cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fibrosis in immune control of mammary-tumor growth.

In malignancies, an interruption of growth (dormancy) is sometimes observed. In the immunogenic mammary carcinoma MC2, dormancy followed by regression after a period of growth was observed in 18% of s.c. implants in normal mice. Dormant implants removed for histologic examination were invariably found to be completely surrounded by a highly fibrous stroma. Fibrosis was enhanced in immunized mice, and reduced in immuno-deficient mice. Surgical disruption of the fibrous capsule around dormant tumors early (19 +/- 3 days) in the immune response led more frequently to resumed growth, while later (32 +/- 3 days) disruption of the capsule led more frequently to complete regressions. This showed that fibrous capsules that could destroy tumors could also shield them against well-developed systemic immune mechanisms.
Performance Evaluation of Energy Efficient Ad Hoc Routing Protocols

Energy aware routing protocols are consistently cited as efficient solutions for ad hoc and sensor networks routing and data management. However, there is not a consistent approach to define the energy related cost metrics that are used to guide the routing protocol performance. This paper provides a survey and analysis of energy related metrics used for ad hoc routing. First, the most common energy efficient routing protocols are classified into four categories based on the energy cost metrics employed. Then, the results of our simulation-based analysis are presented. We conducted a complete set of simulations to compare and contrast the performance of various energy-related metrics. Our analysis provides a comparison of the performance of energy cost metrics used within AODV-based ad hoc routing protocols.
Multiple-Antenna Interference Cancellation and Detection for Two Users Using Quantized Feedback

When two users transmit signals to a common receiver, one can design precoders to cancel the interference for each user, if each user knows all the channel information perfectly. Also the diversity for each user is full. However, in practice, perfect channel information is not available. In this paper, we design precoders for two users with two transmit antennas and one receiver with two receive antennas using quantized feedback. We propose to construct codebook using Grassmannian line packing. By choosing precoders from the codebook properly, our proposed scheme can cancel the interference for each user. Also we analytically prove that our system can achieve full diversity for each user. Then we extend our scheme to any number of transmit and receive antennas. Simulation results confirm our analytical proof and show that our scheme can serve as a bridge between a system with no feedback and a system with perfect feedback.
The relative importance of anatomic and PSA factors to outcomes after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

We report on how anatomic pathology observations and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) observations made before and just after radical prostatectomy relate to subsequent outcomes in men with prostate cancer. Our study patients consisted of more than 200 men who underwent radical prostatectomy and who had a mean follow-up of more than 6 years. We found that there were 2 categories of failures after surgery—one consisting of an eventual elevated PSA level and the other consisting of an early death from progressive tumor—and that these 2 failures related differently to PSA and anatomic pathology observations made at the time of prostatectomy. Whereas preoperative and postoperative levels of PSA related most closely to PSA failure, Gleason grade 5 and the percentage carcinoma related most closely to early death. Our results suggest how men could be sorted into 3 prognostic categories after surgery: one with high hazard for early death, a second with low hazard for early death but with high probability for eventual elevated PSA level, and a third with overall good prognosis.
Vegetation Cover and Forb Responses to Cattle Exclusion: Implications for Pronghorn

Cattle grazing is often implicated as a factor that reduces vegetative cover and the abundance of important forage plants for wildlife. Recent declines in northern Arizona populations of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana Ord) have focused public and scientific attention on the factors contributing to low fawn recruitment and the potential benefits of cattle removal. To further understandtheeffectsofcattlegrazing,westudiedthepotentialhidingcoverprovidedbystandingliveanddeadherbaceousmatter as well as forb richness and canopy cover following 5 years of cattle removal. Cattle removal increased horizontal hiding cover by 8% at a distance of 5 m (P ¼ 0.025), but had no statistically significant effect on the potential hiding cover at distances of 10 m (P ¼ 0.105) or 25 m (P ¼ 0.746). Forb species richness was 16% lower in exclosures than in an adjacent grazed pasture in 2001 (P ¼ 0.036), but no differences were observed in 2002 (P ¼ 0.636). The canopy cover of forbs was generally unaffected by cattle removal. These results suggest that curtailing or removing cattle is unlikely, by itself, to lead to rapid improvements in the hiding cover or forb availability for pronghorn on similar rangelands in northern Arizona. In this region, where immediate improvements in fawn survival and recruitment are important to population persistence, additional management actions should be considered.
External-beam radiotherapy in the management of carcinoma of the prostate.

