cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling 1993–2008 climatology of seasonal general circulation and thermal structure in the Great Lakes using FVCOM

Abstract An unstructured Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model was applied to all five Great Lakes simultaneously to simulate circulation and thermal structure from 1993 to 2008. Model results are compared to available observations of currents and temperature and previous modeling work. Maps of climatological circulation for all five Great lakes are presented. Winter currents show a two-gyre type circulation in Lakes Ontario and Erie and one large-scale cyclonic circulation in Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior. During the summer, a cyclonic circulation remains in Lakes Superior; a primarily cyclonic circulation dominates upper and central Lake Huron; Lake Ontario has a single cyclonic circulation, while circulation in the central basin of Lake Erie remains two-gyre type; Lake Michigan has a cyclonic gyre in the north and an anti-cyclonic one in the south. The temperature profile during the summer is well simulated when a surface wind-wave mixing scheme is included in the model. Main features of the seasonal evolution of water temperature, such as inverse temperature stratification during the winter, the spring and autumn overturn, the thermal bar, and the stratification during summer are well reproduced. The lakes exhibit significant annual and interannual variations in current speed and temperature.
Evidence That the αa Gene of Barley Stripe Mosaic Virus Encodes Determinants of Pathogenicity to Oat (Avena sativa)

Abstract Complementary DNA clones from which infectious RNA can be transcribed were used to map the genetic determinants for oat (Avena sativa L.) pathogenicity of barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV). Pseudorecombinant analysis of BSMV strains NDI8 (nonpathogenic to oat) and CV42 (pathogenic to oat) indicated that the ability to systemically infect oat mapped to RNA α. A homologous recombinant of ND18 (18αTKTKIN), possessing nucleotides 2218 to 2454 from CV42 RNA α, induced symptoms on oat similar to those generated by wild-type CV42. Six amino acids encoded by the αa gene differ between ND18 (PQSQTK) and CV42 (TKTKIN) in this region. Fine structure recombinants that encoded subsets of the six amino acid changes either were slow in their infection phenotype (18αTKTK and 18αTQSQIN) relative to recombinant 18αTKTKIN or were not infectious (18αKTKIN and 18αKTK) to inoculated oat plants. Neither coat protein antigen nor viral RNA was detected in inoculated plants that did not display symptoms. All recombinants infected isolated oat protoplasts, however, as determined by Northern and Western blots of extracts from inoculated oat protoplasts. The accumulation of viral genomic RNAs in protoplasts among the recombinants tested was similar, except for that of recombinant 18αTKTK which was reduced by 30%. The data support an earlier suggestion (Y. Zheng. and M. C. Edwards, 1990. J. Gen. Virol. 71. 1865-1868) that resistance of oat to BSMV strain ND18 is due to restricted virus movement in planta and provide evidence that the αa protein itself may be involved in the movement of BSMV in the infected plant.
Mechanism of Wenckebach A-V block and the obligatory ventricular echo

In a stressed A-V node decremental conduction, a normally very long RP and its increase by electrotonus and temporal shifts induced by slow conduction result in a delay of conduction which increases with each beat until finally one impulse is blocked. The recovery of cells proximal to the block is accelerated by electrotonus, while the distal cells enjoy a longer recovery time. The next impulse finds fully recovered tissue in all parts and is conducted rapidly. The second impulse of the cycle encounters decremental conduction, prolongation of the RP due to electrotonus and temporal shift, and postbradysystolic hypoconductivity. It suffers the largest increment of delay. Retrograde Wenckebach cycles always end in an obligatory ventricular echo if the rate is slow. Wenckebach cycles and ventricular echoes are inherent in the node and are often present at the same times. In the A-N region spokes of nodal cells accompanied by connective tissue radiate into the atrium. They are the distal path for the retrograde impulse. When the impulse undergoes a Wenckebach delay it will traverse some spokes slowly (alpha path) and block in others (beta). The spokes are insulated from each other by the weak transverse electrotonus due to the small AP of nodal cells and to the increased connective tissue. The atrium returns the impulse through beta. The fast conduction in beta has the same mechanism as the fast conduction of the first beat of the Wenckebach cycle.
Pulmonary Hypertension in Patients With Amyloidosis

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) with right-sided cardiac failure is a rare complication of amyloidosis, and its natural history is not well-defined. The aim of our study was to evaluate patients who were seen at our institution who had PH and amyloidosis and to describe the natural history of this complication. The study was a retrospective chart review of patients seen at the Mayo Clinic with both PH and amyloidosis listed as major diagnoses between January 1, 1980, and December 31, 1999. Patients with known causes of PH were excluded. Five patients met our criteria (four women and one man). Four patients had light-chain amyloidosis and one had amyloid A deposition secondary to familial Mediterranean fever. All patients had symptoms related to PH without echocardiographic evidence of left ventricular dysfunction. The median survival time after the diagnosis of amyloidosis was 2.8 years, and PH was found a median of 73 days before death. Five patients died of cardiac complications, including one with sudden cardiac death. PH is an unusual complication of amyloidosis. Patients develop PH late in the disease process and do not have a worse prognosis compared to other patients with cardiac amyloidosis. PH is a marker of advanced amyloidosis.
What are emotions and how are they created in the brain

In our response, we clarify important theoretical differences between basic emotion and psychological construction approaches. We evaluate the empirical status of the basic emotion approach, addressing whether it requires brain localization, whether localization can be observed with better analytic tools, and whether evidence for basic emotions exists in other types of measures. We then revisit the issue of whether the key hypotheses of psychological construction are supported by our meta-analytic findings. We close by elaborating on commentator suggestions for future research.
Lipid-protein interactions probed by electron crystallography.

