cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple risk factor intervention trial revisited: a new perspective based on nonfatal and fatal composite endpoints, coronary and cardiovascular, during the trial

Background The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial evaluated a multifactor intervention on coronary heart disease (CHD) in 12 866 men. A priori defined endpoints (CHD death, CHD death or nonfatal myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disease [CVD] death, and all-cause death) did not differ significantly between the special intervention (SI) and usual care (UC) groups over an average follow-up period of 7 years. Event rates were lower than anticipated, reducing power. Other nonfatal CVD outcomes were prespecified but not considered in composite outcomes comparing SI with UC. Methods and Results Post-trial CVD mortality risks associated with nonfatal CVD events occurring during the trial were determined with Cox regression. Nonfatal outcomes associated with >2-fold risk of CVD death over the subsequent 20 years were combined with during-trial deaths to create 2 new composite outcomes. SI/UC hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were estimated for each composite outcome. Of 10 during-trial nonfatal events, 6 were associated ( P 2-fold risk of CVD death. A CHD composite outcome (CHD death, myocardial infarction [clinical or serial ECG change], CHF, or coronary artery surgery) was experienced by 520 SI and 602 UC men (SI/UC hazard ratio = 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.76–0.97; P =0.01). A CVD composite outcome (CHD [as above], other CVD deaths, stroke, or renal impairment) was experienced by 581 SI and 652 UC men (hazard ratio = 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.79–0.99; P =0.04). Conclusions In post hoc analyses, composite fatal/nonfatal CHD and CVD rates over 7 years were significantly lower for SI than for UC. These findings reinforce recommendations for improved dietary/lifestyle practices, with pharmacological therapy as needed, to prevent and control major CVD risk factors.
Adolescent Performance Enhancing Substance Use: Regional Differences across the US

Performance enhancing substances (PES) constitute a multi-billion dollar industry, fueling public health concerns regarding use in adolescents hoping to enhance athletic performance and body appearance, or fight obesity. Adverse effects may include violent behavior, suicide attempts, and premature deaths. Prevalence of use is difficult to ascertain due to secrecy issues and misinterpretation of survey questions. Healthcare providers are less familiar with PES than other types of substance use. A correlational secondary analysis of 2007 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data was conducted (n =14,041) to better understand predictors of PES use (methamphetamines, steroid pills/injections, and diet pill/powder/liquids). Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory served as the organizing framework guiding the analysis. SPSS version 17.0 Complex Samples was used to examine relationships among variables; bi-variate and logistic regression analyses were performed. Feeling sad/ hopeless, considering suicide, perceiving being overweight, being offered drugs at school, geographic location, being sexually active, cigarette smoking, and alcohol use were significantly associated (p <.05) with PES use. Rates of being offered/sold/given illegal drugs at school ranged from 17-39%; PES use ranged from 5-17% across the US. Multiple factors predicted PES use; those contributing to morbidity and mortality may be preventable. Though policies are designed to ensure safe school settings, high rates of obtaining drugs at school were reported. The South US region reported the highest rates of PES use. Regional differences have implications for health professionals and policy makers who must address physical, psychological, and social issues related to adolescent PES use.
Microfluidic array chip for single-cell isolation using two-way pneumatic actuation

In this work, we have implemented a new microfluidic chip which can capture and isolate single-cells in a microchamber array for various single-cell assays. Proposed microfluidic chip consists of two PDMS (Polydimethylsiloxane) layers: a microfluidic channel layer for injecting cells and reagents and an air channel for pneumatic actuation. Each microfluidic chip has 27 microchambers for single-cell culture and analysis. In order to verify our single-cell capturing scheme, we tested the fabricated chip with 15 mum-diameter polystyrene microbeads. We successfully trapped the microbeads in each the capture site with a capture rate higher than 80% and loaded them into the corresponding chambers. After loading, the chambers were isolated from one another by pneumatic actuation. The isolation was confirmed by flowing blue ink into the main flow channel.
Smoothed Empirical Likelihood Inference for ROC Curves with Missing Data

The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve has been widely used in scientific research fields. After using the random hot deck imputation, we propose the smoothed empirical likelihood ratio statistic for the ROC curve with missing data. Its asymptotic distribution is a scaled chi-square distribution and empirical likelihood confidence intervals for ROC curves are constructed. The simulation study shows that the proposed interval estimates perform well based on the coverage probability for different sample sizes and response rates.
At-sea Observations of Marine Birds and Their Habitats before and after the 2008 Eruption of Kasatochi Volcano, Alaska

