studies, no appraisal of the sensitivity or accuracy of portal color Doppler sonography could be mad...
Impediments in the Production and Consumption of Science and Technical Communication

Scientific and technical communication to the public suffers not from problems of magnitude but from impediments to its production and consumption, especially inaccuracy, distortion, and deception. The author describes how ambiguity, self-interest, and exaggeration, for example, influence production quality, and how such factors as existing audience bias, lack of trust in scientific evidence, and resistance to change further complicate assimilation of messages about science.
β-Adrenoceptors in the extraorbital lacrimal gland of the Syrian hamster characterization with [125I]-iodopindolol and evidence of sexual dimorphism

Saturation and competition experiments with the radiolabeled β-adrenergic antagonist (−)-[125I]-iodopindolol were used to characterize β-adrenoceptor density (Bmax) and receptor affinity in the extraorbital lacrimal gland of male and female Syrian hamsters. Specific binding to the receptor was saturable. Scatchard analysis of saturation isotherms revealed a single population of receptor sites. Male glands had a significantly higher Bmax (38.9±5.0 vs. 23.3±2.1 fmole/mg protein, ¯x±SEM, p< 0.02) and receptor affinity (expressed in a lower dissociation constant Kd: 0.065±0.013 vs. 0.120±0.015 nM, p<0.02) than female glands. Binding of the radiolabeled ligand in competition with various adrenergic antagonists showed the receptor to be stereospecific and of the β2-subtype.
Measurements of a Trailing Edge Slot Film Cooling Geometry Designed for Reduced Coolant Flowrate and High Surface Effectiveness

A trailing edge slot film cooling configuration designed for enhanced surface effectiveness at a decreased coolant flowrate is proposed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques were used to obtain measurements of the mean 3D velocity and concentration fields. These measurements are compared to previously reported results on two other trailing edge configurations. The surface effectiveness of the proposed slot film cooling configuration is higher than that of the baseline configuration, even at a 25% lower coolant flowrate. The mean fields are used to calculate an isotropic, spatially-varying turbulent diffusivity for each of these trailing edge configurations. These diffusivities are compared to offer insight into the effect of land shape on turbulence properties.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Fractal methods and results in cellular morphology--dimensions, lacunarity and multifractals.

This paper discusses the concepts of fractal geometry in a cellular biological context. It defines the concept of the fractal dimension, D, as a measure of complexity and illustrates the two different general ways of quantitatively measuring D by length-related and mass-related methods. Then, these several Ds are compared and contrasted. A goal of the paper is to find methods other than length-related measures that can distinguish between two objects that have the same D but are structurally different. The mass-related D is shown potentially to be such a measure. The concept of lacunarity, L, is defined and methods of measuring L are illustrated. L is also shown to be a potentially distinguishing measure. Finally, the notion of multifracticality is defined and illustrated to exist in certain individual nerve and glial cells.
Application of compiled BASIC in developing software for collection and analysis of neuronal firing frequency data

Abstract Two programs are described which use an IBM-AT compatible personal computer, equipped with an analog-to-digital converter, to collect and analyze electrophysiological data. The first program is used to determine neuron firing rates during intracellular experiments and to save these results on disk. The second program is used to perform off-line analysis of the frequency data. Both programs are written entirely in the well known BASIC language and the Microsoft® QuickBASIC compiler is employed for their use. All of the necessary hardware can be purchased commercially. In this paper emphasis is placed on the strategies and limitations involved when this high-level language is applied to tasks often needed in data acquisition and analysis. Both on- and off-line collection schemes are considered. This software is available from the authors.
The origin of phase separation in silicate melts and glasses

Abstract Phase separation of silicate melts and glasses is a well documented phenomenon. Its origin, however, has remained unclear. A review of previous observations indicates that coulombic forces, and therefore ionic interaction, play an important role. By using Debye-Huckel electrolyte theory, which treats ionic interaction, critical temperatures for the alkali and alkaline earth silicates were calculated. The theoretically predicted values are in close agreement with experimental data.
Effects of silica on human lung fibroblasts: survival data analysis of time-lapse cinematography data.

