cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients With Advanced Cystic Fibrosis

Objectives: To assess left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in adult patients with cystic fibrosis using radionuclide ventriculography. Background: Although myocardial fibrosis has been described in autopsy specimens of patients with cystic fibrosis, the possibility that myocardial dysfunction may occur during life in adult patients with cystic fibrosis has not been explored. Methods: To assess the possibility of cardiac dysfunction occurring in cystic fibrosis, we studied 40 patients with advanced cystic fibrosis with first-pass radionuclide ventriculography and compared them to 9 patients with advanced bronchiectasis and 18 normal control subjects. Results: Indexes of right ventricular systolic function were similarly impaired in patients with cystic fibrosis and patients with bronchiectasis. Left ventricular ejection fraction of patients with cystic fibrosis, patients with bronchiectasis, and normal control subjects did not differ. Fractional left ventricular filling at 50% of diastole, an index of diastolic function, was significantly lower in patients with cystic fibrosis (54 ± 13%, mean ± SD) in comparison to patients with bronchiectasis (66 ± 4%, p=0.009) or normal control subjects (69 ± 14, p=0.0002). The contribution of atrial systole to total diastolic left ventricular filling was greater in patients with cystic fibrosis (38 ± 18%) than in patients with bronchiectasis (21 ± 4%, p=0.01) or normal control subjects (25 ± 12%, p=0.01). Conclusions: Patients with advanced cystic fibrosis demonstrate impaired left ventricular distensibility when compared to normal control subjects and patients with bronchiectasis. Patients with cystic fibrosis may be at risk of heart failure due to right ventricular dysfunction or left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
Total exchange on a reconfigurable parallel architecture

Total exchange is the densest parallel communication primitive and poses a severe test for the capability of any parallel architecture. This operation is very important and arises in many applications. We show that a reconfigurable parallel architecture called MICA can perform total exchange efficiently with simple algorithms. The mechanisms and structures of the reconfigurable switches, supporting simple total exchange algorithms, are presented. We introduce the basic operations the network supports as they are issued by the host to efficiently manage the network reconfiguration. Applications in linear algebra are briefly mentioned showing the way they can benefit from our architecture. >
The output conductance in GaAs air-gap MESFETs

Summary form only given. Theoretical studies have led to the conclusion that substrate injection into the epilayer underneath the channel plays a major role in the output conductance of the GaAs MESFET. The authors believe that vacuum (or an air gap) itself would be the best layer to have underneath the channel. They propose the technology to achieve such devices. This technology would also eliminate the undesirable sidegating and backgating effects in GaAs MESFET. One starts with an MBE (molecular beam epitaxy)-grown MESFET structure which has an AlAs layer under the GaAs channel layer. Fabrication of the MESFET involves mesa etching, source-drain metallization for nonalloyed contacts, and gate definition. Once the device is completed, one removes the AlAs layer by free etching the device in diluted HF, which selectively etches the AlAs layer. Other epilayers and metals are unaffected by the etchant. The channel is supported by the source and drain metals. >
Radiografie Op Vier Wielen

Vroeger besteeg de tandarts zijn paard om de patient thuis te behandelen. Nu rijdt in de VS de technicus in een busje naar de woning van de patient om orale CT-scans te maken.
SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF DISSOCIATED SPONGE CELLS.

1. The activity of the hydrogen ion, in a system containing 0.00280 mols of NaAc, 0.520 mols of NaCl per liter, and varied amounts of HCl or NaOH has been investigated. The average value of pK' for acetic add in this system is about 4.37. 2. The effect of the addition of various amounts of HCl and NaOH to a system containing 0.00280 mols of NaAc, 0.520 mols of NaCl, and a known number of cells of either Microciona prolifera or Cliona celata was then studied. It was found that in weak acid solutions Microciona behaves as a stronger base than Cliona, the former being practically saturated with base at a pH of 7.5. Similar behavior is shown by suspensions of cells to which no acid or base was added: the cells of Cliona are more acidic than the cells of Microciona. 3. The microscopic examinations of the cells subjected to the treatment with acid or base indicate that the cells of Microciona remain alive down to pH 4.50; the cells of Cliona sustain greater acidity,— a,t pH 3.7 they exhibit no signs of cytolysis. Tests for aggregation of these cells showed that this phenomenon is greatly inhibited even by slightly acid solutions. 4. The conclusion is drawn that the concentration of cells being equal, the suspensions of cells of Microciona and Cliona differ from each other in their physicochemical properties, the comparison being made on suspensions of specified composition.
Shear Live-Load Distribution Factors for I-Girder Bridges

A full scale, single lane test bridge was used to evaluate a typical slab-on-girder bridge's response to shear. The results of the shear load test provided the means to evaluate the level of detail for a finite element model that is required to accurately replicate the behavior of bridges subject to shear loads. This finite element modeling scheme was then used to evaluate more than 200 finite element bridge models. The bridge models investigated the effects of girder spacing, span length, overhang distance and skew angle on the shear live-load distribution factor. The finite element shear distribution factors were compared with those calculated according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials load and resistance factor design (AASHTO LRFD) specifications. It was found that the AASHTO LRFD procedure accurately predicted the shear distribution factor for changes in girder spacing and span length. However, the LRFD shear distribution factor for the exterior girder was found to be unconservative for certain overhang distances and overly conservative for the interior girder for higher skew angles. Alternative equations are provided for the single and multilane exterior girder correction factor.
A definition of causal effect for epidemiological research

