cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is Prediction Possible in General Relativity

Here we briefly review the concept of "prediction" within the context of classical relativity theory. We prove a theorem asserting that one may predict one's own future only in a closed universe. We then question whether prediction is possible at all (even in closed universes). We note that interest in prediction has stemmed from considering the epistemological predicament of the observer. We argue that the definitions of prediction found thus far in the literature do not fully appreciate this predicament. We propose a more adequate alternative and show that, under this definition, prediction is essentially impossible in general relativity.
Antecedent and attendant stimuli in smoking: Implications for behavioral maintenance and modification

Considerable research exists on biological and psychological explanations for smoking and evaluations of interventions. This research, which supports a psychological model of smoking maintenance, identified situations commonly associated with smoking and noted implications for intervention. College student (N = 34) and general public (N = 48) men and women smokers were questioned about the frequency, onset age, and daily situations associated with their habit. No sex differences were found in either sample for responses, and correlations between smoking rate and onset age or years of smoking were not significant. Chi-square analysis indicated significant differences between samples in frequency with which common situational stimuli were associated with smoking. This behavior may be maintained as functionally autonomous, and effective intervention must sensitize smokers to elicitive situational stimuli as well as the smoking response.
Multiple Markov chains Monte Carlo approach for flow forecasting in porous media

Abstract Predictions in subsurface formations consists of two steps: characterization and prediction using the characterization. In the characterization, we reconstruct the subsurface properties, such as distributions of permeability and porosity, with a set of limited data. A Bayesian approach using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods is well suited for reconstructing permeability and porosity ﬁelds. This statistical approach aims at generating a Markov chain from which a stationary, posterior distribution of the characteristics of the subsurface may be constructed. A crucial step in this framework is the calculation of the likelihood information which can be computationally very demanding. This limitation hinders the application of the Bayesian framework for the ﬂow predictions in porous media in a practical period of time. The parallel computation of multiple MCMCs can substantially reduce computation time and can make the framework more suitable to subsurface ﬂows. In this paper, we consider multi–MCMC and compare the multi–MCMC with the MCMCs for the predictions of subsurface ﬂows.
Radial bounds for perturbations of elliptic operators

Abstract Elliptic operators A = ∑ ¦α¦ ⩽ m b α (x) D α , α a multi-index, with leading term positive and constant coefficient, and with lower order coefficients b α (x) ϵ L r α + L α ( with ( n r α ) + ¦α¦ defined on R n or a quotient space R n R n U α , U α ⊂ R n are considered. It is shown that the Lp-spectrum of A is contained in a “parabolic region” Ω of the complex plane enclosing the positive real axis, uniformly in p. Outside Ω, the kernel of the resolvent of A is shown to be uniformly bounded by an L1 radial convolution kernel. Some consequences are: A can be closed in all Lp (1 ⩽ p ⩽ ∞), and is essentially self-adjoint in L2 if it is symmetric; A generates an analytic semigroup e−tA in the right half plane, strongly Lp and pointwise continuous at t = 0. A priori estimates relating the leading term and remainder are obtained, and summability φ(eA)ƒ→ e → 0 φ(0) ƒ , with φ analytic, is proved for ƒ ϵ L p , with convergence in Lp and on the Lebesgue set of ƒ. More comprehensive summability results are obtained when A has constant coefficients.
Atlantic menhaden recruitment to a southern estuary: defining potential spawning regions

Atlantic menhaden (Brevoortia tyrannus) is an estuarine-dependent fish that spawns in coastal waters of the Middle and South Atlantic Bights. Circulation modelling studies of larval transport suggest that recruitment of larvae into the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine System, North Carolina, is linked to dynamics on the shelf from New York to South Carolina. Field-collected menhaden egg data (from MARMAP and SABRE) define a range of temperatures within which menhaden eggs have been found. In this study we refine the transport model-predicted spawning grounds for the 1994–95 season by using satellite-derived sea surface temperature data to highlight regions that are outside the observed spawning temperature range. We also use transport pathways leading from source locations to the estuarine system to characterize the temperature field experienced by particles/larvae during their spawning-ground to inlet transit. The modelled nearshore location of source regions agrees well with MARMAP and SABRE egg data, and points to the importance of understanding biological and physical linkages between the Middle and South Atlantic Bights. The combination of modelled transport and synoptic temperature maps can provide useful guidance to future sampling efforts as well as help refine our understanding of menhaden ecology.
Functional and structural role of arginine 103 in human erythropoietin.

