cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The chondrogenic potential of periosteum decreases with age

Periosteum contains undifferentiated mesenchymal stem cells that possess the potential for chondrogenesis during cartilage repair and in fracture healing. With aging, the chondrogenic potential of periosteum declines significantly. An organ-culture model was used to investigate the relationship between the chondrogenic potential of periosteum and aging. A total of 736 periosteal explants from the proximal medial tibiae of 82 rabbits, aged 2 weeks to 2 years, were cultured in agarose suspension conditions conductive for chondrogenesis. and analyzed using histomorphometry, collagen typing, wet weight measurement, 3H-thymidine and 35S-sulfate uptake, autoradiography, and PCNA immunostaining. The rabbits were skeletally mature by 6 months and stopped increasing in weight by 12 months. Chondrogenesis declined significantly with age (P < 0.0001) and was maximal in the 1.5-2 month-old rabbits. Explants from the 6 month-old rabbits formed 50% less cartilage. and by 12 months chondrogenesis reached a steady state minimal level. In parallel with this decrease in chondrogenic potential similar decreases were measured in 3H-thymidine uptake (P < 0.0001). 35S-sulfate uptake (P = 0.0117), as well as the thickness (P < 0.0001) and the total number of cells in the cambium layer of the periosteum (P < 0.0001). Autoradiography with 3H-thymidine and PCNA immunostaining confirmed the measured decrease in proliferative activity in the cambium layer where the chondrocyte precursors reside, although the percentage of proliferating cells did not change significantly with age. The most dramatic change was the marked decrease (87%) in the thickness and total cell number in the cambium layer of the perisoteum between the 2 and 12 month-old rabbits (P < 0.05). These data confirm a decline in the chondrogenic potential of periosteum with aging. Thus, one possibility for improving cartilage formation by periosteal transplantation after skeletal maturity would be to stimulate an increase in the total number of cells in the chondrocyte precursor pool early during chondrogenesis.
Early origin of the bilaterian developmental toolkit

Whole-genome sequences from the choanoflagellate Monosiga brevicollis, the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens and the cnidarian Nematostella vectensis have confirmed results from comparative evolutionary developmental studies that much of the developmental toolkit once thought to be characteristic of bilaterians appeared much earlier in the evolution of animals. The diversity of transcription factors and signalling pathway genes in animals with a limited number of cell types and a restricted developmental repertoire is puzzling, particularly in light of claims that such highly conserved elements among bilaterians provide evidence of a morphologically complex protostome–deuterostome ancestor. Here, I explore the early origination of elements of what became the bilaterian toolkit, and suggest that placozoans and cnidarians represent a depauperate residue of a once more diverse assemblage of early animals, some of which may be represented in the Ediacaran fauna (c. 585–542 Myr ago).
Prostaglandins and sepsis: still a fascinating topic despite almost 40 years of research

northover and subramanian([31][1]) reported in 1962 that treating dogs with aspirin, a prototypical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), ameliorated the development of arterial hypotension after the injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Subsequent to this early report, many other
Computerized methods for collecting confidence ratings: Task influences on patterns of responding

Retrospective confidence ratings and other judgments frequently are collected in computer-based psychology studies, but little research has investigated whether the method with which these ratings are collected influences the resulting data. To explore whether different confidence rating entry methods elicit different responses, 96 subjects were tested in a recognition memory paradigm. To rate confidence in recognition decisions from 0 100, half of the subjects used the numeric keypad on the keyboard to respond whereas the other half used an on-screen slider. Notably, whereas subjects using the numeric keypad frequently chose to enter confidence ratings divisible by 5 and 10, subjects using the slider showed no such preference but instead were more likely to accept the slider default value (i.e., 50) for each trial. The method with which confidence ratings are collected may have unintended consequences on confidence rating data and their interpretation.
Managerial Attitudes and Merger Outcomes: Evidence from Corporate Takeover Filings

We examine the textual content of merger and acquisition related SEC filings in an effort to understand the role of managerial attitudes and beliefs in merger negotiations and outcomes. Using a textual algorithm to identify the degree to which filings of bidders and targets exhibit negative/cautious tones vs. positive/optimistic tones, we find that bidders employing the most optimistic language in their filings actually experience the worst long-run performance following the transactions. In contrast, bidding managers who appear to acknowledge and understand the risks of the transactions experience relatively better post-merger performance. For targets, we use the tone of their filings as a measure of how positive or negative their management teams are towards the proposed transaction. We find that target filings are more negative for deals with lower initial premiums, and that negative filings are associated with lower deal completion rates. For completed mergers, bidders are more likely to increase premia for resistant targets. Thus our analysis of the textual content of merger filings appears to give us a new method for investigating the role of bidder and target attitudes and beliefs on merger outcomes.
A Paradigm of Youth Client Satisfaction: Heightening Professional Responsibility for Children's Advocates

This article examines a survey of client satisfaction completed by seventy-eight youth who have been involved in the New York State Family Court system. In considering youth client satisfaction, this article draws upon professional responsibility standards, looking at lawyers' current obligations. The discussion then turns to psychological literature regarding adolescent functions. And finally this essay concludes by suggesting that children's attorneys should have heightened professional obligations to attend to the principal aspects of representation which youth value most.
Premature mortality in North Carolina: progress, regress, and disparities by county and race, 2000-2010.