Kasatochi volcano, an island volcano in the Aleutian chain, erupted on 7–8 August 2008. The resulting ash and pyroclastic flows blanketed the island, covering terrestrial habitats. We surveyed the marine environment surrounding Kasatochi Island in June and July of 2009 to document changes in abundance or distribution of nutrients, fish, and marine birds near the island when compared to patterns observed on earlier surveys conducted in 1996 and 2003. Analysis of SeaWiFS satellite imagery indicated that a large chlorophyll-a anomaly may have been the result of ash fertilization during the eruption. We found no evidence of continuing marine fertilization from terrestrial runoff 10 months after the eruption. At-sea surveys in June 2009 established that the most common species of seabirds at Kasatochi prior to the eruption, namely crested auklets (Aethia cristatella) and least auklets (Aethia pusilla) had returned to Kasatochi in relatively high numbers. Densities from more extensive surveys in July 2009 were compared with pre-eruption densities around Kasatochi and neighboring Ulak and Koniuji islands, but we found no evidence of an eruption effect. Crested and least auklet populations were not significantly reduced by the initial explosion and they returned to attempt breeding in 2009, even though nesting habitat had been rendered unusable. Maps of pre- and post-eruption seabird distribution anomalies indicated considerable variation, but we found no evidence that observed distributions were affected by the 2008 eruption.
Symposium: Projective Testing in Ethnography

OU have suggested to me that my own feeling about the Rorschach Test in anthropological field work ought to be set down in a communication to the ANTHROPOLOGIST, and since your suggestion is my command, I am happy to do as you suggest. Since Mensh and Henry (1953) have summarized most of the general problems that confront the anthropologist in using the Rorschach and other psychological instruments in exotic cultures, the reader is referred to that paper as basic to this discussion. General evaluation of the Rorschach Test as an instrument for the study of personality is outside my province, for such evaluation belongs to the specialists in clinical psychology. What I can give is my own opinion about its use in anthropological field work in cultures clearly outside the main stream of Euro-American culture. In this I include not only all so-called primitive cultures, but also the cultures of India, Japan, and China. Were I to go into the field tomorrow to study such a culture I would not use the Rorschach Test. Since there is no category of the Rorschach Test which is not in hot debate at the present time in clinical psychology, since there are many knotty statistical problems still to be ironed out, and since it is not possible to use the protocols without creating contamination effects, I would not know what I had once I had a batch of Rorschach responses. Furthermore-let us face it-I personally am opposed to anything that places an instrument between me and a responding human being. There is involved in this not only my personality, of course, but also the fact that a human being is one primarily and always in terms of his responses to other human beings, and it is there that his essential humanness is to be studied.
Perspectives and Practices of Clinician Self-Disclosure to Clients: A Pilot Comparison Study of Two Disciplines

Self-disclosure in clinical work has long been a debated therapeutic practice. Much has been written in support of and against therapist self-disclosure. The authors sought to examine the differences in Marriage and Family Therapists' (MFTs) and Clinical Social Workers' (CSWs) views on and use of clinician self-disclosure. Seventy-three clinicians responded to a survey designed by the authors. Data suggest that MFTs believe clinician self-disclosure enhances the therapeutic relationship more than CSWs do. CSWs are less likely to disclose personal information to clients, although MFTs and CSWs disclose on similar topics when they do self-disclose. Implications for clinical practice, training, and future research will be discussed.
Effects of stair-step nutrition and trace mineral supplementation on attainment of puberty in beef heifers of three sire breeds

A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of nutrition and sire breed on age at puberty and first lactation milk yield in crossbred beef heifers. After weaning, 208 heifers sired by Hereford, Limousin, or Piedmontese bulls were assigned to either a control (CG) or stair-step gain (SSG) dietary regimen plus a mineral supplement with or without Cu, Zn, and Mn top-dressed onto the feed. Heifers on the SSG regimen were fed a diet intended to supply energy to support gains at a rate of 120% of the CG diet for 55 d and then were switched to a diet formulated to produce an ADG at 70% of the rate of the CG diet for 84 d. They then switched back to the 120% diet for the last 30 d before breeding. Total weight gain and overall rate of gain did not differ among dietary treatments. Hereford- and Limousin-sired heifers gained at similar rates, and Piedmontese-sired heifers gained an average of .10 kg/d slower than the other two sire breed groups. During one period, Piedmontese-sired heifers on the CG diet gained .19 kg/d faster ( P < . 01) when supplemented with mineral than when not. During that same period, there was no influence of mineral supplementation on weight gains for Hereford- or Piedmontese-sired heifers on the high SSG diet, but Limousin-sired heifers tended (P = .07) to gain faster (1.00 vs .85 kg/d) when supplemented with Cu, Zn, and Mn than when not. Piedmontese-sired heifers reached puberty at the earliest age (P = .03), followed by Hereford- and then Limousin-sired heifers. There were no treatment effects on milk yield at an average of 70 d of lactation. However, at approximately 120 d of lactation, Piedmontese-sired heifers were producing less milk (P < .05) than Limousin- but not Hereford-sired heifers. Hereford-sired heifers had lower (P < .05) plasma Cu concentrations than Piedmontese-sired heifers. There were no treatment effects on plasma Zn concentrations. Heifers sired by bulls of breeds that differ in potential muscularity differed in growth, reproduction, milk yield, and plasma mineral concentrations, but dietary treatments resulted in little to no differences in these variables.
Semiotic schemas: A framework for grounding language in action and perception

