cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) Alter Herbaceous Species Richness in the Hiawatha National Forest, Michigan, USA

ABSTRACT To assess the effects of deer browsing on understory composition, we examined hardwood forests with documented differences in browse intensity within two regions of the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. A deciduous twig damage assessment confirmed that two sites within the southern region experienced high white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) browse intensity (44–49% of twigs browsed) and two sites within the northern region incurred low browse intensity (0.5% and 0.6% of twigs browsed). We used within-site sample means and site-level rarefaction curves to compare understory species richness in these two forests. The forest experiencing low browse intensity had higher woody species richness on a per plot basis than the heavily browsed forest, but the converse was observed for herbaceous species richness. Site-level evaluation with rarefaction curves confirmed the plot-scale results for herbaceous species, but different patterns in woody species richness emerged due to d...
Current and future directions in the treatment and prevention of drug-induced liver injury: a systematic review

While the pace of discovery of new agents, mechanisms and risk factors involved in drug-induced liver injury (DILI) remains brisk, advances in the treatment of acute DILI seems slow by comparison. In general, the key to treating suspected DILI is to stop using the drug prior to developing irreversible liver failure. However, predicting when to stop is an inexact science, and commonly used ALT monitoring is an ineffective strategy outside of clinical trials. The only specific antidote for acute DILI remains N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for acetaminophen poisoning, although NAC is proving to be beneficial in some cases of non-acetaminophen DILI in adults. Corticosteroids can be effective for DILI associated with autoimmune or systemic hypersensitivity features. Ursodeoxycholic acid, silymarin and glycyrrhizin have been used to treat DILI for decades, but success remains anecdotal. Bile acid washout regimens using cholestyramine appear to be more evidenced based, in particular for leflunomide toxicity. For drug-induced acute liver failure, the use of liver support systems is still investigational in the United States and emergency liver transplant remains limited by its availability. Primary prevention appears to be the key to avoiding DILI and the need for acute treatment. Pharmacogenomics, including human leukocyte antigen genotyping and the discovery of specific DILI biomarkers offers significant promise for the future. This article describes and summarizes the numerous and diverse treatment and prevention modalities that are currently available to manage DILI.
Impact Of Renal Insufficiency and Obesity On Safety and Outcomes Of BEAM Conditioning

Introduction BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine and melphalan) is a standard conditioning regimen for patients with NHL undergoing autotransplant. Guidelines do not address whether patients with marginal renal function or obesity should undergo dose-adjustment to limit toxicity, and practices vary among centers. Methods We reviewed all patients who had BEAM autotransplant at MSKCC, 9/2003 - 12/2011; none received dose adjustment for chronic renal insufficiency [CRI, creatinine clearance (CrCl) 29-59 ml/min] or obesity (BMI>30). Outcomes included OS, relapse risk, transplant length of stay (LOS), and incidence of toxicities including mucositis, febrile neutropenia, and organ damage (acute renal failure by AKIN criteria; pulmonary toxicity requiring oxygen or corticosteroids; heart failure requiring inotropic support). Uni- and multivariate analysis evaluated association with baseline renal function and BMI, as well as age, histology, prior therapy, disease response, and comorbidity (hematopoietic stem cell transplant comorbidity index ≥4). Logistic regression was used for toxicity endpoints; linear regression and ANOVA were used for LOS; and Cox regression model and Gray’s competing risks were used for OS and relapse risk. Results 343 patients received BEAM during the study period; median (range) age=56 (17-73), estimated CrCl=92 (29-208), and BMI=27.6 (16-47). 12% had CRI and 33% were obese (12% BMI≥35, 3% BMI≥40). Stepwise multivariate analysis showed CRI (OR 2.9, P Conclusions Patients with CRI or obesity experience increased risks of acute organ damage, and those with CRI have inferior OS, but 100d mortality remains low in both groups. Our findings do not support routine dose-modification of BEAM for obesity or moderate renal insufficiency. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Differential Roles of Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors in Canine Medullary Inspiratory Neurons of the Ventral Respiratory Group

The relative roles of ionotropic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and non-NMDA glutamate receptors in supplying excitatory drive to inspiratory (I) augmenting pattern neurons of the ventral respiratory group were studied in anesthetized, ventilated, paralyzed, and vagotomized dogs. Multibarrel micropipettes were used to record simultaneously single-unit neuronal activity and pressure microeject the NMDA antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP5; 2 mM), the non-NMDA antagonist 2, 3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline (NBQX; 0.25 mM), and an artificial cerebrospinal fluid vehicle. Ejected volume-rates were measured directly via meniscus level changes. The moving time average of phrenic nerve activity was used to determine respiratory phase durations and to synchronize cycle-triggered histograms of the discharge patterns. Both AP5 and NBQX produced dose-dependent reductions in peak spontaneous I neuronal discharge frequency (Fn). The average (+/- SE) maximum reduction in peak Fn produced by AP5 was 69.1 +/- 4.2% and by NBQX was 47.1 +/- 3.3%. Blockade of both glutamate receptor subtypes nearly silenced these neurons, suggesting that their activity is highly dependent on excitatory synaptic drive mediated by ionotropic glutamate receptors. Differential effects were found for the two glutamatergic antagonists. AP5 produced downward, parallel shifts in the augmenting pattern of discharge, whereas NBQX reduced the slope of the augmenting discharge pattern. These results suggest that time-varying excitatory input patterns to the canine I bulbospinal neurons are mediated by non-NMDA glutamate receptors and that constant or tonic input patterns to these neurons are mediated by NMDA receptors.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes in pregnant women with Ebstein anomaly at the time of delivery in the USA: 2003-2012.

