cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thickness trends and sequence stratigraphy of the Middle Devonian Marcellus Formation, Appalachian Basin: Implications for Acadian foreland basin evolution

Analysis of more than 900 wireline logs indicates that the Middle Devonian Marcellus Formation encompasses two third-order transgressive-regressive (T-R) sequences, MSS1 and MSS2, in ascending order. Compositional elements of the Marcellus Formation crucial to the successful development of this emerging shale gas play, including quartz, clay, carbonate, pyrite, and organic carbon, vary predictably within the proposed sequence-stratigraphic framework. Thickness trends of Marcellus T-R sequences and lithostratigraphic units reflect the interplay of Acadian thrust-load-induced subsidence, short-term base-level fluctuations, and recurrent basement structures. Rapid thickening of both T-R sequences, especially MSS2, toward the northeastern region of the basin preserves a record of greater accommodation space and proximity to clastic sources early in the Acadian orogeny. However, local variations in T-R sequence thickness in the western, more distal, area of the basin may reflect the reactivation of inherited Eocambrian basement structures, including the Rome trough and northwest-striking cross-structural discontinuities, induced by Acadian plate convergence. Episodes of block displacement locally warped the basin into northeast-southwest–trending regions of starved sedimentation and/or erosion adjacent to depocenters in which regressive systems tract deposits were ponded. Block movement appears to have initiated in late Early Devonian time, resulting first in thinning and local erosion of the Oriskany sandstone in northwest Pennsylvania. This study, in addition to providing the basis for a predictive sequence-stratigraphic model that can be used to further Marcellus exploration, tells of a foreland basin more tectonically complex than accounted for by simple flexural models.
Antifungal Activity of a Human Antiglucuronoxylomannan Antibody

The human immunoglobulin M (IgM) monoclonal antibody (MAb) 2E9 binds the glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) of Cryptococcus neoformans serotypes A, B, and D. This study was undertaken to determine the opsonic efficacy of 2E9 and its ability to promote the antifungal activity of human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) against C. neoformans. We incubated purified PMNs with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled C. neoformans cells that were treated with the GXM IgM 2E9, IgM antibodies that do not bind GXM, and rabbit and human factor-B-deficient serum as complement sources. PMN-associated C. neoformans cells fluoresced and were detected with a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. The amount of phagocytosis was defined as the percent fluorescing PMNs, which was 37% for yeast cells opsonized with 2E9 plus rabbit serum and 57% for yeast cells opsonized with 2E9 plus factor-B-deficient serum. Phagocytosis was significantly greater for yeast cells that were treated with 2E9 plus a complement source than for yeast cells treated with the complement sources alone or treated with the control IgMs alone or with the complement sources. Fluorescence quenching and light and electron microscopy of the phagocytosis mixtures revealed that 2E9-opsonized yeast cells were internalized by PMNs. Maximal inhibition of C. neoformans growth occurred when PMNs were cocultured with yeast cells that were opsonized with 2E9 plus a complement source. Our data demonstrate that the human GXM IgM 2E9 can mediate PMN phagocytosis and C. neoformans growth inhibition in vitro. These findings strongly suggest that antibody-mediated deposition of complement components on the cryptococcal capsule can augment PMN complement receptor-mediated antifungal activity. Antibody activation of complement-mediated effector cell antifungal mechanisms may play a role in host defense against cryptococcosis and represents a goal for the use of MAbs to treat or prevent human C. neoformans infections.
Effect of Thawing Time in Warm Water on Fertility of Bovine Spermatozoa in Plastic Straws

Abstract Thawing times of 12 and 30s were compared in a fertility experiment involving 21,424 first service inseminations to 20 Holstein bulls. Milk-diluted semen in .3-ml Continental US straws was thawed in a warm water bath (32 to 35C) for either 12 or 30s on alternate days. Based on 66-day nonreturn rates in log-linear models, fertility was significantly higher when semen was thawed for 30s (72.0%) than for 12s (70.1%). For 13,543 inseminations by nine technicians over 10 mo, the improvement with longer thawing was not significantly affected by month or season. The difference in nonreturn rate in favor of 30s over 12s thawing during summer, fall, winter, and spring months averaged 2.0, 1.9, 3.4, and .8 percentage units. Thus, raising the seminal temperature in straws above 5C by thawing in warm water for 30s during cold weather provided a slight increase in fertility.
Determination of the Roughness of CVD Surfaces by Laser Scattering

A laser scattering apparatus was developed for the determination of surface roughness and other surface statistical parameters of chemically vapor-deposited coatings. Visual examination of HeNe laser scattering patterns reflected from polished sapphire and CVD titanium nitride surfaces showed a sensitivity to roughness differences of tens of nanometers. The scattering apparatus was integrated with a cold-wall CVD reactor. The root mean square roughness of silicon carbide deposits on silicon in the early stages of growth was determined from the intensity of the specularly reflected beam. Changes in roughness and the spatial arrangement of depositing crystallites were monitored in situ by angular resolution of the scattered light spectra. Both ex situ and in situ results were in good agreement with profilometric examinations of the rough surfaces.
SMC-mediated chromosome mechanics: a conserved scheme from bacteria to vertebrates?