BACKGROUND: This study examined trends in premature mortality--defined as years of potential life lost before age 75 years--in North Carolina during the period 2000-2010. METHODS: Premature mortality at the county level was calculated and compared for two 5-year periods (1996-2000 and 2006-2010) for the entire population, among whites, and among nonwhites. This study also examined and compared leading causes of death that contributed to premature mortality among whites and nonwhites in each county and in the state as a whole. RESULTS: Premature mortality in North Carolina was reduced 13.3% for the population as a whole, 26.6% for nonwhites, and 7.2% for whites. However, premature mortality actually increased for the population as a whole in 20 counties, among whites in 35 counties, and among nonwhites in 8 counties. Among whites, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, suicide, injuries, and motor vehicle crashes each contributed an above-average share of premature mortality. Among nonwhites, stroke, diabetes, homicide, and heart disease each contributed an above-average share of premature mortality. LIMITATIONS: We were unable to calculate reliable rates of premature mortality for Hispanics, Asians, American Indians, and other nonwhite ethnic groups because the numbers at the county level were too small. CONCLUSIONS: Public health professionals should focus attention on counties in which premature mortality is increasing or remaining constant and should address the specific underlying causes of such deaths. In counties in which premature mortality among whites is increasing, community health efforts should focus on prevention of smoking, suicide, and injury. In counties with large nonwhite populations, programs should focus on prevention of stroke, heart disease, diabetes, homicide, and kidney disease. Language: en
Serious leisure: the sport of target shooting and leisure satisfaction

This study is designed to identify the underlying satisfaction dimensions gained through engagement in target shooting as a serious leisure pastime. The instrument design was based on the Leisure S...
Prehospital care of the child with a submersion incident.

The prehospital care of the near-drowning child centers on the early institution of respiration and appropriate resuscitation. Transport of these children to a pediatric referral center where age-appropriate intensive support is available offers the best hope for a good outcome.
Origins of the Stereoselectivity in a Thiourea–Primary Amine-Catalyzed Nazarov Cyclization

The origins of stereoselectivity of the Nazarov reactions of α-hydroxydivinylketones catalyzed by a vicinal thiourea–primary amine first reported by Tius have been explored with density functional theory. The electrocyclization transition structures in which the thiourea group of the catalyst donates two hydrogen bonds to the keto carbonyl group of the Nazarov reactant and the primary amine accepts a hydrogen bond from the hydroxyl group of the reactant have been modeled. The enantiomeric Nazarov transition structures, which are conventionally described by the absolute sense of conrotation of the dienone termini (“clockwise” or “counterclockwise”) in the literature, are nonplanar and adopt helically chiral conformations. The interactions of these helical electrocyclization transition structures with the chiral catalyst are studied in detail. The organocatalyst is found to employ a combination of hydrogen bonding and steric effects to achieve helical recognition of the Nazarov transition state.
The Monied Metropolis: A Bourgeois World

Meanwhile the holidays had gone by and the season was beginning. Fifth Avenue had become a nightly torrent of carriages surging upward to the fashionable quarters about the park, where illuminated windows and outspread awnings betokened the usual routine of hospitality. Other tributary currents crossed the main stream, bearing their freight to the theatres, restaurants or opera; and Mrs. Peniston, from the secluded watchtower of her upper window, could tell to a nicety just when the chronic volume of sound was increased by the sudden influx setting toward a Van Osburgh ball, or when the multiplication of wheels meant merely that the opera was over, or that there was a big supper at Sherry's. Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth (1905)
Draft Whole-Genome Sequences of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica Serovars Enteritidis, Veneziana, and Salford, Isolated from Herbs

ABSTRACT Salmonella is a foodborne pathogen found in a wide variety of sources. Here, we report draft genome sequences of three Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovars found in herbs: Enteritidis, Veneziana, and Salford, with the latter two being extremely rare in California.
INFLUENCE OF THYMECTOMY ON TUMOR INDUCTION BY POLYOMA VIRUS IN C57BL MICE.

