cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Curve Fitting Methods: A Survey

The main idea of this paper is to provide an insight to the reader and create awareness on some of the basic Curve Fitting techniques that have evolved and existed over the past few decades. A critical survey has been done on the various Curve Fitting methodologies proposed by various Mathematicians and Researchers who had been working in the fields of Computer Graphics, Image Processing and Pattern Recognition etc. to name a few over the past. Most of the methodologies that have evolved over time have their core structure derived from few significantly basic concepts and it is these basic concepts that have been tried to grasp through this survey and its tried to present the same as the essence of the survey. Note that the same physical variables may be named differently under different methodologies. The purpose was to maintain the originality of the work published by the original authors and this survey to only report their work as it is.
Metabolomics of fescue toxicosis in grazing beef steers

Fescue toxicosis (FT) results from consumption of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) infected with an endophyte (Epichloe coenophiala) that produces ergot alkaloids (EA), which are considered key etiological agents of FT. Decreased weight gains, hormonal imbalance, circulating cholesterol disruption, and decreased volatile fatty acid absorption suggest toxic (E+) fescue-induced metabolic perturbations. Employing untargeted high-resolution metabolomics (HRM) to analyze E+ grazing-induced plasma and urine metabolome changes, fescue-naive Angus steers were placed on E+ or non-toxic (Max-Q) fescue pastures and plasma and urine were sampled before, 1, 2, 14, and 28 days after pasture assignment. Plasma and urine catecholamines and urinary EA concentrations were also measured. In E+ steers, urinary EA appeared early and peaked at 14 days. 13,090 urinary and 20,908 plasma HRM features were detected; the most significant effects were observed earlier (2 days) in the urine and later (≥14 days) in the plasma. Alongside EA metabolite detection, tryptophan and lipid metabolism disruption were among the main consequences of E+ consumption. The E+ grazing-associated metabolic pathways and signatures described herein may accelerate development of novel early FT detection and treatment strategies.
Androgen metabolism and mechanism of action in male pseudohermaphroditism: a study of testicular feminization.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses androgen metabolism and the mechanism of action in male pseudohermaphroditism. It has been found that testosterone is the major androgen secreted into the blood of most mammals and that this steroid has biological actions on many tissues. As animals with testicular feminization cannot respond to androgens in utero, tissues, such as prostate, Wolffian duct derivatives, and external genitalia, do not differentiate, and the tfm animal develops as a male pseudohermaphrodite. Male pseudohermaphroditism resembling testicular feminization also develops in animals that are deprived of androgens in utero by one of the several mechanisms, including castration, defective testosterone synthesis, and exposure to pharmacologic agents that either block androgen biosynthesis in the testis or androgen action at the end organ. When the gonaducts and external genitalia fail to undergo androgen-dependent differentiation in utero, they do not develop into a normal reproductive tract when subsequently exposed to large doses of androgens. Thus, certain tissues may acquire insensitivity to androgens during differentiation. The chapter also discusses ultrastructural examination of the interstitial area of vet rat testes that demonstrates increased peritubular connective tissue. The interstitial tissue consisted predominantly of fibroblasts and a few peritubular sheath cells.
Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Blocks Mesomesenchymal Transition and Attenuates Streptococcus pneumonia-Mediated Pleural Injury in Mice.

Pleural loculation affects about 30,000 patients annually in the United States and in severe cases can resolve with restrictive lung disease and pleural fibrosis. Pleural mesothelial cells contribute to pleural rind formation by undergoing mesothelial mesenchymal transition (MesoMT), whereby they acquire a profibrotic phenotype characterized by increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen 1. Components of the fibrinolytic pathway (urokinase plasminogen activator and plasmin) are elaborated in pleural injury and strongly induce MesoMT in vitro . These same stimuli enhance glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β activity through increased phosphorylation of Tyr-216 in pleural mesothelial cells and GSK-3β mobilization from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. GSK-3β down-regulation blocked induction of MesoMT. Likewise, GSK-3β inhibitor 9ING41 blocked induction of MesoMT and reversed established MesoMT. Similar results were demonstrated in a mouse model of Streptococcus pneumoniae –induced empyema. Intraperitoneal administration of 9ING41, after the induction of pleural injury, attenuated injury progression and improved lung function (lung volume and compliance; P P
Linezolid-Associated Hypoglycemia.