The assembly of mitotic chromosomes is a fundamental cellular event that ensures the faithful segregation of genetic information during cell division. It involves two processes that are, in principle, mechanistically distinct. The first process, establishment of sister chromatid cohesion, occurs during or soon after chromosome duplication. The linkage between two sister chromatids is maintained throughout G2 phase and secures the bipolar attachment of each chromosome to the spindle apparatus from prometaphase through metaphase. The second process, chromosome condensation, can be visualized most dramatically at the onset of mitosis, converting the chromatids into physically strong, rod-shaped structures. The resulting metaphase chromosome consists of two condensed sister chromatids tightly paired at their centromeric regions as well as along their entire arms. At the onset of anaphase, the linkage between the sister chromatids is dissolved, allowing them to be pulled apart to opposite poles of the cell. This dynamic behavior of chromosomes had been described by cytologists long before the central role of DNA as the genetic material was recognized and long before the biochemical basis of cell cycle progression was elucidated. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms underlying these structural changes of chromosomes have remained poorly understood to date. A recent breakthrough in this field was the discovery of a novel family of chromosomal ATPases, the structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) family. Genetic and biochemical studies have shown that in eukaryotes, two distinct classes of SMC protein complexes, condensins and cohesins, play central roles in chromosome condensation and sister-chromatid cohesion, respectively. Other SMC protein complexes are involved in chromosome-wide gene repression (dosage compensation) and recombinational repair. SMC proteins are also conserved among bacteria and archaea, and their functional characterization is just beginning to emerge. In this paper recent progress in the SMC field is discussed and an attempt is made to deduce a basic scheme of SMC-mediated chromosome mechanics that might be common from bacteria to vertebrates. For recent reviews
Registration of digital subtraction peripheral angiography images

Computer algorithms for automatic translational registration are investigated. Sometimes patient movement is not simply translational (this often occurs in the foot, for example) requiring the mask frame to be warped. Two methods of warping are investigated: (1) segmented registration where the mask frame is segmented and each segment is registered; (2) subpixel warp where, for each pixel in the contrast frame, the nearest neighbors in the mask frame are searched for the best subpixel match. The study indicates that automatic registration is feasible for angiography images of the legs and can probably be done in a reasonable amount of time if special hardware is utilized. In all cases, results match those obtained by a human operator. >
No War Without Dictatorship, No Peace Without Democracy: Foreign Policy as Domestic Politics

I wish to consider the possibility that a good part of the opposition to the main lines of American foreign policy is based on deep-seated objections to the political and economic systems of the United States. This is not to say that existing policy is necessarily wise or that there may not be good and sufficient reasons for wishing to change it. Indeed, at any time and place, the United States might well be overestimating the threat from the Soviet Union or using too much force. What I wish to suggest is that across-the-board criticism of American policy as inherently aggressive and repressive, regardless of circumstance – a litany of criticism so constant that it does not alert us to the need for explanation – has a structural basis in the rise of a political culture that is opposed to existing authority.To the extent that this criticism is structural, that is, inherent in domestic politics, the problem of fashioning foreign policies that can obtain widespread support is much more difficult than it is commonly perceived to be. For if the objection is to American ways of life and, therefore, “to the government for which it stands,” only a transformation of power relationships at home, together with a vast redistribution of economic resources, would satisfy these critics. If the objection is not only to what we do but, more fundamentally, to who we are, looking to changes in foreign policy to shore up domestic support is radically to confuse the causal connections and, therefore, the order of priorities.
Control of lamp wall temperature

A review of techniques to control the lamp-wall temperatures of fluorescent lamps in luminaires is presented. Past results show that large increases in efficacy and light output can be obtained (to 25%) if the lamps can be operated at their optimum lamp-wall temperature. Their cost-effectiveness is reviewed in view of the increased energy cost and advances in the technology. >
EGFR-Targeted Therapy and Related Skin Toxicity

Objectives To discuss the mechanism by which epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted agents work, the resulting cutaneous toxicities, the pathophysiology of the unique rash associated with these agents, and the management of these skin problems. Data Sources Published scientific papers, review articles, book chapters, and clinical experiences. Conclusion These new targeted agents result in unique cutaneous toxicities. Researchers and clinicians have made numerous suggestions for managing the various side effects, although there is currently no research to guide evidence-based practice. Implications for Nursing Practice With any new treatment option, it is imperative that nurses understand how agents work to enrich their own knowledge base, as well as have a strong foundation for patient education. It is important that nurses understand potential side effects of these agents, know of possible interventions, and participate in research to identify effective interventions.
Large Protein Particle Changes in Ultra High-Temperature Sterilized Concentrated Skimmilk

