cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Efficiency of the floating body as a robust measure of dispersion

Among robust notions of shape, depth and dispersion of a distribution or dataset we have Tukey depth and depth curves, which are essentially the same as the convex floating body in convex geometry. These notions are important because they play the role of multidimensional quantiles and rank statistics. At the same time, they can be difficult to use because they are computationally intractable in general. We develop a theory of algorithmic efficiency for these notions for several broad and relevant families of distributions: symmetric log-concave distributions and certain multivariate stable distributions and power-law distributions. As an example of the power of these results, we show how to solve the Independent Component Analysis problem for power-law distributions, even when the first moment is infinite.
Review of code cracking for kids by Jean Daigneau

Jean Daigneau is an author of publications for children, and Code Cracking for Kids is written for children ages nine and up. It is described by the publisher as “a hands-on guide to introduce kids...
Political Activism of Social Work Educators

ABSTRACT This paper reports on a survey of MSW classroom and field educators regarding their level of political involvement, perceived value conflicts regarding social work and politics, and opinions of future political opportunities for social workers. Data indicate employees of public organizations have a higher level of involvement than employees of non-profit organizations. Follow-up interviews explore this finding. There was evidence of continued ambivalence to the concept of partisanship. Implications for research and education are shared, including the need to teach ethics and compromise in political arenas, and the development of field practica in electoral politics, policy advocacy and government relations.
Past 50 Years of Influenza Virus Research and It's Future

Fifty years ago influenza A B and C viruses had al‑ ready been discovered and many of the features including hemagglutination virus neutralization virus replication in ferrets mice and eggs enzyme activity incomplete virus (Von Magnus phenomenon) P ―Q― Rv ariation genetics and reactivation antigenic variation and the swine influ‑ enza lifecycle had been documentated(Hoyle1968) .F owl plague virus of chickens was soon to be recognized as an influenza virus by Shaffer(1955) and interferon was soon to be described by Issacs and Lindenmann(1957) .V ac‑ cines for influenza in humans were still rather crude and were reactogenic in children. Original Antigenic Sin had been described by Francis(1953) .A ntigenic drift in influ‑ enza virus explained the continuous variation in serologi‑ cal reactivity but the occasional major changes that oc‑ curred with the emergence of new pandemic strains like Asian/H2N2/195 7o r Hon gK ong/H3N2/196 8w ere unexplained. In the past50years influenza virus has served as a su‑ perb model system for the study of the replication genet‑ ics immunology and structure of segmented RNA viruses. By necessity I will focus only on a limited number of areas including Original Antigenic Sin the ecology of influenza Av irusesand their global distribution in aquatic birds ge‑ netic drift and shift and the emergence and pathogenesis of influenza viruses in animal models. Recent studies using reverse genetics have established that the NS1gene of the A/Hong Kong/156/97(H5N1)influenza virus can counteract host cell cytokine activity and that pigs in‑ fected with constructs containing this gene were severely ill. The future is extremely exciting for influenza viruses can now really be"made to order"and the genomics of both the virus and the host are at hand. Influenza is a truly global problem and there is still a paucity of information on influenza genomics. Through continuing international col‑ laborations this information will be obtained and we will define both the viral and host factors that permit influenza viruses to transmit between species and may then be able to predict pandemic potential. During this process we must be cognizant that influenza has continuing potential to be a man made or natural bioterrorism agent and that new strategies to control influenza are urgently needed in‑ cluding stockpiling of antiviral drugs.
Mechanisms used to increase propulsive forces on a treadmill in older adults

Abstract Older adults typically demonstrate reductions in overground walking speeds and propulsive forces compared to young adults. These reductions in walking speeds are risk factors for negative health outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of an adaptive speed treadmill controller on walking speed and propulsive forces in older adults, including the mechanisms and strategies underlying any change in propulsive force between conditions. Seventeen participants completed two treadmill conditions, one with a fixed comfortable walking speed and one with an adaptive speed controller. The adaptive speed treadmill controller utilized a set of inertial-force, gait parameters, and position-based controllers that respond to an instantaneous anterior inertial force. A biomechanical-based model previously developed for individuals post-stroke was implemented for older adults to determine the primary gait parameters that contributed to the change in propulsive forces when increasing speed. Participants walked at faster average speeds during the adaptive speed controller (1.20 m/s) compared to the fixed speed controller conditions (0.98 m/s); however, these speeds were not as fast as their overground speed (1.44 m/s). Although average trailing limb angle (TLA) (p
Tropospheric ozone rapidly decreases root growth by altering carbon metabolism and detoxification capability in growing soybean roots.

