cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Fast Multi-Modal Approach to Facial Feature Detection

As interest in 3D face recognition increases the importance of the initial alignment problem does as well. In this paper we present a method utilizing the registered 2D color and range image of a face to automatically identify the eyes, nose, and mouth. These features are important to initially align faces in both standard 2D and 3D face recognition algorithms. For our algorithm to run as fast as possible, we focus on the 2D color information. This allows the algorithm to run in approximately 4 seconds on a 640times480 image with registered range data. On a database of 1,500 images the algorithm achieved a facial feature detection rate of 99.6% with 0.4% of the images skipped due to hair obstruction of the face.
Mechanical restoration of California mixed-conifer forests: does it matter which trees are cut?

The montane ecosystems of northern California have been subjected to repeated manipulation and active fire suppression for over a century, resulting in changes in community structure that contribute to increased wildfire hazard. Ecosystem restoration via reduction of stand density for wildfire hazard mitigation has received substantial attention in recent years; however, many ecological questions remain unanswered. This study compares belowground effects of two alternative forest thinning treatments designed to restore the large, old tree component of late-seral structure, one of which focuses on restoring Pinus ponderosa dominance (Pine-preference) and the other of which promotes development of large trees regardless of species (Size-preference). We evaluated forest floor and soil chemical and microbial parameters in six experimental thinning treatment units of 40 ha each in the Klamath National Forest of northern California 5�6 years after thinning. Inorganic N availability, soil organic C content, phenol oxidase activity, and forest floor C:N ratio were greater in the Size-preference treatment, whereas forest floor N and soil pH were greater in the Pine-preference treatment. Our results indicate that these two thinning strategies produce differences in the soil environment that has the potential to affect growth rates of trees that remain, as well as the growth and survivorship of newly established seedlings. Thus, which species/ individuals are removed during structural restoration of these mixed-conifer forests matters both to the belowground components of the ecosystem today and the vegetation and productivity of the ecosystem in future decades.
Camera Data Acquisition for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is a proposed ground-based 8.4-meter telescope operating in the visible band. The LSST Camera Control System (CCS) will manage the activities of the various camera subsystems and coordinate those activities with the LSST Observatory Control System (OCS). The most demanding component of the CCS is the Science Array Data Acquisition Subsystem (SDS). Its principal responsibilities are to receive science data from the camera, perform cross-talk correction, reorganize, buffer and, finally, distribute these data to down stream clients. SDS will use System on Chip (SoC) technologies and high speed protocols like 10 Gb Ethernet. This paper will describe the SDS requirements, its conceptual design and the current development status.
The Effects of Cell Phone Use and Automation on Driver Performance and Subjective State in Simulated Driving

Cell phone use has been identified as a threat to driver safety. Impairments may depend on the type of cell phone usage such as calling back and text messaging. The present study investigated whether the impact of phone use depends on the state of fatigue of the driver. A manipulation of full vehicle automation was used to induce a state of passive fatigue during a simulated drive. Participants were also assigned to one of four cell phone response conditions (Cell Phone, Text Message, Free-Choice or Control). Subjective responses, vehicle control and speed of response to an emergency event were assessed. Cell phone use did not mitigate stress and fatigue produced by vehicle automation. We also replicated existing findings that phone use, especially texting, impairs normal driving performance. However, phone use during automation was associated with a faster braking response following transition to normal control, suggesting that there may be circumstances under which phone use enhances alertness. Safety implications of the findings are discussed. Language: en
Biomechanics of cell adhesion: how force regulates the lifetime of adhesive bonds at the single molecule level

Cell adhesion proteins play critical roles in positioning cells during development, segregating cells into distinct tissue compartments and in maintaining tissue integrity. The principle function of these proteins is to bind cells together and resist mechanical force. Adhesive proteins also enable migrating cells to adhere and roll on surfaces even in the presence of shear forces exerted by fluid flow. Recently, several experimental and theoretical studies have provided quantitative insights into the physical mechanisms by which adhesion proteins modulate their unbinding kinetics in response to tensile force. This perspective reviews these biophysical investigations. We focus on single molecule studies of cadherins, selectins, integrins, the von Willebrand factor and FimH adhesion proteins; the effect of mechanical force on the lifetime of these interactions has been extensively characterized. We review both theoretical models and experimental investigations and discuss future directions in this exciting area of research.
Focusing on testosterone.

