cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Refining the concept of GFAP toxicity in Alexander disease.

Alexander disease is caused by dominantly acting mutations in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), the major intermediate filament of astrocytes in the central nervous system. In addition to the sequence variants that represent the origin of disease, GFAP accumulation also takes place, together leading to a gain-of-function that has sometimes been referred to as “GFAP toxicity.” Whether the nature of GFAP toxicity in patients, who have mixtures of both mutant and normal protein, is the same as that produced by simple GFAP excess, is not yet clear. The implications of these questions for the design of effective treatments are discussed.
Pain-Induced Alcohol Urge and Intention to Drink: the Role of Dispositional Mindfulness

Experimental findings have shown that pain increased alcohol urge and intention to use alcohol, and that this relation was mediated by pain-induced negative affect. We sought to extend this research by examining (a) whether dispositional mindfulness moderates the indirect effect of experimental pain induction on alcohol use proxies via negative affect and (b) whether the five mindfulness facets, tested independently, differentially moderate the mediation model. Secondary data analysis of a repeated measures experimental study was conducted using moderated mediation analyses. Participants included 61 undergraduate students (Mage = 18.7, SD = 0.82; 50.8% male) who endorsed risky drinking. Results showed that the index of moderated mediation was significant for the mindfulness facets of observing, describing, and non-reactivity. Specifically, pain increased alcohol use proxies via increased negative affect for participants who were either low in non-reactivity or high in the observing or describing mindfulness facets. Conversely, negative affect was less important in the pain-alcohol relation for individuals high in non-reactivity or low in observing or describing mindfulness facets. There were no significant moderating effects of overall mindfulness or the awareness and non-judging facets. The differential relations of mindfulness facets found in this study highlight the need to consider the multifaceted nature of mindfulness when exploring the physical pain and alcohol relation. Further research should confirm whether lower levels of non-reactivity and higher levels of observing or describing may be indicators that an individual suffering from pain-related alcohol use will benefit from pain treatment that targets pain-related negative affect.
Spectral phasor analysis of autofluorescence responses from cells embedded in turbid media containing collagen

Autofluorescence spectroscopy can provide information on the metabolic status of cellular systems, but extensions of these techniques to turbid media such as tissues is complicated by the presence of multiple scattering, background fluorescence, and intrinsic absorption. Phasor analysis is a class of analytical approaches for the real-time assessment of emission signals that could be used to decipher cellular-level metabolic status of tissues. Spectral phasor analysis was originally developed for the rapid segmentation of hyperspectral images and has since been used for monitoring cellular NAD(P)H conformation from UV-excited cellular autofluorescence. Specifically, we showed previously that chemically induced autofluorescence responses in Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast) suspensions could not be accounted for using the two-component free vs. protein-bound model for conformation. Rather, by considering a series of physically similar and dissimilar chemicals acting on multiple metabolic pathways, we showed that responses affecting different pathways, e.g., involving cellular respiration versus oxidative stress, could be distinguished. Here, we seek to extend this pathway-level interpretation to the sensing of cellular metabolism in tissues by monitoring the cyanide-induced metabolic response of yeast cells embedded in media containing 9-cyanoanthracene or collagen as sources of background emission. Despite the similarity between autofluorescence and background spectra, we observe spectral behavior consistent with the discrimination of the metabolic response from the background emission. Performance over specifically selected noncontinuous spectral bands to reject chromophore absorption is also assessed.
Chapter 6 – High-Resolution Melting Curve Analysis for Molecular Diagnostics

High-resolution DNA melting is a simple, inexpensive, and homogeneous solution for genotyping of known variants and scanning for unknown variants within polymerase chain reaction products. We begin with a brief history of DNA melting along with the dye and instrument requirements for high-resolution melting and aspects of subsequent data analysis. This is followed by a description of genotyping methods, including small amplicon, unlabeled probe, and snapback primer genotyping. Next, variant scanning for single-nucleotide variants and small insertions and deletions are reviewed. Specific examples of genotyping and variant scanning for molecular diagnostics are presented and discussed. Additional applications of high-resolution melting are described including methylation analysis, rare allele detection, copy number analysis, and establishing sequence identity. Finally, tools for melting curve prediction and high-resolution melting assay design are presented.
A Graph-Learning Approach for Detecting Moral Conflict in Movie Scripts

Moral conflict is central to appealing narratives, but no methodology exists for computationally extracting moral conflict from narratives at scale. In this article, we present an approach combining tools from social network analysis and natural language processing with recent theoretical advancements in the Model of Intuitive Morality and Exemplars. This approach considers narratives in terms of a network of dynamically evolving relationships between characters. We apply this method in order to analyze 894 movie scripts encompassing 82,195 scenes, showing that scenes containing moral conflict between central characters can be identified using changes in connectivity patterns between network modules. Furthermore, we derive computational models for standardizing moral conflict measurements. Our results suggest that this method can accurately extract moral conflict from a diverse collection of movie scripts. We provide a theoretical integration of our method into the larger milieu of storytelling and entertainment research, illuminating future research trajectories at the intersection of computational communication research and media psychology.
A Portrait of an Effective Art Teacher.

