cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paclitaxel-associated Multimininucleation Is Permitted by the Inhibition of Caspase Activation: A Potential Early Step in Drug Resistance

The chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel disrupts microtubule dynamics causing mitotic arrest, which leads to cell death. However, in paclitaxel-resistant tumor cells, treatment with paclitaxel induces abnormal progression through prophase resulting in a multimininucleated phenotype. Multimininucleation and subsequent polyploidization have been correlated with paclitaxel resistance. Paclitaxel treatment of HeLa cells resulted in cell death via typical activation of the apoptotic machinery, whereas treatment of the relative paclitaxel-resistant prostate cancer cell line PC-3 induced an attenuated caspase activation and multimininucleation. The multimininucleated phenotype could be mimicked in HeLa cells treated with paclitaxel and benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (z-VAD-fmk), a peptide caspase inhibitor. Interestingly, we observed no discernible difference in the pattern of cdc-2 kinase activation or phosphorylation of bcl-2-like proteins in PC-3 and HeLa cells treated with paclitaxel, which demonstrated that these molecules could not be used as indicators for the degree of caspase activation. In this study, we establish a connection between relative paclitaxel resistance, caspase attenuation/inhibition, and the multimininucleated phenotype.
A reliable-inference framework for recognition of human actions

We present an action recognition method based on the concept of reliable inference. Our approach is formulated in a probabilistic framework using posterior class ratios to verify the saliency of an input before committing to any action classification. The framework is evaluated in the context of walking, running, and standing at multiple viewpoints and compared to ML and MAP approaches. Results examining individual silhouette images with the framework demonstrate that these actions can be reliably discriminated while discounting confusing images.
Diagnostic Investigation of Pancreatic Cyst Fluid

Determining whether a pancreatic cyst is mucinous or non-mucinous and then benign or malignant are the key clinical questions that drive patient management. The analysis of pancreatic cyst fluid is a vital component of the multimodal approach to preoperative evaluation that answers these questions. Methods of evaluating cyst fluid include biochemical, molecular, and cytological analysis, which, in combination, can accurately identify cyst type and grade in most instances. Preoperative diagnosis of a high-grade IPMN (high-grade dysplasia or adenocarcinoma (invasive carcinoma)) will result in resection, whereas a low-grade IPMN by imaging and cyst fluid analysis may be followed conservatively. This chapter addresses how to handle aspirated cyst fluid for cytological and ancillary testing and the clinical utility of each test.
Poly(lactide)-block-poly(ε-caprolactone-co-ε-decalactone)-block-poly(lactide) copolymer elastomers

Batch ring opening transesterification copolymerization of e-caprolactone and e-decalactone was used to generate statistical copolymers over a wide range of compositions and molar masses. Reactivity ratios determined for this monomer pair, rCL = 5.9 and rDL = 0.03, reveal e-caprolactone is added preferentially regardless of the propagating chain end. Relative to poly(e-caprolactone) the crystallinity and melting point of these statistical copolymers were depressed by the addition of e-decalactone; copolymers containing greater than 31 mol% (46 wt%) e-decalactone were amorphous. Poly(lactide)-block-poly(e-caprolactone-co-e-decalactone)-block-poly(lactide) triblock polymers were also prepared and used to explore the influence of midblock composition on the temperature dependent Flory-Huggins interaction parameter (χ). In addition, uniaxial extension tests were used to determine the effects of midblock composition, poly(lactide) content, and molar mass on the mechanical properties of these new elastomeric triblocks.
Skilled Activity and the Causal Theory of Action

Skilled activity, such as shaving or dancing, differs in important ways from many of the stock examples that are employed by action theorists. Some critics of the causal theory of action contend that such a view founders on the problem of skilled activity. This paper examines how a causal theory can be extended to the case of skilled activity and defends the account from its critics.
Protein-protein/DNA interaction networks: versatile macromolecular structures for the control of gene expression

The assembly of macromolecular structures consisting of proteins and DNA lies at the core of many fundamental cellular processes, such as transcription, recombination and replication. A common theme to all these processes is DNA looping, which provides the backbone for the required long-range interactions on DNA and results in further complexity that is exceptionally difficult to tackle with traditional quantitative approaches. Here, recent advances in mathematical and computational methods to study the assembly of protein-protein/DNA complexes with loops and their effects in the cellular behaviour through gene regulation are reviewed. The interplay between multisite DNA looping and DNA bending regulatory proteins, such as the catabolite activator protein (CAP), and on its physiological consequences is focused on. It has become clear in the last few years that the complexity that looping brings about can actively control transcriptional noise and cell-to-cell variability. Here, it is shown that the DNA looping, through the effects of CAP, can also control the balance between robustness and sensitivity of the induction of gene expression.
Insights Into Flea Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucinae) Host Specificity From Concordant Mitochondrial and Nuclear DNA Phylogenies