Background: External-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) has been used in the treatment of adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland for more than 30 years. Well-documented clinical series have demonstrated the effectiveness of EBRT in achieving both cause-specific survival and freedom from biochemical (prostate-specific antigen [PSA]) progression. Methods: The indications and expected treatment results for treatment by EBRT in the management of adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland are reviewed. The treatment of early-stage disease definitively by EBRT alone or as complement to radioactive seed implant is emphasized. In the management of locally advanced disease, the use of EBRT with combined androgen ablation is discussed as definitive therapy and also as indicated in the postoperative adjuvant management of surgically identified pathologic stage T3 disease. Results: The relative clinical benefit of EBRT compared with the mostly predictable and well-defined moderate side effects, which are manageable in most instances by conservative measures treatment, is well established. Advances in defining radiation-beam parameters have led to more effective and safer treatment for prostate cancer. Conclusions: EBRT has historically been a mainstay in the management of prostate cancer. It remains a useful and indicated treatment modality in patients with early-stage, locally advanced, and metastatic disease.
On the quaternary form x2 + xy + 7y2 + z2 + zt + 7t2

For any positive integer n, we state and prove a formula for the number of solutions in integers of n = x2 + xy + 7y2 + z2 + zt + 7t2.
Cognitive function in cancer survivors: analysis of the 1999-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Cancer and its treatment may affect cognitive function through a number of direct and indirect pathways including inflammation, lipid metabolism, vascular damage, and changes in the blood–brain barrier. While short-term treatment-related cognitive changes are well recognized, only limited research is available in older, long-term survivors of cancer. Using NHANES data from 1999 to 2002, 408 cancer survivors and 2639 non-cancer participants aged 60 years old and above were identified. Cognitive function of these groups were compared using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and self-reported problems with memory or confusion. After adjustment for covariates, cancer survivors scored, on average, 1.99 points lower on the DSST compared to non-cancer survivors (−1.99, 95 % CI −3.94, −0.05). Cancer survivors also had 17 % higher odds of self-reporting problems with memory or confusion (OR 1.17, 95 % CI 0.89, 1.53). In this nationally representative sample of older US adults, cancer survivors had lower DSST scores than non-survivors and had more self-reported problems with memory or confusion.
The source of the dive-noise of the Anna's hummingbird

or anterior to the mid-thoracic region. Such handling probably facilitates swallowing and/or may damage the mouse's vital organs. A similar relationship between prey weight and handling behavior was reported by Loop (1974) for the Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis). The probability that monitors shook laboratory mice increased with heavier mice, and Loop concluded that shaking caused structural damage to the prey. According to the linear regression equation, mouse pups weighing much less than 10 g should not be beaten. Our one observation of a Roadrunner beating a mouse pup occurred when the bird had just eaten several other pups and was probably no longer hungry. Beating behavior in this circumstance suggests that Roadrunners may beat prey during play and exploration. We believe that Roadrunners increase the efficiency of prey handling by varying the number of times they beat prey and by choosing the hardest substrate available for beating. This flexibility in behavior may have aided the recent range extension of the species, by allowing the birds to incorporate new prey into their diet.
Pornographic Protections? Itineraries of Childhood Innocence:

Legal and queer theoretic critics charge that the myth of “childhood innocence” perverts and propagates the unwarranted expansion of child pornography law, and mischaracterizes sources of and solut...
Semen Production of White Leghorn Males from Strains Selected for High and Low Fecundity

Abstract SOME physiological characters, such as egg production in the fowl and milk production in dairy cattle, can only be expressed by the female and few, if any, reliable means except the progeny and sib tests are available for the estimation of the genotype of the male. It is known, however, that the gonads of both males and females are subject to control by endocrine secretions of the body. Whether or not these hormones are one of the means by which genetic differences in fecundity are expressed in the fowl has not been shown directly, but much indirect evidence indicates that they are involved. If this is true, it seems probable that in strains of fowl with most birds capable of high production, and in other strains capable of only low egg production, the males as well as the females should show some difference in their efficiency of reproduction. This study . . .
Quality of Service Assurance for Shared Spectrum Systems

Effective duration of a spectrum opportunity is an important factor for delivering any desired level of Quality-of-Service (QoS) to the secondary users (SU) in shared bands. Previous research efforts addressing the opportunity duration primarily focus on QoS prediction by the SUs using sensing and/or database approach. However, these initiatives to predict the opportunity duration and achievable QoS have a number of issues, such as prediction errors and computational overhead. In this paper, we present a QoS Assurance (QoSA) approach, in place of QoS prediction, centered around the Spectrum Access System (SAS) to get an idea about the opportunity duration with minimal involvement from the primary user (PU). In the existing approaches, the PU is not involved in the SU operation to avoid exposure of sensitive operational information. To address this concern, we propose an "Opportunity Clustering" mechanism that reduces the likelihood of information exposure. This paper mainly focuses on the interference avoidance and achievable SU throughput improvement due to the QoSA approach. We present the QoSA approach and the SAS framework that incorporates the proposed approach. We also present different QoSA schemes to improve the achievable SU throughput. Simulation results validate the improvement offered by the QoSA approach in terms of interference avoidance and throughput achieved by the SU.
AERODYNAMICS, THERMOREGULATION, AND THE EVOLUTION OF INSECT WINGS: DIFFERENTIAL SCALING AND EVOLUTIONARY CHANGE.