This participant observation study describes an effective elementary art teacher in a working class community, and focuses on her perceptual organization, a framework of beliefs and conceptions con...
Teacher professional identity development through digital stories

Abstract Digital stories are powerful instructional tools that allow students to communicate complex concepts and emotions through both linguistic and nonlinguistic modes. A digital story is a 3–6 min multimodal video through which students can engage in critical reflection about their experiences, participate actively in the learning process, and give voice to their identities. This study analyzes two digital stories created by teacher education students in a graduate course; using a new framework that draws on Systemic Functional Linguistics, we demonstrate how these beginning teachers used digital storytelling to shape their professional identities. The results show how valuable digital stories can be in fostering reflection and teachers' development as professionals. The paper also introduces and illustrates an innovative systemic functional linguistic approach to analyzing digital stories as complex multimodal objects.
Late occurrence of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy after anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a life-threatening infection of the central nervous system in immunocompromised patients, with an established predilection in Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and stem cell transplant recipients. In the era of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T-cell), the occurrence of new-onset neurological symptoms and encephalopathy in this patient population can be attributed to a variety of factors, including therapy related neurotoxicity or disease progression. PML has not been implicated as a common cause of encephalopathy in CAR T-cell therapy recipients, and the identification of such rare infections is important to guide prognosis and treatment decisions. We hereby report the first case of late occurrence of PML, over one year after CAR T-cell therapy, for a patient with relapsed large B-cell lymphoma.
Post-Additive Manufacturing Densification and Dimensional Stability of a Commercial Stereolithography Silica Resin

Fabricating green (unfired) ceramic powder compacts with complex geometry using stereolithography is well established. The advent of a low-cost professional SLA printer with a commercial ceramic resin offers designers an intriguing material choice. For engineering uses, however, it is necessary to quantitatively assess the evolution of microstructure as well as dimensional stability during post-AM densification. In pursuit of this, we designed a standard specimen based on a hollow cube, nominally 25 mm on an edge, with a wall thickness of 4 mm. The surfaces of the cubes were decorated with short cylinders, square prisms, and a square array of short pegs. The corners of the cube were chamfered. This design permits a number of independent dimensional measurements to be readily obtained. Results include: variability of dimensions, systematic deviations from average, evidence of discontinuous delamination, and some devitrification. The sensitivity of results to some geometric features, e.g., wall thickness is reported. In a separate set of experiments, the feasibility of green state joining of subcomponents using the stereolithography resin and UV lamps was tested with a simple investment casting mold that was created. Despite qualitative success with the trial mold, engineering use of the resin appears limited. Planar accuracy of green prints to model in the X and Y directions were most precise coming in at 99.7% to the nominal design, and the Z direction was 98.1%. Post-fire shrink was observed to be around 14%, and deviation from squareness was >1%. Cracking was the biggest issue with the cube prints, and several trials were conducted in efforts to understand and eliminate the cracking. Of all the variables tested, part orientation on the build platform and strategic use of fillets were the most effective in preventing cracks. An inverted cube was successfully produced without showing horizontal post-fire cracks.
A New Look at Expected Stock Returns and Volatility

We replicate French, Schwert, and Stambaugh (1987) (FSS) with up-to-date data and new tools from the modern toolbox of econometric methods. As we proceed, we highlight the main technical details and econometric methods from the original study and, when necessary, update them. While our main goal is to replicate FSS as carefully as possible, we also aim to help new researchers quickly gain an in-depth understanding of the major features of the original study, and to demonstrate why FSS is fundamental to the asset pricing literature. We finish by text mining the titles and abstracts of over one thousand citing studies for information on why other studies cite FSS and which parts of FSS receive the most attention. After careful replication, we confirm that the main results in FSS hold and continue to hold through 2019.
Sample sizes for estimating the catch size distribution of squat lobster in north-central Chile: a resampling approach

Se analizo el desempeno de distintos tamanos de muestra para estimar la composicion de tallas de las capturas del langostino colorado ( Pleuroncodes monodon ), a partir de un procedimiento de remuestreo computacional. Se seleccionaron datos recolectados en mayo de 2002 entre los 29°10’S y 32°10’S. A partir de estos, se probaron siete escenarios de muestreo de viajes de pesca (1-7 viajes), 12 escenarios de numero de ejemplares muestreados (25, 50,…300, cada 25 ejemplares) y dos estrategias de muestreo de lances de pesca al interior de un viaje de pesca (censo de lances y muestreo sistematico). Se probo la combinacion de todos estos escenarios, lo que permitio analizar el desempeno de 168 escenarios de tamano de muestra para estimar la composicion de tallas por sexo. Los resultados indicaron una disminucion en el indice de error en la estimacion de la distribucion de frecuencia de tallas, conforme aumento el numero de viajes de pesca, con disminuciones progresivamente menores entre escenarios adyacentes. Del mismo modo, se verifico una disminucion en el indice de error al aumentar el numero de ejemplares muestreados, con mejoras marginales sobre los 175 ejemplares.
Regulation of prokineticin 2 expression by light and the circadian clock

