cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The 'Botanical Triad': The Presence of Insectary Plants Enhances Natural Enemy Abundance on Trap Crop Plants in an Organic Cabbage Agro-Ecosystem.

Habitat manipulation through the incorporation of non-crop plants such as trap crops (to lure pests away from the cash crop) and insectary plants (to provide resources for natural enemies) into agro-ecosystems is an ecological approach to pest management. In a field-scale study, we quantified the effects of integrating the use of trap crops with insectary plants as a novel method to control pest herbivores in an organic cabbage agro-ecosystem. We hypothesized that pests would be concentrated in the trap crop habitat and suppressed by insectary-subsidized natural enemies in situ. We documented arthropod abundance (both adults and immature stages) associated with (1) two insectary plant species (sweet alyssum, Lobularia maritima, and buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum) either alone or in combination; (2) a trap crop mixture of mighty mustard (Brassica juncea), red Russian kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), and glossy collards (Brassica oleracea var. italica), and (3) cabbage cash crop (Brassica oleracea var. capitata). Trap crops were more attractive to pests than the cash crop. On a per-plant basis, densities of the herbivores Evergestis rimosalis, Trichoplusia ni, and Plutella xylostella were 154, 37, and 161× greater on the kale trap crop than on the cabbage cash crop, and 54, 18, and 89× greater on the collards trap crop than on the cash crop. Insectary plants contributed to the consumption of pests that aggregated on the trap crop. Parasitism of E. rimosalis by the braconid wasp Cotesia orobenae was significantly increased, and the abundance of eggs and larvae of the predatory coccinellid beetle Coleomegilla maculata was greater on the trap crop in the presence of insectary plants compared to trap crops that lacked insectary plants. The ‘Botanical Triad’ of cash crop, trap crop, and insectary plants represents a new type of agro-ecosystem manipulation that integrates ecosystem service providers (e.g., predators and parasitoids) within the cropping system.
Book Review: Abuso Mutuo by Cuauhtémoc Medina and El arte de mostrar el arte mexicano: Ensayos sobre los usos y desusos del exotismo en tiempos de globalización by Olivier Debroise

Abuso mutuo: Ensayos e intervenciones sobre arte postmexicano (1992–2013) , by Cuauhtemoc Medina. Selections by Edgar Alejandro Hernandez and Daniel Montero. Mexico City: Promotora Cultural Cubo Blanco A.C. + RM, 2017. 472 pp. $21 (paper), ISBN 978-8417047122 El arte de mostrar el arte
Reducing the Reported Mortality Index Within a Neurocritical Care Unit Through Documentation and Coding Accuracy

Background The mortality index, or the ratio of observed to expected mortality, is a reported quality metric that has been assumed to directly reflect patient care. However, documentation and coding that does not use knowledge of how a reported mortality index is derived could reflect poorly on a hospital or service line. We present our effort at reducing the reported mortality index of neurosurgery and neurology patients within a neurocritical care unit through documentation and coding accuracy with direct incorporation of mortality modeling. Methods Using a reported method from Vizient Inc., we generated a spreadsheet tool to enable direct manipulation of the data to identify documentation and coding issues that influenced the reported mortality index in a retrospective set of patients. Subsequently, we implemented the prospective changes to documentation and coding and compared our calculated mortality index to the reported Vizient mortality index. Results Prospective implementation of the documentation and coding issues identified through our spreadsheet tool resulted in a drastic reduction of both our calculated and the reported Vizient mortality index. Conclusions Incorporating knowledge of mortality index modeling into the documentation and coding resulted in impressive reductions in the reported mortality index for our patients, serving as a both an internal benchmark and a method of comparison with other institutions.
Basic Plots in the Bible: A Literary Approach to Genre

In The Seven Basic Plots: Why We Tell Stories (2004), Christopher Booker names seven basic plots: overcoming the monster (battle), rags to riches, the journey quest, voyage and return, comedy, trag...
PFAPA: Periodic Fever, Aphthous Ulceration, Pharyngitis, Adenitis

PFAPA syndrome—Periodic fever with aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis—is the most common auto inflammatory condition amongst children worldwide—with the caveat that excludes specific geographic regions with a high prevalence of Familial Mediterranean Fever. A cardinal feature in addition to the described clinical signs is the clockwork like regular periodicity of the fevers. In contrast to most of the other auto inflammatory conditions and cyclic neutropenia the course is usually benign, the condition is self-limiting and the long-term outlook is very favourable, with most children outgrowing the condition by 10 years of age. The precise aetiology remains unknown and to date no specific genetic mutation has been identified although familial cases have been described.
Fdes for the Characteristic Functionals

The characteristic functionals associated with measures that determine completely the statistical properties of turbulence for an incompressible fluid were introduced in the previous section. The equations governing the evolution of characteristic functionals are derived.
An Abstraction of Cyber Inception: Using a Modified Version of Battleship to Study Strategies and Behavior of Deception:

