cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Physiologic Role for Serotonergic Transmission in Adult Rat Taste Buds

Of the multiple neurotransmitters and neuropeptides expressed in the mammalian taste bud, serotonin remains both the most studied and least understood. Serotonin is expressed in a subset of taste receptor cells that form synapses with afferent nerve fibers (type III cells) and was once thought to be essential to neurotransmission (now understood as purinergic). However, the discovery of the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor in a subset of taste receptor cells paracrine to type III cell suggested a role in cell-to-cell communication during the processing of taste information. Functional data describing this role are lacking. Using anatomical and neurophysiological techniques, this study proposes a modulatory role for serotonin during the processing of taste information. Double labeling immunocytochemical and single cell RT-PCR technique experiments documented that 5-HT1A-expressing cells co-expressed markers for type II cells, cells which express T1R or T2R receptors and release ATP. These cells did not co-express type III cells markers. Neurophysiological recordings from the chorda tympani nerve, which innervates anterior taste buds, were performed prior to and during intravenous injection of a 5-HT1A receptor antagonist. These experiments revealed that serotonin facilitates processing of taste information for tastants representing sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste qualities. On the other hand, injection of ondansetron, a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, was without effect. Collectively, these data support the hypothesis that serotonin is a crucial element in a finely-tuned feedback loop involving the 5-HT1A receptor, ATP, and purinoceptors. It is hypothesized that serotonin facilitates gustatory signals by regulating the release of ATP through ATP-release channels possibly through phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate resynthesis. By doing so, 5-HT1A activation prevents desensitization of post-synaptic purinergic receptors expressed on afferent nerve fibers and enhances the afferent signal. Serotonin may thus play a major modulatory role within peripheral taste in shaping the afferent taste signals prior to their transmission across gustatory nerves.
Colorectal cancer screening disparities for rural minorities in the United States.

Background: Despite the existence of effective screening, colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Adults living in rural areas and members of minori...
Fabrication of low-noise media-a manufacturing perspective

Three major methods have emerged for the reduction of media noise in thin-film disks and are rooted in the segregation of the grains in the film structure. Physical grain segregation is achieved by altering the adatom mobility of the sputtering process, resulting in physically voided grain structures. Compositional segregation is achieved by sputtering high Cr/Co ratio magnetic alloys at elevated temperatures. A separation into two or more magnetic layers (multilayers) results in a decoupled structure with improved noise characteristics. All three methods have advantages and drawbacks in relation to other recording properties, general disk properties, and manufacturability concerns. The optimum disk for a recording system is not necessarily the lowest noise medium, but a disk that compromises improved noise characteristics with improved recording properties, while allowing for an economic and easily manufacturable process. >
Molecular epidemiology of cancer

Epidemiology is very successful in identifying environmental and lifestyle factors that increase or reduce risk of specific cancers, leading to cancer prevention strategies. However, the etiology of many types of cancer is still poorly understood, despite extensive use of questionnaires and interview-based approaches in conventional epidemiologic studies. The integration of molecular techniques into epidemiology studies may provide new insights and has been referred to as molecular epidemiology. For instance, our ability to make connections between lifestyle and cancer risk is limited by difficulty in accurately measuring exposure to many carcinogens-newer molecular markers of exposure may provide better information. The completion of the Human Genome Project gives us knowledge of the genetic variations that presumably underlie the fact that a family history of cancer is a risk factor for most cancer types. Some of this excess risk has been explained over the last decade by identification of mutations in genes that give rise to a very high familial risk. Molecular epidemiologists are searching for genes that may give rise to much smaller increases in individual risk, but account for much of the residual risk associated with family history. These genes may also interact with environment and lifestyle factors such that cancer risk is not equally elevated in all persons exposed to an environmental factor (but not genetically susceptible), or all gene carriers (but not exposed to the environmental factor). Molecular markers may help to differentiate tumors with the same histologic appearance into different etiologic subtypes. Finally, response to treatment may be determined by molecular subtypes of the tumor, or inherited variation in drug metabolism. Examples will be given of how use of molecular techniques is informative in epidemiological studies of cancer and is predicted to lead to improvements in cancer incidence, early detection, and mortality.
Energy recovery clocking scheme and flip-flops for ultra low-energy applications

A significant fraction of the total power in highly synchronous systems is dissipated over clock networks. Hence, low-power clocking schemes would be promising approaches for future designs. We propose four novel energy recovery flip-flops that enable energy recovery from the clock network, resulting in significant energy savings. The proposed flip-flops operate with a single-phase sinusoidal clock, which can be generated with high efficiency. Based on the simulation results using TSMC 0.25 /spl mu/m CMOS process technology, at a frequency of 200 MHz, the proposed flip-flops exhibit more than 80% delay reduction, power reduction of up to 46%, and area reduction of up to 77%, as compared to the conventional energy recovery flip-flop. We implemented 1024 proposed energy recovery flip-flops through an H-tree clock network driven by a resonant clock-generator that generates a sinusoidal clock. Results show a power reduction of 90% on the clock-tree and total power savings of up to 83% as compared to the same implementation using the conventional square-wave clocking scheme and flip-flops.
A General Model of Mixed-Initiative Human-Machine Systems:

The increasing role of automation in human-machine systems requires modelling approaches which are flexible enough to systematically express a large range of automation levels and assist the exploration of a large range of automation issues. A General Model of Mixed-Initiative Human-Machine Systems is described, along with a corresponding automation taxonomy, which: provides a framework for representing human-machine systems over a wide range of complexity; forms the basis of a dynamic, pseudo-mathematical simulation of complex interrelationships between situational and cognitive factors operating in dynamic function allocation decisions; and can guide methodical investigations into the implications of decisions regarding system automation levels.
Taking MAD to the extreme: ultrafast protein structure determination.

Multiwavelength anomalous diffraction data were measured in 23 min from a 16 kDa selenomethionyl-substituted protein, producing experimental phases to 2.25 A resolution. The data were collected on a mosaic 3 × 3 charge-coupled device using undulator radiation from the Structural Biology Center 19ID beamline at the Argonne National Laboratory's Advanced Photon Source. The phases were independently obtained semiautomatically by two crystallographic program suites, CCP4 and CNS. The quality and speed of this data acquisition exemplify the opportunities at third-generation synchrotron sources for high-throughput protein crystal structure deter­mination.
Development of a risk-based comparison methodology of carbon capture technologies

Given the varying degrees of maturity among existing carbon capture (CC) technology alternatives, an understanding of the inherent technical and financial risk and uncertainty associated with these competing technologies is requisite to the success of carbon capture as a viable solution to the greenhouse gas emission challenge. The availability of tools and capabilities to conduct rigorous, risk–based technology comparisons is thus highly desirable for directing valuable resources toward the technology option(s) with a high return on investment, superior carbon capture performance, and minimum risk. To address this research need, we introduce a novel risk-based technology comparison method supported by an integrated multi-domain risk model set to estimate risks related to technological maturity, technical performance, and profitability. Through a comparison between solid sorbent and liquid solvent systems, we illustrate the feasibility of estimating risk and quantifying uncertainty in a single domain (modular analytical capability) as well as across multiple risk dimensions (coupled analytical capability) for comparison. This method brings technological maturity and performance to bear on profitability projections, and carries risk and uncertainty modeling across domains via inter-model sharing of parameters, distributions, and input/output. The integration of the models facilitates multidimensional technology comparisons within a common probabilistic risk analysis framework. Thismore » approach and model set can equip potential technology adopters with the necessary computational capabilities to make risk-informed decisions about CC technology investment. The method and modeling effort can also be extended to other industries where robust tools and analytical capabilities are currently lacking for evaluating nascent technologies.« less
On operators providing shift-invariant uncertainty limit

The uncertainty relation is introduced by using operators which are not necessarily self-adjoint. In general, the uncertainty (lower) limit is different for different functions. Operators are found that define the second moments and the uncertainty limit for their product such that the limit is the same for functions obtained from each other by applying unitary support-size preserving operators, e.g. by shifting in time and frequency. In this case, for all functions of finite energy the limit is related to the minimum support size in the time-frequency domain. Moreover, it is possible to find the discrete-time counterpart of the classical uncertainty relation for continuous-time functions. The operator calculus presents results from signal analysis in a more standard form extensively used in quantum mechanics.
Plasma brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and response to ketamine in treatment-resistant depression.

Ketamine produces rapid antidepressant effects in treatment-resistant depression (TRD), but the magnitude of response varies considerably between individual patients. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been investigated as a biomarker of treatment response in depression and has been implicated in the mechanism of action of ketamine. We evaluated plasma BDNF and associations with symptoms in 22 patients with TRD enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of ketamine compared to an anaesthetic control (midazolam). Ketamine significantly increased plasma BDNF levels in responders compared to non-responders 240 min post-infusion, and Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) scores were negatively correlated with BDNF ( r =−0.701, p = 0.008). Plasma BDNF levels at 240 min post-infusion were highly negatively associated with MADRS scores at 240 min ( r = −0.897, p =.002), 24 h ( r = −0.791, p = 0.038), 48 h ( r = −0.944, p = 0.001) and 72 h ( r = −0.977, p = 0.010). No associations with BDNF were found for patients receiving midazolam. These data support plasma BDNF as a peripheral biomarker relevant to ketamine antidepressant response.
Four-Dimensional Nonbinary LDPC-Coded Modulation Schemes for Ultra-High-Speed Optical Fiber Communication