SummaryMice of the C57BL strain are normally highly resistant to the oncogenic activity of polyoma virus. Such mice were thymectornized at 3 days and injected with the virus at 4 days. Controls were sham-operated and injected with virus. Most of the thymectomized mice gained weight at the same rate as the controls and produced hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies. Pleomorphic tumors of the salivary glands developed within 2 months in 18 of 20 thymectomized mice and in only 1 of 16 controls at 4 months. It is suggested that the resistance of the C57BL strain to the oncogenic action of polyoma virus has an immunologic basis. Impairment of the maturation of immunologic faculty in mice of this strain allows the
New Locality Records for Texas Bats

Some 2,000 bats have been taken in 1954–55 in connection with an investigation of these animals as possible reservoirs and transmitting agents of rabies virus. Because of the frequency of virus isolations from the Mexican free-tailed bat, Tadarida mexicana (Saussure), most of our interest has centered on this species. Fortuitously, most of the large free-tailed bat retreats in Texas are in the central part of the state within reasonable distances of our Austin headquarters. While collecting bats rather intensively, locality records have been obtained that appear to represent extensions of the known ranges of two species. A female …
Effect of dietary fats and vitamin E on oxidative denaturation of serum low density lipoproteins.

SummaryThe stability or lability of serum low density lipoproteins appeared to be greatly affected by dietary fat and by the presence or absence of vit. E. The low density lipoproteins isolated from the serum of chicks which had been fed corn oil stripped of vit. E under high vacuum were less stable in vitro toward oxidative denaturation catalyzed by hemin than the lipoproteins obtained from the serum of chicks fed hydrogenated coconut oil. Although a dietary source of tocopherol partially prevented the oxidative denaturation of serum low density lipoproteins in chick serum, a decrease in the content of unsaturated dietary fat prevented more effectively the oxidative denaturation of serum low density lipoproteins. The percentage of linoleic and C20 tetraenoic acids in the lipid moiety of the low density lipoproteins as determined by gas chromatography of the methyl esters was shown to be dependent on the percentage of linoleic acid in the dietary fat and was shown to be the most important factor which inf...
Some Issues of Rough Surface Contact Plasticity at Micro- and Nano-Scales

Rough surface contact plasticity at microscale and nanoscale is of crucial importance in many new applications and technologies, such as nano-imprinting and nano-welding. This paper summarizes our recent progress in understanding contact plasticity from a multiscale point of view, and also presents our perspectives. We first discuss a contact model based on fractal roughness and continuum plasticity theory. Interestingly, our simple, elastic-plastic contact model of the Weierstrass-Archard type gives rise to many practical scaling relations of contact pressure, contact compliance etc. The usefulness of those predictions is discussed for experimental measurements of the thermal/electrical contact resistance. A material length scale can be introduced by a nonlocal plasticity theory, or implicitly by dislocation mechanics modeling. The recent work on micro-plasticity of surface steps gives a variety of surface yielding and hardening behaviors, depending on interface adhesion, roughness features and slip systems. As a consequence, a rough surface contact at mesoscale can lead to the formation of a boundary layer with sub-layer dislocation structures, which cannot be predicted by existing strain gradient plasticity theories. The micromechanical analysis of surface plasticity could serve as the connection between microscale bulk dislocation plasticity and nanoscale atomistic simulations.
135 PREHOSPITAL RESUSCITATION WITHHELD: WHY DO FAMILIES CALL 9-1-1?

Background Little is known about why people call 9-1-1 in cases where death is expected or when resuscitation attempts are withheld by EMS personnel due to a patient9s do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order indicating that a resuscitation attempt is not desired. A better understanding of why 9-1-1 is used in end-of-life circumstances may provide insights that could preserve individuals9 autonomy at the end of life and make appropriate use of EMS resources as well as other public and private health services. Study Design and Methods This was a 3-month prospective pilot study investigating the reasons for 9-1-1 use in cases where resuscitation was withheld by EMS personnel from June 2005 through August 2005. To obtain a complete picture of the event and gather evidence of an expected death and/or a DNR, we obtained data from four sources: the Medical Incident Report Form (MIRF), the dispatch tape of the event, an interview with the EMS provider who was on the scene of the event, and an interview with the patient9s family member (if present) and/or the person who called 9-1-1 for the event. Results A total of 37 cases were reported over the 3-month span, 11 of which were determined to be expected deaths. Of these 11 expected deaths, there were six patients with DNR orders, four with terminal illnesses and two who were enrolled in a hospice. For the bystanders of these 11 expected deaths, 63% reported the need for cognitive/procedural assistance while 27% reported the need for emotional assistance. Although each bystander/family member reported that they did not know what to do or who else to call at the time of death of the patient, both family members and EMTs responded positively to the support that was given. Conclusion These results suggest that there is inadequate preparation and information for family members in end-of-life circumstances. This lack of information for end-of-life events extends well into the health care system, including EMTs and personal physicians. In addition, the study suggests that the role of giving both cognitive and emotional support to family members and/or bystanders is welcomed by EMTs.
Monitoring and analysis of AIDS among female sex workers in Minyun County of Beijing from 2006-2011

