cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Fish Habitat in Streams: Goals, Constraints, and a New Technique

Abstract Resolution of conflicts between forestry and fisheries requires assessment of stream habitat quality so that stream reaches of vulnerable or critical habitat may be avoided or protected. Assessment of stream habitats potentially involves a large number of stream features. Designers of stream survey techniques must choose a subset of these features based on logistical constraints of field work and intended use of the survey data. A new survey technique, developed for use in southeast Alaska, is described. The technique involves diagrammatic mapping of stream features, including water velocity/depth categories, spawning gravel, and several kinds of fish cover.
SU‐GG‐J‐91: Fast, Low‐Dose Patient Localization On TomoTherapy Via Topogram Registration

Purpose: We present a protocol to efficiently localize patients on TomoTherapy by using a scout imaging (topogram) mode that can be used instead of or in conjunction with 3D MVCT imaging.Method and Materials: To show the feasibility of this method, we scanned anthropomorphic head, thorax, and pelvis phantoms on a kilovoltage CT simulator and subsequently generated digitally reconstructed topograms (DRTs) in the native geometry of the TomoTherapy source/imaging array. The same phantoms were scanned in the imaging mode of the TomoTherapy unit with a moving couch and fixed gantry of 0° and 270°. The raw detector data were read out at the end of these respective “anterior‐posterior” and “right‐lateral” scans, which in turn were compared against DRTs to evaluate the ability of computing shifts and rotations using these images.Results: Using the helical MVCT beam parameters, the time needed to acquire a quality topogram was 12.5 sec for a 50 cm long field. The minimum acquisition time was limited by the maximum couch speed of 4.0 cm/sec. The topogram dose was <1% of that incurred by a MVCT scan. Conclusion: Using topogram images may dramatically reduce the time required to localize the patient for treatment sites that require only bony anatomyimaging. Topograms can be used alternately with MVCT imaging for cases where topograms are useful for positioning, while MVCT is used for monitoring soft tissue response. Where topograms alone can suffice, our protocol boasts a 30‐fold reduction in time and 100‐fold reduction in dose to standard MVCT patient localization. This work is supported by a grant from TomoTherapy, Inc.
Role of biogenic amines in morphine dependence in the rat

Abstract We have studied the effect of depleting the rat brain of serotonin or catecholamines upon the precipitated abstinence symptoms in morphine-dependent rats. Serotonin depletion by prior administration of p-chlorophenylalanine did not modify the symptoms of ptosis, diarrhea, number of “wet dog” shakes or temperature change, whereas depletion of brain norepinephrine by alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine significantly reduced the number of shakes and the hypothermia precipitated by nalorphine. Administration of L-DOPA 3 hours before precipitating the abstinence syndrome prevented the amelioration of symptoms by AMPT. Modification of catecholamine metabolism by diethyldithiocarbamate and imipramine also reduced the shakes, but affected temperature changes variably. The complete expression of the abstinence syndrome in the rat appears to depend upon adequate brain levels of norepinephrine.
An inverse analysis of a matrix population model using a genetic algorithm

Abstract Accurate estimation of demographic parameters of tropical tree population models can be difficult due to low mortality rates coupled with typically short observation durations. In this study, we use a Genetic Algorithm (GA) for inverse parameter estimation of a tropical palm ( Mauritia flexuosa ) matrix population model. The palm matrix model, with six size classes above 1 m height, simulates a density-dependent mono-dominant population. The population was sampled during 1994 through 1996, and is believed to be at steady-state. The previously published parameter values poorly predict the observed steady-state size class distribution. We found that GA optimization led to greatly improved fits with mean errors of less than one individual per size class. However, repeating the GA optimization 15 times demonstrated a lack of consistency in the magnitudes of optimal demographic parameters, with some parameters far outside the range of estimates from five measurement plots. An additional set of GA optimizations, constrained to keep 13 parameters within the plot-to-plot variation, also had excellent fits, but was much more consistent. This consistent pattern demonstrates that the observed size class distribution is a plausible result of the hypothesized model and the parameter space bounded by measurements. The pattern of optimal parameter estimates in the constrained GA optimization set supports the hypothesis that juvenile palms (6–20 m height) grow rapidly into the reproductive size classes, and that this rapid growth was underestimated in the field sampling.
Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination: The Interplay of Steroid Hormones and Temperature

Sex determination is the product of coordinated gene expression. Mutational analyses have yielded great progress in our understanding of mammalian sex determination, and insight into the evolution of this sex chromosome system would be valuable. Mammals arose from turtle-like reptiles, and in many turtles the incubation temperature of the egg determines the sex of the offspring, a process known as temperature-dependent sex determination. There is mounting evidence that sex steroid hormones are the physiological equivalent of incubation temperature and serve as the proximate trigger for male and female sex determination. Temperature appears to accomplish this end by acting on genes coding for steroidogenic enzymes and sex steroid hormone receptors. The ability to manipulate sex determination in turtles both by temperature and by sex steroid hormones extends our understanding of the evolution as well as the physiology and molecular biology of sex determination.
Preparing Speech Language Pathology Students to Work in Early Childhood.

