cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experiments on Neuromery in Ambystoma punctatum Embryos

In a series of papers the present author has discussed the nature and significance of the transverse bulges of the central nervous system of vertebrates, long since known as neuromeres. Their formation and further development have been described and it has been shown that they are signs of a proliferation pattern, made up of transverse bands of high mitotic activity alternating with bands of low activity. It has also been demonstrated that the neuromeric pattern is preceded by another pattern of a similar nature, mirrored in the formation of the so-called proneuromeres, and is followed by a third pattern, giving rise to the postneuromeres or transverse bands of migration areas. For further details of these investigations, the reader is referred to Bergquist & Kallen (1954). An unsolved question is the nature of the factors that cause the patterning of the mitoses and therefore also the bulging of the brain wall to form neuromeres.
Comparative Evaluation of Unsaturated Flow Methods in Selected USDA Simulation Models

Simulation of unsaturated flow in the soil root zone is an important part of several plant-soil zone simulation models developed by-scientists in the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). Four of these models are compared to illustrate strengths and weaknesses of the numerical features of each. Three numerical solutions for Richards’ equation and two conceptual linked-storage models are compared using a corn growth season example from a small catchment in Georgia. The linked storage model is shown to be a poor predictor of local flux behavior, as expected. One numerical model is a θ-based transformation, using diffusivity coefficients, which cannot model layered soil behavior without retransformation to water tension at layer boundaries. Other significant problems encountered in the numerical solution models include overshoot due to linearization, biased estimates (e.g., arithmetic mean) of interlayer hydraulic conductivity, and poor time step estimates. Often these problems are not understood due to the narrow focus of model testing or limited previous applications.
ASC Weekly News Notes

Unified collision operator demonstrated for both radiation transport and PIC-DSMC. A side-by-side comparison between the DSMC method and the radiation transport method was conducted for photon attenuation in the atmosphere over 2 kilometers in physical distance with a reduction of photon density of six orders of magnitude. Both DSMC and traditional radiation transport agreed with theory to two digits. This indicates that PIC-DSMC operators can be unified with the radiation transport collision operators into a single code base and that physics kernels can remain unique to the actual collision pairs. This simulation example provides an initial validation of the unified collision theory approach that will later be implemented into EMPIRE.
Creativity on the move: Exploring little-c (p) and big-C (p) creative events within a multidisciplinary design team process

Conventional studies on design process consider creativity as one big ‘big event’ (the ‘aha’ moment) orchestrated by an individual designer. What is missed here is the contribution of smaller creative events (little-c(p)) that leads to the ‘big event’ (big-C (p)), and more importantly how they function within multi-disciplinary design teams. While smaller creative events don't necessarily ‘add up’ to the big creative leap, there are adequate points of alignment. Moreover, rather than set patterns of linear periods of incubation and giant creative leaps, the events follow an ebb and flow. The study also shows that the team member background of knowledge level is critical to the occurrences of creative events, while disciplinary affiliations and expertise of team members are not found as critical. Besides, a good balance between individual performance and team dynamics is vital to the success in a multidisciplinary team process.
Results on punctured LDPC codes

In this paper we study some fundamental properties of punctured LDPC codes. We first prove that for any ensemble of LDPC codes, there exists a puncturing threshold p*. We then find lower bounds on the achievable rates of punctured codes over general MBIOS channels. These bounds are satisfied by using only one encoder and decoder for all rates. We then prove that for any rates R/sub 1/ and R/sub 2/ satisfying 0 < R/sub 1/ < R/sub 2/ < 1, there exists an ensemble of LDPC codes with the following property. The ensemble can be punctured from rate R/sub 1/ to R/sub 2/ resulting in asymptotically good codes for all rates R/sub 1/ /spl les/ R /spl les/ R/sub 2/. Specifically, this implies that rates arbitrarily close to one are achievable via puncturing. We also show that punctured LDPC codes are as good as ordinary LDPC codes. For binary erasure channel (BEC) and arbitrary positive numbers R/sub 1/ < R/sub 2/ < 1, we prove the existence of the sequences of punctured LDPC codes that are capacity achieving for all rates R/sub 1/ /spl les/ R /spl les/ R/sub 2/. Based on the above observations, we then propose a method to design good punctured LDPC codes over a broad range of rates. The method is very simple and does not suffer from the performance degradation at high rates. Finally, we show that punctured codes might be useful for proof of the existence of capacity-achieving LDPC codes over memoryless binary-input output-symmetric channels.
The effect of product aesthetics information on website appeal in online shopping

