cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Normal stress distribution in highly concentrated suspensions undergoing squeeze flow

Using pressure-sensitive films, the normal stress distribution is measured in suspensions of glass spheres in a Newtonian liquid undergoing constant-force squeeze flow. At volume fractions of solids up to 0.55, the normal stress distribution is independent of volume fraction and almost identical to the parabolic pressure distribution predicted for Newtonian fluids. However, at higher volume fractions, the normal stresses become an order of magnitude larger near the center and very low beyond that region. At these high volume fractions, the normal stresses decrease in the outer regions and increase in the inner regions as the squeezing proceeds. The normal stress distribution that results when the glass spheres without any fluid are subjected to squeeze flow is very similar to that for suspensions with volume fractions above 0.55, suggesting that the cause for the drastic changes in the normal stress distribution is the jamming of the particles in the suspension.
A note on Bayesian residuals as a hierarchical model diagnostic technique

When one wants to check a tentatively proposed model for departures that are not well specified, looking at residuals is the most common diagnostic technique. Here, we investigate the use of Bayesian standardized residuals to detect unknown hierarchical structure. Asymptotic theory, also supported by simulations, shows that the use of Bayesian standardized residuals is effective when the within group correlation, ρ, is large. However, we show that standardized residuals may not detect hierarchical structure when ρ is small. Thus, if it is important to detect modest hierarchical structure (i.e., ρ small) one should use other diagnostic techniques in addition to the standardized residuals. We use “quality of care” data from the Patterns of Care Study, a two-stage cluster sample of patients undergoing radiation therapy for cervix cancer, to illustrate the potential use of these residuals to detect missing hierarchical structure.
Prefiltering Two-Dimensional Polygons without Clipping

In this paper, an improved algorithm for prefiltering two-dimensional polygons is presented. The part of the polygon within the mask of a filter is decomposed into basic component regions whose parameters can be easily computed. Given the parameters, the integral of the filter over the basic component region can be looked up from a table or even be computed with a closed-form solution. The integral or its negative is then added to the accumulation buffer of the pixel according to whether the pixel center is outside the component region or not. After travelling all polygon edges, the accumulation buffers are shifted by integers so that they are all between 0 and 1. In this way, the expensive clipping of the polygons against the filter mask becomes unnecessary.
Rank-Based Estimation for GARCH Processes

We consider a rank-based technique for estimating generalized autoregressive conditionally heteroskedastic (GARCH) model parameters, some of which are scale transformations of conventional GARCH parameters. The estimators are obtained by minimizing a rank-based residual dispersion function similar to the one given in Jaeckel (1972, Annals of Mathematical Statistics43, 1449–1458). They are useful for GARCH order selection and preliminary estimation. We give a limiting distribution for the rank estimators that holds when the true parameter vector is in the interior of its parameter space and when some GARCH parameters are zero. The limiting theory is used to show that the rank estimators are robust, can have the same asymptotic efficiency as maximum likelihood estimators, and are relatively efficient compared to traditional Gaussian and Laplace quasi-maximum likelihood estimators. The behavior of the estimators for finite samples is studied via simulation, and we use rank estimation to fit a GARCH model to exchange rate log-returns.
SHOTPUT: A JPL Planetary Summer Science School study

During 2015, a unique launch opportunity exists that allows for a New-Frontiers-class mission to discover a compositional gradient of small bodies in our solar system. The proposed seven year mission includes a flyby of main belt asteroid (108144) 2001 HM1, a flyby and impactor release (a la Deep Impact) at the Trojan asteroid (624) Hektor (a suspected contact binary) with companion P/2006, and a flyby with impactor release at the Centaur asteroid 39P/Oterma. The variety of types and positions of these small bodies will help answer some of the fundamental questions we have for the evolution and composition of our solar system. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Planetary Science Summer School team has designed a mission designed to address all of these scientific questions and design objectives. We will describe instrument selection, launch dates and mission timetables, measurement and encounter strategies, impactor design and benefits, data acquisition and communication tradeoffs and provide background into the mission science goals. Furthermore, cost estimates and a work breakdown will be provided to prove the practicality 978-1-4244-2622-5/09/$25.00 ©2009 IEEE. IEEEAC paper #1634, Version 2, Updated Jan 7, 2009 of meeting all the science objectives within a short period of time. A strategy for the development of our system based upon previously used instruments and hardware will also be presented.
Guest editorial: Special issue on bioinformatics and computational biology

Bioinformatics and computational biology research is fundamental to our understanding of complex biological systems, impacting the science and technology of fields ranging from agricultural and environmental sciences to pharmaceutical and medical sciences. It is one of the fastest developing research fields in the last two decades. High throughput biological data that are used to provide information at molecular and genetic level are rapidly generated. Almost all research problems in biological and medical sciences nowadays are computationally hard. Computational techniques have become an indispensable tool to discover new biological insights. It has already enabled unprecedented advances in biological and medical sciences, and will continue to be a vibrant research area with broadening of computational techniques and new emerging challenges.
Iodine Tagging Velocimetry in a Mach 10 Wake

