cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cisplatin resistance in human cervical, ovarian and lung cancer cells

Purpose This study was performed to determine whether or not in cervical, ovarian and lung cancer cell lines, free radicals (ROS) play a role in cisplatin cytotoxicity and activation of the mitochondrial and JNK/p38 pathways. The role of the enzyme, dihydrodiol dehydrogenase (DDH1), in the activation/deactivation of this pathway and how this may be related to the development of resistance was also investigated.
EXPLOITING DESIGN LENGTH SCALES IN STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION

Many structural optimization methods use geometric length scales as well as artificially imposed lengths such as finite element dimensions. One considers functions defined over these dimensions in characterizing and solving the problem. The natural length scales involved in the proposed design change are generally overlooked. When one proposes an optimization based on change of certain panels in a sheet metal structure, for instance, it might be helpful to use the dimensions of the redesign areas as characteristic lengths. In the present study, a Rayleigh–Ritz approach is taken where the responses of a structure to pseudo-loads (acting only over specified design-change regions) are employed as basis vectors. It is found that convergence of the optimization process is improved. The method is demonstrated for moderate-sized problems, and as with other modal methods, should become even more helpful for large problems. The new complexity involved is the requirement for a type of problem-dependent linking, in parallel with the conventional design variable linking. This can be automated. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Class Struggle in Higher Education

Public higher education has undergone a process similar to that in the national polity: a one-sided struggle by those with power to shape the institution to be more market driven, more focused on what will generate (non-state) revenues, more dominated by top administrators, and less concerned about the working class and people of color. This article examines these trends nationally with a focus on one case study, the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the state's public higher education flagship university. First the article examines the concentration of power in fewer hands. Second it looks at the squeeze in the middle, the way cuts in state appropriations coincide with increases in tuition and fees. Third, it examines attacks on the working class and people of color through changing the rules on affirmative action, reducing support services for students of color and others, and shifting away from needs-based financial aid toward an increased reliance on so-called merit-based financial aid. Fourth, the...
Effects of beta-adrenergic stimulation on atrial latency and atrial vulnerability in patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia☆

Abstract To assess the effects of β-adrenergic stimulation on atrial latency and atrial vulnerability, the electrophysiologic properties of the atrium were studied before and during intravenous infusion of isoproterenol at 2 to 5 μg/min in 11 patients with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia exhibiting atrial latency during programmed atrial extrastimulation. In all patients, the isoproterenol infusion reduced the extent of maximum atrial latency (from 86 ± 19 to 62 ± 16 ms, p
Comparison of concomitant and sinecomitant tumor immunity.

SummaryConcomitant immunity has been observed in syngeneic rats (Lewis) harboring a progressively growing methylcholanthrene-induced tumor, and in mice (C3H) with spontaneous mammary tumors. Such immunity, as determined by the growth of a challenge of tumor cells from the immunizing tumor, was equivalent to that found in animals whose primary tumors had been removed prior to challenge (sinecomitant immunity). Partial or complete removal of the primary tumor subsequent to challenge failed to alter immunity.
Peritoneal surface disease with synchronous hepatic involvement treated with Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC).

Background Patients with peritoneal surface disease (PSD) often present with synchronous hepatic involvement (HI). The impact of addressing the hepatic component during CRS/HIPEC on operative and survival outcomes is not clearly defined.
Influence of mineral weathering reactions on the chemical composition of soil water, Springs, and ground water, Catoctin Mountains, Maryland

During 1983 and 1984, wet precipitation was primarily a solution of dilute sulphuric acid, whereas calcium and bicarbonate were the major ions in springs and ground water in two small watersheds with a deciduous forest cover in central Maryland. Dominant ions in soil water were calcium, magnesium, and sulphate. The relative importance of mineral weathering reactions on the chemical composition of these subsurface waters was compared to the contribution from wet precipitation, biological processes, and road deicing salts. Mineral reaction models, developed from geochemical mass-balance relationships, involved reactions of primary and secondary minerals in metabasalt and metarhyolite with hydrogen ion. Geochemical weathering reactions account for the majority of total ion equivalents in soil water (46 per cent), springs (51 per cent), and ground water (68 to 77 per cent). The net contribution of total ion equivalents from biological processes was 20 and 16 per cent for soil water and springs, respectively, but less than 10 per cent for ground water. The contribution of total ion equivalents from deicing salts (10 to 20 per cent) was related to proximity to roads. Strong acids in precipitation contributed 44 per cent of the total amount of hydrogen ions involved in mineral-weathering reactions for ground water in contact with metarhyolite compared to 25 per cent for ground water in contact with metabasalt, a less resistant rock type to weathering.
ROLE MODELS OF URBAN MINORITY STUDENTS