Estimating the causal effect of some exposure on some outcome is the goal of many epidemiological studies. This article reviews a formal definition of causal effect for such studies. For simplicity, the main description is restricted to dichotomous variables and assumes that no random error attributable to sampling variability exists. The appendix provides a discussion of sampling variability and a generalisation of this causal theory. The difference between association and causation is described-the redundant expression "causal effect" is used throughout the article to avoid confusion with a common use of "effect" meaning simply statistical association-and shows why, in theory, randomisation allows the estimation of causal effects without further assumptions. The article concludes with a discussion on the limitations of randomised studies. These limitations are the reason why methods for causal inference from observational data are needed.
RNA helicase A activity is inhibited by oncogenic transcription factor EWS-FLI1

RNA helicases impact RNA structure and metabolism from transcription through translation, in part through protein interactions with transcription factors. However, there is limited knowledge on the role of transcription factor influence upon helicase activity. RNA helicase A (RHA) is a DExH-box RNA helicase that plays multiple roles in cellular biology, some functions requiring its activity as a helicase while others as a protein scaffold. The oncogenic transcription factor EWS-FLI1 requires RHA to enable Ewing sarcoma (ES) oncogenesis and growth; a small molecule, YK-4-279 disrupts this complex in cells. Our current study investigates the effect of EWS-FLI1 upon RHA helicase activity. We found that EWS-FLI1 reduces RHA helicase activity in a dose-dependent manner without affecting intrinsic ATPase activity; however, the RHA kinetics indicated a complex model. Using separated enantiomers, only (S)-YK-4-279 reverses the EWS-FLI1 inhibition of RHA helicase activity. We report a novel RNA binding property of EWS-FLI1 leading us to discover that YK-4-279 inhibition of RHA binding to EWS-FLI1 altered the RNA binding profile of both proteins. We conclude that EWS-FLI1 modulates RHA helicase activity causing changes in overall transcriptome processing. These findings could lead to both enhanced understanding of oncogenesis and provide targets for therapy.
Architecture-aware FPGA placement using metric embedding

Since performance on FPGAs is dominated by the routing architecture rather than wire length, we propose a new architecture-aware approach to initial FPGA placement that models the relationship between performance and the routing grid, using concepts from graph embedding and metric geometry. Our approach, CAPRI, can be viewed as an embedding of a graph representing the net list into a metric space that is representative of the FPGA. First, we develop an analytic metric of distance that models delays along the FPGA routing grid. We then embed a net list into the defined metric space using matrix projections and online bipartite matching. Experimental comparisons with the popular FPGA tool, VPR, show that with CAPRI's initial solution, the resulting placements show median improvements of 10% in critical path delays for the larger MCNC benchmarks. Total placement runtime is also improved by 2/spl times/ on average.
Dietary Fructose: Implications for Dysregulation of Energy Homeostasis and Lipid/Carbohydrate Metabolism

Fructose intake and the prevalence of obesity have both increased over the past two to three decades. Compared with glucose, the hepatic metabolism of fructose favors lipogenesis, which may contribute to hyperlipidemia and obesity. Fructose does not increase insulin and leptin or suppress ghrelin, which suggests an endocrine mechanism by which it induces a positive energy balance. This review examines the available data on the effects of dietary fructose on energy homeostasis and lipid/carbohydrate metabolism. Recent publications, studies in human subjects, and areas in which additional research is needed are emphasized.
Status of the geopotential

Satellite laser ranging, satellite altimetry, and improved measurements of surface gravitational anomalies have broadened the data base on intermediate and short wavelength regions of the earth gravity field. The global data set served to develop new geopotential models with a resolution in spherical harmonics out to degree 180. The resolution was made possible using Seasat altimetry data containing 56,761 values of 1 x 1 deg gravity anomalies. Satellite-to-satellite tracking techniques involving the Geos-3 and Apollo spacecraft data for the sea surface temperature have yielded accurate intermediate wavelength gravity variations which correlate well with residual depth anomalies. Oceanic gravity anomalies have been computed directly from satellite altimetry or through statistical estimation using oceanic geoid heights. The data sets for gravimetric geoids have been compared with altimetric surfaces to identify areas which were of interest for geophysical investigation. Future data sets could become available from a proposed satellite-to-satellite Doppler tracking system (Gravsat) launched by NASA.
Walking Trails in a Nature Preserve Alter Terrestrial Salamander Distributions