The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) contains the master circadian clock that regulates daily rhythms of many physiological and behavioural processes in mammals. Previously we have shown that prokineticin 2 (PK2) is a clock-controlled gene that may function as a critical SCN output molecule responsible for circadian locomotor rhythms. As light is the principal zeitgeber that entrains the circadian oscillator, and PK2 expression is responsive to nocturnal light pulses, we further investigated the effects of light on the molecular rhythm of PK2 in the SCN. In particular, we examined how PK2 responds to shifts of light/dark cycles and changes in photoperiod. We also investigated which photoreceptors are responsible for the light-induced PK2 expression in the SCN. To determine whether light requires an intact functional circadian pacemaker to regulate PK2, we examined PK2 expression in cryptochrome1,2-deficient (Cry1-/-Cry2-/-) mice that lack functional circadian clock under normal light/dark cycles and constant darkness. Upon abrupt shifts of the light/dark cycle, PK2 expression exhibits transients in response to phase advances but rapidly entrains to phase delays. Photoperiod studies indicate that PK2 responds differentially to changes in light period. Although the phase of PK2 expression expands as the light period increases, decreasing light period does not further condense the phase of PK2 expression. Genetic knockout studies revealed that functional melanopsin and rod-cone photoreceptive systems are required for the light-inducibility of PK2. In Cry1-/-Cry2-/- mice that lack a functional circadian clock, a low amplitude PK2 rhythm is detected under light/dark conditions, but not in constant darkness. This suggests that light can directly regulate PK2 expression in the SCN. These data demonstrate that the molecular rhythm of PK2 in the SCN is regulated by both the circadian clock and light. PK2 is predominantly controlled by the endogenous circadian clock, while light plays a modulatory role. The Cry1-/-Cry2-/- mice studies reveal a light-driven PK2 rhythm, indicating that light can induce PK2 expression independent of the circadian oscillator. The light inducibility of PK2 suggests that in addition to its role in clock-driven rhythms of locomotor behaviour, PK2 may also participate in the photic entrainment of circadian locomotor rhythms.
The Shimmering Shining

AbstractIn response to Hegel’s thesis concerning the “end of art,” John Sallis suggests that the future or the “promise of art” may be opened in thinking through Heidegger’s essay “The Origin of the Work of Art.” Sallis proposes that this promise of art may lie in the capacity to “set forth various elements through transfigurement into shining.” In this paper I reflect on what this suggestion concerning the promise of art may mean. Furthermore, I propose that “The Origin of the Work of Art” shows a resonance with Nietzsche’s Birth of Tragedy that Heidegger’s reading of Nietzsche obscures, and that this resonance is suggested in Sallis’ earlier work on Nietzsche’s book. I suggest that the Gestalt configuration of “world” and “earth” in Heidegger’s essay echoes the configuration of the Apollonian and Dionysian in Nietzsche’s thought. I further suggest in the conclusion that this resonance enables one to draw the connection between “The Origin of the Work of Art” and Heidegger’s later work in which the promi...
Vibrational-Feedback Control Of Decentralized Systems: A Design Algorithm

A procedure for design of periodic control laws for decentralized, linear, time-invariant systems is given.
IMPREGNATION AND RECOVERABILITY OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR IN COAL USING THE PERCHLOROETHYLENE DESULFURIZATION PROCESS

ABSTRACT During the perchloroethylene extraction process, C-S bond cleavage reactions occur, which liberate labile sulfur from the organic matrix of coal into the solvent medium i.e., perchloroethylene, where it is dissolved and extracted. In this paper, the effect of impregnation of elemental sulfur in raw coal on its forms of sulfur analyses has been investigated. The effect of the same sulfur-impregnated coal on its organosulfur extractability has also been explored. Studies were conducted to observe whether the impregnated elemental sulfur was fully recoverable by the perchloroethylene extraction process. It was observed that sulfur can be very easily impregnated into the microstructure of coal. On the basis of tests on raw and impregnated coals, based on ASTM D-2492 standard, the impregnated sulfur reflects mostly in the form of organic sulfur. The impregnated sulfur which appears in the form of organic sulfur is fully recoverable via the perchloroethylene extraction
Why Do We Need Stock Brokers