Electron crystallography is arguably the only electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) technique able to deliver an atomic-resolution structure of membrane proteins embedded in the lipid bilayer. In the electron crystallographic structures of the light driven ion pump, bacteriorhodopsin, and the water channel, aquaporin-0, sufficiently high resolution was obtained and both lipid and protein were visualized, modeled, and described in detail. An extensive network of lipid–protein interactions mimicking native membranes is established and maintained in two-dimensional (2D) crystalline vesicles used for structural analysis by electron crystallography. Lipids are tightly integrated into the protein's architecture where they can affect the function, structure, quaternary assembly, and the stability of the membrane protein.
Cargo sorting to lysosome-related organelles regulates siRNA-mediated gene silencing

Mammals lacking BLOC-3 have impaired formation of melanosomes, a type of lysosome-related organelle (LRO), and, in earlier work, we found that a subunit of the BLOC-3 complex inhibits loading of Argonaute (Ago) proteins with small ribonucleic acids (RNAs) in Drosophila melanogaster cells. Small RNAs such as small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) direct Ago proteins to repress the stability of messenger RNA transcripts. In this paper, we show that BLOC-3 is required for biogenesis of Drosophila LROs called pigment granules. Other complexes that sort cargo to pigment LROs also negatively regulate siRNA activity. However, regulation is not obligately linked to biogenesis of LROs but instead to specific cargo-sorting processes. Negative regulation is also not linked to sorting into all LROs but only a specific class of pigment LRO. Thus, regulation of siRNA activity is tied to sorting of specific types of cargo to particular LROs.
The measurement of accurate fetal hemoglobin and related oxygen saturation by the hemoximeter

Background—The purposes of this study were to examine the accuracy of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) as quickly measured by the hemoximeter,verified by the high-performance liquid chromatography method, and to examine related oxygen saturation (SO2) measurements in neonates. Methods—Thirty-nine neonates with gestational ages ranging from 25 to 38 weeks were investigated (n=280 blood samples). Twenty younger premature neonates had blood transfusions (n=188 blood samples, 72 before and 116 after transfusions), and 19 older neonates did not. Results—The bias of the hemoximeter was 23% (±9.1) against the HPLC; 25% (±7.9) before, and 19% (±8.6) after blood transfusions (all P < 0.001), for HbF measurements. A regression line (HbFt by the HPLC = 8.46+ 0.7 × HbF by the hemoximeter) has been provided for the prediction. Oxyhemoglobin dissociation curves with the status of (before and after) blood transfusions were presented. In relation to oxygen tension values of 50–75 mm Hg, in addition to the right-shifted oxyhemoglobin dissociation curves, pulse oximeter ranged from 95 to 98% before the transfusions, but decreased to 94 to 96% after the blood transfusions. Conclusions—Accurate HbF and related oxygen saturation measurements need to be determined, especially for premature neonates, to minimize the risk of oxygen toxicity.
Conversation starters: using spatial context to initiate dialogue in first-person perspective games

A first-person perspective role-playing game by its very nature attempts to create a sense of presence by fostering a deep connection between a user and her avatar. However, the current communication interfaces found within such environments endanger this connection by both forcing the player to consider the interface instead of the game and removing control over the character's behavior from the player. In this paper, we first describe an algorithm which allows users to initiate dialogue with artificial agents in a manner that more closely mirrors normal human interaction. We then describe techniques to increase the realism of the behavior of agents while in the presence of a conversation initiation.
Ruling Out Bacteremia and Bacterial Meningitis in Infants Less Than One Month of Age: Is 48 Hours of Hospitalization Necessary?

Objective: The appropriate duration of hospitalization for infants ≤ 30 days admitted for fever or other concerns for a serious bacterial infection is an understudied area. We sought to determine the risk of a positive, pathogenic bacterial culture of blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in this population beyond 24 hours after collection. Methods: This study was a retrospective review of 1145 infants aged ≤30 days who had a blood or CSF culture from 1999 to 2010 at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a county health system in San Jose, California. Time to notification and the probability of a positive culture result after 24 hours were calculated. Infants were considered high risk if they had either a white blood cell count 15 000 per µL, a band count >1500 per µL, or an abnormal urinalysis. Results: We identified 1876 cultures (1244 blood, 632 CSF) in 1145 infants aged ≤30 days; 901 (79%) of 1145 were hospitalized and 408 (45%) of 901 hospitalizations were for fever without source (FWS). Thirty-one (2.7%) of the 1145 infants had pathogenic cultures; 6 of 1145 infants (0.5% [95% confidence interval: 0.2–1.1]) had a time to notification >24 hours. All 6 patients had FWS (1.5% of hospitalized FWS sample) and met high-risk criteria on presentation. No low-risk patients had a time to notification >24 hours. Low-risk characteristics were found in 57% (232 of 408) of the entire hospitalized FWS population. Conclusions: Low-risk infants hospitalized for FWS or other concerns for serious bacterial infection may not need hospitalization for a full 48 hours simply to rule out bacteremia and bacterial meningitis.
Improper strong implication

