cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The American Presence in Afghanistan-Pakistan and the West Asian Expanse: Observations on Environment and Culture

A noted authority on the environment and culture of Afghanistan and Pakistan explores the environmental history of Western and Central Asia, as well as the human concomitants of the changes that have taken place there. The author discusses European relationships with, as well as attitudes toward, the region, as a prelude to consideration of the U.S. presence. After exploring the differing implications of folk (traditional) culture, particular attention is devoted to the impacts of American popular culture on a region in which growing numbers view the past as a model. After discussing America's increasing military, economic, and sociocultural engagement with the region, environmental rehabilitation is suggested as a vehicle for restoring critically important ecosystem functions and services while providing a productive alternative to prevailing patterns of American involvement.
Acetylene reduction by transfilter suspension cultures of Rhizobium japonicum.

Abstract Cultures of Rhizobium japonicum were grown in a defined medium and then placed in a transfilter-apparatus. Suspension cultures of soybean root cells were grown in Gamborg's B-5 defined medium and then were placed in a second chamber of this apparatus. The plant-cell medium was renewed under conditions shown to give partial synchrony in soybean cell cultures. Sampling of rhizobia showed that acetylene reduction activity could be obtained after approximately four days in the transfilter-apparatus. Criteria for precluding contaminations have been listed. This is the first report on the activation of Rhizobium japonicum in transfilter suspension cultures using defined media.
Estimation of mobile vehicle range & position using the tobit Kalman filter

Censored measurements arise frequently in engineering applications in the form of saturation, limit of detection, and occlusion effects. Censored data regression uses a formulation known as the Tobit model. We have recently presented a novel extension of the Kalman filter that allows for optimal state tracking in the presence of censored measurements. We call this formulation the Tobit Kalman filter. In this paper, we present an application of the Tobit Kalman filter to mobile vehicle position estimation using received signal strength from a number of antennas. Received signal strength drops below the noise floor as distance increases, and is therefore a censored measurement. We will briefly introduce the Tobit Kalman filter and compare its performance on the position estimation problem with the standard Kalman filter. Stable closed-loop control will be demonstrated by use of the Tobit Kalman filter as an observer in a linear-quadratic-Gaussian regulator.
Effect of Raw Milk on Lactose Intolerance: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

PURPOSE This pilot study aimed to determine whether raw milk reduces lactose malabsorption and/or lactose intolerance symptoms relative to pasteurized milk. METHODS We performed a crossover trial involving 16 adults with self-reported lactose intolerance and lactose malabsorption confirmed by hydrogen (H2) breath testing. Participants underwent 3, 8-day milk phases (raw vs 2 controls: pasteurized, soy) in randomized order separated by 1-week washout periods. On days 1 and 8 of each phase, milk consumption was 473 mL (16 oz); on days 2 to 7, milk dosage increased daily by 118 mL (4 oz), beginning with 118 mL (4 oz) on day 2 and reaching 710 mL (24 oz) on day 7. Outcomes were area under the breath H2 curve (AUC ∆H2) and self-reported symptom severity (visual analog scales: flatulence/gas, audible bowel sounds, abdominal cramping, diarrhea). RESULTS AUC ∆H2 (mean ± standard error of the mean) was higher for raw vs pasteurized on day 1 (113 ± 21 vs 71 ± 12 ppm·min·10−2, respectively, P = .01) but not day 8 (72 ± 14 vs 74 ± 15 ppm·min·10−2, respectively, P = .9). Symptom severities were not different for raw vs pasteurized on day 7 with the highest dosage (P >.7). AUC ∆H2 and symptom severities were higher for both dairy milks compared with soy milk. CONCLUSIONS Raw milk failed to reduce lactose malabsorption or lactose intolerance symptoms compared with pasteurized milk among adults positive for lactose malabsorption. These results do not support widespread anecdotal claims that raw milk reduces the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Optimization of fuzzy systems

The paper discusses the problem of optimization of complex systems that are described by a fuzzy model. Conventional optimization philosophy used in nonlinear programming is replaced by an efficient procedure that is in the spirit of the theory of approximate reasoning. Our approach is based on the fact that the focal points of the rules approximate the extrema of the nonlinear mapping which is associated with a fuzzy model. As a result we obtain a simple algorithm for calculation of the "approximate" extrema of a fuzzy model. We also demonstrate how these "approximate" extrema can be used in the calculation of the true extrema of a fuzzy model.
A variational Bayes algorithm for fast and accurate multiple locus genome-wide association analysis

Background The success achieved by genome-wide association (GWA) studies in the identification of candidate loci for complex diseases has been accompanied by an inability to explain the bulk of heritability. Here, we describe the algorithm V-Bay, a variational Bayes algorithm for multiple locus GWA analysis, which is designed to identify weaker associations that may contribute to this missing heritability.
Prediction of Biomechanical Properties of Trabecular Bone in MR Images With Geometric Features and Support Vector Regression