Inception has been proposed as a means to protect our cyber domain. In order to fully take advantage of this strategy we must first understand deception from the human point of view, because it is ...
Wound Healing and Scarring

Skin acts as the main protective barrier from the external environment. Compromise to this barrier, following trauma, burns, or surgical resection, can result in chronic wounds and scars that physically and emotionally devastate patients worldwide. Improved understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underpinning wound healing holds potential to improve the lives of such individuals, as well as drive the development of new therapeutics. In this chapter, we focus on describing the basic mechanisms underlying mammalian response to injury, highlighting the local and systemic factors affecting healing, as well as presenting recent advances in the management of chronic wounds and scars.
Networks in economic development

This chapter surveys the implications of some studies in network economics research for economic development. We focus on information flow and risk-sharing—two topics where work in theory, empirics, and policy analysis have been especially intensive and complementary. In analysing information, we distinguish models of information diffusion and aggregation, highlight how different models imply very different guidance regarding the right way to seed information. In discussing risk-sharing, we look at the key frictions that impede efficient informal insurance, and some potential unintended consequences when policymakers intervene to help. Throughout, we stress practical insights that can be used with limited measurement of the details of networks.
Foucault's Folie et déraison: its influence and its contemporary relevance.

Michel Foucault remains one of the most influential intellectuals in the early twenty-first century world. This paper examines the origins and impact of his first major work, Folie et deraison, on the history of psychiatry, particularly though not exclusively in the world of Anglo-American scholarship. The impact and limits of Foucault's work on the author's own contributions to the history of psychiatry are examined, as is the larger influence of Madness and Civilization (as it is known to most Anglophones) on the nascent social history of psychiatry. The paper concludes with an assessment of the sources of the appeal of Foucault's work among some scholars, and notes his declining influence on contemporary scholars working on the history of psychiatry.
Bounded Model Checking High Level Petri Nets in PIPE+Verifier

High level Petri nets (HLPNs) have been widely applied to model concurrent and distributed systems in computer science and many other engineering disciplines. However, due to the expressive power of HLPNs, they are more difficult to analyze. Exhaustive analysis methods such as traditional model checking based on fixed point calculation of state space may not work for HLPNs due to the state explosion problem. Bounded model checking (BMC) using satisfiability solvers is a promising analysis method that can handle a much larger state space than traditional model checking method. In this paper, we present an analysis method for HLPNs by leveraging the BMC technique with a state-of-the-art satisfiability modulo theories (SMT) solver Z3. A HLPN model and some safety properties are translated into a first order logic formula that is checked by Z3. This analysis method has been implemented in a tool called PIPE+Verifier and is completely automatic. We show our results of applying PIPE+Verifier to several models from the Model Checking Contest @ Petri Nets and a few other sources.
Impact of anatomical variations of the left ventricular outflow tract on stroke volume calculation by Doppler echocardiography in aortic stenosis.

Background Accurate calculation of stroke volume (SV) by Doppler echocardiography is important for the assessment of aortic stenosis (AS), which may be impacted by anatomical variations of left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). Methods Patients with AS (n = 64) were studied using computed tomography (CT) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Anatomical variations of LVOT areas were measured at (a) the aortic annulus (Aa ); (b) 5 mm (A5 ); and (c) 10 mm below the annulus (A10 ) by CT. LVOT diameters were also measured by 2D TTE at these three levels for calculation of LVOT areas. Stroke volumes (SV) were calculated using continuity equation. The impacts of anatomical variations of LVOT on SV calculation were evaluated. Results Anatomical LVOT area increased from Aa to A10 (5.0 ± 0.9 cm2 vs 5.8 ± 1.9 cm2 , P .05), the most significant variations in individuals were at A10 levels (ΔSV: 8.2 ± 6.4 mL, 12 ± 9%). Conclusion Variations of LVOT anatomy in individuals with AS significantly impact the SV calculated by Doppler echocardiography. These features should be taken into account for AS diagnosis and a clinical decision-making for intervention.
Gender-based vulnerability: combining Pareto ranking and spatial statistics to model gender-based vulnerability in Rohingya refugee settlements in Bangladesh

The Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh continues to outstrip humanitarian resources and undermine the health and security of over 900,000 people. Spatial, sector-specific information is required to better understand the needs of vulnerable populations, such as women and girls, and to target interventions with improved efficiency and effectiveness. This study aimed to create a gender-based vulnerability index and explore the geospatial and thematic variations in gender-based vulnerability of Rohingya refugees residing in Bangladesh by utilizing pre-existing, open source data. Data sources included remotely-sensed REACH data on humanitarian infrastructure, United Nations Population Fund resource availability data, and the Needs and Population Monitoring Survey conducted by the International Organization for Migration in October 2017. Data gaps were addressed through probabilistic interpolation. A vulnerability index was designed through a process of literature review, variable selection and thematic grouping, normalization, and scorecard creation, and Pareto ranking was employed to rank sites based on vulnerability scoring. Spatial autocorrelation of vulnerability was analyzed with the Global and Anselin Local Moran’s I applied to both combined vulnerability index rank and disaggregated thematic ranking. Of the settlements, 24.1% were ranked as ‘most vulnerable,’ with 30 highly vulnerable clusters identified predominantly in the northwest region of metropolitan Cox’s Bazar. Five settlements in Dhokkin, Somitapara, and Pahartoli were categorized as less vulnerable outliers amongst highly vulnerable neighboring sites. Security- and health-related variables appear to be the most significant drivers of gender-specific vulnerability in Cox’s Bazar. Clusters of low security and education vulnerability measures are shown near Kutupalong. The humanitarian sector produces tremendous amounts of data that can be analyzed with spatial statistics to improve research targeting and programmatic intervention. The critical utilization of these data and the validation of vulnerability indexes are required to improve the international response to the global refugee crisis. This study presents a novel methodology that can be utilized to not only spatially characterize gender-based vulnerability in refugee populations, but can also be calibrated to identify and serve other vulnerable populations during crises.
Social determinants and emergency department utilization: Findings from the Veterans Health Administration.

Abstract Background Social determinants of health (SDH) are strong predictors of morbidity and mortality but health care systems struggle to integrate documentation of SDH into health records in ways that can be used for health services research. Given the impact of social factors on health, it is important to examine the relationship with emergency department (ED) utilization. Objective To examine the association between seven indicators of SDH and ED utilization using electronic health record (EHR) data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). Methods This cross-sectional analysis included data from all patients who had at least one health care visit in the Veterans Integrated Service Network region 4 from October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016 (n = 293,872). Seven categories of adverse SDH included violence, housing instability, employment or financial problems, legal problems, social or family problems, lack of access to care or transportation, and non-specific psychosocial needs identified through structured coding in EHR. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the association of the count of adverse SDH (0–7) with the count of ED visits, adjusting for socio-demographic and health-related factors. Results Approximately 18% of patients visited the ED during the observation period. After adjusting for covariates, adverse SDH were positively associated with VHA ED utilization. Each of the SDH indicators, other than legal issues, was positively associated with increased ED utilization. Conclusion Even after accounting for several demographic and health-related factors, adverse SDH demonstrated strong positive associations with VHA ED utilization.
The emerging role of antibody-drug conjugates in urothelial carcinoma.

In December 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to the novel nectin-4-targeting antibody-drug conjugate, enfortumab vedotin, for the treatment of platinum-refract...
US Dermatology Resident Responses about the COVID-19 Pandemic: Results from a Nationwide Survey

Objectives The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has drastically changed resident training in the United States. Here, we explore the early perceived effects of COVID-19 on dermatology residents through an electronic sample survey and identify possible areas for targeted improvement in lieu of a possible second wave of COVID-19 cases. Methods On April 3, 2020, a survey of link with 25 questions was sent to dermatology program coordinators to be disseminated among dermatology residents in the United States. The survey was closed on April 13, 2020. All of the questions were optional and no personal identifiers were collected. Results A total of 140 dermatology residents from 50 different residency programs across 26 states responded to the survey. The majority of respondents (85%) reported negative effects of COVID-19 on their overall wellness. Despite the majority of residents (92%) speculating that COVID-19 will have negative long-term effects on the US economy, only 33% agreed or strongly agreed that it will affect their job prospects. Teledermatology was widely implemented following the declaration of a national emergency (96% of represented residencies compared with only 30% before the pandemic), with heavy resident involvement. The majority of residents (99%) reported having virtual didactics and that they found them to be beneficial. Most residents were uncomfortable with the prospect of being reassigned to a nondermatology specialty during the pandemic. In addition, 22% of residents believed that their leadership were not transparent and prompt in addressing changes relating to COVID-19. Conclusions Dermatology residents were affected negatively by COVID-19 in regard to their well-being, clinical training, and education. Several areas of improvement were identified that could improve our preparedness for a second wave of the virus.
Ethical issues in stroke management

A variety of ethical issues may arise in the management of patients with stroke.1 The adequacy of informed consent may be questioned in the incapacitated patient with acute stroke for whom IV alteplase administration is planned despite the absence of a lawful surrogate decision-maker. The decision-making capacity of a patient with a recent dominant hemispheric infarction causing nonfluent aphasia may become an issue when he appears to understand but cannot communicate his treatment preference. Neurologists may be unsure whether to provide medical hydration and nutrition to an elderly patient admitted with a massive intracranial hemorrhage and incipient herniation whose advance directive states that life-sustaining treatment is to be withheld in the event of a hopeless prognosis. A patient with chronic locked-in syndrome from pontine infarction may order that further life-sustaining treatment be withdrawn but her neurologist may be unsure of the ethical adequacy of her treatment refusal because of communication limitations.
Mechanistic grain growth model for fresh and irradiated UO2 nuclear fuel

