cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neural network architectures and learning

Various learning methods of neural networks including supervised and unsupervised methods are presented and illustrated with examples. General learning rule as a function of the incoming signals is discussed. Other learning rules such as Hebbian learning, perceptron learning, LMS (least mean square) learning, delta learning, WTA (winner take all) learning, and PCA (principal component analysis) are presented as a derivation of the general learning rule. Architecture specific learning algorithms for cascade correlation networks, Sarajedini and Hecht-Nielsen networks, functional link networks, polynomial networks, counterpropagation networks, RBF (radial basis function) networks are described. Dedicated learning algorithms for on chip neural network training are also evaluated. The tutorial focuses on various practical methods such as Quickprop, RPROP, Back Percolation, Delta-bar-Delta and others. Main reasons of convergence difficulties such as local minima or flat spot problems are analyzed. More advance gradient-based methods including pseudo inversion learning, conjugate gradient, Newton and LM (Levenberg-Marquardt) algorithm are illustrated with examples.
Toward a General Theory of Marketing: Resource-Advantage Theory as an Extension of Alderson’s Theory of Market Processes

Wroe Alderson influenced considerably the development of marketing theory and practice. This article explicates how Alderson’s differential advantage theory of competition grounds his theory of market processes. It then shows how resource-advantage (R-A) theory incorporates and extends Alderson’s key concepts and generalizations. Consequently, we argue, R-A theory is toward a general theory of marketing.
Metastatic lymphoepithelioma-like hepatocellular carcinoma: a potential diagnostic pitfall and demonstration of PD-L1 expression.

Abstract Lymphoepithelioma-like hepatocellular carcinoma (LEL-HCC) is a rare primary hepatic neoplasm with female predominance and relatively good prognosis. We report a 73-year-old female with chronic hepatitis B who developed metastatic lesions 5 years after underwent resection for LEL-HCC. The metastatic lesions showed a spectrum of morphologic findings, which could be mistaken for other entities such as lymphoma, particularly in lesions with single-cell infiltrative pattern and abundant tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Im-munohistochemical study to confirm the origin of the neoplastic cells is important to make the diagnosis. We also highlighted the clin-icopathologic correlation and potential therapeutic implication of programmed death ligand-1 expression in LEL-HCC.
Exploring the link between the germline and somatic genome in cancer

Carter and colleagues propose a systematic analysis of the germline and somatic genome in cancer. They identify interactions that occur between germline and somatic variants. This elucidates the function of the germline genome in the context of cancer risk and development. Cancer Discov; 7(4); 354-5. ©2017 AACRSee related article by Carter et al., p. 410.
Drought monitoring with soil moisture active passive (SMAP) measurements.

Abstract Recent launch of space-borne systems to estimate surface soil moisture may expand the capability to map soil moisture deficit and drought with global coverage. In this study, we use Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) soil moisture geophysical retrieval products from passive L-band radiometer to evaluate its applicability to forming agricultural drought indices. Agricultural drought is quantified using the Soil Water Deficit Index (SWDI) based on SMAP and soil properties (field capacity and available water content) information. The soil properties are computed using pedo-transfer function with soil characteristics derived from Harmonized World Soil Database. The SMAP soil moisture product needs to be rescaled to be compatible with the soil parameters derived from the in situ stations. In most locations, the rescaled SMAP information captured the dynamics of in situ soil moisture well and shows the expected lag between accumulations of precipitation and delayed increased in surface soil moisture. However, the SMAP soil moisture itself does not reveal the drought information. Therefore, the SMAP based SWDI (SMAP_SWDI) was computed to improve agriculture drought monitoring by using the latest soil moisture retrieval satellite technology. The formulation of SWDI does not depend on longer data and it will overcome the limited (short) length of SMAP data for agricultural drought studies. The SMAP_SWDI is further compared with in situ Atmospheric Water Deficit (AWD) Index. The comparison shows close agreement between SMAP_SWDI and AWD in drought monitoring over Contiguous United States (CONUS), especially in terms of drought characteristics. The SMAP_SWDI was used to construct drought maps for CONUS and compared with well-known drought indices, such as, AWD, Palmer Z-Index, sc-PDSI and SPEI. Overall the SMAP_SWDI is an effective agricultural drought indicator and it provides continuity and introduces new spatial mapping capability for drought monitoring. As an agricultural drought index, SMAP_SWDI has potential to capture short term moisture information similar to AWD and related drought indices.
Trends in urodynamic testing prior to midurethral sling placement-What was the value of the VALUE trial?