Purpose This research posits that e-vendors can use product aesthetic information (PAI) as a strategic positing tool to shape consumers’ perceptions of e-vendors’ websites. Design/methodology/approach To test this framework, variations on a garment’s color (a crucial element of product aesthetics) are presented to four different treatment groups to determine whether aesthetic treatment influences the perception of the website. Findings The results suggest that consumers who consider a product visually appealing also perceive the e-vendor’s website as useful, resulting in enjoyment of the shopping experience. Positive perceptions lead consumers to form positive attitudes toward the vendor’s website. Originality/value While product aesthetics is well-studied in marketing and psychology, its relevance to the e-commerce domain is relatively underexplored. To fill the void, the paper proposes a theoretical framework that explains how PAI influences buyers’ cognitive and affective evaluations of their online shopping experiences, which in turn shapes their attitudes toward e-vendors’ sites.
Advances in Platforms and Algorithms for High Resolution Mapping in the Marine Environment

A confluence of technologies is changing the manner in which we approach the use of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) in the marine environment. In this paper we review the role of several of these technologies and the way interactions between them will now enable the use of adaptive methodologies for mapping and exploring the underwater environment. We focus primarily on imaging sensors but these methodologies are widely applicable for other types of sensing modalities as well. We look at the role of acoustic telemetry, multi-hop underwater data transmission, in-situ machine learning techniques, and mapping in highly dynamic environments such as under sea ice. In addition, we discuss the role of “hobby” robotics for surface and aerial vehicles in the marine environment.
Hypothetical Examples of Translation

Just as real examples can improve understanding of how research can be translated into policy and practice, so too can hypothetical examples illustrate the potential benefits of translation. One example is the extent to which head injuries, which research has connected to anger, aggression, and violence, can be prevented in children with simple devices such as bicycle helmets and stair gates. The second example focuses on reducing maladaptive narcissistic traits through a project that treats adults with these traits. The third example addresses the high rate of suicide by those facing legal entanglement by implementing a unique court-based program to identify and refer those at elevated risk.
Pesticide exposure as a risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A meta-analysis of epidemiological studies: Pesticide exposure as a risk factor for ALS

BACKGROUND: Exposure to pesticides and agricultural chemicals has been linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) although findings have been inconsistent. A meta-analysis of studies published through May, 2011 was conducted to investigate the association of pesticide exposure and risk of ALS. METHODS: Six peer-reviewed studies that met criteria were included in a meta-analysis of men involving 1,517 ALS deaths from one retrospective cohort study and 589 ALS or motor neuron disease cases from five case-control studies. A random effects model was used to calculate sex-specific pooled odds ratios (ORs). RESULTS: Evidence was found for an association of exposure to pesticides and risk of ALS in male cases compared to controls (OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.36-2.61), although the chemical or class of pesticide was not specified by the majority of studies. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis supports the relationship of exposure to pesticides and development of ALS among male cases compared to controls. The weight of evidence links pesticide exposure to ALS; however, additional prospective studies with a target exposure group are necessary to better elucidate the relationship. Future research should focus on more accurate exposure assessment and the use of job exposure matrices. Language: en
Early-Life Gene Expression in Neurons Modulates Lasting Epigenetic States

In mammals, the environment plays a critical role in promoting the final steps in neuronal development during the early postnatal period. While epigenetic factors are thought to contribute to this process, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we show that in the brain during early life, the DNA methyltransferase DNMT3A transiently binds across transcribed regions of lowly expressed genes, and its binding specifies the pattern of DNA methylation at CA sequences (mCA) within these genes. We find that DNMT3A occupancy and mCA deposition within the transcribed regions of genes is negatively regulated by gene transcription and may be modified by early-life experience. Once deposited, mCA is bound by the methyl-DNA-binding protein MECP2 and functions in a rheostat-like manner to fine-tune the cell-type-specific transcription of genes that are critical for brain function.
Management of Refractory Epilepsy Patients with Symptoms of Anxiety or Depression (P03.130)

OBJECTIVE: To determine if symptoms of anxiety or depression serve as a barrier to optimal care in medication-resistant epilepsy patients. BACKGROUND: In an unpublished series following patients with refractory localization-related epilepsy (LRE), those with psychiatric disease were less likely to undergo recommended surgery despite uncontrolled seizures. Our concern was that patients with symptoms of anxiety or depression receive less aggressive management due to avoidance of new therapies and invasive testing. DESIGN/METHODS: This retrospective cohort study followed 81 patients with refractory LRE seen at the University of Pennsylvania. To determine active symptoms of depression or anxiety at baseline, all patients completed self-report scales (BDI, NDDI-E, PHQ-GAD 7) and a neuropsychiatric inventory (the MINI). Medical records of each patient were reviewed for up to 2 years following enrollment, noting outpatient management, i.e. addition of a new anti-epileptic drug (AED), and inpatient management, i.e. surgical procedure. Group comparisons were calculated using parametric and non-parametric tests, and linear regression models were constructed to determine independent associations. RESULTS: 53% (n = 43) of patients endorsed symptoms of anxiety or depression and 47% (n = 38) served as controls. In terms of epilepsy management, anxious or depressed patients had a similar number of AED changes per month (0.207 vs. 0.206, p=0.99) and inpatient admissions or procedures (0.04 vs. 0.02, p=0.10) compared with controls. However, these patients were significantly more likely to have a missed visit (0.07 vs. 0.04, p=0.02) than patients not endorsing psychiatric symptoms even after controlling for age, gender, education, employment status, duration of epilepsy and current convulsions. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to expectation, patients with symptoms of anxiety and depression did not receive a different level of epilepsy care as measured by AED adjustments and inpatient procedures; however, they were more likely to have missed outpatient appointments, which may affect long-term outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. Hamilton has nothing to disclose. Dr. Anderson has received personal compensation for activities with Cyberonics for consulting services. Dr. Dahodwala has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lawler has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pollard has received personal compensation for activities with H. Lundbeck Inc. Dr. Pollard has received research support from H. Lundbeck Inc, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, SK Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Eisai, Cyberonics, Upsher-Smith Labs, Medtronic, and GlaxoSmithKline.
Operant Analysis of Human Drug Self-Administration: Marihuana, Alcohol, Heroin and Polydrug Use

