cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SWAMP: An agent-based model for wetland and waterfowl conservation management

The management of North American waterfowl is widely recognized as a premier example of a successful conservation program. Conservation managers on the wintering grounds typically use simple estimates of food availability and population-wide cumulative energy demand to determine how many birds can be supported on a given landscape. When attempting to plan for future needs due to land reallocation, climate change, and other large-scale environmental changes, simple bioenergetic models may not capture important impacts on individual behavior, such as changes in metabolic costs due to increased travel-time and reduced food accessibility leading to non-linear declines in forager success. We describe the development of an agent-based model of foraging waterfowl that uses explicit individual behavior to generate more detailed and potentially more accurate insights into the impact of environmental changes on forager success and survival. While there is growing recognition of the potential utility of agent-based models in conservation planning, there has yet to be an attempt to formulate, validate, and communicate such a model for use as a decision support tool to guide habitat management conservation for wetlands in North America. Our model seeks to provide the foundational framework for such an effort. We predict that this model will be a useful tool for stakeholders making conservation management decisions.
Hybrid Monte Carlo -Particle-in-Cell Simulation of an Ion Thruster Plume

A numerical code is described that simulates the plumes of ion thrusters and Hall current thrusters. In the present study, computed e owe eld results are compared with existing experimental measurements for the UK-10 ion thruster. The experimental measurements consist of ion e ux, ion density, and e oating potential data. The numerical code combines the direct simulation Monte Carlo method for modeling collisions with the particle-incell method for modeling plasma dynamics. Xenon neutrals and ions are modeled directly. Electrons are described by the Boltzmann relation. The effect of a e nite back pressure experienced in laboratory experiments is included. Agreement between simulation and experiment issatisfactory. The simulation results are found to bevery sensitive to input conditions assumed at the thruster exit plane. In particular, there is uncertainty in specifying the effects of the curvature of the dished grids of the UK-10 thruster on the ion exit velocity proe le. The sensitivity of the simulations to certain model parameters is also examined. These include the cross section for charge-exchange reactions, the mechanics of charge-exchange reactions, and the electron temperature. The beam ions are found to be only moderately dependent on these variations, whereas the charge-exchange ions are sensitive to them.
Effects of Speech Clarity on Recognition Memory for Spoken Sentences

Extensive research shows that inter-talker variability (i.e., changing the talker) affects recognition memory for speech signals. However, relatively little is known about the consequences of intra-talker variability (i.e. changes in speaking style within a talker) on the encoding of speech signals in memory. It is well established that speakers can modulate the characteristics of their own speech and produce a listener-oriented, intelligibility-enhancing speaking style in response to communication demands (e.g., when speaking to listeners with hearing impairment or non-native speakers of the language). Here we conducted two experiments to examine the role of speaking style variation in spoken language processing. First, we examined the extent to which clear speech provided benefits in challenging listening environments (i.e. speech-in-noise). Second, we compared recognition memory for sentences produced in conversational and clear speaking styles. In both experiments, semantically normal and anomalous sentences were included to investigate the role of higher-level linguistic information in the processing of speaking style variability. The results show that acoustic-phonetic modifications implemented in listener-oriented speech lead to improved speech recognition in challenging listening conditions and, crucially, to a substantial enhancement in recognition memory for sentences.
When Apples come in

This case tells about an apple packing firm which needs to develop a sampling scheme to estimate the quantity of different grade/size apples in its stock. The need is driven by the market, and solving the problem involves statistical analysis. This is an example of using a real marketing case in teaching quantitative techniques. A brief teaching note is also included
Effect of Elaboration on the Acquisition and Maintenance of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

Investigated the influence of training on the acquisition and retention of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills by 38 sixth-grade children. Three training methods were compared: precise elaboration, imprecise elaboration, and maintenance rehearsal. Each of these methods was coupled with behavioral training and compared to a no-treatment control condition. Three CPR situations were selected for training: breath and pulse present, breath absent/pulse present, and breath and pulse absent. Data were collected at pretest, posttest, and 1-, 3-, and 5-month follow-ups, the dependent variable responses occurring in sequence. Results indicated that children in the three treatment conditions acquired and maintained the CPR responses at a significantly higher level than the control group. Evidence for the potential superiority of the precise elaboration group over the other conditions was provided.
POTENTIAL FOR NEST SITE COMPETITION BETWEEN NATIVE AND EXOTIC TREE SQUIRRELS