Identification is an important construct in explaining che development of che self, as shown in the work of Freud, Horney, and Erikson. Identification is viewed as an unconscious process by which an individual forms a mental image of an important person and rends to act in similar ways. Particular figures become important to the person and are viewed as role models by individuals during development Intervention studies suggesred chat providing appropriate role models produces positive differences in che career marurlry of ethnic minority students (Jackson, 1996). Hernandez (1995) reported that Mexican-American high school students who listened to fispanic role models from business, academic, and professional career areas chose higher status careers and reported educational aspirauons and self-efficacy. Haeseler (1996) concluded that boys From father-absent homes exhibited greater feminine role identification, delinquency, mental disorders, poor academic performance, and poor self-esteem. Goss (1996) discussed the types of sex-based stereotyping prevalent in children's books and the influence on children. Researchers have also focused on the type of individuals chosen as role models. WhiteHood (1994) reported that young African-American male role models are chose in the enrertainment and sports arenas. Only a few identiFy with scholars contributing to [he common good. Hoffner (1996) found that boys idenufied 91% of the time with male Figures whereas girls chose the same sex figures only 53% of the time. Kraehmer (1995) concluded that despite competition from celebrities, achletes, and musicians, children still regard parents as their primary heros. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role models of urban intercity Afro-American elementary school students, noring both sex and grade differences. Mehod.-The sample consisted of 1300 students in Grades 1 to 8 from four different schools, three elementary and one middle school. Forty-eight percent were boys and 52% girls. There were 138, 141, 201, 255, 276, 98, 60, and 132 children in Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 of schools within the inner area of a laree citv in the southeastern United Stares.
Meeting Report: Soft and Hard X-ray Tomography at the ALS

A day-and-a-half-long workshop on soft and hard X-ray tomography was held as part of the 2005 ALS Users' Meeting. Many more participants than expected turned up, indicating the growth in interest i...
Reinterpretation of problematical tracks at Clayton Lake State Park, New Mexico: Not one pterosaur, but several crocodiles

A series of six problematical and controversial footprints at Clayton Lake State Park, New Mexico, described as a supposed pterosaur trackway were reexamined to determine what sort of animal made them and how they were made. Additional footprints and two tail drags were found. These, together with some of the six problematical footprints, form at least three trackways of crocodylomorph animals, probably crocodilians. The trackways were probably formed in shallow water and may record the transition from walking to swimming.
Heat capacities of liquid n-alkanes at elevated pressures

Heat capacities for liquid n -octane, n -decane, n -dodecane, n -tetradecane, and n -hexadecane are reported for pressures up to 4000 atm and temperatures from — 15.00 to 85.00°C. These results are derived from precise p, V, T measurements over this same range of pressure and temperature. Heat capacities and liquid densities at 1 atm, as reported in the literature, were also required. The accuracies of the p, V, T data and the derived heat capacities were checked by comparing the calculated isentropic compressibilities with those derived from experimental speed of sound measurements. The differences averaged ± 1.7 per cent for our p, V, T results and in no case were worse than 5.5 per cent. The error in the heat capacity at any pressure relative to that at 1 atm is probably no worse than ± 7.5 per cent at the highest temperature and pressure.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE PHENOMENON OF LONG–TERM ADAPTATION TO GALACTOSE BY SACCHAROMYCES

IT HAS LONG been known that Saccharomyces cerevisiae ferments galactose by an adaptive enzyme produced in the cell during the course of a few hours in the absence of cell division. Winge and Roberts (1948) have studied a culture of S. Chevalieri which ferments galactose by "long-term" adaptation which occurs after cells have grown from 3-14 days in a medium containing galactose. After the adaptation, the fermentation itself occurs at a rapid rate. They state that "long-term" adaptation of S. Chevalieri to galactose does not involve a shift in the population (mutation followed by selection) but is an adaptation of the entire original population. They consider the delay an indication of the time required by the cells to build up galactozymase to a sufficiently high concentration to make it demonstrable. They made hybrids between these two species and found a regular segregation of rapidly fermenting (1-2 days) to "long-term" adapting (3-14 days) clones from each ascus, provided the ascospores were isolated in beer wort, a medium containing considerable amounts of maltose, but lacking galactose. If the ascospores were isolated in galactose broth, all four spores from each ascus fermented galactose immediately (1-2 days). However, they used only asci in which all four spores germinated and the possibility exists that some nonutilizers of galactose may have failed to grow in maltose. They described a series of experiments in which they deadapted and readapted galactose fermenting cultures and denied the significance of mutation as a factor in this process. Extended genetical analyses bv Lindegren (1949) have established the allelism of a single pair of galactose genes (G/g) in Saccharomyces. One of these alleles (G) controls the rapid fermentation of galactose while cells carrying the other (g) do not effect detectable fermentation of galactose under the conditions of the Durham tube fermentation test. (Occasional irregularities in which an excess of fermenter (G G G g) or an excess of nonfermenter (g g g G) alleles were obtained from single asci have been interpreted as the result of conversion of alleles in the heterozygote.) We have discovered occasional cultures in our pedigrees which resemble the cultures of S. Chevalieri described by Winge and Roberts, by fermenting galactose after a long exposure involving growth; the present paper deals with the behavior of these unusual "slow" fermenters of galactose. We have concluded that this involves mutation from the g to the G allele followed by selection of the mutant G population in the presence of galactose.
Human Bone Marrow Stem Cell Responses on Electrospun Bombyx mori Silk Fibroin