Abstract Sterilized concentrated skimmilk was diluted to approximately 14% total solids and fractionated in a Model SS3 Servall centrifuge equipped with a Szent-Gyorgyi and Blum continuous flow system. The purpose was to determine changes in the large protein particles formed during heat sterilization after storage of the concentrated skimmilk at 4C for 12, 82, 159, and 194 days. After 12 days 35.6% of the total protein sedimented at 300× g and an additional 17.3% sedimented when the supernatant was recentrifuged at 1,000× g . After 194 days 27.1% protein sedimented at 300× g and an additional 18.9% at 10,000× g . Total protein sedimented at 194 days was 46% compared with 52.9% at 12 days, although the gravitational force on the supernatant at 194 days was 10 times that at 12 days. Photomicrographs revealed shape and size of large particles by anoptral phase contrast. Densitometric measurements of polyacrylamidegel electrophoretic patterns showed that some whey proteins had moved with β -casein after heating but particles 0.75 μ diameter or larger which sedimented at 1,000× g were mostly or possibly all casein. After centrifugation at 1,000× g , 47 to 54% of the total protein remained in the supernatant, including casein micelles less than 0.75 μ diameter and whey proteins. Added oxalate rapidly dissociated sedimented protein particles.
A quasi-experimental model of complex human-machine system validation

Complex systems, such as power plants and commercial aircraft, are designed to operate safely under normal and disturbance conditions. Integrated-system validation is one means to evaluate whether safety and productivity goals can be achieved prior to actual operation. While some types of systems can be tested in an actual operational environment, validation is especially difficult when safety or economic considerations preclude testing in the disturbance conditions they are designed to handle. This paper proposes a conceptual model for integrated-system validation based on an integration of current approaches to design validation and concepts adopted from quasi-experimental research methodology. The model identifies important validation principles and the methodological considerations needed to support a logical and defensible inference to be made from validation tests to system performance under actual operating conditions. Central to the model are four general forms of validity: system representation, performance representation, test design and statistical conclusion validity. Threats to the inference process and weakness of the model are also discussed.
History of accelerated and qualification testing of terrestrial photovoltaic modules: A literature review

We review published literature from 1975 to the present for accelerated stress testing of flat-plate terrestrial photovoltaic (PV) modules. An important facet of this subject is the standard module test sequences that have been adopted by national and international standards organizations, especially those of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The intent and history of these qualification tests, provided in this review, shows that standard module qualification test results cannot be used to obtain or infer a product lifetime. Closely related subjects also discussed include: other limitations of qualification testing, definitions of module lifetime, module product certification, and accelerated life testing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Religion in the American Congress: the case of the US House of Representatives, 1953–2003

Although there has been a surge of scholarship on the role of religion in American electoral politics, there has been much less analysis of its influence over the behaviour of public officials, such as national legislators. In this study, I review the literature on religion in the Congress, noting the limitations of that research, primarily its failure to measure adequately the religious affiliations, activities and beliefs of members. I then outline an alternative approach that promises a fuller assessment, showing how both ethnoreligious affiliation and theological perspectives have influenced legislative voting since the 1950s. Ethnocultural affiliation was the most powerful influence until the 1990s, but has recently been overlain by deepening ‘culture war’ divisions. The study concludes with a stringent multivariate analysis that controls for important variables typically included in legislative roll call analysis, showing that many religious measures survive those controls.
Black Rot of Grape

Black rot and downy mildew of grape are both apparently of American origin on wild species of grape. Importation of Phylloxera-resistant American rootstocks into France spread the causal fungi of these diseases into Europe. Black rot is now found in most all countries where grapes are grown and where the climate is cool and wet. Black rot is of little importance in California because of the arid and warm climate.
Partial Defect Tester: A Novel Approach to Detect Partial Defects in Pressurized Water Reactor Spent Fuel

A novel methodology to detect diversion of spent fuel from pressurized water reactors (PWRs) has been developed in order to address a long unsolved safeguards verification problem for an internatio...
The Failure of the Nation State and the New International Economic Order: Multiple Converging Crises Present Opportunity to Elaborate a New Jus Gentium

Both the New International Economic Order (NIEO) and the New World Order (NWO) have failed to end poverty in the third world, most notably in Africa. The failure of these two theories, themselves responses to the failure of the Westphalian state system, and the material facts of globalisation present an opportunity to elaborate a new law of nations. Abandoning the Westphalian model is the best way forward, not only because of the technological revolution in the first world, but also for cultural reasons in Africa, where borders almost never correspond to nations.
Nonthermal ablation of deep brain targets: A simulation study on a large animal model.