[Objective]To understand the awareness rate of AIDS knowledge and behavior status among female sex workers in entertainment places of Minyun County of Beijing,provide the evidence for implementation of behavior intervention and health education.[Methods]Referring to the National guideline for HIV/AIDS monitoring,the anonymous questionnaire survey was conducted among female sex workers in entertainment places,and the venous blood samples were collected for testing HIV antibody and syphilis antibody.[Results]During 2006-2011,a total of 677 female sex workers in entertainment places were monitored,and monitoring objects were mainly sexualy active women who were unmarried or divorced,96% of them were not local inhabitants,and 67.7% had junior high school education level or below.The awareness rate of AIDS knowledge was 84.2%.The awareness rate of three transmission routes was higher than that of non-transmission routes.The rate of using the condom every sexual intercourse during the last month was 43.1%.The positive rate of HIV antibody and syphilis antibody was 0.1% and 6.6% respectively.[Conclusion]It is necessary to strengthen heath education and behavior intervention among female sex workers in entertainment places,promote 100% condom use,to reduce AIDS/STD infection and transmission.
Cryo-EM Structure of the BK Ion Channel in a Lipid Membrane

The large-conductance voltage- and Ca2+-activated potassium (BK) channel has many physiological roles including the control of firing patterns in neurons, the modulation of the tone of blood vessels and the regulation of heart rate. Among ion channels, it has served as a model system because of its remarkable ion-permeation properties and its accessibility for studies of allosteric control of gating.As shown in both structural and functional studies, the lipid membrane environment has played an essential role for membrane proteins. To restore the lipid membrane environment, BK channels were reconstituted into liposomes (lipid vesicles) for both functional and structural studies. In 2009, we have reported the full-length BK structure in lipid environment at a resolution of 1.7nm using “random spherically constrained” (RSC) single-particle Cryo-EM method. Recent breakthrough in hardware and the optimization of image collection and processing techniques make it possible to achieve a higher resolution. Here, we present the BK structure in a lipid membrane in the closed state with a greatly improved resolution. The helices in the transmembrane region can be clearly identified, and the helix S0 is identified to be next to helices S2 and S3.
Designing a high speed, stealthy, and payload-focused VTOL UAV

Traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted by the military and intelligence community typically are associated with high costs, slow response times, and inflexible designs. Current UAV technology has the potential for use in ISR, but typically copters are limited in speed, endurance, and payload capacity. As the technology develops, there is a growing interest in developing small-scale UAVs with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. A VTOL-capable UAV with autonomous and high-speed payload delivery will prove useful in ISR missions. The goal of this project is to develop a proof of concept design for a fixed-wing UAV with these capabilities along with improved endurance and stealth. An additive manufactured airframe and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components allow for low cost and rapid re-configuration. The completed design will incorporate multiple servos for a variety of control surfaces, a rear tilting motor for forward and vertical flight, an embedded lift fan system for vertical flight stability, and an Android-based control system for autonomous flight. Within this cross-disciplinary, multi-year project, the objectives for the 2015–16 year are: to begin understanding the flight controls and algorithms required for VTOL flight, to design the aerodynamic shape and final airframe, to understand how to integrate the software and hardware with the airframe, and to develop a flight rig to test VTOL transition capabilities using RC. Results presented in this paper include details behind the design and layout of electronic components and the building and testing of the flight rig. Hardware decisions for this aircraft were based on the following design requirements: control system allowing for both fixed wing and tri-copter airframes, ability to transition between vertical and horizontal flight within three feet after vertical lift off, sufficient battery power to allow for reasonable flight endurance, ease of packaging within the fixed wing airframe, compatibility with servo requirements, and a total system cost of less than $5K. The team found suitable COTS components that satisfied the program objectives at low cost. Functional testing of vertical and horizontal flight transitions with the rig is currently underway and autonomous flight capabilities are under development.
An open RNA-Seq data analysis pipeline tutorial with an example of reprocessing data from a recent Zika virus study.

RNA-seq analysis is becoming a standard method for global gene expression profiling. However, open and standard pipelines to perform RNA-seq analysis by non-experts remain challenging due to the large size of the raw data files and the hardware requirements for running the alignment step. Here we introduce a reproducible open source RNA-seq pipeline delivered as an IPython notebook and a Docker image. The pipeline uses state-of-the-art tools and can run on various platforms with minimal configuration overhead. The pipeline enables the extraction of knowledge from typical RNA-seq studies by generating interactive principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering (HC) plots, performing enrichment analyses against over 90 gene set libraries, and obtaining lists of small molecules that are predicted to either mimic or reverse the observed changes in mRNA expression. We apply the pipeline to a recently published RNA-seq dataset collected from human neuronal progenitors infected with the Zika virus (ZIKV). In addition to confirming the presence of cell cycle genes among the genes that are downregulated by ZIKV, our analysis uncovers significant overlap with upregulated genes that when knocked out in mice induce defects in brain morphology. This result potentially points to the molecular processes associated with the microcephaly phenotype observed in newborns from pregnant mothers infected with the virus. In addition, our analysis predicts small molecules that can either mimic or reverse the expression changes induced by ZIKV. The IPython notebook and Docker image are freely available at: http://nbviewer.jupyter.org/github/maayanlab/Zika-RNAseq-Pipeline/blob/master/Zika.ipynb and https://hub.docker.com/r/maayanlab/zika/ .
Abstract 209: Impact Of Hyperandrogenemia On Cardiovascular And Metabolic Function And Ventilatory Responses To Hypercapnia In Female Shrs

