cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of individual body size on reproductive traits in melanopline grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

Body size affects many aspects of an organism's performance, including reproduction. Ecologists have shown an increased interest in linkages between body size variation and population dynamics. Fecundity in a number of insect orders is often positively correlated with body weight or structural size, but reproductive characteristics and body size are not always positively correlated, particularly in field studies. Numerous biotic and environmental factors can influence individual body size and reproduction in grasshoppers under field conditions. Intraspecific relationships between reproductive traits and individual body size in melanopline grasshoppers were examined using data from four field experiments. Significant positive correlations between body size and reproductive traits occurred in three of four field experiments involving Melanoplus sanguinipes (Fabricius) and Phoetaliotes nebrascensis (Thomas) where per capita resource availability was manipulated, with a highly significant relationship between femur length and functional ovarian follicles when statistical results were combined from all correlations. In addition, individual femur length was a significant covariate for at least one reproductive trait in three experiments. Biotic factors such as food availability and predation could be more important than body size in determining reproductive output under field conditions, but further work is required to examine under what conditions individual body size affects reproduction in grasshoppers.
Short Stature in Children: A Practical Approach for Primary Care Providers:

Data gathered from population is used to define what is normal for age and gender. Terms such as “height below the 5th percentile” or “height 2 standard deviations below the mean (−2SDs)” are often used to define short stature. A more precise and medically correct definition is the “expected adult height,” which is calculated from parents’ heights. The height of a child should be evaluated in the light of his or her genetic potential. Most children achieve an adult stature within 10 cm of their genetic potential calculated from their parents’ heights. A child who is growing at a much lower percentile than for his or her genetic potential should have a thorough evaluation to exclude any underlying pathology that might explain this slow gain in height.
Investigation of Trunk and Extremity Movement Associated With Passive Head Turning in Newborns

Background and Purpose. Physical therapist examination of pediatric clients or clients with neurological conditions often includes the observation of stereotypical movement patterns such as the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex and righting reactions. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether extremity and trunk responses to passive head turning could be documented in newborn infants. Subjects and Methods. Forty-two newborns with no known medical problems were videotaped within 5 days of birth while an investigator turned their heads left and right. Videotapes were stopped at 5-second intervals to record the direction of head turn with the rest of the body obscured. A second investigator recorded trunk and extremity position with the head obscured. Results. The direction of head turning affected upper-and lower-extremity position, with extension stronger on the face side. The direction of trunk convexity was also affected by head position, with the trunk convex to the side to which the face was turned. Conclusion and Discussion. Extremity responses and trunk responses to passive head turning can be documented corresponding to patterns reported for the asymmetrical tonic neck reflex and righting reflexes in neonates with no known medical problems more frequently than would occur by chance.
Femtosecond laser–assisted retreatment for residual refractive errors after laser in situ keratomileusis

Purpose To study the utility of creating an additional side cut within the old laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) flap using a femtosecond laser to reduce the incidence of epithelial ingrowth in patients having retreatments for residual refractive errors after LASIK. Setting Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA. Design Comparative case series. Methods On a chart review of all cases that had retreatment between January 2004 and April 2011, eyes in which an additional side cut with the femtosecond laser within the old LASIK flap margin was created were classified as Group 1. All eyes having retreatment using traditional flap-relifting techniques between January 2008 and April 2011 were classified as Group 2. Results Twenty-four eyes of 18 patients had femtosecond laser–assisted retreatment with side cut only (Group 1), while 103 eyes of 80 patients had a flap-lift LASIK enhancement (Group 2). Twenty-seven cases of epithelial ingrowth were identified in the 2 groups, 4 cases (17%) in the side-cut group and 23 cases (22%) in the flap-lift group. There was a statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in the incidence of epithelial ingrowth in patients in which the microkeratome was used as the initial method of flap creation ( P Conclusion Femtosecond laser–assisted side-cut LASIK resulted in a statistically significant lower incidence of epithelial ingrowth after stratification because of the higher risk for epithelial ingrowth in patients who had primary LASIK with microkeratome flaps. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Psychosocial Correlates of Suicide Attempts Among Junior and Senior High School Youth

Three groups of junior and senior high schools students (total N = 1050) recruited in rural counties of a mid-Atlantic state--those who had made a prior suicide attempt, those reporting high levels of depressed mood or suicidal ideation, and those who were not depressed or suicidal--were compared with regard to their reports of a number of potential risk factors for suicidal behavior. Adolescents with a history of a suicide attempt reported more frequent stresses related to parents, lack of adult supports outside of the home, police, and sexuality (i.e., concerns about pregnancy, pressure to have sex, getting sexually transmitted diseases), compared with both depressed/suicide ideators and nondepressed adolescents. Suicide attempters were also more likely than the other adolescents to report that they were physically hurt by a parent, that they ran away from home, that they lived apart from both parents, and that they knew someone who had completed suicide. Results are discussed in the context of prior studies of adolescent suicidal behavior in community and clinical samples.
Scores from riding's cognitive styles analysis have poor test-retest reliability.

