cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finding our bearings: Understanding public attitudes toward growing black bear populations in Alabama

ABSTRACTBlack bear populations in Alabama have been low since the early part of the 20th century, but an increase in sightings over the past decade has led researchers to believe that populations may be growing, spurring discussions on restoring the species throughout its native range in the state. The rise of a large carnivore population is likely to increase human–wildlife interactions and attract outspoken opinions in support of and against population recovery. We conducted a mail survey of Alabama residents to access public views and opinions toward growing bear populations. Multiple linear regression was used to examine the degree to which residents’ attitudes toward black bears could be predicted by demographic, cognitive, and experiential variables. Results demonstrate that the strongest predictors of attitudes toward bears included mutualist and hunting beliefs, trust in the state wildlife management agency, race, and exposure to bear education materials.
State Firearm Laws and Interstate Firearm Deaths From Homicide and Suicide in the United States: A Cross-sectional Analysis of Data by County

Importance Firearm laws in one state may be associated with increased firearm death rates from homicide and suicide in neighboring states. Objective To determine whether counties located closer to states with lenient firearm policies have higher firearm death rates. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study of firearm death rates by county for January 2010 to December 2014 examined data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for firearm suicide and homicide decedents for 3108 counties in the 48 contiguous states of the United States. Exposures Each county was assigned 2 scores, a state policy score (range, 0-12) based on the strength of its state firearm laws, and an interstate policy score (range, −1.33 to 8.31) based on the sum of population-weighted and distance-decayed policy scores for all other states. Counties were divided into those with low, medium, and high home state and interstate policy scores. Main Outcomes and Measures County-level rates of firearm, nonfirearm, and total homicide and suicide. With multilevel Bayesian spatial Poisson models, we generated incidence rate ratios (IRR) comparing incidence rates between each group of counties and the reference group, counties with high home state and high interstate policy scores. Results Stronger firearm laws in a state were associated with lower firearm suicide rates and lower overall suicide rates regardless of the strength of the other states’ laws. Counties with low state scores had the highest rates of firearm suicide. Rates were similar across levels of interstate policy score (low: IRR, 1.34; 95% credible interval [CI], 1.11-1.65; medium: IRR, 1.36, (95% CI, 1.15-1.65; and high: IRR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.20-1.73). Counties with low state and low or medium interstate policy scores had the highest rates of firearm homicide. Counties with low home state and interstate scores had higher firearm homicide rates (IRR, 1.38; 95% CI, 1.02-1.88) and overall homicide rates (IRR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.03-1.67). Counties in states with low firearm policy scores had lower rates of firearm homicide only if the interstate firearm policy score was high. Conclusions and Relevance Strong state firearm policies were associated with lower suicide rates regardless of other states’ laws. Strong policies were associated with lower homicide rates, and strong interstate policies were also associated with lower homicide rates, where home state policies were permissive. Strengthening state firearm policies may prevent firearm suicide and homicide, with benefits that may extend beyond state lines.
Electrical impedance myography as a biomarker of myostatin inhibition with ActRIIB-mFc: a study in wild-type mice.

Aim: We sought to determine the sensitivity of electrical impedance myography (EIM) to myofiber hypertrophy induced by treatment with various doses of ActRIIB-mFc, an inhibitor of myostatin signali...
Facebook versus Twitter: Differences in Self-Disclosure and Trait Prediction

This study compares self-disclosure on Facebook and Twitter through the lens of demographic and psychological traits. Predictive evaluation reveals that language models trained on Facebook posts are more accurate at predicting age, gender, stress, and empathy than those trained on Twitter posts. Qualitative analyses of the underlying linguistic and demographic differences reveal that users are significantly more likely to disclose information about their family, personal concerns, and emotions and provide a more `honest' self-representation on Facebook. On the other hand, the same users significantly preferred to disclose their needs, drives, and ambitions on Twitter. The higher predictive performance of Facebook is also partly due to the greater volume of language on Facebook than Twitter -- Facebook and Twitter are equally good at predicting user traits when the same-sized language samples are used to train language models. We explore the implications of these differences in cross-platform user trait prediction.
Multimillimeter-sized cubic boron arsenide grown by chemical vapor transport via a tellurium tetraiodide transport agent

Cubic boron arsenide (c-BAs) has been predicted to exhibit thermal conductivity values around 1400 W/m-K at room temperature by first-principles calculations and, thus, shows promise to be one of the solutions for the thermal management challenge faced by the semiconductor industry. However, the size of single crystals of c-BAs in reported growth efforts is still less than 1 mm. In addition, the measured thermal conductivity is well below the predicted value due to the presence of defects in the grown crystal. Here we report the growth of c-BAs single crystals up to a few mm by the chemical vapor transport technique based on a TeI4 transport agent under gas pressures up to 8 atm. Raman spectroscopy revealed a sharp P1 phonon mode, suggesting good crystalline quality. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy revealed the AsB (As-atom on B) and BAs (B-atom on As) antisite pairs. A bulk thermal conductivity value of 133 ± 17 W/m-K at 300 K was obtained using steady-state comparative measurements. Although the bulk thermal conductivity is still one order of magnitude lower than the calculation, the ability to increase the size of the crystal is an important step toward the synthesis of high quality bulk c-BAs crystals.
Sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value of Death Certificate Data Among Deaths Caused by Legionnaires' Disease in New York City, 2008-2013.