Our case describes a 77-year-old, African American male who was experiencing recurrent hypoglycemic episodes, which resulted in two emergency department (ED) visits and a subsequent inpatient admission during his second ED visit. He was prescribed linezolid 600 mg twice daily for 14 days for the treatment of a Staphylococcus hominis urinary tract infection. Nine and a half days into therapy, the patient began having recurrent hypoglycemic episodes. These episodes persisted despite repeated intravenous dextrose boluses. The patient’s linezolid was discontinued during the second day of his inpatient admission. After a brief lag period after the final linezolid administration, the patient’s blood glucose level stabilized within normal limits. He was later discharged home. The Naranjo scale scores the causality of this reaction between 4 and 8, indicating possible to probable causality. The patient had a follow-up appointment with his primary care physician 2 weeks after discharge, with no noted blood glucose complications. Two months after discharge, he entered hospice care for his advancing heart failure and later expired due to causes unrelated to blood glucose complications.
NASA GeneLab Project: Bridging Space Radiation Omics with Ground Studies

Accurate assessment of risks of long-term space missions is critical for human space exploration. It is essential to have a detailed understanding of the biological effects on humans living and working in deep space. Ionizing radiation from galactic cosmic rays (GCR) is a major health risk factor for astronauts on extended missions outside the protective effects of the Earth's magnetic field. Currently, there are gaps in our knowledge of the health risks associated with chronic low-dose, low-dose-rate ionizing radiation, specifically ions associated with high (H) atomic number (Z) and energy (E). The NASA GeneLab project (https://genelab.nasa.gov/) aims to provide a detailed library of omics datasets associated with biological samples exposed to HZE. The GeneLab Data System (GLDS) includes datasets from both spaceflight and ground-based studies, a majority of which involve exposure to ionizing radiation. In addition to detailed information on radiation exposure for ground-based studies, GeneLab is adding ...
Using Arrays to Organize Information

This chapter begins with a typical data collection problem to illustrate the utility of and Fortran syntax for defining and using arrays. Topics covered include one-dimensional and multidimensional arrays, arrays as parameters in functions and subroutines, allocatable arrays, strings as “arrays” of characters, user-defined record types, and arrays of records.
Transplantation-associated arteriosclerosis and inflammation

Transplantation-associated arteriosclerosis (TAA), a complication of allotransplantation, remains the major limitation to the long-term survival of many solid organ transplant recipients. Over the last decade, particularly, our understanding of the pathogenesis of TAA grew significantly. Morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular studies performed on human tissues combined with an expanding clinical, radiological and epidemiological database have improved our knowledge of the cellular and biochemical events that culminate in TAA. Studies using innovative animal models have added to what has been gleaned from the human studies, and allowed for trials of unique therapeutic strategies. Nonetheless, for cardiac transplant recipients, TAA continues to be the largest single cause of death after the first year post-transplantation [1]. Arteriosclerosis is also a feature of chronic renal transplant rejection [2] and chronic pulmonary allograft rejection [3], though in lung allografts it appears to be unassociated with any physiological consequences [4]. Since much of the literature regarding TAA focuses upon its manifestations in the transplanted heart, the following discussion will concentrate primarily upon TAA developing in cardiac allografts, also known as cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV).
Bayesian analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective This article is an introduction to Bayesian data analysis for empirical researchers in the field of clinical psychology, focusing on applications for the study of eating disorders. We summarize the intuition and methodology of Bayesian data analysis and motivate its use for analyzing Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT). We demonstrate the strengths of the approach through the analysis of a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy RCT on the influence of a smartphone application on binge-eating disorder (BED) and bulimia nervosa. Method We fit a multilevel Poisson regression model on outcome variable Objective Bulimic Episodes (OBE) as a function of the treatment and other covariates. OBE is a discrete count variable and the Poisson model fits well. The multilevel structure accounts for individual and time-varying effects. Results Our analysis suggests that the smartphone application causes a reduction in the instances of OBE for patients in the initial weeks, but the effect may wear off by the end of the treatment period. Bayesian methods allow us to obtain heterogeneous treatment effects for different individuals and stages of the therapy while explicitly modeling uncertainty around these effects. Discussion We conclude that Bayesian methods are a powerful tool for incorporating data and prior information into models. They have the potential to improve analyses of RCTs in eating disorders given small sample sizes, small effect size, abundant prior information, heterogeneous participants, and experimental design. These methods are useful for empirical researchers, particularly clinical psychologists.
Surgical Trends in the Management of Duodenal Injury

Surgical management of traumatic duodenal injury remains challenging. While various surgical techniques have been described in the attempt to reduce complications and mortality, recent data suggests that surgical approach using less invasive procedures might be associated with improved patient outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the recent trend of surgical procedures performed for patients with duodenal injury and their outcome. A retrospective analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) from 2002 to 2014 was performed. A total of 2163 patients who sustained a traumatic duodenal injury requiring surgical intervention were included. Patient characteristics, injury data, procedures, and outcomes were examined. Types of duodenal procedures and patient outcomes were compared between two study periods (2002–2006 vs. 2007–2014). The median age was 27 (IQR 20–39), 78.9% were male, and 63.8% sustained penetrating duodenal injury. The median injury severity score was 18 (IQR 13–26). In patients with isolated duodenal injury, the later study period (2007–2014) was significantly associated with the increased use of primary repair (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.11–2.83, p = 0.017). Overall mortality was 11.7%. Patients in the later study group were significantly associated with lower odds of inhospital mortality (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.22–0.95, p = 0.041). A progressive trend toward less invasive procedures for duodenal injury was noted in the current study. Inhospital mortality has improved in the late study period.
Influence of Light and Temperature on Seed Germination of Flame Azalea