Whole knee joint MR image datasets were used to compare the performance of geometric trabecular bone features and advanced machine learning techniques in predicting biomechanical strength properties measured on the corresponding ex vivo specimens. Changes of trabecular bone structure throughout the proximal tibia are indicative of several musculoskeletal disorders involving changes in the bone quality and the surrounding soft tissue. Recent studies have shown that MR imaging also allows non-invasive 3-D characterization of bone microstructure. Sophisticated features like the scaling index method (SIM) can estimate local structural and geometric properties of the trabecular bone and may improve the ability of MR imaging to determine local bone quality in vivo. A set of 67 bone cubes was extracted from knee specimens and their biomechanical strength estimated by the yield stress (YS) [in MPa] was determined through mechanical testing. The regional apparent bone volume fraction (BVF) and SIM derived features were calculated for each bone cube. A linear multiregression analysis (MultiReg) and a optimized support vector regression (SVR) algorithm were used to predict the YS from the image features. The prediction accuracy was measured by the root mean square error (RMSE) for each image feature on independent test sets. The best prediction result with the lowest prediction error of RMSE = 1.021 MPa was obtained with a combination of BVF and SIM features and by using SVR. The prediction accuracy with only SIM features and SVR (RMSE = 1.023 MPa) was still significantly better than BVF alone and MultiReg (RMSE = 1.073 MPa). The current study demonstrates that the combination of sophisticated bone structure features and supervised learning techniques can improve MR-based determination of trabecular bone quality.
Individual Vesicle Fusion Events Mediated by Lipid-Anchored DNA

Membrane fusion consists of a complex rearrangement of lipids and proteins that results in the merger of two lipid bilayers. We have developed a model system that employs synthetic DNA-lipid conjugates as a surrogate for the membrane proteins involved in the biological fusion reaction. We previously showed that complementary DNA-lipids, inserted into small unilamellar vesicles, can mediate membrane fusion in bulk. Here, we use a model membrane architecture developed in our lab to directly observe single-vesicle fusion events using fluorescence microscopy. In this system, a planar tethered membrane patch serves as the target membrane for incoming vesicles. This allows us to quantify the kinetics and characteristics of individual fusion events from the perspective of the lipids or the DNA-lipids involved in the process. We find that the fusion pathways are heterogeneous, with an arrested hemi-fusion state predominating, and we quantitate the outcome and rate of fusion events to construct a mechanistic model of DNA-mediated vesicle fusion. The waiting times between docking and fusion are distributed exponentially, suggesting that fusion occurs in a single step. Our analysis indicates that when two lipid bilayers are brought into close proximity, fusion occurs spontaneously, with little or no dependence on the number of DNA hybrids formed.
A routing game in Cognitive Radio Networks against Routing-toward-Primary-User Attacks

This paper proposes a robust, spectrum-aware routing mechanism for the multi-hop, multi-channel Cognitive Radio Networks (CRNs) that are exposed to the Routing-toward-Primary-User Attack (RPUA). With RPUA, malicious Secondary Users (SUs) attempt to block the data transmission of the normal SUs by routing packets towards the SUs around the Primary Users (PUs). The proposed routing mechanism models the interaction between the non-malicious SUs and their one-hop neighbors as a stochastic game. With routing information back-propagation from the next-hop SUs, the local relay-channel-selection games along the routing path form a global, layered Markov Decision Process (MDP). To address the problem of the mixed attack with both RPUA and Sink-Hole-Attack (SHA), the trustworthiness of the neighbor nodes is evaluated as a single-buyer-multiple-seller price competition. For each SU, the best policy of relay-channel selection is learned in a reinforcement learning framework with fictitious play. Simulation results show that the proposed routing algorithm can avoid malicious relays and minimize the routing delay in the CRN under attacks.
Botulinum toxin treatment of false vocal folds in adductor spasmodic dysphonia: Functional outcomes.

Objectives/Hypothesis Supraglottic injection of botulinum toxin (Botox) has been described as an effective treatment for adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD). Anecdotal evidence suggests that the patients have little to no breathiness after injection, but no formal longitudinal studies have been carried out to date. The purpose of this study was to examine the voice outcomes in patients with ADSD after supraglottic Botox injection. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods Patients with ADSD who were treated with supraglottic Botox injections completed a qualitative self-evaluation of voice function after injection using the percentage of normal function (PNF) scale, a validated, quantitative scale from 0% (no function) to 100% (normal function). Posttreatment voice improvement after injection was determined using a Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) questionnaire. Results A total of 198 supraglottic injections were performed between July 2011 and October 2014. Twenty-five questionnaires were completed. Mean postinjection PNF was 95.0% ± 8.4% and was significantly increased from the preinjection mean PNF (62.5%) ± 22.6% (P < 0.001). The mean best VHI-10 for all injections was 7.23. In 19 of 25 patients (76%), there was no reduction in PNF in the early postinjection period. In the remaining six patients (24%), the decline in mean vocal function was 9.2%. Conclusions Supraglottic Botox injection is an effective treatment for ADSD. Postinjection voice is significantly improved, and the majority of patients do not experience breathy voice/decline in vocal function after injection. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 126:118–121, 2016
Leg Regeneration Trade-Offs in the Twostriped Walkingstick (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae)