Summary Background Ebstein anomaly is an uncommon congenital cardiac lesion that may be associated with cyanosis, arrhythmias and right heart dysfunction. Investigation into patient characteristics and outcomes in pregnant women with Ebstein anomaly has been limited. Aims To characterize patient characteristics and clinical events for pregnant women with Ebstein anomaly during hospitalization for delivery in the USA; also, to determine the effect of Ebstein anomaly on maternal clinical outcomes and individual predictors of poor outcome at time of delivery. Methods We screened the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample for hospital admissions of pregnant women for delivery (vaginal or caesarean section) in the USA from 2003–2012, and identified a cohort of 7,850,381. Clinical characteristics and maternal outcomes were identified in those with and without Ebstein anomaly. The primary outcome of interest was major adverse cardiac events (MACE), a composite of in-hospital death, acute myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular events, embolic events, cardiac complications of labour and delivery heart failure or arrhythmia. Results Our study population consisted of 82 hospitalizations of pregnant women with Ebstein anomaly and 7,850,299 without. The Ebstein cohort more frequently had ostium secundum-type atrial septal defect and/or patent foramen ovale and anomalous atrioventricular excitation ( P P P ≤ 0.001). In a multivariable analysis, anomalous atrioventricular excitation (odds ratio [OR] 21.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–457.91) and preterm delivery (OR 11.71, 95% CI 1.39–98.89) were associated with MACE among those with Ebstein anomaly. Conclusions Pregnant women with Ebstein anomaly are at higher risk of MACE during pregnancy and delivery. Preterm delivery occurred more frequently in women with Ebstein anomaly.
Rabbit cardiovascular responses during PEEP before and after vagotomy.

SummaryHeart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and mean right atrial pressure (MRAP) were measured in 15 pentobarbital-anesthetized rabbits, with vascularly isolated carotid sinuses, during increases in positive end expiratory pressures (PEEP) of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 cm H2O. Also, peak reflex bradycardia (ΔHR) and depression of arterial blood pressure (ΔMAP) to left aortic nerve stimulation (LANS) were recorded during the PEEP changes in aortic and subsequently vagal denervated animals. Responses were measured with the carotid sinus receptors detecting systemic pressure (closed loop (CL) condition) and with sinus region pressures held constant (open loop (OL) condition). Results demonstrated that both HR and MAP were altered by an increase in PEEP. Analysis of HR, and ΔHR to LANS responses during OL conditions, suggested the reflex involvement of cardiopulmonary afferent to cardiac efferent vagal fibers during PEEP changes. Vascular responses to increased PEEP occurred in the presence or absence of ar...
Damping in Initially Stressed Elastically Unstable Structures

1 The vibration response (natural frequencies and damping) of a post-buckled beam as a result of an axial compression force is studied both analytically as well as experimentally. In the analytical development, the pinned-pinned (simply-supported) beam is treated approximately as two-bar link with a rotational spring and damper at the mid-span. It is shown that the post-buckled beam vibrational behavior follows inversely to the behavior of the pre-buckled beam vibrational behavior. For example, as one applies an increasing compression load to a prebuckled beam, the natural frequencies decrease, while the modal damping increases from underdamped to overdamped. As this load approaches the buckling load, the beam natural frequency goes to zero, while the modal damping approaches infinity. Once the beam deforms into its post-bucked state, then further increases in the compression loading causes an increase in the beam bending natural frequency and the corresponding modal damping goes from infinity to overdamped to finally underdamped. The natural frequency and damping of the post-buckled beam approach that of the initially unloaded beam as the beam deformation is fully collapsed. Experimental testing of a compressively loaded graphite/epoxy beam validate these trends for both the pre-buckled and post-buckled conditions. These results are of interest to designers of compressively loaded structures that are subject to buckling, for example fuselage and wing skins that are subjected to dynamic loads.
Solving Linear Congruences

Most textbooks on number theory tend to present linear congruences in a more or less theoretical fashion, paying little attention to the mechanical problems inherent in the solution of a congruence with a large modulus such as 73,124x -= 1613 (mod81,763). Some semi-systematic approaches are given, but even the best of such approaches are largely trial and error. The Euclidean algorithm may be used, as in the introductory approach to Diophantine equations found in most books, but this overlooks the use of congruence notation entirely and totally undermines the inherent superiority of the congruence approach to Diophantine equations. The purpose of this note is to present a relatively
Physical and social determinants of nest-site selection in piping plover in New Jersey