Since Huggins and Hodges first established testosterone as the principal androgenic hormone responsible for the growth of prostate cancer in 1941, lowering the circulating testosterone to surgical castration levels (
Transport properties in dilute alloys

Recent theoretical and experimental progress relating to transport properties in dilute alloys is reviewed, with particular attention paid to the value of conventional transport measurements in providing information on the electronic band structure of alloys.
The antimicrobial effects of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) on ruminal hyper ammonia‐producing bacteria

Aim: To assess the antimicrobial effects of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) on hyper ammonia producing-bacteria (HAB), which catabolize amino acids and peptides in the bovine rumen. Methods and Results: When media were amended with dried hops or hops extract (30·7% lupulone), ammonia production by mixed rumen bacteria was inhibited. The growth and ammonia production of pure cultures (Peptostreptococcus anaerobius, Clostridium aminophilum, or Clostridium sticklandii) was inhibited by 30 ppm lupulone at pH 6·7, and bactericidal activity was observed at pH 5·6. When hops extract was added to energized cell suspensions, the intracellular pH rapidly decreased and intracellular potassium was lost. Conclusions: The three HAB species were sensitive to the antimicrobial components in hops, and the inhibition of ammonia production by mixed rumen bacteria indicates that similar effects could be expected in the rumen. Significance and Impact of the Study: As much as half of the amino acids consumed by ruminants can be lost due to microbial degradation in the rumen. This study supports the idea that biologically active plant metabolites can be used to mitigate this wasteful process.
Coordinate Induction of the Actin Cytoskeletal Regulatory Proteins Gelsolin, Vasodilator-Stimulated Phosphoprotein, and Profilin during Capillary Morphogenesisin Vitro

The formation of capillaries during development and tissue repair is likely to involve active reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton, although few studies have addressed this issue. Here, we have utilized an in vitro model of capillary morphogenesis whereby human umbilical vein endothelial cells are suspended within three-dimensional type I collagen gels. The cells undergo dramatic morphogenic changes to develop capillary lumens, tubes, and networks over 72 h of culture. Western blots using cell extracts of these gels over this time frame were performed using antibodies directed to various proteins associated with the actin cytoskeleton. Three proteins showed altered expression during the time course, and they were gelsolin, which increased fivefold; vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP), which increased twofold; and profilin, which increased threefold in expression between the 24- and the 72-h time points. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Northern blot analysis revealed a similar increase in mRNA expression of the three proteins. After the onset of network formation, the differentiated endothelial cells (dECs) undergoing capillary morphogenesis were removed from collagen gels at 48 h of culture to compare their properties with untreated endothelial cells (uECs). These dECs showed two- to threefold increased spontaneous migration in Boyden chamber assays compared to uECs. The dECs also displayed a prominent spindle-shaped morphology and the novel presence of intranuclear gelsolin compared to uECs when both cell types were replated on type I collagen-coated microwells and glass coverslips. These data suggest that increased gelsolin, VASP, and profilin expression may play an important role in the regulation of capillary tube and network formation in three-dimensional extracellular matrix.
Analysis of Some Experimental Variations of Simulated Vocal Expressions of the Emotions

(1941). Analysis of Some Experimental Variations of Simulated Vocal Expressions of the Emotions. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 14, No. 2, pp. 369-372.
African Americans’ Perception of Mental Health Professions

This study explored African-Americans’ perceptions of various mental health professions through the ranking of confidence levels across five case vignettes of varying psychiatric severity. Results indicated that African-Americans viewed psychologists and doctoral level licensed professional counselors with similar levels of confidence and ranked doctoral level licensed professional counselors above master’s level counselors in every case example. Congruent with previous studies, the African American sample was confident in counselors’ ability to treat less severe cases and less confident in their ability to treat more severe cases.
Selected List of Periodicals on the Pacific Coast States and Their Culture

Abstract An annotated list is presented describing sixteen periodicals that cover significant aspects of the Pacific Coast states and their culture in whole or in part. The titles included are a selective and representative sampling. The entry for each periodical includes the following information: periodical title, publisher/editor and address, basic information, publication data, content, Internet information and an abstract/annotation.
Analogs of tetrahydrofolic acid. XXI. Synthesis of 6-bromomethyl-5-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,4-diaminopyrimidine and its evaluation as a dihydrofolic reductase inhibitor†‡

The title compound (IV) has been synthesized from p-chlorophenylacetonitrile by Claisen condensation with ethyl ethoxyacetate, conversion to an enol ether, then reaction with guanidine to give the key intermediate 5-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,4-diamino-6-ethoxymethyl-pyrimidine (V). Cleavage of the ethyl ether of V with hydrogen bromide in acetic acid gave IV. The bromomethylpyrimidine (IV) was a good reversible inhibitor of dihydrofolic reductase from pigeon liver, but IV was not an irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme.
Evidence That Two ATP-Dependent (Lon) Proteases in Borrelia burgdorferi Serve Different Functions

