cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Importance of weather to the distribution and abundance of introduced adelgid and scale insects.

Abstract Five piercing and sucking insects that were accidentally introduced from Asia during this century have become serious pests of two important forest tree species in the northeastern U.S.A. Two armored scales, Fiorinia externa Ferris and Nuculaspis tsugae (Marlatt), and an adelgid, Adelges tsugae Annand, attack eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis Carriere, and a margarodid scale, Matsucoccus matsumurae (Kuwana), and another adelgid, Pineus boerneri Annand, attack red pine, Pinus resinosa Aiton. Studies conducted in China, Japan and Connecticut compared native and introduced populations of these insects, and revealed the importance of weather to their distribution and abundance. Weather has influenced the distribution and abundance of these forest pests in New England by affecting their dispersal and establishment. Wind has accelerated their spread; eggs and young nymphs become airborne on local and prevailing winds and are carried throughout, and at least 1 km away from infested forests. The dispersal rates of these insects have been influenced by the number of generations completed each year, the number of offspring produced by each adult female and whether reproduction was sexual or parthenogenetic. Extremes of summer and winter temperatures have also affected the establishment of introduced adelgids and scales by determining the ultimate limits of their latitudinal distributions. Heavy rain during certain times of the year has also reduced the abundance of these insects by dislodging small fragile eggs and nymphs from their hosts.
Virtual Rheoscopic Fluids

We present a visualization technique for simulated fluid dynamics data that visualizes the gradient of the velocity field in an intuitive way. Our work is inspired by rheoscopic particles, which are small, flat particles that, when suspended in fluid, align themselves with the shear of the flow. We adopt the physical principles of real rheoscopic particles and apply them, in model form, to 3D velocity fields. By simulating the behavior and reflectance of these particles, we are able to render 3D simulations in a way that gives insight into the dynamics of the system. The results can be rendered in real time, allowing the user to inspect the simulation from all perspectives. We achieve this by a combination of precomputations and fast ray tracing on the GPU. We demonstrate our method on several different simulations, showing their complex dynamics in the process.
In vivo activity of colloidal hamycin, an antifungal antibiotic.

SummaryA colloidal dispersion of hamy-cin was prepared, bioassayed, and given par-enterally to mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans or Histoplasma capsulatum. Either infection was sterilized in many mice when doses of hamycin approached toxic levels. Colloidal hamycin given orally controlled cryptococcosis in mice and caused no obvious toxicity. The rabbit was more sensitive than the mouse to the lethal effects of colloidal hamycin injected intravenously. The cause of death in the rabbit was cardiotoxic-ity.Hamycin used in these experiments was obtained from Hindustan Antibiotics, Ltd., through the courtesy of M. J. Thirumalachar.
Inactivation of intracellular copper-zinc superoxide dismutase by copper chelating agents without glutathione depletion and methemoglobin formation.

Abstract The copper chelator N , N ′-dietyldithiocarbamate (DDC), is often used to inactivated intracellular copper-zinc superoxide dismutase in erythrocytes. However, in studies with red cells we found that the compound also reacted with oxyhemoglobin to produce oxygen radicals in addition to generating lipid peroxidation products oxidized N , N ′-diethyldithiocarbamate, methemoglobin, and sulfhemoglobin. Moreover, intracellular glutathione was depleted and vital cellular enzymes were susceptible to inactivation. We, and others, have confirmed these findings in nonerythrocytic cell lines. Thus, cells exposed to DDC are severely damaged before studies on the effects of added putative superoxide producing compounds can be performed with them. In this paper, we have systematically investigated other copper chelators for their ability to inactivate intracellular copper-zinc superoxide dismutase without producing the deleterious effects mentioned above. Catechol, triethylenetetramine, and tetraethylenepentamine were found to be such agents when erythrocytes were dial[yzed in the cold against dilute solutions of these chelators. In addition, with a myeloid leukemic cell line (HL-60), triethylenetetramine inhibited SOD without causing significant GSH oxidation. Examination of the affinity constants of chelators active against purified copper-zinc superoxide dismutase indicated that an affinity binding constant (log K 1 ) between 12.6 and 13.8 was required for the chelator to successfully remove copper from the enzyme.
Career, Marriage, and Family: Values in Adult Roles and Guidance

Use of occupational, marriage, and parenthood values may help young women to distinguish values that can be satisfied in major adult roles and assist in the earlier formation of a vocational identity.
The perception of Ganoderma lucidum in Chinese and Western culture

The art, mythology, and controversial science surrounding Ganoderma lucidum (Ling Chih) in China are described.
Using actual production runs of components to teach implementation of statistical process control techniques

