cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Class Action to Protect Against Discrimination of Individuals with Alcohol and Drug Addictions

Publisher Summary To even the playing field, a stigmatized class of alcoholics and drug addicts might band together for collective strength to claim damages from fraudulent and negligent practices by producers of addicting alcohol and other drugs. Over the last decade, class action suits grew increasingly successful in obtaining large settlements for individuals who were historically disadvantaged, such as those afflicted by tobacco addiction and discrimination of civil rights. Class action objectives include damages due to health consequences of using addictive drugs, enjoining manufacturers, and prescribing physicians from fraudulent and dangerous practices, where damage to victims is foreseeable, and encouraging safe marketing practices to protect the public. While there is a scientific certainty as to whether and to what extent drug and alcohol addiction are preventable and treatable diseases, public awareness lags behind because of a lack of their acceptance as a disease. Ultimately, the success of class action litigation in protecting discrimination against harmful effects of addiction will depend on acceptance of addiction as a unity disorder, worthy of prevention and treatment, and a standard of care. The root of the discrimination is a persistent moral belief that addiction is a defect in character despite compelling scientific evidence to the contrary. Thus, as with other forms of discrimination, class action remains an important and potential procedural tool to correct past wrongs and to protect against future wrongs committed against stigmatized individuals.
Automotive Air-Conditioning Refrigerant Service Guide

Packed with information on the servicing and retrofitting of air-conditioning refrigerant systems so that shops and technicians can meet federal regulations, satisfy customers, and prevent damage to the environment. The second edition of the Automotive Air-Conditioning Refrigerant Service Guide was written to provide the latest information to automotive air-conditioning service professionals in order to help them comply with federal certification requirements and prevent damage to the environment. With an emphasis on proper recovery and recycling techniques for both R-12 and R-134a, as well as the proper retrofitting of R-12 systems to R-134a, the book will serve as a valuable instructional tool and resource for technicians. Chapters cover: General Safety and Service Precautions; Refrigerant and System Properties; Equipment for the Extraction-only of Refrigerant and Equipment for the Recycling of Refrigerant; Service Procedure for the Containment of Automotive Air-Conditioning Refrigerants; Retrofitting CFC-12 (R-12) Mobile Air-Conditioning Systems to HFC-134a (R-134a).
Radionucleotide Cardiac Imaging

Radionucleotide imaging is an important part of the diagnostic arsenal used in evaluation of the heart. This is because, in addition to displaying anatomic features, radionucleotide images are also a graphic representation of normal and abnormal myocardial physiology. In this unit, we will consider two important uses of radionucleotide imaging with regard to the heart.
Entering Prostitution in Adolescence: History of Youth Homelessness Predicts Earlier Entry

ABSTRACTThe effect of youth homelessness on age of entry into prostitution was tested, controlling for other known covariates using a multivariate model. Women (N = 96) who self-identified as having engaged in prostitution completed cross-sectional standardized questionnaires (Mage = 42.6, SD = 9.18; 62% African American). Women with a history of youth homelessness entered prostitution nearly 8 years earlier than their peers without this history (at 18 vs. 25 years old). Lack of a high school degree or equivalent also predicted an earlier age of entry (at 20 vs. 28 years old). Findings highlight the poverty dynamics that underlie the relationship between early entry into prostitution and homelessness. Young women, living on the street or in shelters, with limited education and employment opportunities, are at high risk of entering prostitution when they are barely out of adolescence. Future research will be better able to design age-specific prevention strategies.
Winter Activity of Coastal Plain Populations of Bat Species Affected by White-Nose Syndrome and Wind Energy Facilities

Across the entire distribution of a species, populations may have variable responses to environmental perturbations. Many bat species experience mortality in large portions of their range during hibernation and along migratory paths to and from wintering grounds, from White-nose syndrome (WNS) and wind energy development, respectively. In some areas, warm temperatures may allow bats to remain active through winter, thus decreasing their susceptibility to WNS and/or mortality associated with migration to wintering grounds. These areas could act as a refugia and be important for the persistence of local populations. To determine if warmer temperatures affect bat activity, we compared year-round activity of bat populations in the Coastal Plain and Piedmont of North Carolina, USA, two regions that differ in winter temperature. We established six recording stations, four along a 295-kilometer north-south transect in the Coastal Plain, and two in the Piedmont of North Carolina. We recorded bat activity over two years. We supplemented our recordings with mist-net data. Although bat activity was lower during winter at all sites, the odds of recording a bat during winter were higher at Coastal Plain sites when compared with Piedmont sites. Further, bats in the Piedmont had a lower level of winter activity compared to summer activity than bats in the Coastal Plain that had more similar levels of activity in the winter and summer. We found high bat species richness on the Coastal Plain in winter, with winter-active species including those known to hibernate throughout most of their range and others known to be long distance migrants. In particular, two species impacted by WNS, the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) and tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), were present year round in the Coastal Plain. The tricolored bat was also present year-round in the Piedmont. In the Coastal Plain, the long distance migratory hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus) was active in the winter but not present during the other seasons, and the long distance migratory silver-haired bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) was active primarily in the winter, suggesting the Coastal Plain may be an overwintering ground for these two species. We suggest that the winter activity exhibited by populations of bats on the North Carolina Coastal Plain has important conservation implications and these populations should be carefully monitored and afforded protection.
Mollusks and Medicine.