The identification of amino acid residues essential for function of the hematopoietic growth factor erythropoietin has been approached by several methods, including comparisons of related sequences, immunochemical approaches, mutagenesis, and computer modeling. We have reported previously that mutations within amino acids 100-109 of erythropoietin can have profound effects on the hormone's structure and/or activity and that Arg103 is especially important for function [Y. Chern, T. Chung, and A. J. Sytkowski (1991) Eur. J. Biochem. 202, 225-229; J. Grodberg, K.L. Davis, and A. J. Sytkowski (1993) Eur. J. Biochem. 218, 597-601]. We have now constructed a series of Arg103 substitutions in order to determine the structural features of amino acid 103 required for biological activity. Each of the mutants was expressed and secreted efficiently by transfected COS1 cells. Mutants Arg103Asn, Arg103Gln, and Arg103Glu exhibited no biological activity. In contrast, Arg103His and Arg103Lys had specific activities equal to 2 and 25%, respectively, of that of wild-type erythropoietin, indicating that a positive charge may be required at position 103 but that other constraints necessitate the presence of Arg for full activity. A role for amino acid 103 in the protein's structure was supported by the results of experiments which revealed marked differences in heat stability among the mutants. We hypothesize that an Arg at position 103 may confer sufficient flexibility to the receptor binding domain to facilitate initial binding to the receptor and may then stabilize the binary complex by hydrogen bonding with carbonyls of the receptor protein.
Loop Diuretic Therapy in Heart Failure: The Need for Solid Evidence on a Fluid Issue

Background Heart failure (HF) is a common condition associated with substantial cost, morbidity, and mortality. Because results of clinical trials in the acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) setting have been mostly neutral, loop diuretics remain the mainstay of treatment. Hypothesis Loop diuretic use may be associated with unfavorable outcomes. Methods A MEDLINE literature search was performed to identify articles relating to heart failure and loop diuretics. The current evidence on the risks and benefits of loop diuretics for the treatment of ADHF is reviewed. Results Loop diuretics are associated with symptomatic improvements in congestion, urine output, and body weight, but have shown no long-term mortality benefit. Loop diuretics, especially at high doses, are associated with worsened renal function and other poor outcomes. Conclusions Loop diuretics still prove useful in HF treatment, but risk-benefit analysis of these agents in the treatment of ADHF requires a well-designed prospective study. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fluorometric microdetermination of glycogen.

Abstract A fluorometric method is described which measures as little as 0.02 μg glycogen in tissue using microequipment or 0.2 μg glycogen using standard equipment. The standard curves for these two procedures are linear up to 0.15 and 1.5 μg glycogen, respectively. The coefficient of variation with the proposed fluorometric method averages 0.9% for fresh livers from fed and fasted rats containing 4.1 to 0.8 gm glycogen per 100 gm tissue. When compared to a popular colorimetric anthrone method, the standard error of mean differences for the proposed fluorometric method was less than 1% of the quantity of glycogen in the average sample. The proposed fluorometric procedure is more specific for glycogen than the anthrone colorimetric method because the fluorescence of G6P, F6P, or FDP is one-half of that produced by an equal quantity of glycogen.
PKC-zeta-associated CK2 participates in the turnover of free IkappaBalpha.

Abstract The atypical PKC isoenzymes, ζ and ι, activate NF-κB, a mechanism thought to mediate the anti-apoptotic and proliferative features of these kinases. PKC-ζ has been shown to be associated with an IκBα kinase in resting cells. In this study, we have sought to identify the PKC-ζ associated kinase and understand how PKC-ζ mediates basal IκBα turnover in vivo. We demonstrate that the PKC-ζ-associated IκBα kinase is CK2. This kinase, previously shown to phosphorylate the PEST domain of IκB molecules, co-precipitates with PKC-ζ in resting cells. In vitro, PKC-ζ interacts with CK2-β. The in vivo PKC-ζ-associated CK2 preferentially phosphorylates S293 of IκBα as compared to non-associated CK2. The functional relevance of this observation is supported by the fact that the turnover of free IκBα in resting cells is S293-dependent. Moreover, overexpressing PKC-ζ results in lower steady-state protein levels of free IκBα, which is dependent on S293. Lastly, it is shown that PKC-ζ wt but not kinase dead leads to the in vitro phosphorylation of both CK2-α and β. These studies demonstrate that the association between CK2 and PKC-ζ may play a major role in the control of the basal turnover of free IκBα, in the absence of extracellular stimuli.
Polysulphone and poly(phenylene sulphide) blends: 1. Thermal characterization and phase morphology

Abstract The phase behaviour and morphology of injection moulded specimens of polysulphone (PSF) and poly(phenylene sulphide) (PPS) blends were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (d.s.c.), dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (d.m.t.a.) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The blends are phase separated regardless of the blend composition as revealed by d.s.c., d.m.t.a. and TEM. Upon annealing at 160°C for 2 h, d.m.t.a. results indicate that the PPS phase remains in the amorphous state at compositions
Discounting axioms imply risk neutrality