The evolution of operant procedures to study human drug self-administration in clinical research ward settings is described. The advantages and limitations of several techniques developed between 1965 and 1984 are discussed. Illustrative data from studies of alcohol, marihuana, heroin, and polydrug self-administration are summarized. The advantages of objective operant behavioral measures of drug acquisition, in contrast to anecdotal or retrospective reports, for evaluating new pharmacotherapies for the treatment of drug abuse are described. The importance of direct observation of drug use patterns and drug effects on behavioral and biological variables under controlled clinical research ward conditions is emphasized.
Match Fixing: Case Studies from Greece and Ireland

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an overview of the current status of soccer match-fixing cases and allegations in Greece and Ireland. It will introduce the reader to the historical background of Greek and Irish football. Further, it will examine cases that have been investigated to date by the football associations, law enforcement and judicial authorities. Match-fixing is a global problem. Greece and Ireland are exposed to this threat no different than any other country. Finally, we will evaluate the effectiveness of the available legislation and administrative tools to combat match-fixing in Greece and Ireland respectively. It will be argued that the legal systems are not robust enough to deal with match-fixing in an efficient manner.
A KALMAN FILTER APPROACH TO ACCELERATED LIFE TESTING—A PRELIMINARY DEVELOPMENT

The Kalman filter model, successfully used in a variety of situations, can also be used for inference from accelerated life tests. The use of this model calls for the specification of the “law of motion, ” and this means that a time transformation function such as the Arrhenius law, the power law, etc., must be specified. The ordered values of the stresses can be conceptualized as the ordered values of time, and thus inference about the life behavior at low stress can be viewed as inference about the “state of nature,” at a future time. The Kalman filter model has a fully Bayesian interpretation, and thus its use in accelerated life testing makes inference from such tests properly Bayesian and therefore coherent. This paper is preliminary, and we intend to present here the feasibility of such an approach.
Visual Differential Geometry and Beltrami’s Hyperbolic Plane

Historical wrongs are hard to right. In 1868 Eugenio Beltrami (Fig. 4.1) set the previously abstract hyperbolic geometry of Lobachevsky and Bolyai upon a firm and intuitive foundation by interpreting it as the intrinsic geometry of a negatively curved surface.
Cryotherapy for the Treatment of Proximal Urethral Condyloma Acuminatum

Between March and November 1985 we treated 89 female patients with condyloma acuminatum of the lower genital tract. All patients were evaluated with colposcopy, urethroscopy and anoscopy. Carbon dioxide laser vaporization was used to treat condylomata in the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and distal urethra. Urethral involvement by condylomata was found in 31 patients (35 per cent). Eight patients had biopsy proved proximal urethral condylomata (9 per cent). Cryotherapy was used to treat these lesions. Six patients required only 1 treatment, while 2 required 2 treatments to cure the proximal urethral condylomata.
A sound and fast goal recognizer

The bulk of previous work on goal and plan recognition may be crudely stereotyped in one of two ways. "Neat" theories -- rigorous, justified, but not yet practical. "Scruffy" systems -- heuristic, domain specific, but practical. In contrast, we describe a goal recognition module that is provably sound and polynomial-time and that performs well in a real domain. Our goal recognizer observes actions executed by a human, and repeatedly prunes inconsistent actions and goals from a graph representation of the domain. We report on experiments on human subjects in the Unix domain that demonstrate our algorithm to be fast in practice. The average time to process an observed action with an initial set of 249 goal schemas and 22 action schemas was 1.4 cpu seconds on a SPARC-10.
Cognitive Log performance among individuals without brain injury in an inpatient rehabilitation setting.