Flea beetles in the genus Altica are herbivorous, urban agricultural pests that are morphologically difficult to distinguish. Host plant associations, therefore, have been used as an important species character in field studies. Indigenous weeds in the Onagraceae, genus Oenothera, are known to serve as developmental hosts for the flea beetle Altica litigata Fall. Although host plant specificity in herbivorous beetles is labile and adult A. litigata have been reported to aggregately feed on plants in the nonindigenous Lythraceae, genus Lagerstroemia, there is no evidence that these ornamental trees serve as developmental hosts. Because adult A. litigata feed on host plants from species in two plant genera, this study was designed to test two hypotheses. The first hypothesis that was tested was whether adult flea beetles collected from primrose and crape myrtle plants across four ecoregions are phenotypically (morphology) and genotypically (genotype) A. litigata. The second hypothesis that was tested was whether two unlinked loci, cytochrome oxidase subunit I and internal transcribed spacer, are phylogenetically concordant for flea beetle species. If so, they could be used to determine the intraspecific geographic history of A. litigata collected from Oenothera and Lagerstroemia species. We discuss how these markers, in conjunction with morphology and host plant feeding behavior, can not only help to validate morphologically difficult taxa but also can illuminate herbivore-plant genetic structure through phylogeny analyses.
Radiotracer assays (35S) of sulfate reduction rates in marine and freshwater sediments

Publisher Summary The current understanding of sulfate reduction has been derived from assays based on 35 SO 4 2 , a readily available and relatively inexpensive radiotracer that can be purchased in a carrier-free form with very high specific activity. Prior to routine use of radiolabeled sulfate, sulfate reduction rates in marine sediments were assayed successfully with depletion methods and diagenetic modeling. Depletion approaches, which simply measure loss of sulfate over time, have proven suitable in cases where extended incubations are feasible. Depletion approaches, which have no significant regulatory concerns—for example, disposal of radioactive wastes—, and which require minimal sample processing and analytical facilities, have offered attractive nonisotopic alternatives to radioassays. Diagenetic modeling, which is based on the use of diffusion-reaction models and sulfate and organic matter concentrations, has been particularly useful for estimating sulfate reduction in deep-sea sediments, where activity occurs at low rates over many meters of the sediment column. Advantages of 35 SO 4 2 include a high level of sensitivity, even for very low rates of activity, the possibility of assessing activity in the presence of sulfide oxidation, short incubation times under near in situ conditions and information on end product formation—for example, elemental sulfur, pyrite.
Episodic Flooding of The Ouachita River: Levee-mediated Mortality of Trees and Saplings in a Bottomland Hardwood Restoration Area

Abstract The Mollicy Farms Unit of Upper Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge, LA, consists of former agricultural land replanted with traditional bottomland hardwood species. Much of it is surrounded by a containment levee built to hold back the annual floodwaters of the Ouachita River. In 2009, two extreme floods, with water levels over 4 m above the flood stage, breached the levee, leaving the area inside the levee inundated for an extended period of time. We investigated the mortality of trees and saplings following these floods. During the initial reforestation efforts, which began in 1998, trees were planted both inside and outside the levee, allowing us to compare tree and sapling mortality based on location, inside or outside the levee. The average mortality of all trees was 40.59%, and the average mortality of all saplings was 48.23%. Both tree and sapling mortality resulted from a significant interaction between elevation and location inside or outside the levee. Overall, results indicated increase...
Antagonistic effects of species on C respiration and net N mineralization in soils from mixed coniferous plantations

Mixtures of litter from different plant species often show non-additive effects on decomposition and net N release (i.e., observed effects in mixtures differ from predictions based on litter of the component species), with positive non-additive (i.e., synergistic effects) being most common. Although large amounts of C and N reside in soil organic matter that contribute significantly to the overall C and N cycle, only a few studies have compared species monoculture vs. mixture effects on soil C and N dynamics. We studied the interactive effects of black spruce (Picea mariana), tamarack (Larix laricina), and white pine (Pinus strobus) on soil C respiration and net N mineralization in a plantation in northern Minnesota, USA. The trees were planted in monoculture and in all three possible two-species combinations (mixtures). After 10 years, we measured aboveground plant biomass and soil C respiration and net N mineralization rates in long-term (266 days) and short-term (13 days) laboratory incubations, respectively. Soil C respiration and net N mineralization were significantly lower in mixtures with tamarack than would be predicted from the monocultures of the two component species. Possibly, mixing of lignin rich litter from black spruce or white pine with N rich litter from tamarack suppressed the formation of lignolytic enzymes or formed complexes highly resistant to microbial degradation. However, these antagonistic effects on soil C respiration and net N mineralization in mixtures with tamarack did not result in reduced aboveground biomass in these plots after 10 years of growth. It remains to be seen if these antagonistic effects will affect long-term forest productivity and dynamics in boreal forests. Published by Elsevier B.V.
World Health Organization Group 5 Drugs for the Treatment of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis: Unclear Efficacy or Untapped Potential?

