cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modeling Animal Movements in Response to Human Disturbances

The advent of GPS technology has made it possible to study human - wildlife interactions on large landscapes and quantify behavioral responses to recreation and other anthropogenic disturbances at increasingly fine scales. Of particular interest are the potential impacts on habitat use patterns, energetics, and cascading impacts on fecundity and other life history traits for key wildlife species that are increasingly exposed to human activities. However, the dynamics of free-ranging animal movements are complex, even without disturbances, and quantifying reactions to disturbance on heterogeneous landscapes is difficult. A modeling framework is required that can sort out diel and random movements that mask short and long-term behavioral response to disturbances.In this talk I will discuss how stochastic differential equations (SDE’s) are used to build potential function surfaces for describing movement patterns and responses to disturbances. I will demonstrate the methods using GPS data for free ranging elk within a 1450 ha study area on the Starkey Experimental Forest located in eastern Oregon. The telemetry data were collected as part of a long-term controlled experiment to understand the response of free ranging Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) and deer (Odocoileus hemionus) to multiple anthropogenic disturbances including all terrain vehicles, hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. This work includes the development of statistical procedures to estimate the simultaneous effects of two or more entities (combinations of animals and disturbance agents) on the potential surfaces, to understand the effects of multiple interacting disturbances on observed patterns of movement.2) We parameterized stochastic differential equations to quantify effects of topography; distance to roads; distance to disturbance, and random movements on elk locations. The GPS technology provided evidence that: 1) elk appear to know the location of roads and the routing of traffic on roads through the forest; 2) hikers and equestrians seem to generate a larger movement response compared to mountain bikers and ATV riders; and, 3) The threshold response distance appears to be well beyond those previously reported in studies that relied on visual methods.The study demonstrated the utility of SDE’s and the motivating concept of potential functions to model animal movements. These methods have also been applied by the authors to study movement patterns in yellow legged frogs (Rana sierrae), elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris), Monk seals (Monachus schauinslandi) and whale sharks (Rhincodon typus ).
Essential cGMP Signaling in Toxoplasma Is Initiated by a Hybrid P-Type ATPase-Guanylate Cyclase

Summary Apicomplexan parasites rely on cyclic nucleotide-dependent kinases for host cell infection, yet the mechanisms that control their activation remain unknown. Here we show that an apically localized guanylate cyclase (GC) controls microneme secretion and lytic growth in the model apicomplexan Toxoplasma gondii. Cell-permeable cGMP reversed the block in microneme secretion seen in a knockdown of TgGC, linking its function to production of cGMP. TgGC possesses an N-terminal P-type ATPase domain fused to a C-terminal heterodimeric guanylate cyclase domain, an architecture found only in Apicomplexa and related protists. Complementation with a panel of mutants revealed a critical requirement for the P-type ATPase domain for maximum GC function. We further demonstrate that knockdown of TgGC in vivo protects mice from lethal infection by blocking parasite expansion and dissemination. Collectively, this work demonstrates that cGMP-mediated signaling in Toxoplasma relies on a multi-domain architecture, which may serve a conserved role in related parasites.
Journal for Research in Mathematics Education: Practical Guides for Promoting and Disseminating Significant Research in Mathematics Education

Research journals play significant roles in the advancement of academic fields of inquiry. This chapter starts with a brief description of the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education. Most importantly, this chapter provides practical guides to promoting and disseminating significant research in mathematics education. The guides provided in this chapter will be helpful and insightful for those who are interested in publishing in the Journal for Research in Mathematics Education.
Synthesis, Identification and Studying Biological Activity of Some Heterocyclic Derivatives from 3, 5-Dinitrosalicylic Acid

The study deals with synthesizing new thiadiazole compound (2-(5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiaz0l-2-yl)-4,6-dinitrophenol)(1) by reaction of 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid with thiosemicarbazide in Phosphoric chloride, then it is (1) reacted with 2-Bromobenzaldehydeto getting Schiff base (2-(5-((2-bromobenzylidene) amino)-1,3,4-thiadiaz0l-2-yl)-4,6-dinitrophenol)(2). T0he compound (2) will reacted with (chloroacetylchloride, thioglycolic acid, glycine, sodium azide, phthalic anhydride) to give (β-lactam, thiazolidine, imidazolidine, tetrazole, oxazepine) derivatives respectively. The new synthesized compounds have been identified by their melting points, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and FT-IR spectra. Then the biological activity studied for all the synthesized derivatives toward two type of bacteria.
Weight Loss Experiences of African American, Hispanic, and Non-Hispanic White Men and Women with Type 2 Diabetes: The Look AHEAD Trial.

