cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A New Technique for Heat Flux Determination

A new method for estimating heat fluxes from heating rate measurements and an approach to measure heating rates is proposed. Heating rate is defined as the time rate of change of the temperature. The example problem involves analytic heat conduction in a one-dimensional slab, where the measurement location coincides with the location of the estimated heat flux. The new method involves the solution to a Volterra equation of the second kind, which is inherently more stable than Volterra equations of the first kind. The estimates of the new approach are compared to typical inverse solution methods. The heating rate measurements are accomplished by leveraging the temperature dependent decay rate of thermographic phosphors. Results indicate that the new data-reduction method is far more stable than minimizing temperature residuals with errors of the order of the measurement noise.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Development of a highly sensitive porous Si-based hydrogen sensor using Pd nano-structures

Abstract A novel, resistance-based porous silicon sensor with Pd nano-structures as hydrogen sensing layer is presented. The sensor operates at room temperature. p-Type Si substrate is subjected to porous Si etching. The substrate is then coated with a thin layer of Pd and annealed at 900 °C. This results in some Pd getting oxidized on porous Si and a thin PdO layer forms on the surface of the substrate. The sensor was tested in the range of 0–1.5% hydrogen. The sensor responded in real time. Unlike conventional thin film-based resistive hydrogen sensors this sensor showed an inverse relationship between increased hydrogen concentration versus resistance. The mechanism driving the changed output is discussed.
Understanding the Role of Trade-Ins in Durable Goods Markets: Theory and Evidence

The act of trading in a used car as partial payment for a new car resonates with practically all consumers. Such transactions are prevalent in many other durable goods markets, ranging from golf clubs to CT scanners. What roles do trade-ins play in these markets? What motivates the seller to set up a channel to facilitate trade-ins? Intuitively, accepting a trade-in would appear to stimulate demand for the producer's product, but facilitating the resale of these used goods that substitute for new goods might also increase cannibalization. Although such transactions involve billions of dollars, we know relatively little about this practice from the extant research literature. This paper develops an analytical model that incorporates key features of real-world durable goods markets: (i) coexistence of new and used goods markets, (ii) consumer heterogeneity with respect to quality sensitivity, (iii) firms that anticipate the cannibalization problem arising from the coexistence of new and used goods, and (iv) lemon problems in resale markets, whereby sellers of used goods are better informed than buyers about the quality of their particular item. In our analysis, a trade-in policy amounts to an intervention by the firm in the used goods market, which reduces inefficiencies arising from the lemon problem. It motivates owners to purchase new goods and reduces their proclivity to hold on to purchased goods because of the low price the latter would fetch in a lemon market. We also show that trade-in programs are more valuable for less reliable products, as well as for products that deteriorate more slowly. Our analysis shows that producers in durable goods markets should consider trade-in programs as a matter of routine. Despite cannibalization concerns arising from a more active resale market, a producer's profits will inevitably rise from introducing trade-ins, given pervasive lemon problems. We test the key predictions of the model about price and volume of trade by assembling a data set of transactions of U.S. automobile consumers and find broad support for our model.
THE ORGANIZATION OF SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS

THE STUDY IS concerned with comparing organizational practices of savings and loan associations with organizational relationships and concepts as set forth in management literature. It is the first comprehensive study undertaken to perform this task relative to savings and loan associations. The results of the comparison and analysis can then be utilized by association management for purposes of evaluating, planning, or changing the current organization structure. The study is presented in two parts. The first part establishes a basis for comparison and analysis characterized by the inclusion and reliance on growth as the creator of organization problems and change. The use of a growth framework is chosen for two reasons. First, many, if not most, problems of organization are the result of growth, and, second, savings and loan associations have encountered a fast rate of growth in the past decade, and estimates of growth during the next decade indicate an even faster rate of growth. The second part then compares organization practices and policies of a selected group of associations with this framework. The associations used for the comparison were selected because of tremendous growth and because, in the opinion of persons closely associated with the savings and loan industry, these associations appear to have made a great deal of progress over the past decade. The comparison and analysis that is undertaken leads to several conclusions and recommendations. The conclusions relative to the associations studied are as follows: 1. Savings and loan associations experience the same problems of organization as do other types of business firms, but at an earlier stage in their growth and development. 2. It is possible to identify certain symptoms of organizational problems in these associations, thus enabling management to avoid or mitigate problems resulting from growth. 3. The conceptual framework, developed in Part I, can be used by individual association management to observe the existing organiza-
Preventing short-term strain through time-management coping

This project investigated the effectiveness of time-management coping in preventing strain resulting from role overload. Structural regressions, a form of causal-correlational analysis, were used o...
WebSifter: an ontology-based personalizable search agent for the Web

