cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of experience on crab foraging in a mobile and a sedentary species

The effects of experience on prey and prey-patch choice were compared between two species of marine predatory crabs. The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, is highly mobile and forages in a variety of estuarine and lagoonal habitats. The Atlantic mud crab, Panopeus herbstii H. Milne-Edwards, is smaller and less mobile and is found mostly in oyster reefs and on shelly bottoms. In the laboratory, crabs were offered a choice between two prey types (juvenile hard clams, Mercenaria mercenaria Linne, and juvenile oysters, Crassostrea virginica Gmelin) following a preliminary phase in which crabs were trained to feed on clams only, oysters only or a mixture of the two prey types. In field enclosures, crabs were offered a choice between patches of juvenile hard clams located in an inter-tidal salt marsh and in an adjacent unvegetated inter-tidal flat after they were trained to feed in either one of the two habitat types. Both in the laboratory prey-choice and the field prey-patch choice experiments, blue crabs modified their foraging behaviour depending on previous experience. The effect of experience on their foraging behaviour did not diminish after 24 hours. Experience had no significant effects on the foraging behaviour of mud crabs. Differences in the ecological contexts (e.g. in the variability of prey quality and availability) in which the two species forage may explain the greater effect of experience on the blue crab foraging behaviour, although alternative explanations cannot be ruled out.
Motions in a Bose condensate: VII. Boundary-layer separation

The Bose condensate model is used to analyse the superfluid flow around an ion (modelled as a solid sphere) and to elucidate the mechanism of vortex ring emission from the sphere that occurs if its velocity exceeds a critical value. An asymptotic expansion is developed for the steady subcritical flow, using the ratio of the healing length to the radius of the sphere as a small parameter. This expansion allows for the compressibility of the condensate, and converges well enough for the critical ion velocity to be calculated accurately. The flow for supercritical ion velocities is computed numerically. Particular attention is paid to the question of why the vortex rings are emitted at a preferred location on the sphere's surface.
Examining the uses of shared data

Background Many initiatives and repositories exist to encourage the sharing of research data, and thousands of microarray gene expression datasets are publicly available. Many studies reuse this data, but it is not well understood which datasets are reused and for what purpose. Materials and Methods We trained a machine-learning algorithm to automatically classify full-text gene expression microarray studies into two classes: those that generated original microarray data (n=900) and those which only reused data (n=250). We then compared the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms of two classes to identify MeSH topics which were over- or under-represented by publications with reused data. Results Studies on humans, mice, chordata, and invertebrates were equally likely to be conducted using original or shared microarray data, whereas shared data was used in a relatively high proportion of studies involving fungi (odds ratio (OR)=2.4), and a relatively low proportion involving rats, bacteria, viruses, plants, or genetically-altered or inbred animals (OR<0.05). Unsurprisingly, when we looked at Major MeSH terms to represent the primary purpose of the studies, statistical and computational methods clearly dominated. The only biomedical topics with a relatively high proportion of data reuse Major MeSH terms were Promoter Regions, Evolution, and Protein Interaction Mapping. Discussion Identifying areas of particularly successful microarray data reuse—such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae datasets and studies of promoter regions and evolution—can highlight best practices to be used when developing research agendas, tools, standards, repositories, and communities in areas which have yet to receive major benefits from shared data.
Aztec Imperial Strategies

Aztec Imperial Strategies. Frances F. Berdan. Richard E. Blanton. Elizabeth Hill Boone. Mary G. Hodge. Michael E. Smith. and Emily Umberger. Washington, DC: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collections, 1996. 392 pp.
PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENTS AND STUDENTS WITH LEARNING PROBLEMS: PROMISING PRACTICE OR REFORM RHETORIC?

The introduction of performance assessments in schools has been based on the notion that they will support the fair and equitable measure of achievement for all students. In this article, it is argued that although the potential for positive change exists with the addition of performance assessments in the evaluation of student learning, the goal of enhancing fairness and equity in the assessment of students with learning difficulties will not be realized by merely modifying assessment formats. Rather, to realize meaningful reform in the assessment of all students, it is necessary to develop an empirical base to guide implementation and to reevaluate prevailing beliefs about student failure and the role of assessment in determining eligibility for services.
Phase dispersion optical tomography applied to study sub-cellular motions

Summary form only given. We present a novel phase sensitive imaging technique - phase dispersion optical tomography (PDOT), which totally eliminates interferometer jitter noise - the major source of phase measurement error in interferometers. The technique is based on a modified low-coherence Michelson interferometer. The input light is a pair of overlapped beams of laser light at wavelength /spl lambda/ and wavelength 2/spl lambda/.
Pathological staging and therapy of oesophageal and gastric cancer