Abstract The purpose of this work is to develop a mechanistic model of grain growth in UO2 fuel during reactor operation. The model development builds on published experimental data on UO2 grain growth, as well as atomistic and mesoscale simulation results. We begin by developing new fits with temperature T (in K) for the average grain boundary (GB) energy and mobility in UO2 using literature data, where the GB energy γ ¯ = ( 1.56 − 5.87 × 10 − 4 T ) ± 0.3 J/m2 and the GB mobility M ¯ = ( 2.14 ± 0.15 × 10 − 7 ) exp ( − ( 290 ± 22 kJ / mol ) / R T ) m4/(Js). We then discuss the pinning of grain boundaries by porosity, including porosity left over after sintering and fission gas bubbles that form during operation. We present our mechanistic model and validate it using existing grain growth data. Finally, we implement the model in the BISON fuel performance code and quantify its impact for constant and transient power cases. Our model produces similar results to an empirical model for the constant power case, but it predicts more grain growth than the empirical model for the transient power case. We attribute this discrepancy to the new mechanistic model’s ability to account for the impact of the temperature and power history.
EFFECT OF AMBIPOLAR DIFFUSION ON THE NONLINEAR EVOLUTION OF MAGNETOROTATIONAL INSTABILITY IN WEAKLY IONIZED DISKS

We study the role of ambipolar diffusion (AD) on the nonlinear evolution of the magnetorotational instability (MRI) in protoplanetary disks using the strong coupling limit, which applies in very weakly ionized gas with electron recombination time much shorter than the orbital time so that a single-fluid treatment is sufficient. The effect of AD in this limit is characterized by the dimensionless number Am, the frequency at which neutral particles collides with ions normalized to the orbital frequency. We perform three-dimensional unstratified shearing-box simulations of the MRI over a wide range of Am as well as different magnetic field strengths and geometries. The saturation level of the MRI turbulence depends on the magnetic geometry and increases with the net magnetic flux. There is an upper limit to the net flux for sustained turbulence, corresponding to the requirement that the most unstable vertical wavelength be less than the disk scale height. Correspondingly, at a given Am, there exists a maximum value of the turbulent stress αmax. For Am 1, the largest stress is associated with a field geometry that has both net vertical and toroidal flux. In this case, we confirm the results of linear analyses that show the fastest growing mode has a non-zero radial wavenumber with a growth rate exceeding that of the pure vertical field case. We find there is a very tight correlation between the turbulent stress α and the plasma β ≡ P gas/P mag ≈ 1/2α at the saturated state of the MRI turbulence regardless of field geometry, and αmax rapidly decreases with decreasing Am. In particular, we find αmax ≈ 7 × 10–3 for Am = 1 and αmax ≈ 6 × 10–4 for Am = 0.1.
The role of corporate venture capital on returns to acquiring firms: evidence from the biotechnology industry

Corporate venture capital (CVC) firms face considerable uncertainty while investing time, capital, and other resources in their portfolio firms, typically entrepreneurial ventures. The absence of u...
Numbers and Polynomials- 50 years since the publication of Wittgenstein's Bemerkungen über die Grundlagen der Mathematik (1956): Mathematical and Educational reflections

According to L. Wittgenstein, the meaning of a mathematical object is to be grounded upon its use. In this paper we consider Robinson theory Q, the subtheory of firstorder Peano Arithmetic PA; some theorems and conjectures can be interpreted over one model of Q given by a universe of polynomials; with respect to nonconstant polynomials some proofs by elementary methods are given and compared with corresponding results in the standard model of PA. We conclude that the creative power of the language can be pointed out in how the language itself is embedded into the rest of human activities, and this is an important track to follow for researchers in mathematics education.
Replenishment of Aquifers Intersected by Streams

The interrelation between surface water and ground water is studied for certain aquifers that are intersected by streams and subjected to water withdrawal by trenches or wells. The presence of relatively thin clayey lenses in these aquifers creates flow conditions similar to those of leaky aquifers. In Part I, the estimated yield of a proposed ground-water recharge project in the vicinity of Princeton, N. J., is numerically evaluated. A mathematical model is derived from idealized field conditions, and the flow equations are solved by means of Green’s functions. In Part II, the mathematical techniques involving the use of Green’s functions are extended to solve the problem of the flow to a group of wells in leaky aquifers with various boundary conditions.
Learning area coverage using the co-evolution of model parameters

The type of search where a robot's track takes it on a path where its sensors can detect all mines located in the area is referred to as area coverage. Planning this track is an issue in robotics and is complicated when the robot is legged due to the reduced precision of its movements. Cyclic genetic algorithms have been used as a method for learning the cycle of turns and straights required for a hexapod robot to solve the area coverage problem. Although successful in a static environment, the learning system needed an anytime component to make it adaptable enough to be used in practice. This paper discusses the creation of a viable learning system by adding the anytime learning technique of co-evolving model parameters. Tests in simulation demonstrate this system's usefulness in generating search patterns despite changes in the robot's performance.
Effectiveness of vitamin E in reversing sterility of male chickens fed a diet high in linoleic acid.