The shortage of highly qualified speech language pathologists (SLPs) with specialized training in early intervention and early childhood special education (EI/ECSE) is a pressing issue facing the field and dramatically impacts young children’s social and academic success. SLP personnel preparation programs focused on training specialists in EI/ECSE are crucial to building a highly qualified workforce to meet the needs of young children with disabilities and their families. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the design and implementation of one such program. The guiding principles, competencies, and practica experiences of this federally funded program are illustrated. Outcomes are delineated in terms of student competencies, feasibility of implementing an early childhood specialization within an SLP graduate program, and the impact on the local community and EI/ECSE workforce.
Trypsin in human pancreatic juice--their distributions as found in 34 specimens. Two human pancreatic trypsinogens.

Trypsinogen I was found in 33 of 34 patient pancreatic juice specimens and trypsinogen II was found in 11 patients. Trypsinogen I was found in ten of the latter patients. The trypsinogen 1 band represented 13.4 ± 11.5 per cent of the total protein found in the juice, while trypsinogen II represented 1.4 ± 3.4 per cent. The isoelectric point of trypsinogen I was 7.0 and that of trypsinogen II was 4.7–5.0.
Simple device for locating the abutment screw position of a cement-retained implant restoration.

aAffiliate Faculty, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Washington; Private practice, Bellevue, Wash. bProfessor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University of Washington. (J Prosthet Dent 2013;109:272-274) 1 Plate and guide rod engage abutment screw head on cast, with plate lowered and oriented to buccal of adjacent teeth. Cement-retained implant restorations have been reported to have several advantages over their screwretained counterparts, especially with respect to esthetics, occlusion, cost, passive fit, and reduced chair time.1,2 However, there are occasions when the cement-retained restoration requires removal, for example, if the abutment screws loosen or if the restoration needs repair.3,4 In this instance, the crown frequently remains cemented to the abutment. The abutment screw must then be accessed through the crown. The challenge here is to locate the screw position with minimal damage to the restoration, abutment, and possibly implant. Several authors have reported techniques to achieve this, which include reviewing a radiograph of the implant position and estimating the long axis position of the screw,5 using photography to record the position of the abutment before the crown is cemented,6,7 marking the screw access site with a porcelain stain during fabrication,8 or fabricating a vacuum-formed guide or template over the definitive restoration.9,10 The problems associated with these techniques are clear. Estimating the implant position in 2 dimensions either with radiographic or photographic records is inaccurate.5-7 Marking the screw access point may be useful in nonesthetic areas but has limitations with an anterior restoration.8 This article describes the procedure for fabricating a custom-made and precision implant-locating device (PILD) to record the access position of the abutment screw. It is simple, rapid, inexpensive, and gives 3-dimensional information for guiding directional screw access.
Causal Relationships between Public Sector Agricultural Research Expenditures and Output

Allocative decisions concerning public sector agricultural research appear to be driven by both supply and politically mediated demand forces. In-sample Granger tests, along with post-sample predictive tests, suggest that simultaneity issues should not be ignored when modeling the research expenditure-output relationship. The results also provide strong evidence that the impact of research expenditures on agricultural output may persist for as long as thirty years. These lags are substantially longer than those commonly used for agricultural research to date. The lagged effect of output on research appears to be shorter, though still between ten and twelve years. In this article we analyze the empirical relationship between public sector agricultural research and agricultural output. Our interest in this question was spurred on two fronts. First, emphasis of the contemporary economic literature has shifted from an analysis of the consequences of technical change to an explanation of the observed rate and direction of inventive activity. A substantial proportion of this literature has focused on appropriable technologies originating in the private sector and remained largely silent on related issues in the public sector.' Here we analyze the dynamics of public sector research, in particular publicly sponsored agricultural research in the
Measurement of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-II binding to purified IGF binding proteins 1–6: comparison of charcoal adsorption and high performance size exclusion chromatography