We examine several aerodynamic and thermoregulatory hypotheses about possible adaptive factors in the evolution of wings from small winglets in insects. Using physical models of Paleozoic insects in a wind tunnel, we explore the potential effects of wings for increasing gliding distance, increasing dispersal distance during parachuting, improving attitude control or stability, and elevating body temperatures during thermoregulation. The effects of body size and shape, wing length, number, and venation, and meteorological conditions are considered. Hypotheses consistent with both fixed and moveable wing articulations are examined. Short wings have no significant effects on any of the aerodynamic characteristics, relative to wingless models, while large wings do have significant effects. In contrast, short wings have large thermoregulatory effects relative to wingless models, but further increases in wing length do not significantly affect thermoregulatory performance. At any body size, there is a wing length below which there are significant thermoregulatory effects of increasing wing length, and above which there are significant aerodynamic effects of increasing wing length. The relative wing length at which this transition occurs decreases with increasing body size. These results suggest that there could be no effective selection for increasing wing length in wingless or short-winged insects in relation to increased aerodynamic capacity. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that insect wings initially served a thermoregulatory function and were used for aerodynamic functions only at larger wing lengths and/or body sizes. Thus, we propose that thermoregulation was the primary adaptive factor in the early evolution of wings that preadapted them for the subsequent evolution of flight. Our results illustrate an evolutionary mechanism in which a purely isometric change in body size may produce a qualitative change in the function of a given structure. We propose a hypothesis in which the transition from thermoregulatory to aerodynamic function for wings involved only isometric changes in body size and argue that changes in body form were not a prerequisite for this major evolutionary change in function.
Usability and cognitive benefits of a mobile tracked display in virtual laboratories for engineering education

We present the design of a novel educational virtual reality application to aid undergraduate engineering students in understanding the basic principles of fluid mechanics. In addition, we report results from a field study evaluating the usability and cognitive benefits of a mobile tracked display (MTD) for this application.
Reflections on Management Status Quo of Charge Vaccine

Charge vaccine refers to the self- paying and voluntarily accepted vaccine,the cost was paid by the vaccination objects or guardians. Its management is distinct from the traditional unified purchase and sale mode and has become market operating decentralized purchase and sale mode. The management mode has drawn attention from health administrative departments and vaccination units and multiple managements have been explored. This article mainly discussed the management status of Charge vaccine use state and relevant problems and deficiencies and put forward reasonable suggestions.
Myogenic activation of canine small renal arteries after nonchemical removal of the endothelium.

Myogenic activation of isolated small arteries (200-500 microns) of the dog kidney was evaluated by measuring vessel diameters during stepwise elevations of transmural pressure before and after removal of the endothelium by mechanical rubbing or air perfusion. Myogenic activation was unaffected by mechanical rubbing, but air perfusion caused the arteries to constrict and attenuated the myogenic response; i.e., vessel diameters increased as transmural pressure was elevated. However, air-perfused arteries still constricted in response to norepinephrine and dilated during superfusion with Ca(2+)-free solution, demonstrating that loss of the myogenic response did not result from an inability of the vessel to contract. Intact arteries contracted with 1 microM norepinephrine exhibited normal myogenic responses, demonstrating that loss of myogenic activation in the air-perfused vessels was not a nonspecific effect secondary to constriction of the artery. These results suggest that myogenic activation of small renal arteries is independent of the endothelium and that the method of endothelial removal may affect conclusions regarding the role of the endothelium in mediating the myogenic response.
Arthrography of the shoulder.

SUMMARY Arthrography of the shoulder is a most effective diagnostic tool in evaluating the shoulder joint. The technique is easily mastered with practice. A knowledge of shoulder anatomy is imperative in order to fully understand the normal as well as abnormal shoulder arthrogram.
Analysis of the N-terminal binding domain of Go alpha.