To determine whether sterility of adult male chickens fed a diet high in linoleic acid and low in vitamin E was permanent or could be reversed by supple mental vitamin E, 3 groups of 8 White Leghorn males were fed for a 40-week experi mental period as follows: group 1, a high linoleic acid (7.3% )-high vitamin E (166.3 mg/kg) diet; group 2, a high linoleic acid-low vitamin E (4.3 mg/kg) diet; and group 3, treated as group 2 from zero to 28 weeks and as group 1 from 28 to 40 weeks. The following results were obtained: 1) The adverse effect of the high linoleic acidlow vitamin E diet on fertility and semen concentration was confirmed. 2) The addi tion of vitamin E to the high linoleic acid diet at 28 weeks restored fertility to the1 level obtained from males receiving vitamin E throughout the trial. 3) Semen concen tration was improved following the addition of vitamin E to the diet at 28 weeks. 4) No meaningful differences on semen volume, hatchability of fertile eggs, feed con sumption, mortality, or body and testes weights were observed with males fed the various diets. The results indicate that the low fertility and semen concentration of male chickens fed a diet high in linoleic acid but low in vitamin E are reversible fol lowing vitamin E supplementation. Arscott et al. (1) reported that adult White Leghorn male chickens fed a diet high in linoleic acid but low in vitamin E and ethoxyquin for a 25-week experimen tal period experienced low fertility and reduced semen concentration. When such diets were supplemented with vitamin E or ethoxyquin, no adverse effects were noted. Also a diet low in both linoleic acid and vitamin E did not appear detrimental. Increasing the number of sperm insemi nated from males receiving a diet high in linoleic acid and low in vitamin E failed to improve fertility. Information on the permanence of sterility was not obtained. Adamstone and Card (2) reported ste rility, as evidenced by testicular degenera tion, in male chickens after having been fed a vitamin E-deficient diet for a 2-year period. Although evidence for permanent sterility was not presented, the irreversible nature of sterility resulting from vitamin E-deficient diets for male chickens appears in the literature (3). In this respect, Evans and Burr (4) and Mason (5) have reported on the irreversibility of the steril ity observed in male rats fed diets deficient in vitamin E; however, Bryan and Mason (6) were unable to demonstrate testicular degeneration in male mice fed diets de ficient in vitamin E for 400 days. The per manence of the testicular degeneration noted with guinea pigs fed vitamin Edeficient diets (7) apparently is not known (8). It was the purpose of the present experi ment to determine whether supplemental vitamin E would reverse the sterility noted in male chickens fed a diet high in linoleic acid.
Betti numbers of almost complete intersections

We investigate the minimal free resolutions of cyclic modules $R/I$, where $I$ is an almost complete intersection in the local ring $R$. Our results concern various binomial lower bounds for the Betti numbers of the resolution. For example, we show that the sum of the Betti numbers is at least $2^{d}$ where $d$ is the dimension of $R$.
Training future health providers to care for the underserved: a pilot interprofessional experience.

Introduction: Interprofessional teamwork is essential for eff ective delivery of health care to all patients, particularly the vulnerable and underserved. Th is brief communication describes a pilot interprofessional learning experience designed to introduce medicine and pharmacy students to critical health issues aff ecting at-risk, vulnerable patients and helping students learn the value of functioning eff ectively in interprofessional teams. Methods: With refl ective practice as an overarching principle, readings, writing assignments, a community-based immersion experience, discussion seminars, and presentations were organized to cultivate students' insights into key issues impacting the health and well-being of vulnerable patients. A written program evaluation form was used to gather students' feedback about this learning experience. Results: Participating students evaluated this learning experience positively. Both quantitative and qualitative input indicated the usefulness of this learning experience in stimulating learners' thinking and helping them learn to work collaboratively with peers from another discipline to understand and address health issues for at-risk, vulnerable patients within their community. Discussion: Th is pilot educational activity helped medicine and pharmacy students learn the value of functioning eff ectively in interprofessional teams. Given the importance of interprofessional teamwork and the increasing need to respond to the health needs of underserved populations, integrating interprofessional learning experiences in health professions training is highly relevant, feasible, and critically needed.
Modeling the Impact of Operator Trust on Performance in Multiple Robot Control

This research is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
Long-Term Infection and Transformation of Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells by Human Herpesvirus 8

Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8) infects Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) spindle cells in situ, as well as the lesional endothelial cells considered to be spindle cell precursors. The HHV8 genome contains several oncogenes, suggesting that infection of endothelial and spindle cells could induce cellular transformation and tumorigenesis and promote the formation of KS lesions. To investigate the potential of HHV8 infection of endothelial cells to contribute to the development of KS, we have developed an in vitro model utilizing dermal microvascular endothelial cells that support significant HHV8 infection. In contrast to existing in vitro systems used to study HHV8 pathogenesis, the majority of dermal endothelial cells are infected with HHV8 and the viral genome is maintained indefinitely. Infection is predominantly latent, with a small percentage of cells supporting lytic replication, and latency is responsive to lytic induction stimuli. Infected endothelial cells develop a spindle shape resembling that of KS lesional cells and show characteristics of a transformed phenotype, including loss of contact inhibition and acquisition of anchorage-independent growth. These results describe a relevant model system in which to study virus-host interactions in vitro and demonstrate the ability of HHV8 to induce phenotypic changes in infected endothelial cells that resemble characteristics of KS spindle cells in vivo. Thus, our results are consistent with a direct role for HHV8 in the pathogenesis of KS.
Estimating plasma volume in neonatal Holstein calves fed one or two feedings of a lacteal-based colostrum replacer using Evans blue dye and hematocrit values at various time points

Cabral, R. G., Chapman, C. E., Kent, E. J. and Erickson, P. S. 2015. Estimating plasma volume in neonatal Holstein calves fed one or two feedings of a lacteal-based colostrum replacer using Evans blue dye and hematocrit values at various time points. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 293–298. Twenty-eight Holstein calves were blocked by birth date and randomly assigned to one of two treatments to investigate the effect of colostrum replacer (CR) feeding regimen on plasma volume (PV). Treatments were: (1) one feeding of CR (C1; 3 L of reconstituted CR 675 g of powder providing 184.5 g of IgG at birth) or (2) two feedings of CR (C2; 2 L of reconstituted CR at birth and 1 L of reconstituted CR at 6 h). By 6 h of age, all calves had received 3 L of CR providing 184.5 g of IgG. Plasma volume was estimated at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after birth using Evans blue dye. No treatment effects were noted at any time points (P>0.05). Mean PV for all calves regardless of treatment at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h were 78.6, 89.2, 83.9, and 90.7...
Causality in Performance Measurement Model

Causal relations among performance measures are key features of performance measurement models (PMM), such as the balanced scorecard that has been popularized by Kaplan and Norton [1992, 1996, 2000]. Norreklit [2000], however, cautions that the notion of causality in Kaplan and Norton's balanced scorecard is confused among concepts of (a) empirically refutable causes and effects, (b) internal logic of accounting, and (c) (equi)finality of alternative means and desired ends. Furthermore, Norreklit [2002] suggests that the balanced scorecard's popularity might be due to the persuasiveness of balanced scorecard-inspired rhetoric rather than its demonstrable cause and effect nature. Because causal relations are important to the validity and perhaps the viability of PMM, this study investigates causality within a PMM that is similar to "the balanced scorecard." This study addresses two research questions about causality in the context of one organization's enduring and reportedly successful PMM. The first question is: Are causal relations perceived by the designers and users of the PMM? The second question is: Are valid causal relations apparent in PMM archival data? This study discusses three reasons for the importance of separating cause-and-effect relations from logical and finality relations within PMM. First, a reliable, predictive financial model requires measurement of leading and lagging cause-and-effect relations among performance outcomes at different links in the value chain. Second, consistency between empirically established cause-and-effect and finality relations can improve organizational communication and learning. Third, cause-and-effect relations that are understood, communicated, and made part of an incentive system can improve the effectiveness of motivation and incentives. The study first uses qualitative analyses of interview data to demonstrate evidence of perceptions of cause-and-effect, logical, and finality relations by employees at several levels in the firm. The study then uses econometric analyses of performance data to refute claims of causal relations among performance measures. The findings support the primacy of logical and finality relations championed by top management as drivers of the design and use of the PMM. This raises the question of whether a PMM without reliable cause-and-effect relations can serve purposes of financial prediction, learning, communication, and motivation. If not, perhaps logical and finality relations are sufficient to make a PMM successful in practice. Alternatively, more attention to measurement and PMM construction might be warranted.
Continuous EEG-based dynamic markers for sleep depth and phasic events

Sleep architecture is characterized by classifying polysomnographic epochs into mutually exclusive stages. Notwithstanding the clinical importance of staging, it has the drawback of representing sleep as a discrete process. Metrics based on the electroencephalogram (EEG) are needed to supplement conventional sleep staging by allowing a description of sleep in terms of unitary, continuous markers. Traditional linear and nonlinear techniques for achieving this goal have not proved sufficient. Employing recurrence analysis, we developed a method for capturing and quantifying the dynamical states of the brain during sleep. The method yields markers for continuously determining sleep depth, for detecting sleep-specific phasic events, and for objectively defining potentially useful sleep markers and indices. Recurrence markers captured the coarse- and fine-grained temporal activity of the sleep EEG, thereby permitting continuous quantitation of brain electrical activity on any desired time scale. The markers were validated with respect to the tonic behavior (time scale of seconds) of the sleep EEG by establishing that they disambiguated the stages of sleep that are defined solely on the basis of EEG activity. Validation of the markers over time scales of milliseconds was achieved by showing that common types of sleep-EEG phasic events could be detected by recurrence analysis. The method was also used to define a generalized EEG arousal index that quantified previously unrecognized sleep-stage-dependent deterministic properties of brain electrical activity. Using nonlinear analysis that quantified the recurrence properties of the EEG, we described a novel method for producing dynamic markers of brain states during sleep.
Growth hormone and prolactin secretion in adults and hyperactive children: Relation to methylphenidate serum levels☆