Appendage regeneration is a unique tool to study resource allocation trade-offs; the resources allocated to grow an appendage a second time can come at the expense of other structures. We studied the effects of both front and hind leg regeneration on a suite of traits in Anisomorpha buprestoides (Stoll) (Phasmatodea: Pseudophasmatidae), the twostriped walkingstick. This species is ideal for resource allocation questions because it has a relatively long life history as well as a large group of traits to measure for any potential trade-offs (including large defensive glands in the thorax that are used to deter predators). For females, there were no apparent trade-offs with respect to antennae, eyes, defensive glands, nonregenerated legs, cerci, genital plates, and/or body size. In males, there were no also no apparent trade-offs with respect to antennae, eyes, defensive glands, nonregenerated legs, cerci, or testes, but males that regenerated a leg were larger (but not heavier) than nonregenerating males. Future work at the physiological level will hopefully elucidate the nature of acquisition-allocation trade-offs in phasmids, and how such trade-offs may have shaped their evolution.
For Truth and Realism in Management Research

Is truth a research goal and regulative ideal that is appropriate for management research? Is realism an appropriate philosophical foundation for management research? This article answers in the affirmative on both of these questions by (a) using historical method to develop the four fundamental tenets of scientific realism, (b) using the historical material to show how some management writers have presented a historically false view of scientific realism, (c) developing a scientific realist model of truth, and (d) using trust as a foundation, arguing for truth and realism in management research.
Scalar Quantum Fields Confined by Rectangular Boundaries

A collection of local Casimir problems is studied in detail. These problems are generated by confining a scalar quantum field within boundaries consisting of planes, edges and corners. The boundaries include isolated infinite planes, rectangular edges and corners, parallel planes, the rectangular waveguide and the rectangular cavity. Calculations are done for massless and massive confined fields and for fields at zero and nonzero temperature. Each example has its finite global Casimir effect, which must be computable from the exact local description. The latter however contains known boundary divergences which seem to imply an infinite global Casimir effect. A physical picture and mathematically explicit method is presented for computing finite global Casimir effects from the divergent local description. Divergent boundary functions extending outward in space away from a given boundary ϱ𝔐 represent the distortion of the virtual particle sea of the confined field caused by ϱ𝔐. This distortion of the virtual sea is inseparable from the existence of ϱ𝔐, and may be regarded as the cost of construction of ϱ𝔐 out of nothing. Thus a given divergent boundary function is intrinsic to its ϱ𝔐 — where here is meant specifically the complete boundary function extending (if it does) all the way to infinity. Different boundaries cut off parts of each other's boundary functions, and this plays a vital role in the global Casimir effect as will be explained. It is shown in the examples considered how to compute the global Casimir effect by integration of the exact local description over the region within which the quantum field is confined. Rectangular boundary geometry makes calculations relatively simple; however the method can be applied to boundaries of arbitrary shape. At finite temperature the confined quantum field represents a thermal gas as well as a virtual particle sea. Boundaries also distort this gas of real particles in a way which can be computed. Exact local calculations are done for the rectangular boundaries considered. Beyond these considerations for free fields, systems with interacting fields present additional very interesting local Casimir phenomena. A model two-field interacting theory is discussed briefly for illustration.
Early Professionals in Counseling Psychology The Academic Setting

This article considers some of the issues and concerns that confront academic counseling psychologists during the early professional years (6 to 10 years post-Ph.D.). Tenure, competency, role overload/burnout, and mobility issues are briefly discussed. Where appropriate, strategies or coping techniques for dealing with these issues and concerns are presented.
S-Alk(en)yl Cysteines of Garlic Inhibit Cholesterol Synthesis by Deactivating HMG-CoA Reductase in Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

The effects of water-soluble organosulfur compounds of garlic on hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis in cultured rat hepatocytes were studied. S-Alk(en)yl cysteines, i.e., S-allyl cysteine (SAC), S-ethyl cysteine (SEC) and S-propyl cysteine (SPC) inhibited cholesterol synthesis from [(14)C]acetate but not from [(14)C]mevalonate. The activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase in the cells treated with SAC, SEC and SPC was 30-40% lower than that of the untreated cells. S-Alk(en)yl cysteines did not alter abundance of mRNA coded for HMG-CoA reductase or protein concentration of the enzyme. The ratio of expressed to total activity (E/T) of HMG-CoA reductase was then determined as an index of phosphorylation status of the enzyme. The E/T ratio was reduced 18-29% by SAC, SEC and SPC, resulting primarily from decreased expressed activity. The results suggest that S-alk(en)yl cysteines inhibit cholesterol synthesis by deactivating HMG-CoA reductase via enhanced phosphorylation, but not changing levels of mRNA or the amount of the enzyme. Additionally, of the three S-alk(en)yl cysteines tested, only SAC appears to further decrease the activity of HMG-CoA reductase by increasing sulfhydryl oxidation of the enzyme.
The self-help movement and narcotic adults.