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 1.3 million people with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid and rifampin will require treatment in the 27 countries with the highest MDR-tuberculosis burden between 2010 and 2015 [1]. Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-tuberculosis; caused by M. tuberculosis resistant to isoniazid, rifampin, fluoroquinolones, and at least one injectable agent), a more difficult-to-treat form of tuberculosis, is widespread [2]. Second-line drugs used to treat drug-resistant (DR) tuberculosis have undesirable toxicity profiles and/or lack potency, and current MDR-tuberculosis treatment requires at least 18 months of multidrug therapy. To improve treatment of DR-tuberculosis with existing drugs and identify optimized background regimens for trials with new compounds, the Drug Efficacy Subgroup of Research Excellence to Stop tuberculosis Resistance (RESIST-tuberculosis; http://www.resisttb.org) reviewed the extant literature on second-line tuberculosis drugs to ascertain the contribution of individual agents to DR-tuberculosis treatment. This review summarizes the evidence and gaps in knowledge for drugs that are classified by WHO as “group 5”—not recommended for routine use for treatment of DR-tuberculosis because of unclear efficacy (Table ​(Table1)1) [3]. This group includes clofazimine, linezolid, amoxicillin-clavulanate, carbapenems, thiacetazone, and clarithromycin. We highlight and prioritize key research questions about these drugs. Table 1. Grouping of Drugs for Tuberculosis by the World Health Organization
LA CLIOMETRIA: UNA VISION NORTEAMERICANA *

Me siento honrado de contarme entre los participantes en la tercera reunion de Historia Cuantitativa espanola. Las ponencias han sido invariablemente de gran calidad, y la discusion, animada. De hecho se percibe una emocion en el ambiente como yo no he sentido desde los anos sesenta, cuando los cliometras americanos estaban iniciando lo que resulto ser una profunda revolucion intelectual. Me parece por ello especialmente apropiado compartir con vosotros algunas consideraciones sobre el lugar que ha ocupado la cliometria en las universidades norteamericanas y hacia donde parece ahora encaminarse. Empezare por el principio.
Motivational Attributions About Intimate Partner Violence Among Male and Female Perpetrators

Given the widely acknowledged negative impact and pervasiveness of intimate partner violence (IPV), many have sought to discover why people perpetrate IPV. To this end, IPV risk factors have been extensively studied and attributions have recently received more attention. Evidence suggests males and females have similar attributions and both engage in IPV. Yet, IPV tactics and attribution rates appear to differ by perpetrator sex. This study explores whether males and females tend to attribute different reasons to their IPV, and whether these attributions help to distinguish among physical and psychological IPV tactics. The study tests three hypotheses: that IPV tactics and attributions will differ between females and males, that females and males will have similar latent constructs associated with types of attributions made about IPV, and that males and females will have different relationships among attribution factors and IPV tactics. This study is based on a cross-sectional survey of 5,035 18- to 25-ye...
View-point independent 3D curved object recognition using range data

An approach to representing and recognizing general 3D curved objects using range data is introduced. A 3D generalized Hough transformation which can be applied to general 3D curved-object recognition and which reduces the computation time and storage requirements is developed. The approach makes use of the relative geometric differences between particular points on the object surface and some virtual points which are prespecified arbitrarily and by task. The method has several advantages, such as a simple knowledge base with less storage requirement, flexibility of the database design according to the tasks to be performed, and the capability of compensating for the uncertainties of position estimation due to noise and quantization error. However, the algorithm may not be suitable for a purely planar object. >
Perceptions of Police Disrespect During Vehicle Stops: A Race-Based Analysis

Blacks and Whites perceive American social institutions in very different terms, and views of the police are no exception. Prior research has consistently demonstrated that race is one of the most salient predictors of attitudes toward the police, with African Americans expressing more dissatisfaction than Whites. The purpose of this research is to evaluate this issue by examining the relative influence of vicarious experience and more general trust in social institutions on Black-White differences in perceptions of disrespect by the police. Using survey data from the North Carolina Highway Traffic Study, the results suggest that vicarious experience and more long-standing trust in social institutions influence the likelihood that respondents will perceive police as disrespectful.
Increased insulin secretory capacity but decreased insulin sensitivity after correction of iron overload by phlebotomy in hereditary haemochromatosis.