In this letter, we propose a four-dimensional (4-D) nonbinary low-density parity-check-coded modulation (NB-LDPC-CM) scheme suitable for beyond 100-Gb/s optical fiber communication. Incorporating spectrally efficient modulation formats to achieve high aggregate bit rates and nonbinary LDPC codes for forward error correction (FEC), the proposed scheme offers a superior advanced FEC solution for optical fiber communication systems than the prior-art bit-interleaved LDPC-coded modulation (BI-LDPC-CM) scheme. Compared to the previously reported bit error rate (BER) performance results of BI-LDPC-CM, the proposed scheme offers additional net coding gains (NCGs) of 0.29 dB, 1.17 dB, and 2.17 dB at the BER of 10-7 when 16-, 32-, and 64-point 4-D constellations are used, respectively.
Network support for IP traceback

This paper describes a technique for tracing anonymous packet flooding attacks in the Internet back toward their source. This work is motivated by the increased frequency and sophistication of denial-of-service attacks and by the difficulty in tracing packets with incorrect, or “spoofed,” source addresses. In this paper, we describe a general purpose traceback mechanism based on probabilistic packet marking in the network. Our approach allows a victim to identify the network path(s) traversed by attack traffic without requiring interactive operational support from Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Moreover, this traceback can be performed “post mortem”—after an attack has completed. We present an implementation of this technology that is incrementally deployable, (mostly) backward compatible, and can be efficiently implemented using conventional technology.
Hexagonal sigma-delta modulation

A novel application and generalization of sigma-delta (/spl Sigma//spl Delta/) modulation has emerged in three-phase power-electronic converters. A conventional /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator with scalar signals and binary quantizer is generalized to a /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator with vector signals and a hexagonal quantizer. Indeed, power-electronic switching states may be thought of as determining the quantizer outputs. The output spectrum is a key performance measure for both communications and power electronics. This paper analytically derives the output spectrum of the hexagonal /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulator with a constant input using ergodic theory and Fourier series on the hexagon. The switching rate of the modulator is important for power-electronic design and formulas for the average switching rate are derived for constant and slowly varying sinusoidal inputs.
Fifth Street Jewelers: Dana Frasier

Dana Frasier, owner of Fifth Street Jewelers, was intrigued by the diamond ring that had been dropped off by a courier from the offices of Miller Moran. The center diamond was certainly more than 3 carats, the cut was European, and the setting was exquisitely ornate and detailed. A friend with an impressive collection of antique jewelry, who happened to be in the shop viewing other antique jewelry, offered $30,000 for the ring, if it were for sale. The offer translated into a maximum price to Moran of $27,500.
Law and Social Norms: An Empirical Study of the Control Mechanism in International Trade Dispute Resolution

This paper explores the impact of domestic social norms on international trade dispute resolution. Applying the idea of a signaling game, I hypothesize that the level of litigiousness of a country exerts significant influence on how its government chooses to resolve disputes with another state, i.e. through settlement or adjudication. To be more specific, everything else equal, a nonlitigious country will more likely choose settlement than a litigious state because of the perceived negative signal attached to litigation. This is especially true when the responding party is also a nonlitigious state. If, however, the accused is a litigioius country, the complaining nonlitigious state is less concerned with the signaling aspect of litigation, thus more likely resorting to adjudication to resolve the dispute. I use both case studies and statistical regression to test the hypothesis. Findings from both types of evidence strongly support it.
Optical mode confinement in the Al/SiO 2 disk nanocavities with hyperbolic dispersion in the infrared spectral region