Purpose/objective Despite the widespread use of the Cognitive Log, information regarding normative performance is only available in individuals with known brain injury and in healthy college students. The purpose of the current research is to provide information about Cognitive Log performance in a regional group of rehabilitation patients without history of brain injury. Secondarily, non-neurological factors that may predict performance are considered. Research Method/Design: Participants included in this study were 121 consecutive patients admitted to an inpatient rehabilitation hospital spinal cord and orthopedic floor. Based on history, only patients without insult to the brain were included. Results This study provides normative information for Cognitive Log performance in a nonbrain injured population, showing that these patients score in between those with acquired brain injury and healthy controls. Variables including age, estimated intelligence, and self-reported pain, fatigue, and affective distress accounted for 47.5% of the variance in Cognitive Log scores, although age and estimated intelligence, which accounted for 43.3% of the variance, were the only individually significant contributors to performance. Conclusions/implications This study provides an estimate of normative Cognitive Log performance in a nonbrain injured population. This information is especially useful in that it signifies that both neurological and non-neurological factors contribute to Cognitive Log performance, and this information may shape how clinicians conceptualize scores in patients with and without brain injury. Age and longstanding intellectual abilities should be taken into consideration when interpreting Cognitive Log performances, developing rehabilitation strategies, and determining need for additional testing. (PsycINFO Database Record
La reconstrucción patrimonial de la plaza vieja en la Habana: monumentalidad colonial y turismo global en una isla (post)socialista | The reconstruction of heritage in plaza vieja (Havana): Colonial monumentality and global tourism in a (post)socialist island

La Plaza Vieja ha sido uno de los focos de la restauracion de la Oficina del Historiador de la Ciudad de La Habana a partir de la decada del noventa. El potencial monumental de la plaza habia sido identificado tempranamente por otra institucion cubana dedicada a la conservacion en un anteproyecto de 1985. Se senalaba a la plaza como el espacio mas amplio del casco antiguo reconocido como Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la Organizacion de las Naciones Unidas para la Educacion, la Ciencia y la Cultura en 1982 —, y el mas estilisticamente homogeneo: de las 20 edificaciones que circundan la plaza, 15 fueron construidas antes del siglo XX. La plaza se restructurara como escaparate privilegiado de lo que llamare la arquitectura “colonial-sacarocratica”, que funciona atrayendo al turismo internacional en un momento en el que la isla buscaba formas de reflotar su economia, duramente golpeada tras la desintegracion del bloque sovietico. En este articulo, analizo las practicas patrimoniales de la Oficina del Historiador para argumentar que el espacio de la Plaza Vieja se reordena fundamentalmente para la experiencia espectatorial del visitante extranjero. La introduccion de elementos de “arquitectura defensiva” contribuyen, ademas, a hacer de la plaza un espacio poco habitable. Asimismo, doy cuenta de una serie de proyectos alternativos que existian para la plaza, para argumentar que el patrimonio es el resultado de elecciones deliberadas. A partir de esto, y teniendo en cuenta algunos efectos adversos de la restauracion en los habitantes del centro historico, concluyo con la posibilidad de repensar los conceptos de patrimonio y monumentalidad en las (re)construcciones futuras de la ciudad.
Local Coordination Environment of Na in a Series of Silica-Rich Glasses and Selected Minerals Within the Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 System

Photoelectron total yield Na EXAFS spectra were gathered on the JUMBO mono-chromator line at SSRL to characterize the Na environment for a collection of Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 minerals and glasses. Included in the collection are crystalline compounds albite (NaAlSi3O8), and nepheline (KNa (AlSiO4)4), as well as glasses at these compositions, Na2Si2O5 glass, and a series of 75 mole% silica glasses ranging in R (=A1/Na) from 0.03 to 1.61.
The cytoplasmic portion of the T3SS inner membrane ring components sort into distinct families based on biophysical properties.

Abstract Type III secretion systems are used by many Gram-negative bacteria to inject effector proteins into eukaryotic cells to subvert their normal activities. Structurally conserved portions of the type III secretion apparatus include a: basal body located within the bacterial envelope; an exposed needle with tip complex that delivers effectors across the target cell membrane; and cytoplasmic sorting platform that selects cargo and powers secretion. While structurally conserved, the individual proteins that make up this nanomachine are typically not interchangeable though they do tend to fall into families. Here we selected a single domain from the inner membrane ring of the basal body from six different type III secretion systems (called SctD using a proposed unifying nomenclature). The selected domain creates an integral interface between the basal body and the sorting platform. Therefore, it represents a pivotal point between two distinct assemblies. All six protein domains possess a structural motif called a forkhead-associated-like (FHA-like) domain but differ greatly in their sequences and solution behaviors. These differences are used here to define family boundaries for these FHA-like domains. The data parallel, though not precisely, family boundaries defined by other proteins within the apparatus and by phylogenetic analysis. Ultimately, differences in the families are likely to reflect differences in the activities of these type III secretion systems or the host niches in which these pathogens are found.
Paf1C regulates RNA polymerase II progression by modulating elongation rate.