Electrospinning for the formation of nanoscale diameter fibers has been explored for high performance filters and biomaterial scaffolds for vascular grafts or wound dressings. Fibers with nanoscale diameters provide benefits due to high surface area. In this study we used electrospinning for protein-based biomaterials to fabricate scaffolds from aqueous regenerated silkworm silk, Bombyx mori,. Adhesion, spreading and proliferation of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) on electrospun silk was characterized. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and MTT analyses demonstrated that the electrospun silk matrices promoted hBMSC attachment and proliferation over 10 days in culture. The responses of the hBMSCs on the electrospun silk matrices, combined with the biocompatibile properties of the silk fibroin protein matrix, suggest potential for use of this biomaterial as scaffolds for tissue engineering.
Use of lean and six sigma methodology to improve operating room efficiency in a high-volume tertiary-care academic medical center.

in 3 domains, ie, personnel, information processed, and time. Multidisciplinary teams addressed 5 work streams to increase value at each step: minimizing volume variation; streamlining the preoperative process; reducing nonoperative time; eliminating redundant information; and promoting employee engagement. Process improvements were implemented sequentially insurgicalspecialties.Keyperformancemetricswerecollectedbeforeandafterimplementation. RESULTS: Across 3 surgical specialties, process redesign resulted in substantial improvements in on-time starts and reduction in number of cases past 5 PM. Substantial gains were achieved in nonoperative time, staff overtime, and ORs saved.These changes resulted in substantial increases in margin/OR/day. CONCLUSIONS: Use of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies increased OR efficiency and financial performance across an entire operating suite. Process mapping, leadership support, staff engagement, and sharing performance metrics are keys to enhancing OR efficiency.The performance gains were substantial, sustainable, positive financially, and transferrable to other specialties. (J Am Coll Surg 2011;213:83–94. © 2011 by the American College of Surgeons)
The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry

The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry, T.V. Paul, ed., Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005.The rivalry between India and Pakistan has clearly been both deep and enduring. The two sides have fought four wars since attaining independence in 1947, and have waged a low-intensity conflict in the disputed territory of Kashmir since the late 1980s. And despite recent improvements in Indo-Pakistani relations, their fundamental political and territorial disagreements remain unresolved. However, it is not obvious why the two countries' relationship has been so stubbornly antagonistic. The India-Pakistan Conflict: An Enduring Rivalry, edited by T.V. Paul, addresses this issue. Specifically, the volume asks: Why has the Indo-Pakistani rivalry been so persistent, even compared to other long-standing conflicts? How have factors at the international, state and leadership levels contributed to this outcome? And why are the prospects for achieving a negotiated settlement of the rivalry so dim?
Extracting mineral effects on ultraviolet penetration and its effects in coastal and inland waters: a Monte Carlo study

A factor significantly affecting the ultraviolet (UV) radiation’s interactions with the aquatic environment is the concentration of suspended sediment. We utilize data on UV penetration, absorption, and scattering in Lake Biwa, Japan, reported by Belzile et al. [Limnol. Oceanogr. 47, 95 (2002)], to drive Monte Carlo simulations of UV penetration. We generated Monte Carlo models (2 billion photons per simulation) of four stations reported by Belzile et al.: two low sediment stations and two high sediment stations. New modes are proposed for analyzing UV penetration and dosage factors for aquatic organisms in sediment dominated aquatic environments.
Myoblasts, myosins, MyoDs, and the diversification of muscle fibers

Distinct types of muscle fibers form and become innervated by appropriate motor neurons during development. Though the activity pattern of the innervating motor neuron affects fiber type in the adult, it is now clear that innervation is not required for the initial formation of fast and slow muscle fibers during embryonic and fetal development. In addition, multiple types of intrinsically different myoblasts are found at different stages of development and motor neurons may preferentially innervate specific types of muscle fibers at relatively early stages of myogenesis. Thus, at least some of the information required for the formation of specific motor units must be carried by muscle cells. Cellular and molecular analyses of the multiple types of myoblasts, myosin heavy chain isoforms, and myogenesis regulating proteins of the MyoD family are leading to a new understanding of the events that choreograph the formation of fast and slow motor units.
Structure of radicals from X-irradiated guanine derivatives : An experimental and computational study of sodium guanosine dihydrate single crystals