Sex hormones influence regulation of blood pressure (BP), metabolism and ventilation. In this study we examined whether chronic hyperandrogenemia, characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome, alters BP, metabolism and ventilatory responses to hypercapnia in female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Female SHRs at 4 weeks of age were implanted subcutaneously with dihydrotestosterone pellets (DHT, 7.5 mg/90 days, n=5). Female untreated SHRs were used as control (n=5). At 15 weeks of age, the rats were implanted with telemetry probes to measure BP and heart rate (HR). After 10 days of recovery from surgery, tidal volume (VT), respiratory frequency (fR) and pulmonary ventilation (VE) were measured by whole-body plethysmography during normocapnia (21% O2) or hypercapnia ( 7% CO2 ). Baseline mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and body composition were measured. Compared to untreated controls, DHT treated SHRs were heavier (246±3 vs. 201±5g), with more adiposity (23±2 vs. 4±3 g) and lean mass (206±8 vs. 174±9 g), but similar food intake (15±1 vs. 13±1 g) and MAP (141±2 vs. 142±6 mmHg), whereas HR was significantly lower (332±9 vs. 365±6 bpm). The DHT-treated group also showed increased ventilatory response to hypercania (1541 ±161 vs. 1091 ±142 ml.min-1.kg-1), due to increased fR (146±5 vs. 133 breaths/min) and VT (11±1 vs 8±1 ml/kg). MAP and HR responses to hypercapnia were similar between groups. These results indicate that testosterone increases body weight and ventilatory responses to hypercapnia without changing BP in female SHRs. (NHLBI-PO1HL51971, NIGMS-P20GM104357 and AHA SDG5680016)
Laser Raman Spectroscopy: The Adsorption of CO on Ni Single Crystal

For the first time we have succeeded in detecting Raman signals from a monolayer of CO molecules adsorbed on the surfaces of a single crystal nickel at UHV pressures (<10−8Torr). Normal Unenhanced Raman Spectroscopy (NURS) is employed in these studies [1, 2, 3]. The confirmation of the observed Raman bands in the previously-mentioned studies was done employing two techniques: (a) reproducibility, and (b) taking advantage of the fact that the Raman effect is independent of the wavelength of the exciting line.
Human learning and audiovisual education

We have presented some of the general principles of acquisition, transfer and retention which are supported by experimental research on human learning. As we suggested in the introduction to this paper, it is a reasonable working assumption that these principles apply to audiovisual instruction just as they do to the controlled procedures of the laboratory. On this assumption, the analysis of the process of audiovisual education does not call for the formulation of special principles; it calls for the application and elaboration of the general laws of human learning
Conclusion: Reconstructing Education as Protection

The overall architecture of education seems to be firmly rooted in rituals of reproducing society. Also, the agenda – or philosophy – of many education systems remains at odds with the socioeconomic situation and needs of many if not most of the schoolchildren. It is an education system targeted at urban children with at least some means, or a “pre-packaged solution.” My belief is that schools can and should be reinvented, although there is no blueprint on how to do so. From a protection point of view, a bare minimum would be to do no harm. It would be to train teachers in protection; and set up norms of behavior in schools that are regulating the relationship between teachers and students, and among students. At a larger scale, it is necessary to reconstruct teacher training which should include emotional pedagogy and/or training to identify and deal with situations of abuse. Again, widening the scope, I believe there is a real need to integrate vocational learning into primary and secondary school. Schools in many contexts could function as a transition between childhood and gainful youth employment. An example could be models of combined work and schooling. In particular, lessons from vocational training and life skills programs could be useful to reconstruct a more practical and locally relevant curriculum, which would allow that not all children complete secondary school. Instead of outlawing child labour, it should be regulated, thus giving children a voice in their transition from school to work and marriage. Schools have an important role in facilitating this transfer, instead of – frequently – ignoring it.
How Does Food Processing Change the Nutritional Value of Foods

The closest experience I ever had to primary food processing was on a summer job at a Green Giant canning plant in Delaware. After a 24-h bus trip, I was welcomed with a thick manual on how to operate a steam retort, a huge pressure cooker used to can vegetables. My greeter told me to study the manual and show up for work that night. As the understudy of the retort operator I experienced the hottest night of my life. We were perched with four other workers on a catwalk about halfway between the plant floor and ceiling. Ten, 12-feet highpressure cookers at various stages of processing were arranged in a semi-circle. Our task was to turn the valves all the way the right way at the right time. The operator and I communicated in hand signals as his English wasn’t much better than my non-existent Spanish. The best case failure scenario was to ruin about $3000 of asparagus. The worst case scenario was to turn these monster cookers under pressure into rocket ship/bombs that would wipe out all of us on the catwalk. The next night, the regular operator failed to show, and I was tapped as his replacement. That night was even hotter, and I lost about 10 % of my body weight those two nights. I was transferred to warehouse duty the next day.
Simplifying field-scale assessment of spatiotemporal changes of soil salinity.