Elongation factor Paf1C regulates several stages of the RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription cycle, although it is unclear how it modulates Pol II distribution and progression in mammalian cells. We found that conditional ablation of Paf1 resulted in the accumulation of unphosphorylated and Ser5 phosphorylated Pol II around promoter-proximal regions and within the first 20 to 30 kb of gene bodies, respectively. Paf1 ablation did not impact the recruitment of other key elongation factors, namely, Spt5, Spt6, and the FACT complex, suggesting that Paf1 function may be mechanistically distinguishable from each of these factors. Moreover, loss of Paf1 triggered an increase in TSS-proximal nucleosome occupancy, which could impose a considerable barrier to Pol II elongation past TSS-proximal regions. Remarkably, accumulation of Ser5P in the first 20 to 30 kb coincided with reductions in histone H2B ubiquitylation within this region. Furthermore, we show that nascent RNA species accumulate within this window, suggesting a mechanism whereby Paf1 loss leads to aberrant, prematurely terminated transcripts and diminution of full-length transcripts. Importantly, we found that loss of Paf1 results in Pol II elongation rate defects with significant rate compression. Our findings suggest that Paf1C is critical for modulating Pol II elongation rates by functioning beyond the pause-release step as an “accelerator” over specific early gene body regions.
International year of shelter for the homeless: Activities and achievements

The United Nations General Assembly, by proclaiming 1987 as the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless (IYSH), launched a new major initiative to stimulate effective action at the national and international levels to improve the shelter conditions of the homeless, the poor and the disadvantaged throughout the world. Responsibility for organizing and coordinating the activities for the Year was entrusted to the Commission on Human Settlements at the intergovernmental level, and the the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, UNCHS (Habitat), at the secretariat level. The launching of the Year coincided with severe economic constraints in the developing countries which dampened hopes for achieving the goals and objectives of IYSH. Yet during the period from 1983 to the end of 1987 many governments made new commitments to ameliorate the inadequate shelter conditions of the poor and took serious steps towards adopting new or revised strategies and policies to that end. The organizations in the United Nations system, multilateral financial institutions, bilateral aid agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) responded positively to the challenges posed by the IYSH programme and contributed in many ways to the achievement of its objectives.
Simultaneous optimization of crusher and phase cycling schemes for magnetic resonance spectroscopy: an extension of dephasing optimization through coherence order pathway selection.

PURPOSE To extend the dephasing optimization through coherence order pathway selection (DOTCOPS) algorithm, originally designed solely for gradient crusher schemes, to include tailored phase cycling schemes for arbitrary pulse sequences and arbitrary number of coupled spins. THEORY AND METHODS The effects all possible nested and cogwheel phase cycling schemes have on the coherence order pathways for an arbitrary experiment are considered. The DOTCOPS algorithm uses a cost function to maximally eliminate unwanted coherence pathways, with schemes preferentially eliminating unwanted coherence pathways that are less affected by the crusher scheme. Efficacy was demonstrated experimentally in 2 separate MR spectroscopy (MRS) sequences: semi-localized adiabatic selective refocusing (sLASER) and MEscher-GArwood sLASER both with phantom and in vivo experiments. RESULTS For all sequences investigated, cogwheel was found to theoretically outperform typical nested phase cycling schemes. The chosen cogwheel phase cycling schemes through DOTCOPS were found to outperform a typical 2-step phase cycling scheme in both phantom and in vivo experiments. Both crusher schemes and phase cycling schemes with 8, 16, or 32 steps are presented for 6 of the most common advanced MRS sequences. CONCLUSION The DOTCOPS algorithm has been extended to provide optimal crusher and phase cycling schemes considered in tandem. DOTCOPS can be applied to any pulse sequence of interest for any number of coupled spins. DOTCOPS is now able to alleviate the long-standing issue of designing effective crusher and phase cycling schemes for complex MRS modern sequences and, as a result, is expected to improve the data quality of virtually all applications.
Speculative substance: ‘physical gold’ in finance

This paper focuses on how gold as a physical object moves in financial markets, in what is known by many market participants as ‘the gold space’. Gold acts today in financial markets as an ambiguou...
Choices for Patients and Clinicians: Ethics and Legal Issues

Physicians deal with legal issues regarding patient safety and confidentiality on a regular basis, and these can be challenging when patients have problems related to alcohol. Ethical issues arise when there are conflicts between principles of patient autonomy, physician beneficence, and justice that may relate to both public safety and individual health. Legal concerns often relate to privacy and confidentiality and vary from state to state. This chapter addresses some common legal and ethical issues that may be encountered in primary care when addressing issues related to alcohol use or its consequences.
Data-Driven Disturbance Observers for Estimating External Forces on Soft Robots

Unlike traditional robots, soft robots can intrinsically interact with their environment in a continuous, robust, and safe manner. These abilities - and the new opportunities they open - motivate the development of algorithms that provide reliable information on the nature of environmental interactions and, thereby, enable soft robots to reason on and properly react to external contact events. However, directly extracting such information with integrated sensors remains an arduous task that is further complicated by also needing to sense the soft robot's configuration. As an alternative to direct sensing, this paper addresses the challenge of estimating contact forces directly from the robot's posture. We propose a new technique that merges a nominal disturbance observer, a model-based component, with corrections learned from data. The result is an algorithm that is accurate yet sample efficient, and one that can reliably estimate external contact events with the environment. We prove the convergence of our proposed method analytically, and we demonstrate its performance with simulations and physical experiments.
AD risk score for the early phases of disease based on unsupervised machine learning.