Objectives:Death certificates are an important source of information for understanding life expectancy and mortality trends; however, misclassification and incompleteness are common. Although death...
VE/VCO2 slope in lean and overweight women and its relationship to lean leg mass.

Abstract Ventilation/carbon dioxide production (V E /VCO 2slope ) is used clinically to determine cardiorespiratory fitness and morbidity in heart failure (HF). Previously, we demonstrated that lower lean leg mass is associated with high V E /VCO 2slope during exercise in HF. In healthy individuals, we evaluated 1) whether V E /VCO 2slope differed between lean and overweight women and 2) the relationship between lean leg mass and V E /VCO 2slope in overweight sedentary (OWS), overweight trained (OWTR) and lean, trained (LTR) women. Methods Gas exchange and ventilation were collected during a treadmill peak oxygen uptake test (VO 2peak ) in 40 women [26 OWS (29 ± 7 yrs., mean ± SD), 7 OWTR (33 ± 5 yrs) and 7 LTR (26 ± 6 yrs)]. Body composition was measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry. Results VO 2peak was highest in LTR (46.6 ± 8 ml/kg/min) compared with OWTR (38.1 ± 4.9 ml/kg/min) and OWS women (25.3 ± 4.8 ml/kg/min, p E /VCO 2slope was similar between groups (p > 0.05). Higher lean leg mass was associated with lower V E /VCO 2slope in overweight women (OWS + OWTR: r = −0.55, p E /VCO 2slope in LTR women (r = 0.86, p Conclusions These findings suggest V E /VCO 2slope may not differentiate between low and high cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy individuals and muscle mass may play a role in determining the V E /VCO 2slope , independent of disease.
Impact of Antibiotic Therapy in the Microbiological Yield of Healthcare–Associated Ventriculitis and Meningitis

The impact of antibiotic therapy on the diagnosis of healthcare-associated ventriculitis and meningitis (HCAVM) is unknown. Antibiotics were administered before obtaining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 217 out of 326 (66%) patients with HCAVM, and they impacted the sensitivity of the cerebrospinal fluid Gram stain and culture (P ≤ .004).
DECREASED GLOBAL LONGITUDINAL STRAIN WITH MYOCARDITIS FROM IMMUNE CHECKPOINT INHIBITORS AND OCCURRENCE OF MAJOR ADVERSE CARDIAC EVENTS

Myocarditis is a serious and poorly characterized complication from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a sensitive marker of cardiac toxicity among patients receiving chemotherapy. There are no data on the use of GLS in ICI myocarditis. We compared
Seasonal Occurrence and Vertical Distribution of Euschistus servus (Say) and Euschistus tristigmus (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in Pecan Orchards

Euschistus servus (Say) and E. tristigmus (Say) were monitored near and in pecan orchards at ground level only and in pecan orchards from the ground to the upper canopy. Modified pyramidal traps, baited with Euschistus spp. aggregation pheromone, were placed on the ground along a hedgerow adjacent to a pecan orchard, at the orchard edge, and at the orchard center to monitor seasonal occurrence. Vertical distribution of E. servus and E. tristigmus was monitored by placing pheromone-baited traps at preselected heights. Traps on the ground along the hedgerow, orchard edge, and orchard center captured similar numbers of stink bugs each month from May through September, with an increase in October at all locations (combined data for both species). Single traps placed at different heights captured peak numbers of E. servus in early and late season; whereas, traps captured peak numbers of E. tristigmus during the late season. More E. servus were captured in traps on the ground than in traps in the canopy, but mo...
Why Johnny Doesn’t Use Two Factor A Two-Phase Usability Study of the FIDO U2F Security Key

Why do individuals choose to use (or not use) Two Factor Authentication (2FA)? We sought to answer this by implementing a two-phase study of the Yubico Security Key. We analyzed acceptability and usability of the Yubico Security Key, a 2FA hardware token implementing Fast Identity Online (FIDO). This token has notable usability attributes: tactile interaction, convenient form factor, physical resilience, and ease of use. Despite the Yubico Security Key being among best in class for usability among hardware tokens, participants in a think-aloud protocol still encountered several difficulties in usage. Based on these findings, we proposed certain design changes, some of which were adopted by Yubico. We repeated the experiment, showing that these recommendations enhanced ease of use but not necessarily acceptability. With the primary halt points mitigated, we could identify the remaining principle reasons for rejecting 2FA, like fear of losing the device and perceptions that there is no individual risk of account takeover. Our results illustrate both the importance and limits of usability on acceptability, adoption, and adherence in Two-Factor Authentication.
Seybold Publications and Seminars