A variation on molecular tagging velocimetry (MTV) [1] designated iodine tagging velocimetry (ITV) is demonstrated. Molecular iodine is tagged by two-photon absorption using an Argon Fluoride (ArF) excimer laser. A single camera measures fluid displacement using atomic iodine emission at 206 nm. Two examples ofMTVfor cold-flowmeasurements areN2OMTV [2] and Femtosecond Laser Electronic Excitation Tagging [3]. These, like most MTV methods, are designed for atmospheric pressure applications. Neither can be implemented at the low pressures (0.1- 1 Torr) in typical hypersonic wakes. Of all the single-laser/singlecamera MTV approaches, only Nitric-Oxide Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence-based MTV [4] has been successfully demonstrated in a Mach 10 wake. Oxygen quenching limits transit times to 500 ns and accuracy to typically 30%. The present note describes the photophysics of the ITV method. Off-body velocimetry along a line is demonstrated in the aerothermodynamically important and experimentally challenging region of a hypersonic low-pressure near-wake in a Mach 10 air wind tunnel. Transit times up to 10 μs are demonstrated with conservative errors of 10%.
A fast algorithm for active contours and curvature estimation

A model for representing image contours in a form that allows interaction with higher level processes has been proposed by Kass et al. (in Proceedings of First International Conference on Computer Vision, London, 1987, pp. 259–269). This active contour model is defined by an energy functional, and a solution is found using techniques of variational calculus. Amini et al. (in Proceedings, Second International Conference on Computer Vision, 1988, pp. 95–99) have pointed out some of the problems with this approach, including numerical instability and a tendency for points to bunch up on strong portions of an edge contour. They proposed an algorithm for the active contour model using dynamic programming. This approach is more stable and allows the inclusion of hard constraints in addition to the soft constraints inherent in the formulation of the functional; however, it is slow, having complexity O(nm3), where n is the number of points in the contour and m is the size of the neighborhood in which a point can move during a single iteration. In this paper we summarize the strengths and weaknesses of the previous approaches and present a greedy algorithm which has performance comparable to the dynamic programming and variational calculus approaches. It retains the improvements of stability, flexibility, and inclusion of hard constraints introduced by dynamic programming but is more than an order of magnitude faster than that approach, being O(nm). A different formulation is used for the continuity term than that of the previous authors so that points in the contour are more evenly spaced. The even spacing also makes the estimation of curvature more accurate. Because the concept of curvature is basic to the formulation of the contour functional, several curvature approximation methods for discrete curves are presented and evaluated as to efficiency of computation, accuracy of the estimation, and presence of anomalies.
Planning and Problem Solving in Teacher Education

Neely presents findings from an experimental study investigat ing the effects of training in cognitive monitoring on preservice teacher lesson planning. Lesson plans and lesson implementa tion were found to be significantly more effective for prospective teachers trained in cognitive monitoring. Implications are dis cussed regarding the inclusion of problem solving training in teacher preparation programs.
Comparison of Changes in Mesenteric Resistance Following Splanchnic Nerve Stimulation with Responses to Epinephrine and Norepinephrine

This is a study of the characteristics of the splanchnic nerve supply to the mesenteric vascular circuit. The flow and pressure responses in the dog's superior mesenteric artery to splanchnic nerve stimulation and to intraarterial injections of epinephrine and norepinephrine, before and during various levels of adrenergic blockade, are analyzed. The results suggest that the splanchnic nerve contains only vasoconstrictor fibers, the mediator of which is probably norepinephrine, but that it also contains fibers which induce the release of epinephrine from the adrenal gland. No evidence for the presence of cholinergic dilator fibers was found.
Effect of transrespiratory pressure on PETCO2-PaCO2 and ventilatory reflexes in humans

Inspiratory muscle activity increases when lung volume is increased by continuous positive-pressure breathing in conscious human subjects (Green et al., Respir. Physiol. 35: 283-300, 1978). Because end-tidal CO2 pressure (PETCO2) does not change, these increases have not been attributed to chemoreflexes. However, continuous positive-pressure breathing at 20 cmH2O influences the end-tidal to arterial CO2 pressure differences (Folkow and Pappenheimer, J. Appl. Physiol. 8: 102-110, 1955). We have compared PETCO2 with arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2). We have compared PETCO2 with arterial CO2 pressure (PaCO2) in healthy human subjects exposed to continuous positive airway pressure (10 cmH2O) or continuous negative pressure around the torso (-15 cmH2O) sufficient to increase mean lung volume by about 650 ml. The difference between PETCO2 and PaCO2 was not decreased, and we conclude that PETCO2 is a valid measure of chemical drive to ventilation in such circumstances. We observed substantial increases in respiratory muscle electromyograms during pressure breathing as seen previously and conclude this response must originate by proprioception. On average, the compensation of tidal volume thus afforded was complete, but the wide variability of individual responses suggests that there was a large cerebral cortical component in the responses seen here.
HIV-1-Related Central Nervous System Disease: Current Issues in Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment

HIV-associated central nervous system (CNS) injury continues to be clinically significant in the modern era of HIV infection and therapy. A substantial proportion of patients with suppressed HIV infection on optimal antiretroviral therapy have impaired performance on neuropsychological testing, suggesting persistence of neurological abnormalities despite treatment and projected long-term survival. In the underresourced setting, limited accessibility to antiretroviral medications means that CNS complications of later-stage HIV infection continue to be a major concern. This article reviews key recent advances in our understanding of the neuropathogenesis of HIV, focusing on basic and clinical studies that reveal viral and host features associated with viral neuroinvasion, persistence, and immunopathogenesis in the CNS, as well as issues related to monitoring and treatment of HIV-associated CNS injury in the current era.
Fatigue of Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia: II, Crack Propagation, Fatigue Striations, and Short-Crack Behavior

Fatigue crack propagation in 3Y-TZP was investigated using controlled surface flaws. A unique growth law strongly dependent on the maximum stress intensity factor and quadratically dependent on the amplitude of the range of stress intensity factor was established. This growth law was found to apply for both surface flaws and internal flaws and could be used to predict fatigue lifetime. The presence of residual stress altered the growth mechanics so that an inverse growth rate dependence on the applied stress, reminiscent of the so-called "short-crack behavioe was manifested. Fatigue striations resulting from alternate overload fracture and fatigue fracture during stress cycling were observed. The appearance of striations varied with the R ratio and was very sensitive to the loading condition and crack geometry.
How physicians treat mentally distressed men and women

There is speculation that women receive different medical care than men because physicians have stereotyped views about women's symptoms and treatment preferences. This paper asks if men and women who visit physicians for mental distress receive comparable medical care and, if not. whether medical considerations or psychosocial ones explain the differences. Data are from a large national survey of ambulatory care visits in the United States. We find that women and men are equul/~s likely to report mental distress as their main problem to physicians. Physicians determine that distressed men have mental disorders more often than distressed women. On the whole, distressed men and women receive similar numbers of diagnostic services, therapeutic services and dispositions for follow-up care. The kin& of services and dispositions differ a little: women tend to receive limited examinations, blood pressure checks and drug prescriptions more often; men are more likely to have general examinations, medical counseling or no service at all. Women are retained for follow-up care with the same physician more often; men tend to be sent elsewhere for additional care or no follow-up plans at all are made for them. Sex differences in care are statistically small (only 6 "/; of the many comparisons are significant at P < 0.05). But the significant differences highlight two points: when differential care occurs, it is in non ps.vchiu~ris/s offices and it usually shows H'OIIICII receiving more of a given service or disposition. Differential care for women and men can be due to medical factors (such as patient age. prior visit status, seriousness of problem) or psychosocial ones (such as patient requests, patient emotionality. physician sex bias). When we control for several medical factors. the significant sex differences persist. This suggests that the extra care distressed women sometimes receive from nonpsychiatrists is due to patient behavior or physician attitudes. Do physicians hold stereotypic views of men and women patients which affect the medical care they provide? Women's health advocates assert that women receive biased care, especially during visits for mental distress and reproductive concerns. They sug- gest that physicians tend to attribute psychological problems too readily to women. discount women's physical symptoms as more minor than men's, pro- vide cursory diagnostic services to women, prescribe drugs too freely to them and plan less appropriate follow-up care (l-4). These concerns have been but- tressed by anecdotal evidence from patients, but not by broader scientific evidence. To date, scientific research on physician sex bias is scant, and it does not consistently show sexual stereotypes or biased treat- ment. This paper focuses on medical care given to men- tally distressed men and women. Prior research on sex differences in mental health has emphasized the prel:alence of mental problems in large populations
From protein coagulation and reversible denaturation to the protein folding problem: Chris Anfinsen defining the transition.

The name ChristianB.Anfinsenis intricately interwoven with the con- cept of protein folding, the theme of thisissue.Ifeelbothhonoredand Norwegian family from Bergen that settledinPennsylvania.He received his undergraduate degree from Swarthmoreand hisM.S. in organic chemistry from the Universityof Pennsylvania.In 1939, he went on an American-Scandinavian Founda- tion Fellowship to the Carlsberg Laboratories in Copenhagen to study enzyme chemistry,butWorld War II interrupted thisvisit. Afterreturning to theStates, he begangraduatestud- ies and receivedhisPh.D.inbiologi- cal chemistry from Harvard Medical School in 1943. In 1946 he joined the faculty of the Department of Bio- logical Chemistry at Harvard, where he stayed until 1950. During that pe- riod he spent a year (1947-1948) in the laboratory of Hugo Theorell at theMedicalNobelInstitute in Stock- holm developing his interests in en- zyme purification and protein chemistry. In 1950 Chris left Harvard to be- come chief of the Laboratory of Cel- lular Physiology in the National Heart Institute at NIH. In the years that followed, Chris's laboratory pub- lished findings along two distinct linesof research:one more applied and dealingwiththe metabolismof plasma lipoproteins, and the other more basic and addressing funda- mental issues of protein structure,
Susceptibility and Protection of Naive and Vaccinated Racing Pigeons (Columbia livia) Against Exotic Newcastle Disease Virus from the California 2002-2003 Outbreak