Abstract Humans are increasingly altering forested habitats, in part by forestry practices, but also in more subtle ways such as creation of recreational trailways through forested areas, especially in nature preserves and parks. The effect of these trails on wildlife has only recently begun to be addressed. In this paper, I hypothesize that trails alter the distribution of terrestrial salamanders in forested habitats. The routine clearing of fallen trees from trailways may act to increase microhabitat availability for salamanders around trails, and thus move salamanders closer to the trails, or salamanders may simply stay away from trails in general to avoid disturbance associated with humans. To address this issue, I conducted a 3-month study in a nature preserve in northeast Georgia, using standardized, paired surveys of cover objects (logs and stones) in 78 m2 plots along trails and in similar plots 25 m away from trails. I found significantly more logs in along-trail plots versus off, but there was n...
Replacement of methoxatin by 4,7-phenanthroline-5,6-dione and the inability of other phenanthroline quinones, as well as 7,9-Di-decarboxy methoxatin, to serve as cofactors for the methoxatin-requiring glucose dehydrogenase of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus

Glucose dehydrogenase from A. calcoaceticus has been dissociated into apoenzyme and methoxatin coenzyme, and enzyme activity restored by replacing coenzyme with 4,7-phenanthroline-5,6-dione but not with 1,10- nor 1,7-phenanthroline-5,6-diones nor with 7,9-decarboxy methoxatin.
Quadratic approximation for quintessence with arbitrary initial conditions

We examine quintessence models for dark energy in which the scalar field $\ensuremath{\phi}$ evolves near the vicinity of a local maximum or minimum in the potential $V(\ensuremath{\phi})$, so that $V(\ensuremath{\phi})$ can be approximated by a quadratic function of $\ensuremath{\phi}$ with no linear term. We generalize previous studies of this type by allowing the initial value of $d\ensuremath{\phi}/dt$ to be nonzero. We derive an analytic approximation for $w(a)$ and show that it is in excellent agreement with numerical simulations for a variety of scalar field potentials having local minima or maxima. We derive an upper bound on the present-day value of $w$ as a function of the other model parameters and present representative limits on these models from observational data. This work represents a final generalization of previous studies using linear or quadratic approximations for $V(\ensuremath{\phi})$.
Birth Order, Sex, and Honors Students' Status in a State University

This study compares data on birth-order characteristics of an honors-student group and a nonhonors group at the University of Florida, by sex. The honors students were mostly freshmen whose SAT scores were within the top three percent of university applicants' scores and who had applied for the special honors program. A few were sophomores who had entered the program later on the basis of demonstrated achievement. The nonhonors group was a sample of mostly freshmen and sophomores who resided in undergraduate dormitories. Data were collected in the fall and winter of 1978-9, with sample sizes of 61 honors males, 49 honors females, 66 nonhonors.males, and 79 nonhonors females, after the only children were deleted. The number of firstborns within each sibship size represented in each group was calculated, and that number was compared to what would be expected if the subjects came equally from all ordinal positions within the various sibship sizes represented. The hypothesis of overrepresentation of firstborns was tested with a chi-squared goodness-of-fit test, giving the probability of finding a sample as far from the expectations as that observed, if the true populations represented by the samples had the expected proponions of firstborns. Results of the tests showed no first-born overrepresentation for males in either the honors or the nonhonors group. For females, a significant overrepresentation of firstborns was found in the honors group ( P < ,025) but not in the nonhonors group. Over half ( 5 7 % ) of the female honors students were firstborn. That the nonhonors students showed no birth-order effect may mean that families no longer give priority to firstborns in sending their children to college or that just going to college no longer requires special motivation. The sex-difference in the birth-order effect for honors students requires interpretation. It might be that sons high in achievement are more likely to be sent to more selective universities which may be distant from home. while daughters high in achievement are encouraged to attend local state universities and to enter their honors programs. This would be consistent with finding that more highly selective universities show stronger birth-order effects for males (see Alms, 1966; Bayer, 1966) and that women students typically attend college closer to home and at less expensive institutions than men (Jencks & Riesman, 1968, p. 294). Data from a variety of universities would be needed to test this interpretation.
Do not waste your time: straight to magnetic resonance imaging for pediatric burners and stingers.

Abstract Background Permanent neurologic injury in pediatric patients with burner and stinger syndrome (BSS) is unlikely. This study aims to assess the feasibility of clinical observation without extensive radiologic workup in this selective population. Methods A retrospective study was conducted of patients aged younger than 18 years evaluated at a level I trauma center from 2012 to 2014. Patients were grouped according to positive deficit (PD) or negative deficit (ND) upon physical examination. Demographics, clinical findings, and outcomes were analyzed. Results Thirty patients (ND, n=14; PD, n=16) were evaluated for BSS, most often as a result of injurious football tackle. Age and length of stay were similar between groups. Injury Severity Score was lower in the ND group than the PD group (1.6 ± 1.2 vs 3.8 ± 3.1, respectively; P P > .05). Conclusions Children presenting with BSS experience temporary symptoms that resolve without surgical intervention. Magnetic resonance imaging identified more injuries than computed tomographic imaging; therefore, we suggest that management for BSS should include observation, serial neurologic examinations, and MRI evaluation as appropriate.
Arterial adaptations to training among first time marathoners.