In communities where strong interspecific competition between native species is lacking, exotic and native species often exhibit intense resource competition resulting in decline of native populations. We examined the potential for interspecific competition for nest sites between co-occurring native Mt. Graham red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus grahamensis) and exotic Abert's squirrels (Sciurus aberti) in the Pinaleno Mountains of Arizona. Comparison of nest use between red and Abert's squirrels at different scales (nest, nest tree, and nest site) revealed contrasting results. Competition for nests and nest trees appears unlikely given the dissimilarity in use of nest types and tree characteristics. Abert's squirrels predominately used dreys, whereas red squirrels mostly used cavity nests. Neither squirrel species occupied a nest used by the other species. Nest trees differed in size and species between squirrels for dreys, but not for cavities. Abert's squirrel nest sites were found in a wider range of microhabitats including almost all microhabitats in which red squirrel nest sites were located. Although there was significant overlap, each species showed distinct trends in microhabitat. In general, red squirrel nest sites were characterized as more densely forested areas dominated by corkbark fir (Abies lasiocarpa var. arizonica), whereas Abert's squirrel nest sites were more open and contained greater tree species diversity. Overlap in microhabitat characteristics increases the likelihood of interspecific competition and could increase the vulnerability of red squirrels to extinction.
A Wide-Band, High Isolation UHF Lumped-Element Ferrite Circulator

A novel, spiral trace topology for a lumped-element, ferrite circulator is demonstrated in this letter. By employing this new topology, along with various optimization methods, we achieve high isolation and wide bandwidth for UHF applications. Based on simulation data, circulator isolation of 30 dB or more is possible over the 245-355 MHz frequency range. The isolation response of a fabricated spiral trace circulator exceeds 30 dB, but over a shifted and wider frequency range of 260 to 390 MHz.
Heat-transfer dynamics during cryogen spray cooling of substrate at different initial temperatures

Cryogen spray cooling (CSC) is used to minimize the risk of epidermal damage during laser dermatologic therapy. However, the dominant mechanisms of heat transfer during the transient cooling process are incompletely understood. The objective of this study is to elucidate the physics of CSC by measuring the effect of initial substrate temperature (T0) on cooling dynamics. Cryogen was delivered by a straight-tube nozzle onto a skin phantom. A fast-response thermocouple was used to record the phantom temperature changes before, during and after the cryogen spray. Surface heat fluxes (q �� ) and heat-transfer coefficients (h) were computed using an inverse heat conduction algorithm. The maximum surface heat flux (q �� max ) was observed to increase with T0 .T he
Plant toxins and trophic cascades alter fire regime and succession on a boreal forest landscape

Abstract Two models were integrated in order to study the effect of plant toxicity and a trophic cascade on forest succession and fire patterns across a boreal landscape in central Alaska. One of the models, ALFRESCO, is a cellular automata model that stochastically simulates transitions from spruce dominated 1 km 2 spatial cells to deciduous woody vegetation based on stochastic fires, and from deciduous woody vegetation to spruce based on age of the cell with some stochastic variation. The other model, the ‘toxin-dependent functional response’ model (TDFRM) simulates woody vegetation types with different levels of toxicity, an herbivore browser (moose) that can forage selectively on these types, and a carnivore (wolf) that preys on the herbivore. Here we replace the simple succession rules in each ALFRESCO cell by plant–herbivore–carnivore dynamics from TDFRM. The central hypothesis tested in the integrated model is that the herbivore, by feeding selectively on low-toxicity deciduous woody vegetation, speeds succession towards high-toxicity evergreens, like spruce. Wolves, by keeping moose populations down, can help slow the succession. Our results confirmed this hypothesis for the model calibrated to the Tanana floodplain of Alaska. We used the model to estimate the effects of different levels of wolf control. Simulations indicated that management reductions in wolf densities could reduce the mean time to transition from deciduous to spruce by more than 15 years, thereby increasing landscape flammability. The integrated model can be useful in estimating ecosystem impacts of wolf control and moose harvesting in central Alaska.
Integer cycle ambiguity resolution under conditions of low satellite visibility

GPS attitude determination systems use carrier phase measurements at three or more antennas to determine platform orientation. Since the antenna separation is usually more than half of the GPS carrier wavelength, the measurements contain an integer cycle ambiguity that must be resolved before attitude can be calculated. This paper will present a new algorithm to instantaneously and reliably resolve the integer cycle ambiguities under conditions of low satellite visibility using at least four antennas in a non-planar array. The new algorithm makes it possible to establish and maintain an attitude solution with as few as two satellites if clock differences are calibrated or three satellites if they are not. Analysis of antenna array geometry and algorithm performance using simulated data will also be presented.
Retinoids and TIMP1 Prevent Radiation-Induced Apoptosis of Capillary Endothelial Cells

