cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of Sr and O isotope relations to the petrogenesis of the alkaline rocks of the Red Hill complex, New Hampshire, USA

The Red Hill ring complex in central New Hampshire is composed of apparently cogenetic syenites, nepheline-sodalite syenite, and granite. The ages and petrogenetic relations among five of the six recognized units have been investigated by rubidiumstrontium and oxygen isotope analysis of whole rocks and separated minerals. Whole-rock samples from three syenite units are consistent with a single Rb-Sr isochron which gives an age of 198±3 m.y. and an initial (87Sr/86Sr)o ratio of 0.70330±0.00016 (±2 sigma; λ=1.42× 10−11y−1). However, Sr isotope data for two other units, nepheline syenite and granite, are not consistent with this isochron but rather indicate higher initial ratios which range from 0.7033 to about 0.707. Whole-rock O isotope analyses give δ18O values which range from+6.2 to+9.3‰ Sr and O isotope analyses on mineral separates indicate that observed whole-rock variations in (87Sr/86Sr)o are primary and are not due to any secondary process. The fact that the isotope systematics correlate with rock type, suggests that crustal interaction is likely to have played a significant role in the development of this over-and undersaturated association. Such process(es), while still not fully delineated, could be of fundamental importance to the genesis of associations of critically undersaturated and oversaturated intrusives. The data support the idea that interaction between magmas and crustal materials strongly influenced the compositional relations of similar complexes elsewhere including those of the White Mountain magma series.
Corona Discharge Ingnition for Internal Combustion Engines

The use of Corona (Transient Plasma) discharge as an ignition source alternative to spark ignition (SI) for a Natural Gas fired engine presents an opportunity for increased efficiency and reduced NOx emissions. The multiple ignition sites created by a Corona discharge produce a faster and more complete burn than conventional SI. Bench tests show a faster combustion rise time (∼3×) and higher peak combustion pressures with corona discharge compared to SI. There are challenges encountered in retrofitting a corona discharge ignition system onto an IC engine. Electrode design and placement are critical in preventing arc formation and engine knock.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
C29 Olefinic Hydrocarbons Biosynthesized by Arthrobacter Species

Arthrobacter aurescens TC1, Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6, Arthrobacter crystallopoietes, and Arthrobacter oxydans produce long-chain monoalkenes, predominantly cis-3,25-dimethyl-13-heptacosene. Four other Arthrobacter strains did not form alkenes. The level of cis-3,25-dimethyl-13-heptacosene in Arthrobacter chlorophenolicus A6 remained proportional to cell mass during growth. cis-3,25-Dimethyl-13-heptacosene did not support growth of A. chlorophenolicus A6.
Erythropoietin and hypoxia inducible factor-1 expression in the mid-trimester human fetus.

Aim: Infants born prematurely lack a normal response to anemia and fail to increase erythropoietin (Epo) production despite an apparent need for improved tissue oxygenation. This anemia may involve a deficiency in the fetal and premature kidney to produce Epo. To evaluate fetal Epo production, Epo and hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF) mRNA expression was measured in the mid-trimester human fetus. Methods: Fetal liver and kidney samples were obtained at 11-22 wk of gestation. RNA was isolated and reverse transcribed from snap-frozen specimens. Epo and HIF cDNA concentrations were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PRISM). Epo cDNA concentrations were standardized to HIF concentrations present in each sample. Results: HIF concentrations remained constant during gestation in kidney and liver samples. Epo cDNA concentrations in kidney did not change from 12 to 22 wk (8.4 ′ 3.4 fg Epo pg - 1 HIF cDNA, 4.8 ′ 1.4, 2.6 ′ 0.4, and 4.2 ′ 1.8 at 11-14, 15-16, 17-19, and 20-22 wk of gestation, respectively), while Epo cDNA concentrations in liver increased with gestation (74.5 ′ 31.9 fg pg - 1 HIF, 23.8 ′ 6.5, 96.4 ′ 19.2 and 276.1 ′ 28.5 at 12-14, 15-16, 17-19 and 20-22 wk of gestation, respectively, p < 0.05, 20-22 wk of gestation liver samples vs all other gestations). Concentrations were 5-20-fold higher in liver than in kidney in each gestational group (p < 0.01, liver vs kidney).
Functional Coupling Between Substantia Nigra and Basal Ganglia Homologues in Amphibians

Neuroanatomical and pharmacological experiments support the existence of a homologue of the mammalian substantia nigra-basal ganglia circuit in the amphibian brain. Demarcation of borders between the striatum and pallidum in frogs, however, has been contentious, and direct evidence of functional coupling between the putative nigral and striatal homologues is lacking. To clarify basal ganglia function in anurans, the authors used expression of immediate-early gene egr-1 as a marker of neural activation in the basal ganglia of tungara frogs (Physalaemus pustulosus). Regional variation in egr-1 mRNA levels distinguished striatal and pallidal portions of the basal ganglia and supported the grouping of the striatopallidal transition zone with the dorsal pallidum. As further evidence for a functional coupling between the dopaminergic cells in the posterior tuberculum (the putative substantia nigra homologue) and the basal ganglia, a positive relationship was demonstrated between the size of the dopaminergic cell population and the neural activation levels within the dorsal pallidum.
Reputation, History, and War*