The canonical ATP-dependent protease Lon participates in an assortment of biological processes in bacteria, including the catalysis of damaged or senescent proteins and short-lived regulatory proteins. Borrelia spirochetes are unusual in that they code for two putative ATP-dependent Lon homologs, Lon-1 and Lon-2. Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, is transmitted through the blood feeding of Ixodes ticks. Previous work in our laboratory reported that B. burgdorferi lon-1 is upregulated transcriptionally by exposure to blood in vitro, while lon-2 is not. Because blood induction of Lon-1 may be of importance in the regulation of virulence factors critical for spirochete transmission, the clarification of functional roles for these two proteases in B. burgdorferi was the object of this study. On the chromosome, lon-2 is immediately downstream of ATP-dependent proteases clpP and clpX, an arrangement identical to that of lon of Escherichia coli. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Lon-1 and Lon-2 cluster separately due to differences in the NH2-terminal substrate binding domains that may reflect differences in substrate specificity. Recombinant Lon-1 manifested properties of an ATP-dependent chaperone-protease in vitro but did not complement an E. coli Lon mutant, while Lon-2 corrected two characteristic Lon-mutant phenotypes. We conclude that B. burgdorferi Lons -1 and -2 have distinct functional roles. Lon-2 functions in a manner consistent with canonical Lon, engaged in cellular homeostasis. Lon-1, by virtue of its blood induction, and as a unique feature of the Borreliae, may be important in host adaptation from the arthropod to a warm-blooded host.
Modality and interrupts

We suggest that modal operators, in addition to their well-understood semantic role in declarative systems, also mark points at which these systems can be interrupted. We use this idea to describe an interruptible declarative system that gradually refines its responses to queries. Although initial responses may be in error, a correct answer will be provided if arbitrarily large computational resources are available. The ideas presented generalize existing work on stratification of logic programs and the treatment of floundered subgoals.
Weather-related patterns of fruit abscission mask patterns of frugivory

Previous studies on frugivory in temperate bird-dispersed plants have concluded that fleshy fruits are removed more rapidly in cold than in warm winters. However, these studies do not distinguish between fruit abscission and frugivory. The implicit assumption that fruit loss reflects frugivory may not be valid; fruit abscission may be important and respond differently to weather. During two winters, we measured fruit loss from an invasive shrub (Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder) using fruit traps. We examined the effects of temperature and precipitation on fruit retention on shrubs and fruit abscission. In the first year of our study, there was no effect of temperature or precipitation on fruit retention. In the second year, both warmer temperatures and lower precipitation resulted in more fruit retention. In both years, fruit abscission was greater during periods of cold temperatures and high precipitation. These findings suggest that weather-dependent “frugivory” reported for other bird-dispersed plants ...
Diode frequency multipliers for terahertz local oscillator applications

Very wideband heterodyne receiver systems are planned for many astronomical applications during the next 5 - 10 years. These extend up to 830 GHz for ground based telescopes and up to 2.7 THz for space and airborne applications. At present the only means to provide sufficient local oscillator power for these submillimeter receivers is the Schottky varactor diode frequency multiplier. Present multipliers operate at up to 1 THz with solid state pump sources, and are largely based on whisker contacted diodes. This paper describes a new generation of varactor multipliers which will be based on planar technology and may extend frequency coverage by a factor of two or more.
Surface roughness induced scattering and band tailing

Abstract A random potential due to surface roughness has long been recognized as the dominant scattering mechanism at high electron concentrations in quantized inversion layers of semiconductors, but little definitive understanding is truly available. Here, the extent of band tailing and the role of this band tailing in electron transport have been estimated from the second-order correction to the surface subbands arising from the surface roughess induced random potential. Surface roughness parameters were determined from high resolution TEM pictures of the Si-SiO2 interface and are found to be in reasonable agreement with earlier estimates. Calculations based upon these parameters indicate that band tailing is important at high inversion layer densities (≳ 10 12 cm 2 ).
Smooth depth contours characterize the underlying distribution

The Tukey depth is an innovative concept in multivariate data analysis. It can be utilized to extend the univariate order concept and advantages to a multivariate setting. While it is still an open question as to whether the depth contours uniquely determine the underlying distribution, some positive answers have been provided. We extend these results to distributions with smooth depth contours, with elliptically symmetric distributions as special cases. The key ingredient of our proofs is the well-known Cramer-Wold theorem.
Keeping the Faith but Losing in Court: Legal Implications of Proselytizing in the Workplace

Proselytizing at work occurs when an employee tries to convince coworkers to change their religions. This presents an interesting set of legal issues, because some employees feel that proselytizing is a requirement of their religion. Therefore, they could perceive a prohibition on proselytizing at work as a discriminatory act against members of their religion. On the other hand, other employees may be offended by attempts to change their religious practices. These employees could perceive workplace proselytizing as religious harassment. Therefore, American employers have to adopt religious harassment policies that are much more complex than their sexual harassment policies. In this paper, we outline the components of a legally compliant religious harassment policy which balances the competing rights of proselytizers and their intended targets.
Analytical and numerical analyses for two-dimensional stress transfer