Radiation-induced changes in capillaries constitute a basic injury in the pathogenesis of chronic radiation damage to the heart, lung, liver, kidney and brain. It is important to identify new radioprotectors for capillary endothelial cells for use during radiotherapy to minimize normal tissue damage and possibly to increase the deliverable dose. Previously we demonstrated that exposure to ionizing radiation (10 Gy) results in death of bovine adrenal capillary endothelial cells in confluent monolayers by apoptosis. We also showed that retinoids inhibit the growth of endothelial cells, induce their differentiation, down-regulate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production, and up-regulate tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In the present studies, we demonstrated that radiation (10 Gy) induced an immediate increase in the amounts and activation of MMP1 and MMP2 in the cell fraction and medium of bovine capillary endothelial cells followed by an incidence of apoptosis. We also obtained data indicating that radiation-induced apoptosis can be inhibited by exposing bovine capillary endothelial cells to all-trans-retinol or all-trans-retinoic acid for 6 days before irradiation, even when the vitamins were removed 24 h before irradiation. Finally, we determined that inhibition of MMPs by TIMP was sufficient to block radiation-induced apoptosis, suggesting that the mechanism of protection by retinoids is through the alteration of levels of MMPs and TIMPs produced by the cells.
Self-Adaptive Two-Dimensional RAID Arrays

We propose increasing the survivability of data stored in two-dimensional RAID arrays by causing these arrays to reorganize themselves whenever they detect a disk failure. This reorganization will rebalance as much as possible the redundancy level of all stored data, thus reducing the potential impact of additional disk failures. It remains in effect until the failed disk gets repaired. We show how our technique can be applied to two-dimensional RAID arrays consisting of n2 data disks and 2n parity disks and show how it can increase the mean time to data loss of the array by at least 200 percent as long as the reorganization process takes less than half the time it takes to replace a failed disk.
Mate value and mate preferences: An investigation into decisions made with and without constraints

Studies have long investigated similarities and differences in men’s and women’s mate preferences. This study sought to expand on previous research by investigating whether mate value moderated participants’ design of mates. Using both a budgeted and a non-budgeted mate design task, we investigated the effect of mate value on the design of a mate. We found that mate value consistently predicted the design of a mate in an unbudgeted task, whereas we found more mixed results in the budgeted task. Ultimately, it appears that participants with a higher level of mate value are more demanding in their design of a mate.
Methodology for Quantification of Geosmin and Levels in Rangia Clam (Rangia cuneata)

The concentration of geosmin was determined in freshly dredged and 2-wk relayed rangia clam (Rangia cuneata) samples in different seasons of the year. Vacuum distillation/solvent extraction using an internal standard was followed by multiple-level standard addition gas chromatography/selective ion monitoring mass spectrometry. Most coefficients of variation were lower than 10%. On a dry-weight basis, the geosmin level in dredged clams was highest (343 ng/g) in August and averaged 51.6 ng/g in other months. A 52% reduction of geosmin was found after two week relaying during the period of May-June. However, only 1% reduction of geosmin was observed during February-March.
Taking Sides: Clashing Views On Controversial Economic Issues-Book Review

Book Review: Taking Sides: Clashing Views On Controversial Economic Issues, by Thomas R. Swartz And Frank Bonello
A simple respiration gating technique and its application in high-resolution PET camera

We have developed a simple technique to gate positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in synchronization with respiratory motion to reduce image blurring caused by breathing and improve quantification of tracer uptake in lesions in the chest and abdomen, especially in very high-resolution PET systems. Taking advantage of the temperature differences in the air flow in a nostril due to inhalations and exhalations, a simple solid thermometer was used to construct a respiratory gating system to monitor the respiratory cycles. The gating system provided trigger signals synchronous with respiration and 40 Hz timing marks. These trigger signals and timing marks were inserted into the data stream in real-time while the PET camera was taking data. The gating trigger signals represent a particular phase of respiratory motion, and the evenly cycled timing marks were designed for motion-image frame registration. This gating system was implemented and tested with our MDAPET, a very high-resolution (2.7-mm resolution) PET camera developed at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. A volunteer with 2 spherical lesion phantoms (diameters 3 mm and 5 mm) placed on the abdomen close to the navel was scanned in the gated mode. The respiration-gated images of the lesion phantoms were compared and studied. The simple respiratory gating system worked well in terms of detecting the breathing cycle and providing gating trigger signals and timing marks. Image blur and errors in the measurements of the lesions' volumes in the gated PET images were reduced, compared with those of the non-gated PET images.
Using computer‐extracted image phenotypes from tumors on breast magnetic resonance imaging to predict breast cancer pathologic stage

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to demonstrate that computer-extracted image phenotypes (CEIPs) of biopsy-proven breast cancer on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can accurately predict pathologic stage. METHODS The authors used a data set of deidentified breast MRIs organized by the National Cancer Institute in The Cancer Imaging Archive. In total, 91 biopsy-proven breast cancers were analyzed from patients who had information available on pathologic stage (stage I, n = 22; stage II, n = 58; stage III, n = 11) and surgically verified lymph node status (negative lymph nodes, n = 46; ≥ 1 positive lymph node, n = 44; no lymph nodes examined, n = 1). Tumors were characterized according to 1) radiologist-measured size and 2) CEIP. Then, models were built that combined 2 CEIPs to predict tumor pathologic stage and lymph node involvement, and the models were evaluated in a leave-1-out, cross-validation analysis with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) as the value of interest. RESULTS Tumor size was the most powerful predictor of pathologic stage, but CEIPs that captured biologic behavior also emerged as predictive (eg, stage I and II vs stage III demonstrated an AUC of 0.83). No size measure was successful in the prediction of positive lymph nodes, but adding a CEIP that described tumor “homogeneity” significantly improved discrimination (AUC = 0.62; P = .003) compared with chance. CONCLUSIONS The current results indicate that MRI phenotypes have promise for predicting breast cancer pathologic stage and lymph node status. Cancer 2015. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Time-dependent water dynamics in hydrated uranyl fluoride