Oesophageal and gastric cancers are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite improvements in surgical techniques, radiation and chemotherapy, the prognosis of both cancers remains poor. Immunohistochemical and experimental studies indicate that the concept of micrometastasis is applicable to oesophageal and gastric cancer. New staging approaches, including immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of various markers, have been proposed for a more accurate staging of oesophageal and gastric cancer. Preliminary results suggest that real-time RT-PCR of markers for intestinal differentiation, such as guanylyl cyclase C (GC-C), might be useful for both the detection of premalignant conditions, such as intestinal metaplasia and the detection of micrometastasis from adenocarcinoma of the upper intestinal tract. Standard curative treatment options for oesophageal cancer include surgery or chemoradiotherapy. Chemotherapy is an option for th...
A dictionary construction technique for code compression systems with echo instructions

Dictionary compression mechanisms identify redundant sequences of instructions that occur in a program. The sequences are extracted and copied to a dictionary. Each sequence is then replaced with a codeword that acts as an index into the dictionary, thereby enabling decompression of the program at runtime. The problem of optimally organizing a dictionary consisting solely of redundant sequences in order to maximize compression has long been known to be NP-Complete [23]. This paper addresses the problem of dictionary construction when redundant code fragments are represented as Data Flow Graphs (DFGs) rather than linear sequences of instructions. Since there are generally multiple legal schedules for a given DFG G, a compiler must determine a schedule for G so that other DFGs that are subgraphs of G can reference some substring of G's final code sequence. This reduces the size of the dictionary, and in turn, the size of the compressed program. Our experiments with 10 MediaBench [18] applications yielded reductions in dictionary size ranging from 21.14% to 29.76% compared to a naive approach.
Decentralized learning control

The theoretical results reported are motivated by the problem of maneuvering common objects by multiple robots. The authors show that learning control is possible in a decentralized configuration. Sufficient conditions are given for decentralized learning control convergence. The results are illustrated with a well-known example of interconnected pendulums given by Siljak. >
Photolysis of dibenzyl ketone in m1cellar solution. Correlation of isotopic enrichment factors with photochemical efficiency parameters

Abstract A quantitative correlation is established between isotopic enrichment parameters (derived experimentally from measurements of isotopic enrichment as a function of conversion) and photochemical efficiencies (derived experimentally from measurement of the disappearance of starting ketone or appearance of products) for the photochemistry of dibenzyl ketone in micellar solution.
My Way and Life's Highway: Replies to Steward, Smilansky, and Perry

I seek to reply to the thoughtful and challenging papers by Helen Steward, Saul Smilansky, and John Perry. Steward argues that agency itself requires access to alternative possibilities; I attempt to motivate my denial of this view. I believe that her view here is no more plausible than the view (which she rejects) that it is unfair to hold someone morally responsible, unless he has genuine access to alternative possibilities. Smilansky contends that compatibilism is morally shallow, and that we can see this from the “ultimate perspective.” In reply, I explore the nature of “zooming” arguments, and I contend that even from a somewhat more detached perspective, important features that distinguish us from mere animals can be discerned (even in a causally deterministic universe). Finally, I seek to address Perry’s defense of classical compatibilism. My main objection to his form of compatbilism is that agents must be construed as having a certain kind of “baggage”—even on his own account.
Factors Influencing Nutrition Education for Patients with Low Literacy Skills

Abstract Although there has been increasing attention to cancer prevention among low-income and minority populations, only a few nutrition interventions have addressed the special needs of people with low literacy skills. To determine the best provider and the most effective format for a nutrition intervention targeting patients with low literacy skills, we conducted interviews with literacy experts and health care providers and focus groups with members of adult basic education classes. Thirty-five literacy experts and health-center–based physicians, nurses, and nutritionists in Boston, Mass, were interviewed. In addition, 50 volunteer clients from 4 Boston-based adult basic education programs participated in 6 focus groups. Results suggested that health care providers consider nutrition to be a fundamental health education topic, but that its successful inculcation in patients with limited literacy skills is hindered mostly by insufficient provider time. Almost all providers agreed that patients need to be referred to nutritionists for nutrition education. Although most providers and patients acknowledged that patients perceive physicians to be the authorities on health, patients with low literacy skills turned first to family members and friends for health information. These results suggest that effective nutrition interventions must build on patients' social networks; appear in a visually based, interactive format; and be culturally appropriate. J Am Diet Assoc. 1998; 98:559–564.
Optimal code rates for Lorentzian channel models

In this paper, we take an information-theoretic approach to obtaining optimal code rates for error-control codes on a magnetic storage channel approximated by the Lorentzian channel. Code rate optimality is in the sense of maximizing the information-theoretic user density along a track. To arrive at such results, we compute the achievable information rates for the Lorentzian channel as a function of SNR and channel density, and then use these information rate calculations to obtain optimal code rates and maximal user densities. The achievable information rate calculations exploit the pioneering work of Arnold and Loeliger (2001) (see also H.D. Pfister and P.H. Siegel, 2001) who recently presented a technique for accurately estimating achievable information rates for binary-input intersymbol interference channels with additive white Gaussian noise.
IFRS Adoption and Enforcement as Antecedents of Economic Growth