This paper presents the results of a numerical study of the optical mode confinement in whispering gallery mode disk nanocavities with hyperbolic dispersion using nanolayered Al/SiO 2 hyperbolic metamaterial with different Al fill fractions. The fundamental properties of the optical modes and resonance frequencies for the disk nanocavities are studied using the numerical finite-element method. Numerical simulations show that light can be well confined in a disk nanocavity with a radius of up to an order of magnitude smaller than free-space resonant wavelength. This paper will also focus on how Purcell factor and quality factor of the disk nanocavities are affected by the fill fraction of the aluminum in the nanolayered metamaterial. Potential future applications for disk nanocavities with hyperbolic dispersion include silicon photonics optical communications networks, ultrafast LEDs, and biological nanoparticles sensing.
THU0096 Serum Inflammation Identifies Increased Risk of Frailty in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background Frailty is defined as “excess vulnerability to stressors, with reduced ability to maintain or regain homeostasis after a destabilizing event” 1 . Frailty is closely related to body composition and physical functioning, and is associated with increased risk of poor health outcomes including death. Serum inflammation is associated with differences in body composition and physical functioning in the general population and individuals with chronic disease. The ability of serum markers of inflammation to identify increased frailty among individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unknown. Objectives We tested whether serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) are associated with increased risk of frailty among men and women with RA. Methods Participants were individuals in a longitudinal RA cohort. ESR and high sensitivity CRP were assessed from blood samples using standard clinical assays. Individuals with 3 or more of the following physical deficits were classified as frail 1 : 1) body mass index ≤18.5, 2) low grip strength (adjusted for sex and BMI, measured by handheld dynamometer), 3) severe fatigue (measured by the Fatigue Severity Inventory), 4) slow 4-meter walking speed (adjusted for sex and height), 5) low physical activity (measured by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire). Individuals with 1 or 2 deficits were classified as pre-frail, and those with no deficits as robust. 1 Multinomial logistic regression analyses controlling for age, sex, smoking status, RA disease duration, prednisone use, tumor necrosis factor inhibitor use, appendicular lean mass, and pain modeled the effects of ESR and CRP on severity of frailty. Results Of the 141 participants, 60% were female; mean age was 58 (±11) years, duration of RA was 19 (±11) years, ESR was 19 (±19) mm/h, and hsCRP was 5 (± 8) mg/L. Sixteen participants (11%) were frail, 86 (61%) pre-frail, 22 (16%) robust, and 17 (12%) were missing grip strength data. In adjusted models, higher ESR was associated with significantly increased risk of frailty (Table 1). Similar trends were observed between CRP and risk of frailty, but did not reach statistical significance in adjusted models. Conclusions Frailty and pre-frailty were common in our cohort of individuals with RA, with a greater prevalence than that of geriatric populations. ESR levels were associated with approximately twice the risk of being frail or pre-frail compared to being robust. CRP demonstrated similar effects on risk of frailty, though trends did not reach statistical significance. These findings underscore the burden of frailty among individuals with RA, and they may suggest a clinical role for serum ESR and CRP to identify individuals with RA at greatest risk of frailty. References Fried J Am Geriatr Soc 2001;56:M146 Disclosure of Interest None declared
270. Nanoparticle-Mediated Rhodopsin cDNA But Not the Intron-Containing DNA Delivery Causes Transgene Silencing in a Rhodopsin Knockout Model

Gene expression is moderated by a multitude of patterns. The cross-talk between the native promoters and all the non-coding endogenous elements, such as transcription factors, enhancers and introns, are tightly controlled in a precise and real-time manner.The use of cDNA transgene often causes transgene silencing as over-expression or under-expression is known to affect protein function. In contrast, large genomic DNA transgene showed positionindependent, copy number-dependent expression of the transgene. Precise control of rhodopsin expression is critical in maintaining viable photoreceptors. In the present study, two forms of rhodopsin DNAs, an intron-containing short form genomic DNA and an intron-less cDNA, were cloned into an S/MAR vector driven by the 500 bp mouse opsin (MOP) promoter. The vectors were further compacted into nanoparticles (NPs) and subretinally injected into a rhodopsin knockout mouse (RKO) model at postnatal day 3. Following injection, DNA methylation and histone status of the specific regions (bacteria plasmid backbone, promoter, rhodopsin gene and S/MAR) in the vectors were evaluated at various time points. Persistent expression and phenotypic improvement were found in RKO mice up to 8 months after NP-mediated intron-containing delivery but not the NPs housing the intron-less cDNA delivery (data submitted for publication under review). In this study, our results further indicated that epigenetic silencing occurred in vector-mediated gene transfer, which were contributed by the plasmid backbone and the cDNA of the transgene, but not the intron-containing transgene as evaluated by DNA methylation specific PCR followed by DNA sequencing and chromatin immunoprocipitation (ChIP) assay with highly specific antibodies for euchromatin and heterochromatin. No toxicity or inflammation was found in the treated eyes as detected by both PCR for pro-inflammatory cytokines and immunohistochemistry using macrophage marker, F4/80. These results suggest that cDNA of transgene and bacteria backbone interfere with the host defense mechanism of DNA methylation-mediated transgene silencing through heterochratin-associated modification. While the benefits of including genomic elements may vary from gene to gene, our data suggest reconsider the current paradigm using cDNA as the standard in gene delivery cassettes. This paradigm shift has wide-ranging application for ocular gene therapy for retinal diseases or for which a genetic treatment is of interest. Further experiments are currently underway to determine whether inclusion of additional endogenous elements will provide added advantages in terms of physiologically relevant gene expression.
Wound Penetration of Cefazolin, Ciprofloxacin, Piperacillin, Tazobactam, and Vancomycin During Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

Objective: Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) uses subatmospheric pressure as a noninvasive adjunct to treat wounds and has demonstrated clinical efficacy by accelerating healing of a variety of acute and chronic wounds. NPWT may also play a role in preventing or treating wound infections, possibly by increasing wound penetration of antibiotics. However, clinical data in patients undergoing antibiotic and NPWT treatment are limited. Approach: To evaluate the wound penetration of antibiotics in NPWT patients, we conducted a prospective, observational study of burn and trauma patients treated with NPWT and systemic antibiotics. We evaluated the plasma pharmacokinetic profile of systemic vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, cefazolin, and piperacillin/tazobactam, as well as total and unbound antibiotic concentrations in wound exudate from the same patients. Results: Data from 32 patients with 37 wounds undergoing NPWT demonstrated that vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, and piperacillin/tazobactam all penetrated wounds with exudate to plasma concentration ratios more than 0.8. Cefazolin did not penetrate wounds in patients undergoing NPWT as effectively, with an average exudate to plasma concentration ratio of 0.51. Innovation: Clinical data on the wound penetration of antibiotics in patients undergoing NPWT are limited, but these data suggest that antibiotics have different capacities for wound penetration during NPWT that should be considered when making clinical decisions. Conclusion: This initial report suggests that (1) vancomycin, ciprofloxacin, and piperacillin/tazobactam effectively penetrate wounds during NPWT and (2) cefazolin as well as other antibiotics may not penetrate wounds during NPWT.
The structure of locally compact normal spaces: Some quasi-perfect preimages