Abstract The susceptibility, immune response, and protection to challenge after vaccination in racing pigeons (Columbia livia) was assessed with the 2002–2003 exotic Newcastle disease (END) virus responsible for the most recent major outbreak in Southern California. Immunologically naive pigeons appeared resistant to disease, regardless of dose, after a natural route of exposure. Twenty percent morbidity was observed in each group of birds receiving between 102.1 and 108.1 50% embryo infectious dose (EID50) per bird, with one bird succumbing to challenge in the 108.1 EID50/bird group at day 12 postinoculation. Although resistant to disease, birds in all groups continued to shed virus from either oral or cloacal route at the end of the 14-day sampling period, and seroconversion was only observed in birds receiving ≥106.1 EID50. Single or double vaccination of juvenile and adult birds with pigeon paramyxovirus virus type 1 (PPMV-1) vaccine followed by END challenge with 106.1 EID50/bird decreased the durati...
Why Community College Students Need Great Books.

As community colleges increasingly embrace their vocational role at the expense of their general education mission, the author of this chapter argues that a curriculum centered on a “Great Books” canon as developed by Mortimer Adler in the 1920s would revitalize liberal education at community colleges and serve both the general education requirements and the future employability of students.
Effect of low-frequency magnetic fields on brain electrical activity in human subjects

Objective: To measure the response rate of normal human subjects to a low-strength, low-frequency magnetic field (MF), using nonlinear quantitative analysis of the electroencephalogram (EEG). Methods: Eight subjects were exposed to a series of trials, each consisting of the application of the MF (1 G, 60 Hz) for 2 s followed by a field-free period of 5 s, and the EEG was analyzed statistically using phase-space methods to assess whether the subject detected the MF. Results: Each subject exhibited statistically significant changes in the EEG during presentation of the MF, as evidenced by increases in percent determinism and percent recurrence, two different measures of deterministic structure in the recorded signal, thereby indicating that the MF had been detected. Conclusions: The 100% response rate manifested by the study group suggested that the ability to detect low-strength, low-frequency MFs is a common property of the human nervous system. q 2004 International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
Immunologic late effects in children and adults

T HE RELATIONSHIPS among the processes of cancer development, cancer treatment, and immune function are complex and multifaceted. The immune system has a unique position within the field of oncology in that failure of immune function appears to play a role in the development of cancer as well as a result from the cancer and its treatment. Specific alterations in immune function are implicated as permissive events that contribute to cancer development. Cancer itself, as an invasive disease, frequently has been found to suppress the activity of various cells involved in the immune response. Moreover, all standard treatments for cancer (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy) alter immune function to some degree during the course of treatment. These alterations range from total depression of all immune function to transient stimulation of specific leukocyte proliferation and activity. Although most oncology clinicians are aware of the specific immune function alterations that occur among cancer patients who are receiving therapy, relatively little information has been documented regarding the late effects of cancer treatment on immune function. This article will explore the current empirical and experimental data that indicate how cancer treatments induce alterations in immune function, the persistence of these alterations, and to what degree long-term immunologic alterations can be expected to affect children and adult cancer survivors.
Chapter 2 Reconstruction of Cultured Mammalian Cells from Nuclear and Cytoplasmic Parts

Publisher Summary This chapter describes reconstruction of cultured mammalian cells from nuclear and cytoplasmic parts. The techniques of cell fusion using inactivated Sendai virus and cell enucleation using cytochalasin B (CB) can be coupled to reconstruct mammalian cells in tissue culture. The technique is straightforward and should be valuable in the analysis of nuclear–cytoplasmic interactions involved in the determination of cell behavior. The method described in the chapter for the reconstruction of tissue-culture cells using the components produced by enucleation of the cells using CB uses well-established techniques. It is applicable to most tissue-culture cells, and permits reciprocal nuclear exchanges. It should be applicable in studying several aspects of nuclear–cytoplasmic interactions. Reconstructed cells obtained using this procedure are viable. Such cells are observed in mitotic configurations. The markers described are suitable for limited observations, because dilution of the latex spheres and radioactive label by cellular division is not severe. Latex spheres are an excellent marker as their distribution into the daughter cells allows positive identification of the daughters.
Samples, Species, and Speculations in the Study of Modern Human Origins

