cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncertainty Reduction and the Threat of Supplier Retaliation: Two Views of the Backward Integration Decision:

The article examines the decision to vertically integrate backwards from two perspec tives : the extent to which vertical integration relieves the uncertainty of supply for a firm facing a variable demand function; and the threat that existing suppliers will retaliate if such vertical integration is attempted. Data from the PIMS data base are used to show that while the uncertainty reduction theory is strongly supported, there is value in complementing the theory by also taking potential retaliation into account: the results provide evidence that buyers will be discouraged from backward vertical integration if both the likelihood and the severity of retaliation are high.
Term Relevance Weights in On-Line Information Retrieval

Considerable evidence exists to show that the use of term relevance weights is beneficial in interactive information retrieval. Various term weighting systems are reviewed. An experiment is then described in which information retrieval users are asked to rank query terms in decreasing order of presumed importance prior to actual search and retrieval. The experimental design is examined, and various relevance ranking systems are evaluated, including fully automatic systems based on inverse document frequency parameters, human rankings performed by the user population, and combinations of the two.
UTILIZATION OF CELLULOSIC MATERIALS THROUGH ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS I. FERMENTATION OF HYDROLYSATE TO ETHANOL and SINGLE CELL PROTEIN

Ethanol fermentation studies were conducted with Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC "4126, to determine the optimal conditions of oxygen tension and feed sugar concentration. In long-term continuous culture maximum ethanol production was found to occur at 0.07 mmHg oxygen tension and 10% glucose feed concentration. Preliminary process design and cost studies are developed for industrial scale fermentations to produce ethanol and torula yeast from sugars obtained by enzymatic hydrolysis of newsprint.
Immunogenicity and Immunologic Memory after Hepatitis B Virus Booster Vaccination in HIV-Infected Children Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an important cause of comorbidity in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). High rates of HBV infection among HIV-infected adolescents and young adults are documented [1]. Coinfection is associated with greater HBV replication and viremia, persistence of hepatitis B surface antigen, and higher rates of chronic carriage, superinfection, reactivation, transmission, and chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, and death [2–4]. Therefore, there is a need to protect HIV-infected populations against HBV. Many studies have indicated that seroconversion rates after HBV vaccination are low among children (12%–78%) and among adolescents and adults (18%–56%) infected with HIV, compared with rates of >90% among HIV-uninfected populations [1–16]. Although some studies have suggested that seroconversion rates are improved among HIV-infected adults treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), they remain in the range of 32%–59% [2–4, 16]. The effect that HAART has on the response to HBV vaccine among children has not been sufficiently studied. P1024 is a multicenter study of the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials Group (IMPAACT) designed to evaluate immunogenicity and safety of vaccines in HIV-infected children receiving HAART, and P1061s is a substudy that evaluated immunologic memory after vaccination in P1024. The present report focuses on immunogenicity, safety, and memory responses associated with HBV vaccination.
An Evaluation of Alternative Safety Criteria for Nuclear Power Plants

Safety criteria for frequency of nuclear-reactor accidents and for reactor-induced risk to individuals and to society are evaluated on the basis of their comprehensiveness, clarity, recognition of uncertainty, practicability, defensibility, simplicity, and internal consistency. Many criteria were found to be comprehensive and practicable; few completely satisfied the other evaluation standards. A consensus inferred from the most favorably evaluated criteria would allow between 1.0 x 10/sup -4/ and 1.0 x 10/sup -3/ core melts per reactor year, between 1.0 x 10/sup -6/ and 2.0 x 10/sup -5/ fatalities per reactor year per individual, and a total exposure i the United States of between 1000 and 10,000 person rems per reactor year. This consensus is consistent with the criteria proposed in NUREG0880.
Antibodies specific for Ig idiotype, but not isotype, can substitute for antigen to induce IgM secretion by a B cell clone

Cells of the mouse B cell clone, CH12.LX, secrete IgM when cultured with nominal antigen (sheep erythrocytes, SRBC) and mAbs which bind their membrane Ek molecules. To determine whether anti-Ig antibodies can substitute for antigen in the induction of IgM secretion by CH12.LX, the B cells were cultured with anti-Ek mAbs and anti-IgM or anti-idiotype antibodies. Anti-IgM antibodies were capable of cross-linking the membrane IgM of CH12.LX, and inhibited mitogen-induced differentiation of the B cells. However, anti-IgM could not substitute for SRBC in delivering a major histocompatibility complex-restricted differentiative signal. In contrast, either polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies specific for the CH12.LX Ig idiotype were fully capable of substituting for antigen in the induction of IgM secretion by CH12.LX. The binding of anti-IgM antibodies did not prevent anti-idiotype antibodies from delivering a differentiative signal. Thus, binding of ligand to different parts of the membrane Ig molecule can result in the delivery of different biological signals to the B cell.
Mathematical modeling of monolignol biosynthesis in Populus xylem