Abstract A quasi-perfect map is a continuous, closed function such that the preimage of every point is countably compact. An ambitious old problem due to van Douwen [1] is whether every first countable regular space of cardinality ≤ c is a quasi-perfect image of a locally compact space. Here we construct locally compact, normal, quasi-perfect preimages for all stationary, co-stationary subsets of ω 1 . These subsets are ω 1 -compact but not σ-countably compact. Quasi-perfect preimages preserve these properties, and the preimages constructed here are all of cardinality b . This provides a new upper bound for the following problem: What is the least cardinality of a ZFC example of a locally compact, ω 1 -compact space that is not σ-countably compact?
Fuel inventory and price relationships in the U.S. electric power sector under regulatory and market change

Long-run relationships among coal inventories at U.S. electric power plants, corporate bond rates and coal, natural gas, and electricity prices are estimated over the period July 1976 to October 2014. Tests for constancy of the long-run relationships show periods of instability which coincide with major regulatory events in the electric power sector. Deregulation of the natural gas and electricity markets are likely sources of instability for the period mid-1994 to mid-2001. Additionally, inventory behavior may have had a smoothing effect over instability caused by natural gas prices during the recent U.S. shale boom. Policy makers should be aware that altering the regulatory environment can result in considerable fluctuations in how firms’ inventory decisions interact with input and output markets and opportunity costs in the long run.
The effects of a social and talent development intervention for high ability youth with social skill difficulties

AbstractContemporary models highlight the need to cultivate cognitive and psychosocial factors in developing domain-specific talent. This model was the basis for the current study where high ability youth with self-reported social difficulties (n = 28, 12 with a coexisting disability) participated in a social skills and talent development intervention over the course of a two-week summer enrichment program. Compared to high ability youth not in the social skills intervention (n = 9), participants reported positive changes in friendship qualities (help), indicating a treatment effect. Among all participants, positive changes were reported in friendship companionship and security, suggesting the talent development program alone had significant impact on psychosocial factors (friendship qualities). For those in the social skills group, higher scores on performance approach goal orientations were related to lower change scores in friendship closeness, suggesting if one is driven academically to outperform pee...
Sex-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms in External Genitalia Development

Abstract Genital malformation, including hypospadias, represents the second most common male birth defect after cardiac defect. In the past 50 years, hypospadias incidence has doubled along with other male reproductive problems. It is suspected that fetal exposure to endocrine disruptors may have contributed to this increase. However, our understanding of basic genitalia development in general, including hormone-mediated genital differentiation, is still very limited. A complete understanding of genetic pathways governing genital development and masculinization and how perturbations of these pathways lead to genital malformations will have important applications to improve global health. In the past 20 years, comprehensive genetic analyses on genital tubercle development in knockout and transgenic mice have revealed critical signaling pathways regulating both the initial genital outgrowth phase and the subsequent hormone-dependent genital masculinization phase. Interestingly, some signaling pathways, such as Wnt, Hh, and Fgf, are required during both phases of genital development. In this chapter, we will review genitalia development in mice as well as the effect of endocrine disruption on genitalia development. A thorough dissection of genetic pathways regulating posterior embryonic development should allow us to better understand gene–environment interactions that influence genitalia development and hypospadias formation.
EGFR-Mutant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the Era of Precision Medicine: Importance of Germline EGFR T790M Testing

With the rapid development of precision medicine, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has provided the ability to uncode tumors at the DNA level. Identifying EGFR mutations and other molecular changes has become more crucial in the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) than ever before. Although the histologic subtypes in patients with advanced NSCLC remain valid in determining treatment options, the detection of specific molecular signatures such as de novo T790M with sensitizing EGFR mutations could be more useful than the histologic subtype itself. Germline T790M mutation should be suspected and tested for when multiple biopsies show de novo T790M mutations or when de novo T790M is found in patients with a family history of lung cancer. This case report presents a 60-year-old woman with bilateral NSCLC with 3 different distinct histologic diagnoses. Evaluating the molecular profile using NGS completely changed the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of this rare presentation of NSCLC.
Design Based Sampling as a Technique for Estimating Arthropod Populations in Cotton over Large Land Masses