Abstract Both analytical modeling and numerical simulations were performed to analyze the stress transfer in platelet-reinforced composites in a two-dimensional sense. In the two-dimensional model, an embedded elongated plate bonded to a matrix along its long edges was considered. The system was subjected to both tensile loading parallel to the plate’s long edges and residual thermal stresses. The ends of the plate can be debonded from or bonded to the matrix during loading, and both cases were considered in the analysis. Good agreement was obtained between the present analytical and numerical solutions. However, better agreement between analytical and numerical models was obtained for the case of bonded ends than for debonded ends.
The mechanism of action of pyrophosphate in firefly luminescence

Abstract 1. 1. Results are presented which demonstrate that the decrease in light intensity after mixing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), Mg++, luciferin, and luciferase is due to the formation of an inactive complex of luciferase. The low base-line level of luminescence is presumably a measure of a steady-state equilibrium between the inactive complex and active intermediate. The latter is oxidized in the presence of oxygen to give rise to an excited state, which subsequently decomposes to emit a quantum of light. 2. 2. The inactive complex formation depends upon the presence of Mg++ ion and a second protein. Inorganic pyrophosphatase, which occurs in high concentrations in the firefly lantern, is particularly effective. 3. 3. Purified luciferase, which contains no pyrophosphatase activity, is not rapidly complexed, thus allowing a high steady-state level of luminescence. 4. 4. The addition of pyrophosphate and triphosphate, after initiating the reaction with ATP, stimulates light production, presumably by decomposing the inactive complex. This effect of pyrophosphate depends upon the presence of the inorganic pyrophosphatase. 5. 5. Inhibitors of pyrophosphatase (Mn++, Ca++, and F) prevent the rapid decay of the high light intensity obtained with pyrophosphate. The decay of light intensity under these conditions occurs only after the pyrophosphate is hydrolyzed. 6. 6. Pyrophosphate is a potent inhibitor of the luminescent reaction if added prior to ATP. The extent and duration of the inhibition depends, however, upon the concentration of pyrophosphatase in the reaction mixture. The reversal of the inhibition is apparently due to the liberation of luciferase from an inactive complex with pyrophosphate. 7. 7. The results are discussed in relation to a possible mechanism for controlling the rates of enzyme-catalyzed reactions and luminescence in the intact firefly.
Themes and Variations in Complex Systems

Complex systems display diversification in type, patterning, and behavior over time through varied selective mechanisms. Such systems are observed in numerous natural and cultural contexts, including nucleosynthesis, minerals, prebiotic organic synthesis, languages, material culture, and cellular life. These systems possess such qualitatively similar characteristics as diversification into new environments (radiation), episodic periods of innovation (punctuation), and loss of types (extinction). Comparisons among these varied systems thus point to general principles of complexification.
Positioning knowledge: schools of thought and new knowledge creation

Cohesive intellectual communities called “schools of thought” can provide powerful benefits to those developing new knowledge, but can also constrain them. We examine how developers of new knowledge position themselves within and between schools of thought, and how this affects their impact. Looking at the micro and macro fields of management publications from 1956 to 2002 with an extensive dataset of 113,000+ articles from 41 top journals, we explore the dynamics of knowledge positioning for management scholars. We find that it is significantly beneficial for new knowledge to be a part of a school of thought, and that within a school of thought new knowledge has more impact if it is in the intellectual semi-periphery of the school.
Zero Monte Carlo error or quantum mechanics is easier

Monte Carlo methods for using the ground state variational principle to find bounds on the ground state energy by minimizing Et = (ψt|H|ψt)/(ψt|ψt) are plagued by the intrinsic randomness of the Monte Carlo estimate of Et. These do not give Et, but rather Ēt, ± σt, with Ēt the Monte Carlo estimate of Et and σt the estimate for the standard deviation. When ψt is an cigenfunction of H, it is possible to find σt = 0. It is also possible to calculate differences such as (σt − σt′) over the same points so that their difference is much more accurate than would seem possible from the knowledge of σt and σt′, alone. This allows us to vary ψt so as to minimize σt, or Ēt + nσt, rather than Ēt alone. The method has been tested on the ground state of a single lithium atom. A trial wave function, ψt. involving a very general form and 33 constants was found for which Et = −14.898 ± 0.003 Ry which is lower than the Hartree-Fock energy bound of −14.865 Ry (C. Clementi, IBM J. Res. Develop. (Suppl.) 9, 2 (1965)) and above the true energy of −14.956 Ry (S. Larsson, Phys. Rev. 169, 49 (1968)). The small Monte Carlo error relative to the cohesive energy of solid lithium, −0.512 Ry (V. Heine, in The Physics of Metals, J. Ziman, Ed. (Cambridge Univ. Press, England, 1969)), along with the inherent flexibility of the method implies that it should be possible to extend the work to treat collections of M nuclei and 3M electrons. The nuclear- electronic probability distribution for atomic lithium was also evaluated. A comparison with that for the Hartree-Fock wave function shows small differences in accord with those expected from the inclusion of electron- electron parts in the trial wave functions considered here which are theoretically present but are omitted in the Hartrce Fock approximation.
Pre-eruption recharge of the Bishop magma system