The “self-help” movement, based on fundamental American values, has grown among society's “deviants” such as alcoholics and narcotic users. Its leaders have typically challenged any agency role in their organizations. The main thrust of this paper is to compare the indigenous self-help groups in Baltimore and nearby communities under Narcotics Anonymous with agency-initiated groups of former addicts. The need is seen for both efforts.
Simulation of nitrous oxide and nitric oxide emissions from tropical primary forests in the Costa Rican Atlantic Zone

Nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitric oxide (NO) are important atmospheric trace gases participating in the regulation of global climate and environment. Predictive models on the emissions of N2O and NO emissions from soil into the atmosphere are required. We modified the CENTURY model (Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J., 51 (1987) 1173) to simulate the emissions of N2O and NO from tropical primary forests in the Atlantic Zone of Costa Rica at a monthly time step. Combined fluxes of N2O and NO were simulated as a function of gross N mineralization and water-filled pore space (WFPS). The coefficients for partitioning N2O from NO were derived from field measurements (Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 8 (1994) 399). The modified CENTURY was calibrated against observations of carbon stocks in various pools of forest ecosystems of the region, and measured WFPS and emission rates of N2O and NO from soil to the atmosphere. WFPS is an important factor regulating nutrient cycling and emissions of N2O and NO from soils making the accuracy of the WFPS prediction central to the modeling process. To do this, we modified the hydrologic submodel and developed a new method for the prediction of WFPS at the monthly scale from daily rainfall information. The new method is based on: (1) the relationship between monthly rainfall and the number of rainfall events, and (2) the relative cumulative frequency distribution of ranked daily rainfall events. The method is generic and should be applicable to other areas. Simulated monthly average WFPS was 0.68±0.02 — identical with the field measurement average of 0.68±0.02 from the annual cycle observed by Keller and Reiners (Global Biogeochem. Cycles, 8 (1994) 399). Simulated fluxes of N2O and NO were 52.0±9.4 mg-N m−2 month−1 and 6.5±0.7 mg-N m−2 month−1, respectively, compared with measured averages of 48.2±11.0 mg-N m−2 month−1 and 7.1±1.1 mg-N m−2 month−1. The simulated N2O/NO ratio was 11.2±1.9 compared with the measured value of 10.9±4.7. WFPS is the dominant determinant of the fraction of gross N mineralization that is emitted from the soil as N2O and NO. If WFPS were not limiting during part of the year, this fraction would be 4.2%. With some periods of lower WFPS, the realized fraction is 2.2%. Because of the strong relationships between N2O and NO emission rates and rainfall and its derivative, WFPS, these moisture variables can be used to scale up nitrogen trace gas fluxes from sites to larger spatial scales.
Characteristics of Spawning Lake Sturgeon in the Upper Black River, Michigan

Abstract The population of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens in Black Lake, Michigan, is confined to a smaller spatial habitat than was historically available, which has led to concern over the future viability of the population. Biological data were collected from spawning lake sturgeons in the Upper Black River in 2001 and 2002 to assess the size of the spawning run and the condition of spawning fish relative to other populations. A 1.6-km section of the total 11 km of available habitat in the Upper Black River was an important spawning location for lake sturgeon. Spawning fish were captured and data were collected at the spawning sites from 115 adults in 2001 and 104 adults in 2002. Fish gender was determined by the presence of ripe gametes. The male : female sex ratio was 1.55:1 in 2001 and 2.06:1 in 2002. Weight at length for spawning lake sturgeons was comparable to that of other studied populations, and the average size at age of spawning lake sturgeons was slightly higher than for spawning fish f...
Growth of magnetic thin films using CO2 RESS expansions

A continuous-flow rapid expansion of supercritical solution (RESS) apparatus is used to grow thin iron oxide thin films under ambient and vacuum conditions. The magnetic thin films are produced by expanding a supercritical solution of ferric acetylacetonate (Fe(acac)3) and CO2 and directing the resulting supersonic jet onto both hot and cold silicon wafers. The concentration of the expanding solution is monitored in-line with a UV–vis high pressure view cell which is also used to perform solubility measurements. The resulting films contain nano- and sub-micronic particles in the 13–700 nm size range and show magnetic order. Structural and magnetic data for these thin particle films have been obtained by SQUID and SEM measurements and compared as a function of substrate surface temperature, growth times, and initial solute concentrations. Experimental and theoretical analysis of the thermodynamics and fluid mechanics appropriate for this RESS process is discussed. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Current practices in job matching: A Project SEARCH perspective on transition