ABSTRACTUranyl fluoride is a three-layer, hexagonal structure with significant stacking disorder in the c-direction. It supports a range of unsolved ‘thermodynamic’ hydrates with 0–2.5 water molecules per uranium atom, and perhaps more. However, the relationship between water, hydrate crystal structures, and thermodynamic results, collectively representing the chemical pathway through these hydrate structures, has not been sufficiently elucidated. We used high-resolution quasielastic neutron scattering to study the dynamics of water in partially hydrated uranyl fluoride powder over the course of 4 weeks under closed conditions. The spectra are composed of two quasielastic components: one is associated with translational diffusive motion of water that is approximately five to six times slower than bulk water, and the other is a slow (on the order of 2–300 ps), spatially bounded water motion. The translational component represents water diffusing between the weakly bonded layers in the crystal, while the bo...
Shell Cross-Linked Micelle-Based Nanoreactors for the Substrate-Selective Hydrolytic Kinetic Resolution of Epoxides

Shell cross-linked micelles (SCMs) containing Co(III)–salen cores were prepared from amphiphilic poly(2-oxazoline) triblock copolymers. The catalytic activity of these nanoreactors for the hydrolytic kinetic resolution of various terminal epoxides was investigated. The SCM catalysts showed high catalytic efficiency and, more significantly, substrate selectivity based on the hydrophobic nature of the epoxide. Moreover, because of the nanoscale particle size and the high stability, the catalyst could be recovered easily by ultrafiltration and reused with high activity for eight cycles.
Study of Unsteady Surface Pressure on a Turret via Pressure-Sensitive Paint

Fast-response pressure-sensitive paint (PSP) was used in this work for a study of the unsteady surface pressures resulting from the complex separated flow over a hemispherical turret model. The turret includes several distinct features such as a flat window and crevices that are based on functional requirements, but also introduce interesting additional compact unsteady flow features. Three high-speed cameras imaged the paint luminescence at 2 kHz, producing pressure time histories over the entire model. These pressure data were integrated over the model surface in order to determine unsteady loads. Fast-response PSP successfully resolved very small pressure features that had aperiodic fluctuations of at least several kilohertz.
The estimation of direct and indirect causal effects in the presence of misclassified binary mediator.

Mediation analysis serves to quantify the effect of an exposure on an outcome mediated by a certain intermediate and to quantify the extent to which the effect is direct. When the mediator is misclassified, the validity of mediation analysis can be severely undermined. The contribution of the present work is to study the effects of non-differential misclassification of a binary mediator in the estimation of direct and indirect causal effects when the outcome is either continuous or binary and exposure-mediator interaction can be present, and to allow the correction of misclassification. A hybrid of likelihood-based and predictive value weighting method for misclassification correction coupled with sensitivity analysis is proposed and a second approach using the expectation-maximization algorithm is developed. The correction strategy requires knowledge of a plausible range of sensitivity and specificity parameters. The approaches are applied to a perinatal epidemiological study of the determinants of pre-term birth.
MP8: MONOCLONAL GAMMOPATHY CHARACTERIZATION USING SERUM PROTEIN ELECTROPHORESIS IN A MAJOR URBAN POPULATION

Purpose of Study Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) with subsequent immunofixation (IF) are clinical laboratory techniques used to evaluate a wide-range of disorders where abnormal serum protein quantities are characteristic (e.g. multiple myeloma (MM), MGUS, amyloidosis, HIV/AIDS, SLE, CLL/NHL). Thus, it is important to identify or exclude malignancy when considering the analyses. Our aim is to characterize SPEP patients from our institution, a predominantly black population. Methods Used We retrospectively reviewed 50 patient9s SPEP/IF results. Data recorded were SPEP/IF results, monoclonal immunoglobulin (Ig) identity, clinical diagnoses, age, race and gender. Univariate analysis was used to describe patient demographics. Parametric analysis was used to compare the monoclonal gammopathy (MG) group versus non-MG group. Summary of Results Age range was 12–86 years, mean age was 62 years and male to female ratio was 1:3.5. Forty-eight (96%) patients identify as black, 1 (2%) Asian and 1 (2%) white. SPEP patterns showed 1 (2%) patient had acute inflammation, 3 (6%) had chronic inflammation, 24 (48%) were inconclusive, 16 (32%) had MGs, 3 (6%) had normal results and 3 (6%) had polyclonal bands (table 1). Among MG patients, IgG was most common isotype (75%), kappa was most common light chain (58%) and IgG kappa was most common (44%). Mean age was 69 years for MG patients and 58 years for non-MG patients. MM was identified in 9 (18%) patients; 89% (8/9) had normal total protein (TP) levels and 1 (11%) had increased TP. Neuropathy was seen in 7 (14%) patients; 71% (5/7) had polyclonal gamma Ig increase, and 1 (14%) case with co-HIV infection had monoclonal IgG kappa. Seven (14%) patients had CKD, 4 (8%) had HIV/AIDS, 3 (6%) had anemia, 3 (6%) had MGUS, 1 (2%) had SLE and the remaining 16 (32%) had other co-morbidities (i.e. HTN, DM, CAD, etc.). Conclusions SPEP/IF analyses were used to characterize 50 patients. A wide-range of disorders were observed. MG patients were 11 years older than non-MG patients. IgG kappa was most common MG. Our study showed female-predominance. This study shows SPEP utility to discern various disorders observed at our institution.
Effect of mini-dose heparin on lymphocele formation following extraperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy.