Abstract The effect of a single dose of oral methylphenidate (MPH) on blood levels of growth hormone (GH) and prolactin (PRL) was measured in 27 hyperactive children (HKC), eight ‘hyperactive’ adults and eight normal adults in two experimental paradigms: a double-blind crossover study of MPH in a single dose (0.3 mg/kg) and a double-blind crossover study of MPH at two dose levels (0.3 and 0.6 mg/kg). In all groups in both studies, a consistent and statistically significant increase in circulating GH concentrations was observed; in HKC, this increase was dose-related. Also, in all groups in both studies there was a consistent decrease in circulating PRL concentrations. This change was significant in the adults at the 0.3 mg/kg dose, but in the children only at the 0.6 mg/kg dose. The increase in GH correlated with MPH serum levels in both the HKC and the adults. The decrease in PRL correlated with MPH serum levels only in the adults.
Light signal transduction in plants

Light signal-transduction pathways are a central component of the mechanisms that regulate plant development. These pathways provide the means by which information from specific wavelengths of light may be amplified and coordinated, resulting in complex physiological and developmental responses. This review focuses upon recent approaches towards establishing the intermediates that transmit signals from photoreceptors, phytochromes in particular, to target elements in the promoters of light-regulated genes.
Composition and conduction properties of silicon nitrides deposited by plasma-enhanced ultra-high-vacuum chemical vapour deposition

Abstract A Some fundamental properties of silicon nitride deposition by electron cyclotron resonance plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition have been studied. Silane and nitrogen were used to deposit the layers used for the study. The deposition temperature was maintained above 500°C in order to ensure that the hydrogen content of the film was marginally small, which was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement. It was observed that, in order to deposit stoichiometric Si3N4 films, the flux of the volatile component nitrogen must be increased until the [N2]/[SiH4] ratio is well above 25. The leakage currents in both silicon-rich and stoichiometric films were investigated. The measured refractive index of the films was used to highlight the role of various species during the deposition of the films.
Blood pressure, left ventricular mass, and lead exposure in battery manufacturing workers.

Background Although debate about the relationship between lead and blood pressure has focused on low environmental lead levels, industrial exposure remains a concern. Methods We measured blood pressure and left ventricular mass (LVM) in 108 battery manufacturing workers, and calculated cumulative and historic average measures of blood lead. Results Diastolic pressure increased with increasing lead levels, with a significant (P = 0.04) 5 mmHg difference in mean pressure between the highest and lowest cumulative exposure levels. Diastolic pressure increased with the log of cumulative lead (P = 0.06). Both hypertension (defined as currently medicated or systolic > 160 mmHg or diastolic > 95 mmHg) and LVM increased nonsignificantly with increasing lead exposure (P-values ≥ 0.17 for hypertension and ≥ 0.20 for LVM). Conclusions We found a small effect of blood lead on diastolic blood pressure, particularly for a cumulative measure of exposure, but no convincing evidence of associations between lead and other blood-pressure-related outcomes. Am. J. Ind. Med. 40:63–72, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Leukocyte adhesion in capillary-sized, P-selectin-coated micropipettes.

Objective: Leukocyte retention in lung capillaries is observed in normal physiology and following a bacterial infection. It has been hypothesized that cells either become mechanically trapped or adhere to capillary endothelial cells via adhesion molecules. We propose that retention involves both mechanical and adhesive forces and that the biochemical adhesive force is modulated by mechanical forces that alter the area of contact between leukocytes and endothelium.Methods: To probe this hypothesis, an adhesion assay has been developed in which individual HL-60 cells were aspirated into micropipettes pre-coated with P-selectin. Following aspiration, cells were exposed to physiological pressure differences.Results: Little adhesion was seen in micropipettes coated with BSA, whereas significant adhesion was observed in micropipettes coated with P-selectin. The frequency of cell arrest on P-selectin in the micropipette was much greater than on P-selectin in a parallel plate flow chamber even though the disrupti...
Disseminated adenovirus infection in renal transplant recipients: the role of cidofovir and intravenous immunoglobulin