Although most applications of discounting occur in risky settings, the best-known axiomatic justifications are deterministic. This paper provides an axiomatic rationale for discounting in a stochastic framework. Consider a representation of time and risk preferences with a binary relation on a real vector space of vector-valued discrete-time stochastic processes on a probability space. Four axioms imply that there are unique discount factors such that preferences among stochastic processes correspond to preferences among present value random vectors. The familiar axioms are weak ordering, continuity and nontriviality. The fourth axiom, decomposition, is non-standard and key. These axioms and the converse of decomposition are assumed in previous axiomatic justifications for discounting with nonlinear intraperiod utility functions in deterministic frameworks. Thus, the results here provide the weakest known sufficient conditions for discounting in deterministic or stochastic settings. In addition to the four axioms, if there exists a von Neumann-Morgenstern utility function corresponding to the binary relation, then that function is risk neutral (i.e., affine). In this sense, discounting axioms imply risk neutrality.
Experience in remote user-centered design

To meet an immediate need in a new market, the corporation needed a customer document for installing a suite of tools that had previously been installed only by experienced service engineers. More than one support engineer had written a short document describing the installation tasks, but these documents pre-supposed a high level of expertise on the part of the installer. The challenge presented to Information Engineering was to create, from two such documents, a text that a customer could use to install the software tools.With the help of a world-wide team, internet tools, and two virtual sessions following user-centered design practices, a customer-oriented document was successfully created quickly at very low cost. This paper describes the process.Documentation, Design, User-centered Design, Remote collaborative work, Design of communication, Computer-supported collaborative work
HYPERNUCLEAR SPECTROSCOPY IN THE P SHELL

Abstract A comprehensive shell-model approach to Λ-hypernuclear spectroscopy in the p shell is developed. The available data on the spectra of 9ΛBe, 12ΛC, 13ΛC, 14ΛN and 16ΛO are interpreted in this framework, leading to constraints on the residual ΛN interaction and the one-body Λ-nucleus potential. The mechanism for the formation of Λ hypernuclei via the (K−, π−) reaction is treated in the relativistic distorted wave approximation, with careful attention paid to Fermi-averaging of the elementary K−n → π−Λ amplitude and recoil corrections. Departures from the simple weak coupling picture, arising from configuration mixing, are emphasized. This leads to approximate dynamical symmetries in hypernuclei which are forbidden in ordinary nuclei by the Pauli principle. Further experiments in the p shell are suggested which may reveal other aspects of ΛN interactions.
Coresidence With Elderly Parents in Contemporary China: The Role of Filial Piety, Reciprocity, Socioeconomic Resources, and Parental Needs

This paper examines how adult children's expressed filial piety, receipt of help from parents, socioeconomic resources, and parents' needs are associated with the likelihood of parent-child coresidence in contemporary China. Drawing on the 2002 wave of the Chinese Survey of Family Dynamics and the 2002 wave of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, we used logistic regression to analyze correlates of coresidence with parents of 3,938 married adult children, aged 35 to 65. Results show that the stronger the filial piety expressed by adult children, the higher their likelihood of coresiding with their parents. Married adult children are also more likely to coreside with elderly parents who have provided intensive grandchild care and financial support or with those who need financial, physical, and emotional support. However, adult children who own homes are significantly less likely to live with their parents than are those who do not. These findings suggest that coresidence in contemporary China is influenced not only by parents' needs but also by children's values, socioeconomic resources, and past receipt of parental help.
A dual-MOSFET equivalent resistor thermal sensor

Along with the emergence of complex VLSI technologies such as multiple processor systems on chips (MPSOC), several challenges exist including increased defects, power consumption, and thermal effects. This paper focuses on how to mitigate thermal effects using a temperature sensitive thermal sensor. The here is to design a thermal sensor which is highly sensitive to the temperature. Such an on-chip sensor could be used to drive a management system for regulating on-chip temperature. The particular thermal sensor presented in this paper is built around a dual-MOSFET equivalent resistor. As is shown in this work, this thermal sensor provides improved temperature sensitivity when compared to alternatives.
The effects of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine on pulpal and gingival blood flow

Abstract Objective. The dental pulp is a low-compliance system that is particularly vulnerable to physiologic changes. Prolonged vasoconstriction may have detrimental effects. This goal of this study was to determine whether 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, as used for buccal infiltration, decreases the blood flow in the dental pulp and adjacent gingival tissue. Study design. The Periflux PF3 laser Doppler monitored pulpal and gingival blood flow before and after injection with local anesthetic. Ten human volunteers with at least one healthy and unrestored maxillary premolar were used in this study. Results. After injection of 0.9 ml of 2% lidocaine with epinephrine, there was a significant reduction from baseline values ( p > 0.05) in both pulpal (73%) and gingival (51%) blood flow rate in all volunteers. Blood flow had not returned to baseline values after 1 hour. Conclusion. This study showed that 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine significantly reduced blood flow pulpally and gingivally. Pulpal blood flow reduction was more than gingival blood flow reduction, which may be critical for compromised pulps with already reduced blood flow. The gingival effects may be of relevance with soft tissue pro+cedures.
A multi-body factorization method for motion analysis