A theoretical framework for grounding language is introduced that provides a computational path from sensing and motor action to words and speech acts. The approach combines concepts from semiotics and schema theory to develop a holistic approach to linguistic meaning. Schemas serve as structured beliefs that are grounded in an agent's physical environment through a causal-predictive cycle of action and perception. Words and basic speech acts are interpreted in terms of grounded schemas. The framework reflects lessons learned from implementations of several language processing robots. It provides a basis for the analysis and design of situated, multimodal communication systems that straddle symbolic and non-symbolic realms.
Chromospheric Flare Enhancements in the Extreme Ultraviolet and their Relationship with Solar Abundances

Chromospheric Flare Enhancements in the Extreme Ultraviolet and their Relationship with Solar Abundances
Evaluation of a new assessment tool in problem-based learning tutorials in dental education.

The Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) uses a hybrid problem-based learning (PBL) approach to teaching in the D.M.D. curriculum. Each tutorial group at HSDM is made up of eight to ten students. The objective of this study was to examine the performance of the students in the tutorial sessions as assessed by the tutor. A total of ten tutorial blocks led by twenty-four tutorial leaders were completed at HSDM between summer 2008 and fall 2009. All of the tutors were calibrated to a new assessment system that was developed for student assessment in the tutorials. The students were assessed on three major domains: knowledge acquisition, problem-solving and analytical thinking skills, and personal and interpersonal development. The tutors evaluated the students assigned to their group after the end of each block. Students also filled out a self-assessment form. Simple descriptive statistics were used to summarize the evaluations of the tutors. A total of 290 student evaluations from ten tutorial blocks were available for analysis. Tutors reported that 64 percent of the students preferred to communicate verbally without prompting and 68 percent of students submitted written reports to the groups during tutorial sessions. Tutors reported that a majority of students brought new information to each tutorial session (86.5 percent), brought information that facilitated others’ learning (88.7 percent), integrated newly acquired knowledge with previous knowledge (92.7 percent), applied knowledge from self-study to explain issues during case discussions (91.7 percent), asked appropriate questions to stimulate discussions (87.3 percent), generated hypotheses to explain problems under discussion (83.8 percent), evaluated the hypotheses in light of available evidence (85.5 percent), defined and took responsibility for learning goals and objectives (89.3 percent), responded well to criticism (91.7 percent), took a leadership role (74.5 percent), and demonstrated sensitivity to psychosocial issues (88.6 percent). Student communication that tended to take over the group process in a non-contributory manner was reported in only 2 percent of the evaluations. Overall, students participating in PBL tutorial sessions appear to exhibit problem-solving and analytical thinking skills and personal and interpersonal attributes.
Reduced-Order Nonlinear Stiffness Matrices in Panel Flutter

‡In the abundant published literature on panel flutter, a large numbers of papers were dedicated to investigate flat plates in the supersonic flow regime. A very few number of authors have extended their work to the flutter of curved panels. The main objective of this paper is to shed light on how to formulate the first-order and second-order stiffness matrices for the flutter of flat plates and slightly curved cylindrical panels using a modal reduction scheme. Then the study is particularly focused to investigate the nonlinear pre-flutter and post-flutter response of slightly curved cylindrical panel. To achieve the aforementioned goals a nonlinear finite element formulation associated with a modal reduction is used in the solution procedures. The nonlinear finite element formulation theoretical development encompasses the von Karman large deflection theory, the Marguerre shallow shell theory, and the quasi-steady piston theory. The von Karman large deflection theory accounts for the moderately large deflection experienced by the panel during flutter, the Marguerre shallow shell theory accounts for the panel’s curvature and the quasi-steady piston theory defines the aerodynamic load, and the aerodynamic damping experienced by the panel. The reducedorder nonlinear equations are solved by a fourth-order Runge-Kutta numerical integration. Bifurcation diagrams, time and phase lagging responses as well as power spectrum densities are thoroughly investigated.
Staging of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: past, present and future

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is traditionally staged with terms such as "mild", "severe", "early" and "advanced" based on pulmonary function tests. This approach allows physicians to monitor disease progression and advise patients and their families. However, it is not known if the stages of this model reflect distinct biological or clinical phenotypes and the therapeutic and prognostic value of this system is limited. Novel methods of IPF staging have recently been developed. The GAP model includes four baseline variables that were found to be predictive of outcome, as identified by logistic regression. These factors are: gender (G), age (A) and two lung physiology variables (P) (forced vital capacity and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide). The clinical utility and accuracy of staging models may be further improved in the future by the integration of dynamic parameters that can be measured over time, as well as biological data from biomarkers which may be able to directly measure disease activity. The development of an evidence-based, multidimensional IPF staging model that builds on the current staging approaches to IPF is an important objective for improving the management of IPF.
Third‐harmonic generation and intensity‐dependent refractive index of atomic hydrogen