Signalling from membrane receptors through heterotrimeric G-proteins (G alpha and G beta gamma) to intracellular effectors is a highly regulated process. Receptor activation causes exchange of GTP for GDP on G alpha and dissociation of G alpha from G beta gamma. Both subunits remain membrane-associated and interact with a series of other molecules throughout the cycle of activation. The N-terminal binding domain of G alpha subunits interacts with the membrane by several partially defined mechanisms: the anchoring of G alpha to the more hydrophobic G beta gamma subunits, the interaction of N-terminal lipids (palmitate and/or myristate) with the membrane, and attachment of amino acid regions to the membrane ?amino acids 11-14 of Go alpha (D[11-14]); Busconi, Boutin and Denker (1997) Biochem. J. 323, 239-244?. We characterized N-terminal mutants of Go alpha with known G beta gamma-binding properties for the ability to interact with phospholipid vesicles and membranes prepared from cultured cells (acceptor membranes). In vitro analysis allows membrane interactions that are important to the activated and depalmitoylated state of G alpha to be characterized. Subcellular localization was also determined in transiently transfected COS cells. All of the mutant proteins are myristoylated, and differences in myristoylation do not account for changes in membrane binding. Disrupting the N-terminal alpha-helix of Go alpha with a proline point mutation at Arg-9 (R9P) does not affect interactions with G beta gamma on sucrose-density gradients but significantly reduces acceptor membrane binding. Deletion of amino acids 6-15 (D[6-15]; reduced G beta gamma binding) or deletion of amino acids 3-21 (D[3-21]); no detectable G beta gamma binding) further reduces acceptor membrane binding. When expressed in COS cells, R9P and D[6-15] are localized in the membrane similar to wild-type Go alpha as a result of the contribution from palmitoylation. In contrast, D[3-21] is completely soluble in COS cells, and no palmitoylation is detected. The binding of Go alpha and mutants translated in vitro to liposomes indicates that Go alpha preferentially binds to neutral phospholipids (phosphatidylcholine). R9P and D[11-14] bind to phosphatidylcholine liposomes like Go alpha, but D[6-15] exhibits no detectable binding. Taken together, these studies suggest that interactions of the N-terminus of G alpha subunits with the membrane may be affected by both membrane proteins and lipids. A detailed understanding of G alpha-membrane interactions may reveal unique mechanisms for regulating signal transduction.
Comparative Study of Field Effect Transistor Based Biosensors

A comparative study of biosensors based on a field effect transistor (FET) configuration is conducted using numerical analysis. A conventional back-gated device and three different nanogap-based structures are evaluated in terms of their performance metrics including response, sensitivity, detection limit, and dynamic range. An electrostatic model is used to address the sensing principle. The biochemical reaction is emulated simply by a change in the negative charge density and permittivity. The back-gated silicon nanoribbon FET (SiNR-FET) is used as a reference for comparison. The SiNR-FET is not affected by the permittivity change due to the biochemical reaction, whereas other nanogap-based structures are influenced by both the charge density and the permittivity shifts. Among the nanogap-based structures, a dielectric modulated FET (DM-FET) exhibits the widest dynamic range and a strong permittivity dependency. An underlap gate FET (UG-FET) and a fingered gate FET (FG-FET) show the highest sensitivity and detection limit. But the dynamic ranges of the UG-FET and FG-FET are narrower than that of the DM-FET. Nevertheless, by the nature of independent controllability of two gates, the FG-FET allows a tunable dynamic range. This comparative study offers application-specific guidelines for making appropriate choices for the sensor structure.
Digital fountains: a survey and look forward

We survey constructions and applications of digital fountains, an abstraction of erasure coding for network communication. Digital fountains effectively change the standard paradigm where a user receives an ordered stream of packets to one where a user must simply receive enough packets in order to obtain the desired data. Obviating the need for ordered data simplifies data delivery, especially when the data is large or is to be distributed to a large number of users. We also examine barriers to the adoption of digital fountains and discuss whether they can be overcome.
A high speed, high temperature, on-line moisture sensing technique for paper web applications

A moisture measuring technique is presented which is based on the "free-space" measurement of the complex permittivity of the material in the microwave and millimeter-wave frequency range. This method is fast, accurate, nondestructive, and contactless. Moreover, operation at these frequencies enables one to measure a wide range of moisture content accurately with high resolution and at high temperatures.
Capacity results for certain wireless relay networks with erasure links

This paper considers two simple wireless network configurations in which the links making up the network do not interfere with one another and the assumed link loss mechanisms are erasures. The first configuration is the M-source multiple access relay channel (MARC), in which M different sources convey information to a single destination with the help of a single relay. The second configuration is the two-fold multi-relay channel (MRC), in which a pair of relays help a single source convey information to a single destination. Cut set bounds are established for these configurations, and linear programming is then employed to formulate closed-form solutions for the capacity regions as a function of the link parameters; moreover, it is shown that easily-implemented capacity-approaching codes such as LDPC or Tornado codes can be used at the link level to achieve any point in the capacity region. For the erasure MARC, the results indicate that the relay should help only those sources that have a weaker direct channel to the destination than the relay itself does - regardless of the quality of the source-to-relay channels. For the erasure MRC, the solution is not as intuitive, but it displays a structure in which the relative quality of the various links determine which relays are used - and, when both are used, which relay is ldquoprimaryrdquo and which is ldquosecondaryrdquo.
Features of Computerized Multimedia Environments that Support Vicarious Learning Processes