The Mesilla Valley, New Mexico, cotton arthropod ecosystem is chosen to exemplify the complexity found in large interacting cropping ecosystems. Here arthropod density is greatly modified by migration from neighboring plant ecosystems; the complex group of arthropods exists in three trophic levels; the beneficial complex may be composed of host-specific, host-nonspecific and hyperparasitoid species; and clumping may be related to a variety of cultural and behavioral factors within and between fields. It may not be possible to predict arthropod density in this ecosystem without consistent periodic updates. In order to set economic thresholds, there is a need for an economical means to determine between field variation and density estimates.
Investigation of a Large-Scale Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Mortality Event on a Public Conservation Land in Florida, USA

Abstract In August 2015, a gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) mortality event was documented on a 40-ha area of Lake Louisa State Park, Lake County, Florida, US. To quantify the extent of the die-off and the seroprevalence of Mycoplasma agassizii and Mycoplasma testudineum, two causative agents of mycoplasmal upper respiratory tract disease (URTD), we conducted a tortoise shell survey on 25 and 26 August 2015 and collected blood samples from live tortoises on 2–4 September 2015 and 1–13 August 2016 within the area of documented mortality. We discovered 94 shells and measured the degree of disarticulation to estimate time since mortality. Results indicated that most mortalities likely occurred more than 3 yr before discovery. Of the 42 blood samples collected in 2016, 31% (n=13) tested positive, 17% (n=7) were suspect, and 52% (n=22) were negative for M. agassizii antibodies; all blood samples were negative for M. testudineum. Sixty-nine percent (9/13) of seropositive tortoises exhibited clinical signs ...
Aspects of the Natural History of the Harpacticoid Copepods of San Diego Trough

In samples from San Diego Trough (32" 35.75' N, 117" 29.00' W, 1,220-m depth), there were significantly more sig- nificant correlations between pairs of harpacticoid copepod species than expected by chance. Of these, significant positive correlations were significantly more frequent than negative correlations. By sum- ming the per station abundances for pairs of significantly positively correlated species, it was shown that these correlations appear to be shared responses to five classes of biogenous structures. Also, species with morphological features suggesting that they were functionally similar were combined into groups, i.e., a sediment-covered group, an interstitial group, and a burrowing group. There was no evidence to suggest that the per-core abundance of these functional groups covaried with the per-core volume of classes of biogenous structures. However, the existence of large, apparently surface-dwelling species from three families that covered their dona with mud suggested that these species had adapted to a strong selective pressure. The mud covering seems capable of minimizing predation by particle-by- particle feeders, implying that selective predation is an important ecological force acting on deep-sea harpacticoids. Of the models proposed to explain diversity maintenance in the deep sea, those that Contribution number 17 from Expedition Quagmire
Insecticidal proteins produced by bacteria pathogenic to agricultural pests

Numerous bacteria pathogenic to insects have been characterised. Some of those are known for the production of insecticidal proteins. The insecticidal protein produced by Bacillus thuringiensis has been studied extensively partly due to its commercial value. A large number of B. thuringiensis strains have been isolated. Each B. thuringiensis isolate has a narrow insect specificity, but the specificity is diversified amongst different isolates. Insects susceptible to B. thuringiensis include those in Lepidoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Coleoptera as well as some nematode species. From these isolates, over 100 insecticidal protein genes have been cloned and sequenced. There are several other Bacillus species known to synthesise insecticidal proteins. Bacillus popilliae produces a proteinaceous inclusion in sporulated cells. The inclusion protein is involved in the pathogenicity of B. popilliae. A gene encoding for this inclusion has been cloned. In this chapter, we shall make a brief introduction to insecticidal proteins found in B. thuringiensis and B. popilliae followed by analysis on the structure and function of B. thuringiensis insecticidal proteins.
Effectiveness of catch-up human papillomavirus vaccination on incident cervical neoplasia in a US health-care setting: a population-based case-control study.