Expressions for the third-harmonic generation and intensity-dependent refractive index are derived in terms of perturbed functions based on the hydrodynamic analogy to quantum mechanics. Using linear variational trial functions, the functionals associated with the perturbed functions are solved for atomic hydrogen. The nonlinear susceptibilities are evaluated for both real and imaginary frequencies.
Proposed Changes to the Nomenclature of Ichthyophonus sp. Life Stages and Structures

Abstract Much of the terminology describing Ichthyophonus sp. life stages and structures can be traced to the mistaken classification of this organism as a fungus. This misidentification led early investigators to use mycological terms for the structures they observed; while some terminology is not so easily explained, it appears to have been co-opted from the fields of botany and bacteriology. The purpose of this exercise is to attempt to standardize the terminology associated with Ichthyophonus and to bring it into agreement with terminology currently used to define similar life stages of other protists. The proposed changes are (1) spore/macrospore/mother spore to “schizont,” (2) microspore/endospore to “merozoite,” and (3) pseudohyphae to “hyphae” or “germ tube.”
Energy-minimizing deformable grids for tracking tagged MR cardiac images

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is unique in being able to non-invasively and selectively alter tissue magnetization, and hence create striped grid patterns on the resulting MR images. The authors discuss preliminary results in automated tracking of motion from myocardial tags. To track the motion, energy-minimizing deformable grids are introduced. Deformable grids are energy-minimizing curves which respond to image-derived forces and relax in valleys of an appropriately defined energy landscape. Energy minimization for each grid line is carried out by using the method of dynamic programming. Tracking the valleys of the energy landscape allows for measurement of MR tag deformations due to tissue motion. >
Generalization of hidden Markov models using fuzzy integrals

The statistical methods of hidden Markov modeling were initially introduced and studied in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They have been found to be extremely useful for a wide spectrum of applications in ecology, cryptanalysis, speech and handwriting recognition. In this paper, we generalize hidden Markov models using fuzzy integrals. >
Surgical anatomy of the supraglottic larynx using the da Vinci robot

Background Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has facilitated organ-preserving surgery of the larynx. It has also presented a change in the surgical perspective. We performed cadaveric dissections using the robot to highlight the vascular and muscular anatomy of the supraglottic larynx. Methods Cadaveric specimens underwent injection of their vasculature, and after injection a robotic surgical system was used to perform a transoral dissection of the supraglottic region. Care was taken to preserve anatomic landmarks and microvascular structures. Results Five fresh frozen cadaveric human heads were injected with silicone and used for the dissection. The superior laryngeal neurovascular bundle was identified and an absent superior laryngeal vein (SLV) was noted on 1 specimen. Using the robotic endoscope allowed us to visualize and identify the microvasculature of the head and neck. Conclusion These dissections revealed anatomic variations in the superior laryngeal neurovascular bundle and also highlighted the differences in view using a surgical robotic system. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 1126–1131, 2014
Grazing and ecosystem carbon storage in the North American Great Plains

Isotopic signatures of 13 C were used to quantify the relative contributions of C3 and C4 plants to wholeecosystem C storage (soil+plant) in grazed and ungrazed sites at three distinct locations (short-, mid- and tallgrass communities) along an east–west environmental gradient in the North American Great Plains. Functional group composition of plant communities, the source and magnitude of carbon inputs, and total ecosystem carbon storage displayed inconsistent responses to long-term livestock grazing along this gradient. C4 plants [primarily Bouteloua gracilis (H.B.K.) Lag ex Steud.] dominated the long-term grazed site in the shortgrass community, whereas the ungrazed site was co-dominated by C3 and C4 species; functional group composition did not differ between grazed and ungrazed sites in the mid- and tallgrass communities. Above-ground biomass was lower, but the relative proportion of fine root biomass was greater, in grazed compared to ungrazed sites at all three locations. The grazed site of the shortgrass community had 24% more whole-ecosystem carbon storage compared to the ungrazed site (4022 vs. 3236 g C m )2 ). In contrast, grazed sites at the mid- and tallgrass communities had slightly lower (8%) whole-ecosystem carbon storage compared to ungrazed sites (midgrass: 7970 vs. 8683 g C m )2 ; tallgrass: 8273 vs. 8997 g C m )2 ). Differential responses between the shortgrass and the mid- and tallgrass communities with respect to grazing and whole-ecosystem carbon storage are likely a result of: (1) maintenance of larger soil organic carbon (SOC) pools in the mid- and tallgrass communities (7476–8280 g C m )2 ) than the shortgrass community (2517– 3307 g C m )2 ) that could potentially buffer ecosystem carbon fluxes, (2) lower root carbon/soil carbon ratios in the mid- and tallgrass communities (0.06–0.10) compared to the shortgrass community (0.20–0.27) suggesting that variation in root organic matter inputs would have relatively smaller effects on the size of the SOC pool, and (3) the absence of grazing-induced variation in the relative proportion of C3 and C4 functional groups in the mid- and tallgrass communities. We hypothesize that the magnitude and proportion of fine root mass within the upper soil profile is a principal driver mediating the effect of community composition on the biogeochemistry of these grassland ecosystems.
In VitroCharacterization of Late Steps of RNA Recombination in Turnip Crinkle Virus: I. Role of the Motif1-Hairpin Structure