In many respects, the genesis of renewed interest in the origin of modern humans, which has characterized paleoanthropology in recent years, coincides with a series of ideas published in a single volume eight years ago (Smith and Spencer 1984). In this volume, two basic paleontological viewpoints central to the present debate on the pattern and mode of modern human origins were initially articulated in detail. First, the Afro-European “sapiens hypothesis” (Brauer 1984) presented a detailed argument for a monocentric origin of modern humans in Africa, based on the pertinent fossil hominid record. Additionally, although long favoring a classical monocentric origin for modern people, Stringer provides his first unequivocal endorsement of Africa as that center of origin (Stringer, Hublin & Vandermeersch 1984). Second, the basis for modern multiregional evolutionary thinking was articulated by Wolpoff, Wu & Thorne (1984); and regional continuity was suggested to characterize various regions of Eurasia, albeit to differing degrees depending on author and region (Smith 1984; Trinkaus 1984)
Tribute to Patrick J. Mulrow, MD

The friends and colleagues of Patrick Joseph Mulrow, MD, were saddened to learn of his death on December 3, 2015, just 13 days short of his 89th birthday. Pat is well known to the hypertension research community both for his research on the regulation of aldosterone and his skill as a clinician, but especially for his exemplary gift for leadership. Dr Mulrow did his undergraduate degree (AB, cum laude) at Colgate University, and he graduated from Cornell University Medical College in 1951 (Michaelis Prize for Excellence in Medicine). His further education was a residency at New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center and an endocrinology fellowship at Stanford University. His earliest publications starting in 1956 are an …
Canonical Models of Dielectric Response

interconnected response functions: the dielectric function "(!), index of refraction N(!), conductivity (!), and optical impedance Z(!). Here we utilize three canonical models of dielectric response { the damped harmonic oscillator, Debye polarization response, and the Drude model { to discuss these four optical response functions. Special emphasis is devoted to the response of a Drude metal. Our main focus is on electromagnetic wave propagation through a material. We also discuss the relaxation of charge uctuations within the context of the three canonical models of response.
In search of complexity

the last decade of intense research brought new understanding of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Indeed, in vitro studies at the molecular level shed light on how airway smooth muscle contracts ([12][1]) and how inflammation affects
Cumulative Subject Index to Volumes 16-30 of the NACADA Journal

The first cumulative index to the contents of the NACADA Journal, covering the first 15 years of publication, was published in 1995. This second cumulative index covers the subsequent 15 years of the Journal, making it possible for readers to follow the progress of scholarship in academic advising concerning subjects of interest across all 30 years of publication of the NACADA Journal.
AI-09PATTERNS OF SALVAGE TREATMENT FOR HIGH GRADE GLIOMA IN THE TEMOZOLOMIDE ERA

PURPOSE: High grade gliomas (HGGs) are aggressive malignancies that recur despite trimodality treatment with surgery, radiation therapy (RT), and temozolomide (TMZ). We analyzed patients treated at our institution for factors associated with mortality in recurrent disease following trimodality therapy. METHODS: From 1/2000 to 9/2012, 437 consecutive patients with HGG (92 Grade III and 345 Grade IV) received trimodality therapy. Bevacizumab (Bev) was given in 11.7%. Initial RT schema was full-course to 56-60 Gy in 76%, whole-brain in 3%, short-course in 12%, and high-dose hypofractionated in 9%. Patient, tumor, upfront and salvage treatment-related factors were assessed. Survival rates were calculated by Kaplan-Meier methods, and Cox-regression modeling was utilized to calculate hazard ratios (HR); all confidence intervals (CI) are 95%. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 14 months; 17 months for surviving patients. The 1-year local control was 36.8% (31.8-41.8%), 59% (50.2-69.8%), and 30.7% (25.3-35.4%) for the entire cohort, Grade III, and Grade IV patients, respectively (P < .001). Salvage surgery was performed in 27.6%, salvage RT in 11.3%, and salvage chemotherapy (CT) in 83.1% of patients. Salvage CT included Bev in 41.6% and TMZ in 52.3% of patients. Factors associated with overall survival (OS) after LF included age at diagnosis (P < .001), KPS (P < .001), initial surgery (P < .001), initial uni- vs. bilateral disease (P < .001), grade (P < .001), initial RT schema (P < .001), salvage RT (P = .024), salvage Bev (P = .006), and salvage TMZ (P < .001). On multivariable analysis, the only treatment-related factor that retained significance for reduced mortality in patients with LF was use of salvage Bev [HR 0.65 (43-.97), P = .036]. CONCLUSIONS: In this large retrospective series of patients with HGG treated with trimodality therapy, local failure was common. Bevacizumab was the only physician-controlled factor associated with improved survival after failure. However, only 11.3% of our cohort received salvage RT. Further controlled studies are necessary to determine optimal salvage therapy.
MTIC (Carousel) Fraud: Twelve Ways Forward; Two Ways 'Preferred' - Has the Technology-Based Administrative Solution Been Rejected?