The 650 km 3 rhyolitic Bishop Tuff (eastern California, USA), which is stratigraphically zoned with respect to temperatures of mineral equilibration, refl ects a corresponding thermal gradient in the source magma chamber. Consistent with previous work, application of the new TitaniQ (Ti-in-quartz) thermometer to quartz phenocryst rims documents an ~100 °C temperature increase with chamber depth at the time of eruption. Application of TitaniQ to quartz phenocryst cores, however, reveals lower temperatures and an earlier gradient that was less steep, with temperature increasing with depth by only ~30 °C. In many late-erupted crystals, sharp boundaries that separate low-temperature cores from high-temperature rims cut internal cathodoluminescent growth zoning, indicating partial phenocryst dissolution prior to crystallization of the high-temperature rims. Rimward jumps in Ti concentration across these boundaries are too abrupt (e.g., 40 ppm across a distance of <10 µm) to have survived magmatic temperatures for more than ~100 yr. We interpret these observations to indicate heating-induced partial dissolution of quartz, followed by growth of high-temperature rims (made possible by lowering of water activity due to addition of CO 2 ) within 100 yr of the climactic 760 ka eruption. Hot mafi c melts injected into deeper parts of the magma system were the likely source of heat and CO 2 , raising the possibility that eruption and caldera collapse owe their origin to a recharge event.
Warm Fronts and High Pressure Systems: Overcoming Geographic Dispersion in a Meteorological Cyberinfrastructure Project

Linked environments for atmospheric discovery (LEAD) is a US National Science Foundation multi-disciplinary project designing Cyberinfrastructure for mesoscale meteorology. This ethnographic case study, supplemented with survey data, illustrates the unique management challenges faced by large, geographically-dispersed teams using distance technologies. Like many cyberinfrastructure development projects, LEAD had no common institutional affiliation, simply shared funding. We explore how participants struggled to blend people and expertise across multiple institutions. LEAD relied heavily on technologies to support interaction, but these overshadowed the true core of their success: the team members' collaboration history and interpersonal skills. Nevertheless, competing institutional goals and agendas constantly aggravated the burden of keeping the project team motivated and aligned. Our results suggest that the fate of cyberinfrastructure projects, unlike those in centrally managed corporations or loosely coupled collaboratories, may rely more on members' willingness to exert the effort required to build and maintain long distance relationships
Preaching What We Practice: Bringing Scope and Methods "Back In"

EE1&&9 Recent discussions of teaching research methods have focused on understanding the relationship between methods courses and the broader discipline, including the need to integrate qualitative methods and other approaches beyond the traditional statistical approaches still common in the majority of undergraduate research methods courses. This article contributes to this conversation by arguing that the basic elements of research design and qualitative techniques should be integrated into substantive (or "non-methods") courses across the discipline. To accomplish this aim, I offer a brief outline of methodological benchmark skills- drawn from the pool of skills necessary for a successful thesis- that can be taught in various courses across the discipline through a traditional assignment: the semester research paper.
Progression of flat low-grade dysplasia to advanced neoplasia in patients with ulcerative colitis

Abstract Background & Aims: Long-standing ulcerative colitis has long been recognized as a risk factor for colorectal cancer, but there is still no universal consensus on the optimal management of ulcerative colitis patients with low-grade dysplasia in flat mucosa. Some authorities favor prompt colectomy, whereas others recommend continued surveillance. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency with which flat low-grade dysplasia in ulcerative colitis progresses to advanced neoplasia (high-grade dysplasia or colorectal cancer) and whether specific variables could predict such progression. Methods: We reviewed the medical histories, colonoscopic findings, and surgical and pathology reports of 46 patients with ulcerative colitis diagnosed with flat low-grade dysplasia on a surveillance colonoscopy. The rates of neoplastic progression, as well as the frequency of advanced neoplasia, were tabulated. We correlated progression with several clinical and colonoscopic variables: the number of biopsy samples positive for flat low-grade dysplasia, the duration and anatomic extent of disease, patient age, and medication use. Results: Among these 46 patients, there were 7 cases of colorectal cancer, 5 of which were stage II or higher. Unexpected advanced neoplasia occurred in 4 of 17 (23.5%) patients who underwent colectomy for flat low-grade dysplasia. On an actuarial basis, the rate of neoplastic progression was 53% at 5 years. No clinical features predicted progression to advanced neoplasia. Cancers, including 2 at advanced stages, developed despite frequent follow-up surveillance examinations. Conclusions: A finding of flat low-grade dysplasia during ulcerative colitis surveillance is a strong predictor of progression to advanced neoplasia. Early colectomy should be recommended for such patients.
Off-Axis Crustal Thickness Across and Along the East Pacific Rise Within the MELT Area

Wide-angle seismic data along the Mantle Electromagnetic and Tomography (MELT) arrays show that the thickness of 0.5- to 1. 5-million-year-old crust of the Nazca Plate is not resolvably different from that of the Pacific Plate, despite an asymmetry in depth and gravity across this portion of the East Pacific Rise. Crustal thickness on similarly aged crust on the Nazca plate near a magmatically robust part of the East Pacific Rise at 17 degrees15'S is slightly thinner (5.1 to 5.7 kilometers) than at the 15 degrees55'S overlapping spreading center (5.8 to 6.3 kilometers). This small north-south off-axis crustal thickness difference may reflect along-axis temporal variations in magma supply, whereas the across-axis asymmetry in depth and gravity must be caused by density variations in the underlying mantle.
Dental x-rays and risk of meningioma.