Abstract High tropospheric ozone (O3) concentrations lead to significant global soybean (Glycine max) yield reductions. Research concerning O3 impacts on soybean has focused on the contributions of above-ground tissues. In this study, Mandarin (Ottawa) (O3-sensitive) and Fiskeby III (O3-tolerant) soybean genotypes provide contrasting materials to investigate O3 effects on root growth. We compared root morphological and proteomic changes when 16-day-old plants were treated with charcoal-filtered (CF) air or elevated O3 (80 ppb O3 for 7 h/day) in continuously stirred-tank reactors (CSTR) for 7 days. Our results showed that in Mandarin (Ottawa), decreased expression of enzymes involved in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle contributes to reduction of root biomass and diameter under elevated O3. In contrast, O3 tolerance in Fiskeby III roots was associated with O3-dependent induction of enzymes involved in glycolysis and O3-independent expression of enzymes involved in the ascorbate-glutathione cycle. We conclude that a decreased abundance of key redox enzymes in roots due to limited carbon availability rapidly alters root growth under O3 stress. However, maintaining a high abundance of enzymes associated with redox status and detoxification capability contributes to overall O3 tolerance in roots.
Promises and challenges of next-generation "beyond Li-ion" batteries for electric vehicles and grid decarbonization

The tremendous improvement in performance and cost of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have made them the technology of choice for electrical energy storage. While established battery chemistries and cell architectures for Li-ion batteries achieve good power and energy density, LIBs are unlikely to meet all the performance, cost, and scaling targets required for energy storage, in particular, in large-scale applications such as electrified transportation and grids. The demand to further reduce cost and/or increase energy density, as well as the growing concern related to natural resource needs for Li-ion have accelerated the investigation of so-called "beyond Li-ion" technologies. In this review, we will discuss the recent achievements, challenges, and opportunities of four important "beyond Li-ion" technologies: Na-ion batteries, K-ion batteries, all-solid-state batteries, and multivalent batteries. The fundamental science behind the challenges, and potential solutions toward the goals of a low-cost and/or high-energy-density future, are discussed in detail for each technology. While it is unlikely that any given new technology will fully replace Li-ion in the near future, "beyond Li-ion" technologies should be thought of as opportunities for energy storage to grow into mid/large-scale applications.
Potentials of Artificial Intelligence for Business Performance

The Fourth Industrial Revolution and its impact on business, has been a subject of much consideration. As with many other innovations and earlier industrial revolutions, there is much uncertainty in regards to the benefits and adverse impact of the new technologies. In this chapter, we provide an overview of what is Artificial Intelligence and its potentials for business. The theoretical background in support of its utilization for businesses, as well as prominent frameworks which guide the efficient integration of AI into organizations. In addition, we discuss the empirical evidence based on to-date research that supports the potential of AI in improving firm performance, only if the organization has an adequate human capital capability in integrating these new technologies across its processes.
Copulatory Signaling and Polygamy of Glassy-Winged Sharpshooters (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)

Finding a partner to mate with may be only part of ensuring successful siring of offspring. Females often exhibit cryptic female choice (CFC) during or after copulation, which can influence whose sperm from her multiple partners is chosen for egg fertilization. Known behavioral mechanisms for CFC include assessment of males by their nuptial gifts, duration of copulation, and seminal fluid contents. In this study, the glassy-winged sharpshooter, Homalodisca vitripennis (Germar) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), behaviors during the course of copulation were investigated. Glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) use vibrational communication before copulation occurs. However, little is known about behaviors that occur during and after copulation. Results from this study determined that vibrational signaling also occurs during copulation. Vibrational signals similar to those emitted during precopulatory communication were identified during copulation alongside a new, ‘hum-like’ signal that typically occurred within 10 s after the pair joined in copulation. In addition, results determined the duration of copulation was on average of 15 h, though with a 10-h range (8.5–18.5 h) among observed male–female pairs. Finally, both males and females mated more than once. Collectively, results identified key reproductive parameters required for CFC to occur in GWSS.The study expands on the known animals that use CFC and emphasizes the role that copulatory vibrational communication may play setting the foundations for future more in-depth studies. Understanding of insect behaviors necessary for successful production of offspring is important from an ecological perspective and for development of pest control methods.
High Throughput Interrogation of Human Liver Stellate Cells Reveals Microenvironmental Regulation of Phenotype