The aim of this chapter is to identify specific features of computer-based multimedia environments that support vicarious learning. As used here vicarious learning occurs in contexts, such as distance learning and some classroom settings, in which learners have no opportunities to physically interact in any way with the source of the content they are attempting to master. We primarily focus on research that identified features of multimedia environments that support vicarious comprehension/learning processes and how these features have been (or may be) readily implemented. Research findings from laboratory-style research in these environments are quite promising. For example, providing multiple perspectives on new information and using a personalized presentation style improve comprehension, but these findings have not been widely implemented in web-based environments or in classroom applications. Similarly, introducing new course content in the context of vicarious deep questions enhances learning, as does providing explanations that state something beyond the information given. We also explore selected research in which learners engaged in supplemental overt activities designed to support learning gains in otherwise vicarious environments. The intent in this latter section is to suggest how vicarious analogs of these overt activities may be readily implemented.
Molecular nucleation theory of dust formation in core-collapse supernovae applied to SN 1987A

We model dust formation in the core collapse supernova explosion SN 1987A by treating the gas-phase formation of dust grain nuclei as a chemical process. To compute the synthesis of fourteen species of grains we integrate a non-equilibrium network of nucleating and related chemical reactions and follow the growth of the nuclei into grains via accretion and coagulation. The effects of the radioactive cobalt, titanium, and sodium on the thermodynamics and chemistry of the ejecta are taken into account. The grain temperature, which we allow to differ from the gas temperature, affects the surface-tension-corrected evaporation rate. We also account for He$^+$, Ne$^+$, Ar$^+$, and O weathering. We combine our dust synthesis model with a crude prescription for anisotropic radioactive nickel dredge-up into the core ejecta, the so-called `nickel bubbles', to compute the total dust mass and molecular-species-specific grain size distribution. The total mass varies between $0.41\,M_\odot$ and $0.73\,M_\odot$, depending on the bubble shell density contrast. In the decreasing order of abundance, the grain species produced are: magnesia, silicon, forsterite, iron sulfide, carbon, silicon dioxide, alumina, and iron. The combined grain size distribution is a power law $dN/da\propto a^{-4.39}$. Early ejecta compaction by expanding radioactive nickel bubbles strongly enhances dust synthesis. This underscores the need for improved understanding of hydrodynamic transport and mixing over the entire pre-homologous expansion.
Research in the Yemen Arab Republic

On April 17, 1979, the American Institute for Yemeni Studies (AIYS) signed an agreement of cooperation with the Yemeni Center for Research and Studies (YCRS). It is not a detailed agreement, but it does clearly make the relationship with the YCRS a special one, implying both responsibilities and advantages for both parties.
FoldMecha: Exploratory Design and Engineering of Mechanical Papercraft

We present FoldMecha, a computer-aided design (CAD) system for exploratory construction of mechanical papercraft. FoldMecha enables students to (a) design their own movements with simple mechanisms by modifying parameters and (b) build physical prototypes. This paper describes the system, as well as associated prototyping methods that make the construction process easier and more adaptable to widely different creations. The paper also discusses a week-long workshop that we held with six teenagers using FoldMecha. The teens successfully designed and built their own mechanisms, and adapted them to a variety of creations. Throughout the workshop, they progressively achieved an advanced level of skill and understanding about mechanical movements.
Changes in EEG Amplitude During Sleep with Age

The literature on changes in human sleep patterns with age was recently reviewed in detail (Feinberg, 1976). One of the sleep variables most sensitive to age is the amplitude of the electroencephalogram (EEG), especially that of the phase of sleep characterized by dense, high-voltage slow (delta) waves (stages 3 & 4 in the Dement and Kleitman (1957) classification system). Here we shall present hitherto unpublished data which illustrate the increase in EEG amplitude during infancy and its decline during adolescence, the periods of most rapid change. In addition, we shall show that these and other effects of age on delta activity during sleep can be detected by computer analysis during periods of much slower change, even when the analysis is restricted to a narrow age range.
Exploring Nontraditional Pathways Into Hunting in New York State: Implications for Recruitment and Retention

Anecdotal evidence suggests that adults lacking previous hunting experience and family support for hunting comprise a growing proportion of new hunters. Empirical evidence of such a trend is lacking. Furthermore, hunting motivations and constraints for these “nontraditional path hunters” (NTPHs) have not been well documented. We articulate a strategy for identifying potential NTPHs in New York, describe socialization mechanisms initiating NTPHs into hunting, and explore motivations and constraints of these hunters. Data were collected using a Web-based survey of 3,605 NTPHs identified among 2014 Sportsman Education course graduates in New York. We found that many NTPHs were initiated by friends and co-workers, and their motivations and constraints were similar to traditional hunters. These findings suggest that NTPHs are not a panacea to the trend of declining numbers of hunters in New York.
The Hard Winter of 1886-1887

It has been almost thirty years since the author of this paper, while enroute to the Black Hills, met an aging rancher, probably in his seventies, during the late 1970s. It was late June in the Pine Ridge and Toadstools (badlands) of northwestern Nebraska. Meeting Albert Meng was one of those things that happened for no reason and I had no idea just how much it would alter my life. I was not really lost (maybe just confused) and he let me drive my old International Scout all over his ranch. The International Harvester slogan of the day was "scout the America others pass by" and I was determined to do my best.
Golden Linear Group Key Agreement Protocol