Objective The aim of this study was to characterize weight loss, treatment engagement, and weight control strategies utilized by African American, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic white participants in the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) Intensive Lifestyle Intervention by racial/ethnic and sex subgroups. Methods Weight losses at 1, 4, and 8 years among 2,361 adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes randomized to intervention (31% minority; 42% men) are reported by subgroup. Multivariable models within subgroups examine relative contributions of treatment engagement variables and self-reported weight control behaviors. Results All subgroups averaged weight losses ≥ 5% in year 1 but experienced regain; losses ≥ 5% were sustained at year 8 by non-Hispanic white participants and minority women (but not men). Session attendance was high (≥ 86%) in year 1 and exceeded protocol-specified minimum levels into year 8. Individual session attendance had stronger associations with weight loss among Hispanic and African American participants than non-Hispanic white participants at 4 years (P = 0.04) and 8 years (P = 0.001). Daily self-weighing uptake was considerable in all subgroups and was a prominent factor associated with year 1 weight loss among African American men and women. Greater meal replacement use was strongly associated with poorer 1-year weight losses among African American women. Conclusions Experiences of minority men and women with diabetes in lifestyle interventions fill important gaps in the literature that can inform treatment delivery.
Plagiarism in Programming Assessments: A Systematic Review

This article is a systematic review of work in the computing education literature on plagiarism. The goal of the review is to summarize the main results found in the literature and highlight areas that need further work. Despite the the large body of work on plagiarism, no systematic reviews have been published so far. The reviewed papers were categorized and analyzed using a theoretical framework from the field of Fraud Deterrence named the Fraud Triangle. According to this framework, fraudulent behavior occurs when the person is under pressure, perceives the availability of an opportunity to commit fraud, and rationalizes the fraudulent behavior in a way that makes it seem not unethical to him or her. The review found the largest amount of the reviewed papers to discuss ways for reducing the opportunity to plagiarize, as well as tools for detecting plagiarism. However, there is a clear lack of empirical work evaluating the deterrent efficacy of these strategies and tools. The reviewed papers also included mentions of a wide range of rationalizations used by computing students when justifying plagiarism, the most important of which are rationalizations that stem from confusion about what constitutes plagiarism. Finally, work on the relationship between pressure in computing courses and plagiarism was found to be very scarce and incommensurate with the significant contribution of this factor to plagiarism.
Cross-National Variation in Knowledge of Ovulation Timing in Sub-Saharan Africa

This study was designed to examine the determinants and pattern of knowledge of ovulation timing among women in 29 countries using Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) conducted between 2008 and 20...
Quality Care Improvement

This chapter examines the relationship between quality care improvement (QCI) and sustainable community health. In clinical settings, QCI initiatives have been underway for several years. In community settings, QCI aims to improve population health outcomes (e.g., health behaviors, genetic and environmental factors, and the social determinants of health) by creating incentives that focus on prevention, and by linking medical care with community- and population-based interventions. We outline key milestones in the history and evolution of QCI applied to community health in the US context, including the landmark reports published by the Institute of Medicine and the passage of the Affordable Care Act, which led to the development of many new QCI models. Next, we discuss the current approaches to QCI in the context of community health, highlighting many state models, including those of Oregon and California, which have demonstrated success in developing initiatives that address both medical and nonmedical quality improvement. We follow this by considering prospective or emerging QCI approaches to community health. Moreover, we enumerate some of the cultural, professional, and legal issues that influence how QCI is applied in community settings, and especially the role of community health workers and the sharing of data. Finally, we discuss research and practice issues that affect QCI implementation in community health care in light of relevant historical issues, new theories and trends, and expanded quality measures.
Timing and duration of precipitation pulses and interpulses influence seedling recruitment in the Great Basin

Precipitation pulses and interpulse dry periods are major drivers of dryland ecosystem function globally, yet how the patterning and timing of precipitation inputs and dry periods influence seedling recruitment in these systems is poorly understood. We conducted two experiments to understand how limited and variable patterns of precipitation inputs may influence recruitment of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Love). In the first experiment, we evaluated how precipitation magnitude and dry-d interval during spring influenced recruitment. Ambient precipitation was excluded during spring, and we experimentally applied 5 levels of water (25, 35, 45, 55, and 65 mm) and 5-dry-d durations (1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 dry d between waterings) to plots sown with P. spicata. In the second experiment, we evaluated how the seasonal timing and duration of dry d influenced recruitment. All ambient precipitation was excluded through late winter and spring, and we experimentally applied three levels of dry-d duration (10, 20, and 30 d) four times during the growing season (February, March, April, and May) to plots sown with P. spicata. We observed strong, nonlinear interactive effects of precipitation amount and dry-d interval on recruitment where the midpoint dry-d treatment (4 d) interacted with low water availability to drive a major decline in recruitment. We also found strong evidence that recruitment was limited by dry periods occurring in late winter as opposed to dry periods occurring through spring, with recruitment decreasing over 40% during February dry periods compared with dry periods in March, April, or May. By understanding how precipitation pulses and interpulse dry periods interact to drive recruitment, we can refine efforts to develop weather-centric restoration frameworks, as well as hone ongoing efforts to identify plant materials and seed enhancement technologies that may buffer effects of variable precipitation on recruitment.
Evaluation of the anisotropic grain boundaries and surfaces of α-U via molecular dynamics