Liver fibrosis is a common feature of progressive liver disease and is manifested as a dynamic series of alterations in both the biochemical and biophysical properties of the liver. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) reside within the perisinusoidal space of the liver sinusoid and are one of the main drivers of liver fibrosis, yet it remains unclear how changes to the sinusoidal microenvironment impact HSC phenotype in the context of liver fibrosis. Cellular microarrays were used to examine and deconstruct the impacts of bio-chemo-mechanical changes on activated HSCs in vitro . Extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and stiffness were found to act individually and in combination to regulate HSC fibrogenic phenotype and proliferation. Hyaluronic acid and collagen III promoted elevated collagen I expression while collagen IV mediated a decrease. HSCs exhibited reduced lysyl oxidase (Lox) expression as stiffness increased, with less dependence on ECM composition. Collagens III and IV had positive impacts on HSC proliferation, whereas hyaluronic acid had the opposite effect. Meta-analysis performed on these data revealed distinct phenotypic clusters (e.g. low fibrogenesis/high proliferation) as a direct function of their microenvironmental composition. Notably, soft microenvironments mimicking healthy tissue (1 kPa), promoted higher levels of intracellular collagen I and Lox expression in activated HSCs, compared to stiff microenvironments mimicking fibrotic tissue (25 kPa). Collectively, these data suggest potential HSC functional adaptations in response to specific bio-chemo-mechanical changes relevant relevant towards the development of therapeutic interventions. These findings also underscore the importance of the microenvironment when interrogating HSC behavior in healthy, disease, and treatment settings.
Predictors of Academic Success in a Non-Traditional Doctor of Pharmacy Degree Program at a Historically Black College and University.

Objective Rapid changes in the current U.S. health care system, especially in the fields of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, require practicing pharmacists to acquire new knowledge and skills. Despite the growth of opportunities for pharmacists within new spaces such as nanotechnology, informatics, and pharmacogenomics, those without the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) could be eliminated from consideration by employers who seek new graduates with more contemporary training and skills. The purpose of this study was to determine which associations exist between student success within the Non-Traditional Doctor of Pharmacy (NTDP) program and certain demographic factors.Methods This quantitative longitudinal study was designed to determine which factors predict academic success among NTDP students entering the College of Pharmacy. Academic success was measured by cumulative graduating grade point average (GPA). Data from four cohorts of students was utilized to develop multivariate linear regression models with several predictors including age, region of residence, citizenship status, previous pharmacy work background, and ethnicity.Results. The study sample included 81 students and the mean cumulative GPA was 3.44. A foreign-born African heritage was predictive of a GPA that was significantly higher in comparison to African Americans after adjusting for other factors.Conclusion. Findings showed that international students had a higher cumulative GPA in comparison to African American students in the NTDP program.
Real-World Measurement of Headlamp Illumination

This paper discusses a study that collected data regarding headlight visibility or glare. It describes a system intended to be mounted in a parking facility, road curve, or intersection, that is capable of collecting this data. The system is self-governing and it can gather information from many vehicles during a data collection period. The system includes a digital camera, a range finder, light sensors, and an illuminance meter. It measures headlight position (mounting height), vertical headlight illumination, and angular location of the eyes of a driver in an oncoming vehicle. It is possible to determine headlight aim distribution from the data gathered. The data also provide an estimation of the distribution of levels of light that reach the eyes of drivers in oncoming vehicles.
Identification of genes and gene clusters involved in mycotoxin synthesis

Abstract: Research methods to identify and characterize genes involved in mycotoxin biosynthetic pathways have evolved considerably. Before whole genome sequences were available (e.g. pre-genomics), work focused primarily on chemistry, biosynthetic mutant strains and molecular analysis of single or relatively small numbers of genes. In recent years, reductions in the cost of DNA sequencing technologies have made genomic methods more widely available. The availability of whole genome sequence for multiple mycotoxin-producing fungi has led to important discoveries both within single genomes and between genomes via comparative genomics (post-genomic). The ability to analyze simultaneously the expression of a large number of genes through expressed sequenced tags (ESTs) and microarrays (transcriptomics) has also had a significant impact on gene cluster identification. This chapter discusses the pre-genomics strategies used to identify toxin biosynthetic genes/gene clusters in fungi as well as more recently developed genomic strategies that greatly enhance the efficiency of the identification process. Pre-genomic researchers focused on analysis of a small number of genes, while post-genomic researchers can compare genomes and examine transcription patterns of thousands of genes at a time to help define biosynthetically related genes involved in mycotoxin synthesis. An examination of two Fusarium secondary metabolites (SMs), the mycotoxins fumonisins and a perithecial pigment, provide models for similar studies of other fungi. The identification of additional mycotoxin gene clusters in other fungi will proceed significantly faster in the future using genomic technologies.
Explicit formulas for element values of the lowpass, highpass and bandpass ladders with Butterworth or Chebyshev response

The paper presents explicit formulas for the element values of an LC-ladder in terms of the coefficients of its impedance function known to be realizable as a resistively terminated lossless lowpass, highpass or bandpass LC-ladder. The formulas for the lowpass LC-ladders are an improvement over Bader's formulas in that they are much the simplest with increased computational accuracy and complexity by avoiding the computation of the n th-order determinants. The extension of these formulas to the LC-ladders with other terminations are also discussed. The paper also demonstrates the application of these formulas to the design of a broadband matching equalizer having the Butterworth response, using an illustrative example. >
Effects of microfilament-active drugs, phalloidin and the cytochalasins A and B, on exocytosis in mast cells evoked by 48/80 or A23187.