Security in group communication has been a significant field of research for decades. Because of the emerging technologies like cloud computing, mobile computing, ad-hoc networks, and wireless sensor networks, researchers are considering high group dynamics in communication security. Group key agreement protocol is for providing enough security for the group communication. Group key agreement protocol is a way to establish a shared cryptographic key between groups of users over public networks. Group key agreement protocol enables more than two users to agree on a shared secret key for their communications. In this paper we want to introduce a new key agreement protocol (GKA) and a new linear group key agreement protocol (GLGKA). These protocols are proper for the emerging dynamic networks. In GLGKA each member of the group can participate in key generation and management process. Our goal is to provide more efficient key generation approach for group members. This protocol can be used in cloud-based data storage sharing, social network services, smart phone applications, interactive chatting, video conferencing, and etc.
Crossing beef x beef and beef x Brown Swiss: pregnancy rate, calf survival, weaning age and rate.

October pregnancy rate, calf survival to weaning, weaning age, weaning rate and actual kg of calf weaned/cow exposed were determined in a 4-yr study involving 880 matings of Angus (A), Hereford (H) and Charolais (C) sires to A, H, C and Brown Swiss (BS) dams. Cows were mated in single-sire herds for 45 or 60 d under pasture conditions; heifers were bred to produce their first calf at 3 yr of age. Pregnancy rate of lactating dams was 9.4% higher (P less than .01) than for non-lactating dams. Pregnancy rates for straightbred matings were 87.5%, 80.6% and 75.4%, respectively, for A, H and C groups (P less than .05). No differences (P greater than .10) due to sire breed were found for any of the traits studied except for calf age at weaning. Calves from C sires were younger (P less than .01) at weaning than calves from H and A sires. Breed-of-dam differences (P less than .05 to P less than .01) were found for all traits studied except calf survival rate. All BS dams produced crossbred calves and had lower pregnancy and weaning rates (both P less than .01), calves were younger at weaning (P less than .05), had lower kg of calf weaned/cow exposed (P less than .05) than for beef-breed dams producing crossbred calves. Crossbred calves from BS dams were 4.9, 11.0 and 3.4 d younger (P less than .05 to P less than .01) at weaning, respectively, than crossbred calves from H, A and C dams.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Development and validation of a brief screening procedure for pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder derived from the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale

Abstract Evidence-based assessment (EBA) is essential to accurate measurement of psychiatric disorders, including pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). There are, unfortunately, barriers to using these techniques in clinical settings, primary among which is the time entailed in instrument administration. The current study applied decision-tree statistics to parent and child forms of the OCD subscale contained within a commonly used pediatric anxiety assessment tool (the Spence Children's Anxiety Scale) with an emphasis on abbreviating the measure. The end product of this examination was a pair of algorithms derived from analysis of a sample containing both clinical cases who presented for treatment and community controls (n = 1094 parent/children dyads in total). These were noted to be either statistically significantly superior to or not different from the lengthier SCAS/P OCD subscales in terms of common metrics of clinical utility (i.e., sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value) despite containing only 1 – 2 items each. The results demonstrate feasibility of data reduction strategies to improve clinical implementation of EBA, particularly decision-tree models. The fit of this instrument into a clinical setting is discussed, as are future extensions of these methods to diverse problem sets in the context of integrated healthcare services.
Contextualizing Points of View

This chapter provides a historical introduction to points of view at the same time that offers a key distinction between two different models for explaining them. Points of view can be explained, first, following the model of propositional attitudes. This model assumes that a subject, a set of contents, and a set of relations between the subject and that content constitute the internal structure of a point of view. If one chooses to follow the second approach though, as this monograph does, the internal structure of a point of view is not directly addressed and, therefore, points of view are directly identified by their function and solely understood as ways of accessing the world.
Ketamine normalizes brain activity during emotionally valenced attentional processing in depression

Abstract Background An urgent need exists for faster-acting pharmacological treatments in major depressive disorder (MDD). The glutamatergic modulator ketamine has been shown to have rapid antidepressant effects, but much remains unknown about its mechanism of action. Functional MRI (fMRI) can be used to investigate how ketamine impacts brain activity during cognitive and emotional processing. Methods This double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study of 33 unmedicated participants with MDD and 26 healthy controls (HCs) examined how ketamine affected fMRI activation during an attentional bias dot probe task with emotional face stimuli across multiple time points. A whole brain analysis was conducted to find regions with differential activation associated with group, drug session, or dot probe task-specific factors (emotional valence and congruency of stimuli). Results A drug session by group interaction was observed in several brain regions, such that ketamine had opposite effects on brain activation in MDD versus HC participants. Additionally, there was a similar finding related to emotional valence (a drug session by group by emotion interaction) in a large cluster in the anterior cingulate and medial frontal cortex. Conclusions The findings show a pattern of brain activity in MDD participants following ketamine infusion that is similar to activity observed in HCs after placebo. This suggests that ketamine may act as an antidepressant by normalizing brain function during emotionally valenced attentional processing. Clinical trial NCT#00088699: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00088699
Evaluating Headline Fungicide on Alfalfa Production and Sensitivity of Pathogens to Pyraclostrobin