As part of the Manufacturing and Plastics Engineering Technology (MET and PET) programs at Western Washington University, a different approach to teaching the implementation of statistical process control (SPC) methods has been undertaken. The MET students having already studied the fundamentals and applications of machining and computer numerical control (CNC) in required courses, produced small and medium batch runs of various machined metal parts in the machining processes laboratory. The PET students produced medium batch runs of injection moulded parts in the plastics processing laboratory. These parts were of various population sizes and had different quality characteristics and were used in teaching SPC techniques. Different quality characteristics which included both variables and attributes were monitored by the students during and after the manufacturing processes. The data collected was used to plot control charts for variables which included X bar, X, Range and Sigma charts. For attributes data, P, NP, C and U charts were plotted. An analysis of the charts was conducted to determine any special causes of variations using the application of run tests. The same data was used for conducting process capability analysis. With the use of actual produced parts and real data collection and interpretation, it was found that the students gained a better understanding of the fundamentals of SPC. The paper discusses the approach undertaken, its implementation, the results and some of the student reviews and evaluations collected after the process.
MPEG-2 Coded Video Traces Transmitted Over aSatellite Link: Scalable and Non-Scalable Solutionsin Rain Fading Conditions

The literature is poor in the analyses of the effects produced by corrupted bits in compressed video bitstreams. This paper presents the results of a transmission experiment of MPEG-2 coded video data over a satellite link affected by noise, in order to investigate under which conditions this type of transmission is economically feasible. The signal-to-noise ratio scalability feature of the MPEG-2 encoder was used to produce different bitstreams of the same movie sequence. The scope of the study was to verify which are the best combinations of video and channel codings in the presence of attenuation on the satellite link, in order to optimize the bandwidth utilisation for a requested image quality. The results obtained give indications about the data channel codings to be used to counter the rain fade on the transmission link, which is a non negligible problem especially when satellite transmissions are in the Ka band. Moreover, the results highlight the flexibility of the scalable video coding in the examined scenario.
Proposed ACGME change in length of radiology residency training before independent call: results of a survey of program directors and chief residents.

Purpose To assess radiology residency program directors' and chief rresidents' views regarding the Radiology Residency Review Committee's proposed revision of program requirements which would delay independent call until a resident has had 12 months of radiology training. Methods A Web-based survey was distributed electronically to the program directors and chief residents of 188 radiology residency programs. Survey responses were collected for two weeks in November-December 2006. Results The survey was completed by 91 Program Directors and 165 Chief Residents. There were no statistically significant differences between the two grooups of respondents on any of the 9 questions pertaining to the proposed call requirement change. Approximately 70% of the program directors and 80% of the chief residents disagreed or disagreed strongly that they were in favor of the proposed ACGME change. Strong opposition to the change was independent of both program size and current compliance with the proposed change. Over 70% in both groups disagree or strongly disagree that the proposed change would positively affect residency training. Conclusions The majority of survey respondents oppose changing the minimum required length of radiology residency training prior to residents' providing independent on-call radiology interpretations from 6 months to 12 months.
Plasma Fibronectin Concentration A Risk Factor for Arterial Thrombosis

Accumulation and cohesion of platelets at sites of vascular injury are essential for the formation of the hemostatic plug but also result in thrombosis.1,2 Platelet plug or thrombus formation is initiated by interaction of platelet receptors with components of extracellular matrix (ECM) of injured vessels. Fibronectin is both an ECM component and moderately abundant 460-kDa glycoprotein in blood, present at 300 to 400 μg/mL (0.6 to 0.9 μmol/L) in plasma and 0.5 μg per 3×108 platelets in platelet α-granules.3–5 Plasma fibronectin is a dimer of nearly identical 230-kDa subunits (Figure) that can multimerize to the insoluble form found in ECM.6 Because it is a ligand of platelet surface receptors and an ECM component, fibronectin has long been suspected of playing a role in platelet biology.4,5 Interestingly, fibronectin and its type I module, of which there are 12 in fibronectin (Figure), are well characterized to date only in vertebrates.7,8 Therefore, fibronectin seems to be a recent addition to the armamentarium of proteins that function in the vertebrate vasculature. A, Diagram of dimeric plasma fibronectin. N termini are on the outsides, and C termini are in the middle. The bulk of each subunit consists of 12 type I, 2 type II, and 15 type III modules. One subunit contains the alternatively spliced V region. The N-terminal regions that bind to platelet surface sites of fibronectin assembly and RGD-containing module III-10 that binds to αIIbβ3 and other platelet integrins are indicated. Below is a simplified model in which the C-terminal region is represented as an oval and the III-10 modules as triangles. B, Depiction of interactions of fibronectin with platelets. Circulating soluble …
Numerical methods for robust control design for distributed parameter systems

The authors discuss a numerical method for constructing feedback control laws which are robust with respect to disturbances or structured uncertainties. They show that known convergence results for the standard linear quadratic regulator problem may be implemented and used as the basis for a numerical method for constructing control laws. For the case of structured uncertainties, they show that results of J.L. Speyer and I. Rhee (1990) for the finite-dimensional case can be extended to infinite dimensions. Their approach is to take advantage of the factorization of the structured uncertainty so that the uncertainty is treated as a disturbance. A differential game framework is then applied. Numerical examples are presented. >
Rebuilding Community Block by Block