Abstract Seeds of flame azalea [Rhododendron calendulaceum (Michx.) Torr.] were germinated at 25°C (77°F) and 25°/15°C (77°/59°F) with daily photoperiods of 0, ½, ½ twice daily, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 hr. Seeds exhibited an obligate light requirement. At 25°C (77°F), increasing photoperiods increased germination with maximum germination (85%) occurring by day 12 under continuous illumination. The alternating temperature of 25°/15°C (77°/59°F) enhanced germination when light was limiting. At this temperature, maximum germination of 84 to 91% was reached by day 24 for all photoperiods ≥½ hr although at photoperiods ≥4 hr, comparable germination was noted at day 18.
Investigation of the asteroid-neutron star collision model for the repeating fast radio bursts

The origin of fast radio bursts (FRBs) is still a mystery. One model proposed to interpret the only known repeating object, FRB 121102, is that the radio emission is generated from asteroids colliding with a highly magnetized neutron star (NS). With N-body simulations, we model a debris disc around a central star with an eccentric orbit intruding NS. As the NS approaches the first periastron passage, most of the comets are scattered away rather than being accreted by the NS. To match the observed FRB rate, the debris belt would have to be at least three orders of magnitude more dense than the Kuiper belt. We also consider the rate of collisions on to the central object but find that the density of the debris belt must be at least four orders of magnitude more dense than the Kuiper belt. These discrepancies in the density arise even if (1) one introduces a Kuiper-belt like comet belt rather than an asteroid belt and assume that comet impacts can also make FRBs; (2) the NS moves 2 orders of magnitude slower than their normal proper-motion velocity due to supernova kicks; and (3) the NS orbit is coplanar to the debris belt, which provides the highest rate of collisions.
Abstract TP153: Post Stroke Fatigue and Depression Predict Lower Health Related Quality of Life in Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose: Post stroke fatigue (PSF) is a common and debilitating condition that can last months or even years. Although the relationship between PSF and Health Related Quality of Life...
Feeling the Vibrations: On the Micropolitics of Climate Change

Climate change is more than a discrete issue demanding political attention and response. A changing climate permeates political life as material processes of planetary change reverberate in our bod...
Inertial water response dominates protein solvation dynamics

Abstract Establishing the mechanism of protein folding and other physiological processes requires a detailed comprehension of protein-solvent interactions. The fastest protein solvation dynamics have not yet been thoroughly investigated due to challenges associated with controlling few-cycle laser pulses and identifying ideal model systems. Here we use 6 fs laser pulses to quantify the sub-picosecond solvation dynamics of an engineered pigment-protein complex that serves as an ideal probe of solvation dynamics. The data reveal that protein solvation dynamics are described well by a single lifetime of 33 fs, indicating that the mechanism of protein solvation is dominated by the inertial water component.
Cultural Rationales for Space

This chapter is about the cultural rationale for space activities. Of course the all rationales for space activities are cultural. Culture is to humans what water is to fish. Culture is all around us. We may not know it is there until it isn’t, such as when we encounter other cultures and discover there are humans who live differently from the way we do, who believe things we don’t believe, including, perhaps, that their culture is better than ours!
Rethinking control chart design and evaluation

AbstractWe discuss some practical issues involving the control of the number of false alarms in process monitoring. This topic is of growing importance as the number of variables being monitored and the frequency of measurement increase. An alternative formulation for evaluating and comparing the performance of control charts is given based on defining in-control, indifference and out-of-control regions of the parameter space. Methods are designed so that only changes of practical importance are to be detected quickly. This generalization of the existing framework makes control charting much more useful in practice, especially when many variables are being monitored. It also justifies to a greater extent the use of cumulative sum (CUSUM) methods.
Atomization of cellulose nanocrystals aqueous suspensions in fused deposition modeling: A scalable technique to improve the strength of 3D printed polymers

Abstract 3D printed polymer parts remain too low in mechanical performance that inhibits their industrial applications. We introduce a novel and scalable technique to enhance the strength of 3D printed polymer parts. We incorporate cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) between adjacent layers of polymer with the aid of an atomization process integrated within a fused deposition modeling printer to spray aqueous suspensions of CNC during the printing process. CNCs act as nano-stitches between the polymer layers and thus improve the interlayer adhesion and ultimate strength of the printed parts. We show that spraying aqueous suspension of CNC with 0.5–1 wt% concentrations increase the interlayer strength of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) parts by 44%, tensile strength by 33%, tensile modulus by 20% and the toughness by 33% in both longitudinal and transverse directions. Increasing CNC concentration above 1 wt%, however, results in CNC agglomerates between layers, which negatively affects the interlayer adhesion and reduces the ultimate strength. Non-toxicity of CNC and water and hydrophilicity of CNC leverage the scalability of this method.
Government Spending and Local Demographics: Evidence from Moody's Municipal Ratings Recalibration