In sodium guanosine dihydrate single crystals, the guanine moiety is deprotonated at N1 due to growth from high-pH (>12) solutions. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron−nuclear double...
The limits of sexual conflict in the narrow sense: new insights from waterfowl biology

Sexual conflict occurs when the evolutionary interests of the sexes differ and it broadly applies to decisions over mating, fertilization and parental investment. Recently, a narrower view of sexual conflict has emerged in which direct selection on females to avoid male-imposed costs during mating is considered the distinguishing feature of conflict, while indirect selection is considered negligible. In this view, intersexual selection via sensory bias is seen as the most relevant mechanism by which male traits that harm females evolve, with antagonistic coevolution between female preferences and male manipulation following. Under this narrower framework, female preference and resistance have been synonymized because both result in a mating bias, and similarly male display and coercion are not distinguished. Our recent work on genital evolution in waterfowl has highlighted problems with this approach. In waterfowl, preference and resistance are distinct components of female phenotype, and display and coercion are independent male strategies. Female preference for male displays result in mate choice, while forced copulations by unpreferred males result in resistance to prevent these males from achieving matings and fertilizations. Genital elaborations in female waterfowl appear to function in reinforcing female preference to maintain the indirect benefits of choice rather than to reduce the direct costs of coercive mating. We propose a return to a broader view of conflict where indirect selection and intrasexual selection are considered important in the evolution of conflict.
Resuspension of urban soils as a persistent source of lead poisoning in children : A review and new directions

Urban soils act as the repository for a number of environmental burdens, including Pb. Significant attention has been devoted to reducing Pb burdens to children with outstanding success, but the fact that blood Pb levels above 10 lg/dL are disproportionately found in children living in many USA cities (15–20% in some cities compared to a national average of less than 2%) indicates that not all of the sources have been eliminated. Although the health risk of fine particulates has begun to raise concerns in cities, little attention has been paid to Pb associated with these particulates and the potential role of this pathway for continued Pb burdens of urban youth. This review summarizes recent work on particulate resuspension and the role of resuspension of Pb-enriched urban soils as a continued source of bio-available Pb both outside and inside homes, then presents recent efforts to model Pb burdens to children based on the atmospheric parameters that drive particulate resuspension. A strong seasonal relationship is found between atmospheric particulate loading and blood Pb levels in children, and new particulate loading models are presented for a range of US cities involved in the Interagency Monitoring of Protected Visual Environments (IMPROVE) program. These seasonal particulate loading models have implications for a number of respiratory health impacts, but can also be used to calculate seasonal patterns in bio-available Pb redistribution onto contact surfaces (the primary pathway for ingestion-related uptake in toddlers) and assist clinicians in interpreting time-specific blood Pb tests.
The design, development and operation of a distributed data inventory system

The design, development and operations of a distributed data inventory system is a concern of many government agencies and commercial enterprises. All are searching for ways to harness the information and data resources that are available, as well as provide a framework for bringing future data into an unifying structure. We provide a discussion of the design, development and operation of a system which can be used to build, manage and access distributed data inventories. We discuss the major decisions we made, why we made those decisions and what the end product of our efforts has been. Currently the system we describe is being used as the data access system for the Plasma Interactions Node (PDS/PPI) of NASA's Planetary Data System in order to provide access to fields and particles data returned from NASA's planetary missions. >
Iterative approach to optimizing convergence routing priorities

This paper shows how to optimize the routing decisions in a nondeterministic routing algorithm called convergence routing in which routes may change depending on the traffic conditions. The routing algorithm guarantees a loss-free delivery of data packets from bursty sources, and a deterministic bound on the route length in arbitrary topology networks. The routing decisions are based on assigning routing priorities to the links such that a packet is forwarded to the highest priority link which is not blocked. Routing priorities are assigned using a local-greedy metric which minimizes the distance (number of hops) to the destination. This work shows that routing decisions using a local-greedy metric are not optimal, and the performance of the algorithm can be improved substantially by using new measures. Thus, various look-ahead metrics which take into account the potential gain on the other switching nodes toward the destination of a packet are suggested. The contributions of this work are: (1) a new analytical model to capture the behavior of a switching node; (2) an iterative optimization technique to set routing priorities according to various look-ahead measures; and (3) heuristics to ensure the stability of the routing priorities. The optimization objective is to maximize the throughput by minimizing the maximum total flow carried on a link in the network under static traffic model. The performance is studied computationally on various networks and traffic matrices. It is shown that up to a 50% performance increase can be obtained by optimizing the routing priorities.
Management of mixed dyslipidemia in patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease: A role for combination fibrate therapy