The current and future states of the stock-brokerage industry are affected by the SEC's recent proposal for direct registration and by recent innovations in technology. Direct registration allows for book-entry shares registered in the names of corporate issuers as an alternative to the current practice of street-name registration. Enactment of this proposal will shorten the time required for transfer of book-entry shares between street names or from directly registered form to street-name form. This change, in turn, will lead to the unbundling of many of the services brokers now provide. Furthermore, brokers perform a number of functions that appear to be obsolete, given these innovations. The pressure on brokerage commission rates that initially began in the United States during the 1970s is likely to continue. In the extreme, stock exchanges could be organized to accommodate retail customers in the total absence of brokerage services.
The structure of monolayer films of FeO on Pt(111)

Abstract The structure and growth of iron oxide monolayers on Pt(111) has been studied by scanning tunneling microscopy. Atomically resolved images reveal a non-coincidence overlayer lattice where a short overlayer periodicity ( ∼ 3 A) is modulated by a larger periodicity of ∼ 26 A. We explain this result as due to a bilayer of FeO with structure similar to the (111) plane of wustite (cubic FeO with the NaCl structure) overlaying the Pt(111) surface. A small rotational mismatch (0.6° ± 0.3°) between overlayer and substrate is observed that produces two domains. Measurements of the relative angular rotation of these domains allowed accurate determination of the monolayer Fe-Fe (or O-O) distances as 3.09 ±0.02 A.
Why chads? Determinants of voting equipment use in the United States

This paper provides an empirical study of the determinants of voting equipment choice in the United States. We document that, in contrast to widespread belief, voting machines of older types, such as lever and punchcard systems, are not used in counties with lower income – and newer machines, such as optical scanners and electronic machines, are not used in – richer counties. We provide an economic explanation for this and other regularities of voting equipment usage in the United States. In our economic framework (a) the adoption of a new technology is more likely in richer and larger counties, but (b) the adoption of a new technology is less likely the more advanced is the technology already adopted in the county. The adoption of more advanced optical and electronic machines in the 1980s and 1990s was less likely in richer and larger counties that had already mechanized and computerized in previous decades than in poorer and smaller – and hence not yet computerized counties. Estimates of historical determinants of voting equipment choice support our hypothesis. In particular, the probability of using punchcard machines in the 1990s is positively related to a county’s income in the 1960s, when punchcard machines were first introduced. When the effect of past income is controlled for, the effect of more recent levels of income on the probability of using punchcard machines becomes negative.
Countable entities: Developmental changes ☆

The canonical countable entity for 3- and 4-year-old children is a discrete physical object. When children were asked to count labeled entities such as "forks", they counted each detached part of a fork as a separate entity. When asked to count kinds ("How many kinds of animals?") or properties ("How many colors?"), where each kind or property was exemplified by several separate objects, they included each discrete object in their count. Their counts of classes were more accurate in the absence of objects, or in the presence of a single member of each class, than in the presence of several members of each class. Young children are evidently predisposed to process discrete physical objects. Evidence is presented that, developmentally, this bias precedes learning to count. It is proposed that this discrete physical object bias facilitates mastery of counting.
Identification of relativistic nuclei with 10 ⪷ Z ⪷ 92

Abstract Using Bevalac beams, we have studied the sensitivity and charge resolution of silica glass, Melinex (polyethylene terephthalate), Lexan polycarbonate, Tuffak polycarbonate, CR-39, and bisphenol-A diallyl carbonate. We find that CR-39(DOP) has outstanding charge resolution over the range of values of Z/β from ∼10 to 40, and probably extending up to at least Z β ≈ 60; that Tuffak polycarbonate is an excellent detector for relativistic nuclei in the vicinity of Au and U and probably throughout the interval 50 ⪅ Z/β ⪅ 180, and that for particles with 150 ⪅ Z/β ⪅ 250, silica glass is adequate.
The effect of new technology on energy consumption

Abstract This paper uses patent data to estimate the effect of new technologies on energy consumption. Matching energy patent counts to the industries using these patents, I create stocks of energy knowledge for 13 industries. Including the stocks in restricted variable cost functions, I estimate the median present value of long run savings from a new patent to be over US$ 14.5 million. Combining these results with estimates of price-induced innovation, I conclude that two-thirds of the change in energy consumption with respect to a price change is due to simple price-induced factor substitution, while the remaining third results from induced innovation.
Characterizing defect trends in software support

We present an empirical analysis of defect arrival data in the operational phase of multiple software products. We find that the shape of the defect curves is sufficiently determined by three external and readily available release cycle attributes: the product type, the license model, and the cycle time between releases. This finding provides new insights into the driving forces affecting the specifics of defect curves and opens up new opportunities for software support organizations to reduce the cost of maintaining defect arrival models for individual products. In addition, it allows the possibility of predicting the defect arrival rate of one product from another with similar known attributes.
An antiport mechanism for a member of the cation diffusion facilitator family: divalent cations efflux in exchange for K+ and H+.