This article investigates the role of direct and reputational information in the onset of interstate war. Scholars have recently identified the importance of separating the phenomenon of conflict from the rare event of war. Building on earlier work concerning the role of reputation and history in the onset of militarized interstate, this article argues that states in crises face competing pressures brought on by their history of interactions with their opponents and their opponents’ reputations generated through interactions with other states. While historical conflict reveals private information regarding the credibility of state demands, this history also generates constraints upon the ability of governments to seek peaceful resolutions to the current crisis. An empirical analysis supports the hypothesis that both a direct history of conflict within the dyad and reputational histories for conflict increase the likelihood of war onset. These results hold for a sample including all dyads 1817–2000 and a sample including politically relevant dyads in the same period. The results also suggest that contiguous states are more likely to go to war with each other, as are pairs of major powers, while democracies and pairs of minor powers are less likely to go to war with each other. These results support previous findings on the influence of these factors on the likelihood of war onset.
Estimating Macro-Relationships Using Micro-Data: A One-Stage Approach

Widespread recognition that many sociological processes occur at multiple levels has led researchers to search for valid forms of cross-level modeling such as contextual analysis. In this article, we propose an alternative cross-level method for examining the effects of macro-factors on macro-processes while controlling for processes at a lower-level of aggregation. This method applies existing statistical techniques but in a new fashion. It has the advantages of more precise control for lower-order effects, reduction of problems with degrees of freedom, and more error-free prediction of the higher-level relationships than using alternative estimation strategies. As a result, parameter estimates of the macro-level effects are more efficient. An empirical example studying macro-determinants of unemployment rates in states in the United States demonstrates that estimation of this model leads to more valid conclusions than more commonly used methods.
Techniques in facial fat grafting.

According to the author, autologous fat transplantation is an ideal technique to correct facial atrophy, providing a stable and potentially long lasting alternative to “off the shelf” fillers. Structural augmentation with fat involves multilayer blunt fat infiltration designed around concepts of volume expansion and resultant tissue shifting. The author has found that retention varies in different parts of the face and fat seems to “take” best in areas in which fat atrophy is the problem, such as in the cheek, periorbital area, and mandible. When fat is being used to replace bony remodeling or mucosal atrophy (both occur in the perioral area), retention can be unpredictable.
Subjective Estimates and Scheduling Decisions

Network scheduling models typically assume that estimates of individual activities are stable and are not improved or degraded as progress is made in a project and the time to undertake a particular activity comes near. The formulation of scheduling models is usually compatible with this assumption about estimates and excludes the effect of actions such as rescheduling which might be taken in response to changes in estimation error. The present paper examines the nature of subjective estimates in an actual development project. Error characteristics as determined from prior estimates and actual outcomes are analyzed using a multiple regression model. Several variables are significant in their association with changes in estimation accuracy as activities are reestimated. Contrary to previously reported results there is a strong learning phenomenon. Implications for future work are discussed.
Equilibria of Adaptive Wavetable Oscillators with Applications to Beat Tracking

An adaptive oscillator is a system that can lock onto a time-varying input signal, synchronizing its output to both the frequency and phase of the input. A wavetable oscillator generates a periodic output by indexing into a lookup table that stores a single period of the waveform. An adaptive wavetable oscillator (AWO) combines these two ideas in a technique which separates the periodic output waveform from the parameters that control the adaptation of the frequency and phase of the waveform. The key issues in the design of AWOs are: the kind of oscillator to use, the class of admissible inputs, the shape of the wavetable, the control parameters, and the adaptive algorithm that adjusts the parameters. Wavetable oscillators can be applied to track the beat in MIDI signals, or, after an appropriate psycho-acoustical data reduction, to the tracking of audio signals. This paper examines these issues through analysis and simulation, focusing on conditions that achieve the desired entrainment between output and input. Sound examples demonstrate the application to beat tracking.
A Catastrophic Acute Abdomen