We examine how Moody’s ratings scale recalibration in 2010, which has been linked to higher county-level government spending and income, affects income and population distributions. We find that the recalibration decreases median and average per capita income and increases income inequality and the poverty rate. These effects are driven by population flows. After the recalibration, there is an increase in population, a decrease in average income of population inflows, and an increase in the average income of population outflows. Collectively, our findings suggest that local government spending affects the income distribution through changes in local population composition and income flows due to migration.
Medienkompetenz als unbekannte Praxis. Ethnographische Perspektiven auf Digital Natives

Medienkompetenz ist vielfach normativ definiert und quantitativ gepruft. Eine andere Perspektive einnehmend, greift der vorliegende Beitrag die Debatten um Medienkompetenz von „Digital Natives“ auf, indem er die ethnologische Metapher kulturanalytisch fokussiert. Mit Bezugen zur neueren Kindheitsforschung geht es explorativ um die kulturspezifische Entdeckung von Medienkompetenz als noch unbekannte Praxis. Ethnographisch wird aufgezeigt, wie sich diese Medienkompetenz von Kindern in der Schule konstituiert, beschreiben und verstehen lasst. Dabei tritt die situative Verwicklung dieser Kompetenz mit Grundschule analytisch hervor.
Pathogenesis of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis: An Overview

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a heterogeneous group of liver diseases characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver. The heterogeneity of NAFLD is reflected in a clinical and histologic spectrum where some patients develop isolated steatosis of the liver, termed nonalcoholic fatty liver, whereas others develop hepatocyte injury, ballooning, inflammation, and consequent fibrosis, termed nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Systemic insulin resistance is a major driver of hepatic steatosis in NAFLD. Lipotoxicity of accumulated lipids along with activation of the innate immune system are major drivers of NASH. Lipid-induced sublethal and lethal stress culminates in the activation of inflammatory processes, such as the release of proinflammatory extracellular vesicles and cell death. Innate and adaptive immune mechanisms involving macrophages, dendritic cells, and lymphocytes are central drivers of inflammation that recognize damage- and pathogen-associated molecular patterns and contribute to the progression of the inflammatory cascade. While the activation of the innate immune system and the recruitment of proinflammatory monocytes into the liver in NASH are well known, the exact signals that lead to this remain less well defined. Further, the contribution of other immune cell types, such as neutrophils and B cells, is an area of intense research. Many host factors, such as the microbiome and gut-liver axis, modify individual susceptibility to NASH. In this review, we discuss lipotoxicity, inflammation, and the contribution of interorgan crosstalk in NASH pathogenesis.
Path Integral Liouville Dynamics Simulations of Vibrational Spectra of Formaldehyde and Hydrogen Peroxide

Formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide are two important realistic molecules in atmospheric chemistry. We implement path integral Liouville dynamics (PILD) to calculate the dipole-derivative autocorrelation function for obtaining the infrared spectrum. In comparison to exact vibrational frequencies, PILD faithfully captures most nuclear quantum effects in vibrational dynamics as temperature changes and as the isotopic substitution occurs.
Novel Functions of Endothelial Scavenger Receptor Class B Type I

Scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) serves a key role in the reverse cholesterol transport in the liver as the high-affinity receptor for HDL. SR-BI is abundantly expressed in endothelium, and earlier works indicate that the receptor mediates anti-atherogenic actions of HDL. However, more recent studies uncovered novel functions of endothelial SR-BI as a lipoprotein transporter, which regulates transcellular transport process of both LDL and HDL. This brief review focuses on the unique functions of endothelial SR-BI and how they influence atherogenesis. Earlier studies indicate that SR-BI facilitates anti-atherogenic actions of HDL through modulation of intracellular signaling to stimulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase. In vivo studies in global SR-BI knockout mice also showed a strong atheroprotective role of the receptor; however, a contribution of endothelial SR-BI to atherosclerosis process in vivo has not been fully appreciated. Recent studies using cultured endothelial cells and in mice with endothelial-specific deletion of the receptor revealed previously unappreciated pro-atherogenic actions of SR-BI, which relates to its ability to deliver LDL into arteries. On the other hand, SR-BI has also been implicated in transport of HDL to the sub-intimal space as a part of reverse cholesterol transport. SR-BI mediates internalization and transcellular transport of both HDL and LDL, and the cellular and molecular mechanism of the process has just begun to emerge. Harnessing these dual transport functions of the endothelial SR-BI may provide a novel, effective intervention to atherosclerosis.
Res Ipsa Loquitur: Reducing Confusion or Creating Bias?