Rat peritoneal mast cells were used as a model system to study the effect, on exocytosis, of three agents known to interact with microfilaments. Mast cell secretion was evaluated by fluorimetric assay of histamine and by ruthenium red staining, the latter method allowing a direct visualization and quantitation of exocytosis at the light microscopic level. Phalloidin, in concentrations up to 300 μg/ml, was without effect on either spontaneous or 48/80-evoked secretion, even after cells were exposed to the drug for 28 h. The failure of even high doses of phalloidin to influence cellular morphology and exocytosis in the mast cell may reflect the absence of a specific membrane receptor. Cytochalasin B was likewise without effect on the response to 48/80 in normally respiring cells; but inhibited this response in the presence of Antimycin A. This inhibitory effect probably reflects the ability of cytochalasin B to block glucose transport. In normally respiring cells, neither phalloidin nor cytochalasin B affected the active expulsion of granules from exocytotic pits. Cytochalasin A, without concomitant treatment with Antimycin A, completely inhibited secretion in response to both 48/80 and A23187, and did so in low concentration. Whether this striking inhibitory effect results from an interaction with microfilaments is uncertain for the inhibition could be mimicked by nonpenetrating thiol-oxidizing agents and prevented by impermeant thiol-protecting agents suggesting that cytochalasin A may inhibit histamine release by thioloxidation at the cell surface. Possibly surface sulfhydryls are important for membrane rearrangements accompanying exocytosis.
Cyclodextrins sequester neuroactive steroids and differentiate mechanisms that rate limit steroid actions.

Background and purpose: Neuroactive steroids are potent modulators of GABAA receptors and are thus of interest for their sedative, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant and anaesthetic properties. Cyclodextrins may be useful tools to manipulate neuroactive effects of steroids on GABAA receptors because cyclodextrins form inclusion complexes with at least some steroids that are active at the GABAA receptor, such as (3α,5α)-3-hydroxypregnan-20-one (3α5αP, allopregnanolone). Experimental approach: To assess the versatility of cyclodextrins as steroid modulators, we investigated interactions between γ-cyclodextrin and neuroactive steroids of different structural classes. Key results: Both a bioassay based on electrophysiological assessment of GABAA receptor function and optical measurements of cellular accumulation of a fluorescent steroid analogue suggest that γ-cyclodextrin sequesters steroids rather than directly influencing GABAA receptor function. Neither a 5β-reduced A/B ring fusion nor a sulphate group at carbon 3 affected the presumed inclusion complex formation between steroid and γ-cyclodextrin. Apparent dissociation constants for interactions between natural steroids and γ-cyclodexrin ranged from 10-60 μM. Although γ-cyclodextrin accommodates a range of natural and synthetic steroids, C11 substitutions reduced inclusion complex formation. Using γ-cyclodextrin to remove steroid not directly bound to GABAA receptors, we found that cellular retention of receptor-unbound steroid rate limits potentiation by 3α- hydroxysteroids but not inhibition by sulphated steroids. Conclusions and implications: We conclude that γ-cyclodextrins can be useful, albeit non-specific, tools for terminating the actions of multiple classes of naturally occurring neuroactive steroids. British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 164–175. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706973
Sight words: the major myth of reading

In 1973 I wrote a paper called The topsy-turvy world of “sight” words' (Groff, 1974). I was hopeful at that time that my negatively critical comments about sight words, when published, would be helpful in reforming the thinking of those who believe in this supposed phenomenon.
Technological methods for improving citizen participation in locally unacceptable land use (LULU) decision-making

Abstract With numerous metropolitan areas and communities, particularly those in Florida and the southern United States, experiencing rapid population growth, the need to expand existing infrastructure support facilities is imminent. However, necessary measures such as widening transportation corridors, building new solid-waste disposal facilities, and extending electrical power line right-of-ways are labelled as “LULUs” (Locally Unacceptable Land Uses), and are met by public protests. In many instances, citizens residing adjacent to, or owning land targeted for unpopular land-use changes claim that they are being unfairly left out of the land-use decision-making process. Local government officials complain that time and budget constraints do not allow for extensive public participation. The resulting controversies have delayed the completion of many projects. The purpose of this paper is to apply geographical information systems (GIS) in an attempt to form a “happy marriage” between potentially impacted citizens and public officials faced with difficult land-use decisions. A decision-making framework is developed including decision support systems (DSS) and expert systems, allowing for balanced, objective input from citizen laypersons, municipal officials, and technical experts.
A study of US machine shops with just‐in‐time customers