Schweizer and Sklar (1961, 1963) define a family of T-norms from [0,1]X[0,1] to [0,1] using a parameter p as follows: T(a,b)=(/spl alpha//sup p/+ b/sup -p/-1)/sup -1/p/ if (a/sup -p/+b/sup -p/-1)/spl ges/0,0 otherwise. This paper considers the effects of removing the requirement that (a/sup -p/+b/sup -p/-1)/spl ges/0. This produces a family of complex improper T-norms, which can be used to define a corresponding family of real improper T-norms ranging from -1 to min(a,b). Improper strong implication functions created using the real improper T-norms support a variant of mode defuzzification, called best kernel defuzzification, with potentially useful properties for fuzzy expert systems.
The Effects of Pure Pair Repetition on Younger and Older Adults' Associative Memory

Although aging causes relatively minor impairment in recognition memory for components, older adults' ability to remember associations between components is typically significantly compromised, relative to that of younger adults. This pattern could be associated with older adults' relatively intact familiarity, which helps preserve component memory, coupled with a marked decline in recollection, which leads to a decline in associative memory. The purpose of the current study is to explore possible methods that allow older adults to rely on pair familiarity in order to improve their associative memory performance. Participants in 2 experiments were repeatedly presented with either single items or pairings of items prior to a study list so that the items and the pairs were already familiar during the study phase. Pure pair repetition (the effects of pair repetition after the effects of item repetition are taken into account) increased associative memory for older and younger adults. Findings based on remember and know judgments suggest that familiarity but not recollection is involved in mediating the repetition effect.
Exciton-Wave Packet Dynamics in Molecular Aggregates Studied with Pump−Probe Spectroscopy†

The doorway−window representation of sequential pump−probe spectroscopy, derived by solving the nonlinear exciton equations, is used to study exciton dynamics in molecular aggregates. Exciton relax...
Estimation of plastic deformation and abrasive wear in warm forging dies

Abstract In warm forging, die life is affected by abrasive wear and plastic deformation and may be shortened considerably due to thermal softening of the die surface caused by forging temperature and pressure. In this study, a methodology is developed for estimating abrasive die wear and plastic deformation in a warm forging operation, using a tempering parameter. This methodology consists of: (a) determination of the steady state die temperatures using multiple FE simulations, (b) using the calculated temperatures to predict the plastic deformation of the dies, (c) measuring the surface profile of the worn dies using a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM), (d) identifying the wear profiles caused by abrasive wear and plastic deformation, and (e) determining the abrasive wear parameters that can be used for future estimation of die wear in warm forging. The predictions have been compared with experimental results and it was concluded that this method can be used for estimation of die failure (wear and plastic deformation) in hot/warm forging.
Not All Smokers Die Young: A Model for Hidden Heterogeneity within the Human Population

The ability of some individuals to reach extreme old age in the presence of clearly high exposure to damaging factors may signal an innate biological advantage. For this study we used data on 4,655 current and never smokers, ages 50 and above, from NHANES III to examine whether long-lived smokers represent a biologically resilient phenotype that could facilitate our understanding of heterogeneity in the aging process. Using a proportional hazards model, our results showed that while smoking significantly increased mortality in most age groups, it did not increase the mortality risk for those who were age 80 and over at baseline. Additionally when comparing the adjusted means of biomarkers between never and current smokers, we found that long-lived smokers (80+) had similar inflammation, HDL, and lung function levels to never smokers. Given that factors which allow some individuals to withstand smoking may also enable others to cope with everyday biological stressors, the investigation of long-lived smokers may eventually allow us to identify molecular and genetic mechanisms which enable longevity extension.
Stability of forced steady solitary waves

This paper explores the basic mechanism underlying the remarkable phenomenon that a forcing excitation stationary in character and sustained at near resonance in a shallow channel of uniform water depth generates a non-stationary response in the form of a sequential upstream emission of solitary waves. Adopting the forced Korteweg-de Vries (fKdV) model and using two of its steady forced solitary wave solutions as primary flows, the stability of these two transcritical steady motions is investigated, and their bifurcation diagrams relating these solutions to other stationary solutions determined, with the forcing held fixed. The corresponding forcing functions are characterized by a velocity parameter for one, and an amplitude parameter for the other of the steadily moving excitations.
Adrenodemedullation affects endurance but not hepatic fructose 2,6-bisphosphate