In the 1960s, John and Jonathan Seybold founded and ran the pioneering computer typesetting company Rocappi. In 1971, they started the Seybold Report, which had a major role in guiding the computer transformation of publishing that took place in that decade. In 1981, Jonathan started the companion company, Seybold Seminars, to conduct conferences and (later) exhibitions, which facilitated the even broader revolutions in computing and publishing in the 1980s and 1990s.
Inter-organ cross-talk in metabolic syndrome

Maintenance of systemic homeostasis and the response to nutritional and environmental challenges require the coordination of multiple organs and tissues. To respond to various metabolic demands, higher organisms have developed a system of inter-organ communication through which one tissue can affect metabolic pathways in a distant tissue. Dysregulation of these lines of communication contributes to human pathologies, including obesity, diabetes, liver disease and atherosclerosis. In recent years, technical advances such as data-driven bioinformatics, proteomics and lipidomics have enabled efforts to understand the complexity of systemic metabolic cross-talk and its underlying mechanisms. Here, we provide an overview of inter-organ signals and their roles in metabolic control, and highlight recent discoveries in the field. We review peptide, small-molecule and lipid mediators secreted by metabolic tissues, as well as the role of the central nervous system in orchestrating peripheral metabolic functions. Finally, we discuss the contributions of inter-organ signalling networks to the features of metabolic syndrome. Systemic homeostasis is finely orchestrated by the action of several organs and molecules. Here Priest et al. provide a comprehensive review that highlights the inter-organ communication complexity in metabolic regulation.
Reduced magnetic disorder at low temperature in Ca3Co2O6 via zinc substitution

ABSTRACTThe compound Ca3Co2O6 undergoes a transition into a spin-density wave (SDW) state near 24 K. Below ∼10 K, this unstable SDW state coexists with a nearly- degenerate commensurate antiferroma...
Incidental Saccular Popliteal Vein Aneurysm: Two Case Reports:

Venous aneurysms are rare lesions that have been described within the venous system and may be discovered at any age. The lower extremities are most frequently involved, with the popliteal vein bei...
Interaction: a case for ontological pluralism

This paper draws on the author's work in social epistemology and on comparative studies of sciences of human behavior to draw attention to the importance of interaction. Drawing further on recent a...
Text classification models for the automatic detection of nonmedical prescription medication use from social media.

Prescription medication (PM) misuse/abuse has emerged as a national crisis in the United States, and social media has been suggested as a potential resource for performing active monitoring. However, automating a social media-based monitoring system is challenging—requiring advanced natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning methods. In this paper, we describe the development and evaluation of automatic text classification models for detecting self-reports of PM abuse from Twitter. We experimented with state-of-the-art bi-directional transformer-based language models, which utilize tweet-level representations that enable transfer learning (e.g., BERT, RoBERTa, XLNet, AlBERT, and DistilBERT), proposed fusion-based approaches, and compared the developed models with several traditional machine learning, including deep learning, approaches. Using a public dataset, we evaluated the performances of the classifiers on their abilities to classify the non-majority “abuse/misuse” class. Our proposed fusion-based model performs significantly better than the best traditional model (F1-score [95% CI]: 0.67 [0.64–0.69] vs. 0.45 [0.42–0.48]). We illustrate, via experimentation using varying training set sizes, that the transformer-based models are more stable and require less annotated data compared to the other models. The significant improvements achieved by our best-performing classification model over past approaches makes it suitable for automated continuous monitoring of nonmedical PM use from Twitter. BERT, BERT-like and fusion-based models outperform traditional machine learning and deep learning models, achieving substantial improvements over many years of past research on the topic of prescription medication misuse/abuse classification from social media, which had been shown to be a complex task due to the unique ways in which information about nonmedical use is presented. Several challenges associated with the lack of context and the nature of social media language need to be overcome to further improve BERT and BERT-like models. These experimental driven challenges are represented as potential future research directions.
Are the concerns destroying mental health of college students?: A qualitative analysis portraying experiences amidst COVID-19 ambiguities

Coronavirus presenting an unforeseeable chain of events has exaggerated misery for students in India as they attracted the most detrimental experiences associated with lockdown restrictions leading to a shutdown of colleges as a preventive measure. The research endeavors to furnish a review of the overall hardships and psychological state of mind of college students and improvement in the implementation of policy decisions. Researchers conceptualize the newly discovered phenomenon by adopting grounded theory. Data from 256 newspaper articles, online articles and magazines have been gathered and converted into 256 separate files. To broaden the justification of research, social media analysis employing tweets, Facebook posts and Whatsapp messages are considered adding to the contributory prospects of the study. Compiled data is then refined through data mining technique. Triangulation approach amalgamating content analysis and thematic analysis has been deployed, thereby exploring the qualitative aspect of data gathering. Reviews from 31 students through telephonic conversation and 8 academic experts extended more accuracy to the research process. Findings administered academic disruptions with career concern, emotional suffering, financial concern, online learning, overseas injustice and psychological effects as the final themes representing various concerns experienced by college students. Hence, this work concludes with some constructive suggestions to deteriorate the amplified concerns.
The Faithful Christian Church, the CCP, and the Barmen Declaration