The structure from motion problem has been extensively studied in the field of computer vision. Yet, the bulk of the existing work assumes that the scene contains only a single moving object. The more realistic case where an unknown number of objects move in the scene has received little attention, especially for its theoretical treatment. We present a new method for separating and recovering the motion and shape of multiple independently moving objects in a sequence of images. The method does not require prior knowledge of the number of objects, nor is dependent on any grouping of features into an object at the image level. For this purpose, we introduce a mathematical construct of object shapes, called the shape interaction matrix, which is invariant to both the object motions and the selection of coordinate systems. This invariant structure is computable solely from the observed trajectories of image features without grouping them into individual objects. Once the structure is computed, it allows for segmenting features into objects by the process of transforming it into a canonical form, as well as recovering the shape and motion of each object. >
Estrogen treatment success in recurrent and persistent labial agglutination.

Abstract Study Objective To estimate the success rate of conservative medical management and indications for surgery in cases of recurrent and/or persistent labial agglutination. Design A retrospective chart review was performed of girls treated for labial agglutination between 1996 and 2004. Records were reviewed for age, length of time of symptoms, previous treatments, results of topical estrogen therapy, and indications for surgery. Setting The study was performed in a tertiary care teaching university hospital. Participants Charts of 67 girls with labial agglutination who were treated at the pediatric and adolescent gynecology clinic between 1996 and 2004 were reviewed. The average age was 4.1 years (range 0.6–14 years). Interventions None. Main Outcome Measures Improvement of persistent or recurrent agglutination labial agglutination with estrogen. Results Out of the 67 charts reviewed, 48 had recurrent or persistent disease. Within those 48 girls, initial treatments included: topical estrogen in 40 (83%), oral and topical estrogen in 1 (2%), topical estrogen in addition to manual separation in 5 (10%), and treated with manual separation alone in 2 (4%). Five girls were immediately treated surgically due to urinary problems or parents declining further topical treatment. Forty-three were treated with topical estrogen therapy with the following results: 15 opened either partially or completely, 9 required surgery, and 19 did not follow up. In the subset of girls with prior manual separation, 2 had resolution of adhesions with estrogen, 3 required surgery, and 2 had no follow-up. Conclusion This study suggests that re-treatment of persistent or recurrent labial agglutination with topical estrogen therapy following detailed application instruction leads to avoidance of surgical intervention in at least 35% of cases. Even in cases which previously required manual separation, an attempt at conservative medical management may be considered.
Prevalence of DSM-IV and DSM-5 alcohol, cocaine, opioid, and cannabis use disorders in a largely substance dependent sample

Abstract Background The fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) will soon replace the DSM-IV, which has existed for nearly two decades. The changes in diagnostic criteria have important implications for research and for the clinical care of individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). Methods We used the Semi-Structured Assessment for Drug Dependence and Alcoholism to evaluate the lifetime presence of DSM-IV abuse and dependence diagnoses and DSM-5 mild, moderate, or severe SUDs for alcohol, cocaine, opioids, and cannabis in a sample of 7,543 individuals recruited to participate in genetic studies of substance dependence. Results Switches between diagnostic systems consistently resulted in a modestly greater prevalence for DSM-5 SUDs, based largely on the assignment of DSM-5 diagnoses to DSM-IV “diagnostic orphans” (i.e., individuals meeting one or two criteria for dependence and none for abuse, and thus not receiving a DSM-IV SUD diagnosis). The vast majority of these diagnostic switches were attributable to the requirement that only two of 11 criteria be met for a DSM-5 SUD diagnosis. We found evidence to support the omission from DSM-5 of the legal criterion due to its limited diagnostic utility. The addition of craving as a criterion in DSM-5 did not substantially affect the likelihood of an SUD diagnosis. Conclusion The greatest advantage of DSM-5 for the diagnosis of SUDs appears to be its ability to capture diagnostic orphans. In this sample, changes reflected in DSM-5 had a minimal impact on the prevalence of SUD diagnoses.
Conceptual Maps and Simulated Teaching Episodes as Indicators of Competence in Teaching Elementary Mathematics

Network representation was used to assess knowledge obtained during a teaching methodology course in elementary mathematics. Participants were the course instructor, 4 teacher educators, and 53 prospective teachers. Relatedness ratings on key terms were used to construct associative networks. Teacher educator networks shared significant similarities to the course instructor's network, and similarities between the teacher educator and prospective teacher networks were as predictive of course grades as similarity to the course instructor. Fourteen of the prospective teachers participated in a simulated teaching task. Network similarity predicted teaching for conceptual understanding, as did final course grade, and was more predictive than were either exams or lab scores. The advantage of associative networks may be in representing patterns of concept relations underlying mental models of teaching. Teaching for conceptual understanding has become one of the fundamental components of reform movements in mathematics education. Educational researchers and professional associations alike are advocating a greater emphasis
The inchoate nature of community policing: Differences between community policing and traditional police officers