Meningiomas accounted for 33.8% of all primary brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors reported in the United States between 2004-2006 and thus represent the most frequently diagnosed primary brain tumor in adults.1 Despite this, few studies exist that examine risk factors for this lesion which is frequently associated with neurological complications and decreased quality of life.2 The most consistent environmental risk factor identified for meningioma is exposure to ionizing radiation (IR), with relative risks of 6-10 fold reported.3-8 However, most studies of IR and meningioma risk include individuals who were exposed to high levels of radiation from sources such as atomic bombs5,6 or treatment for oncologic and other medical conditions.3,4 Studies that examine risk associated with lower dose exposures more likely to be experienced in the general population are limited in number, include fewer than 200 cases each, and focus on exposure to dental x-rays.9-17 To our knowledge no studies have reported on the association between use of computed tomography (CT) and meningioma risk. The studies that report on dental x-ray exposure are suggestive but limited by sample size and the inclusion of cases from time periods with higher dosing regimes than the current era.9-17 Several case/control studies in the United States exist, the first which included cases diagnosed between 1980-84 in Los Angeles County reported a significantly increased risk for women associated with a first full-mouth series obtained before age 20 years or before 194515 as well as an increased but non-significant risk for men with five or more full-mouth series before 1945.10 More recently, Longstreth et al examined 200 cases diagnosed between 1995-98 in Washington State and reported that a history of six or more full-mouth series was associated with increased risk (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.03, 4.17) but found no evidence for a dose response relationship (p for trend = 0.33).12 No recent large-scale studies of meningioma risk relative to common ionizing radiation exposure exist, when doses for dental and other procedures have decreased but during which time new radiographic procedures have been introduced, including computed tomography (CT). This report compares the dental and therapeutic radiation histories in 1433 case subjects to those of 1350 control subjects. The large sample size afforded by this population-based study will help to provide a more precise estimate of any association, particularly for the lower exposure levels experienced by more recently diagnosed cases.
Inverse Analysis of Upward Water Flow in a Groundwater Table Lysimeter

scale often leads to disappointing results. Soil distur- bance during sampling and spatial variability in the soil The accuracy of numerical water flow models for the vadose zone hydraulic properties play major roles in the failure to used. The protocol that was developed for the hypothetical soil was well-defined conditions that allow the calculation of the subsequently applied to the actual groundwater table lysimeter. The hydraulic parameters by solving analytical solutions of soil hydraulic parameters for the lysimeter for two (x,y) locations the relevant flow equations. Today, the hydraulic pa- weredeterminedusing(z,t)dataasmeasuredbycapacitancesensors. rameters can be obtained from flow experiments by The variability in the optimized inverse of the air-entry value and combining a numerical flow model with a parameter the saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks in the VGM model was rela- estimation code. Recent advances in the computational tively high because of the high parameter correlation between these parameters. The optimized soil hydraulic properties can be used to power of computers have made this method even more study capillary rise from the groundwater table. attractive.
The Neuroecology of a Pollinator’s Buffet: Olfactory Preferences and Learning in Insect Pollinators

Synopsis Plants and their pollinators are excellent examples of mutualistic associations that range in specialization, from obligate to generalized mutualisms, with many pollinators interacting with diverse species of flowers while still maintaining specialized associations. Although floral odors have been implicated in mediating these interactions, identification of the odors—and how the odors are represented in the olfactory system—has been elusive, and the manner in which olfactory learning mediates the generalized plant–insect interactions in the field remains unclear. This review details the composition of floral bouquets that elicit strong attraction in pollinators, demonstrating that for some species of plants the composition of the bouquet plays an important role in exploiting the insect’s olfactory system, thereby driving innate attraction, whereas other bouquets can be learned as an associative cue for the nectar reward. By associative learning of nonattractive floral odors with a nectar reward—through octopamine-associated modulation of neurons in the antennal lobe—insects have the ability to exploit alternate floral resources when their preferred flowers are no longer present. Such neural mechanisms, present in specialist and generalist pollinators, provides the means by which pollination associations can range from specialized to generalized while permitting insects to exist within a dynamic floral environment.
Improved accuracy in regularization models of incompressible flow via adaptive nonlinear filtering

SUMMARY We study the adaptive nonlinear filtering in the Leray regularization model for incompressible, viscous Newtonian flow. The filtering radius is locally adjusted so that resolved flow regions and coherent flow structures are not ‘filtered out’, which is a common problem with these types of models. A numerical method is proposed that is unconditionally stable with respect to time step and decouples the problem so that the filtering becomes linear at each time step and is decoupled from the system. Several numerical examples are given that demonstrate the effectiveness of the method. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bone resorption and formation on the periosteal envelope of the ilium: a histomorphometric study in healthy women.