Sham-operated (SHAM) and saline (ADM-S)- or epinephrine (ADM-E)-infused adrenodemedullated rats were run on a treadmill (21 m/min, 15% grade) for 80 min or until exhaustion. ADM-S rats had significantly lower endurance run times (116 +/- 6 min) than ADM-E rats (136 +/- 8 min) and SHAM rats (150 +/- 6 min). Liver glycogen content dropped from 56 +/- 4 to 10 +/- 2 mg/g in SHAM and from 54 +/- 4 to 18 +/- 5 mg/g in ADM-S and to 20 +/- 8 mg/g in ADM-E rats at 80 min. Liver glycogen was depleted in all rats at exhaustion. Liver fructose 2,6-bisphosphate was decreased markedly in exercising rats, and the extent of decrease was not influenced by adrenodemedullation or by epinephrine infusion. ADM-S rats showed impaired glycogen depletion in the white vastus lateralis and soleus muscles, hypoglycemia, and low blood lactate at 80 min and at exhaustion. Infusion of epinephrine into ADM rats reversed these deficiencies. These data indicate that the adrenal medulla is unessential for normal endurance exercise as long as liver glycogen is available. After liver glycogen is depleted, epinephrine from the adrenal medulla prevents hypoglycemia and is essential for allowing continuation of exercise.
Multiphase Allen–Cahn and Cahn–Hilliard models and their discretizations with the effect of pairwise surface tensions

In this paper, the mathematical properties and numerical discretizations of multiphase models that simulate the phase separation of an N -component mixture are studied. For the general choice of phase variables, the unisolvent property of the coefficient matrix involved in the N -phase models based on the pairwise surface tensions is established. Moreover, the symmetric positive-definite property of the coefficient matrix on an (N−1) ( N − 1 ) -dimensional hyperplane — which is of fundamental importance to the well-posedness of the models — can be proved equivalent to some physical condition for pairwise surface tensions. The N -phase Allen–Cahn and N -phase Cahn–Hilliard equations can then be derived from the free-energy functional. A natural property is that the resulting dynamics of concentrations are independent of phase variables chosen. Finite element discretizations for N -phase models can be obtained as a natural extension of the existing discretizations for the two-phase model. The discrete energy law of the numerical schemes can be proved and numerically observed under some restrictions pertaining to time step size. Numerical experiments including the spinodal decomposition and the evolution of triple junctions are described in order to investigate the effect of pairwise surface tensions.
A PIV Flow Field Investigation of Medium Bypass Chevron Nozzles

Particle image v elocimetry tests were c onducted to assess the effect of core and fan nozzle chevrons on the flow field. A separate flow exhaust system was used to accurately simulate the discharge of a modern, medium bypass, turbo fan engine. Four nozzle configurations were tested; baseline (conical nozzles on both streams), core chevrons (chevrons on core stream and conical nozzle on fan stream), fan chevrons (chevrons on fan stream and conical nozzle on core stream), core and fan chevrons (chevron nozzles on both streams ). Far field acousti c measurements using the same configurations and cycle condition have been reported previously 1 . It was shown that configurations with chevrons on either core or fan nozzle reduce jet noise. It was also shown that a configuration with both core and fan n ozzle chevrons reduces jet noise to a greater degree. Additionally, that reduction was shown to be approximately additive when measured in decibel. That is, the reduction due to core chevrons plus the reduction due to fan chevrons was approximately equal to the reduction due to both chevrons. It was suggested that in general, chevrons modify the noise associated with the shear layer upon which they act; core nozzle chevrons affect the noise associated with the core/fan (inner) shear layer, fan nozzle che vrons affect the noise associated with the fan/free stream (outer) shear layer. The mixing region, which is created by the merging of the inner and outer shear layer, can be affected by either chevron nozzle. The total noise heard in the far field is thu s a superposition of the sources. In this way, jet noise is additive. Near -field acoustic measurements using the same configurations and cycle condition were also reported previously 2 . These results confirm this thesis. Core chevrons significantly redu ce the noise generation region that is typically associated with the inner shear layer. Fan chevrons reduce the noise generation region that is typically associated with the outer shear layer. Both chevrons reduce noise from the mixing region. These eff ects were observed when chevrons were used separately and when chevrons were used together. Results of the current tests demonstrate that in general, core chevrons modify the inner shear layer and the mixed region. Fan chevrons modify the outer shear lay er and mixing region. Variations in t urbulent kinetic energy have been correlated with variations in near field jet noise.
Pattern-Directed Phase Separation of Polymer-Grafted Nanoparticles in a Homopolymer Matrix

The controlled organization of nanoparticle (NP) constituents into superstructures of well-defined shape, composition, and connectivity represents a continuing challenge in the development of novel hybrid materials for many technological applications. We show that the phase separation of polymer-tethered nanoparticles immersed in a matrix of a chemically different polymer provides an effective and scalable method for fabricating well-defined submicron-sized amorphous NP domains in melt polymer thin films. We investigate this phenomenon with a view toward a better understanding and control of the phase separation process in these novel “blends”. In particular, we consider isothermally annealed thin films of polystyrene-grafted gold nanoparticles (AuPS) dispersed in a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix. A morphology transition from discrete AuPS domains to bicontinuous to inverse domain structure is observed with increasing nanoparticle loading, consistent with composition dependence of classic binary ...
The Case of the Exxon Valdez

Lastly, I explore a spill that was less than half the size of the smallest spill documented previously. However, despite its smaller size, it was, until the Deepwater Horizon tragedy, the most significant spill in the minds of the American public, and has created the backdrop and the tone for media coverage ever since.
Medical management of simple familial rickets.