Abstract Silica, a fibrogenic material, enhances the proliferation of human lung fibroblasts. Analysis of filmed time-lapse sequences of dividing cells indicates that cell cycle time (or interdivision time, IDT) is significantly decreased in cells exposed in vitro to pure α-quartz. Migration rates for silica-treated cells were larger than those for control cells, but migration rate was not correlated with IDT. To analyze the IDT data, a computer program was used which carries out a nonparametric analysis of survival data (survival time being the IDT or cell cycle time of a given cell).
A connection between alternating sign matrices and totally symmetric self-complementary plane partitions

We give a lattice path interpretation for totally symmetric self-complementary plane partitions. This is a first step in solving the long standing problem of enumerating such plane partitions. Another outstanding problem in enumerative combinatorics is the search for a bijection between alternating sign matrices and totally symmetric self-complementary plane partitions. From the lattice path interpretation, we discover a new statistic on totally symmetric self-complementary plane partitions which should correspond to the position of the 1 in the top row of an alternating sign matrix under such a bijection. © 1993 Academic Press, Inc. 1. INTRODUCTORY DEFINITIONS This paper deals with three different classes of combinatorial objects. We define them in this section. The remainder of the paper gives connections between these apparently unrelated things. DEFINITION. A plane partition ~ is an array ~=[TL.,j], i,j>~l of nonnegative integers ~i.~ with finite sum Irtl =~i,j, which is weakly decreasing in both its rows and columns. EXAMPLE 1.
Arterial offset optimization using archived high-resolution traffic signal data

Traditionally, offset optimization for coordinated traffic signals is based on average travel times between intersections and average traffic volumes at each intersection, without consideration of the stochastic nature of field traffic. Using the archived high-resolution traffic signal data, in this paper, we develop a data-driven arterial offset optimization model which will take two well-known problems with vehicle-actuated signal coordination into consideration: the early return to green problem and the uncertain intersection queue length problem. To account for the early return to green problem, we introduce the concept of conditional distribution of the green start times for the coordinated phase. To handle the uncertainty of intersection queue length, we adopt a scenario-based approach that generates optimal offsets using a series of traffic demand scenarios as the input to the optimization model. Both the conditional distributions of the green start times and traffic demand scenarios can be obtained from the archived high-resolution traffic signal data. Under different traffic conditions, queues formed by side-street and main-street traffic are explicitly considered in the derivation of intersection delay. The objective of this offset optimization model is to minimize total delay for the main coordinated direction and at the same time it considers the performance of the opposite direction. Due to the model complexity, a genetic algorithm is adopted to obtain the optimal solution. The proposed methodology was tested on a major arterial (TH55) in Minnesota. The results from the field implementation show that the proposed model can reduce travel delay of coordinated direction significantly without compromising the performance of the opposite approach.
X-ray triggered release of doxorubicin from nanoparticle drug carriers for cancer therapy

Enhanced cellular toxicity was observed using X-ray irradiated nanoparticle drug carriers (NDC) consisting of doxorubicin (DOX) conjugated to DNA strands attached to the surface of gold nanoparticles. Kinetic studies showed that X-rays, acting as a triggering modality, generated reactive oxygen species to break DNA strands and release DOX.
Structural similarity within and among languages

Linguists rely on intuitive conceptions of structure when comparing expressions and languages. In an algebraic presentation of a language, some natural notions of similarity can be rigorously defined (e.g. among elements of a language, equivalence w.r.t. isomorphisms of the language; and among languages, equivalence w.r.t. isomorphisms of symmetry groups), but it turns out that slightly more complex and nonstandard notions are needed to capture the kinds of comparisons linguists want to make. This paper identifies some of the important notions of structural similarity, with attention to similarity claims that are prominent in the current linguistic tradition of transformational grammar.
Chromosome breakage in Drosophila melanogaster induced by a monofunctional alkylating agent (EMS).

Abstract Ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS)-induced mutations involving the yellow locus of Drosophila melanogaster were studied, both when the dominant alleles for yellow ( y + ) and closely linked achaete ( ac + ) were adjacent to euchromatin in their normal position on the left end of the X chromosome and when adjacent to constitutive heterochromatin on the Y chromosome. A yellow mutation was considered intragenic if the adjacent achaete locus was not affected. The intragenic mutation frequency did not change with the position of the yellow locus in the genome; however, the total mutation frequency was three-fold higher when the yellow locus was positioned adjacent to consititutive heterochromatin. Results show that an additional class of mutations resulting from chromosome breakage accounts for the increased mutational frequency when the yellow locus is adjacent to heterochromatin.
BB rat diabetes susceptibility and body weight regulation genes colocalize on Chromosome 2