Continuation of net periosteal bone gain after cessation of longitudinal growth has been inferred from sequential radiographic morphometry. Accordingly, we performed histomorphometry of the periosteal surfaces of transilial bone biopsies from 57 healthy women aged 24–74 years, 29 premenopausal and 28 postmenopausal. Compared to the endocortical surface, the extents of eroded and osteoid surfaces were very similar, but the extents of osteoclast- and osteoblast-covered surfaces were 80–90% smaller, and both wall thickness and osteoid thickness were about 30% lower. Double tetracycline labels were present in only 11 cases. The second (demethylchlortetracycline) label was almost four times as long as the first (oxytetracycline) label, a much greater difference than on the endocortical surface, so that the extent of mineralizing surface was based only on the second label. Even so, adjusted apposition rates and bone formation rates were only about 20% of the endocortical values, and unlike the endocortical surface, formation rates were not higher in the postmenopausal than in the premenopausal women. Resorption, reversal, and formation periods were each much longer than on the endocortical surface. There was no correlation between periosteal and endocortical values for any variable. At least 54% of total cement line length was scalloped, implying reversal of remodeling direction from resorption to formation, and at least 18% of total cement line length was smooth, implying temporary arrest of bone formation. Convincing evidence of modeling, related to growth or mechanical stimulation, was not observed. We conclude (1) periosteal bone turnover occurs by remodeling rather than modeling; it is much slower than endosteal turnover and extends less far from the surface, (2) periosteal bone formation is probably discontinuous with long periods of interruption, and (3) periosteal bone cell recruitment and activity appear to be relatively uninfluenced by the hormonal changes of aging and menopause; presumably local factors, possibly biomechanical, are more important.
Earthquake Cycles on the San Andreas Fault System in Northern California

The 24 August, 2014, M = 6.0 South Napa earthquake was the first earthquake to significantly affect the populous San Francisco Bay region since the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The Napa earthquake has resulted in a new interest in earthquake risk on the San Andreas Fault (SAF) system north of San Francisco. The deformation in this region is dominantly right lateral shear between the rigid Pacific Plate and the rigid Sierra-Nevada-Central-Valley Plate. GPS observations are well approximated by a uniform shear strain across this 100 km wide zone. This zone is recognized to be a “slab window” with a relatively thin lithosphere. In this paper, we hypothesize that this lithosphere is composed of a 12 km thick brittle elastic upper lithosphere and a 15 km thick viscoplastic lower lithosphere. We attribute the observed near uniform surface strain to flow in the viscoplastic zone. Deformation in the brittle upper lithosphere results in seismicity. A substantial fraction, about 20 mm year−1, of the 32 mm year−1 of the right lateral deformation takes place on the SAF. However, the SAF is not parallel to the motion of the bounding rigid plates. This geometrical incompatibility requires distributed deformation across the 100 km wide zone. A fraction of this distributed deformation takes place on three relatively well defined strike-slip fault zones to the east of the SAF as well as on other faults. We suggest that when a large earthquake occurs, the localized stress concentrations are relaxed by flow in the viscoplastic zone. We give a detailed description of this process during and following the 1906 earthquake and show the process is consistent with observations. We also relate our tectonic model to the present distribution of seismicity in our study area.
Global Labor Justice and the Limits of Economic Analysis

This article considers the economic case for so-called sweatshop wages and working conditions. My goal is not to defend or reject the economic case for sweatshops. Instead, proceeding from a broadly pluralist understanding of value, I make and defend a number of claims concerning the ethical relevance of economic analysis for values that different agents utilize to evaluate sweatshops. My arguments give special attention to a series of recent articles by Benjamin Powell and Matt Zwolinski, which represent the latest and best defense of the economic case for sweatshops. In the process, I challenge Zwolinski's "non-worseness claim" (NWC), and the idea that opposition to sweatshop wages and working conditions fails to respect that the autonomy of would-be sweatshop workers. Ultimately, I conclude that even if the economic case for sweatshops rests on a solid empirical foundation, agents possess good reason to advocate for better wages and working conditions for sweatshop workers, and to prefer less exploitative or coercive relationships. Sweatshop labor undermines a compelling vision of free markets, according to both Kantian and republican conceptions of freedom, and the relationships formed by those who participate in such markets
Free trade, fair trade and gender inequality in less developed countries