The World Wide Web provides access to a great deal of information on a vast array of subjects. In a typical Web search a vast amount of information is retrieved. The quantity can be overwhelming, and much of the information may be marginally relevant or completely irrelevant to the user's request. We present a methodology, architecture, and proof-of-concept prototype for query construction and results analysis that provides the user with a ranking of choices based on the user's determination of importance. The user initially designs the query with assistance from the user's profile, a thesaurus, and previously constructed queries acting as a taxonomy of the information requirements. After the query has returned its results, decision analytic methods and information source reliability information are used in conjunction with the expanded taxonomy to rank the solution candidates.
Modeling the Interstellar Medium of Low Surface Brightness Galaxies: Constraining Internal Extinction, Disk Color Gradients, and Intrinsic Rotation Curve Shapes

We use a combination of three-dimensional Monte Carlo radiative transfer techniques and multiwavelength (BRHK ,H a) imaging data to investigate the nature of the interstellar medium (ISM) in the edge-on, low surface brightness (LSB) galaxy UGC 7321. Using realistic models that incorporate multiple scattering eUects and clumping of the stars and the interstellar material, we explore the distribution and opacity of the interstellar material (gas]dust) and its eUects on the observed stellar disk luminosity pro—les, color gradients, and rotation curve shape. We —nd that UGC 7321 contains a small but nonnegligible dusty component to its ISM, yielding a B-band optical depth from disk edge to q6 e,B D 4.0 center. A signi—cant fraction (D50% ^ 10%) of the interstellar material in the innermost regions of UGC 7321 appears to be contained in a clumpy medium, indicating that LSB galaxies can support a modest, multiphase ISM structure. In spite of the clear presence of dust, we conclude that the large radial optical color gradients observed in UGC 7321 and other similar LSB spiral galaxies cannot be accounted for by dust and must result primarily from signi—cant stellar population and/or metallicity gradients. We show that realistic optical depth eUects will have little impact on the observed rotation curves of edge-on disk galaxies and cannot explain the linear, slowly rising rotation curves seen in some edge-on LSB spirals. Projection eUects create a far larger uncertainty in recovering the true underlying rotation curve shape of galaxies viewed at inclinations i Z 85i.
Growth-related expression of a 72,000 molecular weight poly(A)+ mRNA binding protein.

Abstract In this communication, we have studied a 72,000 mol w (p72) host protein which reacts with a mouse monoclonal antibody (PAb6) directed against antigenic determinants on the Simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen protein that map 5′ of 0.42 map units on the viral genome. The p72 protein is an abundant basic (p I >7) cytoplasmic protein found in both SV40-transformed and untransformed parental cells and in cell lines derived from normal human and tumor tissue. By two-dimensional gel analysis and Western blot analysis the p72 protein identified by PAb6 is indistinguishable from the 72,000 mol w protein PABP associated with the poly(A) + tract of cytoplasmic messenger RNA molecules. In normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated to proliferate with the T-cell-specific mitogenic lectin phytohemagglutinin the synthesis and cytoplasmic accumulation of p72 occurs very early during the G 0 →G 1 -phase transition. The p72 protein is also expressed in proliferating and differentiated human promyelocytic HL60 cells indicating that the expression of this protein is not strictly limited to cycling cells.
Group size affects social relationships in yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris)

Demographic variation, such as changes in population size, affects group-living conditions and thus creates new opportunities for individuals to interact socially. To understand how this variation in the social environment affects social structure, we used social network analysis to explore affiliative behaviors of nonpup (i.e., 1 year or older), female, yellow-bellied marmots (Marmota flaviventris). We examined 4 social attributes (outdegree, indegree, closeness centrality, and betweenness centrality) to measure social plasticity in response to group size variation. We found that, in response to increases in group size, individuals established fewer social connections than possible, which suggests that marmots experience constraints on sociality. Similarly, closeness and betweenness centrality decreased as group size increased, suggesting that females are expected to lose influence over other members of the group as group size increases, and there are substantial constraints on marmots transmitting information to others in large groups. Our results also suggest that group-level responses, such as behavioral plasticity, can be explained by individual-level mechanisms that evaluate the costs and benefits of sociality. Interestingly, the mechanistic basis of these group-level responses may, at times, follow patterns expected by chance. We propose that further research is necessary to uncover the mechanisms underlying the individual-level behavioral response. Like group size effects studied in other domains, formally considering group size effects on social structure may shed novel light on the constraints on sociality.
Prey Processing in Haemulid Fishes: Patterns of Variation in Pharyngeal Jaw Muscle Activity