Over the past 20 years, police departments across America have adopted a community—or problem-oriented—policing philosophy. Community policing has not been implemented wholesale, however. Most departments have assigned some officers to community policing roles but kept the majority in traditional motorized patrol assignments. Pertinent literature suggests that these two groups do not see eye to eye on their respective roles and duties. In this study, work-redesign theory is used as a conceptual framework to explain officer functioning in both community policing and traditional motorized policing settings. Findings indicate key similarities between community policing officers and officers assigned to traditional motorized patrol, despite differences in job satisfaction, perception of impact, and policing style.
The in Vivo and in Vitro Biosynthesis of Lung Tissue Glycopeptides

The biosynthesis of lung tissue glycopeptides in normal and vitamin A-deficient conditions was studied. Parallel to the change in the differentiative pattern in vitamin A deficiency there was a drastic decrease in the incorporation of glucosamine tagged with carbon 14 ( 14 C) into a fucosecontaining glycopeptide. An anaplastic benzo[ a ]pyrene-induced tumor of the lung, transplanted in hamsters treated with excess retinoic acid, showed an increased glucosamine 14 C incorporation into glycoproteins when incubated in vitro. Normal lung tissue was not affected by excess retinoic acid in its glycoprotein biosynthetic capacity.
Facilitating multiparty dialog with gaze, gesture, and speech

We study how synchronized gaze, gesture and speech rendered by an embodied conversational agent can influence the flow of conversations in multiparty settings. We begin by reviewing a computational framework for turn-taking that provides the foundation for tracking and communicating intentions to hold, release, or take control of the conversational floor. We then present implementation aspects of this model in an embodied conversational agent. Empirical results with this model in a shared task setting indicate that the various verbal and non-verbal cues used by the avatar can effectively shape the multiparty conversational dynamics. In addition, we identify and discuss several context variables which impact the turn allocation process.
A Distributed Algorithm for Joint Sensing and Routing in Wireless Networks with Non-Steerable Directional Antennas

In many energy-rechargeable wireless sensor networks, sensor nodes must both sense data from the environment, and cooperatively forward sensed data to data sinks. Both data sensing and data forwarding (including data transmission and reception) consume energy at sensor nodes. We present a distributed algorithm for optimal joint allocation of energy between sensing and communication at each node to maximize overall system utility (i.e., the aggregate amount of information received at the data sinks). We consider this problem in the context of wireless sensor networks with directional, non-steerable antennas. We first formulate a joint data-sensing and data-routing optimization problem with both per-node energy-expenditure constraints, and traditional flow routing/conservation constraints. We then simplify this problem by converting it to an equivalent routing problem, and present a distributed gradient-based algorithm that iteratively adjusts the per-node amount of energy allocated between sensing and communication to reach the system-wide optimum. We prove that our algorithm converges to the maximum system utility. We quantitatively demonstrate the energy balance achieved by this algorithm in a network of small, energy-constrained X-band radars, connected via point- to-point 802.11 links with non-steerable directional antennas.
Temporal acuity and the rate and dynamics of mass extinctions

In the excitement over the discovery of high levels of the element iridium at the Cretaceous-Paleogene (KPg) boundary and the high likelihood that the KPg mass extinction (66 Ma) was caused by the collision of an extraterrestrial object with Earth (1), many envisioned a general theory of mass extinctions driven by impacts (2). Others favored an endogenous process, identifying correlations between the eruption of massive flood basalts and mass extinctions (3). A general model of mass extinctions and other biodiversity crises seemed to be supported by time-series analyses of compilations of the marine fossil record, which revealed a periodic pattern to extinctions over the past 250 million y (4). Over the past decade or so, evidence has grown for distinctive causes for the Permo-Triassic (PT) and the KPg mass extinctions, belying any general mechanism. However, in PNAS, the Burgess et al. (5) paper regarding very high-resolution radiometric dates for the PT event suggests that the similarities may lie not with the triggering mechanisms but in how the Earth’s biota responds to environmental insults.
The Lawyers Discover the Fall of Rome

Petrach detested lawyers. The story of his experience of law is familiar. In 1316 Petrarch, then twelve years old, was sent by his father to study law, first in Montpellier, then in Bologna, the oldest center of Roman law studies in Europe. Bologna entranced him in some ways; there were great law teachers there, he latter wrote, who were like the ancients themselves returned to life. Nevertheless, if he looked up to some of his teachers, his studies in Bologna taught Petrarch to despise the general soullessness and avarice of fourteenth-century lawyers. Lawyers, he later wrote, cared nothing for antiquity and everything for money: to them “everything is for sale.” It was not, he assured readers of his Epistle to Posterity, that he found the subject too difficult. On the contrary, “many asserted that I would have done very well if I had persisted in my course. Neverthesless I dropped that study entirely as soon as my parents' supervision was removed. Not because I disliked the power and authority of Roman law, which are undoubtedly very great, or its saturation with Roman antiquity, which I love; but because men, in their wickedness, pervert Roman law when they employ it.” Appalled by what he had seen, he gave up law for more honorable pursuits.
Practical Equity Valuation: a Simple Approach