Abstract Alloys based on uranium-zirconium are gaining renewed interest as fuels for the Versatile Test Reactor and a number of microreactor designs. Implementing metallic fuel in reactors creates the need for robust descriptive and predictive fuel performance modeling. The current state of metallic fuel performance modeling relies on empirical equations derived from historical experiments, which may be unreliable when applied outside of their temperature, power, and composition phase space. One area where such data is lacking is the irradiation behavior of α -U, specifically tearing and porosity formation at the early stages of irradiation. While grain boundaries likely play a key role in this fuel behavior, relatively little is known about grain boundaries in α -U. Thus, we evaluate the grain boundary, surface energy, and work of adhesion of α -U utilizing molecular dynamics. Symmetric tilt grain boundaries (STGBs) are analyzed with the tilt plane oriented along each major crystallographic axis, for a total of eighty unique grain boundaries. The effect of temperature, tilt plane, and misorientation angle on interfacial energies are analyzed. The interfacial energies typically increase with temperature and there is significant variance as a function of misorientation angle, irrespective of the tilt plane. At 500 K, the average surface energy (1.23 J/m 2 ) is approximately 1.5 times the grain boundary energy (0.79 J/m 2 ), and the work of adhesion is approximately twice the grain boundary energy (1.68 J/m 2 ). Orientations for the likely formation of twins and likely failure planes are identified.
The Good or the Bad? Which Mutual Fund Managers Join Hedge Funds?

Does the mutual fund industry lose its best managers to hedge funds? We find that mutual funds are able to retain managers with good performance in the face of competition from a growing hedge fund industry. On the other hand, poor performers are more likely to leave the mutual fund industry. A small fraction of these poor performers find jobs with smaller and younger hedge fund companies, especially when the hedge fund industry is growing rapidly. Analogously, a small fraction of the better-performing mutual fund managers are retained by allowing them to manage a hedge fund side-by-side.
Fracture Prediction in Elastic-Plastic Problems Using Finite Element Method

A general finite element program, based on the plane stress assumption, is presented to analyze elastic-plastic problems involving monotonically increasing loads. The fracture program presented directly predicts the initiation of fracture and the failure load in any isotropic planar structure. The approach uses a piecewise linear approximation of the nonlinear plastic region of the actual stress-strain curve for the material. The program has the option to use failure criterion based on either the maximum principal strain theory (St. Venant) or the maximum energy of distortion (Hencky-von Mises). The predictions using this program are shown to agree well with published experimental data.
Equilibration of a spinless Luttinger liquid

We study how a Luttinger liquid of spinless particles in one dimension approaches thermal equilibrium. Full equilibration requires processes of backscattering of excitations, which occur at energies of the order of the bandwidth. Such processes are not accounted for by the Luttinger-liquid theory. We treat the high-energy excitations as mobile impurities and derive an expression for the equilibration rate in terms of their spectrum. Our results apply at any interaction strength.
Phage Lysozyme: Dynamics and Folding Pathway

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 Spectral Resolution and Resonance Assignment 3 T4 Lysozyme as a System for Studying Protein Folding 4 Core Packing Mutants and Dynamic Access to the Hydrophobic Core 5 Folding Pathway
Democracy and Changes in Income Inequality

This paper explores associations between changes in income inequality and the degree of both democracy and democratization. Countries with less democracy and those becoming less democratic have increasing income inequality although the relation is weaker within less de- veloped countries.
Qualitative models for adaptive critic neurocontrol

We demonstrate the use of qualitative models in the dual heuristic programming (DHP) method of training neurocontrollers. Two fuzzy approaches to developing qualitative models are explored: a priori application of problem specific knowledge, and estimation of a first order TSK fuzzy model. These approaches are demonstrated respectively on the cart-pole system and a nonlinear multiple-input-multiple-output plant proposed by Narendra. In both cases we find that a simplified model based on a Fuzzy framework enables better performance to be obtained as compared to use of non-fuzzy models of equivalent complexity. In both cases we use models that, while poor as one-step predictors, achieve effectiveness in the DHP training context equivalent to that of exact analytic models.
Perioperative Nutrition Support in Colorectal Surgery

Malnutrition remains a common problem when managing colorectal patients. This is a direct consequence of the diseases that are treated, such as inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Overall incidence remains poorly recognized, yet malnutrition continues to negatively impact postoperative recovery and patient outcomes. Nutritional support can be delivered in the preoperative or postoperative setting and can be administered via the enteral and parenteral routes. Each approach carries its unique challenges. Most studies are limited by heterogeneous patient populations, variable study designs, different feeding protocols that often result in parenteral overfeeding, and outdated methodologies. When delivered appropriately, the malnourished patient realizes several benefits including fewer postoperative complications, shorter hospital length of stay, and potentially lower mortality.
Neural subsystems for object knowledge.