Background Many urologists use urodynamic testing (UDS) to assist clinical decision-making. The VALUE study, a multi-institutional, randomized controlled trial published in 2012, demonstrated that UDS prior to midurethral sling placement for uncomplicated stress urinary incontinence (SUI) did not change management. We sought to determine whether use of UDS for evaluation of SUI diminished thereafter. Methods Records of patients who underwent isolated mid-urethral sling surgery at our tertiary-care referral center from 2008 to 2009 (pre-VALUE) and 2014 to 2016 (post-VALUE) were reviewed. Comorbidities, presenting symptoms, surgeon specialty, use of UDS, UDS results and sling type were recorded. Patients with neurologic comorbidities or prior anti-incontinence procedures were excluded. Descriptive statistics were calculated and multivariable logistic regression analyses performed. Results Three hundred and eighty-seven patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 54 years. Patients most frequently presented with stress urinary incontinence (56% pre, 50% post), followed by stress predominant mixed urinary incontinence (40% pre, 48% post, P = 0.09). Before VALUE, UDS was performed in 70% of patients prior to primary sling; in the later cohort, this decreased to 41% (P < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, provider specialty (P < 0.0001) and belonging to the pre-VALUE cohort (P = < 0.0001) predicted use of UDS prior to sling. Conclusion It is paramount that new data be incorporated into diagnostic and treatment algorithms. We found that the rate of preoperative urodynamic testing decreased after publication of a randomized-controlled trial demonstrating that these studies did not change procedural decision-making. Future studies that identify instances of over-testing may have the ability to positively impact patient care and contain costs.
Extranodal Marginal Zone Lymphoma of the Central Nervous System

Extranodal marginal zone lymphoma of the central nervous system (CNS EMZBL) is a rare disease. We present a review of the literature and describe its presentation, differential diagnosis, treatment options, and outcomes. Systematic search of PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases via the Ovid engine for primary articles and case reports yielded 37 unduplicated peer-reviewed articles of CNS EMZBL. We identified 69 cases in these articles and 1 unreported case at our institution, which were included for this review's analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 55 years (range, 18-78 years), with a female preponderance of 77% (n = 54). Most common presenting symptoms were headache in 43% (n = 30), seizures in 31% (n = 22), and visual defects in 27% (n = 19). The most common treatment modalities were localized therapies, which were provided to 67% (n = 47) of cases. These included radiotherapy in 27% (n = 19), radiotherapy with surgery in 24% (n = 17), and surgery alone in 16% (n = 11). Ninety percent (n = 63) of patients had a median follow-up of 23 months. Complete remission was experienced by 77% (n = 49) patients, and 22% (n = 14) were alive with disease. Three patients had evidence of relapse, and one patient died. CNS EMZBL is an indolent, low-grade, radiosensitive lymphoma with good treatment outcomes and prognosis. It is an important differential to consider in extra-axial dural-based masses. Individualized management plans, with preference given to localized treatment options, should be considered after factoring in the site and extent of disease, its resectability, and the expected adverse effects of systemic therapy.
IQGAP1 inhibits type I interferon production via interactions with NLRC3

Nucleotide binding domain, leucine rich repeat CARD containing protein 3 (NLRC3) is a member of the NLR gene family. Members of this family have been associated with human inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s disease and cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome. Although NLRC3 is not associated with human diseases, it is expressed preferentially in the immune system and functions in pathogen detection. NLRC3 is an intracellular protein involved in the sensing of lipopolysaccharide and cytosolic nucleic acids. NLRC3 is hypothesized to act as a negative regulator in response to bacterial and viral infection, suggesting that the vertebrate immune system has evolved specific inhibitors to limit the inflammatory response. We performed an unbiased yeast two-hybrid screen using an amino terminal fragment of NLRC3 to identify putative interacting proteins that might help elucidate the mechanism by which NLRC3 might inhibit inflammatory responses. To this end, we identified several interacting proteins. One protein, in particular, IQGAP1, acts as a scaffold important in regulating the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion and proliferation. Structure function analysis has localized the domains necessary and sufficient for interacting with NLRC3. Confocal microscopy demonstrates that these two proteins co-localize in transformed human epithelial cells. Functionally, in the absence of IQGAP1 , human monocytic cells are hyperactive in response to cytosolic nucleotides, phenocopying NLRC3 deficiencies. These data suggest that NLRC3 can interact with novel proteins to facilitate squelching of cellular responses to cytosolic nucleotides.
Keeping up Appearances: Non-Policy Court Responses to Public Opinion

Existing studies of Supreme Court behavior largely have focused on the Court's policy responses to non-judicial institutions. Recognizing the Court's need to maintain its institutional legitimacy, ...
The Role of the Microbiome in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease

Although the prominent role of the microbiome in human health has been established, the early-life microbiome is now being recognized as a major influence on long-term human health and development. Variations in the composition and functional potential of the early-life microbiome are the result of lifestyle factors, such as mode of birth, breastfeeding, diet, and antibiotic usage. In addition, variations in the composition of the early-life microbiome have been associated with specific disease outcomes, such as asthma, obesity, and neurodevelopmental disorders. This points toward this bacterial consortium as a mediator between early lifestyle factors and health and disease. In addition, variations in the microbial intrauterine environment may predispose neonates to specific health outcomes later in life. A role of the microbiome in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease is supported in this collective research. Highlighting the early-life critical window of susceptibility associated with microbiome development, we discuss infant microbial colonization, beginning with the maternal-to-fetal exchange of microbes in utero and up through the influence of breastfeeding in the first year of life. In addition, we review the available disease-specific evidence pointing toward the microbiome as a mechanistic mediator in the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease.
4π plan optimization for cortical-sparing brain radiotherapy.