This study examines patterns of variation in 15 electromyographic (EMG) variables measured from recordings of pharyngeal jaw muscle activity during prey processing in four species of the perciform fish family Haemulidae. Two questions were of primary interest. (1) Are motor patterns conserved across the four species? (2) Do the fishes alter (modulate) muscle activity patterns when feeding on different prey types? The experimental design used allowed the partitioning of variance in EMG variables among species, among individuals within species, among days within individuals, among feedings within days, and among prey types. Only one variable exhibited a significant species effect, indicating that the four species used virtually the same motor pattern during prey processing. In response to three prey types differing in hardness, all four species demonstrated an ability to modulate several EMG variables that characterized the intensity of electrical activity. However, variables characterizing the relative timing of muscle activities were not influenced by prey type. A significant variance component was found among recording days and, together with the possibility of variation among experimental preparations, this raises questions about the extent of previously reported inter-individual variation in EMGs. These results support a growing data base on aquatic feeding in lower vertebrates which finds that: (1) motor patterns tend to be highly conserved among closely related taxa; (2) the ability to modulate motor patterns in response to different prey types appears to be a general property of teleost fish feeding mechanisms; and (3) variation in experimental EMG data is ubiquitous and, when unaccounted for, confounds comparisons among treatment groups.
Social problems as landmark narratives : Bank of Boston, mass media and money laundering

The paper examines how claimsmakers selectively construct instances of alleged problems as “landmark narratives,” with particular attention to the rhetorical practices of mass print media. The analysis shows how currency reporting violations at the Bank of Boston became synonymous with “money laundering,” and how official claimsmakers exploited the case to produce a wave of similar violations, thereby creating a warrant for new policies.
Signs and Symptoms of Sleep Apnea and Acute Stroke Severity: Is Sleep Apnea Neuroprotective?

Background: In animal models, brief periods of hypoxemia render the brain tolerant to subsequent ischemic insults. Sleep apnea leads to frequent episodes of nocturnal hypoxemia and may induce ischemic tolerance. Snoring and daytime sleepiness are cardinal symptoms of sleep apnea. We undertook this study to determine differences in stroke severity and early neurologic course in patients at risk for sleep apnea as determined by a sleep questionnaire. Methods: Patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke completed the Berlin questionnaire. The Berlin questionnaire examines habitual snoring, daytime sleepiness, presence of hypertension, and body mass index (BMI) and classifies patients into a high or low risk for sleep apnea group. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was determined on admission and day 5 of hospitalization. Age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors, BMI, and stroke mechanism were determined prospectively. Results: We enrolled 190 patients with a mean age of 60 years and 53% were men. The Berlin questionnaire classified 103 patients (54%) at high risk for sleep apnea. The median NIHSS score on admission and day 5 of hospitalization did not differ between the two groups after multivariate analysis. Examined separately, we found no effect of snoring, daytime sleepiness, or BMI on acute stroke severity and outcome. Conclusion: We found that a large number of patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke were at high risk for having sleep apnea. We were not able to show that a constellation of symptoms and features highly suggestive of sleep apnea influenced stroke severity or early neurologic course after acute ischemic stroke.
Allometry of axis length, diameter, and taper in the devil's walking stick (Aralia spinosa; Araliaceae)

The allometry of axis length, diameter, and taper is described for the trunk, rachis, and rachilla of nonbranching ramets of Aralia spinosa. Significant log-linear relationships were found between length and diameter for all axis categories, and in all cases, scaling was negatively allometric. Linear models best described the relationship between length and diameter for the rachis and rachilla, while a quadratic model best described this relationship for the trunk. During the trunk-building stage, the safety factors for trunk height were size dependent, with larger trunks exceeding their predicted critical buckling height. Taper was described by a linear relationship between diameter and position along the axis for all axis categories. All rachises and rachillas sampled exhibited taper along the length of the axis, however, only 51% of the trunks showed continuous taper. The trunk was less tapered than the rachis, but no differences in taper were found between the trunk and the rachilla, or the rachis and the rachilla. In unbranched ramets the large bipinnately compound leaves occupy the space normally occupied by lateral branches. We suggest that the rachis and rachilla are functionally equivalent to branches, that is, acting as axes of exploration and exploitation of the environment.
Rhabdomyomatous Mesenchymal Hamartoma of Skin

A distinctive dermal and subcutaneous hamartoma composed primarily of disorganized skeletal muscle and mature adipose tissue, designated rhabdomyomatous mesenchymal hamartoma of skin, was recently reported. We have observed two histologically similar though less polypoid lesions in boys aged 4 years. Both were also on the chin and present since birth, suggesting that site and age, as well as histology, may be characteristic. The location on the chin in three of the four neonates may reflect an etiology of aberrant embryologic development of the platysma muscle as it inserts superficially into the dermis over the mandible.
Peripheral Intravenous Line Placement and Utilization in an Academic Emergency Department.