Department of Internal Medicine, Bassett Medical Center and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons,Cooperstown, New YorkQuestion: An 83-year-old man presented toour institute with a 1-day history of severe,diffuse abdominal painassociated with dys-pnea, nausea, and high-grade fever. His pastmedical history wassigniﬁcant for low-gradeB-cell lymphoma inwhich he received mul-tiple chemotherapy regimens (including rituximab, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisolone; ﬂudarabine, cyclophosphamideand rituximab; and bendamustine-rituximab), but achieved only partial remission. At the time of presentation, hereceived only single-agent rituximab as his performance status was declining.Vital signs were remarkable for a temperature of 39.2 C, blood pressure of 90/50 mmHg, and oxygen saturation of 88%.His lung examination was unremarkable, but abdominal examination revealed a diffuse tenderness with inactive bowelsound. Initial laboratory investigations revealed a marked leukocytosis and severe metabolic acidosis with lactate of 8.7mmol/L. Computed tomography (CT) of chest and abdomen were performed (Figure A, B).What is your diagnosis?See the Gastroenterology web site (www.gastrojournal.org) for more information on submitting your favoriteimage to Clinical Challenges and Images in GI.
Relating River Plume Structure to Vertical Mixing

The structure of a river plume is related to the vertical mixing using an isohaline-based coordinate system. Salinity coordinates offer the advantage of translating with the plume as it moves or expanding as the plume grows. This coordinate system is used to compare the relative importance of different dynamical processes acting within the plume and to describe the effect each process has on the structure of the plume. Vertical mixing due to inertial shear in the outflow of a narrow estuary and wind mixing are examined using a numerical model of a wind-forced river plume. Vertical mixing, and the corresponding entrainment of background waters, is greatest near the estuary mouth where inertial shear mixing is large. This region is defined as the near field, with the more saline, far-field plume beyond. Wind mixing increases the mixing throughout the plume but has the greatest effect on plume structure at salinity ranges just beyond the near field. Wind mixing is weaker at high salinity classes that have already been mixed to a critical thickness, a point where turbulent mixing of the upper layer by the wind is reduced, protecting these portions of the plume from further wind mixing. The work done by mixing on the plume is of similar magnitude in both the near and far fields.
Rolling Circle Transcription of Tandem siRNA to Generate Spherulitic RNA Nanoparticles for Cell Entry

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) holds great promise as a simple, yet powerful therapeutic strategy to knockdown the function of a particular gene. However, the major obstacle to the use of siRNA in clinical applications is the lack of an effective delivery system. Much effort has concentrated on developing methods to package or encapsulate siRNA with polymers or lipids. In a recent issue of Nature Materials, Paula Hammond and coworkers present an innovative approach to siRNA delivery based on the production of dense RNA “microsponges” that contain more than a half million copies of an siRNA precursor.1 The morphology of these microsponges resembles that of spherulites: assemblies of linear polymers in which highly ordered pleated lamellar sheets, interspersed with amorphous regions, radiate outward from a nucleating core to form a roughly spherical aggregate. The innovative strategy demonstrates improvements in RNA production, payload encapsulation, and transport and cell entry.
REQUIREMENTS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

This paper (1) describes what the current literature identifies as qualities of good software requirements, (2) identifies and examines different categories of software requirement methods, and (3) concludes that methods used to develop software requirements, though not perfect, have advantages that can improve the development of requirements for any type of system. Twelve requirement qualities were identified from the literature and these were used to establish evaluation criteria for software requirement development methods. Three methods selected for evaluation were the Hatley-Pirbhai method (1988), the CoRE (Consortium Requirements Engineering, SPC, 1992), and Requirements State Machine Language (RSML) develop by Leveson (1990). None of these method stands out as being superior and each have strengths and weaknesses depending upon the application, but each offers improvements over the text based methods used in traditional systems engineering efforts to create function/requirement sets.
Optimal multiple-relay selection in dual-hop amplify-and-forward cooperative networks

Algorithms and rules for the optimal selection of multiple amplify-and-forward relays are developed in a dual-hop cooperative network. A linear fractional programming approach is first formulated. Then, a surprisingly simple water-filling-like closed-form solution is derived, which shows many interesting properties of the optimal relay selection.
Multiple sclerosis: health-promoting behaviors of spousal caregivers.

This pilot study examined the relationship between health-promoting behaviors of spousal caregivers of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) and dependency needs of the afflicted spouses. The study sample included 20 subjects who were residing with their spouses and served as primary caregivers. The data were collected through a semistructured interview of caregiving spouses. The health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP) was used to measure health-promoting behavior. The Index of ADL was employed to measure independence in activities of daily living (ADL). Descriptive statistics were calculated for demographic, ADL and health-promoting variables. Pearson product-moment correlations were employed to assess the relationship between the care recipient dependency needs and the health-promoting behavior of the caregiving spouse. Findings revealed a significant inverse relationship between level of recipient dependency and health-promoting behavior of the caregiver (r = -.394, p < .04). Further examination of health behaviors revealed that caregiving wives reported higher total frequency of health-promoting behaviors than did their husband counterparts. Additional analyses revealed subjects scored highest on the self-actualization dimension and lowest on the exercise dimension of the HPLP scale.
Clinical decision-making in hypertension using an automated (BpTRU) measurement device.