The faithful Christian Church of China is faced with persecution from the Communist Chinese Party( CCP). The CCP represents the challenge of a secular statist ideology similar to that of Nazi Germany. The Chinese Church can benefit from the example of the faithful German Christians who in the Barmen Declaration took a stand against the evil of Nazism.
EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES IN COLD INJURY. I. THE INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE TO A STANDARD COLD ENVIRONMENT.

Summary In order to devise an experimental method for the production of a reproducible degree of necrosis following cold injury, the ears of rabbits were cooled under precise conditions in which the tissue temperature was monitored. Variations were found in the rewarming response elicited at about 10°C., but there was correlation between the final loss of tissue and the duration and depth of exposure to a tissue temperature below 10°C. The method described can be used to produce predictable losses of tissue, and should be suitable for the study of the pathogenesis and treatment of frostbite.
The copnumber for lexicographic products and sums of graphs

For the lexicographic product $G\bullet H$ of two graphs $G$ and $H$ so that $G$ is connected, we prove that if the copnumber $c(G)$ of $G$ is greater than or equal to $2$ , then $c(G\bullet H)=c(G)$ . Moreover, if $c(G)=c(H)=1$ , then $c(G\bullet H)=1$ . If $c(G)=1$ , $G$ has more than one vertex, and $c(H)\geq 2$ , then $c(G\bullet H)=2$ . We also provide the copnumber for general lexicographic sums.
Design of pipelined FIR filter with MSB-first multiplier

The pipelined method is a common and an inexpensive technique to implement analog-to-digital conversion. The conversion using this method consists of several cycles. The coarser quantization is performed first before the finer quantizations. As a result, this method generates output streams with the most-significant bit (MSB) being first. Subsequent data processing that uses MSB-first scheme could start computation before the complete conversion result is present, and thereby minimize the total computation time. This paper presents two designs of pipelined FIR filters which utilize a bit-serial multiplier that accepts stream inputs with MSB-first from a pipelined ADC. These two possible designs are compared with respect to hardware cost and speed when they are used in designing FIR filters.
Local Control of the Bureaucracy: Federal Appeals Courts, Ideology, and the Internal Revenue Service

Recent studies show that the IRS is subject to some political control in shifting its policy between competing ideological or partisan concerns. We extend these studies to examine regional court influence over IRS audit policy within the separation of powers (“SOP”) framework. Examining cross-sectional time series data from 1960 until 1988, we found that the IRS shifts the number of audits it conducts of businesses versus individuals in response to the prevailing median ideology of the federal courts of appeals, and in response to the prevailing ideological framework of the President and Congress. As the median federal court of appeals judge in a circuit becomes more liberal, the IRS conducts more audits of businesses located in that region. As the median federal court of appeals judge in a circuit becomes more conservative, the IRS conducts more audits of individuals living in that region. Courts, therefore, provide an additional measure of control over bureaucratic behavior. The different ideologies of the various courts of appeals provide an explanation for regional variation in IRS policy. Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta GA 30303. Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta GA 30303.
Virtual Clay: Haptics-Based Deformable Solids of Arbitrary Topology

This paper presents Virtual Clay as a novel, interactive, dynamic, haptics-based deformable solid of arbitrary topology. Our Virtual Clay methodology is a unique, powerful visual modeling paradigm which is founded upon the integration of (1) deformable models, (2) free-form, spline-based solids, (3) procedural subdivision solids of arbitrary topology, and (4) dynamic objects governed by physical laws. Solid geometry exhibits much greater modeling potential and superior advantages to popular surface-based techniques in visual computing. This is primarily because a CAD-based solid representation of a real-world physical object is both geometrically accurate and topologically unambiguous. We first introduce the concept of Virtual Clay based on dynamic subdivision solids. Then, we formulate the mathematics of Virtual Clay through the integration of the geometry of subdivision solids with the principle of physics-based CAGD. Our Virtual Clay models respond to applied forces in a natural and predictive manner and offer the user the illusion of manipulating semi-elastic clay in the real world. We showcase example sculptures created with our Virtual Clay sculpting environment, which is equipped with a large variety of real-time, intuitive sculpting toolkits. The versatility of our Virtual Clay techniques allows users to modify the topology of sculpted objects easily, while the inherent physical properties are exploited to provide a natural interface for direct, force-based deformation. More importantly, our sculpting system supports natural haptic interaction to provide the user with a realistic sculpting experience. It is our hope that our Virtual Clay graphics system can become a powerful tool in graphics, computer vision, animation, computer art, interactive techniques, and virtual environments.
The evolution of management accounting