This paper assesses the impact of IFRS adoption on the economic growth of adopting countries taking into consideration the level of enforcement of the adopting countries. We hypothesize that the adoption of IFRS increases the economic growth of the adopting countries. This effect is to be moderated by the level of enforcement. That is, we hypothesize a positive interaction between enforcement level and IFRS adoption on the economic growth rate of a country. Using several statistical procedures and models to estimate regression, we find partial support for our hypotheses.
A lattice chain model for the thermal restructuring of nanoparticle chain aggregates

Abstract Chain aggregates composed of nanoparticles of carbon black, silica, titania and other metal oxides are produced commercially using aerosol reactors. Properties of nanoparticle chain aggregates (NCA), such as restructuring when heated in gaseous suspension, may play an important role during synthesis. It is hypothesized that in some cases a separate step in NCA creation is the restructuring of the chains initially formed by rigid body addition processes, for example cluster–cluster aggregation. A model of a freely rotating bead chain (zero activation energy for particle rotation) is adapted here from the polymer literature to describe nanoparticle chain restructuring resulting from interaction with the surrounding gas. The link between the physical properties of the surrounding gas and the dynamics of the nanoparticle chain is provided through the diffusion coefficient of the chain center of mass. We have studied the restructuring dynamics for primary particles of various diameters, different chain lengths and at different temperatures, and the model predicts a fast transition from a non-equilibrium initial chain configuration to a relaxed state. For a stretched chain of 64 particles, each 35 nm in diameter, in air at 1800 K and atmospheric pressure, the characteristic time for relaxation was 0.34 ms. This time is consistent with a 12 ms upper limit in restructuring time for soot aggregates reported in the literature. It is possible that in practice the approach to equilibrium may be delayed by constraints on particle rotation.
Expression of ZmLEC1 and ZmWRI1 Increases Seed Oil Production in Maize

Increasing seed oil production is a major goal for global agriculture to meet the strong demand for oil consumption by humans and for biodiesel production. Previous studies to increase oil synthesis in plants have focused mainly on manipulation of oil pathway genes. As an alternative to single-enzyme approaches, transcription factors provide an attractive solution for altering complex traits, with the caveat that transcription factors may face the challenge of undesirable pleiotropic effects. Here, we report that overexpression of maize (Zea mays) LEAFY COTYLEDON1 (ZmLEC1) increases seed oil by as much as 48% but reduces seed germination and leaf growth in maize. To uncouple oil increase from the undesirable agronomic traits, we identified a LEC1 downstream transcription factor, maize WRINKLED1 (ZmWRI1). Overexpression of ZmWRI1 results in an oil increase similar to overexpression of ZmLEC1 without affecting germination, seedling growth, or grain yield. These results emphasize the importance of field testing for developing a commercial high-oil product and highlight ZmWRI1 as a promising target for increasing oil production in crops.
Studies on doses of methimazole (MMI) and its administration regimen on broiler metabolism

We designed three experiments to determine both the optimal dose of and time on experiment for methimazole (MMI; 1-methyl-2-mercaptimidazole). Our goals were to determine if chicken growth was related to thyroid hormone levels and if intermediary metabolism changed along with changes in thyroid hormone levels. Initiating MMI at one week of age decreased (P 0.25 > 0.5 > 1 g MMI/kg). In contrast, only the two higher levels (0.5 and 1 g MMI/kg) decreased in vitro lipogenesis. Growth depression, caused by MMI feeding, can occur without changes in lipid metabolism. The length of MMI administration may be as important as dose level in obtaining effects (growth, thyroid hormone depression and inhibition of lipogenesis).
Expression Profiles of the Three Iodothyronine Deiodinases, D1, D2, and D3, in the Developing Rat

Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for normal development in vertebrate species. Although the mechanisms by which TH regulates developmental processes are not fully understood, intracellular T3 levels are likely to be a critical aspect of the process. Furthermore, as different tissues and organs have specific temporal patterns of development, their T3 requirements may vary widely. Differential regulation of intracellular T3 levels in peripheral tissues as a result of differences in the activities of the three iodothyronine deiodinases (D1, D2, and D3) could offer an important means of achieving coordination of T3-dependent developmental processes among tissues. To obtain evidence for this concept we have documented the levels of expression of all three types of deiodinase in 11 tissues of the fetus, the neonate, and the adult rat. In most fetal tissues, D3 was the predominant deiodinase, but it declined after birth as the activities of D1 and D2 increased. Exceptions to this pattern were skin and brown adipose tissue (BAT), in which D2 activity was highest in the fetus, and testis and thyroid in which D2 activity was higher in the neonate than in the adult. D1 was the only 5'D enzyme expressed in liver, kidney and intestine at all stages studied, and D3 was not expressed in these tissues after birth. Thyroid, pituitary, and BAT expressed either D2 or D2 plus D1, but did not express D3 at any stage studied. Cerebrum, cerebellum, ovary, testis, skin, and placenta expressed all three deiodinases. Two other points were evident. First, the maximum 5'D activity attained, and thus presumably the amount of T3 generated, in liver, kidney, intestine, thyroid, pituitary, and BAT was very much higher than that in cerebrum, cerebellum, ovary, testis, skin, and placenta. Second, in the tissues where 5'D activity was relatively low, coexpression of D3 with D1 and D2 was the general rule, suggesting the need for very tight control of intracellular T3 levels. The findings are consistent with the view that the deiodinases play a major role in achieving the intracellular T3 levels that are optimal for the development of each tissue. Additional studies are in progress to demonstrate the functional consequences of these deiodinase expression patterns.
Treatment of Obstructed Defecation

Obstructed defecation is a common problem that adversely affects the quality of life for many patients. Known causes of obstructed defecation include pelvic dyssynergy, rectocele, rectal intussusception, enterocele, pelvic organ prolapse, and overt rectal prolapse. Management of this condition requires an understanding of urinary, defecatory, and sexual function to achieve an optimal outcome. The goal of surgical treatment is to restore the various pelvic organs to their appropriate anatomic positions. However, there is a poor correlation between anatomic and functional results. As the pelvis contains many structures, a pelvic support or function defect frequently affects other pelvic organs. Optimal outcomes can only be achieved by selecting appropriate treatment modalities that address all of the components of a patient's problem.
Macular Diseases: Classification and Treatment with Argon Laser Slit Lamp Photocoagulation

Clarification of nomenclature and of macular disease syndromes is essential before discussing photocoagulation of macular diseases. The classification of macular diseases can be based on the pathology as visualized during ophthalmological examination and on histopathologic examination of specimens submitted to the laboratory (Gass, 1967; Maumenee, 1965; Zweng et al., 1969). Distinction of the terms retinal detachment, retinal edema, and retinal cysts is required. Retinal detachment is a separation of the retina from the underlying structures by accumulation of subretinal serous or hemorrhagic fluid or by inflammatory, reactive hyperplastic, or neoplastic cells (Gass, 1967). The separation can be between the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane (a retinal pigment epithelial detachment), between the retinal pigment epithelium and the sensory retina (a detachment of the sensory retina), or between both the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch’s membrane and the retinal pigment epithelium sensory retina. The detached sensory retina is usually semitransparent and normal in thickness without edema; however, with prolonged elevation of the sensory retina, it undergoes edematous changes and cystic degeneration.
In-situ transmission electron microscopy study of surface oxidation for Ni-10Cr and Ni-20Cr alloys

Abstract The early-stage oxidation of Ni (001) thin films alloyed with 10 or 20 at.% Cr at 700 °C has been directly visualized using in-situ TEM. Independent of Cr concentration, the oxidation initiates via nucleation of surface NiO islands and subsurface Cr2O3. The NiO grows and transitions into a continuous film, followed by the nucleation and growth of NiCr2O4 islands. For Ni–20 at.% Cr, a continuous Cr2O3 was developed, but not for Ni–10 at.% Cr. NiO whiskers are observed to preferentially nucleate/grow from the NiCr2O4 islands through a short-circuit diffusion of Ni along the NiCr2O4 interfaces in Ni–10 at.% Cr.
Abstract IA11: Targeting enhancers in CNS tumors

Master regulatory transcription factors instruct cell specification and dynamically modulate cell state via interactions with cis-regulatory elements, or enhancers, that together coordinate transcriptional programs. With an interest in understanding chromatin-dependent signal transduction to RNA polymerase in developmental and disease biology, we have undertaken to discover and optimize small molecule modulators of chromatin regulatory factors that function at enhancers. This research has produced informative chemical probes, with which we have validated hypotheses regarding BRD4 in chromatin-dependent signal transduction from MYC to promote cell growth, and the influence of EZH2 on silencing developmental programs. The mechanistic study of protoypical inhibitors of BRD4 and EZH2 led to the development of genome-wide measurements of drug localization, leading to insights into how small molecules modulate chromatin structure and function as well as fundamental insights into the organization of the regulatory landscape of the human genome. Here, mechanistic insights into the role of enhancers and enhancer factors in CNS tumors will be discussed, as well as translational opportunities for the development of epigenome-directed drugs in adult and pediatric tumors. Citation Format: James Bradner. Targeting enhancers in CNS tumors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Advances in Brain Cancer Research; May 27-30, 2015; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(23 Suppl):Abstract nr IA11.
Optimization of simultaneous tritium–radiocarbon internal gas proportional counting