Abstract Molecular mechanisms of RNA recombination were studied in turnip crinkle carmovirus (TCV), which has a uniquely high recombination frequency and nonrandom crossover site distribution among the recombining TCV-associated satellite RNAs. An in vitro system has been developed that includes a partially purified TCV replicase preparation (RdRp) and chimeric RNAs that resemble the putative in vivo recombination intermediates (Nagy, P. D., Zhang, C., and Simon, A. E. EMBO J. 17, 2392–2403, 1998). This system generates 3′-terminal extension products, which are analogous to the recombination end products. Efficient generation of 3′-terminal extension products depends on the presence of a hairpin structure (termed the motif1-hairpin) that possibly binds to the RdRp. Replacement of the motif1-hairpin with two separate randomized sequences resulted in a basal level of 3′-terminal extension. By using three separate constructs, each carrying similar mutations in the motif1-hairpin, we demonstrate that the role of the motif1-hairpin in 3′-terminal extension is complex and its function is influenced by flanking sequences. In addition to the mutagenesis approach, competition experiments between wild-type and mutated motif1-hairpin constructs suggest that the TCV RdRp likely recognizes the secondary and/or tertiary structure of the motif1-hairpin, while individual nucleotides play a less important role. Overall, the data shed new light into the mechanism of 3′-terminal extension by a viral RdRp that is analogous to the late steps of RNA recombination in TCV.
Reinterpreting responsiveness for health systems research in low and middle-income countries

The ethical concept of responsiveness has largely been interpreted in the context of international clinical research. In light of the increasing conduct of externally funded health systems research (HSR) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), this article examines how responsiveness might be understood for such research and how it can be applied. It contends that four features (amongst others) set HSR in LMICs apart from international clinical research: a focus on systems; being context-driven; being policy-driven; and being closely linked to development objectives. These features support reinterpreting responsiveness for HSR in LMICs as responsiveness to systems needs, where health system performance assessments can be relied upon to identify systems needs, and/or responsiveness to systems priorities, which entails aligning research with HSR priorities set through country-owned processes involving national and sub-national policymakers from host countries. Both concepts may be difficult to achieve in practice. Country ownership is not an established fact for many countries and alignment to their priorities may be meaningless without it. It is argued that more work is, therefore, needed to identify strategies for how the responsiveness requirement can be ethically fulfilled for HSR in LMICs under non-ideal conditions such as where host countries have not set HSR priorities via country-owned processes. Embeddedness is proposed as one approach that could be the focus of further development.
On a pursuit-evasion problem related to motion coordination of mobile robots

A pursuit-evasion problem is discussed in which a team of mobile robots (called searchers) is required to capture a mobile robot (called a fugitive) in an N*N grid graph G/sub N/ under various conditions. An algorithm for the problem is presented under the condition that the fugitive is not allowed to stop anywhere or change direction while on an edge. This algorithm is shown to be optimal with respect to both the number of searchers and the time required to capture the fugitive. A second algorithm is presented under the condition that the fugitive can stop on a vertex but cannot change direction while on the edge. A third algorithm, with no restrictions, is presented and shown to be optimal with respect to the number of searchers required and to be optimal within a constant factor with respect to the time required in the worst case. >
Cementing the Bottom of the Pyramid: A New Direction at Cemex?

This case details cement, ready-mix, and concrete giant CEMEX's consideration of a set of strategies designed to grow the Mexican market from the bottom of the economic pyramid: the low-income do-it-yourself homebuilders that characterized an untapped market there. Alfredo de Armas, VP of business development at CEMEX, must consider the needs and limitations of customers with no access to credit and a budget that might allow a purchase of just one bag of cement per week. What would it take to reach that market? Would doing so be profitable?
Differential Reaction of Ovariectomized Pregnant Rats to Ovarian Grafts in Various Stages of the Oestrous Cycle.