AbstractTo evaluate the effect of mini-dose heparin therapy on lymphocele formation after extraperitoneal pelvic lymphadenectomy we reviewed the records of 38 patients undergoing this procedure for prostatic cancer during a 24-month period. All patients had a minimum of 6 months of followup. Lymphoceles occurred in 3 of 8 patients (38 per cent) receiving mini-dose heparin and prolonged lymph drainage occurred in 1 other patient (12 per cent). In contrast, only 1 of 30 patients (3 per cent) not receiving mini-dose heparin had a lymphocele and 1 (3 per cent) had prolonged lymph drainage. The results suggest that mini-dose heparin may delay clotting of lymph and, thus, may be associated with an increased incidence of lymphocele formation after extraperitoneal lymphadenectomy.
Vanishing point: Scale independence in geomorphological hierarchies

Abstract Scale linkage problems in geosciences are often associated with a hierarchy of components. Both dynamical systems perspectives and intuition suggest that processes or relationships operating at fundamentally different scales are independent with respect to influences on system dynamics. But how far apart is “fundamentally different”—that is, what is the “vanishing point” at which scales are no longer interdependent? And how do we reconcile that with the idea (again, supported by both theory and intuition) that we can work our way along scale hierarchies from microscale to planetary (and vice-versa)? Graph and network theory are employed here to address these questions. Analysis of two archetypal hierarchical networks shows low algebraic connectivity, indicating low levels of inferential synchronization. This explains the apparent paradox between scale independence and hierarchical linkages. Incorporating more hierarchical levels results in an increase in complexity or entropy of the network as a whole, but at a nonlinear rate. Complexity increases as a power α of the number of levels in the hierarchy, with α
The development of Peyer’s patches and a phosphocholine specific IgA antibody response following oral colonization of germ-free mice with Morganella morganii

In order to analyze the differentiative processes and changes in functional potential among B cells in PP, especially in germinal centers (GC), fragment cultures were established using two halved PP in 2.0 ml supportive medium in an atmosphere of 90% O2-10%CO2. Both PP cultures from conventionally reared mice and formerly germ-free (GF) mice colonized with Morganella morganii (M.m.) could be maintained for >12 days with continued B cell division, especially among cells binding high levels of peanut agglutinin (PNAhigh, a characteristic of GC cells). Over this period such cultures continued to secrete IgA and lesser amounts of IgM and, in the case of the PP from formerly germ-free mice, also showed net increases of IgA anti-phosphocholine (PC) Ab with avidities as high as the prototypic T15 Ab. Finally, 7–8 d fragment cultures yielded PNAhigh B cells that could be restimulated in T dependent clonal microculture to secrete IgA, usually along with IgM but occasionally with other isotypes.
Observational learning computations in neurons of the human anterior cingulate cortex

When learning from direct experience, neurons in the primate brain have been shown to encode a teaching signal used by algorithms in artificial intelligence: the reward prediction error (PE)—the difference between how rewarding an event is, and how rewarding it was expected to be. However, in humans and other species learning often takes place by observing other individuals. Here, we show that, when humans observe other players in a card game, neurons in their rostral anterior cingulate cortex (rACC) encode both the expected value of an observed choice, and the PE after the outcome was revealed. Notably, during the same task neurons recorded in the amygdala (AMY) and the rostromedial prefrontal cortex (rmPFC) do not exhibit this type of encoding. Our results suggest that humans learn by observing others, at least in part through the encoding of observational PEs in single neurons in the rACC.
Selection for increased forage yield in alfalfa at different NaCl levels