Background: The Cognitive Styles Analysis (CSA) purports to assess two cognitive style dimensions, wholist-analytic (WA) and verbalizer-imager (VI). CSA score reliability has not been studied in medical education. Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate test–retest reliability and learner-perceived accuracy of CSA scores. Method: CSA scores were measured twice and perceived accuracy of classifications once among 89 family medicine residents, internal medicine residents, and medical students. Results: Mean ± standard deviation interval between tests was 564 ± 136 days. Test–retest correlation for WA scores was 0.30, and for VI scores was 0.12. Upon retesting 44 learners (49%) were classified under a different WA style, and 56 learners (63%) were classified under a different VI style. There were 58 of 73 learners (79%) who agreed or strongly agreed with their WA classification, whereas 51 of 76 (67%) agreed with their VI classification. Conclusions: CSA scores have poor test–retest reliability....
Influence of margin status and radiation on recurrence after radical hysterectomy in Stage IB cervical cancer.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between margin status and local recurrence (LR) or any recurrence after radical hysterectomy (RH) in women treated with or without radiotherapy (RT) for Stage IB cervical carcinoma. Methods and Materials: This study included 284 patients after RH with assessable margins between 1980 and 2000. Each margin was scored as negative (≥1 cm), close (>0 and Results: The crude rate for any recurrence was 11%, 20%, and 38% for patients with negative, close, and positive margins, respectively. The crude rate for LR was 10%, 11%, and 38%, respectively. Postoperative RT decreased the rate of LR from 10% to 0% for negative, 17% to 0% for close, and 50% to 25% for positive margins. The significant predictors of decreased relapse-free survival on univariate analysis were the depth of tumor invasion (hazard ratio [HR] 2.14/cm increase, p = 0.007), positive margins (HR 3.92, p = 0.02), tumor size (HR 1.3/cm increase, p = 0.02), lymphovascular invasion (HR 2.19, p = 0.03), and margin status (HR 0.002/increasing millimeter from cancer for those with close margins, p = 0.03). Long-term side effects occurred in 8% after RH and 19% after RH and RT. Conclusion: The use of postoperative RT may decrease the risk of LR in patients with close paracervical margins. Patients with other adverse prognostic factors and close margins may also benefit from the use of postoperative RT. However, RT after RH may increase the risk of long-term side effects.
INTRACELLULAR FILAMENT BUNDLES IN WHOLE MOUNTS OF CHICK AND HUMAN MYOBLASTS EXTRACTED WITH TRITON X-100

Abstract The method of Triton X-100 extraction and critical point drying of whole mounts of cultured chick and human myoblasts was used to study the presence of intracellular bundles of filaments within these cells. Observation by means of transmission and scanning electron microscopy demonstrated a complex system of filament bundles which appeared morphologically and spatially heterogeneous. Most obvious were long dense bundles or cables traversing along the ventral surface of developing myoblasts, presumably the ‘stress fibers’ seen in light microscopy. Other bundle types occurred which were composed of loose aggregates of filaments coursing through the remnant cell body. A prominent accumulation of filaments was also seen at the lateral edges of these myoblasts. These lateral edge cables were thicker and denser than any other type of filament bundle observed in the myoblasts. Reaction of unextracted myoblasts directly to human antiplatelet myosin conjugated to rhodamine demonstrated that the most intense reaction also occurred along the lateral edges of both human and chick myoblasts. During development of chick myoblasts the filament bundles became oriented parallel to the cell axis giving the cell a fusiform morphology. It is possible that the various filament bundle structures and their differing structural and spatial dispositions could be related to functional differences among the diverse population of intracellular bundles of filaments.
Theory of pressure shifts of HC1 lines caused by noble gases

Abstract Recent experimental work has shown that the shift of lines in the 1-0 and 2-0 bands of HC1, when absorbed under perturbation by rare gases, is strongly dependent on the rotational quantum number. To explain this effect, we calculate the forces between a rotating and vibrating dipole and a spherically symmetric atom, retaining the influence of space quantization. It is also indicated why space quantization of the dipole with respect to the interaction line matters in this problem. Asymptotic dispersion forces do not account for the results observed, nor should this be expected. But when repulsive forces are included, many experimental features, especially the J-dependence of the shifts, receive at once a qualitative explanation. In part V of this article, two models, one very crude and one more realistic, are employed in an attempt to account for the numerical shifts. The work necessarily involves the use of unknown kinetic theory parameters. Fitting the data leads to their determination; not incontrovertibly to be sure, but in a manner that leaves little doubt as to the basic adequacy of the explanation offered.
Using wearable sensors and real time inference to understand human recall of routine activities