Abstract Background Rising health care costs and increased scrutiny concerning spending have prompted providers and hospitals to identify unnecessary procedures and waste. Peripheral intravenous line (pIV) placement is one of the most common medical procedures performed. A recent study reported that 50% of intravenous lines placed in the emergency department (ED) went unused. If half of all pIVs placed in EDs systemically go unused, the costs and complications associated with pIV placement are unacceptably high. Objectives Our study aims to ascertain the frequency of pIV placement and usage in an urban ED. Methods This was a retrospective review of medical records for consecutive patients seen in an academic ED in June 2014. The following data points were recorded: age, sex, chief complaint, acuity level on admission, pIV placement both prehospital and in the ED, and pIV utilization (for fluids, medications, or contrast administration). Results There were 509 charts reviewed, with a median patient age of 40 years. Common chief complaint categories included neurologic, cardiac, and skin/soft tissue. Triage acuity was varied, with a mean of 3.3. A pIV was placed in 55% of subjects. Prehospital providers placed 19%. Of all pIVs placed, 72% were used for the administration of medications, 19% for contrast, and 67% for fluids. Eighty-five percent of pIVs were used; 51% of patients with a pIV were admitted from the ED. Conclusion In this study's ED, 85% of pIVs were used prior to discharge. Strategies to lower pIV placement rates should focus on alternative routes of medication and fluid administration.
IgA modulates respiratory dysfunction as a sequela to pulmonary chlamydial infection as neonates

Neonatal Chlamydia lung infections are associated with serious sequelae such as asthma and airway hyper-reactivity in children and adults. Our previous studies demonstrated the importance of Th-1 type cytokines, IL-12 and IFN-γ in protection against neonatal pulmonary chlamydial challenge; however, the role of the humoral arm of defense has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that B-cells and IgA, the major mucosal antibody, play a protective role in newborns against development of later life respiratory sequelae to Chlamydia infection. Our studies using neonatal mice revealed that all WT and IgA-deficient (IgA(-/-)) animals survived a sublethal pulmonary Chlamydia muridarum challenge at one day after birth with similar reduction in bacterial burdens over time. In contrast, all B-cell-deficient (μMT) mice succumbed to infection at the same challenge dose correlating to failure to control bacterial burdens in the lungs. Although IgA may not be important for bacterial clearance, we observed IgA(-/-) mice displayed greater respiratory dysfunction 5 weeks post challenge. Specifically, comparative respiratory functional analyses revealed a significant shift upward in P-V loops, and higher dynamic resistance in IgA(-/-) animals. This study provides insight(s) into the protective role of IgA in neonates against pulmonary chlamydial infection induced respiratory pathological sequelae observed later in life.
Micromechanical contributions to material removal and surface finish

We study material removal mechanisms of commercially available hard optical materials, with respect to their micromechanical properties, as well as their response to different manufacturing techniques. The materials of interest are heterogeneous materials such as Ni-based (nonmagnetic), Co-based (magnetic), and binderless tungsten carbides, in addition to other hard optical ceramics such as ALON, polycrystalline alumina (PCA), and silicon carbide (SiC). Our experimental work is performed in three stages, emphasizing the contributions of each material’s microstructure to its mechanical response. In the first stage, we identify and characterize material physical properties, such as E-Young's modulus, Hv-Vickers hardness, and KIc- fracture toughness (either by microindentation techniques, previously published models, or vendors’ data base). In the second stage, we examine the ability of these materials to be deterministically microground and spotted with magnetorheological finishing (MRF). The evolution of the resulting surface topography is studied using a contact profilometer, white light interferometry, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. In the third stage, we demonstrate that subsurface damage (SSD) depth can be estimated by correlating surface microroughness measurements, specifically, the peakto- valley (p-v) microroughness, to the amount of material removed by an MRF spot.
Descriptions of the First Instars in the Genus Haliaspis (Homoptera: Diaspididae)

The first instars of 6 species in the genus Haliaspis are described and the males are illustrated. A key to the species based on the 1st instars is presented.
The Geogenomic Mutational Atlas of Pathogens (GoMAP) web system.