Recalcitrance of lignocellulosic biomass to sugar release is a central issue in the production of biofuel as an economically viable energy source. Among all contributing factors, variations in lignin content and its syringyl-guaiacyl monomer composition have been directly linked with the yield of fermentable sugars. While recent advances in genomics and metabolite profiling have significantly broadened our understanding of lignin biosynthesis, its regulation at the pathway level is yet poorly understood. During the past decade, computational and mathematical methods of systems biology have become effective tools for deciphering the structure and regulation of complex metabolic networks. As increasing amounts of data from various organizational levels are being published, the application of these methods to studying lignin biosynthesis appears to be very beneficial for the future development of genetically engineered crops with reduced recalcitrance. Here, we use techniques from flux balance analysis and nonlinear dynamic modeling to construct a mathematical model of monolignol biosynthesis in Populus xylem. Various types of experimental data from the literature are used to identify the statistically most significant parameters and to estimate their values through an ensemble approach. The thus generated ensemble of models yields results that are quantitatively consistent with several transgenic experiments, including two experiments not used in the model construction. Additional model results not only reveal probable substrate saturation at steps leading to the synthesis of sinapyl alcohol, but also suggest that the ratio of syringyl to guaiacyl monomers might not be affected by genetic modulations prior to the reactions involving coniferaldehyde. This latter model prediction is directly supported by data from transgenic experiments. Finally, we demonstrate the applicability of the model in metabolic engineering, where the pathway is to be optimized toward a higher yield of xylose through modification of the relative amounts of the two major monolignols. The results generated by our preliminary model of in vivo lignin biosynthesis are encouraging and demonstrate that mathematical modeling is poised to become an effective and predictive complement to traditional biotechnological and transgenic approaches, not just in microorganisms but also in plants.
The Limitations of Code Switching in Chicano/a Literature

While scholars have extensively researched code switching in Chicano/a literature, none have explored how accommodating an English-speaking audience can negatively impact the perception of Chicano/a culture and identity. Many times the techniques used in a minimalist approach (just a smattering of Spanish infused into the text) work against the legitimization of the Spanish language. In this analysis, I will show that the intentions of Chicano/a authors, with regards to their choice of language, do not always match up with the rhetorical strategies they employ. More specifically, I will focus on three texts that use code switching as a strategy to document the realities of a multicultural and multilingual identity. In two of these texts, code switching between English and Spanish conveys a distinctive Chicano/a culture and asserts a unique Chicano/a identity that will persevere in American society despite the limitations and prejudices placed upon it; however, in the third, as I will show, some uses of code switching undercut the author’s purpose.
A Never Ending Journey Inclusive Education Is a Principle of Practice, Not an End Game

A team from Schoolwide Integrated Framework for Transformation (SWIFT), a federally funded technical assistance project focused on creating cascading, aligned systems for inclusive education, conducted a series of focus groups and interviews with school administrators, general and special educators, and related service providers in six schools across the United States. Six themes merged from the study that highlighted the importance of defining inclusive education as well as building the capacity of people to understand and implement the components of a system of inclusive education. These themes suggest that leadership for inclusive education requires attention to the structures and processes used to signal that inclusive education is an undergirding principle of practice. Equally important is the development of relationships among students, teachers, and families that cement the structures. Networking, planning and organizing, using time and space strategically, and connecting schools with their communi...
Cancer stem cells and HER2 positive breast cancer: The story so far

Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor type 2 (HER2) gene amplification and/or protein overexpression is observed in patients suffering from HER2+ breast cancer. This subtype of breast cancer has improved prognosis due to availability of anti-HER2 therapy. However, drug resistance and tumor recurrence still remains a major concern. Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) are believed to constitute the subset of cell population that is resistant to drug treatment and possesses characteristics of stem cells. CSCs enable the tumors to thrive despite major insults. This review provides a comprehensive idea about the concept of CSCs in context of HER2+ breast cancer by providing the description of the markers that are used for the identification of CSCs and by elucidating the signaling pathways that are associated with HER2+ breast CSCs. Furthermore, the review also describes the interaction of HER2 with those signaling pathways and the future of targeting CSCs in HER2+ breast cancer.
Antigenic Polymorphism in Microtus Californicus

Antigenic polymorphism between individuals of the California vole ( Microtus californicus ) was demonstrated by means of absorption analysis of heteroimmune rabbit sera using erythrocytes of individual mice. Four antigenic specificities were observed in limited samples from insular and mainland populations in the San Francisco area. Termination of the investigations precluded definitive genetic analysis of the observed polymorphism or more complete data on the frequency of the polymorphism in natural populations of this mouse.
Arthropod Parasites on the Starling, sturnus vulgaris L., in Southwest Virginia

One hundred starlings were collected and examined for recto parasites between May 22, 1964, and May 4, 1965. Fifteen species of insects (2 Collembola, I Psocoptera, 2 Mallophaga, 2 Thysanoptera, 4 Homopetra, I Coleoptera, and 3 Diptera) and 22 species of Acarina were collected. One of the Acarina, Dermatophagoides (Sturnophagoides) Bakeri Fain, was new to science.
Reaction pathways for the thermal decomposition of methyl butanoate