When you read about the relationship of science and the arts, you most often are presented with accounts of how the arts have been used to reflect science or scientific thought. In other words, the science comes before the art. Examples include paintings of surgeons in the operating theater, anatomists studying a human cadaver, the grand entrances of historic hospitals and libraries, even the works of science illustrators. But once in a while the opposite happens, where the art precedes the science, where natural elements, beloved for their beauty, serve as the inspiration or foundation for scientific discovery. Such is the case for the seashells of the world and the mollusks that produce these external skeletons from chemical elements found in the oceans. One family of mollusks, the cone snails, produces a cone-shaped shell that is among the most beautiful and sought after seashells. As pieces of art on their own, the shells of the cone snails can fetch large sums of money, even by today's standards. In the 18th century, one such seashell, that of the Conus gloriamaris (glory of the sea cone) (Fig. 1), was valued at an amount comparable to Johannes Vermeer's Woman in Blue Reading a Letter (1), now a priceless part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam. The natural beauty of cone snails also provides a story of how collecting seashells ultimately led to scientific discovery, specifically a novel pain medicine. Fig. 1. Conus gloriamaris. ©Reproduced with permission from Bruno Mathe—www.zonatus.com. The discovery of ziconotide (Prialt®), a unique non-opioid analgesic that is an N-type calcium channel blocker, has its roots …
Impediments To Translation in the States

The structure and function of both state agencies and academic criminology and criminal justice influence the degree to which translation can occur. For example, academics are rewarded not for reaching out to criminal justice functionaries, but for publishing scholarly articles and getting research grants. State agencies, on the other hand, operate under different role constraints, some of which may inhibit staff from translating basic research into implications for policy and practice. The structure of both state agencies and academic criminology are firmly entrenched, and thus stand as impediments to meaningful translation. This suggests that certain actors must find creative ways to overcome these obstacles.
The Hispanic Experience in Physical Education Teacher Education Programs: A Qualitative Study

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of Hispanic faculty involved in physical education teacher education programs at predominantly White colleges and universities in the United States. The study was positioned in the theoretical framework of organizational socialization. Participants were Hispanic (n = 6) faculty from various kinesiology-based programs in tenure-track positions at institutions of higher education in the United States. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and transcribed, triangulated, and analyzed with constant comparative procedures. We uncovered the following themes: (a) underrepresented, (b) socialized, and (c) cultured and determined. The study’s findings magnify the need for faculty and administrators to heighten their awareness and implement strategies to improve the organizational socialization of Hispanic faculty, particularly at predominantly White doctoral-granting colleges and universities. This means, for instance, identifying strate...
Modulating OxyB-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions in Vancomycin Biosynthesis by Incorporation of Diverse d-Tyr Analogues

We report a general method for synthesizing diverse d-Tyr analogues, one of the constituents of the antibiotic vancomycin, using a Negishi cross-coupling protocol. Several analogues were incorporated into the vancomycin substrate–peptide and reacted with the biosynthetic enzymes OxyB and OxyA, which install the characteristic aromatic cross-links. We find that even small structural perturbations are not accepted by OxyA. The same modifications, however, enhance the catalytic capabilities of OxyB leading to the formation of a new macrocycle within the vancomycin framework.
Understanding the impact of commonly utilized, non-insulin, glucose-lowering drugs on body weight in patients with type 2 diabetes

Introduction: The majority of patients with type 2 diabetes also have obesity. Obesity increases the risk of developing diabetes and is associated with worsened glycemic control and increased morbi...
Django, a web framework using Python: tutorial presentation

Web developers often use a Web application framework for building applications that interface with Web and database servers. Some of the more popular frameworks and their associated languages include Rails (Ruby), Spring MVC (Java), Struts (Java), and Pylons (Python). Yet despite their importance in industry, such frameworks are often omitted from the undergraduate computer science curriculum.
Evaluation of Residual Stress States Using Horizontally Polarized Shear Waves