Exercise training favorably alters arterial anatomy in trained limbs, though the simultaneous effects on passively trained arteries are unclear. Thus, brachial (non-trained limb), popliteal (trained limb) and carotid total wall thickness (TWT), wall-to-lumen ratios (W:L), intima-media thickness (IMT) and lumen diameters (LD) were compared between experimental (n = 14) and control (n = 11) participants before and after the experimental participants participated in marathon training. Arterial dimensions were measured with B-mode ultrasonography. Initial and final testing of VO2max and running speed at 3.5 mmol lactate were measured in the experimental group. VO2max was unchanged by training, but running speed at 3.5 mmol lactate increased by 5 % (p = .008). Time by group interactions were observed for the brachial and popliteal measures (p < 0.05), but not the carotid. No changes were observed in the control group. Prior to the intervention the experimental group had larger LD in the brachial (p = .002) and popliteal arteries (p = .007) than controls; no other pre-testing differences were found. Following training, TWT declined in the brachial (pre = .99 ± .16 mm; post = .84 ± .10 mm; p = .007) and popliteal (pre = .96 ± .09 mm; post = .86 ± .11 mm; p = .005) arteries, characterized by a 0.07 mm decrease in brachial IMT (p = .032) and a non-significant 0.03 mm reduction in popliteal IMT. LD increased in the brachial (pre = 3.38 ± .35 mm; post = 3.57 ± .41 mm; p = .015) and popliteal (pre = 4.73 ± .48 mm; post = 5.11 ± .72 mm; p = .002) arteries. These data suggest that exercise-induced alterations in arterial dimensions occur in trained and non-trained limbs, and that adaptations may be dose dependent.
Artificial cells as reified quines.

Cellular automata were initially conceived as a formal model to study self-replicating systems. Although reproduction by biological cells is characterized by exponential population increase, no population of self-replicating machines modeled as a cellular automaton has ever exhibited such rapid growth. We believe this is due to the inability of cellular automata to model bonded complexes of reified actors undergoing random independent motion. To address this limitation, we introduce a model of parallel distributed spatial computation which is highly expressive, indefinitely scalable, and asynchronous. We then use this model to define two examples of self-replicating kinematic automata. These machines assemble copies of themselves from components supplied by diffusion and increase in number exponentially until the supply of components is depleted. Because they are both programmable constructors and selfdescriptions, we call them reified quines.
Probability models for design and analysis of genetic data

This thesis concerns probability model development and analysis for genetic data. There are two studies involved. One study focuses on inference and study design for applications where objects of different types are observed. We apply a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate the total number of categories in a region, and then use a Monte Carlo simulation approach to design future sampling. Specifically, the Monte Carlo simulation method is used to determine how large an extra sample is needed to guarantee that a certain proportion of all categories can be collected with a specified confidence. We apply the method to DNA sequence data. Some important properties of the proposed model are investigated through simulations. The second study uses genetic marker information to identify ancestors of a given individual in the presence of genotyping errors. We extend an existing probability model to calculate the probability that a particular inbred line is an ancestor of the given hybrid, accounting for genotyping errors. A simulation study indicates that if misclassification is ignored, ancestry probabilities can be overestimated. We use the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) as the estimate for the error rate. The developed methodology is then applied to simulated data and a genetic data set containing maize Simple Sequence Repeats (SSR) profile markers.
Effect of race/ethnicity and treatment delay on breast cancer survival

6063 Background: Several papers have examined the relationship between treatment delay and survival among patients who are diagnosed with cancer. None has yet relied on a large, population-based da...
Accurate specimen placement for dielectric measurements in a TM 0n0 cylindrical cavity

The use of a specimen holder in a TM 0n0 cylindrical resonant cavity for measuring the complex permittivity of materials is explored. This method uses a foam form to accurately place potentially small sized specimens inside of a cavity. The effects of using the specimen holder for measurements and permittivity extraction are examined. Measurements of a well known dielectric material are presented to show that accurate results can be obtained with the specimen holder.
San Francisco and the Long 60s

The title of Sarah Hill’s book, San Francisco and the Long 60s, names her central idea. A Bay Area native, now a senior lecturer in music at Cardiff University, Hill notes that her book “interprets...
Hemlock Woolly Adelgid ( Adelges tsugae ) and hemlock ( Tsuga spp.) in Western North Carolina: What do the Forest Inventory and Analysis data tell us?

Tsuga canadensis (Eastern Hemlock) and T. caroliniana (Carolina Hemlock) are important components of western North Carolina forests. The invasive Adelges tsugae (Hemlock Woolly Adelgid [HWA]) was first reported in NC in 1995, and by 2007 the entire range of hemlock in the state was infested. An examination of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program data for FIA Unit 4 (21 mountainous counties in western North Carolina), looking at remeasured trees for the time period 1999–2013, demonstrated that diameter net growth of hemlock decreased and mortality increased with increasing duration of HWA infestation. Hemlock trees in this study had a ∼50% chance of survival after 12 years of confirmed HWA infestation in the county where they occur, and growth of surviving trees was reduced by ∼50% over the same time period. This study demonstrates the utility of FIA data for examining effects of an introduced, invasive pest on tree growth and mortality over a relatively small area. Some advantages and limitations to our approach are discussed.
The EBR-I Incident: A Reexamination

A reanalysis of the Experimental Breeder Reactor-I meltdown shows that far better agreement with experiment is obtained by the assumption that the coolant feedback coefficient operating during the ...
Trends in plant demand in the forest service.