INTRODUCTION Identifying cognitively normal individuals at high risk for progression to symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD) is critical for early intervention. METHODS An AD risk score was derived using unsupervised machine learning. The score was developed using data from 226 cognitively normal individuals and included cerebrospinal fluid, magnetic resonance imaging, and cognitive measures, and validated in an independent cohort. RESULTS Higher baseline AD progression risk scores (hazard ratio = 2.70, P < 0.001) were associated with greater risks of progression to clinical symptoms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Baseline scores had an area under the curve of 0.83 (95% confidence interval: 0.75 to 0.91) for identifying subjects who progressed to MCI/dementia within 5 years. The validation procedure, using data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, demonstrated accuracy of prediction across the AD spectrum. DISCUSSION The derived risk score provides high predictive accuracy for identifying which individuals with normal cognition are likely to show clinical decline due to AD within 5 years.
TIME-DEPENDENT BEHAVIOR OF CONCRETE BEAMS

A nonlinear creep analysis for reinforced concrete beams is formulated by means of the ordinary flexure theory. The analysis is based on the assumptions that data from sustained load cylinder tests may be used to represent the stress-strain-time relation for the concrete and that this relation is unique, that is, independent of prior stress history. The stress-strain-time relation so obtained, and certain geometry conditions from the plane section hypothesis, are introduced into the beam equilibrium equations to give a set of simultaneous differential equations that govern the beam deformations. A numerical procedure for solving these equations is proposed and results are compared to measurements from laboratory tests. It is concluded that the theory is suitable for predicting creep deformations in beams under high sustained loads, but its application to the case of shrinkage in an unloaded beam or to the case of repeated loading is questionable. However, the proposed analysis may provide an important means for studying flexural strength characteristics of concrete beams under sustained loads.
Odd Tensor Modes from Inflation

The existence of a primordial spectrum of gravitational waves is a generic prediction of inflation. Here, I will discuss under what conditions the coupling of a pseudoscalar inflaton to a U(1) gauge field can induce, in a two-step process, gravitational waves with unusual properties such as: (i) a net chirality, (ii) a blue spectrum, (iii) large non-Gaussianities even if the scalar perturbations are approximately Gaussian and (iv) being detectable in the (relatively) near future by ground-based gravitational interferometers.
Relationship between ethanol and gasoline: AIDS approach

Abstract Ethanol production in the United States has increased significantly due to government support, which has begun to dwindle. Ethanol now seems to compete with gasoline for vehicle fuel but because ethanol is mostly sold as a blend, gasoline and ethanol could be complementary fuel sources. The study investigates the true relationship between these fuels since it has policy implications. Results of LA/AIDS estimation show the two fuels were substitutes before the rapid expansion of ethanol production but have become complements overtime due to increasing share of ethanol in fuel consumption.
Recurrent coronary artery thrombosis after anomalous right coronary artery re-implantation to the aorta.

Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) from the pulmonary artery is a rare entity. The current recommendation is corrective operation even in asymptomatic patients when this cardiac malformation is found. We report a case of a 21-year-old male who initially presented with ST elevations. After surgical repair with re-implantation of the RCA to the aorta, he was found to have an acute thrombus in his left circumflex and several months later developed a thrombus in the proximal left anterior descending artery. We propose that the change from a hyperkinetic high flow state to a slow flow state in the setting of inadequate coronary flow reserve and endothelial function predisposed our patient to thrombus formation in the persistently dilated coronary arteries. It is expected that restoration of normal flow pattern in all coronary arteries will result in normalization of perfusion, decrease in feeding artery size, and return of endothelial function. Because this anomaly is rare, limited information exists on the effects of the procedure on myocardial perfusion. These findings raise the question of whether re-implantation of the anomalous artery is truly the superior approach. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
DJ: Dynamic Adaptive Programming in Java

DJ is a new pure-Java library for adaptive programming that allows traversal strategies to be constructed and in terpreted dynamically at run-time, as opposed to existing adaptive programming tools that are strictly static. Traversal strategies can be used with adaptive visitors (similar to the Visitor pattern) or in a generic programming style by adapting them to the Java Collections framework. The DJ library makes heavy use of Java reflection and we give some details of this implementation.
Physiotherapie und Bewegung bei Osteoporose und Folgeerkrankungen