In 2003, Louisiana State University’s (LSU’s) Office of Community Design and Development was awarded a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Outreach Partnership Center Community Futures Demonstration grant to investigate new prototypes for sustainable affordable housing. Following the devastation of New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005, the focus of the grant was shifted to developing a homebuilding training program for New Orleans residents that resulted in the construction of the first two, new post-Hurricane Katrina houses in the Lower 9 neighborhood on the north side of the Lower 9th. A construction team of previously unskilled workers and 13 fourth-year students in the undergraduate professional degree program in architecture at LSU completed the work. This enterprise is discussed in the context of community participation, service learning, and the capital market for affordable housing in New Orleans at the time of the project. The demonstration project has not secured additional funding for continuation at this time; however, the process was deemed successful and the authors suggest six actions for replicating the program.
Roles of intracellular cAMP and protein kinase A in the actions of dopamine and neurotensin on midbrain dopamine neurons

The role of intracellular cAMP and protein kinase A in dopamine-induced inhibition of dopamine neurons and the attenuation of this inhibition by neurotensin were studied in rat midbrain slices. Spontaneous activity of dopamine cells was recorded extracellularly from both the ventral tegmental area and the substantia nigra. Perfusion of the slices with 8-bromo-cAMP and forskolin significantly attenuated dopamine-induced inhibition, but neither blocked the inhibition completely. Neither SQ22536, an inhibitor of adenylate cyclase, nor H8, an inhibitor of protein kinase A, mimicked the inhibitory effect of dopamine on dopamine neurons, although they potentiated dopamine's effect. These results indicate that dopamine-induced inhibition of dopamine neurons can be affected by intracellular cAMP levels, but is unlikely to be mediated solely by inhibition of adenylate cyclase. The similarities between the effects of neurotensin and those of 8-bromo-cAMP and forskolin suggest that intracellular cAMP may be involved in the actions of neurotensin. This suggestion is supported by our findings that isobutyl-methylxanthine (an inhibitor of phosphodiesterases) potentiated the effect of neurotensin and SQ22536 and H8 antagonized it. Phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (an activator of protein kinase C) did not mimic the effect of neurotensin, and H7 (an inhibitor of protein kinase C) did not reduce the effect, suggesting that protein kinase C is unlikely to be involved in the modulatory effect of neurotensin.
Why voters vote for incumbents but against incumbency: A rational choice explanation

In recent elections, voters supported initiatives to limit the number of terms that their representatives may serve, yet at the same time, overwhelmingly re-elected their incumbents. We provide a theoretical explanation for this and other puzzles associated with voting on term limitations. The pattern of voting on term limits can be explained by the desire to redistribute power from one party to another, from one branch of government to another, and from districts with long-term incumbents to districts whose representatives have served only for a short time span. We test these hypotheses by looking at voting patters on California Proposition 140 and the vote on the 22nd Amendment with generally positive results.
A Natural History of Early Language Experience

Talking is important for children, because the complexity of what children say influences the complexity of other people's responses. This article describes how years of focusing on the talk of 4-year-olds in early intervention led to years of observing 1- through 3-year-olds learning to talk during their everyday interactions with their parents at home. Analysis of the observational data revealed how crucial to development is the amount of children's language experience as partners in the social dances of conversation. The parent behaviors observed to support learning to talk have many implications for research and practice.
eCAM: A Closer Look at Clinical Analyses.

eCAM continues as it began in its quest for providing linkages and revealing the interdependence of basic science and clinical analyses. If one examines the 50 most cited papers for the month of June 2009, it is difficult to determine what is purely clinical and what is basic science; there is significant overlap and blurring. To clarify, one way is to define as clinical any investigations that use exclusively humans in trials. However, using human cells in culture could be classified as an overlap between basic science and clinical investigations. One would not argue that animal models constitute basic science, or that this category would include products from animals or plants and their role in modulating disease. Taking this stance has provided me, the biologist/immunologist, with a chance to explore those areas that (i) overlap, (ii) are biological, (iii) are immunological, and (iv) have a certain “orientation” or trajectory that renders them intimately pertinent to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Clinical evidence-based approaches present unique problems primarily due to human nature and are often difficult to structure, support, plan and complete. We must also examine ethical implications and what may emerge as reputable. It is not always easy to move past single-case reports, which is the base of the hierarchical evidence-based pyramid suggested by Goldrosen and Strauss (1), a paper that has been emphasized as a model as it relates to CAM and immunology and evidence-based analyses (2).
Discovery of potential serum protein biomarkers for lymph node metastasis in oral cancer.