I examined nest-site selection and reproductive success in Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus) over a 4-year period on four nesting beaches in New Jersey. Nest site characteristics varied among the four nesting locations with respect to distance to dunes, water, nearest Least Tern (Sterna antillarum) nest, and percent shell cover. Compared with random points, Piping Plover nests were closer to dunes and vegetation, farther from water, closer to tern nests, farther from other Piping Plover nests, in spots with more shell cover. Reproductive success varied among colonies and years, but was generally higher at Brigantine than the other sites. Causes of nest failure included predation, human destruction, abandonment, and flooding. Plovers derived antipredator benefits from nesting near terns, and plover nesting in tern colonies often had higher success than those nesting outside of tern colonies.
“The Earth's Mantle: Composition, Structure and Evolution” by Ian Jackson

Professor A. E. (“Ted”) Ringwood (1930-1993) made numerous seminal contributions to our understanding of the chemical composition, origin and evolution of the Earth and Moon, and the ideal tribute would capture some flavor of his rare skills for experimentation, synthesis, and inference. This volume comes admirably close to the ideal, bringing together synoptic review papers from Ringwood's colleagues in the Research School of Earth Sciences of Australia National University (ANU) as well as their collaborators, in a highly accessible overview of the Earth's mantle. The most remarkable achievement of the volume is the sustained pedagogic tone of the separate sections, clearly the result of a masterful editorial input by Ian Jackson and his editorial advisory board. The result is a modern, expansive, and authoritative presentation of great value for beginning or advanced researchers interested in the deep Earth. The book also provides a fascinating window into a “world view” rather...
Analysis of epidemiology and pathogenic characteristics of Vibrio Parahaemolyticus in diarrhea patients

Objective:To know the epidemiology characteristics of diarrhea caused by Vibrio Parahaemolyticus(VP) and its pathogenic features in Pudong New District,Shanghai during 2010-2011.Methods:The patients′ information and rectal swabs were collected from sentinel hospitals.Cultivation,isolation,bio-chemical analysis and serotyping were carried out according to WS 271-2007 "Diagnostic criteria for infectious diarrhea".Drug sensitivity test was done according to K-B method recommended by WHO.Results:299 VP strains were detected from 5590 samples in two years.The detection rate was 4.99%.Most VP strains were detected from July to September.The age of diarrhea patients was between 4 and 81,and the male to female were near 1∶ 1.The most samples were collected from near East Sea hospitals.There were 8 serogroups,30 serotypes in the detected VPs.O3:K6 was the most common serotype,the number was 186,and the ratio was 62.21%.The resistance rate of VPs to AMP was more than 99.33% and all were sensitive to AMC,CTX,CAZ and FEP.Conclusion:Epidemiology characteristics of diarrhea caused by V.Parahaemolyticus in Pudong is basically clear.The serotypes and drug resistance of detected VPs is also clear.All the results will provide the foundations to the VP diarrhea therapy and prevention.
The application of the reduced dosage of the contrast medium with saline flush in cerebral and carotid angiography with 64-slice spiral CT

Objective To ustilize the reduced contrast dose with saline flush in cerebral and carotid angiography with 64-slice spiral CT.Methods According to the contrast dose,40 patients undergoing cerebral and carotid CTA examination were randomly divided into 2 groups,one group was treated with 50 ml contrast agent and 20 ml saline flush,the other group was administrated with 70 ml contrast agent.With double blindness method,the data were respectively evaluated and analyzed by two radiologists independently.Results For the two radiologists,on the manifestation of carotid and cerebral arteries,the venous artefact and the CT value measurement aspects,the Kappa value was respectively 0.895,0.814, 0.702,0.836.By rank sum test,on the manifestation of carotid arteries aspect,the grading score of the two groups of radiologist A was respectively 1.3,1.2;and that of radiologist B was respectively 1.4,1.2;the differences between the two groups of the two radiologists have no statistical significance(U=173,P0.05; U=128,P0.05).And on the manifestation of cerebral arteries aspect,the grading score of the two groups of radiologist A was respectively 1.4,1.2;and that of radiologist B was respectively 1.2,1.2;the differences between two groups of the two radiologists both have no statistical significance(U=160, P0.05;U=106,P0.05).And on the artefacts produced by the high contrast densities in the right subclavian vein,brachiocephalic vein and vena cava,the grading score of the two groups of radiologist A was respectively 1.3,2.1;and that of radiologist B was respectively 1.2,1.9;the differences between the two groups of the two radiologists both have statistical significance(U=75,P0.05;U=82,P0.05).The CT value of the arteries of the two groups from radiologist A was respectively 329.1,322.9,241.4,194.6, 353.3,342.7,245.8,204.5 HU;and the difference between the twogroups has no statistical significance (t=0.298,P0.05).The CT value of the arteries of the two groups from radiologist B was respectively 337.3,329.5,239.2,192.8,345.6,341.2,247.1,210.5 HU;and the difference between the two groups has no statistical significance (t = 0. 233, P 0. 05). Conclusion On the CTA exams with 64-slice spiral CT, good CTA image quality can be acquired with reduced contrast dose and saline flush, thereby we can afford reliable diagnostic information for the clinicians.
SIMULATION OF GAS SEEPAGE IN FISSURED COAL BASED ON LATTICE BOLTZMANN METHOD