We present a new approach for pathogen surveillance we call Geogenomics. Geogenomics examines the geographic distribution of the genomes of pathogens, with a particular emphasis on those mutations that give rise to drug resistance. We engineered a new web system called Geogenomic Mutational Atlas of Pathogens (GoMAP) that enables investigation of the global distribution of individual drug resistance mutations. As a test case we examined mutations associated with HIV resistance to FDA-approved antiretroviral drugs. GoMAP-HIV makes use of existing public drug resistance and HIV protein sequence data to examine the distribution of 872 drug resistance mutations in ∼ 502,000 sequences for many countries in the world. We also implemented a broadened classification scheme for HIV drug resistance mutations. Several patterns for geographic distributions of resistance mutations were identified by visual mining using this web tool. GoMAP-HIV is an open access web application available at http://www.bio-toolkit.com/GoMap/project/
Data Mining for Significance in Yield-Defect Correlation Analysis

A yield analysis method using basic yield and in-line defect information in a statistical model to determine root-causes of yield loss in semiconductor manufacturing is presented. The goal of this analysis method is to provide the fab process line management yield loss accounting for defects identified at inspected process layers. Quantifying these losses, in terms of yield loss percent and statistical confidence allows the fab to set priorities for defect reduction work to achieve maximum yield enhancement. Separation of killer defects from nuisance defects and inspection or pattern related noise is a constant challenge. This tool provides statistical techniques for identifying the most effective inspection tool or recipe for a given inspection layer. Enhanced statistical resolution can be achieved through data mining by defect size, classification, or electrical failure bin information. These die level analysis techniques may be combined with memory bit level correlation analysis and physical failure analysis to provide a comprehensive yield accounting assessment.
Slow Light Using Biological Bacteriorhodopsin Film

Group velocity of light is reduced to 0.091µm/s in a biological film. Exploiting flexible photo-dynamics for coherent photoisomerization oscillation, the velocity is all-optically controlled. Ultraslow light is observed at microwatt level, indicating high energy efficiency.
Virtue for Hire: Some Reflections on Free Choice and the Profit Motive in the Delivery of Health Care

A reasonable gloss on de Mandeville is that, by pursuing their own interests, individuals in general, and physicians in particular, contribute to a general societal increase in health and wealth. Self-interest is such an important and powerful motive force that the profit motive requires a central place in any account of societal undertakings, including the development of health care systems. It is, after all, self-interest expressed in the profit motive that brings many to develop capital and produce goods and services of benefit to the commonwealth. On the one hand, this is a matter of principle: the only ways to acquire the services and capital of individuals, other than through coercive force, are to appeal to their altruism, to special interests (e.g., the pursuit of knowledge or the arts), or to their self-interest, of which the profit motive is a general statement. Given the salience and power of self-interest, the profit motive offers one of the major alternatives to the coercive acquisition of capital and services for health care. On the other hand, the profit motive has its “costs”. The profit motive by itself will not achieve all common social desiderata. This state of affairs invites detailed analyses of the moral and economic consequences of employing different social structures with different institutional goals for the delivery of health care. On the other hand, the profit motive has its “costs”. Theprofit motive by itself will not achieve all common social desiderata. This state of affairs invites detailed analyses of the moral and economic consequences of employing different social structures with different institutional goals for the delivery of health care. But such considerations lead one to ask what one means by these goals, or by happiness or by the good.
Factors Influencing Pregnant Women's Willingness to Get Influenza Vaccine in Chaoyang District Women and Children Hospital,Beijing

Objective To determine factors influencing willingness of pregnant woman to get influenza vaccine; to provide references for influenza vaccination towards to pregnant women in Beijing. Methods Pregnant women were selected using a cluster sampling strategy in Chaoyang District Women and Children Hospital,and were asked to respond to a questionnaire. Results Understanding of influenza and influenza vaccination among the 445 pregnant women respondents was low( Median Score = 41. 00,Interquartile Range: 32. 00-49. 00). Among respondents,15. 28% were willing to take influenza vaccine during pregnancy. Coverage of influenza vaccine was 3. 60% among non-pregnant women,and most of the vaccinated women were reached through a vaccination campaign( 66. 67%). Factors influencing willingness to receive influenza vaccination during pregnancy were: higher score in the recognition test of influenza vaccination [Odds Ratio( OR) = 4. 224,95% Confidence Interval( CI) : 2. 339- 7. 437 ],higher score in knowledge test of harm of infection( OR = 1. 997,95% CI: 1. 103- 3. 614),age≥35( OR =5. 381,95% CI: 1. 662- 17. 417),number of childrenin the family( OR = 0. 198,95% CI: 0. 062-0. 631),and family members being used to getting vaccinated( OR = 2. 770,95% CI: 1. 551- 4. 949).Conclusions Pregnant women who had more knowledge about efficacy and safety of influenza vaccina-tion,who understood the harm of influenza during pregnancy,were ≥ 35 years old, were having their first baby,and whose family members were used to receiving flu shots were more likely to be willing to accept influenza vaccination during pregnancy. Adding pregnant women into the priority target of influenza vaccination policy in Beijing; conducting targeted health education for pregnant women,especially stressing the harms from influenza and the safety and effectiveness of vaccination; and enhancing publicity work for the entire populationwill likely increase willingness of pregnant women to get vaccinated against influenza.
Supply Chain Finance at Procter & Gamble