Presents the findings of a comprehensive survey conducted among a wide variety of US machine shops. The objectives of the study were to develop the literature‐based just‐in‐time (JIT) machine shop model and to study empirically the changes taking place in the operation of machine shops in response to increasing demands by customers for JIT deliveries of products. Determines basic facility operating characteristics, machine operator characteristics, shopfloor control policies, and overall shop performance characteristics of machine shops having a significant level of sales to JIT customers. Discusses these findings with respect to the JIT machine shop model described in the previous literature. Supplies descriptive information for machine shops having little or no sales to JIT customers, to identify operating differences between the two classes of machine shops.
Recent Advances In Adaptive Optics Methods And Technology

Adaptive wavefront-correction concepts employing deformable mirror technologies have been under investigation for nearly four decades, but most of the important hardware advances have taken place in the last 15 years. State-of-the-art systems comprise second-generation components that are capable of simultaneously manipulating several hundred mirror actuators at kilohertz rates. In tests performed at visible wavelengths, these systems have demonstrated an ability to achieve near-unity Strehl ratios when coupled with telescopes having apertures in the 0.5 to 1-meter range. The third-generation technologies currently under development are intended to be scalable to transmitters of significantly greater dimensions.
The chemokine receptor CXCR2 and coronavirus-induced neurologic disease

Inoculation with the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) into the central nervous system (CNS) of susceptible strains of mice results in an acute encephalomyelitis in which virus preferentially replicates within glial cells while excluding neurons. Control of viral replication during acute disease is mediated by infiltrating virus-specific T cells via cytokine secretion and cytolytic activity, however sterile immunity is not achieved and virus persists resulting in chronic neuroinflammation associated with demyelination. CXCR2 is a chemokine receptor that upon binding to specific ligands promotes host defense through recruitment of myeloid cells to the CNS as well as protecting oligodendroglia from cytokine-mediated death in response to MHV infection. These findings highlight growing evidence of the diverse and important role of CXCR2 in regulating neuroinflammatory diseases.
Moored floating breakwater response to regular and irregular waves

Abstract The simple, yet versatile numerical technique particularly suitable for investigating the problem of the wave attenuation by moored floating breakwater was recently developed by the author. In order to verift the theory, nearly full scale model tests were conducted in a large wave tank ( 3.6 m wide × 4.5 m high × 106 m long ). Both random waves and monochromatic waves were used to compare the results. A breakwater with a rectangular cross-section and a hydrodynamically shaped «three-cycle cylindera breakwater were tested. Incident wave spectra were successfully decomposed from the multi-reflected sea spectra. Frequency response functions of transmitted wave, sway, heave and roll motions of the breakwater as well as mooring forces were all experimentally determined and compared with the theory. Generally, excellent agreements between the theory, the random wave tests and the monochromatic wave tests were obtained for the hydrodynamically shaped breakwater. Except near the modal frequencies of body motion generally good agreement between theory and experiment was obtained for the rectangular breakwater. Near the modal frequencies, the body motion was damped by the flow separation at the sharp corners of the rectangular breakwater. Generation of higher harmonics in wave, body motion and mooring forces was observed and measured, but was generally small. The slow drift oscillation and its effects on the performance of the spring moored breakwaters were also small. From the comaprisons of the small scale test and the large scale tests, it was found that the scale effects were negligibly small on the performance of the spring-moored breakwaters.
Risk-Informed Transit Project Oversight

This paper presents an evolutionary process of integrating risk management into the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTAs) new-start transit project program. New-start transit projects generally request federal funding assistance through the FTA. FTA funding commitments occur early in the project’s development, and as such the project is subject to significant risk, which has historically caused early estimates to be unreliable. To provide more reliable funding commitments and to better inform decision-makers, the FTA introduced risk-assessment requirements in 2002. Results from the earliest efforts indicated two areas for improvement: a more holistic method for risk assessment, and a better integration of risk management into standard project management practices. Although there are insufficient results, to date, to fully validate this new process, the purpose of this paper is to provide information on background and methodology to industry risk practitioners and researchers.
“Qualitative liberalism”: Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. and the persuasive uses of definition and history

During the 1950s, American liberals as an ideological group were besieged by a number of challenges to their values and presumptions. In response to these challenges, historian and political advocate Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. sought to transform the term “liberal” from a term of approbation to a term with a broader, more positive appeal. In the latter half of the 1950s, Schlesinger engaged in a rhetorical campaign which attempted to provide liberals with a dramatic redefinition of themselves as a force in American politics based on the notion of “qualitative liberalism.” This essay applies the concepts of persuasive definition, ideograph, and ideological history in an analysis of Schlesinger's discourse in order to enhance understanding of how the strategic definition of terms such as “liberal” can influence the ongoing struggle to set presumptions in American political life.
U.S. Agricultural Statistics on the Internet: Extending the Reach of the Depository Library.

Abstract The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Economics and Statistics System is a shared venture between Albert R. Mann Library and the three USDA economic agencies. For almost two years, this successful service has made a growing collection of government-produced agricultural statistics available free of charge via the Internet. The Library provides a value-added service by organizing the data, providing reference support to the information, and preserving the information for future access. Methods for incorporating electronic information into the day-to-day activities of the depository collection are discussed, including staff training, bibliographic control, and reference support. This service is presented as a model to facilitate discussion about a future electronic depository program.
Abortion attitudes and the Louisiana governor's election.