Users' ability to accurately recall frequent, habitual activities is fundamental to a number of disciplines, from health sciences to machine learning. However, few, if any, studies exist that have assessed optimal sampling strategies for in situ self-reports. In addition, few technologies exist that facilitate benchmarking self-report accuracy for routine activities. We report on a study investigating the effect of sampling frequency of self-reports of two routine activities (sitting and walking) on recall accuracy and annoyance. We used a novel wearable sensor platform that runs a real time activity inference engine to collect in situ ground truth. Our results suggest that a sampling frequency of five to eight times per day may yield an optimal balance of recall and annoyance. Additionally, requesting self-reports at regular, predetermined times increases accuracy while minimizing perceived annoyance since it allows participants to anticipate these requests. We discuss our results and their implications for future studies.
Timing of prenatal androgen exposure: anatomical and endocrine effects on juvenile male and female rhesus monkeys.

Prenatal androgen shapes genital differentiation. In humans, genital anatomy determines sex of rearing and subsequent behavioral development. Rhesus monkey genital anatomy and neuroendocrine function are sexually differentiated, and behavioral development occurs in a complex social environment. We investigated prenatal hormonal influences on sexual differentiation by suppressing or increasing androgens in male and female rhesus monkeys. Pregnant multiparous female rhesus monkeys received 35-40 days of testosterone enanthate (TE) treatment, androgen antagonist (flutamide, FL) treatment, or vehicle starting on gestation day (GD) 35 or 40 (early) or GD 110 or 115 (late). Exogenous androgen increased neonatal LH secretion in females when given early and altered female genital differentiation when administered either early or late. TE treatment, early or late in gestation, had no measurable effects on male genital differentiation or neuroendocrine function. Early FL treatment, however, radically altered male genital differentiation, producing in two cases males with a urethral opening separate from the glans. In females, early FL treatment produced detectable alterations in genitalia consistent with a reduced exposure to prenatal androgen, suggesting that female rhesus monkeys are naturally exposed prenatally to meaningful levels of T. Late FL treatment reduced male penis size and increased neonatal T secretion, but had no effect in females. This is the first study to block endogenous prenatal testosterone in rhesus monkeys, thereby altering sexual differentiation. These findings illustrate the complexity of prenatal influences on anatomical and neuroendocrine development. The relationship between the anatomical changes reported here and sex differences in behavior is currently under investigation.
Local changes in lipid environment of TCR microclusters regulate membrane binding by the CD3ε cytoplasmic domain

The CD3e and ζ cytoplasmic domains of the T cell receptor bind to the inner leaflet of the plasma membrane (PM), and a previous nuclear magnetic resonance structure showed that both tyrosines of the CD3e immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif partition into the bilayer. Electrostatic interactions between acidic phospholipids and clusters of basic CD3e residues were previously shown to be essential for CD3e and ζ membrane binding. Phosphatidylserine (PS) is the most abundant negatively charged lipid on the inner leaflet of the PM and makes a major contribution to membrane binding by the CD3e cytoplasmic domain. Here, we show that TCR triggering by peptide–MHC complexes induces dissociation of the CD3e cytoplasmic domain from the plasma membrane. Release of the CD3e cytoplasmic domain from the membrane is accompanied by a substantial focal reduction in negative charge and available PS in TCR microclusters. These changes in the lipid composition of TCR microclusters even occur when TCR signaling is blocked with a Src kinase inhibitor. Local changes in the lipid composition of TCR microclusters thus render the CD3e cytoplasmic domain accessible during early stages of T cell activation.
A motion-stabilized outdoor augmented reality system

Almost all previous Augmented Reality (AR) systems work indoors. Outdoor AR systems offer the potential for new application areas. However, building an outdoor AR system is difficult due to portability constraints, the inability to modify the environment, and the greater range of operating conditions. We demonstrate a hybrid tracker that stabilizes an outdoor AR display with respect to user motion, achieving more accurate registration than previously shown in an outdoor AR system. The hybrid tracker combines rate gyros with a compass and tilt orientation sensor in a near real-time system. Sensor distortions and delays required compensation to achieve good results. The measurements from the two sensors are fused together to compensate for each other's limitations. From static locations with moderate head rotation rates, peak registration errors are /spl sim/2 degrees, with typical errors under 1 degree, although errors can become larger over long time periods due to compass drift. Without our stabilization, even small motions make the display nearly unreadable.
Dynamics of electro-wetting droplet transport

A model is formulated to describe the dynamics of electro-wetting-induced transport of liquid droplets. The velocity of droplet transport as a function of actuation voltage is derived. The operating parameters include the viscosity of the droplet and the medium through which it actuates, contact-line friction, system geometry, and surface tension. Numerical coefficients are extracted from experimental data to represent the effect of operating parameters on electro-wetting dynamics. The power dissipation of droplet transport is analyzed which reveals the key limiting factors for device operation as well the effect of scaling on device power requirements. # 2002 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.
Contegra Versus Pulmonary Homografts for Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Reconstruction: A Ten-Year Single-Institution Comparison