Abstract Specific environmental applications can benefit from dual tritium and radiocarbon measurements in a single compound. Assuming typical environmental levels, it is often the low tritium activity relative to the higher radiocarbon activity that limits the dual measurement. In this paper, we explore the parameter space for a combined tritium and radiocarbon measurement using a natural methane sample mixed with an argon fill gas in low-background proportional counters of a specific design. We present an optimized methane percentage, detector fill pressure, and analysis energy windows to maximize measurement sensitivity while minimizing count time. The final optimized method uses a 9-atm fill of P35 (35% methane, 65% argon), and a tritium analysis window from 1.5 to 10.3 keV, which stops short of the tritium beta decay endpoint energy of 18.6 keV. This method optimizes tritium-counting efficiency while minimizing radiocarbon beta-decay interference.
DEVELOPMENT OF INTERFACIAL AREA TRANSPORT EQUATION

The interfacial area transport equation dynamically models the changes in interfacial structures along the flow field by mechanistically modeling the creation and destruction of dispersed phase. Hence, when employed in the numerical thermal-hydraulic system analysis codes, it eliminates artificial bifurcations stemming from the use of the static flow regime transition criteria. Accounting for the substantial differences in the transport mechanism for various sizes of bubbles, the transport equation is formulated for two characteristic groups of bubbles. The group 1 equation describes the transport of small-dispersed bubbles, whereas the group 2 equation describes the transport of large cap, slug or chum-turbulent bubbles. To evaluate the feasibility and reliability of interfacial area transport equation available at present, it is benchmarked by an extensive database established in various two-phase flow configurations spanning from bubbly to chum-turbulent flow regimes. The geometrical effect in interfacial area transport is examined by the data acquired in vertical fir-water two-phase flow through round pipes of various sizes and a confined flow duct, and by those acquired In vertical co-current downward air-water two-phase flow through round pipes of two different sizes.
Earnings Valuation and Insider Trading

This study explores insider trading as a function of differences between managers' and the market's assessment of company earning components - specifically operating cash flows and accruals. It extends prior research by more comprehensively studying earnings components. It also builds a perspective of managers as sophisticated investors who, while engaging in earnings management, ultimately make insider trading decisions based on the divergence between their private valuation of earnings components and the market's. Thus managers may, seemingly counter-intuitively, engage in income-increasing earnings management and insider buying in the same period. Using 4,357 recent firm - years of observations, we find strong evidence that insider buying, but not selling, behavior is consistent with managerial insider trading based on a market valuation divergence of both operating cash flows and accruals, rather than on either element individually, or on managers' use of accounting discretion. We apply the methodological framework of the Mishkin (1983) test to address the hypothesis above. In particular, we assess the relations involving market pricing and characteristics of company earnings and insider trading as these relate to the fundamental idea of market valuation divergence.
Willingness to pay for shrimp attributes and evidence of stigma following the Gulf Coast oil spill

ABSTRACTMandatory labeling requirements in the United States require shrimp products to be labelled with certain credence attributes: production process and country of origin. To determine the effects of these requirements in the wake of the 2010 Gulf Coast oil spill, we estimate willingness to pay (WTP) for various credence characteristics (geographic origin and production process) and physical attributes using a Becker DeGroot Marschak experimental auction. Although the results are obtained from a small convenience sample, and hence cannot be generalized, we find that participants are willing to pay premiums of $0.90–$1.23 per half-pound for domestic shrimp (regardless of production method) and $0.60–$1.03 per half-pound for wild-caught shrimp. We also find evidence that Gulf Coast shrimp are stigmatized; controlling for other characteristics, participants are willing to pay $1.03–$1.34 less per half-pound for Gulf Coast shrimp. Overall, credence attributes influence WTP more than physical attributes.
Red Imported Fire Ants: Effects of Insect Growth Regulators on Caste Formation and Colony Growth and Survival

Fourteen of 26 insect growth regulators (IGRs) administered in peanut butter bait to large laboratory colonies of Solenopsis invicta Buren caused a shift in caste differentiation with the result that worker brood production ceased and production of alate forms, most deformed wings, increased. Also, 8 of the compounds caused one or more colonies to die: AI3-36206 (1-(S-methoxy-4,8-dimethylnonyl)-4-(I-ethylethyl) benzene) caused 15 of 20 treated colonies to die; and A13-36093 (1-(8-ethoxy-4,8-dimethylnonyl)-4-(1-methylethyl) benzene) and AI3-35477 (JH-25) (E) -1-[(7-ethoxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl) oxy]-4-ethylbenzene or (E) -1-[ (7-eth-oxy-3,7-dimethyl-2-octenyl)oxy]-4-ethylbenzene) caused 3 of 4 and 6 of 9 colonies, respectively, to die.
Arginyl-transfer ribonucleic acid and synthetase of Neurospora crassa.