Aims/hypothesis We recently demonstrated that humans with hereditary haemochromatosis have decreased insulin secretory capacity with a compensatory increase in insulin sensitivity. We therefore determined how these measures change after correction of tissue iron overload.
Inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 on Blueberries by Electrolyzed Water, Ultraviolet Light, and Ozone

: Increased interest in blueberries due to their nutritional and health benefits has led to an increase in consumption. However, blueberries are consumed mostly raw or minimally processed and are susceptible to microbial contamination like other type of fresh produce. This study was, therefore, undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of electrostatic spray of electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water, UV light, ozone, and a combination of ozone and UV light in killing Escherichia coli O157:H7 on blueberries. A 5-strain mixture of E. coli O157:H7 were inoculated on the calyx and skin of blueberries and then subjected to the treatments. Electrostatic EO water spray reduced initial populations of E. coli O157:H7 by only 0.13 to 0.24 log CFU/g and 0.88 to 1.10 log CFU/g on calyx and skin of blueberries, respectively. Ozone treatment with 4000 mg/L reduced E. coli O157:H7 by only 0.66 and 0.72 log CFU/g on calyx and skin of blueberries, respectively. UV light at 20 mW/cm2 for 10 min was the most promising single technology and achieved 2.14 and greater than 4.05 log reductions of E. coli O157:H7 on the calyx and skin of blueberries, respectively. The combination treatment of 1 min ozone and followed by a 2 min UV achieved more than 1 and 2 log additional reductions on blueberry calyx than UV or ozone alone, respectively. Practical Application: Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses have been associated with consumption of fresh produce. Many methods for removing pathogens as well as minimizing their effect on quality of treated produce have been investigated. UV technology and its combination with ozone used in this study to inactive E. coli O157:H7 on blueberries was found effective. Results from this study may help producers and processors in developing hurdle technologies for the delivery of safer blueberries to consumers.
Complications of Soft Tissue Bulking Agents Used in the Treatment of Urinary Leakage

Why are bulking agents used for stress urinary incontinence? Mentally-based urinary incontinence occurring with increases in intra-abdominal pressure is the sign qua non of stress urinary incontinence and results from urethral failure to resist increases in intra-abdominal pressure. The proximate cause may be related to poor anatomic support of the urethra and bladder neck; this generally responds well to pelvic floor resuspension procedures of various types. Urethral failure, however, may be also intrinsic, meaning the urethral closure pressure is inefficient at resisting increases in intra-abdominal pressures; this is generally treated with sphincter augmentation procedures, which include periurethral bulking agents [1]. Of course, while there is considerable overlap between these two causes of stress urinary incontinence, treatment success with bulking agents used in the patient with predominantly poor anatomic support do not differ markedly from the treatment success in the patient with predominantly intrinsic sphincteric deficiency (ISD) [2, 3]. Conventionally, however, the use of bulking agents is more widely applied if the urinary loss related to poor urethral function without hypermobility.
Shape and pose recovery from planar pushing

Tactile exploration refers to the use of physical interaction to infer object properties. In this work, we study the feasibility of recovering the shape and pose of a movable object from observing a series of contacts. In particular, we approach the problem of estimating the shape and trajectory of a planar object lying on a frictional surface, and being pushed by a frictional probe. The probe, when in contact with the object, makes observations of the location of contact and the contact normal.
Встреча людей Средневековья на пороге века Просвещения (князь Куракин и герцог Сен-Симон)

“A Meeting Between Two Medieval Men on the Doorstep of the Enlightened Age: Prince Kurakin and the Duc de Saint-Simon” This article reconstructs the cultural context surrounding the meeting between a well-born Russian servitor (Prince B. I. Kurakin) and a French aristocrat (Louis de Rouvroy, duc de Saint-Simon). As the author demonstrates, notwithstanding their different backgrounds and experiences, these two representatives of the ancien regime shared many things in common, including an avid interest in noble genealogy, honor, and life-writing. These commonly-shared interests formed the basis of a mutually-beneficial relationship, and may even have informed their political and literary activity.
The Biotechnology Cluster in San Diego: An Analysis of IPO Activity and Probability of Success for Firms

The biotech cluster in San Diego is dominated by small firms, with approximately 73% of the firms employing between 1 to 49 employees. Among the main important sources of financing for the biotech companies are venture capital and initial public offerings. In spite of the aggregate increase in the number of firms and employees in the biotech cluster, there is a high degree of heterogeneity at the level of individual firms. This paper uses of the data on the firms that have initiated an IPO offering between 1990-2000, and analyzes how the probability of “success” for these firms depend on various firm’s characteristics. I use two “success” measure and the empirical results indicate that the probability of success is positively influenced by the number of employees and the IPO amount.
The role of social capital in endangered species management: A valuable resource