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) forage yield may be reduced by moderate levels of salinity. Increasing forage yield in saline environments through plant breeding could partially ameliorate this problem. However, prior indirect selection either in cell culture, at germination, or during seedling growth has not resulted in agronomically relevant levels of salt tolerance. This study was conducted to determine whether mean forage yield of alfalfa grown in saline environments could be increased. To reduce the number of possible selection schemes, forage yield data for five harvests from ‘Sonora’ and its parental cultivar ‘African’ grown in a greenhouse and irrigated with 0, 30, 60, or 80 mM NaCl were used to simulate one cycle of selection at each NaCl environment. Greatest gains in forage yield were expected under non-saline conditions with decreased gains under saline conditions. Selection based on yield in regrowth harvests was also predicted to be more efficient than that based on seedling harvest. Experimental populations were developed from Sonora and African at each NaCl level using phenotypic selection for increased mean forage yield for harvests 3 to 5. After each of two cycles of selection, forage yield from selected, control (plants selected randomly under non-saline conditions), and parental populations was evaluated at 0, 30, 60, and 80 mM NaCl. Gains in forage yield were observed in African when the selection and evaluation environments were the same, but in Sonora this was observed only at 0 NaCl. Selection at 0 NaCl did not increase forage yield at 60 or 80 mM NaCl in either germplasm source. This suggests that selection for increased forage yield may be successful at low to moderate NaCl levels in germplasm with ample variation for yield when grown in saline environments, while selection for increased forage yield in non-saline conditions may be ineffective.
Approach to Androgen Deprivation in the Prostate Cancer Patient with Pre-existing Cardiovascular Disease.

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is a mainstay of treatment for advanced prostate cancer. Several studies have reported an association between ADT and an increase in cardiovascular events, especially in those receiving gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists compared to GnRH antagonists. We review the body of literature reporting the association of ADT and cardiovascular morbidity, and discuss the proposed mechanism of cardiovascular disease due to ADT including metabolic changes that may promote atherosclerosis and local hormonal effects that may increase plaque rupture and thrombosis. GnRH agonists appear to increase the risk of cardiovascular morbidity by 20–25% in men on these agents compared those who do not receive ADT. GnRH antagonists may appear to have halve this risk while improving PSA progression-free survival. GnRH antagonists may be superior to GnRH agonists for patients with significant cardiovascular disease, significant metastatic disease burden, or severe lower urinary tract symptoms.
Public-private partnership for municipal water supply in developing countries: Lessons from Karnataka, India, Urban Water Supply Improvement Project

• The paper reviews a public-private-partnership (PPP) project—Karnataka Urban Water Supply Improvement Project (KUWASIP).
The Sources of Rising Support for Same-Sex Marriage

Using data on 116,816 respondents from 91 national surveys conducted between 2000 and 2009, this paper assesses how rapidly support for same-sex marriage has increased in the past decade; whether cohort replacement, other population changes, or individual attitude explains the rising support; and whether time trends, cohort effects, and mind-changing vary meaningfully across groups. Support is growing at a rate of about one percentage point per year. Cohort replacement explains about one-third of the increase, and religious and racial changes in the population explain another one-sixth. About half the change appears to be due to individuals changing their minds in favor of same-sex marriage. Time trends are not uniform. Attitudes are increasingly polarized along party, gender, and race/ethnicity lines. Ideological and religious differences remain very strong but do not seem to be widening. The differences in time trends probably arise from differences in individual attitude change, as cohort effects are similar across sub-populations.
It is Always the Shadow Banks: The Regulatory Status of the Banks that Failed and Ignited America’s Greatest Financial Panics

This paper surveys the failures that ignited major financial panics in the United States. It starts with the Panic of 1819 and covers 11 others through the Panic of 2008. This sample covers all of the “great” panics to judge from the consensus of financial historians. Several generalizations about the regulatory status of these banks stand out. (1) Panics typically were ignited by a sequence of failures. (2) Typically, the sequence included institutions from different parts of the country and different parts of the financial system, contributing to the fear that the entire financial system was at risk. (3) Typically, shadow banks (unregulated or lightly regulated banks) were an important component of the sequence, and often were the culminating failure in the sequence that triggered the panic. Big trouble following the failure of shadow banks is not a new problem that emerged in the twenty-first century, but rather a persistent problem that began in the nineteenth century.
Predicted Impact of the Food and Drug Administration’s Menu-Labeling Regulations on Restaurants in 4 New Jersey Cities

Objectives. To determine the proportion of restaurants that will be required to post calorie information under the Food and Drug Administration’s menu-labeling regulations in 4 New Jersey cities.Methods. We classified geocoded 2014 data on 1753 restaurant outlets in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration’s guidelines, which will require restaurants with 20 or more locations nationwide to post calorie information. We used multivariate logistic regression analyses to assess the association between menu-labeling requirements and census tract characteristics.Results. Only 17.6% of restaurants will be affected by menu labeling; restaurants in higher-income tracts have higher odds than do restaurants in lower-income tracts (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55; P = .02). Restaurants in non-Hispanic Black (OR = 1.62; P = .02) and mixed race/ethnicity (OR = 1.44; P = .05) tracts have higher odds than do restaurants in non-Hispanic White tracts of being affected.Conclusions. Additional strategies are needed to help co...
Gap Analysis and Refinement Recommendations of Skin Alteration and Pressure Ulcer Enterprise Reference Models against Nursing Flowsheet Data Elements