In connection with a study of transplantation of ovaries removed from virgin rats, into ovariectomized pregnant females it was discovered that a differential effect resulted from the employment of ovaries whose donors were in various stages of the oestrous cycle. Fourteen experimental animals furnish the basis for the following report.All transplants were made on the 12th or 13th day of gestation, with ovariectomy following within 24 hours. Transplants were placed in specially prepared pockets between the abdominal rectus muscles. A complete check upon the oestrous cycle of all donors was made by means of the vaginal smear method outlined by Long and Evans (1922).1 Only virgin females in full vigor were employed.Pro-oestrous stage: Five implantations were made of ovaries from rats in pro-oestrous. Abortion occurred in each instance on the average of 75 hours following removal of the host's own ovaries. No cases of resorption occurred, although termination of pregnancy took place on the 16th or 17th day.Oe...
Effects of potassium fertilizer on the grain filling and yield of japonica rice at different panicle positions in cold region

Three japonica rice varieties,Dongnong 425,Dongnong 427 and Songjing No. 6,were studied by field experiments with K2 O rates as K0( 0 kg·hm- 2),K1( 25 kg·hm- 2),K2( 50 kg·hm- 2),K3( 75 kg·hm- 2),K4( 100kg·hm- 2),K5( 125 kg·hm- 2) and K6( 150 kg·hm- 2),to explore the effect of potassium fertilizer application rates on grain filling and yield of rice with different ear grains of japonica rice in cold region. The results showed that the appropriate amount of applied potassium fertilizer was 75 ~ 100 kg·hm- 2. Variations of filling process were similar among different varieties and different among ear heights. Grain weight and seed setting rate was significantly correlated with final yield. Potash fertilizer adjusted the intensity of the filling process at different ear height. Under the condition of optimum potash fertilizer,the average difference of initial growth potential R0 between upper and the middle and lower ear grain reduced to 0. 089. In K6,the average difference of average growth rate GRmeanbetween upper and the middle and lower ear grain reduced to 0. 016g· d- 1. The appropriate amount of potash fertilizer significantly made greater contribution to the yield of different ear height grains during mid-and late filling process,balanced the yield of different ear height grains,and then improved the yield.
Unilateral walking surface stiffness perturbations evoke brain responses: Toward bilaterally informed robot-assisted gait rehabilitation

Gait impairment due to neurological disorders has become an important problem of the 21st century. Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability with approximately 90% of stroke survivors having some functional disability, with mobility being a major impairment. Despite the growing interest in using robotic devices for rehabilitation of sensorimotor function, their widespread use remains somewhat limited, as results so far in gait rehabilitation do not generally show improved outcomes over traditional treadmill-based therapy. This work focuses on understanding the mechanisms of inter-leg coordination, and based on that, proposing novel methods for gait rehabilitation. Using a novel robotic device, the Variable Stiffness Treadmill (VST), we apply walking surface stiffness perturbations to one leg, and analyze the response of the human nervous system in both low- (muscle) and high- (brain) levels, focusing on the mechanisms involved in the response of the other (unperturbed) leg. We show that the unperturbed leg uniquely responds to unilateral stiffness perturbations, while we provide solid evidence that the brain is involved in this observed inter-leg coordination. From a clinical prospective, the results of this study can be disruptive since they suggest that supraspinal neural activity can be evoked by altering the stiffness of the walking surface. Moreover, our methods provide a safe and targeted way to provide gait rehabilitation in hemiparesis since direct manipulation of the paretic side is not required. The present work provides for the first time evidence that specific robotic intervention in gait rehabilitation can have direct and predictable effects on the brain, opening a new avenue of research on targeted robot-assisted gait rehabilitation.
Methods for Gene Transfer to the Central Nervous System

Gene transfer is an increasingly utilized approach for research and clinical applications involving the central nervous system (CNS). Vectors for gene transfer can be as simple as an unmodified plasmid, but more commonly involve complex modifications to viruses to make them suitable gene delivery vehicles. This chapter will explain how tools for CNS gene transfer have been derived from naturally occurring viruses. The current capabilities of plasmid, retroviral, adeno-associated virus, adenovirus, and herpes simplex virus vectors for CNS gene delivery will be described. These include both focal and global CNS gene transfer strategies, with short- or long-term gene expression. As is described in this chapter, an important aspect of any vector is the cis-acting regulatory elements incorporated into the vector genome that control when, where, and how the transgene is expressed.
New Directions for Research on Migration in the Global South

This introduction describes the second of two issues of the International Journal of Sociology on “Migration in the Global South.” Existing research on migration through and into Global South countries points to some key similarities between migration in the Global South compared to the Global North that make South/North comparisons feasible. At the same time, some significant differences make Global North theories of migration inappropriate for application to the Global South. The articles published in this issue explore country case studies of migration that illuminate the interconnections of South and North and demonstrate the importance of a future migration research agenda that both locates migration within the North/South divide and examines critically whether such a conceptual divide is the best way to describe the complex interrelationships between countries currently defined as being in the Global South versus the Global North.
Strategies of Resistance: Visual Depictions of Genetically Modified Organisms