Abstract Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding to IGF binding proteins is commonly assessed by adsorbing free IGF to albumin-coated charcoal and quantitating bound IGF in the supernatant, but the validity of this technique has been questioned and many variations have been described. We compared the measurement of binding affinity and capacity of purified IGFBPs 1–6 for IGF-II using charcoal adsorption and Superdex G75 high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) to separate free and bound 125 I-IGF-II. Optimal HPSEC recovery and resolution was obtained for IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-6 with low salt buffer (0.1 M sodium phosphate, pH 7.4), whereas phosphate buffer supplemented with 0.5 M NaCl was optimal for IGFBPs 2–5. Measurement of binding of 125 I-IGF-II to IGFBPs 3–5 using the charcoal assay was also increased by the use of high salt buffer. Under optimal conditions, charcoal measurements of 125 I-IGF-II binding to IGFBPs 1–5 were consistently lower than HPSEC measurements. By competitive binding using unlabeled IGF-II, the binding affinity of each of the IGFBPs for IGF-II was the same using both methods. Similarly, binding affinities as measured by charcoal assay were not affected by buffer composition. Differences in total binding obtained using the two methods and under different conditions were therefore due to differences in binding capacity. Charcoal adsorbs 15% of cross-linked 125 I-IGF-II:IGFBP complexes which may partially explain the lower binding capacity for IGFBPs 1–5 determined by charcoal adsorption. Charcoal adsorption and HPSEC, therefore, are both valid methods for the measurement of binding affinities of IGFBPs for IGF-II, but assay conditions must be validated prior to measurement: of binding capacity.
Numerical solution of the full potential equation using a chimera grid approach

A numerical scheme utilizing a chimera zonal grid approach for solving the full potential equation in two spatial dimensions is described. Within each grid zone a fully-implicit approximate factorization scheme is used to advance the solution one interaction. This is followed by the explicit advance of all common zonal grid boundaries using a bilinear interpolation of the velocity potential. The presentation is highlighted with numerical results simulating the flow about a two-dimensional, nonlifting, circular cylinder. For this problem, the flow domain is divided into two parts: an inner portion covered by a polar grid and an outer portion covered by a Cartesian grid. Both incompressible and compressible (transonic) flow solutions are included. Comparisons made with an analytic solution as well as single grid results indicate that the chimera zonal grid approach is a viable technique for solving the full potential equation.
Re-contacting participants for inclusion in the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP): Findings from three case-control studies of lung cancer

Background Since January 2008, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has required that all investigators who receive NIH support submit de-identified high-throughput genomic data to the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes (dbGaP). The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of re-consenting participants from three inactive studies, conducted from 2000 through 2009, to submit their data to dbGaP.
Introduction: Mathematics Ability, Performance, and Achievement

Although the study of mathematical cognition is hardly new, recent and renewed interests in delineating cognitive influences on mathematical ability coincides with efforts to promote successful mat...
Quiet debut for the double helix

Past discoveries usually become aggrandized in retrospect, especially at jubilee celebrations, and the double helix is no exception. The historical record reveals a muted response by the scientific community to the proposal of this structure in 1953. Indeed, it was only when the outlines appeared of a mechanism for DNA's involvement in protein synthesis that the biochemical community began to take a serious interest in the structure.
Anglo- and Mexican-American performance on the MMPI administered in Spanish or English

The MMPI was administered in either Spanish or English to 450 Anglo or Mexican-Americans matched for sex and age. All 150 Anglo-Americans were tested in English, while half the 300 Mexican-Americans were tested in Spanish and the other half in English. A multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant age, sex, and language/ethnicity differences. Univariate analyses of variance demonstrated that Mexican-Americans tested in Spanish scored significantly higher than either Anglos or Mexican-Americans tested in English on 10 MMPI scales. Mexican-Americans tested in English, however, scored higher than Anglos on only one scale. Results are interpreted in terms of cultural differences with test language the primary determinant of level of acculturation.
Developmental changes in children's understanding of the similarity between photographs and their referents.

In a series of three experiments, we investigated the development of children’s understanding of the similarities between photographs and their referents. Based on prior work on the development of analogical understanding (e.g. Gentner & Rattermann, 1991), we suggest that the appreciation of this relation involves multiple levels. Photographs are similar to their referents both in terms of the constituent objects and in terms of the relations among these objects. We predicted that children would appreciate object similarity (whether photographs depict the same objects as in the referent scene) before they would appreciate relational similarity (whether photographs depict the objects in the same spatial positions as in the referent scene). To test this hypothesis, we presented 3-, 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-year-old children and adults with several candidate photographs of an arrangement of objects. Participants were asked to choose which of the photographs was ‘the same’ as the arrangement. We manipulated the types of information the photographs preserved about the referent objects. One set of photographs did not preserve the object properties of the scene. Another set of photographs preserved the object properties of the scene, but not the relational similarity, such that the original objects were depicted but occupied different spatial positions in the arrangement. As predicted, younger children based their choices of the photographs largely on object similarity, whereas older children and adults also took relational similarity into account. Results are discussed in terms of the development of children’s appreciation of different levels of similarity.
Distributed Operator Placement and Data Caching in Large-Scale Sensor Networks