A new dynamic model for simulation of gas flow in fissured coal is established based on lattice Boltzmann method(LBM),and is used to simulate two-dimensional gas flow in fissured coal.The simulation results demonstrate that the mining differential pressure has a great impact on the flow velocity,the porosity pressure and the pressure gradient of gas in fissured coal.Under the condition of mining pressure,the flow pressure of gas in fissured coal fluctuates at the beginning of seepage,and the amplitude depends on the differential pressure between the two ends of flow field.Then the gas pressure becomes stable,and the system energy reaches its equilibrium state.At the moment just before gas pressure gets its peak value,the gradient of gas porosity pressure becomes very high,and it is the primary reason for coal outburst.Along with the increment of mining differential pressure,the gas flow in fissured coal turns from laminar flow to turbulent flow gradually.As mining differential pressure is very hight,he gas pressure appears divergence,and the dependence between mining differential pressure and gas pressure evidently becomes nonlinear.The velocity of gas flow becomes faster along with the increment of mining differential pressure,and the velocity in the middle of the flow field is faster than that on the sides.The results based on LBM coincide with the related conclusions of gas seepage by other methods very well,which indicates that LBM is an effective method to simulate gas flow in fissured coal.LBM provides a new method in further studying of coupling theory between coal and gas,and outburst mechanism of gas in fissured coal.
The Moral Character of Cryptographic Work

Cryptography rearranges power: it configures who can do what, from what. This makes cryptography an inherently political tool, and it confers on the field an intrinsically moral dimension. The Snowden revelations motivate a reassessment of the political and moral positioning of cryptography. They lead one to ask if our inability to effectively address mass surveillance constitutes a failure of our field. I believe that it does. I call for a community-wide effort to develop more effective means to resist mass surveillance. I plead for a reinvention of our disciplinary culture to attend not only to puzzles and math, but, also, to the societal implications of our work.
Unsupervised Clickstream Clustering for User Behavior Analysis

Online services are increasingly dependent on user participation. Whether it's online social networks or crowdsourcing services, understanding user behavior is important yet challenging. In this paper, we build an unsupervised system to capture dominating user behaviors from clickstream data (traces of users' click events), and visualize the detected behaviors in an intuitive manner. Our system identifies "clusters" of similar users by partitioning a similarity graph (nodes are users; edges are weighted by clickstream similarity). The partitioning process leverages iterative feature pruning to capture the natural hierarchy within user clusters and produce intuitive features for visualizing and understanding captured user behaviors. For evaluation, we present case studies on two large-scale clickstream traces (142 million events) from real social networks. Our system effectively identifies previously unknown behaviors, e.g., dormant users, hostile chatters. Also, our user study shows people can easily interpret identified behaviors using our visualization tool.
Gluteus medius and rump fat depths as additional live animal ultrasound measurements for predicting retail product and trimmable fat in beef carcasses.

This study was conducted to determine the ability of additional ultrasound measures to enhance the prediction accuracy of retail product and trimmable fat yields based on weight and percentage. Thirty-two Hereford-sired steers were ultrasonically measured for 12th-rib fat thickness, longissimus muscle area, rump fat thickness, and gluteus medius depth immediately before slaughter. Chilled carcasses were evaluated for USDA yield grade factors and then fabricated into closely trimmed, boneless subprimals with 0.32 cm s.c. fat. The kilogram weight of end-point product included the weight of trimmed, boneless subprimals plus lean trim weights, chemically adjusted to 20% fat, whereas the fat included the weight of trimmed fat plus the weight of fat in the lean trim. Prediction equations for carcass yield end points were developed using live animal or carcass measurements, and live animal equations were developed including ultrasound ribeye area or using only linear measurements. Multiple regression equations, with and without ultrasound rump fat thickness and gluteus medius depth, had similar R 2 values when predicting kilograms of product and percentages of product, suggesting that these alternative variables explained little additional variation. Final unshrunk weight and ultrasound 12th-rib fat thickness explained most of the variation when predicting kilograms of fat. Rump fat and gluteus medius depth accounted for an additional 10% of the variation in kilograms of fat, compared with the equation containing final weight, ultrasound ribeye area, and ultrasound 12th-rib fat thickness; however, the two equations were not significantly different. Prediction equations for the cutability end points had similar R 2 values whether live animal ultrasound measurements or actual carcass measurements were used. However, when ultrasound ribeye area was excluded from live animal predictions, lower R 2 values were obtained for kilograms of product (0.81 vs 0.67) and percentages of product (0.41 vs 0.17). Conversely, the exclusion of ultrasound ribeye area had little effect on the prediction accuracy for kilograms of fat (0.75 vs 0.74) and percentage fat (0.50 vs 0.40). These data substantiate the ability of live animal ultrasound measures to accurately assess beef carcass composition and suggest that the alternative ultrasound measures, rump fat and gluteus medius depth, improve the accuracy of predicting fat-based carcass yields.
Demonstration of self-aligned flip-chip photonic assembly with 1.1dB loss and > 120nm bandwidth