Purpose: Thermal ablation with transcranial MRI-guided focused ultrasound (FUS) is currently limited to central brain targets because of heating and other beam effects caused by the presence of the skull. Recently, it was shown that it is possible to ablate tissues without depositing thermal energy by driving intravenously administered microbubbles to inertial cavitation using low-duty-cycle burst sonications. A recent study demonstrated that this ablation method could ablate tissue volumes near the skull base in nonhuman primates without thermally damaging the nearby bone. However, blood–brain disruption was observed in the prefocal region, and in some cases, this region contained small areas of tissue damage. The objective of this study was to analyze the experimental model with simulations and to interpret the cause of these effects. Methods: The authors simulated prior experiments where nonthermal ablation was performed in the brain in anesthetized rhesus macaques using a 220 kHz clinical prototype transcranial MRI-guided FUS system. Low-duty-cycle sonications were applied at deep brain targets with the ultrasound contrast agent Definity. For simulations, a 3D pseudospectral finite difference time domain tool was used. The effects of shear mode conversion, focal steering, skull aberrations, nonlinear propagation, and the presence of skull base on the pressure field were investigated using acoustic and elastic wave propagation models. Results: The simulation results were in agreement with the experimental findings in the prefocal region. In the postfocal region, however, side lobes were predicted by the simulations, but no effects were evident in the experiments. The main beam was not affected by the different simulated scenarios except for a shift of about 1 mm in peak position due to skull aberrations. However, the authors observed differences in the volume, amplitude, and distribution of the side lobes. In the experiments, a single element passive cavitation detector was used to measure the inertial cavitation threshold and to determine the pressure amplitude to use for ablation. Simulations of the detector’s acoustic field suggest that its maximum sensitivity was in the lower part of the main beam, which may have led to excessive exposure levels in the experiments that may have contributed to damage in the prefocal area. Conclusions: Overall, these results suggest that case-specific full wave simulations before the procedure can be useful to predict the focal and the prefocal side lobes and the extent of the resulting bioeffects produced by nonthermal ablation. Such simulations can also be used to optimally position passive cavitation detectors. The disagreement between the simulations and the experiments in the postfocal region may have been due to shielding of the ultrasound field due to microbubble activity in the focal region. Future efforts should include the effects of microbubble activity and vascularization on the pressure field.
Cortical responses to thermal pain depend on stimulus size: a functional MRI study.

Cortical activity patterns to thermal painful stimuli of two different sizes were examined in normal volunteers using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Seven right-handed subjects were ...
Unsteady Force and Moment Measurements on a Non-Body of Revolution Vehicle Undergoing Oscillatory Roll

The aerodynamic forces and moments on a non-body of revolution ellipsoidal model in oscillating roll are studied. The model is mounted to the new Model Roll Oscillator in the Virginia Tech Stability Wind Tunnel fitted with its slotted wall test section. Three loadcells are mounted to the inside of the model and sting support. The roll oscillator is capable of positioning the model at yaw or pitch angles between ±15°. In roll, the oscillator is capable of maintaining static angles between ±26° as well as performing dynamic roll with a maximum speed of 5 Hz. Steady force and moment data are taken at yaw angles of -5°, -10°, and -15° with a sweep of roll angles between 25° and -10°. Unsteady forces and moments are presented for a -15° yaw turn) with a 3.25 Hz roll oscillation between ±26°. The study is performed to simulate the observed behavior of another non-body of revolution submarine model during underwater free-running yawing maneuvers, with similar non-dimensional roll oscillation speed. The study contributes to the understanding the forces and moments experienced by non-body of revolution vehicles in periodic roll, for which there is no existing data. The study determines a functional form for the steady forces on a non-body of revolution vehicle in coupled yaw and roll. Furthermore, this study quantitatively demonstrates the dynamic roll instability of non-bodies of revolution in constant-yaw turns. The roll moment, of particular interest, exhibits an unstable linear dependence on roll angle, indicating static roll instability. Unsteady results indicate that the roll moment in fact leads the quasi-steady data, causing a destabilization which can lead to an oscillatory rolling motion.
Nanoscale fourier-transform magnetic resonance imaging

Pushing the spatial resolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from the millimeter to nanometer range requires very large magnetic field gradients and must overcome the noise due to quantum spin fluctuations. A new approach, radically different from the conventional MRI techniques, meets these demands and succeeds in imaging proton spins in a solid sample with a spatial resolution of roughly 10 nm.
Abstract P4-03-05: The Warburg Effect and RUNX2-Regulated Metabolic Switching in Breast Cancer: A New Therapeutic Target?

Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in North America and Western Europe. Numerous studies have shown that breast tumor progression is associated with a switch from mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) to increased utilization of glucose and aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect). Uncovering underlying mechanisms regulating this progression may lead to innovative approaches for treatment. The RUNX2 DNA-binding transcription factor is expressed in highly aggressive BC and regulates bone metastasis in animal models. We observed increased expression of RUNX2 in primary human ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), which correlated with grade and proliferative index (Ki67 staining), decreased estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor expression (ER/PR status), increased glucose uptake values by PET scanning, and increased expression of the glucose transporter, GLUT1. Further, more than 80% (9 out of 11) of triple-negative BC cell lines examined expressed RUNX2. Therefore, to test the hypothesis that RUNX2 may alter the metabolic status of breast cancers and increase their dependence on glycolysis during tumor progression, we have generated a Tet-OFF model system using MCF7 cells with inducible RUNX2 expression. RUNX2-positive MCF7 cells exhibited increased cell death under conditions of glucose depletion or when treated with 2-deoxy-glucose, a competitive inhibitor of hexokinase II. Conversely, RUNX2-positive cells were more resistant to OxPhos inhibitors (rotenone, oligomycin) than RUNX2-negative cells. We also observed higher expression levels of GLUT1 and pAKT in RUNX2-positive MCF7 cells. Hypoxia-inducible factor-α (HIF1α) is a transcription factor that regulates cancer metabolism through its activation of glycolytic genes, while SIRT6, an NAD-dependent deacetylase, is a negative regulator of HIF1α activity. This occurs, in part, via inhibition of HIF1α transcriptional activity. RUNX2-positive or negative cells expressed HIF1α in response to glucose but RUNX2-positive cells exhibited lower SIRT6 expression than RUNX2-negative cells, suggesting that with the loss of SIRT6, HIF1α might be more active in promoting glycolysis in the presence of RUNX2. These results suggest that RUNX2 may have clinical diagnostic value as an indicator of BC metabolic stress and predictor of poor prognosis. Current strategies are utilizing computer-assisted drug design to develop RUNX-specific inhibitors to target BC glycolysis and tumor growth. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P4-03-05.
The clinical study of radiofrequency ablation for rheumatic heart diseases with atrial fibrillation during cardiac surgery

Objective:To evaluate the clinical results of intracardiac radiofrequency ablation for rheumatic heart diseases with atrial fibrillation during cardiac surgery.Method:From August 2003 to April 2004,60 cases with rheumatic heart diseases and atrial fibrillation were included.Males 25,females 35;mean age was (50 ^77±1 ^43) year old and artial fibrillation history was (47 ^18±1 ^43) months.Heart functions (NYHA) were as following:class Ⅱ in 16 cases,class Ⅲ in 39 cases, Ⅳ in 5 cases. Intracardiac radiofrequency ablation was operated when mitral valves or/and aortic valves operation were performed. Concomitant procedures included 22 tricuspid valve plasty, 5 CABG, and 12 left atrial thrombectomy. Result:Cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic clamp time, in this group, were (112.58±28.31) and (71.18±22.22) minutes respectively, and radiofrequency ablation time was (17.88±0.59) minutes The heart rhythm after radiofrequency therapy were as following: sinus rhythm 46 (76.7%), atrial fibrillation 4(6.7%), nodal and pacing rhythm 10(15.6%);The rate and mean time of long term follow-up was 83.3%(50/60 pts) and 12.58±0.32 months respectively, sinus rhythm 76%(38/50), atrial fibrillation 24% (12/50).Conclusion:Intracardiac radiofrequency ablation was an easy and valid concomitant procedure for RHD patients with atrial fibrillation without prolonging CPB and aortic clamping time
Sex Differences in Classroom Interactions in Secondary Science

The inspiration for this study came from my experience working on a project with the Far West Laboratory in San Francisco. The project was called Portraits of Intermediate Life Science Classes (Lash et al., 1984) and was part of their Secondary Science and Mathematics Improvement Program. The goal of the project was to document how eleven 7th grade life science teachers in California and Utah taught science.
Low-Penalty Transmission of High-Speed Data through a Cascade of Silicon Microring Resonator Drop Ports

We demonstrate the propagation of 10-Gb/s optical data through a cascade of microring filter drop ports. The power penalty is measured through two and four resonator hops and compared with simulated values.
What I’ve learned from the early moderns

Original explorers often see a puzzling conceptual landscape more vividly than jaded later travelers. This essay surveys several ways in which Descartes and Leibniz recognized descriptive problems within applied mathematics more clearly than later commentators have appreciated.
An Integrated Approach to Modeling, Identification, Estimation and Control for Static Distributed Systems

Abstract This paper outlines aspects of modeling, identification, and estimation which are combined in the static shape control of flexible structures. The structural models considered here are specified by possibly interconnected elliptic partial differential equations which model deflections under a suitable range of static loads. Other modeling aspects, such as electromagnetic field analysis for antenna systems, are also considered. Modeling errors as well as observation errors are given a white noise characterization which leads to a second-order analysis of the related statistical errors. The identification techniques are based on the method of maximum likelihood whereby parameter values of the model are determined by the maximization of a suitably defined likelihood functional which incorporates the parameterization of the model with the observation data. Parameter estimates are improved by means of a quasi-Newton iteration in parameter space. The estimation methods are based on the derived conditional mean of the state given the observation data. The resulting estimate is then represented as a least-squares superposition of shape functions which are derived from the structural model. Batch-processing of the data obtained by various sensing strategies yields recursive formulations for the estimate similar to the well-known Kalman gains
What does the brand say? Effects of brand feedback to negative eWOM on brand trust and purchase intentions