Background The purpose of our study was to identify serum protein biomarkers for node-positive oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Biomarkers indicating lymph node metastasis provides a valuable classification methodology to optimize treatment plans for patients with OSCC. Methods Quantitative serum proteomic analysis of OSCCs with either node-positive or node-negative disease was performed with tandem mass spectrometry and isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ). Immunoassays were used to validate a panel of candidate protein biomarkers and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate the performance of the candidate biomarkers. Results A total of 282 serum proteins were quantified between node-positive and node-negative OSCCs with the proteomic approach. Four candidate biomarkers, gelsolin, fibronectin, angiotensinogen, and haptoglobin, were validated in an independent group of patients with node-positive or node-negative OSCC. The best candidate biomarker, gelsolin, yielded a ROC value of 89% for node-positive OSCC, although the sample size for validation is relatively small. Fibronectin, gelsolin, and angiotensinogen were also found to be differentially expressed between cancer cell lines of node-positive and node-negative cancer origin. Conclusion Our studies suggest that testing of serum protein biomarkers might help detect lymph node metastasis of oral cancer. Because of limited sample size in our studies, long-term longitudinal studies with large populations of individuals with oral cancer are needed to validate these potential biomarkers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 118–125, 2016
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi do not enhance nitrogen acquisition and growth of old-field perennials under low nitrogen supply in glasshouse culture.

Summary • Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are known to promote plant growth when phosphorus is limiting, but the role of AMF in plant growth under nitrogen (N) limiting conditions is unclear. • Here, we manipulated N (control vs inorganic and organic forms) and AMF species (control vs four AMF species) for five old-field perennials grown individually in a glasshouse under N-limiting conditions. • We found that AMF were at best neutral and that some AMF species depressed growth for some plant species (significant plant–fungus interaction). Native plant species growth was strongly depressed by all but one AMF species; exotic plant species were less sensitive to AMF. We found no evidence of plant N preferences. Both natives and exotics were able to acquire more N with N addition, but only exotics grew more with added N. • Our results suggest that AMF do not promote plant N acquisition at low N supply, and our results are consistent with other research showing that AMF can act as a parasitic carbon drain when phosphorus availability is relatively high.
Student or Teacher: The Tensions Faced by a Spanish Language Student Teacher

The contradictory realities of student teaching viewed through the student teachers’ eyes have been the focus of attention of some recent publications (Britzman, 1991; Knowles & Cole, 1994; Carel, S.; Stuckey, A.; Spalding, A.; Parish, D.; Vidaurri, L; Dahlstrom, K.; & Rand, Ch., 1996; Weber & Mitchell, 1996). Student teachers are “marginally situated in two worlds” they are to educate others while being educated themselves (Britzman, 1991, p. 13). Playing the two roles simultaneously is highly difficult. The contradictions, dilemmas, and tensions inherent in such endeavor make the world of the student teacher increasingly problematic. This is further complicated by the power relationships that often permeate the student teacher cooperating teacher relationship. This paper describes salient aspects of the student teaching journey of Sue, a white twenty-two-year-old student teacher of Spanish. It uncovers the tensions and dilemmas experienced by the participant in her quest for professional identity. Data collection sources for this study included (a) two open-ended interviews, each lasting approximately forty-five minutes; (b) one school-day long observation; and (c) a copy of the communication journal between the participant and her cooperating teacher. The data revealed that soon upon entering the student teaching field 8 Colombian Applied Linguistics Journal experience, Sue found herself torn by the ambiguous role in which student teachers are positioned: she was neither a full-fledged teacher nor a student. In trying to negotiate a teaching role for herself, Sue was pulled in different directions. She soon became aware of the powerful position of the cooperating teacher and of her vulnerability within the mentoring relationship. The main tension was manifested in Sue’s struggle to develop her own teaching persona on the one hand, and the pressure to conform to her cooperating teachers’ expectations on the other hand. The implications of the study are discussed.
A four level inverter based drive with a passive front end

Multilevel inverters are suited for high power drive applications due to their increased voltage capability. A four level inverter is able to synthesize better waveforms and attain higher voltages while reducing the device ratings. While converter device count and kVA are high, a conventional diode bridge rectifier is a low cost multilevel drive solution for the input rectifier if suitable inverter side DC voltage balancing schemes can be devised. This paper investigates the operation of four level rectifier/inverter based drives under commonly used modulation schemes. Link voltage balancing and output voltage capability are analyzed for a four level inverter. Simulation results are presented to verify the link voltage balancing strategy in the absence of any balancing action from the rectifier.
Synthesis, characterization and photophysical properties of mixed ligand tris(polypyridyl)chromium(III) complexes, [Cr(phen)2L]3+