In a typical market-based valuation, the standard procedure is to discount the expected free cash flow (EFCF) at the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and the effect of financing is taken into account by adjusting the WACC. However, in many cases, it may be difficult to capture the various impacts of financing by simply adjusting the WACC. In other cases, as a component of the analysis, the construction of the cash flows to the equity holder may be necessary. In this paper, I present a simple spreadsheet model for the direct valuation of the cash flows to the equity holder without the usual simplifying assumptions . In particular, I specify the following flexible conditions: a. Multiperiod investments and reinvestments, b. Finite cash flows, with variable growth rates, c. Variable debt-equity ratios, d. Losses carried forward. With the inclusion of these conditions, the analysis is more realistic. In the model, the present value of the tax shield is discounted at ρ, the required return with all-equity financing. In addition, the impacts of inflation are directly incorporated into the analysis. In particular, the model shows that the NPV of the free cash flow (including the tax savings from debt financing), discounted at the WACC is equal to the NPV of the free cash flow to the equity holder, discounted at the annually adjusted return to equity. The general approach presented here can be easily modified to take into account the varied circumstances and special complexities that are often encountered by practitioners.
CX3CL1 reduces neurotoxicity and microglial activation in a rat model of Parkinson's disease

Background: Parkinson’s disease is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The cause of the neurodegeneration is unknown. Neuroinflammation has been clearly shown in Parkinson’s disease and may be involved in the progressive nature of the disease. Microglia are capable of producing neuronal damage through the production of bioactive molecules such as cytokines, as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS), and nitric oxide (NO). The inflammatory response in the brain is tightly regulated at multiple levels. One form of immune regulation occurs via neurons. Fractalkine (CX3CL1), produced by neurons, suppresses the activation of microglia. CX3CL1 is constitutively expressed. It is not known if addition of exogenous CX3CL1 beyond otherwise physiologically normal levels could decrease microglia activation and thereby minimize the secondary neurodegeration following a neurotoxic insult. Methods: The intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) rat model of Parkinson disease, was used to test the hypothesis that exogenous CX3CL1 could be neuroprotective. Treatment with recombinant CX3CL1 was delivered to the striatum by an osmotic minipump for 28 days beginning 7 days after the initial insult. Unbiased stereological methods were used to quantify the lesion size in the striatum, the amount of neuronal loss in the substantia nigra, and the amount of microglia activation. Results: As hypothesized, CX3CL1 was able to suppress this microglia activation. The reduced microglia activation was found to be neuroprotective as the CX3CL1 treated rats had a smaller lesion volume in the striatum and importantly significantly fewer neurons were lost in the CX3CL1 treated rats. Conclusion: These findings demonstrated that CX3CL1 plays a neuroprotective role in 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic lesion and it might be an effective therapeutic target for many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease, where inflammation plays an important role. Background Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the motor system including motor coordination and speed as well as producing rigidity and tremor. The symptoms of PD are mainly due to a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons within the pars compacta of the substantia nigra (SNpc). This degeneration decreases the levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nigrostriatal system. In the past 15 years, an increasing amount of evidence has emerged to suggest
Interpretation of relative clauses by young children: another look

Interpretation of relative clauses sentences was investigated by having sixteen children between the ages of 3;5 and 4;6 act out sentences within four conditions that varied the number of potential referents for each noun within the sentence. No difference in interpretation accuracy was found between felicitous and infelicitous conditions or between biased and neutral conditions. This result raises problems for the view that children of this age know the pragmatic principles for interpreting relative clauses.
An EM Technique for Multiple Transmitter Localization

We propose an expectation-maximization (EM) technique for locating multiple transmitters based on power levels observed by a set of arbitrarily-placed receivers. Multiple transmitter localization is of interest for uncoordinated cognitive radio systems, which must identify and transmit over unused radio spectrum without cooperation from conventional transmitters. We employ the EM algorithm to reduce the dimensionality of the maximum-likelihood estimation problem. Because the EM algorithm finds only a locally optimal solution, we explore the use of clustering to generate "smart" initial estimates of the transmitter locations. Simulation results show that, as the number of sensors increases, the proposed EM technique achieves gains of up to an order of magnitude over constricted particle swarm optimization, a popular global optimization technique.
Percutaneous absorption and excretion of xenobiotics after topical and intravenous administration to pigs.