Summary A practical therapeutic management program is outlined for the easy treatment of simple familial hypophosphoremic rickets. The urinary calcium/creatinine ratio is closely followed (at monthly intervals) to achieve a therapeutic range of 0.30 to 0.50. The amount of vitamin D required to produce this level is ordinarily 4000 ± 500 units per kilogram of body weight daily, administered orally, in a child with normal renal function. Higher dosages of vitamin D should never be administered.
Teacher reports of verbal aggression in school settings among students with emotional and behavioral disorders

Verbal aggression (VA) is among the most prevalent forms of problem behavior in schools with detrimental effects for both perpetrators and victims, yet little is known about VA among students with ...
The Modernist Novel and the Decline of Empire: The domestic life of primitivism

Because you see, that is what it is – magic, intoxication. Not ‘Love’ at all. Jean Rhys, Letter to Francis Wyndham, 14 April 1964 While modernist fictions such as A Passage to India presented estranging accounts of Empire, other novels of the era defamiliarized the domestic realm as well. In truth, modernism treated these domains as more tightly intertwined than ever before. The close connection between colony and home was apparent in two familiar modernist narratives about how everyday existence in the twentieth century differed from that of the nineteenth century. One of those two stories is the oft-repeated supposition that the turn of the century saw the reversal of colonization. Such speculation appeared in coterie and popular fictions alike, and it characteristically involved the intrusion of matter from the far-flung colonies into the private recesses of the household. The other narrative appeared in an equally broad range of media and concerned the displacement of feminine sentimentality by female sexuality. Novels, psychological tracts, and economic essays described the undoing of heroines by new, unconscious, and largely misunderstood desires that could not help but embarrass and unsettle, even when animating and inspiring, the most composed of middle-class women. Given that modernist fiction linked these stories of nation and self analogically, it makes sense to read each in terms of the other. Indeed, I argue, they ought to be understood in that dependent relationship.
Benchmarking of manganese oxide materials with CO oxidation as catalysts for low temperature selective oxidation

Abstract CO oxidation behavior of different manganese oxide materials was studied as a model probe reaction to benchmark catalytic activities that could be useful for other aerobic oxidations. K-OMS-2, which showed intermediate activity [Ea = 3.0 and 6.3 kcal/mol for K-OMS-2 (made in solvent free procedure or SF) and K-OMS-2 (made via hydrothermal route or REF) respectively], were chosen for metal dopant studies using microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis. These were further characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 sorption, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and carbon monoxide temperature programmed reduction (CO-TPR). Additional characterization was carried out for Ni-K-OMS-2 materials using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and thermogravimetric analysis-mass spectroscopy (TGA-MS). Doping K-OMS-2 with Ni resulted in a large increase in oxygen mobility and re-adsorption, and the moderate activation energy for CO oxidation (13. kcal/mol) by Ni-K-OMS-2(SF) suggests that Ni-doped materials are good candidates for low temperature selective oxidation.
Young pigs exhibit differential exploratory behavior during novelty preference tasks in response to age, sex, and delay

Novelty preference paradigms have been widely used to study recognition memory and its neural substrates. The piglet model continues to advance the study of neurodevelopment, and as such, tasks that use novelty preference will serve especially useful due to their translatable nature to humans. However, there has been little use of this behavioral paradigm in the pig, and previous studies using the novel object recognition paradigm in piglets have yielded inconsistent results. The current study was conducted to determine if piglets were capable of displaying a novelty preference. Herein a series of experiments were conducted using novel object recognition or location in 3- and 4-week-old piglets. In the novel object recognition task, piglets were able to discriminate between novel and sample objects after delays of 2min, 1h, 1 day, and 2 days (all P 0.046). In conclusion, this study determined that piglets are able to perform the novel object and location recognition tasks at 3-to-4 weeks of age, however performance was dependent on sex, age, and delay.
Diagnostic Tests for Evaluation of Stillbirth: Results From the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network