Mercury sphygmomanometers are being removed from clinical practice in the United States due to environmental concerns about mercury toxicity. Accurate blood pressure measurement is central to high-quality hypertension management. In this study of 106 patients, the BpTRUTM device was compared to nurse blood pressure measurements that complied with all the JNC VII/American Heart Association guidelines in evaluation of a random casual blood pressure. The intermethod difference in systolic blood pressure was +1.8±5.1 mmHg, and for diastolic blood pressure it was 4.8±5.1 mmHg (both P<0.001). For the primary study end point of clinical decision-making, there was 92% (97/106) agreement between the hypertension nurse specialist and the BpTRU™ (kappa 0.8280, 95% confidence interval, 0.721–0.9350). The oscillometric blood pressure measurement with the BpTRU™ is recommended as a replacement for poorly performed auscultatory blood pressure measurement in clinical practice.
Response Correlation Maps of Neurons in the Mammalian Olfactory Bulb

To define the relationship between glomerular activation patterns and neuronal olfactory responses in the main olfactory bulb, intracellular recordings were combined with optical imaging of intrinsic signals. Response correlation maps (RCMs) were constructed by correlating the fluctuations in membrane potential and firing rate during odorant presentations with patterns of glomerular activation. The RCMs indicated that mitral/tufted cells were excited by activation of a focal region surrounding their principal glomerulus and generally inhibited by activation of more distant regions. However, the structure of the RCMs and the relative contribution of excitatory and inhibitory glomerular input evolved and even changed sign during and after odorant application. These data suggest a dynamic center-surround organization of mitral/tufted cell receptive fields.
A Climatology of Turbulent Dispersion in the Troposphere

The authors present properties of turbulent, meridional mixing along isentropic surfaces within the troposphere. Twice-daily wind fields analyses from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts numerical weather prediction model for 1992 are used to calculate Lagrangian trajectories of large ensembles of particles. The ensemble-averaged rms growth of the meridional relative dispersion over the first 10 days after particle release is used to quantify mixing properties. These properties are considered as a function of height in the atmosphere, season, and geographic region. Results are characterized by release latitude and flow regime and compared with simple theories. All three dispersive regimes—exponential, ballistic, and Richardson‐Obukhov—that have been documented in previous studies are found to be important. The extratropics are found to display superdiffusive growth of the relative rms dispersion, consistent with the nonlocal character of midlatitude mixing. The Tropics are characterized by exponential growth of the rms dispersion, consistent with locally constant eddy timescales. Some evidence for zonal inhomogeneity in dispersion growth rates is found.
Geometric compatibility modification in FuzzyCLIPS

The fuzzy inference method in most of the marketed development tools for fuzzy systems define rule relations using the min operator and employ the compositional rule of inference. This method is equivalent to set-theoretic compatibility modification inference Geometric compatibility modification inference, however, employs the dissemblance compatibility measure from metric class of compatibility measures. This inference method can determine a conclusion or an action even when the fuzzy input does not intersect the fuzzy antecedent of any rule such as in sparse rule bases. No set-theoretic compatibility measure has this capability. Because of this capability, the dissemblance compatibility measure is currently being implemented and tested as a new inference type in FuzzyCLIPS, a fuzzy systems development tool available on the Internet from the National Research Council of Canada.
The Chlamydomonas Dhc1 gene encodes a dynein heavy chain subunit required for assembly of the I1 inner arm complex.

Abstract Multiple members of the dynein heavy chain (Dhc) gene family have been recovered in several organisms, but the relationships between these sequences and the Dhc isoforms that they encode are largely unknown. To identify Dhc loci and determine the specific functions of the individual Dhc isoforms, we have screened a collection of motility mutants generated by insertional mutagenesis in Chlamydomonas. In this report, we characterize one strain, pf9-3, in which the insertion event was accompanied by a deletion of approximately 13 kb of genomic DNA within the transcription unit of the Dhc1 gene. Northern blot analysis confirms that pf9-3 is a null mutation. Biochemical and structural studies of isolated axonemes demonstrate that the pf9-3 mutant fails to assemble the I1 inner arm complex, a two-headed dynein isoform composed of two Dhcs (1 alpha and 1 beta) and three intermediate chains. To determine if the Dhc1 gene product corresponds to one of the Dhcs of the I1 complex, antibodies were generated against a Dhc1-specific peptide sequence. Immunoblot analysis reveals that the Dhc1 gene encodes the 1 alpha Dhc subunit. These studies thus, identify the first inner arm Dhc locus to be described in any organism and further demonstrate that the 1 alpha Dhc subunit plays an essential role in the assembly of the I1 inner arm complex.
Knowing what the brain is seeing in three dimensions: A novel, noninvasive, sensitive, accurate, and low-noise technique for measuring ocular torsion