CRITICAL issues in the cognitive neuroscience of language are whether there are multiple systems for the representation of meaning, perhaps organized by processing system (such as vision or language1–6), and whether further subsystems are distinguishable within these larger ones. We describe here a patient (K.R.) with cerebral damage whose pattern of acquired deficits offers direct evidence for a major division between visually based and language-based higher-level representations, and for processing subsystems within language. K.R. could not name animals regardless of the type of presentation (auditory or visual), but had no difficulty naming other living things and objects. When asked to describe verbally the physical attributes of animals (for example, 'what colour is an elephant?'), she was strikingly impaired. Nevertheless, she could distinguish the correct physical attributes of animals when they were presented visually (she could distinguish animals that were correctly coloured from those that were not). Her knowledge of other animal properties was completely intact, regardless of input stimulus. To explain this selective deficit, these data mandate the existence of two distinct representations of such properties in normal individuals, one visually based and one language-based. Furthermore, these data establish that knowledge of physical atrributes is strictly segregated from knowledge of other properties in the language system.
Colonial Behavior of Eptesicus fuscus

Big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus , were studied at maternity colonies in buildings in Kentucky. Bats arrived at the colonies in May, and colonies contained few adult males before the young were weaned. Young were born in early June. Mothers left even the youngest babies behind during feeding flights, and mothers retrieved their fallen babies from the floor and recognized their own. Young bats grew rapidly; growth curves are presented. After parturition mother bats fed close by and returned soon to their babies; as the young matured the mothers stayed away longer. When 3 weeks old the young could fly, and by mid-June mothers and young were using a night roost. Adults filled their stomachs in about an hour of feeding. Big brown bats were not tolerant of heat, and left a roosting spot at temperatures above 92°–95°F. This is a rather sedentary species; most movements recorded were of a few miles or less.
Asymptotic theory of least distances estimate in multivariate linear models

We consider the multivariate linear model where Yi is a p-vector random variable, Xi is a q X p matrix, βA0 is an unknown q-vector parameter and {si} is a sequence of iid p-vector random variable with median vector zero. The estimate βAn of βA0 such that is called the least distances (LD) estimator. It may be recalled that the least squares (LS) estimator is obtained by minimizing the sum of norm squares. In this paper, it is shown that the LD estimator is unique, consistent and has an asymptotic q-variate normal distribution with mean β0 and co variance matrix V which depends on the distribution of the error vectors {ei}. A consistent estimator of V is proposed which together with βAn enables an asymptotic inference on β0. In particular, tests of linear hypotheses on β0 analogous to those of analysis of variance in the GATJSS-MARKOFF linear model are developed. Explicit expressions are obtained in some cases for the asymptotic relative efficiency of the LD compared to the LS estimator.
Soluble and particulate lysophospholipase in the aleurone and endosperm of germinating barley

Abstract Lysophospholipase was measured in extracts of germinating barley by determining the amount of free [ 14 C]palmitate released from [1- 14 C] 1-palmitoyl-lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC). Soluble and particulate lysophospholipase activity was measured at 1-day intervals in extracts from the aleurone and endosperm of barley seeds germinated for 8 days. The soluble and particulate activities of the aleurone increase approximately in parallel with one another and after 8 days of germination have 20–30 times more activity than at day 1. The activity profiles and the distribution of the activity between the soluble and particulate forms of lysophospholipase in the endosperm are markedly different. With the exception of the first 2 days when the aleurone activity is low, the endosperm activity is less than that associated with the aleurone. The soluble activity increases during the first 3 days and is more active than that of the aleurone. Thereafter it diminishes and remains low. The particulate enzyme, however, increases dramatically between days 4 and 5 and remains moderately high. The fourth and fifth day represent that stage of germination when starch-bound LPC is released in concert with the increase in amylase activity. It is proposed that it is this particulate form of the endosperm activity which may be responsible for maintaining the level of free LPC low in the endosperm of the germinating seed.
Nonparametric Confidence Regions for Some Multivariate Location Problems

Abstract Nonparametric methods of constructing confidence regions for the location vectors in the multivariate one-sample and two-sample problems are provided. These methods are based on a class of rank order statistics studied in detail by the authors in [8, 9, 11, 13]. Specifically, nonparametric confidence regions based on the Bonferroni inequality, the maximum modulus, and Scheffe's method are studied. The results obtained are nonparametric generalizations of some of the results of Dunn [3, 4] and SIdak [15]. Certain optimality properties of the proposed methods are also established.
Toward a class of link travel time functions for dynamic assignment models on signalized networks