Arginyl-transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) species from Neurospora crassa wild-type strain 74-OR23-1A were studied by reversed-phase chromatographic columns. Arginyl-tRNA species from the nucleus, mi...
Present Status of Indian Agriculture

Agriculture sector is the mainstay of the Indian economy, contributing about 15 per cent of national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and more importantly, about half of India’s population is wholly or significantly dependent on agriculture and allied activities for their livelihood. This paper is aimed at strengthening agriculture sector in sustainable economic as well as human development.Development of agriculture will help in upliftment of the farmers but also benefit the larger section of the rural poor who are directly engaged in agriculture or indirectly linked with agriculture as consumers. Efficient way of production, stabilized prices, higher income from agriculture would create a more conjugative environment in the country for the development of the economy as a whole and of rural population in particular.Empowerment of the small and marginal farmers through education, reforms and development will ensure a better, efficient and strengthened Indian agriculture. Motivation new models in production and marketing along with creating awareness and imparting education to small farmers will help in development of the sector and more importantly improving the economic status of poor farmers. The action plan to strengthen agriculture in India needs to be on domestic reforms through reduction of government intervention in the market economy but playing major role as evaluator and implementation of the policies, increased investment and prioritising the area to invest, parallel action plans in this direction are needed in research to increase productivity and irrigation and water management.
Clinical Significance of Expression of Plasma HSP70 in Patients with Acute Appendicitis

Objective To explore the expression of heat shock protein 70 and its clinical significance in plasma of the patients with acute appendicitis. Methods The blood samples of 46 healthy adults and 46 patients with acute appendicitis were collected at 2-hour preoperatively, 7 and 14 days postoperatively, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the plasma level of HSP70. Results As compared with the healthy adults, the level of HSP70 in acute appendicitis patients at 2-hour pre-operation and 7-day post-operation was significantly increased (Both P0.05). The level of HSP70 in acute appendicitis patients at 14-day post-operation was higher than that of the healthy adults, but no statistically significant difference was found (P0.05). The level of HSP70 at 14-day post-operation was significantly lower than those at 2-hour pre-operation and 7-day post-operation in acute appendicitis patients (P0.05). Conclusions The expression of HSP70 is heightened in acute inflammatory phase of appendicitis, and it may play the positive role of regulation in acute appendicitis.
An improved measure in Grover quantum searching algorithm

When the current Grover algorithm is applied to search some objects in an unsorted quantum database,the probability of correct objects usually falls with the increase of the searched objects.The reason for this problem is analyzed in this paper,and an improved measure based on the new phase matching condition is proposed.In the new phase matching condition,the amplitudes of two phase rotations are the same and the directions of two phase rotations are contrary.When the objects are more than one third of the total items,with the new phase matching condition,all objects can be found by at least 25/27 of the probability and by the only one Grover iteration.The validity of the improved measure is proved by experiment.
Advances in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Management of the most common type of dementia--Alzheimer's disease--is becoming increasingly sophisticated. Differentiation of Alzheimer's disease from vascular dementia has become therapeutically important, since the choice of treatments depends on the diagnosis. Two cholinesterase inhibitors, donepezil and tacrine, are labeled for use in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Other therapies, such as estrogen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamin E, are sometimes used and show promise in delaying the progression of this dementia. Behavior problems, which often accompany the disease, can be managed using environmental modification, alterations in caregiving and medication. In the terminal phase of the illness, quality care involves implementing advance directives, communicating with the family, individualizing care and attending to patient comfort.
WE-FG-202-10: Assessing Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Response to SBRT Using DCE-MRI

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of using DCE-MRI to assess treatment response of HCC to SBRT. Methods: For seven liver HCC patients treated by photon SBRT with radiation dose ranging from 35 to 50 Gy in 5 fractions, T1-weighted DCE-MRI was performed before and at 1–3 months after the treatment. Each study included one pre-contrast and five post Gd-EOB-DTPA-enhanced imaging series. The target tumor and the liver were manually outlined on the arterial phase images. Then, a regional deformable image registration was applied to align liver volumes at different phases in order to compensate respiratory and cardiac motions. An unsupervised fuzzy c-means clustering technique was carried out to partition the tumor voxels into a number of groups based on their enhancement patterns over time. The representative kinetic curve of the tumor was selected as the one with the maximum enhancement. Six semi-quantitative features were extracted to depict the maximum contrast enhancement, uptake rate, washout rate, time to peak, the area under the kinetic curve (AUKC), as well as the ratio of the most enhanced area in each tumor. The change of these feature values after SBRT was compared using Wann-Whiteney test to characterize the tumor response to RT. Results: Eight HCCs from these seven patients were included in this retrospective study, in which four were identified to respond well to SBRT. The responding tumors showed reduced enhancement after SBRT while the non-responding tumors had steady or even enhanced kinetic dynamics. The median AUKC change after SBRT was −0.65 for responding tumors and 1.0165 for non-responding tumors (p=0.029) Conclusion: The preliminary results demonstrate that DCE-MRI has the potential to monitor the effects of SBRT in patients with HCC. We are expanding our database and developing more quantitative imaging biomarkers in the future study.
Experimentelle Untersuchungen zur Parathormonresistenz des Skeletts bei Niereninsuffizienz