Abstract Background: Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary focus of the management of dyslipidemia in patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease. However, use of a statin alone may be insufficient for the treatment of mixed dyslipidemia, which is characterized by low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and elevated levels of triglycerides, with or without elevated levels of LDL-C. Objective: This report reviews the evidence for the efficacy and tolerability of different combination treatments for the management of mixed dyslipidemia, as supported by clinical-trial data and recommended by national guidelines. Methods: Using the terms lipid-modifying therapy, combination therapy, combination statin-fibrate therapy , and mixed dyslipidemia , a search of PubMed was conducted (completed in April 2007, updated to October 2007) to identify English-language publications and pertinent studies of fibrate combination therapy in patients with mixed dyslipidemia, including those with diabetes or the metabolic syndrome. Results: National guidelines recommend the addition of either niacin (nicotinic acid) or a fibrate to statin therapy in patients with mixed dyslipidemia to achieve better overall lipid control. Fibrates do not have detrimental effects on uric acid levels or glycemic control in patients with diabetes or the metabolic syndrome. Based on data from the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System indicating that gemfibrozil plus a statin was associated with a 15-fold higher risk of rhabdomyolysis than fenofibrate plus a statin, fenofibrate may be the fi-brate of choice for use in combination with a statin. As reported by the Fenofibrate Intervention and Event Lowering in Diabetes study, fenofibrate treatment has also been associated with microvascular benefits in patients with type 2 diabetes, which is consistent with preliminary evidence from the Diabetes Atherosclerosis Intervention Study. Conclusion : The addition of fenofibrate to statin therapy may be a useful strategy for the management of mixed dyslipidemia in patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease.
Diagnosing Obesity by Body Mass Index in Chronic Kidney Disease: An Explanation for the “Obesity Paradox?”

Although obesity is associated with poor outcomes, among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), obesity is related to improved survival. These results may be related to poor diagnostic performance of body mass index (BMI) in assessing body fat content. Accordingly, among 77 patients with CKD and 20 controls, body fat percentage was estimated by air displacement plethysmography (ADP), skinfold thickness, and body impedance analysis. Defined by BMI ≥30 kg/m(2), the prevalence of obesity was 20% in controls and 65% in patients with CKD. Defined by ADP, the prevalence increased to 60% among controls and to 90% among patients with CKD. Although sensitivity and positive predictive value of BMI to diagnose obesity were 100%, specificity was 72%, but the negative predictive value was only 30%. BMI correctly classified adiposity in 75%. Regardless of the presence or absence of CKD, subclinical obesity (defined as BMI <30 kg/m(2) but excess body fat by ADP) was often missed in people with low lean body mass. The adjusted odds ratio for subclinical obesity per 1 kg of reduced lean body mass by ADP was 1.14 (95% CI: 1.06 to 1.23; P<0.001). Skinfold thickness measurements correctly classified 94% of CKD patients, but bioelectrical impedance analyzer-assessed body fat estimation did so in only 65%. Air displacement plethysmography-, skinfold thickness-, and bioelectrical impedance analyzer-assessed body fat all provided reproducible estimates of adiposity. Skinfold thickness measurements may be a better test to classify obesity among those with CKD. Given the low negative predictive value of BMI for obesity, our study may provide an explanation of the "obesity paradox."
Efficient defrosting of an inclined flat surface

Abstract We present a deicing simulation for a practical three-dimensional geometry inside which hot air jets impinge upon a flat inclined glass surface with a layer of ice on the outside. The main goal is to study the unsteady two-phase melting process over the inclined flat surface, and to identify the traditional control parameters such as jet impingement angles for minimization of the defrosting time for given ice and glass thicknesses. A correlation for defrosting as functions of time, heat transfer parameters and impingement angles has been found. Also, in this study, the first Joule heating defroster using transparent electrodes are proposed and numerically simulated as a viable alternative. A correlation between the electrical Joule power requirement and the defrosting time is given. It is demonstrated that substantial improvements (roughly 70% reduction) in defrosting time may be achieved using Joule heating compared to the traditional jet impingement HVAC technology.
Cardiovascular Outcomes Using Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump in High-Risk Acute Myocardial Infarction With or Without Cardiogenic Shock: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) has been widely used ever since it was first developed in 1962 and became part of clinical practice in 1968. It is used to treat patients with complications of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) such as cardiogenic shock, refractory left ventricular failure, and for high-risk patients undergoing angioplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting. However, current literature demonstrates a significant variance in terms of indications for using IABP and its outcomes. The aim of this study is to review the existing literature to analyze whether the use of IABP offers any cardiovascular benefit to the patients with AMI and the complications associated with the use of IABP. Material and Methods: A systematic review of literature identified 16 studies. We analyzed the primary endpoint (in-hospital mortality, reinfarction, recurrent ischemia) and secondary endpoint (incidence of moderate and severe bleeding during hospitalization at 7 days). We estimated the proportion of...
A fully frequency referenced parametric polychromatically sampled analog-to-digital conversion