Trends in plant demand during the period 1971-88 are shown and discussed with particular attention being given to total plant demand, major species variation and plant sizes. Plant production systems are briefly discussed.
Talking about suicide may not be enough: family reaction as a mediator between disclosure and interpersonal needs

Background: Although most people who make an attempt do not die, attempt survivors remain at particularly elevated risk for suicide in the short- and long-term. Moreover, the research on suicide-re...
Topology and Geometry

We provide here some concrete examples in which it is possible to compute the Seiberg-Witten invariants for some classes of four-manifolds.
Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (CXCL12) activates integrins by direct binding to an allosteric ligand-binding site (site 2) of integrins without CXCR4.

Leukocyte arrest on the endothelial cell surface during leukocyte extravasation is induced by rapid integrin activation by chemokines. We recently reported that fractalkine induces integrin activation without its receptor CX3CR1 through binding to the allosteric site (site 2) of integrins. Peptides from site 2 bound to fractalkine and suppressed integrin activation by fractalkine. We hypothesized that this is not limited to membrane-bound fractalkine. We studied whether stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF1), another chemokine that plays a critical role in leukocyte arrest, activates integrins through binding to site 2. We describe here that (1) SDF1 activated soluble integrin αvβ3 in cell-free conditions, suggesting that SDF1 can activate αvβ3 without CXCR4; (2) site 2 peptide bound to SDF1, suggesting that SDF1 binds to site 2; (3) SDF1 activated integrins αvβ3, α4β1, and α5β1 on CHO cells (CXCR4-negative) and site 2 peptide suppressed the activation; (4) A CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 did not affect the site 2-mediated integrin activation by SDF1; (5) Cell-surface integrins were fully activated in 1 min (much faster than activation of soluble αvβ3) and the activation lasted at least for 1 h. We propose that the binding of SDF1 to cell-surface proteoglycan facilitates the allosteric activation process; (6) Mutations in the predicted site 2-binding site in SDF1 suppressed integrin activation. These results suggest that SDF1 (e.g. presented on proteoglycans) can rapidly activate integrins in an allosteric manner by binding to site 2 in the absence of CXCR4. The allosteric integrin activation by SDF1 is a novel target for drug discovery.
Identity change vs. strategy change: the effects of rebranding announcements on stock returns

Firm rebranding efforts are inevitable; however, we have a limited understanding of the nature and performance implications of those rebranding decisions. This research contributes to our understanding of this process by identifying two fundamental dimensions of rebranding decisions: brand identity change and brand strategy change. More importantly, we identify and empirically test the conditions under which brand identity change and brand strategy change have either strong or weak (even negative) influences on firm value. Specifically, the results from analyzing 215 rebranding announcements suggest that (1) rebranding decisions, on average, are associated with positive abnormal stock returns in the (−5, +5) event window, and (2) investors use cues, like the fit among rebranding dimensions, firm competitive position, and industry competitive intensity, to make informed evaluations of firm future cash flows.
Diffusion of Sticky Nanoparticles in a Polymer Melt: Crossover from Suppressed to Enhanced Transport

The self-diffusion of a single large particle in a fluid is usually described by the classic Stokes–Einstein (SE) hydrodynamic relation. However, there are many fluids where the SE prediction for nanoparticles diffusion fails. These systems include diffusion of nanoparticles in porous media, in entangled and unentangled polymer melts and solutions, and protein diffusion in biological environments. A fundamental understanding of the microscopic parameters that govern nanoparticle diffusion is relevant to a wide range of applications. In this work, we present experimental measurements of the tracer diffusion coefficient of small and large nanoparticles that experience strong attractions with unentangled and entangled polymer melt matrices. For the small nanoparticle system, a crossover from suppressed to enhanced diffusion is observed with increasing polymer molecular weight. We interpret these observations based on our theoretical and simulation insights of the preceding article (paper 1) as a result of a ...
Population control, public health, and development in mid twentieth century Latin America