BACKGROUND: Individuals with disabilities are employed at rates significantly lower than those without disabilities. Job matching has been an integral part of supported employment practices for individuals with disabilities for over 30 years. However, no research examines the specific practices of key stakeholders who make job matching decisions with, or on behalf of, individuals with disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the: a) current practices in job matching, b) outcomes of the job matching process, and c) tools used by Project SEARCH professionals to inform job matching decisions. METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods sequential-explanatory research design to examine the practices of key stakeholders involved in job matching. Stakeholders were students and professionals participating in transition using the Project SEARCH model. Quantitative and narrative data were collected by survey during the first phase of the study. A second, qualitative phase employed a multiple case study design using focus groups to evaluate the perspectives of key professional and consumer stakeholder groups. Integration of quantitative and qualitative data revealed that: a) job matching is a collaborative process, b) stakeholders consider many different types of data when job matching, c) current practices in job matching are variable and lack consistency, and d) outcomes of the job matching process are poorly defined. CONCLUSIONS: Additional resources are needed to support the efforts of stakeholders who make job matching decisions with, or on behalf of, individuals with disabilities. In the absence of formal resources, key stakeholders who utilize a collaborative, consistent, data-driven process for job matching are most likely to observe positive outcomes.
Compositional production in Spanish second language conjugation

Dual-route models of second language (L2) morphology (Clahsen & Felser, 2006; Ullman, 2004) argue that adult L2 learners rely on full-form retrieval, and therefore cannot use combination to produce inflected forms. We tested this prediction with learning of Spanish verb conjugations. Beginning (Experiment 1) and intermediate (Experiment 2) learners (total N = 816) completed 80–90 minutes of web-based training, conjugating regular and subregular verbs in present and preterite tense. Tests of generalization items showed that training led to substantial improvement, equally for metalinguistic and analogical feedback. Comparison with an untrained group showed that gains were maintained 18 weeks after training. In contrast with dual-route model predictions, pre-test accuracy and learning gains were strongly predicted by conjugation pattern, showing that full-form retrieval was insufficient to explain learner performance. Results indicate that adult L2 learners apply compositional analysis, and that conjugation patterns are learned on the basis of their relative cue validity.
Rehabilitation and cross-language transfer in bilingual aphasia: towards a computational model

Uli Grasemann and Risto Miikkukainen are with the Department of Computer Science, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA -- Chaleece Sandberg and Swathi Kiran are with the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
A Coding Theory Approach to Noisy Compressive Sensing Using Low Density Frames

We consider the compressive sensing of a sparse or compressible signal x ∈ ℝM. We explicitly construct a class of measurement matrices inspired by coding theory, referred to as low density frames, and develop decoding algorithms that produce an accurate estimate x even in the presence of additive noise. Low density frames are sparse matrices and have small storage requirements. Our decoding algorithms can be implemented in O(Mdv2) complexity, where dv is the left degree of the underlying bipartite graph. Simulation results are provided, demonstrating that our approach outperforms state-of-the-art recovery algorithms for numerous cases of interest. In particular, for Gaussian sparse signals and Gaussian noise, we are within 2-dB range of the theoretical lower bound in most cases.
The role of gender differences in the reduction of etiologic heterogeneity in schizophrenia

Recent research has shown a resurgence of interest in the study of gender differences in schizophrenia. Accumulated evidence suggests that, compared with women, men have a higher incidence of schizophrenia, earlier age of onset, poorer course and medication response, poorer premorbid social and intellectual functioning, fewer affective symptoms, lower family morbid risk of schizophrenia and affective disorders, more evidence of obstetric complications in their mothers, and greater structural brain abnormalities. The roles of estrogen, neurodevelopment, and family history of affective disorder are evaluated as co-contributors to the observed gender differences in schizophrenia. Particular emphasis is given to evaluating the hypothesis that men are more prone to a hypothesized poor-prognosis, neurodevelopmental subtype of schizophrenia, for which early environmental brain insults play an important etiologic role, whereas women may be more prone to a hypothesized good-prognosis, affective subtype that is genetically related to the affective disorders. This hypothesis is evaluated in terms of (a) its ability to account for gender differences in schizophrenia, (b) its ability to link differences in clinical presentation to proposed differences in etiology; and (c) its potential to generate testable predictions for future schizophrenia research.
Metabolic reconstruction of the archaeon methanogen Methanosarcina Acetivorans