Recent advances in computer technology and wireless communications have enabled the emergence of stream-based sensor networks. In such sensor networks, real-time data are generated by a large number of distributed sources. Queries are made that may require sophisticated processing and filtering of the data. A query is represented by a query graph. In order to reduce the data transmission and to better utilize resources, it is desirable to place operators of the query graph inside the network, and thus to perform in-network processing. Moreover, given that various queries occur with different frequencies and that only a subset of sensor data may actually be queried, caching intermediate data objects inside the network can help improve query efficiency. In this paper, we consider the problem of placing both operators and intermediate data objects inside the network for a set of queries so as to minimize the total cost of storage, computation, and data transmission. We propose distributed algorithms that achieve optimal solutions for tree-structured query graph topologies and general network topologies. The algorithms converge in Lmax(.HQ + 1) iterations, where Lmax is the order of the diameter of the sensor network, and Hq represents the depth of the query graph, defined as the maximum number of operations needed for a raw data to become a final data. For a regular grid network and complete binary tree query graph, the complexity is 0(radic(N)log2 M), where N is the number of nodes in the sensor network and M is the number of data objects in a query graph. The most attractive features of these algorithms are that they require only information exchanges between neighbors, can be executed asynchronously, are adaptive to cost change and topology change, and are resilient to node or link failures.
Bile Acid Metabolism and Signaling

Bile acids are important physiological agents for intestinal nutrient absorption and biliary secretion of lipids, toxic metabolites, and xenobiotics. Bile acids also are signaling molecules and metabolic regulators that activate nuclear receptors and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling to regulate hepatic lipid, glucose, and energy homeostasis and maintain metabolic homeostasis. Conversion of cholesterol to bile acids is critical for maintaining cholesterol homeostasis and preventing accumulation of cholesterol, triglycerides, and toxic metabolites, and injury in the liver and other organs. Enterohepatic circulation of bile acids from the liver to intestine and back to the liver plays a central role in nutrient absorption and distribution, and metabolic regulation and homeostasis. This physiological process is regulated by a complex membrane transport system in the liver and intestine regulated by nuclear receptors. Toxic bile acids may cause inflammation, apoptosis, and cell death. On the other hand, bile acid-activated nuclear and GPCR signaling protects against inflammation in liver, intestine, and macrophages. Disorders in bile acid metabolism cause cholestatic liver diseases, dyslipidemia, fatty liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Bile acids, bile acid derivatives, and bile acid sequestrants are therapeutic agents for treating chronic liver diseases, obesity, and diabetes in humans.
Effects of Ventricular Premature Stimulus Coupling Interval on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Turbulence

Background— Heart rate turbulence (HRT) is a promising noninvasive risk stratifier for mortality after myocardial infarction. On the basis of a study of ventricular premature complex coupling interval and sympathetic nerve burst amplitude, we hypothesized that measures of HRT would increase with increased prematurity of the coupling interval. Methods and Results— Twenty-eight patients undergoing programmed electrical stimulation were studied (12 with prior myocardial infarction, aged 60±18 years). An extrastimulus was delivered from the right ventricular apex after 20 sinus beats with a V-S2 coupling interval decremented by 20 to 30 ms until refractoriness was reached. Turbulence slope (TS), turbulence timing (TT), and turbulence onset were calculated for each extrastimulus, and the linear regressions of these parameters on coupling interval and compensatory pause were calculated. Arterial blood pressure was measured with arterial catheter or a noninvasive continuous blood pressure transducer (Buffington ...
Acculturation in a pretreatment sample of Latino adolescents: a confirmatory factor analytic study

The Acculturation Rating Scale for Mexican Americans–II (ARSMA-II) is one of the most widely used measures of acculturation for Latinos. While the ARSMA-II is used quite often, there has been littl...
Quantization analysis tool for fixed-point implementation of real time algorithms on the TMS320C5000

Digital Signal Processing (DSP) chips are getting faster, with higher available performance and lower power consumption. Simultaneously, the complexity of algorithms that are being implemented on these devices is increasing rapidly. Currently, Texas Instruments (TI) has targeted the TMS320C5000, fixed point (16 bits), family of DSPs to be the most power efficient DSP engine. Implementing complex algorithms on a fixed-point platform is not a trivial task. Fixed-point programs require variables to have a quantization format, and prevent (minimize) overflow and underflow quantization errors The process of converting a successful floating-point implementation of an algorithm to fixed-point can be a long and tedious process. This paper presents software tool (Fast Quantization Tool (FaQT)), which simplifies the process of converting an algorithm from floating-point to fixed-point. The paper also presents the application of FaQT to a Noise Reduction (NR) algorithm used in speech processing for cell-phone and other audio applications.
Evidence That Auxin-Induced Growth of Tobacco Leaf Tissues Does Not Involve Cell Wall Acidification