Abstract Despite the influence of neo-Malthusian thinking in international development and environmental policy during the mid twentieth century, this story is often told from a US-centered perspective, with population control policies seen to roll out from the world geopolitical centers to the 'Global South' via the influence of large development institutions. Latin American perspectives on the population control question are seldom considered, except to suggest that the Catholic Church provided consistent, organized opposition to the expansion of family planning services. In this paper, using an political-intellectual history approach, I explore how the population question intersected with interrelated development issues in Latin America in the first half of the twentieth century: health and nutrition, food and agriculture, rural livelihoods, economic dependency, and women's rights. I focus on the relationship between public health crises and pro-natalist policies; the influences of the eugenics movement in supporting national population growth as a biopolitical strategy; anarcho-feminist thought that stressed the emancipatory potential of fertility control and new social roles for women; the Brazilian Josue de Castro's research on the causes of famine and malnutrition, which took a structuralist approach and explicitly rejected neo-Malthusian and other environmentally determinist approaches to understand the causes of poverty and hunger; and Latin American engagements with the international family planning and population control agenda in the 1960s. With this history in mind, we can trace alternative intellectual roots of political ecology's critique of neo-Malthusianism and other deterministic environment-development theories.
The Seasonal Pattern of Veery Calls and Song in Relation to Reproductive Contexts

Abstract I investigated the seasonal patterns in the use of Veery vocalizations (song and calls) at a breeding site in northern Delaware. The Veery call repertoire consists of 2 continua (harsh and tonal notes) and 4 discrete call types. Veeries use these calls in long-distance (inter-territory) and short-distance (intra-territory) vocal interaction. To gain insight to Veery communication, I tallied calls during twenty-six 10-min point-counts in seven 11-d periods to determine the pattern of call types used by Veeries from nest initiation through fledging. The pattern of calls used varied depending on the corresponding reproductive context and can be in part explained by their acoustic properties in varying social situations. The use of a variety of calls early in the breeding season coupled with a paucity of song confirms that calls are the primary acoustic signal used by Veeries during the first 2 weeks after spring arrival.
A Review of Notch Processing With New Insights Into Ligand-Independent Notch Signaling in T-Cells

The Notch receptor is an evolutionarily highly conserved transmembrane protein essential to a wide spectrum of cellular systems, and its deregulation has been linked to a vast number of developmental disorders and malignancies. Regulated Notch function is critical for the generation of T-cells, in which abnormal Notch signaling results in leukemia. Notch activation through trans-activation of the receptor by one of its ligands expressed on adjacent cells has been well defined. In this canonical ligand-dependent pathway, Notch receptor undergoes conformational changes upon ligand engagement, stimulated by a pulling-force on the extracellular fragment of Notch that results from endocytosis of the receptor-bound ligand into the ligand-expressing cell. These conformational changes in the receptor allow for two consecutive proteolytic cleavage events to occur, which release the intracellular region of the receptor into the cytoplasm. It can then travel to the nucleus, where it induces gene transcription. However, there is accumulating evidence that other pathways may induce Notch signaling. A ligand-independent mechanism of Notch activation has been described in which receptor processing is initiated via cell-internal signals. These signals result in the internalization of Notch into endosomal compartments, where chemical changes existing in this microenvironment result in the conformational modifications required for receptor processing. This review will present mechanisms underlying both canonical ligand-dependent and non-canonical ligand-independent Notch activation pathways and discuss the latter in the context of Notch signaling in T-cells.
People, Paths, and Paper

This installment of Notes from the Community covers the first animated feature film rendered entirely in a game engine, bad design methods, customizable tattoos, debugging paper jams, and other topics to take your mind off your worries.
Predictors of Neck Reoperation and Mortality After Initial Total Thyroidectomy for Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Background: In an era of rising differentiated thyroid cancer incidence, the rate and impact of neck reoperation may inform the intensity of earlier interventions and surveillance. This study sough...
Elite and/or Distributed Science: An Analytical and Empirical Guide to Public Policy on the Distribution of Federal Academic R&D Funds

The polity requires greater equality, the economy greater merit. The two, which are not absolute opposites, are, however, to a degree, in conflict. The task is to make them as compatible and as reinforcing as possible (Kerr 1994: 28).
Oocyte In Vitro Maturation: Formidable Obstacles on the Road to Fertility Preservation

Oocyte maturation is a complex process that is initiated in the ovarian follicle during pre-antral development and culminates with the release of the mature ovum at the time of ovulation. As fertility preservation strategies emerge, it has become increasingly apparent that supporting oocyte maturation in as physiological a context as is possible is an important goal. This chapter summarizes a body of evidence consistent with the view that enabling and sustaining the metabolic interplay between the oocyte and cumulus cells will be essential to realizing a mature state for the ovum capable of producing viable embryos. Two key parameters are addressed: (1) the changing demands and regulatory mechanisms that distinguish communication between oocyte and granulosa during the growth and maturative phases of oogenesis and (2) the introduction of a paradigm for dissecting periovulatory maturation into several components that extend beyond the traditional nuclear and cytoplasmic properties that have been previously adopted. This framework provides a novel range of attributes in the cumulus-oocyte complex that could be assayed as biomarkers of oocyte quality.
Origin, Pathopharmacology, and Pathology