Abstract A series of new heteroleptic, tris(polypyridyl)chromium(III) complexes, [Cr(phen) 2 L] 3+ (L = substituted phenanthrolines or bipyridines), has been prepared and characterized, and their photophyical properties in a number of solvents have been investigated. X-ray crystallography measurements confirmed that the cationic (3+) units contain only one ligand L plus two phenanthroline ligands. Electrochemical and photophysical data showed that both ground state potentials and lifetime decays are sensitive to ligand structure and the nature of the solvent with the exception of compounds containing L = 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline (aphen) and 2,2′-bipyrimidine (bpm). Addition of electron-donating groups in the ligand structure shifts redox potentials to more negative values than those observed for the parent compound, [Cr(phen) 3 ] 3+ . Emission decays show a complex dependence with the solvent. The longest lifetime was observed for [Cr(phen) 2 (dip)] 3+ (dip = 4,7-diphenylphenanthroline) in air-free aqueous solutions, τ = 273 μs. Solvent effects are explained in terms of the affinity of hydrophobic complexes for non-polar solvent molecules and the solvent microstructure surrounding chromium units.
Changes in T-wave amplitude in patients with peripheral edema: implications for patients with congestive heart failure and assessment of the T-wave alternans

developed biopotential fiber sensors (BFSs) will reduce the noise artifacts and thus result in a better ST-segment measurement sensitivity. Methods: We recorded 12-lead ECGs simultaneously from wet gel electrodes and from low-mass, nonmetallic BFS assemblies in routine stress testing of the obese patients. The stress test ECG signals were recorded using the X-Scribe II system and a hi-resolution H-12 Holter, both from Mortara Instruments. In each ECG comprising preexercise, peakexercise, and postexercise phases, we have computed mean sinus rhythm cycles then synchronized them with the raw signal and subtracted. The resulting “residue” (noise) was quantified by computing its SD and rootmean-square of successive differences in each signal. We then computed ST levels and J-ST delays in both ECGs for individual beats and on all 12 mean complexes. We evaluated the results using graphic trends of the computer-generated ST measurements and histograms of the differences between the BFS data–generated ST values and the Ag-AgCl electrode data ST values. Two performance measures, the ST measurement sensitivity and the ST measurement positive predictivity, were used to quantify the performance results of the comparison study. This technique allows for accurate evaluation and quantification of the impact of noise on the performance of the ST measurements in both data sets. Results and conclusions: The root-mean-square of successive differences residuum values were significantly lower with the BFS sensors (16.62 ± 2.71 μV) than with the Ag-AgCl electrodes connected to patient cables (37.47 ± 11.69 μV, P b .001 and P b .002). The ST measurement sensitivity and ST measurement positive predictivity were significantly higher for the BFS signals: 75% vs 52% and 64% vs 46, respectively, for Ag-AgCl electrode signals. We conclude that ECGs from BFS were less noisy than from AgAgCl electrodes, resulting in higher ST-segment measurement sensitivity.
Theoretical Models for Reaction Dynamics in Polyatomic Molecular Systems

The reaction path Hamiltonian based on the minimum energy reaction path is reviewed. Another reaction path Hamiltonian, this one based on a straight line path from reactants to products, is also introduced. It is argued that the latter model provides a better description of H-atom transfer reactions, a process for which the former one is poor. A variety of quantum and classical dynamical approaches based on these Hamiltonians are surveyed.
Peter Ma X, Elisseeff Jennifer, (Editors): Scaffolding in Tissue Engineering

Tissue engineering (TE) is a relatively new, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary field that has seen intense development in recent years. One of the main motivations for TE research is the chronic shortage of organ donors and other limitations related to organ and tissue transplantation. The idea that tissues, and ultimately organs, can be "engineered" to be used in patients requiring transplantation is at the same time revolutionary and stimulating. However, TE is a discipline still at its infancy, an intricate puzzle far from being completed. One key piece of this puzzle is the scaffold that provides temporary support for cell proliferation and differentiated function, allowing neotissue formation and initial remodeling. Surely, the choice of the best scaffold for a particular TE application and how to change an existing scaffold to improve its performance are important components of any TE research project.
Measurement of Stiffness and Damping Characateristics of Computer Keyboard Keys

The tactile feel of a computer key is the composite of static and dynamic components, which include stiffness and damping. A computer-controlled test rig that can measure computer key displacement,...
Frequency and Outcomes of a Symptom-Free Waiting Period After Sport-Related Concussion

Background:Guidelines and practices for the management of sport-related concussion (SRC) have evolved swiftly over the past 2 decades. Despite common recommendations for a symptom-free waiting period (SFWP) before returning to sport, past reports have suggested poor utilization rates for this intervention.Purpose:To obtain current estimates of the utilization and characterization of SFWPs with high school and collegiate athletes.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:Data were extracted from a larger prospective study that followed athletes with SRC across 13 institutions in southeastern Wisconsin from 2012 to 2014. Participants included 143 contact and collision sport athletes who were followed serially through their recoveries after SRCs.Results:In the current study sample, 99.3% of athletes used an SFWP. The mean self-reported symptom duration was 6.35 days (median, 5 days), with 72.7% reporting symptom recovery within 1 week of injury, 93.7% within 2 weeks, and 99.3% within 30 days. Rate ...
Mining Hidden Knowledge from the Counterterrorism Dataset Using Graph-Based Approach