Abstract Monitoring soil salinity (EC e ) is important for planning and implementing agronomic and irrigation practices. Salinity can be measured through soil sampling directed by geospatial measurements of apparent soil electrical conductivity (EC a ). Using data from a long-term (1999–2012) monitoring study at a 32.4-ha saline field located in California, USA, two established field-scale approaches to map and monitor soil salinity using EC a are reviewed: one that relies on a single EC a survey to identify locations that can be repeatedly sampled to infer the frequency distribution of EC e ; and another based on repeated EC a surveys that are calibrated, each time, to EC e estimation using ground-truth data from soil samples. The reviewed approaches are very accurate and reliable, but require extensive soil sampling. Subsequently, we propose a novel approach – temporal analysis of covariance (t-ANOCOVA) modeling – that results in accurate spatiotemporal salinity estimations using EC a surveys with a significant reduction in the number of soil samples needed for calibration of EC a to EC e . In this modeling framework, the EC e -EC a relationship is described with a log-transformed linear function. The regression slope indicates the magnitude of the contribution of EC e to EC a and is assumed to remain constant over time, while the intercept represents the secondary factors influencing EC a that are not related to EC e (e.g., soil tillage). Once the t-ANOCOVA slope is established for a field, in subsequent surveys as few as three soil samples are used to estimate a time-specific t-ANOCOVA intercept so that EC a measurements can be converted to EC e estimations. Our results suggest that this approach is reliable at low salinity values (i.e., where common crops can grow). The t-ANOCOVA approach requires further validation before real-world implementations, but represents a significant step towards the use of EC a mobile sensor technology for inexpensive soil salinity monitoring at high temporal resolution.
Effects of military service and deployment on clinical symptomatology: The role of trauma exposure and social support.

Abstract The Marine Resiliency Study-II examined changes in symptomatology across a deployment cycle to Afghanistan. U.S. Servicemembers (N = 1041) received clinical testing at two time points either bracketing a deployment (855) or not (186). Factor analyses were used to generate summary and change scores from Time 1 to Time 2. A between-subject design was used to examine changes across the deployment cycle with deployment (low-trauma, high-trauma, and non-deployed) and social support (low vs. high) as the grouping variables. Insomnia increased post-deployment regardless of deployment trauma (std. effect for high-trauma and low-trauma = 0.39 and 0.26, respectively). Only the high-trauma group showed increased PTSD symptoms and non-perspective-taking (std. effect = 0.40 and 0.30, respectively), while low-trauma showed decreased anxiety symptoms after deployment (std. effect = −0.17). These associations also depend on social support, with std. effects ranging from −0.22 to 0.51. When the groups were compared, the high-trauma deployed group showed significantly worse PTSD and non-perspective-taking than all other groups. Similar to studies in other military divisions, increased clinical symptoms were associated with high deployment stress in active duty Servicemembers, and social support shows promise as a moderator of said association.
The Dollar's 'Convenience Yield'

This note draws an analogy between deviations from no-arbitrage forward-spot relationships in currency and in commodity markets. The key is to notice that the U.S. dollar acts as a commodity in foreign exchange (FX) markets. In the physical commodity space, if the spot price is too high relative to the futures price, then arbitrageurs will seek to short the commodity (priced in U.S. dollars) and invest the proceeds in a dollar-denominated bank deposit. A scarcity of the commodity entails a limited ability to borrow it, resulting in a positive "convenience yield." In the FX space, it is the dollar itself that needs to be borrowed - with the proceeds converted spot and invested in a foreign currency-denominated bank deposit. A dollar scarcity in the global lending market brings about widespread covered interest parity (CIP) deviations characterized by negative "cross-currency basis" for multiple U.S. dollar/foreign currency pairs. In both spaces, a scarcity or shortage of the underlying commodity generates the pattern. In other words, a (negative) "cross-currency basis" is the U.S. dollar's (positive) convenience yield.
A sun/shadow approach for the classification of hyperspectral data