This paper investigates time-dependent travel time functions for dynamic assignment on signalized arterial network links. Dynamic link travel times are first classified according to various applications. Subsequently, stochastic and deterministic travel time functions for longer and shorter time horizons are discussed separately, and two sets of functions are recommended for dynamic transportation network problems. The implications of those functional forms are analyzed and some modifications for dynamic network models are suggested. In addition, based on dynamic link travel time functions, we discuss how many independent variables are necessary to describe the temporal traffic flow and properly estimate the time-dependent travel time and flow propagation over an arterial link. As a result, six link flow variables and corresponding link state and flow propagation equations are proposed as the basis to formulate dynamic transportation network models.
Parity and Breast Cancer Risk: Possible Effect on Age at Diagnosis

We examined the effect of parity on breast cancer risk on the basis of information from 107,146 married female nurses followed prospectively between 1976-1980. For everparous women, a significant protective effect against breast cancer was observed with increasing parity (chi 12 for trend = 14.2, p less than 0.001). Adjustment for age at first birth and other potential confounders by multiple logistic regression did not materially affect this trend. After controlling for these risk factors, the overall relative risk of breast cancer for women with four or more pregnancies lasting 6 months or longer was 0.68 (95% confidence limits 0.51-0.90) compared with women with only one pregnancy. When nulliparous and everparous women were compared, an interaction of age and everparous status in 1976 was observed. The logistic regression coefficient for the interaction was 0.3419 (95% confidence limits 0.0374-0.6464). Specifically, for women of parity 2 relative to nulliparous, the relative risk of breast cancer and the 95% confidence intervals were 1.85 (1.09, 3.14), 1.32 (0.92, 1.89), and 0.93 (0.62, 1.41) for 30-39, 40-49 and 50-55-year-old women, respectively. This points to the need of presenting age-specific, rather than age-adjusted, relative risks in future studies of breast cancer and parity.
The semantics of plausibility and possibility

A calculus of plausibility is constructed from the Dempster-Shafer plausibility function representation of support, Dempster's rule and the theory of r-norms. The semantics of plausibility are then compared with the semantics of possibility. It is shown that there is no transformation from plausibility to possibility that preserves the fundamental properties of the two approximate reasoning methodologies.
Changes in drug abuse clients--1972-1978: implications for revised treatment.

Considerable anecdotal evidence at this hopsital had suggested that the present population of drug abuse patients was qualitatively different from the population for which the original treatment program had been designed. In order to assess these suspected differences, samples of drug abuse clients from 1972 and 1978 were compared in terms of pattern of abuse, previous treatments, means of support, family background, and psychological status. Results suggested significant increases in symptom severity within the 1978 sample in all comparison areas, especially psychological status. The authors consider the possibility that therapeutic approaches which were previously effective may no longer be meeting the more extensive needs of the current population.
An Instructional Strategy to Introduce Pedagogical Content Knowledge Using Venn Diagrams

This paper describes the use of a three-circle Venn diagram as a vehicle for introducing pre-service elementary teachers to pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). Each circle of the diagram represents pedagogy, content and context individually. The overlap of any two circles represents the interaction between the circles. For example, the overlap of pedagogy and context relates to the ways that each of these general topics influences the other. The overlap of all three circles represents a complete lesson that is an integration of the three major components of PCK. The Venn diagram is an easily remembered graphic illustration of PCK that can be useful in planning lessons. The use of this graphic organizer in a science capstone course required of all pre-service elementary teachers is described.
Gait characteristics of two macaques, with emphasis on relationships with speed.

The gait of a juvenile rhesus monkey as he walked, ran, underwent a run–gallop transition, and galloped on a motor-driven treadmill is described. Additionally, gait data for an adult animal during walking are also presented. Footfall sequences, stride durations, and absolute and relative swing and stance durations for all four limbs are reported, and, where possible, correlated with speed. Furthermore, support patterns and delays between footfalls are presented as a function of speed. The analysis revealed many similarities with previous studies on both primates and other species, but additionally demonstrated that the fore- and hindlimbs may not relate to speed in an identical manner and that galloping is initiated asymmetrically by a single diagonal couplet. The implications of these results in terms of understanding the neural mechanisms by which quadrupeds increase speed are discussed.
Agent-Based Model of Therapeutic Adipose-Derived Stromal Cell Trafficking during Ischemia Predicts Ability To Roll on P-Selectin