Information overloaded is now a matter of fact. These enormous stack of information poses huge potential to discover previously uncharted knowledge. In this paper, we propose a graph based approach integrated with statistical correlation measure to discover latent but valuable information buried under huge corpora. For given two concepts, \(C_i\) and \(C_j\) (e.g. bush and bin ladin), we find the best set of intermediate concepts interlinking them by gleaning across multiple documents. We perform query enrichment on input concepts using Longest Common Substring (LCSubstr) algorithm to enhance the level of granularity. Moreover, we use Kulczynski correlation measure to determine the strength of interdependence between concepts and demote associations with relatively meager statistical significance. Finally, we present our users with ranked paths, along with sentence level evidence to facilitate better interpretation of underlying context. Counterterrorism dataset is used to demonstrate the effectiveness and applicability of our technique.
History of Eastern Pacific Coral Reef Research

During the Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries several renowned researchers—e.g., C. Darwin, J. Dana, A. Agassiz, A.E. Verrill, and T.W. Vaughan—remarked on the absence of coral reefs in the eastern tropical Pacific (ETP), concluding this was due mainly to the influence of cool currents and upwelling centers. From later surveys in southern Mexico in the 1920s (R.H. Palmer), and the Allan Hancock Expeditions across the eastern tropical Pacific in the 1930s (C. Wyatt Durham), workers began to recognize the presence of modest structural coral reef development at several sites in the ETP. A new era of coral reef studies began in the 1970s, and has increased in pace and intellectual depth to the present. This latest surge in coral science was a result of locally active researchers, especially in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia, and more recently in Ecuador and Chile. Progress in coral research in El Salvador and Nicaragua was thwarted from the 1970s to the early 1990s because of political turmoil and violence in this sector of the eastern Pacific. The establishment of national research funding agencies in Latin American countries, such as CONACYT (Mexico), CONICIT (Costa Rica), COLCIENCIAS (Colombia), and FONDECYT (Chile), has greatly benefitted coral reef research as well as scholarship opportunities for resident students to pursue advanced studies in marine science. The availability of vessels to support research in remote areas and at offshore sites has also facilitated ETP coral studies. Contrary to early views, structural coral reefs were discovered in major upwelling centers—southern Mexico (Huatulco), Costa Rica (Guanacaste), and Panama (Gulf of Panama). The number of known coral species approximately doubled from the late 1940s to 2000, from 60 (total scleractinians) and 120 and >40 species, respectively. Additionally, reports of the appearance or disappearance of extralimital coral species (e.g., in the genera Montipora, Siderastrea, Acropora, and Millepora) have added to the excitement and adventure of eastern Pacific studies. On site observations during two very strong El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) disturbances, 1982–83 and 1997–98, demonstrated that acute temperature stress can cause widespread coral bleaching and mortality and interference with reef growth. More recently, ETP waters have been found to have low pH and aragonite saturation state, which can also weaken carbonate structures and interfere with reef development. Recognizing the economic, scientific, and esthetic value of ETP coral reefs, several national and international agencies are now supporting coral research, which will have a salutary effect in increasing our knowledge and understanding of these long-neglected ecosystems.
Analytic assessment of Laplacian estimates via novel variable interring distances concentric ring electrodes

Noninvasive concentric ring electrodes are a promising alternative to conventional disc electrodes. Currently, superiority of tripolar concentric ring electrodes over disc electrodes, in particular, in accuracy of Laplacian estimation has been demonstrated in a range of applications. In our recent work we have shown that accuracy of Laplacian estimation can be improved with multipolar concentric ring electrodes using a general approach to estimation of the Laplacian for an (n + 1)-polar electrode with n rings using the (4n + 1)-point method for n ≥ 2. This paper takes the next step toward further improving the Laplacian estimate by proposing novel variable inter-ring distances concentric ring electrodes. Derived using a modified (4n + 1)-point method, linearly increasing inter-ring distances tripolar (n = 2) and quadripolar (n = 3) electrode configurations are analytically compared to their constant inter-ring distances counterparts using coefficients of the Taylor series truncation terms. Obtained results suggest that increasing inter-ring distances electrode configurations may decrease the truncation error of the Laplacian estimation resulting in more accurate Laplacian estimates compared to respective constant inter-ring distances configurations. For currently used tripolar electrode configuration the truncation error may be decreased more than two-fold while for the quadripolar more than seven-fold decrease is expected.
Characterization of local hydride re-orientation in high burn-up PWR fuel rods induced by high pressure at high temperatures