In recent years, biodiesel fuels, consisting of long-chain alkyl (methyl, ethyl, propyl) esters, have emerged as viable alternatives to petroleum-based fuels. From a combustion chemistry standpoint, there is great interest in developing accurate reaction models for these new molecules that can be used to predict their behaviors in various regimes. In this paper, we report a detailed study of the unimolecular decomposition pathways of methyl butanoate (MB), a short-chain ester that contains the basic chemical structure of biodiesel fuels. Using ab initio/DFT methods, we identified five homolytic fissions of C–C and C–O bonds and five hydrogen transfer reactions. Rate constants were determined using the G3B3 theory coupled with both variational transition state theory and Rice–Ramsperger–Kassel–Marcus/master equation simulations with hindered rotation corrections. Branching ratios in the temperature range 1500–2200 K indicate that the main pathway for thermal decomposition of MB is the reaction CH3CH2CH2C(═...
Safe driving envelopes for path tracking in autonomous vehicles

Abstract One approach to motion control of autonomous vehicles is to divide control between path planning and path tracking. This paper introduces an alternative control framework that integrates local path planning and path tracking using model predictive control (MPC). The controller plans trajectories, consisting of position and velocity states, that best follow a desired path while remaining within two safe envelopes. One envelope corresponds to conditions for stability and the other to obstacle avoidance. This enables the controller to safely and minimally deviate from a nominal path if necessary to avoid spinning out or colliding with an obstacle. A long prediction horizon allows action in the present to avoid a dangerous situation in the future. This motivates the use of a first-order hold discretization method that maintains model fidelity and computational feasibility. The controller is implemented in real-time on an experimental vehicle for several driving scenarios.
Clinical analysis of 20 cases with neonatal hypoglycemia

Objective To explore and analyze the cause of hypoglycemia symptoms.Methods From March 2012 to March 2013 in our hospital,a total of 20 neonates with hypoglycemia were monitored by conventional blood sugar.Results Neonates with symptoms of hypoglycemia was somewhat related to gestational age and weight;leading to hypoglycemia factors included: infection,hemorrhagic,asphyxia,mothers with diabetes mellitus,scleredema;open milk delay,feeding difficulty;congenital heart disease.Conclusion We should conduct rigorous monitoring the neonates with hypoglycemia,and timely correct the high risk factors existed,in order to avoid damage to the central nervous system of patients,that cause central nervous system sequelae.
Study on burden pile profile prediction model for COREX-3000 melter gasifier

The distribution of reducing gas in melter gasifier of COREX-3000 directly influences gas utilization and burden descent.The charging of burden is a main method of regulating gas flow distribution. In order to reveal the burden distribution process,a mathematical model of forecasting the burden pile profile is established based on the impact position,angle of repose and the mass conservation of burden.The impact position of burden is determined by analyzing the material flow trajectory and force during charging process. Based on the mathematical model,an extended burden pile profile prediction software of COREX-3000 melter gasifier is developed by combining mathematic knowledge and computer technology. Using this software,the burden trajectory,the impact position and the burden pile profile under various operations of the coal-gimbal distributor and the DRI-flap distributor can be easily obtained,which can provide reference data for adjusting the charging operation in practice.
Postcapitalism: Materialism, Decentralization, and Globalization

Focusing on the material conditions of our existence and the evolutionary trajectory we have followed, we can appreciate first that capitalism and socialism have much in common, hence postcapitalism, and second, that group survival is just as powerful a mechanism for natural selection as the so-called survival of the fittest. Digital technologies seem to foster decentralization but paradoxically permit greater concentration of resources and power in the hands of the few, while encouraging a culture of distraction. The implication for the global proliferation of these technologies is greater wealth but one that cannot overcome global pockets of poverty.
Botulinum Toxin-A in Dystonia

A report of the Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology concludes that local injection of type A botulinum toxin (Botox) is proven as a safe and efficacious modality for the treatment of blepharospasm, cervical dystonia, and hemifacial spasm.
Neither Realistic nor Constitutionally sound: The Problem of the FCC's Community Standard for Broadcast Indecency Determinations

The Federal Communications Commission exercises the power to regulate the broadcast of constitutionally protected indecent speech under a standard upheld by the•U.S. Supreme Court in its 1978 decision in FCC v. Pacifica Foundation. In the thirty years since that decision, however, the FCC has pursued an increasingly idiosyncratic application of the Pacifica test that disposes with local community standards as the legal benchmark of indecency. In doing so, the FCC's approach rejects the judicial sources that originally legitimized the Pacifica indecency test, conflicts with the statutory authority by which the FCC regulates broadcasting generally, and contradicts the Court's specific and more recent rulings on indecency in the context of other media. In its upcoming review of Fox Television Stations, Inc. v. FCC, the Court will have an opportunity to correct the anomalies of the FCC's broadcast indecency regime. The Court should require that the FCC refer to local community standards in making its indecency determinations and bring the Commission's exercise of this authority into line with governing principles of First Amendment law.
Tumor Vasculogenesis Can Be Derived from the Hematopoietic Stem Cell.