The whooping crane (Grus americana) is an endangered North American species facing multiple environmental and anthropogenic threats. Even if the species thrives, it must continue to be managed after recovery because the threats will not abate. We examined how social capital serves as a resource for potential community involvement in whooping crane management by conducting semi-structured interviews (Jul–Sep 2010) of 35 individuals, 25 of whom are concerned community members who work and/or live in the wintering grounds of the lone wild population of whooping cranes in the Texas Coastal Bend, USA. We used an iterative process of inductive analysis to examine structural and cognitive dimensions of social capital within the community. We observed networks with bonding ties within the community that are strengthened by active engagement in crane-related activities, shared values and community identity, and institutions that have fostered leadership and service. Bridging ties between community and state, federal, academic, and nonprofit organizations offer opportunities for knowledge sharing and legitimacy. Reciprocity and trust were evident from descriptions of the community working together effectively to address environmental and crane-related concerns. Challenges to successful community involvement include finding ways for meaningful community contributions to foster greater trust between the community and federal natural resource managers. We suggest social capital in this community provides a resource that has the potential to save time and money in addressing ongoing efforts to protect this charismatic endangered species. © 2015 The Wildlife Society.
Hepatic abscesses as a complication of the sump syndrome: Combined surgical and endoscopic therapy. Case report and review of the literature

The "sump syndrome" is an unusual complication of side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy in which the portion of the common bile duct distal to the anastamosis acts as a sump and may collect bile, stones, food, and other debris. Partial or complete obstruction of the stoma and resultant bacterial proliferation may result and lead to recurrent cholangitis or pancreatitis. A single hepatic abscess as a complication of the sump syndrome has been reported only once. We have recently seen a patient presenting with multiple hepatic abscesses as a complication of the sump syndrome. This is the first report of endoscopic treatment of this syndrome associated with a hepatic abscess. The literature on the endoscopic approach to this problem will be reviewed.
Tunable Carrier Type and Density in Graphene/PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 Hybrid Structures through Ferroelectric Switching

Bidirectional interdependency between graphene doping level and ferroelectric polarization is demonstrated in graphene/PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 hybrid structures. The polarization of the PbZr0.2Ti0.8O3 can be effectively switched with graphene electrodes and can in turn alter carrier type and density in the graphene. A complete reversal of the current–voltage hysteresis direction is observed in the graphene when external environmental factors are minimized, converting p-type graphene into n-type with an estimated carrier density change as large as ∼1013 cm–2. Nonvolatility and reversibility are also demonstrated.
The Singing Behavior of Eastern Screech-Owls: Seasonal Timing and Response to Playback of Conspecific Song

Eastern Screech-Owls (Otus asio) possess a repertoire of two song types, the bounce and the whinny. We examined (1) seasonal variation in the use of these songs in central Kentucky and (2) the responses of male and female screech-owls to the playback of bounce songs. The spontaneous use of bounce songs increased during February and March, declined in April and May, increased again in June and continued through November. The spontaneous use of whinny songs increased dramatically during August and September and continued through November. Playback experiments revealed that (1) males uttered significantly more bounce songs than did females, and (2) owls responding with bounce songs were located significantly closer to the speaker than were those responding with whinny songs. Our results suggest, therefore, that bounce songs are directed to nearby conspecifics while whinny songs are directed to more distant individuals. Based on patterns of seasonal change in spontaneous use, we tentatively conclude that bounce songs are used in both aggressive and nonaggressive contexts while whinny songs are used in aggressive contexts.
Mechanism of Intermolecular Ene-yne Metathesis Promoted by the Grubbs First-Generation Catalyst: An Alternative Entry Point to Catalysis

The kinetics of intermolecular alkene−alkyne (ene-yne) metathesis promoted by the first generation Grubbs catalyst (Cy3P)2Cl2Ru═CHPh (1) were investigated. The dissociated tricyclohexylphosphine plays an important kinetic role during the initial exchange with the terminal alkyne, resulting in a half-order rate dependence on 1 and first-order dependence on the alkyne.
Partitioning a Triangle into 5 Triangles Similar to IT

(1972). Partitioning a Triangle into 5 Triangles Similar to IT. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 45, No. 1, pp. 37-42.
The Design of Reliability of Asphalt Pavement Structure

Based on "the Stand of designing in Highway Flexible Pavement" and "Unified standard for reliability design of highway engineering structures"(GB/T 50283-1999),this article uses an example to expounds the reliability concept of asphalt pavement.Simultaneously,the reliability of the design method for asphalt pavement is presented by means of probabilistic method and stochastic process and the variability of all design parameters.
The Effects of Pressure on the Luminescence and Raman Scattering of CdS

Cadmium sulphide (CdS) is one of the many well-studied II ’ VI semiconductors due to its important optical properties and device applications. The observation of a large diamagnetism and low resistivity in freshly pressure quenched CdS containing chlorine impurities1 indicates the possibility of superconductivity above 77°K in these samples. A theoretical model2 suggests that this anomalous diamagnetism could be due to an excitonic mechanism involving a large number of donor impurities in the high pressure rocksalt phase of CdS. Since little is known about the behavior of these impurities, it is of interest to study the optical properties of CdS under pressure.
High-Level Rules for Integration and Analysis of Data: New Challenges