In April 2013, Procter & Gamble (P&G), the world's largest consumer packaged goods (CPG) company, announced that it would extend its payment terms to suppliers by 30 days. At the same time, P&G announced a new supply chain financing (SCF) program giving suppliers the ability to receive discounted payments for their P&G receivables. Fibria Celulose, a Brazilian supplier of kraft pulp, joined the program in 2013, but was re-evaluating the costs and benefits of participating in the SCF program in the summer of 2015. The firm's treasury group and its US country manager must decide whether to keep using the program and, if so, whether to keep their existing SCF banking relationship or start a new relationship with another global SCF bank.This case requires students to calculate, understand, and interpret financial ratios particularly those related to working capital management (e.g., DPO, DSO, DSI, and CCC). More specifically, it provides an introduction to the mechanics and economics of supply chain finance (SCF), a modern form of working capital management that involves the sale of receivables to a third party SCF bank. What is unique about the case is that it presents both sides of a commercial transaction and shows how P&G's (the buyer) payables are linked to Fibria's (the supplier) receivables. Finally, it provides a forum to discuss various regulatory efforts to encourage faster payment of small and medium-sized suppliers (the US SupplierPays Initiative and the EC Late Payments Directive).
Relaxin and its Role in Pregnancy

Relaxin is a 6000-d polypeptide, structurally related to insulin and the insulin-like growth factors. Unlike insulin, the structure of which is remarkably well conserved among the vertebrates, relaxin sequences can vary by more than 50% between different species. Despite these large sequence variations, relaxins (with few exceptions) have very similar biologic activities in animal test systems. The reason for this has recently come to light: the receptor binding region of the B chain, in contrast to the rest of the molecule, is highly conserved between species. Relaxin is measured by bioassays employing interpubic ligament formation in mice and guinea pigs, and by inhibition of uterine motility. A more sensitive and efficient bioassay is urgently needed. In women, the target organs for relaxin are the uterine cervix, myometrium, endometrium, and decidua. Other presumptive but unproven targets are the pubic symphysis and sacroiliac joints, mammary glands, and pituitary gland. Circulating relaxin is secreted by the corpus luteum. The placenta, decidua, or both also produce relaxin, which does not enter the circulation but may act in an autocrine or paracrine fashion. hCG is a stimulus to luteal relaxin secretion. Other regulatory factors are poorly defined. Aluteal women are hyporelaxinemic, and yet are capable of normal vaginal delivery of their infants. Local effects of placental or decidual relaxin cannot be discounted in such subjects. Hyperrelaxinemia may occur in women with multiple gestations and ovarian stimulation, and may be associated with increased premature births. Serum relaxin also is elevated in pregnant diabetics, but its role in this condition has not been defined. Clearly, further investigations are needed to delineate the precise role of relaxin in human pregnancy.
The sequence of the Orgyia pseudotsugata multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus genome.

Abstract The nucleotide sequence of the Orgyia pseudotsugata multinucleocapsid nuclear polyhedrosis virus (OpMNPV) genome was completed and analyzed. It is composed of 131,990 bases with a G + C content of 55% and contains 152 putative genes of 150 nucleotides or greater. Major differences in gene content and arrangement between OpMNPV and the Autographa californica MNPV were found. These include the presence in OpMNPV of three complete iap gene homologs, two conotoxin gene homologs, two protein tyrosine phosphatase homologs, and genes encoding homologs of dUTPase and the large and small subunits of ribonucleotide reductase. Seven major intergenic repeated regions were identified. Five of these are homologous regions that are related to similar regions from other baculoviruses.
Disentangling Viral Membrane Fusion from Receptor Binding by using Synthetic DNA-Lipid Conjugates to Tether Influenza Virus to Model Lipid Membranes

In order for enveloped viruses to gain entry to cells and initiate infection, they must first bind to a receptor on the host plasma membrane. For many viruses, receptor binding triggers a conformational change in the viral fusion protein that initiates membrane fusion with the host cell. For other viruses, an environmental change, such as a drop in pH during endocytosis, is the trigger for membrane fusion. To study the biophysical mechanisms underlying receptor binding and membrane fusion, it would be useful to be able to disentangle the two processes. Here we show how synthetic DNA-lipid conjugates can be used to mediate viral binding to a target membrane, in the absence of a cellular receptor, for subsequent biophysical measurements. DNA-lipids with complementary sequences are incorporated by spontaneous insertion into the viral envelope and target membrane, and hybridization between complementary DNA on each surface leads to virus-target binding. The distance between the viral and target membrane can be controlled by the hybrid length. As proof of principle, we examine the binding and fusion of individual influenza virus (X31) virions to model lipid membranes by quantitative fluorescence microscopy. We demonstrate that the kinetics of influenza virus fusion to the target membranes are independent of receptor binding and only require the virion to be bound to the target membrane upon pH decrease. This strategy should be generally applicable to other enveloped viruses.
Women’s Achievement and Career Motivation: Their Risk Taking Patterns, Home-Career Conflict, Sex Role Orientation, Fear of Success, and Self-concept