Research on the impact of the abortion issue on electoral outcomes has yielded mixed results. Although no such impact has been found at the national level, recent research indicates that abortion attitudes may be influential in state-level elections. Using survey data gathered in 1990 and 1991, the present research studies the influence of the abortion issue on the recent Louisiana gubernatorial race. Louisiana serves as an appropriate case for analysis due to the high visibility of controversial antiabortion legislation passed by the state legislature and the incumbent governor's veto of that legislation. The findings indicate that the influence of the abortion issue on vote is conditioned by a number of factors, and that its impact is likely to be felt only under very specific circumstances.
Narrative Structure and Player Experience in Role-Playing Games

This article reports an experimental study that investigated the effects of narrative structure and number of salient decision points in a role-playing game (RPG). Previous research has proposed various theories and frameworks and posited that a branching structure with increased complexity (i.e., more salient decision points) will improve player’s enjoyment. However, no empirical study has been conducted to validate these statements. This research attempts to fill in this gap. Two hypotheses were developed based on prior research. In a controlled experiment, participants were asked to view prerecorded game play sessions based on which participant experiences were assessed. The experiment suggests that both narrative structure and number of salient decision points impact on game play experience of RPGs.
Buckling of stiffened two-layered shells of revolution with a circumferentially cracked unbonded layer.

Orthotropic stiffness layer models are derived for buckling of eccentrically stiffened shells of revolution with two unbonded orthotropic layers: 1) both of which are uncracked, and 2) one of which is circumferentially cracked. The two models are used in conjunction with a theory for buckling of eccentrically stiffened, circular cylindrical shells with multiple orthotropic layers to assess the importance of including the ablative layer in design calculations for two-layered (metallic plus ablative) re-entry vehicle shells. It is demonstrated in the present analysis that the ablative layer, even when circumferentially cracked and not bonded to the metallic layer, actually dominates the buckling stiffness of a re-entry vehicle shell and, hence, provides an already available source of stiffness for design calculations. However, the current treatment of the ablative layer is to either ignore it completely (an unduly conservative approach) or to regard it as uncracked and perfectly bonded to the metallic layer (an unconservative approach).
P443Investigating coronary effluent transfer as a valid model of remote ischaemic conditioning: the role of stromal derived factor one alpha (SDF-1alpha) and nitric oxide

Background: Remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) is a phenomenon of great potential clinical significance, being a non-invasive method to limit lethal reperfusion injury. Moreover, the identity of the putative cardioprotective factor, released from the remote organ, has been the subject of many recent studies. In this regard, cardioprotection via transfer of coronary effluent is increasingly being used as a model of RIC, as it is well suited to investigating the humoral factor. Whether it is a valid model of RIC, however, is yet to be determined. This study aimed to elucidate this point, using both a protein recently shown to be involved in RIC in vivo 1, SDF-1α, and a molecule shown to be necessary in inducing the protective phenotype, nitric oxide (NO). Methods: Langendorff perfused male Sprague-Dawley rat hearts were randomly assigned to paired donor/recipient protocols. Coronary effluent was collected during stabilisation (Ceff) or during a preconditioning protocol of 3x5min global ischaemia and 5 min reperfusion (IPCeff). Recipient hearts were perfused with effluent for 10 min prior to 35 min left coronary artery occlusion and 60 min reperfusion. The end point for all experiments was measurement of infarct size as a proportion of area at risk (I/AAR%). Involvement of SDF-1α was assessed via inclusion of AMD3100 (5μg/ml), a specific CXCR4 inhibitor, in the effluent. Similarly, involvement of NO was assessed via inclusion of the NOS inhibitor N (G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (100μM) in the effluent. Results: IPCeff significantly reduced infarct size from 41±5% (Ceff) to 22 ±6%, (N=7, p 0.05 vs. Ceff), although interestingly it further augmented coronary flow by 54±5% (p 0.05 vs. Ceff), and abrogated the increase in coronary flow observed with IPCeff. Conclusions: These data raise interesting questions regarding the universality of an organ/tissue's response to an RIC stimulus. Although the end-effector protective signalling pathways seem to be similar, it is possible that each organ or tissue releases a somewhat different profile of proteins. Indeed, our data suggest just that, with SDF-1α seemingly not involved in intercardiac protection. However, the dependence on NOS activity for protection is in line with the current paradigm. Thus, those who use intercardiac protection as a model of RIC must do so with caution.
Improved Consistency in DNPH-Mediated Pyruvic Acid Analysis of Onion Juice by Modifying the Sample Processing Order