We demonstrate direct flip-chip assembly of photonic dies with solder-induced self-alignment to sub-micron accuracy. We find a peak chip-to-chip transmission of -1.1 dB with 0.2 dB penalty over the 120 nm spectrum measured.
Tuning the Ultrafast Dynamics of Photoinduced Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer in Energy Conversion Processes

Photoinduced proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is essential for a wide range of energy conversion processes in chemical and biological systems. Understanding the underlying principles of photoinduced PCET at a level that allows tuning and control of the ultrafast dynamics is crucial for designing renewable and sustainable energy sources such as artificial photosynthesis devices and photoelectrochemical cells. This Perspective discusses fundamental aspects of photoinduced PCET, including the characterization of different types of excited electronic states, as well as the roles of solute and solvent dynamics, nonadiabatic transitions, proton delocalization, and vibrational relaxation. It also presents strategies for tuning and controlling the charge transfer dynamics and relaxation processes by altering the nature and positions of molecular substituents, the distance associated with electron transfer, the proton transfer interface, and the solvent properties. These insights, in conjunction with furthe...
The Role of Unemployment in the Rise in Alternative Work Arrangements

The share of U.S. workers in alternative work arrangements has increased substantially in recent decades. Micro longitudinal analyses show that unemployed workers are much more likely to transition into alternative work arrangements than other workers. Macro time-series evidence shows that weak labor market conditions lead to an increase in non-traditional work. But the estimated magnitudes imply that the Great Recession and high unemployment in the 2000s can account for only a modest part of the rise in alternative work. Secular factors associated with rising inequality and technological changes making it easier to contract out work appear to be the driving forces.
Legal-Writing Exercises: Part I

This column, the third in a continuing series, contains exercises -- with questions, answers, and explanations -- on concision, that/which, who/whom, professional tone, and adverbial excesses.
Dynamics of Charged Species in Ionic-Neutral Block Copolymer and Surfactant Complexes.

Structure–property relationships of ionic block copolymer (BCP) surfactant complexes are critical toward the progress of favorable engineering design of efficient charge-transport materials. In this article, molecular dynamics simulations are used to understand the dynamics of charged-neutral BCP and surfactant complexes. The dynamics are examined for two different systems: charged-neutral double-hydrophilic and hydrophobic–hydrophilic block copolymers with oppositely charged surfactant moieties. The dynamics of the surfactant head, tails, and charges are studied for five different BCP volume fractions. We observe that the dynamics of the different species solely depend on the balance between electrostatic and entropic interactions between the charged species and the neutral monomers. The favorable hydrophobic–hydrophobic interactions and the unfavorable hydrophobic–hydrophilic interactions determine the mobilities of the monomers. The dynamical properties of the charge species influence complex formation...
The S-layer Associated Serine Protease Homolog PrtX Impacts Cell Surface-Mediated Microbe-Host Interactions of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM

Health-promoting aspects attributed to probiotic microorganisms, including adhesion to intestinal epithelia and modulation of the host mucosal immune system, are mediated by proteins found on the bacterial cell surface. Notably, certain probiotic and commensal bacteria contain a surface (S-) layer as the outermost stratum of the cell wall. S-layers are non-covalently bound semi-porous, crystalline arrays of self-assembling, proteinaceous subunits called S-layer proteins (SLPs). Recent evidence has shown that multiple proteins are non-covalently co-localized within the S-layer, designated S-layer associated proteins (SLAPs). In Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, SLP and SLAPs have been implicated in both mucosal immunomodulation and adhesion to the host intestinal epithelium. In this study, a S-layer associated serine protease, PrtX (prtX, lba1578), was deleted from the chromosome of L. acidophilus NCFM. Compared to the parent strain, the PrtX-deficient strain (∆prtX) demonstrated increased autoaggregation, an altered cellular morphology, and pleiotropic increases in adhesion to mucin and fibronectin, in vitro. Furthermore, ∆prtX demonstrated increased in vitro immune stimulation of IL-6, IL-12, and IL-10 compared to wild-type, when exposed to mouse dendritic cells. Finally, in vivo colonization of germ-free mice with ∆prtX led to an increase in epithelial barrier integrity. The absence of PrtX within the exoproteome of a ∆prtX strain caused morphological changes, resulting in a pleiotropic increase of the organisms’ immunomodulatory properties and interactions with some intestinal epithelial cell components.
Psychometric Properties of the Rosenbaum Schedule for Assessing Self-Control