The genetic etiology of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is complicated by the apparent presence of several diabetes susceptibility genetic regions. Type I diabetes in the inbred BioBreeding (BB) rat closely resembles the human disorder and was previously shown to involve two genes: the lymphopenia (lyp) region on Chromosome (Chr) 4 and RT1(u) in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on Chr 20. In addition, a segregation analysis of an F2 intercross between the diabetes-prone congenic BB DR(lyp/lyp,u/u) and F344(+/+,lv/lv) rats indicated that at least one more genetic factor was responsible for Type 1 diabetes. In this study, we generated F2N2 progeny in a cross between non-diabetic F2(DR)lyp/lyp,u/u) X F344)(lyp/lyp,u/u) and diabetic DR(lyp/lyp,u/u) rats. In a subsequent total genome scan, a third factor was mapped to the 21.3-cM region on Chr 2 between D2Mit14 and D2Mit15 (peak LOD score 4.7 with 67% penetrance). Interestingly, the homozygosity of the BB allele (b/b) for the Chr 2 region was significantly associated with a greater weight reduction after fasting than the homozygosity of the F344 allele (f/f, p < 0.008). In conclusion, the development of Type I diabetes in the congenic DR(lyp/lyp) rat is controlled by at least three genes: lymphopenia, MHC, and a third factor that may play a role in metabolism and body weight regulation. (Less)
Dominantly Inherited Retinitis Pigmentosa: Ultrastructure and Biochemical Analysis

Abstract A 66-year-old white man had dominant retinitis pigmentosa. He developed progressive restriction of his visual field, night blindness, pallor of the optic discs, pigmentary retinopathy and posterior subcapsular cataracts. Postmortem examination of the eyes included electron microscopy and biochemical analysis of cyclic nucleotides and interphotoreceptor retinoidbinding protein (IRBP). Except for the fovea and periphery, the retina showed extensive gliosis and neuronal loss with loss of photoreceptor cells. The choriocapillaris was variably occluded in the regions of absent retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). In places, the pigment epithelium invaded the retina to the level of the internal limiting membrane. Biochemical analysis revealed that the interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), an important glycoprotein of the interphotoreceptor space, was virtually absent even in retinal areas where photoreceptor cells were still present. Cyclic nucleotide determinations indicated a decrease in the cyclic GMP concentration that reflected the general loss of photoreceptor elements. On the other hand the cyclic AMP levels in all retinal areas tested were abnormally elevated, indicating the possible involvement of this nucleotide in the pathogenesis of the disease.
A hybrid Bayesian Network/Structural Equation Modeling (BN/SEM) approach for detecting physiological networks for obesity-related genetic variants

GWAS studies have been successful in finding genetic determinants of obesity. To translate discovered genetic variants into new therapies or prevention strategies, molecular or physiological mechanisms need to be discovered. One strategy is to perform data mining of data sets with detailed phenotypic data, such as those present in dbGAP (database of Genotypes and Phenotypes) for hypothesis generation. We propose a novel technique that combines the power and computational efficiency of existing Bayesian Network (BN) learning algorithms with the statistical rigor of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to produce an overall system that searches the space of potential networks and evaluates promising candidates using standard SEM model selection criteria. We illustrate our method using the analysis of a candidate SNP data set from the AMERICO sample, a multi-ethnic cross-sectional cohort of roughly three hundred children with detailed obesity-related phenotypes. We demonstrate our approach by showing genetic mechanisms for three obesity-related SNPs.
Shift-invariant three-dimensional object recognition by means of digital holography

We present an optoelectronic method to analyze three-dimensional (3D) scenes that is able to detect the presence, and also the position and orientation, of a reference 3D object. The data-acquisition procedure is based on digital holography. A phase-shifting interferometer records a single digital Fresnel hologram of the 3D scene with an intensity-recording device. Holographic information of the 3D reference object is also obtained with the same method. Correlation techniques are then applied to recognize the presence and position of the 3D reference object in the 3D scene. The technique also allows us to detect the 3D reference with a small out-of-plane rotation. Preliminary experimental results are presented that demonstrate the theory.
Oxidative stability of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in the presence of thiols