A new approach for using acoustic measurements to evaluate residual stresses in the presence of unknown material property variations is presented. It is shown that measurements using shear waves propagating along the normal to the surface of a plate do not provide sufficient information to separate the influences of stress and material property variations. To overcome this fundamental limitation, an alternative theory is developed that governs the propagation of shear waves polarized horizontally with respect to the surface of a plate (SH-waves), but propagating at oblique angles with respect to the surface normal. The question of separating the effects of residual stress and material properties on acoustic velocity is addressed in detail. In addition, a practical experimental procedure is developed that permits the evalution of the in-plane components of the principal stresses in a plate exhibiting an unknown inhomogeneous initial anistropy caused by material texture or microstructure. The procedure is then verified experimentally using an aluminum specimen with a known residual stress state, but unknown initial anisotropy.
Diatom populations in an upwelling environment decrease silica content to avoid growth limitation

A mix of adaptive strategies enable diatoms to sustain rapid growth in dynamic ocean regions, making diatoms one of the most productive primary producers in the world. We illustrate one such strategy off coastal California that facilitates continued, high, cell division rates despite silicic acid stress. Using a fluorescent dye to measure single-cell diatom silica production rates, silicification (silica per unit area) and growth rates we show diatoms decrease silicification and maintain growth rate when silicon concentration limits silica production rates. While this physiological response to silicon stress was similar across taxa, in situ silicic acid concentration limited silica production rates by varying degrees for taxa within the same community. Despite this variability among taxa, silicon stress did not alter the contribution of specific taxa to total community silica production or to community composition. Maintenance of division rate at the expense of frustule thickness decreases cell density which could affect regional biogeochemical cycles. The reduction in frustule silicification also creates an ecological tradeoff: thinner frustules increase susceptibility to predation but reducing Si quotas maximizes cell abundance for a given pulse of silicic acid, thereby favouring a larger eventual population size which facilitates diatom persistence in habitats with pulsed resource supplies.
A Novel Strategy to Improve Women’s Health: Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators

Tamoxifen is the first selective estrogen receptor modulator. The extensive clinical and laboratory testing during the 1980s and 1990s raised questions about why there is target site specificity of tamoxifen in different species, i.e., tamoxifen is an estrogen in mice but a complete anti-estrogen in chicks. Additionally, tamoxifen has estrogen-like effects to lower circulating cholesterol, build postmenopausal bone in women, and stimulate the uterus and endometrial cancer growth but paradoxically prevents breast tumor growth. These observations lead to the SERM solution to prevent osteoporosis with a safe SERM but to prevent breast cancer at the same time. Raloxifene is the result with no increase in endometrial cancer incidence. There are now five FDA-approved SERMS available for use: tamoxifen, raloxifene, bazedoxifene, toremifene, and ospemifene. All have connections with discovery and basic research in Jordan’s laboratory.
Ageing Studies of Nuclear Waste Forms

One of the unique and scientifically most difficult aspects of nuclear waste management is the extrapolation of short-term laboratory data (hours to years) to the long time periods (103 to 105 years) required by the performance objectives set in regulations. It will be necessary to establish the extent to which such extrapolations are useful or valid.
Mononeuropathy, Mononeuropathy Multiplex, and Other Neuropathies

Monoeuropathies, mononeuropathy multiplex, and other neuropathies are all caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system. Monoeuropathies are characterized by neuropathic pain and motor disturbances in the distribution of one affected nerve. Mononeuropathy multiplex affect nerve trunks that cause dysesthesias and paresthesias and are usually caused by ischemia to the vasa nervorum.
Prediction of coefficient of friction based on footwear outsole features

Abstract Traction testing of footwear is expensive, which may create barriers for certain users to assess footwear. This study aimed to develop a statistical model that predicts available coefficient of friction (ACOF) under boundary lubrication conditions based on inexpensive measurements of footwear outsole features. Geometric and material hardness parameters were measured from fifty-eight footwear designs labeled as slip-resistant. A robotic friction measurement device was used to quantify ACOF with canola oil as the contaminant. Stepwise regression methods were used to develop models based on the outsole parameters and floor type to predict ACOF. The predictive ability of the regression models was tested using the k-fold cross-validation method. Results indicated that 87% of ACOF variation was explained by three shoe outsole parameters (tread surface area, heel shape, hardness) and floor type. This approach may provide an assessment tool for safety practitioners to assess footwear traction and improve workers’ safety.
Fractures of the Distal Radius

Fractures of the distal radius are among the most common fractures of the upper extremity. Over time, indications of operative and non-operative treatment have evolved. Myriad fixation options are now available. Volar locking plate is one of the most commonly used fixation techniques. Use of this technique requires attention to detail for a favorable outcome. Osteoporosis, certain high-energy fracture patterns with significant comminution and extremely distal fractures present certain challenges in the use of a volar locked plate and should be recognized to prevent complications. Surgeons should be familiar with other techniques in treating highly complex injuries.
Importance of surgical treatment of thoracolumbar vertebral fractures for the survival probability of orthogeriatric patients