Data integration remains a perenially difficult task. The need to access, integrate and make sense of large amounts of data has, in fact, accentuated in recent years. There are now many publicly available sources of data that can provide valuable information in various domains. Concrete examples of public data sources include: bibliographic repositories (DBLP, Cora, Citeseer), online movie databases (IMDB), knowledge bases (Wikipedia, DBpedia, Freebase), social media data (Facebook and Twitter, blogs). Additionally, a number of more specialized public data repositories are starting to play an increasingly important role. These repositories include, for example, the U.S. federal government data, congress and census data, as well as financial reports archived by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
A Retrospective Survival Study of Trabecular Tantalum Implants Immediately Placed in Posterior Extraction Sockets Using a Flapless Technique.

A retrospective review of patient records was conducted in a single private practice to evaluate the efficacy of immediately placing a novel implant design in posterior jaw locations using a flapless technique. Forty-two patients (22 males, 20 females) with a mean (SD) age of 60.2 (7.6) years (range = 31–68) presented with 1–2 nonrestorable molar (maxillary = 14; mandibular = 8) or premolar (maxillary = 20; mandibular = 1) teeth compromised by periodontal disease, endodontic failure, root resorption, root fracture, or severe caries. Most patients (78.6%) had moderate (66.7%) or severe (11.9%) periodontitis. Other comorbidities included smoking (14.3%) and controlled diabetes mellitus (11.9%). After atraumatic extraction, teeth were immediately replaced with a total of 44 trabecular tantalum implants (Trabecular Metal Implants, Zimmer Biomet Dental) (diameter = 3.7–4.7 mm; length = 10–13 mm). Sites requiring augmentation were treated with 3 types of small-particle (250–1000 μm), mineralized, solvent-dehydr...
Optical steganography communication using signal-carrying noise dispersion

We propose an optical steganography approach that can be easily implemented in the existing communication networks. Chirped fiber Bragg grating (CFBG) is used to create the stealth communication channel and disperse the signal carried by amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise.
Food responsiveness regulates episodic behavioral states in Caenorhabditis elegans

Animals optimize survival and reproduction in part through control of behavioral states, which depend on an organism's internal and external environments. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans a variety of behavioral states have been described, including roaming, dwelling, quiescence, and episodic swimming. These states have been considered in isolation under varied experimental conditions, making it difficult to establish a unified picture of how they are regulated. Using long-term imaging, we examined C. elegans episodic behavioral states under varied mechanical and nutritional environments. We found that animals alternate between high-activity (active) and low-activity (sedentary) episodes in any mechanical environment, while the incidence of episodes and their behavioral composition depend on food levels. During active episodes, worms primarily roam, as characterized by continuous whole body movement. During sedentary episodes, animals exhibit dwelling (slower movements confined to the anterior half of the body) and quiescence (a complete lack of movement). Roaming, dwelling, and quiescent states are manifest not only through locomotory characteristics but also in pharyngeal pumping (feeding) and in egg-laying behaviors. Next, we analyzed the genetic basis of behavioral states. We found that modulation of behavioral states depends on neuropeptides and insulin-like signaling in the nervous system. Sensory neurons and the Foraging homolog EGL-4 regulate behavior through control of active/sedentary episodes. Optogenetic stimulation of dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons induced dwelling, implicating dopamine as a dwell-promoting neurotransmitter. Our findings provide a more unified description of behavioral states and suggest that perception of nutrition is a conserved mechanism for regulating animal behavior.NEW & NOTEWORTHY One strategy by which animals adapt to their internal states and external environments is by adopting behavioral states. The roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans is an attractive model for investigating how behavioral states are genetically and neuronally controlled. Here we describe the hierarchical organization of behavioral states characterized by locomotory activity, feeding, and egg-laying. We show that decisions to engage in these behaviors are controlled by the nervous system through insulin-like signaling and the perception of food.
A Miniaturized 0.78-mW/cm2 Autonomous Thermoelectric Energy-Harvesting Platform for Biomedical Sensors

In order to use thermoelectric energy harvesters (TEHs) as a truly autonomous energy source for size-limited sensing applications, it is essential to improve the power conversion efficiency and energy density. This study presents a thin-film, array-based TEH with a surface area of 0.83 cm2. The TEH autonomously supplies a power management IC fabricated in a 65-nm CMOS technology. The IC utilizes a single-inductor topology with integrated analog maximum power point tracking (MPPT), resulting in a 68% peak end-to-end efficiency (92% converter efficiency) and less than 20-ms MPPT. In an in-vivo test, a 645-μW regulated output power (effective 3.5 K of temperature gradient) was harvested from a rat implanted with our TEH, demonstrating true energy independence in a real environment while showing a 7.9 × improvement in regulated power density compared to the state-of-the-art. The system showed autonomous operation down to 65-mV TEH input.
Decollectivization, Collective Legacy, and Uneven Agricultural Development in China