Osteoporosis is defined by decreased bone strength and increased susceptibility to fracture. Fractures and their consequences are the clinical manifestation of osteoporosis. Acute and chronic pain, functional limitations including permanent impairment and the need for long-term care may be caused by osteoporotic fractures. The aim of osteoporosis treatment is to prevent fractures by bone strengthening. The aims of rehabilitation in patients with osteoporosis are to reduce pain, maximize the level of musculoskeletal function, particularly following fractures, decrease risk of falls and optimize quality of life and independence. Certain sports and exercises greatly promote skeletal development in children and adolescents and augment bone strength in adults. Physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise may relieve pain, increase musculoskeletal function and form an important part of fall management.
Anarcho-Primitivism: The Green Scare in Green Political Theory

A deep philosophical divide concerning the very foundations and purposes of civilization splits mainstream and radical environmentalists. This paper focuses on Paul Taylor's "Respect for Nature," arguing that his biocentrism is actually a disguised "civilization" or "civ-centrism." Taylor defines "nature" as pristine ecosystems; humans, given their capacity for autonomous agency and planning are unique in creation. Arguing in this fashion, green political theorists like Taylor choke off a tension between civilization and primitive cultures, a tension which has been central to the development of western social theory. In doing so they help lay the philosophical groundwork for technological totality. By contrast, anarcho-primitivists highlight the civ-prim tension arguing for radical resistance to bedrock notions and institutions of civilization. The further removed the primitive, either in consciousness or in actual fact of the destruction of primitive cultures and their land-base, the greater the liberatory impulse to destroy civilization becomes.
Panel: Application of Empirical Discovery in Knowledge Acquisition

There is no doubt that the most fundamental method of knowledge acquisition is discovery, but the AI subfield of Knowledge Acquisition neither studies nor uses discovery methods. We argue that machine discovery is approaching the stage at which it can be useful to knowledge acquisition in two ways: as a source of useful techniques, and as a model of unified knowledge representation and application. We present the discovery system FAHRENHEIT and we discuss its various real-world applications: automated experimentation and discovery in a chemistry laboratory, mining databases for useful knowledge, and others, demonstrating FAHRENHEIT's potential as a knowledge acquisition aid. Finally, we discuss the new developments in the area of discovering basic laws and hidden structure, and we note that automation of modeling would close the cycle of automated knowledge acquisition and application.
A loss tunable long-period fiber gratings on corrugated silicon with on-chip microheater and temperature sensor

In summary, we report a strain induced long period grating (LPG) created by bonding an etched single mode fibre (SMF) onto a corrugated Si fixture with on-chip heater and temperature sensor. The loss of the LPG can be tuned electrically through the microheater current and monitored simultaneously. The use of Si fixture lends itself to easy integration of microheater and other cascaded filter structure. The results may be useful for dynamic spectral shaping in DWDM networks.
Dietary Selenium Supplementation Is Required to Support Full Expression of Three Selenium-Dependent Glutathione Peroxidases in Various Tissues of Weanling Pigs

The current dietary allowance for selenium (Se) for pigs does not consider Se requirements for expression of several newly discovered Se-dependent enzymes and has raised environmental concerns. Our objective was to determine dietary Se requirements of young pigs for the full expression of cellular (GPX1), plasma (GPX3) and phospholipid hydroperoxide (GPX4) glutathione peroxidases. In Experiment 1, 18 weanling male pigs (4 wk old) were fed a corn-soybean meal basal diet (BD, 0.03 mg Se/kg) with the addition of 0, 0.1 or 0.3 mg Se/kg (Na2SeO3). In Experiment 2, 24 weanling barrows (6 wk old) were fed a similar BD with the addition of 0, 0.2, 0.3 or 0.5 mg Se/kg. Both experiments lasted for 5 wk. Pigs fed the BD had lower (P < 0.05) tissue GPX1 and GPX4 activities, plasma GPX activity, and(or) plasma Se concentrations than those fed the Se-supplemented diets. In Experiment 1, GPX1 and GPX4 activities in liver, heart and lung were lower (P < 0.05) in pigs fed 0.1 mg Se/kg than in those fed 0.3 mg Se/kg, although no such differences existed in thyroid or pituitary. Pigs fed 0.1 mg Se/kg also had lower (P < 0.05) plasma GPX3 activity at wk 5 and higher (P < 0.05) hepatic glutathione S-transferase activity than pigs fed 0.3 mg Se/kg. In Experiment 2, GPX1 and GPX4 activities in liver and heart, GPX1 and GPX4 mRNA levels in liver and GPX3 activity in plasma exhibited plateaus at 0.2 mg Se/kg. Pigs fed the BD had greater concentrations of F2-isoprostanes (a marker of in vivo lipid peroxidation) than those fed 0.2 mg Se/kg in plasma (P < 0.03) and liver (P < 0.04). We conclude that supplemental Se at 0.2 mg Se/kg of diet is required to support the full expression of three Se-dependent glutathione peroxidases in young pigs.
Exploring Tree Age & Diameter to Illustrate Sample Design & Inference in Observational Ecology