Es ist eine seit langem bekannte klinische Beobachtung, das bei Niereninsuffizienz eine Hyperkalzamie trotz erhohten Serum-Parathormonspiegeln besteht. Dieser Befund weist darauf hin, das die Fahigkeit von Parathormon, Calcium aus dem Skelett zu mobilisieren, beeintrachtigt ist.
Complexity Connectivity Metrics – Predicting Assembly Times with Low Fidelity Assembly CAD Models

Expanding on previous work to predict assembly times from detailed assembly models, low fidelity part models are used in a series of predictive performance experiments. Results reveal that this tool can predict the assembly time of a product to within 40% of the target “as built” time using a high fidelity neural network and a low fidelity CAD model. The tool is based on structural complexity, representing the assembly graph as complexity vector of 29 metrics. The graphs are automatically compiled from examining part proximity (interference checks) regardless of the choice of mating constraints used in the modeling. A neural network is then used to build a relationship between the complexity vector (input) and the assembly time (output). Low-fidelity models can be used to predict assembly times, thereby supporting earlier inclusion of design for assembly methods in the design process.
Comment: Hormone therapy in the early postmenopausal stage-: Safe for the brain?

Recent clinical trials, including the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study of Younger Women,1 provide reassurance that hormone therapy (HT) confers no cognitive risk when taken early in the postmenopausal period. In contrast, results from this ancillary neuroimaging study from the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study (KEEPS)2 suggest a potential adverse effect of HT—increased ventricular volume—in women randomized to conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) early in the postmenopausal stage. These findings deserve consideration because brain changes related to Alzheimer disease are detectable earlier than neuropsychological changes.
Hearing the voices of Generation Y employees: a hermeneutic phenomenological study

ABSTRACTThere is a need to study and better understand the organizational impact of Generation Y and how they perceive their experiences of work. This article presents findings from a hermeneutic phenomenological study that was conducted to understand the meaning of work for five Generation Y individuals and provide a deeper, richer understanding of their lived experiences. Ten essential themes were constructed, including the meaning of work is: influenced by education, influenced by the economy, the opportunity to do work that is meaningful, balance, a reflection of who we are, working for an organization that functions well, influenced by our social networks, considering and exploring all opportunities, the importance of social relationships, and completing tasks and being compensated to meet our basic needs. Based on these findings, theoretical contributions are provided as well as recommendations for future HRD practice and research.
Assays of Orchard-Applied Insecticides on the Brown Stink Bug (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Feeding on Pecan

Abstract The brown stink bug, Euschistus servus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is an economic pest of pecan, Carya illinoinensis (Wangenh.) K. Koch (Juglandaceae), and other agronomic crops across the southeastern United States. The efficacy of many insecticides against E. servus attacking pecan is not well documented even though the label for many of these insecticides may indicate one or more stink bug species as targets. Thus, we assayed various insecticides, labeled for application to pecan, to determine efficacy against E. servus. Insecticides were applied to pecan limb terminals with nut clusters in orchards in Georgia and Texas during 2009 and 2010. Treated limb terminals were cut from the tree and taken to the laboratory 1, 4, and 7 d after treatment. Treated nuts or limb terminals (i.e., nuts and foliage) were placed individually in cups or cylinder cages, respectively, and adult E. servus then placed into these containers. Mortality and moribundity of E. servus were recorded at 24, 48, or 72 ...
Humidified High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy

Humidified high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) is a means to deliver noninvasive, positive pressure respiratory support
Population-Based Surveillance for Cardiovascular Disease in the Caribbean: Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Approaches.

Purpose of Review Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease (CVD), are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Caribbean. In response to this growing epidemic, regional and global organizations mandated the collection of real-time and accurate population health data to address surveillance health data gaps. The purpose of this review was to assess surveillance activities implemented in the Caribbean region from 2006 to 2016 and the availability of widely disseminated CVD surveillance data.
Life cycle assessment of integrated wastewater treatment systems with constructed wetlands in rural areas