Blood vessel development is essential to cancer growth and metastasis. Based on our recent findings that the hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) provides functional hemangioblast activity in repairing the ischemic retina, we questioned if the HSC also acts as a pathologic hemangioblast - contributing to tumor vasculogenesis. Using a transplant model of green fluorescent protein (GFP) marrow into wild-type C57BL/6 mice, we injected lung cancer (LLC) and allowed the tumor to grow for 14 days. All tumor specimens demonstrated tumor vessels with marrow-derived endothelial cells. Approximately 25% of tumor vessels contained marrow-derived endothelial cells as demonstrated by GFP, CD31 and vWF expression. Confocal microscopy was used to identify true marrow-derived endothelial cells lining the vascular lumen versus marrow-derived pericytes juxtaposed to endothelial cells. We further questioned whether the tumor neovasculogenesis is from a clonal, self-renewing HSC. Lung cancers grown in recipients of single cell and serially transplanted hematopoietic stem cells (n=9) demonstrate clonal, donor-derived endothelial cells in 5% of tumor vasculature, matching hematopoietic engraftment. Our results indicate that the self-renewing, clonal adult hematopoietic stem cell exhibits pathologic hemangioblast activity, capable of producing both blood and blood vessels within tumors. Given that the HSC and its EPC progeny can contribute to tumor vasculogenesis, we further hypothesized that factors that affect leukocyte trafficking likely affect the pathologic hemangioblast activity of HSC. Thus, we made slight modifications to our transplant and tumor inoculation model by administering GCSF and SCF to mobilize marrow derived EPC. Over the ensuing 14 days, the tumors in the cytokine treated group grew at a much faster rate and to a much larger size than tumors in the control mice. After 14 days of cytokine treatment and tumor growth, microvessel density was not different between cytokine treated mice (n=4) and control mice (n=4); however, marrow-derived tumor vasculogenesis was markedly elevated in the cytokine treated compared to controls (63% vs. 26%). In conclusion, the HSC contributes to blood vessels within lung cancer and strategies targeting HSC/EPC mobilization (such as during the recovery phase of chemotherapy) potentially represent excellent ant-neoplastic opportunities.
Early Clearance of Peripheral Blood Blasts but Not White Blood Cells Is a Powerful Prognostic marker for complete Response and Overall Survival in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) receiving Induction Chemotherapy

Abstract Abstract 1553 Background: Most pts with AML will achieve complete remission (CR) following therapy with cytarabine and an anthracycline. Early clearance of blasts in peripheral blood (PB) has been shown to be an important prognostic factor in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. We explored the dynamics of PB blasts in pts with AML undergoing induction chemotherapy with AI (ara-C 1.5g/m2x3d and idarubicin 12mg/m2x3d) at our institution and their impact in long-term outcomes. Patients & Methods: We reviewed the dynamics of PB blasts (i.e. PB blasts=0%) or WBC (i.e. WBC≤0.1×109/dL) clearance in pts with AML receiving AI (n=486). Patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia were excluded. Pt characteristics were as follows: median age 55 yrs (range, 19–73), pts Results: The overall response rate (ORR=CR+CRp) was 65% (58%+7%). Forty-four (30%) pts were resistant to induction therapy. To evaluate the dynamics of PB WBC and PB blast clearance, we divided all pts in 5 groups depending on the day they cleared their WBC or blasts from PB: group 1 (0–1 days), 2 (2–3 days), 3 (4–5 days), 4 (6–8 days), and 5 (beyond day 8). A total of 21, 34, 25, 4, and 3 pts were included in groups 1 through 5. No differences in CR rates were observed across all 5 groups according to the time of clearance of PB WBC (p=0.653). Likewise, similar median overall survival (OS) rates were observed in all 5 groups regardless of the timing of PB WBC clearance (0.2). However, the timing of PB blast clearance was associated with a distinct probability of achieving CR, being 73%, 74%, 65%, 24%, AND 60% for groups 1 through 5 (p=0.003). This translated into distinctly different median OS for the 5 groups (p=0.03) ( Figure 1 A). When groups 1, 2, and 3 were merged and compared with the merge of groups 4 and 5, the ORR for the resulting two new groups was 71% and 32% (p Figure 1 B), suggesting that early PB clearance predicts long-term outcomes. Download : Download high-res image (24KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Overall survival according to timing of PB blast clearance (A & B) Conclusion: We have shown in a large cohort of uniformly treated pts with AML that early clearance of PB blasts (but not WBC) is an important risk factor for achievement of CR and for OS. Clearance of PB blasts should be considered in prognostication schemas for pts with AML. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Change in loneliness after intervention with cochlear implants or hearing aids.