Background: Methanogens are ancient organisms that are key players in the carbon cycle accounting for about one billion tones of biological methane produced annually. Methanosarcina acetivorans, with a genome size of ~5.7 mb, is the largest sequenced archaeon methanogen and unique amongst the methanogens in its biochemical characteristics. By following a systematic workflow we reconstruct a genome-scale metabolic model for M. acetivorans. This process relies on previously developed computational tools developed in our group to correct growth prediction inconsistencies with in vivo data sets and rectify topological inconsistencies in the model. Results: The generated model iVS941 accounts for 941 genes, 705 reactions and 708 metabolites. The model achieves 93.3% prediction agreement with in vivo growth data across different substrates and multiple gene deletions. The model also correctly recapitulates metabolic pathway usage patterns of M. acetivorans such as the indispensability of flux through methanogenesis for growth on acetate and methanol and the unique biochemical characteristics under growth on carbon monoxide. Conclusions: Based on the size of the genome-scale metabolic reconstruction and extent of validated predictions this model represents the most comprehensive up-to-date effort to catalogue methanogenic metabolism. The reconstructed model is available in spreadsheet and SBML formats to enable dissemination.
Beyond “fire temperatures”: calibrating thermocouple probes and modeling their response to surface fires in hardwood fuels

The maximum temperatures of thermocouples, temperature-sensitive paints, and calorimeters exposed to flames in wildland fires are often called “fire temperatures” but are determined as much by the ...
Validation of a portable EMG device to assess muscle activity during free-living situations

Portable amplifiers that record electromyograms (EMGs) for longer than four hours are commonly priced over $20,000 USD. This cost, and the technical challenges associated with recording EMGs during free-living situations, typically restrict EMG use to laboratory settings. A low-cost system (μEMG; OT Bioelecttronica, 100€), using specialized concentric bipolar electrodes, has been developed specifically for free-living situations. The purpose of this study was to validate the μEMG system by comparing EMGs from μEMG with a laboratory-based alternative (Telemyo 900; Noraxon USA, Inc.). Surface EMGs from biceps brachii (BB) and tibialis anterior (TA) of ten subjects were recorded simultaneously with both systems as subjects performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs), submaximal contractions at 25%, 50%, and 75% MVC, seven simulated activities of daily living (ADLs), and >60min of simulated free-living inside the laboratory. In general, EMG parameters (e.g., average full-wave rectified EMG amplitude) derived from both systems were not significantly different for all outcome variables, except there were small differences across systems in baseline noise and absolute EMG amplitudes during MVCs. These results suggest that μEMG is a valid approach to the long-term recording of EMG.
Characterization of Mid1 domains for targeting and scaffolding in fission yeast cytokinesis

Division-site selection and contractile-ring assembly are two crucial steps in cytokinesis. In fission yeast, the anillin-like Mid1 protein specifies the division site at the cell equator by assembling cortical nodes, the precursors of the contractile ring. Thus, Mid1 is essential for linking the positional cues for the cleavage site to contractile-ring formation. However, how Mid1 domains cooperate to regulate cytokinesis is poorly understood. Here we unravel the functions of different Mid1 domains (motifs) by a series of truncations. We report that the conserved PH domain stabilizes Mid1 in nodes by binding to lipids and is required for Mid1 cortical localization during interphase in the absence of Cdr2 kinase. Mid1 lacking an internal region that is approximately one third of the full-length protein has higher nuclear and cortical concentration and suppresses the division-site positioning defects in cells with a deletion of the dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase Pom1. The N-terminus of Mid1 physically interacts with cytokinesis node proteins. When fused to cortical node protein Cdr2, Mid1(1–100) is sufficient to assemble cytokinesis nodes and the contractile ring. Collectively, our study recognizes domains regulating Mid1 cortical localization and reveals domains sufficient for contractile-ring assembly.
On the use of Information Theory Concepts in the Analysis of Financial Statements

Balance sheets and income statements are numerical decompositions of certain total sums: total assets, total liabilities, total sales, and total costs and expenses. The behavior of individual items measured as fractions of the corresponding total is important for the analysis of the company's financial position. It will be argued in this article that certain concepts derived from information theory are useful as summarizing descriptive devices for changes in such fractions as well as for the analysis of differences between companies of the same industry.
Benign pneumatosis intestinalis after bilateral lung transplantation

This series details two cases of benign pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in patients post-lung transplant, which were discovered incidentally on routine surveillance chest radiographs during ambulatory clinic visits. Both patients had uneventful post-transplant recovery and were asymptomatic at presentation. The patients were admitted for observation. Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT scans confirmed the plain film findings. Both cases were managed conservatively with bowel rest, intravenous hydration and serial abdominal examinations. The patients had unremarkable hospital courses and were both discharged in good condition. Our current understanding of benign PI in patients post-transplant is limited to a few case series and case reports. Greater awareness of this entity may decrease unnecessary invasive procedures and improve management of these patients.
Osmotic Changes in Erythrocytes of Human Blood During Storage