Polyphenols are attractive ingredients due to their purported health benefits, but their addition to foods is limited by their chemical instability, as they are rapidly oxidized under many conditions. This oxidation not only compromises the potential biological activity of the phenolic compound, but can also affect the chemical stability of the surrounding food matrix. Polyphenols bearing catechol or gallate groups, when oxidized to their benzoquinone forms, are strong electrophiles capable of reacting with nucleophilic thiols via 1,4-Michael addition reactions. These reactions are known to proceed in foods during processing and storage, and can profoundly affect the quality and biological efficacy of polyphenols when they are added as functional food ingredients. The stability of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the presence of three thiol-containing species [cysteine (Cys), glutathione (GSH), 3-mercaptohexan-1-ol (3SH)] was followed under both neutral and acidic conditions. Both Cys and GSH increased the rate of EGCG oxidation at pH 4. At pH 7, only Cys was found to increase the rate of EGCG oxidation. On the basis of these results, the reactivity of thiols toward EGCG follows the trend: Cys > GSH > 3SH, which is consistent with observed thiol-quinone adduct formation rates. Contrary to the results observed for Cys and GSH, 3SH was observed to inhibit EGCG oxidation.
Ecological function of constructed perennial stream channels on reclaimed surface coal mines

Mountaintop removal–valley fill mining results in the conversion of steep, forested headwater catchments to low gradient and open canopy channels. We compared the ecological functions of five reference stream channels to five constructed channels (age ranging from 3 to 20 years) on reclaimed mines in southern West Virginia. Variables included stream flow, habitat, water chemistry, riparian vegetation, organic matter (OM) processing, and invertebrate and amphibian communities. Although dissolved metal concentrations remained low, constructed channels produced significantly higher levels of conductivity and total dissolved solids as compared to reference streams. Macroinvertebrate and amphibian richness were comparable between constructed and reference channels; however, there was a distinct shift from sensitive lotic taxa in reference channels to tolerant lentic taxa in constructed channels. Constructed channels also had reduced OM decomposition rates. Nevertheless, constructed channels had significantly higher OM retention than reference channels, and consequently exhibited significantly higher overall OM processing and higher dissolved carbon concentrations. As the time since reclamation increased, we observed slight declines in conductivity and significant increases in total invertebrate richness. Our results provide measures of functional equivalencies between reference and constructed streams, which can serve as a basis for informed permitting and mitigation decisions in mined watersheds.
Absolute cross-sections for dissociative photoionization of some small esters

Abstract The first measurements of absolute cross-sections for near-threshold molecular and dissociative photoionization are presented for 11 small esters (methyl formate, ethyl formate, vinyl acetate, methyl propanoate, ethyl propanoate, methyl butanoate, methyl isobutanoate, methyl propenoate, ethyl propenoate, methyl crotonate, and methyl methacrylate). Photoionization mass spectrometry (PIMS) is employed with an energy resolution of 40 meV (fwhm) using a monochromated VUV synchrotron light source. An extensive literature exploring isomerization/dissociation mechanisms is available for six of these molecules. There are, however, no previous observations of dissociative ionization for four simple monounsaturated esters (methyl propenoate, ethyl propenoate, methyl crotonate, and methyl methacrylate), and dissociative ionization of ethyl propanoate has received scant attention. Appearance energies for dissociative photofragment ions of these five molecules are presented.
Security through redundant data diversity

Unlike other diversity-based approaches, N-variant systems thwart attacks without requiring secrets. Instead, they use redundancy (to require an attacker to simultaneously compromise multiple variants with the same input) and tailored diversity (to make it impossible to compromise all the variants with the same input for given attack classes). In this work, we develop a method for using data diversity in N-variant systems to provide high-assurance arguments against a class of data corruption attacks. Data is transformed in the variants so identical concrete data values have different interpretations. In order to corrupt the data without detection, an attacker would need to alter the corresponding data in each variant in a different way while sending the same inputs to all variants. We demonstrate our approach with a case study using that thwarts attacks that corrupt UID values.
Response to Torella et al

We appreciate the authors’ interest in our recent Commentary on Cutting Edge Science that discussed their recent article.1 We constructed what we believed to be a balanced review of their 2013 article published in Cell as yet another chapter in the c-kitpos cardiac stem cell regeneration story.2 We gave significantly more discussion to the positive findings of the article in question, although, like any good commentary, we discussed perceived shortcomings and topics that deserve more study. The authors’ rebuttal identified 3 main issues of concern with our Commentary, and we are delighted to address these issues again in greater detail. First, the authors suggest that we disparaged their isoproterenol (ISO) injury model. This was not our intent, and we even stated that the ISO injury model “is suited to address the question of cardiac regeneration.” Also, both the Molkentin and Houser laboratories have used excess ISO to injure the heart by …
A renormalization group approach to quasiperiodic motion with Brjuno frequencies