Abstract Headline fungicide was recently registered for management of foliar diseases on alfalfa. The effect of disease control on yield, forage quality, and potential return on investment for fung...
MULTIPLE RNA POLYMERASES FROM ACANTHAMOEBA CASTELLANII: LACK OF ALTERATION IN SUBUNIT ARCHITECTURE AND LEVELS DURING EN-CYSTMENT

ABSTRACT Class I, II and III DNA-dependent RNA polymerases have been isolated from extracts of trophozoites and encysting forms of A. castellanii . When A. castellanii are transferred to a medium lacking nutrients, the cells undergo a synchronous differentiation resulting in cyst formation. During the early stages of this transformation, the rate of ribosomal RNA synthesis declines to nearly zero. However, the level of RNA polymerase I, the enzyme responsible for rRNA synthesis, remains constant. Furthermore, the dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis resolved subunit architecture of polymerase I from 10h cysts and from vegetative cells is identical. These results suggest that the rate of rRNA synthesis is controlled by a mechanism other than specific enzyme level or tightly bound modifying polypeptides.
Radiologic Diagnosis (CT, MRI, & PET-CT)

Stomach cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide, which is more prevalent in Asian countries. Complete resection of a gastric tumor and regional lymph nodes has been considered to be the only potentially curative treatment. However, development of endoscopic procedures to treat early gastric cancer and chemotherapeutic agents to treat advanced disease provides more dedicated treatment options. Therefore, accurate preoperative staging is essential for deciding management plan and improving patient’s outcome. Computed tomography (CT) is the standard imaging modality used in preoperative tumor staging for evaluating the local tumor extent, involvement of lymph nodes, and distant metastasis. Recently, technical advances in CT using thin section thickness, optimal contrast enhancement, and multiplanar reformation have improved diagnostic performance for preoperative staging. Although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has not been widely used to assess gastric cancer due to its intrinsic limitations, excellent soft tissue contrast and development of rapid imaging sequences may enable MRI to be a feasible modality. Positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) is a well-recognized useful diagnostic tool in clinical oncology. In particular, as FDG PET images the whole body, it is a promising tool for detecting distant metastases. In this chapter, we describe the role of CT in preoperative staging and CT findings of stomach cancer according to TNM staging. We also discuss the efficacy and the potential role of MRI and FDG PET for preoperative assessment.
ANKRD9 is a metabolically-controlled regulator of IMPDH2 abundance and macro-assembly

Members of a large family of Ankyrin Repeat Domain (ANKRD) proteins regulate numerous cellular processes by binding to specific protein targets and modulating their activity, stability, and other properties. The same ANKRD protein may interact with different targets and regulate distinct cellular pathways. The mechanisms responsible for switches in the ANKRDs' behavior are often unknown. We show that cells' metabolic state can markedly alter interactions of an ANKRD protein with its target and the functional outcomes of this interaction. ANKRD9 facilitates degradation of inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase 2 (IMPDH2), the rate-limiting enzyme in GTP biosynthesis. Under basal conditions ANKRD9 is largely segregated from the cytosolic IMPDH2 in vesicle-like structures. Upon nutrient limitation, ANKRD9 loses its vesicular pattern and assembles with IMPDH2 into rodlike filaments, in which IMPDH2 is stable. Inhibition of IMPDH2 activity with ribavirin favors ANKRD9 binding to IMPDH2 rods. The formation of ANKRD9/IMPDH2 rods is reversed by guanosine, which restores ANKRD9 associations with the vesicle-like structures. The conserved Cys109Cys110 motif in ANKRD9 is required for the vesicle-to-rods transition as well as binding and regulation of IMPDH2. Oppositely to overexpression, ANKRD9 knockdown increases IMPDH2 levels and prevents formation of IMPDH2 rods upon nutrient limitation. Taken together, the results suggest that a guanosine-dependent metabolic switch determines the mode of ANKRD9 action toward IMPDH2.
The Role of Slower Vessel Speeds in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Underwater Noise and Collision Risk to Whales