Undergraduate biology labs often explore the techniques of data collection but neglect the statistical framework necessary to express findings. Students can be confused about how to use their statistical knowledge to address specific biological questions. Growth in the area of observational ecology requires that students gain experience in sampling design and the scope of inference relevant to observational studies. I developed a laboratory-based guided inquiry that illustrates these concepts by comparing ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) trees in northeastern Washington State. This approach presents a hands-on experience whereby students apply the statistics they learn in the classroom to a field-based investigation, giving students an appreciation of the design and interpretation of observational studies in ecology.
Sufism and Islamic Reform in Egypt: The Battle for Islamic Tradition

Sufism and Islamic Reform in Egypt: The Battle for Islamic Tradition. Julian Johansen. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1996. 323 pp.
Prognosis of asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease.

Abstract One hundred forty-seven asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients with coronary artery disease, who did not have significant left main coronary occlusion and had an ejection fraction greater than 20 percent, were followed up prospectively for 6 to 67 months (average 25). Significant obstruction of one coronary artery was present in 28 percent of patients, of two coronary arteries in 31 percent and of three coronary arteries in 41 percent. Ejection fraction was 55 percent or greater in 69 percent of patients. During the follow-up period there were eight deaths (annual mortality rate 3 percent for the entire group, 1.5 percent for patients with single and double vessel disease but 6 percent for those with triple vessel disease). Better definition of high and low risk subgroups of patients with three vessel disease was accomplished with exercise testing. Despite a history of mild symptoms, 25 percent of the patients with triple vessel disease exhibited poor exercise capacity on exercise testing after administration of beta adrenoceptor blocking agents and nitrates was discontinued; of these, 40 percent either died (20 percent) or had progressive symptoms requiring operation (20 percent) (annual mortality rate 9 percent). Of the patients with good exercise capacity, only 22 percent either died (7 percent) or had progressive symptoms (15 percent) (annual mortality rate 4 percent). Thus, prognosis is excellent in patients with no or mild symptoms who have one or two vessel coronary disease. Patients with three vessel disease who have good exercise capacity documented by objective testing have an annual mortality rate of 4 percent. However, because patients with three vessel disease and poor exercise capacity have an extremely grave prognosis, it would appear reasonable to recommend coronary bypass surgery for this subgroup, even in the absence of supporting data derived from a definitive randomized study.
Novel Strategies for Allergy Immunotherapy

This article reviews the literature on allergen modifications and novel routes of delivery for antigen-specific immunotherapy for allergic disease. Allergen modifications include the use of recombinant proteins, combining antigens with infectious carrier proteins, peptide immunotherapy, and genetic vaccines containing the code for allergenic proteins. Novel routes of delivery include oral immunotherapy, intralymphatic immunotherapy, epicutaneous immunotherapy, and oral mucosal immunotherapy. Allergen depot preparations, such as biodegradable, injectable microspheres and sublingual tablets, have also been developed. Current research in immunotherapy for allergic disease has focused on improving efficacy and patient adherence to therapy, while minimizing the risks of serious adverse events.
Modeling Reaction Front Propagation and Porosity in Pressure-Assisted Combustion Synthesis of Porous NiTi Intermetallics

A mathematical model is developed to investigate the effect of various processing parameters on pressure-assisted combustion synthesis of NiTi intermetallics. Specifically, preheat and ambient temperature, particle size, initial porosity, and pressure differential are studied to determine their influence on propagation behavior and final porosity. The governing equations are solved using a high-order-implicit numerical scheme capable of accommodating the steep spatial and temporal gradients of properties. The predicted results appear plausible and consistent with the trends presented in the available literature.
The hematopoietic stem cell regulatory gene latexin has tumor-suppressive properties in malignant melanoma.

Despite recent advancements in therapy, melanoma remains a highly lethal skin cancer. A better understanding of the genetic and epigenetic changes responsible for melanoma formation and progression could result in the development of more effective treatments. Advanced melanomas are known to exhibit widespread promoter region CpG island methylation leading to the inactivation of key tumor suppressor genes. Meta-analyses of relevant microarray data sets revealed the hematopoietic stem cell regulator gene latexin (LXN) to be commonly downregulated in approximately 50% of melanomas. The CpG island in the promoter region of LXN was almost universally hypermethylated in melanoma cell lines and tumors, and treatment of the cell lines with the demethylating drug 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine resulted in increased LXN expression. In this paper, we demonstrate that the exogenous expression of LXN in melanoma cell lines results in a significant inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. In addition, we show that the increased expression of LXN in these lines correlates with reduction in the expression levels of stem cell transcription factors OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, KLF4, and MYCN, indicating that LXN may exert its tumor-suppressive function by altering the stem cell-like properties of melanoma cells.