To assess the psychometric properties of Rosenbaum’s Schedule for Assessing Self-Control Behavior, 388 male and 596 female undergraduates were administered the scale. Alpha reliabilities were for males.81, females.83, and combined.82. Discriminant analyses revealed that the male vs. female multivariate means were significantly separated. Females reported greater self-control. Univariate vs indicated females scored significantly higher than males on the composite scale. Factor analysis revealed that the most parsimonious and substantively interpretable structure was obtained when six factors were extracted and subsequently rotated via the Varimax criterion.
EPIC DIMENSIONS: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF 3D ACQUISITION METHODS

Abstract. When it comes to capturing the geometry of a cultural heritage artifact, there is certainly no dearth of possible acquisition techniques. As technology has rapidly developed, the availability of intuitive 3D generating tools has increased exponentially and made it possible even for non-specialists to create many models quickly. Though the by-products of these different acquisition methods may be incongruent in terms of quality, these discrepancies are not problematic, as there are many applications of 3D models, each with their own set of requirements. Comparisons of high-resolution 3D models of an iconic Babylonian tablet, captured via four different closerange technologies discussed in this paper assess which methods of 3D digitization best suit specific intended purposes related to research, conservation and education. Taking into consideration repeatability, time and resource implications, qualitative and quantitative potential and ease of use, this paper presents a study of the strengths and weakness of structured light scanning, triangulation laser scanning, photometric stereo and close-range photogrammetry, in the context of interactive investigation, conditions monitoring, engagement, and dissemination.
Formidability assessment mechanisms: Examining their speed and automaticity

Abstract Throughout vertebrate evolution, asymmetries in the ability to inflict costs on others (i.e., formidability) have determined the outcomes of contests over limited resources. Therefore, natural selection would have favored mechanisms designed to efficiently and accurately estimate the formidability of conspecifics. Although previous research has provided evidence for the existence of adaptations for formidability assessment, the design features of these mechanisms have not been fully examined. In the current study, participants underwent a battery of tasks to test hypotheses regarding the speed and automaticity of formidability assessment mechanisms. Results suggest that formidability is automatically and rapidly tracked and assessed from visual cues. With a few interesting exceptions, characteristics of the raters (N=187) and targets (N=64) did not influence these assessments. Additionally, we present eye–tracking data to highlight the salience of upper–body musculature as a cue to physical strength. Taken together, these findings bolster and extend evidence for formidability assessment mechanisms in humans.
Validity and reliability of smartphone orientation measurement to quantify dynamic balance function.

Objective: Postural control is frequently compromised after sub-concussive and concussive head trauma, and balance testing is an integral part of neuromotor assessment and management. The main objective of this paper is to develop a novel smartphone-based neuromotor assessment protocol for screening of dynamic balance decrements stemming from head trauma. Approach: Experiments 1 and 2 compared Android smartphone orientation detection algorithms to a biomechanics laboratory motion capture system using a pendulum (i.e. non-biological movement) and a human stepping task (i.e. biological movement). Experiment 3 examined the test-retest reliability of a stepping-in-place protocol in three different sensory conditions (eyes open, no-vision, head shake) using temporal and spatial variability metrics extracted from thigh orientation signal in a sample of healthy young adults. Main results: Smartphone sensors provided valid measurements of movement timing and amplitude variables. However, sensor firmware version and Android OS version significantly affected quality of measurement. High test-retest reliability was shown for the temporal and spatial variables of interest during the stepping-in-place task. Significance: Collectively, these experiments show that our smartphone application is a valid and reliable way to measure leg movement characteristics (mean stride time and its variability (CV), Peak Thigh SD, Thigh ROM, and Peak Return Velocity) during dynamic balance activity, which could provide an objective way to assess neuromotor function after head trauma and in other populations with balance dysfunction.
Identification and validation of QTL for grain yield and plant water status under contrasting water treatments in fall-sown spring wheats

Chromosome regions affecting grain yield, grain yield components and plant water status were identified and validated in fall-sown spring wheats grown under full and limited irrigation. Increases in wheat production are required to feed a growing human population. To understand the genetic basis of grain yield in fall-sown spring wheats, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) including 262 photoperiod-insensitive spring wheat accessions grown under full and limited irrigation treatments. Analysis of molecular variance showed that 4.1% of the total variation in the panel was partitioned among accessions originally developed under fall-sowing or spring-sowing conditions, 11.7% among breeding programs within sowing times and 84.2% among accessions within breeding programs. We first identified QTL for grain yield, yield components and plant water status that were significant in at least three environments in the GWAS, and then selected those that were also significant in at least two environments in a panel of eight biparental mapping populations. We identified and validated 14 QTL for grain yield, 15 for number of spikelets per spike, one for kernel number per spike, 11 for kernel weight and 9 for water status, which were not associated with differences in plant height or heading date. We detected significant correlations among traits and colocated QTL that were consistent with those correlations. Among those, grain yield and plant water status were negatively correlated in all environments, and six QTL for these traits were colocated or tightly linked (< 1 cM). QTL identified and validated in this study provide useful information for the improvement of fall-sown spring wheats under full and limited irrigation.
Time With and Without Tense