We present a novel scalable photonically-sampled analog-to-digital-converter based on parametric multicasting, polychromatic sampling and frequency referenced lasers. A sampling rate of 30-GS/s is achieved with three subrate-channels with a 6.2-ENOB performance of a 19-GHz signal.
Vision-based force sensing for nanomanipulation

In this paper, a vision-based algorithm for estimating tip interaction forces on a deflected atomic orce microscope (AFM) cantilever is described. Specifically, we propose that the algorithm can estimate forces acting on an AFM cantilever being used as a nanomanipulator inside a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The vision-based force sensor can provide force feedback in real time, a feature absent in many SEMs. A methodology based on cantilever slope detection is used to estimate the forces acting on the cantilever tip. The technique was tested on a scaled model of the nanoscale AFM cantilever and verified using theoretical estimates as well as direct strain measurements. Artificial SEM noise was introduced in the macroscale images to characterize our sensor under varying levels of noise and other SEM effects. Prior knowledge about the cantilever is not required, and the algorithm runs independent of human input. The method is shown to be effective under varying noise levels, and demonstrates improving performance as magnification levels are decreased. Therefore, we conclude that the vision-based force sensing algorithm is best suited for continuous operation of the SEM, fast scanning rates, and large fields-of-view associated with low magnification levels.
Audio and vision-based evaluation of parkinson~s disease from discourse video

Parkinson's disease (PD) belongs to a class of neurodegenerative diseases that affect both the patient's speech and motor capabilities. To date, PD diagnosis and the determination of disease progress and treatment efficacy is based entirely on the subjective observation of a trained physician. We present the results of a pilot study of two Idiopathic PD patients who have undergone Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). It has been observed subjectively that gestural performance of patients improve in tandem with speech improvements after LSVT. It is hypothesized that these improvements are taking place at a neurological level. Measurements of speech and gesture suggest that LSVT improves the quality of both gesticulation and speech.
TAILORING LEXICAL CHOICE TO THE USER'S VOCABULARY IN MULTIMEDIA EXPLANATION GENERATION

In this paper, we discuss the different strategies used in COMET (COordinated Multimedia Explanation Testbed) for selecting words with which the user is familiar. When pictures cannot be used to disambiguate a word or phrase, COMET has four strategies for avoiding unknown words. We give examples for each of these strategies and show how they are implemented in COMET.
Survey of opioid and barbiturate prescriptions in patients attending a tertiary care headache center

Objective To educate physicians about appropriate acute migraine treatment guidelines by determining (1) where headache patients were first prescribed opioids and barbiturates, and (2) the characteristics of the patient population who had been prescribed opioids and barbiturates. Background Several specialty societies issued recommendations that caution against the indiscriminate use of opioids or barbiturate containing medications for the treatment of migraine. These medications are still being prescribed in various medical settings and could put headache specialists in a difficult position when patients request these agents. Methods Patients presenting to a headache center comprised of eight physicians were asked to complete a survey that assessed headache types, comorbid conditions, and whether they had ever been prescribed opioids or barbiturates. If they responded affirmatively to the latter question, they were asked about the prescribing doctor, medication effectiveness, and whether they were currently on the medication. Data collection took place over a one month period. Results Two hundred forty-four patients were given the survey and 218 of these patients completed it. The predominant diagnosis was migraine (83.9%). More than half of the patients reported having been prescribed an opioid (54.8%) or a barbiturate (56.7%). About one fifth were on opioids (19.4%) or barbiturates (20.7%) at the time of completing the survey. Most patients reported being on opioids for more than 2 years (24.6%) or less than one week (32.1%). The reasons most frequently cited for stopping opioids were that the medications did not help (30.9%) or that they saw a new doctor who would not prescribe them (29.4%). Among patients who had previously been on barbiturates, 32.2% had been on these for over 2 years. Most patients (61.8%) stopped barbiturates because they did not find the medication helpful, while 17.6% said they saw a new doctor who would not prescribe them. The physician specialty most frequently cited as being the first prescriber for opioids was emergency medicine (20.2%) with family doctors and general neurologists the next groups at 17.7% each. General neurologists were the most frequent (37.8%) first prescribers of barbiturates. Conclusions Approximately 20% of patients presenting to a headache center reported current use of opioids and/or barbiturates. ED physicians were reported to be the most frequent first prescribers of opioids and general neurologists were the most frequent first prescribers of barbiturates. Taken as a whole, these data provide a useful snapshot of the wide variety of physician specialties that might benefit from additional education on the appropriate use of opioids and barbiturate-containing medications in patients with headaches.
REMEMBERING ARTHUR PEACOCKE: A PERSONAL REFLECTION