This paper surveys the development of cost accounting and managerial control practices and assesses their relevance to the changing nature of industrial competition in the 1980s. The paper starts with a review of cost accounting developments from 1850 through 1915, including the demands imposed by the origin of the railroad and steel enterprises and the subsequent activity from the scientific management movement. The DuPont Corporation (1903) and the reorganization of General Motors (1920) provided the opportunity for major innovations in the management control of decentralized operations, including the ROI criterion for evaluation of performance and formal budgeting and incentive plans. More recent developments have included discounted cash flow analysis and the application of management science and multiperson decision theory models. The cost accounting and management control procedures developed more than 60 years ago for the mass production of standard products with high direct labor content may no longer be appropriate for the planning and control decisions of contemporary organizations. Also, problems with using profits as the prime criterion for motivating and evaluating short-term performance are becoming apparent. This paper advocates a return to field-based research to discover the innovative practices being introduced by organizations successfully adapting to the new organization and technology of manufacturing.
Photometric Properties of Peculiar Red Giants

Four quite different kinds of information are commonly obtained through photometric observations: (1) magnitudes and colors on various systems; (2) energy distributions, leading to estimates of effective temperature, tests of model atmospheres, and the detection of companions or circumstellar shells; (3) spectroscopic data from narrow-band photometry of strong spectral features; and (4) light curves of variable stars. The photometric properties of the peculiar red giants — the cool carbon and S-type stars, and the warmer R-type carbon stars, CH stars, barium stars, and related objects — are reviewed with emphasis on what can be learned from each of these kinds of photometric data.
A Substantive and Methodological Review of the Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy Research Program: Clinical Implications for a Research Informed Practice

These authors provide a review of the Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT) research program written from the research informed clinical perspective. Research informed clinicians attempt to integrate scientific research into real world clinical practice. Therefore, determining the clinical implications and relevance of the IBCT research program is the focus of this review. The IBCT intervention, developed by Andrew Christensen and Neil Jacobson, integrates the change-based strategies of traditional behavioral couple therapy with emotional acceptance, tolerance building, empathy, and mindfulness techniques. The IBCT research program's research methodology is among the most rigorous in the field of couple therapy, increasing confidence in research findings that have shown IBCT to be a beneficial treatment for highly distressed couples. Because these promising outcomes are founded in strong research methodology, research informed clinicians should be compelled to consider the use of IBCT with those ch...
Measuring Language Learners’ Speaking Proficiency in a Second Language Using Economical Digital Tools

Rising costs, combined with an increasing lack of flexibility of commercial course management technology tools such as uLearn and Blackboard, have prompted educators to consider other options. New advances in free and open source software, webware, and hardware are becoming attractive alternatives for educators and school systems due to decreased funding. These innovative digital tools hold promise to help educators overcome a variety of impediments to teaching and learning in the 21st century such as fostering student motivation. In the context of second/foreign language learning, the author seeks to present various technologies to P-16 educators that can be used for student oral language assessment. The author provides an overview of the obstacles language teachers must overcome in order to teach more effectively, as well as a synopsis of various options with which language instructors may not be familiar. Afterwards, findings from empirical research comparing the use of digital technology for the measurement of student speaking proficiency to the more conventional face-to-face method are presented. Student and instructor perceptions of using free and open source software are discussed, and the chapter concludes with a discussion of challenges that can appear when changes in assessment methods take place as well as avenues for future research.
Power Aware External Bus Arbitration for System-on-a-Chip Embedded Systems

Power efficiency has become a key design trade-off in embedded system designs. For system-on-a-chip embedded systems, an external bus interconnects embedded processor cores, I/O peripherals, a direct memory access (DMA) controller, and off-chip memory. External memory access activities are a major source of energy consumption in embedded systems, and especially in multimedia platforms. In this paper, we focus on the energy dissipated due to the address, data, and control activity on the external bus and supporting logic. We build our external bus power model on top of a cycle-accurate simulation framework that quantifies the bus power based on memory bus state transitions. We select an Analog Devices ADSP-BF533 multimedia system-on-a-chip embedded system as our target architecture model. Using our power-aware external bus arbitration schemes, we can reduce overall power by as much as 18% in video processing applications, and by 12% on average for the test suites studied. Besides reducing power consumption, we also obtained an average performance speedup of 24% when using our power-aware arbitration schemes.
The use of murine‐derived fundic organoids in studies of gastric physiology