Intravenous delivery of human adipose-derived stromal cells (hASCs) is a promising option for the treatment of ischemia. After delivery, hASCs that reside and persist in the injured extravascular space have been shown to aid recovery of tissue perfusion and function, although low rates of incorporation currently limit the safety and efficacy of these therapies. We submit that a better understanding of the trafficking of therapeutic hASCs through the microcirculation is needed to address this and that selective control over their homing (organ- and injury-specific) may be possible by targeting bottlenecks in the homing process. This process, however, is incredibly complex, which merited the use of computational techniques to speed the rate of discovery. We developed a multicell agent-based model (ABM) of hASC trafficking during acute skeletal muscle ischemia, based on over 150 literature-based rules instituted in Netlogo and MatLab software programs. In silico, trafficking phenomena within cell populations emerged as a result of the dynamic interactions between adhesion molecule expression, chemokine secretion, integrin affinity states, hemodynamics and microvascular network architectures. As verification, the model reasonably reproduced key aspects of ischemia and trafficking behavior including increases in wall shear stress, upregulation of key cellular adhesion molecules expressed on injured endothelium, increased secretion of inflammatory chemokines and cytokines, quantified levels of monocyte extravasation in selectin knockouts, and circulating monocyte rolling distances. Successful ABM verification prompted us to conduct a series of systematic knockouts in silico aimed at identifying the most critical parameters mediating hASC trafficking. Simulations predicted the necessity of an unknown selectin-binding molecule to achieve hASC extravasation, in addition to any rolling behavior mediated by hASC surface expression of CD15s, CD34, CD62e, CD62p, or CD65. In vitro experiments confirmed this prediction; a subpopulation of hASCs slowly rolled on immobilized P-selectin at speeds as low as 2 microm/s. Thus, our work led to a fundamentally new understanding of hASC biology, which may have important therapeutic implications.
Performance modeling of heterogeneous data networks

A heterogeneous data network consists of Local Area Networks (LANs) interconnected with either leased lines, packet-switched networks, Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs), or combinations thereof. Heterogeneous networks are characterized by bursty traffic, nested segmentation and reassembly of packets, window flow control and round-robin channel access. We develop a performance methodology for estimating user perceived delay and buffer overflow in heterogeneous data networks. The methodology is based on well-known two-moment approximation schemes. Modifications of these schemes are proposed in order to model the bandwidth allocation policies of the MANs and to capture the burstiness of the traffic. The methodology is applied to several LAN-MAN and LAN-MAN-WAN network examples.
ACR appropriateness criteria® pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) may be idiopathic or related to a variety of diseases. The diagnosis, accurate assessment of etiology and severity, prognosis, treatment response, and follow-up of PH can be achieved using a diverse set of diagnostic examinations. In this review, the role of imaging in the evaluation of PH as suggested by the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria® Expert Panel on Thoracic Imaging has been discussed. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria® are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed every 2 years by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The development and review of the guidelines include an extensive analysis of current medical literature from peer-reviewed journals and the application of a well-established consensus methodology (modified Delphi) to rate the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures by the panel. In those instances in which evidence is lacking or not definitive, expert opinion may be used to recommend imaging or treatment.
Genome-Wide Identification of Chromatin Transitional Regions Reveals Diverse Mechanisms Defining the Boundary of Facultative Heterochromatin

Due to the self-propagating nature of the heterochromatic modification H3K27me3, chromatin barrier activities are required to demarcate the boundary and prevent it from encroaching into euchromatic regions. Studies in Drosophila and vertebrate systems have revealed several important chromatin barrier elements and their respective binding factors. However, epigenomic data indicate that the binding of these factors are not exclusive to chromatin boundaries. To gain a comprehensive understanding of facultative heterochromatin boundaries, we developed a two-tiered method to identify the Chromatin Transitional Region (CTR), i.e. the nucleosomal region that shows the greatest transition rate of the H3K27me3 modification as revealed by ChIP-Seq. This approach was applied to identify CTRs in Drosophila S2 cells and human HeLa cells. Although many insulator proteins have been characterized in Drosophila, less than half of the CTRs in S2 cells are associated with known insulator proteins, indicating unknown mechanisms remain to be characterized. Our analysis also revealed that the peak binding of insulator proteins are usually 1–2 nucleosomes away from the CTR. Comparison of CTR-associated insulator protein binding sites vs. those in heterochromatic region revealed that boundary-associated binding sites are distinctively flanked by nucleosome destabilizing sequences, which correlates with significant decreased nucleosome density and increased binding intensities of co-factors. Interestingly, several subgroups of boundaries have enhanced H3.3 incorporation but reduced nucleosome turnover rate. Our genome-wide study reveals that diverse mechanisms are employed to define the boundaries of facultative heterochromatin. In both Drosophila and mammalian systems, only a small fraction of insulator protein binding sites co-localize with H3K27me3 boundaries. However, boundary-associated insulator binding sites are distinctively flanked by nucleosome destabilizing sequences, which correlates with significantly decreased nucleosome density and increased binding of co-factors.
New fluoroindate glass compositions

Abstract New multicomponent InF 3 -based bulk glasses have been investigated. The molar composition of the base glass is 28% InF 3 –20% ZnF 2 –16.5% BaF 2 –12% GaF 3 –9% PbF 2 –6% NaCl–5% SrF 2 –3% CaF 2 –0.5% PrF 3 . A number of variations of the base glass were prepared and their refractive indices and densities measured. Resistance to crystallization allowed the preparation of large pieces of the base glass. The infrared and Raman spectra show that the base composition has a longer wavelength multiphonon edge at 10 μm and a phonon energy of 509 cm −1 , in comparison with 8 μm and 574 cm −1 for ZBLAN, which reveals that the present glasses have a lower phonon energy and a greater transparency in the infrared than ZBLAN. Reduction of PbF 2 concentration in the base composition provided glasses with smaller refractive indices than the base glass.
Potential novel targets for Alzheimer pharmacotherapy: II. Update on secretase inhibitors and related approaches