The term “pheochromocytoma,” suggested in 1912 by Pick (751), derives from the chemical and pathologic characteristics of the cell [“pheochromocyte” = a cell which takes on a “dusky” color (from the Greek: phaios, meaning dusky +chroma, meaning color) when exposed to chromium salts, and “cytoma” = tumor]. It is a tumor of neuroectodermal origin which arises from the chromaffin cells (pheochromocytes) of the sympathoadrenal system. For this reason the tumors are sometimes referred to as chromaffinomas, or adrenergic tumors. The term “chromaffinoma” indicates a tumor with cells having an affinity for chromium salts (i.e., contact with buffered dichromate or dichromate in formalin causes the cells to be stained brown). The term “paraganglioma” has also been used to characterize pheochromocytomas originating in chromaffin cells adjacent to sympathetic ganglia or in other extraadrenal sites. Because of the confusing nomenclature, it has been proposed that these tumors having the same histologic pattern, regardless of location, be designated “paragangliomas,” chromaffin or nonchromaffin type, and functional or nonfunctional (561). However, we believe that it is less confusing if all chromaffinomas which secrete catecholamines and cause manifestations of excess circulating catecholamines be regarded as pheochromocytomas and that subclassification be avoided.
Lehrer’s Coherence Theory of Knowledge

In two recent papers (1986 and 1988), Keith Lehrer has developed the coherence theory of knowledge and justification that he originally proposed in Knowledge, In broad outline, Lehrer’s new view is that one has knowledge when “the right combination of internal and external factors” are present, and this obtains when there “is a rational connection between subjective states and truth.” (1988, 330) Knowledge requires the proper “evaluation of incoming information in terms of background information.” (1988, 330) When a proposition coheres with one’s new information and one’s background information, it is justified. But this sort of justification is merely “personal justification”. One’s background information might be largely erroneous, so coherence with it (together with truth) is not sufficient for knowledge. What is required is also coherence with a system resulting from correcting the errors in the background system. When such coherence obtains, one has undefeated justification and, therefore, knowledge.
Altered tubulin and neurofilament expression and impaired axonal growth in diabetic nerve regeneration

Cytoskeletal protein expression in sensory neurons and sciatic nerve axonal growth were examined in type 1 diabetic BB/Wor rats after sciatic nerve crush injury. Diabetic male rats were subjected to sciatic nerve crush at 6 wk of diabetes. L4 and L5 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) mRNA expression of low and medium molecular weight neurofilaments (NF-L, NF-M), betaII- and betaIII-tubulin as well as protein expression of NF-L, NF-M, and beta-tubulin were examined at various time points following crush injury and compared with age- and sex-matched non-diabetic BB/Wor rats. Steady state mRNA expression of NF-L, NF-M, betaII- and betaIII-tubulin were decreased in diabetic DRG. NF-L and NF-M proteins were also decreased in DRG of uncrushed diabetic animals. After crush injury, betaII- and betaIII-tubulin mRNA were upregulated in control animals at day 2 and day 6, respectively, and beta-tubulin protein showed similarly increased expression after crush injury, while such upregulations did not occur in diabetic animals. Conversely, mRNA and protein expressions of NF-L, NF-M were downregulated to a lesser extent in diabetic animals compared to control rats. These changes were associated with impaired axonal elongation and caliber growth of regenerating fibers in diabetic rats. We propose that upregulation of tubulin has a negative feedback on NF expression in response to nerve injury, as seen in control rats. The absence of this upregulation in diabetic animals may impair its regulatory effect on NF expression and contribute to perturbed nerve regeneration seen in diabetic nerve.
Morita Theorems and the Picard Group

The Morita theorem stated and proved in Chapter 4 is taken up again in this chapter in expanded and more general form, to be used in the determination of the Picard group Pic (mod-A) of all k-linear auto-equivalences of mod-A for an arbitrary algebra A, and also (in Exercises for Chapter 12, and in Chapter 32) of the Brauer group of a commutative ring k.
SVM Parameter Optimization Using Swarm Intelligence for Learning from Big Data.

Support vector machine (SVM) is one of the most successful machine learning algorithms to solve practical pattern classification problems. The selection of the kernel function and its parameter plays a vital role on the results. Radius basis function (RBF) is a prevalently used kernel. For an RBF-SVM, two parameters, c and \(\gamma \), control the SVM performance. In this paper, we present a SVM parameter learning algorithm, DL&BA, effective for learning from big data. The DL&BA algorithm has two stages. At the first stage, we use a distributed learning (DL) to search for a region which promises optimal parameter pairs. At the second stage, a swarm intelligent optimization algorithm - the Bees Algorithm (BA) is used to search for an optimal pair of c and \(\gamma \). We applied the DL&BA algorithm to solving an important automotive safety problem, driver fatigue detection, which involves a large amount of real-world driving data. Our experimental results show that DL&BA is not only computational efficient but also effective in finding an optimal pair of c and \(\gamma \).
Great Plains Yucca (Yucca glauca) Control on Shortgrass Rangelands