Members of the cation diffusion facilitator (CDF) family of membrane transport proteins are found in eukaryotes and prokaryotes. The family encompasses transporters of zinc ions, with cobalt, cadmium and lead ions being additional substrates for some prokaryotic examples. No transport mechanism has previously been established for any CDF protein. It is shown here that the CzcD protein of Bacillus subtilis, a CDF protein, uses an antiporter mechanism, catalysing active efflux of Zn 2 + in exchange for K + and H + . The exchange is probably electroneutral, energized by the transmembrane pH gradient and oppositely oriented gradients of the other cation substrates. The data suggest that Co 2 + and Cd 2 + are additional cytoplasmic substrates for CzcD. A second product of the same operon that encodes czcD has sequence similarity to oxidoreductases and is here designated CzcO. CzcO modestly enhances the activity of CzcD but is not predicted to be an integral membrane protein and has no antiport activity of its own.
Purification of bull sperm hyaluronidase by concanavalin-A affinity chromatography

Abstract A new method for obtaining highly purified hyaluronidase (hyaluronate glycanohydrolase EC 3.2.1.25) in high yield is described. Bull seminal plasma was fractionated with (NH4)2SO4 and the 30 to 65% saturation fractions were applied to a DEAE-cellulose column. The first protein peak contained hyaluronidase, β-N-acetylglucosaminidase and β-glucuronidase. The latter two enzymes were separated by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. The hyaluronidase was further purified by a Concanavalin-A Sepharose 4B affinity column. By gradient elution with α-methyl- d -glucoside a fraction which had a specific activity of 1998 units/mg protein (57 942 National Formulary Standard units/mg protein) was obtained. The highly purified enzyme showed one major protein band on acrylamide gel electrophoresis at pH 4.3. The purified hyaluronidase did not show any β-glucuronidase or β-N-acetylglucosaminidase activities. The Percent yield of purified hyaluronidase calculated on the basis of total activity was ten times higher than by any previous method [Yang, C.H. and Srivastava, P.N. (1975) J. Biol. Chem.. 250, 79–83].
Application of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography to Determination of Modifier Activity in α-Lactalbumin and Other Proteins

High-performance liquid chromatography has been applied to determination of modifier activity in α-lactalbumin (α-LA). An amino-bonded column separates uridine diphosphate (UDP) (product), UDPgalactose (substrate), and uridine monophosphate (UMP). From an aliquot of the same sample, a column for carbohydrate analysis separates lactose (the other product) and galactose-1,2 cyclic phosphate (Gal-c-P). Nucleotide peaks are detected by measurement of A262 and those of carbohydrate by 3H counting, the isotope originating from UDP-galactose-3H. A pH of 6.3 was taken as optimal for production of UDP since, at this level, the unwanted side reaction is minimized, by which UMP and Gal-c-P are formed. Thus, the conservation of substrate so effected may have contributed to an enhanced production of UDP. The reaction by which UDP and lactose are produced was linear for 120 min, as followed by UDP formation, but it continued to at least 300 min. Production of lactose was equivalent to that of UDP, when α-LA was the modifying protein. From a survey of seven other proteins, only lysozyme and ovalbumin showed ability to produce UDP. However, failure of the last two proteins to produce lactose indicates absence of modifier activity and demonstrates the need for monitoring both products.
Self localization in virtual environments using visual angles

This work analyzes judgments of self localization in immersive virtual environments. A sparse environment was created and a set of localization tasks requiring that angle estimates be made to three landmarks was presented to two sets of subjects, one given feedback and one not. Results were compared to experiments in robot navigation as well as real world perceptual experiments. Feedback improved performance as did the configuration of the landmarks use for a task.
Menu-labeling usage and its association with diet and exercise: 2011 BRFSS Sugar Sweetened Beverage and Menu Labeling module.

INTRODUCTION The primary objective of our study was to investigate the association between menu-labeling usage and healthy behaviors pertaining to diet (consumption of fruits, vegetables, sodas, and sugar-sweetened beverages) and exercise. METHODS Data from the 2011 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Sugar Sweetened Beverage and Menu-Labeling module, were used. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between menu-labeling usage and explanatory variables that included fruit, vegetable, soda, and sugar-sweetened beverage consumption as well as exercise. RESULTS Nearly half (52%) of the sample indicated that they used menu labeling. People who used menu labeling were more likely to be female (odds ratio [OR], 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.04-2.58), overweight (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00-1.29) or obese (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.12-1.50), obtain adequate weekly aerobic exercise (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.06-1.32), eat fruits (OR, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.12-1.29) and vegetables (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.05-1.20), and drink less soda (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.69-0.83). CONCLUSION Although obese and overweight people were more likely to use menu labeling, they were also adequately exercising, eating more fruits and vegetables, and drinking less soda. Menu labeling is intended to combat the obesity epidemic; however the results indicate an association between menu-labeling usage and certain healthy behaviors. Thus, efforts may be necessary to increase menu-labeling usage among people who are not partaking in such behaviors.
Closed/open string diagrammatics