Interveinal strips (10 × 1.5 mm) excised from growing tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Xanthi) leaves have an auxin-specific, epinastic growth response that is developmentally regulated and is not the result of ethylene induction (C.P. Keller, E. Van Volkenburgh [1997] Plant Physiol 113: 603–610). We report here that auxin (10 μm naphthalene acetic acid) treatment of strips does not result in plasma membrane hyperpolarization or detectable proton efflux. This result is in contrast to the expected responses elicited by 1 μm fusicoccin (FC) treatment, which in other systems mimics auxin growth promotion through stimulation of the plasma membrane H+-ATPase and resultant acid wall loosening; FC produced both hyperpolarization and proton efflux in leaf strips. FC-induced growth was much more inhibited by a strong neutral buffer than was auxin-induced growth. Measurements of the osmotic concentration of strips suggested that osmotic adjustment plays no role in the auxin-induced growth response. Although cell wall loosening of some form appears to be involved, taken together, our results suggest that auxin-induced growth stimulation of tobacco leaf strips results primarily from a mechanism not involving acid growth.
Association of Adolescent Cigar Use With Other High-Risk Behaviors

Objectives. To describe the association of cigar use with use of cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and alcohol among adolescents; and to examine the association of self-esteem, physical activity, and use of tobacco promotional items with cigar use. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 7104 girls and 5499 boys 10 to 15 years of age in 1997. Data were collected from self-report questionnaires. Results. The prevalence of cigar use increased with age among both girls and boys. Among 11-year-olds, only 1% of girls and 3% of boys had used a cigar, whereas among 15-year-olds, 11% of girls and 25% of boys had used a cigar. Cigar users were much more likely than nonusers to have experimented with cigarettes (girls, odds ratio [OR]: 23.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.2–32.3; boys, OR: 21.3; 95% CI: 17.1–26.6), smokeless tobacco (girls, OR: 7.5; 95% CI: 4.5–12.4; boys, OR: 13.0; 95% CI: 9.8–17.4), and alcohol (girls, OR: 6.6; 95% CI: 4.8–9.1; boys, OR: 6.8; 95% CI: 5.3–8.8). There was a strong association between cigar use and binge drinking, especially among boys (girls, OR: 11.6; 95% CI: 7.9–16.9; boys, OR: 34.8; 95% CI: 19.4–62.3). Cigar users reported more hours of weekly physical activity than did nonusers. Additionally, cigar users were more likely to report high social self-esteem and to possess a tobacco promotional item. Conclusions. Adolescents who use cigars are more likely to use other tobacco products and alcohol, to report high social self-esteem, and to possess tobacco promotional items. Health care professionals and teachers should include cigar use in discussions with adolescents addressing substance use.
Oral Care Practices for Orally Intubated Critically Ill Adults

BACKGROUND Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a major threat to patients receiving mechanical ventilation in hospitals. Oral care is a nursing intervention that may help prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia. OBJECTIVES To describe oral care practices performed by critical care nurses for orally intubated critically ill patients and compare these practices with recommendations for oral care in the 2005 AACN Procedure Manual for Critical Care and the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. METHODS A descriptive, cross-sectional design with a 31-item Web-based survey was used to describe oral care practices reported by 347 randomly selected members of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. RESULTS Oral care was performed every 2 (50%) or 4 (42%) hours, usually with foam swabs (97%). Oral care was reported as a high priority (47%). Nurses with 7 years or more of critical care experience performed oral care more often (P=.008) than did less experienced nurses. Nurses with a bachelor's degree in nursing used foam swabs (P=.001), suctioned the mouth before the endotracheal tube (P=.02), and suctioned after oral care (P<.001) more often than other nurses. Nurses whose units had an oral care policy (72%) reported that the policy indicated using a toothbrush (63%), using toothpaste (40%), brushing with a foam swab (90%), using chlorhexidine gluconate oral rinse (49%), suctioning the oral cavity (84%), and assessing the oral cavity (73%). Oral care practices and policies differed for all those items. CONCLUSIONS Survey results indicate that discrepancies exist between reported practices and policies. Oral care policies appear to be present, but not well used.
Crystallization, thermal behavior, and compatibility in isotactic polystyrene/poly(o-chlorostyrene-co-p-chlorostyrene) blends