We introduce a renormalization group scheme that applies to vector fields on T d R m with frequency vectors that satisfy a Brjuno condition. Earlier approaches were restricted to Diophantine frequencies, owing to a limited control of multidimensional continued fractions. We get around this restriction by avoiding the use of a continued- fractions expansion. Our results concerning invariant tori generalize those of (H. Koch and S. Koci´ c, Renormalization of vector fields and Diophantine invariant tori. Ergod. Th. & Dynam. Sys. 28 (2008), 1559-1585) from Diophantine- to Brjuno-type frequency vectors. In particular, each Brjuno vector !2 R d determines an analytic manifold W of infinitely renormalizable vector fields, and each vector field on W is shown to have an elliptic invariant d-torus with frequencies!1; !2; : : : ; !d .
Recent Advances in Low Temperature Thermometry in High Magnetic Fields

The accurate determination of the temperature of an experiment at low temperatures in high magnetic fields is difficult. We present the results of measurements made using a number of new techniques developed over the last few years. In particular we discuss the results of measurements made using a unique capacitor made with Kapton and copper in a cylindrical geometry.1 This capacitance thermometer, dubbed the "Kapacitor", is different from other low temperature thermometers in that the minimum in capacitance vs. temperature can be moved to lower temperatures (to below 20 mK) by changing the construction technique. In addition, we discuss measurements on Coulomb blockade thermometers (CBT's) that offer the possibility of true primary thermomemtry at low temperatures without any magnetic field dependence. Both of these new techniques will be compared to the standard technique of resistance thermometry using RuO chip resistors. The crucial issues of accuracy and precision, usefulness for control, and noise sensitivity will be discussed for each of these technologies. In addition, recent measurements on the magnetic behavior of RuO thermometers at low temperatures and its relationship to anomalous low field peaks in the resistance that develop at temperatures below 50 mK are also presented.
Selectivity of aromatic chlorination reactions within a reversed-phase liquid chromatography column

Substrate selectivity was obtained in the chlorination of a series of n-alkyl phenyl ethers by chlorine water on a reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography column at 25°C.
Impact of temperature on colony growth and developmental rates of the ant, Solenopsis invicta

Abstract Growth rates of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, were studied across a range of constant temperatures. Growth in established colonies only occurred at rather warm temperatures: between 24 and 36°C, with maximal growth around 32°C. Colony growth ceased below 24°C even though 17°C was the theoretical minimum for brood development. Total developmental time (egg to adult) for minor worker brood decreased from 55 days at 24°C to 23 days at 35°C. The proportion of time required by each developmental stage (i.e. eggs, larvae, pupae) was independent of temperature. Nanitic brood developed about 35% faster than did minor worker brood, an important benefit for founding colonies. Data are still fragmentary, but it appears that temperature-adjusted development rates of ants and other social Hymenoptera are quite similar.
Field Immobilization of American Martens (Martes americana) and Short-tailed Weasels (Mustela erminea)

Ketamine hydrochloride (KH) and a 5:1 combination of KH and xylazine hydrochloride (XH) were used successfully to immobilize short-tailed weasels (Mustela erminea) and American martens (Martes americana), respectively. Four adult male martens were intramuscularly injected with 30 to 82 mg/kg KH and 8.0 to 16.4 mg/kg XH. Three adult male short-tailed weasels were intramuscularly injected with 20.8 to 42.1 mg/kg KH. Mean (±SE) induction times for martens and short-tailed weasels were 1.8 ± 0.2 min and 46 ± 4.1 sec, respectively; recovery times were 100.4 ± 19.3 min and 97.9 ± 6.3 min, respectively. Heart rate was relatively constant among martens; however, respiration varied widely (21 to 122 breaths per minute). Marten body temperature decreased between 0 and 20 min post-recumbency. Short-tailed weasel heart rate and respiration decreased in response to sedation until slightly before arousal. Body temperature stabilized by 20 min post-recumbency. Two short-tailed weasels tremored slightly within 10 min of ...