Osteoporotische Wirbelkorperfrakturen sind eine haufige Verletzung alter Menschen, deren optimale Behandlung (konservativ oder operativ) diskutiert wird. Die Literatur beschreibt nach Wirbelkorperaugmentationen geringere Mortalitaten als nach konservativer Therapie. Ob eine positive Korrelation des operativen Vorgehens mit dem Uberleben nach oben genannten Verletzungen besteht, soll im eigenen alterstraumatologischen Patientenkollektiv uberpruft werden. Es erfolgte die Erfassung aller Patienten, die mit einer osteoporotischen Wirbelkorperfraktur vom 01.02.2014 bis 31.01.2015 auf einer alterstraumatologischen Station behandelt wurden. Im Rahmen eines 2‑Jahres-Follow-up wurden diese auf die assoziierte Sterblichkeit untersucht, wobei insbesondere der Einfluss der Therapie untersucht wurde. Insgesamt konnten 74 Patienten (Rucklauf 74 %) mit einem durchschnittlichen Alter von 83,2 Jahren eingeschlossen werden, davon wurden 40 konservativ und 34 operativ versorgt. Die gesamte Ein- und Zweijahresmortalitat betrugen 29,7 % bzw. 35,1 %, nach operativer Versorgung 20,6 % bzw. 23,5 % und nach konservativer Therapie 37,5 % bzw. 45 % (p = 0,113 bzw. 0,086, Chi-Quadrat-Test). Die um Storfaktoren bereinigte „hazard ratio“ betrug 2,0 (95 %-KI: 0,686–6,100) Auch wenn moglicherweise wegen der eher geringen Fallzahl kein signifikantes Ergebnis nachgewiesen werden konnte, zeigen die Analysen eine Tendenz des verbesserten Uberlebens nach operativem Vorgehen. Dies steht im Einklang mit internationalen Studien. Bestehende Untersuchungen lassen vermuten, dass die Reduktion der Kyphosierung durch die Operation einen wichtigen kausalen Zusammenhang darstellen konnte.
Differential Alcohol Use Disparities by Sexual Identity and Behavior Among High School Students.

Aims Sexual minority youth (SMY) use alcohol at disproportionate rates compared to their heterosexual peers. However, sexual orientation is multidimensional. Analyzing alcohol use disparities only by one dimension of sexual orientation may result in critical disparities being obscured. Methods Data from state and local versions of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey were pooled (2009-2017), resulting in a large, diverse sample (n = 201,671). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze associations between sexual identity/sexual behavior and three alcohol use outcomes among sexually active youth: age at first drink, binge drinking and current drinking. Results SMY, when categorized by sexual identity and sexual behavior, reported greater alcohol use than their heterosexual peers, though the magnitude of these disparities varied by subgroup. Both those who identified as bisexual and those who reported sexual behavior with both males and females reported the greatest levels of alcohol use. Decomposition analysis revealed that youth whose reported sexual behavior was not aligned with stereotypical behavioral expectations based on their sexual identity had higher odds of current drinking and drinking before 13 years as compared to other youth. Conclusions Results highlight the need to incorporate multiple methods of sexual orientation measurement into substance use research. Interventions based solely on identity, rather than both identity and behavior, may not be sufficient; targeted research into the causes of alcohol use disparities is needed, especially for bisexual youth, youth whose sexual behavior and sexual identity are not stereotypically aligned, and youth who report a sexual identity of 'not sure.'
Stabilizing COVID-19 Infections in US by Feedback Control based Test and Quarantine

COVID-19 has caused an unprecedented amount of mental and economic turmoil with ever increasing fatality and no vaccination in sight. Here, feedback control theory based regulation of daily tests and quarantine is proposed to guarantee prescribed degree of exponential decay in number of infections. A dynamic model of COVID-19 is constructed and the parameters are further optimized using trust region method to match the reported cases trend in the US. Next, Lyapunov stability based controllers are designed that prescribe the amount of daily positive tests to be done in order to eradicate the infections in a much shorter time span without any further social restrictions. The results show a dramatic reduction in the number of cases and span of COVID-19 can be obtained doubling the number of daily quarantines.
Brief report: Differences in self-injurious thoughts and behaviors between sexual minority and heterosexual adolescent girls

Purpose: Adolescent suicidal ideation (SI) and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) are associated with depression, but few studies adequately represent sexual minorities. This study investigated whether...
Observation of spatially resolved Rashba states on the surface of CH3NH3PbBr3 single crystals

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs) are prime candidates for studying Rashba effects due to the heavy metal and halogen atoms in their crystal structure coupled with predicted inversion symmetry breaking. Nevertheless, observation of the Rashba effect in cubic CH3NH3PbBr3 single crystals that possess bulk inversion symmetry is the subject of extensive debate due to the lack of conclusive experiments and theoretical explanations. Here, we provide experimental evidence that Rashba state in cubic CH3NH3PbBr3 single crystals at room temperature occurs exclusively on the crystal surface and depends on specific surface termination that results in local symmetry breaking. We demonstrate this using a suite of spatially resolved and depth-sensitive techniques, including circular photogalvanic effect, inverse spin Hall effect, and multiphoton microscopy, that are supported by first principle calculations. Our work suggests using surface Rashba states in these materials for spintronic applications.
Methylation changes in early embryonic genes in cancer