The dependence of the kinetics of crystallization and melting behavior in isotactic polystyrene/poly-o-chlorostyrene-co-p-chlorostyrene (iPS/Po-CIS-co-p-CIS) blends on temperature, thermal history, and blend composition has been investigated. The crystallization rate at a given temperature and copolymer composition decreases with increasing copolymer content in the blend when the samples are premelted. These effects can be ascribed to the reduction of mobility of the crystallizable chains due to the presence of the copolymer and to the decrease in the number of heterogenous iPS nuclei as a result of the premelting process. The Avrami exponent values and the analysis of the blend morphology indicate that the growth mechanism of the crystals is strongly influenced by thermal treatment. There is no measurable change in the melting temperature of iPS in the blends, with composition indicating that, on the basis of the Flory-Huggins approximation of the thermodynamics of polymer mixing, the net interaction parameter at the melting temperature is close to zero. From the comparison of the phase diagram for the isotactic polystyrene-containing blend with that of the atactic-containing blend, it can be concluded that in the amorphous state polystyrene with a regular configuration is slightly less compatible with the P(o-CIS-co-p-CIS) than is polystyrene with random configuration.
MuJoCo HAPTIX: A virtual reality system for hand manipulation

Data-driven methods have lead to advances in multiple fields including robotics. These methods however have had limited impact on dexterous hand manipulation, partly due to lack of rich and physically-consistent dataset as well as technology able to collect them. To fill this gap, we developed a virtual reality system combining real-time motion capture, physics simulation and stereoscopic visualization. The system enables a user wearing a CyberGlove to "reach-in" the simulation, and manipulate virtual objects through contacts with a tele-operated virtual hand. The system is evaluated on a subset of tasks in the Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure — which is a clinically validated test of hand function. The system is also being used by performer teams in the DARPA Hand Proprioception & Touch Interfaces program to develop neural control interfaces in simulation. The software is freely available at www.mujoco.org.
Living Kidney Donor Criteria Based on Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, and Glucose: Age-Stratified Decision-Making in the Absence of Hard Data

Kidney transplantation is the preferred choice for many patients with end-stage renal disease. Long waiting times for deceased donor kidneys and declining health on dialysis remain major barriers. It is within this paradigm that optimal timing of kidney transplantation requires the availability of a living donor. Historically, potential donors were most often young and in excellent health by standards of the time. Accepted values of blood pressure and glucose have become more restrictive in recent decades. Living kidney donation has appeared generally safe but nonetheless carries some surgical and potential long-term risks. Demographic changes with aging and higher obesity rates have challenged transplant centers to reevaluate donor acceptance criteria to consider potential donors with isolated medical abnormalities. We adopted a set of age-based protocols to consider donor risk by incorporating relevant data from studies of the general population. These criteria may potentially allow an older donor to take on some additional risk in the context of both a more established medical history and fewer additional life-years during which that risk might manifest. Herein, we describe our rationale and approach.
A comparison of hydrodynamic damping models using least-squares and adaptive identifier methods for autonomous underwater vehicles

This work provides a comparison of eight different hydrodynamic damping models for streamlined tail-controlled autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). We use an off-line least-squares method and an adaptive identifier method to approximate damping model coefficients and determine if one damping model is preferred over other models. We evaluate the two methods for estimating the parameters of the models. Our initial results show that both identification methods produce similar results, and thus the adaptive identifier might be preferred for some applications because it does not require angular acceleration. Our results also show that the linear damping model has comparable performance to more complex models but employs fewer parameters. We conclude that the linear damping model is preferred over other models due to its simplicity.
Political conservatism predicts asymmetries in emotional scene memory

Variation in political ideology has been linked to differences in attention to and processing of emotional stimuli, with stronger responses to negative versus positive stimuli (negativity bias) the more politically conservative one is. As memory is enhanced by attention, such findings predict that memory for negative versus positive stimuli should similarly be enhanced the more conservative one is. The present study tests this prediction by having participants study 120 positive, negative, and neutral scenes in preparation for a subsequent memory test. On the memory test, the same 120 scenes were presented along with 120 new scenes and participants were to respond whether a scene was old or new. Results on the memory test showed that negative scenes were more likely to be remembered than positive scenes, though, this was true only for political conservatives. That is, a larger negativity bias was found the more conservative one was. The effect was sizeable, explaining 45% of the variance across subjects in the effect of emotion. These findings demonstrate that the relationship between political ideology and asymmetries in emotion processing extend to memory and, furthermore, suggest that exploring the extent to which subject variation in interactions among emotion, attention, and memory is predicted by conservatism may provide new insights into theories of political ideology.
Legal Constraints and Marketing Research: Review and Call to Action:

Marketing researchers operate in an environment which is ripe for legislation. Researcher-respondent privacy issues, unfair and deceptive practices among researchers, and the continual problem of “...
Four New Species of Western Coleoptera (Cleridae, Buprestidae and Cerambycidae)