Objective: Repair of congenital heart defects involving the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) may require pulmonary valve replacement at the time of primary repair or reoperation. This study c...
Same day admission for elective cardiac surgery: how to improve outcome with satisfaction and decrease expenses

Admission on the day of surgery for elective cardiac and non-cardiac surgery has been established as a prevalent, critical practice. This approach realizes medical, logistical, psychological and fiscal benefits, and its success is predicated on an effective outpatient pre-operative evaluation. The establishment of a highly functional pre-operative clinic with a comprehensive set-up and efficient logistical pathways is invaluable. This notion has been expanded in recent years to include the entire peri-operative period and the concept of a 'peri-operative anesthesia/surgical home' is gaining popularity and support. Evaluating patients prior to admission for surgery, anesthesiologists can place themselves at the forefront of reducing unnecessary pre-operative hospital admissions, excess lab tests, unneeded consultations, and ultimately decrease the cancellations on the day of surgery. Furthermore, by taking a leadership role in the pre-operative clinic, anesthesiologists place themselves squarely at the forefront of the burgeoning movement for the peri-operative surgical home and continue to cement the indispensability of the anesthesiologist during the entire peri-operative course. The authors present this review as a follow-up describing the successful implementation of a pre-operative same-day cardiac surgery clinic and offer these experiences over the last 8 years as a guide to helping other anesthesiologists do the same.
The Relationship of Cognitive Style and Instructional Strategy to Learning and Transfer of Motor Skills

(1985). The Relationship of Cognitive Style and Instructional Strategy to Learning and Transfer of Motor Skills. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 56, No. 3, pp. 286-290.
Comparative analysis of fluorine-containing mesogenic derivatives of carborane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, cyclohexane, and benzene using the Maier-Meier theory.

Two series of related three-ring nematoges with Δe > 0 and containing 12-vetex carborane (A), 10-vertex carborane (B), bicyclo[2.2.2]octane (C), cyclohexane (D) and benzene (E) were prepared and investigated as additives to 6-CHBT nematic host and in the pure form (series 2). Dielectric results were analyzed with the Maier–Meier relationship to gain an understanding of behavior of additives in nematic solutions. Molecular parameters for each nematogen were obtained at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory in the host’s dielectric medium, and dielectric data was used as the only experimental parameter to calculate apparent order parameter Sapp and the Kirkwood factor g. The results demonstrated that compounds in series 1 stabilize the nematic phase (high Sapp) of the host more than additives in series 2 (low Sapp), and carbocycles C and D are more effective (higher Sapp) than carborane analogues A and B (lower Sapp). The method provides insight into behavior of additives in nematic solutions and is useful f...
Light-controlled plasmon switching using hybrid metal-semiconductor nanostructures

We present a proof of concept for the dynamic control over the plasmon resonance frequencies in a hybrid metal-semiconductor nanoshell structure with Ag core and TiO2 coating. Our method relies on the temporary change of the dielectric function e of TiO2 achieved through temporarily generated electron–hole pairs by means of a pump laser pulse. This change in e leads to a blue shift of the Ag surface plasmon frequency. We choose TiO2 as the environment of the Ag core because the band gap energy of TiO2 is larger than the Ag surface plasmon energy of our nanoparticles, which allows the surface plasmon being excited without generating electron–hole pairs in the environment at the same time. We calculate the magnitude of the plasmon resonance shift as a function of electron–hole pair density and obtain shifts up to 126 nm at wavelengths around 460 nm. Using our results, we develop the model of a light-controlled surface plasmon polariton switch.
Identification of mismatched fixed specimens with a commercially available kit based on the polymerase chain reaction.

Specimen mix-ups inevitably occur and have the potential for great harm. The ability to investigate mix-ups objectively and assign fixed tissues to patients correctly is unfortunately limited, as most such assays require fresh specimens. A commercial kit based on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can be applied to the molecular genetic analysis of fixed tissues. This kit, which can amplify and distinguish 21 different genotypes at a polymorphic human leukocyte antigen (HLA) locus, was applied to investigate 16 cases of potential specimen mismatches. The majority of tissues were small and essentially irreplaceable biopsy specimens, and four cases involved minute fragments of potential “floaters.” Data were successfully obtained from all 16 cases despite the collection from several different hospitals and the small quantities of tissue. The assay required approximately 2 days for completion; therefore, data were returned within a clinically useful time period. This study provided evidence that molecular genetic assays based on the PCR can be applied to routinely obtained fixed-tissue specimens to investigate potential mismatches.
Correlations between Scores on Form A, Form B, and Form A + B of the Culture Fair Intelligence Test for Economically Disadvantaged Students:

The Culture Fair Intelligence Test Form A (Scale 2, Forms A and B) correlated moderately with Form B (r = .59). Form A correlated highly with Form A + B (r = .88) and Form B with Form A + B (r = .8...
FAILURE TO THRIVE. A DIAGNOSTIC APPROACH.