Shadows constitute a major issue for various remote sensing applications, from unmixing and anomaly detection to image segmentation and classification. It is particularly problematic in urban areas, characterized by a high heterogeneity in terms of both relief, with the presence of numerous tall buildings, and materials, which implies that a single shadow can hide a wide variety of different objects. Shadow induces a strong weakening of the signal which can lead, in the context of a classification process, to the creation of a parasit shadow class for unsupervised cases, or to an increase of class variability for supervised ones. This paper introduces a new classification algorithm where sunlit and shadowed pixels are processed separately. Using a shadow mask, sunlit pixels are isolated and classified using a SVM or a Kmeans algorithm. Then, a centroid is processed for each classe and used by a spectral angle mapper (SAM) method to classify the shadowed pixels. This approach showed promissing results, especially in an unsupervised context.
Local Development Effect of Sports Facilities and Sports Teams: Case Studies Using Synthetic Control Method

Studies of the economic benefit of sports franchises to local economies typically utilize panel regression procedures to estimate the effect on variables of interest. An alternative to regression-t...
Silicon-carbon composites for lithium-ion batteries: A comparative study of different carbon deposition approaches

Silicon-carbon composites, usually in the form of core–shell silicon-carbon nanostructures, have been widely investigated as potential candidates for the replacement of graphite in anodes for lithium ion batteries. Due to the availability of a broad range of precursors and protocols for the realization of a carbon shell, research groups active in this area have typically developed their own strategy to manufacture the desired structure. This is problematic since it does not allow for a direct comparison of the performance of similar structures during electrochemical cycling, and it does not provide a mechanistic insight into the factors affecting battery performance. In this work, the authors address this issue by directly comparing core–shell silicon-carbon nanostructures in which the carbon shell is achieved by carbonization of common polymers or by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using acetylene as precursor. The samples have been prepared using exactly the same type of silicon particles as the active ...
Trends of 30-day mortality and morbidities in endovascular repair of intact abdominal aortic aneurysm during the last decade

Abstract Objective Significant research efforts have been made to improve the safety and efficacy of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) in treating abdominal aortic aneurysm. This study aimed to examine the trends of perioperative outcomes of EVAR in the recent decade using a national validated database. Methods Patients who underwent EVAR for intact abdominal aortic aneurysm between 2006 and 2015 were identified from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and divided into early (2006-2010) and late (2011-2015) periods. The primary outcome of the study was 30-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included operative time, length of hospital stay, and 30-day major complications (renal, cardiopulmonary, and wound infection). Results A total of 30,076 patients were identified, with 11,539 in the early period and 18,537 in the late period. The 30-day mortality was kept at a low level in both periods (1.2% vs 1.2%; P = .98), whereas both the mean operation time (155.5 ± 72.6 minutes vs 141.9 ± 73.7 minutes; P Conclusions Although the 30-day mortality remains similar, postoperative complications in EVAR have decreased significantly during the recent decade. The continuous improvement in endograft technology and surgical skills has resulted in decreased operative time, marked reduction in surgical complications, and shorter hospital length of stay after endovascular repair.
Primary carcinoma of the gallbladder. A ten year review.

Summary The records of fifty-nine consecutive patients with primary carcinoma of the gallbladder seen at the Bronx Municipal Hospital Center of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the decade 1956 to 1966 have been reviewed. The high association of cancer of the gallbladder with a pre-existing history of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis is pointed out. This study and a brief review of the literature suggest that “prophylactic” cholecystectomies should be performed in patients who have abnormal findings on cholecystography to prevent the serious complications of cholecystitis and the increased incidence of gallbladder carcinoma in elderly patients, providing they are suitable candidates for major surgery. Cholecystectomy was feasible in only nineteen of the forty-three patients operated on in this series, and only one patient lived longer than five years. It is suggested that six of these nineteen patients, in whom the cancer appeared to be localized to the gallbladder, might have benefited by one of the more radical procedures suggested in the literature. It is therefore recommended that all gallbladder specimens in patients over fifty years of age be examined grossly and microscopically if necessary, at the time of surgery so that cancer may be recognized and an appropriate radical procedure performed.
Introduction: Whiskers and Their Role in Component Reliability

Tin (Sn) whiskers are electrically conductive, single crystal eruptions that can grow from surfaces where tin is deposited on a substrate surface. They present reliability problems for the electronics industry due to the formation of stable, bridging shorts in low voltage, high impedance circuits. Continuing reports of Sn whisker-induced failures coupled with the lack of an industry-accepted understanding of tin whisker growth and/or test methods to identify whisker-prone products has made blanket acceptance of pure tin plating a risky proposition in high reliability systems. Special attention has been devoted to measurements of whiskering under a variety of rigorously controlled environmental factors such as substrate roughness, Sn film thickness (and depletion due to whisker growth), gas environment, humidity, film stress state and Sn oxides, which are known to play a significant role in whisker production. This research is designed to clarify and control the mechanisms that govern whisker formation, with an ultimate objective to discover how to impede and/or prevent whisker growth, either by surface coatings or by modifications of the thin film properties.
Comments on “ERISA and the Prudent Man Rule”