Abstract Background and purpose Incidental irradiation of normal brain tissue during radiotherapy is linked to cognitive decline, and may be mediated by damage to healthy cortex. Non-coplanar techniques may be used for cortical sparing. We compared normal brain sparing and probability of cortical atrophy using 4π radiation therapy planning vs. standard fixed gantry intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Material and methods Plans from previously irradiated brain tumor patients (“original IMRT”, n = 13) were re-planned to spare cortex using both 4π optimization (“4π”) and IMRT optimization (“optimized IMRT”). Homogeneity index (HI), gradient measure, doses to cortex and white matter (excluding tumor), brainstem, optics, and hippocampus were compared with matching PTV coverage. Probability of three grades of post-treatment cortical atrophy was modeled based on previously established dose response curves. Results With matching PTV coverage, 4π significantly improved HI by 27% (p = 0.005) and gradient measure by 8% (p = 0.001) compared with optimized IMRT. 4π optimization reduced mean and equivalent uniform doses (EUD) to all standard OARs, with 14–15% reduction in hippocampal EUD (p ≤ 0.003) compared with the other two plans. 4π significantly reduced dose to fractional cortical volumes (V50, V40 and V30) compared with the original IMRT plans, and reduced cortical V30 by 7% (p = 0.008) compared with optimized IMRT. White matter EUD, mean dose, and fractional volumes V50, V40 and V30 were also significantly lower with 4π (p ≤ 0.001). With 4π, probability of grade 1, 2 and 3 cortical atrophy decreased by 12%, 21% and 26% compared with original IMRT and by 8%, 14% and 3% compared with optimized IMRT, respectively (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions 4π radiotherapy significantly improved cortical sparing and reduced doses to standard brain OARs, white matter, and the hippocampus. This was achieved with superior PTV dose homogeneity. Such sparing could reduce the probability of cortical atrophy that may lead to cognitive decline.
Developmental Consequences of Prenatal Exposure to Maternal Immune Activation

Schizophrenia is a developmental disorder which likely comprises a heterogeneous collection of pathophysiologies converging upon a common end-stage. For example, prenatal exposure to maternal infection increases schizophrenia risk; preclinical studies suggest risk elevation is mediated through the maternal inflammatory response to infection. Prenatal immune activation therefore provides an opportunity to identify mechanisms underlying altered neurodevelopment in offspring following exposure to maternal inflammatory response. Significantly, previous studies have demonstrated behavioral, cognitive, and neurochemical abnormalities of relevance to schizophrenia in adult offspring following prenatal immune activation. Hypotheses of schizophrenia etiology suggest pathophysiologies in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission may precede and underlie dopaminergic dysfunction. Here we discuss evidence in support of these hypotheses, and detail studies evaluating support of this model following prenatal immune activation, a known schizophrenia risk factor. Finally, we highlight the potential for this model to inform future studies of schizophrenia evaluation, prevention, and treatment. Three areas of particular promise include an improved understanding of gene x environment interactions; identification of novel pharmacological targets for prevention; and development of therapeutic interventions targeting specific stages of illness. For example, new treatments may target GABAergic and glutamatergic systems early in development, in contrast to all current FDA-approved treatments targeting dopaminergic systems in later stages of illness.
Poverty and Cancer Disparities in Ohio.

INTRODUCTION Poverty is associated with higher cancer rates, cancer risk factors such as tobacco use and obesity, and lack of access to cancer screening and treatment. This analysis examined differences in cancer outcomes and associated factors among the poorest counties and the most affluent counties in Ohio. METHODS We compared cancer incidence and mortality rates and prevalence of selected cancer risk factors between the 12 poorest counties in Ohio and the 10 most affluent counties in Ohio from January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2015. We also compared stage at diagnosis of selected cancers and the health insurance and treatment status of people with cancer. RESULTS The mortality rate for all cancers combined was 19% higher in the poorest counties (192.2 per 100,000) than in the most affluent counties (161.9 per 100,000). Cervical cancer and other smoking-related cancers had higher rates in the poorest counties, where they were more likely to be diagnosed at a late stage. The prevalence was significantly higher in Ohio's poorest counties for current tobacco smoking (25.6% vs 17.1%), obesity (32.7% vs 28.3%), and physical inactivity (29.7% vs 23.0%). Among people with cancer, a smaller percentage had private health insurance (42.9% vs 33.0%) and a greater percentage had no treatment (8.9% vs 10.4%) in the poorest counties. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates disparities in cancer incidence, mortality, and stage, and differences in cancer risk factors, health insurance, and treatment status between Ohio's poorest and most affluent counties. This information may help to target public health interventions for the prevention, early detection, and control of cancer.
Limitations of the Axially Dispersed Plug-Flow Model in Predicting Breakthrough in Confined Geometries