How is temporal information conveyed in language? Do tenses code temporal information directly? Does the universality of temporal interpretations arise from a common syntactic structure necessarily including a Tense Phrase (TP)? From the study of tenseless languages and mixed-temporal languages such as Mandarin Chinese and Navajo, this article addresses fundamental questions about the grammaticalization of time. It is proposed that two simple pragmatic principles constrain direct temporal interpretation in languages with tense (English, French), and guide indirect temporal interpretation in languages without tense: (i) the default intepretation of present tense sentences as located in the present, (ii) the ‘Bounded Event Constraint’, i.e. the fact that bounded events cannot be located at Speech Time. A more general principle of Simplicity ensures that Present takes precedence over the Future (as futurity is never a ‘purely temporal’ concept). According to this view, a few very general grammatical principles account for temporal interpretation in both tensed and tenseless languages. The syntax of fully-tensed languages includes a TP, conveying direct information about temporal location. The other types of languages have an Aspect Phrase, but no TP. Aspectual information about boundedness and information about internal temporal properties (Static/Dynamic, Telic/Atelic, Durative/Punctual), coupled with the invariant pragmatic principles, suffice to derive temporal interpretation.
Uncovering Self-Diagnosis

Prerequisite role-playing skills for the explanatory mode include gentle commands, listening, tracking, clarifying , contracting, eliciting and responding to emotions , and personal story .
The Effect of the Excitation Wavelength on the Fluorescence Depolarization of Protein-Dye Complexes or Conjugates

The depolarization of fluorescence of protein-dye complexes in solution has usually been interpreted in terms of Perrin’s equation for the depolarization to be expected for spheres (Perrin 1926); $$ \frac{{{A_0}}} {A} = \frac{{\frac{1} {p} - \frac{1} {3}}} {{\frac{1} {{{p_0}}} - \frac{1} {3}}} = 1 + \frac{{3\tau }} {{{p_0}}} = 1 + \frac{{R\tau }} {{{V_M}}} \cdot \frac{T} {\eta } $$ (1) where: A is the emission anisotropy defined by Jablonski (1960) as \( A = 1/\left( {\frac{1} {p} - \frac{1} {3}} \right) \) p is the experimental polarization, defined as \(p = \frac{{{I_V} - {I_H}}} {{{I_V} + {I_H}}}\) p 0 is the polarization when T/η approaches 0, τ is the lifetime of the excited state of the chromophore in seconds, ρ 0 is the rotational relaxation time of the sphere in seconds, at a specific T/η, T is the solution temperature (°K), η is the solution viscosity (poises), V M is the molar volume (ml/mole), R is the gas constant (8.317 x 107 ergs°K-1 mole-1).
Parameter Estimation of a Thermal Fluid System

In this paper we consider the problems of parameter estimation for a counter flow heat exchanger. The problem is complicated when convection dominates the heat transfer so that the diffusion coefficient is small compared to the convection coefficient. We employ the full flux physics model, which means the model is defined by convection-diffusion equations and the parabolic equations are viewed as a perturbation of the zero diffusion model. We show that by proper formulation of the boundary conditions and employing combined finite element-finite volume schemes one can estimate the small diffusion term. Moreover, by employing constrained optimization one can obtain physically meaningful results. We compare constrained and unconstrained nonlinear least squares approaches. Numerical results are presented to illustrate the ideas and some open questions are discussed.
Task-based needs analysis of L2 pragmatics in an EAP context

Abstract Various EAP language use situations require pragmatic competence, such as making a recommendation letter request to a professor or composing e-mails for different purposes. These situations reflect real-life contexts emphasizing what students are able to do with the language, which speaks to the essence of task-based pragmatic instruction. However, research on a task-based approach to EAP pragmatic needs and how stakeholders' needs can inform pragmatic instruction is still limited. Thus, this study investigates various stakeholders' perceptions of task-based pragmatic needs in an EAP context. The needs analysis conducted for this study involved interviews with administrators, instructors, and students and a questionnaire administered to 180 students. In general, relatively strong pragmatic needs were revealed along with different patterns of needs across the stakeholder groups, students' proficiency levels, and academic status. The majority of students expressed needs in communicating with a professor and culture-specific written genres. Low-level students expressed stronger pragmatic learning needs and high-level students expressed noticeable interests in understanding a professor's cultural jokes and implied meaning. Triangulating various stakeholders' opinions enabled gaining multiple perspectives on the task-based pragmatic needs in an EAP context. The findings are further discussed in terms of how they inform the development of meaningful EAP pragmatic tasks.
Solar Rights in the United States