A particular need in psychology is a female relevant model of achievement. This female relevant model would incorporate the relationship among some of the environmental, background, and psychological variables found by previous studies to influence women’s achievement and career motivation. A dominant career motivation model represented by the work by Super (1957, 1976) defines the highly career motivated person in terms not unlike those of the achievement motivation model (i.e., persistence, independence, intrinsic motivation, self-esteem, etc.) Recently Super (1976) emphasized the point that a comprehensive theory of career motivation must take into account both situational and personal determinants and the ways in which these interact at various stages of individual development. Achievement motivation theory and research has seldom attempted to integrate or articulate with career motivation theory and research (Farmer & Backer, 1977).
Introduction to Divisions of Labor

This chapter introduces the concept of division of labor starting with Emile Durkheim and Adam Smith and clearly articulates the purpose of the book, which is to discuss various versions of the division of labor that have emerged from the previous version of Taylorism and Fordism.
Tensiomyographical responses to accelerometer loads in female collegiate basketball players.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of the present study was to characterise the relationship between relative versus absolute internal and external loads in collegiate basketball players throughout the course of a season. Five Division I basketball players wore triaxial accelerometers throughout the 2015–2016 season and were tensiomyographically assessed weekly. One-way repeated-measure analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) with least-significant-difference (LSD) pairwise comparisons was used to determine which absolute weekly loads were different across the season. Cohen’s d was used to supplement the determination of meaningful relative load changes. Overall RM ANOVA models suggest absolute external load differences occurred (PlayerLoad™ F = 17.63; IMA™ F = 31.63). Two-way RM ANOVA models revealed main effect differences were revealed between muscle groups for Tc (F = 9.11) and Dm (F = 3.25). Meaningful relative load changes between weeks were observed for both external and internal. The present study observed that tensiomy...
Is the Superior Articular Process a Reliable Landmark for Determining the Transverse Plane Angulation of Thoracic Pedicles in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Purpose To analyze the usefulness of the superior articular process (SAP) as an external landmark for determining the transverse plane angulation of thoracic pedicles in scoliotic spines.
Short Communication: Phylogenetic Evidence of HIV-1 Transmission Between Adult and Adolescent Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Abstract HIV-1 incidence among youth, especially men who have sex with men (MSM), is increasing in the United States. We aimed to better understand the patterns of adolescent HIV-1 acquisition, to help guide future prevention interventions. We conducted a study combining epidemiologic and HIV-1 pol sequence data from a retrospective cohort of HIV-infected adults and adolescents in Seattle, WA between 2000 and 2013. Adolescents were defined as 13–24 years of age at the time of first HIV-1 care. Maximum-likelihood phylogenetic trees were reconstructed to identify putative viral transmission clusters of two or more individuals, followed by multivariable regression tests of associations between clustering and demographic and clinical parameters. The dataset included 3,102 sequences from 1,953 individuals; 72 putative transmission clusters were identified, representing 168 individuals (8.6%). MSM and MSM/intravenous drug use (IDU) were positively associated with clustering, with aOR 3.18 (95% CI: 1.34–7.55) an...
Evaluation of Phi6 Persistence and Suitability as an Enveloped Virus Surrogate.

Recent outbreaks involving enveloped viruses, such as Ebola virus, have raised questions regarding the persistence of enveloped viruses in the water environment. Efforts have been made to find enveloped virus surrogates due to challenges investigating viruses that require biosafety-level 3 or 4 handling. In this study, the enveloped bacteriophage Phi6 was evaluated as a surrogate for enveloped waterborne viruses. The persistence of Phi6 was tested in aqueous conditions chosen based on previously published viral persistence studies. Our results demonstrated that the predicted T90 (time for 90% inactivation) of Phi6 under the 12 evaluated conditions varied from 24 min to 117 days depending on temperature, biological activity, and aqueous media composition. Phi6 persistence was then compared with persistence values from other enveloped viruses reported in the literature. The apparent suitability of Phi6 as an enveloped virus surrogate was dependent on the temperature and composition of the media tested. Of e...
Survey-based assessment of the relationship between cognitive impairment and mentally stimulating activity in multiple sclerosis.