Reference models are an essential instrument to provide structure and guidance in the creation and use of data elements within an organizations' electronic health record (EHR). Standardization of data elements is imperative to ensure clinical data is consistently and reliably captured for use in clinical documentation, care communication, and a variety of downstream data uses. Ongoing assessment and refinement of reference models and data elements are necessary to ascertain clinical data capture is applicable and inclusive across a variety of caregivers and domains. We performed a gap analysis on current state nursing data elements against two validated interprofessional reference models: skin alteration and pressure ulcer assessments. We present our findings along with recommendations for reference model refinements. We also highlight additional findings of inconsistencies and redundancies within data elements used for nursing documentation and highlight recommendations for improvement.
In vivo photoacoustic imaging of chorioretinal oxygen gradients.

Chorioretinal imaging has a crucial role for the patients with chorioretinal vascular diseases, such as neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Imaging oxygen gradients in the eye could better diagnose and treat ocular diseases. Here, we describe the use of photoacoustic ocular imaging (PAOI) in measuring chorioretinal oxygen saturation (CR − sO2) gradients in New Zealand white rabbits (n = 5) with ocular ischemia. We observed good correlation (R2 = 0.98) between pulse oximetry and PAOI as a function of different oxygen percentages in inhaled air. We then used an established ocular ischemia model in which intraocular pressure is elevated to constrict ocular blood flow, and notice a positive correlation (R2 = 0.92) between the injected volume of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) and intraocular pressure (IOP) as well as a negative correlation (R2 = 0.98) between CR − sO2 and injected volume of PBS. The CR − sO2 was measured before (baseline), during (ischemia), and after the infusion (600-μL PBS). The ischemia-reperfusion model did not affect the measurement of the sO2 using a pulse oximeter on the animal’s paw, but the chorioretinal PAOI signal showed a nearly sixfold decrease in CR − sO2 (n = 5, p = 0.00001). We also observe a sixfold decrease in CR − sO2 after significant elevation of IOP during ischemia, with an increase close to baseline during reperfusion. These data suggest that PAOI can detect changes in chorioretinal oxygenation and may be useful for application to imaging oxygen gradients in ocular disease.
Presenting Cost and Efficiency Measures That Support Consumers to Make High-Value Health Care Choices.

Objective To identify approaches to presenting cost and resource use measures that support consumers in selecting high-value hospitals. Data sources Survey data were collected from U.S. employees of Analog Devices (n = 420). Study design In two online experiments, participants viewed comparative data on four hospitals. In one experiment, participants were randomized to view one of five versions of the same comparative cost data, and in the other experiment they viewed different versions of the same readmissions data. Bivariate and multivariate analyses examined whether presentation approach was related to selecting the high-value hospital. Principal findings Consumers were approximately 16 percentage points more likely to select a high-value hospital when cost data were presented using actual dollar amounts or using the word "affordable" to describe low-cost hospitals, compared to when the Hospital Compare spending ratio was used. Consumers were 33 points more likely to select the highest performing hospital when readmission performance was shown using word icons rather than percentages. Conclusions Presenting cost and resource use measures effectively to consumers is challenging. This study suggests using actual dollar amounts for cost, but presenting performance on readmissions using evaluative symbols.
Immobilization of an Amphiphilic Molecular Cobalt Catalyst on Carbon Black for Ligand-Assisted Water Oxidation.

We have prepared the amphiphilic molecular catalyst [CoIII(LOC18)(pyrr)2]ClO4 (1), where LOC18 is the deprotonated form of N,N′-[4,5-bis(octadecyloxy)-1,2-phenylene]dipicolinamide. Species 1 can be anchored onto a carbon black support to yield the assembly 1@CB, which can catalyze water oxidation at an affordable onset overpotential of 0.32 V, with a current density of 10 mA/cm2 at 0.37 V. Moreover, 1@CB displays TOF = 3850 h–1. A mechanism is proposed based on the experimental and density-functional-theory-calculated data.
Clinical Neuropsychological Assessment of Child and Adolescent Memory with the Test of Memory and Learning