Hydride re-orientation in high burn-up PWR fuel rods was induced by high pressure at high temperatures. The high-burnup specimens were sectioned from PWR rods taken from a 15 × 15 assembly of the H.B. Robinson (HBR) Unit 2 reactor. Out-of cell benchmark tests performed on unirradiated hydrided Zircaloy-4 specimens were conducted to determine the appropriate temperature, pressure, cooling rate, and number of cooling cycles for the reorientation of the irradiated in-cell specimens. The in-cell hydride reorientation tests were performed using high-burnup fuel specimens under a hoop stress ≈ 145 MPa at 400°C. The specimens were heated to the target temperature of 400°C, held for 3 hours, cooled at l°C/min to 170°C,and then heated at l°C/min to the target temperature again for five cycles. Post test metallographic examinations showed that a significant amount of radial hydrides were induced in the HBR fuel rods. The length of radial hydride was up to 60 μm. For unirradiated materials, the ductility of the radial hydride treated specimens is significantly reduced as compared to the as-hydrided specimens having the same hydrogen concentration (≈300 wppm in this work). The mechanical testing on irradiated fueled samples with hydride reorientation experiments have been performed, and will be reported separately in the near future.
Waiting for Godo… and Godan: Completing Rowe’s Critique of the Ontological Argument

In his critique of Anselm’s ontological argument for God’s existence, William Rowe introduces the concepts of “magico” and “magican”—defining “magicos” as magicians that do not exist, and “magicans” as magicians that do exist—to help diagnose what may have gone wrong in Anselm’s argument. As I made my way through Rowe’s intriguing article, I found myself waiting for “Godo”—and for “Godan.” I expected Rowe to invoke these counterparts to his “magico” and “magican”—a non-existing God to correspond to his non-existing magician, and an existing God to correspond to his existing magician—to complete his argument. Alas, like Vladimir and Estragon, I waited in vain: neither Godo—nor Godan—ever appeared. In what follows I shall argue that their inclusion in Rowe’s argument would have settled the matter against Anselm far more decisively than do Rowe’s forays into the murky waters of question-begging.
Metabolic pathway and graph identification of new potential drug targets for Plasmodium Falciparum

Malaria is one of the world's serious diseases causing death of about half a million people in 2015. The protozoan Plasmodium Falciparum inflicts the most damage and is responsible for most malaria related deaths. Biomedical research could enable treating the disease by effectively and specifically targeting essential enzymes of this parasite. However, the parasite has developed resistance to existing drugs, thus making it essential to discover new drugs. We have established a simple computational tool which analyses the topology of the metabolic network of Plasmodium Falciparum to identify essential enzymes as possible drug targets. We investigated the importance of an enzyme in the metabolic network by deleting (knocking-out) a reaction in simulation and examining its effect on the remaining network. Our algorithm then checked whether neighboring compounds of the investigated reaction could be produced by alternative biochemical pathways by using breadth first searches on the whole network. We proposed the use of evolutionary distances as a feature for our machine learning approach to identify potential drug targets. With the help of the machine learning method with the extracted features, we validated previously confirmed and published drug targets in metabolic network of Plasmodium Falciparum. We further identified two new potential targets: dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase and aconitate hydratase using our approach.
Genome-wide association identifies a novel locus for delirium risk.

Abstract We aimed to identify common genetic variations associated with delirium through genome-wide association testing in a hospital biobank. We applied a published electronic health record-based definition of delirium to identify cases of delirium, and control individuals with no history of delirium, from a biobank spanning 2 Boston academic medical centers. Among 6035 individuals of northern European ancestry, including 421 with a history of delirium, we used logistic regression to examine genome-wide association. We identified one locus spanning multiple genes, including 3 interleukin-related genes, associated with p = 1.41e-8, and 5 other independent loci with p
Interprofessional educator development : Build it and they will come.

We describe an interprofessional educator development program, designed intentionally, that was implemented at an academic healthcare centre. In 2014, we purposefully adapted our pre-existing educator development program to be able to include all interprofessional educators at our institution. The program’s goals were to enhance educator skills, a common need due to requirements of accreditation, and to create a local interprofessional community of teachers. The framework of the program was based upon adult learning principles, reflective practice, experiential learning and peer groups, all key characteristics of faculty development programs. It was also longitudinal and immersive. Kirkpatrick’s program evaluation model was used for identifying results; participants’ self-reported evaluation forms were collected and their narrative comments were analyzed. After we opened our educator program to all interprofessional staff, our number of program participants increased. The interprofessional participants included, but was not limited to, physicians, physician trainees, nurses, physician assistants, audiologists, perfusionists, and basic science researchers. Our number of program sessions and program faculty were expanded. Our interprofessional participants reported that they were able to learn essential knowledge, skills and attitudes for their growth and development as educators, in the context of an interprofessional community, while also appreciating the diversity of their peers. We share our insights with the redesign and implementation of an interprofessional educator program so that others can learn from our experiences. Key takeaways include using a conceptual framework for teaching effectiveness, involving interprofessional stakeholders and obtaining their perspectives, reviewing interprofessional literature and competencies, and highlighting best practices across the disciplines.
Infons as mathematical objects