This chapter focuses on the way in which visuals are used to depict GMOs in Europe and the USA. This chapter analyzes the cultural level of resistance to sound science, particularly focusing on the images used by opponents of GMOs. The images critique sound science by indicting the process, product, and implications of GMOs. The product of GMOs cannot be seen: it is visually indistinguishable from its conventional counterparts, and, in the USA, is not labeled, so its commercial presence is opaque as well. Thus, part of the strategy of GMO producers and manufacturers is to render the product invisible. The counterstrategy is to make GMOs visible while critiquing the process of their production, the product itself, and implications of their introduction to the environment.
Energy Supply Processes for Solar Flares and Magnetospheric Substorms

It is shown that solar flares and magnetospheric substorms must primarily be caused by a dynamo process, rather than magnetic reconnection – a spontaneous, explosive annihilation of magnetic energy stored prior to the onset. Magnetic energy in the vicinity of solar flares and in the magnetotail shows often an increase at their onset, not a decrease. It is unfortunate that many observed features of solar flares and substorms have tacitly been ascribed to unproven (3-D) characteristics of the neutral line for a long time. In the future, it is necessary to study carefully their driving process and examine how the driven magnetic field system evolves, leading to solar flares and substorms.
Out of Eastern Africa: An Examination of Sport Labour Migration in the Post-Independence Era

AbstractGlobalization spearheaded professionalization and commercialization of sports, which has contributed and elevated sport labour migration out of Africa. People move far from their home base to improve their standards of living, form new identities, and to enhance national pride, which enabled many African men and women involved in elite sports to become an integral part of global sport competitions. This paper investigates factors that influenced the migration of athletes/players out of Eastern Africa and to understand their transnational experiences in a global context. The World System Theory, transnationalism and neoclassical theoretical perspectives guided this research in broad and specific contexts. Data sources included research journal articles, public government documents, theoretical and philosophical papers, newspapers, and internet documentaries that provide stories about sport migrants individually and as a collective group. Themes emerging from this study focus on the following: (a) p...
Characterization and Simulation of Time-Dependent Response of Structural Materials for Aero Structures and Turbine Engines

When considering structural materials used in aerospace applications and time-dependent behavior, primary concern are material/microstructural changes and damage initiation and growth as a result of complex loading (creep and/or fatigue) scenarios and/or environmental attack. The degradation and damage in the material can result in a decrease in load-carrying capability. It is the decrease of capability as a function of time/usage/exposure that must be understood and predicted to optimize the design and life management strategies of aerospace components that comprise aircraft structures and turbine engines. Historically predictive models in these domains were empirically based; relying on accelerated test methods, extensive amounts of test data, and mathematical fits to that data. More recent research in time-dependent material properties has shifted the focus to understanding the underlying mechanisms of material degradation and developing predictive capabilities incorporating that understanding. Specifically, to realize more accurate and robust performance prognosis for structural materials, a shift from empirical descriptions of time-dependent material behavior to more mechanistic-based models that capture the physics of failure is needed.
Learning About Spatial and Temporal Scale: Current Research, Psychological Processes, and Classroom Implications

Geoscientists analyze and integrate spatial and temporal information at a range of scales to understand Earth processes. Despite this, the concept of scale is ill defined and taught unevenly across...
Noninvasive measurement of cerebral venous oxygenation in neonates with a multi-wavelength, fiber-coupled laser diode optoacoustic system

Noninvasive measurement of cerebral venous oxygenation in neonates could provide critical information for clinicians such as cerebral hypoxia without the risks involved with invasive catheterization. Evaluation of cerebral hypoxia is important in many clinical settings such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, perfusion monitoring in cardiovascular surgery or in traumatic brain injury. By probing the superior sagittal sinus (SSS), a large central cerebral vein, we can obtain stable signals with our recently developed multi-wavelength, fiber-coupled laser diode optoacoustic system for measurement of SSS blood oxygenation. The neonatal SSS oxygenation was measured in the reflection mode through open anterior and posterior fontanelles without obscuration by the overlying calvarium. In the transmission mode it was measured through the skull in the occipital area. Our device is lightweight, easily maneuverable, and user friendly for physicians. We monitored the SSS oxygenation in neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of UTMB with varying gestation, birth weight and clinical histories to identify normal range and difference between neonates with and without risk factors for cerebral hypoxia.
Monitoring services in the Internet of Things: an optimization approach