In a May 31, 2006 Communication to the Council, the European Parliament, and the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Commission indicated a need to develop a co-ordinated strategy to improve the fight against fiscal fraud [COM(2006) 254 final]. Although the Communication considers fiscal fraud broadly (VAT, excise duties and direct taxes) the most pressing need seems to be for a VAT strategy that will effectively deal with MTIC (Missing Trader Intra-Community) or carousel fraud. To this end the Commission hosted a conference: Fiscal Fraud - Tackling VAT Fraud: Possible Ways Forward. The March 29, 2007 conference was constructed workshop-style, and divided into three concurrent sessions What was the way forward? On February 22, 2008 a press release and a communication from the Commission indicated that after consideration, the ECOFIN Council of June 5, 2007 was of the opinion that two ways were preferred: "... [1] a generalized reverse-charge system, where liability for VAT payments would be shifted from the supplier to the purchaser,... [and 2] taxing intra-Community supplies of goods." Among these, the second "way" is preferred over the first. "... [T]he preferred system of taxing intra-Community supplies should be based on taxation in the Member State of departure and not in the Member State of arrival..." Both of these solutions require significant structural changes to be made to the VAT. The Commissions assessment of these preferred ways forward is not overwhelmingly positive. These ways forward require significant structural changes. On May 31, 2006 the Commission (as opposed to the ECOFIN) had been of the opinion that an administrative (not a structural) solution was preferable. In addition, the Commission wanted a technological solution that would advance the Lisbon Strategy. Has a technology-based administrative solution to MTIC (carousel) fraud been rejected? The answer is no. No, because no such solution has even been considered. This paper makes such a proposal. The proposal is for a limited adoption of the Digital VAT (D-VAT) throughout the EU, and community-wide (and coordinated) adoption of the recently enacted French rules that remove zero-rates from high-risk intra-community cross-border transactions. This solution creates a surgical disincentive that targets the cross-border trade identified as high-risk MTIC (carousel) fraud trade. At the present time this trade is in cell phones and computer chips, if MTIC (carousel) migrates to other products so too would this solution. This proposal flexibly re-directs market forces so that the market itself becomes a barrier to MTIC (carousel) fraud. Unlike all other proposals, this approach involves no structural change to the VAT itself. It simply seeks digitization and certification of the current system.
Penile agenesis: a fatal variation of an uncommon lesion.

AbstractTwo male neonates (46XY karyotype) were born with a triad of penile agenesis associated with imperforate anus and complete absence of the median raphe. Both patients died of renal dysplasia and secondary pulmonary hypoplasia shortly after birth. This triad appears to be secondary to a lack of caudal mesoderm migration during month 1 of gestation, leading to severe developmental defects in the caudal axis. In all reported cases to date this triad of findings has been incompatible with extrauterine life. (J. Urol., 143: 338–339, 1990)
1,1-Dichloroethylene hepatotoxicity. Time course of GSH changes and biochemical aberrations

Exposure of fasted rats to 200 ppm 1,1-dichloroethylene (1,1-DCE) for 1-4 hours resulted in striking aberrations in hepatic Na, K, Ca, and GSH levels which preceded and/or accompanied catastrophic histologic alterations of the liver. Na levels began to rise during the first hour, and preceded the morphologically apparent injury. Ca levels increased markedly and K levels declined between the second and fourth hour of exposure, and accompanied the catastrophic morphologic alterations. GSH levels were rapidly depleted but began to recover before the end of the exposure to 1,1-DCE. Functions of components of the mixed-function oxidase system of the liver endoplasmic reticulum were not appreciably affected early in the course of 1,1-DCE exposure; but after injury became massive, cytochrome P-450 and oxidative N-demethylase were deactivated. Thus effects on the functional components of the endoplasmic reticulum mixed-function oxidase system do not appear to be primary events in 1,1-DCE cytotoxicity. In contrast, there were progressive declines in mitochondrial K and marked imbalances in mitochondrial Na, Zn, and Mg preceding the massive influx of Ca into the cell, indicating that mitochondria are involved early in he evolution of injurious molecular events elicited by this potent hepatotoxin.
Chapter III.6 – Hematopoietic Cells

Publisher Summary One of the primary motivations for developing tissue engineering is for the implementation of cellular therapies. Cellular therapies use transplanted or grafted human cells as therapeutic agents to affect a pathological condition. Cellular therapies are not new. Blood transfusion of red blood cells into anemic patients to restore adequate oxygen transport has been practiced for decades with much therapeutic success and benefit. Similarly, platelets have been successfully transfused into patients who have blood-clotting problems. Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has been practiced for about two decades, and tens of thousands of cancer patients annually undergo high-dose chemo- and radiotherapies with BMT. More recently, transplantation of mobilized peripheral blood stem cells has grown rapidly, and is expanding the clinical use of hematopoietic stem cell transplants. A number of experimental and established hematopoietic cell therapies exist. The newer hematopoietic cell therapies require cell selection, manipulation, and growth. Several important engineering challenges exist for the implementation of these cellular therapies. Stem cells play a key role in all hematopoietic cell therapies and tissue engineering. As for tissue engineering in general, hematopoietic cell therapy applications are likely to focus on stem cell biology. Procuring stem cells at an early ontological age and learning how to control their replication and differentiation programs are likely to represent key challenges in hematopoietic tissue engineering, as well as for tissue engineering in general.
Optimally Adjusted Mixture Sampling and Locally Weighted Histogram Analysis