Abstract We introduce a combinatorial model based on measured foliations in surfaces which captures the phenomenology of open/closed string interactions. The predicted equations are derived in this model, and new equations can be discovered as well. In particular, several new equations together with known transformations generate the combinatorial version of open/closed duality. On the topological and chain levels, the algebraic structure discovered is new, but it specializes to a modular bi-operad on the level of homology.
TORT solutions for the 3D radiation transport benchmarks for simple geometries with void region

Abstract We present the solutions for the set of three-dimensional radiation transport Benchmark problems obtained with the TORT transport code using its three optional methods: Theta Weighted (θW), Linear Nodal (LN), and Linear Characteristic (LC). Only the cases with 50% scattering are presented in this paper since the nonscattering cases are bound to suffer severe ray effects. By solving the problems on a sequence of refine meshes we illustrate that for some points defined in the benchmarks the solution converges with mesh refinement. However, the solution at most points does not converge with mesh refinement, and we illustrate that this is a consequence of ray effects in the void region. Also, we compare TORT's solutions to the Monte Carlo reference solution and observe that even when TORT's solution converges with mesh refinement, it usually does not converge to the Monte Carlo reference. This behavior also results from ray effects, and therefore we conjecture it will appear in varying degrees in all discrete ordinates accurate solutions because ray effects exist in the exact solution of the discrete ordinates equations. While this result is disappointing from the benchmarking point of view, it bodes well for TORT's ability to produce highly accurate solutions to the discrete ordinates approximation. Eliminating ray effects requires extensions of the solution algorithm, e.g. via a first collision source, while preserving the desirable features of the discrete ordinates methodology.
Should inter-collegiate football be eliminated? Assessing the arguments philosophically

Recently, there have been discussions about whether or not inter-collegiate football should be eliminated in the US. This article philosophically assesses the arguments for its elimination as well as the arguments proffered against its elimination. While a variety of arguments are discussed, a new one is brought into the foray of philosophical investigation, one that combines the unfairness and economic arguments: the health care and medical costs to others argument. It is believed that this argument is sufficient to justify the elimination of inter-collegiate football.
Object Oriented Cohesion Metrics: A Qualitative Empirical Analysis of Runtime Behavior

Software cohesion metrics measure the degree to which a class and its members are interconnected. Cohesion metrics have traditionally been captured statically, rendering useful results, but often times imprecise, as the complete set of source code is considered, in oppose to the subset of code that actually executes. In this paper, we present a new metric which measures the degree of cohesion in relation to objects of a class at runtime. As part of this study, we also perform an empirical investigation into existing runtime cohesion metrics. The metrics are validated by correlating them to bugs. We employ Rhino 1.7R4 - an open source JavaScript implementation written in Java, so as to observe the program's behavior during the runtime boundary. It is called the “runtime boundary” as object oriented quality is being measured at runtime rather than performance; normal performance metrics collected at runtime are typically neither object oriented nor focused on quality.
The Fermi-Eyges beam analysis for a heterogeneous absorbing stochastic medium

Abstract The Fermi-Eyges beam analysis yields an approximate analytic solution for the energy dependent angular flux corresponding to the steady state, finite slab, searchlight problem with a monoenergetic, normally incident, beam. Their analysis, which treats a nearly collimated beam of particles, originally entering a source-free slab through one surface as a perfectly collimated pencil beam, was restricted to a purely scattering, homogeneous medium. The purpose of this paper is to generalize the Fermi-Eyges analysis in two ways. First, in a straightforward generalization, the slab is allowed arbitrary heterogeneous properties, and further the absorption interaction is included. Second, and more significantly, we analyze such beam transport through a slab comprised of a stochastic mixture of two immiscible materials. If the material mixing is taken as Markovian, an exact stochastic model for the ensemble-averaged solution is easily constructed. Explicit scalar flux solutions are obtained in two asymptotic limits, namely: (1) the small correlation length limit; and (2) the limit of a small amount of relatively opaque material admixed with a large amount of relatively transparent material.
ULTRASOUND-ASSISTED DIAGNOSIS OF RENAL DYSPLASIA IN A 3-MONTH-OLD QUARTER HORSE COLT

A 3-month-old foal was presented for correction of bilateral angular limb deformities. Azotemia was detected as an incidental finding. Small, misshapened, hyperechoic kidneys with decreased corticomedullary demarcation were noted with ultrasonography. Additionally, the internal renal architecture was abnormal in that the intrarenal vessels and distant collecting system were not clearly seen in either kidney. Ultrasound-guided renal biopsy was suggestive of congenital renal dysplasia, which was later confirmed at necropsy. Clinical, sonographic, and pathologic features of equine renal dysplasia are discussed.
A chronic headholder minimizing facial obstructions