Summary China has seen persistent regional inequality in agricultural productivity since it dismantled its rural collectives in the early 1980s. This paper evaluates the effects of collective legacies on the agricultural performance after decollectivization. We construct a Collective Legacy Index (CLI) based on the achievements in the areas of rural infrastructure, education, and health under collectives. Using a district-level panel dataset, we find that the CLI has long-term positive effects on agricultural development after decollectivization. That is, districts that already performed well under socialism could still succeed under a different institution because they had superior infrastructure and human capital. At the same time, districts with less successful experience under socialism are less likely to catch up even after dismantling the collective institutions. The results with an instrumental variable (the pace of decollectivization) further reinforce this conclusion. We therefore argue that different collective legacies contribute to the uneven development in rural China. To tackle its problems of regional inequality, China needs to appreciate the role of its collective legacies in development.
Comparison of real time motor fault signature analysis algorithms for drive embedded systems

This paper presents comparison of real-time fault signature analysis algorithms for embedded systems used in permanent magnet (PM) motor drives. The proposed algorithms are used to identify key features of every single signature in motor variables such as amplitude and phase. Three methods including Adaptive-Linear-Neuron (ADALINE), Goertzel and fault (reference) frame transformation are discussed and implementation details, CPU utilization, implementation time etc are summarized. It is shown that the fault frame transformation has the best performance and lowest CPU utilization. ADALINE also has good accuracy and calculates all signatures' amplitude and phase simultaneously whereas other methods calculate every single component one by one. The Goertzel algorithm needs higher number of samples to provide acceptable accuracy. All of these methods are developed in AC drive controller and tested on a PM motor with magnet defect fault. Comparative simulations and experimental results justify the theoretical analysis and provide comparative evaluation of the proposed algorithms.
Vessel Arrival Process and Queueing in Marine Ports Handling Bulk Materials

We study the vessel arrival process in bulk ports handling either cargo containers or minerals. Then we introduce the SHIP/G/1 queue to be able to study the queueing behavior at the port. We present approximations for the asymptotic probabilities of delay and the number of vessels at the port. Numerical examples show the accuracy of the approximations. In appendices, we provide details of the analysis of the number of vessels at the port and the correlation properties of the vessel arrival process.
A Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial of the Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children

The Unified Protocol for Transdiagnostic Treatment of Emotional Disorders in Children (UP-C) is an intervention for children aged 7 to 13 targeting high negative emotion, emotional reactivity, and emotion regulation deficits common across emotional disorders. Our objective was to collect pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) data on the efficacy of the UP-C, comparing UP-C with an active, anxiety-focused intervention. Participants were 47 children with at least one primary anxiety disorder; approximately one half had elevated depression symptoms. Participants received either UP-C or the anxiety-focused control treatment. No condition-related differences were found with respect to diagnostic remission and anxiety symptoms. However, differences in favor of UP-C were observed with respect to treatment response at follow-up, depression symptoms, sadness dysregulation, and cognitive reappraisal. Results provide preliminary evidence that the UP-C may be at least as efficacious in treating anxiety as well-supported anxiety-specific treatment protocols and may produce greater gains in certain emotion reactivity and regulation variables.
How Does Forced-CEO-Turnover Experience Affect Directors?

We study changes in independent director behavior and labor-market outcomes after the experience of a forced Chief Executive Officer (CEO) turnover. We find that independent directors are more willing to fire CEOs of underperforming firms, hire outside CEOs after a firing, and encourage better board-meeting attendance by fellow directors. We also find that the shareholders of poorly performing firms react positively when experienced directors join the board. It does come with a small cost for directors, in terms of additional directorships, although the cost is not as great as that for directors who do not fire the CEO of a poorly performing firm.
Measurement of Z\rightarrow \tau \tau Production

This chapter presents a measurement of the \(Z\) production cross section when \(Z\) decays to tau pairs using the 2011 data sample.
Quantification of kinetic rate law parameters for the dissolution of natural autunite in the presence of aqueous bicarbonate ions at high concentrations.