SummaryIn citrate-blood the erythrocytes undergo progressive swelling during storage at 2°C; this is reflected in the increase in the fragility to hypotonic saline solutions. This property is not reversible by washing in isotonic saline. Red cells stored in sucrose-citrate solutions shrink. Erythrocytes in 5.4% dextrose-citrate undergo rapid swelling which is due to the diffusion of dextrose and water into the cells. The process can be reversed by washing with isotonic saline. The addition of hypertonic dextrose solutions to blood-citrate produces hypertonic cell contents during storage. The transfusion of such cells results in intravascular hemolysis by action of the recipient's plasma. The osmotic activity of the erythrocytes thus becomes another criterion for the suitability of stored blood for transfusion. Blood collected in dextrose solutions should be chilled rapidly to avoid osmotic hemolysis during refrigeration.
Influence of the geometry on the fatigue performance of crenellated fuselage panels

Abstract Crenellation is a novel local engineering technique aimed at improving the fatigue performance of the airframe structures without increasing the weight. In this concept, a systematic thickness variation is applied to the fuselage skin to retard the fatigue crack growth. In order to achieve the best retardation effect, it is necessary optimize the crenellation geometry. As a result, a parameter study characterizing three independent geometric aspects of the crenellations was performed: the crenellation ratio c, the periodic length λ and a position parameter. The study was based on a FEA model validated by experiments. It is expected to give a sufficiently accurate prediction on fatigue life of different crenellation patterns. The obtained knowledge concerning the impact of those geometrical factors could provide guidance for future crenellation designs for industrial applications.
Improving image quality in compressed ultrafast photography with a space- and intensity-constrained reconstruction algorithm

The single-shot compressed ultrafast photography (CUP) camera is the fastest receive-only camera in the world. In this work, we introduce an external CCD camera and a space- and intensity-constrained (SIC) reconstruction algorithm to improve the image quality of CUP. The CCD camera takes a time-unsheared image of the dynamic scene. Unlike the previously used unconstrained algorithm, the proposed algorithm incorporates both spatial and intensity constraints, based on the additional prior information provided by the external CCD camera. First, a spatial mask is extracted from the time-unsheared image to define the zone of action. Second, an intensity threshold constraint is determined based on the similarity between the temporally projected image of the reconstructed datacube and the time-unsheared image taken by the external CCD. Both simulation and experimental studies showed that the SIC reconstruction improves the spatial resolution, contrast, and general quality of the reconstructed image.
What colour are newborns' eyes? Prevalence of iris colour in the Newborn Eye Screening Test (NEST) study

Purpose This study aims to assess the birth prevalence of iris colour among newborns in a prospective, healthy, full-term newborn cohort. Methods The Newborn Eye Screening Test (NEST) study is a prospective cohort study conducted at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University School of Medicine. A paediatric vitreoretinal specialist (DMM) reviewed images sent to the Byers Eye Institute telemedicine reading centre and recorded eye colour for every infant screened. Variables were graphed to assess for normality, and frequencies per subject were reported for eye colour, sex, ethnicity and race. Results Among 192 subjects screened in the first year of the NEST study with external images of appropriate quality for visualization of the irides, the birth prevalence of iris colour was 63.0% brown, 20.8% blue, 5.7% green/hazel, 9.9% indeterminate and 0.5% partial heterochromia. The study population was derived from a quaternary care children's hospital. We report the birth prevalence of iris colour among full-term newborns in a diverse prospective cohort. Conclusion The study demonstrates a broad range of iris colour prevalence at birth with a predominance of brown iris coloration. Future studies with the NEST cohort will assess the change in iris colour over time and whether the frequencies of eye colour change as the child ages.
Long Term Effects of Small Random Perturbations on Dynamical Systems: Theoretical and Computational Tools

Small random perturbations may have a dramatic impact on the long time evolution of dynamical systems, and large deviation theory is often the right theoretical framework to understand these effects. At the core of the theory lies the minimization of an action functional, which in many cases of interest has to be computed by numerical means. Here we review the theoretical and computational aspects behind these calculations, and propose an algorithm that simplifies the geometric minimum action method to minimize the action in the space of arc-length parametrized curves. We then illustrate this algorithm’s capabilities by applying it to various examples from material sciences, fluid dynamics, atmosphere/ocean sciences, and reaction kinetics. In terms of models, these examples involve stochastic (ordinary or partial) differential equations with multiplicative noise, Markov jump processes, and systems with fast and slow degrees of freedom, which all violate detailed balance, so that simpler computational methods are not applicable.
Effects of localized chemical carcinogenesis and immunosuppression upon bronchial preneoplasia in the dog.