To estimate the usefulness of each diagnostic test in the work-up for potential causes of stillbirth. A secondary analysis of 512 stillbirths enrolled in the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network from 2006 to 2008 was performed. The Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network was a multisite, geographically, racially, and ethnically diverse, population-based study of stillbirth in the United States. Participants underwent standardized evaluations that included maternal interview, medical record abstraction, biospecimen collection, fetal autopsy, and placental pathology. Also, most participants had a clinical work-up that included karyotype, toxicology screen, syphilis serology, antibody screen, fetal–maternal hemorrhage testing, and testing for antiphospholipid antibodies as well as testing performed on biospecimens for research purposes. Previously, each participant had been assigned probable and possible causes of death using the Initial Causes of Fetal Death classification system. In this analysis, tests were considered useful if a positive result established (or helped to establish) this cause of death or a negative result excluded a cause of death that was suspected based on the clinical history or other results. The usefulness of each test was as follows: placental pathology 64.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 57.9–72.0), fetal autopsy 42.4% (95% CI 36.9–48.4), genetic testing 11.9% (95% CI 9.1–15.3), testing for antiphospholipid antibodies 11.1% (95% CI 8.4–14.4), fetal–maternal hemorrhage 6.4% (95% CI 4.4–9.1), glucose screen 1.6% (95% CI 0.7–3.1), parvovirus 0.4% (95% CI 0.0–1.4), and syphilis 0.2% (95% CI 0.0–1.1). The utility of the tests varied by clinical presentation, suggesting a customized approach for each patient. The most useful tests were placental pathology and fetal autopsy followed by genetic testing and testing for antiphospholipid antibodies.
Rodent granivory strengthens relationships between seed size and plant abundance in a desert annual community

Question The seed size/number trade-off model explains the coexistence of plants that produce different sized seeds by assuming an establishment fitness advantage for larger seeds via enhanced competition or environmental tolerance, and a colonization fitness advantage for smaller seeds. The model predicts a negative relationship between seed mass and plant abundance among coexisting species in a community. Here, we evaluate the hypothesis that rodent granivory affects the slope of this relationship, causing it to become less negative when granivore pressure is reduced because rodents selectively harvest large seeds. Location Chihuahuan Desert. Methods We analyzed long-term data from an annual plant community in southeast Arizona to characterize the relationship between seed mass and mean plant abundance in three types of plots that manipulated the rodent community. Some plots excluded all rodents, other selectively excluded only large-bodied kangaroo rats (Dipodomys), while control plots allowed access by all rodents. Results We observed negative relationships between seed mass and plant abundance on 23 of the 24 experimental plots. The slopes of these relationships were significantly affected by the experimental treatments. Slopes were most negative for control plots and least negative for plots that excluded all rodents. Conclusion Rodent granivore exclusion caused the slope of the relationship between seed mass and plant abundance to become less negative. These results illustrate how granivory can affect seed mass-plant abundance relationships, and may provide further insight into the coexistence of plants that vary in seed size. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The long-term risk of smoking in diabetic patients with stable ischemic heart disease treated with intensive medical therapy and lifestyle modification.

IntroductionThe long-term risk of smoking in diabetic patients with stable ischemic heart disease (SIHD) is unknown. We sought to analyze the impact of smoking on outcomes of diabetic patients with SIHD when other cardiovascular risk factors are being aggressively treated.MethodsThe Bypass Angioplasty Revascularization Investigation 2 Diabetes (BARI 2D) trial randomized 2368 diabetics with SIHD to intensive medical therapy (IMT) with prompt revascularization or IMT alone. Smoking status was obtained at baseline, 6 months, and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years. The primary endpoint of interest was all-cause mortality.ResultsOf 2360 patients, 33.1% of patients never smoked, 54.4% were former smokers, and 12.5% were current smokers. The rate of all-cause mortality was greater for current (2.5 deaths/100 patient-years) and former smokers (3.1 deaths/100 patient-years) than never smokers (2.1 deaths/100 patient-years) (P = 0.007). Cardiac death, cardiovascular death, fatal or nonfatal myocardial infarction, and fatal or ...
Lessons Learned on the Other Side of Campus.

Sometimes, incredible and unexpected blessings occur in our careers. Nearly a year ago an opportunity was presented to me that advanced my career in a direction I had never expected. I accepted a position as associate director at the University of Connecticut’s Center for Excellence in Teaching
Thermodynamic Studies of Cation-Macrocycle Interactions in Nickel Pincer-Crown Ether Complexes Enable Switchable Ligation

The thermochemistry of cation–macrocycle interactions in nickel pincer complexes bearing a hemilabile aza-15-crown-5 or aza-18-crown-6 macrocycle is investigated and applied to cation-controlled reversible ligand binding. Cation–crown interactions were examined in a noncoordinating, low polarity solvent (dichloromethane) and a coordinating, polar solvent (acetonitrile). Structural studies provide solid-state information on cation–crown interactions, whereas binding affinity studies in solution provide quantitative thermodynamic information. The different hemilabile ligand coordination modes have vastly different cation binding affinities, with the tridentate pincer coordination mode binding cations more than 100 000 times more strongly than the tetradentate coordination mode with a crown ether oxygen donating to nickel. Dichloromethane enforces strong cation–crown interactions without disrupting the hemilabile ether ligand, whereas acetonitrile disrupts hemilability by displacing the ethers from the nicke...
Engineered D2R Variants Reveal the Balanced and Biased Contributions of G-Protein and β -Arrestin to Dopamine-Dependent Functions