Memory complaints seem ubiquitous in the clinical practice of neuropsychology. Nearly every central nervous system (CNS) disorder associated with disturbances of higher cognitive functions has memory disturbance in some form noted as a common complaint (see, for example, reviews of disorders and their assessment in Baron, Fennell, & Voeller, 1995; Cullum, Kuck, & Ruff, 1990; Cytowic, 1996; Gill-berg, 1995; Knight, 1992; Lezak, 1995; Mapou & Spector, 1995; Reeves and Wedding, 1994). In cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI), memory disturbances are the most common of all patient complaints (Cronwall, Wrightson, & Waddell, 1990; Golden, Zillmer, and Spiers, 1992; Reeves & Wedding, 1994). Individuals between 10 and 20 years old account for a majority of cases of TBI with males outnumbering females by about 3 to 1 in acquired brain injuries during this time, with motor vehicle accidents the most common cause of TBI (Goldstein & Levin, 1990). TBI produces the least predictable forms of memory loss with the exception of increased forgetting curves. However, as research becomes more sophisticated, disturbances of memory and learning are being discovered elsewhere as well. In childhood medical disorders as well as in a variety of neuropsychiatric disturbances, memory is often compromised along with acquisition of new material. Table 1 lists the most frequent childhood disorders in which memory and learning are likely to be compromised and should thus be assessed.
Heat Shock Protein and Inflammation

Heat Shock Proteins (HSP) are important modulators of both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory responses. In this chapter, we address this apparent paradox by focusing on the effects of the highly heat inducible Hsp70 and its transcription machinery. This transcription machinery may exert important effects on inflammation through pathways, which are independent of heat shock proteins. We then discuss disease states where the balance between the anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory effectors is critical to disease outcome
The Quality of Evidence in Qualitative Research

The quality of evidence in qualitative research relates to the researcher's fieldwork, its politics in relation both to what kinds of evidence the state supports and to power relations, and to how evidence is defined at different historical periods. Groups have different and sometimes conflicting considerations and investments in what kinds of data count as evidence. The entry examines the relationship between data and evidence, considers the question to contexts, describes different characteristics of varying qualitative approaches, and addresses what questions researchers and consumers raise about qualitative evidence in the postpositivist era. The researcher's social location, narrative authority, and trustworthiness are considered. Audience's beliefs also count.
Polymers and Molecular Motors

The cytoskeleton within the cytoplasm plays important roles in maintaining the structural integrity of a cell, intracellular transport, cell motility, and cell division. In eukaryotes, the cytoskeleton consists of three types of protein filaments—microtubules, intermediate filaments, and actin filaments (see Fig. 4.1). Actin filaments are the thinnest structures (around 6 nm) whose basic building block is the globular protein G-actin.
You’re Getting Warmer: The Impression Management Benefits of Humor

Humor pervades our interpersonal interactions. Across four studies, we identify humor as a powerful impression management tool. Prior work has identified impression management strategies that incre...
Mechano‐modulation of nuclear events regulating oligodendrocyte progenitor gene expression

Oligodendrocytes differentiate from oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in response to distinct extracellular signals. This process requires changes in gene expression resulting from the interplay between transcription factors and epigenetic modulators. Extracellular signals include chemical and physical stimuli. This review focuses on the signaling mechanisms activated in oligodendrocyte progenitors in response to mechanical forces. Of particular interest is a better understanding on how these forces are transduced into the OPC nuclei and subsequently reshape their epigenetic landscape. Here we will introduce the concept of epigenetic regulation of gene expression, first in general and then focusing on the oligodendrocyte lineage. We will then review the current literature on mechano-transduction in distinct cell types, followed by pathways identified in myelinating oligodendrocytes and their progenitors. Overall, the reader will be provided with a comprehensive review of the signaling pathways which allow oligodendrocyte progenitors to "sense" physical forces and transduce them into patterns of gene expression.
Fast and efficient chemical process flowsheet simulation by pseudo-transient continuation on inertial manifolds

Abstract Process flowsheets are mathematical models that describe the steady-state operation of (petro)chemical processes and comprise large-scale systems of nonlinear algebraic equations. The solution of these systems (referred to as “flowsheet simulation”) is challenging for practically-relevant problems. Pseudo-transient continuation is a promising numerical approach for process flowsheet simulation, and has been shown to converge flowsheets reliably from a wider range of initial guesses compared to standard Newton-type methods. However, the pseudo-transient approach is more computationally demanding than flowsheet simulation with a Newton-type solver (assuming a good initial guess is available for the latter). Moreover, process flowsheet simulation with pseudo-transient continuation involves defining a set of dynamics in pseudo-time, and both convergence and computational efficiency can be highly dependent on the user-selected time constants that govern this dynamic behavior. In this work, we address these challenges with a novel algorithm for process flowsheet simulation based on a hierarchical, multiply-singularly perturbed formulation of pseudo-transient dynamics, and an associated cascade of quasi-steady-state assumptions. The algorithm replaces a subset of the differential equations of the reformulated model with algebraic quasi-steady-state conditions when the system approaches the inertial manifold defined by steady state of the respective dynamics. The proposed technique allows a seamless transition from pseudo-time integration to efficient algebraic solvers, and we prove that the method converges to the solution of the original algebraic system in a finite number of steps. Moreover, the time-scale decomposition of the pseudo-transient dynamics eliminates the need to explicitly set the time constants of the dynamics in each time scale. Using two prototype chemical process examples, we show that the proposed method significantly reduces the computational effort involved in pseudo-transient process flowsheet simulation.