The so-called doctrine of res ipsa loquitur has been a mystery since its birth more than a century ago. This Article helps solve the mystery. In practical effect, res ipsa loquitur, though usually thought of as a tort doctrine, functions as a rule of trial practice that allows jurors to rely upon circumstantial evidence surrounding an accident to find the defendant liable. Standard jury instructions in negligence cases, however, inform jurors that they are permitted to rely upon circumstantial evidence in reaching a verdict. Why, then, is another, more specific circumstantial evidence charge necessary or desirable? We describe and evaluate the arguments that have been made in support of and in opposition to the res ipsa instruction. One theory is that jurors are confused in performing their task when given only standard instructions; the charge, therefore, clarifies their task, thereby improving the quality of their decisionmaking. A competing theory is that the instruction biases jurors in favor of plaintiffs, thereby degrading the quality of decisionmaking. Our theoretical analysis concludes that the bias explanation is stronger. We reach this conclusion by applying for the first-time modern learning on cognition to the res ipsa instruction. To support our theoretical conclusion, we report the results of experiments designed to determine the effects of the instruction. All these experiments were intended first to confirm that the res ipsa instruction has an effect and second to confirm or refute our theoretical conclusion that the instruction biases rather than clarifies. While the empirical results did not demonstrate bias, they also failed to show the absence of bias. Moreover, we found no evidence that the instruction reduces confusion. Our conclusion is that the charge has no positive effect, and either may create a bias or, at best, is meaningless.
Submicrometer surface shaping and surface repair of metals via laser ablation

Metal foils with precise thicknesses are required for use as laser targets in high energy density physics experiments. To achieve the micrometer scale tolerances accompanying these applications, the authors have developed a laser ablation technique utilizing burst pulses from a femtosecond laser operated in concert with a high-speed galvo scanning system. For authors’ application, an optimum laser processing format consisted of 250 fs laser pulses arranged in pairs, with the pulse separation in each pair equal to 400 ps and high galvo scanning speeds (∼2000 mm/s). These parameters enable the authors to thin and shape metals (depleted uranium, beryllium, tantalum, and iron) and remove unwanted variations in foil thickness over meaningful foil sizes. Double femtosecond pulses enable ablation that mitigates some undesirable pre-existing surface structures such as residual scalloping and scratches and lead to a surface roughness near 300 nm. Precise ablation rates were correlated to laser processing area and foil thickness. Finally, ablation rates were correlated to bulk surface temperature by tracking workpiece heating during ablation. These techniques yield the ability to apply highly controlled thickness maps with micrometer accuracy and tens of nanometer precisions. This control has demonstrated the ability to level foils with micrometer scale thickness deformities and create various programmed patterns that are difficult or out of reach of traditional machining methods.
Implementation of Active Learning into the Pre-Clinical Neurology Undergraduate Medical Curriculum (P1.321)

Objective To report our experience transitioning a pre-clinical neurology medical school curriculum from a lecture-based to an active learning-based format. Background Active learning is an educational model which accentuates student engagement and collaboration. While active learning has been the basis of clinical training, the focus of preclinical medical education has traditionally centered on group lectures. Neurologist educators have been urged to shift emphasis on teaching towards problem-based learning. We describe our experience implementing a transition to an active learning model. Design/methods Between 2010-2011 and 2011-2012, the preclinical neurology curriculum converted from traditional lectures to an active learning format. The neurology curriculum was divided into eleven four-hour blocks. Each block focused on a particular subtopic of neurology. Each block was preceded by a reading assignment and class time including group-response activity testing in which teams of 4-5 students worked collaboratively to answer case-based questions. This was followed by class discussion and a one hour traditional pathology lecture. Results Our preclinical neurology curriculum transitioned from traditional lecture to an active learning model. The student course pass rate did not decrease after the transition. USMLE step I neuroscience performance did not change significantly after the transition, but overall mean scores on the USMLE step I increased. Over 75% of the 35 students responding to an anonymous poll reported gaining more from the active learning format compared to traditional lectures. 60% of students felt a comfort level with active learning needed 2-3 weeks to occur. Conclusions Active learning replaced traditional lecture-based learning for our US medical school preclinical neurology course. This transition occurred without a decrease in student pass rate or USMLE Step I scores, and was met with positive reviews from medical students. Disclosure: Dr. Pula has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nixon has nothing to disclose. Dr. Aiyer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kattah has received personal compensation for activities with Pfizer, Inc. as a consultant.
Isoscalar giant resonance strength in Mg 24