30 One theory for carcinogenesis is that it may be the result of ectopic activation of an embryonic gene expression program in somatic cells. Gene expression during embryogenesis is dynamic and is tightly coordinated both temporally and spatially within the developing embryo. Early embryonic genes are expressed in early undifferentiated embryonic stem cells, down-regulated at the onset of differentiation and generally absent in adult somatic tissues. Some of these genes have been shown to be over-expressed in a variety of cancers. The mechanism(s) that control the dynamic expression of these early embryonic genes is not fully elucidated. One potential mechanism that may play a role in the expression of these genes is DNA methylation, a well known epigenetic modification. Active and passive demethylation occurs in the early zygote which is followed by the re-establishment of DNA methylation patterns on the genome. However, the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of embryonic gene expression is poorly understood. One could then hypothesize that de-novo methylation of early embryonic genes occurs to permanently silence its expression in adult somatic tissue. Therefore, we analyzed the methylation status of the promoter region of nine early embryonic genes by Ms-SNuPE and bisulfite genomic sequencing in adult somatic tissues. The early embryonic genes FOXD3, SOX2, UTF1, and ZFP42 are CpG rich with low levels of DNA methylation in all somatic tissues tested while GDF3 is highly methylated in sperm and white blood cells but low to moderate in the rest of the somatic tissues. These results suggest that de-novo methylation does not occur in the permanent silencing of these genes. In contrast, NANOG, POU5F1 (Oct-4), STELLAR, and TDGF1 (Cripto-1) are moderately to highly methylated in almost all somatic tissues, including sperm. The high level of methylation corresponds with the general lack of expression detected by RT-PCR in the same somatic tissues tested. This suggests DNA methylation may play a specific role in the control of a subset of embryonic gene expression and perhaps in cancers where these genes are aberrantly expressed.
Development and characterization of inhalable transferrin functionalized amodiaquine nanoparticles - Efficacy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) treatment.

Abstract New drug discovery and development processes encounter significant challenges including requirement of huge investments and lengthy time frames especially in cancer research field. Repurposing of old drugs against cancer provides a possible alternative while associated scale-up complexities with production of nanoparticles at industrial scale could be overcome by using a scalable nanoparticle technique. We previously described use of polymeric nanoparticles for inhaled delivery of amodiaquine (AQ) for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. In this study, targeting potential of transferrin ligand conjugated inhalable AQ-loaded nanoparticles (Tf-AMQ NPs) was investigated against NSCLC. Tf-AMQ NP (liquid formulation) demonstrated an aerodynamic diameter of 4.4 ± 0.1 µm and fine particle fraction of 83.2 ± 3.0%, representing AQ deposition in the respirable region of airways. Cytotoxicity studies in NSCLC cell line with overexpressed transferrin receptors shown significant reduction in IC50 values with Tf-decorated AQ-loaded nanoparticles compared to AQ or non-targeted NPs, along with significant apoptosis induction (caspase assay) and reduced % colony growth in A549 and H1299 cells with Tf-AMQ NP. Furthermore, 3D spheroid studies (~7-fold reduction in spheroid volume compared to AMQ NPs) explained efficiency of conjugated nanoparticles in penetrating tumor core, and growth inhibition. AQ’s autophagy inhibition ability significantly increased with nanoparticle encapsulation and transferrin conjugation. In conclusion, amodiaquine can be an assuring candidate for repurposing to consider for NSCLC treatment while delivering inhalable transferrin conjugated nanoparticles developed using a scalable HPH process to the target site, thus reducing the dose, side effects.
Estimating power for clinical trials with Patient Reported Outcomes - using Item Response Theory

Abstract Objective : Patient reported outcomes (PRO) are widely used in quality of life (QOL) studies, health outcomes research, and clinical trials. The importance of PRO has been advocated by health authorities. Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) is a collection of standardized measures of PROs using Item Response Theory (IRT). However, in clinical trials with PROs as endpoints, observed scores are routinely used for power estimation rather than IRT scores. This paper aims to fill this gap and estimate power in a two-arm clinical trials with PROMIS measures as endpoints with IRT model. Study Design and Setting : We conducted a series of simulations to study the IRT power with validated PROMIS measures controlling factors including sample size, effect size, number of items, and missing data proportion. Results : Our results showed that sample size, effect size, and number of items are important indicators of IRT based power estimation for PROMIS measures. When effect size is small and sample size is limited, IRT model provides higher power than the closed form formula. Conclusion : IRT based simulation should be used for power estimation in two-armed clinical, especially when there is small effect size or small sample size.
CLAUSEREC: A Clause Recommendation Framework for AI-aided Contract Authoring