Devices in Internet of Things (IoT) often offer services that allow tenants to access data of different metrics collected from sensors. These sensors can be built-in or remotely connected to such devices. Given that such monitoring services are usually invoked within devices that have limited IT resource capacities, it is impossible to collect data of all metrics in the application’s context with a very high frequency. In this paper, we propose a framework that determines which metrics to monitor, monitoring start times, the optimal allocation of metrics to devices, and the optimal monitoring frequency of these metrics, without exceeding different device-specific time-varying resource capacities. Our approach is also adaptive; it gives updated solutions whenever a trigger happens in the system necessitating the need for a change in the previous optimal decisions. We provide an implementation of our approach and present numerical results showing its usage and limitations. At the heart of our approach is an integer programming optimization model that might be hard to solve for large-sized IoT systems. Thus, we present another predictive model that predicts for the user whether our optimization-based approach would be appropriate for her system or not. That is, whether the optimization model is predicted to give optimal solutions within some user-given optimality gaps in a time less than or equal to some user-given maximum allowed time.
Framework for predicting the photodegradation of adhesion of silicone encapsulants

Abstract We developed a framework to predict and model the photodegradation of adhesion and cohesion of a silicone encapsulant for concentrator photovoltaic applications. Silicone encapsulant specimens were artificially weathered under narrow band UV filters to determine the effects of individual wavelengths within the UV spectrum on the photodegradation of the cohesion of encapsulant material and its adhesion with adjacent interfaces. The threshold wavelength, signifying the upper bound of the damaging action spectrum for the silicone, was identified from the results. In addition, specimens were artificially weathered with different relative humidities to understand the effects of moisture on the rate of photodegradation. The adhesion energy was measured using a fracture mechanics approach. The complementary delaminated surfaces were characterized to determine the failure pathway and chemistry changes resulting from photodegradation. A previously developed model was modified to account for the effects of damaging wavelengths in the terrestrial solar spectrum and reciprocity law failure due to varying UV intensity during weathering. With these modifications, the model showed good agreement with the behavior of the silicone encapsulant exposed in an outdoor solar concentrator simulating concentrator photovoltaics operating conditions. Similar studies can be adopted to develop models that can have high predictive accuracies based on accelerated aging studies.
Surfacing Data Change in Scientific Work

Data are essential products of scientific work that move among and through research infrastructures over time. Data constantly changes due to evolving practices and knowledge, requiring improvisational work by scientists to determine the effects on analyses. Today for end users of datasets much of the information about changes, and the processes leading to them, is invisible—embedded elsewhere in the work of a collaboration. Simultaneously scientists use increasing quantities of data, making ad hoc approaches to identifying change difficult to scale effectively. Our research investigates data change by examining how scientists make sense of change in datasets being created and sustained by the collaborative infrastructures they engage with. We examine two forms of change, before examining how trust and project rhythms influence a scientist’s notion that the newest available data are the best. We explore the opportunity to design tools and practices to support user examinations of data change and surface key provenance information embedded in research infrastructures.
Evaluating Motor Control Improves Discrimination of Adolescents with and without Sports Related Concussion.

AbstractDisrupted motor performance is increasingly recognized as a critical sequela of concussion which may have relevance for diagnosis and treatment. In 17 adolescents with recent concussion and...
A new nonlinear stochastic Liouville equation: Inclusion of finite relaxation and finite temperature effects

A nonlinear stochastic Liouville equation postulated phenomenologically and used recently for the description of the interplay of damping and nonlinearity is shown to arise in a natural manner as an approximate consequence of a set of Langevin equations introduced for the analysis of the Brownian motion of a nonlinear quantum dimer. The validity of the phenomenological equation is discussed in the light of the approximate derivation. A more physical transport equation for the system density matrix is obtained and shown, on the one hand to reduce to the phenomenological equation in an appropriate high temperature limit, and on the other to predict novel behavior. The new nonlinear stochastic Liouville equation we present is capable of unifying the description of the nonlinear transport of quasiparticles in several different parameter regimes and we suggest that it should be regarded and used in the same role in the study of the physics of nonlinear transport phenomena that the linear stochastic Liouville equation does in fields such as (linear) exciton dynamics in molecular crystals and aggregates.
Attitude-Behavior Inconsistency Management Strategies in MTurk Workers: Cognitive Dissonance in Crowdsourcing Participants?

Crowdsourcing refers to an online micro-task market to access and recruit large groups of participants. One of the most popular crowdsourcing platforms is Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). MTurkers are as reliable as traditional workers yet they receive much less monetary compensation (Pittman and Sheehan 2016). Many MTurk workers consider themselves exploited (Busarovs 2013), yet, despite this, many continue to complete tasks on MTurk. The purpose of this study is to investigate how MTurk workers dealing with inequities in effort and compensation. We experimentally manipulate expected effort and worker payment in order to compare how effort verses wage inequity affects workers’ attitudes towards a series of tasks. We found that those paid more rated the task as more enjoyable and important than those paid less. Implications of this study are discussed.
A (not so) simple dialogue activity

This article explores the research on peer-to-peer dialogue in higher education, including the innovative practice of intergroup dialogue and other practices such as nonviolent communication and co...