Data taken previously covering the giant resonance region from 9 MeV <E{sub x}<42 MeV in {sup 28}Si with inelastic scattering of 240 MeV {alpha} particles at small angles including 0 deg. have been reanalyzed. Treating all of the observed cross section as multipole processes, giant resonance peaks containing 74 {+-} 7% of the isoscalar E0 energy weighted sum rule (EWSR), 102 {+-} 11% of the E2 EWSR, and 84 {+-} 8% of the E3 EWSR were identified.
Chapter 15 Anomalies and market efficiency

Abstract Anomalies are empirical results that seem to be inconsistent with maintained theories of asset-pricing behavior. They indicate either market inefficiency (profit opportunities) or inadequacies in the underlying asset-pricing model. After they are documented and analyzed in the academic literature, anomalies often seem to disappear, reverse, or attenuate. This raises the question of whether profit opportunities existed in the past, but have since been arbitraged away, or whether the anomalies were simply statistical aberrations that attracted the attention of academics and practitioners. One of the interesting findings from the empirical work in this chapter is that many of the well-known anomalies in the finance literature do not hold up in different sample periods. In particular, the size effect and the value effect seem to have disappeared after the papers that highlighted them were published. At about the same time, practitioners began investment vehicles that implemented the strategies implied by the academic papers. The weekend effect and the dividend yield effect also seem to have lost their predictive power after the papers that made them famous were published. In these cases, however, I am not aware of any practitioners who have tried to use these anomalies as a major basis of their investment strategy. The small-firm turn-of-the-year effect became weaker in the years after it was first documented in the academic literature, although there is some evidence that it still exists. Interestingly, however, it does not seem to exist in the portfolio returns of practitioners who focus on small-capitalization firms. Likewise, the evidence that stock market returns are predictable using variables such as dividend yields or inflation is much weaker in the periods after the papers that documented these findings were published. All of these findings raise the possibility that anomalies are more apparent than real. The notoriety associated with the findings of unusual evidence tempts authors to further investigate puzzling anomalies and later to try to explain them. But even if the anomalies existed in the sample period in which they were first identified, the activities of practitioners who implement strategies to take advantage of anomalous behavior can cause the anomalies to disappear (as research findings cause the market to become more efficient).
Planning Algorithms: Basic Decision Theory

This chapter serves as a building block for modeling and solving planning problem that involve more than one decision maker. The focus is on making a single decision in the presence of other decision makers that may interfere with the outcome. The planning problems in Chapters 10 to 12 will be viewed as a sequence of decision-making problems. The ideas presented in this chapter can be viewed as making a one-stage plan. With respect to Chapter 2, the present chapter reduces the number of stages down to one and then introduces more sophisticated ways to model a single stage. Upon returning to multiple stages in Chapter 10, it will quickly be seen that many algorithms from Chapter 2 extend nicely to incorporate the decision-theoretic concepts of this chapter. Since there is no information to carry across stages, there will be no need for a state space. Instead of designing a plan for a robot , in this chapter we will refer to designing a strategy for a decision maker (DM). The planning problem reduces down to a decision-making problem . In later chapters, which describe sequential decision making, planning terminology will once again be used. It does not seem appropriate yet in this chapter because making a single decision appears too degenerate to be referred to as planning. A consistent theme throughout Part III will be the interaction of multiple DMs.
Abstract 3970: EGF has stimulatory and survival effects in osteosarcomain vitroand pan-ERBB kinase inhibition causes cell growth inhibitionin vitroand reduces lung metastasesin vivo

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary bone tumor in children and adolescents, with recurring disease or lung metastases being the primary cause of death in patients. Expression of EGFR, Her-2, and Her-4 (ERBB1, 2 and 4) have been reported in human primary osteosarcoma, suggesting that they may be contributing to osteosarcoma pathogenesis, but the correlation of expression levels with patient outcomes has been controversial. We have shown that a pan-ERBB small molecule kinase inhibitor causes growth inhibition and apoptosis of osteosarcoma cell in vitro, suggesting a potential therapeutic benefit of using this drug in vivo. In the present study, we show that protein expression levels of EGFR, Her-2 and Her-4 are higher in osteosarcoma lung metastases than in primary tumors by TMA, and that these levels are significantly higher for Her-2 and Her-4. We created eight new osteosarcoma cell lines from primary patient tissues and found that all eight, in addition to six commonly used osteosarcoma cell lines, express detectable levels of EGFR and Her-2, and several express detectable Her-4. EGF ligand stimulation in vitro produces robust phosphorylation of EGFR, Her-2 and Her-4 in most cell lines and moderate activation in others. EGF stimulation also produces phosphorylation of Akt, MAPK and p70S6K in most cell lines and of STAT5 in six cell lines, suggesting that EGF has growth and survival stimulation effects. When adding a pan-ERBB kinase inhibitor, Pf-299804, to cells pre-stimulated with EGF, phosphorylation of EGFR, Her-2, Her-4, Akt, etc. are inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. Reverse phase protein array also shows an increase in pro-apoptotic proteins Bim and cleaved PARP with Pf-299804 treatment, confirmed by Western blots. Mouse xenograft experiments, where cells injected in the tibia spontaneously form lung metastases, showed a significant decrease in three categories of Her-4-positive lung metastases in drug-treated mice based on size: 1-4 cell oligomets (p=0.0055); 5 cell-200 micron micromets (p=0.0276); and greater than 200 micron macromets (p=0.0055). These data suggest that EGF produces mitogenic and survival stimulation in osteosarcoma cells and that pan ERBB-family kinase inhibition causes growth inhibition and apoptosis in vitro and reduction of lung metastases in a mouse model in vivo. This provides evidence that pan-ERBB kinase inhibition has therapeutic potential for osteosarcoma lung metastases. Citation Format: Laura D. Nelson, Tiffany N. Lynch, Yanwen Yang, Wei-Lien Wang, Diane Liu, Dafydd G. Thomas, Dennis P. M. Hughes. EGF has stimulatory and survival effects in osteosarcoma in vitro and pan-ERBB kinase inhibition causes cell growth inhibition in vitro and reduces lung metastases in vivo. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3970. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3970
American Sentimentalism and the Production of Global Citizens