Contracts are a common type of legal document that frequent in several day-to-day business workflows. However, there has been very limited NLP research in processing such documents, and even lesser in generating them. These contracts are made up of clauses, and the unique nature of these clauses calls for specific methods to understand and generate such documents. In this paper, we introduce the task of clause recommendation, as a first step to aid and accelerate the authoring of contract documents. We propose a two-staged pipeline to first predict if a specific clause type is relevant to be added in a contract, and then recommend the top clauses for the given type based on the contract context. We pre-train BERT on an existing library of clauses with two additional tasks and use it for our prediction and recommendation. We experiment with classification methods and similarity-based heuristics for clause relevance prediction, and generation-based methods for clause recommendation, and evaluate the results from various methods on several clause types. We provide analyses on the results, and further outline the limitations and future directions of this line of research.
Light Intensity Modulation and Two-Port Network Analysis of Dynamic Response of Photovoltaic Module

This paper introduces a new method for measuring the dynamic response of a photovoltaic (PV) module using light intensity modulation. The aim of this work is to capture the frequency response of the panel using the proposed modulation technique and transmission parameter derivation. By controlling the PWM signal used in a switch-mode LED driver, a sinusoidally modulated light intensity of variable frequency is applied to a PV module. A collimating lens and a reflector are used to evenly distribute light across the panel, ensuring each cell is perturbed equally. A two-port network approach is then utilized to represent the dynamic response. Through the two-port network analysis, the ratio of LED current to PV module voltage is used to display the response from the light intensity modulator to the PV module. To validate the proposed method, a 36-cell, 10W PV panel is used.
A framework for the design of dependent-failure algorithms: Research Articles

Dependent failures constitute a real problem in distributed systems. In this paper, we present a framework for the design of distributed algorithms for systems in which failures of processes are not necessarily independent or identically distributed. To derive this framework, we revisit the traditional way of designing distributed algorithms: assuming a threshold t on the number of process failures and determining constraints on process replication of the form All mathematics should have n > k · t. Under this model, there are several important results in the literature, and we use observations from these results to derive a framework that enables more expressive characterizations of failures, but still captures the essence of previous results. Our framework then has two parts: a characterization of the subsets of processes that can fail in an execution and properties that express constraints on process replication, called replication predicates. After presenting our model to characterize failures, we first consider a class of replication predicates that represent most well-known problems in distributed computing. Second, we extend this set to also include some predicates for problems that have unusual bounds. We argue that, although being unusual, they have important practical implications, such as using fewer replicas. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The molecular biology of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases.

Recent progress in the field of cyclic nucleotidos has shown that a large array of closely related proteins is involved in each step of the signal transduction cascade. Nine families of adenylyl cyelases catalyze the synthesis of the second messenger cAMP, and protein kinases A, the intracellular effectors of cAMP, are composed of four regulatory and three catalytic subunits. A comparable heterogeneity has been discovered for the enzymes involved in the inactivation of cyclic nucleotide signaling. In mammals, 19 different genes encode the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs), the enzymes that hydrolyze and inactivate cAMP and cGMP. This is only an initial level of complexity, because each PDE gene contains several distinct transcriptional units that give rise to proteins with subtle structural differences, bringing the number of the PDE proteins close to 50. The molecular biology of PDEs in Drosophila and Dictyostelium has shed some light on the role of PDE diversity in signaling and development. However, much needs to be done to understand the exact function of these enzymes, particularly during mammalian development and cell differentiation. With the identification and mapping of regulatory and targeting domains of the PDEs, modularity of the PDE structure is becoming an established tenet in the PDE field. The use of different transcriptional units and exon splicing of a single PDE gene generates proteins with different regulatory domains joined to a common catalytic domain, therefore expanding the array of isoforms with subtle differences in properties and sensitivities to different signals. The physiological context in which these different isoforms function is still largely unknown and undoubtedly will be a major area of expansion in the years to come.
Lagrangian optimization, quantum mechanics and quantum control