Interspecies comparisons suggest that the weaning pig is a suitable surrogate for man in percutaneous absorption studies. Despite known anatomical and physiological similarities between porcine and human skin, very few investigations of percutaneous absorption phenomena have been conducted in pigs. This study examined radiolabel excretion patterns after intravenous (iv) and topical administration of six 14C-radiolabeled compounds in weanling Yorkshire sows. Radiolabel recovery from excrement collected over 6 days following iv doses in physiological saline (200 μg, 10 μCi) showed that malathion (M), parathion (P), caffeine (C), and benzoic acid (B) were primarily excreted into urine (>80%), while greater fractions of testosterone (T, 72%) and progesterone (R, 35%) were fecally eliminated. Percutaneous absorption was determined from total urine and fecal excretion of radiolabel after topical application, corrected for incomplete excretion following iv administration. Topical doses in ethanol (200 μg, 10 μCi) were applied at a surface concentration of 40 μg cm−2 and penetrated in the following rank order (percentage dose): B (25.7%) > R (16.2%) > C (11.8%) > T (8.8%) > P (6.7%) > M (5.2%). Fecal clearances of radiolabel, expressed as a percentage of total excretion, were greater after topical administration for four of the six compounds (B, C, P, and T, p < 0.05). Calculations based on urinary excretion alone underestimated percutaneous absorption determined from total excretion by 5–30%, although the difference between the two estimates was statistically significant only for C (p < 0.05). These results suggest that percutaneous absorption estimates based on urinary radiolabel excretion alone should be interpreted with caution whenever compounds with unknown penetration characteristics are used. Factors known to affect human skin absorption, such as applied dose, anatomical region, sex, age, various vehicles and solvents, and differences in cutaneous metabolism, should be more closely examined in all animal species used to model percutaneous absorption phenomena in man.
A Compact Retinal-Surgery Telemanipulator that Uses Disposable Instruments

We present a retinal-surgery telemanipulation system with submicron precision that is compact enough to be head-mounted and that uses a full range of existing disposable instruments. Two actuation mechanisms are described that enable the use of actuated instruments, and an instrument adapter enables quick-change of instruments. Experiments on a phantom eye show that telemanipulated surgery results in reduction of maximum downward force on the retina as compared to manual surgery for experienced users.
Another Dwarf Shrew from New Mexico

On June 5, 1956, John Poorbaugh found a dead and desiccated specimen of the dwarf shrew, Sorex nanus Merriam, 2 miles east of Ruidoso, Lincoln County, New Mexico. The animal was discovered in a sink in a cabin …
Modeling and Parameter Testing of Governing System for Domestic-Manufactured 700 MW Hydraulic Turbine Suitable to Power System Stability Calculation

By means of on-site measurement of model parameters of a certain governing system for domestic- manufactured 700 MW hydraulic turbine, a governing system model of hydraulic turbine suitable to power system stability calculation is built. Simulation of the built model are performed by power system analysis software package (PSASP) developed by China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI); through the examination of the measured model parameters of both prime mover governing system are modified; finally accurate model parameters of the built governing system model for hydraulic turbine suitable to power system stability calculation are given. The built governing system is incorporated into PSD-BPA (GM card) and put into practical application. Application results show that the built governing system model can correctly reflect response characteristics of practical 700MW hydraulic turbines.
Rev. of Autobiography in Black & Brown: Ethnic Identity in Richard Wright and Richard Rodriguez, by MICHAEL NIETO GARCIA

Autobiography in Black & Brown presents an unprecedented comparative study of Black author Richard Wright and Chicano author Richard Rodriguez. While Wright and Rodriguez appear to have little in c...
Development of novel biomarkers in cancer: Detection of circulating miR-141 as a potential prognostic marker for prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (CAP) is the most common epithelial malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men. The identification of predictive and prognostic biomarkers in CAP patients is critical for improving clinical outcomes. Although the measurement of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and radiographic studies are clinically approved to predict response to therapy, these tests can oftentimes prove to be inadequate in certain patients. Thus, it is important to discover new biomarkers to improve chances of survivability. We and others have shown that longitudinal measurements of circulating tumor cells (CTC) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) may aid in predicting response to therapy. More recently, levels of microRNA (miRNA) have been implicated in disease processes such as cancer. Specifically, the expression of human miRNA miR-141 has been found to be elevated in the plasma of CAP patients. In our study, we have measured the levels of miR-141 in 21 CAP patients and compared it with other clinical markers (CTC, LDH, and PSA). We longitudinally examined these markers alone and in combination in relationship to the patient’s clinical course and response to therapy. Our aim was to determine if miR-141 has the potential to be a putative marker for the prognosis of a patient’s response to therapy. For this retrospective study, plasma from 21 CAP patients were collected at different time points corresponding to treatment regimen or follow-up appointments. Levels of miR-141 in plasma were measured using quantitative RT-PCR and compared to temporal changes in miR-141, CTC, LDH, and PSA levels. Using PSA as the standard marker in monitoring CAP, correlation coefficients were determined for each biomarker’s capability in predicting clinical outcomes. Our results indicate that there is a strong correlation between a patient’s clinical characteristics and the plasma levels of miR-141. With further testing, we suggest that miR-141 has the potential to be a marker for the prognosis of CAP. We find that miR-141 is largely concordant with the other conventional markers and establish that miR-141 is a relevant biomarker worthy of further investigation.
Aladdin Sane and Close-Up Eye Asymmetry: David Bowie’s Contribution to Comic Book Visual Language