Great Plains yucca is a native species that competes with forage plants for space and water and at high densities may warrant control. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of seven herbicides applied in the spring or fall for Great Plains yucca control. Six foliar herbicides applied by ground application at 187 L ha-1 spray volume, one herbicide applied to individual plant whorls, and a nontreated check were established in June and September of 2009 and 2011. Percent mortality was determined 12 to 16 mo after herbicide application. Most herbicides gave similar control between the 2 yr, with triclopyr in diesel applied to individual plant whorls at 10 g L-1 providing the greatest control at 83%. Most herbicides applied in June near the blooming stage of Great Plains yucca were more effective than September treatments. June treatments providing the greatest reduction in yucca densities were metsulfuron + dicamba + 2,4-D amine + 2,4-D low volatile ester (LVE) at 21 + 113 + 325 + 431 g ae ha-1, metsulfuron + aminopyralid + triclopyr at 49 + 9 + 227 g ha-1, metsulfuron + chlorsulfuron + 2,4-D LVE at 34 + 11 + 431 g ha-1, and metsulfuron + aminopyralid + 2,4-D LVE at 49 + 9 + 431 g ha-1. A single application of a foliar herbicide provided a maximum of 72% mortality of Great Plains yucca, suggesting that repeat application may be necessary to achieve optimum control.Nomenclature: 2,4-D; aminopyralid; chlorsulfuron; dicamba; metsulfuron; triclopyr; Great Plains yucca, Yucca glauca Nutt.
Impact of Government Policy on Advantages and Competitiveness of Corn (Case Study in Tigo Nagari District, Pasaman District West Sumatera Province)

This study aims to analyze the level of private and social benefits of corn farming, the competitiveness of corn through comparative and competitive advantages and the impact of government policies on the benefits and competitiveness of corn commodities in Pasaman Regency. This study uses a quantitative survey method that uses questionnaires and interviews. The sampling method is simple random sampling with a sample of 40 respondents. Data analysis method used is Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) and sensitivity analysis. The results showed that the advantages of corn commodities per ha per season were seen from the value of private profits of Rp. 6,937,437 and social profit value Rp 8,947,076, which shows that corn farming is profitable, then corn commodity in Tigo Nagari District Pasaman District has competitive advantages and comparative advantages (PCR = 0.53 and DRC = 0.47), the impact of policy on inputs, so as to reduce costs farming (NPCI = 0.73). However, the output price received by farmers is still lower than the shadow price (NPCO = 0.87). The output policy cannot protect local farmers, and this policy on corn farming is not effective (EPC = 0.88).
Stochastic dynamics of cell lineage in tissue homeostasis

During epithelium tissue maintenance, lineages of cells differentiate and proliferate in a coordinated way to provide the desirable size and spatial organization of different types of cells. While mathematical models through deterministic description have been used to dissect role of feedback regulations on tissue layer size and stratification, how the stochastic effects influence tissue maintenance remains largely unknown. Here we present a stochastic continuum model for cell lineages to investigate how both layer thickness and layer stratification are affected by noise. We find that the cell-intrinsic noise often causes reduction and oscillation of layer size whereas the cell-extrinsic noise increases the thickness, and sometimes, leads to uncontrollable growth of the tissue layer. The layer stratification usually deteriorates as the noise level increases in the cell lineage systems. Interestingly, the morphogen noise, which mixes both cell-intrinsic noise and cell-extrinsic noise, can lead to larger size of layer with little impact on the layer stratification. By investigating different combinations of the three types of noise, we find the layer thickness variability is reduced when cell-extrinsic noise level is high or morphogen noise level is low. Interestingly, there exists a tradeoff between low thickness variability and strong layer stratification due to competition among the three types of noise, suggesting robust layer homeostasis requires balanced levels of different types of noise in the cell lineage systems.
Evaluating maize and soybean grain dry-down in the field with predictive algorithms and genotype-by-environment analysis.

A delayed harvest of maize and soybean crops is associated with yield or revenue losses, whereas a premature harvest requires additional costs for artificial grain drying. Accurately predicting the ideal harvest date can increase profitability of US Midwest farms, but today’s predictive capacity is low. To fill this gap, we collected and analyzed time-series grain moisture datasets from field experiments in Iowa, Minnesota and North Dakota, US with various maize (n = 102) and soybean (n = 36) genotype-by-environment treatments. Our goal was to examine factors driving the post-maturity grain drying process, and develop scalable algorithms for decision-making. The algorithms evaluated are driven by changes in the grain equilibrium moisture content (function of air relative humidity and temperature) and require three input parameters: moisture content at physiological maturity, a drying coefficient and a power constant. Across independent genotypes and environments, the calibrated algorithms accurately predicted grain dry-down of maize (r2 = 0.79; root mean square error, RMSE = 1.8% grain moisture) and soybean field crops (r2 = 0.72; RMSE = 6.7% grain moisture). Evaluation of variance components and treatment effects revealed that genotypes, weather-years, and planting dates had little influence on the post-maturity drying coefficient, but significantly influenced grain moisture content at physiological maturity. Therefore, accurate implementation of the algorithms across environments would require estimating the initial grain moisture content, via modeling approaches or in-field measurements. Our work contributes new insights to understand the post-maturity grain dry-down and provides a robust and scalable predictive algorithm to forecast grain dry-down and ideal harvest dates across environments in the US Corn Belt.