The goal of this paper is to address the critical needs for synergistic science and engineering research and developments in nanoscale to devise the fundamental understanding and apply resulting technological advances arising from the developed theoretical and applied results. Novel phenomena and processes have been observed at the nanoscale, e.g., the Brownian motor direction of displacement does not comply with the applied force, quantum effects in nanoelectronics and nanocomposites, etc. Significant challenges remain in the areas of fundamental understanding, modeling, analysis, and simulation of the Brownian motor as well as other organic and inorganic nanoscale systems and structures dynamics. These problems directly related to functionality, actuation, sensing, information processing, computing, adaptation, optimization and other mechanisms. Research in these areas supports the development of a fundamental understanding of nanostructures and processes, nanobiotechnology, and techniques for a broad range of applications in biomaterials, biosystem-based electronics, agriculture, energy, medicine, and health. The goal is to study biological and biologically inspired systems in which nanoscale phenomena and effects play important roles. This includes developing an understanding of the relationships among biochemical, electromagnetic, mechanical and chemical processes. This fundamental research will allow one to synthesize, design, manufacture novel high-performance nanostructures, nanodevices (nanoscale actuators and sensors, nanoelectronics, nanoICs), and nanoelectromechanical systems. For example, biomolecular motors (kinesin-protein process and bacterial flagellar motor) transport substance at the nanoscale level within biological cells, and the motor-cargo connected tether is elastic allowing the motor to defuse rapidly. The energy is stored by the high-energy chemical bonds (proton gradient across the cell's inner membrane). In this paper we examine the coherence between Lagrangian and quantum mechanics as well as quantum optimization and control.
Long-term nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use and Helicobacter pylori infection.

Abstract This study investigates whether patients who take nonsterodial antiinflammatory drugs are more likely to have Helicobacter pylori gastritis than age-matched individuals who do not take nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and whether patients who take nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs who are also infected with H. pylori are more likely to have dyspepsia, mucosal damage, or ulcers than those who are not infected. Two studies were performed, one serological and the other endoscopic, both in arthritis patients receiving nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs chronically. The presence of H. pylori was identified with a sensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test. One hundred eighty-three patients participated in the serological study and 75 patients in the endoscopic study. The frequency of H. pylori infection increased with age, independent of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use; the age-adjusted frequency of H. pylori infection in arthritis patients paralleled that of 351 asymptomatic individuals without arthritis. The frequency of H. pylori infection increased from 30.7% in age group 21–30 years to 73.4% in age group 61–75 years. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced mucosal injury, either hemorrhages or erosions, was more frequent in those without H. pylori infection than with infection (61% vs. 32% for hemorrhages and 57% vs. 34% for erosions for those without and with H. pylori infection; only the difference in the frequency of hemorrhages was significant, P H. pylori infection. These data suggest that nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug-induced damage to the gastroduodenal mucosa does not increase the susceptibility to H. pylori infection.
A generalized two pass approach to image geometric transform implementation: theory and ramifications

The decomposition and consequent implementation of an image geometric transformation algorithm are considered. In particular, a generalized approach based on parallel row and column operations on image data is presented and analysed. Ramifications of the decomposition, particularly with respect to interpolation, along with simulation results are presented. Further research directions are indicated. >
Method for inducing sporulation of pure cultures of the myxomycete Physarum polycephalum.

Daniel, John W. (University of Wisconsin, Madison) and Harold P. Rusch. Method for inducing sporulation of pure cultures of the myxomycete Physarum polycephalum. J. Bacteriol. 83:234–240. 1962.—Techniques for inducing sporulation of pure cultures of Physarum polycephalum are described. Small plasmodia grown in agitated culture were harvested, allowed to fuse into large plasmodia (1.3 g wet weight each), and, after incubation in the dark on a salts medium, exposed to light for 2 hr. The ensuing formation of sporangia containing spores was complete after 12 to 16 hr. The obligatory conditions for sporulation are: (i) an optimal growth age occurring just prior to the maximal growth of the organism and at a time when nutrients in the medium are exhausted; (ii) 4 days of incubation on a medium containing only inorganic salts and niacin or tryptophan; and (iii) subsequent illumination with light of wavelengths between 350 and 500 mμ.
Functional Implications of Variation in Tooth Spacing and Crown Size in Pinnipedimorpha (Mammalia: Carnivora)

Pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses) show variation in tooth morphology that relates to ecology. However, crown size and spacing are two aspects of morphology that have not been quantified in prior studies. We measured these characters for nearly all extant pinnipeds and three fossil taxa and then determined the principal sources of variation in tooth size and spacing using principal components (PCAs) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA). PCA and HCA showed that species sorted into three groups: taxa with small crowns and large diastemata, taxa with large crowns and small diastemata, and taxa that fell between these two extremes. We then performed discriminant function analysis (DFA) to determine if tooth morphology correlated with foraging strategy or diet. DFA results indicated weak correlation with diet, and stronger correlation with prey capture strategies. Tooth size and spacing were most strongly correlated with the importance of teeth in prey acquisition, with tooth size decreasing and tooth spacing increasing as teeth become less necessary in capturing food items. Taxa which relied on teeth for filtering prey from the water column or processing larger or tougher food items generally had larger crowns and smaller tooth spacing then taxa which swallowed prey whole. We found the fossil taxa Desmatophoca and Enaliarctos were most similar in tooth morphology to extant otariids, suggesting that both taxa were generalist feeders. This study established the relationship between tooth size and feeding behavior, and provides a new tool to explore the paleoecology of fossil pinnipeds and other aquatic tetrapods.
Media Stereotypes in Teacher Role Definition