Early detection of lung cancer is becoming increasingly more common in clinical practice, but serial studies in patients are rarely possible. To permit serial observations during the preneoplastic stages of carcinogenesis, we employed bronchoscopy to expose 54 dogs recurrently to carcinogens at the orifice of the right accessory (intermediate) lobe bronchus. Benzo(a)pyrene (BP) and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU), either alone or sequentially, were injected into the bronchial submucosa or were topically applied to the mucosa in three groups of mongrels and two groups of beagles. Long-term immunosuppression with azathioprine and methylprednisolone was used in one group of beagles. Weekly injections of 45 mg. of NMU were found to be excessively toxic. However, weekly submucosal injections of up to 45 mg. of BP and topical application of 5 mg. of NMU were well tolerated. The gross bronchoscopic and histologic changes induced by these carcinogens used singly or in sequence were essentially the same. Marked mucosal irregularity and stenosis were routinely noted by the third month. Serial monthly biopsies of the sites of carcinogen exposure regularly revealed columnar hyperplasia within the first month. Squamous metaplasia occurred as early as 4 weeks after the first chemical exposure, and it became a persistent and progressive feature by the third month. Atypical structure with increased mitotic activity was recurrently seen, and 76 percent of all dogs have squamous metaplasia with atypia. Chronic immunosuppression did not alter the pattern of gross and histologic changes. Recurrent trauma alone did not cause squamous metaplasia or any other preneoplastic change. We conclude that the sequential use of BP-NMU has proved safest and most effective of the methods used in producing bronchial preneoplasia in the dog. The use of adjuvant immunosuppression has not proved worth while. A predictable, reproducible means of producing localized endobronchial preneoplasia in the dog has been developed.
Vegetation science in the age of big data

The age of big data is poised to revolutionize vegetation science. As online resources continue to grow, vegetation ecologists will need a growing set of computational skills to advance vegetation science in the digital age. Two papers in this issue of the Journal of Vegetation Science (Wiser 2016, Sandel et al. 2016) illustrate the resources available and use of big data to explore challenging ecological questions.
Optimizing gate reticle to silicon flow for variability in low power circuits

Ultra-low-power circuits for applications such as biomedical implants and environmental monitoring are being designed to operate in the subthreshold regime. CMOS circuits in this regime are extremely susceptible to manufacturing process variations due to the exponential relationship of transistor sub-threshold drive current (Id) with threshold voltage (Vt) variation. In this paper, we explore the behavior of an inverter ring oscillator that was manufactured using 130nm process technology and operated at low supply voltage (Vdd). We then explore the effects of variations induced due to different aspects of the manufacturing process. Finally, we define the box of safe operation using an existing 130nm CMOS process and the required precision to achieve high yields by optimizing the gate reticle to silicon (Si) flow for the same.
A Prospective Trial of Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) Incorporating a Simultaneous Integrated Boost for Prostate Cancer: Long-term Outcomes Compared With Standard Image Guided IMRT.

Purpose This report describes the long-term outcomes of a prospective trial of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), integrating a 111 In capromab pendetide (ProstaScint) scan-directed simultaneous integrated boost (SIB) for localized prostate cancer. Methods and Materials Seventy-one patients with T1N0M0 to T4N0M0 prostate cancer were enrolled, and their ProstaScint and pelvic computed tomography scans were coregistered for treatment planning. The entire prostate received 75.6 Gy in 42 fractions with IMRT, whereas regions of increased uptake on ProstaScint scans received 82 Gy as an SIB. Patients with intermediate- and high-risk disease also received 6 months and 12 months of adjuvant hormonal therapy, respectively. Results The study enrolled 31 low-, 30 intermediate-, and 10 high-risk patients. The median follow-up was 120 months (range, 24-150 months). The 10-year biochemical control rates were 85% for the entire cohort and 84%, 84%, and 90% for patients with low-, intermediate-, and high-risk disease, respectively. The 10-year survival rate of the entire cohort was 69%. Pretreatment prostate-specific antigen level >10 ng/mL and boost volume of >10% of the prostate volume were significantly associated with poorer biochemical control and survival. The outcomes were compared with those of a cohort of 302 patients treated similarly but without the SIB and followed up for a median of 91 months (range, 6-138 months). The 5- and 10-year biochemical control rates were 86% and 61%, respectively, in patients without the SIB compared with 94% and 85%, respectively, in patients in this trial who received the SIB ( P =.02). The cohort that received an SIB did not have increased toxicity. Conclusions The described IMRT strategy, integrating multiple imaging modalities to administer 75.6 Gy to the entire prostate with a boost dose of 82 Gy, was feasible. The addition of the SIB was associated with greater biochemical control but not toxicity. Modern imaging technology can be used to locally intensify the dose to tumors and spare normal tissues, producing very favorable long-term biochemical disease control.