Abstract An easily fabricated, chronically implanted headholder providing unobstructed access to the head region is described. The apparatus is particularly useful when multisensory stimuli are employed.
Lithium Perchlorate-Doped Poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide-b-styrene) Lamellae-Forming Triblock Copolymer as High Capacitance, Smooth, Thin Film Dielectric

A symmetric poly(styrene-b-ethylene oxide-b-styrene) (SOS) triblock copolymer with block molecular weights (Mn) of 7k−14k−7k was synthesized by anionic polymerization. Various amounts of lithium pe...
A Single-Sample Procedure for the Estimation of the Largest Mean

Abstract A single-sample procedure is proposed for obtaining asymptotically optimum confidence intervals for the largest mean of k normal populations with common unknown variance.
Mitochondria and the redox control of development in cnidarians

Mitochondria are the product of an ancient symbiosis between bacteria and host cells. While mitochondria function primarily in energy conversion, increasing amounts of evidence indicate that mitochondrial metabolic state can influence various emergent features of eukaryotic cells. Important intermediaries in such redox signaling include by-products of metabolism, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS). This review uses cnidarians, a group of basally branching animals, to illustrate the many and varied effects of ROS on development. ROS from both mitochondria and algal symbionts are considered. Because some applications of ROS may lack specificity, the signaling demands of mitochondria and algae may to some extent conflict. An extensive algal symbiosis may thus be incompatible with a well-developed capacity for mitochondrial signaling.
Metropolitan social structure, labor markets, and fertility

This paper develops and examines a community-level model of fertility, incorporating both sociological and economic theoretical perspectives. Data from several government and private sources are analyzed in a series of reduced-form, multivariate regression models. Generally, the results demonstrate that while the conceptual relationships from both schools receive some empirical support, the social structural characteristics (such as social class, religious and ethnic composition) offer somewhat greater explanatory power. In a subsequent analytic stage, principal components analysis is employed in order to estimate a series of revised models, clarifying some inconsistencies found when employing a more “naive” model testing strategy.
Effects of pig leukocytes on mouse lymphatic leukemia.

Sensitized leukocytes from live pigs and isolated, perfused pig spleens produced a significant immunotherapeutic effect in AKR mice injected with syngeneic BW 5147 lymphatic leukemia. Therapeutically useful leukocytes were obtained from tumor-sensitized ex vivo perfused pig spleens and from both spleens and peripheral blood of tumor-sensitized live pigs. Therapeutic benefit was achieved only when leukocytes were incubated with tumor cells prior to injection into mice. Normal pig leukocytes were relatively less effective against tumor cells. Normal mice tolerated two injections of 106 to 108 pig leukocytes without ill effect.
L-arginine causes whereas L-argininosuccinic acid inhibits endothelium-dependent vascular smooth muscle relaxation.

Abstract This study examined the actions of L-arginine, a putative precursor of endothelium-derived nitric oxide, and arginine analogs on endothelium-dependent relaxation of isolated rings of bovine pulmonary artery. L-Arginine did not consistently relax arterial rings unless rings were first rendered refractory to endothelium-dependent relaxation by pretreatment with 1 μM A23187 for 45 min. L-Arginine-elicited relaxation was endothelium-dependent, antagonized by oxyhemoglobin or methylene blue, and unaffected by indomethacin. L-Argininosuccinic acid caused endothelium-dependent contractions and irreversible inhibition of endothelium-dependent but not nitroglycerin-elicited relaxation, which was not overcome by addition of L-arginine. Inhibition of endothelium-dependent relaxation by L-N G -monomethyl arginine, however, was reversible and overcome by L-arginine. Therefore, endothelium-dependent relaxants may cause arginine depletion in endothelial cells and endogenous argininosuccinic acid may modulate the biosynthesis of endothelium-derived nitric oxide from arginine.
A Highly Reproducible Bolus Immobilization Technique for the Treatment of Scalp Malignancies

Radiation treatment of scalp malignancies can be a challenge due to the multiple curved surfaces to which homogenous dose must be delivered. The most readily available techniques utilize linear accelerator-based technique of opposed lateral electron field abutting opposed lateral photon field with central blocking. Bolus material is used to achieve adequate skin dose. Although plans to add bolus material often occur in the virtual setting during treatment planning, the practical aspects of reproducibly maintain the bolus material along curved surfaces during the day-to-day patient setup can be a challenge. We present a case of a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp with neck node involvement treated with surgery followed by adjuvant radiotherapy. We demonstrate a unique immobilization technique that maintains the bolus material on the aquaplast mesh adherent to the patient's scalp as well as the neck. TomoTherapy with daily megavoltage computed tomography (CT) scan was utilized to verify the daily bolus position. We were able to maintain a 95% reproducibility rate. This technique reliably maintains the bolus material on the desired locations with minimum adjustments and manipulation by the therapist and is a technique that can be universally adaptable for conventional radiotherapy or intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques.
Learning Disabled and Emotionally Disturbed: Will the Labels Affect Teacher Planning?.