Abstract Uranium is a key contaminant of concern in the groundwater at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) facilities within the United States and is a potential source of groundwater contamination and a risk to human health and the environment through discharges to surface water. Dissolved inorganic carbon (bicarbonate/carbonate) has a high affinity for complexing with uranium that is present as sorbed or unique uranium-bearing mineral phases within the sedimentary matrix. This process can result in the formation of soluble uranyl carbonate aqueous species, which are mobile under circumneutral pH conditions. This study was conducted to quantify the rate of release of uranium from the autunite mineral, (Ca[(UO 2 )(PO 4 )] 2 •3H 2 O), that was formed during polyphosphate injection to remediate uranium; the dissolution of uranium was studied as a function of the aqueous bicarbonate concentration, ranging from 25 to 100 mM. Experiments were carried out in the pH range from 7 to 11 in the temperature range of 23–90 °C via single-pass flow-through testing. Consistent with the results of previous studies (Gudavalli et al., 2013a, 2013b), the rate of uranium release from autunite exhibited minimal dependency on temperature, but was strongly dependent on pH and increasing concentrations of bicarbonate in the solution. Data obtained during these experiments were compared with results of previous experiments conducted using a low-concentration range of bicarbonate solutions (0.5–3.0 mM). An 8- to 30-fold increase in the rate of uranium release was observed in the presence of high bicarbonate concentrations at pH 7–8 compared to low bicarbonate values, while at pH 9–11, there was only a 5-fold increase in uranium rate of release with an increase in bicarbonate concentrations. The rate of uranium release was calculated to be between 5.18 × 10 −8 and 1.69 × 10 −7 mol m −2 s −1 . The activation energy values at high and low bicarbonate concentrations were similar, with ratio values in the range of 0.6–1.0.
Using the Infrastructure of State Aging Services to Promote Prevention Behavior.

INTRODUCTION State infrastructure for aging services, such as programs in county senior centers, can help promote prevention of chronic disease and reach large numbers of older adults. The objective of our study was to assess how well such infrastructure can support prevention efforts. METHODS The University of Pittsburgh CDC Prevention Research Center partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Aging APPRISE program to deliver the 10 Keys to Healthy Aging program. APPRISE is a Medicare counseling program offered at senior centers; the 10 Keys is a series of behavior-activation workshops for people aged 50 or older that cover recommendations of the US Preventive Services Task Force and other evidence-based recommendations for health promotion. We assessed implementation, increases in prevention knowledge, and maintenance of prevention behavior. RESULTS From 2013 through 2016, 1,534 adults at 83 sites participated in the program; 1,044 (68.1%) completed at least 8 of 10 Keys workshops. A total of 736 adults (mean [standard deviation] age, 74.9 [8.3] y) voluntarily completed a 14-item pretest and posttest of prevention knowledge; respondents' knowledge score increased from 61.5% to 78.5% correct (P < .001). In a subsample (n = 339) reporting on their own prevention behaviors at baseline, quiz scores and prevention behaviors were correlated (r = 0.30, P < .001). In monthly telephone follow-up with 147 respondents over 6 months, maintenance of prevention behaviors was strong in the areas of physical activity and hypertension management and significantly higher for people completing a greater number of Keys workshops. CONCLUSION Prevention behavior can be activated in aging services settings and can be incorporated into daily routines.
Limiting Noise in Solid State Devices

Limiting noise sources in various solid state devices are discussed. This involves shot noise in p-n diodes, shot noise in p-n-p transistors, both at low and at very high injection, thermal noise in JFETs and MOSFETs, including hot electron effects and high-frequency effects, noise due to donors in n-channel JFETs noise.
Hormonal regulation of motor systems: how androgens control amplexus (clasping) in male frogs

In this article we review the literature concerning the hormonal, neural, and muscular basis of amplexus (clasping) in male frogs and toads. We also present our recent results on the effects of testosterone on the clasping musculature of Xenopus laevis. Amplexus, the prolonged embrace of females by males during mating, has been characterized as a spinal reflex that is subject to modification by higher neural centers. Many of the cells involved in this behavior have high levels of androgen receptors and cellular structure and function can be regulated by androgens. We find that testosterone modifies the flexor carpi radialis muscle (FCR) such that it has an enhanced ability to maintain low levels of tension while retaining the ability to contract rapidly. These properties are well matched to the functional demands of clasping. Histology reveals that there are regional differences in testosterone sensitivity within the FCR. Tension recordings show that the more androgen-sensitive region of the muscle is composed of fibers that contract more slowly than other regions. These results reveal some of the ways in which the FCR is seasonally remodelled for the specialized task of clasping.
Posthumous Conception and the Social Security Act

Legal issues surrounding posthumously conceived children often arise in the context of the Social Security Act, which looks to state law to determine who qualifies for benefits through a deceased parent. Because the states have failed to promptly respond to the possibility of posthumous conception, reliance on state law does not adequately protect the rights of this special class of children. This Note argues that Congress must create a uniform standard of Social Security eligibility for posthumously conceived children. It details the various developments in reproductive technology that have allowed for the possibility of posthumous conception and explains the Social Security Act and its relationship with the Social Security Administration. It then discusses the four circuit court opinions that created a split on how the Act should be interpreted and the Supreme Court's 2012 decision resolving the split. The Note finally argues that posthumously conceived children should not have to rely on state intestacy statutes to qualify for benefits and details the reasons that Congress must update the Act at the federal level before offering a solution.