. I join others who have expressed profound gratitude for the life and thought of Arthur Peacocke. I recall some high points in my interaction with him during a period of forty years as an intellectual companion and personal friend. Some similarities in our thinking about evolution, emergence, top-down causality, and continuing creation are indicated. Four points of difference are then discussed: (1) Emergent monism or two-aspect process events? (2) Panentheism or process theism? (3) Creation ex nihilo and/or continuing creation? (4) Voluntary or necessary limitation of God's power? Even when we differed I have benefited immensely from our ongoing interaction.
Capacity-distortion trade-off in channels with state

A problem of state information transmission over a state-dependent discrete memoryless channel (DMC) with independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) states, known strictly causally at the transmitter is investigated. It is shown that block-Markov encoding coupled with channel state estimation conditioned on treating the decoded message and received channel output as side information at the decoder yields the minimum state estimation error. This same channel can also be used to send additional independent information at the expense of a higher channel state estimation error. The optimal tradeoff between the rate of the independent information that can be reliably transmitted and the state estimation error is characterized via the capacity-distortion function. It is shown that any optimal tradeoff pair can be achieved via a simple rate-splitting technique, whereby the transmitter appropriately allocates its rate between pure information transmission and state estimation.
Effect of age on humoral immunity, selection of the B-cell repertoire and B-cell development

The age-associated changes in humoral immunity affect the quality more than the quantity of the antibody response. Changes in the quality of the antibody response with age include shifts in antibody specificities from foreign to autoantigens, in antibody isotypes from IgG to IgM, in antibody affinities from high to low and in the antibody idiotypic repertoire. These changes can be traced to an impaired capacity of T cells to facilitate: (a) the maturation of B cells with respect to isotype and affinity maturation in the periphery and (b) the development of a diverse B-cell repertoire from precursors within the bone marrow. In contrast, there is no evidence that the amount of immunoglobulin produced before or after immunization diminishes with age. Nonetheless, the impaired responses of the elderly to most vaccines and the greater susceptibility of the elderly to infections has fostered a view that immune senescence leads to a state of immune deficiency. However, it is more precise to describe immune senescence as leading to a state of immune dysregulation. The dysregulation of the humoral immunity is manifested by a shift from adaptive humoral immunity, characterized by the production of a highly specific, high-affinity, IgG antibody response to foreign antigens, to a process of natural antibody-mediated immunity, dominated by low-affinity, polyreactive, IgM antibodies which react with autoantigens. Age-associated T-cell impairments appear to be the basis for the shift from adaptive to natural humoral immunity and their reversal should permit the restoration of an adaptive antibody response in the elderly.
Escape Behavior of Neotropical Homopterans in Response to a Flush–Pursuit Predator

Insect defenses against avian predators often include both a primary defense that reduces the probability of being attacked and a secondary defense, typically escape behavior, employed if the primary defense fails. Escape behavior, however, can make insects potentially vulnerable to specialized flush‐pursuit predators. Neotropical Redstarts of the genus Myioborus (Parulidae) exploit insect escape behavior by using their contrasting black-and-white plumage and animated foraging behavior to startle insect prey that are then pursued and captured in flight. We examined how insect primary defense strategy and natural variation in Myioborus plumage pattern influence escape behavior in six species of homopterans from Monteverde, Costa Rica. The six homopterans included two aposematic species of the family Cercopidae (Ocoaxo sp. and Sphenorhina sp.), two cryptic species of the family Cixiidae (both Bothriocera spp.), and two structurally defended species of the family Membracidae (Campylocentrus sp. and Vestistilus variabilis). We measured the distance at which models of Myioborus Redstarts elicited escape behavior in insects under field conditions. Response distances varied significantly with both homopteran primary defense and Myioborus plumage pattern. Structurally defended homopterans were the most sensitive to the models and cryptic homopterans were the least sensitive. The model simulating the plumage of endemic M. miniatus comptus of Costa Rica elicited greater responses than did models of other Myioborus taxa with either less or more white in the plumage. Our results suggest that (1) primary defense strategies can have a significant effect on insect vulnerability to flush‐pursuit predators, and (2) geographic variation in the plumage pattern of Myioborus Redstarts may reflect adaptation to regional prey and habitat characteristics that maximizes flush‐pursuit foraging performance.
Manufacturing Systems Design Decomposition and Process Failure Mode Effect Analysis

Since its development for the Apollo project in 1963, Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA) has been increasingly employed, especially in the automotive industry, as a means for understanding and managing risk. When this analysis is applied to an existing process or manufacturing line, the manufacturing processes are established and existing process data can be employed in the determination of severity, occurrence and detection of process failures. When a new manufacturing line is being developed or scaled up from a pilot process, there is less certainty and limited analogous process data. This paper describes the use of Manufacturing System Design Decomposition (MSDD) in the design of manufacturing processes in conjunction with definition of the Process FMEA model.
Paradigmatic complexity in pidgins and creoles