Disseminated adenovirus (ADV) infection in solid organ transplant patients is associated with high mortality. Limited studies have shown benefit from using cidofovir (CDV), as well as intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). In this study, we report 2 renal transplant patients who presented with fever and pulmonary infiltrates. Both patients continued to worsen despite antibiotic therapy. Bronchoalveolar lavage viral culture and serum polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were positive for ADV. Patients were treated with CDV, IVIG, and reduction in immunosuppression. A progressive decline in serum ADV DNA by PCR correlated with clinical improvement and pulmonary infiltrates improved. Both patients recovered. Allograft function was preserved although reversible acute kidney injury was observed in both patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first successful use of CDV and IVIG in renal transplant patients with disseminated ADV infection.
A Non-Native Prey Mediates the Effects of a Shared Predator on an Ecosystem Service

Non-native species can alter ecosystem functions performed by native species often by displacing influential native species. However, little is known about how ecosystem functions may be modified by trait-mediated indirect effects of non-native species. Oysters and other reef-associated filter feeders enhance water quality by controlling nutrients and contaminants in many estuarine environments. However, this ecosystem service may be mitigated by predation, competition, or other species interactions, especially when such interactions involve non-native species that share little evolutionary history. We assessed trophic and other interference effects on the critical ecosystem service of water filtration in mesocosm experiments. In single-species trials, typical field densities of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) reduced water-column chlorophyll a more strongly than clams (Mercenaria mercenaria). The non-native filter-feeding reef crab Petrolisthes armatus did not draw down chlorophyll a. In multi-species treatments, oysters and clams combined additively to influence chlorophyll a drawdown. Petrolisthes did not affect net filtration when added to the bivalve-only treatments. Addition of the predatory mud crab Panopeus herbstii did not influence oyster feeding rates, but it did stop chlorophyll a drawdown by clams. However, when Petrolisthes was also added in with the clams, the clams filtered at their previously unadulterated rates, possibly because Petrolisthes drew the focus of predators or habituated the clams to crab stimuli. In sum, oysters were the most influential filter feeder, and neither predators nor competitors interfered with their net effect on water-column chlorophyll. In contrast, clams filtered less, but were more sensitive to predators as well as a facilitative buffering effect of Petrolisthes, illustrating that non-native species can indirectly affect an ecosystem service by aiding the performance of a native species.
STEP cement: Solar Thermal Electrochemical Production of CaO without CO2 emission

New molten salt chemistry allows solar thermal energy to drive calcium oxide production without any carbon dioxide emission. This is accomplished in a one pot synthesis, and at lower projected cost than the existing cement industry process, which after power production, is the largest contributor to anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
Behavioral management of sleep disturbances secondary to chronic pain

The clinical efficacy of a behavioral management program for treating insomnia secondary to chronic pain was evaluated within a multiple-baseline design across subjects. Treatment consisted of a combination of stimulus control and sleep restriction procedures. Daily sleep diaries and all-night polysomnographic (PSG) measures were used to document changes in sleep/wake patterns. The results showed that treatment was effective in improving sleep patterns in all three patients. A substantial decrease of time awake at night was obtained and this was reflected by reductions of sleep onset latency, wake time after sleep onset, and early morning awakenings. Sleep improvements were well maintained at follow-ups and were also paralleled by improved mood states. The findings indicate that behavioral procedures are effective for treating sleep disturbances associated with chronic pain conditions.
Long-term implant fixation and stress-shielding in total hip replacement

Implant fixation implies a strong and durable mechanical bond between the prosthetic component and host skeleton. Assuming the short-term impediments to implant fixation are successfully addressed and that longer-term issues such as late infection and mechanical failure of the components are avoided, the biological response of the host tissue to the presence of the implant is critical to long-term success. In particular, maintenance of adequate peri-prosthetic bone stock is a key factor. Two major causes of bone loss in the supporting bone are adverse bone remodeling in response to debris shed from the implant and stress-shielding. Here, I review some of the major lessons learned from studying stress-shielding-induced bone loss. It is well known that stress-shielding can be manipulated by altering implant design, but less well appreciated that the development of bone anabolic agents may make it possible to reduce the severity of stress-shielding and the associated bone loss by augmenting the host skeleton through the use of locally or systemically delivered agents. In most cases, mechanical, material and biological factors do not act in isolation, emphasizing that it is often not possible to optimize all boundary conditions.
Proposal and analysis of a silica fiber with large and thermodynamically stable second order nonlinearity

The authors propose a general approach that can produce a silica fiber with large and thermodynamically stable second order nonlinearity. They estimate that it is possible to achieve second harmonic generation efficiency of more than 10% in such a nonlinear fiber with a length of a few hundred microns. By maintaining a high degree of spatial symmetry, the proposed nonlinear fiber can naturally generate polarization entangled photon pairs, a physical object of enormous significance for quantum information technology.
TAS, 45 years on

Atomic Structure. By E.U. Condon and Halis Odabasi. Pp.658. (Cambridge University Press: 1980.) Hbk £30, $83.50; pbk £9.95, $26.