This paper examines the ability of the axially dispersed plug-flow model to accurately predict breakthrough in adsorbent beds confined by rigid walls. The axially dispersed plug-flow model is used ...
Questionsversus statements as stimuli to children’s learning

responses in learning (1, 2, 3, 4) have failed to show that the writing of a response or the selecting of a multiple choice item by pressing a button results in more learning than the "passive" behavior involved in viewing stimuli and keeping responses, if any, to oneself. This is not to say that we can do without overt responses in those teaching situations where the response itself is the behavior to be taught, or that we can ignore overt responses as necessary indicators to the teacher that the learner
Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious transboundary animal disease, causing worldwide an enormous economic impact and remains a present and continuing severe global threat. When designing FMD control strategies in Africa, most precise information on animal husbandry, trade and wildlife is necessary, in order to coordinate a regional approach based on related ecosystem. Following this objective, FMD control in Africa required mass vaccination using suitable quality conventional vaccine containing the relevant antigens that are specific to the region and could eventually limit primary outbreaks and spread of the virus. Ultimately, monitoring the vaccination coverage in the field is an essential tool for success to control and prevent FMD.
Transitioning From Alternative Education Settings: A Process for Students With Behavioral Challenges:

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) experience some of the poorest outcomes of all students. They are also placed in alternative education (AE) settings more frequently than stud...
Towards clinically actionable digital phenotyping targets in schizophrenia.

Digital phenotyping has potential to quantify the lived experience of mental illness and generate real-time, actionable results related to recovery, such as the case of social rhythms in individuals with bipolar disorder. However, passive data features for social rhythm clinical targets in individuals with schizophrenia have yet to be studied. In this paper, we explore the relationship between active and passive data by focusing on temporal stability and variance at an individual level as well as large-scale associations on a population level to gain clinically actionable information regarding social rhythms. From individual data clustering, we found a 19% cluster overlap between specific active and passive data features for participants with schizophrenia. In the same clinical population, two passive data features in particular associated with social rhythms, “Circadian Routine” and “Weekend Day Routine,” and were negatively associated with symptoms of anxiety, depression, psychosis, and poor sleep (Spearman ρ ranged from −0.23 to −0.30, p < 0.001). Conversely, in healthy controls, more stable social rhythms were positively correlated with symptomatology (Spearman ρ ranged from 0.20 to 0.44, p < 0.05). Our results suggest that digital phenotyping in schizophrenia may offer clinically relevant information for understanding how daily routines affect symptomatology. Specifically, negative correlations between smartphone reported anxiety, depression, psychosis, and poor sleep in individuals with schizophrenia, but not in healthy controls, offer an actionable clinical target and area for further investigation.
Case 3: Hypoxia in a Full-term Neonate.

A male infant is born at a community hospital at 37 weeks and 2 days of gestation via cesarean section because of failure to progress after induction of labor for oligohydramnios of unknown etiology. The maternal history is remarkable for 2 prior miscarriages. The pregnancy is complicated by advanced maternal age and low amniotic fluid index of 2.9. The mother had received prenatal care with unremarkable prenatal laboratory findings. The infant’s Apgar scores are 8 and 9, and he requires routine resuscitation. Ten minutes after birth, the infant is noted to be dusky in appearance with respiratory distress. Preductal pulse oximetry is notable for oxygen saturation of 60% to 65% in room air. After initiation of positive pressure ventilation, the oxygen saturation increases to 75% to 85%. The infant is given continuous positive pressure ventilation of 5 mm Hg at 100% fraction of inspired oxygen (Fio2), and his oxygen saturation increases to 90%. He is then transported to the NICU for further assessment, where chest radiography reveals a right-sided pneumothorax that is promptly treated with needle decompression, and he is then given 6 L of oxygen via high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC). The first arterial blood gas measurement approximately 1 hour after birth shows a pH of 7.13, partial pressure of oxygen (Po2) of 75 mm Hg (10 kPa), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pco2) of 55 mm Hg (7.3 kPa), bicarbonate of 24 …
Splendor, decline, and rediscovery of Yiddish in Latin America: edited by Malena Chinski and Alan Astro, Brill, 2018, 253 pp., ISBN 9789004373815

This volume is an extraordinary contribution to the study of Yiddish in the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking Americas. The field is small but expanding. Through it, it is possible to delve into a n...
Passive clearing and 3D lightsheet imaging of the intact and injured spinal cord in mice