Abstract Studies identifying treatment technologies that combine low costs, high efficiencies, and lower environmental impacts are of great value. Thus, the present study investigated the performance of a wastewater treatment system located on a rural property by life cycle assessment. The system consisted of an anaerobic unit (upflow anaerobic sludge blanket combined with an anaerobic filter), four subsurface flow constructed wetlands, and two photoreactors. The reductions in chemical oxygen demand varied between 93% and 97%, whereas the biochemical oxygen demand decreased by 97–98%. Additionally, 97% of the total Kjedahl nitrogen, 100% of the ammoniacal nitrogen, and more than 90% of total phosphorus were removed from the wastewater. These data were used with reference to the life cycle inventory. The results obtained by the analysis of the endpoint H inventory network showed that 67.3% of the environmental impacts were related to the construction while 32.7% were associated to the operation of the system. The phototreament (45%) and anaerobic (36%) units were responsible for the highest environmental burdens of the constructions phase. By considering the operation of the system with a lifespan of 10 years, again the anaerobic unit accounted for most of the environmental impacts, mainly related to climate change. However, the system presents several potentialities, which might turn it, more environmental friendly and life cycle assessment showed that some of them such as energy recovery from the anaerobic unit will greatly reduce the environmental pressure indexes. Thus, the present study showed that the application of a life cycle assessment can give valuable insights for setting the best configurations for a wastewater treatment system in rural areas by identifying the most critical parameters and by the evaluation of actions which might reduce the environmental impacts.
Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges in a Rapidly Moving Field

"Pancreatic Cancer: Advances in Science and Clinical Care," a Special Conference of the American Association for Cancer Research, was held in Orlando, FL, on May 12 to 15, bringing together more than 450 basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiologic pancreatic cancer researchers as well as pancreatic cancer patients, survivors, and advocates. Pancreatic cancer remains one of the great challenges in medicine, but the accelerating pace of research and early hints of clinical successes to come were palpable throughout the meeting. Prominent meeting themes included immunology and the tumor microenvironment, heterogeneity of both the epithelial and stromal compartments, personalized medicine efforts to integrate molecular information into clinical practice, new approaches to early detection, and clinical trials using a host of novel targeted therapies. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere of the meeting, a coalition of pancreatic cancer research and support foundations participated, with several innovative initiatives announced by individual organizations. We present here a summary of meeting highlights, a series of "success factors" that will benchmark the progress of the field over the next 2 years, and three challenges to the pancreatic cancer research community as it moves toward to the goal of extending patient survival. Cancer Res; 77(5); 1060-2. ©2017 AACR.
Nonlinear saturation of the Weibel instability

The growth and saturation of magnetic fields due to the Weibel instability (WI) have important implications for laboratory and astrophysical plasmas, and this has drawn significant interest recently. Since the WI can generate a large magnetic field from no initial field, the maximum magnitudes achieved can have significant consequences for a number of applications. Hence, an understanding of the detailed dynamics driving the nonlinear saturation of the WI is important. This work considers the nonlinear saturation of the WI when counter-streaming populations of initially unmagnetized electrons are perturbed by a magnetic field oriented perpendicular to the direction of streaming. Previous works have found magnetic trapping to be important [Davidson et al., Phys. Fluids 15, 317 (1972)] and connected electron skin depth spatial scales to the nonlinear saturation of the WI [Califano et al., Phys. Rev. E 57, 7048 (1998)]. The results presented in this work are consistent with these findings for a high-temperat...
Social Forces Sustaining the Israeli-Palestinian Tensions: A Dynamical Psychology Perspective

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains one of the most deeply entrenched in the world. While there is great knowledge about numerous individual factors contributing to this conflict’s persistence, much of the information is fragmented and segregated into different disciplines. This article seeks to integrate an array of literature using a dynamic systems perspective to examine how social – as opposed to political – forces contribute to ongoing tensions. The first part describes the dynamical systems perspective, focusing on how intractable conflicts emerge as a result of interlinking factors that anchor the social system in patterns that resist change. The second part explores the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in terms of specific social forces contributing to the conflict’s persistence. These include leadership issues, economic inequalities poverty, youth disenfranchisement, and population distribution. Then the contribution maps how the discussed social factors interrelate to reinforce the ongoing tensions and addresses how small-scale approaches may circumvent the volatile, entrenched patterns of hostility.
Comparision of English Language Mode and Korean Language Mode

Song describes heuristic theories to define language modes of English and Korean, which include the theory of different cultural dimension, such as individualistic and collective culture (e.g., code switching; high- vs. low-context communication style; strategic politeness vs. discernment politeness). English language uses strategic speech mode, which emphasizes an independent, self-controlling selection in speech acts. By contrast, Korean language employs formulaic speech mode, which utilizes the highly conventional and prescribed language system. Song classifies formulaic mode as a linguistic mode of hierarchical society (e.g., Korean culture) and strategic mode as that of individualized society (e.g., American culture). Based on these pragma-linguistic distinctions of Korean and English, Song argues that Korean speakers learning English switch their speech mode from the formulaic mode to the strategic mode.
Landscapes of Social Transformation in the Salinas Province and the Eastern Pueblo World

In this volume, Katherine Spielmann has put together a broad range of perspectives on the way landscape can be used to examine social transformations in the Salinas and Jumanos pueblos of the Salin...