Fair trade is often viewed as an alternative to free trade that reduces global inequality and poverty. This paper examines whether fair trade is truly an alternative to the free market, and as a consequence whether it can effectively advance gender equality and alleviate the poverty of women in less developed countries (LDCs). First, neoclassical economics and trade liberalization policies are reviewed. The paper then examines how fair trade seeks to correct market imperfections, thereby making the free market more efficient in distributing wealth. The ability of fair trade to address the central issues related to trade liberalization and women in LDCs is discussed, and the gendered structures of fair trade identified. Whether fair trade can provide gender equality within global capitalist structures is a theoretical matter that requires further empirical inquiry. Suggestions for future research, informed by feminist theories of the political economy, are provided. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Spin Coating on Substrate with Topography

Spin coating of a polymer film on a substrate with topography is modeled. Nonnewtonian fluid behavior, solvent diffusivity within coating, and coating leveling are related using this model. The dependence of the coating step height on initial coating concentration, spin speed, feature radial position, and feature dimensions is investigated. For a large feature, the coating profile is dominated by centrifugal force, while for small features the coating profile is dominated by capillary force and the coating is more level. A glassy polymer skin is formed during spinning. The coating profile is then controlled by shrinkage after the skin is formed. The predicted step height is within 10% of that measured experimentally.
Directed assembly of particles using microfluidic droplets and bubbles

Assembly of particles into three dimensional structures is critical for a variety of advanced applications including photonics, optics, catalysis, MEMS, drug delivery and biosensing. Needless to say, a precise control over the structure and properties of three-dimensional particle assemblies is essential in maximizing the functionality that is afforded by the particles in these structures. One method that enables rapid, inexpensive and potentially scalable assembly of particles involves using fluid droplets and bubbles as structure directing agents. Recent advances in microfluidics allow for the formation of highly uniform and structured droplets and bubbles that can be used to direct the assembly of particles into three dimensional structures. In this review, we introduce the recent developments in using microfluidic techniques to generate highly uniform and complex droplets and bubbles, which are subsequently used to direct the assembly of various nano and microparticles. We also highlight a number of functional supraparticles that have been shown to exhibit unique photonic and sensing properties. We conclude this review by providing an outlook on the current challenges and opportunities that need to be addressed for these microfluidic-based approaches to have a broader impact as widely applicable methods for directed assembly of particles.
Regulation of Adhesion Dynamics by Calpain-mediated Proteolysis of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK)

The coordinated and dynamic regulation of adhesions is required for cell migration. We demonstrated previously that limited proteolysis of talin1 by the calcium-dependent protease calpain 2 plays a critical role in adhesion disassembly in fibroblasts (Franco, S. J., Rodgers, M. A., Perrin, B. J., Han, J., Bennin, D. A., Critchley, D. R., and Huttenlocher, A. (2004) Nat. Cell Biol. 6, 977-983). However, little is known about the contribution of other calpain substrates to the regulation of adhesion dynamics. We now provide evidence that calpain 2-mediated proteolysis of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) regulates adhesion dynamics in motile cells. We mapped the preferred calpain cleavage site between the two C-terminal proline-rich regions after Ser-745, resulting in a C-terminal fragment similar in size to the FAK-related non-kinase (FRNK). We generated mutant FAK with a point mutation (V744G) that renders FAK resistant to calpain proteolysis but retains other biochemical properties of FAK. Using time-lapse microscopy, we show that the dynamics of green fluorescent protein-talin1 are impaired in FAK-deficient cells. Expression of wild-type but not calpain-resistant FAK rescues talin dynamics in FAK-deficient cells. Taken together, our findings suggest a novel role for calpain proteolysis of FAK in regulating adhesion dynamics in motile cells.
How Well Does Spirituality Predict Health Status in Adults Living with HIV-Disease A Neuman Systems Model Study

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between spirituality and health status of 39 adult men and women living with HIV-disease. A model building approach was used to explore the associations among the five variables of the Neuman systems model, which was the guiding framework for the study. The model presented includes existential well-being, meaningfulness, age, and income.
Semantic Aspects of Linguistic Acculturation1

Acculturation involves changes in cultural content, which in turn may be reflected in shifts in the meanings of words. It is not altogether surprising, therefore, that anthropological studies of semantic change have traditionally taken the individual lexeme as a basic unit of analysis. This approach, though undeniably useful in some instances, is inadequate in others, especially when one must account for the fact that whole groups of semantically related lexemes undergo meaning extension simultaneously. In what follows, an example of this process is described and analyzed. The cognitive implications of “set extension” are touched upon, and a hypothesis is advanced to account for when it occurs. Our data come from the Southern Athapaskan-speaking Western Apache, and the methods used are basically those of ethnographic lexicography or “ethnoscience.”
Commentary: Recommended dietary allowances for infants

(1975). Commentary: Recommended dietary allowances for infants. Ecology of Food and Nutrition: Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 53-55.