Solar rights are legal rights needed to ensure that a piece of land has access to sunlight. These rights may be of interest to property owners seeking to undertake a variety of activities: farming, lighting, and clothes drying, to name a few. But perhaps the most economically significant purpose for which solar rights may be utilized is for the purpose of solar collectors. Such devices are used to harness the rays of the sun and transform them into thermal, chemical, or electrical energy. In an era of increasing deployment of solar collectors across the globe, the fair and efficient allocation of solar rights is of increasing importance. This chapter will focus on solar rights in the United States. It will address how solar rights are currently allocated and will suggest the need to formulate solar rights that will deliver more optimal policy results in the future.
MANAGERIAL AND STRATEGIC PLANNING ASPECTS OF CAD/CAM TECHNOLOGY IMPLEMENTATION

Falling productivity, worsening inflation, and scarce engineering resources are accelerating the demand for manufacturing organizations to implement CAD/CAM technology. Although many CAD/ CAM users have reported significant gains in reducing product development cycle time, the experience of a number of companies demonstrates that when the ultimate goal of a company is to increase overall business performance, the impact of using CAD/CAM is not always as dramatic as expected. The CAD/CAM experience of such companies as Pratt & Whitney, General Electric, and Structural Dynamics Research Corporation, proves that achieving maximum benefits requires a company-wide implementation effort accompanied by company-wide planning. This paper introduces the methodology for overall manufacturing performance improvement through the allocation of proper CAD/CAM technology in pay-off areas. Managerial, organizational, planning and economic implications are discussed.
How uniquely irreducible is consciousness? Defining the limits of biological reductionism A commentary on Neuroontology, neurobiological naturalism, and consciousness: A challenge to scientific reduction and a solution, by Todd E. Feinberg, MD

In this important and thought-provoking review, the author takes up what is certainly the central challenge to thescientiﬁc study of consciousness: namely, the apparent irreducibility of core aspects of subjective experience. Theauthor rightly identiﬁes four core features of consciousness that defy attempts at reduction: the referral of mentalstates, mental unity (taken here to be the same as ‘perceptual unity’), qualia, and mental causation [1, this issue].For the sake of this commentary, I will consider an overarching claim made in the target review about the nature ofreduction in biological systems generally.In framing the problem of irreducibility in the study of consciousness, the author begins with the observation thatall biological systems are hierarchically organized. In such hierarchical systems, certain novel properties are emergentat the highest levels of organization (i.e., properties that differ markedly from the features that collectively generatethem); at the same time, high-level components
Pregnancy During Cardiology Training: We Need a Policy

From Aristotle to Oprah, the importance of work–life balance has been iterated over history. In the context of cardiology training, it is necessary to develop a pragmatic approach. Guaranteeing the well-being of the physician will ensure the development of a competent, caring, and resilient health
Implant Choices for Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) design has gone through several iterations since its inception to include cemented versus cementless fixation, modular metal-backed versus all-polyethylene tibial components, and mobile-bearing versus fixed-bearing designs. In direct comparison studies of modern UKA designs, cementless fixation may offer a slight advantage in implant survivorship in addition to shorter operative times. The literature has not provided a consensus on the superiority of all-polyethylene versus metal-backed tibial components or mobile-bearing versus fixed-bearing implants, as each of these design features has inherent advantages and disadvantages.
Pride, Guilt, and Self-Regulation in Cause-Related Marketing Advertisements

The use of cause-related marketing (CRM), which occurs when company donations are tied to consumer transactions, has increased significantly in recent years. Traditionally, marketers seeking to adv...
Extending Retrospective Encoding for Robust Recovery of the Multistatic Data Set

Robust recovery of multistatic synthetic aperture data from conventional ultrasound sequences can enable complete transmit-and-receive focusing at all points in the field of view without the drawbacks of virtual-source synthetic aperture and further enables more advanced imaging applications, such as backscatter coherence, sound speed estimation, and phase aberration correction. Recovery of the multistatic data set has previously been demonstrated on a steered transmit sequence for phased arrays using an adjoint-based method. We introduce two methods to improve the accuracy of the multistatic data set. We first modify the original technique used for steered transmit sequences by applying a ramp filter to compensate for the nonuniform frequency scaling introduced by the adjoint-based method. Then, we present a regularized inversion technique that allows additional aperture specification and is intended to work for both steered transmit and walking aperture sequences. The ramp-filtered adjoint and regularized inversion techniques, respectively, improve the correlation of the recovered signal with the ground truth from 0.9404 to 0.9774 and 0.9894 in steered transmit sequences and 0.4610 to 0.4733 and 0.9936 in walking aperture sequences.
Formative Design as a Framework for Implementing Teacher Professional Development on Design Thinking

This study employed designed-based research to explore formative design as both a methodology for PD and as the focus of the PD content. Five 7-h PD sessions were offered to 220 teachers across five schools in India. Results indicated that formative design was useful for planning, implementing, and iterating PD that was meaningful for participants and that teachers were open to aspects of the design process, but struggled with making changes to their pedagogy.