AbstractObjectives: Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common and potentially debilitating component of the disease course in multiple sclerosis (MS). However, therapeutic options remain limited. It is unknown whether cognitively enriching activities reduce the burden of CI in patients with MS, as is found in other neurologic diseases affecting cognition. The aim of this study was to determine whether participation in cognitively enriching activities decreased self-reported CI in MS patients.Methods: CI and activity levels were reported through electronic surveys completed by MS patients at the Cleveland Clinic. Responses were analyzed by univariable and multivariable regressions to identify factors associated with lower CI.Results: We received 316 survey responses. Use of an assistive device (β = 4.09; P = 0.033) and Internet use (β = 11.9; P = 0.017) were associated with higher reported CI, while employment correlated with reduced CI (β = −7.97; P < 0.0001). None of the cognitive activities surveyed were fo...
U.S. Latinization: Education and the New Latino South, by Salas, S., & Portes, P.R. (Eds.): (2017). Albany, NY: State University of New York Press

In this first published edited volume focusing on the social geography of the New South, Salas and Portes, along with the contributing authors, eloquently bring to light the urgency of thinking dif...
Effects of the New York State Concussion Management and Awareness Act (“Lystedt Law”) on Concussion-Related Emergency Health Care Utilization Among Adolescents, 2005-2015:

Background:All states have enacted legislation addressing the management of sports-related concussions (SRCs) in adolescent athletes. The effect of these laws on health care utilization is uncertain.Hypothesis/Purpose:The purpose was to evaluate the effects of New York’s 2011 Concussion Management and Awareness Act (“Lystedt Law”) on emergency department (ED) concussion health care visits (EDCHVs) and brain imaging utilization. It was hypothesized that New York concussion legislation would have a significant temporal effect on EDCHVs.Study Design:Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods:Using the New York State Department of Health Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database, trends in EDCHVs from 2005 to 2015 were identified among 12- to 18-year-old patients, comprising 5,740,403 total ED visits.Results:Overall, 208,024 EDCHVs, including 54,669 for an SRC, occurred during the study period. EDCHVs increased from 13,664 (2.74% of all ED visits) in 2005 to a peak of 21,374 (4.26%) in ...
Information Retrieval and Recommendation Using Emotion from Speech Signals

In this paper we describe a system of retrieving information from artwork based on textual cues, descriptive to relative art pieces, made available through the metadata itself. Large datasets of artwork can easily be mined by using alternative queries and search methodologies. In the most common search methodology a text-based query using a keyboard is performed. We are proposing a method for searching, finding and recommending digital media content based on pre-set metadata text queries organized in two categories, then mapped to speech sentiment cues extracted from the emotion layer of speech alone. We also account for the difference in sentiment expression for male and female speakers and further suggest that this differentiation may improve system performance.
High Resolution Nonlinear Laser Spectroscopy Measurements of Exciton Dynamics in GaAs Quantum Well Structures

The optical properties of GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs multiple quantum well structures are dominated by strong sharp excitonic resonances near the band edge which are observable in both absorption and luminescence spectra1,2. The quasi 2-dimensional excitons are confined in the GaAs layer by the AlxGa1-xAs barriers. The principal properties of the confined exciton include a binding energy which increases with decreasing well width and a blue shift in the exciton transition energy. Indeed the increase in binding energy due to confinement explains the clear observation of these resonances even at room temperature. These materials are grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) methods and are important for application in high speed electronic and opto-electronic devices3. Moreover, the ability to fabricate crystals with dimensions controllable at the atomic level provides an excellent opportunity to study the basic physics giving rise to relaxation of the exciton with reduced dimensionality through the interaction of the exciton with the crystal lattice.
Soybean Disease Management: Chemical and Biological Control in Temperate Regions

The soybean germplasm we utilize today was primarily derived from the cool temperate region of northeastern China. When soybeans are planted in similar regions around the world, disease severities and losses are typically lower than they are in warm temperate, Subtropical and tropical locations. Diseases are usually less severe in cooler climates because of freeze-thaw cycles in the winter, cooler mean temperatures, and/or shorter summers that reduce the number of reproductive generations, and/or lower humidity that reduces the number of infection events for foliage-infecting pathogens. Management is difficult in warm temperate regions requiring an integration of genetic defenses, cultural practice modifications, and chemical control practices. Improvements in disease management will be made by providing farmers with decision-making aids, and by researching disease induced losses that are presently poorly understood.
Spinal protein phosphatase 1 constrains respiratory plasticity after sustained hypoxia.

This study demonstrates that the relevant okadaic acid-sensitive Ser/Thr protein phosphatase (PP) constraining facilitation after sustained hypoxia is PP1 and not PP2A. It suggests that PP1 may be ...