The last decade has seen increasing attention paid to questions of grammatical complexity, in particular regarding the extent to which some languages can be said to be more ‘complex’ than others, whether globally or with respect to particular subsystems. Creoles have featured prominently in these debates, with various authors arguing that they are particularly simple when set against non-creoles, with an apparent lack of overt morphology in creoles often cited as one of the ways in which their grammars are especially simplified. This paper makes two contributions to this discussion. First, it develops metrics of grammatical complexity that derive directly from a well-known model of creole development, thus providing an explicit link between the sociohistorical circumstances in which creoles formed and grammatical outcomes. Second, it applies these metrics to the newly published dataset from the Atlas of Pidgin and Creole Structures, setting this data against that from the well-known World Atlas of Languag...
Comment: Rethinking Injury and Proximate Cause

In commenting on an Article by Professor Stephen Perry, this piece first sets out to clarify the concepts of "harm" and "injury" as used in tort law. Specifically, it suggests that harm should be understood as a special instance of injury, to be contrasted with other forms of injury, including rights-violations and lost expectancies. In its second part, the paper offers a novel analysis of the proximate cause limitation on tort liability. Rejecting standard views that proximate cause serves as a floodgate to prevent "excessive" litigation or liability, I argue that the doctrine instead specifies a requirement of "wronging": In negligence law, it is only if an actor's carelessness causes harm in a "natural" sequence that the victim is "entitled" to claim that she has been mistreated by the defendant. By preventing the attribution of responsibility for certain fortuitously-caused harms, proximate cause doctrine thus limits liability to instances in which there is not merely wrongful conduct on the part of the tortfeasor, but wrongful conduct towards - i.e., a wronging of - the victim. I suggest that this understanding of proximate cause fits well within a "civil recourse" theory of tort law, and helps explain away various puzzles, such as the thin-skull rule, and the greater willingness of intentional tort doctrine to impose liability notwithstanding fortuitous causation.
Being Dedicated in the Film The American Nurse

The focus of this humanbecoming hermeneutic study of graduate nursing students' reflections is on being dedicated as portrayed in the documentary film, The American Nurse. Nursing students were invited to a public screening of the film, with the director, Carolyn Jones, and asked to write a brief reflective essay on "what is the meaning of being dedicated depicted in the film The American Nurse." The perspective is to be the humanbecoming school of thought. The participants were 20 nurses either in a graduate or doctoral nursing program at the time of this study. The emergent meanings of the study are offered to enhance knowledge and understanding of being dedicated. The use of documentary film to expand graduate nursing students' awareness of global issues is also considered.
Dual labeling of the fibronectin matrix and actin cytoskeleton with green fluorescent protein variants

We have prepared 3T3 cells doubly labeled to visualize simultaneously the extracellular fibronectin (FN) matrix and intracellular actin cytoskeleton in living cell cultures. We used FN-yellow fluorescent protein (FN-yfp) for the FN matrix, and the actin-binding domain of moesin fused to cyan fluorescent protein (cfp-Moe) to stain actin. Actin filament bundles were clearly seen in the protruding lamellae of the cells. FN matrix assembly appeared to be initiated as small spots of FN at the ends of actin filament bundles. The spots then elongated along the actin filament bundle toward the cell center to form FN fibrils. The end of the fibril towards the cell edge appeared immobile, and probably attached to the substrate, whereas the end toward the cell center frequently showed movements, suggesting attachment to the cell. Combining our data with the observations of Pankov et al. we suggest that fibrils grow by stretching this mobile end toward the cell center while adding new FN molecules at the end and along the entire length. When the cell culture was treated with cytochalasin to disrupt the actin cytoskeleton, some fibrils contracted substantially, suggesting that the segment attached primarily to the cell surface is stretched.
Evaluating the Performance of DFT Functionals in Assessing the Interaction Energy and Ground-State Charge Transfer of Donor/Acceptor Complexes: Tetrathiafulvalene−Tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF−TCNQ) as a Model Case

We have evaluated the performance of several density functional theory (DFT) functionals for the description of the ground-state electronic structure and charge transfer in donor/acceptor complexes. The tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) complex has been considered as a model test case. Hybrid functionals have been chosen together with recently proposed long-range corrected functionals (ωB97X, ωB97X-D, LRC-ωPBEh, and LC-ωPBE) in order to assess the sensitivity of the results to the treatment and magnitude of exact exchange. The results show an approximately linear dependence of the ground-state charge transfer with the HOMOTTF-LUMOTCNQ energy gap, which in turn depends linearly on the percentage of exact exchange in the functional. The reliability of ground-state charge transfer values calculated in the framework of a monodeterminantal DFT approach was also examined.
Effect of osmotic stress on growth of Gaeumannomyces graminis strains differing in hyphal pigmentation

The effect of osmotic stress on mycelial growth was determined for melanized and nonmela- nized strains of Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici and var. graminis using a minimal salts medium, both in liquid and solid form. The osmotica used were KCl and sucrose. Growth measurements obtained from