As Professor Blair has pointed out, modern portfolio theory suggests a multitude of irrationalities in common law standards for trustees managing investment funds. In elaborating the statutory standards for the “prudent expert” established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act,1 these perversities are certainly to be avoided. Using portfolio theory to criticize the current standards, however, is a different and much simpler task than using the theory to promulgate new standards that courts can use effectively.
Herpesvirus Evasion of the Immune System

It is now well established that animal viruses evade host immunity by many different mechanisms. In an immunocompetent host, the evolutionary pressure brought to bear on viruses is obviously immense, and thus their existence will ultimately dependent upon one form or another of immune subterfuge, subversion, suppression, or abrogation. However, there must also be a well-established balance between the ability of a virus to go around host immunity and the host’s ability to adapt to the virus and ultimately contain it. In the event that this balance is not established, either the host or the virus will be eliminated. It is also important to note that viruses have had a very long time to study the immune system, many millions of years longer than immunologists. Thus, much can be learned by examining the effects of viruses on the immune system and their evasion strategies, not only about the intricate interplay between viruses and the immune system, but also about the workings of the immune system itself.
Ultrasound Diagnosis in Renal Transplants

The diagnosis of complications following renal transplantation requires the combined skills of ultrasonography, radiography and nuclear medicine. Since Leopold first described renal transplant size measured by ultrasound, (1) this modality has become increasingly important in the management of renal transplants (2,3). A previous report by Maklad et al shows the ultrasound scan to be highly accurate in the detection of abscess following abdominal surgery (4). This report describes 56 postoperative renal transplant patients recently examined by the division of ultrasound during the period from March 1974 to September 1975. Nineteen of the 56 patients had positive scans covering a wide variety of pathology, the most common finding being a collection of fluid. The purpose of this paper is to present the various diagnoses made ultrasonically in the post-transplant period.
Cross-talk between Lysine-Modifying Enzymes Controls Site-Specific DNA Amplifications

Acquired chromosomal DNA amplifications are features of many tumors. Although overexpression and stabilization of the histone H3 lysine 9/36 (H3K9/36) tri-demethylase KDM4A generates transient site-specific copy number gains (TSSGs), additional mechanisms directly controlling site-specific DNA copy gains are not well defined. In this study, we uncover a collection of H3K4-modifying chromatin regulators that function with H3K9 and H3K36 regulators to orchestrate TSSGs. Specifically, the H3K4 tri-demethylase KDM5A and specific COMPASS/KMT2 H3K4 methyltransferases modulate different TSSG loci through H3K4 methylation states and KDM4A recruitment. Furthermore, a distinct chromatin modifier network, MLL1-KDM4B-KDM5B, controls copy number regulation at a specific genomic locus in a KDM4A-independent manner. These pathways comprise an epigenetic addressing system for defining site-specific DNA rereplication and amplifications.
Discussion of “earnings announcement promotions: A Yahoo Finance field experiment”

Abstract Lawrence et al. run a field experiment on Yahoo Finance which randomly promotes some earnings stories. They find that firms in promoted stories have higher contemporaneous returns. I begin by reviewing the media and finance literature and discuss the difficulty in solving the identification problem Lawrence et al. wish to solve. I then discuss how their results fit with existing theories of attention and suggest some changes that could help pin down which theory best explains the results. Finally, I discuss possible directions for future research. I would like to thank John Core (Editor) and participants at the 2017 Journal of Accounting and Economics conference for their comments and suggestions. All errors here are my own.
"Who's Really Regulating? Who's Benefiting?" Exploring Black Stakeholders' Awareness and Trust in the Food and Drug Administration's Role as a Tobacco Regulator.

Objective Blacks/African Americans have experienced direct public health harm from US governmental agencies (eg, police violence, Tuskegee syphilis experiment) that may influence perceptions of the trustworthiness of government messages regarding tobacco products. Consequently, we sought to explore Black Americans' awareness of and trust in the FDA's role as a tobacco regulator. Methods Data were from 2 focus groups conducted with a purposive sample of 23 Black stakeholders in Los Angeles, California. Discussions were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Results Although most (N = 14; 61%) participants were aware of the FDA's role as a tobacco regulator, they all noted that the Black community in Los Angeles is not aware. Recurrent across the focus groups were discussions about distrust in the FDA with 4 main contributing factors: (1) that the FDA is influenced by the tobacco, agricultural, and pharmaceutical industries; (2) that the FDA is influenced by money and politics; (3) that the FDA is a bureaucracy exercising monopoly and power; and (4) that the FDA lacks technical capacity and competence to regulate tobacco products. Conclusions Study findings highlight opportunities for the FDA to increase awareness and build trust in their tobacco regulatory role through communication campaigns targeted at Black Americans, and community engagement with Black stakeholders.