ABSTRACTConsider the two problems of simulating observations and estimating expectations and normalizing constants for multiple distributions. First, we present a self-adjusted mixture sampling method, which accommodates both adaptive serial tempering and a generalized Wang–Landau algorithm. The set of distributions are combined into a labeled mixture, with the mixture weights depending on the initial estimates of log normalizing constants (or free energies). Then, observations are generated by Markov transitions, and free energy estimates are adjusted online by stochastic approximation. We propose two stochastic approximation schemes by Rao–Blackwellization of the scheme commonly used, and derive the optimal choice of a gain matrix, resulting in the minimum asymptotic variance for free energy estimation, in a simple and feasible form. Second, we develop an offline method, locally weighted histogram analysis, for estimating free energies and expectations, using all the simulated data from multiple distrib...
New Model of Teacher Learning in an Online Network

AbstractWhile many researchers have examined teacher participation and professional development in online networks and communities, few have looked at the factors and contexts that shape how teachers learn in these online spaces. Examining teachers' learning processes within these online spaces can yield important insights for scholars, school leaders, and teacher educators who are interested in designing online networks and communities or supporting teacher professional development within these spaces. This study was designed to shed light on the multifaceted nature of teacher learning within an online network environment. Data were collected through an online survey and in-depth interviews of members in the Edmodo math subject community. A thematic analysis was conducted across the two data sets in order to identify patterns of actions and factors that shaped the participants' learning processes. A new model of teacher learning was developed to display teacher learning as an iterative, multistep process...
Development and Evaluation of the American College of Surgeons NSQIP Pediatric Surgical Risk Calculator.

Background There is an increased desire among patients and families to be involved in the surgical decision-making process. A surgeon's ability to provide patients and families with patient-specific estimates of postoperative complications is critical for shared decision making and informed consent. Surgeons can also use patient-specific risk estimates to decide whether or not to operate and what options to offer patients. Our objective was to develop and evaluate a publicly available risk estimation tool that would cover many common pediatric surgical procedures across all specialties. Study Design American College of Surgeons NSQIP Pediatric standardized data from 67 hospitals were used to develop a risk estimation tool. Surgeons enter 18 preoperative variables (demographics, comorbidities, procedure) that are used in a logistic regression model to predict 9 postoperative outcomes. A surgeon adjustment score is also incorporated to adjust for any additional risk not accounted for in the 18 risk factors. Results A pediatric surgical risk calculator was developed based on 181,353 cases covering 382 CPT codes across all specialties. It had excellent discrimination for mortality (c-statistic = 0.98), morbidity (c-statistic = 0.81), and 7 additional complications (c-statistic > 0.77). The Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic and graphic representations also showed excellent calibration. Conclusions The ACS NSQIP Pediatric Surgical Risk Calculator was developed using standardized and audited multi-institutional data from the ACS NSQIP Pediatric, and it provides empirically derived, patient-specific postoperative risks. It can be used as a tool in the shared decision-making process by providing clinicians, families, and patients with useful information for many of the most common operations performed on pediatric patients in the US.
Considerations on Project Execution

Friday, September 28, 2007, was a sunny, warm day in autumn. The leaves were starting to turn from a luscious green to shades of yellow and bright red. That Friday had been defined as the milestone that completed the precisely scheduled development phase of a nonagile, stage-gated project. On this milestone, programmers were supposed to hand over their achievements to the test team. The project managers had been reporting a reassuring green status in their reports over the past weeks. Their good-looking PowerPoint charts had been passed up the management chain and inspired great confidence. The entire team was looking forward to a relaxing weekend, as the last weeks of the development phase had been extremely strenuous. In long hours, everyone had been rushing to complete the work that had been assigned to them. The developers had managed to check-in an incredible amount of last-minute code changes into the source control system. But there was one ugly detail: Many lines of code had been accumulated off-line and were now added to the main code stream just in time to meet the deadline of the milestone. The build stability decreased rapidly. Build breaks occurred more often, and even once the basic compiler errors were resolved, the product was still not installable. Just too much code had been added concurrently. Interfaces of components were out sync, and version conflicts had to be resolved. And worst of all: there had not been enough focus on testing. Especially the integration testing across the functional units had been gravely neglected. But in spite of these problems, on that particular Friday, the coding was complete, as scheduled and promised.
Enhancing data persistence for energy constrained networks by network modulation