Summary Background The population effectiveness of human papillomavirus (HPV) catch-up vaccination, defined in the USA as first vaccination at ages 13–26 years, has not been studied extensively. We aimed to assess the risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2, CIN3, adenocarcinoma in situ, or cancer (CIN2+ and CIN3+) by prior HPV vaccination status, age at first dose, and number of doses in women participating in a screening programme within a large integrated health-care system. Methods We performed a nested case-control study of women enrolled in Kaiser Permanente Northern California (an integrated health-care delivery system in California, USA). Cases were women with CIN2+ or CIN3+ confirmed by histology between Jan 1, 1995, and June 30, 2014, and incidence density-selected controls were age-matched women without CIN2+ or CIN3+ at the time each case occurred. For each case, we randomly selected five controls. Cases and controls were aged 26 years or younger when the HPV quadrivalent vaccine became available in 2006. Rate ratios (RRs) from conditional logistic regression were estimated by age at time of first HPV quadrivalent vaccine dose (14–17 years, 18–20 years, and ≥21 years), and number of doses (one, two, and three or more doses) compared with no prior vaccination, with adjustment for smoking, hormonal contraceptive prescription, race or ethnicity, sexually transmitted infections, immunosuppression, parity, and number of outpatient visits. Findings 4357 incident CIN2+ cases and 21 773 matched controls were included in the study. Of these, 1849 were incident CIN3+ cases with 9242 matched controls. The youngest age at time of first vaccination was 14 years. One or more HPV vaccine doses conferred protection against CIN2+ (RR 0·82, 95% CI 0·73–0·93) and CIN3+ (0·77, 0·64–0·94). We found the strongest protection against CIN2+ in women who had received at least three vaccine doses and had received their first dose aged 14–17 years (0·52, 0·36–0·74) or aged 18–20 years (0·65, 0·49–0·88). No significant protection was found in women aged 21 years or older at time of first dose (0·94, 0·81–1·09). Inferences were similar for CIN3+, but with stronger effects for women who received at least three vaccine doses and had received their first dose aged 14–17 years (0·27, 0·13–0·56) or aged 18–20 years (0·59, 0·36–0·97). Interpretation Catch-up quadrivalent HPV vaccination with three doses was effective against CIN2+ and CIN3+ in girls and women aged 14–20 years at time of first vaccine dose but not for women aged 21 years and older at first dose. Funding US National Cancer Institute.
Abstract TP306: Risk of Stroke After ED Visits at Which No Diagnosis of TIA or Stroke was Recorded

Introduction: Unrecognized, high-risk conditions like transient ischemic attack (TIA) are missed opportunities to initiate timely preventive treatment to reduce the risk of subsequent stroke, disab...
The Relationship Between Proactive Corporate Sustainability and Firm Financial Performance

We conducted a longitudinal, quasi-experimental study in which we explored the effects of corporate sustainability on firm financial performance. We compared financial performance in 494 facilities...
Economics, Economic History and Historical Data

There has been no progress in the modest interest in economic history in the top five economics journals since the 1970s. This is despite an apparent newfound enthusiasm for the field among economists. This chapter explains this contradiction by highlighting the differences between research in economic history and economics that exploits historical data. In so doing, the author defines what, in his view, constitutes good economic history research.
Characterization of static and dynamic geotechnical properties and behaviors of fine coal refuse

The geotechnical properties, cyclic behavior, and liquefaction resistance of in situ fine coal refuse (FCR) have not been sufficiently investigated. This paper presents the characterization of stat...
Mechanical Mediation of Signaling Pathways in Heart Valve Development and Disease

Heart valves are elegant, dynamic, pliable structures experiencing complex and varied mechanical forces during development and throughout the course of their postnatal lifetime. Recent work has shown a remarkable link between the mechanical environment of these valve leaflets and their structure, function, and biological behavior. Additionally, these mechanobiological responses, while being regulated by a similar set of signaling pathways, may be very different depending on their occurrence during valvulogenesis or during adulthood. This chapter reviews what is currently known about these differentially mechanoregulated signaling pathways in the heart valve, highlighting any gaps in knowledge.
Climate justice and sustained transnational mobilization

Samir Amin’s final essay called for the creation of a new international organization of progressive social forces. Here I review evidence from twenty-first century transnational movements germane f...
Frequency Independent Method for RCS Reduction of Dihedral Corners Using Metasurfaces

Using orthogonality principles and array theory, a frequency independent method for reducing the Radar Cross Section (RCS) in the entire concave region of dihedral corners is developed and validated. The proposed technique can further be applied for broadband RCS reduction of complex corners and open-ended cavities where fields undergo multiple bounces.
Use and Awareness of The Community Guide in State and Local Health Department Chronic Disease Programs.

Introduction The Community Guide (Guide) is a user-friendly, systematic review system that provides information on evidence-based interventions (EBIs) in public health practice. Little is known about what predicts Guide awareness and use in state health departments (SHDs) and local health departments (LHDs). Methods We pooled data from 3 surveys (administered in 2016, 2017, and 2018) to employees in chronic disease programs at SHDs and LHDs. Participants (n = 1,039) represented all 50 states. The surveys asked about department practices and individual, organizational, and external factors related to decisions about EBIs. We used χ2 tests of independence for analyses. Results Eighty-one percent (n = 498) of SHD and 54% (n = 198) of LHD respondents reported their agency uses the Guide. Additionally, 13% of SHD participants reported not being aware of the Guide. Significant relationships were found between reporting using the Guide and academic collaboration, population size, rated importance of forming partnerships, and accreditation. Conclusion Awareness and use of the Guide in LHD and SHD chronic disease programs is widespread. Awareness of the Guide can be vital to implementation practice, because it enhances implementation of EBI practices. However, awareness of the Guide alone is likely not enough for health departments to implement EBIs. Changes at the organizational level, including sharing information about the Guide and providing training on how to best use it, may increase its awareness and use.
The Secret of Successful Leadership—The Critical Match of the Characteristics of the Leader, the Attributes of the Subordinates, and the Circumstances of the Situation