Male .—Resembling C. tricolor Skinner in form and color. Light brown, apical third of elytra and umbone piceous, a transverse light band on elytra between the two colors, back of middle.
(Extraordinary) Bodies of Knowledge: Recent Scholarship in American Disability History

general content and value of disability history, there are two especially useful essays. In the American Historical Review, Catherine Kudlick maps out intellectual and theoretical arguments in her essay, "Why We Need Another 'Other.'" A solid combination of theory and application, Doug Baynton's essay in The New Disability History (2001), "Disability as a Justification for Inequality," draws on three dominant themes in American history slavery, female suffrage, and immigration policy to reveal the many ways that disability intersects, underscores, and infiltrates our nation's past. In the process, he articulates a common experience for many who enter into this scholarly pursuit: "Disability is everywhere in history, once you begin looking for it." Teachers can mine the Encyclopedia of American Disability History (2009) for readings that would give students a general overview of disability history. The encyclopedia interprets disability widely, presenting solid and innovative historical approaches to the meanings and lived experiences of disability in American history. Edited by Paul Longmore and Lauri Umansky, The New Disability (2001) showcases recent scholarship by leading scholars in the field. Most works focus on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries and cover broad themes, such as labor, policy, agency, citizenship, and representation, while they also offer more focused analyses of disability groups, including blind and deaf communities, disabled veterans, and individuals with chronic illnesses.
Tuning the Reactivity of TEMPO by Coordination to a Lewis Acid: Isolation and Reactivity of MCl3(η1-TEMPO) (M = Fe, Al)

Addition of 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) to MCl3 (M = Fe, Al) results in the formation of MCl3(η1-TEMPO) [M = Fe (1), Al (2)]. Both 1 and 2 oxidize alcohols to generate ketones or aldehydes along with the reduced complexes MCl3(η1-TEMPOH) [M = Fe (3), Al (4)]. Complexes 1–4 were fully characterized, including analysis by X-ray crystallography. Additionally, control experiments indicated that neither MCl3 (M = Al, Fe) nor TEMPO are capable of effecting the oxidation of alcohols independently.
Special Article: Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Childhood:

In adults, physical activity and exercise training are associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, a reduced likelihood of developing adverse cardiovascular risk factors, and improved insulin sensitivity. In childhood, participation in appropriate physical activity may prevent the development of cardiovascular risk factors in the future and complement treatment of existing cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and overweight. Exercise in children can also significantly improve insulin sensitivity independent of weight loss. These e fects are mediated in overweight children by increases in lean body mass relative to fat mass and associated improvements in inflammatory mediators, endothelial function, and the associated adverse hormonal milieu.
Come Aboard! Exploring the Effects of Directorships in the Executive Labor Market

In this study, we examine the following question: What do executives gain from serving on boards? We propose that board service benefits non-CEO-level executives in the executive labor market by acting as a certification mechanism and by providing access to unique knowledge, skills, and connections. We argue that non-CEO executives who gain directorships will be more likely to be promoted to CEO both inside and outside their home firm, will be more likely to be promoted internally, and will receive higher pay from their home firms. To test our ideas, we employ propensity score matching to construct a longitudinal sample of 2,104 top executives of large, publicly traded companies in the United States over the period 1996 to 2012. The results provide consistent support for our theory.
Understanding the Challenges and Opportunities of Smart Mobile Devices among the Oldest Old

While smart mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablet computers, and e-readers, are becoming more common among older populations, little is known about the user experience of this technology for older adults in naturalistic settings or how this demographic sustains use of these devices over time. To understand this, the research team conducted 18 months of contextual inquiry within two computer rooms at one senior residential facility and semi-structured interviews with 28 older adults age 80+ within the same community. The analysis examines older adults' experiences around adoption and usage of smart mobile devices, the challenges presented by these devices as a platform for communication, and the nuances of maintaining these devices over time in the context of late-life disability. The paper concludes with a discussion of design considerations for future work aimed at improving the user experience of smart mobile devices for older adults.
The Division of Chemical Education Executive Committee, Board of Publication, and ACS Examinations Institute Board of Trustees: A Historical Perspective from 1985 to 2015

The compositions and responsibilities of the Division of Chemical Education Executive Committee, ACS Examinations Institute Board of Trustees, and Board of Publication are described, along with salient features of Board operations. Between 1985, when the ACS Examinations Institute was established, and 2015, each of these leadership groups have seen changes in terms of both the number of members and their duties. In particular, the fiduciary responsibilities of the Board members have become more prominent. The Division members who have served on the Division’s Executive Committee, Board of Publication, and ACS Examinations Institute Board of Trustees during the period 1985–2015 are documented in the Supporting Information. These individuals, whether elected or appointed, have served the Division in a variety of roles in order to improve the teaching and learning of chemistry, the measurement of student learning, and the dissemination of information among chemical educators.
The Measurement and Control of Carbon Footprint of Supply Chain