Studies of gastric function and disease have been limited by the lack of extended primary cultures of the epithelium. An in vitro approach to study gastric development is primary mouse-derived antral epithelium cultured as three-dimensional spheroids known as organoids. There have been no reports on the use of organoids for gastric function. We have devised two unique gastric fundic-derived organoid cultures: model 1 for the expansion of gastric fundic stem cells, and model 2 for the maintenance of mature cell lineages. Both models were generated from single glands dissociated from whole fundic tissue and grown in basement membrane matrix (Matrigel) and organoid growth medium. Model 1 enriches for a stem cell-like niche via simple passage of the organoids. Maintained in Matrigel and growth medium, proliferating organoids expressed high levels of stem cell markers CD44 and Lgr5. Model 2 is a system of gastric organoids co-cultured with immortalized stomach mesenchymal cells (ISMCs). Organoids maintained in co-culture with ISMCs express robust numbers of surface pit, mucous neck, chief, endocrine and parietal cells. Histamine induced a significant decrease in intraluminal pH that was reversed by omeprazole in fundic organoids and indicated functional activity and regulation of parietal cells. Localized photodamage resulted in rapid cell exfoliation coincident with migration of neighbouring cells to the damaged area, sustaining epithelial continuity. Thus, we report the use of these models for studies of epithelial cell biology and cell damage and repair.
Impact Absorption Characteristics on Turf and Soil Surfaces

(...) The objective of this study was to quantitatively assess the effects of cutting height, compaction, soil water content (date), and turf cover on the impact absorption characteristics of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) turf. Treatments were four cutting heights (0 [bare soil], 19, 38, and 57 mm), and two compaction levels (with and without) for Exp. I, and three cutting heights (19, 38, and 57 mm), two compaction levels, and three surface types (full turf, no verdure, and no thatch) in Exp. II. Surface impact characteristics measured were peak deceleration, time to peak deceleration, and impact duration (...)
Technically suboptimal first-pass radionuclide angiographic studies

First-pass radionuclide angiography (FPRNA) has proven to correctly assess left ventricular function, however, technical difficulties do occur. One hundred and thirty one patients had contrast angiography and resting radionuclide angiography within 24 h. Of the 131 patients, 86 (66%) had adequate studies and 45 (34%) were technically suboptimal studies. In the latter group, low counts affected the quality of the images but did not change the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or regional wall motion (RWM) scores. Patients with high background activity showed overestimation of LVEF, however, by using a formula that was derived from the linear regression the LVEF could be calculated accurately in most cases. Multiple technical problems were noted in 14 patients in whom the best correlation was between contrast LVEF and backgrounduncorrected LVEF from FPRNA (r=0.87). In the latter group, FPRNA showed overestimation of RWM in 8 patients (57%), mainly in the inferior wall. We conclude that for most technically compromised first-pass radionuclide angiographic data, accurate LVEF values can be achieved but errors in regional wall motion interpretation will occur, especially when multiple technical problems exist.
Kinematic Convexity of Rigid Body Displacements

In this paper, we explore the notion of kinematic convexity for rigid body displacements. Previously, we have shown that when spatial rigid body displacements are represented by dual quaternions, an oriented projective space is better suited for the image space of displacements. Geometric algorithms for rigid body motions become more general and elegant when developed from the perspective of oriented projective geometry. By extending the concept of convexity in affine geometry to oriented projective geometry of the image space of rigid body displacements, we define the concept of kinematic convexity. This concept, apart from being theoretically significant, facilitates localization of a displacements and provides a measure of the kinematic separation useful in collision prediction, interference checking, and geometric analysis of swept volumes.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Incidental occurrence of bay scallops in texas research ponds

Abstract Bay scallops (Argopecten irradians) were discovered in 0.4- and 0.8-hectare earthen research ponds at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's Perry R. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Station near Palacios, Texas. These ponds were filled with unfiltered Matagorda Bay water during April 1990 and were drained on 19 September and 8 October 1990, respectively. Mean surface water temperatures and salinities were 27.1°C and 27%o for the 0.4-hectare pond and 26.6°C and 28%o for the 0.8-hectare pond. Mean total shell lengths of bay scallops harvested were 37 mm in the 0.4-hectare pond and 53 mm in the 0.8-hectare pond. One thousand live bay scallops were moved to the bottom of another 0.4-hectare pond for overwintering, and four 6-mm-mesh plastic cages containing 50 scallops each were suspended in the pond. By April 1993, 50% of the caged scallops had survived, but survival was 0% by May. When the pond was drained on 6 December 1993, none of the 1,000 bay scallops stocked on the bottom had survived.
Space industrialization studies - An overview

An overview of NASA's current planning for a space industrialization program is described as an introduction to the papers on Space Industrialization being presented by Rockwell International Corporation and Science Applications Incorporated. Background information is presented that outlines the integrated planning process which resulted in specific long range goals and objectives being formulated for NASA programs in technology, environment, resources, earth science, communications, space exploration, aeronautics, and an expanded application of space called space industrialization. Program objectives for NASA's Industrialization of Space and studies on potential near term supporting elements (Space Platform, Large Space Structures, Orbital Operations Capabilities Development, Space Manufacturing Module) are discussed.
Advanced protection technology for ground combat vehicles