Objective To investigate the impact of hearing aid (HA) and cochlear implant (CI) use on loneliness in adults. Study Design Prospective observational cohort study. Methods One hundred and thirteen adults, aged ≥ 50 years, with postlingual hearing loss and receiving routine clinical care at a tertiary academic medical center, were evaluated with the University of California at Los Angeles Loneliness Scale before and 6 and 12 months after intervention with HAs or CIs. Change in score was assessed using linear mixed effect models adjusted for age; gender; education; and history of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking. Results Significant improvements in loneliness scores were observed in CI users from baseline to 6 months (−3.79 [95% confidence interval): −5.73, −1.85], P <.001) and baseline to 12 months (−3.26 [95% confidence interval: −5.66, −0.87], P =.007). We did not observe a significant improvement in loneliness scores in HA users from baseline to 6 months (−0.83 [95% confidence interval: −2.68, 1.02], P =.381) or baseline to 12 months (−0.34 [95% confidence interval: −2.77, −2.10], P = .007). The most substantial increases were observed in individuals with the lowest baseline scores. Conclusion Treatment of hearing loss with CIs results in a significant reduction in loneliness symptoms. This improvement was not observed with HAs. We observed differential effects of treatment depending on the baseline loneliness score, with the greatest improvements observed in individuals with the most loneliness symptoms at baseline. Level of Evidence 2b. Laryngoscope, 127:1885–1889, 2017
Metabolic differentiation of early Lyme disease from southern tick–associated rash illness (STARI)

Lyme disease, the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States, results from infection with Borrelia burgdorferi. Early clinical diagnosis of this disease is largely based on the presence of an erythematous skin lesion for individuals in high-risk regions. This, however, can be confused with other illnesses including southern tick−associated rash illness (STARI), an illness that lacks a defined etiological agent or laboratory diagnostic test, and is coprevalent with Lyme disease in portions of the eastern United States. By applying an unbiased metabolomics approach with sera retrospectively obtained from well-characterized patients, we defined biochemical and diagnostic differences between early Lyme disease and STARI. Specifically, a metabolic biosignature consisting of 261 molecular features (MFs) revealed that altered N -acyl ethanolamine and primary fatty acid amide metabolism discriminated early Lyme disease from STARI. Development of classification models with the 261-MF biosignature and testing against validation samples differentiated early Lyme disease from STARI with an accuracy of 85 to 98%. These findings revealed metabolic dissimilarity between early Lyme disease and STARI, and provide a powerful and new approach to inform patient management by objectively distinguishing early Lyme disease from an illness with nearly identical symptoms.
Genetic analysis of provitamin A carotenoid β-cryptoxanthin concentration and relationship with other carotenoids in maize grain (Zea mays L.)

Provitamin A (proVA) carotenoids are converted into retinol (vitamin A) in the human body, are the subject of human nutrition studies, and are targets for biofortification of staple crops. β-Carotene has been the principal target for enhancing levels of proVA. There is recent interest in enhancing the proVA carotenoid β-cryptoxanthin since it has excellent bioavailability, and in maize may be nearly as effective as β-carotene in providing retinol to humans. This study was designed to enhance our understanding of the genetic control of: levels of β-cryptoxanthin, conversion of β-carotene into β-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin, conversion of β-cryptoxanthin into zeaxanthin, and flux into and within the β-branch of carotenoid pathway. A biparental population derived from two inbreds with relatively high levels of β-cryptoxanthin and different ratios of β-carotene to β-cryptoxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin to zeaxanthin was studied. Three field replications of this F2:3 population were grown, grain analyzed by liquid chromatography (LC), and composite interval mapping (CIM) performed to identify 90 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for carotenoids. We detected QTL for β-carotene/(β-cryptoxanthin + zeaxanthin) and (β-carotene + β-cryptoxanthin)/zeaxanthin ratios that contain candidate gene hydroxylase 4 (hyd4), which has not been previously associated with QTL for carotenoids in maize grain. Two color assessment methods, visual score and chromameter reading, were used to phenotype one replicate of the population for initial assessment as simple alternative measuring procedures. A common finding for LC and chromameter analysis included QTL on chromosome 5 that contain candidate gene lycopene β cyclase (lcyβ).
Nitrogen Isotope Composition, Nitrogen Amount, and Fruit Yield of Tomato Plants Affected by the Soil-Fertilizer Types.

Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are heavy nutrient feeding crops and require high amounts of nitrogen to maximize fruit production. The type of nitrogen applied and timing of fertilizer applications are important to reduce losses due to volatilization and leaching. Previous research suggested that nitrogen stable isotopes are a useful fingerprinting system for indicating if a crop has been grown with synthetic or organic nitrogen applications. To study the effects of fertilization systems on nitrogen isotopic patterns, “Better Bush” tomatoes were grown in a 2 year greenhouse experiment to analyze nitrogen isotopic composition, nitrogen content, and fruit yield. Three main soil fertility treatments were evaluated, and the results were compared to those obtained on plants grown in unfertilized soil: conventional inorganic (synthetic Miracle Grow (MG)), organic (bonemeal and bloodmeal (BB), BB with liquid Earth Juice (BBL), BB with 25% vermicompost (VC), BBL with 25% VC, and 25% VC), and mixed (MG with 25% V...
The Use of Non-Dominant Languages in Education in Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam

Monikielisten maiden koulutusjarjestelmat ovat perinteisesti suosineet valtakielia ja jattaneet vahemmistokielet vahemmalle huomiolle. Tama on johtanut eriarvoisuuteen. Oppijoiden ensikieleen perustuva monikielinen opetus voi siksi olla vahemmistokielten puhujille hyvin vapauttavaa. Kambodzha, Thaimaa ja Vietnam ovat alkaneet kokeilla paikalliskielten kayttoa opetuksessa. Tama artikkeli keskittyy seuraaviin kysymyksiin: 1) kieli- ja koulutuspolitiikan muutokset alueella, 2) Kambodzhan ja Thaimaan uusi kielipolitiikka, mika tukee aiempaa enemman paikalliskielten kayttoa, 3) ”heikentyva” lainsaadantotuki paikalliskielille Vietnamissa ja 4) ensikieleen perustuvan monikielisen opetuksen toiminta ja vahvistuminen alueella.
Sex ratios in high-density populations of the montane vole, Microtus montanus, and the behavior of territorial males

Montane voles (Microtus montanus nanus, Rodentia: Muridae) were studied in unconfined populations and in an exclosure in open fields in Wyoming, USA. Field work involved capture-mark-recapture grids, tagging select individuals with irradiated wires, subcutaneous implantation of dye pellets, and behavioral observations. Territorial males were found in both high and low density populations. They were characterized as having scrotal testes, actively defended territories, residency over time, association with females, few scars, and scent-marking behavioral patterns. Males maintaining territories in high-density populations were nearly the only males in breeding condition. Five high-density populations were trapped in late fall, and age distributions were determined by an eye lens technique. There were two age cohorts of territorial males: those born earlier in the season and those which had overwintered. For each grid, the distribution of males by age was discontinuous at about 95 days. The ratio of older males to older females of comparable ages in these five populations varied between 1:2.1 and 1:3.8. The operational sex ratio was even more unequal. The observations of territoriality at such high densities did not support the hypothesis that territoriality and social rank are two poles of a behavioral continuum related to density. The system of polygyny found, wherein the male has a territory overlapping those of several females, does not neatly fit previous schemata considered favorable for the evolution of polygyny, but is considered adaptive in view of female movements and the labile response of female reproduction to the male.
Incentive-Based Rebalancing of Bike-Sharing Systems

This paper proposes an incentive-based approach for rebalancing bike-sharing systems where customers are offered discount to pick up bikes from nearby stations that are expected to become full in the near future. The main contribution of this work is twofold: (1) we develop a customized station object in the Simio simulation software to facilitate modeling of bike-sharing systems and reduce the burden on the modeler by eliminating the need to code the basic functionalities of a bike station; and, (2) we develop a discrete event simulation model of a real-world bike-sharing system (CitiBike) using instances of the customized station object to evaluate the effectiveness of pickup incentives in rebalancing the system. The model is calibrated using historic data and the results confirm the effectiveness of such incentive-based rebalancing scheme. More specifically, the results suggest that while incentives help improve bike availability in general throughout the system (i.e., better balance and service), offering too many incentives can in fact reduce total profit due to decreased marginal profit per ride.
Use of MRI-Guided Biopsy for Selection and Follow-up of Men Undergoing Hemi-gland Cryoablation of Prostate Cancer.

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate safety, efficacy, and quality of life impact of hemi-gland cryotherapy for clinically-significant prostate cancer (CaP), when patient selection and follow-up includes MRI-guided biopsy. Methods Twenty-nine men with unilateral CaP (all clinically significant with prostate volume Results Cryotherapy was completed satisfactorily in all 29 cases in Conclusion Hemi-gland cryoablation for clinically-significant CaP is well-tolerated, and when patients are selected and followed by MRI/US fusion biopsy, cancer control appears promising at 6 months.
ELM Based Efficient Probabilistic Threshold Query on Uncertain Data

The probabilistic threshold query (PTQ), which returns all the objects satisfying the query with probabilities higher than a probability threshold, is widely used in uncertain database. Most previous work focused on the efficiency of query process, but paid no attention to the setting of thresholds. However, setting the thresholds too high or too low may lead to empty result or too many results. For a user, it is too difficult to choose a suitable threshold for a query. In this paper, we propose a new framework for PTQs based on threshold classification using ELM, where the probability threshold is replaced by the number range of results which is more intuitive and easier to choose. We first introduce the features selected for the probabilistic threshold nearest neighbor query (PTNNQ), which is one of the most important PTQ types. Then a threshold classification algorithm (TCA) using ELM is proposed to set a suitable threshold for the PTNNQ. Further, the whole PTNNQ processing integrated with TCA are presented, and a dynamic classification strategy is proposed subsequently. Extensive experiments show that compared with the thresholds those the users input directly, the thresholds chosen by ELM classifiers are more suitable, which further improves the performance of PTNNQ. In addition, ELM outperforms SVM with regards to both the response time and classification accuracy.
Development of a Mental Health Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): A Pilot Study:

Background.An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is an effective means for clinical evaluation related to clinical competence. Historically, clinical assessment is based on direct obs...
Tolerance Training with Adolescents in a Residential Juvenile Facility

For individuals receiving treatment in residential juvenile facilities, the inability to tolerate typical but unpleasant stimulus events may manifest in aggressive behavior toward staff or other re...
Restrictions on the prime-to- fundamental group of a smooth projective variety

The goal of this paper is to obtain restrictions on the prime-to- parts of one-relator groups in this class.
Assessment of Relationship Among Athlete Uniform Wearing and the Impact on Student-Athlete Mental Health, Mediated by Athlete Identity

The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate how student-athletes’ mental health can be enhanced by wearing athletic uniforms, establishing athlete identity. A quantitative approach (e.g., web-based survey)was employed to explore the suggested research model (N=210). The study results revealed that the number of years of wearing athletic uniforms leads to athlete identity, and athlete identity mediates the number of years of wearing athletic uniform and student-athlete mental health. The findings of this study contribute to the existing literature by filling the gap concerning athlete uniform, identity, and student-athlete mental health. Based on our findings, we encourage sport programs to create programs educating athletes on identity and mental health coping strategies, and the continuation of current sports uniform design practices. Continual research efforts should explore the relationship between athletic uniforms and athlete identity, as well as athletic uniforms and perceived teammate acceptance.
Interdisciplinary Scoring Tool for Assessment for Tracheostomy in Severe Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Background: The Comprehensive Center for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (CCBPD) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital is a referral center for term and post-term patients with severe BPD. The CCBPD strongly promotes family centered care. There is very little data regarding the optimal criteria and timing for the decision of a tracheostomy in this patient population. Risks of tracheostomy long-term are poorly understood and followed. An objective scoring tool of important factors were created for infants with severe BPD with need for mechanical ventilation and prolonged positive pressure in 2015. Methods: Infants at 44 weeks corrected gestational age and beyond were scored monthly by the interdisciplinary team. Identified 16 clinical triggers based on disease physiology and past clinical decision making developed an objective scoring tool that assigned numerical values within each category. The total score was evaluated by zones: green for low risk, yellow for caution for need for tracheostomy and red reflecting likely need unless progress occurs soon. Infants scoring high in the high yellow zone or low red zone, triggered a care conference with family to discuss the score. We reviewed the percentage of parents with resistance to accept and consent to tracheotomy for 2 years before implementing the scoring tool and for 2 years after, as measured by the number of repeat care conferences. Also, rates and scores of tracheostomies before and after implementation were reviewed. Results: Parental resistance to tracheostomy placement decreased from 62% to 10%. Scoring resulted in high reliability separately amongst disciplines and within 2 points. All patients scored higher than 15 on scoring tool and all but 1 scored >20 at time of trach insertion. Tracheostomy rates remained stable before and after scoring tool implementation. 6 patients received a trach out of 13 scored in 2016. 4 patients received a trach out of 11 scored in 2017. 6 patients received a trach out of 15 scored in 2018. Conclusions: The tool provides an objective assessment determining the best timing for the decision of tracheostomy placement that provides a standardized approach to help parents understand why a tracheostomy might be recommended. Utilization of this scoring tool has helped decrease variability of decision making, anticipate discussions with family, and follow our outcomes over time for the severe BPD population.
Magnesium Alloy Development using Phase Equilibria Computation and Microstructure Validation

This paper summarizes the development of new cast and wrought magnesium alloys using computational thermodynamics and experimental methods. The work illustrates the role of calculated phase diagrams, solidification paths and phases in predicting and interpreting the final microstructure of Mg-Al-Ca and Mg-Al-Sn cast alloy systems and Mg-Al-Mn and Mg-Zn-Ce wrought alloy systems.
Impacts in Mexico of Colorado River Management in the United States

The Colorado River terminates in Mexico as a threaded delta above the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California). Decades of water depletion, enabled largely by water projects in the United States, resulted in little or no water flowing in the channel. This lack of water has caused losses of wetlands, riparian vegetation, and estuarine habitat, reducing fish and wildlife populations, including some endangered species. Cucupa Indians who depended on fishing and gathering lost their traditional occupations. Recent years of high runoff revitalized the ecosystems of the Colorado River Delta and this animated nongovernmental organizations and scientists to call attention to the issue. Water users in the United States have objected in principle to addressing the issue because they resist the concept of ensuring the delivery of additional water to Mexico beyond current legal requirements, even in the small quantities needed for ecological maintenance. Mexico has not formulated a clear official position on the issue. Past transboundary water conflicts between the two countries over the quantity and quality of Colorado River water owed by the United States to Mexico have been characterized by neglect, followed by vigorous protest from Mexico, strong U.S. resistance from states and water users, and finally belated concessions at a high diplomatic level. There are several possible remedies to the delta problem that would help the countries avoid the conflictive approach of the past.
The Application of X-Ray Topography to Materials Science