“American Sentimentalism and the Production of Global Citizens” looks at recent trends in the globalization of U.S. higher education through the lens of sentimentalism to expose three dangers: the linking of a certain kind of productivity with global citizenship; the division of the world into global citizens and global subjects; and the illusion that awareness and enthusiasm are sufficient for social change. Social scientist Ron Krabill calls for international education policies that embrace radical reciprocity to overcome these dangers.
Integration of information from multiple element displays

Abstract This experiment examined the processing of information from multiple element visual displays, using techniques derived from the theory of signal detectability. The method allows one to specify how observers integrate information from individual elements of a display. The experiment tested numerical and graphical displays having different display sizes, durations, and arrangements of elements. Observer performance increased with the number, m , of display elements, but at less than the ideal √ m rate. Observer performance was consistent with a model of information integration constrained by internal noise. Linear arrays of elements resulted in better performance than did square arrays. Graphically coded elements resulted in better performance than did numerical elements. Observer decision weighting of element information from graphical displays was approximately uniform across spatial position, but the weighting of information from numerical displays was concentrated on elements near the fixation point.
CAN ULTRASONOGRAPHY OR UROFLOWMETRY PREDICT WHICH CHILDREN WITH VOIDING DYSFUNCTION WILL HAVE RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTIONS

ABSTRACTPurpose:: It has been suggested that in children with voiding dysfunction improper bladder emptying contributes to recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and progressive renal scarring. Incomplete bladder emptying may be related to bladder-sphincter dyssynergia. Ultrasonography and uroflowmetry are used in the initial evaluation of many children with voiding dysfunction. We determine in children with voiding dysfunction whether incomplete bladder emptying has an important role in the pathogenesis of urinary tract infections and whether abnormal ultrasonography or uroflowmetry can predict which children are at increased risk of recurrent UTIs.Materials and Methods:: In this retrospective cohort study charts of 148 consecutive patients diagnosed with voiding dysfunction were reviewed for information regarding residual urine volumes on initial post-void ultrasound and the number of urinary tract infections on followup. Initial uroflowmetry curves were blindly reevaluated for this study.Results:: C...
The use of stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of spinal axis tumors: A review

As the prevalence of cancer in the general population increases, a greater proportion of patients will present with symptomatic metastatic lesions to the spine. While surgery has been historically considered the treatment of choice for spinal cord/nerve root compression, mechanical instability and intractable pain, radiation therapy – particularly stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) – has been increasingly used as either a primary or adjuvant treatment modality. In this manuscript, the authors perform a review on the principles behind SRS and its use in the treatment of spinal tumors, specifically primary and secondary malignant tumors. In the last decades, numerous retrospective studies have shown the feasibility of SRS as both primary treatment for malignant tumors, as well as adjuvant treatment following surgical resection. Although local control rates may reach 90%, future studies are warranted to determine optimal doses, fractionation of therapy and the long-term implications of irradiation to neural structures.
Diverse functions of vertebrate gap junctions

Gap junctions are clusters of intercellular channels between adjacent cells. The channels are formed by the direct apposition of oligomeric transmembrane proteins, permitting the direct exchange of ions and small molecules ( 20 members. This article reviews recent advances in understanding the structure of intercellular channels and describes the diverse functions attributable to gap junctions as a result of insights gained from targeted gene disruptions in mice and genetic disease in humans.
The Location of Services in the Urban Hierarchy and the Regions of the United States