Torsional eye movements are rotations of the eye around the line of sight. Measuring torsion is essential to understanding how the brain controls eye position and how it creates a veridical perception of object orientation in three dimensions. Torsion is also important for diagnosis of many vestibular, neurological, and ophthalmological disorders. Currently, there are multiple devices and methods that produce reliable measurements of horizontal and vertical eye movements. Measuring torsion, however, noninvasively and reliably has been a longstanding challenge, with previous methods lacking real-time capabilities or suffering from intrusive artifacts. We propose a novel method for measuring eye movements in three dimensions using modern computer vision software (OpenCV) and concepts of iris recognition. To measure torsion, we use template matching of the entire iris and automatically account for occlusion of the iris and pupil by the eyelids. The current setup operates binocularly at 100 Hz with noise <0.1° and is accurate within 20° of gaze to the left, to the right, and up and 10° of gaze down. This new method can be widely applicable and fill a gap in many scientific and clinical disciplines.
Discussion on Development Trend of Battery Electric Vehicles in China and Its Energy Supply Mode

The actuality and trends of electric vehicles (EV) home and abroad are reviewed. The development trend of battery electric vehicles (BEV) and its energy supply mode in China are emphatically dissertated. The development stage of BEV in China is divided into two periods,namely the demonstration period and mature period,the keystone and the challenge in the current development period of BEV are analyzed. Finally,for the energy supply mode of BEV,the key technology and technical direction to be researched are pointed out.
A phase I study of ARQ 197 in combination with temsirolimus in advanced solid tumors.

2554 Background: A wide variety of human cancers exhibit dysregulated c-Met activity that has implications in oncogenesis. Phosphorylation of c-Met results in activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathwa...
Screen Twice, Cut Once: Assessing the Predictive Validity of Applicant Selection Tools

AbstractDespite their widespread use, there is little academic evidence on whether applicant selection instruments can improve teacher hiring. We examine the relationship between two screening instruments used by Spokane Public Schools to select classroom teachers and three teacher outcomes: value added, absences, and attrition. We observe all applicants to the district (not only those who are hired), allowing us to estimate sample selection-corrected models using random tally errors and variation in the level of competition across job postings as instruments. Ratings on the screening instruments significantly predict value added in math and teacher attrition, but not absences—an increase of one standard deviation in screening scores is associated with an increase of about 0.06 standard deviations of student math achievement, and a decrease in teacher attrition of 3 percentage points. Hence the use of selection instruments appears to be a key means of improving the quality of the teacher workforce.
Multi-scale visual analysis of time-varying electrocorticography data via clustering of brain regions

There exists a need for effective and easy-to-use software tools supporting the analysis of complex Electrocorticography (ECoG) data. Understanding how epileptic seizures develop or identifying diagnostic indicators for neurological diseases require the in-depth analysis of neural activity data from ECoG. Such data is multi-scale and is of high spatio-temporal resolution. Comprehensive analysis of this data should be supported by interactive visual analysis methods that allow a scientist to understand functional patterns at varying levels of granularity and comprehend its time-varying behavior. We introduce a novel multi-scale visual analysis system, ECoG ClusterFlow, for the detailed exploration of ECoG data. Our system detects and visualizes dynamic high-level structures, such as communities, derived from the time-varying connectivity network. The system supports two major views: 1) an overview summarizing the evolution of clusters over time and 2) an electrode view using hierarchical glyph-based design to visualize the propagation of clusters in their spatial, anatomical context. We present case studies that were performed in collaboration with neuroscientists and neurosurgeons using simulated and recorded epileptic seizure data to demonstrate our system’s effectiveness. ECoG ClusterFlow supports the comparison of spatio-temporal patterns for specific time intervals and allows a user to utilize various clustering algorithms. Neuroscientists can identify the site of seizure genesis and its spatial progression during various the stages of a seizure. Our system serves as a fast and powerful means for the generation of preliminary hypotheses that can be used as a basis for subsequent application of rigorous statistical methods, with the ultimate goal being the clinical treatment of epileptogenic zones.
Severe menses‐associated hypertension successfully treated with gonadotropin‐releasing hormone agonist

A case of a 32-year-old nulliparous white woman referred for a 5-year history of severe hypertension, hypokalemia, and resultant systolic dysfunction is presented. She additionally had a left ventricular ejection fraction of 30% including left ventricular dilation and normal left ventricular mass index, as measured by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging when she initially presented to us. Her history revealed that her severe hypertension episodes were monthly and would occur around the catamenial (menses-associated) time. Two weeks following her menses, blood pressure decreased significantly but remained elevated above 140/90 mm Hg. This cycle repeated monthly and required multiple hospitalizations for hypertensive emergency in the form of acute decompensated heart failure and severe headaches. She required potassium supplementation. This prompted a complete evaluation for secondary causes of hypertension, which was negative. Female and male sex hormone levels, including testosterone, were also within normal limits. She received an injection of leuprolide acetate depot (11.25 mg every 3 months), a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. This significantly reduced the magnitude of these episodes.
Gazing Past the Gaps: A Growth-Based Assessment of the Mathematics Achievement of Black Girls