Though television stereotypes of teachers have changed over the past 30 years, only the broader aspects have been altered. The stereotype is described, and a call for redefinition of the teacher is issued. (MT)
Pinch Field-Flow Fractionation Using Flow Injection Techniques

Abstract Flow injection techniques have been used almost exclusively for chemical analysis of homogeneous samples. On the other hand, field-flow fractionation is designed to separate phases in a flowing heterogeneous sample through their differing response to applied force fields. In this work we show that controlled phase separation can be achieved and successfully modeled in flow injection systems. The force that separates the phases is generated intrinsically within the flow tube by the inertial effects of the flow itself.
In-flight alignment of laser strapdown systems

This paper describes an in-flight alignment technique developed for a laser strapdown system. In-flight update is required to compensate for the large error in the initial attitude determined from prelaunch gyrocompassing. The approach, known as the position velocity matching, involves the comparison of navigator output at booster cutoff with an a priori nominal trajectory data for position and velocity dispersion. Attitude information is estimated from these dispersions based upon two covariance matrices: one to characterize the correlations between navigator error and initial attitude error, and the other to shape the statistics of actual trajectory deviations from the nominal. Results obtained from both covariance analysis and time history simulation indicate that the performance of the proposed technique satisfies overall system accuracy requirements.
Removal of keratinous and pilar cysts with the punch incision technique: analysis of surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUNDThe removal of keratinous and pilar cysts by the punch incision technique is an alternative to traditional excision methods. It is easy to perform with commonly available instruments, and quick. Faster healing and less scarring are advantages because of the small opening through which the
Dexamethasone protects organ of corti explants against tumor necrosis factor-alpha-induced loss of auditory hair cells and alters the expression levels of apoptosis-related genes

Objective: Determine the molecular mechanism(s) behind tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα)–induced loss of auditory hair cells and the ability of dexamethasone base (DXMb) to protect against TNFα ototoxicity. Methods: Hair cell counts: Three-day-old rat organ of Corti explants were cultured under three different conditions: 1) untreated-control; 2) TNFα (2 μg/ml); and 3) TNFα (2 μg/ml)+DXMb (70 μg/ml) for 4 days, fixed, and stained with FITC–phalloidin. Hair cells were counted in the basal and middle turns. Gene expression: total RNA was extracted from the three different groups of explants at 0, 12, 24 and 48 h. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, mRNAs were transcribed into cDNAs and amplification was performed using primers for rat s-actin (housekeeping gene), TNFR1, Bcl-2, Bax, and Bcl-xl. Results: DXMb protected explant hair cells from TNFα-induced loss. Bax gene expression was greater in TNFα-exposed explants compared with TNFα+DXMb-treated explants at 48 h (P=0.023), confirmed by the increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio at 48 h (P<0.001). These results correlated with increased TNFR1 expression at 24 h (P=0.038). DXMb otoprotection in TNFα-exposed cultures was accompanied by an up-regulation of Bcl-xl at both the 24 (P<0.001) and 48 h time points (P=0.030) and up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression at 24 h (P=0.018). DXMb treatment also prevented increases in the expression levels of Bax, TNFR1, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio that occurred in untreated TNFα-exposed explants. Conclusions: TNFα's ototoxicity may be mediated through an up-regulation of Bax and TNFR1 expression as well as an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. DXMb protects the organ of Corti against TNFα ototoxicity by up-regulating Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl expression and by inhibiting TNFα-induced increases in Bax, TNFR1, and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. These results support the use of local dexamethasone treatment to conserve hearing following a trauma.
Adaptive Region-Based Video Registration

Video registration without meta data (camera location, viewing angles, and reference DEMs) is still a challenging problem. With the aim of handling this kind of problem, this paper presents an adaptive region expansion approach to propagate the alignment process from high confidence areas (reliable salient features) to low confidence areas and to simultaneously remove outlier regions. Hence, we re-cast the image registration problem as a partitioning problem such that we determine the optimal supporting regions and their corresponding motion parameters for the registration. First, we determine sparse robust correspondences between mission and reference images by using our wide baseline algorithm. Next, starting from the seed regions, the aligned areas are expanded to the whole overlapping areas using the graph cut algorithm, which is controlled by the level set representation of the previous region shape. Consequently, a robust video registration is achieved if the scene can be represented by one homography. Furthermore, we extend this approach to multi-homography video registration problem for 3D scenes, which cannot be directly solved by the current alignment methods. Using our motion layer extraction algorithm, the mission video first is segmented into several layers, then each layer is respectively aligned to the reference image by employing the region expansion algorithm. Several examples are demonstrated in the experiments to show that our approach is effective and robust.