Abstract The spinal cord contains a diverse array of sensory and motor circuits that are essential for normal function. Spinal cord injury (SCI) permanently disrupts neural circuits through initial mechanical damage, as well as a cascade of secondary injury events that further expand the spinal cord lesion, resulting in permanent paralysis. Tissue clearing and 3D imaging have recently emerged as promising techniques to improve our understanding of the complex neural circuitry of the spinal cord and the changes that result from damage due to SCI. However, the application of this technology for studying the intact and injured spinal cord remains limited. Here we optimized the passive CLARITY technique (PACT) to obtain gentle and efficient clearing of the murine spinal cord without the need for specialized equipment. We demonstrate that PACT clearing enables 3D imaging of multiple fluorescent labels in the spinal cord to assess molecularly defined neuronal populations, acute inflammation, long-term tissue damage, and cell transplantation. Collectively, these procedures provide a framework for expanding the utility of tissue clearing to enhance the study of spinal cord neural circuits, as well as cellular- and tissue-level changes that occur following SCI.
Encapsulated allografts preclude host sensitization and promote ovarian endocrine function in ovariectomized young rhesus monkeys and sensitized mice

Transplantation of allogeneic donor ovarian tissue holds great potential for female cancer survivors who often experience premature ovarian insufficiency. To avoid complications associated with immune suppression and to protect transplanted ovarian allografts from immune-mediated injury, we have developed an immuno-isolating hydrogel-based capsule that supports the function of ovarian allografts without triggering an immune response. Encapsulated ovarian allografts implanted in naive ovariectomized BALB/c mice responded to the circulating gonadotropins without direct revascularization and maintained function for 4 months, as evident by regular estrous cycles and presence of antral follicles in the retrieved grafts. Repeated implantations of encapsulated mouse ovarian allografts did not sensitize naive BALB/c mice in contrast to non-encapsulated controls, which was confirmed with undetectable levels of allo-antibody. Further, encapsulated allografts implanted in hosts previously sensitized by implantation of non-encapsulated allografts restored estrous cycles similarly to our results in naive recipients. Next, we tested the translational potential and efficiency of the immune-isolating capsule in a rhesus monkey model by implanting encapsulated ovarian auto- and allografts in young ovariectomized animals. The encapsulated ovarian grafts survived and restored basal levels of urinary estrone conjugate and pregnanediol 3-glucuronide during the approximate 4-5 month observation period. We demonstrate, for the first time, that encapsulation of ovarian allografts prevents sensitization and protects the allograft from rejection in young rhesus monkeys and in sensitized mice.
Mechanisms of hexameric helicases.

Ring-shaped hexameric helicases are essential motor proteins that separate duplex nucleic acid strands for DNA replication, recombination, and transcriptional regulation. Two evolutionarily distinc...
On the Mode of in Vivo Assembly of the Cell Wall of Bacillus subtilis

Abstract During logarithmic growth Bacillus subtilis synthesizes teichoic acid, but not teichuronic acid. Under conditions of phosphate limitation, teichoic acid synthesis stops, and teichuronic acid synthesis is activated. Suitable radioactive labeling experiments have shown that both of these polymers are attached only to glycopeptide chains synthesized at the same time as these specialized polymers are made. An examination of the teichoic acid glycopeptide complex obtained by lysozyme digestion from cells labeled with d-[3H]glucosamine during a period of phosphate limitation, and with d-[14C]glucosamine after resumption of logarithmic growth, has shown that the glycan chains adjacent to those linked covalently to teichoic acid represent a nearly random selection of new and old chains. This last finding is interpreted to indicate that during cell wall growth there is a random intercalation of new and old glycopeptide chains.
A Programming Environment for Dynamic Resource Allocation and Data Distribution

Dynamic resource allocation, particularly in the form of processorpartitioning and scheduling, is an important factor in achieving good utilization and high performance in multiprocessor systems. We are developing a Distributed Resource Management System (DRMS) for dynamic allocation of resources during the execution of applications. DRMS provides means for applications to specify their resource requirements and for the system to manipulate resources allocated to competing jobs. DRMS also provides the programming support necessary to create reconfigurable applications, that can execute on time-variant processor partitions. Run-time program migration and data redistribution are performed automatically. We present performance results using application benchmarks on the first implementation of DRMS for the IBM SP2. Our performance results show that (i) the support for dynamic resource control has minimal side effects on the application performance, and (ii) the costs associated with the data redistributions and program restructuring to support changes in the processor partitions are relatively small.
Bound on the number of functions that can be distinguished with k quantum queries

Suppose an oracle is known to hold one of a given set of D two-valued functions. To successfully identify which function the oracle holds with k classical queries, it must be the case that D is at most ${2}^{k}.$ In this paper we derive a bound for how many functions can be distinguished with k quantum queries.
Towards a more collegial and consultative ABET visit

Changes in ABET accreditation criteria and processes have changed the emphasis of the site visit from "auditing" to "information exchange. " As part of an ongoing process of program evaluation and improvement, the site visit is most successful if the evaluator and the program representatives function as colleagues rather than adversaries. This paper identifies both benefits and challenges associated with this change in visit style, based on the authors' experiences in ABET visits.
Electronic beam steering using a varactor-tuned impedance surface