The purpose of this study was to proffer the idea to “gaze” past gender and racial achievement gaps by providing a growth-based assessment of the achievement of Black girls. The study aims to elucidate how alternatives to traditional achievement gap analyses can yield information relevant to addressing classroom challenges. This exploratory analysis utilized effect sizes and confidence intervals to summarize the achievement of Black girls in mathematics across fourth and eighth grade NAEP assessments. This approach was selected because it supports meta-analytic thinking, which is important for comparison and generalization across studies. The results of this quantitative single-group summary of NAEP data indicated that Black female students demonstrated performance contrary to popular results for female students in general. Fourth grade Black girls demonstrated growth in Number and Operations and Algebra and solid performance in Measurement across time. While statistically significant growth across all mathematics subject matter was observed for eighth grade Black girls. This study contributes to the literature on intersectionality and achievement by extending both lines of inquiry. Intersectional research rarely investigates student achievement with a quantitative lens, while achievement research traditionally utilizes a between group comparative approach. The practical and empirical implications of these research extensions are provided in the discussion.
Questionnaire-based Analysis of Owner-reported Scratching and Pain Signs in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Screened for Chiari-like Malformation and Syringomyelia.

Background Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) cause a pain syndrome in Cavalier King Charles spaniels (CKCS). Clinical signs are not consistently apparent on neurologic examination, and owner reporting of signs provides vital clinical history. However, owner questionnaires for this disease are not well developed. Objectives To develop a tool to capture owner-reported clinical signs for use in clinical trials and to compare owner-reported signs with the presence of pain on neurologic examination and SM on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Animals Fifty client-owned CKCS. Methods Owners completed a questionnaire and pain/scratch map. Each dog underwent a neurologic examination and craniocervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Questionnaire responses were developed into scores, area of shading for pain/scratch maps was measured, and consistency of responses between these tools was assessed. Owner-reported findings were compared with neurologic examination findings and presence and severity of SM on MRI. Results Thirty-three dogs were symptomatic and 17 asymptomatic; 30 had SM. The most common sign of pain was crying out when lifted (n = 11). Extent of shaded areas on maps positively correlated with questionnaire scores for pain (r2 = 0.213, P = 0.006) and scratch (r2 = 0.104, P = 0.089). Owner-reported findings were not significantly associated with presence or severity of SM or neurologic examination findings. Owner-reported lateralization of signs was significantly associated with SM lateralization (P < 0.0001). Conclusions The questionnaire and maps may be useful for clinical trials. Lack of association of owner-reported signs with SM highlights our lack of understanding of the pathophysiology of pain in this disease.
Periods of Activity of Water Molds in a North Carolina Lake

Although many of the earliest reports on water molds dealt primarily with taxonomy and morphology, the works of Humphrey (1893), Peterson (1910), and Lund (1934) directed attention to the occurrence of these organisms and to their role in the habitat. They observed the fungi growing on a variety of organic remains such as dead fish, frogs, insects, and plant matter. More frequently, these fungi are not directly observed growing in the body of water. However, when hemp seeds or other baits are added to water samples brought into the lab, water molds are soon observed growing on the baits.
Dielectric Properties for Nanocomposites Comparing Commercial and Synthetic Ni- and Fe3O4-Loaded Polystyrene.

Nanomaterial-loaded thermoplastics are attractive for applications in adaptive printing methods, as the physical properties of the printed materials are dependent on the nanomaterial type and degre...
Substituent effects on H3+ formation via H2 roaming mechanisms from organic molecules under strong-field photodissociation.

Roaming chemical reactions are often associated with neutral molecules. The recent findings of roaming processes in ionic species, in particular, ones that lead to the formation of H3+ under strong-field laser excitation, are of considerable interest. Given that such gas-phase reactions are initiated by double ionization and subsequently facilitated through deprotonation, we investigate the strong-field photodissociation of ethanethiol, also known as ethyl mercaptan, and compare it to results from ethanol. Contrary to expectations, the H3+ yield was found to be an order of magnitude lower for ethanethiol at certain laser field intensities, despite its lower ionization energy and higher acidity compared to ethanol. In-depth analysis of the femtosecond time-resolved experimental findings, supported by ab initio quantum mechanical calculations, provides key information regarding the roaming mechanisms related to H3+ formation. Results of this study on the dynamics of dissociative half-collisions involving H3+, a vital cation which acts as a Bronsted–Lowry acid protonating interstellar organic compounds, may also provide valuable information regarding the formation mechanisms and observed natural abundances of complex organic molecules in interstellar media and planetary atmospheres.
Writing History in International Criminal Trials: Introduction