With the trend of global economic integration,carbon emissions has transferred to the downstream enterprises through the supply chain transmission mechanism. So carbon emissions inspection should take an all-round view,known as the carbon footprint of the supply chain. Carbon footprint measurement of Guangdong automobile supply chain showed an uneven distribution of carbon emissions of the auto industry in Guangdong. The RD of the core enterprises has reached the international low carbon standards with their production manufacturing carbon emissions close to the advanced manufacturing level. While carbon emissions of the middle and lower reaches in the supply chain enterprises is high. Spare parts suppliers,logistics enterprises,and sales enterprises constitute the three major carbon source of the auto industry of Guangdong. In addition,the carbon emission generated by scrapping of old cars may easily be ignored by people,and its harmfulness is more worthy of attention. Calculated results also showed that,due to carbon transfer phenomenon,local energy conservation and emission reduction measures of the auto industry in Guangdong did not improve the supply chain environment. Effective carbon management can improve the environment for the middle and lower reaches of the supply chain enterprise. An integrated improvement of the source of carbon footprint in supply chain governance is needed to achieve the overall efficacy of energy conservation and emissions reduction.
On Construction of Supporting System for Rice Research and Production

The paper expounds on rice information service in China and puts forward thoughts on the construction of a supporting system for rice research information based on sci-tech introduction service in the China National Rice Research Institute. In other words, it is essential to develop practical information system, integrate quality information resources, establish high efficient information dissemination media, provide timely information services, provide information support for rice sci-tech innovation and develop an industrial sector.
Feasible Neural Commands with Mechanical Constraints

In this chapter I refine the notion of feasible neural commands by introducing the concept of functional constraints. Chapter 7 presented the geometric principles that allow us to find the structure of the sets of all feasible neural commands and feasible mechanical outputs as a function of the natural bounds on muscle activations, strengths of the muscles, routing of the tendons, and mechanics of the limb. From that perspective it is clear that producing maximal mechanical output—shown for the case of static force production—can only be achieved by a unique muscle activation pattern (i.e., there is no muscle redundancy). But producing sub-maximal mechanical outputs can be done by multiple muscle activation patterns (i.e., there is muscle redundancy). This chapter explores the nature of those multiple muscle activation patterns, and the relationships among them. I emphasize that considering the properties of the limb plus the functional constraints of the task (which can be mechanical, metabolic, physiological, etc.) allows us to define and find families of valid and related solutions—instead of unique solutions in isolation. These concepts continue to challenge the classical notion of muscle redundancy but, most importantly, provide perspective and computational tools to explore mechanisms by which the nervous system controls the limbs for specific tasks. That is, muscle redundancy is a function of both the limb and the task. This is directly relevant to the central questions of motor control such as optimization, learning, adaptation, dimensionality reduction, synergistic control, etc. More generally, these concepts build a case to argue that exploring and exploiting feasible activation sets is likely a more biologically tenable way in which the nervous system operates in the context of muscle redundancy and multifaceted real-world tasks.
The Role of N-acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) as an Adjuvant to Opioid Treatment in Patients with Inadequately Controlled Chronic Neuropathic Pain

The Role of N-acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) as an Adjuvant to Opioid Treatment in Patients with Inadequately Controlled Chronic Neuropathic Pain By Thomas Burton Moore, M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2016 Major Director: Dace Svikis, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Obstetrics/Gynecology Department of Psychology and Psychiatry Introduction. While opioid medications are commonly prescribed for management of neuropathic pain (NP), long-term use has been associated with increased risk for overdose, drug interactions and addiction. New strategies are necessary to better manage chronic pain, thereby reducing need for opioid medications and their associated adverse consequences. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), an overthe-counter supplement, has shown promise in the treatment of psychiatric and addictive disorders. In addition, NAC has shown promise for reducing physiological signs of NP in laboratory rat models, prompting this study. Purpose. The present study was an open-label clinical trial of NAC as an adjuvant to opioid treatment for poorly controlled, chronic NP. It examined whether 1200 mg NAC twice daily for 4 weeks was associated with: lower ratings of patient-reported pain; reductions in PRN opioid medication for breakthrough pain; and improvements in physical and mental health quality of life (QoL). The study also examined whether appraisal of pain impacts response to medication. viii
Treatment of HIV infection with a raltegravir-based regimen increases LDL levels, but improves HDL cholesterol efflux capacity.

BackgroundPersons infected with HIV often have altered lipid profiles that may be affected by antiretroviral therapies (ART). Traditional lipid measurements may be insufficient to assess cardiovasc...