Because many factors can affect physical growth of children at all levels of maturation, careful evaluation of each child is necessary to assure proper diagnosis and management.It is the physician's responsibility to decide whether poor growth results from an underlying disease which is not clinically evident or represents a purely normal genetic variation.Unless diagnosis reveals a specifically treatable disease, there is little hope for growth stimulation.Administration of growth stimulants should be avoided, since they stimulate closure of the epiphyses more readily than they effect linear growth.
Properties of Nicotinic Receptors Underlying Renshaw Cell Excitation by α-Motor Neurons in Neonatal Rat Spinal Cord

We used anatomical and physiological approaches to characterize nicotinic receptors (AChRs) on Renshaw cells of the neonatal rat spinal cord. Confocal imaging of Renshaw cells, identified by their ...
Design and Implementation of Distributed Workflow for Electric Power Dispatching

In view of the wide area flowing,security and system integration characteristics of power dispatching workflows,an analysis is made of the characteristics of the power dispatching process.For the purpose of implementing the wide area distributed dispatching process,a distributed workflow design integrated with the e-mail service based on the intelligent power dispatching technology support system platform is put forward.The workflow service transmits the process file described with highly efficient E language as an e-mail by calling message e-mail service.The destination workflow service downloads and passes the e-mail so as to implement the distributed process flowing.The mechanism is discussed in detail,the principle of integration between the service bus and other services or systems is demonstrated,and the integration is implemented according to the design.Application in security checking shows that the mechanism is of applicable value for its satisfaction of the requirement of distributed service while the power dispatching process is flowing among systems.
Analysis of the Hazard Situation and Insecticide Resistance of Cockroaches in Nanjing City

Objective This study was to analyze the hazard and insecticide resistance of cockroaches in Nanjing city. Methods The sticky trap method was used for investigating the hazard of cockroaches, and a drug film method was used for their pesticide resistance. Results The population of cockroaches in Nanjing city increased year by year, consisting mainly of Blattella germanica, Periplaneta fuliginosa, and Periplaneta Americana. Blattella germanica was the dominant species. The density of cockroach peaked from July to September. The resistant coefficient of Blattella germanica to beta-cypermethrin, acephate and propoxur was 2.38, 3.53 and 0.79, respectively. Conclusion The hazard of cockroaches was serious. Blattella germanica is the dominant species, and its activity peaked in summer. Blattella germanica have developed low level resistance to beta-cypermethrin and acephate.
Vaccination Immune Genetic Trustworthy QoS Rerouting Scheme

According to the characteristics of the QoS(quality of service) rerouting in trustworthy network,this paper proposes a vaccination immune genetic QoS rerouting scheme. Then,this paper presents the network model,the description of users' requirements and the calculation methods of users' satisfaction. In order to resolve the trustworthy problem of QoS routing,this paper establishes a trustworthy evaluation model. On this basis,considering the users' QoS requirements,the users' trustworthy requirements and the reuse of links on the original path,this paper also proposes the QoS rerouting algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme has better performance than existing algorithms,and can satisfy users' demands with the rerouting success rate and the user satisfaction increased.
El Niño and second-millennium BC monument building at Huaca Cortada (Moche Valley, Peru)

The El Nino phenomenon can cause devastating inundation with catastrophic social and economic impacts. Evidence for multiple second-millennium BC El Nino events is present as laminated sediment layers at Huaca Cortada, a large Initial Period monument of the Caballo Muerto Complex in the Moche Valley, Peru. These indicate that one response to this period of climatic flux was the renewal and expansion of temple architecture, perhaps in an effort to demonstrate control over nature, and to maintain a symbol of community permanence. The final abandonment of Huaca Cortada is also associated with an El Nino event around 1000�900 BC.
On transport of suspended particulates in tube flow

Blood cells suspended in shear flows exhibit much larger dispersive motions than those predicted by the Stokes-Einstein formula for Brownian diffusion. The lateral migration and the erratic motions of the 8 microns red blood cells (RBC) is thought to be analogous to a diffusive process. It is shown that the often cited convective-diffusion theory may not be an adequate model for describing the transverse migration of suspended cells in blood flow. A comprehensive review of both the classical theory and of contemporary work in particle transport is presented, with particular emphasis on low Reynolds number tube flows. The mechanisms of Taylor dispersion, the effects of Brownian perturbations on translational and rotational motions of the suspended particles in shear fields, and the influence of integratable and chaotic advections, are individually examined. The classical experiment by Segre and Silberberg (1962) lead us to believe that particle hydrodynamics may play an important role in transverse migrations. In this light, we have further examined the hydrodynamic aspects of the so-called "tubular pinch" effect, the lateral migration of rigid spheres. We have also discussed the transverse motions of liquid drops, and the reversibility of the organization of suspensions in transport. The convective accelerations in the entrance region of a tube can produce relative velocities between fluid medium and various type of particulates if there is a difference in density. The deformable RBC, an "active-type" particle, can provide feedback to the flow from both mass and momentum considerations; the more rigid platelet, a "passive-type" particle, will experience a much smaller relative velocity as compared to the RBC. We may expect that particles of different densities are transported to different equilibrium annular positions before entering the fully developed flow region. The erratic, lateral movement of suspended particulates in steady laminar tube flow can be described by the usual Lagrangian coordinates.
Small Business Policy Index Traction and Movement in Rankings of States Update: 2000 to 2016