I argue that the role played by infons in the kind of mathematical theory of information being developed by several workers affiliated to CSLI is analogous to that of the various number systems in mathematics. In particular, I present a mathematical construction of infons in terms of representations and informational equivalences between them. The main theme of the paper arose from an electronic mail exchange with Pat Hayes of Xeroxparc. The exposition derives from a talk I gave at theTheories of Partial Information conference held at the University of Texas at Austin, January 1990.
VoIP Security: Vulnerabilities, Exploits, and Defenses

Abstract Telephone network is an important part of the critical information infrastructure. Traditional Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN) has been shown to be reliable and hard to be tampered with by normal people. The general public has put a lot of trust on landline telephone, and they are relying on voice communication for many critical and sensitive information (e.g., emergency 911 calls, calls to financial institutions) exchange. Voice over IP (VoIP) is an emerging technology that allows voice calls to be carried over the public Internet instead of traditional PSTN. While more and more voice calls are shifting from PSTN to VoIP, most people are not aware of the security vulnerabilities introduced by VoIP and they keep trusting VoIP the same as traditional PSTN. In this chapter, we systematically study the security issues of VoIP and present the state of the art of VoIP security. Specifically, we discuss the security requirements of VoIP, people's expectations of VoIP, and existing VoIP security mechanisms. We present the identified vulnerabilities of existing VoIP, known and potential exploits of those VoIP vulnerabilities. We discuss not only the impact on the VoIP infrastructure itself but also the implications to the VoIP users. We discuss the inherent technical challenges and open problems in securing VoIP.
Beyond the Gun Fight: The Aftermath of the Virginia Tech Massacre

Which side of the gun debate loses ground after the Virginia Tech Massacre? Neither. Here's why.
Finite Covering Problems

In this chapter we conduct a survey of the occurrence of finite covering problems in graph theory, operations research, and miscellaneous fields, seeking to unite such instances within a common framework. We then offer a unified approach to the solution of such problems. Elements of a general theory are presented, and two exhaustive solution methodologies are given, those we call the branching method and the algebraic method. The latter leads rather naturally to an introduction to distributive lattices and their application to discrete decision problems. This report should serve equally well as an introductory survey for readers wishing to become acquainted with the origins and the mathematical treatment of covering problems and as a classroom module for supplementing courses in mathematical modeling, applications of graph theory, discrete mathematical structures, and the like.
Smooth Mixture Estimation from Multichannel Image Data

The following problem arises in computer vision, diagnostic medical imaging and remote sensing: At each pixel in an image a vector of observations is measured. The distribution of these measurements is modeled by a mixture of certain pure class distributions and the goal is to estimate the mixing proportions of the classes by pixel in the image together with any unknown parameters in the pure class distributions. In many problems of this type it is appropriate to incorporate constraints on the mixing proportions. This paper deals with spatial smoothness constraints. An estimation methodology using penalized likelihood with multiple smoothing parameters is applied. Numerical methods for evaluating parameters in the model are developed. We make use of the Expectation Maximization (EM) algorithm. An importance sampling technique for approximating the effective degrees of freedom of the model is also described. The methodology is illustrated with some examples.
Book Review: Destroying the Caroline: The Frontier Raid that Reshaped the Right to War, by Craig Forcese

The Caroline incident, and the pithy legal test for legitimate self-defence that it spawned, has loomed large in recent debates over anticipatory self-defence and the validity of the “unwilling or unable” doctrine. Yet while everyone knows the bare facts of the case—that the British sank an American steam ship on the American side of the Niagara River in 1837 to prevent it being used by Canadian insurgents—it turns out that the incident has been mischaracterized in ways that are important. Most significant is the largely forgotten fact that the British use of force was in response to ongoing armed attacks and the seizure of territory, not a preemptive strike to forestall future attacks. And it occurred at a time when there was no legal prohibition on the use of force to begin with. Craig Forcese (Univ. of Ottawa) has written what will surely be the seminal work on the incident. It provides a rich and detailed history of the events and the diplomatic dispute that followed, an intellectual history of how the incident came to shape the development of the jus ad bellum regime in international law, and how the case continues to be of significance in current debates over the scope and operation of the doctrine of self-defence. This review essay summarizes the book’s main themes and emphasizes the important contribution it makes to the intellectual history and understanding of the modern jus ad bellum. It also, however, briefly explores the relationship between the Caroline test and current controversies over certain elements of the doctrine of self-defence—particularly imminence and the nature of armed attack—which the book might have analyzed more deeply. It should inspire readers to put this masterful work high on their reading list.