Basic x-ray topographic methods are described and principles of image contrast of the defect structure are briefly reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on showing the usefulness of these methods to problems in materials science and to the characterization of materials when applied in combination and in conjunction with x-ray methods of precise structural analysis.
CIRCADIAN TEMPERATURE RHYTHMS IN CLOCKWISE AND COUNTER-CLOCKWISE RAPIDLY ROTATING SHIFT SCHEDULES

The purpose of this study was to examine the circadian temperature rhythm in clockwise (CW) and counter-clockwise (CCW) rapidly rotating shift schedules. Arguments against the CCW rotation of shifts are that they result in shortened sleep and promote greater disruption of circadian rhythms. The 3-week study included a week of day shifts (0800-1600) and 2 weeks of shiftwork. The CW 2-2-1 schedule rotated from two early mornings (0600-1400) to two evenings (1400-2200) to one midnight shift (2200-0600) allowing 24 hours off at each shift rotation and a 48-hour weekend. The CCW schedule rotated from two evenings to two early mornings to one midnight shifts allowing only 8 hours off at each shift rotation and an 80-hour weekend. Analysis of the 72-hr periods at the end of each workweek, including the midnight shifts and recovery periods during weeks 2 and 3 were compared to the same 72-hour period at the end of week 1 (baseline). A cosine function that fit the temperature curves by minimizing the sums of squares produced parameters that underwent analysis of covariance procedures. Significant differences were found between rotation conditions for amplitude and acrophase. An attenuation of amplitude and a delay in the acrophase was the found for the counter-clockwise condition. Features inherent in this schedule might explain these effects, particularly, the increased opportunity for "sleeping in" at the beginning of the week and an expanded (2-shift) workday at the end of the week.
Survey of Storage and Fault Tolerance Strategies Used in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has gained significant traction in recent years. Companies such as Google, Amazon and Microsoft have been building massive data centers over the past few years. Spanning geographic and administrative domains, these data centers tend to be built out of commodity desktops with the total number of computers managed by these companies being in the order of millions. Additionally, the use of virtualization allows a physical node to be presented as a set of virtual nodes resulting in a seemingly inexhaustible set of computational resources. By leveraging economies of scale, these data centers can provision cpu, networking, and storage at substantially reduced prices which in turn underpins the move by many institutions to host their services in the cloud.
Amplets: application and technology

Summary from only given. This tutorial discusses the definition, use, and technologies associated with a class of optical amplifiers commonly called amplets (little amplifiers). These devices, though little, will impact next generation networks in a big way. As optical amplifiers have become more prevalent in lightwave networks, a segmentation has occurred in the functional use of these OAs.
Tempests, Teapots (and Research Design): Rejoinder to Stanton and Todd

Four major issues raised in Stanton and Todd's critique are discussed. These comprise: (a) the inclusion criteria of the review; (b) statistical procedures and research design; (c) the alleged bias of the reviews; and (d) design problems in Stanton and Todd's own study.
Public relations supervisors and Millennial entry-level practitioners rate entry-level job skills and professional characteristics

An online survey was administered to 109 Millennial entry-level public relations employees and 56 supervisors regarding entry-level job skills and professional characteristics. The Millennial entry-level workers rated their job performance in the above average and average ranges. The supervisors rated six of the eight job skills and all 16 professional characteristics as significantly poorer than the Millennials rated themselves. The job skills of computer and social media skills were the only two items that did not generate a significant difference. The researcher outlines ways in which faculty, students, employers, and Millennial-aged employees can build learning communities that will help undergraduate students and Millennial workers develop proficient job performance and keep faculty up-to-date regarding current industry trends.
Accelerated age-related decline in replicative life-span of Duchenne muscular dystrophy myoblasts: implications for cell and gene therapy.

An assessment of the replicative life-span of myoblasts is of fundamental importance in designing treatment strategies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) based on cell or gene therapy. To ascertain myoblast life-span, or the total number of cell divisions of which a myoblast was capable, we serially passaged and counted the progeny of individual myoblasts until they senesced. We compared the life-span of myoblasts from eight DMD patients with controls: three individuals with no known neuromuscular disease, three DMD carriers, and three patients with other muscle degenerative diseases. A decline in replicative capacity was observed with increasing donor age, which was markedly accelerated for DMD relative to control myoblasts. The average myoblast from a 5-year-old control was capable of 56 doublings, or a potential yield of approximately 1017 cells per cell. By contrast, at 2 years of age, the typical age at clinical onset, only 6% of DMD myoblasts had a life-span of 50 doublings in tissue culture, and by age 7 DMD myoblasts capable of 10 doublings were rare. Our results suggest that the myoblasts (satellite cells) of even the youngest DMD patients have undergone extensive division in an attempt to regenerate degenerating myofibers. These findings have implications for therapeutic intervention in DMD involving genetic engineering and myoblast implantation.