Just as highway drivers use radar detectors to attempt to stay ahead of police armed with the latest radar technology, the Armed Forces are locked in a spiral to protect combat vehicles and their crews against the latest threats in both the contemporary operating environment and the anticipated operating environment (ie, beyond 2020). In response to bigger, heavier, or better-protected vehicles, adversaries build and deploy larger explosive devices or bombs. However, making improvements to combat vehicles is much more expensive than deploying larger explosives. In addition, demand is increasing for lighter-weight vehicles capable of rapid deployment. Together, these two facts give the threat a clear advantage in the future. To protect vehicles and crews, technologies focusing on detection and hit avoidance, denial of penetration, and crew survivability must be combined synergistically to provide the best chance of survival on the modern battlefield. Language: en
REIT performance and market timing ability

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study performance and market timing ability of equity real estate investment trusts (REITs).Design/methodology/approach – The authors use classical regression‐based framework and their multi‐index, multifactor, and conditional extensions to jointly detect asset selectivity and market timing ability of equity REITs and their subcategories. These results are then validated by a nonparametric test.Findings – It is found that equity REITs in aggregate have some housing market timing ability. Various equity REIT subcategories perform differently: office REITs can discover underpriced properties, while retail, industrial, and office REITs have poor timing ability. Nonparametric tests confirm that equity REITs do not have ability to predict real estate market movements.Originality/value – Research in REIT performance evaluation is still limited to the asset selectivity aspect. This paper intends to fill this gap by providing empirical evidence of market timing ability of...
Dentist, artist, pioneer: Orthodontic innovator Norman Kingsley and his Rembrandt portraits

Background and Overview Norman W. Kingsley (1829–1913) was one of the most inventive contributors to the early development of orthodontics and cleft palate therapy. Gifted not only in dentistry but also in art, he was a sculptor and painter of considerable renown in his day. The author reports the rediscovery of two Kingsley paintings—exacting copies of Rembrandt self-portraits. Kingsley created them by using pyrography, a rare and difficult wood-charring artistic technique that he helped perfect.
Plasmas from Lymphocyte- and Macrophage-Tropic SIVmac-Infected Macaques Have Antibodies with a Broader Spectrum of Virus Neutralization Activity in Macrophage versus Lymphocyte Cultures

Abstract We examined plasma from macaques infected with three different phenotypes of SIV mac for their ability to neutralize the infectivity of homologous and heterologous virus in lymphocyte (CEMx174 cells or normal rhesus macaque peripheral blood lymphocytes) or normal rhesus macaque macrophage (Mφ) cultures. Similar to previous findings, we observed that some plasmas failed to neutralize or poorly neutralized the infectivity of SIV mac 239 and SIV mac 251( mac 251 in CEMx174 cells, PBMC, and Mφ cultures was very similar. The role of Fc receptors on the Mφ surface in the clearance of the virus–antibody complexes was also excluded since similar neutralizing results were obtained using whole plasmas, purified IgG antibodies, and purified Fab fragments derived from the IgG fraction of these plasmas. The mechanism of virus neutralization in Mφ does not appear to involve blocking of virus entry into the cells since radiolabeled virus reacted with anti-SIV antibodies was taken up by rhesus Mφ as efficiently as virus reacted with normal antibody. DNA of the neutralized virus was identified in the Mφ cultures, but virus replication, as evidenced by accumulation of viral protein products, was not detectable so long as the antibodies were present in the medium. Removal of the antibodies resulted in a resumption of virus replication in the Mφ. These results indicate that virus infectivity can be efficiently neutralized by antibodies in Mφ cultures by a mechanism that is fundamentally different from that in lymphocyte cultures.
Engineering data management: achieving integration through database technology

An architecture is given for engineering data management that incorporates current work on engineering product standards as well as current work in database research. In particular, a framework that views an engineering design environment as an integrated, heterogeneous database system is presented. This integrated view of data makes use of data exchange standards in PDES/STEP, presenting a framework for the representation of meta data that describes an object-oriented view of data and supports an object-oriented query language for the retrieval of data from multiple data sources. How the use of active database technology supports a rule-based approach to constraint propagation and change notification is also described. >
Price-setting merchants in a simple trade model

Abstract In lieu of a fictitious Walrasian auctioneer, price determination in a simple two-country two-good trade model is explicitly modelled as the strategic price-setting behavior of merchants. The results depend on the order in which countries are visited and whether or not the supply is backward-bending. Theorem 1 establishes sufficient conditions for the Walrasian outcome to be the unique subgame perfect Nash equilibrium (SPNE). Theorem 2 shows when the unique SPNE is non-Walrasian.
Reviews of Science for Science Librarians: The Evolutionary Basis of Human Sexual Attraction and Competition for Mates