Limited electronic steering can be accomplished using a focusing reflective surface by changing the feed location or direction of incidence. In this paper we describe a method of electronic beam steering by using a tunable impedance surface. Since there are no moving parts or complicated feed networks, this method of reflective beam steering can have great utility for low-cost and lightweight scanning antennas.
17α-Estradiol Exerts Neuroprotective Effects on SK-N-SH Cells

Estradiol (E2) has been shown to exert organizational, neurotrophic, and neuroprotective effects in the CNS. The present study assessed the specificity of the neuroprotective effects of estradiol for the potent 17β-isomer. SK-N-SH cells from a human neuroblastoma cell line, which we have shown to be estrogen-responsive, were cultured at low or high plating density. Then cells were exposed to 17β-E2 (0.2 or 2 nm), 17α-E2 (0.2 or 2 nm), or cholesterol, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, progesterone, or corticosterone (all at 2 nm). Cultures were insulted by serum deprivation, which caused a profound loss of cells. At 1 or 2 d of serum deprivation and steroid hormone replacement, the protection afforded cells by the steroid addition was assessed. Serum deprivation killed ∼90% of cells cultured at both low and high plating density. Both 17α- and 17β-E2 provided protection of SK-N-SH cells at either plating density. Further, a 10-fold molar excess of tamoxifen antagonized only approximately one-third of the neuroprotective effects of either isomer of estradiol, and a 100-fold excess of tamoxifen had no additional effect on the neuroprotection by 17β-E2. By contrast, none of the other steroids tested protected cells from the insult of serum deprivation. These results indicate that the neuroprotective effects of estrogens are not attributable to the general steroid structure, and the majority of the neuroprotection may not be mediated via a tamoxifen-antagonized receptor mechanism.
How Emotion Trumps Logic in Climate Change Risk Perception: Exploring the Affective Heuristic Among Wildlife Science Students

Despite scientific support for the reality of climate change, public opinion remains polarized. Continued skepticism may be partially explained by lack of understanding of climate change science, a...
“I Remember …”: An Art Show of Environmental Significance.

“I Remember …”: An Art Show of Environmental Significance. Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection, and Restoration Act (CWPPRA) Traveling Exhibit. Website and Exhibition: http://lacoast.gov/new/GetI...
Do Economic Development Efforts Benefit All? Business Attraction and Income Inequality *

This paper extends the current literature on county-level income distribution in the United States by explicitly exploring the effect of business-attraction efforts by state governments. Using county-level job attraction and retention data from 2000 to 2005 in Virginia to explain the income distribution from 2006 to 2010, while controlling for demographic and socioeconomic conditions of local communities, this study shows that bringing in manufacturing jobs can reduce income inequality at the local level while attracting jobs in professional and business services tends to increase local income inequality. The results indicate that state and local governments' efforts to attract and retain manufacturing jobs help improve local income distribution.
Reflections on a Research Career: Perspective on 35 Years of Research at the Juniper Gardens Children's Project

The CEC Research Award recognizes researchers for the significant contributions they have made to special education. We believe that the members of this distinguished group have much to share with our readers. We have invited each of them to contribute an article, addressing their perspectives on special education research and practices. Juniper Gardens Children's Project (JGCP) was awarded the Research Award in 1996, recognizing 35 years of research in special education and its seminal role in producing best practices, tools, and critical knowledge for educating students at risk with disabling conditions. This article by Charles Greenwood and colleagues at Juniper Gardens presents their thoughts about the motivating conditions, goals, works, and aspirations of JGCP.
Target effects on focusing and acceleration of laser-driven ion beams

Energetic proton beams driven by picosecond lasers can be focused to densities ~1024 m-3 in vacuum, but complications arise as it enters solid material. We report evidence of a strong material dependence on the volume heated.
Vortex diffusion in superfluid helium films

Abstract We calculate the vortex self-diffusion constant of a helium film in the critical region above the superfluid transition. Use is made of an approach developed by Taylor and McNamara for two dimensional plasma diffusion in the guiding center approximation. Assuming the vortices move at the local superfluid velocity we obtain D ≈ ℏ m with a logarithmic correction.
Canine mitochondrial myopathy associated with reduced mitochondrial mRNA and altered cytochrome c oxidase activities in fibroblasts and skeletal muscle

Abstract Skeletal muscle and fibroblast biopsies obtained from a normal dog and an old English sheep dog with exertional myopathy and lactic acidosis were examined for mitochondrial enzyme activities and mitochondrially coded mRNAs. The fibroblast cultures of the affected dog showed reduced cytochrome c oxidase (COX) I + II mRNA content (25% of control) and COX enzyme activities (23% of control). The skeletal muscle of the affected dog was similarly affected and showed not only decreased COX I+II mRNA content, but also decreased ATPase6 mRNA level. Apart from COX enzyme activity (62% of control), the oligomycin sensitive ATPase and NADH-Ferricyanide reductase activities were also reduced in the skeletal muscle of the affected dog (12–20% of control). These results suggest that a mitochondrial dysfunction may be the causative factor of the exertional metabolic myopathy with lactic acidosis in this affected old English sheep dog. These animals may serve as an excellent model for mitochondrial myopathies.
Incidental finding of dysgeusia relieved by injections of botulinum toxin A.