Why do international criminal tribunals write histories of the origins and causes of armed conflicts? Richard Ashby Wilson conducted research with judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and expert witnesses in three international criminal tribunals to understand how law and history are combined in the courtroom. Historical testimony is now an integral part of international trials, with prosecutors and defense teams using background testimony to pursue decidedly legal objectives. In the Slobodan Milosevic trial, the prosecution sought to demonstrate special intent to commit genocide by reference to a long-standing animus, nurtured within a nationalist mindset. For their part, the defense called historical witnesses to undermine charges of superior responsibility, and to mitigate the sentence by representing crimes as reprisals. Although legal ways of knowing are distinct from those of history, the two are effectively combined in international trials in a way that challenges us to rethink the relationship between law and history.
Pituitary Hyperplasia in Severe Primary Hypothyroidism: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Pituitary hyperplasia is commonly present but remains largely undiagnosed in primary hypothyroidism. It is easily reversible with thyroid replacement therapy. If imaging is performed prior to biochemical evaluation, then patients may undergo pituitary surgery. We present the case of a 34-year-old female with profound primary hypothyroidism and secondary pituitary hyperplasia that resolved after thyroid hormone supplementation. We will discuss the current literature regarding pituitary hyperplasia in primary hypothyroidism in adults.
Investigation of target property effects on crater populations in long lava flows: A study in the Cerberus region, Mars, with implications for magma source identification

Abstract Young volcanism on Mars is exemplified within the Cerberus region, which enables examination of relatively pristine lava flow surfaces. In this investigation, we derived model ages within the circum-Cerberus channelized lavas for sites proximal, medial, and distal to the lava flow sources, finding that these ages decrease with increasing distance from the inferred source. Investigating multiple possible explanations for this downstream decrease in model ages, we conclude that the most likely cause is changes in the rheological properties of the lava during emplacement. Analogous terrestrial lava flows exhibit rheological changes along their length during emplacement, supporting the hypothesis that target properties affect crater size frequency distributions (CSFDs) on extraterrestrial bodies. Using scaling methods, we investigated how possible material property changes in the Cerberus channelized lavas affected CSFDs. To derive a single model age for each channel, we arithmetically size-scaled the distal and proximal crater sizes. We also used pi-group scaling to estimate the effect of material strength and porosity on the final CSFDs. We infer that the Athabasca, Grjota, and Marte Valles lavas underwent minor, moderate, and major rheological changes, respectively, to account for the progressively larger age discrepancies along their respective flow lengths. The arithmetic size-scaling yields relative lava emplacement ages, from oldest to youngest, respectively, as Grjota, Marte, and Athabasca. This lack of a consistent progressive directional emplacement (east-to-west or west-to-east) of lava model ages implies that the magma source was spatially distributed beneath the Cerberus region, although magma contributions from the two bordering volcanic provinces cannot be ruled out. The results of this study support the findings of previous lunar and martian studies that inferred target property changes affected CSFDs, which may have some bearing on age dating of young lava surfaces across the inner Solar System.
Muscle metabolism and atrophy: let’s talk about sex

Skeletal muscle health is a strong predictor of overall health and longevity. Pathologies affecting skeletal muscle such as cancer cachexia, intensive care unit treatment, muscular dystrophies, and others are associated with decreased quality of life and increased mortality. Recent research has begun to determine that these muscular pathologies appear to present and develop differently between males and females. However, to our knowledge, there has yet to be a comprehensive review on musculoskeletal differences between males and females and how these differences may contribute to sex differences in muscle pathologies. Herein, we present a review of the current literature on muscle phenotype and physiology between males and females and how these differences may contribute to differential responses to atrophic stimuli. In general, females appear to be more susceptible to disuse induced muscle wasting, yet protected from inflammation induced (such as cancer cachexia) muscle wasting compared to males. These differences may be due in part to differences in muscle protein turnover, satellite cell content and proliferation, hormonal interactions, and mitochondrial differences between males and females. However, more works specifically examining muscle pathologies in females are necessary to more fully understand the inherent sex-based differences in muscle pathologies between the sexes and how they may correspond to different clinical treatments.
The Effect of Large-Capacity Magazine Bans on High-Fatality Mass Shootings, 1990–2017

Objectives. To evaluate the effect of large-capacity magazine (LCM) bans on the frequency and lethality of high-fatality mass shootings in the United States.Methods. We analyzed state panel data of high-fatality mass shootings from 1990 to 2017. We first assessed the relationship between LCM bans overall, and then federal and state bans separately, on (1) the occurrence of high-fatality mass shootings (logit regression) and (2) the deaths resulting from such incidents (negative binomial analysis). We controlled for 10 independent variables, used state fixed effects with a continuous variable for year, and accounted for clustering.Results. Between 1990 and 2017, there were 69 high-fatality mass shootings. Attacks involving LCMs resulted in a 62% higher mean average death toll. The incidence of high-fatality mass shootings in non-LCM ban states was more than double the rate in LCM ban states; the annual number of deaths was more than 3 times higher. In multivariate analyses, states without an LCM ban experienced significantly more high-fatality mass shootings and a higher death rate from such incidents.Conclusions. LCM bans appear to reduce both the incidence of, and number of people killed in, high-fatality mass shootings.
Analytical Methods in Biochemical Conversion