Maintaining data persistence in a scalable fashion for large-scale distributed systems has become critical and essential. It becomes more challenging when nodes have finite energy. In this work, we propose a novel approach called network modulation (NeMo) to significantly improve the data persistence. Built on algebraic number theory, NeMo operates at the level of modulated symbols. Its core notion is to mix data at intermediate network nodes and meanwhile guarantee the symbol recovery at the sink(s) without pre-storing or waiting for other symbols. The persistence performance of NeMo has been evaluated by simulations to show that the proposed approach is efficient to enhance the data persistence for energy-constrained networks.
E-cadherin and LGN align epithelial cell divisions with tissue tension independently of cell shape

Tissue morphogenesis requires the coordinated regulation of cellular behavior, which includes the orientation of cell division that defines the position of daughter cells in the tissue. Cell division orientation is instructed by biochemical and mechanical signals from the local tissue environment, but how those signals control mitotic spindle orientation is not fully understood. Here, we tested how mechanical tension across an epithelial monolayer is sensed to orient cell divisions. Tension across Madin-Darby canine kidney cell monolayers was increased by a low level of uniaxial stretch, which oriented cell divisions with the stretch axis irrespective of the orientation of the cell long axis. We demonstrate that stretch-induced division orientation required mechanotransduction through E-cadherin cell-cell adhesions. Increased tension on the E-cadherin complex promoted the junctional recruitment of the protein LGN, a core component of the spindle orientation machinery that binds the cytosolic tail of E-cadherin. Consequently, uniaxial stretch triggered a polarized cortical distribution of LGN. Selective disruption of trans engagement of E-cadherin in an otherwise cohesive cell monolayer, or loss of LGN expression, resulted in randomly oriented cell divisions in the presence of uniaxial stretch. Our findings indicate that E-cadherin plays a key role in sensing polarized tensile forces across the tissue and transducing this information to the spindle orientation machinery to align cell divisions.
Self-Awareness And Altruism

The concept of altruism is defined and distinguished from other social interactions. Contrasting theories on the evolution and maintenance of altruism in natural populations are discussed. Many biologists argue against group selection and altruism espoused by Wynne-Edwards. Many behaviors that seem to be altruistic can be interpreted more parsimoniously by natural selection principles. Kin selection, kin-group selection, and reciprocal altruism are principles advanced to explain behaviors thought to be altruistic. Humans, chimpanzees, and orangutans have self-identity, and this capacity may allow organisms to transcend natural selection models of altruism.
Security-Constrained Design of Isolated Multi-Energy Microgrids

Energy supply in rural and off-grid communities has traditionally relied on diesel-based microgrids, due to limited access. But global environmental concerns are pushing for the transformation of these systems into renewable-based microgrids. This transition to more complex systems with a mix of dispatchable and nondispatchable resources requires new planning tools that ensure the security of supply. This paper presents a novel mixed-integer linear optimization model that determines optimal technology mix, size, placement, and associated dispatch for a multi-energy microgrid. The model satisfies microgrid's electrical and heat transfer network limitations by integrating linear power flow and heat transfer equations. It captures the efficiency gains from waste heat recovery through combined heat and power technologies, by modeling the interplay between electrical and heat sources. To ensure a secure design against generator outages, the optimization maintains sufficient reserve capacity in the system, which is dynamically allocated based on system operating conditions. Several case studies on an isolated microgrid model, developed based on a real microgrid in Alaska, illustrate how the proposed model works. The results show the effectiveness of the model and are used to discuss various aspects of the optimization solution.
Acupuncture-Associated Vasovagal Response: Revised Terminology and Hospital Experience.

Abstract Background: Vasovagal responses associated with acupuncture therapy are relatively uncommon adverse events, occurring in ∼0.02%–7% of treatments. The complex neurocardiovascular reflexes involved in vasovagal responses can induce a range of symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, sweating, bradycardia, hypotension, and, in some cases, syncope or convulsions. Although patients typically recover quickly with proper support, these events may be of concern and anxiety-producing for both patient and provider. Providers need to be well-versed in methods for prevention and treatment of acupuncture-associated vasovagal responses to promote safe practice environments, patient satisfaction and comfort, and cost-effectiveness. Objectives: To examine the biomedical and Traditional Chinese Medicine mechanisms of vasovagal responses, propose updated terminology, and outline steps for prevention and treatment. Methods: During an 18-month period, 281 community-style acupuncture treatments were performed on family me...
Subcutaneous semaglutide (NN9535) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: It is critical for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to maintain optimal glycemia while avoiding hypoglycemia, control body weight, and reduce cardiovascular risk. The ...
Coda: On pain and dialogue

In ending this panel the co-editors reflect upon the in vivo process that occurred in the group, and upon the process of this publication dialogue. This ongoing post mortem allowed the co-editors to shift from shame and anxiety towards a much more reflective, remorseful attitude which held the multiplicity of identity and subjectivity.