Given the volatile economic climate faced in the United States and globally since 2015, there is a desire by politicians in 2016 to increase state economic and business growth. As small businesses are the main driver of business growth in state economies, focus is placed upon the policy environment of a state to encourage state level growth in entrepreneurial activities aimed at small business creation and survival. The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council an advocacy and research organization dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship has annually prepared a “Small Business Policy Index” that ranks states according to some of the major government-imposed or government-related costs affecting investment, entrepreneurship and business. This study presents updated results to 2016 from an original 2013 analysis of the rankings of states on the Small Business Policy Index (SBPI) from 2000 to 2016 that focuses upon three categories of states: overall ranking gainer states, those states that are stable in ranking, and overall ranking decliner states, the percentage in each category, and conclusions. The paper also includes a rank correlation analysis of periods of time to measure the extent of traction and mobility in the SBPI state rankings. As states vary by governor length of years in their governor term and also by term limits or not on governor terms allowed there is an analysis of impact of governor years of term on changes in SBPI ranking and an analysis of impact of governor term limits on changes in SBPI ranking.
Further results on lower bounds for coded caching

Coded caching is a technique that promises huge rate savings in certain canonical content distribution scenarios over the Internet. In the coded caching setting, previous contributions have demonstrated a constant multiplicative gap between the achievable rate and corresponding lower bound on the rate, independent of the problem parameters. Our prior work demonstrated that good lower bounds on the coded caching rate can be obtained by equivalently considering a combinatorial problem on a directed tree. In this work, we study certain structural properties of our algorithm that allow us to analytically quantify improvements on the rate lower bound. This analysis allows us to obtain a multiplicative gap of at most four between the achievable rate and our lower bound. To our best knowledge, this is the best known multiplicative gap known for this problem.
The Information Content of Analysts' Book Value Per Share Forecasts

We investigate the information content of analysts’ book value per share (BVPS) forecasts. We test whether analysts’ BVPS forecasts are informative about future realizations of other comprehensive income (OCI) and special items controlling for analysts’ EPS forecasts. Our results suggest that analysts’ BVPS forecasts generally incorporate upcoming realizations of OCI and special items, especially for financial firms. We also find evidence that BVPS forecasts provide expectations of non-EPS income, and that the market responds to BVPS innovations, especially BVPS forecasts misses. Finally, we find evidence that analysts provide more BVPS forecasts for financial firms that 1) have greater absolute levels of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) from securities and derivatives, 2) report higher levels of OCI from securities, and 3) hold more opaque financial assets, and for non-financial firms with high absolute levels of pension-related AOCI.
Electroconvulsive Therapy for Intractable Seizures

Two children aged 13 and 10 years with intractable epilepsy were treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for seizure control at the Children’s Hospital, Charleston, SC.
Independent Component Analysis for Harmonic Studies

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Independent component analysis - ICA model ICA by maximization of nongaussianity Harmonic load profile estimation Statistical properties of loads Harmonic load estimation Case studies Conclusion Acknowledgment References ]]>
Optimierungsverfahren bei Vorliegen von Restriktionen

Nun wollen wir uns mit Verfahren zur Minimierung von f bei Vorliegen von Restriktionen beschaftigen. Zwei grundsatzliche Konzepte stehen uns hier zur Verfugung.
Hunt the WUMPUS

Students in an introductory Java course develop a text-based adventure game from the 1970's.
On the Structure of Partial Automorphism Semigroups

Let S be a set and ∑ a mathematical structure on S. If a subset of S is distinguished by a certain property τ = τ(∑) we call it a τ-subset of S. Let Θ be some reduct of ∑. Any Θ-isomorphism between two τ-subsets of S is called a partial τΘ-automorphism of S (in some cases, e.g., for geometric structures, it is natural to use the word “local” instead of “partial”). For example, let (S, ∑) be a topologial space, let the τ-subsets of S be precisely the ∑-open sets, and let θ be just E; then partial τΘ-automorphisms are exactly the homeomorphisms between open subsets of S. As another example, consider a universal algebra (S, ∑). Let τ- subsets of S be the finitely generated ∑-subalgebras of S and let Θ be a certain reduct of ∑. Then partial τΘ-automorphisms of S are the Θ-isomorphisms between finitely generated subalgebras of S. (The last example could be specialized, say, to a ring (S, +,·,0) with Θ = {·}; then partial τΘ-automorphisms of S are multiplicative isomorphisms between finitely generated subrings of S.) A number of other examples will be considered later in the paper.
Consequences of in utero exposure to Zika virus in offspring of AG129 mice