Objective: We report the unique finding of hemifacial spasm and associated dysgeusia that resolved after treatment with botulinum toxin A (BTX-A). Study Design: Case report. Methods: Three years after undergoing resection of an acoustic neuroma and subsequent resolution of postoperative left-sided facial nerve palsy, a 38-year-old woman presented with new onset of facial spasm and dysgeusia. Results: After three courses of BTX-A injections during a 2-year period, symptoms of both facial spasm and dysgeusia resolved after treatments and returned between treatments. Conclusions: These findings, which have not been reported previously in the literature, indicate a potential role for BTX-A in the treatment of surgically associated dysgeusia.
Single-qubit-gate error below 10 − 4 in a trapped ion

With a ${}^{9}{\mathrm{Be}}^{+}$ trapped-ion hyperfine-state qubit, we demonstrate an error probability per randomized single-qubit gate of $2.0(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}$, below the threshold estimate of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ commonly considered sufficient for fault-tolerant quantum computing. The ${}^{9}{\mathrm{Be}}^{+}$ ion is trapped above a microfabricated surface-electrode ion trap and is manipulated with microwaves applied to a trap electrode. The achievement of low single-qubit-gate errors is an essential step toward the construction of a scalable quantum computer.
WIYN Open Cluster Study. XV. Photometric Monitoring of Open Clusters: New Variables in NGC 188

Photometric monitoring of the central 17' × 17' of the old open cluster NGC 188 with the WIYN 3.5 m telescope has resulted in the discovery of a number of new variable stars, down to 21.5 mag in V, 35 of which have well-determined periods. The variability types of the fainter stars of the sample (18–21.5 mag) remain uncertain. However, most of the brighter stars (15–18 mag) probably make up the low-luminosity extension of the already known W UMa population of NGC 188. We also report the discovery of two longer period variables on the subgiant branch of the cluster CMD, most likely FK Comae stars, which suggests that the cluster may provide significant insight on the formation and evolution of contact binary systems. Alternatively, these objects may represent a new kind of pulsation variables.
Courtship Solicitation by Females of the Barred Sulphur Butterfly (Eurema daira) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae)

Virgin females of the subtropical pierid butterfly Eurema daira were observed to actively solicit male courtship. The resulting interactions involved both aggressive contact with male individuals and elaborate female posturing. Cage-based trials showed that there was a direct relationship between the frequency of courtship solicitation attempts and female age. Virgin females under 3 days old showed little or no interest in initiating courtship. By contrast, 23.2 percent of the virgin females over three days old actively solicited available males with peak solicitation behavior exhibited from five day old individuals.
Use of global information and a priori knowledge for segmentation of objects: algorithms and applications

The segmentation of well-contrasted objects is no problem and the success of several algorithms is proved by applications. But if the objects are poorly contrasted, it is difficult to find a threshold, which leads to a right object segmentation and, in many cases, (e.g., touching or overlapping objects) a threshold for the right segmentation of the image into isolated object regions does not exist. Some methods are presented which can help to overcome these problems. Global information and a priori knowledge are used for the selection of an optimum segmentation threshold (a threshold is selected independently for each object). An algorithm for the separation of conglomerates of convex objects is presented based on contour information (information about the shape of the objects). The main characteristics of this algorithm are: construction of a recursive convexity polygon, determination of fuzzy features for the description of possible parts of the conglomerate, and dynamic programming. Several applications demonstrate the use of further information about shape, grey value distribution, and topology.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Imiquimod 5% cream for keloid management.

Background. Keloid treatment represents a therapeutic challenge. New adjuvant therapy is needed to reduce the high recurrence rate (50%) of excised keloids. Objective. To describe the method for using imiquimod 5% cream in the prevention of keloid recurrence after surgery. Methods. This is a review of the scientific rationale and clinical experience of using imiquimod 5% cream for keloid management. Conclusion. Topical application of imiquimod 5% cream after surgery reduces keloid recurrences.
Noise and distortion considerations in charge-coupled devices

Noise and distortion considerations for charge-coupled devices used in imaging applications are presented. Distortion occurs because of transfer inefficiency and leakage current. Noise contributions due to thermal noise during the formation of the potential wells, shot noise in the leakage current and interface-state noise are discussed.
Cell Division: Septins in common?

Two apparently quite distinct processes, cytokinesis in animal cells and in budding yeast cells, have been shown to involve proteins of the same family, the septins, suggesting that the two may not be so different after all.
Estimating the real growth effects of blockbuster art exhibits: a time series approach.