Summary What is known and objective The prevailing theory regarding Alzheimer disease (AD) is that insoluble amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) plays a critical role in the cortical plaques characteristic of the disease. Because Aβ is formed from the sequential splicing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) catalysed by ‘secretase’ enzymes (α, β and γ), clinical trials of secretase inhibitors will either result in beneficial pharmacotherapy or, if negative, cast doubt on the role of Aβ in AD. With recent clinical trial failures, is the Aβ theory wrong? Methods Literature searches were conducted on the topics of secretases and clinical trials, including PubMed searches, United States clinical trials directory, pharmaceutical company websites and news reports. The information was collected and evaluated for relevance and quality. Results and discussion Several direct-acting (e.g. CTS-21166, LY2811376) and indirect-acting (e.g. ACI-91) β-secretase inhibitors and several γ-secretase inhibitors (e.g. avagacestat, JNJ-40418677 and semagacestat) have not fared well in early clinical trials due to the lack of efficacy or concerns over possible serious side effects. What is new and conclusion The failures of secretase inhibitors in clinical trials appear to bring into question the long-hypothesized association between AD and Aβ production. However, the disease might have been too advanced in these patients to benefit from this type of therapy (mainly preventive). Secretase inhibitors are still being studied, along with new diagnostic tools, with the hope of testing patients earlier, that is, with less advanced disease. If these trials also fail, the prevailing view of the role of Aβ in AD will truly be in doubt.
“Windows of opportunity” for dinoflagellate blooms: Reduced microzooplankton net growth coupled to eutrophication

Abstract Links between eutrophication, plankton community structure, microzooplankton grazing and dinoflagellate abundance were investigated in two tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay, the Choptank and Patuxent Rivers (MD, USA). Sampling and experiments were conducted during the spring of consecutive dry (below average freshwater flow) and wet (above average freshwater flow) years. During the wet year (2003), dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phytoplankton, and copepod biomass, but not microzooplankton abundance, were greater than in the dry year. In 2003, but not 2002, small cell size photosynthetic dinoflagellates were abundant and blooms occurred in both rivers. Average potential microzooplankton grazing pressure on small dinoflagellates was spatially and temporally variable, but was not significantly different between years. Our data suggest that the variability in microzooplankton grazing pressure provided “windows of opportunity” for net growth of dinoflagellates in response to nutrient loading. The lack of net population growth of micrograzers in response to increases in dinoflagellate prey allowed dinoflagellate blooms to reach relatively high densities, however grazing also appeared to be important in limitation or demise of some blooms. We hypothesize that uncoupling of micrograzer–prey dynamics was partly due to strong top-down control by copepods of microzooplankton in the proportionately more eutrophic year, and perhaps also due to inhibition of microzooplankton grazing/growth once dinoflagellate densities are high.
Dietary and Exercise Interventions for Juvenile Obesity: Long‐Term Effect of Behavioral and Public Health Models

We investigated the influence of nutrition and exercise interventions within cognitive/behavioral and public health formats on weight and blood lipid profiles in obese children. Compliance was also examined as well as the relationship of the compliance measures with clinical outcome variables. Three conditions were compared over 16 sessions: nutrition and eating-habit change followed by exercise (NE), exercise followed by nutrition and eating-habit change (EN), and an information control (INFO). NE and EN were presented in a cognitive/ behavioral framework which focused on the development of self-regulation whereas the INFO condition received the same material in a public health/educational model. NE and EN participants evidenced modest, yet significant, reductions in weight and blood lipids, and the impact of these two interventions endured at a five-year follow-up. In contrast, INFO participants displayed stable weight and blood lipids during the course of the program, and most remained morbidly obese at follow-up. Improved nutrition, increased physical activity and fitness were significantly correlated with weight and lipid reductions.
The diagonal argument and the Liar

Recall our objection to Kripke's truth gap theory. A good diagonal argument shows that there are semantic concepts beyond the reach of Kripke's object language: These concepts are expressible only in a metalanguage. So although Kripke's object language can be said to contain its own truth predicate, it is not semantically universal. Further, Kripke's theory does not provide a model of “ordinary” English, or of some “significant stage” of natural language. For the semantic concepts that are inexpressible in Kripke's object language are available to the ordinary speaker of English. This two-part objection to Kripke's theory may be generalized. In its general form, it presents a challenge to any purportedly non-Tarskian approach to the Liar , not just those, like Kripke's, that appeal to truth gaps. We can express the challenge in the form of two questions. First, does the theory give rise to semantic concepts that can be expressed only in a metalanguage, on pain of paradox? If the answer to this question is affirmative, then the scope of the proposed non-Tarskian theory is limited. And an affirmative answer to the first question prompts this second question: Are these semantic concepts available to the ordinary speaker, independently of philosophical reflection on the Liar? If the answer to this second question is also in the affirmative, then not only is the scope of the proposed solution put into question, but so is its significance. For the Liar is constructed out of our ordinary semantic concepts, concepts expressed by our ordinary semantic terms.
Intergroup attitudes: Black American perceptions of Asian Americans*