Zika virus (ZIKV) can cause various diseases in offspring after congenital infection. The purpose of this study was to identify disease phenotypes in pups exposed to ZIKV in utero. Female interferon-α/β, -γ receptor knockout mice (AG129) were infected intraperitoneally with ZIKV 7.5 days’ post coitus (dpc). Viral RNA, antigen and infectious virus were detected in some, but not all, maternal and fetal tissues at various times during gestation. Fetuses of infected dams had significant intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which was more pronounced as females neared parturition. Pups born to infected dams were significantly smaller and had significantly shortened skull lengths, as determined by measurement with a caliper and by micro-CT analysis, as compared with age-matched controls. Growth rates of exposed pups after birth, however, was similar to sham-exposed offspring. Viral RNA was detected in pups of infected dams after birth. A lower survival rate was observed in neonates exposed to ZIKV in utero. A mortality rate of over 50%, attributed to consequences of ZIKV infection, occurred after birth in pups born to infected dams. A transient hearing loss was observed in some animals exposed to virus in utero. No motor deficits or cognitive deficits were detected using running wheel or viral paresis scoring assays. Abnormalities in offspring included smaller size, shorter skull length and increased neonatal mortality, while the only functional deficit we could detect was a low incidence of transient hearing loss.
Anästhesiologische Aspekte bei Schwangeren mit neurologischen Erkrankungen

Die autonome Hyperreflexie ist ein Syndrom, welches durch sympathische Hyperaktivitat bei Patienten mit Ruckenmarkslasionen uber Th 6 gekennzeichnet ist. Zur Prophylaxe dieses Syndroms wahrend der Wehen ist ein neuraxiales Blockadeverfahren unbedingt zu epfehlen.
Game-Based Self-Management: Addressing Inattention during Independent Reading and Written Response

AbstractSelf-management is a strategy with emerging evidence of effectiveness that has been utilized to address impairment associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); however, ...
External Validation of an Algorithm to Identify Patients with High Data-Completeness in Electronic Health Records for Comparative Effectiveness Research.

Objective Electronic health records (EHR) data-discontinuity, i.e. receiving care outside of a particular EHR system, may cause misclassification of study variables. We aimed to validate an algorithm to identify patients with high EHR data-continuity to reduce such bias. Materials and Methods We analyzed data from two EHR systems linked with Medicare claims data from 2007 through 2014, one in Massachusetts (MA, n=80,588) and the other in North Carolina (NC, n=33,207). We quantified EHR data-continuity by Mean Proportion of Encounters Captured (MPEC) by the EHR system when compared to complete recording in claims data. The prediction model for MPEC was developed in MA and validated in NC. Stratified by predicted EHR data-continuity, we quantified misclassification of 40 key variables by Mean Standardized Differences (MSD) between the proportions of these variables based on EHR alone vs the linked claims-EHR data. Results The mean MPEC was 27% in the MA and 26% in the NC system. The predicted and observed EHR data-continuity was highly correlated (Spearman correlation=0.78 and 0.73, respectively). The misclassification (MSD) of 40 variables in patients of the predicted EHR data-continuity cohort was significantly smaller (44%, 95% CI: 40-48%) than that in the remaining population. Discussion The comorbidity profiles were similar in patients with high vs low EHR data-continuity. Therefore, restricting an analysis to patients with high EHR data-continuity may reduce information bias while preserving the representativeness of the study cohort. Conclusion We have successfully validated an algorithm that can identify a high EHR data-continuity cohort representative of the source population.
Risk Factors and Outcomes of Postoperative Recurrent Well-Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Single Institution's 15-Year Experience.

ObjectiveIdentify risk factors and outcomes of recurrent well-differentiated thyroid cancer.Study DesignRetrospective case-control analysis.SettingTertiary care academic center in Nashville, Tennes...
Architectural Technologies and the Origins of Greek Philosophy

Abstract: In this essay on ancient architectural technologies, I propose to challenge the largely conventional idea of the transcendent origins of philosophy, that philosophy dawned only when the mind turned inside, away from the world grasped by the body and senses. By focusing on one premier episode in the history of western thinking - the emergence of Greek philosophical thought in the cosmic architecture of Anaximander of Miletus - I am arguing that the abstract, speculative, rationalising thinking characteristic of philosophy, is indeed rooted in practical activities, and emerges by means of them rather than in repudiation of them. The spirit of rational inquiry emerged from several factors but the contributing role of monumental architecture and building technologies has been vastly under-appreciated. In the process of figuring out how to build on an enormous scale that the eastern Greeks had never before tried, the architects discovered and revealed nature’s order in their thaumata, the very experience with which Aristotle claims that philosophy begins. Ancient architecture and building technologies were on display for decades with monumental temple building. In front of Anaximander and his community, a new vision of nature spawned that, surprisingly, humans could grasp and command. The building of these thaumata, these objects of wonder, offered proof of the human capacity to control nature, and opened a new vision of our human rational capacity to understand the world and our place in it.
Chapter 22 – Macroscopic Approaches of Process Integration