The dopamine D2 receptor (D2R), like many G-protein-coupled receptors, signals through G-protein- and β-arrestin-dependent pathways. Preferential activation of one of these pathways is termed functional selectivity or biased signaling and is a promising therapeutic strategy. Though biased signaling through D2Rs has been demonstrated, acquiring the mechanistic details of biased D2R/G-protein and D2R/β-arrestin signaling in vivo has been challenging because of the lack of techniques that specifically target these interactions in discrete cell populations. To address this question, we employed a cell type-specific viral expression approach to restore D2R variants that preferentially engage either G-protein or β-arrestin signaling in 'indirect pathway' medium spiny neurons (iMSNs), because of their central role in dopamine circuitry. We found that the effect of haloperidol antagonism on D2R metabolic signaling events is largely mediated by acute blockade of D2R/G-protein signaling. We show that a D2R-driven behavior, nestlet shredding, is similarly driven by D2R/G-protein signaling. On the other hand, D2R-driven locomotion and rearing require coordinated D2R/G-protein and D2R/β-arrestin signaling. The acute locomotor response to amphetamine and cocaine similarly depend on both G-protein and β-arrestin D2R signaling. Surprisingly, another psychotropic drug, phencyclidine, displayed a selective D2R/β-arrestin potentiation of locomotion. These findings highlight how D2R mostly relies upon balanced G-protein and β-arrestin signaling in iMSNs. However, the response to haloperidol and phencyclidine indicates that normal D2R signaling homeostasis can be dramatically altered, indicating that targeting a specific D2R signal transduction pathway could allow for more precise modulation of dopamine circuit function.
A Comparative Survey on Simultaneous EEG-fMRI Methodologies

The simultaneous recording and analysis of EEG and fMRI data has received considerable attention and nowadays is considered to be the state-of-the-art multimodal imaging method. Due to the complementary nature of these modalities several new perspectives and insights within the field of human brain mapping have been created. In addition, many fusion methods have been proposed in order to combine the aforementioned modalities. In this paper a brief report of the current knowledge of simultaneous EEG-fMRI data fusion along with a literature review of the methods that combines them are presented. The reviewed methods are then evaluated using a number of related features and a maturity score based on these feature is calculated for each method. The results from this survey lead us to use an EEG-fMRI approach to study the space mapping on visually impaired brain during navigation.
Mass spectrometric method for estimating dissociation rates in hydrogen discharge plasmas

Hydrogen (H2) discharge plasmas are important tools in plasma processing and provide a relatively simple example of a reactive plasma for basic research. An important parameter that characterizes such plasmas is the hydrogen dissociation rate. However, conventional methods using mass spectrometry to measure depletion in reactive plasmas cannot be applied to H2 discharges, due to the fast recombination of the dissociation product H atoms on the electrode surfaces. Here, the authors propose a method to measure the dissociation rate in low power discharges by adding a small partial pressure of deuterium (D2) to the plasma. At such low concentrations, the probability of reforming D2 is very small. Instead the dissociated D2 is converted into HD, and thus the change of D2 partial pressure monitored by a mass spectrometer can give the dissociation rate of D2, which can then be used to infer the H2 dissociation rate. Due to differences in the electron collisional dissociation cross section, a correction of the order unity is required to accurately translate the D2 dissociation rate into an H2 dissociation rate. The method is used to estimate the H atom density for a 100 mTorr radio-frequency plasma as a function of discharge power.
La experiencia sefardí en Latinoamérica: Tres novelas de Teresa Porzecanski y Rosa Nissán

In the last twenty years, the field of Spanish American literature has dramatically increased by the diversity of authors that are read and studied. One of the manifestations of this trend has been the publication of works by authors of ethnic minorities, who, in representing their experiences, have expanded the concept of Spanish American culture. The three novels I analyse in this essay -Teresa Porzecanski's Perfumes de Cartago (1994), and Rosa Nissan's Novia que te vea (1992) and Hisho que te nazca (1996)- articulate the adjustment process of Sephardic women in Uruguay and Mexico. At the same time, these texts constitute a valuable document of Sephardic life in these countries, virtually unknown to Hispanic readers.
Anisotropic dipole polarizability of transition metal atoms: Sc(D2), Ti(F3,P3), V(F4,P4,D6), Ni(F3) and ions: Sc2+(D2), Ti2+(F3,P3)

Dipole polarizability tensor components and quadrupole moments of transition-metal atoms Sc, Ti, V, Ni, and Cu and ions Sc2+ and Ti2+ are computed using finite field complete active space self-consistent field and multireference configuration interaction ab initio methods. Perpendicular components of the dipole polarizability tensor are calculated from equations involving only parallel components of the polarizability tensor and its average value. Mean polarizability and polarizability anisotropy decrease in the Sc–Ni series. Relativistic effects are accounted for with the Douglas-Kroll Hamiltonian. The consequences of the anisotropic properties of these atoms to their interactions with spherically symmetric rare gases are also discussed.
Genetic Programming, Probabilistic Incremental Program Evolution, and Scalability