In April 1973 David Bowie released Aladdin Sane. The cover of Aladdin Sane features an iconic image of David Bowie, a close-up shot of the artist with brightly colored orange hair and asymmetrical lightning bolt make-up on the right side of his face. This article argues that the cover image for Aladdin Sane uses the Close-Up Eye Asymmetry (CUE-A) pictorial device (i.e., close-up view of David Bowie, asymmetrical make-up around his eye) and that CUE-A was adopted into Comic Book Visual Language by first providing evidence that CUE-A is used in comic book art. A link is then established between comic book art and music album art by showing that: (1) David Bowie was familiar with Comic Book Visual Language and could make a contribution to the language, and (2) comic book artists are influenced by music album art. I then make a case that the adoption of CUE-A into Comic Book Visual Language was specifically due to the cover image for Aladdin Sane by analyzing: (1) the use of CUE-A by influential artists in the 1990s and (2) the different rates of adoption of CUE-A for the depiction of established versus newer comic book characters.
Dial Test: Unrecognized Predictor of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Deficiency.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of isolated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury on tibial external rotation as measured by the dial test. Methods Twenty-seven consecutive patients scheduled to undergo a primary ACL reconstruction were prospectively evaluated. Physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging findings were analyzed to exclude multiligamentous injury. The dial test was performed with the patient under anesthesia with a goniometer on both the affected and unaffected knees at 30° and 90°. Intraoperatively, the arthroscopic posterolateral corner gaps before reconstruction and after reconstruction were documented. Postoperatively, the dial test was again performed on both knees at 30° and 90°. Results At 30°, there was a significantly larger dial test result in the affected knee before ACL reconstruction compared with after ACL reconstruction (27.6° vs 21.0°, P P P = .5089). At 90°, there was a significantly larger dial test result in the affected knee before ACL reconstruction compared with after ACL reconstruction (27.6° vs 21.1°, P P P = .7831). Conclusions Incompetence of the ACL accounts for nearly 7° of tibial external rotation found by the dial test. During examination of an injured knee, if the dial test is positive, an isolated ACL injury should not be excluded. Findings of the dial test should thus be interpreted with caution in the setting of ACL injury. Level of Evidence Level II, prospective comparative study.
Optic Canal Decompression: Comparison of 2 Surgical Techniques

Background The optic canal is a bony channel that connects the anterior cranial fossa and orbit and contains the optic nerve and ophthalmic artery. It can be affected by several pathologies, leading to compression of the nerve nearby or inside the canal, leading to visual impairment. The usual technique to decompress the canal is through a craniotomy, but recently endoscopic endonasal approaches (EEAs) have surfaced as an interesting alternative due to direct access to the canal without the need for manipulation of neurovascular structures. Methods Six specimens were dissected. The right optic canal was drilled on the right side via the EEA, and the left optic canal was drilled via frontotemporal craniotomy. The amount of decompression was measured using a 3-dimensional reconstruction on computed tomography scans and compared. Results The EEA generated an average of 267.8 (221–294) degrees of decompression in the anterior portion of the canal versus 258.3 (219–300) degrees of decompression in the posterior portion of the canal, whereas the craniotomy generated an average of 229.3 (101–289) degrees of decompression in the anterior portion of the canal versus 250.3 (76–300) degrees of decompression in the posterior portion of the canal. There was no significant difference statistically. Conclusion The decision for an approach for optic canal decompression should be based on the site of the pathology and localization of canal involvement. Both techniques are equivalent in terms of proportion of nerve decompression.
Aircraft head-up displays from refractors to holograms

Head up displays have become essential for the operation of fighter aircraft. A history of their development is described along with a comparison of different configurations from present production and experimental displays. Photometric considerations are discussed. Holographic structure and construction techniques are illustrated.
Levels of realism for cooperative multi-agent reinforcement learning

Training agents in a virtual crowd to achieve a task can be accomplished by allowing the agents to learn by trial-and-error and by sharing information with other agents. Since sharing enables agents to potentially reach optimal behavior more quickly, what type of sharing is best to use to achieve the quickest learning times? This paper categorizes sharing into three categories: realistic, unrealistic, and no sharing. Realistic sharing is defined as sharing that takes place amongst agents within close proximity and unrealistic sharing allows agents to share regardless of physical location. This paper demonstrates that all sharing methods converge to similar policies and that the differences between the methods are determined by analyzing the learning rates, communication frequencies, and total run times. Results show that the unrealistic-centralized sharing method --- where agents update a common learning module --- is the most effective of the sharing methods tested.