We use regression and factor analyses to explain intermetropolitan variation in the proportion of jobs in disaggregated service sectors in American metropolitan areas. Central place theory postulates of centrally located establishments serving a surrounding complementary region partially explain the positive relationship between metropolitan size and the proportion of jobs in an area in services. Regional variation in demand following several decades of substantial shifts in population and economic output is an additional influence. Intermetropolitan clustering of service sectors is also occurring. A factor analysis of employment proportions in twenty-two disaggregate service sectors identified five intersectoral service clusters. The factor analysis accounted for substantially more variance than the regression equations. We interpret this result as evidence of the emergence of service-based spatial industrial complexes. We argue that agglomeration of information-intensive intermediate services is driven by an attraction to labor markets endowed with pools of skilled professionals who can flexibly apply their talents in a variety of sectors. Unusual demographic characteristics of some metropolitan areas probably explain clusters of final demand services.
The Physics of Augustine: The Matter of Time, Change and an Unchanging God

Scientific questions posed by St. Augustine, early father of the Christian church, are presented as a part of a proposed undergraduate course for religion and philosophy students. Augustine regularly seasons his religious, philosophical and moral investigations with analysis focused on the physical nature of the universe and how it can be quantified: “And yet, O Lord, we do perceive intervals of time, and we compare them with each other, and we say that some are longer and others are shorter” (Confessions, Book 11). The physical analysis is sometimes extended, pressing the attention and grasp of the unsuspecting student of religion or philosophy. Though Augustine emphasizes that true knowledge comes from faith and revelation, his physical inquiries imply that he values such analysis as a way toward truth. In contrast, Master of Divinity programs, which train the majority of Western Christian ministers, require little science experience and usually no physics. Serious investigation of Augustine’s physical explorations reveal an alternative way of understanding scripture, especially Jesus’ sayings: could the master engineer who created the universe sometimes be speaking in straightforward scientific terms?
The 2H(n, p)2n reaction at 152 MeV☆

Abstract The 2 H(n, p)2n reaction has been studied using a 152 MeV monokinetic neutron beam. The cross section and the width of the proton peak have been measured in the laboratory angle range 0° to 30°.
Building a synapse: genetic analysis of glutamatergic neurotransmission

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are a critical component of the vertebrate central nervous system and mediate the majority of rapid excitatory neurotransmission. However, iGluRs are not self-regulating molecules and require additional proteins in order to function properly. Understanding the molecular architecture of functional glutamatergic synapses is therefore an important challenge in neurobiology. To address this question, we combine the techniques of genetics, molecular biology and electrophysiology in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. To date, genetic analysis has identified a number of genes required to build a glutamatergic synapse, including the CUB-domain transmembrane protein, SOL-1, which is thought to act as an auxiliary subunit that directly modifies iGluR function. Identifying and characterizing new proteins, such as SOL-1, in the relatively simple nervous system of the worm can contribute to our understanding of how more complex vertebrate nervous systems function.
Bifunctional HPPH-N2S2-99mTc conjugates as tumor imaging agents: synthesis and biodistribution studies

Pyropheophorbide-a and the corresponding 3-(1'-hexyloxyethyl)-3-devinyl derivative (HPPH), the tumor-avid photosensitizers were conjugated with mono- or di-bisaminoethanethiols (N2S2 ligand). The in vivo biodistribution study of the related 99mTc complexes was performed in F-344 rats bearing Ward colon tumors at 4 h and 24 h post injection. These data show that the complexes are stable and among four tracers, HPPH di-99mTc N2S2 conjugate reaches the highest tumor uptake (%ID/g). The larger tumors reach higher concentrations of the tracer. However, the short 6 h half life of 99mTc is incompatible with the 24 h imaging time, suggesting that the use of a longer-lived isotope such as 111In could still provide a useful scanning agent, or that further structure-activity screening could yield an HPPH analog with more appropriate pharmacokinetics for tumor imaging with 99mTc.
Emerson and the Democratization of Intellect

This article argues that Emerson's optimistic view about the widespread human potential for intellectual self-reliance is neither an assumption nor a matter of faith, but rather an argument based on his understanding of the nature of human intellect. Emerson develops this argument in three ways: first, he argues that ideas have an objective reality that renders them agent-neutral and available to everyone; second, he describes the “having” of an idea as experiential rather than analytical, so that prodigious analytical abilities are neither sufficient nor uniquely helpful; and third, he argues that the openness to experience and the ability to use it to cultivate judgment depends more on acquirable intellectual virtues than on natural intellectual gifts. I argue that this view of intellect makes Emerson's optimism philosophically important and highly relevant to democratic theory and ethics.
The Disruptive Qualities of Linked Data in the Library Environment: Analysis and Recommendations

Libraries are looking for a better way to encode and share their data. Christensen's disruptive technologies theory provides a framework for evaluating linked data and thinking about future uses of library technology. Because of its lack of use and technical weaknesses, linked data is not yet poised to emerge as a disruptive innovation. It has the potential, however, to become disruptive and should be explored first in spin-offs that supplement library data or provide access to other electronic content. Library systems under development should focus on remaining nimble and open to unforeseen future technologies and uses.