According to Evolutionary Psychology, what are now almost universally regarded as attractive features of the face and body, and certain mate recruitment strategies, conferred strong survival benefits to humans in prehistoric times, and still play an important role in our sex lives today. While there are over a hundred books and over two thousand articles covering these subjects, the recommended readings that follow each section of this article may provide science librarians with a more manageable way to familiarize themselves with the principal findings in the field thus far. Selections were based on the featured works being favorably reviewed, heavily cited, or highly current, and may be useful for collection development.
The Fiduciary Responsibilities of the Hospital Board of Directors

With the dynamic movement toward healthcare reform, increased attention is being focused on the duties and legal liabilities of hospital governing board members. Given the dual duties of loyalty and care and the legal and regulatory pressures to contain costs and assure quality, the role of the governing board is increasing in complexity and importance.
Essential fatty acids in diabetes and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients

Sera obtained from normal subjects and juvenile-onset diabetes (JD) and systemic lupus erythromatus (SLE) patients were examined for free fatty acid composition and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha content. In addition, prostaglandins in urine samples from normal and diabetic individuals were separated by HPLC, and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels were monitored by RIA. Arachidonate (20:4) content in diabetic and SLE individuals were significantly lower than that of controls. Urine from diabetic individuals showed decreased levels of 6-keto-PG F1 alpha. The study also indicated that RIA measurements on crude biological samples may yield erroneous data due to immune cross reactivity with other compounds.
Hemodynamic benefit of atrioventricular synchrony: Prediction from baseline Doppler-echocardiographic variables

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine if baseline Doppler-echocardiographic variables of systolic or diastolic function could predict the hemodynamic benefit of atrioventricular (AV) synchronous pacing. Twenty-four patients with a dual chamber pacemaker were studied. Baseline M-mode and two-dimensional echocardiograms were obtained and Doppler-echocardiographic measurements of mitral inflow and left ventricular outflow were made in VVI mode (single rate demand) and in VDD (atrial synchronous, ventricular inhibited) and DVI (AV sequentially paced) modes at AV intervals ranging from 50 to 300 ms. Forward stroke volume and cardiac output were determined in each mode at each AV interval from the left ventricular outflow tract flow velocities, and the percent increase in cardiac output over VVI mode was determined. M-mode measurements, including left ventricular enddiastolic diaension, shortening fraction and left atrial size and Doppler measurement of diastolic filling, including peak early velocity and percent atrial contribution, did not correlate with the percent increase in cardiac output during physiologic pacing. The stroke volume in VVI mode correlated significantly with the percent increase in cardiac output during physiologic pacing (r = −0.61, p 50 ml but none of the 9 patients with stroke volume >50 ml had ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction. Patients with stroke volume The percent increase in cardiac output at the optimal AV interval over the worst AV interval for VDD and DVI modes was calculated as a measure of the benefit of optimizing the AV interval and to eliminate the confounding effects of fortuitously timed atrial contractions in VVI mode. This percent increase correlated significantly with diastolic filling variables including peak early velocity (r = 0.54, p 38%.
Actions of feeding-relevant agents on hypothalamic glucose-responsive neurons In vitro

Effects of three feeding-relevant agents on the single-unit activity of the hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) were investigated with tissue slice preparations. Changes in ambient glucose concentrations altered the activity of 39% of the 129 VMN neurons recorded. The predominant effect of glucose was facilitation. Norepinephrine (NE) affected all of the 29 glucose-responsive neurons tested, but only some (33/47) of the neurons unresponsive to glucose. Unlike that of glucose, the effects of NE on neuronal activity were distributed across excitatory, inhibitory, or biphasic responses. In vivo estrogen treatment did not affect neuronal responses to glucose, it modulated the type of neuronal responses to NE from glucose-responsive, but not glucose-unresponsive neurons. These results indicate that glucose, NE, and estrogen act on a common, glucose-responsive, population of VMN neurons but, as judged from their effects on neuronal activity, through different cellular mechanisms. Accordingly, glucose-responsive neurons may serve to integrate information mediated by different feeding-relevant agents.
DIPYRRINONES-CONSTITUENTS OF THE PIGMENTS OF LIFE. A REVIEW

(2006). DIPYRRINONES-CONSTITUENTS OF THE PIGMENTS OF LIFE. A REVIEW. Organic Preparations and Procedures International: Vol. 38, No. 4, pp. 347-399.
Group 13 chelates in nerve gas agent and pesticide dealkylation

Schiff base boron and aluminium bromides have been used to cleave organophosphate nerve agents and pesticides and their simulants: salben(tBu)[BBr2]2 was very effective in cleaving the VX simulants EMPPT and DEPPT and nerve agent VX; salen(tBu)AlBr was effective in cleaving the nerve agents VX and Soman and the pesticideDiazinon.