ABSTRACTThis study examined the effects of brand feedback to negative electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on consumers’ brand trust and purchase intentions, and examined the moderating effect of problem attribution described in the negative eWOM message. Results from a 2 (Brand Feedback: Present/Absent) × 2 (Causal Attribution: Brand/Reviewer) × 2 (Products: Laptop/TV) between-subjects online experiment suggest that brand feedback had a simultaneous positive and negative effect on purchase intentions, whereby brand trust mediated the positive effect. Attribution of the product's problem did not significantly change this effect. Findings help to clarify the literature by describing mechanisms through which brand feedback occurs to influence brand outcomes.
Conditions Simulating Primary Bone Neoplasms

A number of nonneoplastic conditions can mimic tumors of bone. Some of the more common mimics of primary bone tumors include infectious, inflammatory, periosteal, and degenerative joint disease-associated lesions that produce tumorlike bone surface-based or intraosseous lesions. This article considers a spectrum of reactive and nonreactive processes including stress fracture, subchondral cysts, osteonecrosis, heterotopic ossification, osteomyelitis, sarcoidosis, and amyloidoma that can present in such a way that they are mistaken for a tumor arising primary in bone.
Mechanical thrombectomy revisited is there any value

The use of mechanical thrombectomy in STEMI with large amount of jeopardized myocardium may preserve regional wall motion When appropriate and done with proper removal technique, there does not appear to be any increased incidence of neurologic complications The guideline recommendation that mechanical thrombectomy should not be done routinely is supported by these authors.
Duality in an asset exchange model for wealth distribution

Abstract Asset exchange models are agent-based economic models with binary transactions. Previous investigations have augmented these models with mechanisms for wealth redistribution, quantified by a parameter χ , and for trading bias favoring wealthier agents, quantified by a parameter ζ . By deriving and analyzing a Fokker–Planck equation for a particular asset exchange model thus augmented, it has been shown that it exhibits a second-order phase transition at ζ ∕ χ = 1 , between regimes with and without partial wealth condensation. In the “subcritical” regime with ζ ∕ χ 1 , all of the wealth is classically distributed; in the “supercritical” regime with ζ ∕ χ > 1 , a fraction 1 − χ ∕ ζ of the wealth is condensed. Intuitively, one may associate the supercritical, wealth-condensed regime as reflecting the presence of “oligarchy,” by which we mean that an infinitesimal fraction of the total agents hold a finite fraction of the total wealth in the continuum limit. In this paper, we further elucidate the phase behavior of this model – and hence of the generalized solutions of the Fokker–Planck equation that describes it – by demonstrating the existence of a remarkable symmetry between its supercritical and subcritical regimes in the steady-state. Noting that the replacement { ζ → χ , χ → ζ } , which clearly has the effect of inverting the order parameter ζ ∕ χ , provides a one-to-one correspondence between the subcritical and supercritical states, we demonstrate that the wealth distribution of the subcritical state is identical to that of the corresponding supercritical state when the oligarchy is removed from the latter. We demonstrate this result analytically, both from the microscopic agent-level model and from its macroscopic Fokker–Planck description, as well as numerically. We argue that this symmetry is a kind of duality, analogous to the famous Kramers–Wannier duality between the subcritical and supercritical states of the Ising model, and to the Maldacena duality that underlies AdS/CFT theory.
ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN CIRCULATING LEVELS OF PLASMA OF PROPROTEIN CONVERTASE SUBTILISIN/KEXIN TYPE 9 AND VASCULAR OUTCOMES IN AFRICAN AMERICAN DIABETIC PATIENTS

Studies showed conflicting results for the association of circulating proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) with glycemic parameters and risk of type 2 diabetes. Whether plasma levels of PCSK9 could directly influence vascular function is still unclear. The present study aims to
PCSK9: A NOVEL MEDIATOR FOR HIV-INDUCED CORONARY ARTERY ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION

HIV+ people are at increased risk of accelerated coronary artery disease (CAD). Impaired coronary endothelial function (CEF) occurs at one of the earliest stages of atherosclerosis and predicts the development and progression of atherosclerotic lesions as well as adverse cardiovascular events.
Solar PV output prediction from video streams using convolutional neural networks

Solar photovoltaic (PV) installation is growing rapidly across the world, but the variability of solar power hinders its further penetration into the power grid. Part of the short-term variability stems from sudden changes in meteorological conditions, i.e., change in cloud coverage, which can vary PV output significantly over timescales of minutes. Images of the sky provide information on current and future cloud coverage, and are potentially useful in inferring PV generation. This work uses convolutional neural networks (CNN) to correlate PV output to contemporaneous images of the sky (a “now-cast”). The CNN achieves test-set relative-root-mean-square error values (rRMSE) of 26.0% to 30.2% when applied to power outputs from two solar PV systems. We explore the sensitivity of model accuracy to a variety of CNN structures, with different widths, depths, and input image resolutions among other hyper-parameters. This success at “now-cast” prediction points to possible future uses for short-term forecasts.
Exploring the Temporal Dimension of Forum Participation in MOOCs.