This paper discusses scalability of standard genetic programming (GP) and the probabilistic incremental program evolution (PIPE). To investigate the need for both effective mixing and linkage learning, two test problems are considered: ORDER problem, which is rather easy for any recombination-based GP, and TRAP or the deceptive trap problem, which requires the algorithm to learn interactions among subsets of terminals. The scalability results show that both GP and PIPE scale up polynomially with problem size on the simple ORDER problem, but they both scale up exponentially on the deceptive problem. This indicates that while standard recombination is sufficient when no interactions need to be considered, for some problems linkage learning is necessary. These results are in agreement with the lessons learned in the domain of binary-string genetic algorithms (GAs). Furthermore, the paper investigates the effects of introducing unnecessary and irrelevant primitives on the performance of GP and PIPE.
Radiation Therapy-Related Toxicity: Esophagus

Radiation-induced esophagitis is a dose-limiting toxicity of lung cancer treatment. The majority of patients receiving concurrent chemotherapy and thoracic irradiation experience acute esophagitis. Acute esophagitis may be disabling and necessitate hospitalization, placement of a feeding tube in the stomach, or initiation of parenteral nutrition. Moreover, interruption of the course of radiation therapy may be required in order to permit healing of the esophageal injury. Such treatment breaks have been demonstrated to decrease survival of patients with unresectable lung cancer. Proper prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of esophagitis are therefore essential, as it may have a direct influence on tumor control and survival.
Neuropeptide regulation of the locus coeruleus and opiate-induced plasticity of stress responses.

Abstract Stress has been implicated as a risk factor in vulnerability to the initiation and maintenance of opiate abuse and is thought to play an important role in relapse in subjects with a history of abuse. Conversely, chronic opiate use and withdrawal are stressors and can potentially predispose individuals to stress-related psychiatric disorders. Because the interaction of opiates with stress response systems has potentially widespread clinical consequences, it is important to delineate how specific substrates of the stress response and endogenous opioid systems interact and the specific points at which stress circuits and endogenous opioid systems intersect. The purpose of this review is to present and discuss the results of studies that have unveiled the complex circuitry by which stress-related neuropeptides and endogenous opioids coregulate activity of the locus coeruleus (LC)–norepinephrine (NE) system and how chronic morphine, or stress, disturbs this regulation.
Fitting Engineering into Philosophy

It is argued that old ways of thinking and philosophical hubris have ossified categories in such a way as to keep engineering out of the philosophical discussion. By showing how common sense marks the fundamental method of reasoning across all disciplines, and that engineering epitomizes this form of reasoning, it is shown that a consideration of engineering concerns should be at the heart of the new philosophy.
Understanding and Processing Information of Various Grain Sizes

This paper explores the ideas of humor communication with robots buy issuing commands in natural language. Special attention is being paid to vague commands and similar commands and whether it is possible for a robot to process them. The paper discusses various aspects of similarity of information in general as well as in relation to a particular physical capability that a robot may or may not have. All aspects are addressed on the Ontological Semantic Technology foundation.
Efficacy of Vitamin D supplementation in achieving an early Sputum Conversion in Smear positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Objective To determine the efficacy of Vitamin D supplementation in achieving an early sputum conversion in vitamin D deficient smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients. Methods This randomized clinical trial was done at Mayo hospital Lahore from November 2015 to August 2016. One hundred twenty patients with sputum smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis were selected and randomized to Group-A (taking anti-tuberculous therapy (ATT) only) and Group-B (taking ATT with Vitamin D supplementation). Four doses of100,000 IU of Vitamin D injection intramuscularly were given after every 14 days during intensive-phase. Sputum examination was repeated at 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th weeks. Efficacy of treatment in terms of early sputum conversion between both groups was tested using Chi square and independent sample t-test was applied to compare mean values of serum vitamin D before and after treatment. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered as significant. Results The mean age of patients was 37.18±6.81 years in Group-A and 39.02±7.56 years in Group-B. There were 63 (52.50%) males and 57 (47.50%) females. The mean serum Vitamin D was 17.07±1.44 in Group-A and 17.23±2.37 in Group-B at baseline and at 12th week, the levels were 21.77±2.23 in Group-A and 29.24±0.72 in Group-B. In Group-A, 7 (11.7%) patients showed positive sputum examination and in Group-B, only one (1.7%) patient had positive sputum examination at 12th week. The difference was statistically significant (p-value= 0.028). Conclusion Four doses of intramuscular vitamin D given after every 14 days corrected vitamin D deficiency and improved the rate of sputum smear conversion in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis.
On the local distinguishing chromatic number

Abstract The distinguishing number of graphs is generalized in two directions by Cheng and Cowen (local distinguishing number) and Collins and Trenk (Distinguishing chromatic number). In this paper, we define and study the local distinguishing chromatic number of graphs. The exact values of 1-local distinguishing chromatic number of several classes of graphs such as stars, complete graphs, complete bipartite graphs, Petersen graph, cycles and paths are computed. Moreover, several bounds for local distinguishing chromatic number are presented.