Abstract Onion pungency is commonly measured on absorbency of the wine pink color that results from adding NaOH to the heated mixture of dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) and onion juice. However, significant variation exists among several modifications of the original Schwimmer and Weston (SW) method. We observed differences in pyruvic acid concentrations of 20%-30% between our automated method and a batch method with manual absorbency readings. To determine the source of the differences, we examined the heating time and waiting time of the sample-DNPH mixtures and found no differences. The differences were caused by differential color degradation between the pyruvic acid standards and onion juice samples. These differences could be minimized by reading the absorbency within 1 min of NaOH addition. Using this information, we devised the one-by-one method to control the reading time at 30 s. We compared 5 different analysis methods of 40 onion samples representing 4 onion colors. The automated, high-performance liquid chromatography, and SW methods had similar results, with only about a 5% difference. However, the batch method resulted in differences of approximately 24% as compared to the automated method. The one-by-one method produced very comparable results, within 5%, to the automated method. By modifying the procedure to ensure a uniform and fast reading time, we increased the consistency between the pungency analysis methods. Therefore, fast and uniform absorbency reading time is essential for an accurate measurement of pungency in undiluted onion juice.
A comparison of similarities and differences in the activities of Pt/Ni(111) and Ni/Pt(111) surfaces

The decomposition of ethylene and the self-hydrogenation of cyclohexene have been used as probe reactions to compare the activities of Ni/Pt(111) and Pt/Ni(111) surfaces. Ethylene decomposes on both pure Pt(111) and Ni(111) surfaces. Both the 1monolayer (ML) Ni/Pt(111) and 1 ML Pt/Ni(111) surfaces exhibit a decrease in activity toward ethylene decomposition as compared to either Pt(111) or Ni(111). At higher metal coverages (∼3 ML), however, the Pt/Ni(111) surface remains less active, but the Ni/Pt(111) surface becomes Ni-like toward ethylene decomposition. The comparative study of cyclohexene reaction pathways further reveals the different activities between the ∼3 ML Pt/Ni(111) and ∼3 ML Ni/Pt(111) surfaces.
Analysis of group technology scheduling heuristics

The need for increased productivity in small batch manufacturing has recently brought focus to the topics and concepts of group technology. The results of a simulation analysis of the use of three job shop simulation scheduling rules which focus on inducing efficiency in the shop is presented. Two of these rules show significant gains in efficiency and, unexpectedly, they also show significant gains in effectiveness. These rules, in effect, induce the efficiency gains expected with group technology implementation.
An improved model for the prediction of multicomponent ion exchange equilibria

Abstract Nonideal behaviour for liquid and resin phases is investigated theoretically and experimentally for ion exchange equilibrium of the aqueous ternary system Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Na + with Cl − . A semi-theoretical model is proposed in which the Pitzer approach is applied to the solution nonidealities, and the Wilson approach, based on experimental binary data, is applied to the resin. Predictions of the model agree with experimental data for both binary and ternary systems. The predictions of the proposed model are more accurate than those made using existing models.
Selective Activation of Estrogen Receptor-β Target Genes by 3,3′-Diindolylmethane

3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a natural compound found in cruciferous vegetables that has antiproliferative and estrogenic activity. However, it is not clear whether the estrogenic effects are mediated through estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERβ, or both ER subtypes. We investigated whether DIM has ER subtype selectivity on gene transcription. DIM stimulated ERβ but not ERα activation of an estrogen response element upstream of the luciferase reporter gene. DIM also selectively activated multiple endogenous genes through ERβ. DIM did not bind to ERβ, indicating that it activates genes by a ligand-independent mechanism. DIM causes ERβ to bind regulatory elements and recruit the steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)-2 coactivator, which leads to the activation of ER target genes. Silencing of SRC-2 inhibited the activation of ER target genes, demonstrating that SRC-2 is required for transcriptional activation by DIM. Our results demonstrate that DIM is a new class of ERβ-selective compounds, because it does not bind to ERβ, but instead it selectively recruits ERβ and coactivators to target genes.
Intricenyne and related halogenated compounds from Laurencia intricata

Abstract A total of eleven C15 nonterpenoid halogenated compounds were isolated and characterized to varying degrees from the marine red alga Laurencia intricata. Based on IR, UV, NMR, MS and chemical data, a structure is proposed for one of these compounds which was assigned the name intricenyne.
Improved Diffraction Patterns

By means of apparatus of unusual dimensions and a method of producing monochromatic light of exceedingly narrow range of wave-length, improved diffraction patterns have been produced. The photographs show much greater detail than is usual. An exceptional pattern produced by a square opening is shown.
Dead Metaphor Society? From Opitz to Hoffmannswaldau