This paper addresses the evaluation of real growth forecasts made by impact studies. Intervention analysis is used to estimate the ex post impact of blockbuster exhibits on economic growth in Jackson, Mississippi (chosen because state and local governments provide regular subsidies to finance the exhibitions). Non-farm employment measures real economic growth and dummy variables capture the occurrence of the exhibitions. Univariate time series techniques identify and estimate a stationary process after filtering the data for seasonal and cyclical effects. The analysis estimates the short run impact on Jackson’s filtered employment series due to the blockbuster exhibitions as approximately 700 jobs.
Pheromone Signaling Pathways in Yeast

The actions of many extracellular stimuli are elicited by complexes of cell surface receptors, heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) complexes. Analysis of haploid yeast cells and their response to peptide mating pheromones has produced important advances in the understanding of G protein and MAPK signaling mechanisms. Many of the components, their interrelationships, and their regulators were first identified in yeast. Examples include definitive demonstration of a positive signaling role for G protein betagamma subunits, the discovery of a three-tiered structure of the MAPK module, development of the concept of a kinase-scaffold protein, and the discovery of the first regulator of G protein signaling protein. New and powerful genomic, proteomic, and computational approaches available in yeast are beginning to uncover new pathway components and interactions and have revealed their presence in unexpected locations within the cell. This updated Connections Map in the Database of Cell Signaling includes several major revisions to this prototypical signal response pathway.
Thomsen's Equation

(2002). Thomsen's Equation. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 109, No. 7, pp. 612-622.
Differential modulation of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) disease parasites by the El-Niño-Southern Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation

The eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is affected by two protozoan parasites, Perkinsus marinus which causes Dermo disease and Haplosporidium nelsoni which causes MSX (Multinucleated Sphere Unknown) disease. Both diseases are largely controlled by water temperature and salinity and thus are potentially sensitive to climate variations resulting from the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which influences climate along the Gulf of Mexico coast, and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which influences climate along the Atlantic coast of the United States. In this study, a 10-year time series of temperature and salinity and P. marinus infection intensity for a site in Louisiana on the Gulf of Mexico coast and a 52-year time series of air temperature and freshwater inflow and oyster mortality from Delaware Bay on the Atlantic coast of the United States were analyzed to determine patterns in disease and disease-induced mortality in C. virginica populations that resulted from ENSO and NAO climate variations. Wavelet analysis was used to decompose the environmental, disease infection intensity and oyster mortality time series into a time–frequency space to determine the dominant modes of variability and the time variability of the modes. For the Louisiana site, salinity and Dermo disease infection intensity are correlated at a periodicity of 4 years, which corresponds to ENSO. The influence of ENSO on Dermo disease along the Gulf of Mexico is through its effect on salinity, with high salinity, which occurs during the La Nina phase of ENSO at this location, favoring parasite proliferation. For the Delaware Bay site, the primary correlation was between temperature and oyster mortality, with a periodicity of 8 years, which corresponds to the NAO. Warmer temperatures, which occur during the positive phase of the NAO, favor the parasites causing increased oyster mortality. Thus, disease prevalence and intensity in C. virginica populations along the Gulf of Mexico coast is primarily regulated by salinity, whereas temperature regulates the disease process along the United States east coast. These results show that the response of an organism to climate variability in a region is not indicative of the response that will occur over the entire range of a particular species. This has important implications for management of marine resources, especially those that are commercially harvested.
Traumatic Mesenteric Avulsion and Subsequent Septic Peritonitis in a Dog

Objective: Description of a case of traumatic mesenteric avulsion in a dog resulting in septic peritonitis. Case Summary: A young dog was presented after having been hit by a car. On initial evaluation, intra-abdominal injury was not apparent. The dog was discharged and re-presented with septic peritonitis due to devitalized bowel from mesenteric avulsion. Surgical intervention and supportive care resulted in a successful outcome. New or Unique Information Provided: Successful management of a rare injury including exploratory celiotomy with intestinal resection and anastomosis, supportive care, and closed suction abdominal drainage. (J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2001; 11(3): 211–215)
‘Cleverly Drawn’: Oscar Wilde, Charles Ricketts, and the Art of the Woman's World

This paper offers a new examination of the influential women's magazine, theWoman's World (1887–90), and Oscar Wilde's editorship thereof. Previous studies have focused on the magazine's importance as a venue for promoting proto-feminist writing and for enabling Wilde to boost his professional cachet through editorial work, but the aesthetic aims and execution of theWoman's World merit further analysis. The Woman's World reveals how male artists negotiated aesthetics and Aestheticism between themselves within its pages, as well as how they presented it to the publication's assumed audience of women. This paper particularly centres on the magazine's role in establishing the professional relationship between Wilde and Charles Ricketts, later the designer and illustrator of some of Wilde's most important texts, while simultaneously considering how Ricketts's work furthered the artistic and intellectual instruction Wilde hoped to offer the magazine's readers. Case studies of several of Ricketts's illustration...