Teachers' conception and use of the terms “learning disability” and “emotional disturbance” was investigated in two studies to determine the implications for developing educational programs. In Study I, experienced teachers in a special education certification program categorized 106 child characteristics as LD, ED, or both LD and ED. In Study II, in-service teachers specified annual achievement goals and extent of regular class placement for the same child bearing either the LD or ED label. Results from Study I showed that the majority of child characteristics were considered by teachers to be relevant to either LD or ED labels. A subset of 23 characteristics was significantly related to one or the other label—LD characteristics representing academic and health/development areas, and ED characteristics representing psychological and behavioral areas. In Study II, teachers recalled the ED label significantly more often than the LD label, but did not specify significantly different goals or regular class participation for the child under the two labeling conditions. The findings support the conclusion that teachers can treat the LD and ED constructs as mutually exclusive when eligibility for special service is the decision, and as mutually inclusive when program-planning decisions are made.
Music Education at the New York Institution for the Blind, 1832–1863:

The purpose of this study was to document the history of music education at the New York Institution for the Blind (NYIB) from the opening of the school in 1832 through the tenure of the facility’s...
The Schmidt-Czerny-Turner spectrograph

Since the invention of the CCD detector in 1969 by George Smith and Willard Boyle, incremental innovations to the dispersive imaging spectrograph have slowly materialized in response the abounding advances in CCD detector technology. The modern Czerny-Turner type spectrograph, arguably the most commonly used instrument in optical spectroscopy, fails to uphold the ever increasing needs today's researchers demand, let alone tomorrow's. This paper discusses an innovative solution to the Czerny-Turner imaging spectrograph bridging a more than 20 year gap in development and understanding. A manifold of techniques in optical spectroscopy both advantaged and enabled by this innovation are expounded upon.
Workshop: Warfarin drug interactions: Detection, prediction, prevention

Oral anticoagulant therapy is frequently complicated by the interaction of warfarin with numerous drug compounds. While concurrent use of warfarin and interacting drugs is not an absolute contraindication, clinicians must employ various strategies to detect possible drug interactions, predict patient response, and prevent adverse clinical outcomes. Thorough ongoing patient education plays a significant role in the prevention of unreported medication use. Patient interviewing techniques must include an assessment of nonprescription drug use as well as drugs taken by prescription. Recent developments in the characterization of the stereoselective, regioselective oxidative metabolism of warfarin may help to explain the unpredictable nature of warfarin drug interactions with respect to patient susceptibility, magnitude of response, time of onset, and duration of effect. When an interacting drug is initiated, discontinued, or used intermittently, adverse clinical outcomes can be avoided by diligent monitoring of prothrombin time, routine physical assessment of patient response, and appropriate warfarin dosage alterations.
Viscosity induced non-uniform flow in laminar flow heat exchangers

Abstract Laminar flow heat exchangers which cool oil in non-interconnected parallel passages can experience non-uniform flows and a reduction in the effective heat exchanger coefficient in a range of Reynolds number which varies with tube length and diameter, tube wall temperature and fluid inlet temperature. The method of predicting the reduction in effective heat transfer coefficient and the range of Reynolds number over which these instabilities exist is presented for a particular oil, Mobil aviation oil 120. Included, also, is the prediction of the effect of radial viscosity variation on the constant property magnitudes of friction and heat transfer coefficient.
Synesthetic recipes: foraging for food with the family, in taste-space

This paper presents a new answer to one very old question, "What's for dinner?" Synesthetic Recipes is a graphical interface which allows a person to brainstorm dinner recipe ideas by describing how they imagine the recipe should taste (e.g. "hearty, mushy, moist, aromatic"); to keep mindful of the tastebuds of family members, on-screen avatars anticipating their reactions to recipes enrich the brainstorm with just-in-time family’s feedback.
Promoting Stability and Development in Fragile and Failed States

There is a growing recognition of the threat to international security posed by failed and fragile states, often marred by serious internal conflict that also has the potential of destabilising neighbouring states and providing ungoverned territory that can provide safe haven for terrorists. The inability of their governments to provide basic services is considered a significant contributory factor. Considerable donor efforts have been mobilised in recent years to help with the post-conflict reconstruction of states emerging from failure, and to halt the slide of fragile states towards failure, but with mixed effect. The international community needs to focus much more squarely on strengthening the emerging state and increasing its domestic legitimacy, rather than on promoting democracy.