Analysis of the use of Petrarchistic conceits in German Baroque poetry reveals how poets as ostensibly diverse as Opitz, Zesen, and Hoffmannswaldau employ the figurative language of the Petrarchistic idiom in order to reveal its insufficiency and, in the process of their critique, to recuperate the difference and thus the expressive potential of metaphor. We first discover this critique in Opitz’s “Sonnet uber die augen der Astree” and then its intensification in Zesen’s “Auf die Augen seiner Liben.” Hoffmannswaldau’s “Auff ihre schultern” adopts the correctio model found in Opitz and Zesen, but is even more urgent in its critical interrogation of the Petrarchistic formulae. Here, and then most vividly in “Beschreibung vollkommener schonheit,” Hoffmannswaldau, by syntactic means, remetaphorizes those dead metaphors.
Some Concomitants of Maritime Employment: The Longshore Case

The longshoremen of Portland, Oregon, and their families form an occupational community in a medium-sized city on the North-west Pacific Coast of the United States. They are tightly bound into the economic structure and institutions of the nation and the world for their occupation, and the industry of which it is a part is a function of international trade. However, unlike many other workers in modern industrial nations, their way of life is not sheltered from the vagaries of the weather and the sea, but rather is rendered uncertain by these natural forces. In this way, they are very like farmers, and in many ways they react to their problems much as farmers do. The purpose of this paper is to point up some of the consequences of seeking a livelihood in a maritime occupation.
Evaluation and Enhancement of an Intraoperative Insulin Infusion Protocol via In-Silico Simulation

Intraoperative glycemic control, particularly in cardiac surgical patients, remains challenging. Patients with impaired insulin sensitivity and/or secretion (i.e., type 1 diabetes mellitus) often manifest extremely labile blood glucose measurements during periods of stress and inflammation. Most current insulin infusion protocols are developed based on clinical experiences and consensus among a local group of physicians. Recent advances in human glucose metabolism modeling have established a computer model that invokes algorithms representing many of the pathways involved in glucose dysregulation for patients with diabetes. In this study, we used an FDA approved glucose metabolism model to evaluate an existing institutional intraoperative insulin infusion protocol via closed-loop simulation on the virtual diabetic population that comes with the computer model. A comparison of simulated responses to actual retrospective clinical data from 57 type 1 diabetic patients undergoing cardiac surgery managed by the institutional protocol was performed. We then designed a proportional-derivative controller that overcomes the weaknesses exhibited by our old protocol while preserving its strengths. In-silico evaluation results show that our proportional-derivative controller more effectively manages intraoperative hyperglycemia while simultaneously reducing hypoglycemia and glycemic variability. By performing in-silico simulation on intraoperative glucose and insulin responses, robust and seemingly efficacious algorithms can be generated that warrant prospective evaluation in human subjects.
Inhibition by Somatostatin of Glucagon and Insulin Release from the Perfused Rat Pancreas in Response to Arginine, Isoproterenol and Theophylline: Evidence for a Preferential Effect on Glucagon Secretion

To determine whether somatostatin inhibits glucagon secretion directly at the pancreatic level and to study quantitatively the relative effects of somatostatin on glucagon and insulin secretion, the effects of various concentrations of somatostatin on glucagon and insulin release from the in vitro perfused rat pancreas in response to arginine (14.2 mM), isoproterenol (2 mg⁄ml) and theophylline (10 mM) were studied. Glucagon and insulin responses to arginine were progressively inhibited by somatostatin over a concentration range from 0.1–100 ng⁄ml. At all doses, somatostatin caused greater inhibition of glucagon secretion than of insulin secretion. Approximately 4 ng⁄ml somatostatin reduced glucagon responses 50%, whereas 90 ng⁄ml was required to produce comparable inhibition of insulin responses. Glucagon responses to isoproterenol, an activator of adenylate cyclase, and to theophylline, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, were completely abolished by 100 ng⁄ml somatostatin. Isoproterenol did not cause insulin...
Light sensitive waveguides fabricated by vacuum assisted microfluidics

We report on the fabrication of a light sensitive waveguide via vacuum assisted microfluidic (VAM) soft lithographic technique. UV curable light insensitive waveguides function like typical polymer waveguides with desired mode confinements while the light sensitive waveguides formed by an azobenzene based polymer resin can achieve refractive index modulation through green or blue laser illumination. The refractive index modulation is instant and reversible in the light sensitive waveguide. The VAM technique is used for the fabrication of multisection waveguides using different resins at the same time which is unique compared to conventional single material waveguide fabrication. The effective fabrication of various waveguide sections with the light sensitive azobenzene based UV curable resin can result in many functional waveguide devices for photonics applications.
Low-Temperature Luminescence and Absorption of CdS

Measurements of the emission and absorption of CdS single crystals have been made at several temperatures. At 4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K a set of emission lines in the range 4850-5020 A has been found. A study of these lines together with observations at other temperatures suggests that they are emitted by a system consisting of the combination of a gas and CdS, the gas being adsorbed on the crystal.