(1988). Intergroup attitudes: Black American perceptions of Asian Americans. Ethnic and Racial Studies: Vol. 11, No. 4, pp. 474-488.
Estimating Forecast Lead Time

Flood warning systems (FWS), if properly designed and operated, reduce flood damages and save lives. For federally funded projects, the economic benefit of the FWS must be computed. That benefit must be greater than the project cost for the system to be implemented. The driving factor in the benefit computations is the duration of the lead time attributed to the FWS. In other words, how far in advance can a FWS forecast a threshold exceedence? We have developed a straightforward procedure to answer this question using standard-of-practice rainfall-runoff models. The result can be used with economic models to estimate the economic benefit of an FWS for project planning purposes.
Kinetic study of the reaction of chlorine atoms with CF3I and the reactions of CF3 radicals with O2, Cl2 and NO at 296 K

The kinetics of the gas-phase reaction of Cl atoms with CF3I have been studied relative to the reaction of Cl atoms with CH4 over the temperature range 271–363 K. Using k(Cl + CH4) = 9.6 × 10−12 exp(−2680/RT) cm3 molecule−1 s−1, we derive k(Cl + CF3I) = 6.25 × 10−11 exp(−2970/RT) in which Ea has units of cal mol−1. CF3 radicals are produced from the reaction of Cl with CF3I in a yield which was indistinguishable from 100%. Other relative rate constant ratios measured at 296 K during these experiments were k(Cl + C2F5I)/k(Cl + CF3I) = 11.0 ± 0.6 and k(Cl + C2F5I)/k(Cl + C2H5Cl) = 0.49 ± 0.02. The reaction of CF3 radicals with Cl2 was studied relative to that with O2 at pressures from 4 to 700 torr of N2 diluent. By using the published absolute rate constants for k(CF3 + O2) at 1–10 torr to calibrate the pressure dependence of these relative rate constants, values of the low- and high-pressure limiting rate constants have been determined at 296 K using a Troe expression: k0(CF3 + O2) = (4.8 ± 1.2) × 10−29 cm6 molecule−2 s−1; k∞(CF3 + O2) = (3.95 ± 0.25) × 10−12 cm3 molecule−1 s−1; Fc = 0.46. The value of the rate constant k(CF3 + Cl2) was determined to be (3.5 ± 0.4) × 10−14 cm3 molecule−1 s−1 at 296 K. The reaction of Cl atoms with CF3I is a convenient way to prepare CF3 radicals for laboratory study. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Outcomes analysis of laparoscopic resection of pancreatic neoplasms

Experience with laparoscopic resection of pancreatic neoplasms remains limited. The purpose of this study is to critically analyze the indications for and outcomes after laparoscopic resection of pancreatic neoplasms. The medical records of all patients undergoing laparoscopic resection of pancreatic neoplasms from July 2000 to February 2006 were reviewed. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Laparoscopic pancreatic resection was performed in 22 patients (M:F, 8:14) with a mean age of 56.3 ± 15.1 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 26.3 ± 4.5 kg/m2. Nine patients had undergone previous intra-abdominal surgery. Indications for pancreatic resection were cyst (1), glucagonoma (1), gastrinoma (2), insulinoma (3), metastatic tumor (2), IPMT (4), nonfunctioning neuroendocrine tumor (3), and mucinous/serous cystadenoma (6). Mean tumor size was 2.4 ± 1.6 cm. Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was attempted in 18 patients and completed in 17, and enucleation was performed in 4 patients. Laparoscopic ultrasound (n = 10) and a hand-assisted technique (n = 4) were utilized selectively. Mean operative time was 236 ± 60 min and mean blood loss was 244 ± 516 ml. There was one conversion to an open procedure because of bleeding from the splenic vein. The mean postoperative LOS was 4.5 ± 2.0 days. Seven patients experienced a total of ten postoperative complications, including a urinary tract infection (UTI) (1), lower-extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (1), infected peripancreatic fluid collection (1), pancreatic pseudocyst (1), and pancreatic fistula (6). Five pancreatic fistulas were managed by percutaneous drainage. The reoperation rate was 4.5% and the overall pancreatic-related complication rate was 36.4%. One patient developed pancreatitis and a pseudocyst 5 months postoperatively, which was managed successfully with a pancreatic duct stent. There was no 30-day mortality. Laparoscopic pancreatic resection is safe and feasible in selected patients with pancreatic neoplasms. With a pancreatic duct leak rate of 27%, this problem remains an area of development for the minimally invasive technique.