Reducing speeds across shipping fleets has been shown to make a substantial contribution to effective short term measures for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, working towards the goal adopted by IMO in April 2018 to reduce the total annual GHG emission by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008. I review modelling work on GHG emissions and also on the relationships between underwater noise, whale collision risk and speed. I examine different speed reduction scenarios that would contribute to GHG reduction targets, and the other environmental benefits of reduced underwater noise and risk of collisions with marine life. A modest 10% speed reduction across the global fleet has been estimated to reduce overall GHG emissions by around 13% (Faber et al. 2017) and improve the probability of meeting GHG targets by 23% (Comer et al. 2018). I conclude that such a 10% could reduce the total sound energy from shipping by around 40%. The associated reduction in overall ship strike risk has higher uncertainty but could be around 50%. This would benefit whale populations globally and complement current efforts to reduce collision risk in identified high risk areas through small changes in routing.
A Novel Fault-Tolerant Control Method for Interleaved DC–DC Converters Under Switch Fault Condition

This article proposes an adaptive democratic current sharing control scheme for the interleaved dc–dc converters under faulty conditions. The proposed fault-tolerant control approach can achieve the desired output-voltage generation and equal current sharing among the remaining healthy modules as more and more modules fail. The main idea is to adaptively change the reference currents and the inner loop current regulator gains once the fault is detected in the modules. The proposed control scheme is compared to the democratic current sharing control scheme under the fault condition. The results show that it achieves improved output regulation and accurate current sharing among the modules. The presented fault-tolerant control method has been analyzed, tested, and validated for the interleaved boost converter.
Multi-Center Validation of a Consensus-Based Scoring Guide for Evaluating Donor Lung Offers

Purpose The previously described University of MN Donor Lung Quality Index (UMN-DLQI) score is a consensus-based decision tool that includes 16 risk-related components receiving 0-5 points, with higher scores signifying lower risk. A score >39 is considered favorable for transplant. We evaluated the UMN-DLQI score's performance across a diversity of US lung transplant centers. Methods We modified the UMN-DLQI to include standardized response choices for all parameters to enhance inter rater consistency. A co investigator at each site was trained in UMN-DLQI scoring, including hypothetical donor test cases to ensure proficiency. We included consecutive primary donor offers (age> 11) to participating sites between May 1 and October 31, 2016 that were either accepted for transplant or turned down for quality by the participating center. UMN-DLQI scores were calculated after donor acceptance decisions. We excluded donations after circulatory death and turn downs exclusively for size, HLA, known malignancy, unmet multi-organ or laterality needs, other recipient or donor issues, or excess travel time. We explored associations between the UMN-DLQI score with discrepant donor decisions (organs turned down that were subsequently transplanted elsewhere) and recipient outcomes. Results Eleven centers participated. 183 donor organs were accepted and transplanted. Accepted donors averaged 35 years old and 16% met increased risk criteria. The median UMN-DLQI score was 43 (range 32 - 50). One in five transplanted organs scored 6 hours, donor size mismatch, or pneumonia risk (57, 53, and 61%, respectively). The mean LAS was 45.5. Conclusion Multi center use of a standardized scoring instrument offers insight into donor acceptance practices and may be useful in understanding discrepant organ decisions in lung transplantation.
The Equilibrium Exchange Rate of Mauritius: Evidence from Two Structural Models

In this paper we assess the equilibrium value of the Mauritian rupee in 2006-7 and over the medium run using two structural models. First, we derive a current account-based measure of the exchange rate equilibrium using the macroeconomic balance approach. Second, we estimate a reduced-form fundamental equilibrium exchange rate measure. Our results, which are robust to an alternative non-econometric approach, suggest that the Mauritian rupee was aligned with its equilibrium value in 2006-7 and little adjustment appeared necessary over the medium run.
Effects Of Exchange Rates On International Transfer Pricing Decisions

Events leading to the passing of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act have led to increased concern with and scrutiny of potential management manipulation of financial statements. From an agency theory perspective, managers have incentives to manipulate organizational methods and choices in order to produce financial statements that those managers believe will maximize their incentive compensation. Transfer pricing represents one possible choice that managers can manipulate. This paper investigates whether exchange rates affect transfer pricing particularly as it relates to maximizing overall corporate profitability. The effects of taxes and government regulations have been explored in considerable depth in the transfer pricing literature. However, while transfer prices should also be affected by exchange rates in predictable ways, this variable has received comparably little attention in the literature. Inclusion of exchange rates in an analysis of transfer pricing and corporate profitability presents an opportunity to add to the literature. We conducted an experiment to examine how managers set transfer prices. We found that, while individuals were influenced by managerial incentives, they seemed genuinely concerned with firm profitability. We found that individuals, and therefore possibly managers, consider the effects of exchange rates on their transfer pricing decisions, even in the absence of incentives. This is an important finding not only with relation to the transfer pricing literature but also with regard to the underlying agency theory literature.
Voluntary Associations in Tsarist Russia: Science, Patriotism and Civil Society – By Joseph Bradley

This author's latest book takes up the paradoxical question of how so many voluntary associations developed in autocratic Russia. Through an examination of the Free Economic Society; the Moscow Agr...