Seldom has so much been written on such an important topic that has produced so little agreement and so much controversy. It starts with “what is leadership and how does it differ from managership?” It continues with the development of competing big, mid-range, and small leadership theories (Muczyk & Adler, 2002). Most recently, scholars are preoccupied with attempting to develop a leadership theory or model by creating a critical match between leader characteristics, subordinate attributes, and the circumstances of the situation. More and more, the influence of national cultures in this global economic village is taken into consideration. This effort is also an attempt at creating such a match in a cultural context that is perceived to be useful by practitioners, is based on reason, and factors in important variables identified in the accepted leadership theories or models.
GPR39 Localization in Aging Human Brain and Correlation of Expression and Polymorphism with Vascular Cognitive Impairment

INTRODUCTION: The pathogenesis of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is not fully understood. GPR39, an orphan G-protein coupled receptor, is implicated in neurological disorders but its role in VCI is unknown. METHODS: We performed GPR39 immunohistochemical analysis in postmortem brain samples from mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and control subjects. DNA was analyzed for GPR39 SNPs, and correlated with white matter hyperintensity (WMH) burden on premortem MRI. RESULTS: GPR39 is expressed in aged human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, localized to microglia and peri-capillary cells resembling pericytes. GPR39-capillary colocalization, and density of GPR39-expressing microglia was increased in aged brains compared to young. SNP distribution was equivalent between groups; however, homozygous SNP carriers were present only in the MCI group, and had higher WMH volume than WT or heterozygous SNP carriers. DISCUSSION: GPR39 may play a role in aging-related VCI, and may serve as a therapeutic target and biomarker for the risk of developing VCI.
Insomnia symptoms and incident heart failure: a population-based cohort study.

Aims Heart failure (HF) is an ongoing epidemic and a serious clinical and public health issue. Currently, little is known about prospective associations between insomnia symptoms and HF incidence. We investigated the longitudinal associations between time-varying insomnia symptoms (difficulty initiating sleep, difficulty maintaining sleep, early-morning awakening, non-restorative sleep) and incident HF. Methods and results Data were obtained from the Health and Retirement Study in the US for a population-representative sample of 12,761 middle-aged and older adults (age ≥ 50 years; mean [SD] age, 66.7 [9.4] years; 57.7% females) who were free from HF at baseline in 2002. Respondents were followed for 16 years for incident HF. We employed marginal structural discrete-time survival analyses to adjust for potential time-varying biological, psycho-cognitive, and behavioral factors and to account for bias due to differential loss to follow-up. At baseline, 38.4% of the respondents reported experiencing at least one insomnia symptom. During the 16-year follow-up, 1,730 respondents developed incident HF. Respondents experiencing one (hazard ratio [HR]=1.22; 95% CI: 1.08-1.38), two (HR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.21-1.72), three (HR=1.66; 95% CI: 1.37-2.02), or four (HR=1.80; 95% CI: 1.25-2.59) insomnia symptoms had a higher hazard of incident HF than asymptomatic respondents. Respondents that had trouble initiating sleep (HR=1.17; 95%CI: 1.01-1.36), maintaining sleep (HR=1.14; 95% CI: 1.01-1.28), early-morning awakening (HR=1.20; 95% CI: 1.02-1.43), or non-restorative sleep (HR=1.25; 95% CI: 1.06-1.46) had a higher hazard of incident HF than asymptomatic respondents. Conclusion Insomnia symptoms, both cumulatively and individually, are associated with incident HF. Public health awareness and screening for insomnia symptoms in at-risk populations should be encouraged to reduce HF incidence.
Using Online Reviews for Customer Sentiment Analysis

Positive word of mouth is the key to successful innovation diffusion. Innovation managers pay close attention to examine customer sentiment. Online reviews are often the most accessible sources of customer feedback. Online review ratings and online review volume, the two most common metrics to interpret customer sentiment from online reviews, have some critical limitations. Online review ratings are prone to extremity bias since extremely satisfied or dissatisfied customers are most likely to leave online reviews. Online review volume can increase for any reason, and it does not necessarily indicate positive or negative customer feedback. This article explores text mining methods and proposes some alternative metrics to interpret customer sentiment. The findings show that sentiment scores might be less prone to extremity bias compared to online review ratings. Sentiment scores tended to fit a normal distribution while online review ratings were skewed to extreme values. Sentiment scores and review lengths, when combined, can provide a new angle to observe enthusiasm.
Marxism and Moral Objectivity

(1981). Marxism and Moral Objectivity. Canadian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 11, Supplementary Volume 7: Marx and Morality, pp. 19-44.
Brain Stem Gross Anatomy

The brain stem is located in the posterior cranial fossa and consists of medulla, pons, and midbrain. We have included the diencephalon in this discussion on the brain stem as the majority of pathways from the brain stem and spinal cord terminate on nuclei in the diencephalon (Fig. 5.1).