Discussion forums are increasingly central to massive open online courses (MOOCs), and it is vital for learners to participate in associated forum activities. Active forum participation positively ...
The Practice of Urbanism: Civic Engagement and Collaboration by Design

This chapter describes urbanism as a social activity that balances individual desires and political and institutional contexts. The author argues for the design charrette as a design process that both reconfigures the professional division of labor and engages stakeholders prior to the formulation of design solutions and plans. The common understanding of the charrette as public participation represents an underestimation of its potential and its significance. Underlying charrette practice is the idea that good urbanism—that is, urbanism that reflects and contributes to the quality of community life—is necessarily the work of many hands, over time. This chapter explores what can be learned from charrettes with regard to the intersection of technical expertise, democratic political processes and the emergence of new forms of place-making practice.
Phonon excitations and stability of a Bose-Fermi mixture quantum gas

We consider a mixture of Bose-Einstein condensate and degenerate fermi gas at zero temperature. The phonon spectrum of the condensate is calculated and the stability regime is identified.
Theory of Magnetic Monopoles

The Maxwell equations for empty space are symmetric between the electric and magnetic fields E and H. One can replace E by H and H by -E and the equations are unchanged. One can add further terms to the field equations to represent the effects of electric charges and currents. If one then brings in the Lorentz equation for the motion of a charged particle $$m\frac{{{d}^{2}}{{v}_{\mu }}}{d{{s}^{2}}}+e{{f}_{\mu \nu }}{{v}^{\nu }}=0,$$ (1.1) one has the complete scheme of equations for the ordinary classical electrodynamics.
User interfaces and markup language programming: the effects of interaction mode on user performance and satisfaction

The role of the user interface (interaction mode) is of considerable importance, since the method of interaction can have an impact on both performance and satisfaction with regards to using a programming language. While markup languages are now widely used for Web page and site design and electronic publishing applications, they have not been studied adequately compared with other kinds of languages. The impact of interaction mode, in this case command-based coding, versus using a form-fill-in wizard, is examined, with respect to performance and satisfaction while performing a survey-oriented task. Skill level, which classified users as being either a novice or experienced, was another factor, which was taken into account in this study. The results showed the use of wizards brought about better performance than using the command language, and the difference between modes was far greater for novices rather than experienced users. In addition, using the wizard tended to equalize performance across skill levels. With regards to system satisfaction, there were significant differences between interaction modes, however no differences were reported between skill levels. These differences in performance and satisfaction should be noted and considered when designing interactive systems for programming-related applications.
Clock Control Over Plant Gene Expression

ABSTRACT Endogenous time-keepers known as circadian clocks are setting the pace of multiple metabolic and physiological processes. These complex biological oscillators have arisen in eukaryotic organisms and have been shown to enhance fitness and to confer a competitive advantage by several mechanisms. In general, the plant circadian clock participates in the resonance of the internal biology with optimal time-of-day, in coupling the different steps common to one pathway, in gating or partitioning incompatible physiological activities to distinct phases, and in sensing the changes in the seasons and when to flower. Original transcriptional as well as post-transcriptional mechanisms are involved in the different steps of clock function, from the integration of environmental clues (light quality, temperature) to the interlocked feedback loops composing the core of the oscillator, and the resulting genome scale changes in gene expression. Our current understanding of the intimate mechanisms influencing gene expression at these different steps of clock progression is the focus of this chapter.
Distributed RC and RLC Transient Models

Compact expressions for response time and crosstalk of coupled, distributed resistance capacitance (RC) networks driven by a step input source voltage with arbitrary source resistance are widely referenced in the current literature [1], [2], [3]. This chapter will show a derivation of the solutions for the PDEs that describe distributed RC and RLC networks. These models are derived from very regular IC interconnect structures, and can be used on a wide range of wire lengths and wire dimensions for high-speed semi-global and global interconnects.
A Survey of Optimization Problems

The variety of optimization problems that can be formulated for solution by linear programming and its generalizations is staggering. The “survey” in this chapter is selective. It must be.
Peptides as Radiopharmaceutical Vectors

Over the last decade, there has been a significant and rapidly growing interest in the use of radiolabeled receptor-binding peptides for both nuclear imaging and targeted radiotherapy. This is underscored by the recent FDA approval of NETSPOT, a peptide labeled with gallium-68 for the PET imaging of neuroendocrine tumors. As small protein fragments, peptides are attractive radiopharmaceuticals for several reasons, notably their ease of synthesis, tolerance of structural modifications for radiolabeling, high affinity and selectivity for receptors, rapid pharmacokinetics, and lack of immunogenicity. A notable drawback for some peptides, however, lies in their low metabolic stability. This chapter describes the overall process for the development of radiolabeled peptides, including their design, radiosynthesis, optimization, and in vitro and in vivo evaluation. In addition, it highlights some of the most exciting recent and future clinical applications of these radiopharmaceuticals.
Progress in Optoelectronic Oscillators

An optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) generates a spectrally pure and ultra-stable radio frequency signal from a continuous wave laser source (Yao et al. 2004). In a conventional electrical oscillator, the energy storage capacity is limited, which compromises stability of the signal. To address this issue, Yao and Maleki invented the optoelectronic oscillator in 1996. This novel oscillator uses low-loss optical fiber to extend the length of the oscillator and thereby increases the amount of energy that can be stored (Madjar & Tibor 2006). Due to this additional energy storing component in the system, the purity and stability of the signal increase significantly. Following their invention, many modifications have been made over the years to improve the frequency stability of OEOs (lower phase noise and timing jitter). This review article discusses some of those key developments and then introduces some ongoing work devoted to understanding the impact of using electrical filters with Q >109.
The angular resolution of space-based gravitational wave detectors

Currently proposed space-based gravitational wave detectors consist of satellite arrays deployed in an equilateral triangle either in the ecliptic plane or in a precessing plane tilted at 60° with respect to the ecliptic. This paper summarizes recent calculations of how well these two types of detectors can resolve the angular positions of two kinds of sources: low-mass compact binary sources and massive-black-hole binaries just before coalescence. Our results show that including higher-order post-Newtonian terms in the gravitational wavefunctions is important when predicting the angular resolution of ecliptic-plane detectors.
Evaluating Residential Segregation’s Relation to the Clustering of Poor Health across American Cities

Residential segregation by race/ethnicity is widely recognized as a leading source of health disparities. Not clear from past research, however, is the overall health burden cities face due to clustering brought about by segregation. This study builds on previous research by directly measuring how spatially unequal health outcomes are within segregated cities. Utilizing Census-tract data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s 500 Cities project, we examine how different dimensions of spatial segregation are associated with the clustering of poor self-rated health in cities. We make novel usage of the Global Moran’s I statistic to measure the spatial clustering of poor health within cities. We find spatial segregation is associated with poor health clustering, however the race/ethnicity and dimension of segregation matter. Our study contributes to existing research on segregation and health by unpacking the localized associations of residential segregation with poor health clustering in U.S. cities.
Comparison of Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiofrequency Ablation for Trigeminal Neuralgia in Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Background: The optimal treatment for medically refractory trigeminal neuralgia in multiple sclerosis (MS-TN) patients is unknown. Objective: To compare treatment outcomes between stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods: We performed a retrospective study of MS-TN patients treated with SRS or RFA between 2002 and 2019. Outcomes included degree of pain relief, pain recurrence, and sensory changes, segregated based on initial treatment, final treatment following retreatment with the same modality, and crossover patients. Results: Sixty surgical cases for 42 MS-TN patients were reviewed. Initial pain freedom outcomes and rates of retreatment were similar (SRS: 30%; RFA: 42%). RFA resulted in faster onset of pain freedom (RFA: <1 week; SRS: 15 weeks; p < 0.001). SRS patients with pain relief had longer intervals to pain recurrence at 2 years (p = 0.044). Final treatment outcomes favored RFA for pain freedom/off-medication outcomes (RFA: 44%; SRS: 11%; p = 0.031), though RFA resulted in more paresthesia (RFA: 81%; SRS: 39%; p = 0.012). Both provided at least 80% of adequate pain relief. Crossover patients did not have improved pain relief. Conclusions: SRS and RFA are both valid surgical options for MS-TN. Discussion with providers will need to balance patient preference with their unique treatment characteristics.
E, Neutrality, and Democracy

The philosopher of technology Albert Borgmann is another important heterodox voice. “E, Neutrality, and Democracy” uses his notion of the “device paradigm” to explore the dark sides of convenience and the means-ends dichotomy that are central to the energy orthodoxy. It begins by criticizing the idea that modern energy services are neutral, arguing instead that they are ‘media’ that shape culture and identities in non-neutral ways. The chapter then explores questions about the supposed neutrality of liberal democracy, and it concludes with a discussion of freedom and meaningfulness in a high-energy world.
An Axiom-Based Comparison of the Core and Other Core Extensions

We propose an axiomatic framework that allows a unified analysis of the core and three other related cooperative solution concepts that are applicable even when the core itself is empty. Existing axiomatizations of the core and similar concepts of a cooperative game include the desired form of feasibility (or efficiency) in the generic definition of a solution concept and/or are restricted to the domain of games for which existence is guaranteed. We dispense of both practices, thus opening up the possibility of comparing, via basic axioms, solution concepts that have different feasibility constraints and domains. Our characterization of the core can be adapted to axiomatize extensions of the core concept that generate predictions for games with empty cores. We use this avenue to provide new axiomatizations of the aspiration set, the aspiration core, and the c-core.