Abstract Biomass is comprised of three main fractions: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Hemicellulose and cellulose are the carbohydrate fraction. Cellulose is B-linked glucose and hemicellulose is a branched polymer composed of pentose and hexose. A comprehensive understanding of the chemical composition of biochemical biomass conversion intermediates and products is essential for process development and optimization. A versatile toolbox of methods and techniques can be applied to on-line monitoring of process streams, while more traditional instruments can be used for post-process analysis. In all cases, maintaining sample integrity during collection and storage and understanding the limitations of the techniques are important.
Taking on the Men: the First Women Parliamentary Candidates 1918

It is just over a century since votes for women became a reality in Britain and Taking on the Men adds to the celebrations of this milestone. The book focuses on the 1918 general election campaign ...
Chapter 5 – Multiprocessor Architectures

Publisher Summary A multiprocessor is composed of processing elements and memory elements with an interconnection network. Embedded multiprocessors must provide real-time performance and be energy efficient. Multiprocessor simulators are built by connecting several uniprocessor simulators, each running as a separate process. Multiprocessors can be simulated at different levels of abstraction. Multiprocessors are at least as important in embedded computing as they are in scientific computing. Multiprocessors are critical to the delivery of real-time computation; they can also be more energy efficient than uniprocessors. Heterogeneous multiprocessors are widely used in embedded applications. All the major components of the multiprocessor can be adapted for optimization and customization. Care must be taken not to eliminate the necessary flexibility from the architecture, but customization can yield major benefits in cost and power consumption. A variety of methodologies and tools are available to help design application-specific multiprocessors. The techniques of hardware/software co-design can be used to help tune the multiprocessor architecture to the application. Memory systems can be customized to improve real-time performance and reduce energy consumption by isolating parts of the memory from unnecessary accesses. The interconnection network can be organized around many different topologies, including both regular and irregular organizations. Physically distributed multiprocessors require a reliable time base to be able to reliably perform real-time tasks. Design methodologies for embedded multiprocessors must be able to integrate hardware and software from multiple suppliers.
PTW QUICKCHECKwebline: Daily quality assurance phantom comparison and overall performance.

Purpose The Daily QATM3 phantom from Sun Nuclear Corporation has been a popular daily quality assurance (QA) tool for many institutions. PTW has recently introduced the QUICKCHECKwebline phantom as an alternative. The goal of this study was to compare these two commercially available devices for daily quality assurance measurements of a linear accelerator and assess the overall performance of the new phantom. Methods Two daily QA phantoms (PTW QUICKCHECKwebline and Sun Nuclear Corporation Daily QATM3) were measured over a 4-month period using a 20x20cm² field size and delivering 150 MU. Photon energies of 6 and 18 MV were measured on a daily basis, and electron energies of 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 MeV were measured weekly on a 23EX Varian Linear Accelerator. Consistency of the dose output, beam flatness, in-plane and cross-plane symmetry, and beam quality were evaluated. Results The QUICKCHECKwebline and Daily QATM3 performed with maximum percent differences from baseline of -0.97% and 1.12% for output, 1.36% and 0.82% for flatness, 0.86% and -1.36% for in-plane symmetry, -1.41% and 1.00% for cross-plane symmetry, and -0.91% and 1.29% for beam quality respectively over all energies. Conclusion Consistent and accurate measurements over a 4-month period, a user-friendly interface, and wireless features prove the QUICKCHECKwebline would be a suitable phantom for daily quality assurance use.
The importance of long-term ecological time series for integrated ecosystem assessment and ecosystem-based management

Abstract Long-term mechanistic research and monitoring provides integral science support for ecosystem-based management (EBM) of resources, activities and services. Decades of oceanographic and ecological research by Bill Peterson and colleagues along the Newport Hydrographic Line (NH Line) provides essential context for understanding and managing Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. and other marine resources in the California Current ecosystem. This research program helped federal scientists convey the significance of the northeast Pacific marine heatwave (2013–2016) to fisheries managers and stakeholders. Particularly illustrative were shifts in the composition of the copepod community, which reflected feeding conditions for Pacific salmon and other consumers. We identify six traits of the dataset produced by Peterson and colleagues that have made it especially valuable for informing management: (i) it has generated robust ecosystem indicators; (ii) it is long-term; (iii) it is associated with meaningful ecological mechanisms; (iv) it relates to ecosystem components of high societal value; (v) it can represent processes and lags at meaningful temporal scales; and (vi) it is part of a broader, integrative science effort. This research effort underscores the importance of developing and sustaining long-term mechanistic research and monitoring along the U.S. West Coast and elsewhere in the world.