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on eco-industrial parks, material flow analysis, reverse problem formulation for watersheds, process integration as an enabling tool in environmental impact assessment, and process integration in life cycle analysis. The system boundaries can be drawn around a direct-recycle network, a mass-exchange network, a heat-exchange network, a cogeneration network, or the whole plant. Here, the boundaries are expanded to go beyond the plant and to include the surrounding environmental systems. The resources and wastes of multiple plants may be integrated in different ways and such “industrial symbiosis” opportunities call for the consideration of eco-industrial parks (EIPs). Several process integration techniques have been developed to synthesize cost-effective EIPs. A watershed covers a geographical region that includes one or more sources of water flowing through various surfaces and/or underground drainage pathways. Typically, a watershed involves a number of tributaries that feed into reaches, streams, or rivers and finally lead to a catchment area. Environmental impact assessment (EIA) is a procedure for evaluating and mitigating the biological, physical, chemical, economic, and social consequences of a proposed project on the surrounding environment. There are extensive process engineering activities involved in preparing an EIS. The activities include the generation of design alternatives, the techno-economic analysis, safety assessment, and the evaluation of the environmental consequences of each alternative. Finally, life cycle analysis (LCA) is an approach to the assessment of environmental impacts throughout the cradle-to-grace ecological cycle of a product, which involves extraction of the raw materials, processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, and discharge or recycle. Process integration results should be coupled with LCA to evaluate the environmental benefits beyond the process itself using a cradle-to-grave assessment.
Analysis of Measles Morbidity Status in Fangshan District of Beijing from 2006 to 2012

Objective To investigate the s epidemiological characteristics of measles in Fangshan district of Beijing from 2006 to 2012,so as to take further targeted strategies in the prevention and control of measles.Methods The method of descriptive epidemiology was used to analyze the surveillance data on measles cases from 2006 to 2012,using SPSS 13.0 software.Results A total of 457 measles cases were reported during the period,the average annual incidence rates were 14.078/105,8.486/105,5.477/105,6.119/105,9.801/105,0.439/105 and 0.351/105.The incidence rates in ＜ 8 months age group and ＞ 15 years age group was much higher than other age groups.The incidence rates of plains were higher than that of hilly areas or remote mountainous areas.The 3-6 months group had the peak incidence.Conclusions The incidence of Measles showed a downward trend from 2006 to 2012.The period from February to May was epidemic period.Plains with high population density and residential district of migrant population were key areas.Infants ＜ 8 months,people ＞ 45 years old and farmer workers are high risk groups. Key words: Measles; Epidemiological characteristics; Control strategies
4D-CT facilitates focused parathyroidectomy in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism by maintaining a high negative-predictive value for uninvolved quadrants

Abstract Introduction Improved preoperative localization facilitates minimally invasive parathyroidectomy for removal of parathyroid lesions therefore preventing an invasive bilateral neck exploration. As 4D-CT has emerged, its high specificity has helped with preoperative parathyroid lesion localization. A high negative predictive value (NPV) would serve to further confirm parathyroid lesion localization and limit unnecessary surgical exploration. This study's objective was to determine the NPV of preoperative 4D-CT and its facilitation of minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. Methods A retrospective review was compiled for patients undergoing parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism with a preoperative 4D-CT. Included patients were sorted into various groups for comparison: those with 4D-CT localizing to a single lesion, localizing to multiple lesions, and those with nonlocalizing findings; multiple hypercellular parathyroid gland versus single gland findings; extent of surgical exploration; lesion location; and patients with concomitant thyroid nodules. Negative predictive value was calculated and used to quantify the ability for 4D-CT to rule out biochemically significant parathyroid lesions. Results In our review of 68 patients: sensitivity was 81.3%, specificity was 95.5%, positive predictive value was 87.1%, and negative predictive value was 93.3%. 86% had a single localizing 4D-CT, 7% had a non-localizing 4D-CT, and 7% had a multiple quadrant localizing 4D-CT. NPV for single and multi-localizing 4D-CT were 96.8% and 88.9%, respectively. Conclusion Preoperative 4D-CT has a high negative predictive value (93.3%), suggesting in the majority of cases, a quadrant with no 4D-CT radiographic findings suspicious for parathyroid is unlikely to harbor biochemically significant parathyroid lesions.